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  • From the CS Perspective

    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....
    [B]Charles Heath[/B]
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  • #2
    Re: From the CS Perspective

    As threatened....

    #255

    On Sunday, 29th, orders were received to march down the Chickahominy. During the delay of starting I halted about 9 o'clock at a dwelling on the battle-field and sent an officer up a tree which had been prepared by the enemy as an observatory. This officer could with a glass plainly see the Yankee forces moving southward from Reynoldsville (General McClellan's headquarters). The smoke of burning stores could also be distinctly seen. I wrote a note addressed to General Lee or General Jackson stating these facts and that the Federal Army was certainly retreating. General Lee answered the note, and stated that the enemy were in heavy force on the right, and that he had tried to reach them with artillery, but without effect.

    Meantime four large conflagrations had become plainly visible, and infantry, artillery, and wagons were seen moving amid clouds of dust in a southerly direction. I again wrote to General Lee, then 2 miles distant, communicating these facts, and- expressing the opinion that the enemy were certainly retreating with great precipitation, as burning stores were a sure indication, and ought to be vigorously pursued.

    It was afterward known that General McClellan did break up the camps on Sunday morning at the place referred to and commenced a rapid retreat.

    Under previous orders we continued our march about 10 o'clock, and after several halts reached the York River Railroad near Bottom's Bridge about 2 o'clock with the Third Division. After marching and countermarching several times a halt of several hours was made 2 miles north of the railroad. Several times in the afternoon I had called attention to the dense clouds of dust observed on the north side of the Chickahominy; that it plainly indicated a rapid retreat of the enemy, and that our forces should be thrown across that stream to intercept their flight or increase their disorder. A practicable ford was discovered near the point where we halted, and General Ewell had decided, under the discretion allowed him, to cross and attack them about 4 o'clock; but orders from General Jackson, conflicting with this, prevented so important a movement. About 6 p.m. the division was marched back up the Chickahominy, crossed the stream in the night at the new bridges, and bivouacked at Reynoldsville twelve hours after the enemy and General McClellan had abandoned that place.

    It is deeply to be regretted that, from the sure indications of rapid retreat given by the Federal forces, some portion of our army was not thrown across the Chickahominy that day to fall on the flank of the enemy's retreating columns. This could have been safely and suddenly done at the ford before alluded to.

    On Monday, 30th, by orders, we marched at an early hour over the same road taken by the enemy twenty-four hours before, and 3 miles distant passed the battle-field where General Longstreet had engaged the enemy the afternoon previous. At about 4 p.m. we reached the White Oak Swamp, where, after an hour's engagement with artillery, General Jackson's army bivouacked for the night, including General Whiting's division.

    On Tuesday, July 1, we marched, by orders, at sunrise; crossed White Oak Swamp, the bridge destroyed by the enemy causing some hours' delay; continued by slow marches to ------- Church, and formed line of battle on Poindexter's farm, opposite the Malvern Hills, about 2 p.m., the Seventh Brigade on the extreme left. We remained in position about three hours, during the greater part of which time artillery and musketry firing was heard on our right a mile or two distant. At 5 p.m. Courtney's battery was put in position, opened a brisk fire, answered by heavy discharges from four or five batteries or the enemy posted on Malvern Hills. After half an hour's engagement, doing good service, the battery was withdrawn reluctantly by an order of General Whiting, through a courier, which turned out to have been intended for another battery.

    At 3 p.m. that day, after the enemy's position and the disposition of his forces had been well reconnoitered through a glass and plainly visible, I asked permission to move through the continuous woods to the left and attack the enemy by a surprise on his right. This proposal, forwarded to General Jackson, was declined by him.

    About sundown orders were received to march the Seventh Brigade to the extreme right, where the battle had raged fiercely for some two hours and our troops repulsed. I moved quickly, guided by an officer of General D. H. Hill's staff, through a dense woods, in the dark, exposed for 1˝ miles to a continuous and rapid fire of the enemy's artillery, and took up a position on that part of the field where General Magruder had made his disastrous charges across an open field, every yard of which could be swept by the adverse artillery. This field was about half a mile broad, skirted by woods on the left and a high and abrupt declivity descending to Turkey Creek on the right. I reported to General Ewell, and a few moments after to D. H. Hill, who ordered the brigade to remain in its position near the woods on the edge of the field. I proposed soon after to General Hill to ride forward under cover of the heavy darkness and reconnoiter the enemy's position. It was then about 9 o'clock. We rode forward and approached within 100 steps of the batteries, and could hear plainly the ordinary tone of conversation. The guns were then firing on the woods to our left, where the last attack had been made, at right angles to that part of the field we were in. I suggested to General Hill the advantage of making an attack on this battery, and that it must be successful, and the enemy would not expect one from our position, and under cover of the darkness we could approach them undiscovered. General Hill did not seem inclined to make the movement. We rode back to the brigade, conversed some time, when I again urged the propriety of an attack, as we could approach so near undiscovered as to insure success, the enemy having no skirmishers in our front. But he declined as before to order the attack, and directed me to make no further movement. I occupied this position until about 12 o'clock, when all firing had ceased for more than two hours, and as General Ewell and General Hill had both been absent during this time I retired the brigade into the woods to bivouac for the night, as the men were completely worn-out and no further action expected.

    I. R. TRIMBLE, Brigadier-General.

    #257

    That night we slept on the battle-field, and next morning, 28th, were ordered in front by Major-General Ewell, and gained the York River Railroad. Pushing beyond to a hill which commanded Bottom's Bridge, I placed a picket on the Williamsburg road and held the hill by order until the 30th, when I was ordered off.

    On July 1, finding myself in the rear without orders, I pushed forward until I got within a quarter of a mile of Littleton's house, on the Malvern Hills. Here I halted and went forward with my adjutant and adjutant general of the Maryland Line. A short distance from my position I met Brig. Gen. George B. Anderson coming back, wounded, with the fragments of his command, which had been repulsed, losing heavily. I rode on, and just in front of Littleton's house came suddenly on a small body of the enemy within 100 yards of me. Returning, I reported the fact to Major-General Jackson, and asked should I go forward• He said, "No." 1 remained in position until dusk under the most terrific fire of shell and shrapnel I can conceive of. At that time, finding troops coming pouring back from the front, and no one to get orders from, I concluded to move forward toward the firing. As I was going up Major-General Ewell rode up and approved of my action.

    I then went on and found Brigadier-General Winder, and by his order took possession of the woods beyond the Littleton house, which I held until we marched. This gave us complete command of the battlefield•

    BRADLEY T. JOHNSON, Colonel, Commanding Maryland Line

    #258

    Jackson's command, my division leading, passed Savage Station early in the morning of the 30th instant, and followed the line of the Yankee retreat toward White Oak Creek. We picked up about 1,000 prisoners and so many arms, that I detached the Fourth and Fifth North Carolina Regiments to take charge of both.

    At White Oak Creek we found the bridge destroyed and the Yankee forces drawn up on the other side. Twenty-six guns from my division and five from Whiting's division opened a sudden and unexpected fire upon the Yankee batteries and infantry. A feeble response was attempted, but silenced in a few minutes. Munford's cavalry and my skirmishers crossed over, but the Yankees got some guns under cover of a wood which commanded the bridge, and the cavalry was compelled to turn back. The skirmishers staid over all day and night. We attempted no further crossing that day. The hospitals and a large number of sick and wounded at White Oak Creek fell into our hands. Major-Generals Longstreet and A. P. Hill attacked the Yankees in flank at Frazier's farm, some 2 miles in advance of us that day, and a corresponding vigorous attack by Major-General Huger on their rear must have resulted most disastrously to them. The obstacles he met, which prevented his advance, may have been of a character not to be overcome. I do not know and cannot judge of them. The bridge being repaired, Jackson's command crossed over, Brigadier-General Whiting's division leading, and effected a junction with General Lee near a church a few miles from Malvern Hill. Whiting's division was turned off the road to the left at the foot of this hill and mine to the right. We had to advance across an open field and ford a creek before getting under cover of the woods. We were in full view while effecting these objects, and suffered heavily from the Yankee artillery. Brigadier-General Anderson, on the extreme left, had become engaged, his brigade roughly handled, and himself wounded and carried off the field before the other brigades had crossed the creek. By the order of Major-General Jackson the division was halted in the woods and an examination made of the ground. The Yankees were found to be strongly posted on a commanding hill, all the approaches to which could be swept by his artillery, and were guarded by swarms of infantry securely sheltered by fences, ditches, and ravines. Tier after tier of batteries were grimly visible on the plateau, rising in the form of an amphitheater. One flank was protected by Turkey Creek and the other by gunboats. We could only reach the first line of batteries by traversing an open space of from 300 to 400 yards, exposed to a murderous fire of grape and canister from the artillery and musketry from the infantry. If that first line were carried, another and another still more difficult remained in the rear. I had expressed my disapprobation of a farther pursuit of the Yankees to the commanding general and to Major-Generals Jackson and Longstreet even before I knew of the strength of their position. An examination now satisfied me that an attack could not but be hazardous to our arms.

    About 2 o'clock, I think, I received a note from General Jackson, inclosing one from Col. R. H. Chilton: chief of General Lee's staff, saying that positions were selected from which our artillery could silence the Yankee artillery, and as soon as that was done Brigadier-General Armistead would advance with a shout and carry the battery immediately in his front. This shout was to be the signal for a general advance, and all the troops were then to rush forward with fixed bayonets. I sent for all my brigade commanders and showed them the note. Brigadier-General Rodes being absent sick, the gallant Gordon was put in command of his brigade. That accomplished gentleman and soldier Col. C. C. Tew, Second North Carolina Regiment, took command of Anderson's brigade. Garland, Ripley, and Colquitt, and these two colonels were present at the interview. Instead of ordering up 100 or 200 pieces of artillery to play on the Yankees, a single battery (Moorman's) was ordered up and knocked to pieces in a few minutes. One or two others shared the same fate of being beat in detail. Not knowing how to act under these circumstances, I wrote to General Jackson that the firing from our batteries was of the most farcical character. He repeated the order for a general advance at the signal of the shouting from General Armistead. As well as I could learn the position of our troops the division of Brigadier-General Whiting was on my left: Major-Generals Magruder and Huger on my right, and Major-General Holmes some miles in our rear.

    While conversing with my brigade commanders shouting was heard on our right, followed by the roar of musketry. We all agreed that this was the signal agreed upon, and I ordered my division to advance. This, as near as I could judge, was about an hour and a half before sundown. We advanced alone; neither Whiting, on the left, nor Magruder and Huger, on the right, moved forward an inch. The division fought heroically and well, but fought in vain. Garland, in my immediate front, showed all his wonted courage and enthusiasm, but he needed and asked for re-enforcements. I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Newton, Sixth Georgia, to his support, and observing a brigade by a fence in our rear, I galloped back to it and found it to be that of Brigadier-General Toombs. I ordered it forward to support Garland and accompanied it. The brigade advanced handsomely to the brow of the hill, but soon retreated in disorder. Gordon, commanding Rodes' brigade, pushed gallantly forward and gained considerable ground, but was forced back. The gallant and accomplished Meares, Third North Carolina Regiment, Ripley's brigade, had fallen at the head of his regiment, and that brigade was streaming to the rear. Colquitt's and Anderson's brigades had also fallen back. Ransom's brigade had come up to my support from Major-General Huger. A portion of it came, but without its Brigadier- It moved too far to the left and became mixed up with the mass of troops near the parsonage on the Quaker road, suffering heavily and effecting little. Brigadier-General Winder was sent up by Major-General Jackson, but he came too late, and also went to the same belt of woods near the parsonage, already over-crowded with troops. Finally Major-General Ewell came up, but it was after dark and nothing could be accomplished. I advised him to hold the ground he had gained and not to attempt a forward movement.

    The battle of Malvern Hill might have been a complete and glorious success had not our artillery and infantry been fought in detail. My division batteries, having been three times engaged, had exhausted all their ammunition and had been sent back for a fresh supply. If I had had them with me with a good supply of ammunition I feel confident that we could have beaten the force immediately in front of us. Again, the want of concert with the infantry divisions was most painful. Whiting's division did not engage at all, neither did Holmes'. My division fought an hour or more the whole Yankee force without assistance from a single Confederate soldier. The front line of the Yankees was twice broken and in full retreat, when fresh troops came to its support. At such critical junctures the general advance of the divisions on my right and left must have been decisive. Some half an hour after my division had ceased to struggle against odds of more than 10 to 1 and had fallen back McLaws' division advanced, but to share a similar fate.

    So far as I can learn none of our troops drew trigger, except Me-Laws' division, mine, and a portion of Huger's. Notwithstanding the tremendous odds against us and the blundering management of the battle we inflicted heavy loss upon the Yankees.

    They retreated in the night, leaving their dead unburied, their wounded on the ground, three pieces of artillery abandoned, and thousands of superior rifles thrown away. None of their previous retreats exhibited such unmistakable signs of rout and demoralization. The wheat fields about Shirley were all trampled down by the frightened herd, too impatient to follow the road. Arms, accouterments, knapsacks, overcoats, and clothing of every description were wildly strewn on the road-side, in the woods, and in the field. Numerous wagons and ambulances were found stuck in the mud, typical of Yankee progress in war.

    D. H. HILL, Major-General.

    #264

    Crossing next morning, we followed up the retreat of the enemy toward James River into the Long Bridge road and then into the Quaker road toward Turkey Bridge. At Malvern Hill the enemy made their last stand, with several batteries and two lines of infantry in a commanding position. Our own infantry were put under cover near the road, waiting to observe the effect of the fire of our artillery, this brigade lying behind that of General Ripley, in reserve, with Colquitt's still in our rear. The concentrated fire of two of the enemy's batteries from the hill was too heavy for the single battery (Moorman's) which we opposed to them. Late in the afternoon orders were communicated that the commander-in-chief had selected a position from which our artillery could enfilade the enemy's batteries; that the effect of our fire could be seen, and that when the enemy's guns were crippled or silenced a general advance of the infantry would be ordered. The enfilading fire soon commenced, and the commander of this division, accompanied by several of the brigade commanders, including the writer, went to a point from which the effect could be observed. So far from producing marked effect, the firing was so wild that we were returning to our posts under the impression that no movement of infantry would be ordered, when suddenly one or two brigades, belonging to a division on our right (either Magruder's or Huger's), charged out of the woods toward the right with a shout. Major-General Hill at once exclaimed, "That must be the general advance! Bring up your brigades as soon as possible and join in it." Hurrying back to my own brigade, I moved it down the road by the flank to the edge of the field over which the enemy's batteries were playing and filing out to my right formed line of battle. I was then ordered to advance and charge the batteries, which were some 800 or 900 yards off on a commanding hill, straight to the front, supported by two lines of infantry. There was no cover, and the ground nearest the enemy was plowed. Anderson's, Ripley's, and Rodes' brigades, Gordon commanding, had proceeded farther down the road, thus keeping under partial cover, and approaching somewhat nearer and on the right of the enemy's position. When ordered forward I saw no troops of our own in front of me.

    The brigade moved forward with alacrity about half way to the battery or nearer, when the terrible fire of artillery and the opening fire of the infantry induced it to halt, lie down, and commence firing without my orders and contrary to them. The fire of the enemy was very severe, and being satisfied that the exhibition of force presented by a single brigade on that front was not sufficient to intimidate the foe nor to carry the position, I sent my acting aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Haywood, to inform Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill that unless I was re-en-forced quickly I could effect nothing, and could not hold the position I then occupied. After some delay a brigade appeared from the woods in my rear and seemed coming up to my support. But their movements seemed slow, and before they reached me my men began to give way, and very many ceased to respond to my efforts to hold them in line and maintain the position. Remaining on the spot until, in spite of every effort, the men could no longer be held there, the brigade fell back to the edge of the woods from which we had started.

    It is not my desire to indulge in criticism or crimination. It is enough to say that there was somehow a want of concert and co-operation in the whole affair that made a successful attack impracticable and the consequent disorder and straggling of troops most lamentable. My own brigade went up as far as any troops I saw upon the field and behaved as well. If they retired, so did all the rest who were ordered to charge the battery. The whole division became scattered.

    S. GARLAND, JR., Brig. Gen., Comdg. Third Brigade, Third Division.

    #266

    On Monday, July 1, it moved with the division early across the repaired bridge, and followed the route of the enemy's retreat until he was found in position on the farther side of White Oak Swamp Creek. Here it was brought to within supporting distance of the artillery of the division, which engaged the enemy until night-fall, driving him from his position and enabling the pioneers to repair the bridge, over which we crossed on Tuesday morning, and followed the retreat of the enemy until our army came up with him in position at Malvern Hill.

    Taking different positions during the morning, in the afternoon the brigade advanced, under orders from the major-general commanding division, through a heavy fire of artillery, to a dense wood in close proximity of the enemy's position, where it lay for a time in reserve.

