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

[522] D; Captain Hustin and private Tyler, company I, are among those prominent for gallantry and boldness.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

sir: In pursuance of an order from headquarters of the division, respecting those of my command who distinguished themselves in the series of engagements with the enemy from the twenty-eighth ultimo to the second instant, I have only to mention the conduct of Lieutenant L. D. Cockrell, who has been Acting Adjutant for the regiment during the last few months.

When our brigade was halted (in consequence of orders from General Magruder) in the ravine near the field of action, on the first instant, (five o'clock P. M.,) the impression was prevalent that our brigade would not be called into action. The Acting Adjutant thought it not indiscreet to leave the regiment and go into the battle with the Eighteenth Mississippi regiment. Below is a note sent to headquarters of the regiment, the following morning.

headquarters Eighteenth Miss. Regiment.

I take pleasure in certifying that L. D. Cockrell, of the Ninth Georgia regiment, requested of me permission to accompany my regiment into the engagement of the first instant; that I consented, and requested him to act as Adjutant for the regiment in that engagement, which he did; and that his conduct on that occasion is deserving of the highest commendation.

(Signed,)

W. H. Luse, Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding Eighteenth Mississippi Regiment.

N. B. The regiment, as we presumed, took no active part in the battle.

sir: I have the honor to report to you that the Twenty-first Mississippi regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Brandon commanding, was, on the first instant, ordered to proceed in the direction of the enemy about three o'clock P. M., on the----road. After advancing within a few hundred yards of the enemy's line of sharpshooters, we formed a line of battle on a hill-side in the woods, about half past 4 o'clock. In a few minutes the enemy opened a heavy fire of shell and shot, which was continued for the space of two hours, wounding Major D. N. Moody and killing and wounding several others. About half past 6 o'clock, we were ordered forward, following the Eighteenth Mississippi regiment, right in front, and formed a line of battle on the left of the Eighteenth, “on the right by file into line,” within eight hundred yards of the enemy's batteries, suffering severely from their fire. We advanced, in line of battle, till within two hundred yards of the enemy's battery, and finding no support, either right or left, were ordered to retire, which we did in good order, losing Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Brandon, (the only officer,) being wounded by a grape-shot. The command of the regiment then devolved upon me. After falling back partially under cover of the hill, we were again ordered to advance, which was done immediately, and continued till within fifteen or twenty yards of the battery. I again found no support, either right or left, and the enemy, with infantry on the left and artillery in our front, were pouring a destructive fire into our ranks, of grape-shot, canister, and small arms. We were again ordered to retire, and did so in good order, and left the field after dark.

Both officers and men acted gallantly during the entire engagement.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to submit, through you, to the Brigadier-General commanding, the following official report of the operations of this regiment in the recent actions before Richmond:

On the twenty-sixth June, the regiment, (Colonel William M. McIntosh in command,) by order of Brigadier-General Toombs, occupied the intrenchments on the north side of theNine-mile road, near Price's house, and remained in that position until about six o'clock P. M. of the twenty-seventh of June, when, by order of General Toombs, the regiment moved to the front near three fourths of a mile, took position at the edge of a field some two hundred yards to the left of a brick house, known as James Garnett's house, sent two companies, Captain John C. Burch, company F, and Captain Stephen Z. Heansberger, company G, as skirmishers, to support the pickets of the Second Georgia, and “feel” the enemy. In a few minutes the firing on both sides became brisk. Soon the enemy's line was reenforced, and General Toombs ordered Colonel McIntosh, with the balance of this command, to the support of the skirmishers. We crossed the field at double-quick, under a most galling fire from the opposite side of a deep ravine, just beyond which our skirmishers were engaged, crossed the ravine by the right flank, and formed a line of battle, and moved rapidly to the front. The engagement now became general and intensely fierce all along the line, and raged till after dark, when the enemy