General Lee. About ten o'clock at night, I reached Richmond, with the Twenty-fifth North Carolina volunteers, (Colonel Rutledge;) the Twenty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, and Forty-ninth having preceded the Twenty-sixth and Fortyeighth being left to follow. This regiment had never before been under fire, and its conduct deservedly received my commendation. The Forty-eighth, Colonel R. C. Hill, early in the day, twenty-fifth June, had been thrown out to support Colonel Doles. During the afternoon, Before daylight, on the twenty-fifth, all had by some misapprehension, it had retired to the reached Richmond. Upon my arrival in Rich- works a few hundred yards in rear. As soon as mond, I received orders to report to General Hu- I ascertained this fact, the regiment was ordered ger, to be placed by him in reserve, on the Wil-out to its former position. This was about six liamsburg road. At an early hour I started the P. M. Hardly had the regiment gotten to the troops, giving directions for them to report to ground before the enemy was seen advancing in General Huger. At nine A. M. I reported at strong force. Colonel Hill had formed his regiheadquarters of General Huger, for orders, and, ment just in front of French's house, behind a after waiting for an hour or more, ascertained low hill, and under cover of a fence. Before the that General Wright had sent back and ordered approach of the enemy, the regiment, which was forward two of my regiments, the Twenty-fifth lying down, rose, charged, and drove him back and Forty-ninth, Colonels Rutledge and Ram- several hundred yards, covering the ground with seur. I at once marched to the front, and past his dead and wounded. There were known to the intrenchments, when I learned that Colonel have been two regiments, the First New York Rutledge's regiment was then actually engaging and Tenth Indiana, opposed to them. Colonel the enemy just to the left of the Williamsburg road, Hill's loss was eighteen killed, and from sixty to about three fourths of a mile in front of our eighty wounded. He has made no official reworks. From that time, eleven o'clock A. M., till port, as on the day after this he was detached sunset, this regiment held in check the enemy's from my brigade, and I have not since been able troops, who three times attempted to force them, to communicate with him. Colonel Hill was conbut without effect. About six P. M., the enemy spicuously gallant. His regiment was only two opened upon that regiment with grape; but they months in service, and I am happy to have witheld their position without wavering, until Cap-nessed its courage. tain Huger, with a section of his battery, completely silenced the fire of the enemy. During the whole afternoon, the enemy was throwing shell, and at one time very rapidly. Casualties, two killed and several wounded. This was the first time that this regiment (Twentyfifth) was ever under fire, although in service for nearly a year. The regiment behaved admirably, and I am proud to bear witness to its unwavering gallantry. The Forty-ninth North Carolina volunteers, Colonel Ramseur, was the next to take position under fire. On the twenty-fifth June it was placed in support of a regiment of Colonel Wright- several casualties occurred. In the afternoon it was relieved by the Twenty-fourth, Colonel Clarke. On several occasions, from the twenty-fifth to the twenty-ninth, the regiment was under fire, and acted handsomely. It had then been in service only about two months. I have before reported its conduct on the first inst. The Twenty-fourth, Colonel Clarke, relieved Colonel Ramseur's regiment in the afternoon, and was pushed forward to the advance pickets, where it met a severe fire; but it repulsed the enemy, and captured several muskets. During the evening, two were killed and seven wounded. At sunset, the regiment was relieved. On the twenty-seventh, the regiment went again on picket. During the afternoon, the enemy attempted to dislodge it, with both artillery and infantry, but without effect. At two o'clock at night, he made an attack, but was signally repulsed. Early on the morning of the twenty-eighth, the line was advanced, a few prisoners captured, and the enemy's pickets driven to his works. At sunset, June twenty-fifth, Colonel Ransom's regiment, Thirty-fifth North Carolina volunteers, relieved the Twenty-fifth on picket. At about nine and a half P. M., the enemy, under cover of the darkness, approached to within less than a hundred yards, and opened with a heavy fire of musketry upon the regiment. The fire was instantly returned with fearful effect, as the enemy were standing and our men lying down. A small portion of the regiment became disordered, but the Colonel soon brought them into position; and although twice afterward during the night they were attacked, the regiment held its position till morning, without giving a foot of ground, losing one killed and five wounded. At the bat tle of Newbern this regiment is said to have acted badly. On the night of the twenty-fifth ultimo and first instant, it acted with wonderful stanchness and admirable gallantry. Any officer may be proud to command it. At a little before dark, twenty-fifth June, Colonel Vance, Twenty-sixth North Carolina volunteers, relieved the Twenty-fourth in front of the enemy. During the night it was attacked by a strong body of the enemy. Most of the regiment held its ground, and did good service. A part, however, became detached, and left its position, which it did