Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-30

great rmness And the enemy rscosa With los rom the
steady Gre Of our troops before reaching the middle Of
the water.
Bdgadier General HcLsus, commanding the second
division, Of which Oobbe command formed part. bear
ing the serious firing, haseled to the scene Of sciion
and exhibited great GOODNESS and judgment in bis ar
rangements
The l0h louisiana, 18th Virginia part Of the l7ih
Mississippi and the llth Alabama, were ordered up,
reserves, and placed in position, the l0h Lous
ana marching to its place under heavy Sc, with the
ACCURACY of Q parade drill. The other regiments
assigned positions out Of the range Of Ire.
In addition, General hcLaws placed the whole Of bis
division under arms, ready to move, circumstances
might Z quiTe.
Colonel Anderson had led tuo Of bis regiments, the
Seventh and Eighth Georgia. into action aud held two
others In reserve, while Bgadier General Toonbs ad
vsnced with his brigade, under the immediate
m4nd OF Brgader General Semmss close 10 the scere
OF action, and by my order, having Just arrived placed
two regiments OF this brigade in scdon retaining Il e
rest as q reserve.
These dispositions rendered position perfectly
cure. and the enemy, suffering from his two repuses
darkness put On end to the contest.
The dispc sitions Of General hcIaws we're sklliuly
made bis whole bearing and conduct Ia deserving OF
{ q highest commendltion.
cannot designate all the many gallant officers and
priyates who distinguished themselves aud respectfully
call the attention OF the Commanding General 70 the &C,
companyDg reports; but would fail to do my duty, If
Brigader General Howell Cobb exhibited throughout
the day. the greatest courage and Skill and when once,
at critical moment troops in his line Of battle
wavsrd he himself in person, rallied the troops under
terrible fire, and by hs voice and example entirely
established their steadiness.
Brigadisr General Toombs had, in the morning, by
my order detached from his division Colonel Andersons
brigade 10 support Brgsdier General Cobb and late in
evening when ordered forward by me, promptly and
SPECIFICALLY led the remainder of his and under Gre
arriving just before the enemy ceased the vgor Of his
attack and In time to share It's dangers.
Brgader General P. j. Semmes commanded Toombs
brg4dothe latter being in command OF the division
AID showed his usual promptness and courage
Col. Levy of the Louisiana Regiment, was the Col
onel ding al Dam No. l, aud eyinced Judgment
courage and high sodierly qlss, in bis conduct and
arrangements which deeirs specially to commend
Capt. Statlsy was in command OF two pieces OF
lery including the liz FOUNDER 30 effectively served
Both he and Lieut.. Pope conducted thens .yea with
skill and courage
Capt. JordAn's piece In very exposed place. and
d.Ib.d after few rounds, and was properly
withdraw. Both he and his exhibited great stead
iness under the terrible fire which swept over them.
Toe enemys lOes, OF course, cannot be accurately es
uaed the greater part OF it occurred over on their
side OF the stream but think IL could have scarcely
been less than ak hundred killed and wounded.
Oar own loss was comparatively trivial owing to tie
earthWorks which covered men, aud did not exceed
seventy FIVE killed and wounded
All the reniorcements which were on the way 10 zoe
had not yet JJned me- that unable 10 follow up
the action OF the Id April by any decisive step.
The renforcements were accompanied by officers wlo
ranked me, and ceased 10 command.
cannot too highly commend the conduct OF the off,
GERS and men OF my whole command, who cheerfully
submitted the greatest hardshIs and 1eprivations
From the OF April TO the Of Nay this army served
almost 1iOHt rett in the trenches. Many companies
Of Artillery relieved during this long period
T. s.ol. aanelW 49,
with water; the weather Was exceedingly cold no fees
could be owed the artillery and infantry OF the en-
my played upon our men almost continuously day ard
n gbt; the army had nsithef cof,e, sugar nor hard
oiead and subssted h,ur aud salt meat and that IN
reduced quantities AID yet no murmurs we're heard
Their gal!an. comrades OF the army of the Potomac
and the Department of Norfolk though not 80 long
inc exposed these su rings shared these hardshps
sld dangers with equal frmness and cheerfuness.
have never seem aud do not believe that there ever
has existed army (.he combined army Of the Poto
mae Peninsula and Norfolk which has shown ITSELF for
lpag time Superior TO all hardships and dangere
Toe hes! drilled regulars the world has would
have mutned under continuous service in the trenches
for nine days, exposed ey mofeat to muskst-
~ sud shels in 10 their knees without fire. sugar
or coffee without stinulsns, and with all nsdequ ate
supply Of uncooked Il our and ssh meat.
speak OF It in honor Of these brave men, whose ps
Fotism made them Indifferent to SUI ring, to disease, to
d ger nd death.
indeed the conduct Of the fl ers aud men, was such
~ to deserVe throughout the highest commentator
beg leave TO Invite the attention Of the Department
to tn, reports which accompany this, ard 10 commend
the oicsrs and there named to the most favorable
consideration Of the Govern menL
1t Is but Just TO COL Charles A. 0rump that shoulj
bear testimony TO the gaantry, zeal and decided ability
Nth which he performed the various duties of
der OF the post Gloucester Point during the year il
which be under my command.
kilv nArfai nm all hu liant
Colonel p r. Page and the other officers aud
sIitu,ing HE force.
That accomplished oIcer, Capt Thomas fsrsop
Page Of the Navy, successfully applied the Of
his genius and rips experience TO the defence Of Gcu.
csster psint whilst the important work opposite was
commanded with devoted zeal and galsnty by Brgsdief
General Raines
Ny tha' ks arc due to Captain Chaard, of the Navy,
for valuable services ,spsctor Of Batteries and
Lieu. Col holland, late of the Navy, the eff ,ient Con
mauder OF the batteries a. Mulberry Island Point. ~
T lat pa rotc aud scientific soldier, Col b. S. ETell,
rendered imp ssrv to the country during my
cupitiOn Of tbs Peninsula a. did COL Hill Carter, tie
Commander at jamestown, and HE SUCCESSOR, J. R.
q. Lewis.
should fall in my duty to the country, and especially
10 the Safe OF Virginia, II neglected to record the
s,lts crfcng conduct OF Captain William Allen, Of the
artillery.
A; the very commencement Of he war, this pentle
man erected at his own expense on jamestown Island
extensive Notifications Tor the defence OF the river and
from tina, time uatil he driven from his home, he
continued to apply the resources Of bis large estate 10
the bsnt6 Of the couotry and great and disinieres
ed his zal aod devotion officer that he lest
am a. the whole OF his immense possessions 10 endeav
orng to save the public properly committed to Lis
cha ge and that Of the commanding otiseTs
| cannot commend his condue; officer TOO high.
y to the government, his patriotism q czm too
warmly to the love and respect OF biz countrymen.
To Cant. Hives Cant. SL John UApt, Clarke aud
Cspt D.mmock OF the Engineers their able assist
p Il country Ia greatly Indebted for the formidable
works which enabled me to meet ana rspuse, with
very small force, the attack OF army Of over one
hundred thousand well 1rlled men, commanded by the
best eff ,ers of the enemy.
cannot close this report without publicly besrir
testimony to the great aud devoted services Of the cav
airy Of the Peninsula, 80 long under my command,
always in the presence Of superior forces Of the
Ims.