Throughout his
checkered career in the Confederate Army, Major General Joseph E. Johnston was
often vilified, and at times lauded, for one tactic— retreat. During the spring of 1862, he applied this
tactic stealthily along the Virginia Peninsula against the Union Army of the
Potomac. Under Major General George P.
McClellan, the Union army’s objective was the Confederate capital of
Richmond. Fortunately for Johnston,
McClellan was convinced he was heavily outnumbered, leading to an overly
cautious advance that gave Johnston more than ample time to retreat towards
Richmond’s stalwart defensive works.
After a brief hearted attempt to hold Williamsburg, Johnston again
ordered a retreat to gain distance from McClellan. To seal off Johnston’s rear, McClellan
ordered Brigadier General William B. Franklin’s division of 11,300 men to board
transports and then steam up the York River to Eltham’s Landing, across the
river from the town of West Point. From there, they would march to the village
of Barhamsville to attack Johnston’s rear.
Despite an uneventful landing, Franklin spent precious hours unloading
his transports, delaying his advance.
Johnston was aware of his presence and ordered Major General Gustavus
Woodson to block the road to Barhamsville, protecting his line of retreat. Not wanting to bring on a major battle,
Johnston ordered him to “go feel the enemy gently and fall back.” Woodson selected Brigadier General William C.
Whiting’s division to “feel” Franklin.
Whiting’s division included one exceptional brigade that would go on to
legendary status in Confederate military lore - The Texas Brigade.
After spending
months observing Union activity along the north bank of the Potomac River and
retreating up the Virginia Peninsula, the Texas Brigade was itching for a
stand-up fight. Under the command of
Brigadier General John Bell Hood, the brigade consisted of the 1st, 4th, 5th
Texas regiments, the 18th Georgia regiment and the Hampton Legion from South
Carolina. The long-bearded, six foot
tall Hood cut an imposing figure the Texans respected, especially on the
battlefield. To honor their commander,
they presented Hood with a horse they had purchased with their own money.
On May 7, 1862,
Hood advanced on Franklin’s position.
Rain fell incessantly during the week, turning dirt roads into quagmires and creeks in
raging rivers. Because of the dense
woods ahead, Hood ordered his men not to load their rifles to prevent friendly
fire among his troops. No sooner had
they entered the woods, they encountered a Union picket line. Hood later recalled, “I did not discover the
Federals till they were close enough to shake hands.” A Union corporal offered no handshake but
leveled his musket at Hood instead.
Fortunately, Private John Deal of the 4th Texas had ignored Hood’s
order. He shot the Union corporal dead. Afterwards, Hood’s Texans advanced into
Franklin’s 16th New York and 95th Pennsylvania regiments, driving them toward
the York River. Franklin’s troops fell
steadily back to the river and the protection of gunboats that accompanied the
transports. Hood retired from Franklin’s
position. Casualties totaled 194 for the
Union side and 48 for the Confederates.
The Confederate line of retreat was secured.
Johnston was
pleased with the outcome. He humorously asked General Hood, "What would
your Texans have done, sir, if I had ordered them to charge and drive back the
enemy?” Hood replied, "I suppose, General, they would have driven them
into the river, and tried to swim out and capture the gunboats.” As the Texans would later prove, they would
have certainly done just that.
