HEADQUARTERS SYKES' DIVISION, Camp near Harrison's Landing, July 7, 1862.

SIR: The events taking place since the 26th ultimo have followed each other so rapidly that they may well be included in one general summary, which I have the honor herewith to submit:

The enemy having attacked in force at Mechanicsville on the 26th of June, my command moved a short distance in that direction as a support and bivouacked for the night. Early on the 27th I retired to the position assigned me near New Cold Harbor, and subsequently to a second position, chosen to command the roads leading from New and Old Cold harbor to Dispatch Station, on the Richmond and York River Railroad. My troops occupied the cres t of a hill in an open field, party covered by a fence and partly by the inequalities of the ground. McGehee's house, in rear of my right center, was the commanding point of the position. At the distance of 400 yards my front was masked throughout by heavy timber, bordering a ravine and where my left connected with other troops of Porter's corps a dense forest extended to the left and front. under cover of this the enemy was enabled to form his masses, protect them from our fire, and hurl them on our lines.

Weed's battery, supported by the fourth U. S. Infantry, occupied my right, and commanded the approach from Old Cold Harbor. Then followed to the left the Third, Fourteenth, Twelfth, Sixth, Second, Tenth, Seventeenth, and Eleventh U. S. Regular Infantry, Fifth and Tenth New York Volunteers, with sections of Edwards' battery at intervals along the line. These troops formed three brigades. The first and Third, under Colonels Buchanan and Warren, U. S. Army, were deployed; the Second, under Major Lovell, Tenth Infantry, was held in reserve.

About 11 a. m. the enemy appeared in some force beyond the ravine un front, and with his artillery endeavored to shake the center of my line of battle. From this hour till 2 p. m., his battalions being constantly strengthened, he made repeated attempts on the flanks and center of my line and was as often driven back to his lair. At noon Tidball's battery of Horse Artillery reported to me, and taking position on the right of Weed, these two batteries broke up every attack of the enemy on our right flank, and finally sent him scampering to his main body, on our left. Matters now remained quiet for an hour. It was only the lull that precedes the storm.

At 3 p. m. I directed Colonel Warren to throw forward his skirmishers and feel the enemy in the ravine. Desultory firing began, which soon deepened into a continuous roar, unvarying and unceasing, until darkness set in and the conflict ceased. i this interval between 2 and 3 p. m. the enemy had brought up his reserves, replenished his ammunition, and under cover of the forest heretofore mentioned marshaled his legions for a grand attack. It was not one, but many, each of which was met and repulsed with a steady valor that could not be surpassed. in these attacks the Fifth New York Volunteers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Dureyea, and Second, Sixth, Twelfth, and Fourteenth U. S. Infantry were especially conspicuous. The Fifth New York Vol

unteers were the peers of any troops on that hard-fought field. The Twelfth and Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, under Major Clitz and Captain O'Connell, advanced in the most perfect order in line, and heroically aiding Warren's brigade (Fifth and Tenth New York Volunteers), drove the enemy from our left and center far into the woods beyond. In connection with this movement the Third U. S. Infantry, under Major Rossell, was thrown from its original position to the right and rear of the Twelfth and Fourteenth, and while in this exposed situation, boldly resisting the foe, the gallant major lost his life.

In was now 5.30 p. m. The enemy still continued to pour in fresh troops against 4,500 men, who had baffled him at every point since 11 in the morning. Their excess of strength compelled the Twelfth and Fourteenth to occupy the crest of a secondary ridge somewhat in rear of the position they had previously won. While holding it they were attacked in overwhelming numbers, the Twelfth decimated, and Major Clitz severely, if not fatally, wounded. Around his fate, still shrouded in mystery, hangs the painful apprehension that a career so noble, so soldierly, so brave, has terminated on that field, whose honor he so gallantly upheld. Previous to this a brigade of volunteers, under Co. J. J. Bartlett, consisting of the Sixteenth and Twenty-seventh New York Volunteers, Fifth Maine, and Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Kingsbury's battery, Regular Artillery, joined my command. Under my direction, Colonel Barlett posted the regiments of his brigade with great daring in front of and around McGehee's house, and firmly maintained himself until the center of Porter's army was pierced, the troops in his front driven in, his left flank exposed, and his position no longer tenable. Kingsbury's battery (regulars) unlimbered on the crest of the ridge near and to the right of McGehee's house, and maintained its stand with great obstinacy and effect until the enemy were upon it and the infantry supports forced from the field.

