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

[489] officers. Lieutenants Haywood and Clap were killed in the brave and faithful discharge of their duties. Lieutenant H. C. Graham, late of the Twenty-second regiment North Carolina troops, who had volunteered to take a command in the same company, as Lieutenant, had his leg broken early in the conflict.

Where almost every officer has distinguished himself, it is difficult to bestow especial praise upon any; but the serious bereavement which this company has sustained, not only in the loss of their officers, but also in the loss of men, induces me to commend it to your special consideration. I shall take occasion hereafter to recommend Lieutenant Graham for promotion, if his wound will admit of his again entering the service.

In this battle it was, also, that Captain R. B. McRae was seriously, and W. N. Peoples, of company K, mortally, wounded. Lieutenant Joseph C. Miller, of company K, here rendered up his life, having fallen in close proximity to the point where Colonel Campbell fell while bravely leading his men into the conflict. Captain McAuley, company I, and Lieutenant W. J. Kerr, company D, (the color company,) also sustained serious injuries, from which they will not soon recover. Many others sustained injuries, the extent of which may be learned from official reports already published.

On Sunday, the twenty-ninth, we proceeded to recross the Chickahominy, and pursued the enemy until Monday evening, the thirtieth, when we overtook him, and were at once formed in columns of regiments, on the right of the road, under cover of the woods. In a few moments we were led into action by you, in person. Since you witnessed the daring of my regiment while advancing toward the enemy, under a terrific fire, and the disadvantages under which they labored in meeting retreating batteries, and in not knowing with accuracy the point for which they had been designated, I shall leave it to you, General, to say all that is necessary in their praise.

So soon as the enemy appeared in sight, the order was given for our regiment to charge, which we did without faltering, and drove him before us for at least one mile, every inch of which was hotly contested. It was now near sunset, and finding that he had fallen upon his reserves, which extended far beyond my right flank, and that we had driven away the immediate force that were protecting the enemy's batteries, I ordered a change of position, so as to re-form in rear of General Pender's brigade, which was then advancing to our support. About this time, I was myself disabled by a slight wound on the head, but, by the assistance of some of my men, was enabled, for a while, to keep the field, and to send a portion of my men again into action under command of Major J. T. Hill.

During this action, and in the re-formation just spoken of, I take occasion to acknowledge the eminent services rendered to me, my regiment, and the cause, by Major Hill, who was always ready to expose himself to the hottest fire; to Lieutenant L. D. Stockton, my Adjutant, who was by my side during the whole action, except when bearing official messages, under the enemy's fire, and did great service in assisting me in rallying the men; Lieutenant Munro, of the Second North Carolina regiment, who was acting as volunteer Lieutenant in company E, also distinguished himself by conspicuous bravery. Captain J. McLeod Turner, company F, and his command, distinguished themselves, as they have always hitherto done, by the eagerness with which they approached the foe. Lieutenant Murchison, company C, also proved himself a worthy successor of his disabled Captain, R. B. McRae. It was in this contest that Lieutenant J. Milton Alexander was mortally, and Lieutenants Dickey and Blackmar seriously, wounded. In this battle I have no complaint to make of any officer or man in their advance upon the enemy; and I beg leave especially to commend the conduct, not only of the officers whom I have just named, but also of Captain J. G. Harris, company H, and Lieutenant A. A. Pool, commanding company K. This night my regiment spent upon the field; and on Tuesday evening, about seven o'clock, while we were under marching orders, and actually on the march, we were ordered into the action at Malvern Hill. We advanced under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, but the darkness came upon us so rapidly that we were not actively engaged that night. We were then continued in the pursuit of the enemy until the ninth instant, when we were ordered to our present camp, four miles from Richmond.

During these contests we have lost six officers killed or mortally wounded, and sixteen wounded, twenty-nine men killed on the field, and two hundred and two wounded. The number actually carried into action on Friday, twenty-seventh ultimo, was near four hundred and fifty, officers and men. In specially commending certain officers, whose conduct was markedly brought to my own notice, I have reason to believe that my officers generally behaved quite as gallantly as they. It is a painful duty, in such a regiment, to record the fact that Lieutenant W. C. Gwin, of company K, absented himself from his company and regiment, without leave, as did, also, Lieutenant M. W. Hill, of company A, after the fight on Friday. It is but fair, however, to these officers to state that no official investigation has yet taken place of their conduct upon this occasion.

I have the honor, General, to be,

With high respect, your obedient servant,

sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the late battles before Richmond:

On the morning of the twenty-sixth ultimo, orders were received to hold the regiment in