MAY 31- JUNE 1, 1862-- Battle of Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, Va.
No. 17. -- Report of Col. Paul Frank, Fifty-second New York Infantry.
BIVOUAC NEAR FAIR OAKS STATION,
HDQRS. FIFTY-SECOND REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
THIRD BRIG., RICHARDSON'S DIV., SUMNER'S CORPS.
SIR: I have the honor to report to you that the regiment left camp near Cold Harbor May 31, 1862, between 2 and 3 o'clock p.m., occupying the left wing of the brigade, right in front, and arrived with the same in close order about 8 o'clock p.m. the same day near the railroad, about one-half mile back of Fair Oaks Station. The brigade thrown up in line, this regiment was ordered about one-fourth of a mile on picket to the front. Arriving there, I found four companies thrown out as pickets from the Fourth Maine, and a portion of the Fortieth New York Volunteers also. The former, occupying the ground across the railroad along the edge of the woods, withdrew. I formed my regiment in line of battle, according to orders received from Captain Fisk, assistant adjutant-general, on the north side of the railroad, in a wheat field, keeping the men under arms, and throwing out a picket about 100 yards on the railroad. About 11 o'clock p.m. I received orders to march the regiment on the railroad track to the brigade camp ground, and was ordered to form line in rear of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, almost parallel with the railroad, keeping the men in readiness.
The following morning, June 1, at daybreak, according to orders, I formed the line, changing direction to the front. About 6 o'clock received orders to form line of battle on the left of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, on the south side of the railroad, having the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers on my left. About 6.30 o'clock a.m. received orders to march the regiment, left in front, regimental length, following the Eighty-first, in the same direction, farther into the woods, which order I executed, afterward facing in the old direction.
The left of my regiment leaning against a road, I immediately threw out a picket, one lieutenant, one sergeant, two corporals, and six files along the road, on the edge of the woods, about 150 yards. Received from this picket the report that extensive rebel camps were within 500 yards. On my arrival at the post I saw three lines of battle forming. Inferring from the difference in the uniforms that they were three different regiments, about one-fourth mile distance, I went back to the regiment, preparing the men for the arrival of the enemy.
About 7 o'clock a.m. the Third Georgia Regiment came up in line of battle, in four ranks, as near as from 15 to 20 paces (the woods being too thick to allow a proper aim at a farther distance), when I gave the command "Fire by file," the fire from both sides continuing about fifteen minutes. After an interval of about fifteen minutes the One hundred and fifth North Carolina Volunteers came up, taking the place of the Third Georgia at the distance of about 30 paces, formed in four ranks. I ordered "Fire by file," which lasted about one-half hour, when the enemy retreated. At this time Adjutant Gregory, of the Sixty-first New York, reported to me that General Howard, with part of his brigade, was coming up in my rear to re-enforce the left of my position. Immediately after the Third Alabama Regiment came in line of battle within a distance of about 30 paces and was received with a constant and steady fire, when suddenly I received fire from the rear. I found that part of the right wing of the Third Alabama had broken the right of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania. After Colonel Miller's death, and after the wounding of the lieutenant-colonel of the same regiment, Major Freudenberg, with a part of the left of my regiment, fell back and drove the enemy out of the woods.
The engagement with the Third Alabama lasted about one hour. Seeing that my left was exposed and entirely unprotected for the moment I advanced in line of battle within about 30 paces from the end of the woods, this movement enabling me to see all the movements of the enemy before they entered the woods, at the same time keeping my men under cover. After an interval of about fifteen or twenty minutes a fresh attack on my front was made by the Eleventh Mississippi, which lasted fifteen minutes. A few minutes before this regiment came up, but being inside the woods already, Adjutant Gregory, Sixty-first New York Volunteers, came up, informing me of the wounding of General Howard, and bringing me the order of the general to take temporary command of a part of his brigade.
Seeing the Eleventh Mississippi coming up, I asked Adjutant Gregory to report my position, with a request to allow me to repulse this coming attack. In the mean time new regiments formed on my right and left, when a new attack was made by portions of the Forty-first and Fifty-third Virginia, which lasted only a few minutes. Finding that my men had only from 5 to 6 rounds left I fell back in rear of the new lines, and gave permission to ten files to carry the wounded from the battle-field, forming the remainder of the regiment along the railroad track on the right of the Eighty-eighth New York Volunteers.
