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 one wounded, and none killed. man upon us, causing one of the wings of the Seventh to give way. On asking the cause of this, I was informed by some of the company officers of the Seventh, whose names I do not know, that Colonel Campbell had ordered them to fall back, and, as there was a large pond of water in my rear, I led my regiment out of the woods by the left With only one Field Officer, three Captains, flank, when I met you, and was ordered back. I but few Lieutenants, and our ranks greatly rethen marched up the road, and wheeled my entire duced by sickness, caused by the hardships we regiment into the same piece of woods. Colonel had to undergo in our retreat from Hanover Lee followed with his regiment, which he intend- Court-House, we had to contend with the enemy ed posting to my right; but the enemy opened in the recent terrible engagements before Richupon him just as he was about to turn the angle mond under many disadvantages; but our loss of the road, and his right was thrown into con- -one hundred and fifty killed and wounded, out fusion. This caused companies D, A, and I, of of an effective force of four hundred and eighty, the right wing, and company H, to the left including the ambulance corps, about one third of the colors, in my regiment, to give way.will show how nobly the Twenty-eighth beCompany D promptly re-formed, and came into haved in this great struggle for independence. line; the other three companies, I am told, reformed and attached themselves, for the remainder of the day, to other regiments. They were not with me. Colonel Campbell's regiment, seven of my companies, Lieutenant Webb, of company H, and a few rank and file from the three missing companies, engaged the enemy in the woods, and were exposed to a hot fire, when fresh troops came up and relieved us temporarily. Major James Barbour, General Elzey's Assistant Adjutant-General, approached me soon afterward, and requested me to take my command to the support of a portion of his forces, which had advanced into the open field, in front of the woods. My command advanced most gallantly through the woods, and into the open field, although exposed to a front and right enfilade infantry fire, and bravely remained there until General George B. Anderson's brigade debouched from the woods to our left and charged across the field. I ordered my men to cease firing when this brigade was nearly in front of us, and, forming on the right, assisted them in clearing the field of the enemy. At the "advice" of General Anderson, my men being now very much fatigued, I remained with a portion of his brigade, in a somewhat sheltered position, until nightfall, when I rejoined you. Our loss, in this engagement, was thirteen killed and seventy-eight wounded. Sunday evening we recrossed the Chickahominy, and on Monday evening, the thirtieth, 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 six killed and fifty wounded. We were not actually engaged in the Tuesday's I would respectfully call to your attention Captain T. James Linebarger, of company C, and Captain D. A. Parker, of company D; First Lieutenant N. Clark, of company E; First Lieutenant E. G. Morrow, of company G; First Lieutenant W. W. Cloninger, of company B; Second Lieutenant Robert D. Rhyne, of company B. All of these officers behaved with great gallantry and bravery. Sergeant-Major Milton A. Lowe, on the battlefield of the twenty-seventh and thirtieth, more than once proved himself a brave and fearless young defender of Southern rights, and has won the admiration of all who saw him. Color-bearer J. P. Little, of company C, was Colonel, commanding Twenty-eighth Reg't N. C. Vols. HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-THIRD REG'T N. C. TROOPS, DEAR GENERAL: On twenty-fifth June, you called the commanding officers of your brigade together, and informed us of the intended, and manner of, attack upon the enemy, who were on the north side of the Chickahominy, and at the same time ordered me to have my command ready to move at five o'clock P. M., with three days' rations. I, having five companies on picket at the Crenshaw Bridge, was ordered to take command at that point, while the other five companies, under Major Cowan, would march with the brigade, and cross the river at the Telegraph Bridge, and move down the river, in order to drive the enemy from their position. My orders were, that I should cross the river with the five companies as soon as I heard firing, and make an attack in the rear of the enemy. About twelve o'clock, on the twenty-sixth, I heard sharp skirmishing, and drew in my pickets in order to cross, and, while doing so, could see that the enemy were in full retreat. While crossing the river, I received a despatch from you ordering me to join the command; that you were in the road immediately opposite. I joined the command, and from that point we marched to Mechanicsville, and reached that place under a most terrific fire of shot and shell. our arms. 485 On the first of July we were quiet until six 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. My