J. D. Oconnell to William H. Powell, July 4, 1862

Sirk: In compliance with instructions from headquarters of the brigade I have the honor to make the following report of the movements and operations against the enemy by the First Battalion Fourteenth Infantry from the 26th of June to the present date: On the 25th of June this battalion was ordered out with the brigade from Camp Lovell, near the New Bridge over the Chickahominy, to – Totopotomoy Creek, near Old Church, to make a reconnaissance, where it bivouacked for the night.

June 26. Returned to Camp Lovell, where it remained until evening, when it was called out on the road to Mechanicsville to support General McCall, and remained there during the night.

June 27. Ordered across the creek near Gaines’ Mill, and engaged the enemy about 11 o’clock a. m., which continued till dark. The greater part of the day the battalion occupied the right of the Twelfth Infantry. I was directed to throw back the two right companies to _ protect the right flank. With this formation I succeeded in driving _ the enemy clear from the field, following them up to the woods, where _ sthey suffered severely. I then retired to the crest of the hill, about 200 _ yards from the woods in front, and saw that the Third Infantry was ‘posted on the edge of the woods on my right flank, leaving some distance between its left and my right. Here a severe fire was poured in on my right flank from the woods, which caused me to change front “and drive them from that position. Again the enemy renewed their

Pt fire in my front, when I changed front and completely routed them, clearing them from the pine shrubbery in front of my position. I then returned to the crest of the hill, and finding the Twelfth and Third Infantry had retired, that the enemy’s infantry could not be seen, and that their artillery had a true range of the battalion with their shells, I retired also and took my position on the right of the Twelfth Infantry near the woods, just below the house near Edwards’ battery.

From this point the battalion received a severe fire from the woods, which was vigorously returned by the battalion, slowly retiring in good order to the lane near the house referred to, where it took up and held a position until the troops were drawn from the field. During this engagement five officers—Captain McIntosh, Lieutenants Sinciair, MeElhone, Lyon, and Hoover—were wounded, the last three badly. Highteen enlisted men were killed, 113 wounded, and 12 missing.* The list of killed is probably greater than here stated. The officers and men behaved well. At night crossed the Chickahominy and encamped on the ground that had been occupied by the general headquarters near Savage Station.

June 28. Moved in the direction of White Oak Swamp.

June 29. Crossed the swamp and marched to the head of Quaker road and laid there that night.

June 30. Moved down Quaker road and occupied a camp near James man killed, 11 wounded, and 1 missing. At night the First. Brigade, which was in advance, formed the rear guard, and held the position while the troops were withdrawn, and covered the movement of the army to the rear.

July 3. Moved to this camp.

At the battle of the 1st the battalion arrived just in time to engage a regiment of the enemy, which was completely routed. The officers and men behaved well. Captain McKibbin, the second in command, _ was everywhere his presence was required. The conduct on both the above occasions is much to be admired. The company officers in their places behaved in like manner. Lieutenant Wright absented himself from the battalion on the evening of the 1st and did not join until near the present camp, and could not satisfactorily account to me for his absence from the battalion.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,