    At about 5 o'clock it was ordered to take position in a jungle near the hill upon which the enemy was established and to the left of General Anderson's brigade, which it did in the following order: The Forty-eighth Georgia was on the right, the Third North Carolina, the Forty-fourth Georgia (about 170 men of which had rallied and been brought by Captain Beck and other officers), and the First North Carolina on the left, under Lieutenant-Colonel [William P.] Bynum, of the Second, who had been detached from the command of the First Regiment.

    In obedience to the orders of General Hill I made a reconnaissance of the enemy's position, and found him immediately in our front in strong force, with a battery well advanced toward us and supported by strong lines of infantry. The number of his guns could only be judged of by the rapidity of his fire, owing to the nature of the country.

    At about 6.30 or 7 o'clock an attack was made by the troops on our right, and we were, with the other brigades in advance, ordered by General Hill to move forward at once and attack the enemy. Gordon's and Anderson's brigades were on my right, and the troops of the three mounted the hill in a gallant manner. At its brow our troops were met with a furious fire of shot, shell, and musketry; officers and men fell fast, but they maintained their ground, opening and keeping up a severe fire upon the enemy in return, before which his advanced battery fell back and his troops wavered. He pressed hard upon our left, however, and while moving his regiment to its support the gallant and accomplished Col. Gaston Meares, of the Third North Carolina Regiment, fell. Meanwhile Garland's and Colquitt's brigades had been advanced and made good the action on the right.
    Darkness, however, was rapidly approaching, and, not knowing the extent of the enemy's suffering, the troops fell back to the road near the brow of the hill; other portions withdrew to the cover of the rising ground, and the night coming on, there was much confusion from the loss of officers and the nature of the country. Dense, dark, and in many places marshy, observation could reach but a short distance, quick movement was impossible, and in the din of battle the voice could be heard but a few yards.

    R. S. RIPLEY, Brigadier-General, Commanding.


    #272

    Sunday, June 29, obedient to orders from General Magruder, I advanced across the Labor-in-Vain Swamp, through the camps lately occupied by the enemy, to the neighborhood of Fair Oaks Station. Discovering there that the enemy's pickets were a short distance in front, I directed Colonel Anderson to advance the First Georgia Regulars deployed as skirmishers, putting the remainder of his command in line of battle, instructing General Toombs to form his line on the left rear of Colonel Anderson, and so placing the two brigades en échelon. Meanwhile the First Georgia Regulars, having advanced about 400 yards, came upon the enemy's picket line and drove it back to the main body of his rear guard, which was in position, with several pieces of artillery, in a field beyond. Finding my command in advance of General Magruder's division, which was to move on my right, and without support on my left, General Jackson not having crossed the Chickahominy, I halted my command, and directed Harris battery, attached to Anderson's brigade, and Moody's battery, attached to Toombs' brigade, to reply to the fire of the enemy, my skirmishers meanwhile keeping up a brisk exchange of fire. This was continued until he withdrew. On notification from General Magruder I advanced until my left had passed Mickey's farm and my right had come in view of the enemy at Savage Station, when Colonel Anderson, by my order, opened with his artillery, to wit, two pieces of Hart's battery, compelling the retreat out of view of the enemy's infantry. The engagement beginning on the right about this time, I caused Colonel Anderson to change front to the right, so as to take the enemy in flank and rear, should he advance on General Cobb's position. Scarcely had this disposition been made when orders were received from General Magruder, through Lieutenant Bryan, a member of his staff, to fall back to the railroad bridge with my whole command to support the right of his line. Two guides were sent at the same time to conduct me to the position designated. This order I obeyed; but failing to find General Magruder, my men were bivouacked near the railroad in a drenching rain about 10 p.m.

    I cannot close my report of this day's operations without expressing my very great satisfaction with the admirable manner with which the First Georgia Regulars acquitted itself of the arduous duties assigned it. Deployed in full as skirmishers nearly the whole day in advance of the entire division, it preserved its alignment through woods and over every obstacle, and when in immediate conflict with the enemy behaved with a steadiness and coolness which exhibited the excellence of its discipline, the efficiency of its officers, and the courage of the men composing it.

    Monday, June 30, at 8 a.m., according to orders, I marched with my command to General Longstreet's position beyond New Market, on the Darbytown road, a march of over eighteen hours' duration, reaching and occupying the field of Monday's battle with my exhausted troops between 2 and 3 a.m. of Tuesday, July 1.

    About 7 a.m., by direction of General Magruder, my command, in conjunction with other troops, advanced as far as the Willis Church road, where many prisoners were captured. In obedience to orders, about 10 a.m. my troops were withdrawn from this position, marched back on the Darbytown road some 3 or 4 miles, counter-marched, and finally halted some 2 miles in rear of the position occupied in the morning.

    Between 2 and 3 p.m., under orders from Major-General Longstreet, Colonel Anderson's brigade was placed in position on the right of the leading to Crew's farm, and immediately in rear of the position occupied by General Cobb. General Toombs was stationed to the right and rear of Colonel Anderson. In an hour or two, under orders from General Magruder, sent through Captain Coward, of my staff, Colonel Anderson was advanced to the position of General Cobb, who had just gone to the support of General Armistead, General Toombs occupying Colonel Anderson's position. Hardly was this change made when Anderson was ordered by General Magruder to the support of General Cobb. Having no instructions to the contrary, Colonel Anderson advanced upon the front, occupied by General Cobb, over broken ground and into a dense swamp. Under orders from General Magruder and the direction of Captain Coward the brigade changed front to the left and advanced in line of battle through the swamp, followed closely by that of General Toombs, who took position upon his (Anderson's) left, and under repeated orders from General Magruder both brigades were hurried through the swamp, the difficulties of which, or the fearful fire of the enemy, cannot be exaggerated. Owing to less distance General Toombs reached the plateau first, and advanced directly toward the enemy's batteries, in open view, some 600 or 700 yards ahead and slightly to the left. To that point everything tended, my own command as well as others already on the field, soon bringing the different troops in contact and under the terrific fire of the enemy, causing partial confusion, to avoid which, and erroneously thinking I had so ordered it, Toombs' brigade obliqued to the left, crossed the road, getting out of my control. These movements had been made under a murderous fire, which these brave troops endured without the opportunity of returning a shot. For the further movements of this brigade I have to refer you to the report of General Toombs, herewith inclosed. Colonel Anderson, coming up in line with and to the right of General Toombs, struck the ridge at a point where it fell rapidly away from his front toward the right, causing the two regiments on his left to mount the ridge, while the balance of his brigade was in the bottom. To remedy this and to advance with his whole command in line he halted, and retired the two regiments in advance, so as to bring his brigade parallel with the edge of the plateau. Before this change of front was completed three of his regiments, mistaking some order for that to advance, rushed forward, coming under a deadly crossfire of artillery and suffering severe loss.

    Night had now closed in, and convinced that further attempts would be unavailing, this command was kept under the crest, in order to repel any advance of the enemy. Remaining in this position until about 11 o'clock, and there being no water convenient to the men, in the absence of other instructions I withdrew the command to the position occupied previous to the commencement of the action.

    D. R. JONES, Brigadier-General, Commanding

    #275

    On July 1, at Malvern Hill, we were placed in line with the other regiments of your brigade. We were to be, I learned, the supporting brigade to Generals Cobb's and Anderson's commands, which occupied positions in front of our line. After marching by the flanks and forward quite a number of times we were brought immediately in front of the battery that we were to charge. The Second Georgia's position was directly in front of the battery, which I thought must be fully three-quarters of a mile distant from the woods we emerged from. Being under the direct fire of the enemy's guns the whole of that distance our brigade moved forward steadily for some distance and in good order, when, owing to some command, the Fifteenth Georgia, being next to our right, got in front of us, masking the whole of the right wing of the Second.

    The Seventeenth Georgia at the same time crowded upon the Fifteenth Georgia. This crowding caused much confusion. At the time I was 15 or 20 steps in front of our regiment, looking back to see if our regiment was moving on in order. I found myself in front of another regiment, which I was told was the Fifteenth Georgia. I soon saw the mixed condition of troops, that the Fifteenth and Seventeenth, which occupied the line to our right, had by some command been moved to the left, which placed them upon the line we occupied. While in that huddled condition the order was given to march by the left flank, which our regiment performed in good order under a most destructive fire of grape and canister, being under full range of the enemy's guns.

    After crossing a fence our regiment was ordered to lie down and wait for support to come up. Soon one of the regiments of Kershaw's brigade came up and moved forward and we ordered as a support; we followed close after them. They moved in order and made a most gallant charge, but were completely checked by the deadly fire from the enemy's battery. Their ranks being torn asunder, they had to fall back, which left our regiment in front without any support. Colonel Butt being wounded at that time, I had to assume command. I ordered our regiment to lie down until we could get a supporting regiment. We were under a most terrific fire of grape, but the men acted with the utmost coolness, not one exhibiting, that I could see, the least fear. We lay under that fire for fully half an hour waiting for some regiment to come up that we might continue our charge to the battery, which was not more than 150 yards in front of us. Word being brought that the enemy was flanking us on our right (immediately afterward there occurred a very heavy fire, which came in upon the rear of our right wing), I ordered the regiment up and gave the command about face, and marched in order to the rear across a small drain and gave the command halt, but owing to great noise was not heard. I intended to halt and change front, that I might receive the enemy that (I was told) had flanked us. I was in front of the regiment at the time I ordered them to about-face, which placed me in the rear in falling back. My order to halt went unheeded. The regiment continued to move off to the rear, which I think was fortunate, as when [we were] alone and could effect nothing in the position we occupied. Had the regiment remained in the position I intended to make a stand for the enemy (that was said to have flanked us) I do not think I would have brought off 50 men, as the enemy had directed an increased fire upon that point.

    WM. R. HOLMES, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Second Georgia.

    #287

    This action being closed by the approach of a stormy night, my command, re-enforced by the Eighteenth Mississippi Regiment, Colonel Griffin, lay upon their arms on the field of battle until daylight, when it was ascertained that the enemy had disappeared. Removing our wounded and burying our dead, we marched, under the command of Major-General McLaws, by the Enroughty [Darby] town road to New Market, and prepared to bivouac for the night, but were almost immediately ordered forward to the support of General Longstreet, then engaged with the enemy at Frazier's farm. On the way we were halted and permitted to rest until 11 p.m., when we continued the march to Frazier's farm, arriving just in time to take our position by daylight on the morning of July I. About 8 a.m. we advanced in line of battle as far as the Willis Church road, where the forces of General Jackson passed to our right, and we were ordered back along the Long Bridge road several miles to the rear, where we remained in line of battle until 4 p.m., when we were ordered forward to the open field on the farm adjoining Crew's farm. Here we remained under the fire of the enemy's artillery until about 6 p.m., when I was directed by an officer of Major-General Magruder's staff to advance and attack the enemy's battery. Having no specific instructions and no knowledge of the ground or position of the enemy: I led the brigade in line of battle through a wood for half a mile toward the right of the enemy's line of fire, exposed all the while to a front and flank fire of artillery, which could not be avoided. During this march I passed three lines of troops who had preceded me in the attack. Arriving immediately in front of that portion of the enemy where I determined to assail him, I was indebted to your assistance, Captain, for finding my way to a ravine which led immediately up to the plateau upon which the enemy was formed. Availing myself of this shelter, I led my command up to the Willis Church road. Here the enemy occupied the open field in two lines in force in my front, forming an obtuse angle, facing toward the road in such a manner as to flank any force which might ascend the brow of the hill in my front. Between these two lines of the enemy at the point of intersection a battery of artillery was placed, pouring over our heads a crushing shower of grape and canister, while the infantry lines blazed with a constant stream of fire. Still farther to my right the artillery on the hill near the orchard enfiladed my line, and their infantry, in Crew's farm to my right rear, were engaged with some of our forces whose line of battle was parallel to my own.

    The Second Regiment, which extended to near the parsonage, having open ground in front, engaged the left line of the enemy with some effect; but the rest of the command were powerless to accomplish anything in their then position, and I was satisfied that any farther advance at that point would insure the destruction of my command unless some change was made in the enemy's position. The nature of the ground affording considerable protection to the men, I determined to hold them there, in the hope that some diversion by an attack either on the right or left might be created in our favor.

    After some time a galling fire was opened from our rear, killing and wounding the men and producing a general feeling of uneasiness in the whole command. Captain Holmes, assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Dwight, acting assistant inspector-general, of my staff, went back in person to arrest the fire. Major Rutherford, of the Third Regiment, attempted to do the same, and Corpl. T. Whither Blakely is especially commended by Colonel Nance for having volunteered for the same dangerous duty. Finding that the fire still continued for some time, doing us more damage than that of the enemy, I ordered the command to retire by the route we came to the next road in our rear.

    At this point I found Major Galliard, commanding, reforming the second Regiment. With this regiment I retired to the next road in our rear, where I again halted, supposing that the other regiments would be found there, but owing to the intricacies of the wood and the approaching darkness the commanding officers conducted their regiments severally to the field whence we entered the fight.

    While collecting on the flag of the Second Regiment all the men of the brigade who came by, General Ewell rode up and desired me to advance my command to support a brigade he was about to lead into action in Crew's field. Calling attention to the small number of men with me and my desire to collect the remainder of the brigade, II indicated my unwillingness to do so on account of the inefficiency of any support I could render, but as he became very urgent I yielded, and led the Second Regiment, under command of Major Galliard, to the point indicated. Soon General Ewell's forces appeared, and he led two regiments in beautiful order to the attack under a terrible fire of artillery and infantry. While we were at this point, Sergeant Harley, color-bearer of the Second Regiment, exposed himself with gallantry worthy of especial mention in his efforts to encourage and animate the men around him, and was wounded by a shell while thus engaged.

    J. B. KERSHAW, Brigadier-General, Commanding

    #289

    July 12, 1862

    Being in command of skirmishers of the brigade, I was not with the regiment in the battle of Sunday, the 29th. I am not, therefore, prepared to furnish a minute account of it in that affair. From accounts furnished me by captains of companies I learn that the Second, in conjunction with the other regiments of the brigade, charged impetuously through the woods that separated the opposing forces, and broke and put to flight a line of the enemy formed just on the edge of the field beyond the woods. This body of the enemy was armed with most superior weapons, which were scattered along upon the ground some distance in the rear of their line and in numbers greatly exceeding their dead left upon the field, showing plainly that it was routed. At this moment of victory an order was given--no one knows whence it originated and extended down the line of the brigade-to cease firing and to fall back. The regiment fell back in accordance with this order, was rallied and reformed, and was ready for another charge had the order been given. Night, however, came over the scene and the contest ceased all along the line.

    In this action 383 men were carried, 8 were left dead upon the battlefield, and 53 were wounded. Of the latter the regiment met with a severe loss in Captain Bartlett, one of the most gallant and conscientious officers belonging to it. He was borne mortally wounded from the field and, I regret to report, has since died. Lieutenant-Colonel Goodwyn was also severely wounded in the foot while gallantly discharging his duties. Second Lieutenant Perry, of Company H, was also very severely wounded.

    The regiment slept that night on the battle-field in a heavy rain, and so near the enemy's line that fires could not prudently be allowed.

    Next morning we marched from Savage Station toward Richmond and then down toward the scene of Menday's battle.

    With a few hours' rest along our line of march we were kept moving until the dawn of Tuesday morning, when we reached Frazier's farm. The consequence of this fatigue was the exhaustion of many men of the regiment. Colonel Kennedy, who had been suffering for days from a slowly but steadily developing fever, was obliged to yield and devolve the command upon me.

    In the afternoon the regiment, by order, was moved to the left of the dwelling-house in the rear of the battle-field. At this point we remained exposed to the desultory fire of the enemy's artillery. One member of Company G was killed instantaneously at this point.

    About 6 o'clock I received orders to advance my command in line with the brigade. Our advance carried us for half a mile over an exceedingly rough and thickly wooded piece of ground. This was being vigorously shelled by the enemy, inflicting, however, but few casualties upon the command. As soon as we rose the brow of the hill, where the brigade was temporarily halted to rectify the alignment, grape, canister, and musket balls began to greet us, the artillery of the enemy enfilading us from the right. At the command forward our line advanced with as much firmness and steadiness as it was possible for troops to maintain. Across the ravine it progressed until the brow of the next hill was attained. Here I halted in obedience to orders. Upon observation I discovered about 300 yards in front of my left a formidable line of the enemy, and about 200 yards in front of my right another line forming an obtuse re-entering angle. Upon these lines I ordered my command to fire. The response from the enemy was very heavy. The men, both officers and privates, adhered to their position manfully and without an exception, that I could see, until the remainder of the brigade, under the fire which opened upon [it] from rear as well as front, had fallen back in obedience to orders. This order my command, being on the extreme left, was the last to execute. At the point we temporarily halted when going into action I rallied around the colors a large portion of the regiment, and kept them upon the field, under orders from General Kershaw, until the battle ceased.

