First Lieutenant Moses Church, of Company E, fearless to a fault, seized a musket and, going out from behind the protection of the works, fired repeatedly, with deliberate aim, at the advancing rebels, until he dropped dead, pierced through the head with a minie-ball. He was a brave and beloved officer, and was buried close to the spot where he so nobly died. Private Hildreth, of the same Company, also exposed himself in a similar manner, and was shot dead, the ball penetrating his eye.
Immediately after the final discomfiture of the rebels, Major Platner was sent by Colonel Taylor to establish a new picket line, and both parties buried their dead, under a flag of truce. One of the prisoners, belonging to the Eighth Ga., on seeing the mangled remains of his brother, wept bitterly and for a time refused to leave them. The same soldier afterwards conversed with members of the Thirty-third at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and reverted to the circumstance, and also to the fact that his Regiment had encountered the Thirty-third for the fourth time in battle.
While the engagement was going on, the Seventy-seventh N. Y., to the command of which Lieut.-Colonel Corning had been temporarily assigned, was drawn up in line of battle further to the left, to prevent a flank movement.
The following is Colonel Taylor’s report of the engagement:
Head-Quarters Thirty-third Regiment, N. Y. S. V., Virginia, July 10, 1862.
To the A. A. Gen’l, Third Brigade:
... On June 28th, the entire Regiment, with the exception of the camp guard, cooks, and a few convalescent sick, was ordered out on picket. Soon after, they became engaged with the enemy, and according to instructions they fell back, contesting every inch, into the rifle pits in front of their camp. During this time Lieutenant Lucius C. Mix and Lieutenant Ed. J. Tyler, of Company A, succeeded, under a galling fire, in collecting and placing in good order, the former his camp guard, and the latter all others in camp—some fifty men. Both of these officers were conspicuous in their endeavors to stop those who had become panic stricken, of which there were a few, and arranging them to good effect in the rifle pit—many of whom fought nobly. I can also mention the name of Quartermaster Sergeant John J. Carter, now Lieutenant of Company B, in connection with this affair, who not only did good service in quieting the men, but conduced to keeping up a continual fire on the enemy. Much praise is due to Captain Warford and Lieutenant Church, of Company E, also to Lieutenant Corning, of Company B, and Lieutenant Gale, of Company G, for their coolness in drawing in the men, and establishing order under such circumstances, at one time being nearly surrounded. Captain Hamilton, of Company G, was taken prisoner while actively engaged in rallying his men, and Lieutenant Church, of Company E, was killed while encouraging his men by words and deeds.
The above is respectfully submitted.
Your most obedient servant,
R. F. Taylor,
Colonel Commanding Thirty-third N. Y. S. V.