Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to episode number 161 of our Civil War podcast.

I'm Rich.

And I'm Tracy.

Hello y'all.

Welcome to the podcast.

We're going to jump right back into the action at the Battle of Gainesville, which

took place on Friday, June 27, 1862.

As y'all recall, when we left off last time, George McClellan was hunkered down at his headquarters

south of the Chica hominy, while north of the river, Fitz-John Porter's reinforced fifth

corps facing west and north, was defending Boasin's swamp.

When we left off last time, Robert E. Lee was trying to get all of his units into the

battle in order to break through the Union line before darkness put an end to the fighting.

After Dick Yules' three brigades plunged into the fight, Stonewall Jackson sent for his

other three divisions to have them move directly into the battle and engage the enemy.

But Jackson chose to entrust this task to his quartermaster, Major John Harmon, rather

than send a regular courier or staff officer.

When Harmon encountered William H. Whiteing, whose division was first on the road, Harmon

made such a mess of the message that Whiteing chose to stay put until someone came along

with intelligible orders.

Fortunately, the Reverend Dabney had watched Harmon ride off and was convinced the quartermaster

would bungal things, so Dabney waited only a few minutes before riding off himself on

his own initiative.

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