loss of Col. G. D. Bailey, my chief of artillery, Having crossed the railroad bridge, and examwho fell in the attempt to spike the pieces in my ined the Chickahominy from the railroad to Botredoubt, which were necessarily abandoned. tom's Bridge, on the twentieth, and made a reconCol. Bailey was an officer of thorough military noissance from the "Chimneys" near Bottom's education, of clear and accurate mind, cool, deter-Bridge to within two miles of the James River, mined and intrepid in the discharge of his duty, on the Quaker road, on the twenty-third, Gen. and promising, with riper years, to honor still McClellan ordered me to make a reconnoissance more the profession to which he was devoted. of the road and country by the Williamsburgh About the same time also fell Major Van Val-road as far as the Seven Pines, on Saturday, the kenburg, of the First regiment New-York artil- twenty-fourth, with instructions, "if possible, to lery, a brave and discreet and energetic officer. advance to the Seven Pines, or the forks of the Under the circumstances, I think it my duty to direct road to Richmond, and the road turning to add a few remarks with regard to my division. the right into the road leading from New-Bridge On leaving Washington, eight of the regiments to Richmond, and to hold that point if practicawere composed of raw troops. It has been the ble." Under these instructions, with the addimisfortune of the division, marching through the tion of two batteries of Col. Bailey's New-York Peninsula, to be subjected to an ordeal which First artillery, and Col. Gregg's cavalry, we pushed would have severely tried veteran troops. Fur- the reconnoissance, not without considerable nished with scanty transportation, occupying opposition, to the Seven Pines on the day referred sickly positions, exposed to the inclemency of the to; one mile and a half beyond the Pines on the weather, at times without tents or blankets; illy following day; and to a line perpendicular to the supplied with rations and medical stores, the loss railroad from Richmond to West-Point, intersectfrom sickness has been great, especially with the ing it midway between the fifth and sixth mileofficers. Yet a party from my division took pos- posts, on the day following the last; and on the session of the railroad-bridge across the Chicka-day after, the twenty-seventh, extended it across hominy, driving the enemy from it, and my di- to the Nine-mile road, where it is intersected by vision took the advance on the twenty-third day of May, and, by an energetic reconnoissance, drove the enemy beyond the Seven Pines. Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, and the fact that there were not five thousand men in line of battle, they withstood for three hours the attack of an overwhelming force of the enemy without the reenforcement of a single man at my first line. The Fifty-fifth regiment New-York volunteers reached my second line just before it was evacuated. If a portion of my division did not behave as well as could have been wished, it must be remembered to what a terrible ordeal they were subjected; still those that behaved discreditably were exceptional cases. It is true that the division, after being nearly surrounded by the enemy and losing one third of the number actually engaged, retreated to the second line; they would all have been prisoners of war had they delayed their retreat a few minutes longer.

In my humble opinion, from what I witnessed on the thirty-first, I am convinced that the stubborn and desperate resistance of my division saved the army on the right bank of the Chickahominy from a severe repulse, which might have resulted in a disastrous defeat.

The blood of the gallant dead would cry to me from the ground on which they fell fighting for their country, had I not said what I have to vindicate them from the unmerited aspersions which have been cast upon them. SILAS CASEY, Brigadier-General Commanding.

REPORT OF BRIG.-GENERAL NAGLEE.

LIEUTENANT: Before alluding to the occurrences of the thirty-first of May, it would probably add to a better understanding of the subject to refer to the advance of my brigade on the twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth, a week previous.

VOL. V.-Doc. 6

the road to Garnett's house, and thence by this road bearing to the right. Our picket lines extended to the Chickahominy. This line, from the river across the railroad to the Williamsburgh road, about three miles long, was picketed at first by the First brigade, and afterwards by Casey's division, but placed more directly under the charge and protection of the regiments of the First brigade, which were encamped along its entire length for that purpose.

The picket line proposed to be kept up, and the supports to the same, from the left of the above picket line on the Williamsburgh road to the White Oak Swamp, were especially entrusted to Gen. Couch. This was the line of our advance on Saturday, the thirty-first of May, at twelve M., when two shells thrown into our camp first announced the hostile intentions of the enemy. No alarm was felt by any one, for it was seldom that twenty-four hours passed that we did not exchange similar salutations.