    I carried into action 208 men. Of these 8 were killed instantly upon the field, and 33 were wounded, several mortally. Of the wounded were First Lieutenant Perry, commanding Company H, and First Lieutenant Brownfield, commanding Company I, the former severely in the neck and the latter seriously in the head. Lieutenant Brownfield was carried from the field the day after the battle by an ambulance from some other brigade. This much of him is certainly known. Since then, I regret to say, his fate is a mystery. The ambulances of the regiment were pressed into service by unauthorized parties, so that my ambulance was unable to give relief to but few of the wounded of the regiment. Lieutenant Lorick, of Company C, was also injured.
    F. GAILLARD, Major, Comdg. Second Regiment South Carolina Volunteers.

    #300

    Early on the following day (Saturday) parties were sent forward to find the enemy. It was soon ascertained that he was not in force in my front and had destroyed the bridges across the Chickahominy immediately in front of me. It was supposed, however, that we would be able to draw him from his intrenchments by cutting his base. While other portions of the army were occupied at this work, my artillery was opened with such long-range guns as I could use against the enemy on the other side of the river. The range was so great, however, that we could do but little more than annoy him. The fire of one of the batteries in front of General D. R. Jones, however, made him feel exceedingly uncomfortable.

    The effort to draw the enemy out by cutting his base was entirely unsuccessful, and on Sunday morning it was ascertained that he had abandoned his fortifications and was in full retreat toward his gun-boats on the James River. I was ordered, with my own division and that of Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill, to march via New Bridge and the Darbytown road to intercept his retreat. After a forced march our troops reached a point that night within easy striking distance of the enemy.

    The march was resumed on Monday morning. Soon after taking up the line of march I was joined by the commanding general. Our forces came upon the enemy at Frazier's farm about noon, when the enemy's skirmishers were reported as advancing. Colonel Jenkins, commanding the Second Brigade, was directed to ascertain the condition of the enemy. Afar driving in his pickets it was found that he was in force and position, ready for battle. My own division was put in position for attack or defense at once, and one of Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill's brigades (Branch's) ordered forward to support my right flank, the rest of Hill's division being left for the time on the road to secure the right or to move up to support the front.

    About this time information was received that Major-General Magruder was in rear in easy supporting distance ; but as information was also received that the enemy was in force in front of Major-General Holmes, it was deemed advisable to order Magruder's forces to join Holmes, about 3 miles off to our right.

    After getting into position artillery fire was opened about 3 p.m. upon the enemy, apparently from the Charles City road. Taking this for Huger's attack, and thinking that his troops (rather fresh)would expect early co-operation, I ordered several batteries forward hurriedly in order to assure those troops that we were in position. The enemy's batteries returned the fire immediately and with great rapidity. One battery was found to be so near our front line that I ordered Colonel Jenkins to silence it. The enemy was found to be in such force there, however, that the engagement was brought on at once (4 o'clock). Troops were thrown forward as rapidly as possible to the support of the attacking columns. Owing to the nature of the ground that concert of action so essential to complete success could not obtain, particularly attacking such odds against us and in position. The enemy, however, was driven back slowly and steadily, contesting the ground inch by inch. He succeeded in getting some of his batteries off the field, and, by holding his last position until dark, in withdrawing his forces under cover of night.

    JAMES LONGSTREET, Major-General, Commanding.

    #302

    The division being marched left in front during the late operations on the north side of the Chickahominy, the First Brigade brought up the rear of its line, and was not ordered into any of the actions which occurred prior to Monday, the 30th ultimo. It was held in reserve, however, in immediate proximity to the battle-fields of the 26th and 27th ultimo as well as that of the 1st instant, in readiness to be thrown into action at a moment's notice.
    Upon the 30th ultimo the division was halted in the vicinity of the enemy on the road leading through Frazier's farm, and under the orders of Brig. Gen. R. H. Anderson, commanding the division, I formed my command in line of battle on the right and nearly perpendicular to the road, one regiment of the Second Brigade being posted in line between my left and the road. My command constituted the extreme right of our general line of battle and was posted upon the rear edge of a dense body of timber, the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment (Col. M.D. Corse) occupying the right; the Twenty-fourth Virginia Regiment (Lieutenant-Colonel [Peter] Hairston commanding) the left; the First Virginia (Capt. G. F. Norton commanding) the center; the Eleventh Virginia (Capt. K. Otey commanding) the right center, and the Seventh Virginia (Col. W. T. Patton) the left center.

    Soon after getting into position I received orders from Major-General Longstreet to use the utmost care in guarding against any movement of the enemy upon my right, and I at once caused Colonel Corse, of the right regiment, to change front to rear on his left company, so that his regiment formed an obtuse angle with the line of the brigade and fronted obliquely to the right. I also caused two companies of this regiment to move forward from Corse's new front as skirmishers, under command of Captain Simpson. After advancing several hundred yards these skirmishers were halted upon the rear edge of an open field, a good view of which was commanded from their position. I also posted Rogers' battery of four pieces upon an open eminence near the right of my line and in supporting distance of Corse's regiment, the position being such as to command an extensive field upon my right.

    About 5 p.m. an order being received from Major-General Longstreet to advance my line, I immediately in person ordered Colonel Corse to change his front forward, so as to bring the right of his regiment up to the brigade line, and sent my staff along the line toward the left, so as to insure the simultaneous advance of the entire line. The brigade advanced in line of battle steadily and in good order, notwithstanding the unevenness of the ground (which in places was almost precipitous), the entangled undergrowth which filled the woods, and the firing of one of the enemy's batteries located directly in front, which rapidly threw shell and round shot over and almost in the midst of my command.

    The advance continued to be conducted in good order until, very soon coming upon the pickets of the enemy and driving them in, the men seemed to be possessed of the idea that they were upon the enemy's main line, and in an instant the whole brigade charged forward in doublequick time and with loud cheers. Nothing could have been more chivalrously done and nothing could have been more unfortunate, as the cheering of the men only served to direct the fire of the enemy's batteries, and the movement in double-quick time through dense woods, over rough ground, encumbered with matted under-growth and crossed by a swamp, had the effect of producing more or less confusion and breaking the continuity of the line, which, however, was preserved as well as it possibly could have been under the circumstances. But a single idea seemed to control the minds of the men, which was to reach the enemy's line by the directed route and in the shortest time; and no earthly power could have availed to arrest or restrain the impetuosity with which they rushed toward the foe, for my orders, previously given with great care and emphasis to the assembled field officers of the brigade, forbade any movement in double-quick time over such ground when the enemy were not in view. The obstructions were such as to make it impossible for any officer to more than a few files of his men at one view, and it was apparent that any effort to halt and reform the entire brigade would be futile, and would only serve to produce increased confusion. But whatever the error of the men in advancing two rapidly in disregard of previous orders to the contrary, it was an error upon the side of bravery.

    After advancing in this way probably 1,000 or 1,200 yards, crossing two bodies of woods and a small intermediate field, the lines suddenly emerged into another field, facing a battery of the enemy, consisting of not less than eight pieces, distant but a few hundred yards, while the enemy's infantry were found protected by an imperfect and hastily constructed breastwork and a house near by. At the same time it became apparent that another battery of the enemy was posted a considerable distance to our left. These two batteries and the enemy's infantry poured an incessant fire of shell, grape, canister, and lead upon my line, and did much execution; still there was no perceptible faltering in the advance of these brave men who rushed across the open field, pouring a well-directed fire' into the enemy, driving him from his breastworks and the battery in our front. The guns of the battery were abandoned to us for the time being, and my command was in virtual possession of the chosen position of the enemy. A more impetuous and desperate charge was never made than that of my small command against the sheltered and greatly superior forces of the enemy. The ground which they gained from the enemy is marked by the graves of some of my veterans, who were buried where they fell; and those graves marked with the names of the occupants, situated at and near the position of the enemy, show the points at which they dashed against the strongholds of the retreating foe.

    It is proper to be stated here that the left of my line was entirely unsupported, and greatly to my surprise and disappointment, for I had supposed that the movement of my brigade was part of a general advance of our entire lines. Up to this time no firing was heard upon my left except the firing of the enemy, which was directed upon my line with telling effect.

    Afterward, at a late hour, I found the right regiment of the Second Brigade (on the right of which I had originally formed) standing fast at or near the position it occupied in the beginning, and near the line from which my advance was begun. I was informed that this regiment had remained from the first in that position, having received no subsequent orders to move forward. I trust that I shall not be understood as alleging or intimating any delinquency upon the part of the Second Brigade, and I certainly do not undertake to say at what time that brigade, commanded by Colonel Jenkins, advanced; but if its advance was simultaneous with my own, it must have happened that the lines of advance of the two brigades were so divergent as to leave a wide interval between the right of the one and the left of the other. Whatever were the operations of the Second Brigade, they were doubtless in keeping with its proud character in the past and that of its gallant commander.

    All that I undertake to state positively in this connection is that the right regiment of the Second Brigade did not advance for a long time after nay brigade had been moved forward, and that at the time when my command had obtained virtual possession of the enemy's position no Confederate troops were anywhere visible except my own.

    It now became evident that the position sought to be held by my command was wholly untenable by them unless largely and immediately re-enforced. The inferior numbers which had alarmed the enemy and driven him from his breastworks and batteries soon became apparent to him, and he at once proceeded to make use of his advantage. While greatly superior numbers hung upon our front considerable bodies of the enemy were thrown upon both flanks of my command, which was now in imminent danger of being wholly captured or destroyed. Already they were capturing officers and men at different points of my line, principally upon the right. No re-enforcements appeared, and the dire alternative of withdrawing from the position, although of obvious and inevitable necessity, was reluctantly submitted to.

    Owing to the difficulties offered by the wilderness through which the brigade had advanced the task of reassembling and reforming the regiments was attended with much trouble. I sent out details as speedily as possible to direct officers and men where to reform, and as soon as this task was accomplished— imperfectly, it is true, but as effectually as was possible at so late an hour of the day— I repaired to General Longstreet's headquarters as soon as I could find them, and under instructions there received— it now being night— I proceeded to select a suitable position on the road in the rear at which stragglers could be arrested and such of my men as had not then come in could be re-collected.

    I should have mentioned before that soon after my command was overpowered and before all of it had fallen back General Branch's brigade was found coming up, and General Branch was shown by me into the position which my gallant men had vainly sought to hold against overwhelming odds, and immediately afterward the Third Brigade of this division, Colonel Hunton commanding, took position on Branch? right. If it had been possible for these brigades to have advanced simultaneously with my own the victory of the day would have been achieved on the right of our line with comparatively little difficulty and at an early hour.

    When my line emerged into the open field in front of the enemy's batteries the Seventh Virginia, commanded by Col. W. T. Patton, gallantly assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel [C. C.] Flowerree and Major [A. A.] Swindler, was in good order, considering the difficulties of the ground over which it had passed, and this regiment and the First Virginia, nobly sustained by such portions of the other regiments as had come up, made the first daring charge, which drove the enemy from his position. Seven companies of the Seventeenth Virginia were unavoidably delayed for sometime by the almost impassable nature of the swamp at the point at which they crossed.

    Praise is due to Colonel' Corse, Seventeenth Virginia, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hairston, Twenty-fourth Virginia, as well as to Col. W. T. Patton, Seventh Virginia (who acted with eminent gallantry), for discharging their duties with the utmost fidelity and bravery. The same praise is accorded to Capt. K. Otey, commanding the Eleventh Virginia, and Captain Norton, commanding First Virginia. Lieut. Col. R. H. Marye and Capt. R. H. Simpson, of the Seventeenth, fell into the hands of the enemy while discharging their duties with conspicuous gallantry. I am satisfied all the field officers did well. I especially commend the good conduct of Capt. W. T. Fry, my assistant adjutant-general, and Mr. A. Camp Beckham, who acted as my volunteer aide-de-camp.

    JAMES L. KEMPER, Brig. Gen., Comdg. First Brigade, Longstreet's Division

    #304

    …on the morning of June 29 (Sunday) my brigade, in common with the other brigades of the division, recrossing the Chickahominy near the Gaines house, marched across the Nine-mile road, the York River Railroad, the Williamsburg and Charles City roads, and encamped for the night on the Darbytown, or Central, road, near the farm of Mr. Atlee, having made some 10 or 12 miles.

    The march was resumed early the next morning and continued until about 2 p.m., it being now evident that the enemy was in front of us and not far distant. My own, Generals Pryor's, and Featherston's brigades were ordered to take positions in line of battle on the left of the road. Before, however, getting into position a second order was given to return to the road, and after advancing about 1 mile farther we were formed in line of battle in the edge of the woods, with a field in front of us, on the left of the road, and to the left of General Pickett's brigade. We remained in this position for two or three hours. Skirmishers were thrown out to the front, and some firing ensued between them and those of the opposing forces.

    It was now near 5 p.m., and the enemy's artillery began to fire. Shot and shell passed over and fell beyond us, some exploding near us. One of our batteries was placed in position on the road in front, and, replying to the fire of the enemy, continued for nearly an hour, but as a heavy forest intervened little effect was produced on either side.
    At length, near 6 p.m. (5.40 o'clock), I saw the brigade (Pickett's) on my right advance across the open field in front, and I was ordered to form line in the same field, the line being at right angles to the road upon which we had been marching. The brigade was soon formed in line as directed, and I was then informed that General Featherston's brigade had been ordered to extend to the left, with the view of communicating with General Huger, and that I must also close in to the left; but a minute afterward I was ordered by General R. H. Anderson to advance with my brigade to the support of other brigades, then engaging or moving forward to engage the enemy. Twice was the order given to close to the left and twice to move forward, my brigade being in the mean time in line and under a brisk artillery fire of shot and shell. Finally I was directed to obey General Anderson's order and to move to the front.

    The order was now given to forward, and the brigade was marched in line across the field to the woods. Finding this so thick with undergrowth that a forward movement in line of battle was impracticable, the order was given for the regiments to move by the right of companies to the front. Marching in this manner they made their way slowly for 100 or 200 yards until the woods became more open. At this place I met General Anderson, and was ordered by him to press on directly to the front. I was aware that the enemy was in my front, but as to the distance, his strength, the position of his batteries and their supports I knew nothing. I had no knowledge as to the character or topography of the ground over which I had to march in the execution of my orders. Marching directly to the front as ordered, and being guided alone by the artillery fire of the enemy, the shot and shell from which passed over and often very near, without, however, causing any casualties, I had not advanced more than 200 yards when I found that two of my regiments were on the right and two on the left of the road (Long Bridge road) which ran in the direction of my line of march. The woods on either side were so thick as to prevent my seeing well the extreme right and left regiments. The road, now descending slightly for some distance, at length crossed a small stream, in the bed of which rails had been thrown to fill it up, so as to allow wagons and artillery to pass. This stream on the right of the road was boggy, and with a dense growth of trees in it, rendering it difficult for the regiments on this side to make their way through it. We were now under a close fire of artillery, the grape shot coming thick and fast through the trees.

    Having crossed the little stream above referred to (on the left the woods were less dense, being small and scattered pine), and ascending slightly for some distance, we came to a field on the left of the road, and the enemy's infantry, in the woods on the left of this field, opened a brisk and close fire upon the left regiment of my line. This regiment (the Eighth Alabama) halted and engaged the enemy at this point. In this field, about 300 yards to the front and 100 yards to the left of the road, was a house, and beyond the house about 200 yards more was a six-gun battery of the enemy. This battery had an open field of fire, the ground in front being perfectly level.

    The Eighth Alabama being engaged with the enemy, the Eleventh Alabama, the next regiment to it, continued to advance, and entering upon the open field, came within full view of the six-gun battery on this side (the left) of the road. This battery began at once a rapid discharge of grape and canister upon this regiment. It did not halt an instant, but continued to advance steadily and rapidly and without firing until it approached within 200 yards of the battery, when it gave loud cheers and made a rush for the guns. Halting for an instant in front of it, they fire upon the battery and infantry immediately in rear of it and then make a successful charge upon and take the battery. The enemy's infantry are in the woods in heavy force beyond and 200 yards distant and in the woods skirting the field to the left of the battery and not so far, and here in like manner in strong force. The enemy have a direct and flank fire upon this regiment, now at the battery.

    The two regiments on the right of the road continued steadily to advance through the woods which extended along the road-side to within 100 yards of a second six-gun battery, this battery being nearly opposite to the one on the left of the road and some 200 yards distant from it. Halting for a few minutes in the woods fronting this battery to deliver their fire, these regiments— the Ninth and Tenth Alabama— charge upon and take this also, the enemy's infantry supports being driven back.

