tioned, and to its great losses from disease, it
numbered only two hundred and forty-eight men !
It was soon under fire, fire in front, fire from the
right, and fire from the left, and yet held its
ground. Isolated from its brigade, and so com
pletely flanked by the attacking enemy, Colonel
Dodge had to act without orders, and do what he
thought best for the common cause. He might
have ordered a retreat, but did not. At last
Capt, Johnson, aid-de-camp to General Naglee,
brought an order for him to bring his regiment
and report to his headquarters. When this move
ment was executed, he found the brigade all en
gaged, and contending gallantly against a terrific
tire.
Having drawn the regiment up in line of battle,
Colonel Dodge was waiting further orders, when
another Colonel, sent up with his regiment to
support Casey s, and who at the time was doing
nothing, called out : " Why the don t you
take your men into those woods ? " The other,
paying no heed to the tone or style of this sug-
_estion, and preferring any work to idleness at
such a time, led his regiment into the woods re
ferred to, and had not advanced twenty paces
when a murderous volley was poured into his
ranks, and then another and another. Three
were received before the enemy could be seen or
the fire returned, but not a man faltered, not an
DOCUMENTS.
inch was yielded. They stood up and fired, and
fell, but did not retire. How long they were thus
engaged with their concealed and numerous ene
mies I cannot say, hut it was long enough to thin
their ranks down to the merest handful, and to
strew heaps on heaps of dead where their hullets
were directed.
After long contending in this manner, the order
was passed along the line, " Cease firing ;" and it
was added in explanation: "You are shooting
down your friends." The men were very unwill
ing to ohey, but the officers, fearing some dread
ful mistake, went along the line and with their
swords enforced the order to cease firing, and
after they had ceased the enemy poured in two
more volleys. The remnant of the gallant regi
ment was then led out of the woods. The next
order given was to occupy one or more of the
rifle-pits ; but, when they approached, these were
all occupied hut one, and that was so full of
water that the men could not load their pieces in
it. They were then led out into the open field,
and took possession of a house and outhouses
that stood in the front, and here their rifles told
tvith fearful effect upon the foe. But, while they
and their comrades of that brigade were so nobly
contesting the ground, the enemy was pouring in
fresh troops on every side, and the complete
slaughter of the entire command w r ould have re
sulted had not a retrograde movement been order
ed. The Fifty-second, outflanked by the still
increasing and advancing foe, was obliged to leave
the position that for an hour or more it had occu
pied and used so well. They marched toward
the rear amid a perfect hail-storm of bullets,
which still further thinned their ranks, until not
over seventy men of the entire regiment remained.
Col. Dodge and Major Conyngham tried to form
this mere squad into line of battle, and have them
take ground again to oppose the advancing tide ;
but the effort was vain. The men would no long
er stand to be shot down in so vain and unequal
a strife. They did not equal one company in num
ber, and would not undertake a regiment s work.
For nearly four hours they and their comrades of
Naglee s brigade had borne the brunt of the bat
tle, and had held some forty thousand rebels in
check, while they themselves did not number two
thousand in all. Indeed, the entire number of
Casey s division was less than six thousand effec
tive men.
It cannot be denied, and need not be concealed,
that some regiments of this division acted badly.
Whatever was the cause, the One Hundred and
Third Pennsylvania volunteers became disorgan
ized, and their panic affected, to some extent,
those in front. But if any one supposes that the
rest of the division was panic-stricken, or broke
into a rout, he is greatly mistaken! Cut to pieces
literally, they retreated in as good order as was
practicable. A few of their guns were lost, (not
twelve batteries, nor even three latteries,} but
why ? Every horse was shot, and were the men
to carry their own arms and accoutrements and
yet haul their artillery off the field ? Who ex
pects anything so unreasonable, or who among
those who are reported as having done so " splen
didly " could have saved their guns under such
circumstances ? Regiments from other commands
came up fresh on the field to succor us, but were
among the first to leave it, and have since been
the loudest in their boasting and in denouncing
Casey s division.
Finally, about half-past four or five o clock,
some of Heintzelman s and Sumner s corps came
up, and took our places. After this the enemy
did not press us any further, but they were not
driven back fifty yards at any point. Indeed,
after five o clock there was hardly any firing at
all. They took possession of our camp and
Couch s, and there passed the night. Very early
in the morning they determined to retreat, and
had commenced their backward march when
Sumner attacked their rear-guard. The fight of
Saturday was disastrous, but full of glory for
those who maintained it so long and so well
against such fearful odds. The fight of Sunday
was little more than the pursuit of an enemy who,
feeling himself foiled, had determined on retreat.
