D. Wyatt Aiken, July 10, 1862

July 10, 1862. GENERAL: I beg leave to submit the following report of the action of the Seventh South Carolina Regiment in the engagement of the 29th ultimo: At 11 p. m. Saturday, the 28th, I received orders to prepare to march

At about 5.30 p. m. I was ordered by some one I did not see to move my regiment forward after a couple of volleys of musketry had been heard on my left. I moved forward, and immediately upon emerging from the oak grove and entering the pine thicket 1 encountered the enemy. Cautioning the men to reserve their fires, I ordered a charge. The charge was made, some few firing, and the enemy gave back. Another forward was given, and onward we went, firing generally as we advanced. I next ordered, ‘ Load advancing and fire at will.” This command, heard by but a few, was intuitively obeyed by all. After the enemy had been pressed back about 150 yards a heavy firing began on my right and considerably in the rear. Fearing this might be from our friends, I sent the sergeant-major to inquire of the lieutenantcolonel how the right was progressing, for it was impossible in the thicket to see half the length of the regiment. He returned almost immediately with the word that the lieutenant-colonel was taken from the field wounded, two companies on my right were cut off, and the enemy were in our rear. I forthwith issued the order to retire in live, which was heard by but two companies. I withdrew these to an old cross-road and in a few minutes collected the others. Cautioning this portion of the regiment to lie down and be on the watch, I started to look for the two right companies, which soon reported and were attached to the regiment. I then formed line of battle, but the firing on my left having ceased, I faced by the rear rank and retired about 50 yards into the oak grove, halting and fronting again. No enemy advancing, I faced about again and marched out of the woods, where I found the two left regiments and formed upon them. The battle over, we were permitted to lie in line of battle in the valley whence we first . started, and there we remained until Monday, 7 a. m.

The casualties of my command were: Two sergeants, 2 corporals, and porals, and 46 privates wounded. Total killed, 13; total wounded, 68, Two of the wounded privates have since died.

Respectfully submitted. *