    Both these batteries were now in our possession, having been carried in the most gallant manner, the men and officers behaving with the most determined courage and irresistible impetuosity. The taking of the battery on the right of the road was not attended by such a bloody strife as followed the assault and capture of the one on the left, for here the enemy had not the heavy pine forests so close in rear and on one flank in which he could retire, reform, and then renew the conflict with increased numbers. To the contrary, the pine was in our possession, and our men, under cover of it, were within 100 yards of and in front of the battery, the field extending far off to our right and the timber in rear of the battery being more distant. Other brigades, too, were on our right engaging the enemy, but none on our left and near the batteries. The battery on the left of the road was the first taken. The Eleventh Alabama had experienced severe loss in crossing the open field while advancing against this battery. Here the enemy, at first repulsed and driven from the battery, retire to the woods both on our left and in rear of the battery, and from there, under shelter of the woods and with superior numbers, deliver a terrible and destructive fire upon this regiment. With its ranks sadly thinned it heroically stands its ground and returns the enemy's fire with telling effect. The latter, under cover of trees on oar left flank and directly in our front, confident and bold from their superior strength, and seeing this regiment isolated and unsupported, now advance from their cover against it. Our men do not flee from their prize so bravely and dearly won overwhelmed by superior numbers, but, with a determination and courage unsurpassed, they stubbornly hold their ground, men and officers alike engaging in the most desperate personal conflicts with the enemy. The sword and bayonet are freely used. Capt. W. G. Y. Parker had two successive encounters with Federal officers, both of whom he felled with his sword and beset by others of the enemy he was severely wounded, having received two bayonet wounds in the breast and one in his side and a musket wound breaking his left thigh. Lieutenant Michie had a hand-to-hand collision with an officer, and having just dealt a severe blow upon his adversary he fell, cut over the head with a saber-bayonet from behind, and had afterward three bayonet wounds in the face and two in the breast, all severe wounds, which he survived, however, for three days. Many of the men received and gave in return bayonet wounds.

    Having assaulted and carried this battery and driven the infantry into the woods to the left and beyond they hold it until the enemy reform and return in superior force, and now they resist in a hand to-hand conflict with the utmost pertinacity. There are no supports for them— no re-enforcements come, and they are at length forced to yield and retire to the pine woods on the right of the road and in rear some 150 or 200 yards, the enemy not pursuing, having left dead upon this field, in the battery and its vicinity, in front and rear beyond it. Capts. J. H. McMath, S. E. Bell, T. H. Halcombe, W.M. Bratton, and Lieut. A. B. Cohen, commanding company; Lieut. A. N. Steele and Lieutenant Michie, commanding company, were both mortally wounded and since dead; Capts. J. C. C. Sanders and W. C. Y. Parker severely wounded, and also Lieut. J. H. Prince, commanding company, slightly, and Lieut. R. H. Gordon dangerously; Forty-nine privates killed and Lieutenant Higginbotham and 11 privates taken prisoners.

    The Eleventh Alabama retired, as above stated, to the right of the road into the pine woods, and there, together with the Ninth and Tenth Alabama, remained. From this position the battery on the right of the road was in full view and not more than 100 yards distant. The enemy made no effort to retake this battery, though their infantry continued to fire at long range upon our men then in the pine woods.

    The Eighth Alabama, as explained previously, became engaged with the enemy's infantry before reaching the batteries, and contending against superior forces maintained its ground until regiments from General Pryor's brigade, and afterward Featherston's, arrived on this part of the field. The severity of the fight at this point of the field is evident from the loss sustained by this regiment.

    It was now sunset, and, other troops arriving upon the field, my brigade, with ammunition now quite exhausted, was withdrawn for some 150 or 200 yards and there remained until 9 p.m., when it was withdrawn from the field, other and fresh troops in sufficient force having arrived, and the enemy having been driven back from the field far to the rear.

    I cannot close this report without assuring the major-general commanding that on this occasion both officers and men of my brigade behaved with remarkable coolness and gallantry, and I beg to call his attention to the fact that two of the enemy's batteries of six guns each were taken, and if one of them was retaken, it was only owing to the fact that overwhelming numbers were brought to bear against a solitary regiment unsupported, and which entered this engagement with 357 men, of which number 181 were killed and wounded, among whom was the commander of the regiment (Captain Field), who received two wounds, one through the leg and the other through the arm; and of the 10 officers commanding companies 5 were killed on the field near the battery, I has since died of his wounds, and 2 others were severely wounded and 1 slightly, there being but one company commander that escaped unhurt. Although this battery was retaken, I have no personal knowledge that the enemy ever again used it against us. The other battery remained in our possession and the enemy made no effort to retake it.

    Of my four regimental commanders all were wounded. It gives me pleasure to bring to your particular notice the conduct of them all as deserving high praise. Lieutenant-Colonel Royston, commanding Eighth Alabama, received a severe wound from a fragment of a shell. Major Caldwell, commanding the Tenth Alabama, was also wounded by a piece of shell striking him over the eye. Captain [J. H.] King, commanding the Ninth Alabama, is deserving of especial praise for his coolness and bravery, and he also received a severe wound in the leg. Other officers and men of the different regiments gave evidence of marked courage in this sanguinary engagement.

    C. M. WILCOX, Brigadier-General, Commanding, &c.

    #305

    At Frazier's farm the position of my brigade was indicated by yourself. About 4 o'clock I received an order from Major-General Longstreet to go into the fight. At once I moved in line toward the field, but the wood and other obstructions forced me to form column and to send my regiments in successively. Arriving on the field, I discovered that the brigade on my right had been repulsed and that my command was exposed to a destructive fire on the flank as well as in front. Nevertheless they stood their ground and sustained the unequal combat until re-enforced by the brigade of General Gregg. We did not return to our original position until the enemy had abandoned the field and surrendered his artillery into our possession.

    In this engagement my loss was uncommonly heavy in officers as well as men. The Fourteenth Alabama, bearing the brunt of the struggle, was nearly annihilated. I crossed the Chickahominy on the 26th with 1,400 men. In the fights that followed I suffered a loss of 849 killed and wounded and 11 missing.

    In a report which I had the honor to submit some days ago I distinguished the officers whom I thought worthy of promotion. I will only add now that Capt. V. Maurin, of the Donaldsonville Artillery, attached to my brigade, exhibited himself a most courageous and capable officer.

    ROGER A. PRYOR, Brigadier-General, Commanding

    Even more to come, and keep in mind the federals won't be left out of this barrage of OR snippets.
    [B]Charles Heath[/B]
    [EMAIL="heath9999@aol.com"]heath9999@aol.com[/EMAIL]

    [URL="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spanglers_Spring_Living_History/"]12 - 14 Jun 09 Hoosiers at Gettysburg[/URL]

    [EMAIL="heath9999@aol.com"]17-19 Jul 09 Mumford/GCV Carpe Eventum [/EMAIL]

    [EMAIL="beatlefans1@verizon.net"]31 Jul - 2 Aug 09 Texans at Gettysburg [/EMAIL]

    [EMAIL="JDO@npmhu.org"] 11-13 Sep 09 Fortress Monroe [/EMAIL]

    [URL="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Elmira_Death_March/?yguid=25647636"]2-4 Oct 09 Death March XI - Corduroy[/URL]

    [EMAIL="oldsoldier51@yahoo.com"] G'burg Memorial March [/EMAIL]

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: From the CS Perspective

      Consider the sacrifice of millons of Oak nut galls that made the primary source material for the ORs possible back in the day.

      #307

      My headquarters Monday night was at Mrs. Fisher's. Wright reported the camps on White Oak Swamp abandoned. He went on to White Oak Bridge, where he met General Jackson, who informed me he was stopped at that point by the destruction of the bridge. General Wright, having only infantry, crossed the swamp and joined me at Mrs. Fisher's Monday evening, June 30.

      Tuesday, July 1, at 3 a.m., I saw Armistead with his brigade ready to move, but passing through the woods the progress was slow; as soon as he cleared the road Wright followed. I now received notice from General Longstreet that the Charles City road was clear, and was much disappointed that General Mahone had not discovered the retreat during the night. He informed me he saw the pickets this morning, which was true, for, on advancing, the pickets gave themselves up as prisoners and said the army had retired without ordering them in.

      I now pushed on as rapidly as could with Ransom's and Mahone's brigades; we were delayed by meeting our troops (first Cobb's brigade and afterward Jackson's troops), and I had no one to show us what road to take. Major Taylor, aide-de-camp to General Lee, came up and conducted us to the front, where I reported to General Lee. I found Armistead's and Wright's brigades on front line, exactly opposite the enemy, who were posted in large force, with powerful batteries of artillery, on a commanding plateau near Crew's house.

      On riding to the ravine where these brigades were posted the action commenced between the pickets. I had previously, by direction of General Lee, sent Mahone's brigade to support Cobb's, and as the action progressed, at the request of General Magruder, I ordered Ransom's brigade to report to him. All the brigades of my division were thus sent into the battle and were engaged in the attack on the enemy's batteries. They were during the action under the immediate command of General Magruder.

      As the different brigades of my division were sent forward into the battle at Malvern Hill, and I was directed to report them to another commander, though present myself, I was not in command during this battle. As! was treated in the same manner at Seven Pines, I can only hope this course was accidental and required by the necessities of the service. I therefore make no report, and I have to refer you to the subordinate reports, herewith transmitted, and to the reports of other commanders, for details of the action of Malvern Hill. After this battle, as required, the division was occupied, under my orders, in removing the wounded and burying the dead.

      BENJ. HUGER, Major-General, Commanding Division

      #310

      On Sunday, June 29, orders were received to proceed down the Charles City road for the purpose of co-operating with other forces of our army now pursuing the retreating enemy along the line of the Chickahominy, but mainly in reference to the forces which had been stationed on the north side of the White Oak Swamp, immediately confronting our position on the Charles City and Williamsburg roads.

      This brigade, which was followed by those of Brigadier-Generals Armisted and Ransom, pursued their march without the occurrence of any incident worthy to be noted until they arrived at the place known as Brightwell's house, where a small party of the enemy's cavalry were met.

      At this point a cross-road leading from the Darbytown road was known to pass down to the White Oak Swamp, crossing the swamp at a passable ford in rear of Chapman's, leading thence into the main White Oak Swamp road, which had been heretofore held by the enemy and upon which his camps and fortifications had been established. It was anticipated that by this White Oak Swamp road Kearny's division, which had been more immediately confronting our lines, would attempt its retreat, crossing the swamp either at this point or at Fisher's Crossing, where another division of the enemy was known to have been fortified, or at White Oak Bridge, where he was also known to have been in large force formidably fortified.

      Upon meeting this cavalry scout it was deemed essential to our safety, before leaving this pass to the Charles City and Darbytown roads in our rear, to ascertain if the enemy had left his camp on the opposite side of the swamp at Chapman's. With this view a reconnoitering party was immediately dispatched which soon returned, and reported the enemy's column then in the act of crossing the swamp about half a mile distant from our troops. The brigade was promptly placed in position to meet the approach of this force, whose advance guard and our skirmishers in a few minutes afterward came into collision. This guard was dispersed, and two regiments of the brigade pushed forward upon the crossing at the swamp. Meantime a cavalry scout of the enemy again made its appearance, advancing up the road, and were routed with a loss of 3 men and 3 horses killed.

      It was now night, and our forces, holding this position, slept upon their arms. At this point we captured 15 prisoners.

      Early the next morning it was ascertained that Kearny's division, upon coming up with our skirmishers, had recrossed the swamp. Satisfied that the enemy had changed his route of retreat across the swamp, the next point which seemed to require the like precautions as at Brightwell's was Fisher's, near by, where there was a still better crossing of the swamp, and which was known to lead directly to a large camp of the enemy. The brigade was now advanced to a position covering the crossing at Fisher's, when it was ascertained that a considerable body of the enemy had passed from across the swamp into the Charles City road the evening before. Again moving forward we at once came upon the rear guard of the enemy, and found the road for more than a mile blockaded. Skirmishing was kept up along this section of the road, the enemy readily yielding to our advance until we came to Brackett's field, where he was found in force, fortified by the advantages of a superior position, which it was deemed necessary to reconnoiter before pushing farther, and the propriety of this precaution, it may be well to remark, was fully sustained by subsequent actual examination of the ground he occupied. Meantime two pieces of Moorman's battery were put in position and opened fire upon his lines, which was returned with great energy and effect. This continued until late at night.

      The loss of the brigade in this engagement was serious, considering that it was confined exclusively to the artillery, the conduct of whose officers and men deserve high commendation, and especially that of Captain Moorman, who directed the operation of his pieces under a galling fire with great vigor and self-possessed deliberation. He lost in killed 1 man; in wounded 1 lieutenant, 2 non-commissioned officers, and 1 private.

      The Forty-first Virginia, which suffered more severely than any other regiment, owing to its position as a supporting force to our battery, and where it behaved well under the authority of the gallant Parham, lost in killed 1 officer and 17 privates and in wounded 18 privates. The Forty-ninth Virginia, occupying like relations to the battery, with the same commendable firmness, stimulated by the characteristic coolness of its fearless commander, Col. William Smith, also suffered heavily under this fire, losing in killed 2 men and 28 wounded. The Sixth Virginia, which firmly maintained its place on the right of our front, lost in killed 1 commissioned officer and 2 privates and in wounded 2 privates.

      When it is considered that these regiments suffered this entire loss from a terrific
      cannonading of short duration, which it was impossible for them in any manner to return, their intrepidity cannot be too much admired.

      The next morning, Tuesday, July 1, we took up our march along the Charles City road and thence into the Quaker road, under the more immediate directions of the major-general commanding, until reaching the scene of the engagement of that day, when, by his order, the brigade was reported to Major-General Magruder, by whom it was at once put into the battle of Malvern Hill, in connection with which its conduct and casualties are made the subject of a separate report.

      WILLIAM MAHONE, Brigadier-General

      #315

      June 29, the Thirty-eighth Virginia ordered to support Fifty-seventh at 6.30 a.m.

      During the last five days there has been constant skirmishing along the line. Sections of Captains Turner's and Stribling's artillery companies were in position. The former did good service and delivered a very effective fire. The enemy did not come within range of the guns of the latter, who was ordered not to fire unless the enemy came into the field or appeared on the railroad. Brigade moved to Charles City road; skirmish engagement between General Mahone's brigade in advance and the enemy; Captain Grimes' artillery company reported to me.

      June 30, moved down Charles City road, General Mahone in advance; engaged the enemy with artillery; loss in my brigade: One killed, 1 wounded.

      July 1, being on the Charles City road, between the creek called White Oak Swamp and P. Williams' farm, I was ordered by Major-General Huger, commanding division, with my brigade and General Wright's, to pass to the right of the Charles City road and take the enemy in flank. Proceeding in this direction by a blind road for about 2 miles brought me into the Long Bridge road near the point where General Longstreet had engaged the enemy the day before. I reported to General Lee, commanding, and was ordered by him to proceed to the Quaker road in the direction of Willis' Church. Proceeding, in obedience to this order, for about a mile through the woods around Mrs. E. Garth-right's farm, I met with Captain Talcott, the commanding general's aide, who informed me that the enemy were near. This [was] about 12 m. I immediately threw out the necessary pickets and skirmishers in front, and took a position with the right of my brigade in a ravine near the edge of the woods skirting Crew's farm on that side.

      By a reconnaissance, made first by Col. E. C. Edmonds, of the Thirty-eighth Virginia, and soon after verified by General Wright and myself (a sketch of which, made by Colonel Edmonds, was sent by me to the commanding general), I found that the enemy were in large force near and around Crew's house, and that the hill in front of the ravine we occupied was a good position for artillery. It was asked for, and Captains Pegram's and Grimes' batteries were sent. The enemy's pickets were handsomely driven in to prepare for our artillery. They were under the command of Lieut. Col. M. F. T. Evans, Fourteenth Virginia, the senior officer.

      The enemy in the mean time had opened fire about 1 p.m. The fire was a terrible one, and the men stood it well. The enemy must have had thirty or forty pieces opposed to ours and of superior caliber. No men could have behaved better than Captains Pegram and Grimes; they worked their guns after their men were cut down, and only retired when entirely disabled. I sent for more artillery repeatedly. One officer reported to me whose name I have unfortunately forgot, but what I wanted never arrived; that is, more guns and heavier ones.

      About 3 p.m. General Longstreet came where I was, to whom I made known my wants, and he promised to let me have what I required. If sent, I never saw or heard of them. Shortly after this the enemy approached with a heavy body of skirmishers. I ordered the Thirty-eighth, Fourteenth, and Fifty-third Virginia Regiments, of my brigade, to drive them back, which they did in handsome style. In their ardor they went too far, but fortunately gained some protection by a wave of the ground between our position and that of the enemy. I was thinking of the best way to withdraw them and of the practicability of charging the enemy's battery, but another view of the ground and the distance, three-fourths of a mile, determined me in the opinion that it was folly to attempt it, unless there could be a simultaneous charge made on the right and left.

