MaJor-G-eneral Ma-<ruder* s 
 
 Report of His Operations on 
 t/he Peninsula 
 
 
TREAStlRi: pnniii 
 
 George Washington Flowers 
 Memorial Collection 
 
 DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 ESTABLISHED BY THE 
 FAMILY OF 
 
 COLONEL FLOWERS 
 
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive 
 in 2010 witii funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 littp://www.arcliive.org/details/majorgeneralmagrOOconf 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL MAGRUDER^S 
 
 REPORT 
 
 OPEllATIOXS ON THE PENIKSULA, 
 
 AND OF THE 
 
 BATTLES OF "SAVAGE STATION" ANP "MALVERN HILL/ 
 
 NEAR RICHMOND. 
 
 RICHMOND: 
 
 CIIAS. 11. WYNNE, PRlNTf^R, 94 MAIN STREET. 
 1862. 
 
^^ FLOWERS COa^rr, 
 
 
 THE PENINSULA CAMPAIGN. 
 
 OFFICIAL REPORT. 
 
 Head-quarters Dep't of the Peninsula, \ 
 Lees Farm, May 3, .1862. J 
 
 Gen. S. CoorER, Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. A. 
 
 General, — Deeming it of vital importance to hold Yorktown, 
 on York River, and Mulberry Island on James River, and to keep 
 the enemy in check by an intervening line, until the authorities 
 might take such steps as should be deemed necessary to meet a 
 Berious advance of the enemy in the Peninsula, I felt compelled 
 to .dispose my forces in such a manner as to accomplish these ob- 
 jects with the least risk possible, under the circumstances of great 
 hazard which surrounded the little army I commanded. 
 
 I had prepared, as my real line of- defence, positions in ad- 
 vance, at Ilarwood's and Young's Mills. Both flanks of this 
 line were defended by boggy and difiicult streams and swamps. 
 In addition, the left flank was defended by elaborate fortifica- 
 tions at Ship Point, connected by a broken line of redoubts, 
 crossing the heads of the various ravines emptying into York 
 River and Wormley's Creek, and terminating at Fort Grafton, 
 nearly in front of Yorktown. The right flank was defended by 
 the fortifications at the mouth of Warwick River, and at Mul- 
 berry Island Point, and the redoubts extending from the War- 
 wick to the James River. Intervening between the \^so mills 
 was a wooded country about two miles in extent. This wooded 
 liqe, forming the centre, needed the defence of in fan (ry in a 
 Bufliicient force to prevent any attempt on the part of the enemy 
 to break through it. In my opinion, this advanced line, with. 
 its flank defences, might have been held by twenty thousand 
 
 • 
 
troops. With twenty-five tliousand, I do not believe it <5ould 
 have been broken by any force the enemy could hav.e brought 
 against it. Its two flanks were protected by the "Virginia" 
 and the works on. one side, and the fortifications at Yorktown 
 and Gloucester Point on the other. 
 
 Finding my forces too weak to attempt the defence of this 
 line, I was compelled to prepare to receive the. enemy on a. second 
 line, on Warwick lliver. This line Avas incomplete in its pre- 
 parations, owing to the fact that a thousand negro laborers, whom 
 I had engaged in fortifying, were taken from me, and discharged 
 by superior orders, in 'December last, and a delay of nine weeks 
 consequently occurred before I could re-organize the laborers for 
 the engineers. . 
 
 Keeping, then, only small bodies of troops at Harwood's and 
 Young's Mills, and al- Ship Point, I distributed my remaining 
 forces' along the Warwick line, embracing a front from Yorktown 
 to Minor'-s farm of twi-lve miles, and from the latter place to 
 Mulberiy Island Point of one and a half miles. I was compelled 
 to place in Gloucester Point, Yorktown and Mulberry Island, 
 fixed garrisons, amounting to six thousand men — my whole force 
 being eleven thousand (11,0.00;) so that it will be seen that the 
 balance of the line, embracing a length of thirteen miles, "vjas 
 defended by. about five thousand men. 
 
 After two reconnoisances in great force fro-ra. Fortress Monroe 
 and Newport News, the enemy, on the 3d of April, advanced and 
 took possession of Harwood's and Y'^oung's Mills. He advanced 
 in two heavy columns — one along the old York road, and the 
 oiher by the Warwick road, and,* on' the 5th of April, appeared 
 simultaneously along the whole front of our line, from Minor's 
 farm to Yorktown. I have no accurate data upon which to base 
 an exact statement of his/orce, but, from various sources of in- 
 formation, I. was satisfied that I had before me the enemy's Arm^ 
 of the Potomac, under the command of General McClellan, with 
 the exception of the two corps d'armec of Banks and McDowell 
 respecti\^cly, forming an aggregate number of certainly not less 
 than one liundred thousand men — since ascertained to have. been 
 one hundred and twenty thousand. 
 
 On every portion of my lines he attacked us with a furious 
 
 .cannonade and musketr}'-, which was responded to with effect by 
 
 our batteries and troops of the line. His skirmishers were also 
 
•well throvrn forward on this and the succeeding day, and ener-' 
 gclically felt our wliole. line, but were everywhere repulsed by 
 the steadiness of our troops. Thus, with five thousand men, ex- 
 clusive of tlie garrisons, wo stopped and held in check over one 
 hundred thonsand of the enemy. 
 
 Every preparation was made in anticipation (jf another attack 
 by the enemy — the men slept in the trenches and under arms, but, 
 to ray utter surprise, hfc permitted day aftei^day to elaj)se, with- 
 out an assault. In a few diiys the object of. his delay was ap- 
 parent. In every direction in front of our lines, through the 
 intervening woods and along the open fields, earthworks began to 
 appear. Through the energetic action of the government, re- 
 inforcements began to pour in, and each hour the Army of the 
 Peninsula grew stronger and stronger, until all' anxiety passed 
 from my mind as to the result of. an attack upon us. 
 
 The enemy's skirmishers pressing us closely in front of York- 
 town, Brigadier-General Early ordered a sortie to be made from 
 tKc redoubts, for the purpose of dislodging him from Palmentary's • 
 peach orchard. This was effected in the most gallant manner by 
 the 2d Florida, Col. Ward, and 2d Mississippi Battalion, Lt. .Col. 
 Taylor, all under the cominand of tJol. Ward. The quick and 
 reckless charge of our men, by throwing the *encmy into a hasty 
 flight, enabled us to effect, without loss, an enterprise of great 
 hazard against a superior "force, supported by artillery, when the 
 least wavering or hesitation on our part would have been attended 
 with great loss. 
 
 The Warwick line, upon which we rested, may be briefly de- 
 scribed as follows: Warwick River rises very. near York River, 
 and about a mile and a half to the right of Yorktown. York- 
 town and Redoubts Nos. 4 and 5, united by long curtains and 
 flanked by rifle-pits, form the left of the line, until, at the com- 
 •mencement of the military road, it reaches Warwick River, here, 
 a sluggish and boggy stream, twenty or thirty yards wide, and 
 running through a dense wood, fringed by swamps. Along the 
 river are five dams — one at Wynn's Mill, and one at Lee's Mill, 
 and'three constructed by myself. The effect of these dams is to 
 back up the water along the course of the river, so that for nearly 
 three- fourths of its distance its passage is im[tracticable for either 
 artillery or infantry. Each of these dams is protected by artil- 
 lery and extensive earthworks for infantry. 
 
 37C'530 
 
6 
 
 After eleven days of examination the enemy seems very properly 
 to have arrived at the conclusion that Dam No. 1, the centre of 
 our line, "vvas the wea'kest point in it; and hence, on the IGth of 
 April, he made. what seems to have been a serious effort to break 
 through at that point. Early on that morning he opened at 
 that dam a most furious attack of artillery, filling the woods with 
 shells, while his sharpshooters pressed forward close to our lines. 
 From 9 A. M., to 1-2 M., six pieces were kept in constant fire 
 against uSj and by 3 P. M., nearly 'three batteries were directing 
 a perfect storm of shot and shell on our exposed position. We- 
 had only three pieces in position at that point, but two of them 
 could not be used with much effect, and were rarely fired, so that 
 we were constrained to reply with one 6-pounder of the Troup 
 Artillery, Cobb's Georgia Legion, Capt. Stanley, under the par- 
 ticular charge of Lieut. Pope. This piece was served with the 
 greatest accuracy and eifect, and by the coolness and skill with 
 which it was handled, the great odds against us was almost 
 .counterbalanced. By 3J P. M., the intensity of the cannonad- 
 ing increasing, heavy masses of infantry commenced to deploy 
 in o.ur front, and a heavy musketry fire was opened upon us. 
 Under the cover of thii continuous stream of fire an effort was 
 made by the enemy to throw forces over the stream and storm 
 our 6-pounder battery, which Avas inflicting such damage upon 
 them. This charge was very rapid and vigorous, and, before our 
 men were prepared to. receive it, several companies of a Vermont 
 regiment succeeded in getting across and occupying. the rifle-pits 
 of the 15th North Carolina volunteers, who were some hundred 
 yards to the rear, throwing up a work for the protection of their 
 camp. This regiment immediately sprang to arms and engaged 
 the enemy with spirit, under the lead of their brave but unfortu- 
 nate commander, McKinney, aided by the 16th Georgia regi- 
 ment; but when the gallant McKinney fell, a temporary confu- 
 sion was produced, which was increased by an unauthorized order 
 to fall back. At this moment, through the retreating North Car- 
 olinians, the' 7th Georgia regiment. Col. Wilson, of Anderson's 
 brigade, Toombs' division, with fixed bayonets and the steadi- 
 ness of veterans, charged the rifle-pits and drove the enemy from 
 them with great slaughter, supported by the 8th Georgia, under 
 Col. Lamar, and the companies of Captains Martin and Burke, 
 under Major Norwood, of the 2d Louisiana. Subsequently the 
 
enemy massed heavier bodies of troops and again approached tha 
 stream. 
 
 It was now evident that a most serious and energetic attack, 
 in large force, was being made to break our centre, under, it is 
 believed, the immediate eye of McClellan himself; but Brigadier 
 General Howell Cobb, who was in command at that point, form- 
 ing the 2d Louisiana, .7lh and 8th Georgia, of Col. Anderson's 
 brigade, the IGth and 24th Georgia, and Cobb's Legion, in line of 
 battle on our front, received the attack with great ^rmness, and 
 the enemy recoiled with loss from the steady fire of our troops 
 before reaching the middle of the water. Brig. Gen. McLaws, 
 commanding the 26. division, of which Cobb's command formed a 
 part, hearing the serious firing, hastened to the scene of action, 
 and exhibited great coolness and judgment in his arrangements. 
 The 10th Louitiana, 15th Vfrginia, a part of the 17th Missis- 
 sippi- and the 11th Alabama, were ordered up as reserves, and 
 were placed in position, the 10th Louisiana marching to its placo 
 under a heavy fire, with the accuracy of a parade drill. The 
 other regiments were assigned positions out of the range of 
 fire. In addition, Gen. McLaws placed the whole of his divi- 
 sion under arms, ready to move jIs circiunstances might require. 
 Col. Anderson had led two of his regiments — the 7th and 8th 
 Georgia — into action, and held two others in reserve, while Brig. 
 Gen.. Toombs advanced with his own brigade, under the immedi- 
 ate command of Brig. Gen. Semmes, close to the scene of action, 
 . and by my order, having just arrived, plnccd two regiments of 
 this brigade in action, retaining tlie rest as reserves. These dis- 
 positions rendered our position perfectly secure, and the enemy, 
 suffering from his two. repulses, darkness put an end to tho 
 contest. 
 
 The dispositions of Gen. McLaws were skillfully made. Ilis 
 whole bearing and conduct is deserving -of the highest commen- 
 dation. 
 