When I withdrew the regiment from the fire it was 11.30 o'clock, having been four hours in action. I have to report a loss of killed, wounded, and missing of about 140, besides Major Freudenberg, Captain Benzler, First Lieut. E. Von Schoening, Second Lieuts. William Frank, A. Pfautz, and Acting Second Lieut. E. Frank, wounded. The wounded being carried to different hospitals and from them removed by railroad to the rear, no exact report could be procured except from the main hospital. I have to report 83 wounded, who are to be carried off to-day. The surgeon of this regiment is ordered to hand in a correct report of the wounded, which will immediately be forwarded to headquarters. The present strength of the regiment is 247 muskets and rifles on the ground. It being the first time the regiment was face to face with the enemy, and this under terribly adverse circumstances, the whole time exposed to a galling fire, repulsing five attacks, each made by fresh troops, affords me great pleasure to report to you that the regiment behaved gallantly and stood firm. The attacks of the enemy were made in line of battle, mostly in four ranks.
Private E. Oberer, Company A, being wounded in the face during the second attack, fell senseless, and according to his own statement lay about two hours, when he was taken prisoner by a sergeant and a private of the Third Georgia, and brought in camp about 2½ miles on the road toward Richmond, on the south side of the railroad. He passed on his march the rebel General Johnston and staff, who, according to a statement of the rebel sergeant, commanded the rebel forces. About 3 o'clock the same night the enemy evacuated their camps and marched toward Richmond. Private Oberer hid himself in the woods and arrived about 6 o'clock the next morning (June 2) in hospital, giving the above statement, and reporting that during his confinement he heard that of the Third Georgia the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, and adjutant; of the Third Alabama, the colonel and several line officers, and of the Eleventh Mississippi most officers were killed.
A list containing the names and rank of those who distinguished themselves will be forwarded as soon as possible. In this report I take great pleasure in mentioning Assistant Surgeon Rappold, the only regimental surgeon present, who distinguished himself highly, attending to his duties under the heaviest fire and caring for the great number of wounded transferred to the hospital.
I remain, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
PAUL FRANK,
Colonel Fifty-second New York Volunteers.
Brigadier-General FRENCH,
Commanding Third Brigade.
NOTE.--I had two horses shot under me; Lieut. Col. P. Lichtenstein had one horse shot under him, and Maj. C. G. Freudenberg had one horse shot under him.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XI/2 [S# 13]
PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN--SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES
No. 229. -- Reports of Brig. Gen. William H. C. Whiting, C. S. Army, commanding Division (temporarily attached to Jackson's corps), of the battle of Gaines' Mill, engagement at White Oak Swamp Bridge, and battle of Malvern Hill.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIRST CORPS,
July , 1862.
COLONEL: The following is a report of the operations of this division in the battle of Gaines' farm, 27th ultimo:
On the morning of the 26th ultimo, at 3 a.m., the division, consisting of the Texas Brigade, Brigadier-General Hood, the Third Brigade, Colonel Law, with Reilly's and Baithis' batteries, marched from Ashland as the advance of Major-General Jackson's corps, which it had temporarily re-enforced. After passing the advanced line of vedettes the march was conducted cautiously by the Ashcake road, the Texans leading, with skirmishers deployed. At 10 a.m. crossed the Central Railroad, driving the enemy's cavalry scouts. Discovered an advanced post of cavalry west of the Totopotomoy, which fled on our approach. At 3 o'clock reached the creek, found the bridge in flames, and a party of the enemy engaged in blocking the road on the opposite side. The Texan skirmishers gallantly crossed and engaged. Reilly's battery, being brought up, with a few rounds dispersed the enemy; the bridge was rebuilt and the troops crossed, continuing on the road to Pole Green Church, or Hundley's Corner. Here we united with Ewell's division, and, night coming on, bivouacked. A furious cannonade in the direction Of Mechanicsville indicated a severe battle.
