Report of Brig. Gen. Henry M. Naglee commanding First Brigade, Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac : of the part taken by his brigade in the battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. With an appendix, containing the official report of Gen. Casey

BIMIi, (l.KN. HKNiiY II. NAULEE,

T I I'OTOM A (

MAY

REPOKT

BRIG. GEN. HENRY I. NAGLEE,

COMMANDING FIRST BRIGADE, CASEY'S DIVISION,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

OF THE PART TAKEN BY HIS BRIGADE IN

THE BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES.

MAY 31, 1862.

WITH AN APPENDIX,

CONTAINING THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. CASEY.

PHILADELPHIA:

COLLINS, PBINTEE, 705 JAYNE STREET.

1862.

ancroft Library

BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES

LIEUTENANT:

BEFORE alluding to the occurrences of the 31st
of May, it would probably add to a better understand-
ing of the subject to refer to the advance of my
Brigade on the 24th, 25th, and 26th, a week previous.
Having crossed the R. R. Bridge, and examined
the Chickahominy from the R. R. to Bottom's Bridge
on the 20th, and made a reconnoissance from the
"Chimneys" near Bottom's Bridge, to within two
miles of the James River on the Quaker Road, on
the 23d, Gen. McClellan ordered me to make a recon-
noissance of the road and country by the Williamsburg
Road, as far as the Seven Pines, on Saturday the 24th,
with instructions, "if possible, to advance to the
' Seven Pines,' or the forks of the direct road to
Richmond, and the road turning to the right into the
road leading from ' New Bridge' to Richmond, and to
hold that point, if practicable." Under these instruc-
tions, with the addition of two batteries of Col.
Bailey's N. Y. 1 st Artillery, and Col. Gregg's Cavalry ?
we pushed the reconnoissance, not without considera-

ble opposition, to the " Seven Pines" on the day refer
red to ; one mile and a half beyond the " Pines" on the
following day, and to a line perpendicular to the rail-
road from Richmond to West Point, intersecting it
midway between the fifth and sixth mile posts, on
the day following the last; and on the day after, the
27th, extended it across to the "Nine Mile road"
where it is intersected by the road to Garnett's house,
and thence by this road bearing to the right; our
picket lines extended to the Chickahominy. This
line, from the river across the Rail Road to the
Williamsburg road, about three miles long, was pick-
eted at first by the First Brigade, and afterwards by
Casey's Division, but placed more directly under the
charge and protection of the regiments of the First
Brigade, which were encamped along its entire length
for that purpose.

The picket line proposed to be kept up, and the
supports to the same, from the left of the above
picket line on the Williamsburg road to the White
Oak Swamp, were especially intrusted to Gen. Couch.

This was the line of our advance on Saturday the
31st of May, at 12 M., when two shells thrown into
our camp first announced the hostile intentions of the
enemy. No alarm was felt by any one, for it was
seldom that twenty-four hours passed that we did not
exchange similar salutations.

Soon after it was reported that an attack was im-
pending, the usual orders were issued, and within

half an hour the troops moved to positions that were
assigned to them by Gen. Casey.

Being at this time on the " Nine Mile road," near
a breast-work fronting the "Old Tavern" then under
construction, and judging, from the discharges of mus-
ketry becoming frequent, that something serious was
intended, I hastened in the direction indicated by the
fire, and soon arrived upon the ground, on the Wil-
liamsburg road, about three-quarters of a mile in front
of the " Seven Pines," where I found Gen Casey, who '
had placed the 100th N. Y., Col. Brown, on the left
of that road, behind a field of large timber that had
been cut down. On the right of the same road was
placed Capt. Spratt's N. Y. battery of 4 pieces. On
the right of this were three companies of the llth
Maine, Col. Plaisted, and on the right of the llth
Maine were eight companies of the 104th Penna.,
Col. Davis. Four companies of the llth Maine were
on picket duty, but, being driven in, formed with the
56th N. Y., Lt.-Col. Jaudan, at his encampment, in
line of battle, parallel with and about 800 yards in
rear of the picket line, 200 yards to the left of the
Rail Road. Col. Dodge's 52d Penna., supporting the
picket line on the extreme right, formed at his en-
campment on the Nine Mile road three-quarters of a
mile in rear of the large Garnett field. The remain-
ing companies of the 104th Pa. and llth Maine were
on picket duty along the large field in the direction
of the Chickahominy.

