Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-08-14
HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIGADE, LIGHT DIv'N,

July 20, 1862.
General Order No. 6.
The General Commanding the Brigade having been
authorized to have inscribed ca the battle flags of his
Regiments the names Of actions in which they have
participated, aVas himself Of the opportunity to re-
fer to some Of those actions.
At Newbern besides feet OF gun-boats, you
fought 5000 OF the best troops in the Federal service
having reserves of 1000 You numbered less than
600, not ten Of whom, officers and men, had ever
been n battle before. Alter uninterrupted fire OF
four hours-whch has not been exceeded in severity
by any you have since heard Except for hour al
Gaines Mll), and after you had Etllced on the enemy
loss of not less than half your numbers in killed
ard woundeI-you made good your retreat out OF a |
peninsula in which he had confidently boosted that he
would capture you as he would chickens in coop.
At Slash Church you encountered the Division oil
Gen Porter and part Of the Division of Gen. Sedg-
which, numbering at least 10000 and including 90OO
| United States regulars.
! You, with the two other regiments temporarily act
| ing with you, numbered about 4000 You repulsed
the enemys attack, and boldly advancing attacked him
with such vigOr that after six hours combat, you
withdrew in perfect order tc avoid being surrounded
during the pght-the enemy ne: daring 10 follow you
beyond the field Of battle.
Your Commander might have justified himself in
retiring before such superior forces, both at Newbern
and Slash Church but when assuming command
be resolved never to retreat before any hostile force
without fighting it, he did not place too high an es
innate the valor and discipline OF the brave men
it is his pride to command.
In the late brilliant operations below Richmond you
were the first Brigade to cross the Chickahomny you
were the first to encounter the enemy, and you were
the first to start him that retreat Id which the able
combinations OF our GeneraEi1-Chief allowed him to
take rest until be found shelter under the guns OF
bis shipping. You captured from him flag before any
other troops had crossed the Chickahominy.
At Meehanicsvlle you were under heavy fire on
Thursday evening" the 26h, and Friday morning,
which you had no opportunity TO return.
81 4ho hrbf nd
in it until the enemy hal been driven from every part
of the field.
On Monday, at Fraz er's Farm, you were again in
the heat OF the engagement from its opening to its
Close driving the enemy before you for great distance
and capturing battery.
On Tuesday, at Malvern Hill, you were again un
der terrific fire, which you had DO opportunity to
return.
Though rarely able to turo out 5000 men for duty
you have il pitched battles and several sklrm!shes
} lost $50 iu killed and wounded.
, 0. five Cconels two have been killed in battle, two
wounded, aud one taken prisoner by an overwhelming
force.
Whilst making this bloody bat brilliant record fol
your Brigade you have been soldiers OF freedom
should always be modest, accomplishing, aud regard
ul OF what is due to others
[ Your rauk5 have been thinned by tie casualties O.
f war, hut be discouraged In few days they vii
filed by recruits, and yours viii be the proud tasd
Of teaching them maintain The reputation you have
: achieved.
The Regiments OF the Brigade are respectively en-
0 titled to have nscrib d on their flags "a follows
0 The In R+giment-"N bern, ash Church, Me
{ chanicsqie, Gaines BILL Frazi5:a Farm, Malvern
f Hill"
/ fhe same Inscription is to be inscribed on the flag
u Of the 28lh 9th and 33i Regiments
The 18Th Regimeut-"SIa Cburca, MechanicsVilIe
e Gaints Mill, Frazjers Farm Malvern Hill"
d Branch Artiarys capt. Latham) -"Newbern, S!as
e Church.
n The Quartermaster OF the Brigade will furnish flag
il inscribed as above. L. OBJ. BRANCH,
Brighten. Cong.