loss was very heavy for a small command. The report of casualties has been sent in, as well as that of the action of officers and men, which need correction. About twelve o'clock P. M., the firing ceased, On the second and third of July we were marchand we were ordered to lie in our position upon At three o'clock A. M. of the twenty-ing after the enemy; but their retreat was too seventh, we were ordered to be ready to march speedy to be overtaken. We then bivouacked at a moment's warning, but did not take up the for several days, inviting the enemy to battle, line of march until twelve o'clock, and then which was not accepted. We then marched to moved in the direction of Gaines's Mills down this point, arriving here on the ninth instant. the Chickahominy. We reached that point at four o'clock P. M., and finding heavy fighting going on, were ordered immediately into the engagement; and, remaining in the fight until dark, (by which time the enemy had been driven back à distance of two miles,) I then reported to you with my command, at the road, and was ordered to bivouac my men, and give them rest. This was a hard-fought battle, and the men deserve great praise for their coolness and firmness on this occasion. On the twenty-eighth 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. I am happy to say that, with few exceptions, I am truly proud of the officers and men of my command. I cannot well make distinction among those officers and men who so nobly did their duty, but ask that credit may be given those to whom it is due, and action taken against those who deserve it. Casualties: Killed, eight; wounded, fifty-two; missing, fifteen; total, seventy-five. Very respectfully, R. L. HOKE, Colonel, commanding. REPORT OF COLONEL HAMILTON, VOLUNTEERS, CAMP ON NEW MARKET ROAD, On the twenty-ninth we recrossed the river, and moved down James River-marching a distance of twelve or fifteen miles and encamping. On the thirtieth we again marched down the HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT SOUTH CAROLINA river in order to make an attack, and reached the point about three o'clock. The presence of the enemy was soon made known by the roaring Brigadier-General Maxcy Gregg, commanding Second Brigade, Light Division: of artillery, and we were immediately ordered up In obedience to orders, I desire to report as to the road, in the direction of the enemy, by a flank movement, under a very great fire of shot the part taken by my regiment in the recent batand shell. Soon, you, at the head of your bri-tles of the twenty-seventh and thirtieth June, and gade, filed to the right, and, moving six hundred the first of July, 1862. yards in that direction, halted, faced to the front, formed a line of battle, and 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 five hundred yards. We at the same time were enfiladed by grape-shot; but 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. My men, in this charge, had no cover at all. I cannot refrain from asking that great praise may be given to both officers and men for their actions on this occasion. After passing through the field, and entering the woods on the opposite side, my regiment became divided by the interference of a BrigadierGeneral, 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 Thursday afternoon, the twenty-sixth June, I put my regiment in march, to cross the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge. Nothing of importance occurred until my regiment (leading the brigade) reached a position, commanded by the battery of the enemy, near Mechanicsville turnpike, when a pretty sharp fire of shot and shell was opened upon my regiment. By compelling my men to lie down behind the crest of the hill, I escaped, with the wounding of only two men, (company F.) On Friday morning, my regiment, and that of Colonel Barnes, leading the other regiments of the brigade, commenced the advance upon the lines of the enemy. We crossed Beaver Dam only being slightly annoyed by the skirmishers of the enemy. On reaching one of the camps of the enemy shortly before vacated, I was astonished to find myself under fire from field artillery. It, however, proved to be a section of artillery belonging to the army of General Jackson. The mistake was soon discovered; but, unfortunately, not in time to prevent the wounding of Lieutenant Heice, company C, and one private of the same company. After a short delay, I was ordered to advance upon Powhite Creek, throwing out skirmishers in advance. This was done, and for some little time a brisk fire was kept up on both sides; but the mortally wounded himself immediately. I have promoted private Spellman to be color-bearer, for gallantry on the field of battle. I beg to submit appended list of casualties, marked A, and likewise lists showing where each officer and soldier of the regiment was on the three days in which we were engaged with the enemy. I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, D. H. HAMILTON, Colonel First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. LETTER OF GENERAL GREGG TO GENERAL COOPER. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, LIGHT DIVISION, LAUREL HILL, July 18, 1862. 