not retake till next morning. The loss was three killed and eight wounded. On the twenty-seventh June, the regiment was again on picket, pushed to the front, and took possession of some unfinished works of the enemy. Just as it was about to be relieved, it was attacked by the enemy, but returned the fire so briskly and with such effect as to drive them back. The loss to us was two wounded. In making this report, I am without any official com munication from Colonels Hill and Ramseur. The cause of the absence of a report in case of Colonel Hill I have explained. Colonel Ramseur was severely wounded on the first instant, in the engagement, and has not been able to communicate with me since. My brigade was composed of new troops, and those principally who had never been under fire of any description. During the whole of the afternoon of the twenty-fifth, all of them were subjected to quite a lively fire from the enemy's artillery, and during that and the conflicts of the days and nights subsequent, it behaved in a manner highly creditable to well-tried veterans. To all the field officers I owe my thanks, particularly to Colonels Clarke and Rutledge, Ramseur and Ransom. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. RANSOM, JR., Brigadier-General. BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, HOLMES'S DIVISION, DREWRY'S BLUFF, VA., July 11, 1862. Colonel S. S. Anderson, Assistant AdjutantGeneral, General Huger's Division : SIR Having been temporarily attached to General Huger's command at the time, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the action on Malvern Hill, during the afternoon of the second instant : tenant B. brought me somewhat discretionary orders, to go or not, but not to place myself under General Magruder. The brigade was at once put in motion by the right flank, (as the line we had been occupying was at right angles to that upon which the battle was raging;) Colonel Clarke's regiment had already gone; Colonel Rutledge next followed; then Colonel Ransom, Colonel Ramseur, and Colonel Vance, all moved to the scene of conflict, at the double-quick. As each of the three first named regiments reached the field, they were at once thrown into action by General Magruder's orders. As the last two arrived, they were halted by me, to regain their breath, and then pushed forward, under as fearful a fire as the mind can conceive. In the charge made by Colonel Ransom's regiment, he was thrice wounded, and had to be taken from the field. The Lieutenant-Colonel (Petoray) then took command, and, in a few moments, he fell, mortally wounded. Colonel Rutledge's regiment went gallantly forward, and the Colonel was seriously stunned by the explosion of a shell, and the Major severely wounded. The fire was so firm that the three regiments were compelled to fall back under the crest of some intervening hills. At this juncture, I arrived with Ransom's and Vance's regiments, and, ordering the whole to the right, so as to be able to form under cover, brought the brigade in line within two hundred My brigade consisted of the following named yards of the enemy's batteries. This was upon regiments, all from North Carolina: Twenty- our extreme right. The hills afforded capital fourth, Colonel Clarke; Twenty-fifth, Colonel cover. I had no difficulty in forming the line as Rutledge; Twenty-sixth, Colonel Vance; Thirty- I desired. In going to this position, I passed fifth, Colonel Ransom; Forty-eighth, Colonel over a brigade commanded by Colonel Anderson, Hill; Forty-ninth, Colonel Ramseur. Colonel of Georgia, and requested him to support me in Hill's regiment was absent on duty with the bri- the charge I was about to make. This, to my sad gade of General Walker. The effective force disappointment, he declined to do. present was about three thousand. Between two and three o'clock P. M., the brigade left the Quaker road, and was put in line of battle, by General Huger's order, about a mile and a quarter from where the action was then going on. The ground then occupied was a belt of woods, bordering on a small stream. In this position we remained, exposed to the bursting of an occasional shell, until about five o'clock P. M., when a messenger reached me from General Magruder, asking that I would go to his support. The summons was not obeyed; but I sent word to General Huger to get instructions. His reply sustained my action. In about half an hour another order from General Magruder arrived. General Huger was present, and, under his direction, I informed General Magruder that orders to me must come through General Huger. The engagement was now very warm, and extended along our whole front. At seven o'clock P. M. I received word from General Magruder that he must have aid, if only a regiment. The message was so pressing that I at once directed Colonel Clarke to go, with his regiment, and report to General Magruder, and, at the same time, sent my Aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Broadnax, to General Huger for orders. Lieu It was now twilight. The line was put in motion, and moved steadily forward to within less than a hundred yards of the batteries. The enemy seemed to be unaware of our movement. Masses of his troops seemed to be moving from the left toward the right. Just at this instant the brigade raised a tremendous shout, and the enemy at once whirled into line, and opened a perfect sheet of fire from musketry and the batteries. We steadily advanced to within twenty yards of the guns. The enemy had concentrated