Thomas H. Talbot to W. J. Rusling, June 26, 1864

Lieut. W. J. RUSLING, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General :

Str : In compliance with orders from division headquarters I have the honor to report that two of the colors ot this regiment were lost on Wednesday, 22d instant, in the falling back from the attempt to establish a tine of works in advance of that before and now held. Asnearas I can ascertain all of our colors reached the works held by Gibbon’s divis- ion in their retreat. Thence one was brought in by the bearer to our own line. Another bearer was killed by the enemy in their attack upon these works. The third color bearer returned to his regiment without his colors and with the following account of his conduct: He says that on-first reaching the breast-works he planted his colors by the side of the Sixty-ninth New York. On suggestion from the Sixty-ninth color bearer he left to find hisownregiment. Went a few feet rearward and lay down behind a pile of wood. The enemy attacking, he rose to retreat and seized his colors to bring with him, but the staff being entangled he could not free it and came off without it. Later he was told that our forces held those works and he went back to find his colors, but found the rebels in the works and had to escape. That he was quite demoralized will appear from his remarks to his commanding officer when examined in relation to his conduct, to this effect: that he thought it best even to the loss of the colors to save himself for some future service. i

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,