History of the Lawton-Gordon-Evans' Georgia Brigade

Report of Brig. Gen. Alexander R. Lawton, C. S. Army, commanding Fourth Brigade, Second Division (Jackson's), of the battle of Malvern Hill.

[Source: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion]

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE VALLEY DISTRICT,
Near Gordonsville., July 28, 1862.

CAPTAIN: I beg leave to submit the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the action at Malvern Hill, July 1:

Soon after the musketry fire had fairly commenced I received orders from the major-general commanding to form in line of battle on the left of the road leading up the hill a few hundred yards beyond Willis' Church, the brigades of General Winder and others continuing this line to the right of the same road. Soon after this line was formed it was apparent that the shells of the enemy were about to inflict serious injury upon us, while we were entirely inactive. After several casualties in different parts of the command, upon consultation with General Winder we determined to retire the line about 300 yards to the rear until we should receive orders to advance.

In the last position I remained until after sunset, when I received verbal orders to move up the road to the gate-posts, near which the major general commanding had his headquarters, then to file to the right through the woods, advance toward the fire of the enemy, and report to Major-General Hill. The ground admitted only of a flank movement, and I led the Thirteenth Georgia (the right of the brigade) as rapidly as possible through the wood toward the point indicated. Leading in person the foremost regiment, of course I could not see through the woods whether the other regiments were closed up behind us. When I reached the open field and stood with the Thirteenth Regiment under as heavy a fire of shot and shell as was ever known to the most experienced veterans, I ascertained that the other regiments of the brigade had taken a different route or missed the road through the wood. It was then nearly dark; the fire of the enemy's battery was doing great execution, our friends evidently wanted assistance, and no time was to be lost. Ordering the Thirteenth to lie down in a ravine for a few minutes until I could go forward toward the battery and endeavor to ascertain the best route by which to advance, I soon discerned that I must move with the fire of the battery as my only guide. This regiment was ordered up from the ravine and it advanced rapidly and handsomely over every obstacle--woods, ditches, fences, and streams--until the height on the same level with the enemy's battery, opposite Littleton's house, was gained. Still onward they pressed, and met with a heavy loss from the fire of musketry that was posted to support the battery. While crossing the road just below the height to which this regiment was advancing I was met by Brigadier-General Winder, who suggested that the height might be reached by a better route along the position where a portion of his command was engaged. I then permitted the head of the column to proceed, under the lead of Colonel Douglass, and attempted to direct the remainder toward the route indicated by General Winder. The darkness and confusion made it difficult to adopt any new order or check the impetuosity of this regiment. Having gained this height, the advanced position of General Jackson's army, I determined to hold it until further orders; returned promptly for the rest of my command; found the other five regiments formed in good order; marched them up to the height occupied by the Thirteenth, and bivoucked for the night.

The enemy, having removed his battery to a more secure position, commenced shelling the height occupied by my brigade, throwing one shell every two or three minutes for nearly an hour after the engagement was properly at an end. But for the fact that I caused the men to lie down behind the crest of the hill on the slope toward the wood the casualties must have been numerous. In the morning appearances indicated for a while an intention on the part of the enemy to renew the contest, and I was making preparations to receive him. It was soon evident, however, that these demonstrations only served to protect his flight, which continued during the drenching rain of that day.

The Thirteenth Georgia was the only regiment of the brigade actively engaged in the fight, and nothing could exceed the energy, valor, and zeal exhibited by officers and men during their impetuous charge. The other regiments were within range of shells for three or four hours, and from these several casualties ensued. I beg leave to refer to the annexed list of killed and wounded and to the report of Colonel Douglass for further details of the part taken by the Thirteenth Regiment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. LAWTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding

Capt. A. S. PENDLETON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

List of killed and wounded in the Fourth Brigade, Valley District, commanded by General A. R. Lawton, in the action of July 1.

(Ed. Note: The format of the Casualty Report has been modified from the original for display on the World Wide Web.)

Lawton-Gordon-Evans' Brigade | Wartime Service

Last Update: August 9, 1997