vacancies; private Schooler, company I, colorbearer, to be made color-sergeant; and private Mason, company E, to be made sergeant in said company.

Very respectfully submitted.

ROBERT M. MAYO, Colonel Forty-seventh Virginia Regiment. REPORT OF COLONEL EDMONDS. HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-EIGHTH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, August 15, 1862.

Colonel R. H. Chilton, A. A. General:

SIR: Having been absent for some weeks after the engagement at Malvern Hill, July first, 1862, the last of the series of battles around Richmond, on account of sickness, I beg leave to submit the following report of the part my regiment acted on that occasion, and respectfully request that it be filed with the report of the General commanding, as I consider the report furnished by Major J. R. Cabell incomplete in many particulars.

number engaged being about one hundred and seventy-five rank and file. We did not again participate in an engagement until Monday, thirtieth, 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 it 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 fifty yards beyond their battery, when we were opened upon, both on our right and left flanks, by a very severe fire. Our forces in all not amounting to three hundred, a halt was called to await reënforcements, and in the mean time, at the suggestion of some one whose name I have not been My regiment (the Thirty-eighth Virginia volable to find out, one of the enemy's guns was unteers) formed the advance of Brigadier-General trained to the left, the fire from that quarter being L. A. Armistead's brigade, General Huger's dimuch the hottest, and a fire opened upon them. vision, which was the leading brigade on that The fire from the front having nearly ceased, day. We proceeded, cautiously feeling our way, while that on the right and left still continued, I and reconnoitring diligently, to prevent falling caused my command to be formed in the road, unexpectedly upon the enemy, who might have so as to protect the battery from either of those been in ambush, in many of the swamps and directions. About this time you rode up, for the thick woods fronting Malvern Hill. We soon second time, and ordered us to cease firing the became aware of his presence, when we were cannon, as we might injure some of our friends formed in the woods opposite to his position, and in advance. It was then quite dark. Shortly skirmishers thrown out from each regiment to after we ceased firing the cannon, and you had feel the enemy's skirmishers and learn somewhat ridden off to another portion of the brigade, the the strength of his position and numbers, my sounds of horses' hoofs were heard advancing skirmishers being under the command of Major from the direction of the enemy, and the regi- J. R. Cabell. The skirmishers soon engaged the ment was cautioned to be on their guard. They enemy, each holding his position, no orders, as turned out to be four horsemen, who, riding up yet, having been given to advance. During the upon our left, inquired who we were. I called skirmishing, General Armistead and myself reout at the top of my voice, "Friends; " but some connoitred the position of the enemy, from a one on the left having unwittingly called "Forty-good stand-point, and, with the assistance of a seventh Virginia regiment," two of the party strong glass, readily detected his presence, in turned back and rode off at a double-quick down force, and the advantages of his position. Majorthe road. They were instantly fired at, and one Generals Magruder and Longstreet came up in of them, who turned out afterward to be Major turn, and observed the enemy from the several Biddle, Adjutant-General to General Macall, or points to which I conducted them, and left, perMcCall, was killed. The other two were cap-fectly satisfied, as I supposed, of the impossibility tured, and turned out to be Major-General Mc- of charging them from the position which our Call and one of his couriers. They were both immediately sent to the rear. Nothing more of importance that night, and we were not actively engaged on Tuesday, though somewhat exposed to the enemy's artillery. The casualties in this engagement were thirty-four, the total number engaged being one hundred and fifty-six rank and file, making the total number of casualties in all three engagements seventy-eight. The conduct of those 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 E, clerk in Commissary Department, to the place of Second Lieutenant in company D, in which there are two

advance (Armistead's brigade) held, unless supported by a large amount of artillery, as General Magruder remarked, “It would take thirty pieces of the heaviest calibre." This, I supposed, had been determined upon, as the Colonels commanding the regiments were immediately ordered to pull down the fencing in their front, preparatory to advancing our skirmishers, supported by the regimental reserves, so as to force back the enemy's skirmishers, with a view of bringing up our artillery. So soon as the fencing was removed, the order was given to drive in the enemy, which was being done in the most successful manner, when I received an order, or rather, General Armistead, with hat off and arm uplifted, waved us to charge, where and upon what I was

