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

[346] in position on the right of the road leading to Crews' farm, and immediately in rear of the position occupied by General Cobb. General Toombs was stationed to the right and rear of Colonel Anderson. In an hour or two, under orders from General Magruder, sent through Captain Coward, of my staff, Colonel Anderson was advanced to the position of General Cobb, who had just gone to the support of General Armistead--General Toombs occupying Colonel Anderson's position. Hardly was this change made, when Anderson was ordered by General Magruder to the support of General Cobb. Having no instructions to the contrary, Colonel Anderson advanced upon the front occupied by General Cobb over broken ground, and into a dense swamp. Under orders from General Magruder and direction of Captain Coward, the brigade changed front to the left, and advanced in line of battle through the swamp, followed closely by that of General Toombs, who took position upon his (Anderson's) left, and, under repeated orders from General Magruder, both brigades were hurried through the swamp, the difficulties of which, or the fearful fire of the enemy, cannot be exaggerated. Owing to less distance, General Toombs reached the plateau first, and advanced directly towards the enemy's batteries in open view, some six or seven hundred yards ahead, and slightly to the left. To that point every thing tended, my own command, as well as others already on the field, soon bringing the different troops in contact; and, under the terrific fire of the enemy, partial confusion ensued, to avoid which, and erroneously thinking I had so ordered it, Toombs's brigade obliqued to the left, crossed the road, getting out of my control. These movements had been made under a murderous fire, which these brave troops endured without the opportunity of returning a shot. For the further movements of this brigade I have to refer you to the report of General Toombs herewith enclosed. Colonel Anderson, coming up in line with, and to the right of, General Toombs, struck the ridge at a point where it fell rapidly away from his front toward the right, causing the two regiments on his left to mount the ridge, while the balance of his brigade was in the bottom. To remedy this, and to advance with his whole command in line, he halted and retired the two regiments in advance, so as to bring his brigade parallel with the edge of the plateau. Before this change of front was completed, three of his regiments, mistaking some order for that to advance, rushed forward, coming under a deadly cross-fire of artillery, and suffering severe loss. Night had now closed in, and convinced that further attempts would be unavailing, this command was kept under the crest, in order to repel any advance of the enemy. Remaining in this position until about eleven o'clock, and there being no water convenient to the men, in the absence of other instructions, I withdrew the command to the position occupied previous to the commencement of the action.

Before closing this report, I desire to bear testimony to the brave and soldierly behavior of the officers and men of my command. Especially are my thanks due, for prompt, cheerful, and efficient service, to the members of my staff. Captain Coward, A. A. General, who rendered valuable assistance to me throughout and in Tuesday's battle, most gallantly went into action in lead. Captain Latrobe, A. A. and I. General, Captain Ford, Aid-de-camp, and Captains Thurston and Jones, volunteer Aids, the former (Captain Thurston) in charge of ordnance trains, displayed courage and coolness, Captain Ford accompanying a portion of my command in the charge on Tuesday. Lieutenant Campbell, engineer officer, attached to my staff, superintending the construction of the works around Mrs. Price's house, was indefatigable in the discharge of his duties, accompanying Toombs's brigade in its charge on Tuesday. Major Garrett, my chief of artillery, was most efficient in the discharge of his important duties. Captain DeSaigle, when not necessarily absent in discharge of his duties as division quartermaster, was of much service to me as an aid.

Major Haskell, division commissary, volunteered, with Captain Latrobe, to carry to General Longstreet, across the Chickahominy, information of the position of the enemy, on Friday the twenty-seventh; remaining with that General, at his suggestion, he fell dangerously wounded while leading a regiment to the charge.

Surgeon Barksdale, division surgeon, for the prompt and efficient management of all pertaining to his department, deserves all praise.

The casualties in my command are as follows:

In infantry — killed, one hundred; wounded, six hundred and ninety-seven; missing, twenty-one.

In artillery — killed, three; wounded, eleven.

For a detailed list of casualties, I refer you to the enclosed report.

I have the honor to be, Captain,

Your obedient servant,

General: I send you my report of the battles of the Chickahominy, with an apology for so long delaying it. The report of General Gregg I have not been able to get yet, but will have it in a day or two, when I will send it up.

Respectfully,

General: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the light division in the battles of the Chickahominy:

In obedience to orders received from the General commanding, on Wednesday night, the 25th of June, I concentrated my division near the Meadow Bridge, viz.: the brigades of J. R. Anderson, Gregg, Field, Pender, and Archer--