Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Moreover, the Seventh Connecticut had been on very severe fatigue-duty the three previous nights. I desire, in this official report, to place on record my objections to these early morning attacks. They are justifiable, in my humble judgment, only under extraordinary circumstances. The troops get necessarily but little rest the night before, and they go to the work fatigued and excited. An attack at a more advanced period of the day I consider vastly preferable. These views I presented with all possible cogency and earnestness to Gen. Benham on the evening of the fifteenth--in stating my objections to his proposed attack at daylight on the morning of the sixteenth. I must confess that the coolness and mobility of all the troops engaged on the sixteenth instant surprised me. And I cannot but believe, had proper use been made of the artillery, guns from the navy, and our own batteries, fixed and field; had the position been gradually approached and carefully examined, and the attack made much later in the day, when our batteries had had their full effect, all which, you will recollect, were strongly urged by me upon Gen. Benham, the evening of the conference, the result might have been very different.

From the best information I can get, I am satisfied the force of the enemy on the Peninsula, at Secessionville and in the immediate defence of his works, was five regiments, or about three thousand effective men. It was the headquarters of his advanced forces on James Island, and was in command of a general officer.

The casualties in the action of the sixteenth were as follows:

First brigade, Colonel Wm. M. Fenton.

Second brigade, Colonel Dan. Leasure.

Special arms.

Company H, First Massachusetts cavalry, Capt L. M. Sargent, two wounded.

Company E, volunteer Engineers, Capt. A. P. Sears, one wounded.

Total of special arms, one killed and three wounded.

The missing are unquestionably killed, and the total loss is as follows:

Total loss, 32 officers; 497 men, or grand aggregate, 529 men.

The medical officers of the division were, and have been, unwearied in their exertions and attentions upon the wounded, both on the battlefield and in the hospital. The Medical Director of my division, Dr. George S. Kemble, is specially entitled to commendation for his good arrangements and activity.

I herewith submit the reports of brigade and regimental commanders, and of commanders of special arms. I call special attention to the mention therein of gallant conduct on the part of both officers and men. Where so much intrepidity and devotion were exhibited, I cannot do more than refer to the sub-reports, with the expression of my judgment that every case noted is well deserved.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your most obedient,

Agreeably to orders the brigade was in readiness to move at one o'clock A. M., sixteenth, and at two o'clock in line, moved to the two houses.

After specific orders were received from Brig.-Gen. Stevens, who advanced with us, and at the head of the line, the brigade was put in motion by the right flank in perfect quiet and silence, Lieut. Lyon, Aid to Gen. Stevens, in advance with guide. First, two companies, C, Capt. Ely, and H, Capt. Doyle, of the Eighth Michigan volunteers, for the advance skirmishers and attacking party; second, the remaining companies of the Eighth Michigan, under command of Lieut.-Col. Graves; third, Seventh Connecticut volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Hawley, followed by a section of the Connecticut battery; fourth, Twenty-eighth Massachusetts volunteers, Lieut.-Colonel Moore. On passing the house beyond the marsh,