      About this time (somewhere between 4 and 5 p.m.) General Magruder came to where I was, assumed command, and gave orders for a charge, my three regiments being still in advance of Generals Mahone's and Wright's brigades (which came up immediately, upon my right); following my three regiments came General Cobb's brigade, and soon after the Ninth and Fifty-third Virginia, of my brigade, and these by the Fifty-seventh Virginia, same brigade. The enemy's fire ceased soon after dark. My brigade remained on the field until the next morning, and retired by permission to drier ground.

      L. A. ARMISTEAD, Brigadier- General

      #316
      July 2, 1862.

      On the morning of July 1 we left the Charles City road in pursuit of the enemy and arrived about l0 a.m. at this farm. We were first left to guard the road to prevent a flank movement of the enemy, and for two hours were exposed to a most appalling and incessant artillery fire, and, notwithstanding the terror of its rage, my officers and men behaved with great coolness and gallantry.

      About 5 o'clock we were ordered to change our position and take post in rear of and to support an artillery battery, and in about thirty minutes after we were ordered to charge the enemy's battery, supporting Cobb's brigade; and it is but just to say that no regiment ever charged with more impetuosity---on they went with utmost speed amid the deadly fire of musketry and artillery. Having a force to our front interfering with our fire, we, by an oblique to the right, came within good musket-range of the opposing lines of the enemy and poured in upon them volley after volley until night closed the scene.

      Where all behaved so well the mention of individual acts might seem to be invidious; but justice demands that I should call your attention to the acts of Capt. J. T. Kilby, Company I, who, amid the fire of the enemy, seized a flag of some regiment that had been broken and tried to rally its scattered remnants and bring them against the foe, and while thus acting the flag-staff was shot from his hand. Of Capt. James J. Phillips, who, after our color-bearer was shot down and its guard scattered, preserved the colors of his regiment and saved from the dishonor of leaving its colors on the field and restored them, still to wave in their proper place. Of Lieut. James F. Crocker, adjutant of the Ninth Regiment, who received several severe, if not mortal, wounds in bravely leading the regiment in front of its colors, encouraging the men by his bold and gallant bearing. And I might, indeed, mention every officer on the field as having done their duty nobly, not only in this fight, but in all the hard duty that we have had to undergo for the last thirty days.

      JAS. S. GILLIAM, Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Ninth Virginia Regiment.

      #319

      The men all the time displayed great individual coolness, courage, and gallantry, doing during the whole fight the most terrible execution. Our color-sergeant, L. P. H. Tarpley, to whom the colors were given upon the battle-field at Seven Pines by Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill, which he promised he would carry until he fell, did not falsify his word. He always kept the colors in advance, the last order given him being to move slower. The colors were then taken successively by Color Corpls. Cornelius Gilbert, mortally wounded (since died), and C. C. Gregory, John Burlington, and L.D. Watkins, all severely wounded. Private Churchwell Parker, Company F, then took them and was almost instantly killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Whittle then took the colors and gallantly bore them forward, when he too, while considerably in advance of the regiment, was severely wounded, having the large bone in one arm broken. Capt. R. T. Daniel, adjutant Fifth Kentucky Regiment, being on furlough, volunteered for the fight and was assigned to the command of Company F, grasped the colors and coolly and calmly waving them, appeared not to be moving a muscle save the motion of his arm. He was calling on the company which he so well commanded to rally around them when he fell pierced with three balls. As he fell he drove the staff into the ground, still holding on to it until taken from him by Colonel Edmonds, in whose hands the staff was soon after shot with grape and literally shivered into fragments. The colors were borne from the field by the only remaining color-corporal, William M. Bohannon, upon a musket, and upon examination were found to have been pierced in fifty places.
      .
      JOSEPH R. CABELL, Major, Commanding Thirty-eighth Virginia Regiment

      #320

      JULY 10, 1862.
      SIR: On June 29 the Fifty-third Regiment, reduced in strength by sickness and death to a very small number, marched from our camp on the Richmond and York River Railroad, as a part of Brigadier-General Armistead's brigade, in pursuit of the enemy retreating from before Richmond to the James River.

      On Tuesday, July 1, after lying in the woods for some time, we marched in line of battle through woods to the edge of the field on Crew's farm. After receiving several orders from General Armistead through his aides I waited upon him in person, and was instructed by him to throw forward into the field to the distance of 50 yards one company as skirmishers, with a field officer in command, and to support them, if attacked, at every hazard; and in case of my wanting re-enforcements, to communicate the fact to him and he would send them. In obedience to his instructions I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Waddill to execute this command with Capt. R. W. Martin's company. Immediately upon deploying this company the artillery was brought from the woods into the field, and the attack became sufficiently spirited and warm to justify the advance of my regiment to the support of my skirmishers. From the woods to the summit of the hill the ground was gently sloping; the men were ordered to trail arms, and bending forward and low to use the crown of the hill as a protection until they reached the position occupied by the skirmishers, when they were commanded to charge, and at a run drove the enemy back, and advancing, occupied a ravine some 500 to 600 yards from the woods.

      During this distance we encountered a red [hot] storm of every deadly missile. Fletcher Harwood, of Company K, acting as color-bearer, while gallantly bearing the flag ahead, was cut down by a shell, and waving it around called for some one to bear it along. Instantly Captain Martin, Company I, seized the flag, and with words of encouragement called on all to follow. The noble, manly conduct of Captain Martin was such as to challenge the admiration of all.

      At this time I was some 50 yards ahead of my regiment, urging them to pass quickly this dangerous position, and therefore cannot speak of my personal knowledge of the individual instances of bravery and courage. But few of my regiment, as well [as] the other three which started together, reached the ravine at this time.

      You will recollect that two of our companies were detached on the 29th to collect and guard stores taken from the enemy, and the other eight were so small and the officers so few that they were consolidated into four companies, having only four captains for duty; three of these reached the ravine, and one, Capt. Henry Edmunds, was utterly exhausted and instantly taken so ill that I advised him to return, with the assistance of one of his men. After remaining in this position for about an hour I dispatched the sergeant-major to General Armistead to inform him of our position and condition, and that in my opinion we ought to be re-enforced. I have not seen the sergeant-major since, now being sick, and received no reply.

      Somewhere between 6 and 7 o'clock General Wright brought with him into the ravine two regiments and formed line of battle immediately behind ours, and addressing a few words to the men, led the charge up the hill to take the battery. Captain Saunders was severely wounded in the thigh soon after reaching the top of the hill. The different members of our regiment were formed into one company, under command of Captain Martin, whose gallantry was not exceeded by any one in that memorable battle, and with the other parts of the two brigades were compelled to fall back as often as they charged the batteries of the enemy. Our line, composed of parts of three regiments, was yet a short one, with two colors, and for our one company it would have seemed that a musket would have been of more value than the color, but Corporal Pollard, Company E (one of the color guard), insisted he would carry it, and when he fell gallantly bearing it along handed it to a Georgian who was fighting by his side. The darkness of the night separated us all, and after 9 o'clock gave up the contest for the time.

      H. B. TOMLIN, Colonel, Comdg. Fifty-third Regiment Virginia Volunteers

      #324

      JULY 14, 1862.
      Our regiment was drawn up in line of battle along a string of fence about 9 o'clock on the morning of July I near the battle-field of this memorable day. We were ordered to lie down to prevent being so much exposed to the shell of the enemy, that was flying over our heads in every direction all the time we remained in this position. Four men were slightly wounded during this part of the engagement. The left company of the regiment was posted beyond a small swamp from the balance of the regiment, and were compelled to move lower down during the evening to get out of range of the shell, which at this time began to fall pretty thick and uncomfortably near.

      At or about 6 p.m. orders passed down the line for our regiment to charge the enemy's batteries, when the whole line were on their feet and started off with a defiant shout and at a run through a pine thicket, which had been literally torn to pieces by the artillery of the enemy and difficult to pass, down a steep bluff, over a ravine, and up a hill, which cleared us of the woods and brought us in full view of the enemy and in direct range of their guns Here we confidently expected to begin the engagement, but found the enemy still a long way off and posted in a very advantageous position; but on we sped, nothing daunted, and under partial cover of a hill, but really exposed to a galling fire, we were brought to a halt and formed, when our commanding colonel, E. F. Keen, gave the word to charge. Taking the lead, [he] was followed in good order and steady ranks to the summit. Here we again halted, and seeing the Stars and Stripes floating defiantly before, we poured in a well-directed fire and had the extreme gratification of seeing the colors totter and fall to the ground, while a wide gap was made around it, as like wheat before the sickle. The hirelings wilted before Confederate fire. But a few well-directed rounds had been fired when Capt. J. J. Allen, Company K, had his right arm nearly shot off, and Capt. T. J. Martin, of Company F, being instantly killed on the field, proved to the regiment an unfortunate affair, as these companies became confused and the color-bearer, being stunned by a piece of a shell, left the field, which tended to confuse the entire lines, and we were ordered to fall back, which we did in some confusion. An attempt was made to rally the regiment to a second charge, but with partial success, as it was useless for a regiment or even a brigade to charge against such formidable odds as greeted us. The colors were again carried to the summit of the hill, but few men were found to rally a third time under such a fire.

      W. T. JAMES, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Fifty-seventh Regt. Virginia Volunteers.

      #326

      Sunday, the 29th, having been placed under the orders of Major-General Longstreet, I recrossed the Chickahominy, Longstreet's division leading.

      On Monday, the 30th, arrived in about 1 mile of the cross made by the Long Bridge road and the Quaker road near Frazier's farm. The enemy were retreating along the Quaker road. My division was halted, my field hospitals established, and brigades closed up. The division of General Longstreet, now commanded by Brig. Gen. R. H. Anderson, was in line of battle some three-quarters of a mile in advance of mine.

      The staff officer of General Longstreet at this time delivered me an order to take the command on the field. I did so, and reporting to General Anderson that such was the case, we rode over the ground and made such dispositions as were necessary. Before the battle opened General Longstreet returned and resumed the command. The fight commenced by fire from the enemy's artillery, which swept down the road, and from which His Excellency the President narrowly escaped accident. The battle had continued some little time, when I received an order from General Longstreet, through Captain Fairfax, to send a brigade to the left to the support of Generals Pryor, Featherston, and others. General Gregg was detached on this service and guided by Captain Fairfax. The fire becoming very heavy, I was ordered forward with my division. Branch's brigade took the route and with springing steps pressed forward. Arriving upon open ground, he formed his line and moved to the support of the troops engaged in his front. Field and Pender were successively thrown forward. Field pressed forward with such ardor that he passed far in front of my whole line. The Sixtieth Virginia, Colonel [William E.] Starke, and Fifty-fifth, Colonel [Francis] Mallory, charged and captured two batteries of Napoleon guns, and the Sixtieth crossed bayonets with the enemy, who obstinately contested the possession of these guns. General Pender, moving up to the support of Field, found that he had penetrated so far in advance that the enemy were between himself and Field. A regiment of Federals, moving across his front and exposing their flank, were scattered by a volley. Pender continued to move forward, driving off a battery of rifled pieces. The Forty-seventh Virginia, Colonel [Robert M.] Mayo, having gotten possession of a battery, turned its guns on the enemy, and thereby greatly assisted Gregg, who was hotly engaged on the left. To this regiment also belongs the honor of capturing Major-General McCall. The brigade of General Featherston having become very much scattered and been forced back, Colonel [Samuel] McGowan, with [the] Fourteenth South Carolina, retrieved our ground.

      On our extreme right matters seemed to be going badly. Two brigades of Longstreet's division had been roughly handled and had fallen back. Archer was brought up and sent in, and in his shirt-sleeves, leading his gallant brigade, affairs were soon restored in that quarter.

      About dark the enemy were pressing us hard along our whole line, and my last reserve, General J. R. Anderson, with his Georgia brigade, was directed to advance cautiously and be careful not to fire on our friends. His brigade was formed in line, two regiments on each side of the road, and obeying my instructions to the letter, received the fire of the enemy at 70 paces before engaging themselves. Heavy re-enforcements to the enemy were brought up at this time, and it seemed that a tremendous effort was being made to turn the fortunes of the battle. The volume of fire that, approaching, rolled along the line was terrific. Seeing some troops of Wilcox's brigade who had rallied with the assistance of Lieutenant Chamberlayne and other members of my staff, they were rapidly formed, and being directed to cheer long and loudly, moved again to the fight. This seemed to end the contest, for in less than five minutes all firing ceased and the enemy retired.

      My brigades rested upon the battle ground until relieved near dawn by Major General Magruder. The trophies of my division this day were fourteen pieces of artillery and two stand of colors.

      The next evening was fought the battle of Malvern Hill. Finding that General Magruder needed assistance, I sent him two brigades--Branch's and Thomas' (Anderson's). They, however, were not actively engaged. My division was placed in line of battle near the scene of action and under fire, but passive.

      In this series of battles, in which my troops so well did their part, I beg leave to remind the general-in-chief that three of my brigades had never before been under fire. Two of my batteries---Pegram's and Davidson's, the latter having just been ordered up from my camp--were engaged at Malvern Hill, and for two hours each nobly did its work, as their battered condition and many casualties sadly attested.

      A. P. HILL, Major-General

      #327

      July 20, 1862

      It was late on the evening of the 30th when I was notified to move upon the field of battle as soon as possible. Putting the column in motion at the double-quick, we were soon upon the theater of action. Forming in line of battle, the Fifty-fifth and Sixtieth Virginia on the right of the road and the Forty-seventh Virginia and the Second Virginia Battalion on the left, the command was given to cheer heartily and charge. About 300 yards directly in our front were two of the enemy's batteries, posted in an open field and on the right and left of the road we were advancing on. I had heard that these batteries had been several times during the day taken and retaken, a constant struggle being maintained for their possession. At this time they were held by the enemy, but the horses being killed or wounded, he was unable to remove the guns. The whole line now rushed forward under heavy fire, best the enemy back from the guns into the woods beyond, and pushing him on the right of the road back half a mile. The two regiments on this side [of] the road, the Fifty-fifth and Sixtieth Virginia, were at this time in the enemy's rear, having penetrated through his center in the eagerness of pursuit, but were withdrawn before he could profit by the circumstance.

      Lieutenant-Colonel Christian was wounded and Major Burke was killed, both of the Fifty-fifth Virginia.

      Colonels Mallory and Starke behaved very handsomely here.

      The charge was impetuously made, and was an instance where bayonets were really crossed, several of the enemy being killed with that weapon and several of the Sixtieth now being in [the] hospital bearing bayonet wounds upon their persons. It is proper to state that the Fortieth Virginia, Colonel Brockenbrough, forming my extreme left, became detached on account of the inequalities of the ground and was not under my eye. The colonel reports, however, meeting with an overwhelming force and his loss heavy. My brigade held that part of the battle-field until relieved late at night by some fresh troops, I having in the mean while sent to the rear for horses and removed all the captured guns and equipments to a place of safety.

      I omitted to mention that the Forty-seventh Virginia, Colonel Mayo, after getting possession of the guns on the left of the road, manned two of them and used them against the enemy. This regiment also captured Major-General McCall, commanding the Federal forces on the field.

      I desire to call the attention of the general commanding to the conspicuous gallantry of Capt. C. R. Collins, Engineer Corps. He joined me as a volunteer aide just as we were going into action, and by voice and action led and cheered the men through all the fight with unsurpassed spirit, The conduct of Captain Pegram's battery in the engagements excites my admiration. Always eager, always alert, Captain Pegram was in every action where opportunity offered, and always doing his duty, as the loss of every officer killed or wounded and 60 out of about 80 men, sadly attests. I trust that the merits of this officer will not go unrewarded by the Department. The several field officers of the brigade bore themselves, with but one exception, reported elsewhere, as became accomplished and gallant officers. The particular conduct of the subordinates is detailed in the reports herewith forwarded.

      My thanks are due to my personal staff, Capt. G. F. Harrison, assistant adjutant-general, and aides, Lieuts. W. R. Mason, jr., and R. L. Robb, for zeal and intelligence throughout the week.

      The entire loss of my brigade was 603 killed and wounded and 8 made prisoners. This was about half my force at any time engaged, for I am pained to state that my brigade was like all others that I met with--some officers and men either deserting the field entirely, or seeking safety by skulking behind trees, or halting outside the avenue of fire.

      CHAS. W. FIELD, Brigadier-General, Commanding

      #328

      On Sunday, the 29th, we recrossed the Chickahominy and marched down to Frazier's farm, the scene of Monday's battle. Here, before our division was ordered into the engagement, I was directed to deploy my regiment as skirmishers on the right flank of our army, which deprived us of the privilege of entering into the engagement with the brigade. Receiving orders to follow on and engage the enemy's right, we proceeded [to] the position indicated and engaged (alone) a vastly superior force of the enemy. About night arose a loud hallooing and cheering on the enemy's left and a cessation of firing in that direction, which induced us to believe the contest had been decided. Being in doubt as to the result, we continued the engagement.