 1 cannot designate all the many gallant officers and privates 
 who distinguished themselves, and respectfully call the attention 
 of the Commanding General to the accompanying reports ; but I 
 would fail to do my duty, if I did not mention specially somo 
 particular instances. 
 
 Brigadier-General Howell Cobb exhibited, throughout the day, 
 the greatest courage and skill, and when once, at a critical mo- 
 
ment, some troops in his line of battle wavered, he, himself in 
 person, rallied the troops under a terrible fire, and by his voic6 
 jind 'example entirely re-established their steadiness. 
 
 Brigadier-General Toombs had, in the morning, by my order, 
 detached from his division. Col. Anderson's brigade, to support 
 Brigadier-General Cobb, and late in the evening, when ordered 
 forward by me, promptly and energetically led the rehaainder of 
 his command under fire, arriving just before the enemy ceased 
 the vigi>r of his attack, and in time to share its dangers. 
 
 Brigadier-General P. J. Semmes commanded Toombs' bri- • 
 gade — the latter being in command of the division — and showed 
 his usual promptness and courage. 
 
 Col. Levy, of the 2d Louisiana Regiment, was the Colonel 
 commanding at Dam No. 1, and evinced judgment, courage and 
 high soldierly qualities, in his conduct and arrangements, which 
 I desire specially to commend. 
 
 Capt. Stanley was in command af two pierces of artillery, in- 
 cluding the six-pounder so effectively served. Both he and Lieut. 
 Pope conducted themselves with skill and courage. 
 
 Capt. Jordan's piece was in a very exposed place* and was soon 
 disabled after a few rounds, and was properly withdrawu. Both 
 he and his men exhibited great steadiness under the terrible fire 
 which swept over them. 
 
 The enemy's loss, of course, cannot be accurately estimated, 
 as the greater part of it occurred over on their side of the stream, 
 but I think it could have scarcely been less than six hundred 
 killed and .wounded. Our own loss was comparatively trivial, 
 owing to the earthworks which covered our men, and did not 
 exceed seventy-five killed and wounded. 
 
 All the reinforcements which were on the way to me had not 
 yet joined me, so that I was unable to follow up the action of the 
 16th April by any deci'sive step. The reinforcements were ac- 
 companied by officers who ranked me, and I ceased to command. 
 
 I cannot too highly commend the conduct of the officers and 
 men of my whole command, who cheerfully submitted to the 
 greatest hardships and deprivations. From the 4th of April to 
 the 3d of May this army served almost without relief in the 
 trenches. Many companies of artillery were never relieved 
 during this long period. It rained almost incessantly : the 
 trenches were filled with water; the weather was exceedingly 
 
cold.; no fires could be allowed; the artillery and infiintry of 
 the enemy played upon oui* men' almost continuously day and 
 night ; the army had neither coffee, sugar, nor hard bread, but 
 subsisted on flour and salt meat, and that in reduced quantities; 
 and yet no murmurs Avere heard. Their gallant.comrades of the 
 army of the Potomac, and the -Department of Norfolk, though 
 not so long a time exposed to these suflferings, shared these hard- 
 ships and dangers, with equal firmness and cheerfulness. 
 
 I have never seen, and I do not oelieve that there ever has 
 existed an army (the combined army of the Potomac, Pen'insula 
 and Norfolk,) which has shown itself, for so long a time, so supe- 
 rior to all hardships and dangers. The best drilled regulars the 
 world has ever seen would have mutinied under a continuous ser- 
 vice in the trenches for twenty-nine days, exposed every moment 
 to musketry and shells, in water to their knees, without fire, sugar 
 or coffee — without stimulants, and with an inadequate supply of 
 uncooked flour and Salt meat. I speak of it in honor of these 
 brave men, whose patriotism made them indifferent to suffering, 
 to disease, to danger and death. Indeed, the conduct of the 
 ofiicers and men was such as to deserve throuo-hout the hii2;hest 
 commendation. 
 
 I beg leave to invite the attention of the Department to the 
 reports, which accompany this, and to commend the officers and 
 men there named to the most favored consideration of the Govern- 
 ment. 
 
 It is but just to Col. Charles A. Crump that I should bear tes- 
 timony to the gallantry, zeal and decided ability, with which he 
 performed the various duties of commander of the post at Glou- 
 cester Point during the year in which he was under my com- 
 mand.* He was worthdy supported on all occasions by Lieut. 
 Col. P. R. Page, and the other officers and men constituting his 
 force. 
 
 That accomplished officer, Captain Thomas Jefferson Page, of 
 the Navy, successfully applied the resources of his genius and 
 ripe experience to the defence of Gloucester Point, whilst the im-- 
 portant work opposite was commanded with devoted zeal and 
 gallantry by Brig. Gen. Raines. 
 
 My thanks are due to Captain Chatard, of the Navy, for valua- 
 ble services, as Inspector of Batteries, and to Lieut. Col. Noland 
 
• 10 
 
 late of the Navy, the efficient Commander of the batteries at 
 Mulberry Island Point. 
 
 That patriotic and scientific soldier, Col. B. S. Ewell, rendered 
 important services to the country during ray occupation of the 
 Peninsula, as did Col. Hill Carter, the Commander at James- 
 town, and bis successor, Maj. J. R. C. Lewis. 
 
 I should fail in my duty to the country, and especially to the 
 State of Virginia, if I neglected to record the self-sacrificing 
 conduct of Captain William Allen, of the Artillery. At the 
 Tery commencement of the war this gentleman erected at his 
 own expense, on Jamestown Island, extensive fortifications for 
 the defence of the river, and from that time until he was driven 
 from his home, he continued to apply the resources of his large 
 estate to the benefit of the country, and so great and disin- 
 terested were his zeal and devotion as an officer, that he lost 
 almost the whole of his immense possessions in endeavoring to 
 save the public property committed to his charge, and that of the 
 commanding officers. I cannot commend his conduct as an officer 
 too highly to the Government, nor his patriotism as a citizen too 
 •warmly to the love and respect of his countrymen. 
 
 To Capt. Rives, Capt. St. John, Capt. Clarke and Capt. Dim- 
 mQ'ck, of the Engineers, and their able assistants, the country is 
 ■greatly indebted for the formidable works which enabled me to 
 l^eet and repulse, with a very small force, the attack of an army 
 tof over one hundred thousand well-drilled men, commanded by 
 ithe best officers of the enemy. 
 
 i I cannot close this report without publicly bearing testimony 
 
 V to the great and devoted services of the cavalry of the Peninsula, 
 
 4^ long under my command, always in the presence of superior 
 
 ^CTlSgs of the enemy. I owe much of the success which attended 
 
 mywRjHs to keep them within the walls of their fortresses to 
 
 the alacrity, daring, vigilance and constancy of the Cavalry of 
 
 the 3rd Virginia Regiment, and the independent companies from 
 
 James City, Matthews, Gloucester and King & Queen counties. 
 
 The services rendered by the officers of my Staff have been 
 invaluable. To these I owe my acknowledgments, Capts. Bryan 
 and Dickinson, of the A-djutant-General's Department ; Majors 
 Magruder and Brent, of the Commissary and Ordnance Depart- 
 ments, respectively ; Captain White, acting Chief Quartermas-. 
 
 /.::^ 
 
\^ 
 
 11 
 
 ter ; Col. Cabell, Chief of Artillery ; Lieut. Col. Cary, Acting 
 Inspector General; Lieut. Douglas, of the Engineers; Lieuts. 
 Eustis and Alston, Aides-de-Camp ; Mr. J. R. Bryan, Mr. H. M. 
 Stanard, Mr. D. F. Brashear, and Mr. H. A. Boyce, who, as 
 volunteer aids, have rendered most important services ; and to 
 private E. P. Turner, of the New Kent Cavalry, on duty somo 
 times in the field, at others in the Assistant Adjutant-Generarg 
 oflSce. 
 
 My thanks are jdue to Lieut. Col. Ball, of the Virginia Caval- 
 ry, who, for several weeks during the siege, acted as a volunteer 
 aid. His conduct on the 5th, in my immediate presence, and 
 under a severe fire of the enemy was very gallant, and worthy 
 of the high reputation which he won at Manassas. 
 • I am, also, greatly indebted to Major George Wray, of tho 
 115th Virginia militia, who has aided me in the administration, 
 civil as well as military, of the affairs "of the Peninsula, and to 
 Lieuts. Jos. Phillips and Causey, of the Cavalry of the Con- 
 federate Army. The local knowledge of these •oflUcers has been 
 of great advantage to the service, whilst their intrepidity and 
 enterprise have been in the highest degree conspicuous on every 
 occasion. 
 
 I cannot express too strongly my estimate of the services rcn- 
 ^ dered by my Chief Quartermaster, i\Lijor Bloomfield.' Soon after 
 ^ ^'v he took charge, he introduced ordor, promptness and economy in 
 ,- ^ the management of his department. The scarcity of suppliei 
 »( i and materials Avas so great as to make it alrfiost impossible to 
 \ ^ procure them. The genius, energy and extraordinary industry 
 ^ y of Maj. Bloomfield, however, overcame all obstacles, and enabled 
 ^v the army of the Peninsula to move, to march, and to fiirht with , 
 ^ ' the regularity of a machine. This statement is made in justice • - 
 ^ to Major Bloomfield, who is absent on account of sickness at the 
 
 \. time that I write. 
 
 I ask the attention, also, of the government to the valuable 
 service's rendered by Mr. William Norris, of Baltimore, the sig- 
 nal officer in charge of the signal service of the Peninsula, and 
 to those of his efficient assistant, Lieut. Lindsay, of the 15tli 
 Virginia Regiment. 
 
 The steadiness and heroism of the officers and men of the ar- 
 tillery of the Peninsula, both heavy and light, were very con- 
 spicuous during the attack on the 5th April, and throughout the 
 
12 
 
 siege vrliich follo'wed. The high state of efficiency of this arm 
 of the service was mainly due to Col. George W. Randolph, 
 Chief of Artillery on my Staif, who applied to' its organization, 
 discipline and preparation for the field, the resources of his great 
 genius and Experience. To this intrepid officer and distinguished 
 citizen, the country is indebted for the most valuable services 
 from the battle of Bethel, where his artillery principally con- 
 tributed to the success of the day, to the period when Ke was 
 removed from my command by promotion. He was ably assisted 
 by Lieut. Cols. Cabell and Brown of the same corps. 
 I have the honor to be, sir. 
 Very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 (Signed) • ' J. BANKIIEAD MAGRUDER, • 
 
 Major-General Commanding. 
 
REPORT. 
 
 Richmond, Aug. 12, 1862. 
 
 To the Adjutant- General of Gen. Ro. E. Lee, 
 
 Commanding Army Northern Virginia. 
 
 ■ Sir, — About the 25th June* I received from Lieut. Col. R. IL 
 Chilton, Assistant Adjutant-Genftral, on the Staff of Gen. Lee, 
 Commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, an order giving a 
 general plan of -operation^ about to be undertaken against the 
 enemy, whose troops occupied the right and left banks of the 
 Chickahominy, the greater number being immediately in front of 
 the lines occupied by me, and the division of Major-General 
 linger, on my right. 
 
 This directed me in general terms to hold my position in front 
 of the enemy against attack, and at all hazards ; to make such 
 demonstrations as to discover his operations ; and in case of the 
 abandomcnt of his entrenchments to pursue him closely. 
 
 I was in command of three divisions, those of Major-Gcneral 
 McLaws, Brigadier-General D. R. Jones, and my own, each 
 consisting of two brigades, the numerical strength being about 
 thirteen thousand men. 
 
