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remained on the field from which the charge was made.
Accompanying the report is forwarded a list of the casualties of the brigade in the two engagements, in which it was actively engaged, viz., that of Cold Harbor and Malvern Hill, as furnished by the regimental commanders.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
General: In compliance with orders, I submit a report of the conduct and operation of the Seventh brigade, from June twenty-sixth to July third:
On the twenty-sixth we moved with the army from Ashland, in a southerly direction, passing to the east of Mechanicsville, in the afternoon, and at four P. M. heard distinctly the volleys of artillery and musketry, in the engagement of General Hill with the enemy.
Before sundown the firing was not more than two miles distant, and, in my opinion, we should have marched to the support of General Hill that evening.
On the twenty-seventh, line of battle was formed at----roads by eight o'clock, after which we marched towards Cold Harbor, passing near----church.
At this point, distant one and a half miles from Cold Harbor, line of battle was again formed, about three and a half o'clock, and the advance ordered.
After marching half a mile, the front was changed considerably to the left, and orders received to hasten to the front, in the direction of the enemy's fire.
On reaching the vicinity of Cold Harbor, our front was again changed toward the left, under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery, and the point indicated where we were to engage the enemy, with the impressive caution, that the troops already engaged were hotly pressed.
By order of General Ewell, I took the Fifteenth Alabama, Colonel Canty, the leading regiment, down the road leading from Cold Harbor to McGee's farm, crossed the swamp, and placed this and the Twenty-first Georgia regiment, commanded by Major T. Hooper, in position to advance.
The Sixteenth Mississippi and the Twenty-first North Carolina regiments, in the confusion, were cut off and separated from us by several regiments, who were marching out of action in such good order as showed they had fallen back without hard fighting.
The two regiments were ordered to advance, and soon concentrated a furious fire of musketry, shot and shell from the well-selected position of the enemy.
Several regiments were met falling back;
