USA > Virginia > City of Portsmouth > City of Portsmouth > A record of events in Norfolk County, Virginia, from April 19th, 1861, to May 10th, 1862, with a history of the soldiers and sailors of Norfolk County, Norfolk City and Portsmouth, who served in the Confederate States army or navy > Part 10
USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > A record of events in Norfolk County, Virginia, from April 19th, 1861, to May 10th, 1862, with a history of the soldiers and sailors of Norfolk County, Norfolk City and Portsmouth, who served in the Confederate States army or navy > Part 10
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
One night in the winter of 1861-2, a little after dark, the sen- tinel on duty at the battery heard cries of distress and for help coming from down the river. A gale of wind was blowing from the north, which brought the sound directly to the battery. The officer of the guard was called and the camp was aronsed, and notwithstanding the heavy gale which was blowing, two frail skiffs were speedily manned by strong anl brave mon from both Company I and Company K and pushed forth in the teeth of the storm to rescue the drowning men. It was a severe strug- gle, but the brave hearts and strong arms of the oarsmen pre- vailed and two men who were found clinging to the piles which had been driven across the river near Lambert's Point by the
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NORFOLK COUNTY, 1861-5.
Confederates to obstruct the channel, were brought back nearly dead from cold and exposure. They were members of Company D, 9th Virginia Infantry (the Jackson Artillery of Portsmouth), and were stationed on Craney Island. They were returning from Portsmouth in a sailboat to their camp, but the boat was upset by the storm, near the obstructions. They managed to catch hold of the piles, but a third man who was with them in the boat, Walter HIarvey, of Portsmouth, of the same company, was drowned. The rescue of those drowning men was as daring an act as was per- formed during the war. A terrible storm was raging, the waves were high and the cold spray was frozen upon the oarsmen as it was dashed over them in their frail skiffs. Unfortunately no re- cord was kept of the names of the brave rescuers, and they are therefore lost to history. The men who were saved were Leonard Cutherell and William Day.
In April, 1862, one year after the original enlistment of the men, they re-enlisted in a body for the war and held an election of officers, with the following result :
Captain-Dennis Vermillion.
First Lieutenant-Edward Kearns.
Second Lieutenant-Ilenry A. Allen.
Third Lieutenant-L. A. Bilisoly.
Captain Kearns declined to accept the 1st Lieutenantey and re- signed, at the same time severing his connection with the com- pany of which he had been Captain almost from its organization in 1856.
On the 10th of May the company received orders to burn their quarters and march with the rest of Hnger's Division to the de- fence of Richmond, and of the one hundred and sixteen men who had been with the company during its stay at Pinner's Point, though they were leaving behind them their homes, mothers, sis- ters and sweethearts, soon to fall into the hands of the enemy, not one remained behind. The refusal of Captain Kearns to accept the 1st Lieutenantey occasioned the promotion of 2d Lieutenant Allen to 1st Lieutenant, 3d Lieutenant Bilisoly to 2d, and Orderly Sergeant Robert M. Butler was elected 3d Lieutenant. The com- pany was united with the rest of the 9th Regiment at Dunn's Hill, near Petersburg, on the 12th of May, and its identity as a separate organization was lost in that of the regiment. Its history then became the history of the regiment. It participated in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged except the battle of Drury's Bluff, May 16th, 1864, which took place while Com- pany K and also Company I were temporarily detached from the regiment on other duty, and while so detached was moved to the north side of Richmond to resist the advance of Sheridan's cav- alry raiders.
Lieutenant Butler resigned after the battle of Seven Pines,
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OLD DOMINION GUARD, CO. K, NINTII VA. INFANTRY.
June 1st, 1862; Captain Vermillion was killed at the battle of Malvern Hill July 1st, 1862; Lieutenant Bilisoly was wounded at Seven Pines June 1st, 1862, and again wounded and disabled from further service at Second Manassas August 30th, 1862, and retired. Lieutenant Allen was promoted to Captain upon the death of Captain Vermillion, and was captured at the stone wall in the charge of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg July 3d, 1863, and was kept a prisoner until the close of the war. He was one of the Confederate officers who were taken to Morris' Island, South Carolina, by the United States authorities and placed under the fire of the Confederate batteries defending Charleston harbor. He was not wounded during the war.