Be

Soon after it was reported that an attack was impending, the usual orders were issued, and within half an hour the troops moved to positions that were assigned to them by Gen. Casey. ing at this time on the "Nine-mile road," near a breastwork fronting the "Old Tavern," then under construction, and judging, from the discharges of musketry becoming frequent, that something serious was intended, I hastened in the direction indicated by the fire, and soon arrived upon the ground, on the Williamsburgh road, about three quarters of a mile in front of the "Seven Pines," where I found Gen. Casey, who had placed the One Hundredth New-York, Col. Brown, on the left of that road, behind a field of large timber that had been cut down. On the right of the same road was placed Capt. Spratt's New-York battery of four pieces. On the right of this were three companies of the Eleventh Maine, Col. Plais

ted; and on the right of the Eleventh Maine were eight companies of the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, Col. Davis. Four companies of the Eleventh Maine were on picket duty, but, being driven in, formed with the Fifty-sixth NewYork, Lieut.-Col. Jaudon, at his encampment, in line of battle, parallel with and about eight hundred yards in rear of the picket line-two hundred yards to the left of the railroad. Col. Dodge's Fifty-second Pennsylvania, supporting the picket line on the extreme right, formed at his encampment, on the Nine-mile road, three quarters of a mile in rear of the large Garnett field. The remaining companies of the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania and Eleventh Maine were on picket duty along the large field in the direction of the Chickahominy.

I congratulated Col. Bailey upon his gallant conduct and good services, as heretofore described, and suggested that in the event of being compelled to abandon another piece, he should instruct his gunners to spike before leaving it. He went into the redoubt to give these orders, when he was shot by a rifle-ball through the forehead, and died a few minutes after, the State losing a gallant soldier, and his artillerymen a friend to whom they were entirely devoted. Soon after this, Major Van Valkenburgh, of the same artillery, was killed by a rifle-ball whilst actively engaged in working these batteries, and but a little while after, Lieut. Rumsey, the Adjutant, in the same manner. All of the field and staff-officers being killed, I assumed the direction of the batteries composing the First New-York artillery.

Soon after my arrival upon the ground-about No reenforcements having been sent to us, and one o'clock P.M.-the fire then being frequent, desirous of following up the success above referred and from the direction of the main Richmond to, about half-past three P.M., I rode to the rear, stage-road, Gen. Casey gave an order to the One and led up the Fifty-fifth New-York, Lieut.-Col. Hundredth New-York, and One Hundred and Thourot, and placed it in line perpendicular to Fourth Pennsylvania and Eleventh Maine to the Williamsburgh road, about fifty yards in adcharge, when, as reported by Col. Davis, the vance of the redoubt, the left resting a short disregiments sprang forward towards the enemy tance from the road. Before getting into posiwith a tremendous yell. In our way was a high tion they were compelled to march over the worm fence, which cut our former line of battle, bodies of their killed and wounded comrades, and but the boys sprang over it, into the same inclo- soon after found themselves fully engaged. Leavsure with the enemy, where we formed and re- ing the Fifty-fifth, my attention was directed tonewed the fight. The battle now raged with wards the right, where I found the Fifty-sixth great fury, and the firing was much hotter than New-York, with the Eleventh Maine, who, after before. Spratt's battery during this time had four hours' contest, had fallen back about four kept up a lively fire in the same direction. At hundred yards, and were again placed by me, at about three P.M., the enemy being largely reën-four hours and ten minutes, in a depression in forced, pressed us in front and flank, and seeing the ground, about midway between the Williamsthat we could not hold our position much longer, unless reenforced, I despatched an officer to Gen. Casey for that purpose. The Colonel of the One Hundredth New-York being killed, the Colonel of the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania severely wounded, the Major mortally wounded, the Lieutenant-Colonel absent, half of our men having been killed or wounded, the enemy, ten times our number, within a few feet of us--one of them striking Sergeant Porter, the left guide of the One Hundred and Fourth, over the neck with his musket-several of the Eleventh Maine being bayoneted, and receiving no reënforcements, we were ordered, with Spratt's battery, to retire; but, unfortunately, the horses of one of the pieces being killed, we were compelled to abandon that piece."

