[ar13-599 cont.]
CAMP NEAR MAGRUDER'S MILL, VA.,
July 28, 1862.
CAPTAIN: In the battle of the 27th ultimo my regiment (the Thirteenth Georgia) took part as follows, viz:
About 5 p.m. the brigade was marched forward to within a quarter of a mile of where we heard the nearest heavy musketry. General Lawton, who was at the head of the column, ordered me to put my regiment in action, which I did as soon as possible, forming a line of battle near a house and marching across a field to a body of woods, before reaching which we had to cross a belt of dead pines which the enemy had felled to impede the progress of troops. The men kept steadily forward in good order to the woods, when I was met by a young man from a Louisiana regiment, who asked the privilege of guiding us to where he said the enemy were waiting in concealment and by whom, he stated, his regiment had been badly used and scattered. Directly in front of my line there was no firing from small-arms, but a battery throwing shell was constantly playing, everything being entirely hid from view by the woods into which we entered. Marching was an exceedingly difficult operation on account of the fallen timber. Arriving at the foot of the hill and near a branch, we were within 30 or 40 yards of the enemy's lines, and they poured a terrific volley of musketry upon us. I ordered the men to lie down, and communicated to Lieut. Col. James M. Smith, Maj. John H. Baker, and Adjt. J. D. Hill my intention to order a bayonet charge, and as soon as the enemy's fire at all slackened I directed the color-bearer to proceed across the branch and up the hill, and immediately gave the command to charge. From some cause, I know not certainly what, my [ar13_600] regiment commenced firing, though only a few Yankees could be seen, their line being principally concealed by the bushes and trees, which were thick. Their firing was resumed hotly, and while it was progressing information was sent the company on the left of the regiment that we were firing upon our friends, and the cry was caught up by the men and extended along the line, and from this resulted confusion and a failure to have the bayonet charge as desired. The information was palpably erroneous, for by the fire we received many were in a very few minutes killed and wounded. To my lieutenant-colonel, major, and adjutant I am under great obligation for assistance rendered me in reforming the line after the confusion resulting from a part of the men knowing that the enemy and not friends were in front of us, and a part believing the mistake had really been made, and all endeavoring to have the firing cease.
I have been thus particular in mentioning this circumstance to call attention to the fact that it may be a common trick with the enemy to create the impression that we have fired upon our friends, and to another fact, viz, that, so far as I heard and believe, the brigadier-general commanding, before going into the fight, had received no definite information, and could therefore communicate to us none as to what troops, if any, of ours were between us and the enemy. After the regiment was reformed the men again, without orders, commenced firing, and this I ordered to cease, as the woods were too thick to permit of much, in any, aim being taken, and a bayonet charge being more desirable.
While arranging for this two other regiments, one of them the Sixteenth Mississippi, came up and, gallantly entering the woods, pressed through them and up the opposite hill. The enemy poured a volley at random and soon broke and fled. The entire line, however, to the right of our position had been broken and the victory won over the whole field. Night put an end to the pursuit.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. DOUGLASS,
Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. E. W. HULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Lawton-Gordon-Evans' Brigade | Wartime Service | Battle of Gaines Mill
Last Update: Sept. 24, 1997