      In the mean time the enemy, who had been deceived by the cheering on their left and within their lines, charged in force upon us. We poured several murderous fires into them, which checked their advance, and though within 20 feet of us, caused them to retire to their original position. Their loss at this point was much heavier than upon any other portion of the field, being at least ten to one on our side. This ended the series of battles in which the Fortieth Virginia Volunteers took part.

      Both officers and men, with few exceptions, were not at all wanting in gallantry and good conduct, and for the most part behaved in the most praiseworthy manner.

      We sustained a loss of 180 killed and wounded, being about one-half the effective force of the regiment.

      J. M. BROCKENBROUGH, Colonel Fortieth Virginia Volunteers.

      #329

      July 15, 1862

      GENERAL: I have the honor hereby to report the action of the Forty-seventh Virginia Regiment in the recent engagements before Richmond.

      With the rest of the brigade we crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge on Thursday evening, June 26. Nothing of importance occurred until arriving near Mechanicsville; we were opened upon by the enemy's batteries, and exposed to a most galling fire until late at night without being able to return a shot.

      Our casualties at this place were 10 in number, including 2 captains.

      On the next morning, Friday, 27th, we marched in the direction of Cold Harbor, and again came up with the enemy at Powhite Creek in a very strong position; it also having been represented by some that it was impossible to cross the creek opposite to our position, though this proved afterward to be entirely erroneous. The brigade being ordered to advance in a double line, with the Forty-seventh in front, we approached to within musket-range and opened fire, continuing to advance at the same time. But no sooner had we commenced firing than the second line also opened fire, and finding it impossible to check them, I was obliged to make my men lie down while loading, and even then I had several men killed and wounded by my friends in the rear. Among the latter was Captain Green, a most gallant and efficient officer.

      We remained upon the ground until our ammunition was expended and then retired to the edge of the wood, about 80 yards in our rear.

      Our casualties at this place were 34, the number engaged being about 175 rank and file.

      We did not again participate in an engagement until Monday (30th), when we were called on with the rest of the brigade to advance upon two batteries of the enemy that had been taken by General Longstreet's division, but which had been recaptured. The Forty-seventh, with the Second Virginia Battalion, were ordered to advance upon the battery on the left of the road, which they did, charging immediately in front and exposed to a raking fire of grape and canister for three-quarters of a mile. As soon as we got within short musket-range we opened fire, continuing to advance at the same time, and soon drove the cannoneers from their pieces We followed them up until we arrived at a position about 50 yards beyond their battery, when we were opened upon both on our right and left flanks by a very severe fire.

      Our force in all not amounting to 300, a halt was called to await re-en-forcements, and in the mean time, at the suggestion of some one whose name I have not been able to find out, one of the enemy's guns was trained to the left, the fire from that quarter being much the hottest, and fire opened upon them. The fire from the front having nearly ceased, while that on the right and left still continued, I caused my command to be formed in the road, so as to protect the battery from either of those directions.

      About this time you rode up for the second time and ordered us to cease firing the cannon, as we might injure some of our friends in advance. It was then quite dark. Shortly after we ceased firing the cannon and you had ridden off to another portion of the brigade the sounds of horses' hoofs were heard advancing from the direction of the enemy and the regiment was cautioned to be on their guard. They turned out to be four horsemen, who, riding up on our left, inquired who we were. I called out at the top of my voice "Friends," but some one on the left having unwittingly called Forty-seventh Virginia Regiment, two of the party turned back and rode off at a double-quick down the road. They were instantly fired upon, and one of them, who turned out afterward to be Major [Henry J.] Biddle, adjutant-general to General McCall, was killed. The other two were captured, and turned out to be Major-General McCall and one of his couriers. They were both immediately sent to the rear.

      Nothing more of importance occurred that night, and we were not actively engaged on Tuesday, though somewhat exposed to the enemy's artillery.

      The casualties in this engagement were 34, the total number engaged being 156 rank and file; making the total number of casualties in all three engagements 78.

      The conduct of these who remained with their regiment was so uniformly good that I find it almost impossible to make any distinctions. I, however, make the following recommendations for promotion: Private T. V. Sanford, Company C, clerk in commissary department, to the place of second lieutenant in Company D, in which there are two vacancies; Private Schooler, Company I, color-bearer, to be made color-sergeant, and Private Mason, Company E, to be made sergeant in said company.

      Very respectfully submitted.

      RO. M. MAYO, Colonel Forty-seventh Virginia Regiment.

      #330

      July 12, 1862

      On Sunday, June 29, we marched from Gaines' Mill to the south side of the Chickahominy. Monday morning we marched a few miles and were halted in the woods until about 5 p.m., when we were ordered with the brigade to go to the support of General Kemper. We marched at a double-quick, when we were formed in line of battle on the right of the road, the Sixtieth Virginia on our left. We advanced through the woods until we came to the brow of the hill, where was a battery recently taken from the enemy. The brigade which had taken it had disappeared and the enemy had advanced to within a few yards of the battery. We halted, fired a few volleys, and charged, driving the enemy about 1 mile into the woods, where we halted to reform, and finding that the enemy were about to flank us we fell back to the edge of the woods, where we remained until the firing had ceased. The regiment was ordered to remain at this point until the captured battery could be taken off, when we marched back across the field and bivouacked for the night.

      In this engagement Lieut. Col. W. S. Christian was seriously wounded; Maj. T. M. Burke and Captain Wright killed, and Lieuts. R. G. Haile and R. T. Bland and Adjt. R. L. Williams wounded. The regiment was in readiness to participate in the engagement of Tuesday, July 1, but was not actually engaged.

      F. MALLORY, Colonel, Commanding Fifty-fifth Virginia
      #331

      July 19, 1862

      The regiment remained on the battle-field until Sunday morning, when the brigade crossed the Chickahominy. On Sunday evening I rejoined the regiment and resumed the command.

      On Monday evening, the 30th, we were ordered to the support of General Kemper's brigade, then engaged near Frazier's farm with an overwhelming force of the enemy. The regiment advanced at double-quick nearly two miles to the brow of the hill, where a battery of eight guns, Randall's Penn Battery, was posted, which had been taken from the enemy and by them recaptured before we reached the ground.

      We were immediately formed into line of battle, the Fifty-fifth Virginia on our right, and ordered to retake the battery. Delivering a few volleys the regiment moved forward, charged the enemy, drove them into and through the woods for a considerable distance, killing, wounding, and taking many of them prisoners, and recapturing the battery. On reaching the wood, however, the enemy poured a heavy fire into our line, upon which the command was given to charge bayonets. This command was obeyed with great alacrity, and very many of the enemy fell before the formidable weapon. After driving them for half a mile beyond this point the brigade was ordered to halt, where we remained for half a hour, it being then quite dark. The enemy not again appearing, the regiment was ordered to return to the battery, and there remain until the pieces were carried off the field. This accomplished we returned to the road and bivouacked for the night.

      In this engagement Capt. W. A. Gilliam, Company K, and Lieut. William A. Moore. Company F, were wounded, with a loss of many privates killed and wounded. Suffering from the wound in my hand, I was again compelled to relinquish the command, and left the regiment in charge of Maj. J. C. Summers, Lieut. Col. B. H. Jones being quite unwell and having been sent to Richmond by advice of the surgeon.

      On Tuesday evening the regiment was drawn up in line of battle with the brigade, but was not called into action.

      I cannot close this report without noticing the conduct of Privates George R. Taylor, Company E, and Robert A. Christian, Company I. The former may be styled "the Father of the Regiment." Near sixty years of age, he volunteered at the commencement of the war, and his energy, patriotism, and general good conduct, as well as his determined bravery in all the recent engagements, have excited the admiration of all. Private Christian, in the bayonet charge of the 30th, was assailed by no less than four of the enemy at the same instant. He succeeded in killing three of them with his own hands, though wounded in several places by bayonet-thrusts, and his brother, Eli W. Christian, going to his aid, dispatched the fourth.

      W. E. STARKE, Colonel, Commanding Sixtieth Virginia Regiment.

      #334

      After being so severely handled I considered it proper to take my regiment out from under fire, which was accordingly done. Upon coming out of the swamp I found Colonel Marshall with a remnant of his regiment. This, with my own, I formed in line, and under orders from General Lee and Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill, I took command of these two fragments of regiments and led them into the wood in rear of the position occupied by the brigades of Generals Anderson and Field. Soon I was joined by a portion of Colonel Edwards' regiment, under Major Farrow, and with this portion of the brigade I occupied the ground as above indicated, and on Saturday morning I marched my regiment, by your orders, to another position near the battle-ground, where we remained until Sunday, June 29.

      On this day we recrossed the Chickahominy. We marched in pursuit of the enemy, but did not come up with them until Monday evening, June 30. Then, although under fire and having several soldiers and one lieutenant (Sweeney, Company K) wounded by the fire of the enemy, there was no chance of our coming in actual contact with the enemy, from the fact that the ground in front of us was occupied by others of our own troops.

      We were likewise drawn out on Tuesday afternoon, July 1, but did not become engaged with the enemy, although for some time under the fire of artillery. We continued the pursuit of the enemy with the rest of the Second Brigade, who had sought the shelter of their gunboats, and after remaining for twenty-four hours near them, we were ordered back to the neighborhood of Richmond, to go into camp.

      I feel that it would be invidious, where all of my officers and most of my soldiers behaved so well, to single out any one for especial praise, except that I desire to mention Private Dominick Spellman, of Company K, who bore my colors gallantly during the battle after Sergeant Taylor and Corporal Hayne, who, carrying the colors, were shot down, the latter taking them from my hands when the former was first struck, to be mortally wounded himself immediately. I have promoted Private Spellman to be color-bearer for gallantry on the field of battle.

      D. H. HAMILTON, Colonel First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers

      #335

      Passing by all the details of the pursuit I come now to the fight of Monday evening, June 30. About 5 p.m. we arrived in the vicinity of the enemy, halted, and stacked arms in a piece of woods to the right of the road. The fight soon commenced in front of us, and about 6.30 o'clock the regiments of the brigade were formed in line and marched by the right flank about 1Ľ miles to a point near where the fight was progressing. On arriving at this point we were halted and the regiments were formed in column of companies, the Twelfth being third in order. About sundown the Twelfth was ordered to form line to the front. This being done, we were ordered to march through the thicket and take position in rear as a support to the Fourteenth, which had been previously sent into the fight. I marched a short distance through the thicket and came upon the First Regiment lying down.. Halting there for a few seconds to make some inquiry about the position of the Fourteenth, I gave the command left face, marched around the left of the First Regiment, then marched to the front, and took position about 200 or 300 yards in rear of the firing, with my right flank a short distance from and nearly opposite the center of the line of the First Regiment and perpendicular to it. I made the men lie down in order to protect them from the bullets, which were flying fast and thick over and about us. We remained in this position until the close of the fight, about 8.30 p.m., having 7 men wounded at this place.

      Colonel McGowan now brought out his command (the Fourteenth) and the regiments of the brigade bivouacked. About 10 or 11 o'clock at night the general himself came to us and ordered us to return in the morning to the place we had left in the evening. This we did, and remained in that position until about 6 p.m. of Tuesday, July 1. We were then marched up the road about 2 miles, passing the battle ground of the previous day, and were there halted.

      In a very short time the battle of July 1 began and progressed fiercely in front of us and on the right wing of the enemy. The firing of the enemy soon slackened on his right, but was taken up fiercely along his line toward his center and left, and we were marched back about half a mile, halted and faced to the front. General Hill came up and ordered the Twelfth and Fourteenth to remain in that position and watch toward the enemy. Here we remained until the close of the fight, without participating in the engagement.

      D. BARNES, Colonel Twelfth Regiment

      #336

      My regiment went into the action at Willis' Church Monday, June 30. numbering 342 men.

      At 5.30 p.m. we halted in a wood adjacent to the action and were for nearly an hour under a sporadic fire of shells, by which I lost 1 man killed.

      At 6.30 the brigade moved forward to the immediate scene of the battle. My regiment moved under same orders to the left by successive stages, halting frequently.

      About 7.30 loaded, fixed bayonets, and when it neared the front of the supposed enemy, under a galling fire of small-arms in front, it was ordered to form in close column of companies, and to charge bayonets through a dense copse. This movement was arrested to inquire definitely whether friends or enemy were before us, for darkness utterly prevented our distinguishing by sight. Inquiry seemed to result in determining that our friends were before us, and I was ordered to move by the right and reform in the road from which the charge was made, which I did promptly and bivouacked there for the night. Casualties--1 killed, 15 wounded, I since died.

      My regiment numbered 269 in the action at Malvern Hill, or Crew's farm, on July 1. At 5 p.m. we were marched, with some halts, perhaps 2 miles to a position near the road, where our line of battle was formed about 8 p.m. Here we were under sporadic fire of shells until about 9.30, when the action closed. We then returned to our bivouac. No casualties.

      O. E. EDWARDS, Colonel Thirteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers.

      #337

      In regard to the fight of Monday night the general well knows how suddenly we were called upon to go into it. We had marched all day until late in the evening, and soon after we arrived in the neighborhood of the fight it was represented to us that the enemy was turning the left of our lines. I was directed to form the Fourteenth, which was the leading regiment, in line of battle immediately, and send forward through the thick undergrowth, skirmishers, to feel the enemy and as' certain his position. I accordingly sent forward Captain West, who threw out his men as skirmishers and gallantly advanced some 300 yards toward our left and front. In a few moments he returned, stating that he had found General Featherston in the undergrowth wounded, who informed him that the enemy's skirmishers were all around him, that he was in danger of being captured, and that if any Confederate troops were near at hand they should advance at once. As soon as Captain West made this report my regiment was ordered forward through a perfect jungle of vines and bushes. We took the direction indicated by the skirmishers, and as soon as we approached the open ground in which the enemy had hastily thrown up a breastwork we fell upon his skirmishers, who upon our approach scattered and fled in every direction. The regiment was halted at the edge of the cleared ground and volley after volley thrown into the ranks of the enemy, who returned upon us a very hot and fatal fire. In this musketry fight some of my men, having obtained patent cartridges, shot seventy times. At one time, just after dark, the belief seemed to take possession of the enemy, as it did of ourselves, that we were mutually fighting our friends, and the firing ceased for a time entirely. During the cessation of fire an officer came over to us and inquired who we were. I demanded to know to what regiment he belonged; to which he replied the Twentieth Indiana, which was in the woods to our left and front. Thereupon he was politely informed that he was in the midst of the Fourteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, and at the same time ordered to the rear for safe-keeping. A few moments after this interview an officer of the enemy was distinctly heard to give the command, "Commence firing," and in a moment the whole ridge in our front was a sheet of flame. They poured into the regiment for a short time the most destructive fire. We, however, held our ground and returned the fire until the enemy fled. The Fourteenth certainly fired the last gun in the battle of Monday. We remained on the ground until all the firing had ceased, and then joined the other regiments of the brigade. Once during the evening the enemy endeavored to turn our left flank, but Lieutenant-Colonel Simpson directed upon them the fire of the left companies, and with distinguished gallantry drove them back. If we could have had a regiment on our left we certainly would have captured the Twentieth Indiana Regiment.

      In this contest also, as well as that of Friday, we lost many valuable officers and men. Captains Owens, Harper, and Stuckly were wounded, the first two I fear very seriously. Lieutenant Davis died gallantly on the field, and Lieutenants Watson and Miller were wounded, besides many others killed and wounded, a list of whom is inclosed.(*) Seven captains went into the right--6 were wounded, leaving only I for duty.

      In the combat of Monday night we took about 20 prisoners, the names and regiments of some of whom are remembered: Harrison Patrick, Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserves. Company B; Frederick Harvey, Fortieth New York, Company H; Captain Reed, Twentieth Indiana, Company K, and 15 or 16 others, mostly of the Twentieth Indiana Regiment. Having no place to keep these prisoners, they were turned over by my direction to a mounted escort in charge of prisoners.

      As we were going into the charge General Pryor, in rear of whose brigade we passed, presented to General Gregg a battle-flag, bearing upon its folds the names of" Williamsburg" and "Seven Pines," and belonging to St. Paul's Louisiana Battery, which the general intrusted to the Fourteenth for that occasion. I called upon Company D, the flag company, for a flag-bearer, and T. W. Carwile, quite a youth, volunteered to carry it, and did carry it through the fight with great gallantry. It was struck by balls five times during the contest, and yet the bearer escaped unhurt. I recommend young Carwile to the favorable consideration of the general for his distinguished gallantry.