 In obedience to- thtse instructions, I caused the pickets and 
 skirmishers to observe the utmost vigilance — attacked the enemy's 
 pickets, from time to time, and opened a frequent fire of artillery 
 on his works to ensure a full knowledge of liis position, strength 
 and movements, as far as it was possible, moving my own hcad- 
 (juarters to the line occupied by the trodps, and sleeping near 
 them in order to observe more closely. 
 
14 
 
 After the battle of Friday, the 27th June, on the opposite 
 bank of the Chickatiominy, it was ascertained that the enemy 
 had withdrawn his troops to the right bank, and therefore the 
 whole of his forces were massed in front of our lines, and that he 
 bad destroyed the bridges over this river, thereby separating our 
 army, and concentrating his own. I immediately ordered, with- 
 out awaiting instructions, the bridge, known as the New Bridge, 
 to be re-built, which was done by the troops under Brig. Gen. 
 Jones, in order to establish at least one line of communication 
 between the two portions of our army. This was completed on 
 Saturday, 28th. 
 
 On the same day Brig. Gen. Jones came up to my headquar- 
 ters, and informed me that Brig. Gen. Toombs had ordered an 
 attack on the enemy's line of rifle-pits, on Goulding's farm, and 
 asked if I had given such an order. Upon my replying in the 
 negative, he said he had not authorized it, and I directed Iiim at 
 once to countermand it — it being in violation of orders previously 
 received from Gen. Lee, and at the moment reiterated through 
 Capt. Latrobe, of Brig. Gen. Jones' Staff, just from Gen. Lee, 
 to the effect that I should not make .any attack on the enemy in 
 my front unless absolutely certain of success, except in co-opera- 
 tion with the movements of the Commander-in-Chief. I was the 
 more anxious to have this order countermanded, as, if this attack 
 were unsuccessful, it might lead to an advance of the enemy, to 
 the seizure of Garnett's farm, the turning of the left of our lines, 
 and the fall of Richmond. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Jones sent the countermanding order by Captain 
 Ford, of his Staff; and soon after he left, Lieut. Col. Lee re- 
 ported to me that our men had already attacked, and carried the 
 enemy's rifle-pits at Goulding's. 
 
 I immediately sent a message to that effect to General Lee, 
 Btating'that the work was carried- by our troops, who had been 
 ordered by Brig. Gen. Toombs to attack, -and at the same time 
 directed Captain Dickinson, my Assistant Adjutant-General, to 
 go to the spot, and to ascertain further the state of the case. 
 Proceeding in the direction of Goulding's myself, I met Captain 
 Dickinson returning, who informed me that when he had arrived 
 near Mr. James Garnett's house, he met Col. Anderson, who was 
 just withdrawing his troops, who informed him that the attack 
 
15 
 
 had been made by order of Brig. Gen. Toombs without the au- 
 thority from myself, or Brig. Gen. Jones, and that it was un- 
 Bucccssful. This information I also communicated to Gen. Lee, 
 by whom I was ordered to obtain a report on the subject from 
 Brig. Gen. Toombs, and to forward it to the Secretary of AVar. 
 Events followed so rapidly on each other, that I had not time 
 to obtain this report ; and when the operations of the week were 
 ended, I took no further steps, as I knew that both Brigadier- 
 Generals Jones and Toombs would make their written reports 
 on the subject. I beg leave now to refer to that portion- of 
 their reports in further explanation of the circumstances of this 
 affair. 
 
 From the time at which the enemy withdrew his forces to this 
 Bide of the Chickahominy, and destro3'ed the bridges, to the 
 moment of his evacuation — that is, from Friday night until Sun- 
 day morning, I considered the situation of our arfny as extremely 
 critical and perilous. The larger portion of it was on the oppo- 
 site side of the Chickahominy, the bridges had been all destroyed, 
 but one was re-built — the New Bridge — which was commanded 
 fully by the enemy's guns from Goulding's ; and there were but 
 twenty-five thousand men between his army of one hundred . 
 thousand and Richmond. I received repeated instructions dur- 
 ing Saturday night from General Lee's head-quarters, enjoining 
 upon my command the utmost vigilance, directing the men to 
 sleep on their arms,'and to be prepared for whatever might occur. 
 These orders were promptly communicated by me to the different 
 commanders of my forces, and were also transmitted to General 
 Hyger, on my right. I passed the night without sleep, and in 
 the superintendence of their execution. 
 
 Had McClellan massed his whole force in column, and ad- 
 vanced it against any point of our line of battle, as was done 
 at Austerlitz under similar circumstances, by the greatest captain 
 of any age, though the head of his column would have suffered 
 greatly, its momentum would have insured him success, and the 
 occupation of our works about Richmond, and, consequently, of 
 the city, might have been his reward. His failure to do so is 
 the best evidence that our wise commander fully understood the 
 character of his opponent. Our relief was therefore great when 
 intelligence reached us almost simultaneously, from Col. Chilton, 
 
16 ■ 
 
 and one of my staff, that the enemy, whose presence had been 
 ascertained as late as 3| o'clock, A. M., had evacuated his -works 
 and ■WHS retreating. 
 
 Col. Chilton, who rode into my camp on Sunday morning, hur- 
 ried me off to see Gen. Lee on the nine mile road, and I gave, 
 while riding -with him, the necessary orders to put in motion my 
 whole command, which extended over a distance of some miles, 
 directing BrigadieT- General Griffith's brigade, which was nearest 
 to the road, to advance at once from the centre, and ordering 
 Bngadicr-General Jones's Division, in advancing, to incline, 
 towards Fair Oak Station, as I Jiad been informed that Major- 
 General Jackson had crossed, or was crossing, the " Grape-vine" 
 Bridge, and would operate down the Chickahominy. 
 
 Having overtaken General Lee, we rode together down the 
 Nine Mile Road, and the General informed me of the plans which 
 he had adopted'for the pursuit of the enemy. They were as fol- 
 lows : Major-General Lo7igsfreet's Division was to have crossed 
 the New Bridge and to take post on our extreme right, so as to 
 intercept the enemy in his attempl; to reach James "River. Major- 
 Qeneral Hugers Division to march down the Williamsburg Road, 
 on my right flank, and Major-General Jackson's Division, \^\\\cii. 
 he stated had crossed, or was crossing, the " Grape-vine" Bridge 
 over the Chickahominy River, was to operate down that river, on 
 its right bank, whilst- my own command would press him vigor- 
 ously in front. 
 
 On our arrival at Fair Oak Station, we found the enemy's lines 
 in that vicinity, which had been evacuated,. in possession of a 
 part of Brigadier-General Kershaw's Brigade, the remainder^ of 
 my command being then on the marcK. Here, General Lee, 
 having repeated his instructions, left the ground. 
 
 I directed Major-General McLaws to consolidate Kershaw's 
 Brigade, and place it on the right of the Railrgad, and as the 
 'other briijade of Gen. McLaws did not arrive for some time, I 
 ordered two regiments of an advanced brigade, (GrijBBth's), of my 
 own division, to take post, in reserye, also on the right of the 
 • Railroad, so as to support Kershaw's Brigade, leaving the Wil- 
 liamsburg road, still further on our right, unoccupied*, and open 
 for Huger. I then formed the other two regiments of Griffith's 
 Brigade oi^ the left of Gen. Kershaw's, their right resting on the 
 
17 
 
 Railroad. Brigadier-General Cobb's, which marched in rear of 
 General Griffith's, was, as soon as it arrived, formed on the left 
 of these two regiments, two of his own being kept in reserve. 
 
 I then dispatched astaffofficer to ascertain the position of Gen. 
 Jones's Division, Avhich had crossfd the swamp at Goulding'a 
 house, and directed it to be formed on the left of General Cobb, 
 with the proper interval. Whilst these dispositions were being 
 made, I ordered skirmishers to be thrown out in front of General 
 Kershaw's, Brigade, and my own division, to find the enenjj and 
 ascertain his position. The enemy having tlirown up a heavy 
 obstruction across t^e Railroad track, I caused men to be de- 
 tailed for the purpose of i-emoving it, for the passage down the 
 road of a iieavy rifled gun, mounted on a railway carriage, and 
 protected by an inclined plane of iron. I also dispatched a staff 
 officer towards " Grape-vine " Bridge, some three miles off, to 
 ascertain the position of Major-General Jackson's troops, which, 
 I had supposed from the statements above given, had already 
 crossed. 
 
 These orders givcn^ and disposition made, I received informa- 
 tion from Brigadier-General Jones that the enemy was in force 
 in his front, and fortified. This, it was reported to me, was 
 derived from a prisoner, who had been just captured ; and the 
 presence of the enemy in front was verified by the skirmishers 
 of General Jones being engaged Avith those of the enemy. 
 
 I received, about the same time, a communication from General 
 McLaws, stating that the enem}^ was in front of Kershaw's Bri- 
 gade, and in works well manned. Desiring to ascertain the ex- 
 tent of his front, I directed Brigadier-General Cobb to detail a 
 trusty officer, and some- of his best skirmishers, to feel the enemy, 
 if to be found in front of my division, and to report the result. 
 
 In the meantime Major Bryan, the staff officer who had been 
 sent to Major- General Jackson, returned with his engineer, 
 Lieutenant Boswell, who reported that Major-General Jackson 
 was compelled to rebuild the Bridge, which would be completed 
 in about two hours, Major Bryan reporting that IMajor-Gcneral 
 Jackson had crossed but a small portion of his inf;jntry, not moro 
 than three companies, over the broken bridge. About the same 
 time I received a message frotn Major-Gcneral Hugcr, staling 
 that a large portion of his command had been sent elsewlicre, 
 2 
 
18 
 
 but that •with two brigades he would soon march down on the 
 Williamsburg road. 
 
 Having passed up the country near the railroad, on our retreat 
 from the neighborhood of New Kent court-house, I knew that 
 there was a road leading ffom " Grape-vine Ford," where the 
 enemy had afterwards constructed the bridge, to the railroad 
 bridge near Savage Station, passing to the right and rear of the 
 enemy now in our front, and that when Maj. Gen. Jackson ad- 
 vanced he would probably move on that road. I determined 
 therefore to await that advance, and to request Major-General 
 Huger, when he came up, to move down the Williamsburg road, 
 and enveloping both flanks of the eniemy and attacking him in 
 front, at the same time, I hoped to capture his rear guard, which 
 1 ascertained from prisoners, and from the reconnoitering parties 
 in front, to be at least a division. 
 
 The enemy having ascertained the general disposition of our 
 troops, opened a brisk artillery fire upon the railroad and our 
 centre, unfortunately mortally wounding the gallant Gen. Grif- 
 fith, commander of the 3d Mississippi Brigade, who was borne 
 from the field, and died the next morning. The enemy's fire was 
 responded to with effect by the railroad battery, as well as by" 
 Carlton's battery, which that practised artillerist, Lieut. Col. 
 Stephen D. Lee, had placed in advance,. in a commanding posi- 
 tion, in front of our centre. 
 
 The enemy was now reported advancing, and^this report being 
 confirmed after a reconnoissance by Lieut. Col. Lee, I galloped to 
 the right of the line to see Gen. Huger, who had arrived with two 
 brigades, and to give him such information as would enable him 
 to dispose his troops in the best manner for the protection of our 
 right flank. Having accomplished this, I returned to the left, 
 and threw forward the left wing of Gen. Griffith's Brigade, and 
 the whole of Gen. Cobb's, in order to occupy a more command- 
 ing position, and a wood, which skirted a field, across whioh the 
 enemy would have to march. 
 
 • This had no sooner been done than I received information from 
 Major-GeneraJ Huger that his two brigades would be withdrawn, 
 as I understood, for other service, and subsequently a note reached 
 me from Gen. Jones, stating ihht Maj. G-en. Jackson regretted 
 that he could not co-operate with him, as he had been ordered on 
 other important duty. (See Appendix No. 1.) 
 