at a loss to imagine. It could not have been to ed in three places, and was borne from the field. support our skirmishers; they needed none, for they I then took them for a while, and when in the act were driving the enemy's pickets before them. of handing them over to the only remaining color It could only, then, have been the main position guard, who claimed the right to carry them, the of the enemy upon which we were to charge. staff was shattered, the flag falling, but not upon The charge was made most gallantly, by my regi- the ground, it was caught by Color-Corporal Wilment, a portion of the Fourteenth and Fifty-third liam Bohannon, who stuck it upon his musket, Virginia regiments, under the lead of their re- and gallantly bore it the remainder of the fight. spective Colonels, up the hill, across the exten- I beg to mention particularly all of my color sive plateau, and through the valley, until we guard, as deserving the highest commendation, arrived at the hill nearest the position of the en- and would recommend that some distinctive emy. We were here supported by a Georgia badge be given them. I also desire to return regiment, who, having charged under mistaken my thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel P. B. Whittle, orders, were returned to their original position who acted his part most gallantly, proving himwith General Wright's brigade. Thus it was self worthy of the position he held daring all that my regiment, with a part of the Fourteenth, things, fearing nothing. Volunteer Captain R. under the command of a Captain, a part of the T. Daniel performed every duty in the most credFifty-third, Colonel Tomlin, held this advanced itable manner. Though among strangers, his position for three hours, awaiting orders. Re- deeds won their confidence and respect, and atceiving none, I sent Major Cabell to General tested his gallantry. I observed him, particularly Armistead, asking orders, who returned with in- when waving the colors and urging the men forstructions that we must hold our position, and ward, not a muscle or nerve betraying a want of that reënforcements would soon be at hand. I firmness. Calmness and composure was expressed am proud to say we did hold our position, through in every lineament of his countenance, and there all the storm of bullets, canister, grape, shell, stood, like a veteran, until pierced three times by with occasional shells from the huge pieces play- the enemy's balls. Too much praise cannot be ing upon us from the gunboats, until we saw the given this brave young officer, who thus showed gallant Wright, with hat off and glittering blade, his willingness to serve his country, and deterleading his brigade across the hill, to our sup-mination to expel the enemies of her peace and port. New life was infused among those wearied dignity. To the officers and men of company A, with watching and waiting. Every man was at commanded by Captain D. C. Townes; company his post; loud shouts of welcome rent the air; all B, Junior Second Lieutenant James Warren; sprang to their feet, feeling certain of victory company C, First Lieutenant A. Anderson; comwith such a support. Being the ranking Colonel pany D, First Lieutenant N. D. Price; company of the brigade, (Colonel Hodges being stunned, E, Captain T. M. Tyree; company F, Captain R. and having his beard singed by the explosion of T. Daniel; company G, Captain H. L. Lee, and a shell, when just emerging from the woods,) Gen-company K, Captain G. R. Griggs, I return my eral Armistead being absent, I gave the order to hearty thanks, more particularly because of their charge, which was most gallantly performed by ready cooperation and willing obedience to every all engaged. Again leading, closely followed by order, and their conspicuous gallantry, while urgWright's brigade, until we reached the musketing forward their men through such destructive range of the enemy's supports to his artillery, fire. Major J. R. Cabell also performed his duty where the fire from both became so galling, a in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner, momentary pause ensued; six times was the at- and behaved with coolness while in charge of the tempt made to charge the batteries by the regi- skirmishers and when sent for instructions to Genments of Armistead's brigade, just mentioned, eral Armistead at a subsequent period. My Adand as many times did they fail for want of sup-jutant, A. G. Smith, was always at his post, and port on the left, involving the necessity of falling back a short distance under cover of the brow of the hill.

