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ostensibly represented, General Smith fell back again to the intrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, and with various encounters with the enemy remained there until the twenty-ninth of May. At that time it was known Grant had come south as far as Hanover Town, on the Pamunkey, and information having reached Butler that Beauregard had detached a portion of his troops to join Lee, General Smith with General Brooks and their commands was despatched in transports to the White House via Fortress Monroe. On the thirty-first May, Smith arrived at the White House, and the following morning received orders from General Grant to join him immediately at Coal Harbor, and take a position on the right of the Sixth corps. This was done at three o'clock the same afternoon, and though his men had had a severe march, besides great labor during the two previous days, he gallantly took them into action immediately on arrival.

One incident here deserves to be mentioned as evincing the popularity of General Smith amongst the soldiers. It has already been stated that he had formerly commanded the Sixth corps at Fredericksburgh, and now when the men of that corps again beheld him come to their support, great satisfaction was manifested, and the familiar term by which he was known, "Baldy," was uttered by many in a kindly way.

The battle of Coal Harbor resulted in the enemy being everywhere repulsed. At the first onset some of Smith's men got into confusion, broke, and fell back; but, with characteristic promptitude, he personally arrested their retreat, and drove them to the front, where himself kept continually under fire. It was thus that by his presence, confidence and courage were restored among any of the regiments that faltered. In the commencement of the action his horse was shot under him, and one of his orderlies wounded in the leg. After the battle his headquarters were established within so short a distance of the skirmishing line that it was any thing but very agreeable to his staff.

In this position General Smith remained until Sunday, the twelfth of June, when, it being determined by Grant to cross the James River and join Butler, he was sent back with his corps to White House, and there embarked once again for Bermuda Hundred, where he arrived on the fourteenth. Immediately afterward he was directed to proceed against Petersburgh, which place he, in company with Hancock and Kautz, assaulted on the fifteenth.

General Grant had arrived at Butler's and assumed entire command of the forces. In his despatch to the War Office he says: "The Eighteenth corps. (Smith's) were transferred from the White House to Bermuda Hundred by water, and moved out near to Petersburgh. The night of their arrival they surprised, or rather captured, the very strong works north-east of Petersburgh, before a sufficient force could be got in them by the enemy. Too much praise cannot be given the troops and their commanders for the energy and fortitude displayed the last five days. Day and night have been all the same."

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It appears, by accounts from the battle-field, that General Smith and his gallant corps arrived at Bermuda Hundred on the evening of the fourteenth, and at one o'clock in the morning of the fifteenth set out for Petersburgh. Under his command was Hinks's division of negroes, and they are spoken of as having be haved very gallantly in the fight.

The works taken were of great strength and importance, and General Grant afterward, on riding along the front, expressed himself greatly astonished. Smith evidently was a fighting General, yet, withal, so regardful of his men that he never risked their lives more than he did his own; and thus "Baldy" Smith was not only much loved, but readily followed.

On the twenty-first, President Lincoln arrived on a visit to the camp and to General Grant. General Smith was then at Wright's headquarters, and was presented to the President afterward, in company with Grant and other Generals, having a private consultation with him.

On the thirtieth of June, General Smith made a demonstration against the position occupied by what is called the "White House," but was unable to effect the object he had in view, owing to want of sufficient coöperation. A few days afterward he was visited by several distinguished Senators from Washington, and he also hospitably entertained two French officers who had been sent by Napoleon to observe our artillery practice, etc.

Active operations having now for a time comparatively ceased in front of Petersburgh, and General Smith's health requiring some relief from the incessant labors he had been engaged in for the past two months, leave of absence was granted him, and, leaving General Martindale in command of his corps, he departed for the North via Fortress Monroe. On the thirteenth of July he arrived at New-York, en route for his residence in Orange County.

General "Baldy" Smith has the reputation of being one of the most skilful engineers in the army, and his coolness and bravery on the battle-field have been frequently commended. His movements are rapid, prompt, and to the purpose; his judgment sound, and his personal courage of the highest order, while his careful forethought and consideration for the troops under his command have greatly endeared him to his men.

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GEORGE BRINTON MCCLELLAN.

EORGE BRINTON MCCLELLAN was born in the city of Philadelphia, December 3d, 1826. He was the son of a physician, and was descended from Colonel McClellan of the Revolutionary army. At the age of sixteen he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. In all the studies he maintained the second rank from the outset, and was graduated with the second rank in general merit in 1846. He was commissioned a second-lieutenant of engineers, July 1st, 1846. Congress, in the previous May, had authorized the organization of a company of sappers, miners, and pontoniers, and the recruits for this company were assembled at West Point. Lieutenant McClellan was attached to it, and assisted very actively in its drill and practical instruction for duty. Captain Swift and Lieutenant Gustavus W. Smith were his superior officers in the company, which sailed from West Point, September 24th. Ordered at first to report to General Taylor, the company went to Camargo, but was thence ordered to countermarch to Matamoras, and move with the column of General Patterson. Captain Swift was left in the hospital at Matamoras, and the only commissioned officers in the company were Lieutenants Smith and McClellan; and great praise was bestowed upon them by the engineer officer for the amount and excellence of their work done in this part of the Mexican war.

From Tampico the sappers and miners went to Vera Cruz, where, until the surrender of the castle, Lieutenant McClellan was engaged in the most severe duties, in opening paths and roads to facilitate the investment, in covering reconnoissances, and in the unceasing toil and hardship of the trenches; and his work was always done "with unsurpassed intelligence and zeal." Tribute is rendered in all the official reports to the services of this company and the efficiency of its two lieutenants on the march to Cerro Gordo, at Jalapa, and San Antonio. Before the battle of Contreras, Lieutenant McClellan had a horse shot under him by the Mexican pickets, and in that battle he served with Magruder's battery. General Twiggs, in his official report, says: "Lieutenant George B. McClellan, after Lieutenant Calendar was wounded, took charge of and managed the howitzer battery, with judgment and success, until it became so disabled as to require shelter. For Lieutenant McClellan's efficiency and gallantry in this affair, I present his name for the favorable consideration of the general-in-chief." General

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