onel Morgan at 1 a. m. on the 26th ultimo. While on my way to the old camp, and near the Williams house, an orderly brought me a written order from Major-General Humphreys to the same purport as the one marked No. III, which unfortunately was lost by Lieutenant Rusling, aide-de-camp, now out of service. The order itself was undoubtedly intended to come to my hands the afternoon previous.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. MCALLISTER, Colonel Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. Maj. JOHN HANCOCK,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Second Army Corps.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., THIRD DIV., SECOND ARMY CORPS,
Before Petersburg, Va., October 7, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with circular from headquarters Third Division of this date, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the recent operations on the left of the army:

On the morning of the 1st instant I received orders to hold the brigade in readiness to move to the trestle bridge as soon as relieved from the works I held near the Avery house. At a later hour in the morning, 4 o'clock, I was instructed to commence the movement without waiting for the troops sent to relieve me, and arrived at the trestle bridge soon after daylight, remaining there until 3 p. m. I was then ordered to place my brigade aboard the cars and proceed to the Peebles house, southwest of the Weldon railroad. Arriving at the Yellow House the brigade again took up the line of march at 4.30 p. m., arriving at the Peebles house at 6.30 p. m. of this date, where we bivouacked for the night. During the night I received orders to be ready to move at daylight, and at 6 a. m. of the 2d I moved forward with my command and ordered to close en masse. We moved up the road, following General Pierce's orders to form regiment after regiment on the left of him, as he was to swing around his left to right. I was ordered also to deploy regiment after regiment as a very strong line of skirmishers. The One hundred and twentieth New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Tappen, and the Fifth and Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel Price, marched up toward the enemy's redoubt through the slashing, driving the enemy from the redoubt and breast-works. Colonel Price was ordered to support General Pierce's advance, at the same time my left stretched out past the white house (Smith's house) and far into the woods, driving the enemy before them.

After our forces had got possession of the works we were ordered to move by the right flank, having all my brigade but two regiments deployed as skirmishers. I closed them up, leaving a sufficient number of skirmishers to more than cover my brigade, and followed General Pierce by the right and left flank until we came in sight of the enemy's second line of works near the Boydton road, where we halted and pushed the skirmishers forward, who were hotly engaged and under a sharp fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, together with an enfilading fire from the rebel batteries in earth-works. I was ordered to make a demonstration in front of General De Trobriand's brigade, while General Pierce charged on the works on my right. I ordered Major Rivers to make the demonstration, which he did with the Eleventh Massachusetts. This regiment marched under a galling fire and did all that was

asked of them. After the demonstration was over the enemy moved on my left flank and made it very unpleasant for this regiment, as well as my whole brigade, together with a portion of General Pierce's. Late in the afternoon Colonel Biles, of the First Brigade, informed me that he was taking his regiment from my left and that I must look out for my left flank. I soon received orders to move my whole command back. My first effort was to get the Eleventh Massachusetts out of its critical position, which was accomplished by Major Rivers in a manner highly creditable to himself and his command. The manner in which the officers and men during the transactions of the day performed their duty is alike creditable to themselves and the brigade. All showed a willingness to obey every order. Colonel Tappen and Major Rivers deserve particular mention. Captain Snyder, in command of my pieket-line, showed himself a brave, efficient officer. He was badly wounded.

I returned and took position in the rifle-pits on the right of the Squirrel Level road. Large details were made to slash in our front, and from that time details were kept slashing and building new works until 10 p. m. on the 5th, when I received orders to march my brigade to occupy the works connecting between Forts Davis and Alexander Hays. On my arrival I found the only troops occupying the works were the Nineteenth U. S. Colored Troops, whom I relieved at the breast-works and on the picket-line at 11 p. m., at the same time placing 575 men in Fort Davis and massing three regiments in rear of General Pierce's old headquarters, my brigade being in position, as ordered, at 12 midnight.