It was a victoiy for us, but it was marked by no
such heroism and no such strife as the battle of
the day before.
The One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania
volunteers went into the fight on Saturday about
four hundred strong, and next morning rations
were issued to one hundred and sixty-two men.
Its Colonel and Major were both wounded. The
Fifty-second Pennsylvania volunteers went in two
hundred and forty-eight strong, and lost in killed
and wounded one hundred and twenty, just one
half; at present, after picket companies have re
joined, and sick returned, it numbers about two
hundred men. The Fifty-sixth New-York, the
Eleventh Maine, and the One Hundredth New-
York, show proportions of the same character.
If, then, any man can show an engagement dur
ing this or any other war where from one third
to one half of all engaged were cut down, we will
confess that Casey s division, or at least Naglee s
brigade, deserves no special credit ; but at pres
ent we claim to have equalled in courage, in work,
and in loss on the field any portion of the army
that has as yet stood face to face with the rebels.
We bear the reproach of cowards, (so kindly and
judiciously given by our Commander-in-chief,)
and Heintzelman, Couch, Kearney, and others
have the credit of doing "splendidly," and re
trieving what we so basely lost; but we dare
them to a comparison of mortality. Let our dead
and wounded speak for us. Let the length of
time we checked the entire rebel force testify for
us. And let the public insist that justice be
done publicly and amply to a body of men who
feel that where they have earned thanks and
praise, they have received only harshness and
calumny.
The whole of Naglee s brigade is now less in
siz-e than some regiments of it were three months
ago. What shall be done with it? Until justice
is fully done, no officer or man in the brigade
cares a straw. If their best efforts win for them
only the character of cowards they will not be
00
KKBKLLIOX
, 1862.
very anxious to nmko such efforts in the future.
One ill-advised despatch, one piece of gross in
justice, has wounded the spirit and chilled the
ardor of thousands of men as brave and as jealous
of their honor as any that ever fought the battles
of their country. And their affection for and
confidence in the man that did them this wrong
are gone forever.
Let justice be done to us, and then give us
more men to till up our skeleton regiments, and
try us in the advance again ; or else let justice be
done and the whole brigade mustered out of the
service, which since this disgrace, has no charm
for it. I am, dear sir, very truly yours, D.
CAUP XKAR ROYTOM S RKIIHJK, ISKKOKK RICHMOND, A A., [
June 7, 1S02. )
McCLEIXAN AND CASEY S DIVISION.
IlRADQl AKTKKS ARMY OF THK POTOMAC, f
June 5, 1SC; 11 P.M. )
Gen. $w0y, Bottom s JRriihje: The following
despatch has just been transmitted:
llKADQrAUTKKS ARMY OK THK POTOMAC, Jlin. 5.
Hon. EJtrin J/~. Stonton, Secrttary of War:
SIR: My despatch of the first inst, stating that
Gen. Casey s division, which was in the first line,
gave way unaccountably and discreditably, was !
based upon official statements made to me before
I arrived upon the tield of battle, and while 1 was
there, by several commanders. From statements
made to me subsequently by Gens. Casey and
Nnglee, I am induced to believe that portions of
the division behaved well, and made a most gal
lant stand against superior numbers; but at pre- i
sent the accounts are too conflicting to enable me
to discriminate with certainty. When the fact*
are clearly ascertained, the exceptional good con
duct will be proper! v acknowledged.
*G. B. MCCLELLAN,
Mjy or-Oeneral Commanding.
REBEL REPORTS AND NARRATIVES.
GEN. JOHNSTON S REPORT.
une 24, 1S63. I
Gen. S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspeetor-G&Mral: \
SIK: Before the thirtieth of May 1 had ascer- 1
tained from trusty scouts that Reyes s corps was I
encamped on this side of the Chiokahominy, near
the Williamsburgh road. On that day Major-
Gen. 1). II. Hill reported a strong body immedi
ately in his front. On receiving this report, 1 de
termined to attack them next morning, hoping to
be able to defeat Reyes s corps completely in its
more advanced position before it could be reen-
forced. AVritten orders were despatched to Major-
Gens. Hill, linger and G, W. Smith. Gen. Long-
street, being near my headquarters, received ver
bal instructions. The receipt of the orders was
acknowledged,
Gen. Hill, supported by the division of Gen.
