Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[80] Lieut. Washington, an Aid of Gen. Johnston, of the rebel service. This circumstance, in connection with the fact that Col. Hunt, my general officer of the day, had reported to me that his outer pickets had heard cars running nearly all night on the Richmond end of the railroad, led me to exercise increased vigilance. Between eleven and twelve o'clock, a mounted vidette was sent in from the advanced pickets, to report that a body of the enemy was in sight, approaching on the Richmond road. I immediately ordered the One Hundred and Third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers to advance to the front for the purpose of supporting the pickets. It was soon afterward reported to me by a mounted vidette that the enemy were advancing in force; and about the same time two shells were thrown over my camp. I was led to believe that a serious attack was contemplated, and immediately ordered the division under arms, the men at work on the abattis and rifle-pits to be recalled and to join their regiments, the artillery to be harnessed up at once, and made my disposition to repel the enemy. While these were in progress the pickets commenced firing. I directed Spratt's battery of four pieces, three-inch rifle guns, to advance in front of the rifle-pits, about one fourth of a mile, in order to reply with advantage to the enemy's artillery, which I knew was in battery in front of my pickets' line, and also to shell the enemy as soon as the withdrawal of the pickets and their supports should permit. I supported this battery by the One Hundred and Fourth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, the Eleventh regiment Maine volunteers, and the One Hundredth regiment New-York volunteers, of the First brigade, and the Ninety-second regiment New-York volunteers of the Third brigade.

I placed Capt. Bates's battery, commanded by Lieut. Hart, in the redoubt, Capt. Regan's battery in rear and on the right of the rifle-pits; Capt. Fitch's battery in rear of the redoubt. The Eighty-fifth regiment New-York volunteers occupied the rifle-pits on the left, and the Eighty-fifth regiment Pennsylvania volunteers those on the right. The One Hundred and First regiment Pennsylvania volunteers were posted on the right of these regiments, and the Eighty-first, Ninety-sixth and Ninety-eighth New-York regiments were advanced to cover the left flank. For several days the Fifty-second Pennsylvania volunteers had occupied a position on theNine-mile road, a support to my advanced pickets on my right flank, and the Fifty-sixth regiment New-York volunteers had held a position on the railroad. I made no change in the position of these last two regiments. About fifteen minutes after these dispositions had been completed, I directed the advanced battery to open on the artillery and advancing column of the enemy. In a short time after, the One Hundred and Third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, which at the first alarm had been ordered to the support of the pickets, came down the road in some confusion, having suffered considerable loss from the fire of the rebel advance. The enemy now attacked me in large force on the centre and both wings, and a brisk fire of musketry extended along the two opposing lines; my artillery in the mean time throwing canister into their ranks with great effect. Perceiving, at length, that the enemy were threatening me upon both wings, for want of reenforcements, which had been repeatedly asked for, and that his column still pressed on, I then, in order to save my artillery, ordered a charge of bayonets by the four supporting regiments of the centre, which was executed in a most gallant and successful manner, under the immediate direction of Brig.-Gen. Naglee, commanding First brigade, the enemy being driven back.

When the charge had ceased, but not until the troops had reached the edge of the woods, the most terrible fire of musketry commenced that I have ever witnessed. The enemy again advanced in force, and the flanks having been again severely threatened, a retreat to the works became necessary. To be brief, the rifle-pits were retained until they were almost enveloped by the enemy — the troops, with some exceptions, fighting with spirit and gallantry. The troops then retreated to the second line, in possession of Gen. Couch's division. Two pieces of artillery were placed in the road between the two lines, which did good execution upon the advancing foe.

On my arrival at the second line, I succeeded in rallying a portion of my division, and, with the assistance of Gen. Kearney, who had just arrived at the head of one of the brigades of his division, attempted to regain possession of my works, but it was found impracticable. The troops of Gen. Couch's division were driven back, although reenforced by the corps of Gen. Heintzelman. The corps of Gen. Keyes and Heintzelman, having retreated to the third line, by direction of Gen. Heintzelman, I then collected together what remained of my division.

The Fifty-second Pennsylvania volunteers, and the Fifty-sixth regiment New-York volunteers were under the particular direction of Brig.-Gen. Naglee, and I refer to his report for further mention of them. Gen. Naglee behaved with distinguished gallantry through the engagement, having a horse killed under him, and receiving four contused wounds from musket-balls. Gens. Palmer and Wessells, encouraged by their example their men to do their duty on the field. Gen. Wessells had a horse shot under him, and himself received a wound in the shoulder. Lieutenants West and Foster, my Aids-de-Camp, were active through the day, affording me much service and behaving gallantly. Capt. Davis, of the provostguard of my division, acted as my aid a portion of the time, rendering much assistance, and conducting himself in a gallant manner. I also feel much indebtedness to my Medical Director, Dr. Crosby, for the energy he evinced in collecting, and his promptness and skill in providing for the wounded. I have enclosed a list of the killed, wounded and missing, as also the reports of the commanders of the brigades to which I refer. I cannot forbear mention of the severe misfortune suffered by the division and the service in the