F. Gaillard to C. R. Homes, July 12, 1862

CAPTAIN:

In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters, requiring a report of the conduct of the Second Regiment in the battles of June 29, at Savage Station, and July 1, at Malvern Hill, I submit the following:

Being in command of skirmishers of the brigade, I was not with the regiment in the battle of Sunday, the 29th. Iam not, therefore, pre_pared to furnish a minute account of it in that affair. From accounts furnished me by captains of companies I learn that the Second, in conjunction with the other regiments of the brigade, charged impetuously through the woods that separated the opposing forces, and broke and put to flight a line of the enemy formed just on the edge of the field beyond the woods. This body of the enemy was armed with most superior weapons, which were scattered along upon the ground some distance in the rear of their line and in numbers greatly exceeding their dead left upon the field, showing plainly that it was routed. At this moment of victory an order was given—no one knows whence it originated and extended down the line of the brigade—to cease firing and to fall back. The regiment fell back in accordance with this order, was rallied and reformed, and was ready for another charge had the order been given. Night, however, came over the scene and the contest ceased all along the line.

In this action 383 men were carried, 8 were leit dead upon the battlefield, and 53 were wounded. Of the latter the regiment met with a severe loss in Captain Bartlett, one of the most gallant and conscientious officers belonging to it. He was borne mortally wounded from the field and, I regret to report, has since died. Lieutenant-Colonel Goodwyn was also severely wounded in the foot while gallantly discharging his duties. Second Lieutenant Perry, of Company H, was also very severely wounded.

The regiment slept that night on the battle-field in a heavy rain, and so near the enemy’s line that fires could not prudently be allowed.

Next morning we marched from Savage Station toward Richmond and then down toward the scene of Monday’s battle.

With a few hours’ rest along our line of march we were kept moving until the dawn of Tuesday morning, when we reached Fraziei’s farm. The consequence of this fatigue was the exhaustion of many men of the regiment. Colonel Kennedy, who had been suffering for days from a slowly but steadily developing fever, was obliged to yield and devolve the command upon me.

In the afternoon the regiment, by order, was moved to the left of the dwelling-house in the rear of the battle-field. At this point we remained exposed to the desultory fire of the enemy’s artillery. One member of Company G was kilied instantaneously at this point.

About 6 o’clock I received orders to advance my command in line with the brigade. Our advance carried us for half a mile over an exceedingly rough and thickly wooded piece of ground. This was being vigorously shelled by the enemy, inflicting, however, but few casualties upon the command. As soon as we rose the brow of the hill, where the brigade was temporarily halted to rectify the alignment, grape, canister, and musket balls began to greet us, the artillery of the enemy enfilading us from the right. At the command forward our line advanced with as much firmness and steadiness as it was possible for troops to maintain. Across the ravine it progressed until the brow of the next hill was attained. Here I halted in obedience to orders. Upon observation I discovered about 300 yards in front of my left a formidable line of the enemy, and about 200 yards in front of my right another line forming an obtuse re-entering angle. Upon these lines I ordered my command to fire. The response from the enemy was very heavy. The men, both officers and privates, adhered to their position manfully and without an exception, that I could see, until the remainder of the brigade, under the fire which opened upon [it] from rear as well as front, had fallen back in obedience to orders. This order my command, being on the extreme left, was the last to execute. At the point we temporarily halted when going into action I rallied around the colors a large portion of the regiment, and kept them upon the field, under orders from General Kershaw, until the battle ceased.

I carried into action 208 men. Of these 8 were killed instantly upon the field, and 33 were wounded, several mortally. Of the wounded were First Lieutenant Perry, commanding Company H, and First Lieutenant Brownfield, commanding Company I, the former severely in the neck and the latter seriously in the head. Lieutenant Brownfield was carried from the field the day after the battle by an ambulance from some other brigade. This much of him is certainly known. Since then, I regret to say, his fate is a mystery. The ambulances of the regiment were pressed into service by unauthorized parties, so that my ambulance was unable to give relief to but few of the wounded of the regiment. Lieutenant Lorick, of Company C, was also injured.

We lost many others—non-commissioned officers and privates—who did all that pure patriotism could demand of them.

respectfully,