with a calmness and composure, and utter disregard of danger, performed his duty in a manner reflecting the highest honor and praise. The Every man behaved most nobly on that occa- other officers present behaved well, and performed sion. All, officers and men, heedless of the their duty like men. Lieutenant N. D. Price, deadly fire to which they were exposed, seemed commanding company D, who fell mortally only intent upon gaining the enemy's position. wounded at the head of his company, performed I have the painful duty to announce the loss of his duty, on this occasion, as on all others, with my Color-Sergeant, L. P. H. Tapley, first Color- marked coolness and bravery. He died as he Corporal C. Gilbert, and private Parker, company had lived, a bright and shining ornament to sociF, who fell upon the field, while bearing the col-ety and his church. He lived a Christian; he ors, in advance of the regiment, during the charges died a hero and martyr. No man or officer fell made. Color-Corporals Watkins, Burlington, and on that occasion with more honor, or deserving Gregory were severely wounded, each in turn, as more undying laurels. My surgeon, James N. they grasped the colors. They were then seized Macalpine, and Assistant Surgeon T. W. White, by Lieutenant-Colonel Whittle, who was badly are deserving the highest praise for their unrewounded, and compelled to retire. Captain Dan- mitting attention to the wounded-the one for iel, volunteer officer, commanding company F, the faithful manner he followed his regiment, then took them; and he, too, fell, severely wound-bearing off the wounded amid the leaden hail;

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

E. C. EDMONDS,

Colonel Thirty-eighth Virginia Volunteers.

REPORT OF MAJOR CABELL.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT
VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, July 11, 1862.

Captain J. D. Darden, A. A. General, Fourth
Brigade, Huger's Division:

SIR: I most respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the Thirty-eighth Virginia regiment in the engagement with the enemy at Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862.

the other for the scientific and untiring manner mortally wounded since died - C. C. Gregory, he performed his duties. Such was their atten- John Bullington, and L. D. Watkins, all severely tion and assiduity, that the wounded were moved wounded. Private Churchwell Parker, company from the field, their wounds dressed and cared F, then took them, and was almost instantly for, and all sent to the hospitals, in the early killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Whittle then took morning. The one snatched them from the the colors, and gallantly bore them forward, when mouth of the cannon, the other from the jaws of he, too, whilst continually in advance of the regideath. Each proved themselves with hearts to ment, was severely wounded, having the larger sympathize with the wounded, and hands ready bone in one arm broken. Captain R. T. Daniel, and willing to offer every assistance. 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. It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that I have to report the death of First Lieutenant Napoleon D. Price, commanding company D, who fell, shot through the bowels, whilst gallantly charging in advance of his company, calling on them to follow him. He was a generous, high-toned, honorable, Christian gentleman, and, I doubt not, is now enjoying peace and heavenly rest. All the officers of the regiment behaved with great gallantry, charging, in every instance, in advance of their respective commands. Such was the conduct of all the officers that I feel that it would be doing injustice to mention one above another; and I feel sure all they desire is the consciousness of having done their duty, which, I am sure, all should feel. Colonel Edmonds and Colonel Whittle may have some such to report; if so, they will attend to it at some future day. The number reported among the non-commissioned officers and privates for individual gallantry is so large that I cannot give it with this. If, however, the General desires it, I will have a list of their names made out and forwarded to him. I am, sir, respectfully,

I, with fifty men, deployed as skirmishers, was ordered to proceed to the edge of the wood, to watch and report the movements of the enemy. Soon after which I was ordered to pull down the fence, and advance my lines, which was accordingly being done, when Colonel Edmonds came up with the regiment, in single file, with orders to charge the enemy's pickets, and drive them in, and hold the hill far enough in advance for our artillery to get position, and play upon the enemy. The charge was well executed; and, as the regiment came up, I ordered my command to join in with it, and the enemy were driven pellmell before them; and we held our position from twelve o'clock M, until about half past five o'clock P. M., when Generals Mahone and Wright came up with their brigades. The order was given to charge, which was obeyed with promptness and alacrity, the Thirty-eighth being on the right, and leading the charge. After getting in about seventy-five yards of the enemy, they were halted, and commenced a terrific fire, after which the order was again given to charge, which the men did most gallantly - attempted five separate and distinct charges, but were compelled to fall back, for the double reason of not being supported on the left, and the heavy reënforcements coming up to the support of the enemy. The regiment remained upon the advanced line until nightfall, when they were withdrawn by Colonel Edmonds, after all the ammunition had been exhausted. 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. H. P. Tapley, to whom the colors were given upon the battle-field at Seven Pines by Major-General 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-Corporals Cornelius Gilbert,

Your obedient servant, JOSEPH R. CABELL, Major, commanding Thirty-eighth Virginia Regiment.

