ing the entire force brought into the field, should be explained. This is essential to the complete understanding of the part taken by and the disposition made of the various commands in the action. According to this plan, the division of General Stevens was to form the assaulting column against the enemy's works at Secessionville, and being formed in the utmost silence at his outer pickets, was to move forward at the first break of day upon the enemy's batteries, while the remainder of the troops, comprising Willliams's brigade and a part of my division, moving together from the camp at Grimball's, were to act as a support to Gen. Stevens, protecting his left and rear from an attack of the enemy's forces from that direction. So important was the duty assigned to this covering force deemed, and so convinced was Gen. Benham of the probability of an attack in that direction, that he ordered in the event of the repulse of Stevens, that the covering troops should not resume the assault. be clearly discovered to any considerable distance. I should remark here that just after or about the time I gave the order for the advance from camp, I was joined by General Benham, who assumed the command of the column, and who retained it during the action, leaving me responsible for my division only. Moving rapidly to the front, I formed my command partly behind a hedge-row parallel to the front of the enemy's works, partly a little in rear, and brought up two pieces of artillery to open upon the enemy, and then proceeded to the front, to ascertain exactly the condition of affairs there. I should have stated that soon after the col umn was put in motion from the wood where it had been halted, a messenger came from General Stevens to say that he was advancing; and before we had reached our position, a message from Gen. Stevens asking immediate support was answered by an order from Gen. Benham to Acting Brig.-Gen. Williams to report to General Stevens with his command. This was a change in the The parts to be performed by the two columns original programme, by taking from the covering were therefore well defined and distinctly under-column the brigade under Williams, and adding stood. That of Gen. Stevens was to assault and it to the assaulting column. On reaching the carry the works at Secessionville: that composed front, I found that the command of Gen. Stevens of the troops of Gen. Williams's brigade and my was falling back; that a portion had been formed division were to cover the assault, and protect it behind the advance hedge-row; that the Ninetyfrom attack on the left and rear. The organiza-seventh Pennsylvania was behind the same hedge tion of the left column having been left to me, I on the left of Gen. Stevens, and that the Third added to the brigade of Williams the Ninety- New-Hampshire and Third Rhode Island, which seventh Pennsylvania regiment and one section of had been pushed well up to our left of the enemy's Hamilton's battery, and arranged the force as works and on the left of the marsh, were hotly follows: engaged, and under a cross fire from the works and ACTING BRIG.-GEN. WILLIAMS'S BRIGADE.-1- from a force of the enemy's artillery and infantry Third Rhode Island, five companies; 2-Third on our left, in a low growth of bushes which covNew-Hampshire, ten companies; 3-Ninety-severed them from view. The performances of these enth Pennsylvania, six companies; 4-company regiments and their gallant bearing under a most E, Third artillery, one section. destructive fire, will be detailed by their immediate commander, Gen. Williams, and I refer to them at all only with a view to their connection with the movements of the rest. COL. CHATFIELD'S BRIGADE.-5 Sixth Connecticut, two companies; 7-Forty-seventh NewYork, eight companies. COL. WELSH'S BRIGADE.-8-Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, six companies; 9-First New-York volunteer engineers, three companies; 10-artillery, two sections; 11-cavalry, two squadrons. The remaining troops were left in camp and on picket duty, from which they could not be withdrawn without compromising the safety of the camps and depot. Orders were issued to call the men at two A.M., and to have them in line for marching at three A.M. All this was accomplished, and at the appointed time the column was in motion, and proceeded to and formed under cover of the woods about one mile in advance of our camp, to await information of the advance of Gen. Stevens's column, as had been agreed upon. Prior to receiving such intelligence, however, a few stray shots on our right and to our front indicated that Gen. Stevens's command was advancing, and without waiting further, the column was at once pushed forward. By this time daylight was upon us, but as the morning was dark and cloudy, objects could not To silence the fire on our left, just referred to, and to be able to resist more promptly any attack from that point, a section of Hamilton's battery was brought into the field to the left of the marsh, and opened on the enemy; and the Forty-seventh regiment, of Col. Chatfield's brigade, was also brought forward, and formed in line of battle to the left, in face of the low growth of bushes to which I have alluded-a measure which was executed with the most admirable coolness and in perfect order. The fire of our battery soon silenced that of the enemy, which was not resumed. The other troops of my command maintained their original position through the entire engagement, except the volunteer engineers, who, by my direction, changed front forward to the left, to cover the approach in that direction. Although not actually engaged with the enemy, the troops of my command were constantly under the fire of the enemy's artillery, which was at times very warm, and which was borne most unflinchingly by officers and men, who were anx ious to be brought up face to face with the enemy. The conduct of officers and men was deserving of all praise. Lieut.