I cannot close my report without favorably mentioning Major Willian, of your staff; always where he is needed, regardless of danger. My own staff did all that I asked or desired of them, and deserve my warmest thanks.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. MCALLISTER, Colonel Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. Capt. J. P. FINKELMEIER,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Second Army Corps.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, SECOND CORPS, October [30], 1864.

CAPTAIN: Pursuant to circular from headquarters Second Army Corps, dated October 29, 1864, I have the honor to report the following operations of this brigade as a part of the late movement on the left of the army:

I left camp at 10 o'clock on the evening of the 24th, and massed my brigade near the Southall house, where I remained in bivouac until 3 o'clock of the 26th, when I followed the Second Brigade of this division, taking the road leading through the wood, by the Widow Smith, Williams, and Gurley houses, reaching and going into bivouac near the Lewis house at 5.30. At 4 o'clock on the 27th followed the Second Brigade of this division, arriving near the Boydton plank road at 12 m. I was halted by General Meade before reaching the Boydton road, where I was to mass my brigade. Firing could be heard a little to the left and in rear of me. I formed my rear regiment in line across the road, facing it to the rear, to be prepared for an attack in that direction. Í

was then directed by General Mott to form a connection with General Crawford, and was in motion when the order was countermanded, and I massed my brigade, as previously directed, near the Boydton road. At 1 o'clock I reported to General Egan. At 9 o'clock I withdrew from the battle-field, taking the plank road leading to General Mott's headquarters, to whom I reported, and was directed to follow the Second Brigade of this division, taking the road General Egan advanced upon in the morning; bivouacked near the Davis house at 3.30 a. m. of the 28th. At 11 a. m. followed the Third Brigade of the Second Division; at 2.30 passed the Second Division and bivouacked for the night near the Southall house.

a Second Lieut. John Swift, wonnded slightly.

b Capt. M. Beahen and Second Lieut. D. M. Ford, wounded.

c Capt. Alexander McTavish, killed; Capt. D. A. Granger, wounded mortally.
d Capt. James Chamberlain, killed.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. J. P. FINKELMEIER,

R. MCALLISTER,
Colonel, Commanding.

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Second Army Corps.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., THIRD DIV., SECOND ARMY CORPS,
October 30, 1864.

CAPTAIN: Pursuant to circular from headquarters Second Army Corps, dated October 29, 1864, I have the honor to report the operations of my brigade while under your command in the battle of the 27th instant.

At 1.30 p.m. I was directed to report to Brigadier-General Egan, commanding Second Division, and without delay moved up the Boydton plank road, turning in on the right along the crest of the hill overlooking the mill-dam. Here I reported to General Egan in person and was directed by him to form my brigade in two lines of battle, facing the enemy across the mill-dam stream. Fifteen minutes after I was ordered to form in one line of battle by extending my left to the plank road. While executing this movement I received a severe fire from the enemy on the opposite hill. I had just got this movement completed when I heard heavy musketry in our rear, which plainly told that the enemy were there in some considerable force. I was now directed by General

*But see revised statement, p. 155.

