Description by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Graham Haywood of a Charge Made by the Seventh Regiment North Carolina State Troops in the Battle of Gaines Mill, June 27, 1862
After moving about a quarter of a mile they were ordered to advance across a swamp and over an abatis of felled trees up a hill upon the entrenched position of the enemy. . . . The colors, when the advance began, were in the hands of Corporal Henry T. Fight of Company F. He was instantly shot down, when they were again seized by Corporal James A. Harris of Company I. He was shot down, when Colonel Campbell himself seized the colors and advancing some twenty paces in front of the regiment, ordered them not to fire but to follow him. Within twenty paces of the enemy's line he was shot down, when Lieutenant Duncan C. Haywood, commanding Company E, again seized the flag, the staff of which had been shot in two, and advanced to the front of the regiment. He immediately lost his life, whereupon the flag was carried out of action by Corporal Peavy of Company C. . . . [M]ore than half our force was destroyed. . . .
