Official Records VOL XI, Part II (June 25 – Sept. 2, 1862)
Report No. 1: McClellan HQ AOP, Camp at Berkeley VA, July 15, 1862:
p.20: June 26 [Mechanicsville] – “During the action McCall was supported by the brigades of Martindale and Griffin, of the division of Morrell.”
p. 30 Casualties AOP operations before Richmond June 25 – July 2 inclusive:
V Corps, 2nd Brigade – Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin: [officers/enlisted men]
9MA: Killed 8/61; Wound: 10/271; Missing/Capt 2/41 = 393
4MI: killed 5/51; Wound: 5/136; M/C: 1/54 = 252
14NY: Killed 3/30; Wound: 9/167; M/C 1/15 = 225
62 PA: killed 2/22; wound 10/164; M/C 4/81 = 283
Total: killed 18/164; wound 34/738; M/C 8/191 = 1,153
p. 105 No. 34 Report of Capt. Walter M. Bramhall, Sixth NY Battery, July 5, 1862- Battle of Malvern Hill,On July 1, about 7AM – “Our fire now grew very slow and deliberate, being maintained by order of and in the manner prescribed by Brigadier- General Griffin, in command at that point.”
p. 119 – No. 38 Report of TW Osborn, Battery D, 1st NY Light Artillery, July 4, 1862 of engagement at Oak Grove or King’s School-House, battle of Savage Station, engagement at Malvern Cliff, and battle of Malvern Hill
“July 2[1]”: “At 7AM, the enemy appeared in large force on the main road on our front, coming forward rapidly, driving our pickets in, and yelling desperately. General Griffin ordered Lieutenant Winslow to open fire upon them, which he did, firing at 3 [degree} elevation 5 inch fuse, and having a most admirable cross-fire on the enemy with Captain Bramhall’s battery. Lieutenant Winslow and Captain Bramhall fired rapidly and their ammunition worked well. There were two other batteries in position, but were not firing so rapidly. The enemy retreated under the artillery fire in a very few minutes, our infantry not becoming engaged.”
No. 83 Reports of BG Darius N Couch, US Army, commanding First Division of Operations, June 25-July1, including skirmish on James River Road, and battle of Malvern Hill
[camp near Harrison’s Landing, VA., July 5, 1862]
p. 203 July 1: 2pm: “Across the road in front of Griffin the country was open for three-fourths of a mile, making it very favorable for our artillery.”
“… until about 1pm the contest was on both sides in the hands of the artillerists; then they pushed forward a column to carry the left of the line held by Griffin. They were driven back disorganized and cut up by our artillery alone.”
“At about 4:30pm, after an incessant cannonade, they boldly pushed forward a large column from their right in the open field to carry Griffin’s position. The fire of the three batteries was concentrated upon them….The attacking column kept on, continually re-enforced, until within range of Griffin’s guns, when it was stopped and formed line.”
No. 93: Reports of BG FJ Porter, US Army, commanding Fifth Corps
[HQ V Corps; Camp at Harrison’s Landing July 7, 1862]
p. 224: July 27: 6pm; “About 6 o’clock the enemy renewed the attack, advancing immense bodies of infantry, under cover of artillery, along the road from Cold Harbor to Adams’ house, immediately upon our right and center, where Sykes’ division and Griffin’s brigade were place. This furious attack was successfully resisted and repulsed, but immediately renewed by fresh troops. The reserves were pushed as rapidly as possible into the woods to the support of Griffin, whose regiments were relieved upon the expenditure of their ammunition. This and all our positions were held against enormous odds, and the enemy were at times driven back by our battalions of fresh troops as they were successfully thrown into action.”
p. 226: Mechanicsville: “In this latter respect (the excellent posting of his men) I also commend Brigadier-General Griffin.”
Chickahominy: “to Brigadier General Morrell and his brigade commanders, Martindale, Butterfield, and Griffin, who yielded their positon in the front only after their ammunition was expended and their regiments much cut up.”
