May 7, 1862

Headquarters Barhamsville

Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston, May 7, 1862
Headquarters Barhamsville,

May 7, 1862.

General: The enemy has a large fleet of gunboats (seven iron-clads) and transports at West Point. He has been landing troops and artillery under his guns, but in a position in which we cannot reach him. The want of provision, and of any mode of obtaining it here -- still more the dearth of forage -- makes it impossible to wait to attack him while landing; the sight of the iron-clad boats makes me apprehensive for Richmond, too -- so I move on in two columns, one by the New Kent road, under Major-General Smith; the other by that of the Chickahominy, under Major-General Longstreet. The battle of Williamsburg seems to have prevented the enemy from following from that direction. All the prisoners were of Heintzelman's corps, except a few of the last, who said they belong to Sumner's.
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Fresh troops seemed to be arriving upon the field continually during the day. Yours, most respectfully,

(Signed)

J. E. Johnston