Soon after my arrival upon the ground — about one
o'clock P. M. — the fire then being frequent, and from
the direction of the main Eichmond stage road, Gen.
Casey gave an order to the 100th N. Y., and 104th
Pa., and llth Maine, to charge, when, as reported by
Col. Davis, the regiments sprang forward " towards
" the enemy with a tremendous yell. In our way was
" a high worm fence which cut our former line of
" battle, but the boys sprang over it, into the same
•" inclosure with the enemy, where we formed and re-
" newed the fight. The battle now raged with great
" fury, and the firing was much hotter than before.
" Spratt's battery during this time had kept up a
" lively fire in the same direction. At about 3 P. M.,
"'the enemy being largely reinforced, pressed us in
"front and flank, and seeing that we could not hold
" our position much longer, unless reinforced, I dis-
" patched an officer to Gen. Casey for that purpose.
" The Colonel of the 100th N. Y. being killed, the
"Colonel of 104th severely wounded, the Major
"mortally wounded, the Lieutenant-Colonel absent,
"half of our men having been killed or wounded,
"the enemy, ten times our number, within a few
" feet of us, one of them striking Sergeant Porter,
" the left guide of the 104th, over the neck with his
"musket, several of the llth Maine being bayoneted,
" and receiving no reinforcements, we were ordered,
"with 'Spratt's' battery, to retire; but, unfortunately,

" the horses of one of the pieces being killed, we were
" compelled to abandon that piece."

The enemy endeavored to follow up this success,
and was advancing in closed columns, when, our
troops having been sufficiently withdrawn, Col. Bailey,
of the 1st N. Y. Artillery, at my request, directed the
fire of the batteries of Fitch and Bates, situated in
and near the redoubt, to be concentrated upon the
advancing mass. At every discharge of grape and
canister wide gaps were opened in his ranks, which
were filled as soon as opened ; still he pressed on,
until, after many trials, with immense loss, finding
that he was " advancing into the very jaws of death,"
with sullen hesitation he concluded to desist at this
point.

I congratulated Col. Bailey upon his gallant con-
duct and good services, as above described, and sug-
gested that in the event of being compelled to aban-
don another piece, he should instruct his gunners to
spike before leaving it. He went into the redoubt to
give these orders, when he was shot by a rifle ball
through the forehead, and died a few minutes after,
the State losing a gallant soldier, and his artillerymen
a friend to whom they were entirely devoted.

Soon after this, Major Van Valkenburgh, of the
same artillery, was killed by a rifle ball whilst actively
engaged in working these batteries, and, but a little
while after, Lieut. Rumsey, the Adjutant, in the same
manner. All of the field and staff officers being killed,

I assumed the direction of the batteries composing
the 1st N. Y. Artillery.

No reinforcements having been sent to us, and de-
sirous of following up the success above referred to,
about 3J P. M. I rode to the rear, and led up the
55th N. Y., Lt.-Col. Thourote, and placed it in line
perpendicular to the Williamsburg road, about fifty
yards in advance of the redoubt, the left resting a
short distance from the road. Before getting into
position they were compelled to march over the bodies
of their killed and wounded comrades, and soon after-
wards found themselves fully engaged. Leaving the
55th, my attention was directed towards the right,
where I found the 56th N. Y. with the llth Maine,
who, after four hours' contest, had fallen back about
four hundred yards, and were again placed by me, at
four hours and ten minutes, in a depression in the
ground, about midway between the Williamsburg
road and the railroad, and about three hundred yards
in front of the Nine Mile road. Near by I found
the 52d Pa., which had been ordered from the right,
and I placed them in echellon to the right, and front
of the 56th, with the right resting upon and in rear
of a large pond. At this time the fire here had con-
siderably slackened, but was increasing on the left.
Returning, in about an hour, to the left, I found the
55th engaged to their utmost extent, and ascertained
for the first time that the enemy had discovered, what
I had long feared, that there were none of our troops

