After Action Report from the Seven Days Campaign written by Col. Robert H. Cowan, July 1862

              Head Qrs. 18th Regiment N. C. Troops
Near Richmond on July 1862
General;
I have the honor to submit the following report of the operation of the Regiment under my command in the recent battles around Richmond.
Our March across the Chickahominy in the morning of Thursday, June 26 and down the northern bank to Mechanicsville, having been conducted under your personal direction it is not necessary to refer to its incidents. We reach Mechanicsville Thursday afternoon in time to participate in the attack upon the batteries which commanded that crossing; but were not permanently engaged. Thursday night we were ordered to defend the batteries planted upon the position which had been taken from the enemy, from any attempt which might remade to retake them during the night. Consequently, we slept upon our arms in the immediate vicinity, with the proper picket force out on all side, but no demonstration was made by the enemy. Friday morning at dawn of day, he opened upon us with his artillery; and the fire was continual until his position was turned, and he was thus forced to abandon it. In all of the engagement however my men were but little exposed, and my loss was very slight, only three men being wounded by the explosion of a shell.
Friday afternoon at four o'clock we were put into fight at Coal Harbor. By