[506]
Report of Captain Page.
Major: According to your request, I respectfully submit the following report of my battery during the late engagements before Richmond:
On Thursday morning, June twenty-sixty, we were ordered down theNine-mile road, as far as Garnett's farm, where we took a position on the road, and just in rear of our extreme picket lines.
After remaining here for about two hours, the enemy opened a fire upon us with his long-range guns, which he kept up for some time, when, by order of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, we shifted our position.
Here, again, we were shelled from time to time until night, when we withdrew, resuming our first position early next morning.
On this day (Friday) our position was shelled constantly throughout the day, without our being able to reply, as we had orders to fire only in case the enemy appeared in front in the open field.
On Saturday, after the middle of the day, everything became quiet.
On Sunday, about ten o'clock A. M., we started, with Major-General Magruder's forces, down the Nine-mile and Williamsburg roads, in pursuit of the enemy, and went as far as Savage's farm, where we rested for the night.
Monday morning, we continued our march, and reached Hollywood, near the scene of the terrible conflict of Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday morning, our rifle pieces, Lieutenant Montgomery commanding, were sent to the front to reconnoitre, and returned in the evening.
At this camp we remained until Friday morning, when, by your command, we returned to our present encampment.
Respectfully submitted,
R. C. M. Page, Captain, commanding Artillery.
Report of Captain Kirkpatrick.
Major William Nelson, commanding Third Battalion Reserve Corps Artillery:
Major: At your request, I submit the following statement of the part taken by my company in the recent engagements before Richmond:
On Thursday, June twenty-sixth, we proceeded with four guns (two being left on account of sickness amongst the members of the company) to the front, at Garnett's farm.
We were stationed at a point within range of the enemy's guns in front and on our left, but remained undisturbed until the afternoon, when the batteries on our left opened a fire upon the whole field.
Many of the shells came near us, but did no harm.
The next morning we resumed the place held by us the day before.
About twelve o'clock we were ordered to take a position considerably advanced and to our right, with two howitzers, and there to open fire upon a party of the enemy, then at work upon the rifle pits in front of their works.
As soon as our fire commenced, the enemy opened upon us with at least five different species of projectile.
During this fire, Lieutenant Walton, Corporal Davidson, and privates Hewitt and John Goodwin, were struck by fragments of shell, though no one was seriously hurt.
At the other guns, which remained for some time in a very exposed condition, private Motley was also struck.
One of our horses was killed, and two wounded. We remained in the advanced position until four o'clock P. M.
I cannot forbear stating, just here, that you were present with us during the time that the enemy's fire was concentrated upon us, and I feel under lasting obligations to you for the great encouragement and assistance you afforded us, inexperienced as we were, by your calm and cheerful courage, as well as by advice how our fire should be conducted.
On Saturday, we took the same position, and in the afternoon were ordered to proceed again with two guns, to take the position just alluded to, in order to open fire on the enemy's batteries, which it was supposed had been evacuated.
Before we reached the position the order was countermanded.
On our way, going and returning, we were under heavy fire.
On Sunday morning at ten o'clock, we proceeded, with General Magruder's forces, in pursuit of the enemy, down the Nine-mile and Williamsburg roads, and, with the same forces, crossed over to Camp Holly, where we were held in reserve until Friday, when our battery was ordered back to camp.
On Thursday, my rifle piece, under Lieutenant Hobson, was ordered toward the front; but he was soon directed to return.
It is proper to add that I was assisted, in the engagement of Friday, by Lieutenants Hobson and Latham, who rendered every possible service, and proved themselves competent and brave.
Very respectfully submitted, Thos. J. Kirkpatrick, Commanding Amherst Artillery.
Report of Major Nelson.
headquarters Third battery reserve artillery, near Richmond, July 12, 1862.
General: At your request, I respectfully submit to you the following statement of my proceedings, as also of my command, in the recent movements of our army in the defence of Richmond:
In obedience to your order, I reported early Thursday morning, the twenty-sixth ultimo, with my three companies, to Lieutenant-Colonel S. D. Lee, chief of artillery for General Magruder's division, who asked me to post two of my batteries in Dr. Garnett's field, in advance of our main line, and in support of our advance pickets, and to hold the other in reserve.
Captains Kirkpatrick and Page, with their batteries, were posted accordingly, and Captain Huckstep, with his, was kept in reserve near the Bridge Church.
Nothing of interest transpired until the afternoon, when the enemy's batteries, from several different points, opened fire upon the whole field, 