his force to meet us. Our onward movement was checked. The line wavered, and fell back before the fire, the intensity of which is beyond description. It was a bitter disappointment to be compelled to yield when their guns seemed almost in our hands. It was now dark, and I conceived it best to withdraw the brigade, which was quickly done, to near the point from which we had started at seven o'clock. Although we did not succeed in taking the enemy's guns, I am proud to bear testimony to the resolute and gallant charge of the brigade. Officers and men behaved in every way as becomes the soldier of the Southern Confederacy. While I cannot but be happy in commending those who survive, we must not pass unnoticed road, for the purpose of coöperating with other the gallant dead, and most conspicuous among forces of our army, now pursuing the retreating them, the noble young Lieutenant-Colonel Peto- enemy along the line of the Chickahominy, but ray, who fell at the head of his regiment. I mainly in reference to the forces which had should do injustice if I failed to mention the con- been stationed on the north side of the White spicuous conduct of Colonels Rutledge, Ransom, Oak Swamp, immediately confronting our posiand Ramseur-the two latter being severely tion on the Charles City and Williamsburg roads. wounded. Major Frances, too, of the Twenty-This brigade, which was followed by those of fifth, deserves the highest approbation. To my staff, Lieutenant J. G. Ashe, acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Lieutenant N. E. Broadnax, Aid-de-camp, Captain Fred. Blake, volunteer Aid-de-camp, I am indebted for valuable assistance in the field. To Lieutenant J. L. Henry, First North Carolina cavalry, Ordnance Officer, I must express my thanks for his energy and zeal in collecting arms and accoutrements under fire. A list of casualties is here appended: Sixtynine killed, three hundred and fifty-four wounded, seventy-six missing — total, four hundred and ninety-nine. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, R. RANSOM, REPORTS OF GENERAL MAHONE. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, VIRGINIA COLONEL: In obedience to instructions from the Major-General commanding, the following report is submitted of the services performed by this brigade subsequent to the battle of Seven Pines, Sunday, June first, to that of Malvern Hill, Tuesday, July first, 1862, inclusive: Brigadier-Generals Armistead 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 was 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 the White Oak Swamp road, Kearny's division, which had been more immediately confronting our lines, would attempt to 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 reconnoitring party was immediately despatched, 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. Having returned from the battle-field of Seven The brigade was promptly placed in position, to Pines Monday, the second of June, it was as- meet the approach of this force, whose advance signed to position on our front line, upon the guard and our skirmishers, in a few minutes afCharles City road, at Parad's house, connecting terward, came into collision. This guard was on the left with Brigadier-General Wright's bri- dispersed, and two regiments of the brigade pushed gade, stationed in like manner on the Williams- forward upon the crossing at the swamp. Meanburg road. Being wholly unsupported on the time a cavalry scout of the enemy again made its right toward the Darbytown road, the protection appearance, advancing up the road, and were of the long line was committed to its charge, routed with a loss of three men and three horses which, in its diminished condition, numbering killed. It was now night, and our forces, holding only about eighteen hundred (1800) men and offi- this position, slept upon their arms. At this cers, imposed constant vigilant exertions. For point we captured fifteen prisoners. Early the four weeks the laborious duties incident to this next morning, it was ascertained that Kearny's outpost position were cheerfully and faithfully division, upon coming up with our skirmishers, performed by the troops, though often with se- had recrossed the swamp. Satisfied that the enevere trials to their health, owing no less to the my had changed his route of retreat across the season of the year than to the locality which they swamp, the next point which seemed to require occupied. During this period, several skirmishes the like precautions, as at Brightwell's, was Fishbetween scouting parties in advance of the lines er's, near by where there was a still better crossoccurred, but no engagement of any consequence, ing of the swamp, and which was known to lead except that at French's field, on Wednesday, the directly to a large camp of the enemy. The britwenty-fifth of June, upon which a separate re-gade was now advanced to a position covering port is submitted. In these skirmishes, two men the crossing at Fisher's, when it was ascertained were killed and two wounded on our side. The that a considerable body of the enemy had passed enemy's loss is not known with certainty, beyond four killed. On Sunday, the twenty-ninth of June, orders were received to proceed down the Charles City 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, block aded. Skirmishing was kept up along this section General McClellan, United States army, to the enof the road, the enemy readily yielding to our ad-gagement which took place in French's field on vance until