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

The march from Ashland, and the movements preliminary to the fight at Gaines's Mill, were all made under the immediate direction of the Major-General commanding. I need only mention that in the skirmish at Hundley Corner, Thursday evening, the First Maryland and Thirteenth Virginia, and in that on the next day, the Thirteenth Virginia and Sixth Louisiana, were the regiments engaged.

On Friday, having formed line along the edge of a wood, I was ordered to throw skirmishers across a field on my right, into a wood, some four hundred yards distant, in which the enemy were understood to be posted, and to follow them with my main body. The skirmishers passed through the woods without becoming engaged; but before the division reached it, orders came to turn more to the left, as heavy firing was heard in that direction. Before arriving at the field of battle, I was met by Colonel Taylor, of General Lee's staff, sent to bring up reinforcements, and received directions for the march of my division. On nearing the battle-ground, I ordered the Fourth brigade, General Elzey, into the woods, on the left of the road, passing from Gaines's house to McGees's; and as my other two brigades were not up yet, I took advantage of the interval to report to General Lee, who ordered me to hurry up my division as rapidly as possible, indicating where it was to take part in action. I accordingly ordered the Seventh brigade, General Trimble, and the Eighth brigade, Colonel Seymour, in the woods on the right of the road, and, by General Lee's directions, sent back Captain G. C. Brown, A. A. G., to bring up the divisions of Generals Jackson and Whiting, and Lawton's brigade. Having crossed the branch, and commenced the ascent of the hill, my division soon became warmly engaged with the enemy. The density of the woods and the nature of the ground were such as to prevent any extended view; and this fact, together with the importance of holding the position occupied by the Louisiana brigade, and that portion of Trimble's which was on my left, now severely pressed by the enemy, made it necessary to confine my exertions mainly to that locality. These troops were attacked in front and flank by superior numbers, and were for hours without reenforcements. The Louisiana brigade having sustained a very severe loss in field officers, besides suffering in rank and file, was driven off the field: but the line was held by part of Trimble's brigade, consisting of a portion of the Fifteenth Alabama regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Trentler, Colonel Cantey, with the balance, having accidentally become separated from the regiment, and the Twenty-first Georgia regiment, under Major Hooper. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of these troops, which were immediately under my observation. They were opposed to constantly renewed forces of the enemy, and held their ground against vastly superior numbers, advantageously posted, after the troops immediately to their right had fallen back, gaining ground slowly against large odds. Lieutenant-Colonel Trentler, of the Fifteenth Alabama, displayed the most indomitable bravery, encouraging and keeping his men in place, when, in many instances, their ammunition was exhausted, and their pieces had become too hot to load, and at a time when there were no troops in supporting distance, and the abandonment of his position might have been attended with disastrous results. I was also particularly struck by the gallantry of private Frank Champier, company F, Fifteenth Alabama, who, on horseback, was very conspicuous in rallying and encouraging the troops — those he was ordering taking him for an officer of rank. Amongst the many officers who attracted attention by their gallant bearing, I would enumerate Major Lawthen; Captain Tragan, of company B; Second Lieutenant Bruer, company G; Brevet Second Lieutenant Bethune, company K--First Alabama regiment. General Trimble also furnishes the names of the following officers as having shown conspicuous bravery. Major T. W. Hooper, wounded; Captain J. B. Akridge, company K; Captain James C. Nisbet, company H; First Lieutenant W. J. Warren, company I; First Lieutenant M. T. Castleberry, company C; Second Lieutenant J. W. Patrick, company K, Twenty-first Georgia regiment; and Captains P. V. Guery, company C, Fifteenth Alabama; and James W. Brown, company A, Sixteenth Mississippi, who were shot dead while leading their companies in a charge. During the late campaign in the Valley, Captain Brown's company was detached as scouts, and he rendered very effective service in this capacity, giving much valuable information, and proving himself a most capable and brave officer.

Captain Cantey, Fifteenth Alabama regiment, accidentally separated from his regiment in the confusion, succeeded, with the assistance of Captain G. C. Brown, A. A. G., just returned from carrying orders, in rallying a number of fugitives, whom he led again into action. The Fifth Texas regiment, of Hood's brigade, and a portion of the Hampton legion, first came to my assistance, and rendered valuable service in keeping back the enemy until the arrival of General Lawton enabled our forces to take the initiative. General Lawton, after assisting in clearing the front, wheeled part of his brigade to the right, attacking the enemy in flank; thus opening the way to the remainder of General Trimble's brigade, which was on my right, and which advanced to the field beyond the woods. The small body of troops with me had held their ground for two hours or more, alone, when the reinforcements already mentioned came up, and they, having exhausted all their own ammunition, and in many cases that of the dead and wounded, and having been closely engaged for more than four hours, the most of them were withdrawn from the field about dusk. I remained on the field myself until after dark, in order that the troops which came up later in the day might profit by what I had learned of the ground, and the position of the enemy. I found the Thirteenth Georgia regiment, Colonel Douglas,