WM. W. Burns to William D. Sedgwick, July 5, 1862

HEADQUARTERS BURNS’ BRIGADE,
July 5, 1862.

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

On Sunday, June 29, I was directed to draw my brigade from the breastworks to join the division, and march to Orchard Station, which was done in the face of the enemy under favor of a fog. On reaching Orchard Station the corps was formed in line of battle, facing to the rear. Soon after I received an order to send a regiment back to reoecupy our former lines as advanced pickets. I sent the Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers (California), Lieut. Col. W. G. Jones. When Colonel Jones’ pickets reached the wood where the battle ended on the 31st of May he captured 2 prisoners, the advance of the enemy’s pickets.

He soon discovered the enemy in force in my old camp, who commenced to advance on him. At the same time a force came down the railroad in front of the regiment, advanced on his left, and forced this regiment back. Colonel Jones fell back to a favorable position at the left of the wood behind Allen’s house, and received the enemy in gallant style. The force of the enemy, however, beginning to multiply, the Californians retired fighting through the woods to the edge of the field, in front of the line of battle formed by Sumner’s corps. Here it halted on the second advanced line, composed of the Sixty-third New York, Colonel Burke, on the right; Twentieth Massachusetts, Colonel Lee, on the left, and the Fifth New Hampshire, which had previously been the left of the advanced line.

The enemy were here checked, but anticipating a renewal of attack, General Sedgwick directed me to take command of this line. The Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, under its gallant young lieutenantcolonel, won high encomiums from the corps commander, who knows what hard fighting means.

About 12 o’clock we received orders to fall back upon Savage’s, passing through the lines of General Heintzelman, when lying at Savage’s, expecting an attack in the direction of Bottom’s Bridge. About 4.30 o’clock the enemy appeared in the corner of the field to our left rear, having evidently followed us, and, avoiding Heintzelman’s work, passed to the left of the railroad. General Sumner ordered me to take two regiments and move promptly back across the field about half a mile, and hold the woods between the Williamsburg road and the railroad. Before I reached the position a scout informed me that the enemy were in large force on the Williamsburg road. Seeing that both of my flanks would be exposed, I sent to General Sumner for another regiment. Fortunately the enemy did not attack until LieutenantColonel Miller, First Minnesota Regiment, reported, and I had time to throw it to the left, across the Williamsburg road, with the left flank retired. J found I still had not sufficient length of line to cover the ground, and was obliged to move Colonel Baxter to the right and throw back his right flank to cover the railroad, leaving a gap in the center of my line.

These dispositions were in progress when the enemy attacked most furiously with infantry, he having been playing with artillery upon me during the whole movement across the field, which was answered by General Sumner’s batteries. The battle raged along the whole line, but concentrated gradually toward my two weak points, the center and the Williamsburg road. 1 urged more regiments, which were promptly sent me. Before these arrived, however, the enemy made a rush on the center, wounded me and killed the captain of the left company of Baxter’s (Captain McGonigle), forced through to the fence, and flaunted their flag across the rails, broke the line for a moment, but the brave men rallied and drove them back.

The fight then moved toward the Williamsburg road, when most opportunely the Highty-eighth New York, Colonel , came across the field double-quick and cheering. I threw them into the gap on the road, when the enemy opened artillery and infantry upon them, but they never faltered—not only went up to my line but beyond it, and drove secesh before them. The Highty-second New York, Colonel Hudson, then came over the field, and I advanced it to the gap of the center. It too advanced beyond the original line. The Fifteenth Massachusetts coming up, I relieved Colonel Morehead with it, and Colonel Baxter with the Twentieth Massachusetts, Colonel Lee. The First California and Seventh Michigan coming up, I held them in reserve, looking to the flanks. Colonel Owen, of the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was led to the left of the Minnesota by my aide, and still farther to the left General Brooks’ brigade was thrown by General Sumner, on learning the enemy was moving in large force in that direction. The fight closed, however, with the fire of the Eighty-eighth New York, Hightysecond New York, and Fifteenth Massachusetts. Prisoners reported four brigades of the enemy. Generals Cobb and Kershaw came down the Nine-mile road, General Toombs and another down the Williamsburg road.