While the regiment was on the march with Longstreet's Corps towards Suffolk in the spring of 1863 Henry C. Hudgins was elected 1st Lieutenant and James II. Robinson 2d Lieutenant. Lieutenant Hudgins was wounded early in the charge of Pickett's Division at Gettysburg, but recovered from his wound and com- manded the company till the close of the war. Lieutenant Rob- inson was severely wounded and captured at Gettysburg, was snb- sequently exchanged, recovered from his wound, and was with the company in the closing scenes of the drama, which culminated at Appomattox Court House. The following members of the com- pany were in the charge at Gettysburg:
Captain Henry A. Allen, captured.
First Lieutenant Henry C. Hudgins, wounded.
Second Lieutenant James H. Robinson, wounded and captured.
First Sergeant James H. Walker, captured. Second Sergeant Adolph Bilisoly, wounded.
Third Sergeant Thomas J. Dashiell, captured.
Fourth Sergeant William Wallace Williams, captured.
Third Corporal R. B. James, wounded.
PRIVATES.
E. E. Bilisoly, wounded, Robt. T. Danghtrey, captured, Wm. Walter Dyson,
E. K. Brooks, captured, Thos. R. Borland, wounded, Geo. W. Barnes, wounded, J. C. A. Davis, wounded.
Andrew C. Host, wounded,
Joseph W. Jordan, wounded and captured,
John A. F. Dunderdale, killed, Edward B. Williams, wounded.
Thus of the nineteen men who went into the fight eighteen were either killed, wounded or captured. The company lost heavily in the battles of Seven Pines, Malvern Hill and Five Forks. In this last battle the 9th Regiment bore the brunt of the flank attack of Warren's corps of General Grant's army. George .W. Barnes, of Company K, carried the colors of the regi- ment in that engagement.
Below will be found a roll of the company to May, 1862, em- bracing the Portsmouth men. Later in the war a number of
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NORFOLK COUNTY, 1861-5.
conscripts were sent to it, but as they were from other portions of the State, their names are omitted.
Captain Edward Kearns, resigned 1862.
Captain Dennis Vermillion, killed Malvern Hill July Ist, 1862.
First Lieutenant L. Augustus Bilisoly, wounded at Seven Pines June 1st and Second Manassas August 30th, 1862, and retired.
Captain Henry A. Allen, captured at Gettysburg July 3d, 1863, and not exchanged.
Third Lieutenant Robert M. Butler, resigned 1862.
First Lieutenant Henry C. Hudgins, wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg. Second Lieutenant James H. Robinson, wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettys- burg.
Bilisoly, A. L., promoted 1st Lieutenant P. A. C. S.
Brown, Samuel Y., Sergeant, appointed hospital steward.
Benson, F. R., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862.
Benson, F. L., Commissary Sergeant, appointed hospital steward.
Bilisoly, Adolphus, promoted Sergeant, wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettys- burg.
Bilisoly, U. B., wounded April 1st, 1865, Five Forks.
Bilisoly, Joseph L., detailed as Sergeant Major July, 1863, appointed hos- pital steward February, 1864.
Bilisoly, J. J., promoted Lieutenant Company D. 61st Virginia.
Brown, James W., transferred to Norfolk Light Artillery Blues May, 1862.
Bilisoly, E. E., wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg.
Brown, Joe Sam, transferred to Norfolk Light Artillery Blues May, 1862. . Brooks, E. K.
Brooks. Tudor F., discharged physical disability 1862, and employed in Commissary Department.
Blamire, E. B.
Borland, Thomas R., wounded slightly July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg.
Bennett, John C., killed at Malvern Hill July 1st, 1862.
Barnes, George W., wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg.
Beeks, G. W., discharged 1862, under age.
Butler, George W.
Butt, Josiah, discharged 1861, physical disability.
Bennett, William M.
Cutherell, George A., wounded at Suffolk April 13th, 1863, and discharged. Collins, A. E.