Id 
 
 Thus the forces which General Lee had left to operate against 
 the enemy, being reduced from some thirty-iive or forty thousand! 
 to some thirteen thousand men, I was compelled to abandon the 
 plan of capturing any large portion of the enemy's forces, and 
 directed that Semmes' Brigade, (McLaws' Division,) should bo 
 placed on the Williamsburg road, and Cobb's on the left of the 
 railroad, in line with Kershaw's, Jones' Division being on the 
 extreme left, and Barkesdalc's Brigj^de marching in reserve be- 
 .hind the centre. I ordered the whole to move to the ^ont, and 
 each commander to attack the enemy, in whatever force, or Work^ 
 he, might be found. This was executed promfftly and in beauti- 
 ful order, though the ground was difficult and the wood dense. 
 
 Kershaw's Brigade soon became engaged with the enemy, who 
 took refuge in the works on the Williamsburg road, from which 
 he Was driven in gallant style by the infantry advance,* and by 
 the excellent artillery practice of Kemper's battery. Retreating 
 from work to work, pursued by our line, which swept tlirough 
 his camps, with little interruption, the enemy was at last driven 
 as far as Savage Station, where a strong line of battle was 
 formed, ready to receive us. lie also occupied the wood in front 
 of the Station. Here Kershaw's Brigade engaged him frankly 
 and furiously, and was gallantly supported by Kemper's battery 
 and Semmes' Brigade on his right. 
 
 Taking my position on the railroad bridge, which commanded 
 a good view of the fight and of the enemy's line of battle, I 
 directed the railroad battery, commanded most efficiently by 
 Lieut. Barry, to advance to the front so as to cleai^ in some de- 
 gree, the deep cut, over which the bridge was thrown, and to open 
 his fire upon the enemy's masses below, which was dune with 
 terrible effect. The enemy soon brought the fire of his artillery 
 and infantry to bear upon the railroad battery and bridge, whilst 
 he advanced a heavy line of infantry to support the troops al- 
 ready en^ged to capture our artillery, and turn our right flanlc 
 Gen. McLaws finding himself pressed, sent for reinforcements. 
 I dispatched at once two regiments of Griffith's, (now Barkes- 
 dalc's Brigade,) the 17th Regiment, Ool. Iloldcn, and the 21st 
 Regiment, Colonel Humphries. These were gallantly led into 
 action — Major Brent, of my Staff, bearing the onler. Soon by 
 their steadiness and excellence of fire, as attested by the number 
 of dead found in their front the next morning, they checked the 
 
20 
 
 enemy, who were repulsed bj the -whole line on the right with 
 great slaughter. The enemy having sent still additional troops 
 to sustain the fight, I directed Col. Barkesdale to move to the 
 ^support of our right with his remaining force. They were placed 
 in reserve, under cover of a wood, where a few men were wounded 
 from the long range muskets of the enemy. Night coming on, 
 their services were not required. The battle on the right raged 
 with fury for about two hours, and darkness put an end to the 
 conflict, pur men sleeping on their arms, and in the advance posi- 
 tions, which they had won. 
 
 The troops on^he left of the road were not engaged, with .the 
 exception of two pieces of artillery attached to Gen. Jones' 
 Division, which did good service, disorganizing the enemy's line, 
 and causing his troops to change position. When the enemy 
 attempted to turn our right flank, I desired to move a portion of 
 Qen. Jones' command to the right, to operate on the Williams- 
 burg road, but the position of his troops could not be ascertained 
 until it was too late to do so. In the mean time, desiring to 
 have troops on hand,- ready to reinforce still further General 
 McLaws, I left my position for a few moments to confer with 
 Gen. Cobb on the left, from whose command I detached a regi- 
 ment, and halted it near the railroad bridge. Whilst with Gen. 
 Cobb, an Aid-de-Camp of Gen. Lee, Major Taylor, came up and 
 informed me that Gen. Jackson had orders to. co-operate with 
 me, and that there was some mistake about the orders directing 
 him elsewhere. He desired to see Gen. Jackson, but not know- 
 ing the way to the " Grape-vine" bridge, the Rev. L. W. Allen, 
 one of my Staff", who knew the country thoroughly, volunteered 
 to deliver any message he might send. This was done, and 
 Gen. Jackson arrived in person at half past three o'clock, on 
 Monday morning, to which hour I had been kept up by the 
 duties of the night. He informed me that his troops would be 
 up probably by day-light. I then slept an hour — the first in 
 forty-eight. 
 
 - ^Previous to. the^ arrival of Gen. Jackson, I considered the 
 f situation as by no means satisfactory. * Not having heard from 
 V 3Ir:,^-A-llen during the night, I was uncertain whether Gen. Jack- 
 son had obeyed his orders to go elsewhere or not, and I was 
 satisfied that there was at least a corps d'arm^e in front, as was 
 proved next mornings by our having taken prisoners from three 
 
V 
 
 21 
 
 divisions. The proportion of the enemy's force toour own was 
 probably two or three to one. I therefore asked for reinforce- 
 ments in case Gen. Jackson did not join me. 
 
 Early in the morning on Monday, a small party of Texans, of 
 Hood's Brigade, ascertained that the enemy had evacuated their 
 position on the night before. 
 
 Several hundred prisoners, twenty-five hundred sick and 
 wounded in the hospitals, a large amount of stores, and a con- 
 siderable number of wounded on the field, fell into our hands. 
 Here, also, some of (Tur own prisoners were re-taken, among 
 whom, was the gallant Colonel Lamar, of Anderson's Brigade^ 
 captured by the enemy in tlie battle of Goulding's farm. I 
 sent the prisoners to Richmond in charge of Captain G. P. 
 Turner, of the Marine Corps, and placed Major Wray, of my 
 Staff, who had been of great service to me during the action, in 
 charge of the enemy's wounded, the hospital, and public property. 
 Our loss was some four hundred killed and wounded, whilst I 
 estimate that of the enemy to be not less than three thousand 
 killed and Avounded — Gen. Semmes reporting not less than four 
 hundred dead in front of his brigade abne. 
 
 In this engagement, which was very obstinate and well con- 
 tested, that brilliant and gallant soldier. Gen. Kershaw, and his 
 brave South CaroUnians were particularly distinguished, and were 
 supported in the most gallant manner both by Gen. Semmes a,pd 
 his brigade, and by Col. Barksdale and the two regiments of 
 Mississippians who were in* the action. ' Capt. Kemper was in- 
 trepid, tenacious and skillful in the management of his guns, and 
 the conduct of his officers and men is deserving of the highest 
 commendation. The dauntless and dashing manner in which 
 Capt. Inge, of Col. Barkesdale's Staff, discharged his duties 
 under a fire of great severity, won my admiration. My thanks 
 arc due to Maj. Bryan, Maj. Brent, Capt. Dickinson and Lieut. 
 Phillips, of my Staff, for the meritorious and distinguished man- 
 ner in which they performed their duties during that day. Lieuts. 
 Eustis and Alston, Aids-de- Camp, discharpjcd their var ious duties 
 with zeal and gallantry. ^Maj. DloomficM, Chief Quarterm; 
 having been sent from the field, by Gen. Lee, to Richmonc 
 important business, returned in time to remler me good sei 
 I was also greatly indebted to Mr. J. Randolph Bryan and Mr. 
 
,<. ".^vc ,. 22 
 
 Hugh M. Stanard, volunteer aids, for devoted and gallant ser- 
 rices on this, as on many previous occasions. 
 
 Next morning (Monday) early, I received orders from Gen. 
 Lee, in person, to proceed Avith my command to the Darbytown 
 road, and a guide was furnished by him to conduct me thither. 
 I promptl}'- put my column in motion, and marched some twelve 
 miles to Timberlake's store, on the Darbytown road, where I ar- 
 rived about two o'clock,. P. M. There I received a note from 
 'Gen. Lee's headquarters, informing me that he, with Gen. Long- 
 Street, was at the intersection of the New Market, Charles Gity 
 and Quaker roads, and enquired how far I had progressed en 
 route to that point. [See Appendix, No. 2.] 
 'X^ Soon after, I i^eceived a communication, also, from Gen. Lee, 
 ■ / through Maj. Bloomfield, directing me to halt and rest my meUj 
 I but to be ready to move at any time. 
 
 In obedience to this order, my command remained at this place 
 until about 4| o'clock, P. M., when I received an order from 
 Gen. Longstreet to go with my command to the aid of Gen. 
 Holmes, on the New Market road. The owner of the farm at 
 New Market, who was present at Timberlake's store, made an 
 ©flfer, which was accepted, to point out a short route to New 
 Market not practicable for artillery. The troops were instantly 
 put in motion; the artillery, escorted by Semmes' brigade, pro- 
 ceeded by the Darbytown road, the infantry by the shorter one 
 to New Market. 
 
 After the column had marched, I received another order from 
 Gen. Longstreet directing me to send the infantry by the short- 
 est route, and ta depend upon him for artillery. [See Appendix, 
 No. 3.] This plan having been already substantially adopted, 
 was adhered to. 
 ^< Soon after, a courier informed me that Col. Chilton wished to 
 ^ see me in front, on the Darbytown road, and that he was sent to 
 
 conduct me to him. I immediately galloped off with him, and 
 found Col. Chilton near the intersection of the Darbytown and 
 New Bridge roads. He asked me where my command was, and 
 after informing him what disposition had been made of my troops 
 by order of Gen. Longstreet, he said he would shoAV me where my 
 right would be placed in support of Gen. Holmes, and conducting 
 me through the woods to what is known as the River road, he 
 
 a^ 
 
 t^A. Ct \^ 
 
23 
 
 pointed out the intersection of the road, along ^hich we came, 
 with the River road as the point at which my right was to rest, 
 and instructed me to form my command tliere, nnd to march it 
 liiagonallj^ through the woods, and I would thus find the position 
 in which I would support Gen. Holmes. 
 
 Having previously sent a Staff officer to bring up Gen, Semmes* 
 Brigade, which had been escorting the artillery, and sending 
 another of the Staff to New Market to hasten the troops, I left 
 another Staff officer to designate the point indicated by Col. Chil- 
 ton, and galloped mysfelf to the front, on the River road, in the 
 hope of finding Gen. Holmes. After going about a mile without 
 being able to see him, and it being near, sunset, I directed an- 
 other of my Staff to find him, and inform him that I was moving x 
 up to his support on his left. I returned myself to the position 
 of Gen. Semmes, to which I had ordered my conwnand at Ne\T 
 Market to proceed rapidly. I ordered Gen. Semmes to move 
 forward through the woods in obedience to Col. Chilton's direc- 
 tions. He replied that it was impossible to do so, owing to tho 
 density of the Voods and the approaching darkness, without dis- 
 organizing his command. I informed him that it was Col. Chil- 
 ton's order, and he attempted to execute it. I then galloped 
 towards New Market, with the view of hurrying forward tho 
 remainder of my command, when I received an order from Gen. 
 Longstrejt to bring one-half of y; to the position occupied by 
 him, and very soon after another order from Col. Chilton to 
 proceed with the whole of it to Gen. Longstreet. This order 
 was received at the intersection of the Darbytown and Long 
 Bridge roads. I instantly dispatched staff officers to bring up 
 my command, directing Gen. McLaws' Divisioi^vhich had been 
 engaged the day before, and was extremely fatigued, to form tho 
 rear. I remained at the spot until the head of my advancing^ 
 columns reached it, when, having ordered them forward on tho 
 Long Bridge road, I proceeded rapidly to the'front, and reported 
 myself to Gens. Lee and Longstreet. 
 
