Wednesday, June 25.—Heavy engagement near Old Church, lasting all day. Heintzleman’s corps engaged. Our loss, one thousand men.
Thursday, June 26.—Fair Oaks. Battle of Gaines’ Farm. General Fitz John Porter was attacked on the north side of the Chickahominy this morning. The battle was going on till nine o’clock P. M., with great fury, when General Porter drove the enemy, as could be seen from our position. The peal of artillery was terrible, and the sky at night in a constant blaze. Great cheering along our line at ten o’clock in the night. All the bands playing national airs.
Friday, June 27.—Fair Oaks. Battle of Gaines’ Mills. Stonewall Jackson opened the battle this morning with overpowering numbers against General Porter. We could see from our position how the rebels drove Porter’s troops from one position to the other. They are already fighting near Coal Harbor. General McClellan ordered General Sumner to hold his position at all hazards. By twelve o’clock A. M. we were attacked by the rebels with great determination. Four batteries opened on our centre and Smith’s division, but were finally repulsed. General Porter is utterly defeated. Meagher’s Irish brigade went to cover his retreat. Troops are marching and counter-marching all night. Great cheering within the rebel lines.
Saturday, June 28.—Fair Oaks. Our centre was attacked again this morning at ten o’clock. The enemy was handsomely repulsed, leaving one hundred and fifty, killed and wounded, inside our lines,—Colonel Lamar, of Georgia, among the latter. Our situation is very critical, our right flank being turned. General Porter lost nine thousand men and twenty-four guns, and is crossing Bottoms’ Bridge. The rebels occupy White House Landing. Towards evening, all the baggage teams were sent away, and all surplus ammunition, arms and commissary stores destroyed. The army is preparing to retreat. A part of the Second corps had already left, when orders arrived that our position must be held. A deep gloom is prevailing over the whole army.
Sunday, June 29.—Evacuation of Fair Oaks. At three o’clock A. M. orders came for us to leave as quick as possible. Smith’s division had already fallen back two miles, which movement completely exposed our right flank. The rebels followed at our very heels. After marching a mile, General Sumner hastily formed a line of battle, crossing the railroad. We were not held long in inactivity. The rebels, in command of Magruder, soon attacked with three brigades of infantry and three batteries. This fight bears the name of battle of Peach Orchard. Our battery was in close action, supported by General French’s brigade. Pettit’s New York eight gun battery, was sent to our assistance towards three o’clock P. M. By General Sumner’s skilful manœuvring we were enabled to fall back to Savage Station, leaving the dead and wounded behind. At the latter place, half of the Potomac army was drawn up in line of battle. The quantity of ammunition and stores at that place was immense. (Who would not remember the great explosion of the railroad train at Bottoms’ Bridge.) About five o’clock P. M., the battle of Savage Station commenced, and kept on until late at night with great desperation. Our battery was within dangerous range of the enemy’s fire, but not engaged. About nine o’clock, we fell back to the White Oak Swamp, arriving there at midnight.
Monday, June 30.—Battle of Glendale Farm. This battle is known by five different names: White Oak Swamp, Glendale Farm, Golding’s Farm, Turkey Bend, and of Charles City Road. At daybreak we formed in line of battle. The enemy appeared shortly after. The battle opened at different points. (Every one recollects the delay of our retreat on that day, in covering our extensive trains, which occupied seventeen miles length of road.) At three o’clock P. M. the rear of the trains passed by, just in time, as we were attacked immediately after. The battle lasted until night. Sergeant Hammond, Seidlinger, and Slocum were wounded. Battery B, Pennsylvania Artillery, was taken by the rebels, right in our front. The gunboats participated in the battle. We fell back at midnight, leaving our dead and wounded on the field. Our battery carried their wounded off, but left one caisson behind, a lynch-pin giving way. No other could be found during the excitement.
Tuesday, July 1.—Battle of Malvern Hill. We arrived at that place by two o’clock A. M. The Potomac army occupied a splendid position. Prepared for the expected enemy. The rear-guard came up at daylight, amidst cheering and the playing of the bands. Our battery filled ammunition, but during the whole day had the good fortune to be kept constantly in reserve. Still, we were under fire constantly. Captain Coleman, of Rhode Island, collected letters and moneys from those who wanted to send them to their friends at home, before the battle commenced. Private Cooper was shot in the leg, by one of our own men; also a horse of Captain Tompkins. About ten o’clock the great battle commenced, artillery being used mostly. Never was such heavy cannonading heard on this continent before that. The gunboats threw shells at four miles distance. Weeden’s Rhode Island battery lost seven men by one of the gunboat shells. The battle raged until late in the night, ending with the repulse of the rebel army. Every one expected an advance on the enemy the coming morning; but in vain.
Wednesday, July 2.—Malvern Hill. After a few hours rest, orders were given at two o’clock A. M. to get ready,—to our astonishment,—to fall back to Harrison Landing. The rain fell in torrents. The troops were completely demoralized; every man was going on his own hook. A great many threw away their arms without any reason. Order was given to abandon at once any piece of artillery that should get stuck. Soldiers fired their guns off in all directions. Not less than forty men were killed by such careless practice. Harrison Landing is only six miles from Malvern Hill. The whole army was crowded in a complete mud-hole. The spirit of the men is very low. Our wounded, left in Malvern Hill hospital, had to foot their way to Harrison Landing in the best manner they could. In spite of the mud, we all enjoyed the first good night’s rest for some weeks past.
Thursday, July 3.—Harrison Landing. The enemy brought artillery to bear upon our camps this morning; but their guns were taken by the Fourteenth Indiana, of General Shields’ division. At one time, all of our troops were drawn up in line of battle. The gunboats fired some shots.
Friday, July 4.—The army spread out in different camps this morning. The Second corps moved at least a mile away from the landing. The day was duly celebrated by firing salutes and playing of bands. General McClellan reviewed the troops.