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

General Hill, after suffering a heavy loss, and inflicting a severe one upon the enemy, withdrew from the open field. In the mean time the reenforcements ordered, after struggling with the difficulties of their route, and exposed to the shelling of the enemy, which was continued until about ten o'clock at night, came up too late to participate in the engagement that evening. On my left, General Whiting moved his division, as directed, to a field on the Poindexter farm.

Batteries were ordered up. The position of the enemy, as already shown, naturally commanding, was materially strengthened by the judicious distribution of his artillery. The first battery placed in position, finding itself exposed to the superior cross-fire of the enemy, was compelled to retire, with loss. Balthis's, Poague's, and Carpenter's batteries held their positions and fought well. The position occupied by the artillery rendering infantry support necessary, Whiting formed his line accordingly, and, supported by Trimble's brigade on his left, and by the third brigade of Jackson's division as a reserve, was directed to remain there until further orders. Some of these batteries were well served, and effectually drove back, at one time, an advance of the enemy upon my centre. Toward night Whiting received orders to send General Trimble's brigade to the support of General D. H. Hill, on the right, which order was promptly executed; but the brigade did not reach its destination until after Hill had withdrawn his division to the woods. Our troops slept in front of the Federal army during the night, expecting a renewal of the action. But, early the next morning, the enemy had withdrawn from the field, abandoning his dead, and leaving behind some artillery and a number of small arms.

I herewith forward to you official reports of the casualties of this corps, from which it will be seen, as far as I have been able to ascertain, that, in the battle of Cold Harbor, on the twenty-seventh of June, there were five hundred and eighty-nine killed, two thousand six hundred and seventy-one wounded, and twenty-four missing; and at the engagement at Malvern Hill, on the fourth of July, three hundred and seventy-seven killed, one thousand seven hundred and forty-six wounded, and thirty-nine missing. I regret that I have not before me the data by which to ascertain, with absolute precision, the losses sustained respectively at Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill, or of distinguishing, throughout the entire corps, the number of officers killed and wounded from the enlisted men. But Brigadier-Generals Garland and Anderson, both since killed, having omitted in their reports to state the separate losses of their brigades in these two actions, and Brigadier-Generals Rodes, Colquitt, and Ripley having omitted to classify their losses as between officers and men, I have, so far as it relates to the two first-named brigades, apportioned the aggregate of the reported losses between Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill according to a probable estimate of the fact, and omitted any statements of the loss of officers as distinguished from men in that division. In the three remaining divisions — Ewell's, Whiting's, and Jackson's — the returns show a loss at Cold Harbor of thirty officers killed, and ninety-nine wounded; of enlisted men, three hundred and five killed, and one thousand four hundred and twenty wounded; and at Malvern Hill, three officers killed, and nineteen wounded. The principal loss sustained by my command at Malvern Hill fell upon the division of Major-General D. H. Hill.

On the second of July, by order of the commanding General, my corps (with the exception of Major-General D. H. Hill's division, which remained near Malvern Hill) was moved in the direction of Harrison's Landing, to which point the Federals had retreated, under the shelter of their gunboats in the James River. On the morning of the third, my command arrived near the landing and drove in the enemy's skirmishers, and continued in front of the enemy until the eighth, when I was directed to withdraw my troops and march to the vicinity of Richmond.

For further information respecting the engagements and officers who were distinguished in them, I respectfully call attention to the accompanying reports of division and other commanders. The conduct of officers and men was worthy of the great cause for which they were contending.

The wounded received the special attention of my medical director, Dr. Hunter McGuire.

For the efficiency with which the members of my staff discharged their duties, I take pleasure in mentioning Colonel L. Crutchfield, Chief of Artillery; Colonel A. Smead, Inspector-General; Major R. L. Dabney, Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain A. S. Pendleton, Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain J. R. Boswell, Chief Engineer; Lieutenant H. K. Douglass, Assistant Inspector-General.

Colonel A. R. Boteler and Colonel William L. Jackson, Volunteer Aids, and Major Jasper L. Whiting, Assistant Adjutant-General, who was temporarily on my staff, rendered valuable services.

The Ordnance department received the special attention of Major G. H. Brier. The Quartermaster and Commissary departments were well managed by their respective chiefs, Major J. A. Harman and Major W. J. Hawks.

Undying gratitude is due to God for this great victory, by which despondency increased in the North, hope brightened in the South, and the capital of Virginia and of the confederacy was saved.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,