Hdqrs. Sixteenth Regt. New York Volunteers,
June 28, 1862.

Sir: On Friday, the 27th instant, this regiment, under command of Col. Joseph Howland, in pursuance of orders from brigade headquarters, left its camp with the brigade at 5 o'clock a.m. near Courtney's house, on the south side of the Chickahominy River, to support General Porter's corps, then being engaged by the enemy on the north side of the river, in the vicinity of Gaines' Hill. The regiment was held a Duane's Bridge until 2 o'clock p.m., at which time the brigade was moved down the river and crossed at Alexander's Bridge, arriving on the field of battle at Gaines' Hill at about 4 o'clock p.m., this regiment leading the brigade to its position, assigned by Colonel Bartlett, commanding, on the right of the field. Here the regiment was formed in line of battle and rested in a ravine, which protected it from the enemy's batteries, which were sweeping the field in every direction. In reaching this position from the point where we entered the field, near the center of the line, we were compelled to pass over a level plain a distance of about 500 yards under the fire of cannon and musketry, where three of our men were struck and disabled by a cannon-shot.

After lying in the ravine some fifteen or thirty minutes the regiment was, by order of Colonel Bartlett in person, advanced in line about 100 yards to a position on the plain, where it was halted for some five minutes and the men ordered to lie down. Aga in we were advanced some 50 yards to a fence, where we once more halted for a few minutes, when we again advanced, passing the fence and engaging the enemy, who were not over 50 yards distant.

Our forces had already been compelled to retire from the crest of the hill, leaving one section of a battery in the hands of the enemy. Steadily and with unbroken front the Sixteenth continued to advance, the enemy giving way before it, until it had regained the ground that had been lost and retaken the guns, one of which had been turned upon us. Here a road passed over the top of the hill, with high banks on either side, in which the enemy had thrown themselves to resist our advance. Across this road we pressed amid a shower of bullets, and on the opposite side Colonel Howland ordered the regiment to change front forward on the tenth company, to oppose the fire of the enemy, which then seemed most destructive on our left. The change was made in good order, and our men poured in a deadly fire, before which the enemy wavered and fell back. We held this position for about one hour, until our ammunition was nearly exhausted, when, by direction of Colonel Howland, I endeavored to procure a fresh supply. Failing in this, however, I requested Colonel Cake, of the Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was lying on our left, to come to our support. He accordingly moved the right wing of his regiment to the point indicated, and with his assistance we continued to hold the place till night set in, when the brigade, under personal direction of Colonel Bartlett, was led from the field in as good order as it had been led on, with the exception of the heavy losses it had sustained. During our engagement, which lasted nearly one hour and thirty minutes, the Fifth Maine and Twenty-seventy New York Volunteers were doing efficient service in line on our left.

I regret to report that in the early part of the engagement Colonel Howland received a flesh wound in his left thigh, but he still kept his horse, unmindful of aught but his duty and his command, and with the most undaunted bravery and marked coolness rode through the leaden hail from right to left along his line, and continued to direct the movements of the regiment and cheer on the men during all the fight and conducted the regiment from the field. His would will disable him for several weeks.

Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh received a severe wound in the neck very soon after the regiment had crossed the road on the hill, a Minie ball entering the left side of the neck and lodging against the vertebra. He bore himself bravely during the engagement, and at the instant he was struck he was riding up the line waving his sword and in the act of delivering a message to Colonel Howland. Before the message was delivered or its purport made known he was struck by the ball and fell instantly from his horse, and was borne off the field in an insensible condition.

Among the casualties to the officers of the line I have to report the death of Lieut. A. M. Barnard, Company H, who was struck by a musket-ball in his forehead and instantly killed. Capt. Warren Gibson, Company H, about the same time struck by a musket-ball near the outer corner of the right eye, the ball passing through, back of, and destroying the eye, and coming out near the left temple. Both these officers were nobly and fearlessly discharging their duty at their posts and cheering on their men. The command of the company devolved on Sergt. James M. Hamilton, who behaved with coolness and courage, and did himself great credit during the remainder of the day. Lieut. McFadden, Company K, had his right leg shattered below the knee by a shell. Acting Adjt. Lieut. Pliny Moore, Company C, was severely wounded in the right arm and side by a musket-ball while in the fearless discharge of his duty on the field. Lieut. Charles Bently was wounded slightly by a ball, cutting off the end of his left thumb.

While no man faltered; where every one, officers and men, did their duty so nobly and so well, taking and persistently holding a position under a raking cross-fire, which reduced our ranks fully one-fourth part, to particularize would be invidious. So far as I was able to observe the conduct of the troops not a man left the ranks till he was compelled to from wounds or to bear off a wounded comrade, and any temporary confusion or disorder caused by moving the battalion under a steady and galling fire was promptly corrected by the company officers, whose conduct, as well as that of the men under their command on this occasion, deserves the highest commendation.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. J. Seaver,
Major, Commanding Sixteenth New York Volunteers.

R. P. Wilson
A. A. A. G., 2d Brig., 1st Div., 6th Prov. Army Corps, A. P.

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