Egan to change front to the rear. Having a large number of recruits, and but few officers and time precious, I deemed it best to about-face and move on the enemy with my rear rank in front, General Egau keeping the Seventh and Fifth New Jersey Volunteers (Colonel Price), as a reserve for the front line. I moved to the slope of the hill and halted a few moments. The enemy were advancing in my rear (now front) and also along the plank road. I ordered Colonel Schoonover, commanding Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, to wheel the left wing of his regiment (now the right) to oppose the enemy's movements in that direction, which he did, and had the desired effect. A charge was now ordered and Imade with the One hundred and twentieth New York Volunteers (Lieutenant-Colonel Tappen), Eighth New Jersey Volunteers (Colonel Ramsey), Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers (Captain Granger), and the one wing of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers (Lieutenant Cummings). We moved down the hill on the charge over the gulleys and through the thick hazel-brush under a severe flank fire. On reaching the high ground on the opposite side I received a severe fire in our front, which was too much for our raw recruits to stand and they broke. We tried to rally them on the low ground, but could not. On reaching the high ground we reformed very nicely with a full line of battle. The enemy again advanced in our front, when our line opened a destructive fire upon them, driving them back to the shelter of the wood. As our charge was made the enemy tried to get a battery into position in front of our left center, but seeing us charging upon them, they limbered up and moved off as my left regiment (One hundred and twentieth New York Volunteers) swung around onto them. Had my left extended the distance of one more regiment it could have captured the battery entire. As it was, we captured many prisoners. The enemy opened with musketry, shell, and canister from all sides. For a short time we were completely surrounded, receiving a fire from four directions. Had our line broken while in this critical situation all would have been lost, but the gallantry displayed by officers and men of your entire command saved the day. I had but few officers and can truly say they did nobly. The enemy now moved on our right (now left flank) with the intention of making an attack there. I was ordered by General Egan to change position of some of my regiments so as to form a second line, which I did, connecting with Second Division troops, and also sent men forward to strengthen the outer line. I have never seen officers work harder and brave danger more willingly than all did on that day, without an exception.

My staff did anything that I could desire; all deserve great credit. I regret exceedingly the loss of Captains Granger and McTavish, of the Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers, and Chamberlain, of the One hundred and twentieth New York Volunteers, who were killed while showing an example of the greatest heroism. Their loss will be mourned by all who wish to see this rebellion, crushed. I would also mention Captain Beahen, Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, who was wounded while behaving handsomely, rallying his men for a second charge.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. MCALLISTER, Colonel Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. Capt. A. H. EMBLER,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Second Army Corps.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, SECOND CORPS, November 6, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that last night, 11 p. m., my picket-line in front of Fort Morton was charged upon by a rebel line of battle with a loud yell and vigorously attacked. The left of the part charged gave way and the enemy took possession of about forty pits. In about three minutes our men about-faced and retook one-half of them, driving the enemy to our right. The struggle for the balance of those pits was a desperate one, hand-to-hand across the breast-works with butt and bayonet, and lasting until near daylight this morning. I re-enforced the fighting party three different times. Our enfilade fire on the enemy's lines was very destructive to him. Besides the great number of the enemy's killed and wounded carried back by them quite a number of the dead lay in our trenches, also a large number of shovels and picks. We captured 1 lieutenant and 41 men prisoners, whom I sent up to you. My officers and men behaved splendidly. Our loss is light. We think they got from us very few prisoners. They captured the adjutant of the Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers. I do not now know of any other. The names of those who did so nobly in this affair I will give when I get all the facts; also the number of killed, wounded, and missing. I strengthened the pickets, and placed the balance of command in the inclosed works and along the breastworks to be prepared for the worst. The colonel commanding a brigade from the First Division massed here furnished me with one regiment, which I placed in Fort Morton to take the place of troops taken from there to the picket-line. All is now quiet. The old line is reestablished.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. J. P. FINKELMEIER,

R. MCALLISTER,
Colonel, Commanding.

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division, Second Corps.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, SECOND CORPS, November 7, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor, in accordance with your wishes, to forward you the following report relating to the attack on my picket-line on the night of the 5th instant:

On receiving orders from headquarters of the corps and division relative to the disposition of the troops under my command for defense in case of an attack, I immediately placed them as follows: Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, Capt. Thomas G. Morrow, on the right and as garrison to Battery 14, connecting with General Egan's command; Eleventh Massachusetts Battalion, Lieut. Col. C. C. Rivers, in the cur tains between Battery 14 and Fort Morton; Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, Lieut. Col. John Schoonover, in Fort Morton, one company at Battery 15; Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, Col. John Ramsey, on the left of Battery 15; One hundred and twentieth New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. R. Tappen, connecting with the Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, and extending to Fort Meikel; Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, Capt. Thomas C. Thompson, in and occupying the left wing of Fort Meikel. A strong picket-line in front, ninety-two posts,