Charles Heath
01-17-2008, 11:33 AM
Folks,
These report snippets and other communications come from the ORs on CD, as part of O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XI/2 [S# 13], and will begin to provide some perspective on the days before, during, and after the battles of Glendale and Malvern Hill. For those who want the full reports and those not cited here, the report numbers are provided. Having a map in hand will be helpful, to say the least.
Since the forum truncates posts that would make Tolstoy proud, this will be in a series....
PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN--SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES
#200
June 23, 1862
“You will observe that my command embraces twenty-three Virginia regiments, one battalion, and seventeen batteries. According to the provisions of the law of conscription these various organizations should contain something like 32,000 men, yet they number on their rolls, as appears from the list I inclose, less than 20,000, and of this number over 7,000 are at times absent from their posts. That is to say, while I ought to command 32,000 Virginians, I do not really command 13,000.”
JAMES LONGSTREET, Major-General, Commanding.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XI/2 [S# 13]
June 29, 1862
“The enemy seem to be in large force in front of my right, and are or have moved a little to their right. I do not think it prudent for me to attack him with my small force unless there be a simultaneous attack all along our lines. I will keep a good lookout on my left. I had hoped that Jackson would have co-operated with me on my left, but he sends me word that he cannot, as he has other important duty to perform.”
D. R. JONES Brigadier-General.
#201
“Early on the 29th Longstreet and A. P. Hill were ordered to recross the Chickahominy at New Bridge, and move by the Darbytown to the Long Bridge road. Maj. R. K. Meade and Lieut. S. R. Johnston, the Engineers, attached to General Longstreet's division, who had been sent to reconnoiter, found, about sunrise, the work on the upper extremity of the enemy's line of intrenchments abandoned.
Generals Huger and Magruder were immediately ordered in pursuit, the former by the Charles City road, so as to take the Federal Army in flank, and the latter by the Williamsburg road, to attack its rear. Jackson was directed to cross at Grapevine Bridge and move down the south side of the Chickahominy. Magruder and Huger found the whole line of works deserted and large quantities of military stores of every description abandoned or destroyed.
The former reached the vicinity of Savage Station about noon, where he came upon the rear guard of the retreating army. Being informed that the enemy was advancing, he halted and sent for re-enforcements. Two brigades of Huger's division were ordered to his support, but subsequently withdrawn, it being apparent that the force in Magruder's front was covering the retreat of the main body. Jackson's route led to the flank and rear of Savage Station, but he was delayed by the necessity of reconstructing Grapevine Bridge.
Late in the afternoon Magruder attacked the enemy with one of his divisions and two regiments of another. A severe action ensued and continued about two hours, when it was terminated by night.
The troops displayed great, gallantry and inflicted heavy loss upon the enemy; but, owing to the lateness of the hour and the small force employed, the result was not decisive, and the enemy continued his retreat under cover of darkness, leaving several hundred prisoners, with his dead and wounded, in our hands.
At Savage Station were found about 2,500 men in hospital and a large amount of property. Stores of much value had been destroyed, including the necessary medical supplies for the sick and wounded. But the time gained enabled the retreating column to cross White Oak Swamp without interruption and destroy the bridge.
BATTLE OF FRAZIER'S FARM [Glendale]
Jackson reached Savage Station early on the 30th. He was directed to pursue the enemy on the road he had taken and Magruder to follow Longstreet by the Darbytown road. As Jackson advanced he captured such numbers of prisoners and collected so many arms that two regiments had to be detached for their security. His progress was arrested at White Oak Swamp. The enemy occupied the opposite side and obstinately resisted the reconstruction of the bridge.
Longstreet and A. P. Hill, continuing their advance on the 30th, soon came upon the enemy strongly posted across the Long Bridge road, about 1 mile from its intersection with the Charles City road. Huger's route led to the right of this position, Jackson's to the rear, and the arrival of their commands was awaited to begin the attack.
On the 29th General Holmes had crossed from the south side of James River with part of his division.
On the 30th, re-enforced by General Wise with a detachment of his brigade, he moved down the river road and came upon the line of the retreating army near Malvern Hill. Perceiving indications of confusion, General Holmes was ordered to open upon the column with artillery. He soon discovered that a number of batteries, advantageously posted, supported by an infantry force superior to his own and assisted by the fire of the gunboats in the James River, guarded this part of the line.
Magruder, who had reached the Darbytown road, was ordered to re-enforce Holmes, but being at a greater distance than had been supposed, he did not reach the position of the latter in time for an attack.
Huger reported that his progress was obstructed, but about 4 p.m. firing was heard in the direction of the Charles City road, which was supposed to indicate his approach. Longstreet immediately opened with one of his batteries to give notice of his presence. This brought on the engagement, but Huger not coming up, and Jackson having been unable to force the passage of White Oak Swamp, Longstreet and Hill were without the expected support. The superiority of numbers and advantage of position were on the side of the enemy.
The battle raged furiously until 9 p.m. By that time the enemy had been driven with great slaughter from every position but one, which he maintained until he was enabled to withdraw under cover of darkness.
At the close of the struggle nearly the entire field remained in our possession, covered with the enemy's dead and wounded. Many prisoners, including a general of division, were captured, and several batteries, with some thousands of small-arms, taken. Could the other commands have co-operated in the action the result would have proved most disastrous to the enemy.
After the engagement Magruder was recalled to relieve the troops of Longstreet and Hill. His men, much fatigued by their long, hot march, arrived during the night.
BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL
Early on July 1 Jackson reached the battle-field of the previous day, having succeeded in crossing White Oak Swamp, where he captured a part of the enemy's artillery and a number of prisoners. He was directed to continue the pursuit down the Willis Church road, and soon found the enemy occupying a high range, extending obliquely across the road, in front of Malvern Hill. On this position of great natural strength he had concentrated his powerful artillery, supported by masses of infantry, partially protected by earthworks. His left rested near Crew's house and his right near Binford's. Immediately in his front the ground was open, varying in width from a quarter to half a mile, and, sloping gradually from the crest, was completely swept by the fire of his infantry and artillery. To reach this open ground our troops had to advance through a broken and thickly-wooded country, traversed nearly throughout its whole extent by a swamp passable at but few places and difficult at those. The whole was within range of the batteries on the heights and the gunboats in the river, under whose incessant fire our movements had to be executed.
Jackson formed his line with Whiting's division on his left and D. H. Hill's on his right, one of Ewell's brigades occupying the interval. The rest of Ewell's and Jackson's own divisions were held in reserve. Magruder was directed to take position on Jackson's right, but before his arrival two of Huger's brigades came up and were placed next to Hill. Magruder subsequently formed on the right of these brigades, which, with a third of Huger's, were placed under his command. Longstreet and A. P. Hill were held in reserve and took no part in the engagement. Owing to ignorance of the country, the dense forests impeding necessary communication, and the extreme difficulty of the ground, the whole line was not formed until a late hour in the afternoon. The obstacles presented by the woods and swamp made it impracticable to bring up a sufficient amount of artillery to oppose successfully the extraordinary force of that arm employed by the enemy, while the field itself afforded us few positions favorable for its use and none for its proper concentration. Orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, but the causes referred to prevented a proper concert of action among the troops. D.H. Hill pressed forward across the open field and engaged the enemy gallantly, breaking and driving back his first line; but a simultaneous advance of the other troops not taking place, he found himself unable to maintain the ground he had gained against the overwhelming numbers and numerous batteries of the enemy. Jackson sent to his support his own division and that part of Ewell's which was in reserve, but owing to the increasing darkness and intricacy of the forest and swamp they did not arrive in time to render the desired assistance. Hill was therefore compelled to abandon part of the ground he had gained after suffering severe loss and inflicting heavy damage upon the enemy. On the right the attack was gallantly made by Huger's and Magruder's commands. Two brigades of the former commenced the action; the other two were subsequently sent to the support of Magruder and Hill. Several determined efforts were made to storm the hill at Crew's house. The brigades advanced bravely across the open field, raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the musketry of large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way, others approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling the advanced batteries to retire to escape capture, and mingling their dead with those of the enemy. For want of concert among the attacking columns their assaults were too weak to break the Federal line, and after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they were compelled successively to retire. Night was approaching when the attack began, and it soon became difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The firing continued until after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. Part of the troops were withdrawn to their original positions, others remained on the open field, and some rested within a hundred yards of the batteries that had been so bravely but vainly assailed. The general conduct of the troops was excellent.— in some instances heroic. The lateness of the hour at which the attack necessarily began gave the enemy the full advantage of his superior position and augmented the natural difficulties of our own.
After seizing the York River Railroad on June 28 and driving the enemy across the Chickahominy, as already narrated, the cavalry under General Stuart proceeded down the railroad to ascertain if there was any movement of the enemy in that direction.
