Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/80

68 About 12 o'clock P. M., the firing ceased, and we were ordered to lie in position upon our arms. At 3 o clock A. M. of the 27th, we were ordered to be ready to march at a moment's warning; but did not take up the line of march until twelve o'clock, and then moved in the direction of Gaines' mills down the Chickahominy. We reached that point at 4 o'clock P. M., and finding heavy fighting going on, were ordered immediately into the engagement, and remained in the fight until dark, by which time the enemy had been driven back to a distance of two miles. I then reported to you, with your 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 28th 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.

On the 29th we crossed the river and moved down James river, marching a distance of twelve or fifteen miles and encamping.

On the 30th we again marched down the 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 of artillery, and we were immediately ordered up the road in the direction of the enemy, by a flank movement, under a very great fire of shot and shell. Soon you, at the head of your brigade, filed to the right and moving six hundred 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, on 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 sides, 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 action on this occasion.

After passing through the field and entering the woods on the opposite side, my regiment became divided by the interference of