being the case, to the wart it there can be but one point of attack; that is on or near our left.

JOSEPH HOOKER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE POTOMAC,
June 27, 1862.

Flag-Officer GOLDSBOROUGH:

I desire you will send some light-draught gunboats at once up the Chickahominy as far as possible, and also that you will forthwith instruct the gunboats in the James River to cover the left flank of this army. I should be glad to have the gunboats proceed as far up the river as may be practicable, and hope they may get up as far as the vicinity of New Market.

We have met a severe repulse to-day, having been attacked by greatly superior numbers, and I am obliged to fall back between the Chickahominy and the James River. I look to you to give me all the support you can in covering my flank, as well as in giving protection to my supplied afloat in James River.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

U. S. FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA,

Norfolk, Va. June 27, 1862-3.40 p.m.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Headquarters Army of the Potomac:

SIR: In reply to your telegram of this date, just received, I beg to assure you that I will with great pleasure give every aid in my power in forwarding and protecting the vessels to which you allude.

By the mail of to-day I wrote you a letter. I beg also to congratulate you and my friend General Hooker on gaining the point you had in view so completely two days ago.

L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH,

Flag-Officer.

NORFOLK, June 27, 1862-9.30 p.m.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

SIR: I will dispatch a tug instantly up James River, with orders for the two light-draught gunboats to go up the Chickahominy without a moment's delay.

L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH,

Flag-Officer.

McCLELLAN'S, June 27, 1862-1.20 p.m.

Commodore GOLDSBOROUGH:

I have ordered vessels with supplies to be sent up James River. As it may be very important for us, I will thank you to give any aid in your power to forward and protect these vessels to the vicinity of your gunboats, where they will be protected from the enemy's guns.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-General.