He encountered but little opposition, and reached the vicinity of the White House on the 29th. At his approach the enemy destroyed the greater part of the immense stores accumulated at that depot and retreated toward Fort Monroe. With one gun and some dismounted men General Stuart drove off a gunboat which lay near the White House and rescued a large amount of property, including more than 10,000 stands of small-arms partially burned. Leaving one squadron at the White House, in compliance with his orders, he returned to guard the lower bridges of the Chickahominy.
On the 30th he was directed to recross and co-operate with General Jackson. After a long march he reached the rear of the enemy at Mal-vern Hill on the night of July 1 at the close of the engagement.
On July 2 it was discovered that the enemy had withdrawn during the night, leaving the ground covered with his dead and wounded, and his route exhibiting abundant evidence of precipitate retreat. The pursuit was commenced, General Stuart with his cavalry in the advance, but a violent storm, which prevailed throughout the day, greatly retarded our progress. The enemy, harassed and closely followed by the cavalry, succeeded in gaining Westover, on James River, and the protection of his gunboats. He immediately began to fortify his position, which was one of great natural strength, flanked on each side by a creek, and the approach to his front commanded by the heavy guns of his shipping, in addition to those mounted in his intrenchments. It was deemed inexpedient to attack him, and in view of the condition of our troops, who had been marching and fighting almost incessantly for seven days under the most trying circumstances, it was determined to withdraw, in order to afford them the repose of which they stood so much in need.
Several days were spent in collecting arms and other property abandoned by the enemy, and in the mean time some artillery and cavalry were sent below Westover to annoy his transports.
Under ordinary circumstances the Federal Army should have been destroyed. Its escape was due to the causes already stated. Prominent among these is the want of correct and timely information. This fact, attributable chiefly to the character of the country, enabled General McClellan skillfully to conceal his retreat and to add much to the obstructions with which nature had beset the way of our pursuing columns; but regret that more was not accomplished gives way to gratitude to the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe for the results achieved. The siege of Richmond was raised, and the object of a campaign, which had been prosecuted after months of preparation at an enormous expenditure of men and money, completely frustrated. More than 10,000 prisoners, including officers of rank, 52 pieces of artillery, and upward of 35,000 stands of small-arms were captured. The stores and supplies of every description which fell into our hands were great in amount and value, but small in comparison with those destroyed by the enemy. His losses in battle exceeded our own, as attested by the thousands of dead and wounded left on every field, while his subsequent inaction shows in what condition the survivors reached the protection to which they fled.”
R.E. Lee, General
#229
July —, 1862.
On Saturday morning the division marched back across the ravine to renew its supply of ammunition and get something to eat. We shortly received orders to march and to follow the command of Major-General Hill. After marching half a mile we halted, the troops in front being at a halt, and so remained under arms all day, being ordered into bivouac where we were at night. This was at McGehee's house and farm, a position which had been the enemy's extreme right, and whence their causeway over the Chickahominy leads. The enemy had destroyed the bridge.
All day Sunday we remained in the same position, marching early Monday morning and crossing the Chickahominy by the enemy's causeway. Passed through their encampments, crossed the York River Railroad, and, marching by the Williamsburg road, we turned off at the White Oak Bridge fork and reached the bridge about noon, finding it destroyed and the enemy drawn up beyond in line of battle. Batteries were brought up and a heavy fire opened upon him, silencing his battery completely. Our fire was directed by Major Whiting, of the staff. Sundry ineffectual attempts were made during the day to repair the bridge, but the enemy keeping up a distant and random fire of shell about the crossing, the men would not work. During the afternoon the furious battle of Frazier's farm was raging between the enemy and the troops of General Longstreet. It could be distinctly heard, and indeed was scarcely 2 miles from us. Our delay at White Oak was unfortunate.
Next morning, the enemy having retired, the bridge was repaired and the troops passed, my division in the advance. Marching by the road to Turkey Bridge on the Turkey road, we presently fell in with the line of skirmishers of Major-General Magruder's troops, moving in line of battle by the Charles City road. They halted for us to pass. The troops were marching by a flank. The commanding general of the corps, Major-General Jackson, would not allow the dispositions to be made to advance with skirmishers deployed and in line, but caused the troops to press on until the head of column closed on the advance guard, a regiment of cavalry, in a thick wood near Crew's farm, about 11 a.m. On the farm the enemy were found very strongly posted. They immediately opened with shell on the woods, every portion of which was under their fire. The result was, the cavalry came to the right-about and broke through the long column of troops which filled the road, now enfiladed by the fire. Though suffering loss, they formed to the right and left with precision and promptness.
To our left was a very large wheat field, on the farm of Mr. Poindexter, which afforded a good view of the enemy's position and fair opportunities for artillery. Batteries were ordered up. The enemy's position, naturally commanding, was materially strengthened by the judicious distribution of his artillery. The first battery ordered into Mr. Poindexter's field found itself exposed to a vastly superior cross-fire, and was soon compelled to retire with loss. Balthis' battery, better posted and better covered by the ground, fought well and continued the action until their ammunition was exhausted. Other batteries were ordered up. The position to be taken by the artillery rendered infantry support necessary, and I was directed by General Jackson to form my line with my right on the road in the wood, advancing to the edge in front and holding that. This was done by the Third (Law's) Brigade. The line continued by Hood extended across Poindexter's field, the men lying concealed by the wheat and the roll of the ground. I had been strengthened by the Third Brigade, of Jackson's division proper, under the command of Brigadier-General Hampton. This was held in reserve. Trimble's brigade, of Ewell's division, supported my extreme left. This disposition I was directed to maintain, the general attack of our forces being understood to be made as soon as practicable on the extreme right, the enemy's left. In the mean time it became apparent from our position that the enemy had divined the movement; their artillery fire, which had been very severe upon my batteries and troops; Ceased, and heavy columns were discovered in movement for disposition on their left. After some time the movement of baggage and troops in retreat by the Turkey Bridge road could be plainly observed.
After the attack commenced on the right my division, with the exception of two regiments on the right of my line, which was near our center, and some of the Texas skirmishers, had nothing to do with the battle except to suffer a murderous artillery fire, which they did un-flinchingly. Personally assisted by my staff, I was called upon to direct the artillery fire, which I continued to do during the afternoon. From my point of view the enemy appeared to fight with great stubbornness, and our attack to have made but little impression upon him. He deployed at one time six batteries in front of our center, when, opening in this deployment with artillery, they, together with the stationary batteries already in position, and which we had been engaging at times during the day, all opened a terrific fire upon Poindexter's field. Our gunners replied with spirit, but from want of ammunition' the contest was too unequal, and I caused them successively to withdraw. This cross-fire was excessively severe upon the supporting troops. Toward night, learning that the center was pressed hard, I received orders to direct General Trimble to move over from the left to that point, and commenced to close my own troops into the right, when night fell, and with it the battle, which had raged with great fury, ceased. For an hour after night-fall the enemy shelled the woods and Poindexter's field with rapid and heavy fire. This indicated another withdrawal. My troops remained in position all night, the advanced scouts confirming the withdrawal of the enemy during the night, leaving their dead and wounded.
Wednesday morning, the 2d, a very heavy rain set in; the troops remained in bivouac, cooking. Thursday Major-General Jackson's corps marched to take the road to Westover, but missed it, and bivouacked near Willis' Church.
W. H. C. WHITING, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
#231
July 9, 1862.
On the 29th it was ordered to take the advance and move to the Chickahominy River, which it did. The bridge being incomplete, shortly before sunset it was ordered to its former bivouac.
On the morning of the 30th it took up the march at 2.30 o'clock, following the troops in advance of it. At night it bivouacked near White Oak Swamp.
Took up the march at 5 a.m. on July 1, following troops in front. Hearing from General Whiting artillery was needed in front, I ordered captains Carpenter and Poague to report to Brigadier-General Whiting with their batteries. For an account of their operations I respectfully refer to their reports. The brigade was halted near a church in the wood and held in reserve. Being within range of the enemy's shell, it was twice removed to the rear; but, unfortunately, the first shot indicating the necessity of a move killed that promising and gallant officer Captain Fletcher, Fifth Regiment Virginia Volunteers, and the next, causing a second move, killed 1 man and wounded 3 of same regiment. Between 6 and 7 p.m. I was ordered to the front with my command. On reporting to General Jackson, I was ordered to file to the right through the woods and report to Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill. I obeyed the first part of the order. I had not gone far when I found the brigade under the fire of a battery. It moved steadily on under a heavy fire. I dispatched a staff' officer to a house near by to see if I could hear of General Hill's locality. I could learn nothing, and hearing a heavy fire to my left, I moved directly for it. To gain that point the command was exposed to a terrific fire, and in consequence of the darkness of the hour and much wood and swamp the brigade became greatly separated. Finding myself with a portion of the Thirty, third Regiment, Colonel Neff, and a portion of the Fourth Regiment-I moved to the assistance of our troops through the swamp sending Captain O'Brien to find the other regiments and bring them up. On emerging from the swamp I found a handful of gallant men of the First and Third North Carolina Regiments receiving a most terrific fire. I immediately placed the Thirty-third and Fourth Regiments in position, and with about 100 men held this hill against the enemy, who gave us the most terrific fire I have ever seen. There was a continuous stream of shot, shell, and balls for some two hours, when the enemy's fire slackened, and ceased about 10 p.m.
