82i – Col. James F. Preston

Head Quarters 4th Infantry
Camp Near Manassas Junction

July 23rd 1861

General

As directed by you on yesterday, I submit the following Statement of the operations of the 4th Va Infantry on the 21st Inst.

In obedience to your order this Regiment was formed in line in rear of a battery composed of guns (I believe from Standards, Imbodens, Pendleton and Alburtis Artillery) with directions to support and protect it. The 27th Regiment was formed immediately in my rear with the same orders.

The Forth was exposed to a most galling and fatal fire of Artillery from the front for a considerable time without being able to return it. Also for a time, to a fire of artillery and small arms from the left, thus being a part of the time under a cross fire.

The loss in this position was one officer (Lieut. Logan) Company B, and seven men killed and six or eight men wounded.

On your order which was promptly obeyed the Regiment was moved forward upon the enemy’s battery and their infantry upon our left flank, fired several rounds and charged forward for a considerable distance, drawing the enemy before them and killing and wounding a considerable number. Having a bush fence to cross and a dense thicket, to pass through, the line was broken and the officers and men rushed forward and many of them became intermingled, with the 27th and other Regiments. I attempted to form the line again and charge a body of infantry formed towards my left flank, but only a portion of the Regiment could be restrained. This charge with the assistance of other troops, drove the enemy from the left flank of our battery and caused the abandonment of a Battery of their guns. That portion of the Regiment which I reformed joined a part of Col. Hapers Regiment which then came up and we together moved up a draw to the House in a corn field to the front and left of our original position and there formed the line being joined by a part of (I think of Col. Hampton’s Legion or Georgia) troops our left.

There were nine pieces of cannon in our front from which the horses had been taken and as far as I saw no gunners at them. They were however partially protected by a line of skirmishers in a hollow and a long a hill side and by a body of troops on the crest of the hill. The line being formed, the whole charged down, as far down as the guns firing at and driving the skirmishers out of sight. One of the guns was fired twice at a body of the enemy who were passing in the direction of the Stone Bridge. The flag of the Battery taken marked “8 Regt NYSA” is in possession of the 4th Regiment. A Staff officer then came up with orders for to proceed in the direction of the Stone Bridge, which we did and crossed it. The hour being late and no enemy in sight and the men much exhausted and my numbers greatly diminished, I returned to our original position at the commencement of the battle, cared for the wounded as far as possible and returned to this camp at a late hour at night.

The field and staff officers behaved with the utmost coolness and courage. The company officers and men as far as their conduct came under my observations was such as become gentlemen and Patriots defending their homes and their native soil and was such as I trust met with your approval, you having shared all the danger and witnessed much of what I have stated. Where there were so many acts of individual gallantry it would perhaps be numerous (?) to mention any names. It is hoped however that I may be permitted to bear testimony to the courage coolness and officers like conduct of Captain Peyton N. Hale (Co. F) who was killed near the battery of the whilst leading a part of his company. The Surgeon and assistant surgeon deserve to be mentioned as having done all that could be done under the circumstances in their branch of service, part of the time being much exposed to the enemies fire.

This mornings report shows a loss of life of two officers and 28 men killed and 4 officers and 96 men wounded, none are reported as missing. There must be many deaths still amongst the wounded.

Respectfully
Jas F Preston, Col. 4th Infantry.

Contributed and transcribed by John Hennessy

Citation information to come.