Longstreet, (who had the direction of operations
on the right.) was to advance by the NVilliams-
burgh road, to attack the enemy in front ; Gen.
linger, with his division, was to move down the
Charles City road, in order to attack in tlank the
troops who might be engaged with Hill and Long-
street, unless he found in his front force enough
to occupy the division. Gen. Smith was to march
to the junction of the New-Bridge road and the
Nine-mile road, to be in readiness either to (-ill
on Reyes s right Hank, or to cover Long-street s
left. They were to move at daybreak. Heavy
ami protracted rains during the afternoon and
night, by swelling the stream of the Chickahomi
ny, increased the probability of our having to
deal with no other troops than those of Reyes.
The same cause prevented the prompt and punc
tual movement of the troops. Those of Smith,
Hill and Longstreet were in position early enough,
however, to commence operations by eight A.M.
Major-General Longstreet, unwilling to make a
partial attack, instead of the combined movement
which had been planned, waited from hour to
hour for (Jen. Hugcr s division. At length, at
two o clock P.M., he determined to attack without
these troops, lie accordingly commenced his ad
vance at that hour, opening the engagement with
artillery and skirmishers. l>y three o clock it
became close and heavy.
In the mean time, 1 had placed myself on the
left of the force employed in this attack, with the
division of Gen. Smith, that 1 might be on a parr
of the field where I could observe, and be readr
to meet any counter movement which the ene
my s General might make against our centre or
left. Owing to some peculiar condition of the at
mosphere, the sound of the musketry did not
reach us. 1 consequently deferred giving the sig
nal for (Jen. Smith s advance till four o clock, at
which time Major Jasper Whiting, of Gen. Smith s
staff, whom I had sent to learn the state of affairs
with Gen. Long-street s column, returned, report
ing that it was pressing on with vigor. Smith s
troops were at once moved forward.
The principal attack was made by Major-Gen.
Longstreet, with his own and Major-Gen. P. II.
Hill s divisions the latter mostly in advance.
Hill s brave troops, admirably commanded and
gallantly led, forced their way through the abattis,
which formed the enemy s external defences, and
stormed their intrenchments by a determined and
irresistible rush. Such was the manner in which
the enemy s tirst line was carried. The opera
tion was repeated with the same gallantry and
success as our troops pursued their victorious
career through the enemv s successive camps and
intrenehments. At each new position they en
countered fresh troop* belonging to it, and reen-
forcernents brought on from the rear. Thus they
had to repel repeated efforts to retake works
which they had carried. But their advance was
never successfully resisted.
Their onward movement was only stayed by
the coming of niu;ht. By nightfall they had forced
their way to the 4i Seven Pines," having driven
the enemy back more than two miles, through
their own camps, and from a series of intrench
ments, and repelled every attempt to recapture
them with great slaughter. The skill, vigor, and
decision, with which these operations were con
ducted by Gen. Longstreet, are worthy oP the
highest praise. He was worthily seconded by
DOCUMENTS.
97
Major-Gen. Hill, of whose conduct and courage
he speaks in (he highest terms.
Major-Gen. Smith s division moved forward a
four o clock, Whiting s three brigades leading
Their progress was impeded by the enemy t
skirmishers, which, with their supports, wer<
driven hack to the railroad. At this point Wnit
ing s own and Pettigrew s brigades engaged a
superior force of the enemy. Hood s, by my or
dci-, moved on to cooperate with Long-street. Gen
Smith was desired to hasten up with all the troops
within reach. He brought up Hampton s am
J la I ton s brigades in a few minutes.
The strength of the enemy s position, however,
enabled him to hold it until dark.
About sunset, being struck from my horse
severely wounded by a fragment of a shell, I was
carried from the field, and Major-General G. W.
Smith succeeded to the command.
He was prevented from resuming his attack on
the enemy s position next morning, by the dis
covery of strong intrenchments not seen on tin.
previous evening. His division bivouacked, on
the night of the thirty-first, within musket-shot
of the intrenchments which they were attacking
when darkness staid the conflict. The skill
energy and resolution with which Major-General
Smith directed the attack would have secured
success if it could have been made an hour ear
lier.