In the early part of the action I was compelled to separate the sections of Captain Edwards' battery, but in their assigned positions thy were admirably served, and moving from the center to the front and center to the left were more exposed than any other guns in the division. One of these sections near McGehee's house held its ground until the final attack of the enemy, when, having all its chiefs of pieces killed or wounded and its horses disabled, it was impossible to bring it off, and it fell a trophy to the foe.

Bartlett's troops now fell back to the foot of the hill. The Third, Twelfth, and Fourteenth U. S. Infantry joined in this movement, covered by Kingsbury's battery, which taking a new front to the right and rear of its former one and supported by the Third U. S. Infantry, held the rebels at bay until the troops had passed. Weed's and Tidball's batteries, with the Fourth U. S. Infantry, still kept their original position on the Old Cold Harbor road. The skillful handling of these guns during the battle prevented the enemy from turning my right flank, on which he made three distinct attacks, forced him to develop his own attack on the center and left of my line, and, with the assistance of the Fourth U. S. Infantry, cleared the way for themselves to retire to our new rendezvous.

This much for the right of my line. On the left, when the enemy had pushed back the troops opposed to him the Tenth, Eleventh, and Seventeenth U. S. Infantry (which, though always under fire, had been my principal reserve) were brought forward in the handsomest manner, winning the admiration of their brigade commander, Major Lovell, by their wonderful coolness and steadiness; but the tide was too strong

for them. Few in numbers, they could not stem it. Here also a small remnant of the Second Infantry, less than 70 strong, rallied near the outhouses of McGehee's farm, and, led by Captain Bond and Lieutenant Grafius, Second Infantry, my assistant adjutant-general, Lieutenant Foster, and my assistant quartermaster, Lieutenant Parker, drove an entire regiment of rebels from their path. These battalions, the rest of Lovell's brigade, and Warren's troops, exhausted and out of ammunition, sullenly retired along the slope in rear of McGhee's, and united with the rest of the division at its base. At this point, half a mile from the battle-field, my command remained until relieved, about 9.30 p. m., by the brigades of French and Meagher.

These brigades were not in the action just closed. This was accomplished with-out confusion, and the troops bivouacked on the heights formerly occupied by the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, and commanding the approaches from the river.

At 6 p. m. on the 28th I resumed the march to White Oak Swamp via Savage Station, and halted in rain and darkness at 2 in the morning. At dawn I continued my route, crossed the swamp at Brackett's Ford, and occupied a position on the Charles City road near its junction with the New Market and Quaker roads, and in communication with the troops of General Couch.

In the afternoon (29th) the division of general Hooker crossed the swamp and bivouacked in rear of my line. A brigade under General Berry also approaching, i requested him to establish it on my right, which, with the assistance of Colonel Warren, who had reconnoitered the ground, was immediately done.

Early on the 30th, General Kearny having arrived with the remainder of his troops, my division was withdrawn, and took up the march for Turkey Island Bridge. I reached the plateau of Malvern about 11 a. m., where, agreeably to the orders of General F. J. Porter, and assisted by Colonel G. K. Warren, Fifth New York Volunteers, all the available artillery was posted to control the approaches in our front. Two regiments of Buchanan's brigade were thrown into a clump of pines on my extreme right. The other two supported Weed's battery (regulars) and one of New york Volunteers. Chapman's brigade, commanded by Major Lovell, Tenth Infantry, prolonged the line to the left, covering the guns of Edwards, Carlisle, and Smead (regulars), and Captain Voegelee's battery of New York Volunteers, Artillery reserve. Warren's brigade was thrown in the valley on the left and below the plateau, watching the River road from Richmond. At a later hour he was supported by the Eleventh Infantry, under Major Floyd-Jones, and strengthened by Martin's battery of light 12 pounders and a detachment of cavalry for outpost duty, under Lieutenant Hess. My tops then rested on their arms, while other corps of the army followed, and took up the ground assigned them on the plateau to the right and rear.