My loss in killed and wounded cannot well be had, as regiments of different brigades will make their reports to their own brigade commanders. Our men showed their superiority, and the victory can fairly be claimed by us. He was the attacking party, and was not only checked, but repulsed and driven from the ground.

The battle ceased at 7 o’clock. About 11 o’clock I received orders from General Sumner to withdraw my brigade and march to White Oak Bridge. On Monday, about 8 o’clock, we were again put in march for Malverton. When arriving at Giendale we were halted to allow the train to pass us. About 11 o’clock the enemy attacked the troops of General Franklin at the bridge. General Sumner sent two of General Sedgwick’s brigades back to his support, leaving but mine at Glendale. About 3.30 o’clock an attack was made on General McCall’s division in front of Nelson’s house. Soon his left gave way and broke toward us in confusion. General Sumner made the disposition of my brigade, placing Colonel Baxter on the right, Colonel Owen in center, and Colonel Morehead left, the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Jones, in rear of Kirby’s battery, in support. At the request of General Hooker, General Sumner forwarded Colonel Owen to the right of Hooker’s first line and sent Colonel Morehead in reserve of General Hooker’s right. I was then directed to lead Baxter to the wood on the right of the field, through which McCall’s left retreated, as the enemy seemed to be moving that way to rid themselves of the terrible fire of Kirby’s battery, which swept this field. Soon after General Dana’s brigade came back from the bridge and went forward, filling the space between Colonel Owen’s right and Colonel Baxter’s left.

Another heavy attack broke McCall’s center and sent the fugitives shamefully through our ranks. Our line was advanced, and Colonel Owen, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, unsupported, pursued the victorious rebels back over the ground through which they were passing and crowned the crest of the hill where McCall had lost his artillery. Gallant Sixty-ninth! The line followed this noble example, and McCall’s position was held and the enemy discomfited. By direction of General Sedgwick I placed the Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers and Nineteenth Massachusetts in support of the first line, in connection with Baxter’s Seventy-second, Colonel Hudson’s Eightysecond New York, Colonel Suiter’s Thirty-fourth New York. While perfecting this line another attack was made on the left center, and I found that the Seventh Michigan and Forty-second New York had broken from the front line, the enemy rapidly advancing through the gap. I threw the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, Colonel Jones, and Nineteenth Massachusetts, Colonel Hinks, into the breach, and nobly did they redeem the faults of their comrades. These two noble regiments met the enemy face to face, and for nearly one hour poured into them en tk volleys that no further attack was had at that vital point.

On going to the right I received a message from General McCall that he was wounded and hard pressed on his right. By authority of General Sumner I immediately forwarded the Thirty-fourth New York, Colonel Suiter, to the left of General Berry, at his request, and advanced our right, then in reserve, to relieve McCall, but before reaching him three staff officers came back, and informed me that the enemy had been taken in flank on the right and was in a fair way of being captured. I halted our line, as it was growing late and I was fearful of firmg upon friends coming from the right flank. Again Sedgwick’s division was victorious. About 11 o’clock orders were given to fall back on Malverton, which was quietly done.

At Malverton my brigade was exposed to a heavy enfilading fire of Shells, in which 2 were killed. I refer to the reports of regimental commanders for individual good conduct. Colonel Baxter, Colonel Owen, Colonel Morehead, and Lieutenant-Colonel Jones fulfilled my utmost expectations. I repeat my assertion at Fair Oaks—I am satisfied with the conduct of my brigade. None will gainsay it.

My staff (Captain Hicks, assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant Blakeny, wounded, and Lieutenant Griffiths) were indefatigable. Surgeon Lidell made an army fame.

My brigade lost Captain McGonigle and 99 privates killed; Captain Mallery, Lieutenant Kenny, Captain Johnson, Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers; Lieutenant Shewell, Seventy-second Pennsylvania, and 148 privates wounded.*

Respectfully submitted.

Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Capt. WILLIAM D. SEDGWICK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
INOw oir
Report of Brig. Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana, U. S. Army, commanding
Third Brigade, of engagement at Peach Orchard, or Allen’s Farm, battle
of Savage Station, engagement at White Oak Swamp Bridge, and battles