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

[434] General Lee. About ten o'clock at night, I reached Richmond, with the Twenty-fifth North Carolina volunteers, (Colonel Rutledge;) the Twenty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, and Forty-ninth having preceded — the Twenty-sixth and Forty-eighth being left to follow.

Before daylight, on the twenty-fifth, all had reached Richmond. Upon my arrival in Richmond, I received orders to report to General Huger, to be placed by him in reserve, on the Williamsburg road. At an early hour I started the troops, giving directions for them to report to General Huger. At nine A. M. I reported at headquarters of General Huger, for orders, and, after waiting for an hour or more, ascertained that General Wright had sent back and ordered forward two of my regiments, the Twenty-fifth and Forty-ninth, Colonels Rutledge and Ramseur. I at once marched to the front, and past the intrenchments, when I learned that Colonel Rutledge's regiment was then actually engaging the enemy just to the left of the Williamsburg road, about three fourths of a mile in front of our works. From that time, eleven o'clock A. M., till sunset, this regiment held in check the enemy's troops, who three times attempted to force them, but without effect. About six P. M., the enemy opened upon that regiment with grape; but they held their position without wavering, until Captain Huger, with a section of his battery, completely silenced the fire of the enemy.

During the whole afternoon, the enemy was throwing shell, and at one time very rapidly. Casualties, two killed and several wounded. This was the first time that this regiment (Twenty-fifth) was ever under fire, although in service for nearly a year. The regiment behaved admirably, and I am proud to bear witness to its unwavering gallantry.

The Forty-ninth North Carolina volunteers, Colonel Ramseur, was the next to take position under fire. On the twenty-fifth June it was placed in support of a regiment of Colonel Wright--several casualties occurred. In the afternoon it was relieved by the Twenty-fourth, Colonel Clarke. On several occasions, from the twenty-fifth to the twenty-ninth, the regiment was under fire, and acted handsomely. It had then been in service only about two months. I have before reported its conduct on the first inst. The Twenty-fourth, Colonel Clarke, relieved Colonel Ramseur's regiment in the afternoon, and was pushed forward to the advance pickets, where it met a severe fire; but it repulsed the enemy, and captured several muskets. During the evening, two were killed and seven wounded. At sunset, the regiment was relieved. On the twenty-seventh, the regiment went again on picket. During the afternoon, the enemy attempted to dislodge it, with both artillery and infantry, but without effect. At two o'clock at night, he made an attack, but was signally repulsed.

Early on the morning of the twenty-eighth, the line was advanced, a few prisoners captured, and the enemy's pickets driven to his works. This regiment had never before been under fire, and its conduct deservedly received my commendation.

The Forty-eighth, Colonel R. C. Hill, early in the day, twenty-fifth June, had been thrown out to support Colonel Doles. During the afternoon, by some misapprehension, it had retired to the works a few hundred yards in rear. As soon as I ascertained this fact, the regiment was ordered out to its former position. This was about six P. M. Hardly had the regiment gotten to the ground before the enemy was seen advancing in strong force. Colonel Hill had formed his regiment just in front of French's house, behind a low hill, and under cover of a fence. Before the approach of the enemy, the regiment, which was lying down, rose, charged, and drove him back several hundred yards, covering the ground with his dead and wounded. There were known to have been two regiments, the First New York and Tenth Indiana, opposed to them. Colonel Hill's loss was eighteen killed, and from sixty to eighty wounded. He has made no official report, as on the day after this he was detached from my brigade, arid I have not since been able to communicate with him. Colonel Hill was conspicuously gallant. His regiment was only two months in service, and I am happy to have witnessed its courage.

At sunset, June twenty-fifth, Colonel Ransom's regiment, Thirty-fifth North Carolina volunteers, relieved the Twenty-fifth on picket. At about nine and a half P. M., the enemy, under cover of the darkness, approached to within less than a hundred yards, and opened with a heavy fire of musketry upon the regiment. The fire was instantly returned with fearful effect, as the enemy were standing and our men lying down. A small portion of the regiment became disordered, but the Colonel soon brought them into position; and although twice afterward during the night they were attacked, the regiment held its position till morning, without giving a foot of ground, losing one killed and five wounded. At the battle of Newbern this regiment is said to have acted badly. On the night of the twenty-fifth ultimo and first instant, it acted with wonderful stanchness and admirable gallantry. Any officer may be proud to command it.

At a little before dark, twenty-fifth June, Colonel Vance, Twenty-sixth North Carolina volunteers, relieved the Twenty-fourth in front of the enemy. During the night it was attacked by a strong body of the enemy. Most of the regiment held its ground, and did good service. A part, however, became detached, and left its position, which it did not retake till next morning. The loss was three killed and eight wounded. On the twenty-seventh June, the regiment was again on picket, pushed to the front, and took possession of some unfinished works of the enemy. Just as it was about to be relieved, it was attacked by the enemy, but returned the fire so briskly and with such effect as to drive them back. The loss to us was two wounded. In making this report, I am without any official communication