Early the next morning the troops moved, Ewell in the lead. Prisoners were taken in great numbers as we advanced. Heavy musketry and cannonading being heard on our right, Major Whiting, of the staff, taking a battery, posted it so as to shell the enemy's rear on Beaver Dam, upon which they retired, leaving the route clear for all the columns. We crossed the river without opposition. At 12 m., having made a circuit and headed Beaver Dam, the column of Maj. Gen. D. H. Hill appeared on the road leading to Cold Harbor, to which we had been directed, and passed us. Between 1 and 2 p.m. cannonading commenced in the direction of Cold Harbor. The march continued slowly, interrupted by frequent halts, until near 3 o'clock, when an aide of General Jackson directed me to form line of battle to my right and press through the woods to the firing, now become very heavy. This was at once done, the Texas Brigade on the left and Laws on the fight, a regiment of each in reserve, the troops forcing their way in good order in line of battle through a dense forest and swamp. We came out on the Telegraph road in a heavy, but distant, fire of artillery about 4 p.m. At this point I met several aides from different generals, all desiring assistance, and informing me that the troops of both Generals D. H. and A. P. Hill were hard pressed. Advancing, I shortly met the commander-in-chief, who indicated a direction a little to my right.
The field where we entered it was about the head of the ravine, which covered the enemy's left near the main road, a deep and steep chasm, dividing the bluffs of the Chickahominy. On the left side of this, as we fronted, General Hood put forward the First Texas and Hampton's Legion. Men were leaving the field in every direction and in great disorder; two regiments, one from South Carolina and one from Louisiana, were actually marching back from the fire. The First Texas was ordered to go over them or through them, which they did; the remaining Texas regiments were rapidly advanced, forming line on the right of the ravine, and the Third Brigade again on their right, and, pressing on, the whole line came under the enemy's fire. Here, from the nature of the ground and position of the enemy, the Third changed front obliquely to the left, bringing its front parallel to the ravine. The enemy, concealed in the woods and protected by the ravine, poured a destructive fire upon the advancing line for a quarter of a mile, and many brave officers and men fell. Near the crest in front of us and lying down appeared the fragments of a brigade' men were skulking from the front in a shameful manner; the woods on our left and rear were full of troops in safe cover, from which they never stirred; but on the right of the Third a brigade (Pickett's) was moving gallantly up; still farther on the extreme right our troops appeared to be falling back.
The Texans had now come up and joined line on the left, led by General Hood, and the gallant Fourth at the double-quick, when the word was given to charge, and the whole line, consisting of the Fourth and Fifth Texas, Eighteenth Georgia, Eleventh Mississippi, Fourth Alabama, and Sixth North Carolina, the Second Mississippi being held in partial reserve, but advancing with the line, charged the ravine with a yell, General Hood and Colonel Law gallantly heading their men. At the bottom ran a deep and difficult branch, with scarped sides, answering admirably as a ditch. Over against this was a strong log breastwork, heavily manned; above this, near the crest, another breastwork, supported by well-served batteries and a heavy force of infantry, the steep slope, clad with an open growth of timber, concealing the enemy, but affording full view of our movements. Spite of these terrible obstacles, over ditch and breastwork, hill, batteries, and infantry, the division swept, routing the enemy from their stronghold. Many pieces of artillery were taken (fourteen in all) and nearly a whole regiment of the enemy. These prisoners were turned over by Col. J. B. Robertson, Fifth Texas, to Brigadier-General Pryor or some of his staff. The enemy continued to fight in retreat with stubborn resistance, and it soon appeared that we had to do with his best troops. On gaining the second line and seeing the heavy force, apprehensive that he might rally, I went to Major-General Longstreet for re-enforcements. He immediately sent forward Brig. Gen. R. H. Anderson, who went in on my right and engaged and drove the enemy most handsomely on the lower part of the plateau, the enemy being there, as indeed they appeared everywhere, in superior numbers. In the mean time my division steadily continued to advance, though suffering terribly, until night found them completely across the plateau and beyond the battle-field. Pickett's brigade had ably fought on the right; the general himself was wounded in the charge. The troops on my immediate left I do not know, and am glad I do not. Those that did come out were much broken, and no entreaty or command could induce them forward, and I have reason to believe that the greater part never left the cover of the wood on the west side of the ravine.
