W. S. Sampson to Charles J. Powers, July 7, 1862
Harrisows Landing, Va., July 7, 1862.
Str: Thursday morning, June 26, at 6 o’clock, I was detailed to take the four right companies (A, Lieut. H. C. Connor, commanding; D, Capt. John Dunning; F, Capt. S. J. Thompson; L, Lieut. Charles O. Conant, commanding), and proceeded to the vicinity of Upper Bridge (one of the new military roads) to do picket duty. Nothing of unusual interest occurred during the day. At night I had orders to assist in destroying the bridge. This accomplished I awaited further orders. To Capt. D. K. Wardwell, of Company B, I am indebted for verbal report of the proceedings of the regiment during my absence.
About noon (Thursday, June 26) the regiment received light marching orders to proceed to the vicinity of Mechanicsville to support General McCall, who was severely pressed by the enemy in overwhelming numbers. The right of the line was placed in charge of the First Brigade. The left of the right was the position of the Twenty-second Massachusetts, and on approaching the scene of action the regiment was brought under a heavy fire of the enemy’s artillery. Shot, shell, and grape flew fast and furious over and around the regiment for upward of an hour, during which time 1 man of Company K was killed and 2 mortally wounded in Company G (since dead).
About this time Company B, Captain Wardwell, was deployed in front ina piece of woods and exchanged several shots with the enemy. About 8 o’clock p.m. the regiment retired slowly across a large field toward the Hanover Court-House road, leaving Company B in the woods to do picket duty. The regiment was drawn up in line of battle’ alongside of the Richmond road. Colonel Gove ordered Company ©, Captain Burt, to deploy in the large field through which the regiment had just passed and the balance of the regiment to seek what rest they could resting on their arms. The shades of night were closing around the fearful scene (the battle on the lull), except discharges of artillery, which was kept up until about 10 o’clock p. m.
About 3 o’clock a. m., Friday, June 27, the pickets in front of the regiment were recalled, and all moved as rear guard toward the camp on Curtis’ farm. Along the whole route on the right the battle was raging furiously. On reaching camp orders were given to sling knapsacks and get ready for an immediate movement. Very early on Friday morning I received orders to withdraw my pickets and report at the old camp at Gaines’, there to await urders. Here was a mistake. I should have reported at regimental camp on the Curtis farm. By this I lost an hour and a half of time. The mistake was discovered, and I hastened to join the regiment. This I could not do, for I met the regiment some distance this side of Curtis’ farm, where I received orders from Colonel Gove to hasten to camp, secure our knapsacks, and then destroy everything left behind, such as commissary and quartermaster stores, tents, knapsacks, guns, equipments—in fact, all pertaining to a soldier’s comfort or necessities. This duty was faithfully discharged by the officers and men of my command. They had hardly finished the task before the enemy came bounding into the camp, expecting to find an abundance of stores suited to their taste, but, alas for human expectations, nothing met their view but the burning and charred remains of store and camp equipage. My command was hastening on to join the regiment, which we soon did. I made a verbal report to Colonel Gove as to the success of my mission, which I am happy to say was approved. :
The second company of Sharpshooters, under Lieutenant Stiles, was left the day before on camp guard, and had been detailed as guard for the baggage train to go to Savage Station. The regiment moved to its assigned position toward the rear of the Gaines estate, and took position on some high rolling lands overlooking the bottom lands and the Chickahominy Swamp. The position was a most important one, commanding the road across the Chickahominy from its elevation. Orders were early sent to Colonel Gove to hold this position at any cost or sacrifice, and the colonel ordered a rude barricade to be built. This was accomplished by felling some large trees that stood near the regimental line and by the use of rails near at hand. This was scarcely done before the enemy opened a well-directed fire from a battery on this position. 5 : Here was tested Colonel Gove’s military knowledge and foresight. The shell burst directly in front of the regiment, and many lives would have been lost, if n0 more serious consequences involved, had it not been for this barricade. The enemy seemed determined to have this position, for they rained metal enough into this piece of woods to drive out any body of troops who were unprotected. Their effort was furious and full of determination. The battery ceased its work for a short time to enable a large body of infantry which they pushed forward to seize this position. They met such a reception that but few lived to tell the tale.
This conflict was short. The enemy was repulsed with a firmness, a steadiness, worthy of such men as performed deeds of noble daring on this eventful day. The enemy’s battery was soon again at work. They also placed a battery on the flats and opened a cross-fire, seeming determined to drive ont the troops from around this ravine. Nothing moved Colonel Gove, his officers or men. They stood to their posts faithfully. Night was fast approaching, and the enemy, being largely re-enforced, made a fearful dash at the whole line of battle. At all points the battle raged fiercely. A more bloody struggle never occurred. Our hungry, weary, and worn-out soldiers had to bear the impetuous charge of at least four times their number.
