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

On the twenty-seventh June, we were aroused, soon after daylight, by heavy and continuous cannonading on our right, our position being on the Meadow Bridge road. Soon after, the brigade was put in motion, in the direction of Cold Harbor, moving slowly, with frequent halts, the brigade being in the extreme rear, and immediately behind the First brigade, Valley District. We moved in this way until about five o'clock P. M., when I was ordered by yourself, and soon after by Major Dabney, A. A. General, to carry the brigade into action, to form on the right of the Third brigade, Colonel Fulkerson commanding, and to advance with this brigade. I moved the brigade quite rapidly through the woods, at one time causing it to double-quick for a short distance, in order to keep in sight of the Third brigade. It was at this point that the First Virginia battalion, Captain Leigh commanding, was separated from the brigade.

I refer you to Captain Leigh's report, enclosed herewith, for further information as to the operations of the battalion during this evening.

I formed the brigade in line of battle, under cover of a hill, protecting us from the enemy's shell, and, at about seven o'clock, moved forward in line of battle, to relieve Brigadier-General Wilcox, at the request of an aid of Major-General Longstreet. I carried the brigade, under direction of Brigadier-General Wilcox, to a point of woods on the extreme right of our lines, and about one half mile from the Chickahominy River. The enemy, however, when we arrived at the woods, had been driven out, by an attack in flank, by General R. H. Anderson's brigade, and we had only to secure about forty prisoners, who were trying to make their escape. We occupied the ground which had been held by Butterfield's brigade, that night.

In moving to our first position, four men, in the Forty-eighth Virginia regiment, were slightly wounded.

On the morning of Saturday, the twenty-eighth June, we left our position, and, soon after daylight, formed on the right of the First brigade, V. D., in the extreme front, where we remained until about nine o'clock A. M., when I was ordered, by the Major-General commanding, to take the brigade to a house occupied by Brigadier-General Winder, for headquarters, and to rest the men in the shade of trees in the yard.

On Saturday and Sunday, the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth of June, we remained near Cold Harbor, comparatively inactive.

Brigadier-General Jones took command of the brigade on Sunday morning.

On Monday, the thirtieth June, we crossed the Chickahominy, and encamped that night near the White Oak Swamp.

On Tuesday, the first July, we moved in the direction of Malvern Hill, halting frequently. At about five o'clock P. M., we were drawn up in line of battle, in a body of woods on the right of the road, and about four hundred yards in advance of a church, our position being immediately in rear of the First brigade. We had, several times, to shift our position, to avoid a great number of shells thrown near us by the enemy, by which a captain and two men, in the Forty-eighth Virginia regiment, were slightly wounded. About dark the brigade was moved, by the left flank, out of the road, and proceeded slowly, in the direction of the firing, for a short distance, when it was stopped by some contusion in the brigade in front of us. At this point Brigadier-General Jones received a contusion on the knee from a piece of shell, when the command of the brigade again devolved on me. As soon as the road was somewhat cleared, I led the brigade forward, and occupied a position immediately on the road, and about twenty (20) paces in rear of the First brigade. We remained in this position until sunrise, next morning, second July, when we retraced our steps, and went into camp near the church mentioned before, and remained during the day and night.

On Thursday, the third July, we moved in the direction of the Long Bridge, and encamped that night about two miles from our last position.

I should have mentioned before that Brigadier-General Jones resumed the command on the morning of the second July.

On Friday, the fourth July, we moved to the field opposite Westover, where we were drawn up in line of battle until late in the afternoon, when we went into camp in a body of woods on our left. We remained in this wood until Monday, the seventh July, when we relieved a part of General Whiting's division, on picket.

On Tuesday, the eighth July, we left our camp near Westover, and started in the direction of Richmond.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The brigade left bivouac, near Tottopotomy Creek, about five A. M., being in rear of the column, except one brigade. The march was slow and tedious — firing was heard on the right. Between four and five P. M., I received orders from General Ewell to move up rapidly. I ordered the ordnance wagons and artillery to halt, and moved the brigade from the column, filing to our right through a wood and swamp, directing the head of the column to the point where I heard the heaviest fire. On reaching a clear field, near Cold Harbor, I formed my regiment, and led the head of the column near the Telegraph road, where the brigade was massed by regiments. Finding Major-General A. P. Hill, senior officer