An incident that well illustrates the reckless daring of General Kearny, and which ultimately lost him to our cause, as well as the influence of such acts upon others, occurred during this engagement. During the battle, General Kearny, accompanied by General Jameson, rode out to the front, and on an open piece of ground, in full view of the contending forces, the two sat there observing the progress of the battle, apparently oblivious of the fact that they were exposing themselves as targets to the enemy's sharpshooters. Past them the minie balls were zipping, while the air was redolent with the "ting" of musket balls and buck-shot. At length, satisfied with their observations, they coolly turned their horses about and rode to the rear. The day following, General Jameson was approached by one of his aides who had witnessed the act, who said to him: "General, don't you think the risk you and General Kearny exposed yourselves to yesterday was unjustifiable?" "I certainly do," the general candidly replied. "Then why did you take the risk?" the aide queried. "Captain," said the general, gravely, "If I had been conscious that I would have been hit the next minute I would not have turned my horse's head. Why, what would Kearny have thought of me!" After the battle the regiment camped immediately west of town. Of course the commands that had borne the brunt of the battle were lionized, as were also those officers who had acted a conspicuous part. On this field General Hancock received his chief sobriquet, "The Superb," which clung to him throughout life. Regimental ranks, after a hard day's fighting, often were very much broken, the losses not always being catalogued as of the killed and wounded; roll calls exhibiting many names marked "missing," or "absent without leave." These absentees invariably reported fearful losses in their commands. While in camp at Williamsburg a strapping big fellow with turbaned head, blue jacket profusely decorated with gold lace, and baggy red trousers, wandered into our midst. "Hello! What regiment?" one of the boys inquired. "---- regiment." "But what state?" "New York, of course." "In the fight?" "Yep. All cut to pieces. I'm the only one left!" CHAPTER III. BY J. M. MARTIN. Battle of Fair Oaks--Death of Major Culp--Increasing Sick List--Advancing Our Lines--The Seven Days' Battles--Glendale or Charles City Cross Roads--The Fifty-Seventh Under Captain Maxwell as Rear Guard--Malvern Hill--Retreat to Harrison's Landing.