between the White Oak Swamp and a line parallel
with and but two hundred yards from the Williams-
burg road. He had more than an hour before dis-
covered this, and with sharpshooters concealed in the
woods, to the left and rear of the redoubt and rifle-
pits, they had killed many of our most valuable offi-
cers, had picked off the cannoniers, and had killed
from three to four horses out of every team attached
to the 1st N. Y. Artillery, and, at the time of my
return, had driven our men from the rifle-pits. No
time was to be lost ; Fitch's battery was ordered to
the rear. The battery under Lt. Hart was next or-
dered to retire, but it was soon found that but one
limber could be moved. I ordered the pieces to be
spiked ; but after spiking the pieces in the redoubt,
those on the outside of it were in the possession of
the enemy. By way of precaution, I had ordered the
prolongues to be fixed to the sections of Regan's bat-
tery, still firing up the Williamsburg road, and ordered
it to retire firing, until in the abattis that crosses the
road. I then withdrew the 55th, under the protec-
tion of its fire. This regiment had fought most gal-
lantly, suffered severely, and contributed much, in the
end, towards saving Regan's battery from falling into
the hands of the enemy. And then, the entire field
in front of, and including the redoubt, was in pos-
session of the enemy, who had pressed to within a
few yards of us, it being necessary to support many
of the wounded horses, to keep them from falling in

10

the traces. At 5.15 P. M., we brought the last sec-
tions of Bailey's 1st N. Y. Artillery from the field,
the air being at this time literally filled with iron and
lead. Returning rapidly to my 56th N. Y., llth
Maine, and 52d Pa., my anticipations here were re-
alized ; being successful in turning our left flank, the
enemy had opened a most destructive cross fire upon
them, from the pieces near the redoubt, that had not
been spiked, and this, with the fire from their imme-
diate front, was no longer to be endured, and they
were withdrawn, and marched down the Nine Mile
road, and placed in position, in rear of this road,
about three hundred yards from the Seven Pines,
where soon their services were required. In the
meanwhile, Col. Neil, of the 23d Pa., had come upon
the ground occupied by Col. Dodge, and induced him
to advance in front, and to the right of the position
that had been assigned to him, whilst he. Col. Neil,
occupied that which the 52d Pa. vacated. But these
dispositions were scarcely made, before the masses of
the enemy broke through, and a few minutes sufficed
to leave the half of Dodge's command upon the
ground, and to force Neil precipitately from his posi-
tion.

The remaining portion of the 52d — for it was now
reduced to a little over one hundred men — were con-
ducted along the Nine Mile road to the Seven Pines,
where, finding the rifle-pits occupied, they took posses-
sion of a fence, and some outhouses, and did most

11

effective service. Afterwards, they crossed to the left
of Couch's position, and advanced two hundred yards,
into, and along the woods, to the left and front of the
Seven Pines, where they remained actively employed,
until near dark, when the enemy advancing rapidly
in masses to the rear of the Nine Mile road, inclined
towards the Williamsburg road, sweeping everything
from the field, our forces making one general, simul-
taneous movement to the rear, which did .not stop
until all had arrived at the line of defence, one mile
in that direction. The 52d having their retreat cut
off, escaped by passing through the woods to the left
and rear, to the sawmill, at the White Oak Swamp,
and thence to the line above referred to, where they
rejoined their comrades of the 1st Brigade. Follow-
ing down the Nine Mile road, after Dodge retired
from his first position, about 500 yards from the inter-
section of the Seven Pines, I found Col. J. Adams
commanding the 1st Long Island, which was placed
across the road, a portion of the right flank being in
rear of it, with the left flank extending to the front
and left. Advising Col. Adams of the rapid approach
of the enemy — of the direction he was coming, and
of the position of the 56th N. Y. and 104th Pa. on
his left, he withdrew the left flank of the Long Island
to the rear of the Nine Mile road, making a continu-
ous line with the above, and the men were ordered to
lie down, that they should escape the murderous fire
that was incessantly pouring in from the front.

