John H. Taggart to Lieutenant, July 5, 1862
LIEUTENANT:
I respectfully forward the following report of the operations of the Twelfth Kegiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps at the battle of Turkey Creek [Glendale]:
On Monday afternoon, June 30, the regiment was formed in line of battle on the lett of the Third Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, awaiting the approach of the enemy and in support of a battery on our right. By direction of Brigadier-General Seymour the position of two of the guns in the battery was changed by moving them to a hill in the rear of my regiment, and six companies (A, Captain Dannells; B, Captain Mathewson; C, Captain Gustin; F, Captain Oliver; H, Captain Bolar, and K, Captain Eyster) were detached and posted in two log huts and a breastwork of rails temporarily thrown up about 200 yards in advance to the left, commanding the approach of the enemy, while four companies (D, Captain Horn; E, Captain Schelling; G, Lieut. W. W. Arnold commanding, and I, Captain Baker) were posted in rear of the two pieces of artillery. I had just succeeded in posting the companies in the log huts and breastwork when a heavy fire was opened upon us from the enemy’s artillery and his forces advanced in heavy columns from the direction of the road in front. One column of the enemy attempted to surround the men in the breastwork and log huts by advancing in the rear toward a ravine. The officers and men maintained their position and fired three volleys at the advancing foe, which failed to check his progress. Seeing that they were about to be surrounded the men retired from the log huts, but not until after losing severalof theirnumber. Captain Dannells, of Company A, was wounded in the side at this time. The position was untenable from the concentrated fire of artillery which the enemy poured upon it. As a number of men in these works have been missing since the battle there is no doubt that they were here killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.
The enemy now advanced in force upon the two-gun battery, pouring a continuous fire of artillery and musketry upon the position, which compelled its evacuation. Here Lieut. W. W. Arnold, commanding Company G, was killed while gallantly cheering on his men. Capt. Thomas D. Horn, of Company D, was also wounded here. Captain Horn was taken to the rear, but we were unable to carry away the body ~ of Lieutenant Arnold.
“Nominal list omitted shows 5 killed, 13 wounded, and 8 missing. ments near the front and did good service while the action lasted. At midnight I marched the regiment toward Ship Point, where we halted and remained all next day, July 1. During the action that day we were kept in reserve under arms with the Third Brigade, Pennsylvania ~ Reserve Volunteer Corps. The casualties in this action are as follows.* I have the honor to be, lieutenant, your obedient servant,
Colonel, Commanding Twelfth Regiment P. R. V. C.
I desire further to mention that First Lieut. Chill C. W. Hazzard, of
Company F, rallied about 40 men near our first position, and, falling in
H. Weaver, of Company D, also rallied a party of men from different
regiments, and took part with another regiment under fire.