Crocker, James F., promoted Adjutant 9th Virginia Regiment, wounded July 1st, 1862, Malvern Hill.
Cocke, John N.
Cocke, William H., appointed Assistant Surgeon- 14th Virginia and mortally wounded April, 1865.
Cassell, Charles E., promoted 1st Lientenant Topographical Engineers.
Crismond, James P., detached for naval service 1861.
Collins, William B., promoted Ordnance Sergeant.
Creekmur, Charles J., appointed Paymaster's Clerk in Navy. 1862. Cherry, Eugene.
Dyson, W. Walter.
Dent, William, detached 1861.
Dashiell, Thomas J., slightly wounded at Five Forks, promoted Sergeant.
Daughtrey. Robert T.
Davis, J. C. A., wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg.
Dunderdale, J. A. F., killed at Gettysburg July 3d, 1863.
Foreman, William N., wounded at Five Forks April 1st, 1865.
Foster, Frank S., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862.
Foster, A. R., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862, and died in hospital 1864.
Forbes, Thomas N., died 1862, wounded Seven Pines June 1st, 1862.
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OLD DOMINION GUARD, CO. K, NINTH VA. INFANTRY.
Fiske, Melzar G., killed at Malvern Hill July 1st. 1862.
Gray, J. N. (Sergeant), discharged June, 1861. physical disability.
Godwin, Leroy C., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862. Grant, L. H., drummer.
Guthrie, Benjamin W., appointed Master in Navy.
Griffin, Cornelius.
Hambleton, William H., killed at Warrenton Springs August 28th, 1862.
Handy, S. O., died June 10th, 1862, in hospital, Richmond.
Hargroves, W. W., transferred to a North Carolina regiment.
Host, Andrew C., wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg.
Hudgins, J. Madison, promoted to Captain and A. C. S.
Hume, R. G., transferred to Norfolk Light Artillery Blues May, 1862. Hobday, A. T., transferred to Commissary Department.
James, R. B., wounded July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg.
Jordan, O. D., discharged July 1st, 1861, disability.
Jack, E. A., appointed Engineer in Navy.
Jordan, Joseph W., died of wounds received at Gettysburg, 1863.
Kilby. W. T., transferred to Norfolk Light Artillery Blues May, 1862. Keeling, Joseph W., died in hospital 1861.
King, Leslie R., appointed Engineer in Navy.
Lewis. Jacob, detailed for hospital duty, over age.
Langhorne, John C., appointed Captain's Clerk in Navy.
Langhorne, William S., discharged, under age. September, 1862, and en- listed in Signal Corps.
Moore, Joseph P., transferred to Norfolk Light Artillery Blues May, 1862. Myers, Robert W., discharged, physical disability. and died.
Morris, Charles S., slight wound at Five Forks April 1st, 1865.
Neaville, William A., wounded and disabled at Seven Pines June 1st, 1862. Niemeyer, John C., promoted Ist Lieutenant Company I, 9th Virginia, and killed at Gettysburg July 3d, 1863.
Niemeyer, Henry V., discharged, under age, September, 1862, and enlisted in Signal Corps.
Owens, Charles.
Parrish, James H., promoted Surgeon C. S. A., Chambliss' Brigade. Parker, Willis M.
Pierce, Thomas W., appointed Major and Quartermaster.
Pierce, William Il., killed on picket June, 1862, Hear Richmond.
Porter, John W. II., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862.
Richardson, John HI., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862. Rodman, Robert C.
Richardson, N. F .. transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862. Richardson, Charles E., transferred to North Carolina regiment.
Reid, Charles, transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862.
Riddick, James W., promoted Captain and Adjutant General Scales' North Carolina Brigade and severely wounded.
Rudd, Benjamin F., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862. Smith, William A., died 1862.
Smith, William Alfred. transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862. Smith, John, discharged 1862, over age.
Smith, Herbert L., transferred to Company I, 15th Virginia Cavalry.
Smith, Arthur, transferred to Company I, 15th Virginia Cavalry.
Savage, T. J., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862.
Turner, G. M., discharged June, 1861, disability.