No. 112 Report of BG George W. Morell, US Army, commanding First Division
[HQ Morrell’s Div, Fifth Army Corps (Porter’s), Harrison’s Bar, VA July 21,1862]
p. 272 June 26 morning: Morrell ordered the First Brigade (Martindale) to Mechanicsville to take position on the extreme right near Richardson’s; the 3rd Brigade (Butterfield) toward Old Church, “and retained the Second, General Griffin’s, with Weeden’s First Rhode Island Battery, in camp.” Early afternoon, the attack was developed at Mechanicsville. “I arrived at Mechancisville, or Beaver Creek, between 5 and 6 o’clock, and found McCall’s division Pennsylvania Reserves closely engaged on the defensive. His right, under General Reynolds, was severely pressed, and I ordered General Griffin to support him and take care of the interval between him and General Martindale. Two of Griffin’s regiments, the Fourteenth New York Volunteers, Colonel McQuade, and the Fourth Michigan, Colonel Woodbury, became almost instantly engaged, the other two, the Ninth Massaschusetts, Colonel Cass, Sixty-second Pennsylvania, Colonel Black, and Weeden’s battery, were held in reserve. The action continued until after dark, our troops repelling the enemy and maintaining their ground. As soon as the Second Brigade was in position I rode to General Martindale, who was near Richardson’s.”
Friday 1am, orders received from Porter for line to retire beyond Gaines Mill, which was begun at daybreak, reaching “old camping ground at Gaines Mill about 7 am….. Then retired about a mile beyond Gaines Mill to Mrs Watts farm, near New Cold Harbor.” Posted Griffin’s Second Brigade on the right of the [p. 273] First Brigade in line facing West. 9MA (Cass) ordered to ‘hold the enemy in check at the bridge at Gaines’ Mill, as long as practicable and then to retire slowly to our positon, which was ably performed.” “The enemy approached through the woods from the direction of New Cold Harbor, and made their first serious attack about 12’oclock upon the right, which was handsomely repulsed by Griffin’s brigade. The second attack was made about 2:30 and the third about 5:30 o’clock, each extending along my entire front, and both, like the first, were gallantly, repulsed.” Fourth attack on center and left forced division to retire.
p. 274 Saturday 2PM, we crossed the Chickahominy via Alexander’s Bridge, and bivouacked near the late general headquarters, on Dr. Trent’s farm. Then marched to Savage Station, then crossed White Oak Swamp, bivouacked on south side on Britton’s farm.
Sunday: Porter sends division to junction of Long Bridge/New Market road and Charles City and Quaker Roads, forming line facing Richmond.
Monday (June 30): started for Turkey Bridge and James River via Quaker Rd and Malvern Hill. Division occupied the extreme left of the line at Battle of Malvern Hill. The Second Brigade, General Griffin, was ordered to the front. The artillery advanced toward the woods, and was supported on the left by the 9MA (Cass) and 62PA (Hull) and on right by part of Couch’s DIv.
Tues (July 1) early morning 4MI (Woodbury) relieved 83PA sent forward to left of batteries. 14NY (McQuade) with a section of Weeden’s Battery, “placed in the edge of the field, between the Richmond road and Dr. JH Mellert’s house, facing to the west, to watch the road and valley and protect our left. …. The artillery in front was placed under command of General Griffin.” Griffin’s brigade directly in front of Martindale and Butterfield.
p. 276: late afternoon, enemy appeared ascending the hill near Mellert’s house, and opened fire on 14NY, which promptly advanced to meet them, and after a sharp engagement, in which three attacks were repulsed, drove them away.”
On Left front: enemy in great force emergerd from the woods and nontwithtanding the severe fire from the batteries, advanced steadily until they arrived near them, when the supporting regiments – 4MI (Woodbury) 9MA (Cass) and 62PA (Hull) “gallantly moved forward and repulsed them” but regiments compelled to fall back to “their former position, where they maintained their ground until their ammunition was exhausted, and they were regularly relieved”
Enemy “fought with great obstinacy, but made no impression on our line… they were finally driven from the field, which remained in our possession, and was picketed from my division by the First Brigade, 16MI of the 3rd and “14NY of the second brigade, this last regiment retaining the position it held in the morning. The Second Brigade, with the exception of 14NY, when relieved retired to the vicinity of Malvern House.”
Arrived at Harrison’s Bar near sunrise Wed. July 2.
At Malvern, 4MI “nobly held its ground after its colonel (Woodbury) was killed until its ammunition [p. 277] was exhausted and it was relieved by 14NY, when it retired in perfect order.” Also at Malvern, Col Cass mortally wounded, dying a few days after reaching home.
“I desire especially to recognize the services of General Griffin, who held the front at Malvern, and in addition to his brigade had the immediate command of the batteries, which his knowledge and experience as an officer of artillery enabled him to use with a skill and judgment that contributed materially to our success. His horse was killed under him.” Recommends, McQuade 14NY, only surviving colonel in 2nd Brigade, for promotion.