      S. McGOWAN, Colonel Fourteenth Regiment South Carolina Volunteers

      #338

      On Saturday morning I called for a report of the different companies of my regiment of the killed, wounded, and missing, and found from their reports that my worst fears were realized as to the destruction of my regiment. In that charge we had sustained a loss of 76 killed, 221 wounded, and 58 missing, and I had only 149-- officers, noncommissioned officers, and privates--for duty.

      Early that morning I made a detail from each company to bury the dead, and so severe was the work of death in some of the companies that it took the detail all day to bury their dead. This sad duty performed, we were permitted again to sleep that night on the battle-field.

      Early Sunday morning the brigade was put under marching orders, and about 9 a.m. we took up the line of march for the south side of the Chickahominy, via New Bridge.

      After marching until 9 o'clock that night we bivouacked about 12 miles below Richmond, on the Darbytown road, close upon the rear of the enemy, who, we learned, had been driven that day and the day previous from his strong fortifications in front of Richmond.

      On Monday, the 30th, we took up the line of march and pushed down the Darbytown road until we came upon the enemy strongly intrenched behind breastworks. The brigades of our division that were in front of the Second Brigade were soon engaged with the enemy, and our brigade was permitted to rest for a few moments preparatory to any emergency that might occur.

      More troops were called for by General Hill, and the Second Brigade was rapidly advanced to the field of action. When near the position of the enemy two regiments--Colonels Edwards' and McGowan's--were advanced to the right to engage the enemy, and the other two regiments---Colonels Hamilton's and Barnes'--and my own were advanced to the left to engage the enemy if they presented themselves. Here we were exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy, not being able to return a single shot on account of our friends, General Longstreet's division being in front.

      Here I had 9 wounded without the least chance of inflicting any damage upon the enemy, but we had the consolation of hearing the shout of triumph from our friends in front and the rout of our enemies. We slept upon the battle-field that night.

      The next morning we were marched back to the brigade camping ground that we had occupied the day before, for the purpose of having rations issued to the troops. Here we rested as a reserve to the forces that were engaged in the Tuesday's battle. About 6' o'clock in the evening the Second Brigade, in connection with the other brigades of the division, was put in motion to render any assistance that might be needed by our friends in the desperate battle that was then raging, we formed in line of battle in rear of our advancing column, ready to strike a blow where most needed. Here we were again exposed to a heavy fire of shot and shell for an hour, but fortunately no one of my regiment was injured.

      Thus ended the series of hard-fought battles before Richmond, resulting in a complete triumph of the Confederate arms and the repulse of the Grand Army of the Potomac under the self-styled "Young Napoleon," who had been forced to seek protection under cover of their gunboats 30 miles down the James River.

      It is gratifying for me to report upon the accurate and deliberate firing of my regiment. There was not a tree on the side where we entered the woods marked by a ball higher than 6 feet and lower than the knees, while on the Yankee side they ranged from 30 feet down to the ground.

      The result of our contest with the enemy was 253 regulars and Pennsylvanians and 32 New York Zouaves killed on the field, and 23 wounded prisoners, among them a major and a first lieutenant.

      I trust that the part performed by my regiment in the recent battles before Richmond meets with the approval of our general. The highest ambition of the regiment was to perform every duty in the great struggle assigned to it, and to contribute by its efforts, in connection with other regiments, to the complete overthrow of the enemy, and to see victory perch upon the Confederate standard.

      J. FOSTER MARSHALL, Colonel First Regiment South Carolina Volunteer Rifles

      Even more to come....
      [B]Charles Heath[/B]
      [EMAIL="heath9999@aol.com"]heath9999@aol.com[/EMAIL]

      [URL="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spanglers_Spring_Living_History/"]12 - 14 Jun 09 Hoosiers at Gettysburg[/URL]

      [EMAIL="heath9999@aol.com"]17-19 Jul 09 Mumford/GCV Carpe Eventum [/EMAIL]

      [EMAIL="beatlefans1@verizon.net"]31 Jul - 2 Aug 09 Texans at Gettysburg [/EMAIL]

      [EMAIL="JDO@npmhu.org"] 11-13 Sep 09 Fortress Monroe [/EMAIL]

      [URL="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Elmira_Death_March/?yguid=25647636"]2-4 Oct 09 Death March XI - Corduroy[/URL]

      [EMAIL="oldsoldier51@yahoo.com"] G'burg Memorial March [/EMAIL]

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: From the CS Perspective

        The sad news is the Union snippets from the ORs are just not quite this interesting, but the articles about the Penna. Reserves may make up for this in a big way.

        #339

        On the night of the 29th, Sunday, my brigade, having had a very exhausting march in the position assigned it in your column, bivouacked on the Darbytown road near Atlee's. Many of the men fell down by the way-side, unable to march farther on that day.

        The next evening, 30th, when the firing commenced at Frazier's farm, I received an order from you to form close column of regiments on the side of the road, which was executed on the right. Here we were within the range of the enemy's guns, but had not many casualties.

        About sunset I received your order to bring forward my brigade and form line of battle on the crest of the ridge, which was quickly done, the road dividing my line into two parts, the Third Louisiana Battalion and Fourteenth Georgia Regiment forming the left, while the Thirty-fifth, Forty-fifth, and Forty-ninth Georgia formed the right wing. I was then ordered to send forward my left wing under the senior officer present, Lieutenant-Colonel Pendleton, of the Third Louisiana Battalion, who led it into the fight. A few minutes later, by your order, I led the remainder of my brigade into the fight, with a warning from you that one of our brigades was in my front. This order was promptly and enthusiastically executed by the whole command, the more so, doubtless, as at this moment the President of the Confederate States galloped by us the whole length of my column and was recognized and vociferously cheered by the men. We had about half a mile to march, and the sound and flash of the musketry indicating the enemy's position to be on the left of the road, I filed to the left and changed my front forward, so as to form line of battle parallel to what appeared to be that of the enemy.

        By this time it was dark. I immediately gave the order, "Forward in line of battle. The march was handsomely performed. Orders were given that no musket was to be fired till we came up with and recognized our friends in front. The march was continued in perfect order under a galling fire until we came up to a fence, and on my right found my left wing in position under Lieutenant-Colonel Pendleton. I immediately ordered my brigade over the fence, and placing myself in its front, reformed the line, still believing our friends to be in front and determined to proceed to their aid.

        At this moment I was just able to see a force, which seemed to be a brigade or division, marching down upon us, and was soon satisfied that they were the enemy; but it was impossible to inspire the men with this belief, especially as the enemy, not then more than 50 or 75 yards from us, were constantly singing out, "For God's sake, don't fire on us; we are friends." An order to fire at this moment I was satisfied would be unavailing, so I ordered, "Charge bayonet in double-quick," hoping that a moment more would satisfy my men of their mistake. At this moment Lieutenant.Colonel Coleman, of the artillery, who happened to come up, rendered me valuable assistance in attempting to undeceive my command; but it seemed to be impossible, and its consequent demoralization was great and unfortunate. All doubt should soon have been removed by the command "Fire" on the part of the enemy, who delivered a very deadly fire, received by my then left wing, and chiefly the Forty-fifth Georgia, Colonel Hardeman. The men were ordered to lie down and continue the firing, until finally the enemy were driven from the field.

        It was in this affair that Colonel Hardeman, while nobly encouraging his brave men, was severely wounded, and I myself, receiving a blow on my forehead, fell disabled for a time, which devolved the command on Col. Edward L. Thomas.

        The lists of killed and wounded in my brigade in these three fights, amounting to 364, have already been reported to you.

        In closing this statement, general, of the part taken by my brigade in the battles around Richmond, I respectfully refer to the reports of the regimental commanders for details.

        My brigade commissary, Maj. Lewis Ginter, and quartermaster, Maj. Robert T. Taylor, more than justified my favorable estimate of their qualifications.

        J. R. ANDERSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

        #340

        During the march of Sunday and Monday in pursuit of the enemy nothing noteworthy occurred until Monday afternoon about 2 o'clock, when I was ordered by Major-General Hill to mask my brigade in a wood to the right of the road. It remained but a few minutes in that position, when the shells from the enemy's artillery commenced to fall near us and I was ordered to proceed and attack. Having no guide and no knowledge of the enemy's position, I took the direction whence came the shells, which carried me to the right of the road.

        Forming my line of battle in a cleared field and advancing, we soon encountered the enemy and drove them for nearly a mile. This was done under the fire of two batteries, one of which we silenced and the other of which enfiladed the left of my line. After proceeding about this distance, the enemy's force rapidly accumulating as they fell back and finding that the enemy extended much beyond my right flank, no farther advance was attempted. At dark I placed my brigade in bivouac on the edge of the battle-field, and having reported to Major-General Hill through a member of my staff, was ordered to remain there until daylight and then return to the point from which I had started into battle the previous afternoon.

        In this engagement I had the misfortune to lose Col. Charles C. Lee of the Thirty-seventh Regiment. A thoroughly educated soldier and an exemplary gentleman, whose whole life had been devoted to the profession of arms, the service lost in him one of its most promising officers.

        During the afternoon of Tuesday I received marching orders, and after proceeding a short distance down the road on which we had previously been moving was ordered to return to camp. I was returning, when a heavy fire of artillery and small-arms on the left showed that an attack had been made on Malvern Hill, and it was clear that our forces were being driven back. Orders were given me to move in quickly to the support of our forces engaged, and I did so at a double-quick across the fields. On arriving near the field of battle a staff officer of some of the commands engaged volunteered to direct me to the position in which I could render most service. Under his direction I had posted two of my regiments, and was in the act of posting the remainder when I ascertained that I had been misled. Taking the troops I still had present with me, I proceeded toward the left and reached a position near to the enemy's batteries, but still too far for my short-range guns, and in full range of their artillery. Making my men lie on the ground, they remained in the position until the firing from our side had ceased; then collecting my brigade, I returned to my camp of the morning.

        Thus ended the actual fighting of this memorable week, the enemy having during the night evacuated Malvern Hill. During the whole of it officers and men alike had been without cooking utensils or other baggage.

        My loss was about 750 in killed and wounded and about 50 in missing. A list of the names having been furnished, a more precise statement in this report is not deemed necessary.

        L. O'B. BRANCH, Brigadier-General.

        #342

        On Saturday, the 28th, we remained quietly in our bivouac, caring for the wounded and dead.

        The country and our State too painfully appreciate the loss of our most capable colonel for me to say aught in his praise. It was in this battle that Company E, under the command of Lieutenant Haywood, lost all its officers. Lieutenants Hay wood and Closs were killed in the brave and faithful discharge of their duties.

        On Sunday, the 29th, we proceeded to recross the Chickahominy, and pursued the enemy until Monday evening, the 30th, when we overtook him, and were at once formed in column of regiments on the right of the road under cover of the woods. In a few moments we were led into action by you in person. Since you witnessed the daring of my regiment while advancing toward the enemy under a terrific fire and the disadvantages under which they labored in meeting a retreating battery, also in not knowing with accuracy the point for which they were designated, I shall leave it to you, general, to say all that is necessary in their praise.

        So soon as the enemy appeared in sight the order was given for our regiment to charge, which we did without faltering, and drove him before us for at least 1 mile, every inch of which Was hotly contested. It was now near sunset, and finding that he had fallen back upon his reserves, which extended far beyond my right flank, and that we had driven away the immediate force that were protecting the enemy's batteries, I ordered a change of position, so as to reform in rear of General Pender's brigade, which was then advancing to our support.

        About this time I was myself disabled by a slight wound on the head, but by the assistance of some of my men was enabled for a while to keel) the field and to send a portion of my men again into action under the command of Maj. J. L. Hill.

        During this action and in the reformation just spoken of I take occasion to acknowledge the eminent services rendered to me, my regiment, and the cause by Major Hill, who was always ready to expose himself to the hottest fire. To Lieut. F. D. Stockton, my adjutant, who was by my side during the whole action, except when bearing official messages under the enemy's fire, and did great service in assisting me in rallying the men. Lieutenant Munro, of the Second North Carolina Regiment, who was acting as a volunteer lieutenant in Company E, also distinguished himself by conspicuous bravery. Capt. J. McLeod Turner (Company F) and his command distinguished themselves, as they have always hitherto done, by the eagerness with which they approached the foe. Lieutenant Murchison, Company C, also proved himself a worthy successor of his disabled captain, R, B, MacRae. It was in this contest that Lieuts. J. Milton Alexander was mortally and Dickey and Blackmer seriously wounded.

        This night my regiment spent upon the field, and on Tuesday evening, about 7 o'clock, while we were under marching orders and actually on the march, we were ordered into the action at Malvern Hill. We advanced under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, but the darkness came upon us so rapidly that we were not actively engaged that night.

        ED. GRAHAM HAYWOOD, Colonel, Comdg. Seventh Regiment North Carolina Troops.

        #343

        Saturday we were engaged in the work of burying the dead.

        Sunday morning we crossed to the south of the Chickahominy in pursuit of the enemy.

        Monday the pursuit was continued until we engaged the enemy at Frazier's farm. Here my regiment joined the brigade in the series of charges upon the enemy's batteries. Without a sign of faltering, shouting the battle-cry of "Stonewall," which they adopted of their own accord, they advanced across two open fields in the face of a perfect shower of grape and musketry until they reached a small ravine, traversed by a fence, within a short distance of the enemy's line of battle.
        Taking advantage of this slight shelter, they maintained themselves in this position until the arrival of re-enforcements, when they joined in the general charge which won the batteries.

        My loss here was very heavy--killed and wounded, 150; among them First Lieut. W. A. Wooster, of Company I, and my sergeant-major, A.D. Moore, both of them young men of brilliant prospects, and as gallant, as daring, as devoted to the cause as any officer in the Confederate service.

        Tuesday, at Malvern Hill, we were marched to the field, but were held in reserve, and had no opportunity to deliver a fire. Three of my men, however, were wounded by fragments of shell.

        My total loss has been 224 in killed and wounded, a detailed statement having already been furnished you. When it is stated that I entered the series of battles with less than 400 men, it will be seen that the proportion is very heavy.

        That there were many stragglers from the field of battle is not to be denied. There have been stragglers from every field since the war began. As a general rule, however, it appeared to me that the men fought throughout the whole army as if each individual was thoroughly impressed with the belief that it was necessary that we should be victorious in the field before Richmond. Amid this army of heroes I have no reason to be dissatisfied with my regiment. Whether on the march, in the field, exposed to fatigue and privations, in the midst of danger and in the face of death, they were cheerful and obedient, prompt and daring. No order was given that they did not cheerfully and faithfully attempt to execute.

        ROBT. H. COWAN, Colonel, Commanding Eighteenth North Carolina Troops.

        #344

        Sunday evening we recrossed the Chickahominy, and on Monday evening (the 30th) were among the first to engage the enemy; the whole brigade advanced, driving the foe before us, notwithstanding the character of the ground. My regiment, in its advance, had to pass through two skirts of woods containing swampy ground, and an intermediate open field, in which there was a dwelling surrounded by a yard and garden; all of which, I am told, had been converted into a temporary breastwork by the enemy. All of my men behaved well in this action, notwithstanding they were exposed to a murderous fire of shell, grape, and small-arms. I did not remain with my regiment until the close of the fight, as a flesh-wound in the right cheek forced me to leave the field.

        Our loss was 6 killed and 50 wounded.

        We were not actively engaged in the Tuesday's fight, though we were ordered out late in the evening, and were exposed to a terrific shelling, first in the open field in front of the enemy's guns and then to the left in a small piece of woods. Fortunately we had only 1 man wounded and none killed.

        With only 1 field officer, 3 captains, but few lieutenants, and our ranks greatly reduced by sickness, caused by the hardships we had to undergo in our retreat from Hanover Court-House, we had to contend with the enemy in the recent terrible engagements before Richmond under many disadvantages, but our loss--150 killed and wounded out of an effective force of 480, including the ambulance corps, about one-third--will show how nobly the Twenty-eighth behaved in this great struggle for independence.

        JAMES H. LANE, Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-eighth Regiment North Carolina Vols.

        #345

        On the 28th we remained quiet all day. The enemy having been driven across the Chickahominy, we were ordered to prepare two days' rations and be ready to march at daylight.

        On the 29th we recrossed the river and moved down James River, marching a distance of 12 or 15 miles, and encamped.

        On the 30th we again marched down the river in order to make an attack, and reached the point about 3 o'clock. The presence of the enemy was soon made known by the roaring of artillery, and we were immediately ordered up the road in the direction of the enemy by a flank movement under very great fire of shot and shell. Soon you, at the head of your brigade, filed to the right, and, moving 600 yards in that direction, halted, faced to the front, and forming a line of battle, moved slowly through a skirt of woods until you reached an open field; you then halted, formed a perfect line of battle, and charged, by the double-quick and with a yell, the enemy's batteries, which were strongly supported by infantry across this field, a distance of 500 yards. We at the same time were enfiladed by grape shot; neither fire upon the front or flank at all stopped the men, but on they pressed and soon silenced the fire upon them. They seemed not to heed the falling of friends by their side, but had the great duty of defeating the enemy foremost in their minds. Here my loss was heavy, not so much in killed as in wounded.

