Gaines’ Mill, June 27th 1862.

This battle took place on the second day of the Seven Days Battle which ended Union General McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign. The battle was already raging when General Ewell’s Division which included the 13th Virginia, arrived on the battlefield. Ewell was ordered to attack the Union line, a formidable hillside with swampy ground around it. The 13th charged near the McGehee farm into heavy Federal fire and soon found themselves in close quarters fighting amid marshy ground and underbrush. A retreat was ordered and after a rally Ewell ordered the Regiment back into the swamp. After four hours of bitter fighting, the men withdrew around dusk. The Federals, too, withdrew and the Army of Northern Virginia gained the field. Of the 250 men that entered the battle for the 13th Virginia 27 was killed and 84 wounded – nearly half of those engaged. Colonel Walker praised the Regiment for it’s determination and bravery, and noted that the heavy loss among company officers was the best evidence of their gallantry

The Official Records

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XI/2 [S# 13]

PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN--SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES
No. 253. -- Report of Col. James A. Walker, Thirteenth Virginia Infantry, commanding Fourth Brigade, of battle of Gaines' Mill.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH VIRGINIA,
August 2, 1862.

In compliance with instructions from division headquarters, directing me to report the operations of the Fourth Brigade at the battle of Gaines' Mill, fought on June 27, I have the honor to report that I was not called upon to take command of the brigade until afar General Elzey was wounded, late in the evening, and that I know nothing of the movements of any regiment except my own prior to that time.

When informed that General Elzey had been wounded and carried from the field I went in search of the other regiments of the brigade; but General Elzey's aides having all been killed or wounded, I was only able to find the Thirty-first, Fifty-eighth, and Forty-fourth Virginia. These regiments remained in the action until dark, when I directed them to withdraw to Beulah Church to rest and procure ammunition.

The next morning the remaining regiments of the brigade, viz, the Twelfth Georgia and Twenty-fifth and Fifty-second Virginia, reported to me, they having been detached by General Elzey the day before to support batteries.

I inclose the report of the commanding officer of each regiment for particulars and for list of killed and wounded.

My own regiment (Thirteenth Virginia) was sent forward as skirmishers in the morning and killed and wounded 5 or 6 of the enemy and took some 25 prisoners. In the evening it was in the hottest of the fight, and both officers and men, with a few exceptions, behaved well and fought with a determination and bravery worthy the cause in which we are engaged.

The loss of the regiment in killed and wounded was very heavy in proportion to the number engaged. Only about 250 went into action, and of that number 112 were killed and wounded. The loss in company officers was particularly heavy, and is the best evidence of the gallant manner in which they discharged their duties.

I beg leave to add my humble testimony to the gallantry of Capt. William H. Sherer, of Company H, who was mortally wounded while bravely encouraging his men; also to that of Capt. C. G. Cooke, of Company A; First Lieut. F. D. Sherrard, of Company K, and Lieutenant Streit, of Company H, all of whom fell, like brave and true men, at their posts.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

J. A. WALKER,

Colonel Thirteenth Virginia Infantry.

Lieut. G. CAMPBELL BROWN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

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