Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/157

Rh in addition to the wounded, in the fight and the pursuit 570 prisoners. My loss in my own division was 59 killed, 258 wounded and 295 missing; total 612. Amongst the former I have to regret the loss of Lieutenant-Colonel McAllister, Seventh Georgia, who behaved with great gallantry, and Captain Russel, of the same regiment, who was acting as Major. In the list of wounded were Brigadier-General Rosser, who received a painful wound in the first day's fight whilst charging the enemy at the head of his brigade, and whose absence from the field was a great loss to me; Colonel Aiken, Sixth South Carolina, who had borne himself with marked good conduct during the fight; Lieutenant-Colonel King, Cobb legion, who was wounded in a charge, and Major Anderson, Seventh Georgia. The enemy in his retreat crossed the river at Carpenter's ford and kept down on the north bank of the stream. As he had a pontoon train with him, which enabled him to cross the river at any point, I was forced to keep on the south of the rivers so as to interpose my command between him and Grant's army, which he was seeking to rejoin. During several days, whilst we marched on parallel lines, I constantly offered battle, which he studiously declined, and he followed the northern bank of the Mattaponi and the Pamunkey until he gained the shelter of his gunboats on the latter at the White House, where he crossed during the night. Here he met a strong reinforcement with ample supplies, and after resting a day he moved down the river, thence across the country to the Forge bridges, where he crossed the Chickahominy. Chambliss' brigade, which had joined me two days previous, attacked him at this point and drove him some distance. Fearing that he might pass up the James river, through Charles City Courthouse and Westover, I took position that night so as to cover the roads from Long bridge to the latter place. The next morning, the 21th June, he drove in my pickets at Samaria church and advanced beyond Nance's shop. I determined to attack him, and to this end I ordered Brigadier-General Gary, who had joined me that morning, to move from Salem church around to Smith's store and to attack on the flank as soon as the attack in front commenced. General Lee left Lomax to hold the river road and brought Wickham to join in the attack. The necessary arrangements having been made, General Gary advanced from Smith's store and took position near Nance's shop. The enemy had in the meantime thrown up strong works along his whole line and his position was a strong one. As soon as Gary had engaged the enemy, Chambliss was thrown