The enemy endeavored to follow up this success, and was advancing in closed columns, when our troops having been sufficiently withdrawn, Col. Bailey, of the First New-York artillery, at my request, directed the fire of the batteries of Fitch and Bates, situated in and near the redoubt, to be concentrated upon the advancing mass, At every discharge of grape and canister wide gaps were opened in his ranks, which were filled as soon as opened; still, he pressed on, until, after many trials, with immense loss, finding that he was "advancing into the very jaws of death," with sullen hesitation he concluded to desist at this point.

burgh road and the railroad, and about three hundred yards in front of the Nine-mile road. Near by I found the Fifty-second Pennsylvania, which had been ordered from the right, and ĺ placed them in echelon to the right, and front of the Fifty-sixth, with the right resting upon and in rear of a large pond. At this time the fire here had considerably slackened, but was considerably increasing on the left. Returning in about an hour, to the left, I found the Fifty-fifth engaged to their utmost extent, and ascertained for the first time that the enemy had discovered, what I had long feared, that there were none of our troops between the White Oak Swamp and a line parallel with and but two hundred yards from the Williamsburgh road. He had more than an hour before discovered this, and with sharpshooters concealed in the woods, to the left and rear of the redoubt and rifle-pits, they had killed many of our most valuable officers, had picked off three cannoniers, and had killed from three to four horses out of every team attached to the First New-York artillery, and, at the time of my return, had driven our men from the rifle-pits. No time was to be lost; Fitch's battery was ordered to the rear. The battery under Lieut. Hart was next ordered to retire, but it was soon found that but one limber could be moved. I ordered the pieces to be spiked; but after spiking the pieces in the redoubt, those on the outside of it were in the possession of the enemy. By way

the

of precaution, I had ordered the prolongues to be Seven Pines, I found Col. J. Adams commanding fixed to the sections of Regan's battery, still fir- the First Long Island, which was placed across ing up the Williamsburgh road, and ordered it to the road, a portion of the right flank being in retire firing, until in the abattis that crosses the rear of it, with the left flank extending to the road. I then withdrew the Fifty-fifth, under the front and left. Advising Col. Adams of the rapid protection of this fire. This regiment had fought approach of the enemy, of the direction he was most gallantly, suffered severely, and contributed coming, and of the position of the Fifty-sixth and much, in the end, towards saving Regan's bat- One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania on his tery from falling into the hands of the enemy. left, he withdrew the left flank of the Long Island And then the entire field in front of, and includ- to the rear of the Nine-mile road, making a coning the redoubt, was in possession of the ene- tinuous line with the above, and the men were my, who had pressed to within a few yards of us, ordered to lie down, that they should escape it being necessary to support many of the wound- murderous fire that was incessantly pouring in ed horses, to keep them from falling in the traces. from the front. Scarcely was this done before At a quarter-past five P.M., we brought the last the Eighty-seventh New-York, Col. Stephen E. sections of Bailey's First New York artillery Dodge, of Kearney's division, Heintzelman's corps, from the field, the air being at this time literally came along the Nine-mile road, with rapid step, filled with iron and lead. Returning rapidly to cheering most vociferously, passed the Fifty-sixth my Fifty-sixth New-York, Eleventh Maine and New-York, One Hundred and Fourth PennsylvaFifty-second Pennsylvania, my anticipations here nia, and First Long Island about fifty yards, receiv were realized; being successful in turning our ed a volley, broke, and passed the whole of them, left flank, the enemy had opened a most destruc- running over the backs of those lying down, the tive cross-fire upon them from the pieces near the latter remaining undisturbed until ordered to rise redoubt that had not been spiked; and this, with and meet the accumulated force that was bearing the fire from their immediate front, was no long- all before it. Volley after volley was given and er to be endured, and they were withdrawn and received. An order was given to charge, but one marched down the Nine-mile road, and placed in hundred yards brought us into such close proxposition, in rear of this road, about three hun-imity with the enemy, "that a sheet of fire was dred yards from the Seven Pines, where soon their services were required. In the mean while, Col Neill, of the Twenty-third Pennsylvania, had come upon the ground occupied by Col. Dodge, and induced him to advance in front, and to the right of the position that had been assigned to him, whilst he, Col. Neill, occupied that which the Fifty-second Pennsylvania evacuated. But these dispositions were scarcely made before the masses of the enemy broke through, and a few minutes sufficed to leave the half of Dodge's command upon the ground, and to force Neill preci-ed with them. pitately from his position.