Tabb, William H., promoted Sergeant Major 3d Regiment and detailed 1862 to work in Navy Yard.
Vermillion, John, promoted 2d Lieutenant Company I, 9th Virginia, wounded at Gettysburg.
Vermillion, Alex. P.
Vermillion, G. S., discharged September, 1862, under age, and enlisted in Signal Corps.
White, Thomas J., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862.
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NORFOLK COUNTY, 1861-5.
White, Frank J., promoted Surgeon C. S. A.
Walker, James H., promoted to 1st Sergeant.
Wingfield, R. C. M., transferred to Norfolk Light Artillery Blues May, 1862. Williams, David A., wounded and disabled at Seven Pines June 1st, 1862. Williams, David E., captured at Five Forks April 1st, 1865.
Woodley, Joseph R., promoted Lieutenant in Signal Corps April, 1862.
Williams, Luther, wounded and disabled at Seven Pines June 1st, 1862. Williams, W. Wallace, promoted to Sergeant.
Williams, Ed. B., wounded July 3d, 1863, Gettysburg.
Williams, A. J., appointed hospital steward.
Williams, Thomas H.
Wilson, William H.
Wright, William S., wounded at Seven Pines, promoted Adjutant 61st Vir- ginia and died 1863.
Williamson, Lewis W., appointed hospital steward.
Young, M. P., appointed Engineer in Navy.
Young, C. W., transferred to Signal Corps April, 1862. Killed and died-16.
CHAPTER XII.
THE NINTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT-ARMISTEAD'S, BARTON'S, STEW- ART'S BRIGADE-HUGER'S, ANDERSON'S, PICKETT'S DIVISIONS.
We have traced the histories of Companies D, G and K, of Portsmouth, and Company I, of Norfolk county, from the be- grinning of the war until they lost their identity in the organiza- tion of the 9th Virginia Regiment of Infantry, and as their sub- sequent record is embraced in that of the regiment, it can be told best by recording the movements and battles in which the regiment was engaged. The actual date of the formation of the regiment has been lost for the reason that the field officers were not originally elected by the company officers, but were assigned to it by Governor Letcher while the companies were stationed in different localities, but the companies were assigned to it some time in June, 1861, and were as follows :
Company A, the McRea Rifles, of Petersburg, Captain James Gilliam.
Company B, the Baltimore Artillery, of Baltimore, Capt. John D. Myrick.
Company C, the Chesterfield Yellow Jackets, of Chesterfield county, Capt. John Mason.
Company D, the Virginia Artillery, of Portsmouth, Captain Wm. J. Richardson.
Company E, the Isle of Wight Blues, of Isle of Wight county, Capt. John Shevers.
Company F, Chuckatuck Light Artillery, of Nansemond county, Capt. James J. Phillips.
Company G, the Portsmouth Rifles, of Portsmouth, Captain John C. Owens.
Company H, the Salem Artillery, of Salem, Captain Happ.
Company I, the Craney Island Artillery, of Norfolk county, Capt. J. T. Kilby.
Company K, the Old Dominion Guard, of Portsmouth, Capt. Edward Kearns.
At the time of the formation of the regiment in June, 1861, the companies composing it were distributed among the various fortifications around the harbor of Portsmouth and Norfolk, doing duty as heavy artillerists as well as infantry. Companies A, B, C, D and HI were on Craney Island, where the regimental headquarters were located. Companies E and F were at Day's Point, Company G was at Pig Point and Companies I and K were at Pinner's Point. The officers of the regiment who were assigned to it by Governor Letcher, were Colonel Francis H.
101
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NORFOLK COUNTY, 1861-5.
Smith, Lieutenant-Colonel John T. L. Preston, Major Stapleton Crutchfield, Adjutant Thomas Smith. All of these officers were attached to the faculty of the Virginia Military Institute, and before the evacuation of Portsmouth by the Confederates, Colonel Smith and Lieutenant-Colonel Preston were returned to their duties at that institution, and Major Crutchfield was elected Major of the 58th Virginia Regiment. "After their departure, Lieuten- ant-Colonel DeLagnel, of the regular army, commanded the post at Craney Island until the 10th of May, 1862, when it was evac- uated, and Major Harden seems to have been in immediate com- mand of the 9th Regiment until it assembled at Petersburg on the 12th.
