The march, and to follow the command of Major- R. Jones. His personal bearing in a most deadly fire, his example and directions, contributed not a little to the enthusiasm of the charge. I regret to say that this brave young officer received a terrible wound from a shell, but walked from the field as heroically as he had gone into the fire. I take great pleasure in mentioning the distinguished bravery of privates Fairley, Westmoreland, and Sharp, troopers of the legion who acted as officers, and displayed great coolness and courage. Conspicuous were Brigadier-General Hood and Colonel Law, commanding brigades. Of the regimental commanders too much cannot be said. Colonel Rainey, First Texas, though seriously ill, joined his command, and fell severely wounded; Colonel Marshall, Fourth Texas, was shot dead, and Lieutenant-Colonel Warwick was mortally wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Ruff, of the Eighteenth Georgia, led his regiment, and Sunday, ineffectual attempts were made during fortunately escaped unhurt. The legion, though the day to repair the bridge, but the enemy not much exposed, was ably handled by Lieuten- keeping up a distant and random fire of shell ant-Colonel Gary. In the Third, Lieutenant- about the crossing, the men would not work. Colonel McLemore, Eleventh Alabama, received During the afternoon the furious battle of Fraa painful wound early in the action, the command zier's Farm was raging between the enemy and devolving on Major Webb, who ably sustained the troops of General Longstreet. It could be his part. The Second Mississippi, Colonel Stone, distinctly heard, and was scarcely two miles from was ably handled by its commander, and sus- us. Our delay at White Oak was unfortunate. tained severe loss. The following is a recapitu- [ lation of casualties: the detailed list accompanies the report: 44 206 14 64 16 126 Wounded. 89 476 Killed. 5 Missing. 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 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 -the troops marching by a flank. The pass commanding General of the corps, Major-General Jackson, would not allow the dispositions to be made to advance with skirmishers deployed 4 and in line, but caused the troops to press on, Missing. until the heads of the columns closed in the advance guard, a regiment of cavalry, in a thick wood, near farm, about eleven A. M. On the farm the enemy was found very strongly posted. They immediately opened with shell on the woods; every portion was under their fire. The result was, the cavalry came to the rightabout, and broke through the long colunin of troops which filled the road, now enfiladed by the right and left with precision and promptness. To fire. Though suffering loss, they formed to the our left was a very large wheat-field, on the farm of the enemy's position, and fair opportunities for of the Poindexters, which afforded a good view artillery. Batteries were ordered up. The enemy's position, naturally strong, was materially strengthened by the judicious distribution of his artillery. The first battery ordered into Poindexter's field found itself exposed to a vastly superior cross-fire, and was soon compelled to retire, with loss. Balthis's 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 (Laws's) brigade. The line, continued by Hood, extended across Poindexter's field, the men lying down, concealed by the wheat and the roll of the ground. The following is the list of the killed and wounded: Third Brigade. Total, . . Texas Brigade. Fifth Texas, Total, 20 12 4 119 Killed. Wounded. 9 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 intended 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 lines, which was near our centre, and some of the Texas skirmishers, had nothing to do with the battle, except to suffer a mur-rain set in; the troops remained in bivouac, Wednesday morning, the second, a very heavy derous artillery fire, which they did unflinchingly 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 centre. Upon 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 To General Magruder's Adjutant-General: excessively severe upon the supporting troops. Towards night, learning that the centre 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: with it the battle, which had raged with great fury, ceased. For an hour after nightfall the enemy shelled the woods and Poindexter's field with rapid and heavy firing. This indicated another withdrawal. My troops remained in position all night. The advanced scouts confirmed the withdrawal of the enemy during the night, leaving their dead and wounded. Of affairs on our centre and right I can give no account. My list of casualties is almost en- About eleven o'clock, orders were received to tirely from the artillery fire of the enemy, for feel the enemy with two regiments. The movescarcely a musket was fired in the division. When ment was delayed until about four o'clock, when the immense amount of their artillery is consid- the Seventh and Eighth South Carolina, Colonels ered, the violence and duration of their fire, and Aiken and Hennegan, advanced as far as the the exposed position of the troops, the loss, thanks abatis of the enemy, under a heavy fire of artilto God, may be regarded as small, while the cour-lery and musketry. Finding the enemy in strong age and unflinching endurance of the troops are force, occupying their works, the regiments were worthy of the highest praise. withdrawn, returning to camp about ten o'clock Very respectfully, HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, The following is a report of the operations of my command, composed of the brigades of Generals Kershaw and Semmes, commencing on twenty-sixth ultimo, and ending July first, 1862. On the twenty-sixth, I received orders to