Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-16
ed their name and reputation until the
close of the war.
CAPTAIN GRIMES FAMOUS LET
TER.

close of the war.
CAPTAIN GRIMES FAMOUS LET
TER.
Below will be found Captain Grimes
report of the work of the battery dur
ing the Seven Days Battles, ending at
Malvern Hill, July 14th, 1862:
Camp near Failing Creek, Va.
July 21st 1862.
Sir-Below please find a report of the
movements of my battery from June
goth last, when l was ordered to re-
port to Brigadier General Malone. on
the advanced lines, for the purpose of
relieving Captain Moormans battery.
After reporting to General Malone we
were expecting an engagement with the
enemy every day, but had none until
the 25th, on which day we discovered
the enemy on the opposite side of
French's farm. between the Charles
CITY and Williamsburg roads, at which
place l engaged them with one section
of my battery at $50 yards distance,
driving the enemy from his position.
I afterwards moved one piece up to
French's house, within 450 yards of his
position, and opened on him with n r.
FOUNDER PARROT rifle gun, but l had
the pleasure of driving him from his
position, leaving his horses and guns
behind, which fact l was not aware OF
until Informed the next morning by
Colonel Smith. of the Forty ninth Vir-
ginia, and others. The enemy was then
attacked by portion of three regi-
ments of General Mahone's Brigade,
the Twelfth. Sixth and Forty-ninth Vir-
ginia. The Fourth Georgia and Twcn-
ty-eighth North Carolina were also on
the field. The enemy was driven from
the field, making 4 complete stampede.
/ had the good luck on that day to lose
neither man nor horse.
Nothing OF Importance occurred with
my battery after the 25th until July list.
On that day | was on the Charles City
road with General Mahone's Brigade,
and was ordered back to Darbeytown
road to report to Brigadier General
Armistead, which 1 Immediately did.
When 1 arrived ut that position and re-
ported General Armistead told me that
n captain had just reported his battery
to him for duty, and directed me to
report to the first general l saw, and
General Wright being the first, re-
ported to him, and while talking to
General Wright, General Armisteads
aide came up. stating that General
Armistead had become disguised with
the captain who had reported his bat
terry to him and had driven him. with
his battery, from the field. and that he
wished to see General Wright. Cen
eral Wright asked me to ride with him.
which I did. When we found General
Armistcad he told General Wright that
the captain alluded to above had form
ed so many excuses about getting his
battery on the field that he had driven
him from the field. and that he wanted
General Wright to send n battery that
was willing to go in and engage the
enemy. General Wright told him he
had one, naming mine. General Arm
istead asked me If ! could carry my
battery on the hill. I told him If any
battery IN tho world could go mine
could.
He directed General Wright to show
me the position to take. which he did.
| l found the enemy with their batteries
| planted and their infantry drawn up In
! line of battle at about 200 yards dis
I lance. l then went to the rear of my
battery and carried it on the field AS
| soon as the battery entered the field
! the enemy opened fire on it, killing one
/ man and wounding three. ana killing
/ one horse and wounding two before !
| fired gun. l unlmbered and COM
mcnced firing as soon as possible. and
with telling effect on the enemy.
remained on the field about two
hours. Lost three men killed outright
and eight wounded, of whom two have
since died. 1 lost ten public horses
| killed and seven wounded. My own
private horse was killed, also my first
lieutenants horse. My officers behaved
we'll, but I feel 1t my duty to speak
| more particularly OIL tlISl Lieutenant
| John II. Thompson, who remained on
the field with me until the last gun was
| taken. ! had SO many horses killed and
wounded that it took three trips to get
all my guns off.
On the next day. the End. Colonel De
Leguel, chief of artillery, Ordere,. me
back to the old camp near Richmond
to refit my battery. AS soon as I com
pleted it was ordered by yourself to
camp near Failing Creek, on the Rich
mond and Petersburg turnpike. where
now am, with my battery complete
and in good condition generally, ready
and willing to meet the Invaders OF OUT
soil at any time and anywhere. l have
General. the honor to be very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
G. f. GRIMES.
Captain Field Battery.
Virginia Volunteers.
Major General b. Huger.