During this time the officers and men behaved with true courage. Our loss was heavy.
Colonel Neff and Maj. F. W. M. Holliday, Thirty-third Regiment, and Lieutenants Howard and Garnett, of my staff, particularly attracted my admiration by their coolness and untiring efforts to keep the men in their position. Their escape from injury is truly providential.
About 9 p.m., while trying to find remnants of my brigade— — for some few men had found out my position and joined— I met a portion of the Thirteenth Georgia Regiment and ordered it to this position. In a short time parts of my regiments came up, all having been subjected to a heavy fire while moving up, but in consequence of the thick wood and darkness could not find their proper positions. For details of their operations I refer to their several reports.
Here the fearless and gallant Col. A. J. Grigsby, Twenty-seventh Regiment Virginia Volunteers, was wounded— slightly, I am glad to say— but obliged to leave the field. Captain O'Brien, of my staff, was injured by a fall from his horse, and not with me after reaching the field.
Hearing of troops near by not engaged I immediately sent for them, and was soon re-enforced by a portion of General Lawton's brigade, General J. R. Jones' brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham, and a part of the Louisiana Brigade, and that gallant band of Marylanders under the brave Col. B. T. Johnson. Colonel Johnson, hearing I needed assistance, came forward to tender his regiment, which I gladly accepted, and gave him the advance, directing him to extend our line some half a mile to the right, placing my picket on and near the flank of the enemy. This duty he executed rapidly and with good judgment, holding this position until after the enemy had retired the following day. Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham's brigade I placed on Johnson's left and the balance of Lawton's brigade between Cunningham's and my original position, securing my entire front and flank, sleeping on the field so hotly contested against heavy odds.
After these dispositions General Lawton arrived, and I rode in to report to Generals Hill and Jackson my position. This effected, I returned to the field before dawn and made the requisite dispositions to repulse any attack; but at daylight we found the enemy had evacuated his position during the night, taking off his guns, but leaving his dead, small-arms, and other indications of a defeat and hasty retreat, which was an agreeable surprise, for I had learned, through prisoners captured about daylight, his force the day previous had been vastly superior to ours.
CHAS. S. WINDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
#234
July 13, 1862.
On Saturday the regiment remained near McGehee's.
On Sunday we were marched as far as Grapevine Bridge, and returned about night-fall to our camp.
Monday we crossed the Chickahominy and the York River Railroad, and bivouacked near White Oak Swamp, and moved Tuesday, July 1, on the Shirley road, halting occasionally for some time. Heavy artillery fire all the while heard in front.
Passing a church, we were placed in a wood about 5 p.m. to the right of the road, and remained there over an hour.
Some of the regiments of the brigade being within reach of the shells of the enemy, about 6.30 o'clock the brigade was ordered from the woods to the road. The thick undergrowth delayed the movements of the Second and Fifth Regiments so much, that when the left of the Second reached the road neither the Twenty-seventh, Fourth, nor Thirty-third were in sight. The road was crowded with artillery and regiments hastening from the battle-field. The regiment was pushed forward as rapidly as possible on the road, and Sergeant-Major Burwell sent in advance to ascertain the routes taken by General Winder, and by his exertions we followed in his track.
Night was rapidly closing in. The regiment was in the woods to the right of the road, marching upon the left flank of the enemy and exposed to the fire of their artillery.
Leaving the woods we entered a field, which was swept by the enemy's fire. Here we met officers and men hastening to the rear, who reported that all our troops were in retreat. Still the regiment was pushed forward to join, if possible, the brigade. The Fifth was in our rear. The darkness, the rapid march, and the woods had separated the men very much, and the command was exceedingly small. Concealing them by a deep ravine in a wood, within 150 yards of the road, I rode out until I struck the road. Here I could not see any of our troops, and the fire from the enemy was incessant.
.
LAWSON BOTTS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
#235
July 11, 1862
On Saturday morning, the 28th, I threw out some men to relieve the picket I had put out the night before. They brought in several prisoners. It was some three or four of these fresh men who arrested Brigadier-General Reynolds and Captain Kingsbury, his assistant adjutant-general.
The regiment remained here until Sunday morning, when it, with the brigade, marched to the bridge across the Chickahominy, where it remained inactive until nearly night, and then returned to the ground occupied in the morning.
On Monday, the 30th, the regiment took up the line of march and proceeded to a point at or near White Oak Swamp, where it remained for the night.
On Tuesday, July 1, marched down road; halted near a church. While here the enemy, who occupied a strong position on Malvern Hill, opened fire upon the advance of our army, whereupon an artillery duel ensued between ours and the enemy's batteries. The brigade was here forced to seek cover in the woods, where it remained until quite late in the evening. My regiment did not suffer from the shells thrown by the enemy, though some casualties occurred in the brigade.
Late in the evening the infantry became engaged, and my regiment, with the brigade, marched to the scene of action. I received no orders, but followed the Twenty-seventh Regiment, which was my position in the march. The Twenty-seventh double-quicked through the woods. I followed, passing out of the woods into an open field. We were exposed to a tremendous and furious fire from the enemy's batteries. I continued to move the regiment at a double-quick in order to secure the wood, some 200 yards in advance, where I intended to close the regiment up, as coming so rapidly through the first woods the files became widely separated, but all entered the field and were striving to close up, though the shells were bursting all around and in great rapidity; but when the first company reached the woods, Colonel Grigsby, I believe— or it may have been some one else-commanded "Left into line." I commanded "Halt," and did all I could to stop the regiment, in order to close it up. But it was getting late, and the cheering of the men made it impossible for me to arrest the movement, Lieut. Col. R. D. Gardner and Maj. William Terry doing all in their power to bring the regiment together, but, unfortunately, it was not accomplished.
It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner's horse was shot dead, falling upon him, and he was unable to get from under his horse until assisted. Up to this moment he was doing all a man could do to get the men together. Major Terry acted well his part, but exposing himself all the time in his effort to get the regiment in order. I left him in the field, and rode in with that portion of the regiment which had entered the woods; but in the mean time it had grown quite dark, and it was difficult in a wood so dense to keep even the advanced portion of the regiment together. Passing through this wood, I reached the road with only a part of the regiment— in a word, the regiment, unfortunately, became separated, and owing altogether to the fact that the command above referred to was given by some one. But for this I would have secured a new formation of the regiment and taken it altogether into action. But as it was, some were on the left and others on the right of other troops. Men and officers, so far as I could discover, acted very well in the engagement.
CH. A. RONALD, Colonel Fourth Regiment Virginia Volunteers.
#236
On Tuesday, July 1, by order of General Winder, I had placed my regiment in the woods in rear of the battle-field. I had scarcely gotten into position before a Parrott shell mortally wounded Captain Fletcher. This gallant young officer had on many occasions proved himself so brave as to be the idol of his company and of the entire regiment. His last words on the field were words of encouragement to his men.
General Winder ordered me to move back some distance and out of the range of the guns. I had hardly executed the order before another shell exploded in the line, killing 1 and wounding 4 privates. The brigade was then moved still farther back. I obtained permission of General Winder to go to the rear to look after my wounded, and while there was informed that the brigade was moving to the front. With difficulty I reached the head of my regiment just as it filed to the right into the woods. The blocked-up condition of the road compelled the regiment to move in single file, which scattered it very much. Having received no orders, I followed the Second Regiment across a corn field until I arrived at a woods and found it posted in a ravine, which seemed to be providentially placed in our way as a breastwork against the terrific shower of shell and grape. I soon after met with Colonel who informed me that he had lost the balance of the brigade. After remaining in this perilous situation, in which our men were unable to do any good and were in very great danger and finding it impossible to join the rest of the brigade, Colonel Botts and I, on consultation, determined to fall back to the road, which we succeeded in doing with but a few wounded. I gathered the scattered men of the brigade, assisted by Colonel Botts, and moved along the road until I received orders to halt and rest.
WM. S. H. BAYLOR, Colonel Fifth Virginia Infantry
#237
July 7, 1862
At the battle of the 1st instant the Twenty-seventh regiment was marched up the road in column with the brigade until it came within about half a mile of the battle-field, when the whole brigade filed to the right into a piece of woods. Then my regiment, in a line with the brigade, supported on the right by the Thirty-third Virginia and on the left by the Fourth Virginia Regiments, advanced by the right flank through the woods, then into an open field, and then again through a very dense forest of brush and timber, across the main road to the position assigned on the field.
The shot and shell fell fast and thick on us as we marched on, and just before reaching our position on the field Col. A. J. Grigsby, while leading the regiment in his dauntless and fearless style was struck by a Minie ball, inflicting under his left arm a painful but not dangerous wound.