Nothing could be more commanding than the line I held, and when in the course of the afternoon the enemy showed himself in front, the concentrated fire of our artillery smashed his batteries to pieces, compelled him to leave two guns and six caissons on the ground, and drove his infantry and cavalry ignominiously in retreat. He was not again heard from in that direction. ("A commissioned officer taken prisoner stated this column to have been 15,000 strong, with thirty guns, and two regiments of cavalry, under Generals Holmes and Wise.")

Early on the 1st of July the enemy appeared beyond my extreme right and in front of General Griffin. A lively cannonade began and continued for a few hours. At 3 p. m., having gathered his columns,

the attack was renewed with great violence. The heavy batteries on my line, under Colonel Tyler, First Connecticut; Captain Carlisle, U. S. Army, and Voegelee, New York Volunteers, ranging far up the valley toward the enemy's approach, assisted in holding him at bay. This attack was mainly on the divisions of Morell and Couch. After continuing for some hours with great intensity I was directed to move in support, and with the brigades of Buchanan and Lovell marched to the field. Fortunately I arrived in time to assist in the defeat of the enemy. My troops were posted to cover the left of our line, though some of Buchanan's regiments overlapped those of our own troops immediately in front. On getting into position I discovered a strong movement of the rebels from the hill on their extreme right. Ignorant of our presence, they advanced with cheers and descended the opposite slope. I directed Captain O'Connell, commanding the Fourteenth Infantry, to reserve his fire until their flank was well exposed; then, giving the word, the Fourteenth poured in two or three well-aimed volleys, which so shattered the enemy that he field to the rear in confusion and disorder. It was now quite dark, and this closed the fight on the left. The Third and Fourth U. S. Infantry were partly engaged on the right, meeting with some loss.

The brigades bivouacked on the battle-field. At midnight Lovell's brigade was ordered to retire, while Buchanan's held its ground as a rear guard, to cover the withdrawal of the army. My Third Brigade (Warren's), still in position on the River road, was directed to head the column en route to James River, but the stream of troops hurrying along the highway shut him out from the lead. Seeing this, I held the Second and Third Brigades in hand, with a view to support the rear guard, if necessary, and permitted the army heretofore on the plateau of Malvern to pass. At 6 a.m. the road was clear, when I moved to Harrison's Landing. Buchanan's brigade, forming part of the rear guard, under Colonel Averell, in face of the enemy, covered the withdrawal of the army, and was the last to leave the plateau.

On the following day, after being under arms and moving out to meet the enemy, I encamped in my present position. In the various operations, extending from the 26th of June to the 3rd of July, it is almost impossible that any one report, striving to embody and harmonize a dozen others, should succeed. Where this harmony is wanting I beg to refer to the reports of brigade and regimental commanders, and ask for them the consideration they deserve. Those of Colonel Buchanan, Colonel Warren, and Major Lovell are particularly explicit and satisfactory.

It is my painful duty to advert to cases of misbehavior and neglect mentioned by brigade and regimental commanders, and to say that they are already the subject of official investigation.

Its is my pleasing duty to bring to the notice of the general commanding the services of Colonel R. C. Buchanan, Fourth U. S. Infantry; Major C. S. Lovell, Tenth U. S. U Infantry, and Colonel G. K. Warren, Fifth New York Volunteers, brigade commanders, and to add that their zealous co-operation in all our movements, gallantry, fortitude, and management of their troops left me nothing to direct or advise.