REPORT OF THOSE WHO DISTINGUISHED
THEMSELVES IN THE THIRTY-EIGHTH VIR-
GINIA VOLUNTEERS, AT THE BATTLE OF
MALVERN HILL, JULY 1, 1862.

Company A. Captain Townes reports all of his men as having fought bravely and well, particularly private George A. Finch.

Company B. Company commander absent. Regimental commander reports all as having fought bravely. Sergeant W. T. Atkins, and privates Green, Jones, John Arthur, James Dunn, and George J. Shelton, as worthy of especial mention.

Company C. Lieutenant Anderson reports

You will notice in the column of remarks opall as having behaved well-Sergeant J. J. Cas- posite to Graham's battery, that that battery lost sada, Color-Corporal William Bohannon, privates two guns (one rifled Parrott and one six-pounder) R. L. Sneed, A. M. Simpson, Alexander Prew-near Malvern Cliff, on the thirtieth June, though ett, Benjamin H. Lewis, Eli J. Lewis, specially. the battery was not directly in action.

Company D. Lieutenant Herndon reports all as having behaved so well that he cannot make distinctions without doing injustice.

Company E. Captain Tyree severely wounded and absent. Lieutenant Knight, now commanding, reports all as having fought bravely, except one or two, and reports Sergeant Miller, privates John T. Brown, John Davis, Hillery Bolten, J. C. Clayton, Larkin Davis, Kilech and W. H. Howerton, wounded.

While the division was in position near New Market, on the afternoon of the thirtieth, I received directions from General Holmes to take six rifle guns, and go to a position down the road, toward Malvern Cliff, to be shown to me by Captain Meade, engineer corps, and there to open upon the enemy. Accordingly, I proceeded with six rifle guns, taken by sections, from Brem's, Branch's, and French's batteries, with the Thirtieth Virginia as a support, down the road toCompany F. Captain R. T. Daniel, com-ward the enemy's position on Malvern Cliff. Capmander. He is absent, wounded. The regi- tain Meade accompanied me, and designated two mental commander reports all as having fought points as practicable for establishing a battery. well, except one or two. He regards privates Churchwell Parker and Daniel Hodnett, who were killed, and private Joseph Singleton, as worthy of special mention.

Company G. Captain Lee reports the company as having behaved well. He desires to mention the following named non-commissioned officers and privates as having displayed individual gallantry: Sergeant H. H. Moore, Corporal Robert F. Mackasey, privates W. W. Graves, Alexander Gilchrist, Alexander Nethery, R. D. Riggins, John D. Álgood, Samuel W. Crowder, James Singleton, George T. Tucker, C. S. Roffe, and Henry Hoteln.

Company H. The regimental commander reports private Dudley as worthy of special mention.

Company I. Captain W. W. Wood was severely shocked by a bomb early in the action. The regimental commander reports all as having behaved well.

Upon consultation with him, and also Major Stevens, engineers, I selected a position, and, after great difficulty, succeeded in getting five guns in battery. This difficulty was caused by a heavy growth of forest timber, and much underbrush. In order to get the guns in position, it was necessary to leave the road, and go for some distance through a thick wood. In the mean time, whilst I was thus occupied, General Holmes had brought his division down the road, to support this advanced battery. Being in front myself, I saw nothing of the batteries until ten P. M. of that night, so that the facts I now give you relative to the loss of these guns are from the evidence of others, and not from my own personal observation.