The regiment was ordered to fire, which it did, and continued firing for some length of time, when it was ordered to charge on a battery. This was attempted, but the regiment, being much scattered and unsupported by sufficient force, was compelled to desist. The regiment then resumed its original position on the field and continued firing until the fight closed.
G. C. SMITH. Captain, Comdg. Twenty-seventh Regiment Virginia Vols.
#238
Saturday, the 28th, remained in our position all day, men being employed a portion of the day in gathering arms and burying the dead of friend and foe.
Sunday, the 29th, marched down to Grapevine Bridge, where we remained for several hours, and then returned to our former position.
Monday, the 30th, were aroused at 2.30 a.m. Got under arms and took up the line of march in the direction of Grapevine Bridge, crossed Chickahominy, and marched to the York River Railroad. Marched down the road some distance, and then down what I was told was the Williamsburg road. Heard heavy firing in front of us, but did not get under fire all day. Bivouacked at dark near White Oak Swamp.
Tuesday, July 1, marched at daylight, crossed the swamp, and moved on in the direction of James River. Do not remember what troops were immediately in our front. The Thirty-third Regiment marched in rear of the brigade. About 11 o'clock we filed into a wood on the right of the road and formed line of battle, Thirty-third on the extreme left. Remained in this position a considerable time, and then fell back a short distance to get out of range of shells. Here we remained until near sundown, when we were ordered to "Attention," faced to the left, and moved down the road in the direction of the firing, Thirty-third leading. As we approached the scene of action found the firing very warm, shot and shell flying over and around us. We again filed to the right into the woods, through which we soon made our way; entered a corn field and inclined to the left, marching on until we again reached the main road. In the road we halted for a moment, the men lying down behind a fence in the mean time which afforded a partial protection. Soon moved off again, crossed the fence to our left, and marched in an oblique direction through a thick undergrowth across a swamp clambered up a steep acclivity on the opposite side; crossed the fence, and found ourselves on the field of battle.
It was now quite dark, and it was difficult to tell where were our friends or foes. The regiment was put in line as well as circumstances would permit, the men sheltering themselves behind the hill as much as possible while they delivered a pretty warm fire upon the enemy. We were for some time unsupported, and our small force must certainly have been crushed by the superior weight of the enemy had they known our numbers. We were subsequently joined by some Louisiana regiments and General Lawton's brigade.
Considerable confusion was created necessarily in the swamp and bushes, officers and men becoming separated and regiments more or less intermingled; yet, so far as my observation extended, both officers and men behaved well. Major Holliday, Adjutant Walton, Captain Holliday and Sergeant-Major Baldwin were particularly brought under my notice. Captain Holliday was the only captain in the regiment on the occasion.
The firing did not cease until about 9 p.m., when it gradually died away, the enemy finally withdrawing.
JNO. F. NEFF, Colonel Thirty-third Virginia Infantry.
#243
On Tuesday, July 1, the brigade crossed the White Oak Swamp and proceeded toward the Malvern Hills. In the latter part of the day a heavy cannonade to the front announced to us the conflict which was then in progress. A little after 5 o'clock we were drawn up in line of battle about 100 paces in rear of the First Brigade, in a body of woods beyond a church, of which I have been unable to ascertain the name. While we were in these woods a number of the enemy's shell exploded near us, and we shifted our position several times to get out of their exact range. About sunset we were ordered forward. We marched slowly down the road under a terrific fire from a battery which perfectly commanded it and which threw its shells with great accuracy. Some confusion occurred amongst the troops in front of us, and we were kept marching and counter-marching along the road in question for several hours, Finally we proceeded across a small stream to the crest of a hill, and remained there, in the midst of the dead and wounded, until the following morning. Brigadier-General Jones was disabled early in the night by a contusion on the knee from a piece of shell, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham commanded the brigade during the remainder of the night. Notwithstanding the terrible fire to which we were so long exposed no one in the battalion was injured on this occasion.
On Wednesday, July 2, we encamped near the church I have mentioned.
Capt. B. W. Leigh, Commanding [1st Va.] Battalion
#254
I submit the following report of the operations of this brigade at or near Malvern Hill on the 1st ultimo:
On that morning I was ordered by General Lee to report to Major-General Jackson for temporary duty with one of the brigades of his command, and was by him assigned to the command of the brigade lately commanded by Brigadier-General Elzey, in the division of Maj or General Ewell. Of this brigade I assumed command about midday on the road leading from White Oak Swamp to Willis' Church.
In the afternoon of the same day the brigade, consisting of fragments of the Thirteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-first, Forty-fourth, Fifty-second, and Fifty-eighth Virginia Regiments, and the Twelfth Georgia Regiment, numbering in all about 1,050 men present, was formed, by order of General Ewell, in line of battle in the woods on the left of the road leading from Willis' Church to Malvern Hill, where it remained until very late in the afternoon during a heavy cannonading between the enemy's artillery and our own, an occasional shell falling near the brigade, doing no damage, however, except the killing by the same shot of a private in the Forty-fourth Virginia Regiment and a young gentleman named Field, who was a volunteer on the staff of Colonel Walker, of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment.
About sunset an order was received by General Ewell, in my presence, from General Jackson, through a staff officer, to send my brigade to the right to the support of Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill, and the brigade was immediately put in motion and marched, under the guidance of an officer sent for the purpose, across the road and through the woods, passing along the side of a ravine covered with trees and thick undergrowth, until the head of it reached a small road leading across an open bottom on a creek. Here the brigade was halted for a few minutes until the guide could ascertain the route to be pursued, when it was again put in motion, and as the head of it arrived in the open bottom; by the guide's direction the brigade was started across the bottom, and General Ewell and myself, with my staff officers, were directed to cross by a detour to the right over an old dam, as the only practicable way for horses. On arriving at the point where it was expected to meet the head of the brigade nothing could be seen of it, a thick brushwood excluding it from view.
In the mean time a large number of men, retreating from the battlefield, began to pass along the road into which we had then got, and filled the brushwood mentioned, producing great confusion and rendering it impossible for me to ascertain whether the brigade was passing through this brush-wood. After many fruitless efforts to ascertain this fact I rode toward the route over which the brigade was started as far as I could, and found a very deep ditch filled with skulkers from the battle-field, over which it was impossible for me to pass with my horse. I then rode around to a point where I could get a view of the place at which I separated from the brigade, and seeing none of it passing, I rode forward on the road leading to the battle-field with the hope of finding the brigade emerging from the woods farther on. It was then getting dark, and I found the road filled with a large number of men retreating in confusion, being mostly from General Toombs' Georgia Brigade. These troops, aided by my assistant adjutant-general, Captain Gardner, I endeavored to rally, but found it very difficult to do so.
During my exertions to rally these men the Twelfth Georgia Regiment, of my own brigade, came up, under the command of Capt. James G. Rodgers, and I marched it off, accompanied by Colonel Benning, with a few men from his regiment, of Toombs' brigade. These men were formed in line by direction of General Ewell, who had preceded me with some men rallied by him in a field over which a considerable body of our troops had charged in the early part of the engagement and in rear of some regiments then engaged with the enemy. Here I was soon joined by the Thirty-first and Twenty-fifth Virginia Regiments, which were brought up by my aide, Capt. S. H. Early, who had gone to the rear to look for the brigade. With these regiments I remained on the field during the night in the position designated by General Ewell, Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill being present at the time they were posted and for some time thereafter.
During the march the brigade was exposed to a terrific cannonading and shells were constantly bursting over and around it. For some time the regiments with me on the field, which were ordered to lie down, were exposed to the fiercest artillery fire that I have ever witnessed. About the close of this fire Brigadier-General Ransom, with a portion of his command, retired to the rear past my position, leaving none of our troops in front of me. A short time after the cessation of the fire we heard very distinctly the rumbling of wheels, indicating a movement of the enemy's artillery, and a large number of lights were seen moving about over the field in immediate proximity to the enemy's position, which were doubtless borne by persons from the enemy's lines in search of their wounded.
As soon as it was light enough next morning an appalling spectacle was presented to our view in front. The field for some distance from the enemy's position was literally strewn with the dead and wounded, and arms were lying in every direction. It was apparent that the enemy's main body with his artillery had retired, but a body of his cavalry, supported by infantry, was soon discovered on the field. To the right, near the top of a steep hill leading up toward the enemy's position, we saw a body of our own troops, some distance off, lying down, which proved to be a small body under Brigadier-Generals Ma-hone and Wright.
In the mean time parties of our men were going to the front in search of the wounded, and after a demonstration by the enemy's cavalry, which was abandoned on the firing of a few shots by the Maryland regiment posted in the woods some distance to my left, the parties from both armies in search of the dead and wounded gradually approached each other and continued their mournful work without molestation on either side, being apparently appalled for the moment into a cessation from all hostile purposes by the terrible spectacle presented to their view.
J. A. EARLY, Brigadier-General,Commanding Brigade.
More to come....
