Francis C. Barlow to On the morning of that day Ireceived the following orders, June 25, 1864

COLONEL: In obedience to orders I have the honor to report as follows in relation to loss of prisoners on June 22 instant:

On the morning of that day I received the following orders:

You will move forward your division, connecting with General Mott on your right, swingine forward until your whole line is in close proximity to that of the enemy. Your movement will not be dependent on any movement of the Sixth Corps.

In obedience to these orders I moved forward, placing one brigade on the prolongation of General Mott’s line, and protecting my flank by throwing back two small brigades on my left. By the movement ordered not only my flank but my rear was exposed to the enemy, who soon pressed into the gap between the Second and Sixth Corps. As soon as it became evident that the enemy were pressing in this direction I moved my reserve brigade in double-quick to our old line of riflepits to re-establish as far as possible the connection with the Sixth Corps. The brigades of my front line (Second, Third, and Fourth) came back in confusion under the fire from their flank and rear before any changes in their position could be executed. No change of position, however, short of coming back to their old line or the advance of the Sixth Corps could have rendered them safe. I attribute the loss of prisoners to the position in which we were placed by swinging forward. At the same time it must be admitted that the troops engaged did not meet the attack with the vigor and determination which they would have shown at an earlier period of the campaign. Loss of commanding. and other officers, exhaustion and other causes have so affected the three concerned in these operations, Second, Third and Fourth Brigades, that they cannot just now be relied on to meet critical emergencies with much determination and spirit. I had hardly got my First Brigade into position in the rifle-pits before it was smartly attacked. The enemy were repulsed.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,