 Gen. Lee directed me, as soon as my troops came up, to relievo 
 those of Gen. Longstreet, on his late battle-field, about a mile and 
 a half in front. Proceeding to the battle-field, I directed tho 
 necessary disposition of the troops to be made as soon as they 
 should come, and was occupied on duty until three o'clock, A. M., 
 on Tuesday morning. 
 
 
 /. 
 
24 
 
 Having slept about an hour, I proceeded before sunrise to our 
 front, -where I learned that, the enemy, who had been felt accord- 
 ing to Gen. Lee's instructions during the night, was still in posi- 
 tion. Making the necessary disposition as rapidly as possiblef 
 which could rK)t be properly done in the darkness of the preceding 
 night, I advanced in line of battle, capturing some prisoners and 
 a hospital of wounded men. I found that the troops in front were 
 only a small rear-guard, a portion of whom made their escape. 
 My skirmishers soon came in contact with those of Gen. Jack- 
 son's, but fortunately recognising each other, a collision was 
 avoided. 
 
 Being anxious to pursue these slight successes, by pressing- on 
 the retiring enemy, I desired, after the junction with Gen. Jack- 
 son's forces, to continue my direct movement to the front, and 
 volunteered with my command to lead in the pursuit of the 
 enemy. Gen. Jackson replied that his troops were fresher than 
 mine, and Gen. Lee then directed me to proceed by the Quaker 
 road, and to form on the right of Jackson. 
 
 Having been provided with three guides — soldiers, born in the 
 immediate neighborhood, who knew thoroughly all the roads — I 
 put my troops in motion, right in front, to march on the Quaker 
 road, which was nearly parallel to that on which Jackson marched, 
 with a view of forming a line of battle to the left, and thus occu- 
 pying that road, and thus renting my left on Jackson's right. 
 Gen. Longstreet having expressed some doubt as to the road in 
 question being the " Quaker road," I examined the guides sepa- 
 rately, and was satisfied that they were right. I informed him 
 that, if he would give me an order to move by any other road, 
 I would obey it with pleasure. This he declined to do. I there- 
 fore marched, as originally ordered, about a mile and a half on 
 this road; Gen. Longstreet, who had now overtaken me, expressed 
 again his convictions that this could not be the Quaker road, and 
 desired that I should return to another road parallel to this, but 
 nearer to Jackson's right. An order to the same effect having 
 been communicated by a staff officer of Gen. Lee about this time, 
 I marched in the new direction. It turned out however, in point 
 of fact, that the road to and along which I had been marching, 
 following the guides, was and is the "Quaker road" — ^the only 
 one universally known as such by the people in that country. 
 
25 
 
 (See the affidavits of the three guides and of Mr. Binfovd, Ap- 
 pendix No. 4.) 
 
 Gen. Lee then directed me to place my troops on the right of 
 Huger's, who, in the meantime, had formed on the right of 
 Jackson. Tliis I did as far as the ground would permit, placing 
 my three divisions eti echelon to the right and roar. 
 
 • I had scarcely made these arrangements, when I received an 
 order from Gen. Longstreet to support Gen^ Armistead on his 
 right. Barkcsdale's brigade being already to his right and roar, 
 I ordered Cobb's to his immediate support, preceded by the l(3th 
 Georgia regiment,- armed Avith Enfield rifles, which he ])laced 
 still further to his right flank, as skirmishers to protect it, whilst 
 the infantry of Cobb's Legion was posted to protect the artillery. 
 
 The enemy had for some time previous opened a heavy can- 
 nonade on the positions occupied by my troops,' from the eff"ect3 
 of which a caisson exploded, and Ave were in danger of losing our 
 men. "Having proceeded to the front in advance of Cobb's Bri- 
 gade, I reconnoitered the enemy's position, in company with 
 Lieut. Phillips and Col. Edmunds, sent by General Armistead. 
 From two points in the open field the enemy could be well seen. 
 I found a part of Gen. Armistead's Brigade lying in order of 
 battle, under the brow of a hill covered by Avood, through Avhich 
 a road passed parallel to the edge of the field occupied by the 
 enemy. The Avood, through which my troops had to pass to 
 reach this road, Avas very dense, and the ground very diflicult. 
 I immediately selected this road as the best position to form 
 troops, designed to operate, against the enemy, Avhilst the hill and 
 "wood in front aff'orded a strong position for a permanent line of 
 battle. In this reconnoissance I found the enemy to be strongly 
 posted on the crest of a hill, commanding an undulating field 
 between us, Avhich fell off to our right into a plain or meadow, a 
 portion of the latter bordering on the Quaker road, from Avhich 
 I had Just returned. 
 
 The enemy having reached these heights, and placed himself 
 in communication Avith his gun-boats on the river, I was satisfied 
 from the position of liis lines, and from the cheering Avhich h^d 
 taken place when his troops were thus re-assembled, that the 
 whole army of McCleyan was m our front. His batteries of 
 artillery were numerous, and were Qollccted into (2) tAvo large 
 bodies, strongly supported by infantry, and commanded perfectly 
 
26 
 
 the meadow on the right and the field in our front, except the 
 open ravines formed by the undulations of, the ground. Beyond 
 the hill to the rear of that occupied by the enemy, since known 
 as "Malvern Hill," firing had taken place in the morning from 
 a* battery posted in that direction, which also commanded the 
 meadow or a considerable portion of it. 
 
 The field in which the batteries nearest to us vfore placed is 
 called "Crew's Farm;" and the best line of approach to these 
 batteries seemed to be to the right and front, under the cover of 
 the hills formed by the falling off of this field into the meadow. 
 
 Gen. Armistead having informed me that Gen. Longstreet 
 ■would send him two batteries, I deemed such an artillery force 
 inadequate, and soon after ordered Lieut. Col. S. D. Lee, chief 
 of artillery, to bring up from all the. batteries thirty rifle pieces, 
 if possible. With these I hoped to shatter the enemy's infantry. 
 But, as they did not arrive, the interval was, perhaps, too brief 
 before I was ordered to make the attack. Returning rapidly to 
 the position occupied by the remainder of my troops, I gave 
 Brig. Gen. Jones the necessary orders for the advance of his 
 division, composed of Anderson's and Toombs' Brigades, one of 
 ■which (Anderson's) had already occupied the position lately held 
 by Cobb. Whilst this was being done, a heavy and crushing fire 
 ■was opened from the enemy's guns of great range and metal. 
 
 About this time, I received an order from Col. Chilton, stating 
 that an order had been given to Gen. Argiistead, when his artil- 
 lery fire had broken the enemy's lines, as it probably would do, 
 to "charge with a yell," and directing me to do the same. (See 
 Appendix No. 5.) I again gave orders to hasten the movements 
 of the troops, and superintended them in person as far as it was 
 possible. The enemy's fire by this time became intense. 
 
 I then received an order from Gen. Lee, through Capt. Dick- 
 inson, Assistant Adjutant-General, " to advance rapidly, press 
 forward my whole line, and follow up Armistead's successes, as 
 the enemy were reported to be getting oif,'.' (Gen. Armistead 
 having repulsed, driven back, and followed up a heavy body 
 0^ the enemy's skirmishers.) (See Appendix, marked No. 6.) 
 Capt. Dickinson informed me by note at the same time that 
 Mahone's and Ransom's Brigades, of lager's Division, would 
 be ordered up immediately. Having completed the necessary 
 arrangements for my three divisions, and not feeling myself at 
 
27 
 
 liberty to hesitate under the stringency of my instructions, I 
 galloped to the front, and, at the request of Gen. Wright, again 
 reconnoitered the enemy, in company with himself and Gen. " 
 Armistead, from the meadow on the right, and the hill in front, 
 and arranged with them a simultaneous attack from that portion 
 of the line under my command. 
 
 Soon after Mahone's Brigade having arrived, and the hour 
 growing late, I gave the order that Wright's Brigade, supported 
 by Mahone's, should advance and attack the enemy's batteries on 
 the right. That Jones' Division, expeoted momentarily, should 
 advance on the front, and Ransom's Brigade should attack on the 
 left. My plan being to hurl about fifteen thousand men against 
 the eiijemy's batteries, and supporting infantry — to follow up any 
 successes they might obtain ; and if unable to drive the enemy 
 from his strong position, to continue the fight in front by pouring 
 in fresh troops ; and in case they were repulsed, toxoid strongly 
 the line of battle where I stood, to prevent serious disaster to our 
 own arms. This plan Avas substantially carried out, producing 
 the favorable results which followed. 
 
 Proceeding to execute it, I sent my principal Adjutant-Gene- 
 ral, Major Henry Bryan, to put in motion the brigade of Gen. 
 Wright. This was about half past 5 o'clock, P. M. Having 
 given Maj. Bryan amp^p time to execute this order, and finding 
 Jones' Division not yet up, owing to the extreme difficulty of 
 the ground over which he had to pass, and having sent off all 
 my staff officers on urgent. errands, I proceeded to address a few 
 ■words to Mahone's Brigade, and ordered it forward. Returning 
 rapidly to the centre, I directed Gen. Armistead to advance Avith 
 the remainder of his brigade. Being informed by him that his 
 best troops were already in front, those on hand being raw, I 
 directed the three regiments of Cobb's Brigade, then on the spot, 
 instead of Arraistead's force, to advance in line and attack the 
 enemy in front, and they moved forward accordingly without 
 delay. 
 
 At this moment I sent an order to Gen. Ransom, on my left, 
 to advance, and I proceeded in person to Col. Barke^dale's Bri- 
 gade of my own division — sifperintended its formation, and 
 directed him to advance to the support of the troops, who had 
 already preceded him on the riglit. Here the fire of the enemy's 
 
28 
 
 grape, schrapnel apd round shot was terrific, stripping the limbs 
 from trees,' and ploughing up the ground under our feet. 
 
 This gallant brigade, not quailing for an instant, advanced 
 steadily into the fight. On my return to the position I had 
 selected, and to which I directed my staif officers to report, I 
 learned by note from Gen. Ransom, that neither he nor Gen. 
 Huger knew where the battery was, and that all orders coming 
 to him must come through Gen. Huger. (See Appendix, No. 7.) 
 
 I sent several staff officers, successively, urging him to advance 
 to the front, and attack on the left, and in support of those, who 
 by this time Avere hotly engaged, but this gallant officer felt him- 
 self constrained to obey his instructions, and withheld the de- 
 sired support. He, nevertheless, afterwards sent me one regi- 
 ment, which was ordered into' action on the left of those already 
 
 The fire ofimusketry and artillery now raged with terrific fury. 
 The battle-field was enveloped in smoke, relieved only by flashes 
 from the lines of the contending troops. Round shot and grape 
 crashed through the woods, and shells of enormous size, which 
 reached far beyond the "headquarters" of our gallant Com- 
 mander-in-Chief, burst amidst the artillery, parked in the rear. 
 Belnjian missives and Minie balls lent their aid to this scene of 
 surpassing grandeur and sublimity. Amidst all, our gallant 
 troops in front pressed on to victory, now cheered by the rapid 
 fire of friends on their left, as they had been encouraged in their 
 advance by the gallant brigades on the right, commanded by 
 Gens. Wright and Mahone. Nevertheless, the enemy from his 
 strong position and great numbers, resisted stoutly the onset of 
 our heroic bands, and bringing into action his heavy reserves, 
 some of our men were compelled to fall back. They were 
 easily rallied, however, and led again with fury to the attack. 
 The noble, accomplished and gallant Harrison, Commander of 
 the " Charles City Troop," uniting his exertions with my own, 
 rallied regiment after regiment, and leading one of them to the 
 front, fell, pierced with seven wounds, near the enemy's batteries. 
 
