word of the result of his mission. This was done, and word was sent to me through Adjt. Currier, of the Eleventh regiment. where they could look after the front and left at the same time. The orders to the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania regiment did not reach it, and it remained on the right. At this juncture word was received from Col. Up to this moment there had been a brisk musketry fire kept up on every part of the field, but its swelling volumes in the direction of Pat-Taylor that the regiments of his command longest terson satisfied me from the beginning of the engagement that the enemy had accumulated a heavy force in his front. Grover had already anticipated it, and had moved the main portion of the First Massachusetts regiment to receive it, while first, the Seventy-second New-York regiment, of Taylor's brigade, and soon after the Seventieth New-York regiment, of the same brigade, were ordered to strengthen Patterson. Col. Averill, of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, had, with great kindness and gallantry, tendered me his services, while Lieut. McAllister, of the engineers, volunteered to make a reconnoissance of such of the enemy's works as were hidden from view, preparatory to carrying them by assault, should a suitable opportunity present itself for that object. For this service I am under many obligations to that accomplished officer. engaged were falling short of ammunition, and when he was informed that the supply-train was not yet up, a portion of his command presented an obstinate front to the advance of the enemy, with no other cartridges than were gathered from the boxes of the fallen. Again the enemy were reënforced by the arrival of Longstreet's division. His troops had passed through Williamsburgh, on their retreat from Yorktown, and were recalled to strengthen the rebel forces before Williamsburgh. No sooner had they joined, than it was known that they were again moving to drive in our left; after a violent and protracted struggle they were again repulsed with great loss. Simultaneous with the movement, an attempt was made to drive in our front, and seize the bat. teries, by the troops from Fort Magruder, aided From the earliest moment of the attack, it was by reenforcements from the redoubts on the left. an object of deep solicitude to establish a connec- The withdrawal of the supports invited this attion with the troops in my immediate neighbor-tack, and it was at this time that four of our guns hood on the Yorktown road, and as that had been were captured. They could have been saved, but accomplished, and as I saw no signs of their ad- only at the risk of losing the day. Whatever of vance, at twenty minutes past eleven A.M. I ad- dishonor, if any, is attached to their loss belongs dressed the subjoined note to the Assistant Ad- to the Brigadier-General commanding the divijutant-General, Third corps, under the impression sion, and not to his chief of artillery, or to the that his Chief was still there. It was as follows: officers and men serving with the batteries - for "I have had a hard contest all the morning, but do truer men never stepped upon the field of battle. not despair of success. My men are hard at work, While this was going on in front, Capt. Smith, but a good deal exhausted. It is reported to me by a skilful disposition of his battery, held comthat my communication with you by the York-plete command of the road, which subsequently, town road is clear of the enemy. Batteries, cav- by a few well-directed shots, was turned to good alry, and infantry can take post by the side of account. mine to whip the enemy." This found General Heintzelman absent, but it was returned opened, and on the envelope endorsed, "Opened and read," by the senior officer on that field. A cavalry man took over the note, and returned with it, by the Yorktown road, after an absence of twenty min utes. The foregoing furnishes a faithful narrative of the disposition of my command throughout this eventful day. Between four and five o'clock, Gen. Kearney, with all his characteristic gallantry, arrived on the ground at the head of his division, and after having secured their positions, my division was To return, it was now after one o'clock, and withdrawn from the contest, and held as a rethe battle had swollen into one of gigantic pro- serve until dark, when the battle ended, after a portions. The left had been reenforced with the prolonged and severe conflict against three times Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth New-York regi- my number, directed by the most accomplished ments-the only remaining ones of my reserve-General of the rebel army, Major-Gen. J. E. Johnunder Col. Taylor, and all were engaged; yet its fortunes would ebb and flow despite the most determined courage and valor of my devoted officers and men. Three times the enemy approached within eighty yards of the road which was the centre of my operations, and as often were they thrown back with violence and slaughter. Every time his advance was made with fresh troops, and each succeeding one seemed to be in greater force and determination. ston, assisted by Gens. Longstreet, Pryor, Gohlson and Pickett, with commands selected from the best troops in their army. The list of killed and wounded attests the character of the contest. The killed of the enemy must have been double my own; of the wounded we cannot estimate. Eight hundred were left in hospitals at Williamsburgh, and others were distributed among the private houses in the city, while all the available tenements in the vicinity of the field of battle are filled with them. Three hundred prisoners were taken. The Eleventh Massachusetts and the Twentysixth Pennsylvania regiments were ordered to the left-the support of the batteries and the Second I have omitted to mention the arrival, early ir. New-Hampshire regiment were withdrawn from the afternoon, of Brig.