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Peninsular could not be held,
since we were confronted by a pow
-erful and numerous army, which
difficulty, we could perhaps have
overcome, had not both our flanks
been exposed by navigable streams
on right and left, on each of which
the enemy had powerful fleets, to
which we could oppose nothing,con
-sequently they could ascend these
streams. Land forces in our rear
cut our communications and cut
us off from Richmond - which was
our base, therefore the Peninsular
must be given up. The retreat began
on the morning of 4th of May.
The "Texas Brigade" was made rear
guard of the army. The retreat
would have been made with