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

[509] others, inasmuch as all my orders were obeyed with great alacrity and cheerfulness.

I would add that Dr. Semple, surgeon of my battery, was always at his post of duty, and performed his part most satisfactorily.

I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: In accordance with your order of July eleventh, I herewith forward to you a report of the operations of my command from Thursday, June twenty-sixth, to the present time.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

My command, with the exception of the batteries, of which a more detailed account will be subsequently given, after having been in camp for some days, was moved on Friday, June twenty-seventh, to a point near Mrs. Price's farm, in order to be in readiness for action. On Saturday, twenty-eighth, it was moved back to its present position. On Sunday, June twenty-ninth, it was moved to a point on the Darbytown road, about one and a half miles above its junction with the New Market road, where it arrived without being called for until Thursday, July third, where, in obedience to orders from General Pendleton, it returned to its old camp at Randolph's farm, where it now awaits orders.

The batteries which, during this period, were separated from the command, are the following: Third howitzer, Captain B. H. Smith; Richmond Fayette artillery, Lieutenant Clopton commanding, and Williamsburg artillery, Captain Coke. The first of the Third howitzers, (Captain B. H. Smith,) having been advised to join Featherston's brigade, General Longstreet's division, reached Mechanicsville at ten P. M. on Thursday, June twenty-sixth. On Friday, twenty-seventh, it was engaged with good effect at Catlin's house, one section being in the orchard, and the other to the right of the house. They continued their fire until the enemy left the field. In the evening of the same day it was again engaged at Gaines's farm; the three howitzers being stationed on the brow of the hill, near the barn, where they shelled the enemy's position in the woods. The Parrott piece on the right of the barn engaged one of the enemy's batteries on the south side of the Chickahominy, thus drawing a raking fire away from our infantry, while charging the enemy's position. The Parrott gun continued to fire until the enemy's battery became silent; but I myself, being accidentally present, withdrew the howitzers early in the evening. They were inefficient against the battery because of their short range, and they could no longer shel the enemy's infantry without endangering our own troops. This battery was subsequently engaged on this side of the Chickahominy, in the battle of Monday, thirtieth, near Enroughty's house. It fired but a few rounds. Still it was much exposed to the fire of artillery and infantry. The battery was not engaged on Tuesday, and has now rejoined its regiment. The only loss sustained was one man wounded on Monday, thirtieth, and two horses shot on Friday, twenty-seventh.

The conduct of the men in the entire series of fights commanded the approval of their Captain. I myself saw them acting well on the evening of Friday, June twenty-seventh.

The Richmond Fayette artillery and the Williamsburg artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Coleman, reported, by order of General Pendleton, to General Lee, at Mechanicsville, on the morning of Friday, June twenty-seventh. They followed the advancing army to the headquarters of Generals Lee and Longstreet, at Hogan's house, and were kept in reserve during the battle of Friday evening. On Saturday, Colonel Coleman reported to General A. P. Hill, and, in the absence of Major W. T. Walker, sick in Richmond, acted as chief of artillery, until Wednesday, July second, when he rejoined his regiment. The two batteries under his command, from this regiment, accompanied General Hill on his passage to the south side of the Chickahominy, and to the vicinity of the battle-field of Monday. The Fayette artillery was attached to Branch's brigade, and the Williamsburg artillery held in reserve. The Fayette artillery was placed in position both on Monday and Tuesday evening, and was exposed to a sharp artillery fire on both occasions, but was not allowed to fire.

The Williamsburg artillery returned to its regiment on Tuesday, June first. The men of the Fayette artillery, as well as the officers, exhibited sufficient coolness and alacrity under fire.

The Williamsburg artillery, being in reserve, had no opportunity to do anything amid the great superabundance of artillery, and the scanty use that was made of it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to orders received from Brigadier-General J. B. Kershaw, on the morning of the twenty-ninth instant, I moved my command, about eight A. M., out to the picket lines in front of my camps, on the York River Railroad, about five miles from Richmond. After arriving there, I received orders to move in front of the enemy's deserted works, and there take my position in the brigade in line of battle, which I promptly did. There Brigadier-General Kershaw assumed immediate command, and began the pursuit of the enemy.