Hellcat
Person
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Headquarters Second Corps D'Armee,
Camp near James River, July 4, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with orders from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, I abandoned my works at Fair Oaks at daylight on the morning of the 29th ultimo, and proceeded to the principal depot at Orchard Station, at which place the commanding general had ordered all the Government property to be destroyed. I then Marched to Allen's field and went into bivouac. At 9 o'clock a.m. the enemy came up and commenced a furious attack upon my right and center with shells and musketry. I immediately got three batteries in position (Kirby's, Pettit's, and Hazzard's), which played with great effect and finally silenced the enemy's batteries. A farm-house stood near the point of attack, which was an important oint, and was occupied by General French with one regiment (Brooke's Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers), supported by Jones' Californians. The action was very sharp at this point, and continued till 11 a.m. when we drove the enemy from the ground, and thus ended the battle of Allen's Farm.
The regiments and batteries engage behaved admirably, and I fully confirm the subordinates' reports in commendation of their commands.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. V. Sumner,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
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