Official Report:On the Division's operations in the actions near White's and Boyd's Farms
Hdqrs., Stahel's Division, In Camp near Boyd's Farm - 10:00pm June 4
FROM: Maj. Gen. Milo L. Stahel
TO: Major General Martin Elson, Army of The Potomac, cmdg.
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Sir,
It is my pleasure to report to you the condition of my Division, following the two sharp engagements, on the 4th inst. of this month June, in The year of our Lord 186?. The following is my official report of the action near White's Farm on the morning of the 4th inst., as well as the subsequent action during the afternoon of the 4th near Boyd's Farm & the Division’s involvement:
At General Elson's command, I relayed the movement orders to my subordinates, and my men filed onto the road from camp and into marching order. General Elson directed General Longstreet, in command of our corps, to move north towards objectives 3 and 8. Longstreet complied, directing General Milam's forces along with my own to move forward with his on the right and secure defensive ground north of the Boyd Farm. The men effected this end with incredible alacrity.
In moving to secure a defensive line north of the Boyd Farm. Advance guards discovered heavy rebel columns moving in from the west northwest. It was learned this force was constituted of rebel General MacLeod, supported by elements of General Palmer's confederate divisions. General Longstreet's timely and cool placement of the corps under Elson's direction came at a crucial time. His Division and General Milam's were able to check the advancing rebel forces, who decided not to attack. As they contemplated the situation, my division filed into line on General Longstreet's left.
As the division came up into line; brigade front, the universe of battle lay before us. General Elson was personally coming up. I formed a defensive line with a reserve pulled up behind the main line. More rebel forces became visible, along with the left wing of our army. As General Elson came up, he noticed an opening; an opportunity to attack a critical point in the rebel line near a necessary objective point. General Elson rode over to me, sword drawn, and instructed me to "fix bayonets". He had a look of incredible determination about him. Complying I turned about and moved my men forward at the quick step. We had to cross a woodlot, and as we came to the edge of the treeline there in, the rebel line was visible across a clearing. The entire Federal left and center seemed to lunge forward at once at the exposed salient angle of the rebel line. The enemy stood some stubborn resistance, but it ultimately crumbled here with great loss of life. We drove them, and soon gained the contested objective in question. General Elson and General Woods Division's in tandem with General Maar's and my own hit the enemy in unison and eventually sent them flying. The fighting dissipated as the enemy quit the field shortly there after.
After resting in the shade of the trees there for sometime, we received the word to move forward, and assayed to go again. General Longstreet, still commanding our corps, directed me to follow his division forward on the right flank of our Army. As we advanced out of the trees, we neared a low ridge to our front. We could see rebel infantry roughly 400-500 yards to our front as we closed on their position. Advance guards and intelligence indicated this force was not at full strength; that we had already faced them in the first engagement.
Following orders received from The Commanding General I deployed my men into Line of battle, to move forward on the right flank for a general advance. Just as we neared the rise to deploy into Line of Battle we noticed the rebel line in a vulnerable state, and took advantage. General Longstreet and I, with weight of numbers and position, forced the enemy from this position. In pushing forward my division was able to gain the road that lead west towards the Boyd Farm. We used this to cut the rebel forces on their left flank in two. After we got them on their heels, they continued to fallback. We seized and held the Boyd farm and established a defensive line West of the objective there. My division remained here until the engagement ended and the enemy again eventually retired from the field.
The Division sustained about 35% casualties; 990 total, and we expect to have inflicted about 1190 casualties in the first engagement near White's Farm. The Division sustained about 18% casualties; 443 total, and we expect to have inflicted about 582 casualties in the second engagement near Boyd's Farm.
In conclusion, I would respectfully call attention again to the coolness and gallantry evidenced under the most trying circumstances by all the men with the Division throughout the duration of the engagements. My compliments to Generals Elson, Longstreet, Maar, Woods, to the field & staff officers, and all involved. I humbly submit to you this report of The Division’s actions on the 4th inst. Thank You Sir.
I Am, Respectfully, Your most obedient servant,
Maj. Gen.
Milo L. Stahel
Commanding , Stahel's Division
1st Corps, Army of The Potomac
U N I O N A R M Y
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