The continued illness of Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman, Third Infantry, commander of the Second Brigade, deprived me of his valuable services in the battle herein described. Though still feeble he took the head of his brigade on the evening of the 30th, but was unable to command it on the following day. Colonel Warren, with the practical experience of an accomplished engineer, his untiring industry, unceasing energy, and unsurpassed gallantry upon the field won for himself promotion,

which cannot be too soon or more worthily bestowed. To my personal staff I am under great obligations. Lieutenant S. A. Foster, Sixth Infantry, assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant James A. Snyder, Third Infantry, aide-de-camp; Lieutenant T. D. Parker, Second Infantry, assistant quartermaster, and Lieutenant Henry Inman, Seventeenth Infantry, acting commissary of subsistence, were zealous, gallant, and active. Their duties, constant and dangerous, were performed just as I desired.

I had the misfortune to lose Lieutenant Parker, killed near the close of the action on the 27th, and the further services of Lieutenant Inman, severely wounded on the same day. Lieutenant Parker had recently won his commission, adorned it, and had endeared himself to his comrades by the qualities of a solder and a gentleman.

I respectfully refer to the services of the various commanders mentioned in the reports of their brigades, and to add my personal testimony to the coolness, courage, and valor of Colonel Bendix, Tenth New York Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Duryea, Fifth New York Volunteers; Major Floyd-Jones, Eleventh Infantry; Major Clitz, Twelfth Infantry, and Major Andrews, Seventeenth Infantry; Captains Hendrickson, Sixth Infantry; Collins, Fourth Infantry; O'Connell and McKibbin, Fourteenth Infantry; Walker and J. D. Wilkins, Third Infantry, and Captain Bond, Second Infantry. These captains, with the exception of McKibbin, were in command of their regiments, except Capts. J. D. Wilkins and M. M. Blunt, Third and Twelfth Infantry, who were in command of their respective regiments at the battle of Malvern, July 1. In the same list I desire to include the names of Captain R. N. Scott, Fourth Infantry, acting assistant adjutant-general, First Brigade; First Lieutenant John S. Poland, regimental quartermaster, Second Infantry, and acting aide-de-camp, Second Brigade, and Rev. G. Winslow, Fifth New York Volunteers. These officers were conspicuous for gallantry throughout the 27th. The latter, acting as aide-de-camp to Colonel Warren, united in himself the duties of minister, soldier, and surgeon.

I beg also to heartily unite in the various notices of good behavior and soldierly bearing on the part of captains and subaltern officers, and in the recommendations for promotion to faithful and meritorious non-commissioned officers.

The medical officers generally were untiring in their efforts to relieve the wounded. Brigade Surgeon Bigelow, Drs. Spencer, Middleton, and Okie, U. S. Army, had charge of the field hospital. Drs. Sternberg, Forwood, Ramsey, and Woodhull, U. S. Army; Assistant Surgeon Doolittle, New York Volunteers, and Acting Assistant Surgeon Grant were prompt and faithful in their onerous duties. Dr. Doolittle is spoken of by Colonel Warren as being particularly distinguished by his services on the field after having his horse shot under him and being severely bruised. Dr. Sternberg added largely to the reputation already acquired on the disastrous field of Bull Run.

My thanks are especially due to Captain Weed, Fifth, and Captain Edwards, Third, U. S. Artillery, belonging to my division, and to Captain Tidball, Second, and Lieutenant Kingsbury, Fifth, Regular Artillery, and their lieutenants, for the superb manner in which their guns were handled. For the names of these lieutenants general is respectfully referred to the reports of the battery commanders. It is not too much to say that the enemy's attack on my right flank was frustrated mainly by the services of Captains Weed and Tidball.

In conclusion, no army ever underwent greater hardship in the same length of time than this Army of the Potomac. Seven Pitched battery attest its valor. Hunger, night marches, tropical heat, storm-drenched,

weary, and exhausted, they reached their new base uncomplainingly, cheerful, still defiant.

Annexed will be found tabular statements of the killed, wounded, and missing. They aggregate 8 officers killed, 30 wounded, 6 missing; 178 enlisted men killed, 656 wounded, 288 missing. Grand total, 1,122 killed, wounded, and missing.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. SYKES,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

Captain FRED. T. LOCKE, A. A. A. G., Fifth Army Corps.