hold my command in readiness for any movement. None was, however, made. On the twenty-seventh, the troops were under arms at daylight. The lookouts, posted in trees, overlooking the enemy's camps, near the railroad, reported that the works of the enemy were being strengthened, more guns being placed in the redoubts near the railroad, and all the works numerously manned. P. M. Loss, one killed and three wounded, in Seventh South Carolina regiment. On the twenty-eighth, remained in camp. The works of the enemy were occupied by them in force. On the twenty-ninth, two regiments of General Kershaw's brigade, South Carolina volunteers, ordered forward at an early hour. One regiment, Kennedy's, being on reserve, supporting the pickets, had sent out companies to reconnoitre, and finding the enemy's works deserted, the whole regiment occupied the lines most advanced toward ours. The remaining regiments of the brigade, being ordered onward, joined that of Colonel Kennedy, and the whole brigade, under General Kershaw, went forward and took position beyond Fair Oaks Station, in the woods to the right of the railroad, keeping their skirmishers well to the front. brigade, and afterward the whole remaining force, which effectually prevented the design. Our troops and those of the enemy were in very close proximity; so much so, that at one time the order was given, by some commanders, to cease firing, they being fearful that we were engaged with our own men. One of the enemy attempted to seize the flag of the Tenth Georgia, but was immediately knocked down and killed. Some one hundred of the command were thrown into momentary confusion, and were retiring; but, with the assistance of my staff, they were immediately rallied, and returned to their companies. As all of my force was now engaged, I sent to General Magruder for reënforcements. I did so because I wished for a reserve, principally to provide against contingencies. He sent me the ThirThis brigade was in advance of all other troops, teenth Mississippi, which was posted in rear of and waited their arrival. The enemy were seen the line of battle, on the right of the Williamscrossing the railroad, about a mile, or less, in burg road. It was not brought into action. When front, coming from the woods on our left; but it all my command were engaged, I had ordered a being understood that General Jackson's forces battery to the right, in a commanding position, were crossing at Grapevine Bridge, every one to open fire if it could be done without injuring was very much concerned, fearing that we would our troops, and to give assistance in case of disbecome engaged with them. So much was Gen-aster. As night advanced, it became so dark that eral Kershaw impressed with that idea, that he withheld the fire of his troops, and sent a regimental flag down the railroad, waving it in order to give notice of the presence of confederate forces. General Semmes's brigade, in the mean while, came up along the railroad, and was halted behind the works about Fair Oaks Station. The enemy had opened a scattering fire from several pieces, which, however, did no harm to my command. General Magruder, having arranged his forces on the left, ordered that General Semmes's brigade should move to Kershaw's position, and Kershaw to advance. General Huger's forces, or a portion of them, were seen at this time, coming toward my right flank they soon, however, retired, going in the direction of the Charles City road. Their purpose I did not understand. This was about three o'clock P. M. General Kershaw now advanced his brigade, leaving his left on the railroad, supported by that of General Semmes. Kemper's battery, as it came down the Nine Mile road, was ordered forward, supported by the Tenth Georgia, Colonel Cumming. The brigade advanced in two lines, Semmes receiving orders to cross the Williamsburg road with his right. Not long after passing the junction of the Nine Mile and the Williamsburg roads, the enemy opened fire from a battery on our right, which was replied to with such effect by Kemper's battery, that the enemy retired without engaging with their infantry. the firing ceased on both sides, the South Carolina brigade remaining in the position it occupied in advance, and Semmes's brigade just in rear of its line of battle. The engagement was commenced by an exceedingly severe and rapid shelling from the enemy's batteries, at five and a half P. M., and lasted until near nine- about three hours. The South Carolina brigade carried into action fourteen hundred and ninety-six (1496) men, and lost, in killed, forty-seven; wounded, two hundred and thirty-four; and missing, nine. Aggregate, two hundred and ninety men. Semmes's brigade force actually engaged, Tenth Georgia, Fifth Louisiana, and Tenth Louisiana, seven hundred and fifty-five (755) men lost, in killed, eleven; wounded, fifty-three. Aggregate, sixty-four men. Aggregate of both brigades, three hundred and fifty-four killed, wounded, and missing. I beg leave to call attention to the gallantry, cool, yet daring, courage and skill in the management of his gallant command, exhibited by Brigadier-General Kershaw; to the cool courage and knowledge of his duties, exhibited by General Semmes. Major McIntosh, the chief of my staff, exhibited that self-possession under fire, and disposition to be under fire, so characteristic of his name, his relations in the old army of the United States, and our own. I call attention to gallant conduct of Captain Kershaw, continuing the march, relieving the King and Lieutenant Tucker, my Aides-de-camp; Tenth Georgia from the support of his battery, Major Goggin, Inspecting Officer; Major Mcengaged the enemy with his whole force Laws, Quartermaster, and Major Edwards, Chief Semmes's brigade resting immediately