No. 115 Rep of Capt. William B Weeden, Battery C, 1RI Light Artillery, Chief of Artillery, or operations May 24-July 2. [HQ BattC 1RILA, Harrison’s Bar July 2, 1862]
p. 281: May 30 “Marched to New Bridge at 2pm, during a heavy thunder-storm, and reported to Capt. Charles Griffin, commanding division artillery, at 6:30pm”
p. 282: Thurs. June 26 battery marched (5pm) with Griffin’s brigade on Mechanicsville road. Griffin’s command went forward into action, and the battery was held in support in rear and to right of the road. During the night it was ordered by the division general to fall back with General Griffin’s column.”
p. 283 July 1: Commanded by Porter at 8:30am “we moved to front, and remained in reserve to support General Griffin’s command.” At 12:30pm, by command of Brigadier-General Griffin, we took position on the left of the White House, to command the bottom of our left.”
After 4pm, “The enemy opened fire from batteries posted under cover of woods opposite Griffin’s position.”
No. 119, Rep of BG John H. Martindale, US Army commanding First Brigade [HQ Mil Dist. of Washington, March 27, 1863]
p. 291: July 27, 1862: went to Porter’s HQ at Watts’ house to see about artillery. “There I met General Griffin, who at my request went with me to examine the ground. He pronounced the artillery most needful in the position indicated. At length two pieces only were sent.”
No. 127. Report of Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, of the battles of Mechanicsville and Gaines’ Mill, engagement at Turkey Bridge, and battle of Malvern Hill.
Hdqrs. Second Brigade, Morell’s Division, July 5, 1862. [p. 312]
Sir : I have the honor to report that, in compliance with orders from Headquarters Army of the Potomac, I assumed command of the Second Brigade at 2 o’clock p. m. on the 26th of June, 1862, at Gaines’ farm, and at 3 o’clock same date received orders for the brigade to move immediately in the direction of headquarters Fifth Provisional Army Corps, when further orders were received to march as speedily as possible to the support of General J. F. Reynolds, who was engaging the enemy at or near Mechanicsville. The brigade arrived about 5.30 o’clock, and by direction of General Reynolds formed line of battle, under a terrific artillery fire, in rear of the center of the line engaged. Soon after the Fourth Michigan, Col. D. A. Woodbury, moved forward and relieved Colonel Simmons’ Pennsylvania regiment, and the Fourteenth New York, Col. James McQuade, advanced to relieve and support the Kane Rifles on the right. The Fourth Michigan was scarcely in position when it was attacked by two regiments of the enemy, which were repulsed in the handsomest manner, the regiment firing about 15 rounds per man. Four companies of the Fourteenth were engaged for a short time. After night-fall the firing ceased and the enemy fell back, whilst our troops held their position until 2 o’clock on the morning of the 27th, when orders were received to return to our former camp, which was reached about 7 o’clock.
[p. 313] The casualties on the 26th were 1 man killed and 3 wounded in the Fourteenth New York; 3 killed, 22 wounded, and 4 missing in the Fourth Michigan, and 1 killed and 2 wounded in the Ninth Massachusetts, making an aggregate of 36.
About 9 a. m. of the 27th the brigade received orders to fail back and take position on the east side of Gaines* Creek, which point was reached about 10 o’clock. The urgency of the movement rendered the destruction of our commissary stores and camp and garrison equipage necessary in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy, a number of wagons belonging to the brigade train being at the White House. The Ninth Massachusetts, under command of Colonel Cass, was ordered by General Morell to hold the enemy in check and prevent his crossing at Gaines’ Mill, which duty was gallantly performed. The enemy crossing above the mill in force, Colonel Cass was ordered to fall back gradually to the line occupied by the other regiments of the brigade.
About 12 m. the enemy appeared in force in front of the Ninth Massachusetts, posted on the right, and made a fierce attack. The Ninth as a regiment received the onslaught with steadiness and repulsed it. The extreme left wavered for a moment, but soon recovered its place. The Fourteenth New York was in line of battle to the left of the Ninth and the Fourth Michigan some distance to the left of the Fourteenth. The right wing of the Fourteenth was exposed to a heavy fire of the enemy at this time, but nobly and repeatedly drove him back at the point of the bayonet. Lieutenant-Colonel Skillen, of the Fourteenth, was here mortally wounded. The Sixty-second Pennsylvania, which had been held in reserve, was moved up to support the Ninth Massachusetts, and after delivering a volley was pushed forward by its gallant colonel at a charge bayonet. Colonel Black was instantly killed at the head of his regiment during the charge. The right wing of the Fourteenth and the Ninth and the Sixty-second held their position in the wood, resisting repeated attacks by fresh troops of the enemy, until they were relieved by Newton’s brigade and ordered to fall back. About 6 o’clock the Sixty second, having received a fresh supply of ammunition, was gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Sweitzer to support the troops on our left. In this advance Colonel Sweitzer was badly wounded and left on the field. The left wing of the brigade, consisting of the Fourth Michigan, and the left wing of the Fourteenth New York, under command of Colonel McQuade, held its position until late in the evening, but was forced to retire after the troops on the left of the line gave way.
