Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[477] I left this camp at eleven o'clock of that day, and proceeded to your headquarters with the Ninth regiment New-York volunteers, numbering an aggregate force of seven hundred and twenty-seven men, with whom I embarked on the transport steamer Ocean Wave. I then proceeded to land my command at the point designated by you, the whole force having to wade middle deep in water in order to reach the shore from the surfboats.

I landed with the first detachment, company A, Capt. Graham, whom I ordered forward to take possession of a house about one eighth of a mile from the point of landing, and also to throw forward a picket on the road toward Camden, which order he promptly executed. I then formed the remaining companies of the regiment in line of battle and awaited your order, which I received from you in person at about two o'clock on the morning of the nineteenth.

From this time until you were seriously wounded, while gallantly leading your command in a charge against the enemy, I shall not attempt to enter so fully into details as I otherwise should had not your regiment during that period been constantly under your eye and immediate command. Allow me, however, to express my gratitude and admiration at the cheerful and determined manner with which the men endured every hardship and fatigue of the march, and notwithstanding they had no sleep the night before, they made the entire march (of not less than thirty miles) in their wet clothes and stockings, in a broiling sun, and arrived at the field of battle in less than eight hours. At this time the troops were so exhausted they could hardly drag one leg after the other; but when the order to charge was given they replied with a cheer, and attacked the enemy in a manner so intrepid and determined as to force him back; and, although not at the time entering his position, the object of the charge was accomplished, as, upon being partially repulsed, our movement to the woods on his left led him to suppose he was to be attacked on his flank and rear, when he immediately evacuated his position.

The bravery and intrepidity displayed by every one in this charge — which was made across an open field of seven hundred yards in front of the enemy, who was posted in the woods on our left and in front, and consequently completely enfilading us by his fire — has but few parallels.

Where all behaved so gallantly it would be invidious to mention as particularly distinguished one above the other; but I would take this opportunity to call your very favorable attention to Major Jardine, (slightly wounded,) who on this occasion (as well as on all others when required) displayed a care for the regiment and gallantry on the battle-field seldom equalled. Capts. Graham and Hammill, Lieuts. Bartholomew, Klingsochr, Powell, and McKechnie, wounded, (the latter being in command, the captain of the company having been left in command of this camp;) Capts. Le Baire, Parisen, and Leahy, also Capt. Whiting, Lieuts. Morris and Herbert, in charge of the battery of the regiment, did splendid service. Lieuts. Childs and Barnett, (the captain being absent recruiting,) John K. Perley, (the captain falling out from exhaustion, being sick when he joined the expedition,) Lieut. Webster, in command of company H after the captain was wounded — all commanding companies — are entitled to great credit.

Lieuts. Fleming, Cooper, Burdett, Donaldson, Henry Perley, (the latter in command of company F after the captain was wounded,) sustained their previous high reputation. Surgeon Humphries, of this regiment, Acting Brigade Surgeon, is entitled to very great credit, having been constantly in attendance on the wounded till after their arrival at this place, and upwards of twenty-eight hours without sleep. I would also, on behalf of Surgeon Humphries and myself, express our own and the thanks of the entire regiment to Surgeon Jones, of the United States Navy, attached to the flag-ship Philadelphia; and Squires, of the Eighty-ninth New-York volunteers, and Assistant Surgeon Cooper, of the Sixth New-Hampshire volunteers, for assistance rendered to our wounded.

I cannot close this report without bearing testimony to the good conduct on the battle-field and in the field-hospital of the Rev. T. W. Conway, chaplain of this regiment. He not only encouraged the men on the field, but remained after the army had left, and aided the wounded in hospital, and buried and performed the funeral services over all the dead of the different regiments. He then collected, took command of, and brought safely into camp, detachments from the different regiments of about forty stragglers who had fallen out by the roadside from exhaustion.

I would call particular attention to the wounded non-commissioned officers and privates whose names accompany this report, all of whom patiently endured their painful wounds till they could be properly attended to, without a murmur, many of them with cheerfulness, thereby showing their discipline as soldiers and determination as patriots.

Although the field was won, its price was dear to the regiment, and particularly so in the loss of its Adjutant — that gallant soldier and gentleman--Lieut. Charles A. Gadsden. He was but lately appointed and been only on duty with the regiment for the short space of five days ; yet in that time he had shown his ability as a soldier and endeared himself to all with whom he had come in contact. He died gallantly at the head of the regiment and in the honorable performance of the duties of his profession, which he had so lately adopted. All regret his death, and will ever kindly and proudly remember him and his connection with us. The deaths of Corporals Otto Von Grieff and William Saward, and privates Dillman, Kelly, Shephard, Caranaughe, Mayne, and Daly are deeply felt by their companions and the entire regiment. Their friends may know that they died as true soldiers are willing to die — honorably fighting for the flag of their country — and that their names are embalmed in the