-Col. David Morrison commanding, the One Hundredth Pennsylvania, Major David A. Leckey To Captain Hamilton, Third artillery, Chief of commanding, and the Forty-sixth New-York, Col. Artillery, of the left column, I desire to express Rudolph Rosa commanding, being in support. my obligations for the judicious management of A storming party, consisting of companies Cand the artillery, which had much influence in sub- F, commanded by Capts. Ralph Ely and Richard duing the fire of the enemy; and to the various N. Doyle, of the Eighth Michigan regiment, was members of my staff, Col. E. W. Serrell, volun- in advance, followed by company E, Serrell's Enteer engineers, Chief Engineer; Capt. C. W. Fos-gineers, Captain Alfred F. Sears commanding. ter, Assistant Adjutant General; Capt. Goodrich, Assistant Quartermaster; Lieut. Frederick A. Sawyer, Acting Brigade Commissary; Lieuts. T. L. Hayan and H. W. Hubbell, Aids-de-Camp; John Darlington, volunteer Aid-de-Camp, and Capt. J. M. Rice, of Gen. Hunter's staff, but serving with me as a volunteer Aid-I desire to acknowledge the prompt and satisfactory discharge of the various duties assigned them. The troops of the entire column left the field in the most perfect order, the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania regiment bringing up and covering the rear, as far as our front line of pickets, where it was halted and remained in position till all prospect of an attack on the part of the enemy had passed away. The withdrawal from the field of both columns was ordered by Gen. Benham. Accompanying this are the reports of Colonels GENERAL STEVENS'S REPORT. - to move Four guns of the Connecticut light battery, Capt. A. P. Rockwell commanding, followed the First brigade, and company H, First Massachusetts cavalry, Capt. S. M. Sargeant commanding, followed in rear. The strictest orders were given to maintain the most perfect silence, for each regiment to follow the preceding regiment within supporting distance, and to rely exclusively upon the bayonet in encountering the enemy, resorting to firing only in case of manifest necessity. At the first break of day, or about four o'clock, it being a dark and cloudy morning, the entire command was in motion. My Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. Benjamin R. Lyons, with a negro guide, was at the head of the storming party. My Aidde-Camp, Captain William T. Lusk, guided the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts. The command pushed forward, surprised and captured the pickets at the house occupied by them, entered the fields beyond, and as they came within the effective range of grape and musketry, pushed forward into line of battle, and the entire Eighth Michigan regiment, at about one hundred yards from the enemy's works, the main body being preceded only about forty feet by the two storming companies, received his fire of grape, musketry and canister. Up to this period not a shot had been fired, although five men of the Eighth Michigan had been wounded by the pickets who were surprised and captured. At this period of time the entire three regiments of Fenton's had passed the hedge, some five hundred yards from the enemy's works, and I was engaged directing the attacking and supThe instructions of Brig.-Gen. H. W. Benham, porting force of Col. Leasure. They were orderwho commanded the forces, were to form my en-ed to keep to the left, and to push up to the tire division before the break of day, in secrecy work, regiment following regiment, as in the case and silence, at the outer pickets; and at the of Col. Fenton. break of day—say about four o'clock rapidly upon the enemy's works at and about Secessionville, with a view of carrying them by a coup de main. In the attack, it was arranged that all the available forces of Wright's division The firing now became general and continuous and Williams's brigade were to move to its sup in front. The advance of the Eighth Michigan port as soon as the fire from my attack was was on the parapet. The light battery of Rockheard. In the event the attack proved success- well was immediately pushed to the front, and ful, the other operations of the day were to be took its position at the second hedge, and the determined by the circumstances of the occasion. Highlanders, led by Morrison, seeing the hot fire My command was all in order of battle at half to which the Eighth Michigan was exposed, pushpast three o'clock at the outer pickets, the headed forward at the double-quick, and moving from of my column being within rifle-range of the ad- the left to the right of the field, entered a narrow vanced position of the enemy. The First bri- opening, gained the parapet to the right of the gade, Col. Fenton commanding, consisting of the point reached by the Eighth Michigan, and shot Eighth Michigan, Lieut.