It may be proper to mention here that the artillery, by order of General Porter and under my direction, opened fire upon the enemy advancing upon our left, but it was too late. Our infantry had already commenced to fall back, and nothing being left to give confidence to the artillerymen, it was impossible to make them stand to their work. The brigade was rallied and formed in its proper order near the hospital, where it remained until 2 o’clock the next morning, when it crossed the Chickahominy and encamped near general headquarters.
Our loss in the battle was as follows: Killed, 96; wounded, 354; missing, 136—an aggregate of 586.
About 2 o’clock p. m. June 28 the brigade left this point and marched to White Oak Swamp, where it encamped for the night, moving the next morning toward Turkey Island Bridge, which was reached about 10 o’clock a. m. June 30. The men bivouacked in a wood for a [p. 314] few hours, when the brigade was ordered to take position on Malvern Hill, a battle being in progress on our front and left. The Ninth and Sixty-second were moved to the front to support batteries in the wheat field, the Fourteenth and the Fourth being held in reserve. A rebel battery on our left opened fire and killed a sergeant in the Fourth Michigan and slightly wounded one man in the Fourteenth New York. The regiments lay upon their arms and retained their relative positions during the night. Shortly after sunrise on the morning of July 1 the Fourth Michigan was moved up to relieve the Eighty-third Pennsylvania in supporting our batteries in position on the left. The Fourteenth New York was posted on the hill commanding the Richmond road to protect the left flank, the Ninth Massachusetts and Sixty-second retaining their original positions.
About 8 o’clock General Porter placed the artillery under my command. It was supported on the right by Couch’s division. Not far from 10 o’clock the enemy advanced two brigades in front of Couch’s right, approaching so close as to throw their musket balls into our batteries, but by a quick concentration of the fire of the four batteries on the field they were soon repulsed. About two hours afterward the enemy attempted an advance upon our extreme left with what appeared to be two brigades, forming in the open field, but the same artillery fire caused him to break and retreat in the greatest disorder. An hour, perhaps, after this the enemy attempted the same maneuver near our right and along the road by which the troops came up, but was again handsomely repulsed, by our artillery fire, leaving a stand of colors on the field, which fell into our hands. Here Couch’s right wing advanced and drove the enemy far through the wood. The batteries engaged were Captains Edwards’ and Livingston’s Third U. S. Artillery, four Parrott guns each; Battery D, Fifth U. S. Artillery, under command of Lieutenant Kingsbury, six Parrott guns; Battery A, Fifth U. S. Artillery, Lieutenant Ames, six light 12-pounders, and three guns of Weeden’s Rhode Island and two of Fifth Massachusetts, under command of Lieutenants Waterman and Hyde. The batteries were excellently served. The greatest coolness and bravery wrere displayed by officers and men, and my only regret is my inability to mention the officers by name.
After this a sharp fire was kept up by skirmishers and artillery until 5.30 o’clock, when the enemy made his final and fiercest attack on our left. The artillery continued its effective fire until the enemy arrived within a few yards of our batteries, when the supporting regiments— Fourth Michigan, Colonel Woodbury; Ninth Massachusetts, Colonel Cass, and Sixty-second Pennsylvania, Captain Hull—gallantly moved forward and repulsed him. But a fresh force making its appearance both on left and right, the regiments were compelled to fall back, being relieved by the Twelfth New York, Forty-fourth New York, and Eighty-third Pennsylvania. Five times were the colors of the Sixty-second-cut down and as often determinedly raised and rescued, the last time being picked up by an officer of the Forty-fourth New York, who delivered them to Captain Hull upon the demand of a sergeant of Company 1) of his regiment. The Sixty-second Pennsylvania left the field with its colors flying. The handsome manner in which the Fourth Michigan stood its ground and the good order in which it retired from the field wras the subject of comment among all who witnessed it. The gallant Colonel Woodbury fell dead urging his men on to victory. The Ninth Massachusetts well maintained the reputation it has ever borne, the colonel being dangerously wounded. The Fourteenth New York was [p. 315] moved from its first position to resist an attack of the enemy, who was endeavoring to turn our left flank, and exposed to a most deadly fire, which it withstood without flinching during the entire engagement, repulsing the enemy three times. The Fourteenth was not relieved, hut held its position on the field of battle until 2 o’clock the next morning, when the entire army was ordered to fall back.