 Holding the strong position of the wood and ravine -with one 
 regiment of Armistead's Brigade, I ordered the remainder of 
 his Brigade to the support of those in front, and about this 
 time that skillful and devoted officer, General Ransom, led his 
 
29 
 • 
 brigade forward, having obtained the requisite authority, and 
 gave further support to. the left of our line, whilst Gen. Jones 
 having overcome the great difficulties of the ground, over which 
 lie had to. pass, gallantly supported the troops on our right with 
 Col. Anderson's Brigade, of his division, the other Gen. Toombs' 
 Brigade having obliqued to the left, where it was formed in the 
 road, and lent its supp6rt to some of the rcsers'e troops "which 
 were brought into action. 
 
 Towards the close of the action I received another order from 
 Colonel Chilton to "press the enemy on my right," stating that 
 General McLaws' Division "had gone in fresh." (See Appendix 
 No. 8.) That division not having reached the wood .bordering 
 on the open field in advance, I dispatched IMajor IlYllcsted of 
 the Zouave Battalion, acting temporarily on my staff, to hasten it 
 forward, and bring up two batteries of artillery, which I desired 
 to have on hand for anything that might occur. Not being able 
 to find the commander of the division, General McLaws, and it 
 being near dusk, Major Ilyllested gave the orders directly to the 
 commanders of brigades. These brigades Avere in line of battle 
 at Mrs. Carter's .house with an interval of about one hundred 
 yards between them, for the passage of artillery! These com- 
 manders, Kershaw and Semmes, with the gallantry and prompt- 
 ness which have characterized them on every occasion, advandid 
 with their brigades at once. General Semmes' to* the right, and 
 General Kershaw's to the left, increasing their interval as they 
 passed' through the dense wood, which intervened between them 
 and the enemy's position, and going into action on the right and 
 left of the position occupied by myself. Their engagement with 
 the enemy was not known to me until half-past eight o'clock, at 
 which time Major Ilyllested, who had gone still further to the 
 rear for the artillery, reported to me their advance to the fronti 
 These gallant leaders engaged the enemy with vigor and devo- 
 tion, and though the batteries were not carried, contributed much 
 to the rout, panic and demoralization which marked the enemy's 
 escape from the battle-field at an early hour of the night. 
 
 Previous to the arrival of Gen. McLaws' Division, I had sent 
 for reinforcements, having determined to retain the ground we 
 had gained in front, if possible, and to hold the strong position of 
 the wood and ravine at all hazards, to guard against any reverse. 
 Troops were sent me from General A. P. Hill's command, and 
 
80 
 
 two brigades kept at hand, to be used in case of necessity. I 
 regret tliat I have been unable as yet J;o procure the reports of 
 their commanders. 
 
 Darkness had now set in, and I thought of withdrawing the 
 troops, but as we had gained many advantages, I concluded to \bt 
 the battle subside, and to occupy the field, which was done to 
 within one hundred yards of the enemy's guns. Pickets were ac- 
 cordingly established by Brigadier-tjenerals Mahone and Wright, 
 whose brigades slept on the battle-field in the advanced positions 
 they had won. Armistead's Brigade, and a portion of Ransom's, 
 also occupied the battle-field. 
 
 The en^pmy retreated precipitately, during the night, from this 
 strong place, which he intended to occupy, and which he had com- 
 menced to fortify, having reached his gun-boats, the latter taking 
 part in the battle. He left, on the battle-field, his dead and 
 wounded; spiked and'abandoned two pieces of artillery; leaving 
 caissons, ambulances, wagons, and large quantities of medical, 
 commissary, and ordnance stores, in our hands. He threw into 
 the ravines a large amount of ammunition, and strewed the roads 
 with thousands of muskets, cartridge boxes,, &c., in his flight 
 down the river. (See Appendix, No. 9.) He was forced to retire 
 a greater distance from Ricbmond, and to relinquish a healthy 
 and commanding position, which he has since attempted in vain 
 to retake. 
 
 Notwithstanding the strength of the enemy's position, his ' 
 great numerical superiority, and the difficulty of reaching him, 
 our loss in killed and wounded will compare favorably, in propor- 
 tion to the number engaged, with that sustained in most of the 
 previous- engagements near Richmond. It will not exceed,- I 
 think, ('2,900) twenty-nine hundred killed and wounded, out of 
 a force of twenty-six or twenty-^ight thousand under my orders, 
 engaged and under fire; whilst the loss of the enemy I estimated 
 at between six and seven thousand from the fire of my troops 
 alone. There was no infantry attack by Gen. Holmes on my 
 right, as far as I can learn. The reports of the ofiicers com- 
 manding on my left will, doubtless, make known their operations. 
 
 The officers and men under my command fought generally with 
 the greatest heroism and devotion, and, though some confusion 
 arose from the great distance which bad to be traversed, the nar- 
 rowness of the field, and the extreme severity of the enemy's 
 
31 
 
 fire, there were no evldcnceg of panic, and the men vrere easily 
 rallied and led to the field. My command of three divisions, 
 being separated from the wagons, had been almost constantly 
 marching, from Sunday morning until Tuesday evening, without 
 tents, sleep, and without food ; it being deemed by me imprudent 
 to block up a narrow road with a wagon train. They were or- 
 dered after the battle'was over, by their respective commanders, 
 to the positions from which they went into action, to (>l)taiu sup- 
 plies of food and water. 
 
 The officers and men composing Jones' Division deserve special 
 commendation for the faithful and fearless manner in which they 
 performed their perilous duties at the stations known as Garnett's 
 and Price's farnis, and for their impetuous gallantry as displayed 
 in the actions of the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth of Juno 
 opposite Goulding's farm. In the brigade commanded by. the 
 gallant Gen. Semmes, Cols. August and Gumming, 15th Virginia 
 and lOth Georgia regiments, and Lieut. Co]. Waggaman, of the 
 10th Louisiana, were particularly distinguished — the two. former 
 •bcirtg wounded and the last taken prisoner. In reference to other 
 highly meritorious officers of the line, I beg leave to refer to the 
 enclosed paper, marked No. 12, (see Appendix, No. -12,) contain- 
 ing the names of those who are specially noticed in the reports 
 of the division, brigade and regimental commanders. 
 
 I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of theofficers and 
 men of the brigades attacking in front ; Brig. Gen. Mahone, 
 commanding the 2d brigade Virginia volunteers ; Gen. AVright^ 
 8d brigade — both of Iluger's E)ivision. Colonel Barkesdalc, 
 commanding 3d Mississippi Brigade, of Magruder's Division ; 
 Col. Norwood, 2d Louisiana regiment, mortally wounded, com- 
 manding three regiments, Cobb's Brigade, Magruder's Division. 
 Major Ashton, Of the same regiment, who fdll heroically bear- 
 ing the colors of his regiment to the front; Col. Dowd, 15th 
 North Carolina ; Col. Goode Bryan, 16th Georgia, Cobb's Le- 
 gion, who had been relieved from picket duty, and led his regi- 
 ment gallantly into the thickest t)f the fight, with the coolness 
 and ability which characterize the well trained soldier.* Colonels 
 Iloldon and Griffin and Lieutenant-Colonel Brandon, of the 3d 
 Mississippi Brigade, who were all severely wounded whilst gal- 
 lantly leading their regiments into action; also Lieut. Col. Carter, 
 liith Mississippi, who was borne from the field wounded; and 
 
32 
 
 Lieut. Col. Fiser, Lieut. Col. Luse, Major McElroj and Capt. 
 Brooks, on whom the regimental commands devolved, all dis- 
 charged their duties "with signal ability. Cnpt. Inge, assistant 
 adjutant-general of this brigade, distinguished in every path 
 "where duty leads to peril, was most conspicuous on the field, 
 where he won for himself the united commendation of the bri- 
 gade and regimental commanders, to whose testimony I can add 
 my own from personal observation. Col. Hodges and Lieut. Col. 
 Evans, of the 11th Virginia; Col. Edmunds and Major Cabell, 
 38th Virginia; and Col. Tomlin, of the 32d Virginia — all de- 
 served the commendation of their brigade conimanders and my 
 own. 
 
 Brifj. Gen. Armistead held the line of battle in the wood 
 •which skirted the field, and after bringing on the action in the 
 most gallant manner, by repulsing an attack of a heavy body of 
 the enemy's skirmishers, skillfully Icat support to the contending 
 troops in front, when it was required. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Cobb, whose brigade was posted at three different 
 stations, occupied a central position near Gen. Armistead,- and 
 "rendered gallant and useful service, not only by the promptness 
 and skill with which he came forward, and placed his troops in 
 the front in support of Gen. Armistead, but by the devotion with 
 which he rallied, under an extremely heavy fire, bodies of troops 
 which had suffered severely from the enemy. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Jones, wilh his admliable Division of gallant 
 Georgians, the brigades commanded by Gen. Toombs and Col. 
 Anderson, lent efficient support to the troops in front, enabling 
 them to maintain their ground. 
 
 I regret to lose the services of my gallant and efficient assist- 
 ant adjutant-general, Maj. Henry Bryan, who was twice severely 
 wounded whilst accompanying Cobb's Brigade to the attack on 
 the batteries. My thanks are especially due to my aids-de-camp, 
 Lieuts. Alston and Eustis ; Lieut. Col. Gary, inspector-general ; 
 .Maj. Bloomfield, chief quartermaster ; Maj. Brent, chief of ord- 
 nance; Major Ilyllested, of the Zouave Battalion, acting aid-de- 
 camp ; Capt. Dickinson, assistant adjutant-general ; Lieut. Phil- 
 lips, of the Confederate cavalry ; Mr. H. M. Stanard, A. A. D. 
 C, and Mr. J. Randolph Bryan, A. A. D. ^C, for distinguished 
 and gallant services on the field. Major A. B. Magruder dis- 
 charged all his duties to my entire satisfaction. I am also in- 
 
33 
 
 debte'd to Capt. Covrard, of Gen. Jones' staff, for gallant and 
 valuable services. Capt. Norris, of the signal corps, Mr. D. F. 
 Brasbear and Mr. A. C. Dickinson carried my orders on the field, 
 and rendered good service. The brave and devoted troopers of 
 the Charles City Cavalry were on this, as on all other occasions, 
 distinguished for the promptness, intrepidity and intelligence "with 
 which they dicharged their important duties. To their chivalric 
 and enterprising Lieut. Hill Carter, jr., I owe a public acknow- 
 ledgment of the great services he has rendered the country, on 
 every occasion which presented itself within the last fifteen 
 months. 
 
 I beg leave to bear testimony to the gallantry, skill and ability 
 of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen D. Lee, my chief of artillery. 
 
 It is proper to add, that though the general orders of battle, 
 directing the week's operations, required the chief engineer. 
 Major Stevens, to assign engineer officers to each division, whose 
 duty it should be "to make provision for overcoming all difficulties 
 to the progress of the troops," no engineer officer was sent to me. 
 Lieut. Douglas of the Engineers had been attached to my StaflF, 
 but was relieved from that position ; and although I had applied 
 for his services to the head-quarters of the army more than once, 
 I could not obtain them, nor was any other sent in his place. 
 
 As to the time when the attack on the enemy's batteries in 
 front was made, Brigadier-General Armistead, whose advanced 
 troops led in the attack from the centre, states in his report that 
 in the charge the brigades of Mahone and Wright came up imme- 
 diately on his right, Cobb's Brigade closely following his advance. 
 I have the honor to be, sir, 
 Very respectfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) J. BANKIIEAD MAGRUDER, 
 
 Major-General. 
 
M 
 
 The above report is published by permission of the War De- 
 partment, in advance of the report of General Lee, through 
 vrhom, however, it was submitted. This course was rendered 
 desirable to meet strictures which had been made, by an ofi&cer 
 of inferior rank, on my military operations near Richmond. It 
 is therefore elaborate and necessarily minute in detail. 
 
