Col., Second Regiment Delaware Volunteers to J. W. Plume, July 5, 1862

Camp on James River, July 5, 1862.

Sir: In obedience to orders from the general commanding brigade IT moved from the intrenchments at Fair Oaks at daylight on the morning of the 29th ultimo and marched to Allen’s farm, where I took position in line; shortly after changed front, my right wing in the woods, the left outside. Then, in accordance with orders, I marched from that place to Savage Station, but losing my horse and becoming exhausted after arriving at the station, I was compelled to turn the command over to Capt. D. L. Striker, and did not resume it until the commencement of the engagement at Nelson’s farm.

What took place during my absence from duty Captain Striker reports as follows:

In obedience to orders from Lieutenant-Colonel Baily the command of the regiment devolved upon me on the afternoon of June 29, at Savage Station. I was immediately ordered to move the regiment 300 yards to the left of the Williamsburg road, where we lay in line of battle until 6 p. m., at which time I was ordered to advance to the railroad and throw out skirmishers. We then fell back to the edge of the woods, and at 10 p. m. I was ordered to draw in my skirmishers and report to General French’s headquarters, and were moved to White Oak Swamp at daylight of the 30th, where we halted, and Lieutenant-Colonel Baily took command.

On the morning of July 1 the command again devolved upon me, and I was ordered to follow the Sixty-sixth New York Regiment. On our arrival at a high hill on the James River the regiment was formed in line of battle and so remained until sundown, at which time we were ordered to the front, where we remained until near morning July 2. We then took up our line of march in the rear of the Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, and arrived at this place.

At Nelson’s farm I was ordered to take position on the right of and a few paces to the rear of the Fifty-third Regiment Pennsylvania VolCuap, XXIII.) SEVEN-DAYS’ BATTLES. 79

unteers, my right about 200 yards from the road, until sundown, when I was ordered to advance toward the bridge over White Oak Swamp and occupied the ground between Nelson’s house and the road, throw. ing forward Companies A and H to close the interval between the Fittythird Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers and Fifty-seventh New York Volunteers, which position was held until ordered to march into the road toward James River, where we arrived shortly after daylight.

_ Previous to the march to Malverton I was forced by severe indispoSition to again turn over the command to Captain Striker.

I have to report the following casualties in the regiment since it left the intrenchments at Fair Oaks: Corpl. Frederick Sparr, Company F, killed at Nelson’s farm; William Hepson, Company G, wounded, Nelson’s farm; Jacob Bowers, Company K, killed at Malverton.*

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W Mee Back pave
Lieut. Col., Second Regiment Delaware Volunteers.
Lieut. J. W. Plume, ,
Aide-de-Camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 23.
Report of Col. Joseph C. Pinckney, Sixty-siath New York Infantry, of engagement at Peach Orchard, battle of Savage Station, engagement at
White Oak Swamp Bridge, and battles of Glendale and Malvern Hill.
HDQRS. SIXTY-SIXTH REGT. NEw YORK VOLUNTEERS,