12

Scarcely was this done, before the 87th N. Y., Col.
Stephen E. Dodge, of Kearney's Division, Heintzel-
man's Corps, came along the Nine Mile road, with
rapid step, cheering most vociferously, passed the
56th N. Y., 104th Pennsylvania, and 1st Long Island
about fifty yards, received a volley, broke, and passed
the whole of them, running over the backs of those
lying down, the latter remaining undisturbed until
ordered to rise and meet the accumulated force that
was bearing all before it. Volley after volley was
given, and received. An order was given to charge,
but one hundred yards brought us into such close
proximity with the enemy, " that a sheet of fire was
blazing in our faces." The ranks on both sides were
rapidly thinning ; but still the great disparity in our
numbers continued. So close were the contending
forces, that our men in many instances, whilst at a
charge, poured their fire into the breasts of the enemy,
within a few feet from the points of their bayonets.
This dreadful contest lasted until nearly dark. My
56th and 104th suffered dreadfully, lost the greater
part of their officers and men, and were compelled to
give way, carrying their wounded with them.

It was then, in the language of Lt. Haney, of the
104th, "that I (Lt. Haney) and Lt. Ashenfelder and
others led Capt. Corcoran, Capt. Swatzlander, and
Lt. Hendric off the field. It was about half an hour
before dark. We went down the Nine Mile road,
and along the Williamsburg road. The fighting was

13

nearly over. Our troops were all retiring. We saw
the enemy, not over seventy-five yards in our rear,
and no troops between us and them. All of our
forces were moving back, little regard • being paid to
brigade, regimental, or even company organization,
Kearney's troops came, but did not stay long. Capt.
Corcoran becoming continually weaker, we were com-
pelled to carry him."

Fully confirming the statements of my officers, I
assert that I saw no running, and there was no panic,
but all moved off together, with a single purpose, and
that one, to make a stand upon the line of defences,
one mile in the rear, the only one of sufficient capa-
city to enable us to defend ourselves against vastly
superior numbers, until our reinforcements could be
brought together.

Company "I," Capt. Morrill, and Company "E,"
Lt. Sabine, of the llth Maine, were on picket duty
along the Garnett field, in front of which several rebel
regiments marched about dark. Some of the men
crawled into the wheat, and shot three of the field
officers as they marched by. When Sedgwick crossed
the Chickahominy, they immediately communicated
with him, remained all night upon the picket line,
with the enemy in their front and rear, and on Sun-
day, at 9 A. M., came in, bringing more prisoners than
the entire number of men in their ranks.

Second Lt. Rice, of the llth Maine, was very sick,
in the hospital, where there were a number of the

14

same regiment. After the fight grew warm, he ex-
claimed: "Boys, every one of you that can hold up
his head, follow me." More than twenty followed
him. He shouldered a musket, and all joined their
regiment, and fought most gallantly. Rice, after
seventeen rounds, delivered with deadly effect, for he
was an excellent shot, was severely wounded in the
thigh, and was carried from the field.

Company "E," 104th Pa., Capt. Harvey, Lt. Croll,
and fifty-eight men, were extended on picket duty
from the railroad to the corner, at the intersection of
the Nine Mile road with the road to Garnett's house,
when about 3 P. M. the enemy approached, but left
them unmolested after firing some scattering shots,
during which time we took thirteen prisoners. After
5 P. M. the enemy again appeared in force along this
entire line. With the assistance of their supports, he
was held in check for nearly an houi% when, finding
themselves surrounded, they were taken prisoners.
Capt. Harvey was placed in charge of an officer with
five men, and was marching off, when a shell struck,
and killed the officer ; the Captain taking advantage
of the confusion, made his escape; four of the men
following his example.