-Col. Frank Graves com- down the enemy whilst serving their guns. manding, the Seventh Connecticut, Lieut.-Col. J. R. Hawley commanding, and the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. M. Moore commanding, being in front, and the brigade of Col. Leasure, consisting of the Seventy-ninth Highlanders, The front on which the attack was made was narrow, not over two hundred yards in extent, stretching from the marsh on the one side to the marsh on the other. It was at the saddle of the peninsula, the ground narrowing very suddenly at this point from our advance. On either hand had taken on that flank, and do the best, in conwere bushes on the edge of the marsh for some lit-cert with our attack, the circumstances of the tle distance. The whole space at the saddle was ground permitted. The movement of Col. Wiloccupied by the enemy's work, impracticable liams was, in my judgment, the best thing that abattis on either hand, with carefully prepared could be done, and he executed it in a manner trous de loup, and in front a ditch seven feet worthy of all admiration. deep, with a parapet of hard-packed earth, having Some time was occupied in establishing the a relief of some nine feet above the general sur- whole line at the advanced hedge. The remains face of the ground. On the fort was mounted of two or three companies of the Eighth Michisix guns, covering the field of our approach. The gan, and of several companies of the Highlanders whole interior of the work was swept by fire from never once abandoned their advanced positions the rifle-pits and defences in the rear, and the on the right and left of the enemy's works, till flank of the work itself, and the bushes lining the ordered to do so at a subsequent period of the marsh on either hand, were under the fire of rifle-action, and the remainder of the regiments were men and sharp-shooters, stationed in the woods gallantly led - that of the Eighth Michigan, by and defences lying between the work and the Capt. Ely, twice wounded, and the only officer village of Secessionville. of the storming party not killed or disabled, and that of the Highlanders by their gallant Lieut.Col. Morrison, who, wounded in the head on the parapet, seemed only the more eager to lead on to the assault. The Seventh Connecticut also moved up in a beautiful and sustained line of battle; for it must be borne in mind there had not been the least panic or running from the field on the part of a single regiment. Commands, in consequence of the roughness of the ground, the unexpected abrupt narrowing of the front at the neck of the peninsula, the destructive fire of grape and musketry from the enemy, and the ra pidity with which regiment followed regiment, were divided, became somewhat intermingled, and it was simply a necessity to disentangle and re-form them. Not a fugitive did I observe passing from the battle-field. It will thus be seen that the whole front was scarcely enough to deploy a single regiment. Col. Fenton, in command of the First brigade, used every exertion to throw the Eighth Michigan as far to the right as possible, and to bring on, in support, the Seventh Connecticut and the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts, but the terrible fire of grape and musketry from the enemy's works cut the two former regiments in two, the right going to the right and the left to the left, whither, finally, the whole of the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts took its position, and where they were joined without scarcely an interval of time, by the One Hundredth Pennsylvania and the Forty-sixth New-York, of Leasure's brigade. These regiments had been brought up with great promptness and energy by Col. Leasure, and the right of the One Hundredth had pushed up to and joined the Seventy-ninth in their charge. It was during this brief period of less than one half hour from five to half-past five o'clock that the greater portion of the casualties occured. The Eighth Michigan made the most heroic exertions, and suffered the most terrible losses. Captains Pratt, Church, Guild, and Lieut. Cattrell, commanding companies, were killed, and Capts. Doyle and Lewis and Lieut. Bates, commanding companies, were wounded on or near the parapet of the work. My Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. Lyons, who led the storming party, and the first man to cross the ditch, was severely wounded on the berme of the work, and was obliged to retire. Of twenty-two officers of that regiment who went into action, twelve were killed and wounded. Seeing that without supports and re-forming the line it was useless to continue the contest, I ordered the troops to be so formed on the hedge nearest the works, and the regiments that had suffered most, namely, the Eighth Michigan, the Seventy-ninth Highlanders, and the Seventh Connecticut, to be withdrawn to the second hedge, The battery which had been temporarily withdrawn to the road, was again advanced to the