ried the works handsomely, capturing some prisoners. I claim that my colors, carried by Sergt. Ellwood Griscom, were the first to cross the rebel works. Advanced some distance beyond, and was halted, the First Delaware being in the advance as skirmishers. Shortly afterward were relieved by the Third Division, Second Army Corps, and by another road took a more northerly course, still through thick woods, marching some four or more miles, when we came to another open field, across which we formed a line of battle, rear rank in front, to left of road. Two companies, C and K, under charge of Captain Slater, were sent out as skirmishers, some cavalry appearing in front, but which proved to be part of our own force. Soon after formed line, right in front, on the other side of the road, advancing through a piece of wood into the open field. From here we moved by the right flank onto a road running north and south, up which we advanced a short distance and then crossed the field to the right at a double-quick, under a heavy artillery fire from a rebel battery posted to the left of the road, taking a position along a ravine in line at right angle to the road. Soon after I received orders to deploy my regiment in one rank to the right, connecting with the left of the Tenth New York, which was similarly deployed. In this position I was facing northward. Shortly afterward a rebel force appeared in the swamp directly in my rear, causing me to about face but still holding the same line. Their skir mishers engaged my right (now my left) and center slightly, making a more formidable demonstration on my left (now the right). I however held the line. Corpl. Charles H. Letts, Company B, captured a rebel first lieutenant. While here I lost in killed 3 enlisted men; wounded, 7 enlisted men; 1 captain missing. About 1 o'clock on the morning of the 28th instant I withdrew my regiment, and, with the rest of the pickets, joined the brigade, which had marched back earlier in the night. My entire loss was 3 enlisted men killed, 10 wounded, and 12 missing; 1 commissioned officer missing. Very many of my men were new recruits, and this their first time under fire, but owing to the efficiency of my officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, they behaved well. Respectfully, Lieut. T. E. PARSONS, H. F. CHEW, Captain, Commanding Regiment. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade. No. 71. Report of Lieut. Col. George F. Hopper, Tenth New York Infantry, of operations October 27. HEADQUARTERS TENTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, October 29, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by this command in action of the 27th instant: We started from bivouac, near Weldon railroad, 3 a. m.; marched cautiously about three hours, skirmishers and flankers out. Reached Cedar Creek, near mill-dam, where the enemy's cavalry was discovered intrenched. My command was upon the first line, left resting upon the road. After some delay an advance was ordered. We forded the stream under a brisk fire, advanced through obstructions, and carried our part of the rebel line, capturing and sending to the rear 8 or 10 prisoners. Reformed here and marched cautiously through a wilderness of pine and oak to a point upon the Petersburg plank road and about one mile and a half from the South Side Railroad, where skirmishing was going on with rebel cavalry. 2 p. m., formed line alongside of woods under a heavy fire of artillery, and shortly after deployed command as skirmishers upon the right of the line, my right resting as near as possible to a road upon which a column of the enemy were moving. Soon after an attack was made on our right and rear, when we were relieved from this position and formed line of battle near the edge of woods, where we remained until ordered by brigade commander to join the balance of brigade upon the road. Took up line of march toward rear. The entire loss in my command was 4 enlisted men wounded and 4 taken prisoners. Although composed almost entirely of recruits, the command behaved exceedingly well, and no fault can be found with officers or men. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. F. HOPPER, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Tenth New York Volunteers. Lieut. T. E. PARSONS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 72. Report of Lieut. Andrew Boyd, One hundred and eighth New York Infantry, of operations October 26-28. HEADQUARTERS 108TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, October 29, 1864. LIEUTENANT: In compliance with orders, I respectfully report that this command broke camp near the Norfolk railroad at 3 p. m. of the 26th instant and marched until about 7 p. m., when a halt was made near the Weldon railroad. At 3 a. m. on the 27th the march was continued until 8 a. m., when, the enemy being encountered at Cedar Creek, the command was formed in line of battle and charged through a deep ravine and across the creek, routing the enemy's skirmish line, composed of dismounted cavalry. About 10 a. m. the command was ordered to the Petersburg and Boydton plank road, along which it moved to Stony Creek, where, at about 3 p. m., it was ordered to charge and take the works in its front, which was done under a severe artillery and musketry fire, in which 1 commissioned officer and 4 enlisted men were wounded. The command remained in the captured works under a severe fire from the enemy until about 10 p. m., when it was relieved and joined the brigade and returned to camp near the Norfolk railroad, which was reached at 4 p. m. on the 28th instant. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. T. E. PARSONS, ANDREW BOYD, Lieutenant, Commanding Regiment. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 73. Report of Maj. Patrick S. Tinen, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations October 27-28. HDQRS. SIXTY-NINTH PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN VOLS., LIEUTENANT: In accordance with orders this day received from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by the portion of this regiment immediately under my command during the recent engagement with the enemy: In the early part of the day I was ordered to take command of the right wing of the regiment, whilst Capt. Charles McAnally, of Company G, was left in charge of the left wing and the One hundred and sixth Battalion Pennsylvania Volunteers. The report of the latter officer of the part taken by those under his charge is herewith forwarded. On the morning of the 27th instant, about 3 o'clock, the regiment moved forward from its position near the Yellow Tavern, with the rest of the brigade, to Hatcher's Run. It was formed in line of battle in the rear of the brigade. The brigade being ordered to cross the run, I was ordered to take command of the right wing of the regiment, which was on the left wing of the brigade line. The left wing of the regiment, with the One hundred and sixth Battalion Pennsylvania Volunteers, was left in charge of Capt. Charles McAnally. This was about 7.30 o'clock in the morning. My command then formed a skirmish line in the rear of the line of battle in order to cover the flank whilst advancing upon the enemy. We then moved forward in conformity with the line, and when it had advanced across the run as far as Key's house, we moved by the right flank on the opposite side of a belt of woods and then formed a skirmish line facing outward from the left wing of the brigade, and remained in this position until we were relieved by an aidede-camp from General Egan. We then advanced in company with detachments from other regiments of the brigade and also portions of the Third Division and joined our division (Second) at Wilson's farm, on the Boydton plank road. This was in the neighborhood of 1 o'clock. We joined our brigade and formed on its right wing. We remained in this position but a few minutes when the brigade was ordered to countermarch by the left, and I received orders to take a position in the center of the brigade in the rear of the Twelfth New Jersey. The brigade moved forward on the Boydton plank road, and along it to a cut in the road, where it was halted and formed into two lines under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy. The brigade then moved in column to the right and across the plank road and then by the left flank in line of battle and advanced upon the enemy. After advancing over a portion of the field, I was ordered by General Smyth to halt my command, with the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, and hold the ground. The remainder of the brigade then advanced, led by General Smyth and staff, charged upon the enemy, whom they repulsed, taking their line of works. Whilst we were in the position above stated the enemy attacked our troops to the right and rear of us. We then about-faced and a portion of the Third Division moved past us in the direction of our rear and charged upon the enemy. They were repulsed and were pursued by the enemy until they reached the road. At this point we opened fire on the enemy's right flank and rear. The enemy then retired to the woods and directed their fire upon my command and the Twelfth New Jersey. The engagement was kept up during the remainder of the afternoon and until darkness had set in. We remained in our position until relieved by Captain Embler, between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock at night, when we moved forward and rejoined our brigade at Hatcher's Run. I would also report that during our skirmishing in the morning we came across a cavalry camp of the enemy and destroyed some two and a half barrels of flour, a lot of fresh beef, and about five or seven bushels of corn. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. THERON E. PARSONS, P. S. TINEN, Major, Commanding Regiment. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 74. Report of Capt. Charles McAnally, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations October 27-28. CAMP SIXTY-NINTH PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN VOLUNTEERS, October 30, 1864. ADJUTANT: I have the honor to report the following as the part taken in the recent engagement with the enemy by those who were under my charge: At about 7.30 o'clock in the morning of the 27th instant Maj. P. S. Tinen was ordered to the left with the right wing of the regiment. I was left in charge of the left wing, which occupied a position across the road about fifty yards from Hatcher's Run. The One hundred and sixth Battalion Pennsylvania Volunteers was on the left of the road. I was joined on the right by a portion of the Fourth Ohio, whilst the Tenth New York occupied a position about twenty paces in my front. At this time General Smyth ordered me to push forward and take the enemy's works, which were about