The battle was very severe, hotly contested, and gallantly won. I take pleasure in calling special attention to the Fourth Texas Regiment, which, led by Brigadier-General Hood, was the first to break the enemy's line and enter his works. Its brave old colonel (Marshall) fell early in the charge on the hither side of the ravine. The stubborn resistance maintained all day faltered from that moment, and the day was gained. Of the other regiments of the division it would be invidious and unjust to name one before another. They were equally distinguished, and as they became engaged went on in that murderous fire with unfaltering determination. Toward the close of the fire I detached the Second Mississippi and Reilly's battery to the extreme right to open fire on the retreating masses of the enemy, endeavoring to make their way by the edge of the swamp. When the action closed my line was in advance of the guns they captured (fourteen in number), closing to the left on General Lawton's troops, of Jackson's army, and covered on the right by General R. H. Anderson.
Of my staff I cannot speak too highly. The chief, Maj. J. H. Hill, fell painfully wounded while leading the charge. The chivalrous Maj. Austin E. Smith) aide-de-camp, received a mortal wound in the same onset. Colonel Upton, Captains Frobel and Tansill were among the foremost in the fray. Here also, as in many previous battles, Captain Vanderhorst, of South Carolina, gave a notable example. Major Randolph, by special order, remained with the ammunition. Though not on my staff, I should not do right were I not to mention here the chivalrous daring of young Major Haskell, of South Carolina, belonging, as I am told, to the staff of Gen. D. R. Jones. His personal bearing in a most deadly fire, his example and directions, contributed not a little to the enthusiasm of the charge of the Third. I regret to say that the brave young officer received a terrible wound from a shell, but walked from the field as heroically as he had gone into the fire.
I take great pleasure in mentioning the distinguished bravery of Privates Fairley, Westmoreland, and Sharp, troopers of the Legion, who acted as officers, and displayed great coolness and courage. Conspicuous were Brigadier-General Hood and Colonel Law, commanding brigades.
Of the regimental commanders too much cannot be said. Colonel [A. T.] Rainey, First Texas, though seriously iii, joined his command on the field and fell severely wounded. Col. John Marshall, Fourth Texas, was shot dead, and the lieutenant-colonel (Warwick) mortally wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Robertson, of the Fifth, was wounded. Lieut. Col. S. Z. Ruff, of the Eighteenth Georgia, led his regiment and fortunately escaped unhurt. The Legion, though not so much exposed, was ably handled by Lieutenant-Colonel Gary. In the Third, Lieut. Col. O.K. McLemore, Fourth Alabama, received a painful wound early in action, the command devolving on Capt. L. H. Scruggs, who conducted the regiment through. Colonel Liddell led his distinguished regiment to the close of the action. Lieut. Col. I.E. Avery, Sixth North Carolina, was wounded, the command devolving on Maj. R. F. Webb, who ably sustained his part. The Second Mississippi, Col. J. M. Stone, was skillfully handled by its commander, and sustained severe loss.
The following is a recapitulation of casualties. The detailed list accompanies the report: (*)
Command.Killed.Wounded.Missing.
TEXAS BRIGADE.
5th Texas13621
4th Texas44206....
1st Texas1464....
18th Georgia161263
Hampton's Legion218....
Total894764
Aggregate........569
THIRD BRIGADE.
6th North Carolina547....
4th Alabama221082
11th Mississippi181423
2d Mississippi2179....
Total663765
Aggregate........447
Grand aggregate........1,016
So closed the battle of Gaines' Mill, the troops sleeping on their arms in the position so hardly won.
The battle of Malvern Hill, on the 1st, as far as my division was concerned, will require a separate report.
very respectfully,
W. H. C. WHITING,
Brigadier-General.
Col. R. H. CHILTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FIRST CORPS,
July , 1862.
