On the evening of the fourth of May, about 5 o’clock, the whole of Longstreet’s Corps came up the Richmond Road, as reinforcements, attacking my right and front, massing large numbers of his infantry in the ravines which were held by their troops. After losing about one thousand men, I was obliged to retire, my Regiments being unable to cope with the overpowering numbers of the enemy, and fearful, lest in the position I then held, they would be captured by the enemy piercing our lines in rear, between us and “Banks’ Ford.” In the assault, the Twentieth New York Volunteers broke and went to the rear. I could not rally them. The other Regiments stood their ground nobly, under a murderous fire, and by their stubborn resistance at that time, I believe the Sixth Corps was enabled to eventually re-cross the Rappahannock at Banks’ Ford, in the night.
Colonel Van Houten, Twenty-first New Jersey Volunteers, was wounded on the field of the battle, and I regret to say, died a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, from wounds received in battle.
I cannot close my report without making free and sincere acknowledgments to the brave officers and men of the various Regiments of my command, who encountered the enemy at these two different battles; and would especially mention the great assistance rendered by the gallant efforts of my Assistant Adjutant General, Captain Wm. H. Long, of the Assistant Inspector General, Lieutenant Pryce W. Bailey, Thirty-third New York Volunteers; and of Lieutenants Wm. H. Alberts and Horace Binney, my Aids-de-Camp. The horses of both my Aids, and my own, were shot.
With great respect,
THOMAS H. NEILL,
Brigadier General.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Departure for Home.—Orations at Geneva and Canandaigua.
Tuesday, May 12th, Colonel Taylor brought the welcome intelligence to the Regiment, that they were to go home on the coming Friday. The order for their departure was accompanied by the following addresses from the Corps, Division, and Brigade Generals.
Headquarters Sixth Army Corps, May 13, 1863.