Gershom Mott to Siath New Jersey Ve olunteers, July 5, 1862

Sir: I have the honor to report the part taken by my regiment during the engagements since Saturday, June 28: ;

At about 4 o’clock p.m. I received orders that the Third Brigade would relieve the First, then on duty at the trenches at Fair Oaks. When arrived there I was ordered to occupy the outer redoubt and to hold it at all hazards. About 1.30 o’clock a. m., of Sunday, June 29, I received an order that the wagons were to be loaded with provisions and started to the rear, all private property to be destroyed, and the public property that could not be transported to be destroyed likewise. At about 4 a.m. I was relieved by Colonel Cowdin, and I received an order to march my regiment to camp, have knapsacks packed tents struck, men to get their breakfast, and to be furnished with three days’ provisions, and that I had fifteen minutes to do it all in.

I left camp about 5 a, m., and marehed to the rear about half a mile

Guar, XXiTt.) SEVEN-DAYS’ BATTLES.

and formed line of battle on the left of the Williamsburg road; reinained there about one hour, then resumed march to the rear and formed line of battle on the right of the same road to the right of the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, which regiment occupied some earthworks there. About 4 p.m. resumed the march and continued until about 10 p. m., when I bivouacked for the night.

On Monday morning about 9 o clock I was ordered into position to form a second line of battle on White Oak Swamp, to support Generals Kearny and McCall. In the afternoon they had a severe battle with the enemy, and shell and shot flew thick among my regiment, but having them well protected I only had 2 men wounded, 1 being struck by a piece of shell, the other by a buck-shot, both slight wounds. I held this position ‘until about daylight on Tuesday, July 1, when orders were received to march to Kemp’s farm, near the James River, where we were halted for a time, and about 10 o’clock were ordered to support some batteries which were actively engaged with the enemy.

I formed line of battle to the lett of the Second New York Regiment and in front of the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers. My regiment was well protected by a bluff in front, but pieces of shell fell thick around us and afew musket balls. I had 1 man wounded by a ball in the hand at this time. I held this position until about 3.30 a.m. July 2, when ordered to march to near Harrison’s Landing. About this time it commenced to rain very hard. The men got thoroughly wet through, and tlre roads were in a iaeaints condition, and much confusion on the route, which was added to by General Sickles with his command cutting through my regiment, thereby cutting off my two left companies and ordering one of my captains under arrest (which by my instructions he did not obey). On Wednesday, July 3, I moved to this camp.

During the engagement and march the officers and men, with but a few exceptions, behaved well, and fully sustained the reputation they had gained at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,