The casualties were as follows: Killed, 79; wounded, 414; missing, 38; an ggregate of 531. During the cannonade of the enemy on the 3d of July 2 men of the Fourteenth New York were wounded. An accurate report of the killed, wounded, and missing will be found in the accompanying statements of regiments. Ko language could do justice to the admirable conduct of the officers and men. The evidence of their courage will be found in the list of killed and wounded, and the comparatively small number of missing, a majority of whom it is but fair to suppose were left on the field disabled. The men received but one day’s rations from the 27th of June to the 2d of July, yet they made no complaints, but endured the hardships of the march patiently, and fought in every engagement with the courage and impetuosity of fresh troops.
This report would not be complete if it omitted a proper recognition of the valuable services of my acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. 0. B. Mervine, and Lieut. W. G. Lowry, aide-de-camp. Their bravery in .action, alacrity in the transmission of orders, and unfaltering endurance of the fatiguing march are worthy of the greatest praise.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. GRIFFIN, Brigadier-General, Commanding Second Brigade.
Capt. R. T. Auchmuty,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 128: Reports of BG Dan Butterfield, US Army, commanding 3rd Brigade
[HQ 3rd Brigade, First Div, V Corps, Camp Harrison’s Landing VA July 11,1862]
p. 319 Monday June 30 afternoon, received orders to move to a position on Malvern Hill “in front of the Malvern house, supporting some batteries of General Sykes’ division of General Griffin’s brigade, as circumstances might render expedient. …General Griffin sent to me for a regiment to support him late in the afternoon, and the 83PA was sent to him and remained with him overnight, returning next morning.
p. 320: Tues July 1: Enemy flank movement. Butterfield ordered 44NY “to advance in line of battle, cross the field in front, and relieve a portion of General Griffin’s command, who ammunition seemed to be exhausted, and to charge the enemy with the 83rd regiment.”
No. 139 Rep. of Capt. John Edwards, Commanding Batteries L and M, 3US Art
[Camp near James River, Va, July 5, 1862]
p. 357: July 1 – I was ordered to the front July 1 “General Griffin directed me to a position near a small house, about 900 yards from the woods in front, where the enemy had their forces concealed….. After some time a regiment of rebels emerged from the woods waving their flag. The battery plied them with case-shot, and as they approached nearer with double rounds of canister. The 9MA, which was in rear of my battery, then rose up, gave a cheer, and advanced bravely as far as the rear of my limbers, where they crouched down and opened a fire of musketry in spite of all my efforts to stop them, thereby placing my men and horses in great jeopardy.” 9MA advanced a short distance beyond the guns, which then limbered up and withdrew.
No. 154: Rep of BG George A. McCall, USArmy commanding 3rd Div.
[HQ McCall’s Div; Camp near Harrison’s Landing, August 12, 1862]
p. 386 June 27: “About sunset Griffin’s brigade, with Edwards’ (regular) battery, arrived. The former I requested its gallant leader to move to the extreme right, that being the weakest point in my position. Some time elapsed before these troops could reach their ground, and as the enemy had advanced only a portion of this force could be brought into action. Then, a short time before the close of the engagement, the 4MI, Col Woodbury, relieved the 5PA Res, whose ammunition was exhausted, and two companies of the 14NY joined the Rifles and the detachment of Berdan’s sharpshooters.”
Withdrawal: “Griffin’s brigade and Edwards’ battery were the next to be withdrawn. This was done coolly and successfully.”
p. 387: “It is with much gratification that I acknowledge my obligation to General Griffin, who promptly brought his fine brigade to my support at a time it was supposed to be much needed.”
VOLUME LI PART 1
p. 697
SO 192 HQ AOP Camp Lincoln Va, June 25, 1862 – S. Williams AAG
BG Griffin, volunteer service, having reported for duty at these headquarters is assigned to the brigade lately commanded by BG Morell. He will accordingly report to BG FJ Porter, commanding Fifth Provisional Corps, without delay.”
<<this is the 2nd Brig. in Morrell’s Division, formerly commanded by Col McQuade 14NY
p. 701 Locke AAG HQ V Prov. Corps Camp near New Bridge VA June 26, 1862
Griffin is assigned to brigade McQuade has “successfully and satisfactorily and in action gallantly commanded… only in consequence of the ordinary routine of duty which compels to be given a brigadier-general the command appropriate to his rank.”
p. 722 Porter HQ V Prov Corps, Near Harrison’s Landing, Va July 16, 1862
presents list of officers to reward by promotion by brevets: “Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin, captain Fifth Artillery, Yorktown, Chickahominy, and Malvern.”
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