fifteen paces beyond Hatcher's Run. As I was crossing the run the enemy gave way, and whilst I was crossing the works the First Delaware was crossing to my left. The enemy took a right oblique direction and I followed on a run. I demanded him to halt, but he reached the woods before I was able to reach him. The colors of the Tenth New York were close upon my rear. I would here mention that First Sergt. Thomas Fegan, of Company C of this regiment, was the first to cross the enemy's works with me and continued on the lead until the chase was abandoned, I being ordered by Lieut. T. E. Parsons to form the Sixty-ninth and One hundred and sixth Battalions in a corn-field to the left of the brigade and on the left of the plank road on Key's farm. He stated that the Fourth Ohio would join me. I formed as directed, my right resting on the left of the One hundred and eighth New York. After my line had been formed the captain in command of the Seventh Virginia came up and took charge of the Fourth Ohio, and formed on my left, extending his line to the rear facing a belt of woods. The Seventh Virginia was on the left of our brigade, which moved to the right and halted on the Boydton plank road. The brigade formed in a field to the left of the road, facing to the rear of our battery. We marched with the brigade by the right flank across a road which intersected with the road along which we had come up and formed in a field to the right of the Boyd.. ton plank road and to the left of a line of woods. I was then ordered by General Smyth to join the right of the skirmishers of the First Brigade. I moved along the right of the plank road and halted in a ravine and went in company with a staff officer to find the situation of the Here First Brigade skirmishers, leaving Lieutenant Gallager, of the One hundred and sixth Pennsylvania, in charge until my return. I met Captain Embler, of Second Division staff, on the skirmish line of the Twentieth Massachusetts and discovered that the enemy were erecting breastworks with fence rails. I then asked for volunteers from the Twentieth Massachusetts to drive the enemy from the rails. Some six or seven of them advanced with me on the run when the enemy fled to some barns which were on the top of a hill to our front and to the right of the plank road. The Second Brigade charged up the hill on the left of the barns and I endeavored to head off the enemy as they retreated to the right and across a wide sheet of water, where their horses awaited them. was stationed a piece of light artillery, which opened upon us, but without effect. I then returned to bring up my command, but was told by General Smyth that he had ordered them forward to the left of the road. Lieutenant Gallager had a portion of the men deployed as skirmishers, facing to the left, and had a battery forge belonging to the enemy in his possession, which was afterward sent to the rear. General Egan, commanding division, ordered me to advance with my left resting on a strip of woods, to the left of an open field, my right extending along the woods to the right of said field. I then brought up the reserve and deployed them on the right. As I advanced, the enemy's skirmishers were driven in, when I discovered the enemy in the act of running out a battery on my front. I communicated this to a staff officer of the First Brigade and requested him to report it to General Egan. I ad vanced, directing my fire on the enemy's battery, which was returned with canister. When within 150 yards I halted and ordered my skirmishers to keep up fire on the battery until I could obtain more men. Finding that I had no connection on my right, I made application to the commanding officer of the First Brigade, who gave me one lieutenant and fifty men from the First Minnesota, who deployed on my right and formed a connection with some skirmishers on the Boydton road. I afterward discovered that my left was unprotected and again applied to the aforesaid officer, who sent a number of sharpshooters to make the necessary connection through the woods on my left. Just as my line was completed and protected as above stated, the enemy charged on my right center, where I was in possession of commissary and quartermaster stores belonging to the enemy, which I afterward destroyed, and were repulsed. About an hour afterward they charged again and were again repulsed. At this time the men were out of ammunition, and I endeavored to obtain a supply, but without success. I finally obtained a small quantity from wounded men on the road, which was equally divided amongst the men. I made application to Captain Embler for ammunition, but was informed that it was impossible to obtain any at that time; that I should, however, hold my position at the point of the bayonet. This, however, was unnecessary, as we were not again attacked by the enemy. They remained quiet when darkness had set in, and, after 1 o'clock at night, I was ordered to withdraw my line, and as all the other troops had left, I fell back upon the same road by which we had advanced. Before I had got under way it was after 2 o'clock, and about 4 o'clock in the morning of the 28th I overtook Major Tinen with the right wing of the regiment, when he took command. CHAS. MCANALLY, Captain, Comdg. Company G, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Vet. Vols. Lieut. A. W. MCDERMOTT, Adjutant 69th Pennsylvania Infantry. 22 R R—VOL XLII, PT I |