CAMP NEAR HALL'S HILL, VA.,

September 4, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the movements of the Fourth Regiment of Regular Infantry on Saturday, the 30th day of august, 1862:

the regiment was formed at daylight near the Manassas Gap Railroad, about 1 mile from its junction with the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, where it had bivouacked for the night, and marched from there to the Alexandria and Warrenton turnpike, near Dogan's house, arriving at about 8 o'clock a. m. The regiment soon after was formed in line of battle in an open field about 400 yards in front of the Dogan house, covering the Twelfth Infantry, and with its left resting on the turnpike. The enemy commenced a vigorous shelling of our position almost immediately, doing but little damage. Our loss in this position was 1 killed and 3 wounded.

at about 12 o'clock we moved forward in line of battle and took position near the woods to the right and front, and about 1,200 yards distant from the Dogan house, where we remained until about 3.30 o'clock p. m., when we were ordered to fall back and take up a position on the plateau in front of the Henry and Robinson houses. In making this movement we passed nearly over the ground that we had been formed on during the early part of the day, and at or about this point Captain Collins was struck on the thigh with a round shot, producing a severe contusion of the thigh, rendering him unfit for further duty on the field. I then assumed command of the regiment. We had not been long in position on the plateau oboe mentioned when we received an order to re-enforce General Meade's brigade, then engaged on the left and about 500 yards in our front. On arriving in rear of General Meade's line, which was lying down and firing from a ditch, I halted the regiment and opened fire by battalion, firing six rounds. The enemy having disappeared in front of this position and moved to his right, where he was massing a large body of troops in a dense forest, I received an order from Colonel Buchanan to move the Fourth to the left.

I immediately placed the regiment about its length to its left, on a road immediately in front of the woods, where the enemy were expected to make their appearance in a few moments. We had not long to wait for them, when we discovered that they were two brigades strong, by battalion in mass, not 20 yards distant. I immediately gave the command to fire by battalion, and we gave them three rounds before they could recover themselves enough to reply. Their loss must have been terrible. I then received an order from Colonel buchanan to retire. I immediately gave the command to face about, and marched in line of battle about 30 yards to the rear, halted and faced about, and gave them another volley.

The enemy's fire having become very severe I here faced about and marched it about 60 yards more, halted and faced about. The left flank of the regiment being covered by one of our own regiments the order was given to fire by wing, firing two rounds, when we were ordered to fall back to our original position on the plateau above mentioned, where we remained but a few moments, then receiving an order to fall in and march to Centreville, arriving there in good order at about 12 o'clock p. m. Our loss during the day was 1 sergeant and 2 privates killed; 1 officer, 1 corporal, and 13 privates wounded.

It gives me much pleasure to say that both officers and men of the regiment behaved throughout the whole day with great gallantry and coolness.

The following-named officers were present with the battalion during the engagement: Joseph B. Collins, captain, commanding regiment; Hiram Dryer, captain, acting field officer; C. H. Carlton, first lieutenant, commanding Company A; A. R. Benedict, first lieutenant, commanding Company B; Thomas A. Martin, first lieutenant, commanding Company H; A. B. Cain, first lieutenant, commanding company I; Alexander Carolina, first lieutenant, commanding Company F; William S. Collier, first lieutenant, commanding Company K; John L. Buell, first lieutenant, temporarily commanding Company G; A. E. Sheldon, second lieutenant, R. P. McKibbin, second lieutenant; George M. Randall, second lieutenant, commanding Company C; Henry W. Patterson, second lieutenant; Solomon G. Krepps, second lieutenant; Samuel P. Crowley, second lieutenant; George Williams, second lieutenant; J. R. Gibson, assistant surgeon.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HIRAM DRYER,

Captain, Fourth Infantry, Commanding Regiment.

Lieutenant WILLIAM H. POWELL,

Fourth Infantry, Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Present.