McClellan, July 11, 1862

July 11, 1862. I respectfully present herewith a report of my movements during the change of base from York to James River. Miller’s and Brady’s Pennsylvania batteries and Fitch’s Kighth Indejpendent New York Artillery having been previously detached from

my command to the assistance of General Peck in guarding the Chick- .

:ahominy River and White Oak Swamp, I moved on the morning of ithe 28th of June at 2 o’clock with McKnight’s battery, M, Fifth U.S. Artillery, and General Couch’s division of artillery, consisting of ‘Flood’s and MecCarthy’s Pennsylvania batteries, to General Peck’s division camp, whence, after halting one hour, I proceeded with the ‘three batteries referred to, supported by General Palmer’s brigade, of Couch’s division, to the junction of the Charles City, James River, and New Market roads, arriving at that point about 11 a.m. General ‘Palmer and General Woodbury, of the Engineers, having designated ‘the position the artillery should oceupy, I proceeded to post it accordingly as follows: One section of Flood’s battery, pointing toward Richmond, on the Charles City road, near the blacksmith’s shop. The other section of Flood’s, on the New Market, advanced from the junction about 300 yards, Lieuts. Michael Hall and Edward Dougherty commanding these sections respectively. One section of McCarthy’s battery, under command of Lieut. William Munk, was posted near to and commanding the James River road, advanced sufficiently to co-operate with Lieutenant Dougherty’s section on the New Market road. Six pieces were in all thus posted and properly masked.

I had in reserve McKnight’s six guns and McCarthy’s remaining piece (McCarthy has but three guns). The three sections in position were supported by as many.regiments of infantry from General Palmer’s brigade, of Couch’s division, and three companies from Colonel Averell’s Third Pennsylvania Cavalry. Ample supports of both arms were within easy supporting distance.

On the 28th all was quiet. On the 29th, at 10 a. m., a strong column of rebel cavalry charged along the James River road, driving in and following with furious yells our advanced cavalry pickets and their supports. Lieutenant Munk, commanding a section on this road, allowed the rebels to advance to within 50 yards of his masked pieces, when he opened fire with deadly effect. The enemy’s column was thrown into confusion and retreated, followed by a column of cavalry from Colonel Averell’s regiment. Many of the enemy were killed and many more wounded—among the latter the leader, a major of cavalry, whom I saw writhing in agony with a wound which our surgeons pronounced fatal. Horses were disabled and trappings were abandoned, strewn along the road in much confusion. Dougherty’s section participated, firing some eight shots. No further demonstration was made on this day.

At 4 p.m. I started the column of three batteries toward James River, marching with General Couch’s division by an unfrequented road. At sunrise on the morning of the 30th our column debouched upon the plain in front of Haxall’s Landing, in sight of James River. Miller’s and Brady’s batteries joined from the Chickahominy and re- ported for duty. I was also joined by Lieutenant Elder with his battery, K, First Artillery.

When the battle of June 30 commenced, at about 1 p. m., I assumed command of all the artillery in the corps (nine batteries), and placed it in battery covering the débouchés, and about 1,000 yards distant from the woods skirting the Richmond road, General Palmer’s brigade being drawn up in line of battle on my left. This disposition was only temporary, for about 2.30 p.m. I was ordered by the corps commander to: form a line of battle in a large wheat field perpendicular to the river, with the right resting on the edge of a woods which skirted the field running parallel with the river. In this line I placed half of the artillery, forming a reserve line parallel to the first and about 1,000 yards: retired with the other half. I had ten batteries; five in position (viz : Flood’s, Brady’s, McCarthy’s, and Miller’s Pennsylvania, and MecKnight’s battery, M, Fifth Regular), covering the woods, beyond which the fight was raging; and five batteries in reserve, viz: Regan’s, Fitch’s, and Mink’s New York (the latter three guns), of Peck’s division, and Elder’s regular battery; also Battery G, Fourth U.S. Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Morgan; which last-named battery reported at about 4.30 p. m., whence I know not. There were twenty-one guns in position and twenty-three in reserve. Thus matters remained until about 11 a. m. on the following day, July 1, 1862, when the general commanding the corps, becoming satisfied that the enemy was working around toward the right flank, gave minute instructions for a change of front of the artillery, for the better protection of that flank. The general’s instructions were all faithfully executed. Timbers were slashed and guns posted, covering all the approaches to our position, to do which required all the artillery in the corps. At about 1 p.m. Morgaw’s regular battery was taken away

by order of General McClellan, and an hour later Elder's regular battery was taken away by the