3 To General S. Cooper, Adjutant-General of the Army, Richmond: enemy soon ceased to attempt to dispute the my officers and most of my soldiers behaved so crossing of the creek, which was done very quietly, well, to single out any one for special praise, exand without any interruption. After a short rest, cept that I desire to mention private Dominick to enable us to collect and provide for our wounded, Spellman, of company K, who bore my colors we resumed our march, and soon came upon the gallantly during the battle, after Sergeant Taylor camp of the Seventh Massachusetts regiment, who and Corporal Hayne, who, carrying the colors, were seemed at first disposed to give us battle; but, upon shot down-the latter taking them from my giving the order to charge bayonets, at double-hands when the former was first struck, to be quick, they broke and fled. We continued to advance, and upon gaining an open field, commanding a view of the enemy's position at Cold Harbor, we were subjected to a severe fire of shells from the battery of the enemy. This fire was soon silenced by our own battery, and then, under your order, I advanced upon the position of the enemy through a thick, swampy piece of ground, and formed line of battle on the edge of the open field. In a short time I saw a brigade moving down upon us. When within easy range of us, they opened a most deadly fire upon my regiment, wounding and killing a large number of my officers and men, and amongst these all of my color guard. Here was my principal loss; amongst them Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, who had distinguished himself for gallantry and good conduct, although feeble from a recent severe illness. His wound, which at first was apparently slight, proved, eventually, mortal, and he sank to rest calm and composed, feeling that he had done his duty to his country. 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 Major-General 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's 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, the twenty-ninth of June. On this day we recrossed the Chickahominy. We marched in pursuit of the enemy, but did not come up with them until Monday evening, the thirtieth of June. Then, although under fire, and having several soldiers and one Lieutenant (Sweeny, 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, first July, 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 GENERAL: I learn from Colonel Hamilton, commanding First South Carolina volunteers, that, in an interview with yourself and the Secretary of War, the other day, the name of Major McCrady, of the same regiment, having been somewhat accidentally mentioned, Colonel Hamilton expressed the opinion that Major McCrady had not behaved properly, saying he had served on my staff on the twenty-seventh of June, but could not find his regiment until it was driven back, and that now he had gone home on sick leave. Upon which you remarked that Colonel Hamilton had better have him ordered back, and that you would issue such order, if Colonel Hamilton desired it, and that if he should not report, you would have a letter of another kind addressed to him, which would compel him to resign. To which the Secretary of War assented. I differ entirely with Colonel Hamilton in the view which he takes of Major McCrady's conduct, and I beg leave to interpose to prevent any hasty action from being taken against Major McCrady, without giving him a fair hearing. When my brigade was put in march, at the commencement of the late operations, Major McCrady was sick in Richmond. He left a sick bed, and overtook me on the battle-field at Cold Harbor, looking extremely feeble and ill. He said to me that he thought he might be able to accompany me and perform some staff duty, although not strong enough to accompany his regiment. This might well be, as I had required the field officers to dismount a while for the purpose of seeing better and sending orders more promptly. Myself and my staff remained on horseback. I do not think Major McCrady could have reasonably anticipated less risk in accompanying me on staff duty, mounted, than in marching with his regiment on foot. I requested him to accompany me, and he did so. In the heat of the battle, I sent him to which drooped above our glorious dead when this fearful conflict was over. rally a portion of my troops, which, from the difficulty of the ground and the fierceness of the enemy's fire, had got into some disorder. I do I have the honor to report that, on the twentynot think I saw him again. Some time after, pro- fifth June, 1862, after orders were received from ceeding to execute my order, he was seen by one you, we proceeded, together with the rest of your of my Captains retiring in a state of exhaustion. brigade, from our camp on the Brooke turnpike, He told this officer that he had rallied the troops up the Telegraph road, toward the Chickahominy referred to, and staid with them in the fight until River. On the following morning, at half past his strength gave out entirely. Major McCrady's three A. M., after