COLONEL: I continue my report from Friday evening, 27th ultimo. On Saturday morning the division marched back across the ravine to renew its supply of ammunition and get something to eat. We shortly received orders to march and to follow the command of Major-General Hill. After marching half a mile we halted, the troops in front being at a halt, and so remained under arms all day, being ordered into bivouac where we were at night. This was at McGehee's house and farm, a position which had been the enemy's extreme right, and whence their causeway over the Chickahominy leads. The enemy had destroyed the bridge. All day Sunday we remained in the same position, marching early Monday morning and crossing the Chickahominy by the enemy's causeway. Passed through their encampments, crossed the York River Railroad, and, marching by the Williamsburg road, we turned off at the White Oak Bridge fork and reached the bridge about noon, finding it destroyed and the enemy drawn up beyond in line of battle. Batteries were brought up and a heavy fire opened upon him, silencing his battery completely. Our fire was directed by Major Whiting, of the staff. Sundry ineffectual attempts were made during the day to repair the bridge, but the enemy keeping up a distant and random fire of shell about the crossing, the men would not work. During the afternoon the furious battle of Frazier's farm was raging between the enemy and the troops of General Longstreet. It could be distinctly heard, and indeed was scarcely 2 miles from us. Our delay at White Oak was unfortunate. Next morning, the enemy having retired, the bridge was repaired and the troops passed, my division in the advance. Marching by the road to Turkey Bridge on the Turkey road, we presently fell in with the line of skirmishers of Major-General Magruder's troops, moving in line of battle by the Charles City road. They halted for us to pass. The troops were marching by a flank. The commanding general of the corps, Major-General Jackson, would not allow the dispositions to be made to advance with skirmishers deployed and in line, but caused the troops to press on until the head of column closed on the advance guard, a regiment of cavalry, in a thick wood near Crew's farm, about 11 a.m. On the farm the enemy were found very strongly posted. They immediately opened with shell on the woods, every portion of which was under their fire. The result was, the cavalry came to the right-about and broke through the long column of troops which filled the road, now enfiladed by the fire. Though suffering loss, they formed to the right and left with precision and promptness.
To our left was a very large wheat field, on the farm of Mr. Poindexter, which afforded a good view of the enemy's position and fair opportunities for artillery. Batteries were ordered up. The enemy's position, naturally commanding, was materially strengthened by the judicious distribution of his artillery. The first battery ordered into Mr. Poindexter's field found itself exposed to a vastly superior cross-fire, and was soon compelled to retire with loss. Balthis' battery, better posted and better covered by the ground, fought well and continued the action until their ammunition was exhausted. Other batteries were ordered up. The position to be taken by the artillery rendered infantry support necessary, and I was directed by General Jackson to form my line with my right on the road in the wood, advancing to the edge in front and holding that. This was done by the Third (Law's) Brigade. The line continued by Hood extended across Poindexter's field, the men lying concealed by the wheat and the roll of the ground. I had been strengthened by the Third Brigade, of Jackson's division proper, under the command of Brigadier-General Hampton. This was held in reserve. Trimble's brigade, of Ewell's division, supported my extreme left. This disposition I was directed to maintain, the general attack of our forces being understood to be made as soon as practicable on the extreme right, the enemy's left. In the mean time it became apparent from our position that the enemy had divined the movement; their artillery fire, which had been very severe upon my batteries and troops; Ceased, and heavy columns were discovered in movement for disposition on their left. After some time the movement of baggage and troops in retreat by the Turkey Bridge road could be plainly observed.
After the attack commenced on the right my division, with the exception of two regiments on the right of my line, which was near our center, and some of the Texas skirmishers, had nothing to do with the battle except to suffer a murderous artillery fire, which they did un-flinchingly. Personally assisted by my staff, I was called upon to direct the artillery fire, which I continued to do during the afternoon. From my point of view the enemy appeared to fight with great stubbornness, and our attack to have made but little impression upon him. He deployed at one time six batteries in front of our center, when, opening in this deployment with artillery, they, together with the stationary batteries already in position, and which we had been engaging at times during the day, all opened a terrific fire upon Poindexter's field. Our gunners replied with spirit, but from want of ammunition' the contest was too unequal, and I caused them successively to withdraw. This cross-fire was excessively severe upon the supporting troops. Toward night, learning that the center was pressed hard, I received orders to direct General Trimble to move over from the left to that point, and commenced to close my own troops into the right, when night fell, and with it the battle, which had raged with great fury, ceased. For an hour after night-fall the enemy shelled the woods and Poindexter's field with rapid and heavy fire. This indicated another withdrawal. My troops remained in position all night, the advanced scouts confirming the withdrawal of the enemy during the night, leaving their dead and wounded.
