General Ewell I took the Fifteenth Alabama, July 28, 1862
Orange County, near Liberty Mills, Va., July 28, 1862.
GENERAL:
In compliance with orders I submit a report of the conduct and operations of the Seventh Brigade from June 26 to July 3:
On the 26th we moved with the army from Ashland in a southerly direction, passing to the east of Mechanicsville in the afternoon, and at 4 p. m. heard distinctly the volleys of artillery and musketry in the engagement of General Hill with the enemy.
Before sundown the firing was not more than 2 miles distant, and in my opinion we should have marched to the support of General Hill that evening.
On the 27th line of battle was formed at roads by 8 o’clock, after which we marched toward Cold Harbor, passing near —— Church. At this point, distant 14 miles from Cold Harbor, line of battle was again formed at about 3.30 p. m. and the advance ordered. After marching half a mile the front was changed considerably to the left and orders received to hasten to the front in the direction of the enemy’s fire. On reaching the vicinity of Cold Harbor our front was again changed toward the left under a heavy fire of the adverse artillery, and the point indicated where we were to engage the enemy, with the impressive caution that the troops already engaged were hotly pressed.
By order of General Ewell I took the Fifteenth Alabama, Colonel
Cantey, the leading regiment, down the road leading from Cold Harbor
to McGehee’s farm, crossed the swamp, and placed this and the Twentyfirst Georgia Regiment, commanded by Maj. T. W. Hooper, in position
to advance. The Sixteenth Mississippi and Twenty-first North Carolina Regiments in the confusion were cut off and separated from us by
several regiments which were marching out of action in such good order
as showed they had fallen back without hard fighting.
The two regiments were ordered to advance, and soon encountered a
furious discharge of musketry, shot, and shell from the well-selected
position of the enemy. Several regiments were met falling back and