behind, Commissary, who were actively engaged in carand extending well to the right. Kemper's bat-rying out my orders, and giving me information tery, taking position on the right of the Williams- as to the movements of our own and the enemy's burg road, upon elevated ground, opened fire with extraordinary rapidity and great effect. Finding In passing to the front, our advance was through that Kershaw's right was being outflanked by the the deserted camps of the enemy, where property enemy, I ordered in two regiments from Semmes's of great value had been left, consisting of tents, forces. arms, accoutrements, and ammunition, medical stores, and articles of private property which had been destroyed in wasteful profusion. On passing down the Williamsburg road, I saw, to the right, a very large camp, or camps, to which roads had been cut through the woods, and toward which large bodies of men had lately passed. I sent a reconnoitring party to explore the grounds; they returned, and reported the place entirely deserted. The night and early morning, after the battle, was passed in collecting and attending to the wounded, and burying the dead. was going on, another officer from General Magruder rode up, and stated it was the General's orders to move down the Long Bridge road, which was done. General Semmes's brigade had never reached New Market with the artillery, but had been diverted and placed in the woods to the right of the Long Bridge road. My command had been marching all day, and General Magruder allowed me to halt it on reaching him, which was one mile down the Long Bridge road. At that time it was nearly dark. General Semmes came up and reported that a portion of his command, and all but one of his staff, had been sepbeen posted. We remained in the road several hours, waiting until Jones's division and Cobbs's had passed. We then moved on, receiving orders that Lieutenant Phillips, of General Magruder's staff, would post the brigades. About two o'clock, arrived near the battle-field of the day before, and, after examining the ground as well as could be done in the dark, I posted General Kershaw's brigade on the right of the road, holding General Semmes's in reserve along the road. My command was completely exhausted, not having had anything to eat; had been heavily engaged the General Magruder was near the scene of action, and from him, during the day, and after the en-arated from him in the thick woods where he had gagement, my general instructions, as to the advance, was received. Lieutenant Barry, of the artillery, had been, for some days previous, placed in charge of a thirty-two pound rifle gun, mounted on a rail car, and protected from cannon shot by a sloping roof in front, covered with plates of iron, (through which a port-hole had been pierced,) and from rifle shot on the sides by thick walls of wood, lined with iron. His battery moved down the road keeping pace with the advance of the troops, and by his fire annoying the enemy whenever the range would allow. His enthusiasm at the de-evening previous; had passed the night and early cided success of the experiment, and in pushing through obstructions, deserves all praise. For the details of the battle, and the many deserving instances of individual merit, I respectfully call your attention to the accompanying reports of brigade and regimental commanders, and to Captain Kemper's report of his operations. It is but proper to remark upon the dashing manner in which Captain (now Major) Kemper fought his battery. It was cheering to the whole command to see and hear his very rapid firing. The morning following the engagement of the twenty-ninth, the troops were ordered to be in readiness to move forward, and had commenced the movement, when other orders were received, to cross over to the Darbytown road, my command leading. Some confusion occurred, owing to the want of guides, which being corrected, the column moved on and reached the neighborhood of "Timberlake's Store" about one o'clock P. M. It was there delayed by the rear of General A. P. Hill's division blocking the road. While resting at "Timberlake's Store," an order was given to move to "New Market." General Semmes was sent with his brigade by the main road, protecting the artillery, and I went with General Kershaw's brigade, across the country, by a road which was reported as impracticable for wagons and artillery, and arrived at Warren's Hill about six o'clock P. M. While waiting there the arrival of General Semmes's brigade and directions as to encampments, another order was given, through Colonel Carey, to march my command down the river road to a position he would point out, said to be a place designated by Colonel Chilton. On the way down I met General Wise, who contended there must be some mistake about the place, as the one spoken of by Colonel Carey was entirely exposed to the gunboats. While this discussion morning in attending to the wounded, and collecting and burying the dead, and had been on the march for about twenty hours. After resting but an hour or two, the lines were formed, and moved to the front, on the right of the road. After going but a short distance beyond the Willis Church, on the Quaker road, an order was given to recall the command, and, as I understood it, General Magruder's forces were to join on to the right of General Jackson's, which was at the time skirmishing with the enemy to our right. General Magruder directed me to bring up the rear, which I did, marching behind General Magruder's division. Arriving at the road, in front of Carter's field, General Longstreet ordered me to move by the left flank and join my command, to the right of General Jackson's, going down a road, which passed around Carter's field, to the battle-ground, (Crew's farm,) directing me first to