Of affairs on our center and right I can give no account. My list of casualties is almost entirely from the artillery fire of the enemy, for scarcely a musket was fired in the division. When the immense amount of their artillery is considered, the violence and duration of their fire, and the exposed position of the troops, the loss, thanks to God, may be regarded as small, while the courage and unflinching endurance of the troops are worthy of the highest praise.
I regret that I do not know the names of the different commanders of batteries who reported to me during the day or the designation of their artillery. Captain Balthis behaved with great skill and gallantry and was wounded. All fought with great spirit, but labored under much disadvantage from want of ammunition, both as to kind and quantity.
Wednesday morning, the 2d, a very heavy rain set in; the troops remained in bivouac, cooking. Thursday Major-General Jackson's corps marched to take the road to Westover, but missed it, and bivouacked near Willis' Church. Thursday continued the march, arriving about 2 p.m. at Herring Creek, where the enemy's outposts were discovered intrenched. No further active operations occurred in which this division took any part.
Very respectfully,
W. H. C. WHITING,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Col. R. H. CHILTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS, July 25, 1862.
His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President of the Confederate States:
SIR: In reply to the letter of Col. P. F. Liddell, Eleventh Mississippi Regiment, applying for a transfer of his regiment and the Second Mississippi, Colonel Stone, to one of the Mississippi brigades in Virginia, which you have referred to me for my remarks, I have the honor to state that I consider the brigade to which they are now attached a Mississippi brigade. Two of the four regiments which compose it are from Mississippi, and it is commanded by a Mississippian. It is my intention, as soon as the Forty-second Mississippi Regiment, lately arrived in Richmond, Colonel Miller, can be withdrawn from the city, to assign it to that brigade, and to attach the Sixth North Carolina, now with it, to Colonel Walker's brigade. I should like to obtain a fourth Mississippi regiment to replace the Fourth Alabama; it would then be entirely composed of Mississippi regiments. If the Eleventh and Second are now withdrawn from it it will break up a veteran brigade, distinguished for good service from the beginning of the war in Virginia, and will leave General Whiting, an officer from Mississippi, without a brigade.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 16 [S# 16]
AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 2, 1862.--Campaign in Northern Virginia.
No. 148.--Report of Brig. Gen. John B. Hood, C. S. Army, commanding division, of operations August 22-31, including Freeman's Ford, Groveton, and Manassas.
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS,
September 27, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this division, composed of two brigades--Fourth Alabama, Second and Eleventh Mississippi, and Sixth North Carolina. Col. E. M. Law commanding; my own brigade, First, Fourth, and Fifth Texas, Eighteenth Georgia, and Hampton Legion; and [James] Reilly's, [W. K.] Bachman's, and [Hugh R.] Garden's batteries, Maj. B. W. Frobel commanding--in the engagements at Freeman's Ford, on the Rappahannock River, August 22; Plains of Manassas, August 29 and 30; Boonsborough Gap, Md., September 14, and Sharpsburg, Md., September 16 and 17:
On August 22, agreeably to orders of the commanding general, I proceeded to Freeman's Ford to relieve General Trimble's brigade. On my arrival in the afternoon I found the enemy had crossed over the river and were in the immediate front of General Trimble. The Texas brigade being placed on the right and Colonel Law's on the left, the attack was made at once, General Trimble leading off in the center. The enemy were driven precipitately over the Rappahannock with considerable loss, not less, I think, than from 200 to 300. During the engagement Maj. D. M. Whaley, Fifth Texas, fell gallantly discharging his duties.
The next night the command marched to Waterloo Ford and relieved General A. P. Hill's division. From this point, having joined the main body of General Longstreet's forces, the march was continued in the direction of Manassas. On arriving at Thoroughfare Gap the enemy were drawn up in line to dispute our passage. After a spirited little engagement with them by General D. R. Jones' troops, on the evening of the 28th instant, our forces were able to bivouac for the night beyond the Gap.
