Official Records of the Rebellion

[p.546]

CAMP No. 11, May 8, 1862.

GENERAL: The following is a statement of the more important orders  and messages transmitted and delivered by me, as your acting aide-de-camp, during the day of the battle of Williamsburg, on the 5th instant

At about 3.15 p. m., by your direction, I returned from the field to General Sumner, and stated to him your occupation of two of the enemy’s evacuated forts and of the enemy’s appearance in the third, of the firing between the skirmishers of each side and of the artillery, and of your desire for re-enforcements. General Sumner instructed me to say that re-enforcements could not be sent, and that you were to fall back to your original position.

An official letter, dated May 5, 4.20 p. m., and directed to Brig. Gen. William F. Smith, commanding division, was then placed in my hands by you to be delivered to him, with verbal instructions to hand the letter to General Sumner in case I could not readily find General Smith. Going back as quickly as possible, and meeting General Smith within 40 rods of Mason’s house, General Sumner’s headquarters, I delivered the letter to him, who, after reading it, sent me back to you with a verbal message instructing me to say that in regard to falling back or occupying the position you then held you could exercise your discretion, and act without reference to re-enforcements.

In coming back to you with this message I met, at about half the distance, Captain Currie, the adjutant-general of General Smith’s division, riding at a furious rate. He halted only long enough to ask me if my horse was fresh and able to go fast, and stating that General Hancock had suddenly been attacked by a large force; that he was severely suffering, and that besides the enemy in his front five or six regiments of the enemy were threatening his left flank. Redoubling the energies of my own horse by a vigorous use of the spur, I reached you just in season to see the last of the retreating rebels. After delivering my message you directed me to return to General Smith with the welcome intelligence that the enemy had been repulsed, that you had full possession of the field, and that the enemy’s dead were lying thickly [p.547] on the ground in front of our lines. No time was lost in hastening to General Smith with this news, whom, having received Captain Currie’s important statement, I met coming with several regiments to your relief. Giving General Smith your message, I returned to you in company with Colonel Key, of General McClellan’s staff.

In going the last time to General Smith I took occasion to correct a false impression prevailing among retreating stragglers that you had been defeated, and also to assure General Brooks, whom I met coming with re-enforcements, that we had won the day. Beyond the order conveyed to the advanced skirmishers while engaged with the enemy not to go farther than an indicated point the above are the leading ones I had the honor to transmit.

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

FRED. A. AIKEN,
Capt., and Volunteer A. D. C. to General Smith,
and your Acting A. D. C. on the 5th instant.

Brig. Gen. W. S. HANCOCK.