        After passing through the field and entering the field on the opposite side my regiment became divided by the interference of a brigadier-general, unknown to me, who had ordered the left of my regiment to march to the left. I remained with a portion of my men on the field until dark, and reported to you in an old field, at which place you were encamped.

        On July 1 we were quiet until 6 o'clock in the evening, at which time we were ordered in to support D. H. Hill's division. In this fight I was not engaged, but was under a heavy fire of shot and shell.

        R. F. HOKE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding

        #346

        On Monday evening, 30th instant, my regiment, with the other regiments of your command, charged the strong position occupied by the enemy's artillery and infantry. Throughout this engagement my regiment behaved with great gallantry, driving the enemy before them with great loss.

        On Tuesday evening the regiment was again under arms and under fire, but was not engaged.

        All the officers of my command behaved well, except those who have been reported to General Hill under previous orders. I take pleasure in mentioning specially Captain Horton, who remained with his company during these trying scenes, although more than sixty years old and worn-out by exposure and fatigue.

        In the action of Monday evening Colonel Lee was killed while gallantly leading the regiment into action. He was a brave, experienced officer and a pure man. His loss will be severely felt.

        WILL. M. BARBOUR, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Thirty-seventh Regt. North Carolina Troops

        #348

        Meeting the enemy again on Monday evening, my brigade, after being in direct range of the enemy's shell for some time, was ordered forward, and went in rear of Kershaw's brigade--at least his men were coming out from my front as we went in. Reaching the farther side of the field, on the right, at the junction of the Long Bridge and Darbytown roads, we came in contact with the enemy once more. Here, just as my brigade was getting under fire, a regiment of the enemy bore down at double-quick in our front, passing from right to left, apparently not seeing us. When in our front, about 75 yards off, our men fired a volley into them and scattered them in every direction. In our front was a fine battery of rifle pieces that had been abandoned, but they were apparently trying to regain it, as we had quite a skirmish near it. They continued to make efforts here to flank us. They had quite a force upon my right, which was several times pushed forward.

        General Field, I have since learned, was a long way in front, but the enemy were in considerable force between us, if I am to judge from the stand they made. At this position I left a few men to hold the flank and pushed forward the rest well into the woods, and but for the untimely failure of ammunition would have captured many prisoners. They were in considerable disorder, but were still too strong to be attacked with what few men I had, most of whom were without ammunition. We here soon forced a battery, which had opened upon our right, to limber up and leave. They evidently, from what I saw and from what I heard from prisoners, had a strong force within a few hundred yards of these batteries.

        Dark coming on, I withdrew my men to the edge of the woods, holding our ground and the batteries taken. I had but a handful of men, but succeeded in getting two other regiments I found near (of General Field's brigade, which he had withdrawn), posting them so as to hold the front, while I held the right flank. I subsequently led forward one of these regiments, and ordered it to move in such a direction as to flank a force which seemed to be hotly engaging a part of our troops on the left of the road.

        After making these arrangements I found that General Archer was on the right flank and on my right. This ended the fighting of my brigade in the late operations before Richmond, for, although ordered into action next evening, we did not get in, owing to the lateness of the hour, the thickness of the wood, and my ignorance of the relative position of our forces.

        My aide, Lieutenant Young, had two horses shot under him in this engagement, and then took the colors of one of the regiments, leading it promptly and well to the front. Lieutenant-Colonels McElroy and Gray--the latter assisted by Major Cole--displayed their usual boldness in leading their regiments to the front.

        The Thirty-eighth North Carolina here, as on Thursday, behaved well. I would mention that the Thirty-fourth North Carolina on Friday behaved with great credit under a heavy and murderous cross-fire, and here let me mention that Lieutenant Shotwell, Thirty-fourth North Carolina, cannot be spoken off too highly for his gallant conduct; for he was not satisfied to take the colors, [but] seized the color-bearer and rushed him to the front, thus encouraging the regiment to move forward at a very critical moment. There are numerous instances of noble conduct by members -of my command, but space would fail to mention all, and I will leave the result of their efforts to show how most of them did.

        I am forced to say that we had too many cases of shameful and disgraceful desertions of their colors.

        Here I would mention the loss on Thursday of a most competent and gallant officer, Maj. W. N. Bronaugh, of the Second Arkansas Battalion. With his death ceased the battalion, as far as was concerned its usefulness on the field.

        My total loss in killed and wounded was about 800. The brigade left camp on the evening of the 25th with between 2,300 and 2,400, including Andrews' battery, thus showing a loss of one-third of my entire command.

        Andrews' battery behaved on all occasions with conspicuous coolness and bravery. Their loss was, however: slight.

        The service has lost for a time, if not permanently, an invaluable and accomplished officer in Col. James Conner, Twenty-second North Carolina. Colonels Hoke and Riddick--the former wounded on Thursday, the latter on Friday--were great losses to me.

        W. D. PENDER, Brigadier-General Sixth Brigade, Light Division.

        #357


        July 16, 1862

        The morning of June 30 last my aide, Lieut. J. J. Wise, brought me a verbal message from General Holmes that he was advancing to meet the enemy, and inquiring whether I could join him, as his forces were few and fatigued. I then had three regiments of infantry (the Fourth, Twenty-sixth, and Forty-sixth Virginia Volunteers) and four batteries of light artillery, under strict orders to guard and support the heavy batteries at Chaffin's Bluff General Holmes, in the message delivered to me, disclaimed giving me orders, but suggested rather that he needed re-enforcements, and inquired whether I could aid him. I immediately assumed the responsibility of ordering to his command the Twenty-sixth (Col. P. R. Page) and the Forty-sixth (Col. R. T. W. Duke), and Andrews' and Rives' batteries, under Maj. A. W. Stark, leaving of these only small camp guards, and the Fourth Regiment and French's and Armistead's batteries to guard the bluff.

        On June 30 the Twenty-sixth Regiment, by morning report, had 31 officers, 70 non-commissioned officers, and 354 privates; the Forty-sixth had 31 officers, 64 non-commissioned officers, and 306 privates. Deduct 1 non-commissioned officer and 20 privates of each for guard, and the total of infantry was 62 officers, 132 non-commissioned officers, and 620 privates--aggregate infantry, 814.

        The artillery corps had Company A (Captain Andrews), 4 pieces, 4 officers, 9 non-commissioned officers, 63 privates; Company C (Captain Rives), 4 pieces, 2 officers, 7 non-commissioned officers, and 62 privates; total, 6 officers, 16 non-commissioned officers, and 125 privates--making in all, infantry and artillery, the aggregate of 961 officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates.

        I commanded these in person, and was attended by my official aide and two volunteers, Lieut. J. J. Wise, Capt. George D. Wise (who acted as volunteer aide of General Holmes), and Lieut. Barksdale Warwick. As early as possible after General Holmes passed with his forces I followed, and reported to him at the Dill house, near New Market. There finding President Davis, I submitted my action in joining General Holmes to him without orders, and he approving, I took orders from General Holmes. He posted me in position on the extreme right of the high grounds near New Market; Rives' battery on the left was supported by the Forty-sixth; Andrews' on the right by the Twenty-sixth. In this position we remained until ordered to advance in the evening of the 30th. I was ordered to follow the brigade of Colonel Daniel, and brought up the rear, which threw me on the extreme right, on the river road, leading past Malvern Hill and over Turkey Creek Bridge. When I arrived in position on the narrow road I found it obstructed by Burroughs' cavalry, and ordered it out of the way of my infantry, so that I might join my line to that of Colonel Daniel's infantry. The Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment, I am informed, of Colonel Daniel's command, was in juxtaposition to my Twenty-sixth Regiment. Major Burroughs moved his cavalry in advance of my position and in the rear of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment. There was a corps of cavalry (Baker's, I am told) in advance of that of Burroughs'.

        The enemy commenced heavy shelling of the road and of the open fields on its right and left. In a few moments the cavalry (said to be Baker's) wheeled into the field on the left, rode irregularly around that field, and in a short time came rapidly past the infantry in the road, and in a few minutes more artillery horses, loose, and then a caisson, and then guns (said to be Branch's battery), came stampeding in wild confusion by and through my line, and these were followed in confusion by the regiment next to the Twenty-sixth, of my brigade (said to be the North Carolina Forty-fifth). It was with difficulty my men could avoid serious damage by this wild rout of cavalry, artillery, and infantry; but I am proud to say that both of my regiments and my artillery maintained their posts firmly, without a man's moving until they were ordered.

        This position was on the road where the river joins the Quaker road west of a branch of Turkey Creek, with a wood and that branch between it and Malvern Hill, distant from the hill about 600 yards, with the woods and creek intervening. Late in the evening I was ordered back to take position where the river joins the Long Bridge road, and there my forces bivouacked for the night of the 30th.

        On the morning of July 1 I was ordered again to take position, as at first, on the right of the high grounds of New Market. And again, later in the day, I was ordered to lead the front, advancing upon the enemy down the River road. I was halted in the road in front of Curle's Neck, with a woods on the left, and deployed to the left and aligned in the woods. There my artillery was posted, north of the open field, where the Quaker meets the River road. Late in the evening I was ordered to advance with my infantry, to mount the fence, and pass the field in double-quick. When I came to the field I was again halted, and my men fell back into the edge of the woods to avoid the shells of the gunboats. In a short time I was ordered to move, and passed the field until I came up to the fence dividing it from the Quaker road. This brought my forces to within about 450 or 500 yards of the enemy's batteries, the woods and swamp and creek intervening, and it being quite dark. Before this advance across the field the heavy volleys of musketry opened on the left at about 6 p.m. and continued until about 9 p.m. While halted at the Quaker road the cheers of the combatants were distinctly heard. At about 9 or 9.30 p.m. I was ordered to fall back to the other side of the open field. I was commanded by Major-General Holmes in person, and bivouacked with him in that field the night of July 1.

        During the night the movements of the enemy retreating were distinctly audible. A drenching rain came on next morning and flooded the woods where our men slept, and we were early ordered back to where the river joins the Long Bridge road.
        HENRY A. WISE, Brigadier-General.

        June 30, 1862--9 a.m.

        I have just received the following dispatch from Rhea's Farm Station, opposite City Point, viz: Two gunboats gone down James River; one gunboat off City Point; six gunboats off Turkey Island, above City Point; heavy firing going on up the James River; one gunboat hoisted a black flag.

        J. F. MILLIGAN, Captain and Signal 0fficer.

        -----

        June 30, 1862--6.30 p.m.

        Just returned from Blanfield Signal Station. While there four large steamers left Carter's Wharf, loaded with the enemy, and gone down the river. Six schooners were near the wharf covered with canvas, apparently for sick [and] wounded. Two river steamers arrived at City Point towing a schooner and a brig. There are nine schooners, one brig, and five steamers now off City Point. The Monitor and Galena, with four other gunboats, are off Carter's Wharf, shelling the woods, to cover the retreating forces of the enemy; evidently a lively engagement is going on in the neighborhood, and the enemy appear very busy about City Point and Carter's Wharf embarking their forces. The first two transports that came up landed a small force at Carter's Wharf.

        J. F. MILLIGAN, Captain and Signal Officer, Department of the Appomattox.

        June 30, 1862
        .
        The enemy did not effect a landing at Carter's Wharf with the troops that came up this evening. They have been driven down James River near Turkey Island, opposite City Point. Cannonading is incessant. All the gunboats have dropped down the river from Carter's Wharf to Turkey Island.

        Your obedient servant,

        J. F. MILLIGAN, Captain and Signal Officer.

        -----
        Via Drewry's Bluff, Va., June 30, 1862.

        Large numbers of Yankees are on the river shore at Shirley, Colonel Carter's place. They seem to be encamped just above his house. Many are now bathing in the river. The gunboats and transports seem to be taking the troops off as fast as possible. Very few of them here, though; hence they can only take off the wounded.

        THOMAS E. UPSHAW, Captain Randolph Dragoons.

        -----

        CAMP NEAR MALVERN HILL BATTLE-FIELD,

        July 5, 1862.

        The SURGEON-GENERAL:

        SIR: I have heard from various sources that you have sent various communications to me. Not one has reached its destination. I have only seen orders for medical officers to report for duty in the field. I was delayed here in consequence of the great difficulty in removing our wounded to Richmond. When their removal was nearly accomplished General Lee ordered that I should give assistance to the Federal medical officers in concentrating their sick and wounded at some central point, where surgical aid could be more efficiently rendered and where provisions and other necessaries could be issued. I selected Savage Station, on the York Railroad, as the point for concentration. Of course there are many Federal wounded that cannot be moved yet, and as you are aware our transportation is very deficient. In all there must be nearly 30 Federal medical officers within our lines, and of course have required little or no surgical aid from us. They have, however, asked for food, and having been accustomed to such luxuries as coffee, tea, arrowroot, sago, jellies, &c., were disappointed in getting nothing but flour or hard bread and bacon.

        The commissary has sent subsistence to different points designated for the purpose of distribution. Every variety of medical and hospital supplies, in very limited quantities, and a few imperfect sets of amputating instruments are in the possession of Surgeon Johnson, medical purveyor, which he retains for the use of the field infirmaries, and have been of immense value to us.

        Having been assigned suddenly and unexpectedly to the onerous and responsible duties of medical director of this large army, without instructions of any kind and without knowledge of the previous orders and assignments of medical officers of an army already engaged in action, my own position, of course, has been embarrassing.
        I would be thankful for duplicate of any order you have issued for my guidance. I have followed the army, and in every instance endeavored to have all necessary operations performed before sending the wounded to Richmond. Of course many must have been sent from the infirmaries without primary operations, but the pressing exigencies under which we labored rendered the removal of such cases necessary. I would respectfully request that the medical purveyor be instructed to forward, with as little delay as possible, the supplies required by Medical Purveyor Johnson, particularly such articles as opium, morphia, and chloroform, which will be indispensably necessary in the event of another battle.
        I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

        L. GUILD,

        Surgeon, C. S. Army, Medical Director, Department of Northern Virginia.

        P. S.--We are encamped near the house of Mr. Poindexter to-night. Should the supplies be immediately forwarded, the courier who bears this will guide the supplies to us, or otherwise let them be sent to Mr. Crew's house, and all necessary instructions will be left to have them sent forward.


        #201

        GENERAL ORDERS No. 75.

        July 7, 1862.

        The general commanding, profoundly grateful to the only Giver of all victory for the signal success with which He has blessed our arms, tenders his warmest thanks and congratulations to the army, by whose valor such splendid results have been achieved.

        On Thursday, June 26, the powerful and thoroughly-equipped army of the enemy was intrenched in works vast in extent and most formidable in character within sight of our capital. To-day the remains of that confident and threatening host lie upon the banks of James River, 30 miles from Richmond, seeking to recover, under the protection of his gunboats, from the effects of a series of disastrous defeats.

        The battle, beginning on the afternoon of June 26 above Mechanicsville, continued until the night of July 1, with only such intervals as were necessary to pursue and overtake the fleeing foe. His strong intrenchments and obstinate resistance were overcome, and our army swept resistlessly down the north side of the Chickahominy until it reached the rear of the enemy and broke his communication with the York, capturing or causing the destruction of many valuable stores, and by the decisive battle of Friday forcing the enemy from his line of powerful fortifications on the south side of the Chickahominy and driving him to a precipitate retreat. This victorious army pursued as rapidly as the obstructions placed by the enemy in his rear would permit, three times overtaking his fleeing column and as often driving him with slaughter from the field, leaving his numerous dead and wounded in our hands in every conflict. The immediate fruits of our success are the relief of Richmond from a state of siege; the rout of the great army that so long menaced its safety; many thousand prisoners, including officers of high rank; the capture or destruction of stores to the value of millions, and the acquisition of thousands of arms and forty pieces of superior artillery.

        The service rendered to the country in this short but eventful period can scarcely be estimated, and the general commanding cannot adequately express his admiration of the courage, endurance, and soldierly conduct of the officers and men engaged. These brilliant results have cost us many brave men; but while we mourn the loss of our gallant dead let us not forget that they died nobly in defense of their country's freedom, and have linked their memory with an event that will live forever in the hearts of a grateful people.

        Soldiers, your country will thank you for the heroic conduct you have displayed— conduct worthy of men engaged in a cause so just and sacred, and deserving a nation's gratitude and praise.

        By command of General Lee:

        R. H. CHILTON, Assistant Adjutant-General

        Ninety-some pages in a nutshell!
        [B]Charles Heath[/B]
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