At the closing scene of the bloody drama: With the 10th Georgia at Malvern Hill

General Paul Semmes’ brigade was among the last to charge the Federal position at Malvern Hill on the night of July 1, 1862. One officer of the 10th Georgia observed how as Semmes line swept forward, their ranks were increased by men from other brigades that had previously tried to charge the same position.

“Scattered portions of other brigades which had been previously repulsed before the same guns in the same field saw our unbroken ranks and volunteered to join the fresh charge and asked a place in line,” he remarked. “We were joined by North Carolinians, Mississippians, and a company of Georgia Regulars commanded by young Benning. As these brave men swelled the charging column, their leaders inquired “what general is in command” and I forgot for once I was walking the path of death as I shouted the name of General Paul J. Semmes. I pointed to him as Semmes literally led his men, calling them to follow.”

General Paul Semmes’ brigade, part of General Lafayette McLaws’ division of General John B. Magruder’s Reserve Corps, consisted of the 5th Louisiana, 10th Louisiana, 10th Georgia, 15th Virginia, Noland’s Virginia Battalion, and a pair of Virginia artillery batteries. The brigade went into action on the Confederate right, charging against the Union left near the Crew House, a position held by General George Morrell's division of the 5th Army Corps. The ground over which Semmes' men charged is preserved as part of the Richmond National Battlefield Park while the Crew House grounds have been preserved by the American Battlefield Trust.

The following letter, written by an unknown officer serving in the 10th Georgia Infantry of Semmes’ brigade, was originally published in the Columbus Times but was picked up and reprinted in the July 18, 1862, edition of the Columbus Daily Sun.

 

Kepi worn by General Paul J. Semmes who died of wounds sustained at Gettysburg. Our correspondence paid tribute to Semmes' heroism at Malvern Hill, citing his "lead from the front" attitude and inspiring example. "None wished to falter, none wished to retire while his long white beard was seen to toss in the evening wind or his raised sword reflected the faint rays of the pale young moon," he wrote. 

Dear Times,

          Having been placed in the last day’s fight (Tuesday July 1st) of the Battle of Richmond, it was in my power to observe to advantage the closing scene of some of that bloody drama and watch with comparative accuracy the incidents of that chivalric yet dreadful battle- that horrid night charge. I write you part of what I saw as to tell of all who acted well is not practicable.

          We were moving by the right flank to gain distance preparatory to beginning the charge. It was just before sundown. Semmes’ brigade being the last one ordered to the charge, our line was at the distance of some 1,500 yards or a mile from the enemy’s batteries when Colonel Alfred Cumming of Augusta, in command of the 10th Georgia (part of General Semmes’ brigade) was struck down by a spent ball and was borne helpless from the field. A brave and gallant officer had fallen and our regiment felt the shock, and instinctively halted as the cry went down the line that the colonel was killed. I followed down and assured them that he was not dead and the regiment moved on with alacrity under the command of Captain [Willis C.] Holt of Chattahoochee County.

          After passing the woods and a deep ravine and having gained the crest of the last hill, called Malvern’s Hill, which sheltered us from the enemy’s raking fire and from which we must make our charge, the sun was down. Here, as my eye took in the dusky vision to the front, to the right and left I could discern dark lines of our friends running up to attack the right and then retiring before the incessant and deadly discharge of the enemy’s well-served guns.

          It was with feelings of exhilaration and pride when General Semmes’ commanded “forward!” which was repeated along the line. I beheld the steady and rapid advance of the 10th Georgia, the 10th Louisiana (commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Waggaman), and part of the 53rd Georgia commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Sloan. This much of the brigade was then only in sight.

          Scattered portions of other brigades which had been previously repulsed before the same guns in the same field saw our unbroken ranks and volunteered to join the fresh charge and asked a place in line. We were joined by North Carolinians, Mississippians, and a company of Georgia Regulars commanded by young Benning. As these brave men swelled the charging column, their leaders inquired “what general is in command” and I forgot for once I was walking the path of death as I shouted the name of General Paul J. Semmes. I pointed to him as Semmes literally led his men, calling them to follow.

General Paul J. Semmes

This example of the general, as he moved in front of them, inspired the brigade with a sort of forgetfulness of danger. Though 700 yards of level open ground lay between them and the enemy’s 36 guns, whose fiery mouths were pouring forth deadly and incessant volleys of shell and canister, and the field made ghastly with the mangled forms of the dead and wounded of four other brigades, who in the blaze of day tried in vain to do that which they were now ordered to do and hoped to accomplish. Yet onward the unshaken column moved until on the right of the 10th Louisiana had engaged the enemy about and behind his guns.

It was now too dark to distinguish friends from foes, and the 10th Louisiana was driven back by overwhelming reinforcements which the enemy continued pouring in to keep us from his batteries. The path of the 10th Louisiana was evident the next day by the Louisiana and Yankee dead and wounded in front of and behind the guns. Up to this time, the brigade had lost about one-eighth of those engaged, yet the front was unbroken and the veterans closed up the gaps as their comrades fell.

          Inspired by the coolness and intrepidity of their gallant general, none wished to falter, none to retire while his long white beard was seen to toss in the evening wind, or his raised sword reflected the faint rays of the pale young moon. It was a goodly sight to see the model general with hat in one hand and sword in the other, showing the soldiers how a general could lead in the field as well as command in camp.

          Georgia may well be proud of that day’s history. Satisfied at last that his brave soldiers had accomplished all in the power of their numbers, unsupported and surrounded by the confusion of night, General Semmes gave the command to retire which was accomplished in as good order as the nature of the situation permitted. It must be remembered that not one instant of this charge had the enemy’s guns or small arms ceased to scatter death in our ranks, nor did their firing abate as we retired. The retreat was as horrid as the charge and we left one-fourth of our brave boys on the field. Few positions can be conceived with more danger than that plateau which was under the sweeping and direct range of their six batteries and the enemy’s long-range rifles. Language cannot picture the scene, nor tell the uninitiated ear of the hissing, whirring, boiling, seething, maddening screams of the shot and shell that plowed furrows by our feet, thinned our ranks, or burst before, above, or beyond us. It made the gathering night hideous with funereal sounds. Besides this, their long-range rifles kept the air filled with Minie balls.

          There was no panic amid all this, no running, no dropping of guns, no extra haste. Most of the men loaded and fired as they retired to the crest of the hill, whence the charge began. It was in this charge that the gallant Captain Briggs of General Semmes’ staff was struck down and taken up, as was supposed, dead. He has since partially recovered. It was near this field that the lamented Lieutenant Richard Potter [Co. G, 2nd Georgia Infantry] of Toombs’ brigade fell. General Semmes himself fell on the field from exhaustion. I met again though during the short hours of night as steady in his saddle as ever, gathering his brigade to their new camp across the Charles City road.

          With few exceptions, the brigade was in place the next morning, save the one-fourth of those engaged in the fight who lay dead or bleeding on the field of glory.

Source:

Letter from unknown officer of 10th Georgia Infantry, Columbus Daily Sun (Georgia), July 18, 1862, pg. 2


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