D. Ni-Couch to C. C. SuypAm, July 12, 1862

July 12, 1862. Respectfully forwarded. This young officer, with new horses and men that had never been tried, performed exceedingly well, considering. ROB’L M. WEST, Major, Pennsylvania Artillery, Commanding.

Reports of Brig. Gen. Darius N. Couch, U. 8S. Army, commanding First Division, of operations June 25—July 1, including skirmish on James River Road, and battle of Malvern Hill.

HEADQUARTERS CovucH’s DIVISION, Harrisows Landing, Va., July 11, 1862.

Sir: In obedience to instructions I have the honor to report the following in reference to my division :

On the morning of June 25 I had orders from General Keyes to move forward two brigades to support Hooker, who was engaged with the enemy beyond Seven Pines. Palmer’s and Howe’s were pushed torward and held in reserve until about 2.30 p.m., when the former was ordered up by General McClellan to report to General Heintzelman. It was moved into the woods in front, where Hooker had been engaged, I accompanying the brigade rather as a volunteer, seeing that it was taken from under my command. It was deployed in the woods under Palmer, and lay there until next day. During the afternoon it was a good deal exposed to fire from some of the enemy’s rifled guns and at night to a heavy fire of musketry. The loss in killed and wounded was as follows: Commissioned officers—killed, 1; wounded, 4. Enlisted men— killed, 7; wounded, 41. p

On the 27th, at near night, Palmer’s brigade, with the exception of the Seventh Massachusetts, which was moved down toward the White Oak Swamp, was ordered to the Chickahominy, to support our troops falling back to the right bank of the stream. Abercrombie’s brigade was ordered to Golding’s Hill to support Smith. These brigades were recalled the same night, and at 12.30 o’clock that night I was directed to fall back with my whole division and cross White Oak Bridge. Crossing that bridge, I was ordered by General Keyes to take position at the junction of the James River, New Market, and Charles City roads. This important post was oceupied by my division; Peck with a part of his small division occupying ground to my right and left.

On the morning of the 29th of June some of our cavalry on. the James River road were driven in by a battalion of North Carolina Cavalry, who charged clear into my lines, which were so masked as not to be seen. Two guns and a few rifle-shot broke them completely up in a few minutes, killing, wounding, and capturing 80 to 100 of them, with no loss to the division.

In the course of the morning Sykes’ brigade crossed the swamp and formed on my right and many other troops in the course of the day came up. That night my division formed the advance of the corps, making a night march to Haxall’s, below Turkey Bridge, on James ing marches imaginable, but it was borne by all without a murmur. The Second Rhode Island and Seventh Massachusetts were ordered forward to Turkey Bridge, and at noon the 30th instant Abercrombie’s brigade in the same direction.

At between 3 and 4 p.m. I was directed by General McClellan to move toward Malvern Hill, and attack the enemy in flank should they succeed in forcing our lines on the hill. They did not, and 1 moved forward and took a strong position for the night, but at dark had orders to push forward to Sumner’s support, who held the junction of the roads occupied by my division two days before.

At 2 o’clock that night, July 1, 1862, Sumner marched to Malvern Hill, my division of two brigades in the advance, he directing me to take post where the division was the night before. Arriving at daylight, we began getting into the position we held the day of our glorious victory of Malvern Hill, for an account of which I beg to refer you to .

a copy of my report to the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac. I have the honor to inclose a copy of that report. I am, captain, very respecttully,

your obedient servant,