hedge, and opened a destructive fire upon the enemy. Of my entire command, all were thus advanced except the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts, which had withdrawn, and now occupied a position on the left at the road. The command was in excellent spirits and in a position enabling them clearly to discern the effect of our fire, and were prepared and eager to be led to the assault. The flank movement by Williams was having a very marked effect. I sent word to Brig. Gen. Benham, commanding the forces, through his staff-officer, Capt. Elwell, that my troops were in line of battle, my guns in position at the hedge, and that I was preparing to move upon the enemy's works. At this stage of the action, Williams's troops were withdrawn, and I learned from staff-officers, who reported to Gen. Benham in person, that they were withdrawn by his orders. I still maintained my advanced position. Nor did I withdraw a regiment till, by the orders of Gen. Benham, Williams's had been entirely withdrawn, and every regiment of Wright's, except the Ninetyseventh, had passed to the rear of the road. My troops were then withdrawn in good order, and were returned to their several encampments. I must express my profound sense of the intrepid bearing and soldierly conduct of my brigade commanders, Colonels Leasure and Fenton, who did every thing that commanders could do to lead their respective brigades to the attack; and it is mainly due to their exertions that their lines of battle were maintained throughout the action. Col. Fenton left a sick-bed to command his brigade, and the bold, well-sustained charge of the Eighth Michigan regiment was made under his direction, as was that of the Seventy-ninth Highlanders, led by Morrison, was under the direction of Col. Leasure. All which these officers have to say in commendation of their staff, I know from personal observation to be true. gineer company the storming party, did most excellent service, first at the advanced hedge, under circumstances of great exposure, preparing embrasures for Rockwell's battery, and afterward at the road, removing obstructions therefrom, and arranging the openings in the hedge both for infantry and artillery. There was no opportunity for cavalry movements proper; but the orderlies furnished from Capt. Sargeant's company did most gallant service, and the remainder of his company served effectively as videttes and pickets. Two men of his company were severely wounded and two horses were killed. To my own staff I am under the greatest obligations, and it is owing to the great harmony and concert of action between myself and brigade and regimental commanders, and their respective The firing from the batteries at the point by staffs, that exact information was had in regard company F, Third Rhode Island volunteers, Capt. to the field, and that the command was not longer Charles G. Strahan commanding, was commenced exposed, without purpose, to a destructive fire. immediately after the unsuccessful charge of our My Assistant Adjt.-Gen., Capt. Hazard Stevens, troops had been made upon the works of the enewas in all parts of the field carrying my orders my. Although having every gun but one disand bringing me information, to the great expo-abled very soon after the commencement of the sure of his life, as was Aid, Captain William T. action, the firing was conducted with great preLusk and my Acting Aid, Lieut. O. M. Dearborn, cision and regularity, nearly every shot taking Third New-Hampshire volunteers. Lieut. Lyons, effect in the fort, or in the woods in rear of my Junior Aid, led the storming column; was the work, where the large force of the enemy the first man to cross the ditch and make the were lying. The single gun was worked with as ascent of the parapet. My Division Quartermas- much rapidity as possible during the entire enter, Lieut. Jefferson Justice, One Hundredth Penn-gagement, in the course of which one sergeant sylvania volunteers, volunteered his most accept- was killed. able services at the outer pickets and served on my staff throughout the action. He communicated with me and Leasure's brigade, and I call attention to his services so conspicuous for their gallantry, and to the mention made of him in Col. Leasure's report. My Signal-Officers, Lieuts. Taffts and Howard, are worthy of honorable mention. Lieut. Taffts took his station in an advanced and exposed part of the field, kept constantly in communication with Lieut. Howard at the gunboats, and Lieut. E. H. Hickock, Seventysixth Pennsylvania at the battery, and was perfectly efficient and self-possessed under the heavy discharges of grape from the enemy. In the latter part of the action he carried my orders and aided in the formations and movements. The gunboats Ellen and Hall came into action at a later hour, but by their excellent range, obtained by the assistance of Signal-Officer Howard, who had been upon the Ellen for several successive days, did very great execution among the ranks of the enemy. Although the gunboats did not advance up the river as far as could have been desired, in order to give a more effective flanking fire upon the fort, still much credit is due them for the wonderful precision with which their fire was directed