 It will be seen by this report and the documents in support of 
 it : First, That my attack on the enemy at Malvern Hill was 
 made after repeated orders from my superiors, and that it could 
 have been made by me in no other way, having officers of superior 
 rank to me both on my left and right — Jackson and Holmes ; 
 Secondly, That the forces engaged on our side were inferior in 
 number to those of the enemy, who had massed his whole army ; 
 that nevertheless the enemy was routed, leaving his dead and 
 wounded on the ground, and throwing away his arms in large 
 quantities, with every evidence of great panic, our troops sleep- 
 ing on the field of battle, which was deserted by him ; and, 
 Thirdly, That our loss in killed and wounded was less than 
 twenty-nine hundred men, less in proportion than that sustained 
 in most of the previous battles. 
 
 This report Gen. Lee has forwarded to the President, with his 
 testimony as to the uniform alacrity with which I discharged the 
 " difficult duty" devolved upon me, and the great exertions made 
 by me in its performance. Every officer and every soldier en- 
 gaged in the battles of "Savage Station" and "Malvern Hill" 
 can point with pride to the results, on both sides, of these vic- 
 tories, as the best evidence that these "great exertions" were 
 crowned with triumphant success. 
 
 Before the battles of Richmond, I was honored with offers, 
 thrice made by the President, of independent and important 
 commands in the Southwest ; but, at my earnest solicitation, he 
 was pleased to permit a suspension of these orders, to allow me 
 an opportunity to bear my part in the defence of the capital of 
 my native State and of the Confederacy, then sorely beleaguered. 
 The enemy having been routed, and the capital saved, I was 
 proceeding to my station under orders, when my presence was 
 
35 
 
 deemed necessary in Richmond for explanations in justice to 
 myself. They having been made to the satisfaction of the War 
 Department, as well as of General Lee, I proceed immediately 
 to the command in the Southwest, to which the President has 
 assigned me, reserving to myself the right, as well as satisftic- 
 tion, of attending, at a more appropriate time, to matters purely 
 personal. 
 
 J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, 
 
 Major-General. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Headquarters, \st Division, 
 June 28tb, 18G2. 
 
 Maj. Gen. Magruder: 
 
 Sir, — My line is formed to the left and somewhat to the front of 
 Gen. Cobb. 
 
 The enemy seem to be in larsre force in front of my right, and arc, or 
 have moved a little to their right. I do not think it prudent for me to 
 attack him with my small force, unless there be a simultaneous attack 
 all along our lines. I will keep a good look out on my left. 
 
 I had hoped that Jackson would have co-operated witli me on my left, 
 but he sends mc word that he cannot, as he has other important duty to 
 perform. 
 
 Respectfully, &c., 
 (Signed) D. R. JONES, 
 
 OJicial copi/ : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. General. 
 
 Brig. General. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 HeadquarterSf Department Korthcrn Va. 
 Maj. Gen. Magruder : 
 
 I have joined Gen. Longstrcet, at the inter^oction of the "New 
 Market, Charles City and Quaker roads," and wish to know how far you 
 have progressed en route to this point. 
 
 I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. General. 
 
No. 3. 
 
 General : 
 
 I sent my aid and a guide some time ago to take you by the nearest 
 
 route to New Market road, and by going down that road to join Gen. 
 
 Holmes in front of that. Please hurry as much as possible. General 
 
 Holmes has been expecting you a long time, and is in much need of you. 
 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 (Signed) J. LONGSTREET, 
 
 Major General. 
 Maj. Gen. Magruder, Commanding. 
 
 If you cannot get your artillery, leave it, and send to me from New 
 Market for such as you want. If you have not the guide, move the 
 troops by Gen. A. P. Hill's, and take the right hand after getting 
 into this. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Testimony of S. B. Siceeney. 
 
 I am an enlisted man — member of Henrico Southern Guards — was a 
 citizen of Henrico county — am twenty-three years of age — was born 
 and raised, and was, at the time of entering the service, living at Swee- 
 ney's Tavern, about thirteen miles from Richmond, and in the vicinity 
 of Malvern Hills, and near the Quaker Toad — know the country inti- 
 mately — having frequently hunted over every foot of ground in that 
 vicinity. 
 
 I testify that when ordered to conduct Major General Magruder into 
 the Quaker road, on the morning of 1st of July, 18G2, I did so con- 
 duct his forces, leading him into what I had always, and do still believe 
 to be the Quaker road — being a road about two miles in length, leaving 
 the Long Bridge road to the right, about three hundred yards above 
 Mr. Nathan Enroughty's gate, and entering the Charles City river road 
 at Tilghman's gate, about one-half mile below Sweeny's Tavern. 
 
 I further testify, that the road into which I conducted Major-General 
 Magrudcr's forces, on the morning of 1st July, 1862, is not only re- 
 garded by me as the Quaker road, but by other persons raised aad living 
 in that neighborhood; and is the only road known, and regarded 
 as such. 
 
 I furthermore testify, that I was detailed from my company to report 
 as a guide to Major-General Magruder. 
 
 (Signed) S. B. SWEENEY. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, R. H. Nelson, a justice of the peace 
 for Henrico county, S. B. Sweeney, who made oath that the above certi- 
 ficate, signed by him, is correct. 
 
 Witness my hand and seal, this 22d day of July, 1862. 
 
 (Signed) R. H. NELSON, J. P. 
 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. General. 
 
39 
 
 Testimony of L. T. Gatewood. 
 
 I am an enlisted man — member of Henrico Southern Guards — was a 
 resident of Henrico county — was detailed to report on morning of 1st 
 July, 18G2, as a guide to Major-Gcneral Magrudor — did so report, and 
 was with him on that morning. 
 
 I testify that when on the point of starting with his forces for tho 
 Quaker road, with S. B. Sweeney as a guide, Major-General ^lagruder 
 interrogated me as to the position of the Quaker road, I told him that it 
 left the Long Bridge road to the right, just above Nathan Knroughty's 
 gate, and ran diagonally across to the Ciiarles City river road — and that 
 I indicated to him the same road, as that along which he was afterwards 
 conducted by S. B. Sweeney. 
 
 I further testify, that I do now, and have always believed the road 
 into which Major-General IMagrudcr was conducted to be the Quaker 
 road, and that this is the only road in that neighborhood regarded 
 as such. 
 
 (Signed) L. T. GATEWOOD. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, R. H. Nelson, a justice of the peace 
 for Henrico county, Liston T. Gatewood, who made oath that the above 
 certificate, signed by him, is correct and true. As witness m^ hand and 
 seal, this 22d day of July, 18G2. ^ 
 
 (Signed) R. H. NELSON, J. P. 
 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. General. 
 
 Testimony of Charles WafJcins. 
 
 I was a resident of Henrico county — living near the Quaker road — 
 am an enlisted man — member of Henrico Southern Guards, loth Vir- 
 ginia Regiment — was detailed from my company to report on the morn- 
 ing of 1st July, 18G2, to Major-General Magruder, as a guide — did so 
 report, and was with him on that morning. I know the country in the 
 vicinity of Malvern Hill intimately — was present when Major-General 
 Magruder interrogated L. T. Gatewood in regard to the locality of the 
 Quaker road, heard L. T. Gatewood reply, and knowing it to be 
 correct, made no remark. 
 
 I further testify, that I do now, and have always believed the road 
 into which Major-General Magruder was conducted by^. B. Sweeney to 
 be the Quaker road, and that this is the only road regarded as tho 
 Quaker road by persons living in that ncighborhoad. 
 
 (Signed) C. WATKINS. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, R. H. Nelson, a justice of the pcaco 
 for Henrico county, C Watkins, who made oath that the above certifi- 
 cate, to which his name is affixed, is correct and true. 
 
 "Witness my hand and seal, this 23d day of July, 18G2. 
 
 (Signed) B. n. NELSON, J. P. 
 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. General. 
 
40 
 Testimony of Mr. J. W. Binford. 
 
 I was until recently, and have been for thirty years, a resident of 
 Henrico county — living very near Malvern Hills — have always known 
 S. B. Sweeney. I testify that he was raised at Sweeney's Tavern, 
 about thirteen miles below Richmond, on the Charles City river road — 
 is a reliable young man — and that he is thoroughly acquainted with the 
 eurroundiug country in the vicinity of that place, and through which, 
 the Quaker road passes. 
 
 I further testify, that in my belief he is the best guide that could 
 have been procured, and that the road on which Mr. Sweeney says he 
 conducted Major-General Magruder on the morning of the 1st July, 
 1862, is universally regarded by the oldest inhabitants to be the Quaker 
 road, and that this is the only road regarded as such in that region. 
 That the said road having been of late little used, has become obscure, 
 and is not generally used as a public road. That the road laid down on 
 the county map is not the true Quaker road, but is another and diiferent 
 road, and known as the Willis' road. 
 
 (Signed) JAS. W. BINFORD. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, R. H. Nelson, a justice of the peace 
 for Henricoi county, James W. Binford, who made oath that the above 
 certificate, to which his name is affixed, is correct and true. 
 
 Witness my hand and seal this 24th day of July, 1862. 
 
 (Signed) R. H. NELSON, J. P. 
 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. Gr. Dickinson, A. A. General. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 July 1st, 1862. 
 Gen. Magruder : 
 
 Batteries have been established to rake the enemy's lines. If it is 
 broken, as is probable, Arraistead, who can witness effect of the fire, has 
 been ordered to charge with a yell. Do the same. 
 By order Gen. Lee. 
 (Signed) R. H. CHILTON, A. A. G. 
 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. Gen. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 Gen. Lee expects you to advance rapidly. He says it is reported the 
 enemy is getting off. Press forward your whole line, and follow up 
 
41 
 
 Armistead's successes. I will have Malione's Brigade in the place just 
 occupied by Col. Anderson. Ransom's Brigade Las gone on to reinforce 
 Cobb. Mr. Logan delivered you my message, I presume. 
 Yours, respectfully, 
 
 A. G. DICKINSON, Capt. &o. 
 "J. copy." 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Gen. Maoruder: 
 
 Pear Sir, — Gen. Iluger is present, and directed me to say. that 
 neither he nor I know whore the battery on our left is, and also that 
 any order to officers or troops in his, Gen. linger' s, command, must pass 
 through him. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 (Signed) R. RANSOM, Brig. Gen. 
 
 5.45 P. M., July 1st, 1862. 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. G. 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 July 1st, 1862. 
 
 General, — The commanding general directs that you press the 
 enemy's right. 
 
 McLaws is going in fresh. 
 
 Official co2')y : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. Gen. 
 
 By order Gen. Lee. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 Camp near Rirlimond, 
 
 July 28d, 1862. 
 
 General, — I take pleasure in communicating to you what I casually 
 remarked to a mutual friend, and was by him repeated to you. Accom- 
 panying Gen. Stuart with my cavalry battalion during the late succcspiott 
 of battles and victories around Richmond, it was my fortune to be close 
 upon the heels of our retreating foe after more than one engagement. 
 After the battle of Tuesday, 1st, if was remarked, botli by my nfficcrs 
 and myself, that there were greater evidences of ronfu.-inn and mut ia 
 the enemy's retreat than wc bad previously noticed — I refer to the large 
 
42 
 
 number of arms and equipments thrown away in the woods and fields at 
 some distance from the battle-field ; the number of wagons and ambu- 
 lances abandoned in the road; the quantity of ammunition thrown 
 away, &c. &c. 
 
 In confirmation of this opinion, an intelligent citizen (Mr. Haxall), 
 living near Shirley, at whose house several of the Federal generals had 
 their headquarters, (Generals Couch and Cook, I remember,) informed 
 me that the Federal ofiicers never acknowledged that they were defeated 
 and retreating until after the engagement of Tuesday, and that, then, 
 one of them was free in making the confession. 
 
