Unknown to George B. McClellan, July 5, 1862

Camp near Harrison’s Landing, July 5, 1862.

[Str :] I have the honor to report that on Friday, June 27, 1862, at 2 o’clock p. m., I was ordered to move my regiment as rapidly as possible from camp near Fair Oaks, and take a position on the right of the Highty-second New York Volunteers, this being the extreme right of Gorman’s brigade. Remained in this position until about 5 o’clock p. m., when I was ordered to report immediately to General Burns, which I did, taking a position on the left of his brigade, in support of the Seventh New York Volunteers. We remained in this position about half an hour, during which time avery hot skirmish was going on See in front, in which the front lines and artillery only were engaged.

_Was then ordered to report immediately to General Smith on the right of the line, which I did, moving my regiment a part of the way at double-quick. Reporting to General Smith at 8 o’clock, was ordered at once to enter a rifle pit to the left of the front, thereby relieving the Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, who were ordered to the front, where a most terrific engagement was going on.

Was then ordered to leave the pit and advance in line of battle to the front, in order to relieve the troops whose ammunition had been exCuar. XXIII.) SEVEN-DAYS’ BATTLES. 89

pended. When but a few rods in advance of the pit the order was countermanded, the report having been received that the enemy had been repulsed and driven from his position in much confusion. ‘After receiving the thanks of General Smith I returned to camp by his order, reporting to General Sumner. Although not actually engaged with the enemy in any part of the day’s fight, I cannot but think that it was owing to the timely arrival of my regiment on the right, thereby permitting re-enforcements to go tothe front at this critical time, that the tide of battle was turned and the success made complete to our arms. My loss was 2 wounded, which will be shown in the recapitulation of casualties.

At 6 o’clock p. m. on Saturday, the 28th ultimo, was ordered to have everything packed and in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. At 8.30 o’clock p. m. I reported in person to General Sedgwick for orders

by order of Lieut. Church Howe. Was ordered by General Sedgwick

to proceed immediately and as rapidly as possible to Savage Station
and report there to General Marcy, chief of staff. I left camp precisely
at 9 o’clock, and proceeding by way of the railroad, reported to General
Marcy at 10.30 o’clock. By his orders bivouacked my regiment near
station until morning, there to await further orders. By orders of General Williams my regiment was ordered at 9 o’clock a.m. to report
immediately at the station, for the purpose of destroying ammunition
and stores collected there. Such was the quantity and weight of material to be destroyed, that the utmost exertions of my entire force were
required to accomplish the desired end before the arrival of the division