The next morning at daylight the march was again resumed, with this division in the advance, Lieutenant-Colonel Upton, of the Fifth Texas, in command of a party of select Texan riflemen, constituting the advance guard. Coming up with the rear guard of the enemy before sunrise, this gallant and distinguished officer drove them before him so rapidly that halts would have to be made for the troops in rear to rest.
Early in the day we came up with the main body of the enemy on the plains of Manassas, engaging General Jackson's forces. Disposition of the troops being made, the Texas brigade advanced in line of battle down and on the immediate right of the pike leading to the stone bridge, and Colonel Law's brigade on the left. Arriving on a line with the line of battle established by General Jackson, the division was halted by order of the general commanding.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy made a fierce attack upon General Jackson, his noble troops holding their ground with their usual gallantry. At sunset an order came to me from the commanding general to move forward and attack the enemy. Before, however, this division could come to attention it was attacked, and I instantly ordered the two brigades to move forward and charge the enemy, which they did most gallantly, driving them in confusion in front of them. Colonel Law's brigade, being engaged with a very heavy force of the enemy, captured one piece of artillery, three stand of colors, and 100 prisoners, and the Texas brigade three stand of colors. It soon became so very dark that it was impossible to pursue the enemy any farther.
At 12 o'clock at night orders came to retake our position on the right of General Jackson, in which we remained until 4 o'clock the next afternoon, August 30, when the battle of the plains of Manassas commenced by a most vigorous attack by the enemy upon the right of General Jackson. After a severe struggle the enemy gave way in great confusion on the left of the pike, and by direction of the general commanding I moved forward this division, with the Texas brigade on the right of the pike and Colonel Law's advancing on the left and passing over to the right. Within 150 yards after leaving their position the Texas brigade became engaged with a heavy force of the enemy, but with their usual daring and enthusiasm they charged gallantly on, driving a largely superior force a distance of 1½ miles, causing terrible slaughter in their ranks, capturing a battery of four guns crowning the heights near the Chinn house.
Colonel Law's brigade having moved forward on the left, driving the enemy and accomplishing most noble work in their immediate front; the Texas brigade having gained the heights, and being a long distance in advance of the remainder of our troops and very much exhausted, I ordered them to halt and hold their ground. Soon after General Evans' brigade came up and became engaged. I passed on to the heights and assisted in placing other brigades in position as they arrived on the field, and so soon as my own troops were sufficiently rested they were brought forward and slept upon the field of battle near the Sudley Ford road. The noble troops of this division captured four pieces of artillery and eight stand of colors, and as to their gallantry and unflinching courage they stand unsurpassed within the history of the world.
Many gallant officers and men fell upon this memorable field, and our country has cause to regret the loss of none of her sons more than that of Lieut. Col. John C. Upton, Fifth Texas. Major [W. P.] Townsend, of the Fourth Texas; Lieutenant-Colonel [S. Z.] Ruff and Major [J. C.] Griffis, of the Eighteenth Georgia, and Capt. K. Bryan, acting major of the Fifth Texas, fell severely wounded while nobly discharging their duties. Of the different regimental commanders too much cannot be said. Col. J. B. Robertson, Fifth Texas, was wounded while directing his regiment far in advance of the crest of the hill, when the brigade was ordered to halt. Col. W. T. Wofford, of the Eighteenth Georgia; Lieut. Col. B. F. Carter, commanding Fourth Texas; Lieut. Col. P. A. Work, First Texas; Lieutenant-Colonel [M. W.] Gary, commanding Hampton Legion; Colonel [J. M.] Stone, Second Mississippi; Col. P. F. Liddell, Eleventh Mississippi; Lieut. Col. O. K. McLemore, Fourth Alabama, and Maj. R. F. Webb, Sixth North Carolina, although not wounded, were conspicuous upon this hotly contested field, leading forward the many brave men of their commands. After all the field and acting field officers of the Fifth Texas Regiment had fallen, Capt. I. N.M. Turner gallantly led that regiment through.(*)
* * * * * * * * * *
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Killed.