Jas. Gregory Hodges to J. D. Darden, July 10, 1862
In the Field, near Richmond, Va., July 10, 1862.
CAPTAIN:
I have the honor to make the following report of the action of the Fourteenth Regiment Virginia Volunteers, under my command, in the battle of Tuesday, July 1:
Early in the morning of that day the regiment, with the others of the same brigade, was posted in a ravine opposite to the position held by the enemy, and one-half of the regiment was thrown forward to the edge of the field between us and the enemy as skirmishers.
About 3 oâclock in the afternoon the skirmishers were ordered forward to drive in the enemyâs pickets, so that our artillery could be placed in position, and that portion of the regiment which had been held in reserve was ordered forward to their support. As soon as the men were seen by the enemy a terrific fire of artillery was opened upon them by the enemy from their guns, which were in position about half a mile off, commanding nearly the whole field. The men rushed forward, firing upon the enemyâs skirmishers, driving them before them, continuing to advance until they found shelter from the enemyâs fire in a ravine about midway from the position formerly held and the enemyâs batteries. ae
Soon after passing over the crest of the first hill Lieut. Col. M. Iâ. T. Evans was disabled by a wound, and I was knocked down and burnt by a shell exploding near me, rendering me incapable of going forward with my men. ‘
In passing over the hill my regiment suffered severely. Among those killed I cannot fail to mention Capt. Charles Bruce, whose conduct was
worthy of all praise.
* Embodied in returns, p, 982.
The regiment remained exposed to a heavy fire during the whole battle, and went forward in the charge each time an effort was made to take the enemyâs batteries.
I cannot close this report without calling your attention to the gallant conduct of Capts. W. W. T. Cogbill, Richard Logan, jr., and P. Poindexter, who acted during the whole day with great coolness and bravery.
We lost 12 killed and 57 wounded.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Colonel, Commanding Fourteenth Virginia Regiment.
Capt. J. D. DARDEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 318.
Report of Col. HB. C. Edmonds, Thirty-eighth Virginia Infantry, of the
battle of Malvern Hill.