As soon as I had the rifle gun battery in position, and received word from General Holmes that the infantry were in position to support me, I opened fire. The enemy immediately responded with a very large battery, or rather a number of batteries, situated on a commanding cliff or hill. Their guns occupied such an extent of ground, that it gave them almost a cross-fire upon me. It was impossible to tell accurately the number of pieces that they had in battery; I tried to count them, but could not do so, as they made such a smoke that I could not see their line clearly. I judged that they had twenty-five to thirty pieces playing upon my battery. Being so much superior to me in metal, after about an hour's firing, they had pretty well disabled my battery, so many men being wounded that the guns could not be properly served, and it being necessary to disable the caissons in order to sup

Company K. Captain Griggs reports all as having behaved so well that he cannot mention one above another without doing injustice. The regimental commander reports the Color-Sergeant and guard as having won for themselves immortal honor. It consisted of Sergeant L. P. H. Tapley, killed, whilst gallantly carrying the colors in advance of the regiment; Color-Corporal Cornelius Gilbert, mortally wounded, since dead, for the same; Color-Corporals L. D. Watkins, C. C. Gregory, and John Bullington, for gallantly bearing the colors, in turn, in advance of the regiment. Color-Corporal William Bohannon behaved gallantly, and brought our colors from the field upon a musket, the staff hav-ply the pieces with horses. One or two limbers ing previously been shivered into fragments. I am, sir, your obedient servant, JOSEPH R. CABELL, Major, commanding Thirty-eighth Virginia Volunteers. REPORT OF COLONEL DESHLER.

CAMP NEAR SWIFT CREEK, July 15, 1862.

Brigadier-General W. N. Pendleton, Chief of
Artillery, C. S. A., in the field :

GENERAL: In compliance with your letter of yesterday, to General Holmes, I enclose, herewith, a report of the number of batteries serving with this division:

and caissons were blown up. Under these circumstances, I ceased firing, and withdrew my pieces. None of the guns or caissons which were in action were lost; but, as I afterward learned, unfortunately, the reserve batteries were so situated that the enemy's shell and shot, which passed over my battery, fell amongst them; in addition, they were exposed to a heavy cross-fire from gunboats in James River. At this time, there appears to have been very bad conduct on the part of some of the artillery. Graham's battery seems to have completely stampeded; the pieces and caissons got entangled amongst the

themselves, and did everything that men could do to encourage their men, and make their fire effective, under a very hot fire from a much larger number of the enemy's guns. Lieutenant Cooper was wounded severely, but declined to leave the field, until positively ordered to go to the surgeon. After he was disabled, Sergeants Jesse Newton and George Newton had charge of the two pieces, and acted very gallantly. Other cases of individual good conduct I witnessed, but cannot give names, as the men were mostly strangers to me.

trees, and some of the drivers cut their traces Coleman, of Brem's battery, served their pieces and ran off upon the horses; the whole thing resulting in the loss of two guns and three caissons. Of all this I was totally ignorant until about nine or ten o'clock at night. Captain Graham by that time had succeeded in collecting some of his horses and men. I went back with him, and endeavored to recover his guns and caissons. One caisson was recovered, being near the road. The remaining carriages it was found impossible to find, owing to the darkness, and the pieces being off the road in a thick wood. Captain Graham went back in the morning, but reported that the enemy's pickets had possession of the ground. He went again after the enemy had evacuated their position on Malvern Hill, but found that his guns had been taken off; he thinks they were taken into Richmond, under the supposition that they had been abandoned by the enemy; upon this point I cannot even give an opinion. This whole matter will be made the subject of investigation, as General Holmes has ordered charges to be preferred against the officers upon whom, at present, the responsibility appears to rest.

It is with pleasure that I turn from the relation of these mortifying circumstances, in order to call to the favorable notice of the department the gallant conduct of the few officers and men who were under my immediate command at the rifle battery. Captain Branch, First Lieutenant Cooper, of French's battery, and First Lieutenant

Several of the batteries are much in need of men; there is a good deal of sickness amongst them, though generally not of a serious nature. I have directed the Captains of batteries, in need of men, to write the officers in charge of conscripts of their respective States, and ask them to forward the number of conscripts necessary to fill up their batteries.

General Holmes has recommended that Cohoon's battalion, which has about one hundred and twenty-five effective men, partly from Virginia and partly from North Carolina, be disbanded as an infantry battalion, and the men assigned to the batteries of this division. If his recommendation should be complied with, this number would just about supply us. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES DESHLER,

Colonel and Chief of Artillery, Dept. N. C.

Report of Light Artillery Companies serving with Major-General Holmes's Division, Confederate States Army, July 15, 1862.