On Saturday, Lt. Col. Hoyt, of the 52d Penna.,
was in charge of the Pioneers of the 1st Brigade, and
two companies of the same Reg't, building a bridge
which I had directed to be built across the Chicka-
hominy. Remaining upon the ground, and informing

15

himself of the proceedings upon the extreme right,
he rendered most valuable service by advising Gen.
Sumner, as soon as he crossed the swamp, of the pre-
cise position of our forces, and those of the enemy.
After which, the enemy having pressed down be-
tween the railroad and Gen. Sumner, Lt. Col. Hoyt,
with the above, and some of the 100th N. Y. that
were driven in from the picket lines, near the Chick-
ahominy, remained with Gen. Sumner until Sunday,
and behaved well.

After leaving the battle-field, at dark, the Brigade,
numbering over one thousand, was marched to the
right rifle-pits of the rear defences, but vacated them
at the request of Gen. Kearney, and occupied those
on the left, with the other brigades of Casey's Divi-
sion, where we remained under arms, in the rain, all
night.

I have shown in the history of the battle of the
Seven Pines, the conduct of every one of the regi-
ments of the 1st Brigade, from the time the first vol-
ley was fired, at noon, until the enemy, having driven
our troops from the ground, near dark, cut off the
retreat of the 52d, by the Williamsburg road, and
was still annoyed by its deadly fire.

The list of casualties shows that there were taken
into the action, 84 officers and 1669 men; and that 35
officers and 603 men were killed, wounded, and taken
prisoners, being 42 per cent, of the former, and 37
per cent, of the latter. Of the ninety-three of the

16

llth Maine, that were led into the fight by Col.
Plaisted, 52 were killed and wounded.

The Brigade was among the last enlisted ; it had
been reduced more than one-half by sickness ; that it
fought well, none can deny, for it lost 638 of its
number; bodies were found over every part of the
field, and where these bodies lay, were found double
the number of the enemy.

The enemy, more generous than our friends, admit
" that we fought most desperately, and against three
entire divisions of his army, with two in reserve that,
later in the day, were brought in."

For 3i hours we contested every inch of ground
with the enemy, and did not yield in that time the
half of a mile. We fought from 12 M. until 3J P.
M., with but little assistance, and until dark, with
our comrades of other regiments and of other divi-
sions, wherever we could be of service, and when, at
dark, the enemy swept all before him, we were the
last to leave the ground.

I am most happy to refer to the kind treatment
extended by the enemy to many of the wounded of
the Brigade that were taken prisoners.

Since the battle of Seven Pines, now nearly three
weeks, a force ten times that of Casey and Couch,
has not been able to regain the line of outposts esta-
blished by the 1st Brigade on the 26th of May; our
present line being half a mile in rear thereof.

None of the brigade, regimental, or company bag-

17

gage was lost. Some of the shelter tents, knapsacks,
and blankets fell into the hands of the enemy, which
was the natural consequence of being encamped in
close proximity with the outposts.

Conduct such as this, if it be not worthy of com-
mendation, should not call forth censure, for censure
undeserved chills the ardor and daring of the soldier,
and dishonors both the living and the dead.

Very respectfully, &c.
NAGLEE,

Brig. Geri>l.
To LIEUT. FOSTER,

A. A. A. Geril, Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac.

APPENDIX.

THE BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN CASEY.

HEADQUARTERS GEN. CASEY'S DIVISION,

POPLAR HILL, HENRICO Co., VA., June, 1862.

CAPTAIN : In obedience to directions from the General command-
ing the Fourth Corps, I have the honor to submit the following
report of the operations of my division in the battle of the Seven
Pines, on the 31st ult. I occupied with my division the advanced
position of the army, about three-fourths of a mile from the cross-
roads at the Seven Pines, where I caused rifle-pits and a redoubt to
be thrown up ; also an abattis to be commenced about one-third of
a mile in front of the pits, and parties were employed upon these
works on the morning of the 31st.

