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

[258] though suffering from low fever, followed us to the field and was present.

I take great pleasure in saying — for both these regiments fought under my own eye — that the First regiment showed the same indomitable courage as the Third regiment, exposing themselves to the leaden hail of an often unseen foe, advancing with the Third regiment, and stood steadily under a most galling fire until the close of the action. Their loss was: enlisted men killed, twenty; wounded, eighty; missing, fifty-seven. The loss of commissioned officers was one killed, four wounded and one missing--making a total of one hundred and sixty-three.

I have now to speak of the Second and Fourth regiments, the first of which, under Col. Tucker, numbered only four companies, the other six being on duty in the field-works at Camp Lincoln, and left behind under Lieut-Col. Buck. While absent to the front, these four companies, by order of Gen. Porter, and without my knowledge, were sent into the woods, suffering a most galling fire. Their loss was: enlisted men killed, twelve; wounded, fifteen; missing, forty; making a total of ninety-seven enlisted men. I also regret to record the death of Col. I. M. Tucker, and probably Major Ryerson, both of whom were left upon the field; also Captain Danforth, mortally wounded, and Lieuts. Plewitt, Root and Bogert, severely wounded, and Lieut. Callan missing. They, however, sustained themselves most gallantly, and proved their courage against superior numbers. The fate of the Fourth regiment, Col. Simpson, one of my most efficient regiments, as regards officers and men, was most painful.

At the moment when victory seemed wavering in the balance, an aid of Gen. McClellan took them from my command and ordered them into the woods. All the account I can give of them is, that but one officer (wounded) and eighty-two men have rejoined my command; all the rest, if living, are believed to be prisoners of war.

I learn from those who have come in, that up to the time that the regiment was surrounded they had received from and returned the enemy a most galling fire. I annex a report of the casualties of the day, showing the total loss of my brigade.

In conclusion I would say that, so far as I am at present informed, my officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, nobly performed their duties; and it might, therefore, be invidious to particularize. Still, in justice to the gallant dead, who have devoted their lives to their country, I must record the names of Capt. Brewster, of the First, and Capt. Buckley, of the Third; also, Second Lieut. Howell, of the Third, all officers of distinguished merit.

These officers fought under my eye. As regards the conduct of the Second and Fourth regiments' officers, I am told that it was all that could be desired. But these regiments having been taken from me, I did not see them during the action.

It is eminently due to my staff-officers to say that they carried out my orders intelligently and promptly, and did not hesitate, and were often exposed to the hottest fire of the day.

I will forward a more detailed report in a few days. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, etc.,

dear brother: To relieve my friends of all apprehension about my safety, I write to say that I am now here a prisoner of war, with a large portion of my regiment, and in good health and spirits. My regiment was posted in the wood to sustain the centre in the battle near Gaines's Hill, on Friday, June twenty-seventh, and nobly did it hold its ground till about an hour after the right and left wings of the army had fallen back. Mine (Fourth New-Jersey) and Colonel Gallagher's Eleventh Connecticut reserve, were the last to leave the front, and only did so, when we found that the rest of the army had given way, and we were literally surrounded by the infantry and batteries of the confederate forces.

Being in the woods, and trusting to our superior officers to inform us when to retreat, and not being able to see on account of the woods what was going on towards our right and left, we continued fighting probably an hour after every other regiment had left the ground. The consequence was inevitable. We were surrounded by ten times our number, and though we could have fought till every man of us was slain, yet humanity and, as I think, wisdom dictated that we should at last yield.

Our casualties, so far as known, were as follows:

Officers killed--Captain Meves--1.

Officers wounded--Captain Mulford; Lieutenants Roberts, Eldridge, Hatch, Ridgway, Myers and Shaw--7.

Enlisted men, killed,	37
Enlisted men, wounded,	104
Total killed,	38
Total wounded,	111
Total killed and wounded,	149

Besides seventy-five missing, of whom a number probably was killed and wounded. Considering the great jeopardy in which we were, I look upon it as a great mercy we all were not shot down.

Kind remembrances and love to all.

Affectionately, your brother,

Mr. President: Profoundly grateful to Almighty God for the signal victory granted us, it is my pleasure and task to announce to you the success achieved by this army to-day.

The enemy was this morning driven from his