Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-19
Official Report of Lieut.. Col. KimbaIl of
the 18th Massachusetts, Regiment.
HEADQUARTERS 18th RAG. MASS Vols,
Ii CAMP AT EAIR hAks "a Hmm z lR6J

HEADQUARTERS 18TH REG. MASS FOLS.,l
IN CAMP AT FAIR OAKS, VA, June 8. 1862. !
Capt. Daniel HeJayd, A. 4. G.. Il have
the honor to report that on Saturday, the 3lst
ult., received orders for my regiment to be
ready to march at a moments notice, with one
days cooked rations in haversaCks. and in
light marching order. At three o'clock left
camp and took my position in brigade line,
which was the extreme left Of said line. At
this time and for an hour previous very heavy
firing was heard on the south side of the
Chickahominy creek. The brigade was i'm
mediately put in march, and we crossed the
stream at the Corduroy bridge, and found the
plain upon the south side partially overflow
ed, and we were obliged to wade through it.
the water IN some places coming up to the
waists of the men; but they rushed through
without hesitation, cheering as they went
The roads were very heavy from the recent
rains, but the men pressed forward with alac-
rity, and portion Of the way at '.double
quick" time, and | arrived on the field at
about five o'clock, bringing in all my men. |
immediately formed in line of battle in the rear
of the SD New York volunteers. | had
scarcely given the order to rest when sharp
lire OF musketry commenced upon Kirbys
battery, stationed a short distance to my right.
1 was ordered to go to the support of that bat
terry, thereby relieving the 18th Massachusetts.
Col. Russell. l Immediately formed in line
of battle in the rear of the battery, and
remained in that position some time
My men stood up manfully to the work
and three several times rushed forward and
helped work the guns, by extricating them
from the mud into which they settled at each
dc sln. . Al. -
slackened somewhat, | was ordered to move
by the left flank, and to come in to the rear
and left Of the sgd New York volunteers. and
then to move forward at ''double quick" pass
ing their line to the front and to occupy and
hold the wood, from which the enemy were
being driven. My orders were PROMPTLY
obeyed, the men charging bayonets into the
woods with terrific yell. | established nv
line. by your command near the edge of the
wood, throwing out pickets to the front. The
men rested upon their arms until morning,
without sleep, ready and anxious to renew the
conflict at daybreak, if necessary.
| desire to remark that my regiment be-
hayed with great GOODNESS and bravery during
the entire action, obeying my orders as
promptly as at a dress parade. There was no
one officer or private that showed any signs
of trepidation or fear, but instead, fixed de-
termination OF all that their bayonets should
drink deep of rebel blood before they should
take the battery, which they attempted to do
three several times, but were repulsed each
time with great loss As TO the behavior of
my command, during this portion of the en-
gagement | would respectfully refer you to
Lieut. Kirby commanding the battery It
gives me great pleasure to speak approvingly
ol the conduct of Maj. Philbrick, who had Just
assumed the duties ofthatposition showing con
clusiVeiy that ourconfdence in him had notbeen
misplaced also Of my entire staff. Surgeons
a,,oa ana Haven were interchangeable in their
SS''eneahce upon the wounded. Chanlain
ocandln labored necessarily. bringingP ,la
wounded won from the field, often exposing him
zen 70 imminent danger by so doing' Too
Hiuch praise cannot be awarded 10 sdi,,ta,,,
BALDWIN, who got up from sick he'd sg aplat
my express wishes, to render me what Service Service
ne could lie was scarcely able to sit upon