These report snippets and other communications come from the ORs on CD, as part of O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XI/2 [S# 13], and will begin to provide some perspective on the days before, during, and after the battles of Glendale and Malvern Hill. For those who want the full reports and those not cited here, the report numbers are provided. Having a map in hand will be helpful, to say the least.
Since the forum truncates posts that would make Tolstoy proud, this will be in a series....
PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN--SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES
#200
June 23, 1862
“You will observe that my command embraces twenty-three Virginia regiments, one battalion, and seventeen batteries. According to the provisions of the law of conscription these various organizations should contain something like 32,000 men, yet they number on their rolls, as appears from the list I inclose, less than 20,000, and of this number over 7,000 are at times absent from their posts. That is to say, while I ought to command 32,000 Virginians, I do not really command 13,000.”
JAMES LONGSTREET, Major-General, Commanding.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XI/2 [S# 13]
June 29, 1862
“The enemy seem to be in large force in front of my right, and are or have moved a little to their right. I do not think it prudent for me to attack him with my small force unless there be a simultaneous attack all along our lines. I will keep a good lookout on my left. I had hoped that Jackson would have co-operated with me on my left, but he sends me word that he cannot, as he has other important duty to perform.”
D. R. JONES Brigadier-General.
#201
“Early on the 29th Longstreet and A. P. Hill were ordered to recross the Chickahominy at New Bridge, and move by the Darbytown to the Long Bridge road. Maj. R. K. Meade and Lieut. S. R. Johnston, the Engineers, attached to General Longstreet's division, who had been sent to reconnoiter, found, about sunrise, the work on the upper extremity of the enemy's line of intrenchments abandoned.
Generals Huger and Magruder were immediately ordered in pursuit, the former by the Charles City road, so as to take the Federal Army in flank, and the latter by the Williamsburg road, to attack its rear. Jackson was directed to cross at Grapevine Bridge and move down the south side of the Chickahominy. Magruder and Huger found the whole line of works deserted and large quantities of military stores of every description abandoned or destroyed.
The former reached the vicinity of Savage Station about noon, where he came upon the rear guard of the retreating army. Being informed that the enemy was advancing, he halted and sent for re-enforcements. Two brigades of Huger's division were ordered to his support, but subsequently withdrawn, it being apparent that the force in Magruder's front was covering the retreat of the main body. Jackson's route led to the flank and rear of Savage Station, but he was delayed by the necessity of reconstructing Grapevine Bridge.
Late in the afternoon Magruder attacked the enemy with one of his divisions and two regiments of another. A severe action ensued and continued about two hours, when it was terminated by night.
The troops displayed great, gallantry and inflicted heavy loss upon the enemy; but, owing to the lateness of the hour and the small force employed, the result was not decisive, and the enemy continued his retreat under cover of darkness, leaving several hundred prisoners, with his dead and wounded, in our hands.
At Savage Station were found about 2,500 men in hospital and a large amount of property. Stores of much value had been destroyed, including the necessary medical supplies for the sick and wounded. But the time gained enabled the retreating column to cross White Oak Swamp without interruption and destroy the bridge.
BATTLE OF FRAZIER'S FARM [Glendale]
Jackson reached Savage Station early on the 30th. He was directed to pursue the enemy on the road he had taken and Magruder to follow Longstreet by the Darbytown road. As Jackson advanced he captured such numbers of prisoners and collected so many arms that two regiments had to be detached for their security. His progress was arrested at White Oak Swamp. The enemy occupied the opposite side and obstinately resisted the reconstruction of the bridge.
Longstreet and A. P. Hill, continuing their advance on the 30th, soon came upon the enemy strongly posted across the Long Bridge road, about 1 mile from its intersection with the Charles City road. Huger's route led to the right of this position, Jackson's to the rear, and the arrival of their commands was awaited to begin the attack.
On the 29th General Holmes had crossed from the south side of James River with part of his division.
On the 30th, re-enforced by General Wise with a detachment of his brigade, he moved down the river road and came upon the line of the retreating army near Malvern Hill. Perceiving indications of confusion, General Holmes was ordered to open upon the column with artillery. He soon discovered that a number of batteries, advantageously posted, supported by an infantry force superior to his own and assisted by the fire of the gunboats in the James River, guarded this part of the line.
Magruder, who had reached the Darbytown road, was ordered to re-enforce Holmes, but being at a greater distance than had been supposed, he did not reach the position of the latter in time for an attack.
Huger reported that his progress was obstructed, but about 4 p.m. firing was heard in the direction of the Charles City road, which was supposed to indicate his approach. Longstreet immediately opened with one of his batteries to give notice of his presence. This brought on the engagement, but Huger not coming up, and Jackson having been unable to force the passage of White Oak Swamp, Longstreet and Hill were without the expected support. The superiority of numbers and advantage of position were on the side of the enemy.
The battle raged furiously until 9 p.m. By that time the enemy had been driven with great slaughter from every position but one, which he maintained until he was enabled to withdraw under cover of darkness.
At the close of the struggle nearly the entire field remained in our possession, covered with the enemy's dead and wounded. Many prisoners, including a general of division, were captured, and several batteries, with some thousands of small-arms, taken. Could the other commands have co-operated in the action the result would have proved most disastrous to the enemy.
After the engagement Magruder was recalled to relieve the troops of Longstreet and Hill. His men, much fatigued by their long, hot march, arrived during the night.
BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL
Early on July 1 Jackson reached the battle-field of the previous day, having succeeded in crossing White Oak Swamp, where he captured a part of the enemy's artillery and a number of prisoners. He was directed to continue the pursuit down the Willis Church road, and soon found the enemy occupying a high range, extending obliquely across the road, in front of Malvern Hill. On this position of great natural strength he had concentrated his powerful artillery, supported by masses of infantry, partially protected by earthworks. His left rested near Crew's house and his right near Binford's. Immediately in his front the ground was open, varying in width from a quarter to half a mile, and, sloping gradually from the crest, was completely swept by the fire of his infantry and artillery. To reach this open ground our troops had to advance through a broken and thickly-wooded country, traversed nearly throughout its whole extent by a swamp passable at but few places and difficult at those. The whole was within range of the batteries on the heights and the gunboats in the river, under whose incessant fire our movements had to be executed.
Jackson formed his line with Whiting's division on his left and D. H. Hill's on his right, one of Ewell's brigades occupying the interval. The rest of Ewell's and Jackson's own divisions were held in reserve. Magruder was directed to take position on Jackson's right, but before his arrival two of Huger's brigades came up and were placed next to Hill. Magruder subsequently formed on the right of these brigades, which, with a third of Huger's, were placed under his command. Longstreet and A. P. Hill were held in reserve and took no part in the engagement. Owing to ignorance of the country, the dense forests impeding necessary communication, and the extreme difficulty of the ground, the whole line was not formed until a late hour in the afternoon. The obstacles presented by the woods and swamp made it impracticable to bring up a sufficient amount of artillery to oppose successfully the extraordinary force of that arm employed by the enemy, while the field itself afforded us few positions favorable for its use and none for its proper concentration. Orders were issued for a general advance at a given signal, but the causes referred to prevented a proper concert of action among the troops. D.H. Hill pressed forward across the open field and engaged the enemy gallantly, breaking and driving back his first line; but a simultaneous advance of the other troops not taking place, he found himself unable to maintain the ground he had gained against the overwhelming numbers and numerous batteries of the enemy. Jackson sent to his support his own division and that part of Ewell's which was in reserve, but owing to the increasing darkness and intricacy of the forest and swamp they did not arrive in time to render the desired assistance. Hill was therefore compelled to abandon part of the ground he had gained after suffering severe loss and inflicting heavy damage upon the enemy. On the right the attack was gallantly made by Huger's and Magruder's commands. Two brigades of the former commenced the action; the other two were subsequently sent to the support of Magruder and Hill. Several determined efforts were made to storm the hill at Crew's house. The brigades advanced bravely across the open field, raked by the fire of a hundred cannon and the musketry of large bodies of infantry. Some were broken and gave way, others approached close to the guns, driving back the infantry, compelling the advanced batteries to retire to escape capture, and mingling their dead with those of the enemy. For want of concert among the attacking columns their assaults were too weak to break the Federal line, and after struggling gallantly, sustaining and inflicting great loss, they were compelled successively to retire. Night was approaching when the attack began, and it soon became difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The firing continued until after 9 p.m., but no decided result was gained. Part of the troops were withdrawn to their original positions, others remained on the open field, and some rested within a hundred yards of the batteries that had been so bravely but vainly assailed. The general conduct of the troops was excellent.— in some instances heroic. The lateness of the hour at which the attack necessarily began gave the enemy the full advantage of his superior position and augmented the natural difficulties of our own.
After seizing the York River Railroad on June 28 and driving the enemy across the Chickahominy, as already narrated, the cavalry under General Stuart proceeded down the railroad to ascertain if there was any movement of the enemy in that direction.