Previously to occupying my last position I had occupied the
cross-roads, and had there also caused an abattis to be cut and
earthworks to be commenced. On the 29th, the day on which I
moved my camp forward, and also on the 30th, my advanced pickets
had been attacked by a body of the enemy on the former day by a
force of three hundred, and on the next by one of four hundred in
number. The pickets on the first day succeeded in driving the
enemy back in confusion, killing and wounding a number, with a
loss on my part of but two killed and two wounded. Major Kelly,
of the Ninety-sixth Regiment New York Volunteers, was one of my
killed. The Major was in command of my pickets at this point,
and by his gallant conduct animated the men to the firm resistance

20

offered. In the attack of the 30th I ordered the One Hundredth
Regiment, New York Volunteers, to move to the support of the
pickets. With the assistance of this regiment, under the command
of Col. Brown, they succeeded in repelling the attack, the enemy
leaving six of his dead upon the ground. On the morning of the
31st May, my pickets toward the right of my line succeeded in cap-
turing Lieut. Washington, an Aid of Gen. Johnson, of the rebel
service. This circumstance, in connection with the fact that Col.
Hunt, my General Officer of the day, had reported to me that his
outer pickets had heard cars running nearly all night on the Rich-
mond end of the railroad, led me to exercise increased vigilance.
Between 11 and 12 o'clock a mounted vidette was sent in from the
advanced pickets, to report that a body of the enemy was in sight,
approaching on the Richmond road. I immediately ordered the
One Hundred and Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers to
advance to the front for the purpose of supporting the pickets. It
was soon afterward reported to me by a mounted vidette that the
enemy were advancing in force; and about the same time two shells
were thrown over my camp. I was led to believe that a serious
attack was contemplated, and immediately ordered the Division
under arms, the men at work on the abattis and rifle pits to be
recalled and to join their regiments, the artillery to be harnessed up
at once, and made my dispositions to repel the enemy. While these
were in progress the pickets commenced firing. I directed Spratt's
battery of four pieces, three inch rifle guns, to advance in front of
the rifle pits, about one-fourth of a mile, in order to reply with
advantage to the enemy's artillery, which I knew was in battery in
front of my pickets' line, and also to shell the enemy as soon as
the withdrawal of the pickets and their supports should permit. I
supported this battery by the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers, the Eleventh Regiment Maine Volunteers,
and the One Hundredth Regiment New York Volunteers, of the
First Brigade, and the Ninety-second Regiment New York Volun-
teers of the Third Brigade.

21

I placed Capt. Bate's Battery, commanded by Lieut, Hart, in the
redoubt, Capt. Regan's Battery in rear and on the right of the rifle
pits; Capt. Fitch's Battery in rear of the redoubt. The Eighty-
fifth Regiment New York Volunteers occupied the rifle pits on the
left, and the Eighty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Yolunteers those
on the right. The One Hundred and First Regiment Pennsylvania
Yolunteers were posted on the right of these regiments, and the
Eighty-first, Ninety-sixth and Ninety-eighth New York regiments
were advanced to cover the left flank. For several days the Fifty-
second Pennsylvania Yolunteers had occupied a position on the
Nine Mile road, a support to my advanced pickets on my right flank,
and the Fifty-sixth regiment New York Yolunteers had held a
position on the railroad. I made no change in the position of these
last two regiments. About fifteen minutes after these dispositions
had been completed, I directed the advanced battery to open on the
artillery and advancing column of the enemy. In a short time
after, the One Hundred and Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, which at the first alarm had been ordered to the support of
the pickets, came down the road in some confusion, having suffered
considerable loss from the fire of the rebel advance. The enemy
now attacked me in large force on the centre and both wings, and a
brisk fire of musketry extended along the two opposing lines ; my
artillery in the mean time throwing canister into their ranks with
great effect. Perceiving, at length, that the enemy were threaten-
ing me upon both wings, for want of reinforcements, which had
been repeatedly asked for, and that his column still pressed on, I
then, in order to save my artillery, ordered a charge of bayonets by
the four supporting regiments of the centre, which was executed in
a most gallant and successful manner, under the immediate direction
of Brig. Gen. Naglee, commanding First Brigade, the enemy being
driven back.

When the charge had ceased, but not until the troops had reached
the edge of the woods, the most terrible fire of musketry commenced
that I have ever witnessed. The enemy again advanced in force,

22

and the flanks having been again severely threatened, a retreat to
the works became necessary. To be brief, the rifle-pits were re-
tained until they were almost enveloped by the enemy — the troops,
with some exceptions, fighting with spirit and gallantry. The
troops then retreated to the second line, in possession of Gen.
Couch's Division. Two pieces of artillery were placed in the road
between the two lines, which did good execution upon the advancing
foe.

