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

It gives me great pleasure to say that Major-Gen. McClellan and Gens. Heintzelman and Keyes rode twice along the entire lines in the afternoon, to the great gratification of the troops, who received them with unbounded enthusiasm.

It is a matter of regret that the Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers were not present at the battle, being despatched on special duty with Gen. Stoneman. It was unfortunate that the exigencies of the occasion required the breaking up of my brigade organization, and in consequence I was only able to go into the last charge on the right with about a thousand men. This small body, in conjunction with the brave troops hotly engaged, staggered the élite of the enemy, and checked his powerful efforts for gaining the main road. My effective force was reduced by detachments to two thousand men, of whom forty-one were killed, two hundred and forty-two wounded, and sixty-one missing--making a total of three hundred and forty-four, or about one sixth of the command engaged.

Col. J. Lafayette Riker, Sixty-second New-York volunteers, fell while repelling a charge upon one of the batteries. His bearing on this occasion, like that at the battle of Williamsburgh, was marked by great coolness and unflinching determination.

Lieut. John E. Rodgers, Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers, was a promising officer, and fell gallantly breasting the storm.

The following-named officers were wounded, and deserve mention for their honorable conduct, namely, Capt. John W. Patterson, Capt. Thomas McLaughlin, Adjutant Joseph Browne, Lieut William B. Kenney, of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania volunteers; Adjutant Leon Cuvillier, Capt. J. S. Pfanmuller, Lieuts. T. Arnold, L. Israel, and Kranne, of the Fifty-fifth New-York volunteers; Capt. A. C. Maitland, Capt. Eli Daugharty, and Capt. J. M. Mark, of the Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers.

Lieut. M. McCarter, Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers, was probably taken prisoner, and is doubtless safe.

The accompanying paper presents the names of killed, wounded, and missing. It is a long list of meritorious and brave men. They fought well, and their country will never be unmindful of their faithful and patriotic services.

Cols. Rowley and McCarter (both badly wounded) and Lieut.-Cols. Thorout and Nevins manoeuvred their commands with skill, exhibiting most commendable alacrity, cheering and leading their men on to the combat. Rowley would not quit his regiment, and McCarter had two horses wounded. Major Dayton, Sixty-second New-York volunteers; Major Jehl and Capt. Tissot, Fifty-fifth New-York volunteers; Lieut.-Col. Kinkhead, Major Poland, Capts. Fulwood and McLaughlin, Lieuts. Patchell, Reed, and Dain, of the One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania volunteers; Capt. Arthur and Adjutant Lewis, of the Ninety-third Pennsylvania volunteers, were distinguished for their energy, coolness, and bravery, under very trying circumstances. The gallant Capt. McFarland, One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania volunteers, (very ill,) was twice taken by the enemy and retaken by our troops. He came in with the wounded Colonel and six men of the Sixth South-Carolina regiment as prisoners.

The officers of the Medical Department are entitled to the gratitude of all for their self sacrificing and untiring devotion to the wounded.

Major West, of the Pennsylvania artillery, I take especial satisfaction in commending for valuable services.

Privates W. C. Wall, Jr., and John Aiken, Jr., are mentioned favorably by their regimental commander.

Brigade-Surgeon S. R. Haven, Lieut. Silas Titus, and Daniel Lodor, Jr., Aids; Quartermaster J. S. Schultze, Commissary M. J. Green, and Samuel Wilkeson of the New-York Tribune, who volunteered his services, were constantly employed in the transmission and execution of orders involving great personal risk.

Capt. Wm. H. Morris, Asst. Adj.-Gen., and Lieut. Charles R. Stirling, Aid, deserve particular mention for gallant conduct with the One Hundred and Second and Ninety-third Pennsylvania regiments, in the rapid and bold advance on the right. The horses of both officers were wounded.

My horse fell with me after the third or fourth round, and no other being at hand, Lieut. Stirling dismounted and tendered me his own, which I was soon obliged to accept.

Considering the disadvantages of the position, the smallness of the force at hand, the suddenness of the attack on several vital points, with overwhelming numbers, and the fact that portions of the field were not taken by the enemy, and that the whole was soon recovered, this battle must be regarded as one of the most severe and brilliant victories of the war.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,