Official Report, 44th N. Y. at Aldie, Report of Colonel James Rice
LIEUTENANT: I respectfully report the following as the part taken by this command in the affair of June 21:
This regiment left camp on June 21, at 3 a.m., forming a portion of the Third Brigade. At Middleburg we took the White Plains road, following it nearly a mile; thence to the right across the fields, and by a circuitous and covered route into an oak wood, where we halted.
The regiment remained here about half an hour, when, in obedience to orders, it was moved forward and right-obliqued, with skirmishers thrown well to the front. After connecting on the right with the left of the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteers skirmishers, the line was moved directly forward, our skirmishers being continually and sharply engaged with those of the enemy, who fell back as ours advanced. The regiment advanced rapidly in line of battle, with occasional halts to dress the line and allow the skirmishers to get a distance of about 2 miles farther to the front. The enemy appeared to have one battery of artillery, which fired occasionally, and fell back with our advance. When we reached a point about three-fourths of a mile this side of Goose Creek, this battery was posted upon the opposite bank, and opened upon us with shell and solid shot. The regiment went forward at double-quick under a very severe fire, and faltered not until it reached the stone wall on this side the creek. Skirmishers examined the creek, and, finding it not fordable, waited for orders upon the bank.
After the lapse of half an hour, we left this position by the right flank, and, marching into the road on our right, crossed the creek on a stone bridge, and formed line of battle again in the fields opposite, to support a battery in position on the brow of the hill.
Skirmishers were thrown to the front, and after a lapse of perhaps an hour the regiment again advanced. Continual skirmishing was kept up by the companies thrown out in advance. By successive advances and halts, we reached a point about 3 miles from Upperville, where we halted for an hour, at the expiration of which time we returned a distance of 1 mile, and bivouacked for the night.
At about 7 a.m. of the 22d, the regiment returned with the brigade to which it is attached to its original camp, near Aldie, reaching that place at about 4 p.m.
Herewith I transmit nominal report of casualties.
I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES C. RICE,
Colonel, Comdg. Forty-fourth New York Volunteers.
JOHN M. CLARK,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Series I, Part XXVII, Part 1, Book 43, Pages 615-6