This unequal contest was prolonged for upward of an hour amid a hail-storm of lead and iron that surpasses description. At an early period of this last attack Major Tilton was wounded and left for the hospital. Soon regiments posted on the right and left of the Twentysecond, and who had no barricades, had to fall back, closely followed by an ambitious and exulting enemy. This caused the position of the Twenty-second to become untenable. Being outflanked right and left, it was forced to give way a few yards behind the barricade. In the open field Colonel Gove endeavored to reform the line to rally the men. Here he gave his country his life. He fell nobly and manfully. Bndeared to all, sincerely does the regiment mourn his irreparable loss. Here, too, Adjutant Sherwin was wounded while ably seconding Colonel Gove and the officers in rallying the men in the face of the enemy. Surgeons Prince and Millner were either killed or wounded.
At this time the regiment was left without a field or staff officer. The regiment rallied around its colors, ready to do any duty, and did for a time support a battery. Upward of one-half of the line officers were either killed or wounded. Of those who were present, Orderly
Sergeant Carr, of Company E, fell at the head of his company, which he commanded this day. Over one-half of.the rank and file fell manfully battling for their country’s rights.
To attempt to particularize where all showed so much gallantry would be invidious and might do some injustice. The loss sustained is a sufficient record. Before the action commenced Colonel Gove gave orders to lay aside knapsacks, blankets, haversacks, not to be encumbered with anything, and when the regiment left they had to leave everything behind, even to tin-cups, plates, knives and forks, and spoons. The Twenty-second was among the very last to leave its position. Night was at hand, and it was too late for the enemy to get batteries into position. All had been effected that was desired. Artillery trains, stores, &c., were across the Chickahominy, passing over Woodbury’s [Alexander’s? Bridge. Nothing remained but to remove the wounded and cross the troops, which was done in perfect order. Across the Chickahominy, behind the center of the Army of the Potomac, the regiment collected its shattered fragments together, a little less than 300 effective men, without a field or staff officer, the men without tents, haversacks—nothing save what they stood in. There I assumed command, and I was ably assisted by Capt. D. K. Wardwell and SergeantMajor Benson, who acted as adjutant.
About noon Saturday, June 28, I received orders to march the regiment to Savage Station, which I did. Here I was prostrated with a severe attack of chills and fever and rheumatic pains. I lostno time, but placed myself under the surgeon’s care. The command of the regiment now devolved upon Capt. D. K. Wardwell. At Savage Station a short halt was made. The regiment was ordered to move on, passing through White Oak Swamp, at the farther side of which, upon some high rolling lands, the regiment encamped for the night. Early next morning, Sunday, June 29, the regiment moved forward toward James River, passing over a dry and waterless country, the weather exceedingly hot. The men were suffering for all the necessaries of a soldier’s life—food, coffee, haversacks, &c. A halt was made at night where no water could be obtained, no coffee made, and the sufferings of our men can better be imagined than described. I hope that no troops will ever again have to endure all the privation that the Twenty-second endured during the past eight or ten days. All was borne without much murmuring—borne as heroes alone can bear their burdens.
Monday morning, June 380, at 3 o’clock a. m., moved again. After marching a few miles water was discovered, a halt was ordered, and all that could made coffee. Another forward movement of some miles brought the regiment in the vicinity of Turkey Bend, where a halt of some hours was made. Soon the regiment received orders to return to Malvern farm, a high plateau of land some 2 miles back. After reaching this place the regiment lay in column of division and upon their arms for the night.
Tuesday, July 1, about 11 o’clock a. m., a forward movement of about 1 mile was made. Here they were subject to a very heavy and severe cross-fire from the enemy’s artillery. Here we lost some 8 men. Captain Wardwell moved the regiment forward about 400 yards and deployed in line of battle for shelter and protection. Soon they moved forward to support a battery, which they did firmly and steadily. Orders soon came for the regiment to move forward to support the first line of battle, which was being pressed very hard by the enemy. The regiment moved to its position and opened fire by file, using up their
Among the casualties of this day was the loss of Capt. S. J. fhompson, who was severely wounded and left in hospital. The loss of rank and file was about 60. In this day’s action Companies G, EH, and I were led into action by sergeants, and Company K was commanded by Corp. Andrew Wilson, whom I recommend to your favorable notice. Sergeant-Major Benson was detailed to act as aide to Brigadier-General Martindale during the day.
I cannot close this without making especial mention of Capts. 8S. J. Thompson, J. J. Thompson, and Captain Burt; also Lieutenants Field, Symonds, Connor, and Stiles. They did their whole duty.
Wednesday morning, July 2, about 1 o’clock, the regiment received orders to fall back to Harrison’s Landing, Va. This was done in good order, amid a heavy rain, and mud almost knee-deep. Upon reaching this place the regiment bivouacked in mud and rain. Hungry and wet through, if was a sad time for the remnant of the Twenty-second. Of the conduct of the men during all the trying scenes through which they passed I am proud. Of Capt. D. K. Wardwell, commanding the regiment, I may say his conduct is above any praise of mine.
July 3 I had sufficiently recovered to assume command and march the regiment to this place, its present encampment.
Respectfully submitted.
Captain, Twenty-second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.
Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, Morel’s Division.
No. 124;
Report of Col. Horace S. Roberts, First Michigan Infantry, of the battles
of Mechanicsville and Gaines? Miil, engagement at Turkey Bridge, and
battle of Malvern Hill.