Official Records of the Rebellion

[p.548]

HEADQUARTERS SMITH’S DIVISION,
Camp near Williamsburg, Va., May 8, 1862.

GENERAL: In compliance with your request I have the honor to make the following written statement of the official messages transmitted by me between Brigadier-General Smith, commanding division, and yourself, during the engagement of Monday, the 5th instant:

Being with you at about 2.30 p. m. on that day, while your artillery was playing upon the enemy’s works and your infantry was getting into position, you desired me to go immediately to General Smith with this message: “Please tell General Smith that I think he ought to send me re-enforcements at once, as the enemy are getting very thick in front.” I started immediately, arriving at headquarters of the division at about 3 p. m.; but General Smith being absent on the field, and General Sumner being present, I communicated your message to him in person, and at once received this reply: “I have just ordered General Hancock to fall back to his first point, sir, and cannot send him re-enforcements.” I then went immediately for General Smith, whom I met very shortly om his return, and communicated to him the message I had received from you, at the same time stating that I had communicated it also to General Sumner, and adding his reply. General Smith then gave me these instructions: “Go at once to General Hancock and tell him that I have wanted and have tried to re-enforce him, but that General Sumner has positively forbidden to allow any re-enforcements to be sent to him until more troops come up from the rear.” This message I communicated to General Hancock in person at about 3.30 p. m.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. R. CRANE,

Lieutenant and Ordnance Officer, General Smith’s Division.