bivouacking the night previous, regiment had, at this time, been formed, by my in pursuance of orders received from you, we orders, somewhat to the rear, preparatory to an- were in readiness to move, but did not change other movement. Major McCrady went to it, our position until ten o'clock A. M., in conseand, in attempting to dismount, fell to the ground, quence, as I was informed, of the want of inforas I have been informed by his brother, Lieuten- mation as to the position of Major-General Jackant Thomas McCrady, who was obliged to leave son. At this hour we were put in motion, the him thus lying on the ground, when the regiment Seventh regiment being in the front of your briwas shortly afterward ordered, by Major-General gade. We soon reached the Chickahominy, A. P. Hill, to take a position in advance. Lieu- upon the crossing of which, I was immediately tenant McCrady has not since seen the Major, thrown forward with three companies-to wit, but understands that he got back to Richmond in companies C, F, and A-of this regiment, about a carriage in which he had come to the immediate one quarter of a mile in front of the head of our neighborhood of the battle-ground. I understand column, for the purpose of dislodging the enemy's that Major McCrady afterward went home on pickets between us and the Meadow Bridge. Afsick leave, granted in Richmond, without referring ter marching a few miles, I encountered about the application to his commanding officers. If this two hundred of the enemy, whom we immediateproceeding was irregular, it was an irregularity ly attacked, and, after a short conflict, drove from which the War Department has permitted until their position. We succeeded in capturing their very lately, if it is not still permitted; and Major flag, and several of their company books and McCrady cannot be held responsible for it. Col- memoranda, with a slight loss of wounded, and onel Hamilton himself was very unwell during the none killed, on my part. The loss of the enemy late operations of the army, and at one time, on we had no means of ascertaining. The next the march on the twenty-ninth June, sank fainting point at which we encountered the enemy was a from his horse. He refused, however, to go off few hundred yards beyond Atlee's Station, on the duty, and although I was advised to order him, Virginia Central Railroad. Here we had another I judged it best not to do so. By the power of severe skirmish. Colonel Campbell, of the Sevhis constitution, Colonel Hamilton was able to enth regiment, immediately ordered forward comovercome disease in a remarkable manner; and pany B. During the skirmish, one of the lastthis may cause him to apply his own standard to named company was mortally, and a few soldiers other men. But I do not think it right. Few of the other companies were seriously, wounded. men have such power. Possibly Major McCrady It is a palpable duty, General, that I should exmay not possess it; but Major McCrady had been press my high appreciation of the gallant conduct sick for a month before the march commenced, of the three companies that were more immediand was, perhaps, in a condition of body which ately under my command. Captain J. McLeod no power of mind could overcome. I see no rea- Turner, of company F, had assigned to him the son whatever to question the good conduct of perilous duty of covering my front, and skirmishMajor McCrady. I respectfully request that you ing through woods, open fields, and swamps, for will ask the Secretary of War to read this. the purpose of discovering the enemy's pickets. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Whenever he became engaged, he was promptly Your obedient servant, and fearlessly sustained by Captain R. B. McRae and J. G. Knox, of companies C and A, under my command. Captain McRae succeeded in bringing away the enemy's flag from the first skirmish, near Crenshaw's, and Captain Knox did his best in effecting the dislodgment of the enemy. After this second skirmish, company F was withdrawn from the front, and company A ordered to assume that position, in order to divide the labors of the march. Captain Knox's company was now engaged in actively firing for a while upon an actual or supposed enemy in our front; but there was no response. MAXCY GREGG, REPORT OF COLONEL HAYWOOD. About the middle of the afternoon, having learned that the greater portion of Major-General A. P. Hill's division had crossed the Chickahominy, and was in front of us, I reported to you; whereupon I was ordered to unite my command with the rest of my regiment, under Colonel the enemy through the wood, were ordered by Campbell. I may confidently assert that no un- Major-General Ewell to change their position by necessary time was spent in the various skirmishes a movement by the right flank. After moving just described. about a quarter of a mile, they were ordered to advance across a swamp, and over an abatis of felled trees, up a hill, upon an intrenched position of the enemy. It was in this advance that our patriotic Colonel lost that life which was so dear to his whole regiment. The colors, when the advance began, were