The remaining portion of the Fifty-second-for it was now reduced to a little over one hundred men-were conducted along the Nine-mile road to the Seven Pines, where, finding the rifle-pits occupied, they took possession of a fence and some outhouses, and did most effective service. Afterward they crossed to the left of Couch's position, and advanced two hundred yards, into and along the woods, to the left and front of the Seven Pines, where they remained actively employed until near dark, when the enemy advancing rapidly in masses to the rear of the Nine-mile road, inclined toward the Williamsburgh road, sweeping everything from the field, our forces making one general, simultaneous movement to the rear, which did not stop until all had arrived at the line of defence, one mile in that direction. The Fifty-second, having their retreat cut off, escaped by passing through the woods to the left and rear, to the saw-mill at the White Oak Swamp, and thence to the line above referred to, where they rejoined their comrades of the First brigade. Following down the Nine-mile road, after Dodge retired from his first position, about five hundred yards from the intersection of the

blazing in our faces." The ranks on both sides were rapidly thinning; but still the great disparity in our numbers continued. So close were the contending forces, that our men in many instances, whilst at a charge, poured their fire into the breasts of the enemy, within a few feet from the points of their bayonets. This dreadful contest lasted until nearly dark. My Fifty-sixth and One Hundred and Fourth suffered dreadfully, lost the greater part of their officers and men, and were compelled to give way, carrying their wound

It was then, in the language of Lieut. Haney, of the One Hundred and Fourth, "that I (Lieut. Haney) and Lieut. Ashenfelder and others led Capt. Corcoran, Capt. Swatzlander, and Lieut. Hendric off the field. It was about half an hour before dark. We went down the Nine-mile road, and along the Williamsburgh road. The fighting was nearly over. Our troops were all retiring. We saw the enemy not over seventy-five yards in our rear, and no troops between us and them. All of our forces were moving back, little regard being paid to brigade, regimental, or even company organization. Kearney's troops came, but did not stay long. Capt. Corcoran becoming continually weaker, we were compelled to carry him."

Fully confirming the statements of my officers, I assert that I saw no running, and there was no panic, but all moved off together, with a single purpose, and that one, to make a stand upon the line of defences, one mile in the rear, the only one of sufficient capacity to enable us to defend ourselves against vastly superior numbers, until our reënforcements could be brought together.

Company I, Captain Morrill, and company E, Lieut. Sabine, of the Eleventh Maine, were on

picket duty along the Garnett field, in front of which several rebel regiments marched about dark. Some of the men crawled into the wheat and shot three of the field-officers as they marched by. When Sedgwick crossed the Chickahominy they immediately communicated with him, remained all night upon the picket line, with the enemy in their front and rear, and on Sunday, at nine A.M., came in, bringing more prisoners than the entire number of men in their ranks.

Second Lieut. Rice, of the Eleventh Maine, was very sick in the hospital, where there were a number of the same regiment. After the fight grew warm he exclaimed: "Boys, every one of you that can hold up his head, follow me." More than twenty followed him. He shouldered a musket, and all joined their regiment and fought most gallantly. Rice, after seventeen rounds, delivered with deadly effect, for he was an excellent shot, was severely wounded in the thigh, and was carried from the field.

Company E, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, Capt. Harvey, Lieut. Croll, and fifty-eight men were extended on picket duty from the railroad to the corner, at the intersection of the Ninemile road with the road to Garnett's house; when, about three P.M., the enemy approached, but left them unmolested after firing some scattering shots, during which time we took thirteen prisoners. After five P.M. the enemy again appeared in force along this entire line. With the assistance of their supports he was held in check for nearly an hour, when, finding themselves surrounded, they were taken prisoners. Capt. Harvey was placed in charge of an officer with five men, and was marching off when a shell struck and killed the officer. The Captain, taking advantage of the confusion, made his escape, four of the men following his example.

having driven our troops from the ground, near dark, cut off the retreat of the Fifty-second by the Williamsburgh road, and was still annoyed by its deadly fire.

