Alf. Sully to First Minnesota, July 6, 1862

CaprTatn: I have the honor to make the following report of the part

<-.ai-nastmmas asameimieaatameaenl eaten aa eae oe ee taken by the brigade I command in the march from Fair Oaks to this cainp:

Owing to the illness of General Gorman, the commanding officer, I was placed in command. Early Sunday, 29th ultimo, we left our intrenchments and fell back to Allen’s farm, on the railroad. The Fifteenth Massachusetts the evening before were ordered to Savage Station as a guard, and were employed in destroying Government stores there. The enemy opening on us at Allen’s farm, the brigade was drawn up in line on the edge of the woods as a support, and though exposed to a heavy artillery tire, were not engaged. The enemy being repulsed, we were ordered to move promptly to Savage Station, and took our position there on a hill.

About 4 p. m. the enemy opened on us with artillery. The First Minnesota Regiment was ordered to follow General Burns’ brigade, which was advancing across the field to the woods occupied by the enemy. They here did good service in protecting Burns’ left flank and firmly held their ground against great odds. Their loss here was very heavy. The enemy still pressing Burns heavily the Highty-second New York and Fifteenth Massachusetts were ordered to his assistance and the relief of the One hundred and sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. These regiments moved up handsomely in line of battle, and taking their position in the edge of the woods under a heavy fire, held their ground. ‘The Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers was kept on the hill in reserve, as there was some danger of our extreme left.

About 9 p.m. the regiments were withdrawn, and we took up our line of march through the White Oak Swamp; continued the march during the night and next day until we reached Nelson’s farm. At the time some skirmishing was going on in front by troops of other divisious. Heavy artillery firing taking place in our rear, the brigade was ordered back to support Richardson’s division. Being very unwell I remained behind, sending my staff with orders to send for me in case we got engaged.

Soon after this the battle opened on the field where I was, the enemy driving large bodies of our troops (McCall’s division, I believe), who ran to the rear panie-stricken. I did all I could to rally them, but without success. General Sumner told me he had sent for my brigade, and wished me to lead it into action, keeping the First Minnesota as a reserve. The brigade soon after arrived, very much exhausted, having marched most of the way at double-quick. It was soon formed and marched to the front, the First Minnesota being placed in advance of our batteries. I rode to the right of our line and found that General Burns had ordered the Fifteenth Massachusetts and Thirty-fourth New York into the woods, to support some regiments hotly pressed by the enemy. The Highty-second New York was placed in position on their right. :

Finding that the right of the line was very much exposed, owing to the fact that some regiments before stationed there had fallen back and the enemy were collecting a large force in our front, I sent back word to General Sumner and then went myself, in hopes of bringing up the First Minnesota Regiment, but I found that General Dana had ordered it into the thickest of the fight, to sustain some regiments of his brigade. This, I understand, they did most gallantly. The Fifteenth Massachusetts were ordered farther to the left by General Burns, to support part of his brigade. During the rest of the day they held the ground they were ordered to. The Thirty-fourth and Eighty-second New York also maintained their position on the right till 12 at night, when all the regiments were withdrawn and we again took up our line of march. By sunrise we reached Malvern Hill, and the rest of the army, almost entirely broken down by fatigue, but not to rest. We were soon again under arms, and marching to the right formed line of battle, to support some batteries and be ready for an attack. After waiting there some time, exposed to a heavy fire of artillery, we moved by the right flank and joined Smith’s left, where we remained in position until night, when we were again ordered to march, reaching this place about noon July 2.

Where so many behaved well it is hard to mention names. Colonel Suiter, Thirty-fourth New York; Colonel Hudson, Kighty-second New York ; Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, First Minnesota; Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball, Fifteenth Massachusetts, commanded their regiments with great coolness and bravery. Colonel Suiter, Thirty-fourth New York, recommends his adjutant, Lieut. George W. Thompson, for his efficiency. I cheerfully concur in this recommendation. My thanks are due to my staff, Captain Hebard, Lieutenants Raquet and Gorman, and Mr. E. L. Sproat, volunteer aide, acting on the staff, for the services rendered me in time of action. I beg leave to state to the general commanding that I can say with pride that in all these fights not a regiment of the First Brigade yielded one inch of ground to the enemy.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,