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

[462] as much coolness and accuracy as though upon the drill-ground instead of the battle-field. After proceeding about two hundred yards, you ordered the charge to be made, when we rushed forward with a wild huzzah, peculiar to the Zouaves, and immediately received the fire of thousands of the enemy's fresh troops, consisting of artillery and infantry, which had been brought forward to meet us. At this time the gallant Cooper fell. A shell fell in my lines, killing eight men at one explosion — a round shot took off private Conway's head. While the infantry-fire was like hail around and among us, producing the most dreadful carnage, not a man who was not wounded, wavered or faltered, but all pressed on with charged bayonets to the top of the hill, and drove the enemy from his position.

At this time our color-bearers and guard had all been shot down, when Capt. Lebair, of company F, seized one, and Capt. Leahy, of company I, the other of our standards, and advanced them to the wall near the road, when the rout of the enemy at this point became complete. After crossing the road and ravine the enemy promptly rallied and attempted to turn upon us by a flank movement on our left, but were prevented by the Eighty-ninth, under command of Major Jardine, of the Ninth, who gave them the bayonet, and captured their colors, which proved to be those of a South-Carolina regiment, and completing the victory at this point.

After resting here for a short time, and finding the enemy massing fresh troops in large force, on our left, we were ordered to retire and take position about four hundred yards in the rear of the one we then occupied, which change was executed in good order, and without confusion. After remaining in this position for a short time, we were positively ordered to withdraw from the greater part of the field we had won. The men retired in good order, at a slow step, and with tears in their eyes at the necessity which compelled them to leave the field they had so dearly won, and bivouacked for the night. Thus ended one of the hardest battles ever fought on this continent.

Where all behaved so gallantly, it would be invidious to mention one as distinguished above another. Permit me, therefore, to call attention to the names of all my commissioned officers engaged on the occasion. Captain Barnett, company B, acting Major, (Major Jardine having been detailed to the command of the Eighty-ninth New-York volunteers,) behaved in the most gallant manner, and although severely wounded in the early part of the action, continued with the regiment, urging on and encouraging the men in the most fearless manner. He is one of the best drilled and most efficient officers in the service, and I would beg leave to call the particular attention of the General commanding to his merits as a gentleman and a soldier. Captain Parisen, company C, although nearly disabled by sickness, was everywhere present, and commanded his company in the most admirable manner. Captain Lebair, company E, (color company,) did splendid service, and seized and carried the colors when the sergeant bearing them was shot down. Captain Childs, company G, wounded by a shell early in the morning, was prevented from taking further part in the action of the day. Captain Leahy, company I, acted in the most gallant manner, seizing and advancing to the foremost front one of our standards, when the regular bearer thereof was killed. Lieutenant Bartholomew, commanding company B, although on any other occasion should have been in hospital, led and marched at the head of his company the entire distance, is deserving of all praise, and, being on the right of the regiment, had great influence upon its good conduct. Lieutenant Webster, commanding company D, Lieutenant Burdett, commanding company G, (after Captain Childs was wounded,) Lieutenant McKechnie, commanding company H, Lieutenant Klingsoch, company E, and Lieutenant Powell, company I, all performed their duty in the most gallant manner, and to my entire satisfaction. Lieutenant Graham, commanding company A, (Captain Graham being sick in hospital,) was wounded, and since had his leg amputated, behaved in the most admirable manner. Lieutenant Horner, acting Adjutant, (Adjutant Barnett being sick,) behaved splendidly, and performed every duty in the coolest manner and to my entire satisfaction. Captain Whiting and Lieutenant Morris, of battery company K, although not under my immediate notice, being detailed on artillery service in another part of the field, I learn behaved well--Lieutenant Morris making some excellent shots with his rifled guns, and silencing one of the enemy's batteries. The thanks of the entire regiment are due to Surgeon Humphries and Assistant-Surgeon Harding, who were indefatigable in their attentions to the wounded.

We have to lament the death of Second Lieut. E. C. Cooper, who was wounded just as we commenced the charge. He thought the wound slight and refused to be carried from the field. He was a good officer, a brave man, and a gallant soldier, and much beloved, and his loss is deeply regretted by the regiment.

I cannot close this report without calling your especial attention to the good conduct and gallantry of Quartermaster-Sergeant Hannes, (slightly wounded;) Sergeants Dews, Whitney, (wounded,) and Schmidt, Corporals Farrel, (wounded,) Cornell, and Roberts, company B; Sergeants Forbes and Salisbury, and Corporal Vanduzer, (all wounded,) company A; Sergeants Geayer and Stites, Corporals Fields and Stephens, (all wounded,) company C; Sergeants Fitzgerald and Searing, company D; Smith, Henkenson, Jacobson, and Keating, (the latter both wounded,) company E; Riley, River, Connor, (wounded,) company G; Johnson, Byrne, (wounded,) and Hodges, company H; Ross, company I; Color-Sergeant Myers, company C, (wounded;) Color-Corporal Van Cott, company A. I would also call your especial attention to Bugler Horne, who, until wounded sounded the various commands with as much coolness and nonchalance as