The list of casualties shows that there were taken into the action eighty-four officers and one thousand six hundred and sixty-nine men; and that thirty-five officers and six hundred and three men were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, being forty-two per cent of the former and thirtyseven per cent of the latter. Of the ninetythree of the Eleventh Maine that were led into the fight by Col. Plaisted, fifty-two were killed and wounded.

The brigade was among the last enlisted. It had been reduced more than one half by sickness. That it fought well none can deny, for it lost six hundred and thirty-eight of its number; bodies were found over every part of the field, and where these bodies lay were found double the number of the enemy.

The enemy, more generous than our friends, admit "that we fought most desperately, and against three entire divisions of his army, with two in reserve that, later in the day, were brought in." For three and a half hours we contested every inch of ground with the enemy, and did not yield in that time the half of a mile. We fought from twelve м. until half-past three P.M., with but little assistance, and until dark with our comrades of other regiments and of other divisions wherever we could be of service, and when, at dark, the enemy swept all before him, we were the last to leave the ground.

I am most happy to refer to the kind treatment extended by the enemy to many of the wounded of the brigade that were taken prisoners.

Since the battle of Seven Pines, now nearly three weeks, a force ten times that of Casey and Couch has not been able to regain the line of outposts established by the First brigade on the twenty-sixth of May; our present line being half a mile in rear thereof.

On Saturday, Lieut.-Col. Hoyt, of the Fiftysecond Pennsylvania, was in charge of the pioneers of the first brigade, and two companies of the same regiment, building a bridge which I had directed to be built across the Chickahominy. Remaining upon the ground and informing himself of the proceedings upon the extreme right, he rendered most valuable service by advising Gen. Sumner, as soon as he crossed the swamp, of the precise position of our forces and those of the enemy. After which, the enemy having pressed down between the railroad and Gen. Sumner, Lieut.-Col. Hoyt, with the above and some of the One Hundredth New-York, that were driven in from the picket lines near the Chickahominy, remained with Gen. Sumner until Sunday, and behaved well. After leaving the battle-field at dark, the brigade, numbering over one thousand, To Lieut. Foster, A.A. A. Gen., was marched to the right rifle-pits of the rear defences, but vacated them at the request of Gen. Kearney, and occupied those on the left, with the other brigades of Casey's division, where we remained under arms, in the rain, all night.

None of the brigade, regimental, or company baggage was lost. Some of the shelter-tents, knapsacks, and blankets, fell into the hands of the enemy, which was the natural consequence of being encamped in close proximity with the outposts.

I have shown, in the history of the battle of the Seven Pines, the conduct of every one of the regiments of the First brigade, from the time the first volley was fired, at noon, until the enemy,

Conduct such as this, if it be not worthy of commendation, should not call forth censure, for censure undeserved chills the ardor and daring of the soldier, and dishonors both the living and the dead. Very respectfully, etc.,

NAGLEE, Brigadier-General.

Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac.

GENERAL PECK'S REPORT.
PECK'S HEADQUARTERS, INTRENCHED CAMP,
NEAR SEVEN PINES, VA.

Capt. F. A. Walker, Assist. Adjutant-General:
On moving to the "Seven Pines" on the twenty-
ninth of May, I was ordered to occupy and guard
the left flank of the encampment with my command,
this being regarded as the weaker part of the line.

The greater part of the day was occup.ed in making extensive reconnoissances in the direction of "White Oak Swamp" and the Charles City road. A strong picket line was established, from a mile to a mile and a half in advance. Enemy's pickets were found at many points.

On the thirtieth, in consequence of an attack upon Gen. Casey's pickets, my brigade and two batteries were thrown out by direction of Gen. Couch upon the left of Gen. Casey's division, where they remained several hours awaiting the enemy's movement.

