he had hardly got the base changed when lee fell upon his flank at mechanicsville, june 26, and the seven days' battle followed. the union troops fought and fell back, fought and fell back, until malvern hill was reached, where, worn with marching, choked with dust, and broken down by the heat, to which they were unaccustomed, they made their last stand, july 1. here lee got such a reception that he did not insist on going any farther.