He encountered but little opposition, and reached the vicinity of the White House on the 29th. At his approach the enemy destroyed the greater part of the immense stores accumulated at that depot and retreated toward Fort Monroe. With one gun and some dismounted men General Stuart drove off a gunboat which lay near the White House and rescued a large amount of property, including more than 10,000 stands of small-arms partially burned. Leaving one squadron at the White House, in compliance with his orders, he returned to guard the lower bridges of the Chickahominy.
On the 30th he was directed to recross and co-operate with General Jackson. After a long march he reached the rear of the enemy at Mal-vern Hill on the night of July 1 at the close of the engagement.
On July 2 it was discovered that the enemy had withdrawn during the night, leaving the ground covered with his dead and wounded, and his route exhibiting abundant evidence of precipitate retreat. The pursuit was commenced, General Stuart with his cavalry in the advance, but a violent storm, which prevailed throughout the day, greatly retarded our progress. The enemy, harassed and closely followed by the cavalry, succeeded in gaining Westover, on James River, and the protection of his gunboats. He immediately began to fortify his position, which was one of great natural strength, flanked on each side by a creek, and the approach to his front commanded by the heavy guns of his shipping, in addition to those mounted in his intrenchments. It was deemed inexpedient to attack him, and in view of the condition of our troops, who had been marching and fighting almost incessantly for seven days under the most trying circumstances, it was determined to withdraw, in order to afford them the repose of which they stood so much in need.
Several days were spent in collecting arms and other property abandoned by the enemy, and in the mean time some artillery and cavalry were sent below Westover to annoy his transports.
Under ordinary circumstances the Federal Army should have been destroyed. Its escape was due to the causes already stated. Prominent among these is the want of correct and timely information. This fact, attributable chiefly to the character of the country, enabled General McClellan skillfully to conceal his retreat and to add much to the obstructions with which nature had beset the way of our pursuing columns; but regret that more was not accomplished gives way to gratitude to the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe for the results achieved. The siege of Richmond was raised, and the object of a campaign, which had been prosecuted after months of preparation at an enormous expenditure of men and money, completely frustrated. More than 10,000 prisoners, including officers of rank, 52 pieces of artillery, and upward of 35,000 stands of small-arms were captured. The stores and supplies of every description which fell into our hands were great in amount and value, but small in comparison with those destroyed by the enemy. His losses in battle exceeded our own, as attested by the thousands of dead and wounded left on every field, while his subsequent inaction shows in what condition the survivors reached the protection to which they fled.”
R.E. Lee, General
#229
July —, 1862.
On Saturday morning the division marched back across the ravine to renew its supply of ammunition and get something to eat. We shortly received orders to march and to follow the command of Major-General Hill. After marching half a mile we halted, the troops in front being at a halt, and so remained under arms all day, being ordered into bivouac where we were at night. This was at McGehee's house and farm, a position which had been the enemy's extreme right, and whence their causeway over the Chickahominy leads. The enemy had destroyed the bridge.
All day Sunday we remained in the same position, marching early Monday morning and crossing the Chickahominy by the enemy's causeway. Passed through their encampments, crossed the York River Railroad, and, marching by the Williamsburg road, we turned off at the White Oak Bridge fork and reached the bridge about noon, finding it destroyed and the enemy drawn up beyond in line of battle. Batteries were brought up and a heavy fire opened upon him, silencing his battery completely. Our fire was directed by Major Whiting, of the staff. Sundry ineffectual attempts were made during the day to repair the bridge, but the enemy keeping up a distant and random fire of shell about the crossing, the men would not work. During the afternoon the furious battle of Frazier's farm was raging between the enemy and the troops of General Longstreet. It could be distinctly heard, and indeed was scarcely 2 miles from us. Our delay at White Oak was unfortunate.
Next morning, the enemy having retired, the bridge was repaired and the troops passed, my division in the advance. Marching by the road to Turkey Bridge on the Turkey road, we presently fell in with the line of skirmishers of Major-General Magruder's troops, moving in line of battle by the Charles City road. They halted for us to pass. The troops were marching by a flank. The commanding general of the corps, Major-General Jackson, would not allow the dispositions to be made to advance with skirmishers deployed and in line, but caused the troops to press on until the head of column closed on the advance guard, a regiment of cavalry, in a thick wood near Crew's farm, about 11 a.m. On the farm the enemy were found very strongly posted. They immediately opened with shell on the woods, every portion of which was under their fire. The result was, the cavalry came to the right-about and broke through the long column of troops which filled the road, now enfiladed by the fire. Though suffering loss, they formed to the right and left with precision and promptness.
To our left was a very large wheat field, on the farm of Mr. Poindexter, which afforded a good view of the enemy's position and fair opportunities for artillery. Batteries were ordered up. The enemy's position, naturally commanding, was materially strengthened by the judicious distribution of his artillery. The first battery ordered into Mr. Poindexter's field found itself exposed to a vastly superior cross-fire, and was soon compelled to retire with loss. Balthis' battery, better posted and better covered by the ground, fought well and continued the action until their ammunition was exhausted. Other batteries were ordered up. The position to be taken by the artillery rendered infantry support necessary, and I was directed by General Jackson to form my line with my right on the road in the wood, advancing to the edge in front and holding that. This was done by the Third (Law's) Brigade. The line continued by Hood extended across Poindexter's field, the men lying concealed by the wheat and the roll of the ground. I had been strengthened by the Third Brigade, of Jackson's division proper, under the command of Brigadier-General Hampton. This was held in reserve. Trimble's brigade, of Ewell's division, supported my extreme left. This disposition I was directed to maintain, the general attack of our forces being understood to be made as soon as practicable on the extreme right, the enemy's left. In the mean time it became apparent from our position that the enemy had divined the movement; their artillery fire, which had been very severe upon my batteries and troops; Ceased, and heavy columns were discovered in movement for disposition on their left. After some time the movement of baggage and troops in retreat by the Turkey Bridge road could be plainly observed.
After the attack commenced on the right my division, with the exception of two regiments on the right of my line, which was near our center, and some of the Texas skirmishers, had nothing to do with the battle except to suffer a murderous artillery fire, which they did un-flinchingly. Personally assisted by my staff, I was called upon to direct the artillery fire, which I continued to do during the afternoon. From my point of view the enemy appeared to fight with great stubbornness, and our attack to have made but little impression upon him. He deployed at one time six batteries in front of our center, when, opening in this deployment with artillery, they, together with the stationary batteries already in position, and which we had been engaging at times during the day, all opened a terrific fire upon Poindexter's field. Our gunners replied with spirit, but from want of ammunition' the contest was too unequal, and I caused them successively to withdraw. This cross-fire was excessively severe upon the supporting troops. Toward night, learning that the center was pressed hard, I received orders to direct General Trimble to move over from the left to that point, and commenced to close my own troops into the right, when night fell, and with it the battle, which had raged with great fury, ceased. For an hour after night-fall the enemy shelled the woods and Poindexter's field with rapid and heavy fire. This indicated another withdrawal. My troops remained in position all night, the advanced scouts confirming the withdrawal of the enemy during the night, leaving their dead and wounded.
Wednesday morning, the 2d, a very heavy rain set in; the troops remained in bivouac, cooking. Thursday Major-General Jackson's corps marched to take the road to Westover, but missed it, and bivouacked near Willis' Church.
W. H. C. WHITING, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
#231
July 9, 1862.
On the 29th it was ordered to take the advance and move to the Chickahominy River, which it did. The bridge being incomplete, shortly before sunset it was ordered to its former bivouac.
On the morning of the 30th it took up the march at 2.30 o'clock, following the troops in advance of it. At night it bivouacked near White Oak Swamp.
Took up the march at 5 a.m. on July 1, following troops in front. Hearing from General Whiting artillery was needed in front, I ordered captains Carpenter and Poague to report to Brigadier-General Whiting with their batteries. For an account of their operations I respectfully refer to their reports. The brigade was halted near a church in the wood and held in reserve. Being within range of the enemy's shell, it was twice removed to the rear; but, unfortunately, the first shot indicating the necessity of a move killed that promising and gallant officer Captain Fletcher, Fifth Regiment Virginia Volunteers, and the next, causing a second move, killed 1 man and wounded 3 of same regiment. Between 6 and 7 p.m. I was ordered to the front with my command. On reporting to General Jackson, I was ordered to file to the right through the woods and report to Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill. I obeyed the first part of the order. I had not gone far when I found the brigade under the fire of a battery. It moved steadily on under a heavy fire. I dispatched a staff' officer to a house near by to see if I could hear of General Hill's locality. I could learn nothing, and hearing a heavy fire to my left, I moved directly for it. To gain that point the command was exposed to a terrific fire, and in consequence of the darkness of the hour and much wood and swamp the brigade became greatly separated. Finding myself with a portion of the Thirty, third Regiment, Colonel Neff, and a portion of the Fourth Regiment-I moved to the assistance of our troops through the swamp sending Captain O'Brien to find the other regiments and bring them up. On emerging from the swamp I found a handful of gallant men of the First and Third North Carolina Regiments receiving a most terrific fire. I immediately placed the Thirty-third and Fourth Regiments in position, and with about 100 men held this hill against the enemy, who gave us the most terrific fire I have ever seen. There was a continuous stream of shot, shell, and balls for some two hours, when the enemy's fire slackened, and ceased about 10 p.m.
