So he sent his rough-riders after him,
and they proceeded at a rapid pace, and came up with him on the
outskirts of Williamsburg, where General Johnston prepared to fight
rather than come to breakfast. There both armies came together, and
a great battle was fought, which lasted two days. There was
desperate fighting on both sides, and a great many were killed and
wounded, and a great many more so badly frightened that they kept
out of the fight, which they held to be a proof of their wisdom.
We gained a great victory over the rebels at Williamsburg, and made
them feel so ashamed of themselves that they resumed their march
backwards on the road to Richmond. And this battle and this victory
attached our good Union soldiers more closely to General George.
Indeed, my son, they loved him, and looked up to him as a dutiful
child does to a kind father. They marched up the Peninsula singing
his praises. And now, my son, let me enjoin you that whenever you
hear the names of Generals Hancock and Kearney mentioned, respect
and revere them, for never was American valor more beautifully
illustrated than by those generals on the field at Williamsburg.
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