The troops of Longstreet and Hill passed the
night of the thirty-first on the ground which they
had won. The enemy were strongly reenforced
from the north side of the Chickahominy on the
evening and night of the thirty-first. The troops
engaged by (Jen. Smith were, undoubtedly, from
the oilier side of the river.
On (he morning of the first of June, the enemy
attacked the brigade of <j!e,n. Pickett, which wa s
supported by that of (Jenerd Pry or. The attack
was vigorously repelled by these two brigades,
the brunt of the light falling on General Piekett,
This was the last demonstration made by the
enemy.
Our troops employed the residue of the day in
securing and bearing olf the captured artillery,
small arms, and other property, and in the even
ing quietly returned to their own camps.
We took ten pieces of artillery, six thousand
(0000) muskets, one garrison flag and four regi
mental colors, besides a large quantity of tents
and camp equipage.
Major 0<>n. Lonpstrcet reports the loss In his command as
Ix iii!, about MOO
MuJor-Gen. Smith reports liin loss at " 1";J
Total,.
That of the enemy is stated in their own news
papers to have exceeded ten thousand an esti
mate which is, no doubt, short of the truth.
Had Major-Gen, lluger s division been in posi
tion, and ready for action, when those of Smith,
Longstreet, and Hill moved, I am satisfied that
Reyes s corps would have been destroyed, in
stead of being merely defeated. Had it gone
Vor, V. Doc. 7
into action even at four o clock, tho victory would
have been much more complete.
Major-Generals Smith and Longstreet speak in
high terms of the conduct of their superior and
staff-officers.
1 beg leave to ask tho attention of the govern
ment especially to the manner in which Urig.-
Generals Whiting and 11. H. Anderson, and
Colonels Jenkins, and Kemper, and Hampton,
exercising commands above their grades, and
Brig. -Gen. Khodes, are mentioned.
This, and the captured colors, will bo delivered
by Major A. 11. Cole, of my stall*
I have been prevented by feebleness from mak
ing this report sooner, and am still too weak to
make any but a very imperfect one.
Several hundred prisoners were taken, but I
have received no report of tho number.
Your obedient servant,
J. JO. JOHNSTON,
General.
JKKFKRSON DAVIDS ADDRESS.
KXKCUTIVK OFFICK, June 2, 1SG2.
To the Army of Richmond :
\ render to you my grateful acknowledgments
for the gallantry and good conduct you displayed
in the battles of the thirty-first of May, and
first inst, and with pride and pleasure recognise
tho steadiness and intrepidity with which you
attacked the enemy in position, captured his ad
vanced intrenchments, several batteries of artil
lery and many standards, and everywhere drove
them from the open field.
At a part of your operations it was my fortune
to be present. On no other occasion have I wit-
lessed more of calmness and good order than
you exhibited while advancing into tho very jaws
of death, and nothing could exceed tho prowess
with which you closed upon the enemy when a
sheet of fire was bla/ing in your faces !
In the renewed struggles in which you are on
lie eve of engaging, 1 ask and can desire but a
Ontinuance of the same conduct which now at
tracts the admiration and pride of the loved ones
you have left at home.
You are fighting for all that is dearest to men ;,
ind, though opposed to a foe who disregards
nany of tho usages of civilized war, your hu-
nanity to tho wounded and the prisoners was
-ho fit and crowning glory to your valor.
Defenders of a just cause, may God have you
n his holy keeping! JEFFKHSON DAVIS.
The general will cause tho above to bo read
o tho troops under his command.
RICHMOND "DISPATCH" ACCOUNT.
RICHMOND, June 2.
Tho terrific thunder-storm of last Friday
light led many to suppose that military opera-
ions on our lines would bo retarded for several
lays, and particularly with those who- were cmi-
idered to be an fait with the topographical na-
uro of tho country on which our noble army
ras stationed. With a volatile stream and
wamp in front, (tho Chickahominy,) it was
REBELLION RECORD, 1862.
thought that an attack was impossible, or at
least impracticable, either from friend or foe,
owing to the flood of rain which fell ; but on
Saturday morning early, our scouts reported
that during the previous night the enemy had
conveyed very heavy bodies of men across, or
in the swamp, and that their retreat or extraction
was almost a matter of impossibility. Towards
nine A.M., on Saturday, we observed large bodies
of troops of Longstreet s division moving towards
and on the AVilliamsburgh road, with bands in full
blast, colors flying, and men hilarious with de
light, supposing, as was the case, that the enemy
were to retreat or surrender.
