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strong position, we advanced rapidly under a galling and murderous cross fire of their artillery, until within musket range of them.
Discovering that they occupied an intrenched position, separated from us by an almost impassable swamp, and about one hundred yards distant, we entered into a severe engagement, which lasted until the retreat of the enemy after nightfall.
Early next morning, we were put under march to follow up the retreating foe, overhauling them near Gaines's Mill, on the evening of the twenty-seventh.
Here, again we took part in that gallant charge, which resulted in their rout and the complete success of our arms.
On Sunday, the twenty-ninth, we recrossed the Chickahominy, and marched down to Frazier's farm, the scene of Monday's battle.
Here, before our division was ordered into the engagement, I was directed to deploy my regiment as skirmishers on the right flank of the army, which deprived us of the privilege of entering into the engagement with the brigade.
Receiving orders to follow on and engage the enemy's right, we proceeded to the position indicated, and engaged (alone) a vastly superior force of the enemy.
About night arose a loud cheering on the enemy's left, and a cessation of firing in that direction, which induced us to believe that the contest had been decided.
Being in doubt as to the result, we continued the engagement.
In the mean time, the enemy, who had been deceived by the cheering on their left and within their lines, charged in force upon us. We poured several murderous fires into them, which checked their advance, and though within twenty feet of us, caused them to retire to their original position.
Their loss at this point was much heavier than upon any other portion of the field, being at least ten to one on our side.
This ended the series of battles in which the Fortieth Virginia volunteers was engaged.
Both officers and men, with few exceptions, were not at all wanting in gallantry and good conduct, and for the most part behaved in the most praiseworthy manner.
We sustained a loss of one hundred and eighty killed and wounded, being about one half of the effective force of the regiment.
I respectfully recommend the following promotions, viz.: Orderly Sergeant T. D. Ficklin, as First Lieutenant, to fill vacancy occasioned by the death of First Lieutenant E. Brockenbrough, killed in the engagement of the twenty-sixth; Sergeant-Major J. S. Seader, as Second Lieutenant, to fill vacancy occasioned by death of Second Lieutenant R. D. R. Sydnor, in the engagement of the thirtieth. Orderly Sergeant Ficklin and Sergeant-Major Seader were both wounded in the engagement of the twenty-seventh, and while they behaved gallantly during the battles of the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh, their conduct was about equal to, and not conspicuously above, that of many others in the same company.
I recommend them upon the petition of a majority of those over whom they will have command, and from my confidence, derived from personal acquaintance, in their capacity and qualifications to discharge ably and faithfully the duties of the offices for which they are recommended.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. Brockenbrough, Colonel Fortieth Virginia Volunteers.
>Report of Colonel William Smith.
headquarters Forty-Ninth Virginia volunteers, Second brigade, Huger's division, July, 1862.
General: In consequence of the degree of importance attached to the battle of the twenty-fifth of June, within the lines (or front) of Brigadier-General Wright, and of your order, I respectfully report as follows:
On the morning of the twenty-fifth June, a considerable firing having been heard on your left, or rather on the right of General Wright's position, you ordered me to move my regiment, consisting of about one hundred and fifty rank and file, being the number not on other duty.
Approaching the scene of conflict, you ordered me to take a position in the woods to resist a movement which you thought the enemy might make to flank one of our regiments, the Fourth Georgia, which had lain down on the wheat near French's house, or to flank the enemy, should it at any time prove judicious to do so. Having ordered the Forty-first Virginia to support me, I remained in my position for some hours, when, shortly before sunset, a large regiment, the Forty-eighth North Carolina, Colonel Hill, appeared upon the field, in line of battle, and opened upon the enemy with spirit and effect.
Just before doing so, I received your order to flank the enemy; the order was promptly obeyed.
I was moving by the left flank, and ordered the Forty-first Virginia to keep close to my right.
Before, however, my flank movement was completed, by being within a satisfactory distance of the enemy, the North Carolinians broke and precipitately retired, the enemy pursuing them.
With but a fragment of my own regiment, and unsupported by the Forty-first Virginia, which had been unaccountably (at the time) detained in the woods, in the presence of a greatly superior force of the enemy, and without assurance of support from any quarter, I was in great doubt for a moment as to my line of duty.
But it was for a moment only.
I ordered my left wing to open upon the enemy, the right having already secured a most favorable position, which was promptly obeyed.
The effect was magical.
I arrested the pursuit of the North Carolinians instantly.
The enemy broke in dismay, with but little effort at resistance, and the field was soon my own. But for the unfortunate detention of the Forty-first Virginia, we must have realized much more complete results.
As it was, we recovered all the ground we had lost, killed and wounded a number of the enemy, took a few prisoners, whom their guard were ordered to report to you, and closed the day very differently from what the enemy anticipated in the morning.
I had not time to give the field a close examination, as it was getting quite late, and my time was occupied in forming a new 