During this time the officers and men behaved with true courage. Our loss was heavy.
Colonel Neff and Maj. F. W. M. Holliday, Thirty-third Regiment, and Lieutenants Howard and Garnett, of my staff, particularly attracted my admiration by their coolness and untiring efforts to keep the men in their position. Their escape from injury is truly providential.
About 9 p.m., while trying to find remnants of my brigade— — for some few men had found out my position and joined— I met a portion of the Thirteenth Georgia Regiment and ordered it to this position. In a short time parts of my regiments came up, all having been subjected to a heavy fire while moving up, but in consequence of the thick wood and darkness could not find their proper positions. For details of their operations I refer to their several reports.
Here the fearless and gallant Col. A. J. Grigsby, Twenty-seventh Regiment Virginia Volunteers, was wounded— slightly, I am glad to say— but obliged to leave the field. Captain O'Brien, of my staff, was injured by a fall from his horse, and not with me after reaching the field.
Hearing of troops near by not engaged I immediately sent for them, and was soon re-enforced by a portion of General Lawton's brigade, General J. R. Jones' brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham, and a part of the Louisiana Brigade, and that gallant band of Marylanders under the brave Col. B. T. Johnson. Colonel Johnson, hearing I needed assistance, came forward to tender his regiment, which I gladly accepted, and gave him the advance, directing him to extend our line some half a mile to the right, placing my picket on and near the flank of the enemy. This duty he executed rapidly and with good judgment, holding this position until after the enemy had retired the following day. Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham's brigade I placed on Johnson's left and the balance of Lawton's brigade between Cunningham's and my original position, securing my entire front and flank, sleeping on the field so hotly contested against heavy odds.
After these dispositions General Lawton arrived, and I rode in to report to Generals Hill and Jackson my position. This effected, I returned to the field before dawn and made the requisite dispositions to repulse any attack; but at daylight we found the enemy had evacuated his position during the night, taking off his guns, but leaving his dead, small-arms, and other indications of a defeat and hasty retreat, which was an agreeable surprise, for I had learned, through prisoners captured about daylight, his force the day previous had been vastly superior to ours.
CHAS. S. WINDER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
#234
July 13, 1862.
On Saturday the regiment remained near McGehee's.
On Sunday we were marched as far as Grapevine Bridge, and returned about night-fall to our camp.
Monday we crossed the Chickahominy and the York River Railroad, and bivouacked near White Oak Swamp, and moved Tuesday, July 1, on the Shirley road, halting occasionally for some time. Heavy artillery fire all the while heard in front.
Passing a church, we were placed in a wood about 5 p.m. to the right of the road, and remained there over an hour.
Some of the regiments of the brigade being within reach of the shells of the enemy, about 6.30 o'clock the brigade was ordered from the woods to the road. The thick undergrowth delayed the movements of the Second and Fifth Regiments so much, that when the left of the Second reached the road neither the Twenty-seventh, Fourth, nor Thirty-third were in sight. The road was crowded with artillery and regiments hastening from the battle-field. The regiment was pushed forward as rapidly as possible on the road, and Sergeant-Major Burwell sent in advance to ascertain the routes taken by General Winder, and by his exertions we followed in his track.
Night was rapidly closing in. The regiment was in the woods to the right of the road, marching upon the left flank of the enemy and exposed to the fire of their artillery.
Leaving the woods we entered a field, which was swept by the enemy's fire. Here we met officers and men hastening to the rear, who reported that all our troops were in retreat. Still the regiment was pushed forward to join, if possible, the brigade. The Fifth was in our rear. The darkness, the rapid march, and the woods had separated the men very much, and the command was exceedingly small. Concealing them by a deep ravine in a wood, within 150 yards of the road, I rode out until I struck the road. Here I could not see any of our troops, and the fire from the enemy was incessant.
.
LAWSON BOTTS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
#235
July 11, 1862
On Saturday morning, the 28th, I threw out some men to relieve the picket I had put out the night before. They brought in several prisoners. It was some three or four of these fresh men who arrested Brigadier-General Reynolds and Captain Kingsbury, his assistant adjutant-general.
The regiment remained here until Sunday morning, when it, with the brigade, marched to the bridge across the Chickahominy, where it remained inactive until nearly night, and then returned to the ground occupied in the morning.
On Monday, the 30th, the regiment took up the line of march and proceeded to a point at or near White Oak Swamp, where it remained for the night.
On Tuesday, July 1, marched down road; halted near a church. While here the enemy, who occupied a strong position on Malvern Hill, opened fire upon the advance of our army, whereupon an artillery duel ensued between ours and the enemy's batteries. The brigade was here forced to seek cover in the woods, where it remained until quite late in the evening. My regiment did not suffer from the shells thrown by the enemy, though some casualties occurred in the brigade.
Late in the evening the infantry became engaged, and my regiment, with the brigade, marched to the scene of action. I received no orders, but followed the Twenty-seventh Regiment, which was my position in the march. The Twenty-seventh double-quicked through the woods. I followed, passing out of the woods into an open field. We were exposed to a tremendous and furious fire from the enemy's batteries. I continued to move the regiment at a double-quick in order to secure the wood, some 200 yards in advance, where I intended to close the regiment up, as coming so rapidly through the first woods the files became widely separated, but all entered the field and were striving to close up, though the shells were bursting all around and in great rapidity; but when the first company reached the woods, Colonel Grigsby, I believe— or it may have been some one else-commanded "Left into line." I commanded "Halt," and did all I could to stop the regiment, in order to close it up. But it was getting late, and the cheering of the men made it impossible for me to arrest the movement, Lieut. Col. R. D. Gardner and Maj. William Terry doing all in their power to bring the regiment together, but, unfortunately, it was not accomplished.
It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Gardner's horse was shot dead, falling upon him, and he was unable to get from under his horse until assisted. Up to this moment he was doing all a man could do to get the men together. Major Terry acted well his part, but exposing himself all the time in his effort to get the regiment in order. I left him in the field, and rode in with that portion of the regiment which had entered the woods; but in the mean time it had grown quite dark, and it was difficult in a wood so dense to keep even the advanced portion of the regiment together. Passing through this wood, I reached the road with only a part of the regiment— in a word, the regiment, unfortunately, became separated, and owing altogether to the fact that the command above referred to was given by some one. But for this I would have secured a new formation of the regiment and taken it altogether into action. But as it was, some were on the left and others on the right of other troops. Men and officers, so far as I could discover, acted very well in the engagement.
CH. A. RONALD, Colonel Fourth Regiment Virginia Volunteers.
#236
On Tuesday, July 1, by order of General Winder, I had placed my regiment in the woods in rear of the battle-field. I had scarcely gotten into position before a Parrott shell mortally wounded Captain Fletcher. This gallant young officer had on many occasions proved himself so brave as to be the idol of his company and of the entire regiment. His last words on the field were words of encouragement to his men.
General Winder ordered me to move back some distance and out of the range of the guns. I had hardly executed the order before another shell exploded in the line, killing 1 and wounding 4 privates. The brigade was then moved still farther back. I obtained permission of General Winder to go to the rear to look after my wounded, and while there was informed that the brigade was moving to the front. With difficulty I reached the head of my regiment just as it filed to the right into the woods. The blocked-up condition of the road compelled the regiment to move in single file, which scattered it very much. Having received no orders, I followed the Second Regiment across a corn field until I arrived at a woods and found it posted in a ravine, which seemed to be providentially placed in our way as a breastwork against the terrific shower of shell and grape. I soon after met with Colonel who informed me that he had lost the balance of the brigade. After remaining in this perilous situation, in which our men were unable to do any good and were in very great danger and finding it impossible to join the rest of the brigade, Colonel Botts and I, on consultation, determined to fall back to the road, which we succeeded in doing with but a few wounded. I gathered the scattered men of the brigade, assisted by Colonel Botts, and moved along the road until I received orders to halt and rest.
WM. S. H. BAYLOR, Colonel Fifth Virginia Infantry
#237
July 7, 1862
At the battle of the 1st instant the Twenty-seventh regiment was marched up the road in column with the brigade until it came within about half a mile of the battle-field, when the whole brigade filed to the right into a piece of woods. Then my regiment, in a line with the brigade, supported on the right by the Thirty-third Virginia and on the left by the Fourth Virginia Regiments, advanced by the right flank through the woods, then into an open field, and then again through a very dense forest of brush and timber, across the main road to the position assigned on the field.
The shot and shell fell fast and thick on us as we marched on, and just before reaching our position on the field Col. A. J. Grigsby, while leading the regiment in his dauntless and fearless style was struck by a Minie ball, inflicting under his left arm a painful but not dangerous wound.
