| Fairfield Race Course |
| August 13, 1862
|
| |
| General Lee |
| Commanding Army of Northern Virginia |
| |
| General, |
| I have the honor to transmit my report
of the part borne by my command in the operations about Richmond
during the week ending July 1, inclusive. ***** |
| ***** |
| I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| J. Bankhead Magruder |
| Major General |
| |
| p. 663 {June 28, 1862}
***** The enemy having thrown up a
heavy obstruction across the railroad track
{of the Richmond & York River RR}, I caused men to be
detailed for the purpose of removing it for the passage down the
road of a heavy rifled gun, mounted on a railway carriage, and
protected by an inclined plane of iron. ***** |
| p. 664 The enemy, having ascertained the general
disposition of our troops, opened a brisk artillery fire upon the
railroad and our center, unfortunately mortally wounding the gallant
General Griffith, commander of the Third Mississippi Brigade, who
was borne from the field and died the next morning. The enemy's fir
was responded to with effect by the railroad battery, as well as by
Charlton's battery, which that practiced artillerist Lieut. Col.
Stephen D. Lee had placed in advance in a commanding position in
front of our center. |
| ***** |
| {June 29, 1862}
Kershaw's brigade soon became engaged with the enemy, who took
refuge in the works on the Williamsburg road, from which he was
driven *****. Retreating from work to work, pursued by our line,
which swept through his camps with little interruption, the enemy
was at last driven as far as Savage Station, where a strong line of
battle was formed ready to receive us. He also occupied the wood in
front of the station. Here Kershaw's brigade engaged him frankly and
furiously, and was gallantly supported by Kemper's battery and
Semmes' brigade on his right. |
| Taking my position on the railroad
bridge, which commanded a good view of the fight and of the enemy's
line of battle, I directed the railroad battery, commanded most
efficiently by Lieutenant Barry, to advance to the front, so as to
clear, in some degree, the deep cut over which the bridge was
thrown, and to open his fire upon the enemy's masses below, which
was done with terrible effect. The enemy soon brought the fire of
his artillery and infantry to bear upon the railroad battery and
bridge, while he advanced a heavy line of infantry to support the
troops already engaged to capture our artillery and turn our right
flank. ***** |
|