CAMP NEAR HARRISON”S LANDING,

July 15, 1862

Letter from Capt McGee

Mauch Chunk Gazette

On the morning of the 267^th of June our Regiment was on picket duty and my post was on Meadow Bridge crossing the Chickahominy at 4 ½ miles from Richmond. I had two mounted orderlies with me, as my post was considered most dangerous, the rebel picketsa were posted on the opposite side of the bridge and in speaking distance of us, the distance between us was only 10 yards but due to our general order we dare not fire upon them. At about 9 o’clock A.M. I heard heavy firing in the direction of Crenschaw Road. I immediately dispatched one of my mounted orderlies to ascertain what was the cause of the firing, and in less than twenty minutes he came and informed me that the 8^th Illinois Cavalry were already engaged with a large force of the enemy. By this time an orderly from Headquarters ordered me to fall back on Mechanicsville. I immediately called in my sentinels, formed my company and took up my line of march for Mechanicsville. But as soon as I left the bridge, the rebels commenced crossing over by Battallion’sto unite with the forces coming up the Crenschaw road. I had not gone much further when I heard close firing to my right within one hundred yards of my Company. I immediately ordered a double quick to where the firing was, and on my arrival I found, Company D, Capt. Jewett’s, Camp. A, Capt. Holland’s and Company E, Capt. Miles engaged with the enemy’s Cavalry. I immediately formed on their left and commenced our deadly work, and in less than 20 minutes the Rebel Cavalry was compelled to fall back on their Reserve. In the meantime we were ordered to retreat back to our rifle pits and then take up our position for the day. Comp K, Capt Irvin, Comp. B, Capt. Wister were already surrounded and the latter succeeded in cutting his way out and joined us in the rifle pits, but Company K were all captured, and not a man out of K got back to camp.

Captain Cooper’s Battery was to the rear of our rifle pits and were well served. About 12 o’clock M. Gen. Reynolds ordered our Regiment to take up their position in fron of Cooper’s Battery and support it at all hazards, the 5^th and 10^th regiments were on our left, 1^st Infantry, Col. Robert’s, 2d Regiment to our right. About 3 o’clock P.M., the the rebels made their appearances in overwhelming forces about 200 yards from us and formed in five different lines of battle and their Artillery commenced to shell us but owing to our chosen position we laughed at their idea of trying to shell us out, and under cover of their fire their Infantry advanced and not a shot fired from us to stop their progress until they advanced to within 60 yards of our rifle pits, we then opened fire upon them and Capt. Cooper order a double charge of grape and canister to be fired into their ranks which order was obeyed promptly. It was a grand sight to us for out of two Brigades of Longstreet’s Division, not a corporal guard went back to tell the tale, and then did boys cheer. They made several charges during the day but were repulsed with great slaughter. About 5 o’clock P.M., we heard great cheering in the rebel ranks which indicated the arrival of fresh troops from Richmond. Sure enough, the notorious Jackson had arrived up the Crenschaw road, and about half-past 6 0’clock P.M. they advanced out of the woods hoping and yelling like demons but we were prepared to receive them, and as they advance in line of battle to within 100 yards of our Battery our 6 pieces played on them with grape and canister---our Regiment pouring minnie balls into them. He broke and commenced to retreat but out of their three Divisions, about 8 o’clock he could not muster one Brigade.At 8 o’clock P.M. firing ceased for the night and we were ordered to take up our dead and wounded. Our loss up to this time was relatively small, 10 killed-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------on the left but our brave boys succeeded in cutting their way out through them. At this time the Irish Brigade arrived just in time to save it from being a 2d Bull Run, they charged and drove the Rebels from the field an occupied it themselves for the night and covered the retreat across the Chickahominy. The following morning, June 28^th, we marched to Savage Station, remained there until night and about 11 o’clock at might we took up our line of march for White Oak Swamp, where skirmishing was kept up freely during the 29^th, but on the morning of the 30^th, when we were ordered into line of battle, it was anything but agreeable to our fatigued soldiers and about 4 o’clock in the fternoon, the engagement became general along the whole line. In this engagement we lost Col. Simmons, A.A. Gen. Biddle, Gen. McCall and a number of other Officers. We were relieved about 7 o’clock in the evening by the Irish Brigade who always arrived when most needed and always took possession of the battle-field.

Yours Respectfully

Dennis McGee