The Seven Days Battle

Fay writes about his involvement in the Battle of Savage Station and the Battle of Malvern Hill

Excerpt: "Heavy cannonading on the left of the line. We are getting accustomed to the "noise of war." We shall have our chance one of these days. I hope we may not prove ourselves cowards- our pieces are loaded and stacked in the Co. Sreets ready for a moments' warning. I do not hink our men realize the position they are in, liable at any moment to be called into battle. We have a large and grand army here. I cannot judge of our strength- we are receiving re-enforcements of Infantry and Cavalry...had no alarm last night as we expected, think we will have a battle by Sunday."

Excerpt: "At 4 Oc. this morning we left the breast-works where we have been fatigueing for so many weeks- Gen. K received orders to draw back last night and when asked why he did not do it replied "that we had built these works to fight behind and if we could not whip the Rebels hee we could not anywhere.....It is evidently a retreat- a terrible distinction of slaves of all kind-The amunition is buried in wells, clothes, knapsacks, tents, blankets, +c...we are determined that nothing of value shall fall into the hands of the enemy."

"One of Co. "D" was shot by the accidental discharge of his piece. He was resting his head on the muzzle....." (continued on pg. 58)

Excerpt: "...when the piece of the man standing next fell striking the hanover. It blew his brains into the air, his cap going up six feet. We buried him quickly. A man's life is not worth much here."

Excerpt: "We are drawn up in line of battle at 2 Oc. P.M. are ordered to draw off everything even our haversacks which we do. are told we are just going out to skirmish and will soon return to get our things. In a few minutes we see the Rebs. driving in our pickets- they came out to the edge of the woods onto the open field where we are. took a look at us. Our artillery opened on them and they fell back and shifted to our left. In a few moments we received order to double quick to the left to prevent their flacnking us. I lost my pistol in this double quick, it hopped out of the holster. We took position in the edge of the woods behind the fence and the Rebs. came on to the open field where we...." (continued on pg. 62)

Excerpt: "....were a few moments before thus getting all our things which we left- The right were to have thrown off our haversacks, it was thro' the inexperience of our Officers- Only our Regt. did it- For what is a soldier good for if he has nothing to eat- Our forces had hard fighting all the afternoon. THe Rebs. seemed to number four to our one. I think that only our (Kearneys) Division was engaged here, at least only a part of our forces were fighting to the immediate right and left of our Regt. but they do not attack our part of the line. Several bayonet-charges I hear that our two left Co's are in the fight. A Battery at our left was taken and retaken several times most desperate and stubborn fighting on both sides. About dark we are shifted to the right to the edge of the battle-field just as he fighting stops, we are near Gen. Wards Hd. Qrs. We are posted on picket in life of attle (i.e. lay down on our faces) by Maj. Ingols of the 40th N.Y.V. field Officer of the Day. We have strict orders, are told "that we hold an important spot, that undoubtedly the Rebs. will try some game on us to get us op on to our feet and give us a volley thereby break us and drive us back, that we have artillery to the right and left of this point and that our firing will be the signal to open the artillery that there will be no passing along the lines by our Officers and if we see anything in front of us to shot it and not the challenge and for God's sake to keep awake." Gen. K. came down afterwards and repeated the same orders in substance. The Reb. line of battle is only a few rods in front of us we are told. And so we are left to ourselves and our reflections- everything is quiteet- now at dusk I feel weak and sick tonight. Have had the bowel complaint ever since we commenced this "grand movement." We have not a mouthful to eat tonight, the Rebs. having got our provisios and everything else. I am thinking tonight what I will cling to last and conclude it shall be my gun and some cartridges. They are our best-friends at this time. Our men are almost worn out nothing but excitement keeps them up. Everthing is as still as night, every few moments I creep around to see if the men are awake. Some fall asleep in spite of every effort to the contrary. i have to keep moving to keep awake and finally fall asleep myself."

Fay Accounts of the Battle of Malvern Hill