On my arrival at the second line, I succeeded in rallying a por-
tion of my division, and, with the assistance of Gen. Kearney, who
had just arrived at the head of one of the brigades of his division,
attempted to regain possession of my works, but it was found im-
practicable. The troops of Gen. Couch's division were driven back,
although reinforced by the corps of Gen. Heintzelman. The corps
of Gens. Keyes and Heintzelman, having retreated to the third line,
by direction of Gen. Heintzelman, I then collected together what
remained of my division.

The Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the Fifty-sixth
Regiment New York Yolunteers, were under the particular direc-
tion of Brig. -Gen. Naglee, and I refer to his report for further
mention of them. Gen. Naglee behaved with distinguished gal-
lantry through the engagement, having a horse killed under him,
and receiving four contused wounds from musket balls. Gens.
Palmer and Wessels encouraged by their example their men to do
their duty on the field. Gen. Wessels had a horse shot under him,
and himself received a wound in the shoulder. Lieuts. West and
Foster, my Aides-de-Camp, were active through the day, affording
me much service and behaving gallantly. Capt. Davis, of the
Provost Guard of my division, acted as my aide a portion of the
time, rendering much assistance, and conducting himself in a gallant
manner. I also feel much indebtedness to my medical director, Dr.
Crosby, for the energy he evinced in collecting, and his promptness
and skill in providing for the wounded. I have inclosed a list of
the killed, wounded, and missing, as also the reports of the com-

23

manders of the brigades to which I refer. I cannot forbear men-
tion of the severe misfortunes suffered by the division and the
service in the loss of Col. G. D. Bailey, my Chief of Artillery, who
fell in the attempt to spike the pieces in my redoubt, which were
necessarily abandoned. Col. Bailey was an officer of thorough
military education, of clear and accurate mind, cool, determined and
intrepid in the discharge of his duty, and promising, with riper
years, to honor still more the profession to which he was devoted.

About the same time also fell Major Yan Yalkenburg, of the
First Regiment New York Artillery, a brave, and discreet, and
energetic officer. Under the circumstances, I think it my duty to
add a few remarks with regard to my division. On leaving Wash-
ington, eight of the regiments were composed of raw troops. It
has been the misfortune of the division, marching through the
Peninsula, to be subjected to an ordeal which would have severely
tried veteran troops. Furnished with scanty transportation, occu-
pying sickly positions, exposed to the inclemency of the weather,
at times without tents or blankets ; illy supplied with rations and
medical stores, the loss from sickness has been great, especially
with the officers. Yet a party from my division took possession
of the railroad bridge across the Chickahominy, driving the enemy
from it, and my division took the advance on the 23d day of May,
and, by an energetic reconnoissance, drove the enemy beyond the
Seven Pines. Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, and the fact
that there were not five thousand men in line of battle, they with-
stood for three hours the attack of an overwhelming force of the
enemy without the reinforcement of a single man at my first line.
The Fifty-fifth Regiment New York Yolunteers reached my second
line just before it was evacuated. If a portion of my division did
not behave as well as could have been wished, it must be remem-
bered to what a terrible ordeal they were subjected, still, those that
behaved discreditably were exceptional cases. It is true that the
division, after being nearly surrounded by the enemy and losing
one-third of the number actually engaged, retreated to the second

24

line ; they would all have been prisoners of war had they delayed
their retreat a few minutes longer.

In my humble opinion, from what I witnessed on the 31st, I am
convinced that the stubborn and desperate resistance of my division
saved the army on the right bank of the Chickahominy from a
severe repulse, which might have resulted in a disastrous defeat.

The blood of the gallant dead would cry to me from the ground
on which they fell fighting for their country, had I not said what I
have to vindicate them from the unmerited aspersions which have
been cast upon them.

SILAS CASEY,
Brigadier- General Comman ding.

Syracuse, n i.
PAT. JAN. 21, 1908