at such long range. The whole force which went into action was as follows: First Brigade, Col. Fenton Comd'g. The staff-officers of Col. Leasure, were: tant General. Lieut. Jefferson Justice. Lieut. II. G. Belcher, Eighth Michigan, Aid-de- Lieut. Jas. B. Fenton, Eighth Michigan, Aidde-Camp. Lieutenant Belcher, though early and severely wounded, continued actively on duty throughout the action, and was the last man to leave the field. Capt. A. P. Rockwell, of the Connecticut battery, deserves particular mention for his gallant bearing and skilful handling of his guns on that field. His senior Lieutenant, S. P. Porter, was remarkable for his energy, daring and persistence throughout. Capt. Sears, following with his en Total First Brigade,. Two companies of the Twenty-eighth did not join their regiment. Seventy-ninth Highlanders, N. Y. Vols.,.. One Hundredth Regiment Pa. Vols.,. Total Second Brigade,.. Total Special Arms,.. Grand total, Field Officers. Officers. Men. Total. Company E, volunteer Engineers, Capt. A. F. Sears, one wounded. Total of special arms, one killed and three wounded. total loss is as follows: Killed. Wunded. Pris'ers. Total. Ag're- First Brigade, Moreover, the Seventh Connecticut had been Company H, First Massachusetts cavalry, Capt. on very severe fatigue-duty the three previous L. M. Sargent, two wounded. nights. I desire, in this official report, to place on record my objections to these early morning attacks. They are justifiable, in my humble judgment, only under extraordinary circumstances. The troops get necessarily but little rest the night before, and they go to the work fatigued and excited. An attack at a more advanced period of the day I consider vastly preferable. These views I presented with all possible cogency and earnestness to Gen. Benham on the evening of the fifteenth-in stating my objections to his proposed attack at daylight on the morning of the sixteenth. I must confess that the coolness and mobility of all the troops engaged on the sixteenth instant surprised me. And I cannot but believe, had proper use been made of the artillery, guns from the navy, and our own batteries, fixed and field; had the position been gradually approached and carefully examined, and the attack made much later in the day, when our batteries had had their full effect, all which, you will recollect, were strongly urged by me upon Gen. Benham, the evening of the confer-ments and activity. ence, the result might have been very different. From the best information I can get, I am satisfied the force of the enemy on the Peninsula, at Secessionville and in the immediate defence of his works, was five regiments, or about three thousand effective men. It was the headquarters of his advanced forces on James Island, and was in command of a general officer. 4 0 1 7126 70 15 224 1 20 29 314 334 10 12 179 191 0 0 5 4 30 81 498 329 Total,.. Total loss, 32 officers; 497 men, or grand aggregate, 529 men. The medical officers of the division were, and have been, unwearied in their exertions and attentions upon the wounded, both on the battlefield and in the hospital. The Medical Director of my division, Dr. George S. Kemble, is specially entitled to commendation for his good arrange I herewith submit the reports of brigade and regimental commanders, and of commanders of special arms. I call special attention to the mention therein of gallant conduct on the part of both officers and men. Where so much intrepidity and devotion were exhibited, I cannot do more than refer to the sub-reports, with the expression of my judgment that every casc noted is The casualties in the action of the sixteenth well deserved. were as follows: FIRST BRIGADE, COLONEL WM. M. FENTON. REGIMENTS. Eighth Michigan,.. 72 64 0 3 0 1 0 8 4 78 82 Twenty-eighth Mass.,.. 0 8 2 40 14 0 6 0 6 3 64 67 Totals, 3 26 12 197 827 120 144 20 314 384 I am, sir, very respectfully, Your most obedient, COLONEL FENTON'S OFFICIAL REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, Capt. Hazard Stevens, Assistant Adjutant-Gen- SIR: I have to report for the information of the Brigadier-General commanding Second Division, the part taken by this brigade in the attack of yesterday on the enemy's batteries. Agreeably to orders the brigade was in readiness to move at one o'clock A.M., sixteenth, and at two o'clock in line, moved to the two houses. After specific orders were received from Brig.Gen. Stevens, who advanced with us, and at the head of the line, the brigade was put in motion by the right flank in perfect quiet and silence, Lieut. Lyon, Aid to Gen. Stevens, in advance with guide. First, two companies, C, Capt. Ely, and H, Capt. Doyle, of the Eighth Michigan volunteers, for the advance skirmishers and attacking party; second, the remaining companies of the Eighth Michigan, under command of Lieut.Col. Graves; third, Seventh Connecticut volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Hawley, followed by a section of the Connecticut battery; fourth, Twenty Company I, Third Rhode Island volunteers, eighth Massachusetts volunteers, Lieut.-Colonel Captain C. G. Strahan, one killed. SECOND BRIGADE, COLONEL DAN. LEASURE. 821 9 9 018 010 034 12,179 191 SPECIAL ARMS. Moore. On passing the house beyond the marsh, |