we came to Bracket's field, where he Wednesday, the twenty-fifth June, between a porwas found in force, fortified by the advantages of tion of his forces and those of Major-General Hua superior position, which it was deemed necessa- ger's command, in front of our lines, on the Wilry to reconnoitre before pushing farther; and the liamsburg road, makes it but just to the troops of propriety of this precaution, it may be well to this brigade that the part performed by them in remark, was fully sustained by subsequent actual that action should be recorded. It is apparent examination of the ground he occupied. Mean- from the despatches of the Federal commander to time two pieces of Moorman's battery were put his Government that he was present, in person, diin position, and opened fire upon his lines, which recting the attack, and that he looked to it as the was returned with great energy and effect. This beginning of a general demonstration upon our continued until late at night. The loss of the lines. The series of victories achieved by our brigade in this engagement was serious, consider-army immediately subsequent may give to this ing that it was confined exclusively to the artil- day's proceedings still more consequence. This lery, the conduct of whose officers and men brigade, it will be remembered, occupied that deserves high commendation, and especially that portion of our front lines which covered the of Captain Moorman, who directed the operation Charles City road, its passes and approaches; of his pieces, under a galling fire, with great while that of Brigadier-General Wright held a vigor and self-possessed deliberation. He lost, like position on the Williamsburg road, immein killed, one man; in wounded, a Lieutenant, diately on my left. Early on the morning of the two non-commissioned officers, and one private. twenty-fifth of June it was discovered that the The Forty-first Virginia, which suffered more enemy were pressing with energy upon General severely than any other regiment, owing to its Wright's front. Assistance from this brigade was position as a supporting force to our battery, and immediately tendered; but in a short time General where it behaved well, under the authority of the Wright, sustained by a portion of Brigadier-Gengallant Parham, lost, in killed, one officer and eral Ransom's brigade, succeeded in driving him seventeen privates, and in wounded, eighteen back over the ground he had so boldly presumed privates. The Forty-ninth Virginia, occupying to occupy, and the firing had now ceased. With like relations to the battery, with the same com- the view, however, of providing against a remendable firmness, stimulated by the character-newal of the attack by the enemy with an inistic coolness of its fearless commander, Colonel creased force, and any attempt which might be William Smith, also suffered heavily under this made to flank General Wright's position on the fire, losing, in killed, two men, and twenty-eight right of his line, where it appeared he was not wounded. The Sixth Virginia, which firmly maintained its place on the right of our front, lost, in killed, one commissioned officer, and two privates, and in wounded, two privates. When it was considered that this regiment 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 first) we took up our march along the Charles City road, and thence into the Quaker road, and, under the more immediate direction 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. sufficiently protected, a large portion of this brigade, with two pieces of Grimes's artillery, were brought up and placed in position, the former under cover of woods, and the latter masked. Soon after, skirmishing, with some severity, was renewed on General Wright's front, and in the afternoon a vigorous attempt was made to turn his flank where I had anticipated such effort would be made. For this, however, we were prepared; and a few well-directed shots from Grimes's pieces drove the enemy, with loss and confusion, from his position. But, in a few minutes, he returned to the conflict, under cover of a piece of artillery, which was placed in a position favorable to his contemplated advance. At this point of time, now late in the evening, Colonel Wills's regiment, of Ransom's brigade, moved forward in line of battle, supported on the left by Colonel Doles's regiment of Wright's brigade. The firing now became active and serious in its effects. Colonel Wills's regiment, having moved close upon the enemy in his concealed position, had suffered severely, and for a moment gave way. Their ground, however, was promptly occupied by the Twelfth and a battalion of the Sixth Virginia regiments, of this brigade. Meantime, Colonel Smith, of the Forty-ninth, whose regiment, with that of the Forty-first and the Second battalion of the Sixth Virginia, had been Colonel S. S. Anderson, A. A. G. Huger's Di-placed in a skirt of woods leading out on the envision: I am, Colonel, very respectfully, REPORT OF BATTLE OF JUNE 25. HEADQUARTERS (IN FIELD) SECOND BRIGade, COLONEL: The importance given by Major emy's left flank, most opportunely moved forward, and attacked him upon his rear and flank. Thus pressed simultaneously upon front and flank, the enemy fled precipitately, leaving a large number of his dead and wounded scattered upon the field. Colonel Smith captured nine prisoners. All which is respectfully submitted. BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL. COLONEL: In conformity to usage, and in compliance with