-Gen. Heintzelman, comtheir advanced position in front, to take postmanding the Third army corps, with his staff, and to express my very grateful acknowledgment for the encouragement inspired by his presence, and for the aid and support he gave me by his counsel and conduct. As soon as darkness concealed their movements, the rebels retreated in a state of utter demoralization, leaving behind artillery, wagons, etc., etc. History will not be believed when it is told that the noble officers and men of my division were permitted to carry on this unequal struggle from morning until night, unaided, in the presence of more than thirty thousand of their comrades with arms in their hands. Nevertheless, it is true. If we failed to capture the rebel army on the plains of Williamsburgh, it surely will not be ascribed to the want of conduct and courage in my command. The field was marked by an unusual number of instances of conspicuous courage and daring, which I shall seek an early opportunity to bring to the notice of the Commander of the Third corps. At this time I can speak but in general terms of the regiments and batteries engaged in the battle of Williamsburgh. Their list of the killed and wounded from among their numbers will forever determine the extent of their participation in this hard-fought and dearly-contested field. Their constancy and courage are deserving all praise. My profound and grateful acknowledgments are tendered to them. I am under great obligations to the officers of my staff for eminent services, and especially to Capt. Joseph Dickinson, my Assistant AdjutantGeneral, and to my Aids-de-Camp, Lieutenants Wm. H. Lawrence and Joseph Abbot, who were with me throughout the day. The loss of my division on this field was: Commissioned officers killed, 21 66 church my route was to the left, the direct road to Williamsburgh. At half-past one P.M., within three and a half miles of the battle-field, I halted my column to rest for the first time, and to get the lengthened files in hand before committing them to action. Capt. Moses, of the General's staff, with great energy assisted me in this effort. Almost immediately, however, on orders from Gen. Heintzelman, our knapsacks were piled," and the head of the column resumed its march, taking the double-quick wherever the mud-holes left a footing. Arrived at one mile from the engagement, you, in person, brought me an order for detaching three regiments, one from Berry's, the leading brigade, and two from Birney's, the second to support Emory's horse to the left of the position. Approaching near the field, word was brought by an aid-de-camp that Hooker's cartridges were expended, and with increased rapidity we entered under fire. Having quickly consulted with Gen. Hooker and received Gen. Heintzelman's orders as to the point of onset, I at once deployed Berry's brigade to the left of the Williamsburgh road, and Birney's on the right of it, taking to cover the movement and to support the remaining battery that had ceased to fire, two companies of Poe's regiment. As our troops came into action the remnants of the brave men of Hooker's division were passed, and our regiments promptly commenced an unremitting, well-directed fire. However, from the lengthening of the files the gap occasioned by the withdrawal from the column of three regiments and the silence of this battery, I soon was left no alternative than to lead forward to the charge the two companies of the Second Michigan volunteers to beat back the enemy's skirmishers, now crowding on our pieces. This duty was performed by officers and men with superior intrepidity, and enabled Maj. Wainwright, of Hooker's division, to collect his artillerists and reöpen fire from several pieces. A new support was then collected from the Fifth New-Jersey, who, terribly decimated previously, again came forward with alacrity. The affair was now fully and successfully engaged along our whole line, and the regiments kept steadily gaining ground. But the heavy strewn timber of the abattis defied all direct approach. Introducing, therefore, fresh marksmen from Poe's regiment, I ordered Col. Hobart Ward, of the Thirty-eighth New-York volunteers (Scott LifeGuard) to charge down the road and take the rifleHEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, pits on the centre of the abattis by their flank. HEINTZELMAN'S CORPS, May 6, 1862. This duty Col. Ward performed with great galCAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, on lantry, his martial demeanor imparting all confireceiving orders on the fifth instant, at nine A.M., dence in the attack. Still the move, though nearthe division took up its line of march, and short-ly successful, did not quite prevail; but with ly after came upon the crowded columns before At half-past ten A.M., an order was received from Gen. Sumner to pass all others and to proceed to the support of Gen. Hooker, already engaged. With difficulty and much loss of time, my division at length made its way through the masses of troops and trains that encumbered the deep, single, muddy defile, until at the brick Enlisted men killed,.. Commissioned officers wounded,. Enlisted men wounded,. Enlisted men missing, Total,... us. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 65 317 837 335 .1575 JOSEPH HOOKER, GENERAL KEARNEY'S OFFICIAL REPORT. bravery every point thus gained was perfectly sustained. The left wing of Col. Riley's regiment, the Fortieth New-York volunteers, (Mozart,) was next sent for and the Colonel being valiantly engaged in front came up brilliantly conducted by Capt. Mindil, chief of Gen. Birney's staff. These charged up to the open space and silenced some light artillery, and gaining the ene my's rear caused him to relinquish his cover. The victory was ours. moves. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, HEINTZELMAN'S CORPS, About this period, Gen. Jameson brought up To His Excellency, Gov. A. G. Curtin, of Pa.: SIR: As the commanding officer of this divithe rear brigade, and the detailed regiments having previously reported, in the midst of a severe sion, of which three regiments, the Fifty-seventh, fire, a second line was established and two col- Sixty-third, and the One Hundred and Fifth Pennumns of regiments made disposable for further sylvania volunteers form a portion, I cannot reBut darkness, with the still drizzling frain from calling to your notice the important rain, now closed, and the regiments bivouacked part performed by them in the battle of Williamson the field they had won. The reconnoissance burgh, on the fifth instant, and if not themselves during the night, and the early patrols of the the sufferers in loss, they contributed, by steady morning, revealed the enemy retiring, and Gen. and imposing attitude, to the success of those Heintzelman in person ordered into the enemy's more immediately engaged, and would have works (which our pickets of the One Hundred formed a means of subduing all opposition should and Fifth Pennsylvania regiment, under Lieut. the enemy have resisted on the following day. Gilbert, were entering with Gen. Jameson) the A picket of one hundred and twelve men of the Fourth Maine regiment to erect thereon its stand- One Hundred and Fifth, under Lieut. Gilbert, ard and take possession in full force. I have to were the first to enter the enemy's works, followmark out for the high commendation of the Gen-ed by the Fourth Maine, of Gen. Birney's brigade. eral-in-Chief Gens. Jameson, Birney, and Berry, Col. A. A. McKnight, One Hundred and Fifth whose soldierly judgment was alone equalled by Pennsylvania, Col. Alexander Hays, Sixty-third, their distinguished courage. I refer you to their and C. T. Campbell, Fifty-seventh, are in my first reports to do justice to the names of the gallant brigade, commanded by Gen. Jameson. In conofficers and men under their immediate command. clusion, your Excellency, it is not by her noble Having confined myself to the centre, principally regiments Pennsylvania was distinguished in the I have to bring to your nothe key of the position, I report as having conlast great battles. spicuously distinguished themselves, imparting tice, and to that of the people of the State, that victory all around, Cols. Poe, Second Michigan the second brigade of my division was commandvolunteers, and Hobart Ward, Thirty-eighth ed by a Pennsylvanian, Gen. Birney. This offiNew-York volunteers. Never in any action was cer displayed coolness and courage, and brought the influence of the staff more perceptible. All into the field the talents which distinguished him were most efficient and defiant of danger. I among his fellow-citizens. He has proved himespecially notice Capt. Smith, Assistant Adjutant- self a good colonel-his brigade is the model of General of Gen. Berry, and predict for him a cagood discipline. His genius of command was reer of usefulness and glory. My own staff were equally conspicuous on this day. truly my means of vision in this battle in the woods. I have to deplore the loss of my chief of staff, Capt. Wilson, who was killed while putting in execution my desire for a general onset at the period of the last charge, falling within the enemy's lines. Also, of Lieut. Barnard, late of West-Point, at the end of the engagement, after having previously lost a horse. Capt. W. V. Sturgis, my aid, was brave, active, and judicious. Lieut. Moore, another of my aids, renewed on the field his previous distinction gained abroad. My volunteer aid, Mr. Watts Depuyster, bore himself handsomely in this his first action. have the honor to append the list of killed and wounded, which, though not impairing our future efficiency, was a severe loss for the few engaged. Our batteries were on the field but not required, Maj. Wainwright, of Hooker's division, having by much personal effort resumed the fire of several pieces; but Capt. Thompson, U.S.A., chief of my division of artillery, in the midst of a heavy fire, gave me the benefit of his experi ence. I have the honor to be your ob't serv't, Captain C. McKeever, I I have the honor to be, sir, your ob't serv't, HEADQUARTERS BIRNEY'S BRIGADE, KEARNEY'S DIVISION, CAMP NEAR WILliamsburgh, Va., May 6, 1562. SIR: I have the honor to report that after a wearisome march of six hours on yesterday, through deep mud and a