Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-16
THE BUcKTA1L REGIMENT.
HEADQUARTERS 1st RIFLES z. r. Y. G. I
HAXALLs ON JAMES RIVER, July 1st,

HAxALLs ON JAMES RIVER, July 1st,
Brig. Gen. SEYMoRE, Commanding p. r. c..
GENERAL 81 nave the honor TO report that
on the 26th l was ordered to take my reserve
companies to the assistance of the cavalry,
who falling back before force of the
enemy, already advanced to Alleys Station
[ moved rapidly forward, posted Captain Wis
tard's company at the Junction of the three
roads leading to Meadow Bridge, Greenshaw's
Bridge and Alleys Station; depl Dyed Captain
Twins company across GreenshawS IS road
three hundred yards in advance, and moved
Captain Jeuett's company forward toward At
ley's to act as skirmishers for the cavalry, be-
yond the road leading off to Shady Grove
Church. A cavalry picket in front of Captain
Twins company covered Greenshaw's Bridge.
At this time the cavalry officers estimated the
enemy's force in the direction of Alleys at
one battalion of infantry, and squadron of
cavalry. Captain Jenette had scarcely de-
ployed, when the enemy's infantry appeared in
bis front in heavy force. He opened fire at short
range, and with great effect The enemy hal
ted in confusion; when they had reformed
he gave them a second volley. At this mo-
ment heard that my companies guarding the
Meadow and Railroad Bridges had been with
drawn, by order of Col. Simmons command
ing the grand guard, and the enemy had i'm
mediately crossed. L Immediately sounded
the recall, and directing Captain Jeuett to
move rapidly to the rear, l rode back to the
Junction, where l found Captain Wistar al
ready engaged with the enemy's troops ap-
preaching from Meadow Bridge. His deter
mined front, and steady fire checked their ad-
vance, but they were gathering heavier forces
to the front, and soon forced him to retire.
His rout to Mechanicsville was already inter-
rupt ed and he fell back to the North, contest
ing every inch of the ground. | went back to
meet Captain Jeuett's command, turned him
off to the left and with small rear guard of
cavalry, made wide detour to the North, with
the desperate hope of cutting our way to
Camp Captain Irwin had been advised by the
same messenger who brought me news OF the
enemy's flank movements, to retire to a sifer
position, but declined to do so without orders.
When | sent him orders it was already to late,
and he WIS entirely surrounded. l heard
some firing in his direction. but have not been
able to learn whether any Of his men were
killed or wounded-none of them returned to
Camp.
With the other companies | succeeded, af-
ter long, fatiguing march through woods and
swampS, part of the way under fire, in max
ing my way to the ford in the swamp above
my own camp. The three companies which
had been recalled from picket had already
come safely in.
went into action on the evening of the 9th
with one hundred and twenty five men and six
officers, all exhausted with the three battles
and rapid marches of the preceding thirty
nant of my command, but for the protection
afforded by the entertainments. the construc-
tion of which you ordered and supervised.
n troops nor batteries could have held my
position: which was the key to the whole line
without such protection. But for these en-
trcnchments the battle of the Goth, instead of
glorious victory, would have been disaster
Gus rout.
My position on the field of Gaines Hill was
on the right of the first brigade. The enemy
were concealed by the woods in front, except
two OF their batteries, which [ could see at a
distance of five hundred yards. / directed
my fire chiefly upon these, compelling them
frequently 20 change position, and finally ST.
fenced them entirely. The Fifth regiment on
my lett the conduct of which afforded a con-
stant example of courage and discipline, an
swered the enemy's infantry with the most
terrific musketry firing of the day.
Our position was unchanged throughout the
action, lasting nearly four hours. The battal-
ions upon our right. one after another disap-
peared, leaving interval of five hundred
yards between us and battalion OF regular
infantry which, driven from the woods. where
1t bad met the enemy, was reformed again and
again 10 meet the attack, but finally retired
also.
AT tits time, an hour before sunset, my am
munition was nearly spent, though it had been
carefully used. Gen. Reynolds sent me word
mine. No relief could be found and we con-
tinued on the field.
The enemy, finding our fire Stacker came
out of the woods and formed for charge.
We gave them volley which staggered them
and the 9Th regiment Reserve Corps having
also reserved its fire, moved up with rush
and cheer to within $50 yards of their line,
and delivered fire which drove them into the
woods. For time all was quiet in our front.
but the fight ragged on the left wing of the 5th
and our troops seemed giving away. | soon
found that large force of the enemy, proba-
bly, fresh troops, had come up on my right and
opened an infiladi0g fire which raked my
whole line and that of the 9TH. | changed
front to meet this attack, and gave the enemy
parting volley with my last round of ammu-
milton, but had no cover from their fire, and
directed my men to take position behind a low
ridge on the right. This, however, found to
be exactly in range OF own batteries and
observing that the retreat had become general
L allowed my men to fall back with the others
l reformed my command near the hospital
where it remained during the evening. When
the reinforcements had come up and the ene-
my was checked, rode over the bridge, and
under instructions of an officer of Gen. Nc
Clellan's staff with the help of the Ist Rifles
and Capt. Wister halted the stragglers and
reformed nearly 1900 men of the PennSy Iva
MIA Reserves in the meadow at the end of the
bridge. | then went back to report to Gen.
Mccall.
Our loss in killed and wounded was one Off
Ger and twenty-fv men. On the night OF the
2oth we marched through White Oak swamp,
marched nearly all the next day and did picket
duty on the Richmond road during the night
of the 18th Many of our stragglers and slight
ly wounded had come in, and we entered the
action on the 3Oth with five officers and $50
men, and I'VE officers and 81 men of the Uni |