in the hands of Corporal Henry T. Fight, of company F. He was instantly shot down, when they were again seized by Corporal James A. Harris, of company I. He was also shot down, when Colonel Campbell himself seized the colors, and, advancing some twenty paces in front of his regiment, ordered them not to fire, but follow him. Within twenty paces of the enemy's line he was shot down, when Lieutenant Duncan C. Haywood, commanding company E, again seized our flag, the staff of whch had been shot in two, and advanced to the front of the regiment. He also immediately lost his life; whereupon the flag of the regiment was carried out of the action by Corporal Geary, of company C. About an hour and a half before dark we reached Mechanicsville, under a terrific fire of shot and shell. For a short time we were compelled to wait until we could receive orders from General Hill. Before dark, we were ordered to take our position in a road which appeared to run at right angles with the road we had previously occupied, and to the left of it. Upon the application of General Archer, the Seventh and Twenty-eighth regiments were ordered by you to report to him; but, upon Colonel Campbell's application, we ascertained he had no immediate duty for us to perform. It was then fully dark, though the artillery conflict still continued; and, as soon as it ceased, we were ordered to take our position immediately in front of the enemy's batteries, and about a quarter of a mile therefrom, being still in the front of your brigade. At this point we bivouacked for the night, and were prepared for action at three o'clock next morning, under orders from you. In a short time after this, the enemy's batteries opened upon us, as did some of their sharpshooters. Under this fire we remained for about an hour and a half, when we were ordered into the woods on the right of the road last spoken of, to which position we moved, marching by the right flank. About ten o'clock A. M. of the twenty-seventh ultimo, we were ordered again to take our position in the road, which we accordingly did. After remaining there for some time, it was ascertained that the enemy had abandoned his position in the batteries. We then took up our line of march for Gaines's Mill, which point we reached between three and four o'clock P. M. of the same day. Almost immediately upon arriving at this point, our regiment was ordered into action. We advanced upon the right-hand road, having thrown forward two companies as skirmishers, who were immediately engaged, when the whole regiment advanced rapidly to their support. In this advance, company B did distinguished credit to itself and its commander, Captain R. S. Young, by the readiness with which it became aligned, and its marked steadiness in advancing under a very heavy fire. As we approached, Colonel Campbell ordered the skirmishers to form upon the right of the regiment, and the line advanced to a rail fence in front of the woods. Here we engaged the enemy, vastly superior to us in numbers. After holding this position for some time, and finding he was not so rapidly reënforced as he anticipated, Colonel Campbell ordered his regiment to retire to the rear of the wood. The command was then separated. About seven companies, under command of Colonel Campbell, were almost immediately advanced to their previous position, and three companies under my command (to wit, B, F, A, and a portion of G) were rallied in the rear of the wood, and reported to Major-General Hill for orders. The seven companies under Colonel Campbell, after driving It was now nightfall, and Major Junius L. Hill, who had behaved with his usual distinguished gallantry, finding that more than half our force was destroyed, and himself exhausted by long action, and a severe shock from one of the enemy's bombs, formed such of his men as he could collect, and reported to me. The flag which was borne during this conflict was literally shot to pieces, and bore upon its field the marks of thirty-two balls. This is the best indication of the heavy fire to which our brave men were exposed. My portion of the command, which, in obedience to orders, had fallen back to the rear of the wood, after the first two hours of the engagement, was, upon my application to Major-General A. P. Hill for orders, ordered toward the right of our lines for the purpose of supporting a portion of General Jackson's command, which, he informed me, was then upon the field. My men cheerfully and earnestly advanced toward the right, with cheers for "Old Stonewall." We were under heavy fire for the rest of the evening, but were not so actively engaged as the rest of our regiment; the aforesaid portion of Jackson's command and Wheat's battalion being in our front. Near nightfall I reported to you, stating the exhausted condition of my troops, when you directed me to form on the left of the road, approaching the enemy, and post sentinels along the road so as to collect such portions of your brigade as might pass along said road, directing them to bivouac at this point. On Saturday, the twenty-eighth, 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 of its |