drenching rain, my brigade being heavily burdened with knapsacks, haversacks, and shelter-tents, I received an order from Gen. Kearney to relieve the troops under my command from all encumbrances and move forward to the scene of action, some three miles distant, as rapidly as possible. Leaving under guard all encumbrances, the brigade, although jaded and wearied, moved forward as rapidly as the roads would permit. On nearing the front, by order of Gen. Heintzelman, through Captain McKeever, I detached the Third and Fourth Maine regiments, and proceeded with the Thirtyeighth and Fortieth New-York regiments to the front. When I reached the front, under Gen. Kearney's orders, I deployed the Thirty-eighth and right wing of the Fortieth New-York regiments to the right of the road, and relieved, opportunely, fragments of regiments that had been in the fight. They marched steadily to the front, and drove the enemy, after a furious contest, The following is the report of Gen. Kearney from the woods. They fell back over fallen tim to Gov. Curtin: ber, and opened a destructive fire from rifle-pits. VOL. V.--Doc. 2 LETTER FROM GENERAL KEARNEY. To His Excellency Gov. Morgan: If, Your Excellency, I do not particularize individual officers, it is that I could not, where all was zeal, distinguish one without injustice to the other. The Colonels are of the same opinion as myself. Colonels of two of them stop before the difficulty of a selection; another, Col. Hayman, includes his entire list. They were supported by their batteries, which poured a well-aimed and destructive fire into our ranks. The Thirty-eighth and right wing of the Fortieth New-York behaved nobly, and maintained their position. During the contest, the Thirty-eighth New-York regiment, under Colonel Ward, were ordered to charge down the main road in advance of the Michigan regiments, and, piercing the enemy's centre, to carry the rifle-pits by the flank, and the left wing of Col. Riley's regiment (Fortieth New York) were ordered in like manner to follow the Thirty-eighth NewYork, to take the enemy in the rear. I sent with this wing Capt. Mindel, of my staff, and under Gen. Kearney's presence he led them to the dangerous position assigned them. Capt. Gesner, of the left wing, and Capt. Mindel behaved well under the terrible fire that greeted them, and led the brave officers and men under them gallantly and worthily. Night coming on, put an end to the pursuit, and, amidst the darkness and rain, we waited the morning. During the night the Third and Fourth Maine regiments, that had been, previous to the contest, detached by order of The services of these regiments were most Gen. Heintzelman, reported to me for duty in necessary. Each of the three bore the full brunt front, and by order of Gen. Kearney I moved of the battle. The Thirty-seventh, Col. Hayman, them to the front, to relieve the Thirty-eighth constituted our extreme left, part of Gen. Berry's and Fortieth New-York regiments. I pushed brigade. The Thirty-eighth and Fortieth Regithem on to the enemy's works, found them de- ments served on the right flank. During the acserted, and troops to the left of us in possession. tion, the Thirty-eighth, Col. Ward, and a wing My brigade has lost several gallant officers and of the Fortieth regiment, were marshaled for the many brave men in this contest. Annexed you desperate work of piercing the enemy's left cenwill find a list of killed, wounded, and missing. tre and carrying the rifle-pits in the nearly imWhere so much gallantry was displayed it is passable abattis-a desperate undertaking. But difficult to select the most deserving of notice. I knew their reputation, and I was sure of their To Col. Ward, Capts. Mindel and Gesner fell the success. Col. Hobart Ward lost nine officers out good fortune to lead the most important charges, of the nineteen that went into action. Two of and they were well supported by the gallant offi- them were prisoners, and were rescued.. cers and men under them. Col. Riley maintained well his position, and executed the orders with coolness and efficiency. The loss of the rebels in front of my regiments was terrible; those that remained on the ground, some forty, were decently buried. The Thirty-eighth New-York regiment, or "Scott Life-Guard," preserved well the high reputation it gained for gallantry at Bull Run, and although in that engagement and in this it has lost fifteen officers and one third of its members, it is still ready to devote the balance to support our flag. I ask that Congress will, by special resolution, authorize this regiment to place upon its flag, "Bull Run" and "Williamsburgh," and the Fortieth New-York or Mozart regiment, "Williamsburgh." I trust that the General commanding division, seeing how well two of my regiments carried out his orders, will never hesitate to rely on my brigade. Lieut.-Col. Strong, Thirty-eighth New-York regiment, deserves special mention for his gallant conduct. His wound, although disabling him, I am happy to report is not mortal, and he will be soon returned to his regiment. I am yours truly, Lieut. W. G. STURGIS, A. A. General, Kearney's Division. Your Excellency, I particularly name to you these Colonels, as most meritorious and gallant officers, and trust that their State will ever be mindful of them as her proud representatives. Your Excellency, in making you this, my first official communication, I am happy to embrace the occasion to assure you how sensible I have ever been of your having recommended me originally as one of the Generals within your nomination. I enclose the list of killed and wounded of these three New-York regiments. Most respectfully, P. KEARNEY, Heintzelman's Corps. COMPLIMENT TO THE MAINE TROOPS. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION HEINTZELMAN'S CORPS, CAMP BERRY, BARHAMSVILLE, VA., May 10. To His Excellency, Israel Washburn, Jr., Governor of Maine: SIR: As Commanding General of this division, of which two of the Generals commanding briD. B. BIRNEY, gades, (Gen. Jameson and Gen. Berry,) as well Brigadier-General. as two regiments, the Third Maine, Col. Staples, and the Fourth, Col. Walker, form a part, I take this opportunity of calling to your notice their them now. Had I had the full information I Major-General Commanding. ORDER OF BRIG.-GENERAL COUCH. HEADQUARTERS COUCH'S DIVISION, CAMP NEAR NEW-KENT COURT-HOUSE, Va., May 14, 1862. GENERAL ORDER No. 37. } meritorious conduct in the late fight, and to display the fact that, although these regiments were not sufferers in the late engagement at Williamsburgh, having been detached by Gen. Heintzelman to guard the left flank, by their steady and imposing attitude, they contributed to the success of those more immediately engaged. And I assure you, sir, that with such material, commanded by such sterling officers, nothing but success can crown our efforts when the occasion requires. I have the honor to enclose the report of Gen. D. B. Birney, who commanded the noble brigade, of which these two regiments form a part. Gen. Birney commands two New-York and two Maine The Brigadier-General Commanding desires to regiments. express his thanks to the division for the heroic It is peculiarly appropriate, after having ren-courage and fortitude displayed by them at the dered justice to the regiments and Colonels, to battle of Williamsburgh, Va., on the fifth inst. bring Gens. Jameson and Berry to the especial Gen. Peck, with his brigade, consisting of the attention of yourself and citizens at home, who Sixty-second New-York, Ninety-third Pennsyllook to them for noble deeds, to illustrate their vania, One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania, annals; and I am proud to state that they have Fifty-fifth New-York, and Ninety-eighth Pennamply filled the full meed of anticipated distinc-sylvania, had the good fortune to be in advance: and arriving on the battle-ground at a critical time, won a reputation greatly to be envied. tion. Gen. Berry, charged with the left wing of our line of battle, evinced a courage that might have Gen. Devens, with his brigade, hurried forbeen expected of him, (when, as Colonel of the ward. The Second Rhode Island and Seventh Fourth regiment of Maine volunteers, he nearly Massachusetts were pushed to support Gen. Peck saved the day at Bull Run,) and also a genius for at a trying period of the fight, and were faithful The Tenth Massachusetts was war and a pertinacity in the fight that proved to their trust. him fit for high command-for he was most sent to the right to support Gen. Hancock, and The General Commanding severely assailed on the left, and had most dif- did good service. ficult rifle-pits and abattis to face and carry. deeply regrets the absence at Warwick of the Gen. Jameson, who commands the First bri- Thirty-sixth New-York. gade, (One hundred and Second, Sixty-third and Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania volunteers, and Eighty-seventh New-York,) forming the rear of the column on the march from camp, on the fifth inst., used vigor in bringing up his men, under every difficulty, and was with me under severe fire when he arrived, and gave guarantee of a resolution that promised success, in case daylight, remaining to us, he had been advanced to the attack of Fort Magruder, and those works which the enemy evacuated to us during the night, and which he was the first to enter at daylight. I have the honor, sir, to be your obedient MCCLELLAN'S TRIBUTE TO HIS TROOPS. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: Graham's brigade came up too late to share in the glory of the fight, but not too late to assure the Division-General that they were ready for any duty which soldiers could be asked to perform. Friends! we have gained the confidence of our country; let us in future battles, as in the last, show that we can face our rebel foes, and whip them, too. By order of Brigadier-General COUCH. FRANCIS A. WALKER, A. A.G. Captain, A.A.G. NEW-YORK "EVENING POST" NARRATIVE. YORKTOWN, VA., May 8, 1862. Amazed by the proportions and strength of the rebel fortifications at Yorktown, the Northern public could hardly have expected that at a point so near as Williamsburgh our army would encounter works of the same elaborate and formidable character, and meet a stout and protracted resistance on the part of the retreating enemy. The march to Williamsburgh, which began at an early hour on Sunday, the fourth instant, was made with much caution, and yet with a rapidity which quite astonished the fleeing foe. The prisoners, taken at one point and another upon the road, all expressed the greatest surprise at our hasty advance, "never dreaming," as one remarked to me, "that we would so soon venture beyond Yorktown." The weather has been dry for some days, and the roads were in tolerably fair condition. The |