History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

792 SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 1862
they were already hard pressed, and evidently unable to hold out many minutes longer. The enemy, in heavy force, was already marching on the right
to Savage Station. The withdrawal of this force on the left, would leave the
regiment exposed on three sides. It was accordingly decided to retreat rapidly, and the order was silently passed along the line. By rapid marching by
the left to the rear, it succeeded in safely crossing the stream. Scarcely had the
reserve been posted when the enemy opened with infantry and artillery. The
position of the regiment was in a garden between the stream and a log house,
and in front of Richardson's Division. It was supported by the Fifty-third
Pennsylvania, Colonel Brooke, whose right stretched out beyond the crest of
the hill, and one company on his left was in rear about fifty yards. Hazzard's
and Pettit's Batteries were posted near, and did excellent execution. Repeatedly the enemy charged in heavy force and with determined valor, but was as
often hurled back with fearful slaughter, and finally retired. The regiment
was vastly outnumbered,.but had the advantage of a stream and a fence, with
rugged ground in front. The loss in killed and wounded was ninety-six, ineluding four officers. At the close of the action General Sumner rode up to
Colonel Brooke and commended him for the conduct of his regiment; but
Brooke, with the quick sensibility of the true soldier, said, "I am entitled to
no particular credit for this victory. It is the California Regiment in my front
which deserves your compliments. They have fought hard for their laurels, and
shall not be robbed of them by me."
The action closed at one P. M., and the regiment soon after moved on to
Savage Station, where, with the brigade, it went into position two hours later,
on the Williamsburg Road, co-operating with Hancock's, Brooke's, and Meagher's Brigades. At four the enemy commenced a bold attack. It was gallantly met, and a counter charge delivered with the characteristic impetuosity
of Burns, who led it, allayed for a time the thirst of the rebels for battle and
blood. The batteries of Hazzard, here, as in the first encounter, delivered
their schrapnel with terrible effect. With obstinacy on either side the battle
was maintained until nine o'clock, when quietly withdrawing, the corps moved
on to White Oak Swamp. The loss was sixty-eight killed and wounded. The
severely hurt were left upon the field. General Burns received a painful
wound. A bullet carried away the fleshy part of the cheek, and though greatly
weakened by the loss of blood, refused to leave his command until he reached
Harrison's Landing. Upon the march the men, who were exhausted by the
hard service of the day, suffered intensely for want of water, and upon reaching the swamp were glad to drink from the muddy and stagnant pools which
the trains that preceded them had driven through.
On the morning of the 30th the brigade moved to Charles City Cross Roads,
taking position upon the left of the Pennsylvania Reserves. In the progress
of the battle, which raged with great fury from its opening, the enemy charged
with deafening yells upon Hazzard's Battery, that was inflicting terrible
slaughter. It was met by a counter charge from the Seventy-first. The guns
were saved, but many of the gunners having fallen, it was almost silenced. In
this charge Lieutenant George W. Kinney was killed. Stung to madness by
their loss, they sprang to their guns and gave the retreating rebels round upon
round of death-laden missiles. At four o'clock the entire brigade charged to
re-take the guns of a New York battery, which had been abandoned. The