WEST POINT, or ELTHAM'S LAND ING (Va.), Engagement at. When Yorktown (q.v.) was abandoned, 4 May 1862, it was intended y General McClellan that Franklin's division, followed by Sedgwick's, Porter's and Richard son's, should be moved in transports up York River to a place opposite West Point and, strik ing across to the main roads, cut off the retreat of such bodies of Gen. J. E Johnston's army as might be below, making their way to New Kent Court House. But the day before the evacuation ut Yorktown, Franklin had received permission to land his men, who had been on the transports several days, and it was not until the morning i,1 the 6th that he could get them on board again and ready to sail. About 1 P.M. that day he armed at Eltham's Landing, above West Point, landed his men and sent the transports back for Sedgwick's division. He had no instruc tions except to wait for orders. The division was first encamped on a plain beyond which was high wooded ground, over which ran a road from the landing to Barhamsville. and thence toward New Kent Court House. Frank lin proceeded to occupy the wood. Newton's brigade was put in position on both sides of the road leading to Barhamsville. Parts of Tay lor's and Slocum's brigades were on Newton's left; two batteries were in his rear, and two Regiments of Taylor's brigade were in reserve. Next morning Dana's brigade of Sedgwick's division continued the left of the Union line back to the river. The presence of Franklin threatened the road through Barhamsville toward New Kent Court House, on which part of the Confederate army was retreating from Yorktown and Williamsburg, and under General Johnston's orders Whiting's and Hampton's bri gades. had been put in position to protect the
road. On the morning of the 7th, soon after Dana's brigade had come up, Whiting was ordered to advance and drive Franklin back to his landing-place. His skirmishers went for ward and encountered those of Newton, and closely following came Hood's Texas brigade and Balthis' Virginia battery, supported on the right by two regiments of Wade Hampton's brigade. Newton's skirmishers were driven in and closely followed, then Newton threw for ward two regiments, which were driven back, and the entire line was forced out of the wood. On Hood's right Whiting's brigade protected that flank, while on his left S. R. Anderson's Tennessee brigade had come up, and by noon Franklin had been pushed back under cover of the gunboats. The Confederates then attempted to shell the transports in York River, but the range was too great, while the fire from the Union gunboats was effective, and compelled the Confederates to withdraw about 3 P.M., and resume their position near Barhamsville. Frank lin's troops resumed their former position. The Union loss was 48 killed, 110 wounded, and 28 missing; the Confederate loss, 8 killed and 40 wounded.