The National tribune., 1893-04-27
MALVERN HILL.
Recollections of Member of the Second
Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps.

remained until o'clock the next morning.
when it crossed the Chickahominy River, /
think at Alexander's Bridge, and encamped
near General Headquarters. About o'clock
D. m. June % the brigade left this place and
marched to White Oak Swamp, where we en-
camped for the night
Again moved next morning toward Turkey
Island Bridge, which point was reached about
10 o'clock a. In. June so, and where we blv-
ouacked in piece of woods for few hours,
when we were moved back to Malvern Hill,
and were assigned TO position. The action
had already begun at this time on our front
and left The 9th Mass. and the 62d Pa. moved
to the front to support some batteries that were
located in wheatfield, 14th n. Y. and 4th
Mich. being held in reserve. rebel battery
that was situated in some woods on our left
opened fire upon us, and killed Serg't Eastman,
of Co. X, 4th Mich. and also wounded a num-
Der. of the 1lfh n. Y.
The members of Co. K buried the dead
comrade that night near the little stream
close to which he fell killed by cannOn-shot.
We lay upon our arms and retained our posi-
tion during the night.
Early next morning we were aroused, made
a cup of coffee, and ate little bareback.
Shortly after the 4th Mich was moved to
lieve the SD Pa, which had been supporting
our batteries posted on our right. If / remem-
Der correctly and think do, we had posi-
ton in a cornield. The corn was about knee
high. field of wheat was on our left, which
believe had not yet been harvested but was
destined to be a mute witness to harvest OF
blood and human life. Beyond this wheat
field was heavy piece of timber or woods.
The 18th n. Y. posted on small hill
commanding the country OF our left flank.
The 9th Mass. and SD Pa. retained their origi-
nal positions.
The sun came out on the morning Of July
l quite warm and bright, and many poor
fellow that saw the sun rise that morning had
given his life for our country ere its setting.
About II o'clock the enemy advanced upon
our extreme left with what appeared to be at
least two brigades forming at the edge of the
woods beyond the corn seld; but our artillery
fire quickly caused him to break and retreat i'll
disorder. Perhaps an hour after this the enemy
attempted the same manuver, but farther to-
wards our right. They were met, however, by
our troops, who. advancing in gallant man.
ner. drove them back again TO the woods The
artillery here engaged on our side consisted Of
two batteries of the Sd U. g. Battery d of the 9Th
l.. S.. OF six guns (Parrottsl, under command Of
Lieut. Kingsbury, and Battery A, 9Th u. $,
Lieut. Ames commanding, of six light 12-pound-
ers and tin rec guns of 'Weeden's" Rhode Island
battery, and two guns OF the 9th Mass. battery,
under command Of Lieut. Waterman. The
pieces were all excellently served with GOODNESS
and precision. and bravery and devotion TO
duty was displayed by all. The desperate
character of the action and the many lives lost
at this point has proven that.
T. NJ Richardson Lieutenant. Colonel, COM
handing 18th " Y, in his account Of the battle
of Malvern Hill, speaks follows: In the
ravine found the 4th Mich, under the COM
mand of Capt. Randolph, Col. Woodbury. having
been killed during the action. That regiment,
having expended their ammunition were hold
ing their position and receiving the fire of
the enemy from the crest Of the bill in front
without any ability 10 return the fire, and upon
doubling their files. We the 18th Y. " charged
through their lines and up the hill, driving the
enemy back into his rife pits, short musket-
range beyond Maj. Barnuin leading the left
wing and myself the right wing. the 9TH Mich.
cheering US on and a number of them joining
US in the charge.
This occurred little after 6 o'clock p. m. /
remember the incident very well, but had at
this late date entirely forgotten what regiment
il was that came 10 our assistance that evening.
The enemy had formed their charging columns
in the edge of the woods beyond the cornfield-
that WAS on our front-several times during the
afternoon. Then they would move Out-giyipg
the old rebel yeli-aud come at us with all their
might and strength, expecting TO drive us from
the field and capture our artillery. But their
efforts were unavailing. The fire of musketry
and artillery ragged with terrific fury. The
battlefield was cnyelopcd with An impepetTabe
smoke, that was relieved only by the successive
flashes of fire from the lines OF the contendIng
troops. Grape and round-shot crashed through
the corn, throwing up carloads OF dirt. Mimic
balls were cutting down gallant men by
the score, while shells were bursting amid our
artillery and infantry, carrying death and de-
struction into ranks and lending their aid
TO this scene of carnage and devastation. Amid
ali of this our gallant troops stood and fought
for victory surrounded by dead or dying
eheered OH by such gallant leaders aud officers
D.,ss :. {f..eG
and many others
Malvern Hill was dyed red and made rich
with patriotic blood July !, 1862.
IL would be pleasure 10 me AZ present TO
know just what regiments were opposed to us
(Grifiins Brgade) that day.
As / stated before, We were, / think on the
left Of our line-a wheatfeId on our left, a
cornfed in our front. and woods beyond, in
which the enemy would form their charging
columns. 1t seems to me now that some gum
boats on the James River fired us from
! our left and Some of their enormous
projectiles came over our heads and landed
near our skirmishers in the cornfeld. The
| boys would laugh and say, There goes an
other thrashing- chiDe," or, See that fan
| ming. mill, as they made queer sort of noise
/ while passing through the air.
/ think Magruders troops fought us that
/ day. as some of the prisoners we had captured
/ said they belonged to his command.
4 Aver TINS a SnaTp IRE was kept up Dy our
skirmshers and artillery until between and
! q O'Clock p. ~, when the enemy made fierce
attack npon our left. But in the meantime
| our gallant Griffin had noticed them preparing
! for this and was consequently ready to receive
them. Riding down IN the rear of our Tegi-
ment from right to left. and then turning his
| little sorrel mare, he rode back III our front,
saying to each company as he passed: Boys,
| hold your fire until those men come near
| enough to see the whites of their eyes; then
rise up and give them a voley, and be sure to
| fire low. Should they remain after that, We
| will charge them with the bayouct."
| Their skirmishers were at this time advanc-
ing on US, delivering "A brisk fire, their bullets
dropping most unpleasantly near But the
brave old Griffin paid no heed to them. They
did not, however, come up close enough for Us
to see their eyes, as they halted aud began a
| regular fire upon u.s. We then received orders
| to rise and fire. which order was promptly com :
piled with. Our artillery was now also doing
very effective work, until the enemy again re-
| sumed their forward movement, and, having
arrived within few rods of our batteries, the
supporting regiments consisting Of the 4th
Mich. Col. Woodbury.; 9th Mass. Col. Cass
and 62d Pa, were ordered forward and re-
pulsed the enemy in gallant manner. Our
ammunition being now about gone. we were
relieved by the 18th n. Y, the 4ith n. Y, and
SD Pa. Several times during the struggle the
colors Of the G2d Pa. were cut down, but were
5 AS often raised. and the regiment left the field
with colors flying.
Gen Charles Griffin said. in his report:
i'm han in kiy.ia