reconnoitre the ground. On going down the road I found the position I was to occupy held by brigades of General Huger! I informed General Longstreet of the fact, and he directed me to remain where I was for the present. Arrangements being made to open fire with our batteries in front, I was directed to place my command out of the line of the fire, which would be returned by the enemy in response to our batteries. General Magruder shortly afterward came back with the head of his column, and, passing by Carter's house, went into the woods beyond. My command was ordered to positions to the right and left of Carter's house about half past four o'clock P. M. About six o'clock P. M., they were ordered to the front, advancing one on the right flank of the field and the other on the left, separated four or five hundred yards, and entirely out of sight of each other. They were carried to the point from which they were to advance by SEMMES'S BRIGADE. General Semmes mentions Colonel Cumming, a staff officer of General Magruder, and General tions Adjutant Childs and Sergeant-Major StallKershaw's brigade was assisted as much as pos- worth. sible after their arrival by Major McIntosh, of my staff, in taking position. Brigadier-General Semmes, advancing on the right, owing to various causes, viz., the thickness of the woods, or misconception of orders, and the fatigue his command had undergone, carried into action but five hundred and fifty-seven men. The dead of his command, however, found in advance, evidenced the gallantry of those few. His loss was: killed, seventeen; wounded, fifty-six ; missing, sixtythree; aggregate, one hundred and thirty-six. General Kershaw, going forward on the left, lost, in killed, twenty-two; wounded, one hundred and thirteen; missing, twenty-nine; aggregate, one hundred and sixty-four; carried into action, nine hundred and fifty-six men. The enemy left something over five hundred dead on the field-five hundred and twenty, as reported by an officer left to bury our dead. Hill. I call your attention to the report of arms taken at Shirley by Colonel Nance, of the Third South Carolina regiment. The notice of their being at that place was given me by Major-General D. H. Hundreds of muskets were collected by the different brigades, and by my Quartermaster and Ordnance Officer, of which no account was made. Very respectfully, T. MCLAWS, Major-General. I submit herewith The fatigue of the two previous days, and want of sleep and food, caused the diminution of forces. Many men, having fallen out, were left behind on the march of the day and night previous. There were many stragglers from the various forces on the field, which were collected near Carter's house and sent back to join their regiments from time to time, and as the battle ceased, returned to the last camps of their regiments. For the minute 1. General J. B. Kershaw's report of the operparticulars of the fight, and the cases of individ-ations of his brigade from the twenty-sixth of ual merit in the regiments, the attention of the June to the first day of July, inclusive. General is called to the accompanying reports of 2. Report of the operations of the Eighth brigade and regimental commanders. Major South Carolina regiment from the twenty-fifth of McIntosh was again conspicuous for his gallantry, June to the second of July, inclusive. having his horse shot under him. And my thanks are due to all the members of my staff, who rendered all possible assistance in preventing confusion, rallying the men, and re-forming the stragglers. The following named officers and non-commissioned officers of the regiments engaged are noticed by their several commanders for good conduct in the several engagements: KERSHAW'S BRIGADE. 3. Report of the operations of the Second regiment South Carolina volunteers in the battles of Savage Station and Malvern Hill. 4. Report of the Seventh South Carolina regiment in the engagement of the twenty-ninth of June. 5-6. Report of the operations of the Third South Carolina regiment on the twenty-ninth instant. 7. Report of Captain Kemper of the operations of his batteries on the twenty-ninth ultimo. 8. Report of the Seventh South Carolina regiment from the twenty-fifth to the twenty-ninth of July, inclusive. 9. Report of the Seventh South Carolina in their engagement of the fifth instant. 10. Report of the Third South Carolina regiment of the operations on the first of July. General Kershaw mentions Colonel Hennegan, Eighth South Carolina regiment; Colonel Kennedy, Second South Carolina; Lieutenant-Colonel Goodwyn, wounded, Second South Carolina ; Major Gaillard, Second South Carolina; Colonel Nance, Third South Carolina; Major Rutherford, Third South Carolina; Colonel Aiken, Seventh South Carolina; Lieutenant-Colonel Bland, wound ed, Seventh South Carolina; Captain Kemper, 12. Report of Brigadier-General Semmes of Kemper's battery; Sergeant Harley, Color-bearer the operations of his command at Savage StaSecond South Carolina; Corporal Blakely, Third tion, twenty-ninth of June, 1862. South Carolina. Staff- Captain C. R. Holmes, 13. Report of Brigadier-General Semmes of 11. Report of Colonel Nance concerning arms captured at Shirley - nine hundred and twenty five muskets. A. A. G.; Lieutenaut A. E. Doby, A. D. C.; Lieu- the engagement on the first of July, at Crew's tenant W. M. Dwight, A. A. I. G.; Mr. J. A. Myers, A. A. D. C. Colonel Hennegan, Eighth South Carolina, mentions Major McLeod. Colonel Nance, Third South Carolina, mentions Captain D. M. S. Langston, wounded, and Lieutenant H. C. Johnson, Third Alabama, acting voluntarily. Colonel Aiken, Seventh South Carolina, men farm. Respectfully, T. McLAWS, BRIGADIER-GENERAL D. R. JONES'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS D. R. JONES' DIVISION, July 28, 1862. |