Ghko. G. Hastings to Draper, July 4, 1862
HEADQUARTERS BERDAN’S SHARPSHOOTERS,
Camp on James River, Harrison’s Landing, July 4, 1862.
CAPTAIN:
I have the honor to report that, agreeably to orders, I marched the portion of my command not on detached service late in the afternoon of the 26th ultimo with the Second Brigade. We lay on our arms all night, and retired on the morning of the 27th ultimo as far as ordered, and I then posted my men in front of the Second Brigade, on the farther side of the woods in which the principal action of the day occurred, the First Brigade being on our left and the Ninth Massachusetts on our right.
About 1.30 p. m. the enemy advanced in line of battle the whole length of the woods. My men had good cover, and so rapid was our fire from our breech-loading guns we repulsed the enemy with great loss. They were also repulsed on our left, but the Ninth Massachusetts fell back some 300 yards in disorder, where it reformed. This made it necessary to bring my right back to prevent being outflanked.
We received and repulsed the enemy a second time, as did the troops onour left. Atthis charge the Ninth Massachusetts fell back altogether. We held the same position during the third charge, repulsing the enemy with great loss, but finding that at this time the lines of the First and Third Brigades were broken on our left and that our supports were falling back, we also fell back in good order.
When I arrived on the field in the rear of the woods (*) I saw not less than 12,000 of our men and officers, each apparently making quick-time for the bridge. Only a few of the enemy’s cavairy would have been necessary to create a stampede. In this event the most of our force would have been inevitably lost. Seeing no effort made to rally the men, I rode through them to the right and left, appealing to the officers to get the men together, and I would go down to the bridge and bring up the rear. The bridge was full when I reached it, and finding my appeals to the officers and men of no avail, I drew my pistol and threatened to shoot the first officer or man who passed me, and finding these threats of no use, I fired several shots over their heads before I sueceeded in checking the rush, which had become almost a panic at this point. I forced them into line without reference to regiment or rank. I regret that I have not the names of some line officers who were more determined on crossing than the men, if possible. Others saw the importance of forming lines, if only for the appearance of order, to deter the enemy from attacking us, and rendered valuable assistance.
In about a half hour we reached the top of the hill with four battalions, varying from 600 to 2,000. Here I halted them, and compelled the stragglers in front to form. Many a brave officer had responded to my appeals and gathered large squads of men. Seeing the rebel cavalry forming in line in the field on the left of the woods which they had taken possession of, and having little confideuce in the men, I set them to cheering, when the enemy, thinking, perhaps, we had been re-enforced, retired, and we crossed the bridge in good order.
On Monday night, the 30th ultimo, we lay on our arms near where I had previously posted my men, where an attack was anticipated on our right. On Tuesday morning, being unable to find General Morell, and learning that the enemy was approaching, I marched my command to the front and was about to deploy them as skirmishers, when General Porter came along, and he approving my suggestion, I posted them in front of the batteries, where they remained all day, receiving and repelling the enemy’s skirmishers, and received the rebel infantry in the afternoon standing firm and firing with great rapidity and coolness until the enemy’s line was within grape-range of our artillery, when they fell back with the Fourth Michigan, firing constantly.
At this period it became necessary to have re-enforcements, and at the request of the commanding officer of the Fourth Michigan, Lieut. Col. W. Y. W. Ripley, of my regiment, went back and got two regiments, first the Twelfth New York and afterward the Fourteenth New York, which arrived just in time to save the left wing. LieutenantColonel Ripley behaved with great bravery and coolness. The same may be said of my whole command, with a few exceptions, including the companies on detached service, as I have learned from the general commanding. Companies C and G were in General McCall’s division, and were in the engagement at Mechanicsville, and covered the retreat on the morning of the 27th. They were also in the battle at Gaines’ Mill. Companies A and D helped to cover the retreat in Smith’s division, Company H in Richardson’s, and Company B in Hooker’s.
My men have all been in several engagements and are almost wornout, but are in good spirits.
One officer and 7 men killed ; 4 officers and 31 men wounded ; 13 men missing ; 14 men left sick in hospital.
Respectfully, H. BERDAN, Colonel, Commanding U. 8. Sharpshooters. Capt. R. T. AUCHMUTY. [Indorsement.]
Colonel Berdan was not in the fight at Gaines’ Mill. What occurred far to the rear near the bridge I do not know of my own knowledge, but I have every reason to believe this statement is highly exaggerated. I refer to the statement marked thus (*).
Report of Capt. George G. Hastings, First U. 8. Sharpshooters, of operations June 29-—July 1.
Hpgrs. Co. H, First Reet. U. 8S. SHARPSHOOTERS, Camp at Harrison’s Point, Va., July 5, 1862.
Sir: In obedience to the order of the general commanding division, requiring reports from commanding officers in this division of the sey280 THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, VA. [Cuar. XXIIL
eral actions at Allen’s farm, Savage Station, Nelson’s farm, and Malverton, I have the honor to report that on Sunday, 29th June, as soon as our line of battle was formed at Allen’s farm, I reported in person to the general commanding the division, who ordered me to deploy my company in such manner as to command by an enfilading fire the road from the Chickahominy. I deployed my company accordingly where the road entered the field occupied by our troops, about 300 yards to the right and rear of our line of battle. No enemy appearing in sight in that direction, but information being brought me that our cavalry scouts had been fired upon about three-quarters of a mile farther down the road, I advanced my men as skirmishers through the wood on the left of the road about three-quarters of a mile to an open field, and took position in the edge of the woods bordering on the field, which position commanded the road and enabled me to observe any movement of the enemy from the direction of the Chickahominy. Communication between me and the main body was maintained by cavalry pickets. I observed only some two or three parties of armed men of three or four each in the edge of the woods on the opposite side of the field, but saw no organized body of the enemy, nor was any hostile demonstration made from that quarter. I sent report of these facts to the general commanding the division, who ordered me to remain in the position I then occupied. I did so during the entire action. When our troops had all withdrawn from the field I assembled my skirmishers, and overtook the rear of the column upon the road to Savage Station. At Savage Station I reported with my command to the general commanding the division, who ordered us to remain where we were until further orders.
Receiving no further orders, we had no part in the action which took place there. J’rom that time I had no orders except to march my command with General Caldwell’s brigade. I kept that position in the column of march through White Oak Swamp, and on Monday, 30th of June, formed in line of battle on the right of the Sixty-first New York in supporting our batteries, and remained in line with the brigade until it went into action at Nelson’s Farm on the evening of that day. I reported to Colonel Barlow, commanding the Sixty-first New York, who requested me to keep my company on the right of his regiment, which I did, and took my command into action with that regiment, putting myself under Colonel Barlow’s orders. His report of that action will render it unnecessary for me to speak of the part which my command bore in it, but I cannot forbear to state that my men stood nobly in the field with the Sixty-first under a terrific fire of musketry from an enemy concealed in the woods evidently far outnumbering our own force there immediately engaged. The conduct of my men was fully satisfactory to me. Lieutenant Peet, of my company, though suffering from sickness, entered eagerly into the battle, and conducted himself with great bravery and perfect coolness. He fell wounded while encouraging and cheering on our men.
In the action at Malverton on the 1st instant my command was not engaged.
very respectfully, your obedient servant, ‘
Captain, First U. 8S. Sharpshooters, Comdg. Company H.
Lieutenant DRAPER,
Aide-de-Camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 115.
Report of Capt. William B. Weeden, Battery O, First Rhode Island Light
Artillery, Chief of Artillery, of operations May 24—July 2, including the