Upon the receipt of orders to evacuate their batteries, the scat- tered companies of the regiment marched by different roads to Suffolk, and from there were carried by rail to Petersburg and quartered on Dunn's hill to the north of that city, across the Appomattox river, and, on the 21st, orders were received for the company officers to elect field officers. The election was held the following day, and the officers elected were: Colonel, Johnston DeLagnel ; Lieutenant-Colonel, D. J. Godwin; Major, James Gilliam.
Colonel DeLagnel having been appointed to a position which was more satisfactory to him, declined to accept the command of the 9th, and Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin was promoted to Colo- nel, Major Gilliam to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain John C. Owens, of the Portsmouth Rifles, was elected Major; Private J. F. Crocker, of Company K, was appointed Adjutant, and Pri- vate C. T. Phillips, of Company G, Sergeant Major; hence all of the field and staff officers, except the Lieutenant Colonel, were from Portsmouth.
On the 24th of May, Companies A, D and H were detached from the regiment and sent to man batteries in the fortifications of Richmond. Company D was ordered back after the battle of Malvern Hill, Company A rejoined in the fall of 1864 on the lines in front of Bermuda Hundreds, but Company II was not with the regiment again. It was given a battery of field guns and thus was turned from an Infantry to a Light Artillery Com- pany. Company I, also, was absent on other duty at the battle of Seven Pines. The other companies of the regiment remained in camp on Dunn's hill until the 29th, when, with three days' rations, the command was marched at 7 a. m. to the depot in Pe- tersburg to take the cars for Richmond, but remained at the depot until 6 p. m. before the cars were ready for them; and after get- ting on the cars they were four hours making the twenty-two miles to that city. That night the men made their beds on the grass in the capitol square, and the next morning at 7 o'clock marched to Blakely's farm in Henrico county. The regiment
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THE NINTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT.
was there assigned to Armistead's Brigade, Huger's Division, com- posed of the 9th, 14th and 53d Virginia Regiments, and the 5th Virginia Battalion, and began in reality the life of a soldier. Up to that time the men had been sheltered in tents or comfort- able quarters, and their first night in the field was passed amid a terrible down-pour of rain; without shelter of any kind.
On the 31st of May the regiment received orders to march to Seven Pines with the brigade, and at night slept in a camp of the enemy from which they had been driven during the battle of that day. The Federal dead and wounded lay thick all around them, and the boys enjoyed the lemons, sugar and other delica- cies which they found in the deserted camp.
The next day, June Ist, proved the unfitness of the com- mander of that part of the Confederate army for the position he occupied. At 7 a. m. the 9th Regiment moved forward, under orders, about three hundred yards in advance of their camp of the night before, without pickets or skirmishers in front, and were told not to fire, that Pryor's Brigade was in front of them. The line was halted in a thick, swampy woods and the order was given to stack arms. The men were in fancied security, their guns not loaded, and, while obeying the order to stack, a line of battle of the enemy, occupying a position in their front, poured a volley of musketry into them at close range. The surprise was complete, but the men fell down upon the ground and began to load and fire in return. The left of the line, however, did the most sensible thing they could do, namely, fell back out of range of the fire, and as this exposed the flank of the 9th Regiment, that fell back also. It was evident that the Confederate com- mander in that part of the field did not know either the positions of his own troops or of the enemy, though there had been fight- ing all the day before, and that the lives of the men would be sacrificed without any special object in view or plan to be carried out. General Armistead afterwards did what he could to repair the mishap. He seized a Virginia state flag, and, having rallied the men in his brigade, led them forward again to the position from which they had retired, better preparad to do battle. While they were thus engaging the enemy, the 3d Alabama Regiment passed through them and charged the enemy's works, but the po- sition was too strong to be carried by a direct assault and the Ala- bamians were repulsed with heavy loss, among the killed being their commander, Colonel Lomax, who was left dead upon the field. The 9th Virginia then fell back about a hundred yards out of range of the fire, and the enemy made no attempt to fol- low. Later in the afternoon the 9th was ordered to rejoin the brigade, and thus ended its connection with this unfortunate affair in which many brave men lost their lives without accomplishing anything thereby, and from which great results might have fol-
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NORFOLK COUNTY, 1861-5.