 It is proper to state, that the cavalry were not in the vicinity of the 
 battle-field of Monday, 30th. 
 
 I have great aversion to appearing in the newspapers, and still greater 
 to subjecting myself even to the imputation of drawing invidious com- 
 parisons. I trust I will not be so judged. As you deem the facts within 
 my knowledge of importance to you, I give them with full authority to 
 use as you see proper. 
 
 Very truly, your obedient servant, 
 
 THOS. R. R. COBB, 
 
 Col. " Ga. Legion." 
 Gen, J. Bankhead Magruder, Richmond. 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 (Copy.) 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of JSf. Va. 
 
 14th August, 1862. 
 
 Eon. G. "W. Randolph, Sec. of War, Richmond, Va.: 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to transmit the report of Maj. Gen. Magruder 
 »nd the officers of his command of the operations in the late engagements 
 tround Richmond. At the request of Gen. Magruder, I forward the 
 report without the delay which would necessarily attend its accompany- 
 ing my own, which, for the want of the reports of other division com- 
 manders, I am unable to submit. I have only been able to give it a 
 cursory examination, and to append such remarks as were suggested in 
 its perusal. 
 
 Gen. Magruder appears to have greatly exerted himself to accomplish 
 the duty devolved on him, and I can bear testimony to the uniform 
 alacrity he displayed in its execution. He had many difficulties to con- 
 tend with, I know. I regretted at the time, and still regret, that they 
 could not have been more readily overcome. I feel assured, however, 
 that Gen. Magruder intentionally omitted nothing that he could do to 
 ensure success. 
 
 I am; most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) R. E. LEE, Gen. 
 
43 
 
 RcmarJis on tJie report of Maj. Gen. J. B. Magrxuler of the recent 
 operations of his command near Richmond. 
 
 1. Gen. Magruder is under a misapprehension as to the separation of 
 the troops operating on the north side of the Chickahominy from thoso 
 under himself and Gen. Hut;cr on the south side. He refers to this 
 subject on pages 2, 3, 4, 5, (3 and 7 of his report. 
 
 The troops on the two sides of the river were only separated until W9 
 succeeded in occupying the position near what is known as New J>ridge, 
 which occurred before 12 o'clock M., on Friday, June 27th, and beforo 
 the attack on the enemy at Gaines' Mill. From the time we reached 
 the position referred to, I regarded communications between the two 
 wings of our army as re-established. The bridge referred to and another 
 about three quarters of a mile above were ordered to be repaired befora 
 noon on Friday, and the new bridge was sufficiently rebuilt to be passed 
 by artillery on Friday night, and the one above it was used for the 
 passage of wagons, ambulances and troops early on Saturday morning. 
 Besides this, all other. bridges above New Bridge and all the fords abov« 
 that point were open to us. 
 
 2. Maj. Gen. lluger's Division was ordered to move on Sunday by 
 the Charles City road. It was not intended or directed to move by tho 
 Williamsburg road, as Gen. Magruder seems to have understood me to 
 say on Sunday, 2ftth June. (See report, p. H.) 
 
 3. Gen. Magruder sent a^ember of his staff to me on Sunday, when 
 he had reached Fair Oaks, and requested to be reinforced, saying that'' 
 the enemy was in force in his front and advancing upon him. I directed 
 two of Gen. Huger's Brigades to be diverted from the Charles City road, 
 by which they were then advancing, and moved to the Williamsburg 
 road, to support Gen. Magruder. They were subsequently ordered to 
 return to their original line of march, there being found no need for 
 them on the Williamsburg road. (Sec report, p. 11.) 
 
 4. The report sent to Gen. Magruder by Gen. Jones, that Gen. Jack- 
 son had informed the latter that he could not co-operate with him, hav- 
 ing been ordered on other duty, originated in some mistake, and Gen. 
 Magruder was advised of the error as soon as it came to my knowledge. 
 (See p. 14.) 
 
 5. Gen. Magruder is under a misapprehension as to the withdrawal of 
 any part of the force with which he was to operate. (See page 14.) Tho 
 misapprehension arose from a niisundcrstanding before referred to as to 
 the road by which Gen. linger was to march on Sunday, June 20th, and 
 from the erroneous report with regard to a change in Gen. Jackson'a 
 movements just alluded to. 
 
 6. Gen. Magruder was ordered to relieve the tronps under Gen. Long- 
 street, Monday night, June 30fh, after the latter had been operating all 
 day, had repul.«ed the enemy, and won the po.'-ition contended for. l^lanj 
 prisoners had already been brought in — among them Gen. I^Ic(^all — and 
 the battle was over. No enemy was known to be in position that night, 
 and our troops were in undisturbed pospcpsion of the battle-field. Ono 
 of the objects of bringing up Gen. Magruder was to have fresh troops 
 to di-scover the enemy. (See page 25 of report.) 
 
 7. The note referred to by Gen. Magruder, as received from Col. Chil- 
 
44 
 
 . ton, directing bira to press the enemy on his right, and informing him 
 that Gen. McLaws' Division had gone in fresh, (see page 39) was writ- 
 ten after Gen. JMagruder had sent to me for reinforcements bjli«'one of his 
 staff. I was with Gen. McLaws at the time, and, on receiving the appli- 
 cation, ordered Gen. McLaws to advance with his division. Gen. Ma- 
 gruder was directed to press the enemy on his right, because I thought 
 he was tending too much to the left. 
 
 (Signed) R. E. LEE, General. 
 
 No. 11. 
 
 Richmond, Va., Sept, 5th, 1862. 
 
 Statement of Gen. Magruder on Gen. Lee's remarks on Gen. 3Iagru- 
 der'a report of his operations about liichmond, in the order of those 
 remarks. 
 
 Remark, No. 1. — New Bridge was finished on Friday evening, the 
 27th, instead of Saturday evening, the 28th June. I wrote from memory 
 in reference to the time of its being finished. It was reported to me 
 that the bridge, three-quarters of a mile above, was attempted to be 
 crossed by troops, (I think Ransom's Brigade,) on Saturday morning, 
 from the south to the north side ; but that finding the bridge, on the 
 approach to it, difiicult, they came down and crossed at New Bridge the 
 same morning. My statement in regard to these bridges was not in- 
 tended as a criticism on Gen. Lee's plan, but to show the position of the 
 troops, with a view to the proper understanding of ray report, and to 
 prove that the enemy might have reasonably entertained a design, after 
 concentrating his troops, to march on Richmond. 
 
 Remark, No. 2. — I learn since making my report, from Major-Gen. 
 Huger, that he was ordered to move, on Sunday, by the " Charles City 
 road," and not by the " Williamsburg road," as I then understood. He 
 informed me also, however, that the two brigades sent at my request 
 down the " Williamsburg road," did not delay his operations against the 
 enemy, as he reached the rest of his command, sent on the " Charles 
 City road," before they were engaged with the enemy. 
 
 The same statement applies to remark. No. 3. 
 
 Remark, No. 4. — The mistake, alluded to by Gen. Lee in this re- 
 mark, originated from an order from the latter to Gen. Jackson. I was 
 not advised of the error in this case until about dark on the same day, 
 near the close of the action, at Savage Station. I had nothing to do 
 with the mistake or error, however, as I gave no orders to Gen. Jackson, 
 who ranked me. 
 
 Remark, No. G. — I made no claim in my report to any participation 
 in Gen. Longstreet's fight on Monday evening, but merely obeyed orders 
 in relieving Gen. Longstreet's troops on his batCie-field. Col. Goode 
 Bryan, of the IGth Georgia regiment, reported to me, however, that the 
 enemy was just in front of that position at half-past three on Tuesday 
 morning. 
 
45 
 
 RcmarJc, No. 7. — This seems to require no explanation. I reported 
 the order from Col. Chilton as one of the series directing the attack. 
 This order was obeyed, as were all the others. 
 
 The above is respectfully submitted as a part of my report. 
 
 (Signed) J. BANKHEAD MAG RUDER, 
 
 Major-General, kc. &c. 
 Official copy : 
 
 A. G. Dickinson, A. A. Gen. • 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 A list of Officers, Nbn-conimissioned Officers and Privaies reported hy 
 their respective Division, Bri(jode and Regimental Commanders at 
 having distinguished themselves in the battles around Richmond, under 
 command of Major-General Magruder, and not mentioned in the 
 body of his report. 
 
 Major-General McLaws' Division. 
 
 f Major Goggin, A. A. and I. Gen. 
 I Capt. Kiug, A. D. C. 
 Staff.-{ Lieut. Tucker, X. D. C. 
 
 I Major McLaws, Chief Quartermaster. 
 (^ Major Edwards, Chief Commissary. 
 
 Brigadier- General Kershaw's Brigade. 
 
 f Capt. C. R. Holmes, A. A. Gen. 
 
 ^ cut. A. E. Doby, A. D. C. 
 
 cut. "W. M. Dwiuht, A. A. and I. Gen. 
 I Mr. J. A. Myers, A A. D. C 
 
 Col. Ilennegan, 8th Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Col. Kennedy, LM Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Goodwyn, 2d Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Major Gaillard, 2d Regt. So (^ar. Vols. 
 
 Col. Nance, ^d Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Major Rutherford, od Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Col. Aiken, 7fh Regt. So. Car. A'ols. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Bland, 7th Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Major ]McLeod. 
 
 Capt. D. M. H. Langston, .^d Regt. So. Car. Vr.ls. 
 
 Lieut, n. C .Johnston, .'M Regt. Ala. Vols., acting voluntarily. 
 
 Adjutant Childs, 7th Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Scrgt. Major Stalworth, 7th Ro^t. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 Sergt. Harley, color bearer 2d Regt. So. Car. Vola. 
 
 Corporal Blakely, 3d Regt. So. Car. Vols. 
 
 su.ff-\ J;| 
 
Staff. 
 
 46 
 
 Brigadier- General Semmes' Brigade. 
 
 ' Capt. demons, A. A. Gen. 
 
 Capt. Briggs, A. D. C 
 
 Capt. E. L. Costin, A. D. C. 
 
 Lieut. Cody, Vol. A. J). C 
 
 Lieut, lledd. Vol. A. D. C. 
 ^ Surgeon Giimore. 
 
 Major Nelson. 
 
 Lieut. Paul Hamilton, A. A. G. to Lieut. Col. Lee. 
 
 Brigadier-General Jones' Division. 
 
 ' Capt. Latrobe, A. A. and I. Gen. 
 
 Capt. Ford, A. D. C. 
 
 Mr. Thurston, Vol. A. D. C. 
 
 Mr. Jones, Vol. A. D. C. 
 /Staff. -^ Major Garnett, Chief of Artillery. 
 
 Capt. De Laigle, Quartermaster. 
 
 Major Haskell, Commissary. 
 
 Surgeon Barksdale. 
 ^ Lieut. Campbell, Engineer Dep't. 
 
 Staff. I 
 
 Brigadier- General Toombs' Brigade. 
 
 Capt. Dubose, A. A. G. 
 
 Capt. Troup, A. D. C. 
 
 Lieut. Cockrell, 9th Geo. Regiment. 
 
 Colonel Anderson's Brigade. 
 
 Mr. T. G. Jackson, of Va., Vol. A. D. C 
 
 Mr. Charles Daniel, of Geo., Vol. A. D. C. 
 
 Lieut. C. C. Hardwicke, 8th Goo. A'^ols. 
 
 Sergt. W. T. Garrett, Co. "M," 1st Geo. Regulars. 
 
 Corporal J. C. Crump, 1st Geo. Rcirulars. 
 
 Private W. L. Morehead, Co. " I,"'7th Geo. Vols. 
 
 Private D. E. Humphries, Co. "C," 11th Geo. Vols.