Hastily proceeding down the road indicated,
we found it almost impossible to pass, owing to
the immense bodies of water lying along the
route, together with an unlimited supply of mud.
From Magruder s farm, and several miles further
upon the turnpike, all seemed to be an impassable
swamp. How regiment after regiment traversed
the ground seems even now almost a problem.
Yet onward, onward passed Longstrcet s division
toward the point of attack; and although every
thing appeared unusually quiet, there was a pe
culiar stir and rumbling in the woods and on the
road, (some six miles, and in the woods fronting
Barker s plantation,) which denoted that the
enemy were unusually active, and anticipated
our advance.
Between nine and ten A.M. a part of Hill s di
vision was deplo}*ed as skirmishers on the right
and left of the road, which was soon replaced by
the arrival of Longstreet s veterans. Between
eleven and twelve A.M. the Twenty - eighth
Georgia and Second Mississippi were employed
as skirmishers fronting the woods, and began the
advance without much opposition ; but as they
proceeded along the turnpike, and in the woods,
the enemy, concealed behind a fence and in force,
opened a furious rifle fire, which, for a moment,
caused our brave boys to wink and stagger. Yet,
recovering themselves in an instant, they deliv
ered a murderous volley in reply, and, with
hearty cheers, dashed through the woods after
their discomfited and frightened foe, driving them
helter-skelter before them, and making many
bite the cold, wet, and muddy ground.
Observing the strength of the enemy s line in
front, our commander ordered up the Fourth
North-Carolina, who, advancing in force, broke
through the Second Mississippi battalion, in
their hurried progress, and divided the latter
corps in such a manner that, subsequently, their
whole force could not be again collected. Bril
liant in conception and execution, the finely
drilled North-Carolinians flanked the enemy s
dense line of skirmishers, and did such sad havoc
by their flanking fire that the enemy precipitately
fell back upon their unfinished breastwork in,
and commanding the entrance to, the grounds
of Barker s farm. This breastwork, however, is
one of a chain of similar earthworks, which the
invaders have erected this side of the Chicka-
hominy stream, and, running parallel with it, are
nearer to our forces from the north-west than
north-east ; particularly so to those of oars sta
tioned on the Mcchanicsville road.
Having arrived in open ground, our forces
commenced to howl in a fearful manner, terrify-
ing the enemy with their indescribable sounds.
The Fourth North-Carolina, regardless of conse
quences, shut their eyes to the chances, and at
tacked the work in gallant style, being supported
by other regiments to the right and left. They
gained their object, but it is said were unable to
retain it, for the enemy s large brass howitzers
dealt destruction among them, and it is reported
they fell back in admirable order, until fresh
troops could be brought to bear upon the hordes
of Pennsylvania, who, in thousands, were pour
ing volleys upon them. At about this time -one
P.M.) some other reinforcements of Longstreet s
corps arriving, turned the tide of battle for a
time, but not permanently. Among others, St.
Paul s (Louisiana) battalion, (three companies)
appeared upon the scene, and looking to where
the fire was hottest, dashed into the enemy in
French style with the b;ryonet, and \\ith their
watchword, "Butler," upon their lips, drove
everything before them, attacking odds in every
instance, and not satisfying their vengeance until
almost decimated.
Our artillery at this juncture came into play,
and although the mud baffled human industry,
patience and perseverance, some pieces of the
Lynchburgh (Latham s we believe) battery got
into position, at the entrance to Barker s farm,
and played such havoc that the foe deserted their
four large brass howitzers, unable to reply. But
as the enemy s whole brigade camp (tents and
all) were yet standing as Barker s house, out
house, etc., lay parallel to the road and as a
very large wood-pile was at right angles with it,
the enemy, reenforccd, crowded their breast
works, and from all these points kept up such a
terrific fire that our men, appearing from the
wood and on the road, were cut down as fast as
discovere d. Nothing daunted at the immense
show and numbers of the foe, notwithstanding
our artillery, from the nature of the roads and
ground, was incapable of advancing, our infantry
appeared upon their flanks, regiment after regi
ment, drove them from their hiding-places, cap
turing their guns, fortifications, and entire camp,
with great supplies, and drove the foe two miles
from their encampment of the morning.
The greatest and hottest fire was about four
P.M., when Latham s and Carter s batteries got
into action, supported by the Fourth and Fifth
South-Carolina, First Virginia, Twelfth Mississip