Federal forces under the command of George B. McClellan continued their advance toward Richmond this day. This advance brought on an engagement in the vicinity of White House Landing between elements of Porter's Fifth Corps, Sumner's Second Corps and those under the command of Whiting and R.L. Lee.

R.L. Lee's cavalry brigade crossed the Richmond and York River Railroad bridge and occupied the adjacent heights on the morning of the First. Around 2 PM, Lee advanced his brigade in line along the railroad and then halted just beyond some light woods. Lee anchored his left on the woods and his right on the embankment. At the same time, Buford's Federal cavalry brigade, advancing from West Point and in the head of the column, formed line and advanced along the rail line toward the Rebel cavalry. Lee wheeled to the right and charged the Federal line sending back.

Buford attempted to reorder his line but was unable to get his horsemen disorganized before the ensuing rebel charge sweeped his command from the field with heavy losses. At about 4 PM, Whiting's Texans filed across the railroad bridge into the hasty works thrown up by Lee. McCall's divisions arrived on the field around 5 PM and immediately formed line with Meade's brigade and the Corps artillery of 9 batteries in front. Lee seeing that he now had a infantry division to his front, pulled back to the cover of the light woods. Porter's artillery open fire on both Confederate positions with great effect. The bombardment lasted about one half hour after which Meade ordered an advance upon Lee's position.

Meade's attack was initially repulsed but his second effort sent Lee reeling back with heavy losses. The Federal artillery continued to pound Whiting until the arrival of French's division at 6 PM. French, on the left of McCall, sent his brigades forward toward Whiting in field column reaching the bridge at the same time as McCall was emerging from the woods. Both McCall and French attacked what was left of Whiting, which had advance to support Lee, and swept the brigade from the field.

The terrible Confederate loses were not in vain as the balance of the their division were able to destroy the railroad bridge and thus prevent the our forces from crossing the Pamunkey River until the following afternoon.

Submitted by Direction
R.C. Patton, ADC
Headquarters in the Field
Fifth U.S. Army Corps
Army of the Potomac