Historic leaves, volume 1, April, 1902 - January, 1903

[39] Lieutenant Edward F. O'Brien, our adjutant, was severely wounded and lost his foot, and I was made adjutant of the Twenty-eighth regiment, and Major James Fleming was made lieutenant-colonel commanding. In coming out of our assault on June 4th, and retiring through a storm of shot, shell, and cannister, Colonel Richard Byrnes of the Twenty-eighth, and commanding the Second Brigade, was mortally wounded in the spine and completely paralyzed. As he was left on the field, after reaching our trenches I called for volunteers, and with sixteen men made a sortie over our trenches into a, perfect hell of fire. We rescued the colonel, but left eleven of our men to pay the penalty. Colonel Brynes was taken to Washington, and survived a few days only, but long enough for his family to reach him before he died. For this action was highly complimented by Major-General Frank C. Barlow, commanding the first division of Hancock's Second Army Corps.

From Cold Harbor we continued our march and crossed the James river. Then commenced the siege of Petersburg. Late in June, the 29th, I think, Hancock's Corps marched to City Point, Va., took transports, and landed at ‘Deep Bottom,’ thus drawing the enemy away from Petersburg. On the transport on the way up the river, I was in the vessel's hold, sleeping upon some cannon-balls and old rubbish, when I was called and informed that Major-General Barlow wished me to report to him in the pilot house. I learned that he wished me to accept an appointment upon his staff, and act as personal aide-de-camp. I accepted, and led the division, after landing, up to Strawberry Plain, where we were in sight of the steeples of Richmond.

For fifteen years after the war I was an active member of Company A (Lancers), First Battalion, Cavalry, M. V. M.

I am now sixty-nine years old and retired from active service.