. Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac; . ached the enemysprepared position in front of WilHamsburg, twelve miles fromYorktown. The Peninsula here contracts, and the approach-ing heads of two tributaries of the York and James riversform a kind of narrow isthmus upon which the two roadsleading from Yorktown to WilHamsburg unite. Commandingthe dehouche was an extensive work with a bastion front,named Fort Magruder, and, to the right and left, on the pro-longation of the line, were twelve other redoubts and epaul-ments for field-guns. These works had been prepared by theConfederates many months b
. Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac; . ached the enemysprepared position in front of WilHamsburg, twelve miles fromYorktown. The Peninsula here contracts, and the approach-ing heads of two tributaries of the York and James riversform a kind of narrow isthmus upon which the two roadsleading from Yorktown to WilHamsburg unite. Commandingthe dehouche was an extensive work with a bastion front,named Fort Magruder, and, to the right and left, on the pro-longation of the line, were twelve other redoubts and epaul-ments for field-guns. These works had been prepared by theConfederates many months before. Now, this position, though a strong one so long as itsflanks were secured by the closing of the rivers on eitherside, was one which evidently General Johnston had no in- THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 113 tention of occupying; for, by the opening up of the York, theline of AVilliamsburg was exposed to be immediately Confederate army had, in fact, passed through Williams-burg towards the Chickahominy, and only a rear-guard re-. HfLF WI[Y HCiim\m SKETCH OF THE FIELD OF WILLIAMSBUBG. A. Hookers division. B. Part of Couchs division. C. Smitlis division. v. E. Works occupied by Haneocks brigade. mained to cover the trains. When, however, Stoneman, onthe afternoon of the 4th, drew up in front of the redoubts,Johnston, seeing pursuit to be serious, brought back troopsinto the works; and thus, by a kind of accident, there ensuedon the morrow the bloody encounter known as the battle ofWilliamsburg. Stoneman, on his arrival in front of Williamsburg, had apassage at arms with the Confederate cavalry ; but, findingthe position too strong to carry, he stood on the defensive,awaiting the arrival of the infantry. Now, such was the con-fusion that attended this hurried march, that by the time 114 CAJMPAIGNS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. Sumner could get up his advance divisions and make disposi-tions for attack, darkness ensued, and tlie men bivouacked inthe woods. During the night a
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