Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[323] supported by batteries from both sides of the Chickahominy. The troops moving steadily on under this terrible fire, drove the enemy from his positions, one after another, took his batteries, and finally drove him into the swamps of the Chickahominy.

No battle-field can boast of more gallantry and devotion. The severest trials were encountered by Wilcox's, Featherston's, and Pryor's brigades. These were skirmishing all day, and under a most annoying fire of artillery a great part of the time. They were the first, too, to make the assault, and receive the terrible fire of infantry from the enemy's lines. The enemy's left was forced, and his position was thus partially turned, several of his batteries and many prisoners and regimental standards falling into our hands. As our troops reached the crest, but a moment before occupied by the enemy, reenforcements advanced and were engaged with our troops for a few moments. Soon discovering, however, that they must give way, they fell back in some confusion, leaving their dead to mark their line of battle. This was the last opposition encountered by our troops, further than a show of resistance as the enemy was pursued. The firing along other portions of the line was continued until dark.

General Whiting having finished his work in our front with his own division, asked for a brigade of General Jackson's command, which happened to be near me, and put it in position on our left, where he did other handsome work. After driving the enemy from his last position, many of our men continued the pursuit beyond, in a rather straggling condition. The enemy's cavalry, covering his retreat, seeing this, attempted a charge, but our troops coolly awaited their approach, and drove them back after delivering a few rounds in their ranks.

A little after dark the firing ceased, and the enemy left upon the field, surrendered, or straggled through the woods.

Up to the moment of gaining the enemy's position our loss was greater than his, but the telling fire of our infantry upon his lines, as he retired, and returned again to attack, thinned his ranks so rapidly that his dead soon outnumbered ours. There was more individual gallanttry displayed upon this field than any I have ever seen. Conspicuous amongst those gallant officers and men, were Brigadier-Generals R. H. Anderson, Whiting, Wilcox, and Pickett--the latter severely wounded; Colonels Jenkins, Withers, severely wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Hale, severely wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Slaughter, severely wounded; and Major Mullins, severely wounded. The gallant Colonel Woodward, of the Tenth Alabama volunteers, fell at the head of his regiment in the assault on the enemy's position.

My personal staff, Majors Sorrel, Manning, Fairfax, and Walton, Captain Goree and Lieutenant Blackwell, displayed great gallantry, intelligence and activity. They have my warmest thanks, and deserve much credit of the government.

Major Haskell, of General D. R. Jones's staff, volunteered his services to me for the day. Upon his first field, his conduct would have done credit to any distinguished veteran. After gallantly bearing the colors of one of the regiments to the enemy's breast-works, and planting the standard upon them, he lost his right arm by a cannon-shot.

The gallant Captain Ochiltree, of the Adjutant-General's department, volunteered his services, and was very active and energetic in the discharge of duties assigned him. General Wigfall and Colonel P. T. Moore, and W. Munford kindly offered their services, and were active and useful in transmitting orders, etc.

Early on the following day, (Saturday,) parties were sent forward to find the enemy. It was soon ascertained that he was not in force in my front, and had destroyed the bridges across the Chickahominy, immediately in front of me. It was supposed, however, that we would be able to draw him from his intrenchments, by cutting his base. Whilst other portions of the army were occupied at this work, my artillery was opened with such long-range guns as I could use against the enemy on the other side of the river. The range was so great, however, that we could do but little more than annoy him. The fire of one of the batteries in front of General D. R. Jones, however, made him feel exceedingly uncomfortable. The effort to draw the enemy out by cutting his base was entirely unsuccessful; and, on Sunday morning, it was ascertained that he had abandoned his fortifications, and was in full retreat toward his gunboats on the James River. I was ordered, with my own division and that of Major-General A. P. Hill, to march, via New-Bridges and the Darbytown road, to intercept his retreat. After a forced march, our troops reached a point that night within easy striking distance of the enemy.

The march was resumed on Monday morning. Soon after taking up the line of march, I was joined by the commanding general. Our forces came upon the enemy at Frazier's farm, about noon, when the enemy's skirmishers were reported as advancing. Colonel Jenkins, commanding the Second brigade, was directed to ascertain the condition of the enemy. After drawing in his pickets, it was found that he was in force and position, ready for battle. My own division was put in position for attack or defence at once, and one of Major-General A. P. Hill's brigades (Branch's) ordered forward, to support my right flank — the rest of Hill's division being left, for the time, on the road, to secure the right or move up to support the front. About this time information was received that Major-General Magruder was in rear, in easy supporting distance, but as information was also received that the enemy was in force in front of Major-General Holmes, it was deemed advisable to order Magruder's forces to join Holmes, about three miles off to our right. After getting into position, artillery fire was opened about three o'cloock P. M., upon the enemy, apparently from the Charles City road. Taking this for Huger's attack, and thinking