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[499]

At about four o'clock P. M., on the afternoon of Thursday, General Hill ordered me to engage the enemy's batteries to the rear of Mechanicsville, then shelling the head of our column. I took position behind a small breastwork of the enemy's, and opened upon them at the distance of about seven hundred yards, mine being, I believe, the front battery to open fire. After a few rounds, one of the howitzers broke an axle, and had to be sent to the rear. The fire from the other three pieces was continued, with slight intermissions, until about nine o'clock, when I was ordered by General Hill to cease. The enemy at one time directed a fire against me from three points; but the only casualties which occurred was the killing of four horses. I had discharged, when the firing ceased, one hundred and sixty rounds from each gun, and they became so warm during the action that it was with great difficulty the brass piece could be worked. At daylight on Friday morning, the firing was resumed on my side slowly, as I had but little ammunition left. At eight o'clock, having expended every round, I withdrew. The casualties on this morning were one man, private J. T. M. Fundon, killed, and private Newgas, severely wounded. One horse was also killed. I carried into this action seventy men, exclusive of officers. At twelve M., having received a supply of ammunition, I followed the division, and overtook it at Cold Harbor. During the afternoon you ordered a section of the battery into action. The first section was carried in; but, after firing two or three rounds, and finding no artillery opposed to me, and the smoke too great to tell friend from foe, and reporting the same to you, I was ordered to retire. In this action Sergeant Hepburn was wounded in the arm. In the battles of Monday and Tuesday, I was frequently, with the battery, under fire, but took no part in either action.

Respectfully submitted.

D. G. Mcintosh, Captain.


Report of Captain Carpenter.

The following is respectfully submitted as a report of the movement of Carpenter's battery, from twenty-seventh of June to first of July, inclusive:

On the morning of the twenty-seventh, the battery moved with the brigade until we reached Gaines's farm, when we were halted to wait further orders, which we received next morning, (to join the brigade,) near the crossing of the Chickahominy. Here we remained till the morning of the thirtieth, when we moved, with the brigade, camping at White Oak Swamp, moving next morning early, with the brigade, some three miles, when we were ordered to the front, to report to General Whiting, who ordered us to take position in the field near Poindexter's residence. Some three batteries, being in advance, took all immediate positions. Sending Lieutenant McKendree back to report the fact, I halted the battery, and started to look out a position, when I met a battery coming off, and directly after, another. Learning from them there was no suitable place in that direction, returned, and found my battery gone with the others. Overtaking them as soon as possible, immediately ordered them back, in the mean time inquiring by whose order they left. They couldn't tell me who he was; said he rode up and told them to move back in the woods. General Whiting hurried us back, and we took position on the right of Captain Poague, under the most severe fire, I think, I ever experienced, where we were engaged for an hour and a half, when we were ordered to cease firing and wait further orders, having lost one man killed (James Riley) and five wounded, John Knight, James Leoppart, and W. King, severely; James Boon and R. Rixey, slightly.

Commenced firing again at half past 2 o'clock, continuing till about five. Our ammunition being nearly exhausted, was ordered to the rear, losing one man (Frank Linn) killed, two wheels broken, and two horses wounded.

I am very much indebted to Lieutenants McKendree and Lambie for services rendered me during the engagement.

Corporals Reice and Montague deserve especial notice for their coolness and precision with which they pointed their pieces, as does James Hammond, (private,) acting gunner.

Many others for personal bravery and coolness.

Respectfully submitted.

J. C. Carpenter, Lieutenant, commanding Carpenter's Battery.


Report of Captain Grimes.

Camp near falling Creek, July 21, 1862.
Major-General Benjamin Huger:
sir: Below please find a report of the movements of my battery, from the twentieth day of June last, when I was ordered to report to Brigadier-General Mahone, on the advanced lines, for the purpose of relieving Captain Moorman's battery. After reporting to General Mahone, we were expecting an engagement with the enemy every day, but had none until the twenty-fifth, on which day we discovered the enemy on the opposite side of French's farm, between the Charles City and Williamsburg roads, at which place I engaged them with one section of my battery, at eight hundred and fifty yards distant, driving the enemy from his position. I afterward moved one piece up to French's house, within four hundred and fifty yards of his position, and opened on him, which was quickly replied to by him with a twelve-pounder Parrott rifle gun; but I had the pleasure of driving him from his position, leaving his horses and guns behind, which fact I was not aware of, until informed of it the next morning by Colonel Smith, of the Forty-ninth Virginia, and others. The enemy was then attacked by a portion of three regiments of General Mahone's brigade, the Twelfth, Sixth, and Forty-ninth Virginia: the Fourth Georgia regiment, and Twenty-eighth North Carolina, were also on the field. The enemy was driven from the field, making a complete stampede. I had the good luck on that day to lose neither man nor horse.


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