Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-05-16
annrmaI ann AtatramralI
Friday Morning, MAY l6, 1862.
The Battle at Williamsburg-Gen Bir-
ney's Official Report.
HEADQUARTERS BIRNEY's BRIGADE, \
rr.nnrY,s DIV. CAMp NEAR MILLIAMannRn


HEADQUARTERS BIRNEY's BRiaADE,l
KEARNEY's DIV, CAMP NEAR WILLIAMSBURG,
May q, 1862.
Sir.-I have the honor to report that after a
wear.ome march Of six hours on yesterday.
through deep mud and drenchng rain, my hr-
,ade hsing heavily burdenrd with kuapsacks.
bayereacks aud shelter tents, received an order
irom General Kraruey to relieve the troops under
nv command from all eneumhrauo.s and move
forward to the scene Of action, some three miles
distant, as rapidly as possible. Leaving under
guard all encumbruncea, the brigade, although
iaded and wearied, moved forward as rapidly M
The roads would permit On nearing the front,
by order Of General Fleintzelmnn, through Cant
McKeeyer, / detached the Third and Fourth
Maine Regiments, and proceeded with the
Tbirty.eghth and Fortieth New York Regiments
Ia the front When reached the front, under
General kearney's orders, deployed the Thirty
eighth aud right wing OF the Forteih New York
Regiments to the right Of the road, and relieved
opporlnnely, fragments Of regiments that had
been in the fight, They marched steadily 10 the
front, aud drove the enemy, after u furious con.
test, from the woods They ieil back over fal.
len timber, aud opened destructive fire from
ride pits They were supported by their batte-
ries which poured u well aimed and destructive
fire into our ranks. The Thirty eighth and
right wing OF the FOrtieth New York behaved
nobly, and maintained their position. During
the contest, the Thirty eighth New York Regi-
meni, under Col. Ward, were ordered to charge
down the main road in advance of the Michigan
regiments, and, piercing the enemy's centre, to
carry the rifle p,ta 10y the flank, and the left
wing Of Col. liileys regiment (Forleih New
York were ordered in like manner to follow tins
Thirty eighth New York, to take the enemy in
the rear sent with this wing Capt. Minded, Of
of my staff and under 0el kenrHeys presence,
no led them to the dangerous position assigned
them Capt 0esner, Of the left wing and Capt
Minded, behaved well under the terrible fire that
greeted them, nnd led the brave officers and
men under them gallanty and worthily. Night
coming On, put AN end To the pursuit, and
aDidrt the darkness and rain, we waited the
morning. During the night the Third aud
Fourth Maine regiments. that Ind been, previous
to the contest, detached by order of Gen. lleint
gtman. reported to me for duty in front, aud by
order Of General kIarney, moved them TO tue
front, TO relieve the Thtty.eighth and Fortieth
New York regiments pushed them on to the
enemy's works. found them deserted, and troops
to the left Of us in possession, My brigade has
lost several gallant officers aud many brave men
in this contest.
Where so much gallantry was displayed il is
difficult to select the most deserving of notice.
To Col. Ward, Capts Minded and Gesner fell the
good fortune to lead the most important charges,
and they were well supported by the gallant
officers and men under them Col. Riley main
tanned well his position, aud executed the orders
with GOODNESS aud efficiency. The loss OF the
rebels in front of my regiments was terrible
those that remained on the ground, some forty,
were decenlly buried. The Thirty. eighth New
York Regiment, or " Scott Lite Guard" preser-
we'd well the high reputation it gained for gal
hntry at Bull Run, aud although in thl It engage
ment and in this i; ha. lost fifteen officers and
one-thirl OF its members it is still roady to de-
vote the balance to support our flag. | ask that
Congress will, by special resolution, authorize
this regiment to pluce upon its iIg, "Bull Hun"
gnd Williamsburg" aud the Furteth New York
cr Mozart Regiment Williamsburg" trust
that the General commanding division, seeing
how well two Of my regm nta carried out his
orders, will never hesitate to rely on my brigade.
Lieutenant Colonel Strong, Nhirty-eighth New
York Regiment, deserves trecial mention for
his gallant conduct His wound although di
abling him, am happy to report is not mortal,
and he will be soon be returned 10 his regiment.
an yours truly,
D. d. BInNkY, Brlgadier Gnneral
Lieutenant W. u. sturges, A. y, q kearney's
Division.