the Major-General's request, I beg to report the conduct and casualties of this brigade in the battle of Malvern Hill, Tuesday, July first, 1862: was now near night, when it was discovered that the enemy had advanced from his right across the field, and had enfiladed our position. Our men were then suffering severely from his fire in The timely appearance of Colonel Smith with this direction, when, opportunely for our protechis regiment, and his deliberate and judicious tion, and, perhaps, rescue from utter destruction, direction of its actions, rendered the combined our troops came upon him from the right of the movement of our forces at this point eminently line, disconcerting this plan of his, and driving successful. His written report to me is herewith him back, with great slaughter, upon his line of forwarded as an interesting paper in connection artillery and reserves. In the mean time, the with the engagement. In this action the Forty-portion of our command which had driven the enninth had two officers and six men wounded, the emy from our front and occupied his position, Sixth Virginia one man wounded, and the Twelfth pressed on until more intimately engaged, many twenty-three men wounded. of them falling side by side with his men, and near his batteries. Utter darkness now covered the scene, and the tragedy closed, leaving General Wright and myself, with the remnants of our shattered brigades, in possession of the ground, which they had, at a heavy sacrifice of kindred blood, but with spirit and gallantry, won, General Wright and myself, conjointly as equals, and not as his senior, arranged and positioned for the night all the various troops which were now within the reach of our authority-first establishing our picket line, and then giving such attention to the wants of the wounded around as our capacity and resources would admit. These more exigent dispositions completed, General Wright and myAs directed by him, the brigade was reported self made a reconnoissance of the enemy's operato Major-General Magruder, who ordered that it tions, when it was readily discovered that he was should take position immediately in rear of Brig- rapidly, though in evident good order, abandonadier-General Wright's brigade, already in posi- ing his lines, which information was promptly tion, for the purpose of a combined charge upon communicated to General Magruder. At an the line of the enemy's batteries, which he had early hour next morning, a large body of the enarranged to make by simultaneous movement emy's cavalry made their appearance on the line from our front and flanks. The brigade, although which he had occupied with his artillery at first, prompt in moving to the position assigned it, and and for a while indicating, by their movements, in doing which it was exposed to the fire of the en- the purpose of a descent upon our ambulance emy's sharpshooters, adroitly posted behind wheat corps and details then employed on the field; the shocks in the valley on our right, had not yet one in their legitimate duties, and the other in gotten into place when the order came from Gen- collecting scattered arms and accoutrements. The eral Magruder, who, I presume, supposed all was small body of troops now remaining upon the ready with us, that the charge assigned to our field, and under my command, were of my own forces (General Wright's brigade and my own) brigade, exclusive, and with but few exceptions, should be made. It was now about five P. M. The of the Twelfth Virginia, the exertions and galorder was responded to with spirit and alacrity lantry of whose Colonel, D. A. Weisiger, in conby our troops, but with less order and effect than ducting the operations of his regiment, merit was desirable, and would otherwise have been se- high commendation. With these, I continued to cured, owing to the circumstances which I have hold the ground which we had occupied during adverted to. Our troops, however, went forward the night, mainly with the view of protecting our with an earnest, over a succession of steep hills details from any onslaught by the enemy's cavand ravines, until coming up within a few hun-alry, employing details from my own limited dred yards of the enemy's left batteries, where force to care for the wounded, and to gather up they encountered his advance troops in large the scattered arms and accoutrements in my imforce, strongly positioned behind the crest of hills, under cover of his guns. At this time, there were no other troops engaging the enemy in our view, or in supporting connection; and here, for about two hours, the fire and fury of battle raged with great obstinacy and destruction, on both sides. Our men finally succeeded in driving the enemy from the heights occupied in our front, and immediately under his guns, and upon his reserves at that point, and occupying the position from which he had resisted our advance with such obstinacy and deadly effect. It mediate vicinity. This work completed, and the enemy's cavalry having withdrawn, and other bodies of our own troops having come upon the field, I withdrew my small band, which was now much in need of rest and food. It would be unjust, perhaps, to particularize any acts of personal gallantry, as my own inability to overlook the conduct of all might lead to injustice to some equally distinguished for deeds of heroism. The banners, however, of the regiments of this brigade, which were engaged in the fight, the Sixth, Sixteenth, Twelfth, and Forty-first Virginia regiments, bear |