On the thirty-first, a little after eleven A.M., heavy picket-firing was heard in front. The falling of several shells into the vicinity of my headquarters satisfied me that the enemy was advancing upon Casey's division.

man and Keyes informed me that the enemy was assailing our right flank in great force, and urged me to push forward the regiment at a doublequick for its support. I moved off at the head of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania volunteers, Col. Rowley, followed by the Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers, Col. McCarter, across the open fields, under the concentrated fire of numerous batteries and of heavy musketry from the right. These regiments came into line handsomely, pressed forward on the enemy, and contributed their best energies to sustain their comrades so gallantly contesting inch by inch the advancing foe. For about the space of half an hour our lines swayed forward and back repeatedly, and at last, unable to withstand the pressure from successive reënforcements of the enemy, were compelled to fall back to the woods across the main road. Having remained near the main road with my Aid-deCamp, Lieutenant Stirling, until the troops had passed out of view, I pushed on in the direction of the road leading to the saw-mill. Coming up with numerous detachments of various regiments and a portion of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania volunteers, with the assistance of Lieutenants Titus and Stirling of my staff, I rallied these men, and was conducting them back toward the Richmond road, when I met Gen. Kearney, who advised me to withdraw these troops by way of the saw-mill to the intrenched camp at this place. I stated I did not feel at liberty to do so unless by his order, which he gave. I arrived at this camp about half-past six P.M., in company with About one P.M., General Keyes, commanding Gen. Kearney. Finding nearly all the forces here, Fourth corps, detached the Fifty-fifth New-York I took position in the rifle-pit with General Bervolunteers, under Lieut.-Colonel Thomas, from ry's brigade. During the night my troops were my command, and led them into position himself. supplied with a proper allowance of ammunition, This regiment was placed in support of one of the provisions were brought in from the Chickahomadvanced batteries, and acquitted itself in a cred-iny, the lines were strongly picketed, and every itable manner. It will be a matter of deep regret preparation made to meet the enemy. to Col. de Trobriand that he was prevented by illness from participating in this engagement.

In accordance with directions from Gen. Couch, my brigade was at once placed on the principal road connecting the Richmond stage-road with the Charles City road, for the purpose of holding the left flank. A portion of Major West's artillery was placed at my disposal, and held in reserve. Being in position, with my right resting near the artillery of the division, I sent out numerous parties in every direction to gain information. At the opening of the engagement, I was instructed by Gen. Couch to send the Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers, Col. McCarter, to take position on the left of Casey's division. The regiment moved into line quickly, and held its ground as long as possible, falling back with the general line on its right, but in excellent order.

Later in the day, Gen. Keyes despatched the Sixty-second New-York volunteers, Col. Riker, to the support of Gen. Couch on the extreme right.

About three P.M., the Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers rejoined me with colors flying, and was placed on the left of my line.

At this critical juncture, Gen. Keyes sent an order for my two remaining regiments to move on the main road in support of the front, which he countermanded immediately on learning the advance of the enemy on the left, and the importance of the position held by me with so small a force, unsupported by artillery.

About half-past three P.M., Captain Morris, Assistant Adjutant-General, had an interview with Gen. Heintzelman, who enquired if I could press forward on the extreme left of the line. On being informed that several roads connecting the Charles City road and the main road to Richmond led into the road held by me, he appreciated the importance of the position, and directed me to hold it at all hazards.

About half-past four P.M., Generals Heintzel

At daylight, on the first of June, I was placed in command of the intrenchments. The force at hand was not far from ten thousand men, with a large supply of artillery. Small detachments and stragglers were collected, and sent to their respective regiments. All available means were employed to promote the comfort and efficiency of the troops. Heavy working parties, relieved at intervals of two hours, were employed until the morning of the second, extending and strengthening the whole line of works. A six-gun battery was thrown up on the left of the line, covering the approaches from the Charies City road. Before morning, the guns were in position. Another important work was constructed on the front, sweeping the depression running obliquely toward the timber nearest the system of works. A large force was busily engaged in slashing the timber in front, and on the extreme left. Lieutenant Titus was sent with a party to obstruct all roads and fords across the White Oak Swamp. I directed two squadrons of cavalry to reconnoitre carefully, at intervals of two hours. Several regiments took part in a thorough reconnoissance made by General Palmer. For these results I was mainly indebted to the cordial coöperation