Official Report of Maj. Edward Pye, 95th New York Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac.
In the Field, July 11, 1863
Sir: In compliance with circular from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report:
The Ninety-fifth Regiment, under command of Col. George H. Biddle, was marched in front of the enemy on the 1st instant and engaged them. The left wing of your brigade, comprising the Fourteenth New York State Militia and the Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Fowler, seeing the right wing of the brigade give way, retired a short distance, and then formed line of battle in connection with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, and together charged upon and took as prisoners a large number of the enemy, being part of the same force which had previously driven back the right wing of the brigade, At this time Colonel Biddle was wounded and retired from the field. I then took command of the regiment, in which I was ably assisted by Capt. James Creney, senior captain of the regiment. We were ordered to retire to a new position, in doing which we assisted in dragging off by hand a piece of artillery left on the field. We again advanced to near the ground where the right wing had been engaged in the morning. Being outflanked, we again retired, after which we changed direction to the right and again engaged the enemy. From this position we were also compelled to retire by reason of being flanked by the enemy. We were next ordered to a position on the right of the Theological Seminary, and again engaged the enemy. From this position we retired along with the whole First Army Corps.
My regiment behaved very well, and gave me just cause to be proud of it. All the officers, with one or two exceptions, behaved well. This regiment lost, in killed, 7; wounded, 8 officers and 54 men, and missing (mostly prisoners), 1 officer and 45 men.
On the 2d instant, we occupied the intrenchments on the right, and aided in repelling the enemy. No casualties occurred. On the 3d instant, we continued in the same intrenchments until about 3 p. m., when we were ordered, with the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers and Seventh Indiana Volunteers, to support the left at a point near the cemetery. Our aid was not needed. We remained here during the night, and returned to our former position on the right on the morning of the 4th instant.
I will take occasion to recommend for promotion several non-commissioned officers who deserve special mention.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. PYE,
Major, Comdg. Ninety-fifth New York Volunteer Regiment.
Capt. J. A. Kellogg, A.A.A.G. 2d Brig., 1st Div., 1st Army Corps.
[Source: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. 27, Part 1: Reports, Report No. 41, pages 287-288].
