The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-27


by what appears to be hasty dispatch oil
tho Commander-in Chief, attaches to the llth
Maine. In justice to this regiment of our
State, we give the official report of its CON-
nandcr. 1t is as follows:
HEADQUARTERS llTn Rro. Me-. VoLs.,)
Near "Seyen Pines" Va,
June 2, 1862.
OF the part taken in the battle OF "Seven
Pines, by my regiment, on the 3lst ult., |
have the honor to report
Twas on the picket line near the Williams
burg Mad, about noon of the 3lst, being
general officer of the day, when our pickets
were attacked by the enemy and driven in
met Gen. Casey room after, emerging from
the woods. He Immediately ordered out the
llth Maine and the Tooth New York. Re-
turning to my camp opposite Gen. Caseys
headquarters, met three companies of the
regiment, under the command of Maj. Camp
bell, already in motion for the seat of action,
viz: Cos. a. Capt. Libbcy, G, Lieut.. West,
and F, Capt. Hill. The balance Of the reg.
iment (sevcn companics) were detached on
picket. Taking command ot the battalion,
moved it up the Williamsburg road a short
distance, halted, and loaded under scatter
ing fire, happy in having the opportunity OF
bringing my men under fire gradually. Or
ders then came to move my regiment up and
support Capt. Spratt's battery. then hotly
engaged on the right Of the road, about 200
yards in advance. moved to post my COM
panies on the right of the battery, as it was
supported on the left by the Tooth N. York.
To avoid shots directed to silence the battery,
fled to the right across the road to the
woods, some $50 yards, and under cover OF
the woods advanced in line Of battle to the
front, until opposite tho right of the battery
then by the left flank to my position about
80 yards from the right of the battery, hav.
ing. in thus getting into position. but two
men wounded. l ordered my men to lic
down behind ridge, that protected them,
and reserve their fire until the rebels emerged
from the woods. Soon after, Gen. Naslec
rode in front of my line, amidst shower Of
bullets, and ordered me to charge. With
the greatest enthusiasm the order was obeyed.
With the lO4th Pennsylvania on my right,
VIC advanced across the open space some 200
or 800 yards to the fence, and not more than
so yards from the woods, when We opened
fire. We maintained our FIRE and our posi-.
ton until two.thirds Of my commissioned
officers and one.half my little battalion were
either killed or wounded, my flag perforated
by II bullets, flag staff shot away, and the
supports upon my right had broken and given
way. Then, reluctantly, I gave the order,
"Retrcat." I retrcated to my old camp
ground, with the remains Of my three CON-
panies, and, after little while, retired to
the "Nine Miles road" 100 yards to the rear,
where supposed the rally would be made.
Twice the shattered flag was raised to rally
the fugitives, but only thoss who had stood
by it before would stand by it now. lngood
order we retired to camp,ncar "Seven Pines"
when heard from 1t. Col. Jourdan, com-
manding 56th N. Y. regiment, that four Of
my companies, that were on picket, volnn.
teered to fight under him. That gallant off,
Ger reports them as follows:
al would most especially call the attention
of the Commanding General to the detach.
ment of the llth Maine volunteers-iour
companies. under Capt. SpoGord-who were
with my regiment during the engagement,
and behaved nobly, and retired from the field
in good order but not until compelled by
superior forces"
These companies were B, Capt. Cole; g.
Capt. Spoaord; ii, Lieut.. Alvord; and X,
Lieut.. Mudgett.
Co. ID, in command Of Lieut.. johnson,
did good service during the day in capturing
j. Barrall Washington, aide .de-camp to Gen.
johnson. and sending him in to headquar.
ters. They held their posts until forced to
retire, with loss Of one killed, one wound
ed and eighteen missing. Some OF the latter
will doubtless report themselves.
NY remaining companies that were on
picket, viz: Co. Z, Lieut.. Sabine, and Co.
|, Capt. Merrill, in all so men, occupied the
extreme right Of our picket line. and the
good conduct Of their officers and their CON-
nands was so conspicuous, and the services
they rendered were 50 important, it gives me
great pleasure to call particular attention
thereto. They maintained their picket line
during the entire day, and, it may be, saved
Gen. Sedgwick from being surprised by q
flank movement Of the enemy while he was
hotly engaged in front. About nightiall a
rebel brigade Of four or Eve regiments, with
several hundred cavalry, advanced through q
whoa, feld in the rear Of Sedgwick's posi-