lowed, had the movements of the division been wisely directed ; but as it was even the simplest ordinary means were neglected to ascertain the position and strength of the enemy. The men in the ranks could plainly see that the battle was being fought on that portion of the field without any special plan or purpose, and were not, therefore, buoyed up by that confidence which inspires a soldier when he feels that his movements are being directed by wisdom, even though his life is being risked for success.
Colonel Godwin's horse was wounded by a minie ball in the battle of Seven Pines and bruised the Colonel's leg quite pain- fully by running against a tree. Colonel Godwin left the field in consequence thereof and the command of the regiment de- volved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Gilliam; and, as Colonel Godwin was afterwards assigned to other duties and never rejoined the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Gilliam became its permanent com- mander. General Armistead, however, was not friendly towards him and prevented his promotion, so that in 1863 he tendered his resignation and Major Owens became Colonel, Captain James Jasper Phillips was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain Wm. J. Richardson was promoted to Major.
During the month of June a number of small engagements took place in front of that portion of the Confederate lines held by Huger's Division. On the 20th Sickles' Brigade advanced beyond their entrenchments, but was driven back by the 1st Louisiana Regiment. On the 21st Sickles' Brigade, reinforced by Meagher's Brigade, attempted to advance their positions but the 1st Louisiana, 4th Georgia and a regiment of North Carolina reg- ulars attacked them and forced them to retire within their original lines. At the same time the 16th Massachusetts, which attempted an advance, was driven back by the 53d Virginia. The 9th Virginia had a severe picket fight with the enemy in its front and on the 25th had another skirmish, in which it captured a number of prisoners. The engagement of the 25th was an extensive affair but the 9th regiment was not heavily engaged in it. On the 21st Armistead's Brigade was reinforced by the addition of the 38th Regiment, which from that time became permanently attached to it, and on the 28th the 57th Virginia also was attached to it.
On the 26th was fought the battle of Mechanicsville, the first of the seven days battles. McClellan's advanced position, his ex- treme right, was attacked and carried, those of the enemy who escaped fell back upon Gaines' Mill, where General Lee made an attack on the 27th. McClellan had reinforced his troops in that locality. The battle was a complete victory for the Confederates and Mcclellan began his return to Harrison's landing on the James river, his sole object being to save as much of his army as possible. Being a part of the right wing of General Lee's army, and the battles of Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill having been
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THE NINTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT.
fought on the left, Armistead's Brigade was not engaged in either of them and remained in position until the 29th, when it was ordered forward, down the Charles City road, in the direction of the enemy. That day an advance of ten miles was made and the brigade lay all night in line of battle.
On the next day, June 30th, the brigade moved forward at 7 a. m. under orders from General Lee, to intercept Mcclellan's retreat. The whole division was up, but the march was so slow and the halts so frequent that by 4 o'clock in the afternoon only seven miles had been passed over in the nine hours the troops had been marching, and a halt was made at 4 p. m., when the brigade went into camp for the night, though it lacked three hours of sundown. The brigade had not fired a shot during the day, and during the night Mcclellan marched his whole army by in safety and fortified the heights of Malvern Hill.
The blundering which had marked his operations on the right wing of the army up to that time continued to mark the counsels of the leaders, and the bravery of the troops could not counteract the mistakes of the generals. The 9th Regiment was aroused about day break on the morning of the 1st of July, arrived on the field in front of Malvern Hill about 1 o'clock p. m., and was kept in line of battle, exposed to the fire of nearly a hundred guns, the heaviest artillery fire of the war, for three hours, and, having stood the storm of shell and other deadly missiles for that length of time without firing a musket in reply, was marched to a ravine on their immediate right and a little in rear of a piece of rising ground from which two rifle guns of Grimes' Battery, of Ports- month, without any assistance, were trying to silence nearly the whole of the artillery in Mcclellan's army.
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