The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-06-27
The 35th Georeia in the Battle of ssSeyen
fines"
To the Editors of The Dispatch:

~ Me i-"HWs ~ INC IfIpdtCA:
In your issue of the ltll in stant there appeara
brief notice of the part taken by General Petit
grew brigade in the battle of the ''Seven. Pines
near the ChickahOminy regretted when | read
the article that tho writer passed over the gallant
conduct of the brigade with such general remarks
My object in writing, at this date is to do more
justice to the gallant deeds performed on that event
fui occasion, or at l. tst, to bring into notice the
conduct of the solds and officers OF that regiment
of the brigade with which am best acquainted
If l say little of the other regiments comDosipp
the brigade and their Gicers, il is because am not
SO familiar wih the part they played in the grand
drama of the day Tue laureis won that day are
the rightfuI property those who thera, and
are well worthy Of lbiic acknowledgment Ger
tainly, 40 day IN the history of this witnessed
nober deeds OF individual daring or was brave
ly contested by the mass of our troops engaged -
Recruits but half drilled fought with the coolness
and courage OF veteran soldiers, and the officers
seemed to vie with each other which should dare the
greatest dangers-si.aring all the exposure of the
soldiers under them. The battle of the "Seyen
Pines witnessed deeds worthy of the brightest
days of chivairy, and looking to them we cannot
but regret that the age Of minstrcsy has passed
They deserve well a. the hands of the Republic is
the tribute due to all the troops engaged in the bat
tie of Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday morning, the 3lst of May Gen. Pet
tigrew with his brigade composed of the }5th and
Iath Georgia. I'D North Carolina, 47th Virginia and
I'd Arkansas battalion, left the encarnpment be-
tween the Meadow Bridge and Mechanesvllle road
and moved down the Nine Mile road toward the
Chickahominy Arriving Rear the scene of the DAYS
action, the brigade, intended reserve force was
halted aud allowed to rest two or three hours
About five in the afternoon the command was given
for the brigade to move forward in doube-Iuiek
time The action had commenced some time before
this and the enemy had been driven from their en-.
trenchnen,s and camps in the first piece of woods
Tho brigade moved dcwl the Mae Mile road
turned the LEFT through the deserted carp of the
enemy, entered he wheat field fronting the woods
in which the enemy had planted ba' cry and there
formed the line ~ battle. Upon the :i5,h Georgia.
dad 81
first regiment o the brigade To enter the field fell
the duty of bearing the brunt of the battle at this
point. II WAS ordered TO forward and clear
the woods in which the eneniys battery was
placed. which order was executed in gallant 1T yle
When The regiment arrived within about fifty PAGES
OF thelbattery, under au appalling fire which came
FROM IN invisible foe, retrogasis movement
the part OF troops to the right sssept back
portion of the rigi wing of the regiment. while
the right Of HampttNis Legion Overfepped par of
the left wing. While occupying this position, the
| fegimeAs was exposed to fierce and destructive
cross tire from the enemy. Under this lrs fell the
| gallant and noble General Psstisresy, in the woods
fronting the battery, while urging tie troops Il
| take the battery. Near him fell the young AND
I The AdjutaDt :, Z tbs, regiment. ]. II. Ware, here
had his horse shot under him while gallantly per-
forming his duty. Under the terrible crcss lire Of
the enemy, with It's right wing swept baek a. sboye
mentioned and it's i.,t embarrassed by tAe right Of
Hampton Le2ioD, the ;s,th fell back. Its Co3onei
Z. l.. Thomas, with daring n hch brought back the
/ con hacnce ana courage o! His w5ytffng tnDOpE
seized the color Of the regiment iii his hands, rode
| in advance of his troops and called on them 10
rally and follow their leader. Struck By tho deve
ted conduct of teir Colonel the men rallied with
enthusiasm undo their banner and a;-ain charged
bat fell back under t.sc deadly ise which poured
forth from the battery. Again, ahd for the third
time, their ieaer rallied and led theta the charge
! But it was in vaia--tbeir courage and tenacity
! were hot to prevail Night coming os the 35st
withdrew slowly from the waod ihsf,etlssaely san
der the battery to tie Yankee cassIp some three
hundred yards distant, where t.ss rer.;sent passef
the night. How the chifalsous Colesei OF the 25tf
escaped DEATH seems miracle. Exposed to ths
hottest OF the lce from first last. his position on
| horseback making hin. conspicuous mark for tht
enemys sharpshcoiers frequently in advance ol
| his regiment, encouraging his men, he escaped
| strange to say, without the smell Of tre ON hi
clothes He has been IN seven engagements anf
came out of all unbarm,d
i regret that am aIt posted Rs 10 tho particula,
parts played by the other regiments which copspos,
the rest the brigade In ne stirring scenes Of the day
They were ordered up TO support the 18th whsn il
made is charge on the battery. lk&ve said little
them, because in, ppinfofinei ~ 10 particulars
That they did dec isworay Of wcasl IL well aatesies
By the lst Of ki,lto and wounded. IN the whole bri
gaee there were It two. ihree fe ID ofcer whs
escaped unlarmsa and III the staf officers not ON;
returned from the field ~itheut receiving wouns
/ or having his horse shot under him. -. XxXV