WM. Luffman to George T. Anderson, July 13, 1862

July 13, 1862.

July 13, 1862. Sir: On the 27th ultimo the Ninth Georgia Regiment received orders to advance the picket line on the east side of Dr. Garnett’s farm. After

Cap. XXIII] SEVEN-DAYS’ BATTLES. 713

going to the advance post skirmishers were thrown out, and after a brisk skirmish succeeded in driving the advance of the enemy beyond their earthworks, where they were supported by their artillery, which did us some damage.

The casualties are, to wit: Five killed and 20 wounded, all enlisted men.

At night received orders to fall back to our former position.

June 28, all quiet in this regiment.

June 29, prepared to advance upon the redoubts of the enemy, which had been unsuccessfully attempted by the Seventh and Eighth Georgia Regiments the previous evening. Scouts were sent forward, who returned in a short time and reported that the enemy had evacuated their works. Immediately proceeded to their redoubt, and soon after took up the line of march in pursuit of the fleeing foe. After half an hour’s march succeeded in catching up with their rear guard which after a little resistance again fell back.

Here the line of battle was formed, and immediately proceeded to scour the wood in the direction of Bottom’s Bridge. After advancing some distance and hearing heavy firing on the right halted and remained in line awaiting orders until 9 p.m. Received orders to return to

June 30, received orders to proceed to the right of our line to re-enforce Major-General Longstreet, who engaged the enemy near Crew’s farm p.m. of same day. Arrived about 10 p. m. and took possession of the battle-field. ‘

Tuesday, July 1, formed in line of battle to scour the wood in front of and proceeded half a mile. Ordered back to the swamp; returned and took position one-fourth of a mile on the right of the River road. Remained some time under the protection of a favoring hill from the shells of the enemy without any casualty.

At1p.m. started for the anticipated battle-field. After maneuvering until near 6 p. m. entered the field of action and halted in a ravine for protection. Remained until near 8 p. m.

Here our casualties were 3 killed and 30 wounded. Among the latter were Lieuts. J. W. Arnold, of Company C, and T. J. Hardee, of Company H. All the rest were enlisted men.

At 10 p. m. left the field in good order. Remaining near the battlefield until the morning of the 4th instant, left in pursuit of the enemy and proceeded down the James River 12 miles to Cross-Roads.

Remained in the neighborhood on picket until the 9th instant, then fell back to the church on the Darbytown road, 6 miles east of Richmond, remaining there on picket until regularly relieved by —— Mississippi Brigade.

Joined our brigade July 12 by your order.

WM. M. JONES, Major, Commanding Ninth Georgia Regiment.

Col. GEORGE T. ANDERSON. ’

Hpgrs. NiIntH REGIMENT GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS, July 13, 1862. Sir: In pursuance of an order from headquarters of the division respecting those of my command who distinguished themselves in the series of engagements with the enemy from the 28th ultimo to the 2d instant, I have only to mention the conduct of Lieut. 8. D. Cockrell, who has been acting adjutant for the regiment during the last few months. When our brigade was halted, in consequence of orders from General Magruder, in the ravine near the field of action on the Ist instant, 5 p. m., the impression was prevalent that our brigade would not be called into action. The acting adjutant thought it not indiscreet to leave the regiment and go into the battle with the Eighteenth Mississippi Regiment.

Below is a note sent to headquarters of this regiment on the following morning:

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH MIssissipP1 REGIMENT,

I take pleasure in certifying that Lieutenant Cockrell, of the Ninth Georgia Regiment, requested permission of me to accompany my regiment into the engagement of the 1st instant; that I consented, and requested him to act as adjutant for the regiment in that engagement, which he did, and that his conduct on that occasion is deserving of the highest commendation.

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Lighteenth Mississippi Regiment.

N. B.—The regiment, as was presumed, took no active part in the battle. WM. M. JONES, Major, Commanding Ninth Georgia Regiment.

Report of Lieut. Col. William Luffman, Eleventh Georgia Infantry, of operations. June 26—July 1, including battle of Malvern Hill.

HpDQRS. ELEVENTH REGIMENT GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS, Camp near Richmond, Va., July 12, 1862.

Srr: In obedience to General Orders, No. —, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this regiment in pursuing the enemy in his impetuous flight from the Chickahominy in front of Richmond to his present bivouac, on the James River, under cover of his gunboats:

June 26 [277], three men wounded on Chickahominy, near the Garnett house, by the explosion of a shell from our batteries.

June 27 [28?], extended our picket post some distance down the Chickahominy, covering part of the territory occupied in the morning by the enemy, and captured 1 prisoner.

June 28 [292], took possession of the enemy’s camps at daylight in

the morning, capturing 11 prisoners. _ At 9 a.m. moved off in pursuit of the retiring enemy, and overtaking him in less than 3 miles, a sharp skirmish ensued, in which we had 1 man wounded by a spent shell from the enemy’s battery. The enemy again retiring, our column was halted for two bours in the enemy’s camps, and a quantity of commissary and other stores left by the eneniy were taken possession of.

At 2p. m., occupying a position on the right of the brigade, moved off in line of battle through the dense forest and’again overtook the enemy east of the York River Railroad, but took no part in the hotly contested engagement on our right. f

At dark withdrew under orders and fell back to the railroad, which we reached at 1 a.m. June 30.

At 6 a.m. moved off to take position on the Darbytown road and reached the battle-field of the same day at 2 o’clock, and July 1 (same day), at 3.30 o’clock, pushed off in line of battle in pursuit of the enemy’s fleeing columns.

At 7a, m. came up with the troops of the heroic Stonewall Jackson, who quickly passed our front. We then retired, took another position, and again commenced to advance on the enemy.

At 3 p.m. we came up with the enemy, strongly posted on a high eminence. An attack was immediately ordered by General Magruder, the troops occupying or forming four separate lines of battle, all within range of the enemy’s batteries and subject to the most galling and destructive fire of shot and shell. Our brigade, commanded by the gallant Col. George T. Anderson, was ordered to form the third line of battle, in support of General Cobb’s brigade, which formed the second. My regiment was thrown out on the field on the right flank of the Third Brigade and was supported by the learned and gallant Col. H. L. Benning, of General Toombs’ brigade, which formed the fourth line of battle.

We remained under the severe and well-directed fire of the enemy from 5 to 9 p. m. Our casualties here were considerable: Adjt. John F. Green, wounded severely in the shoulder; Lieut. M. F. Gudger, Company D, wounded in the hand; Lieut. Nathaniel Parish, Company E, wounded in the side; 6 men killed on the field and 50 wounded, most of whom very severely ; missing 16, some of whom have not been heard from.

MINS oe CUBES Gan BS sao ee Sone SR e Or eats SEAM he PASOr cr err Sseeipe san mn Ste 6 WON e ee ate arses oleae fe was ialse ona Saja aicie Selviatek s\einin sisi spiclnia es eicclem oe nia inciseninternets 57 BRIS = 6 nS osiS GORA DAOC AB SH BO Ge00 COSCRGISUBEDC) MaSbRGrEooceS SeEAso Sebomcamode 16

OE oe ee OSE bone Boas ga SEOg URBEO TRON GE TONGS DaCMEC See NO OsnGaE 79

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

LTieut. Col., Comdg. Eleventh Regiment Georgia Volunteers.
Col. GEORGE T. ANDERSON,
Comdg. Third Brigade, First Division, Army of the Potomac.
No. 285.
Report of Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws, 0. 8. Army, commanding division,
of 5 Aine at Peach Orchard, or Allen’s Farm, and battles of Savage
Station and Malvern Hill.