The regiment was ordered to fire, which it did, and continued firing for some length of time, when it was ordered to charge on a battery. This was attempted, but the regiment, being much scattered and unsupported by sufficient force, was compelled to desist. The regiment then resumed its original position on the field and continued firing until the fight closed.
G. C. SMITH. Captain, Comdg. Twenty-seventh Regiment Virginia Vols.
#238
Saturday, the 28th, remained in our position all day, men being employed a portion of the day in gathering arms and burying the dead of friend and foe.
Sunday, the 29th, marched down to Grapevine Bridge, where we remained for several hours, and then returned to our former position.
Monday, the 30th, were aroused at 2.30 a.m. Got under arms and took up the line of march in the direction of Grapevine Bridge, crossed Chickahominy, and marched to the York River Railroad. Marched down the road some distance, and then down what I was told was the Williamsburg road. Heard heavy firing in front of us, but did not get under fire all day. Bivouacked at dark near White Oak Swamp.
Tuesday, July 1, marched at daylight, crossed the swamp, and moved on in the direction of James River. Do not remember what troops were immediately in our front. The Thirty-third Regiment marched in rear of the brigade. About 11 o'clock we filed into a wood on the right of the road and formed line of battle, Thirty-third on the extreme left. Remained in this position a considerable time, and then fell back a short distance to get out of range of shells. Here we remained until near sundown, when we were ordered to "Attention," faced to the left, and moved down the road in the direction of the firing, Thirty-third leading. As we approached the scene of action found the firing very warm, shot and shell flying over and around us. We again filed to the right into the woods, through which we soon made our way; entered a corn field and inclined to the left, marching on until we again reached the main road. In the road we halted for a moment, the men lying down behind a fence in the mean time which afforded a partial protection. Soon moved off again, crossed the fence to our left, and marched in an oblique direction through a thick undergrowth across a swamp clambered up a steep acclivity on the opposite side; crossed the fence, and found ourselves on the field of battle.
It was now quite dark, and it was difficult to tell where were our friends or foes. The regiment was put in line as well as circumstances would permit, the men sheltering themselves behind the hill as much as possible while they delivered a pretty warm fire upon the enemy. We were for some time unsupported, and our small force must certainly have been crushed by the superior weight of the enemy had they known our numbers. We were subsequently joined by some Louisiana regiments and General Lawton's brigade.
Considerable confusion was created necessarily in the swamp and bushes, officers and men becoming separated and regiments more or less intermingled; yet, so far as my observation extended, both officers and men behaved well. Major Holliday, Adjutant Walton, Captain Holliday and Sergeant-Major Baldwin were particularly brought under my notice. Captain Holliday was the only captain in the regiment on the occasion.
The firing did not cease until about 9 p.m., when it gradually died away, the enemy finally withdrawing.
JNO. F. NEFF, Colonel Thirty-third Virginia Infantry.
#243
On Tuesday, July 1, the brigade crossed the White Oak Swamp and proceeded toward the Malvern Hills. In the latter part of the day a heavy cannonade to the front announced to us the conflict which was then in progress. A little after 5 o'clock we were drawn up in line of battle about 100 paces in rear of the First Brigade, in a body of woods beyond a church, of which I have been unable to ascertain the name. While we were in these woods a number of the enemy's shell exploded near us, and we shifted our position several times to get out of their exact range. About sunset we were ordered forward. We marched slowly down the road under a terrific fire from a battery which perfectly commanded it and which threw its shells with great accuracy. Some confusion occurred amongst the troops in front of us, and we were kept marching and counter-marching along the road in question for several hours, Finally we proceeded across a small stream to the crest of a hill, and remained there, in the midst of the dead and wounded, until the following morning. Brigadier-General Jones was disabled early in the night by a contusion on the knee from a piece of shell, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham commanded the brigade during the remainder of the night. Notwithstanding the terrible fire to which we were so long exposed no one in the battalion was injured on this occasion.
On Wednesday, July 2, we encamped near the church I have mentioned.
Capt. B. W. Leigh, Commanding [1st Va.] Battalion
#254
I submit the following report of the operations of this brigade at or near Malvern Hill on the 1st ultimo:
On that morning I was ordered by General Lee to report to Major-General Jackson for temporary duty with one of the brigades of his command, and was by him assigned to the command of the brigade lately commanded by Brigadier-General Elzey, in the division of Maj or General Ewell. Of this brigade I assumed command about midday on the road leading from White Oak Swamp to Willis' Church.
In the afternoon of the same day the brigade, consisting of fragments of the Thirteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-first, Forty-fourth, Fifty-second, and Fifty-eighth Virginia Regiments, and the Twelfth Georgia Regiment, numbering in all about 1,050 men present, was formed, by order of General Ewell, in line of battle in the woods on the left of the road leading from Willis' Church to Malvern Hill, where it remained until very late in the afternoon during a heavy cannonading between the enemy's artillery and our own, an occasional shell falling near the brigade, doing no damage, however, except the killing by the same shot of a private in the Forty-fourth Virginia Regiment and a young gentleman named Field, who was a volunteer on the staff of Colonel Walker, of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment.
About sunset an order was received by General Ewell, in my presence, from General Jackson, through a staff officer, to send my brigade to the right to the support of Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill, and the brigade was immediately put in motion and marched, under the guidance of an officer sent for the purpose, across the road and through the woods, passing along the side of a ravine covered with trees and thick undergrowth, until the head of it reached a small road leading across an open bottom on a creek. Here the brigade was halted for a few minutes until the guide could ascertain the route to be pursued, when it was again put in motion, and as the head of it arrived in the open bottom; by the guide's direction the brigade was started across the bottom, and General Ewell and myself, with my staff officers, were directed to cross by a detour to the right over an old dam, as the only practicable way for horses. On arriving at the point where it was expected to meet the head of the brigade nothing could be seen of it, a thick brushwood excluding it from view.
In the mean time a large number of men, retreating from the battlefield, began to pass along the road into which we had then got, and filled the brushwood mentioned, producing great confusion and rendering it impossible for me to ascertain whether the brigade was passing through this brush-wood. After many fruitless efforts to ascertain this fact I rode toward the route over which the brigade was started as far as I could, and found a very deep ditch filled with skulkers from the battle-field, over which it was impossible for me to pass with my horse. I then rode around to a point where I could get a view of the place at which I separated from the brigade, and seeing none of it passing, I rode forward on the road leading to the battle-field with the hope of finding the brigade emerging from the woods farther on. It was then getting dark, and I found the road filled with a large number of men retreating in confusion, being mostly from General Toombs' Georgia Brigade. These troops, aided by my assistant adjutant-general, Captain Gardner, I endeavored to rally, but found it very difficult to do so.
During my exertions to rally these men the Twelfth Georgia Regiment, of my own brigade, came up, under the command of Capt. James G. Rodgers, and I marched it off, accompanied by Colonel Benning, with a few men from his regiment, of Toombs' brigade. These men were formed in line by direction of General Ewell, who had preceded me with some men rallied by him in a field over which a considerable body of our troops had charged in the early part of the engagement and in rear of some regiments then engaged with the enemy. Here I was soon joined by the Thirty-first and Twenty-fifth Virginia Regiments, which were brought up by my aide, Capt. S. H. Early, who had gone to the rear to look for the brigade. With these regiments I remained on the field during the night in the position designated by General Ewell, Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill being present at the time they were posted and for some time thereafter.
During the march the brigade was exposed to a terrific cannonading and shells were constantly bursting over and around it. For some time the regiments with me on the field, which were ordered to lie down, were exposed to the fiercest artillery fire that I have ever witnessed. About the close of this fire Brigadier-General Ransom, with a portion of his command, retired to the rear past my position, leaving none of our troops in front of me. A short time after the cessation of the fire we heard very distinctly the rumbling of wheels, indicating a movement of the enemy's artillery, and a large number of lights were seen moving about over the field in immediate proximity to the enemy's position, which were doubtless borne by persons from the enemy's lines in search of their wounded.
As soon as it was light enough next morning an appalling spectacle was presented to our view in front. The field for some distance from the enemy's position was literally strewn with the dead and wounded, and arms were lying in every direction. It was apparent that the enemy's main body with his artillery had retired, but a body of his cavalry, supported by infantry, was soon discovered on the field. To the right, near the top of a steep hill leading up toward the enemy's position, we saw a body of our own troops, some distance off, lying down, which proved to be a small body under Brigadier-Generals Ma-hone and Wright.
In the mean time parties of our men were going to the front in search of the wounded, and after a demonstration by the enemy's cavalry, which was abandoned on the firing of a few shots by the Maryland regiment posted in the woods some distance to my left, the parties from both armies in search of the dead and wounded gradually approached each other and continued their mournful work without molestation on either side, being apparently appalled for the moment into a cessation from all hostile purposes by the terrible spectacle presented to their view.
J. A. EARLY, Brigadier-General,Commanding Brigade.
More to come....