a piece of second growth pine wood. This fire was concentrated almost entirely on our immediate front. The batteries which could be brought to bear upon the enemy's guns immediately replied to their fire. A short time after the enemy's artillery commenced firing their infantry and dismounted cavalry attacked with great fury that part of the line which the artillery had attempted to shake. Against these troops the batteries which could bear upon them gave their whole attention, using shell and shrapnel until within short range, when they fired rapidly with canister. Almost at the commencement of the assault Lieutenant Brower was killed while bravely fighting his gun in the most gallant

manner.

The command of the gun devolved upon Corporal Liddle, who, after firing canister as the enemy came over the works until they had nearly surrounded him, limbered the gun and attempted to bring it off, but part of the horses being instantly killed, he cut the others loose and escaped with them. The other guns of the battery, under the command of Lieutenant Dauchy, were firing canister at the advancing line (the most of the drivers carrying ammunition) until the enemy had broken through the work and were endeavoring to form on the road near the church, when he drew his left gun out of the work and throwing it to the left fired double-shotted canister, and, as soon as our infantry had left the work immediately on his left, threw canister from his other guns down the outside face of the work where the enemy were endeavoring to come. This he did until the enemy had advanced nearly to his guns under cover of the wood to his rear, when he endeavored to limber his guns. With two of them the horses were shot before it could be done. The remaining one succeeded in limbering, and went a short distance down the road, when these horses fell and he was obliged to leave them all.

On the left of the line Batteries A and B, First Rhode Island, and the Tenth Massachusetts were hotly engaged and both were firing rapidly with double-shotted canister, fighting gallantly. Even after the enemy had swept the line back and were completely in their rear they continued to fire, ceasing only when the cannoneers were driven or taken away from the guns.

Lieutenant Perrin, commanding A and B, First Rhode Island, a brave and gallant officer, lost his leg by cannon shot, and, with the other officers of the battery, Lieutenants Chase and Spencer, were captured by the enemy at their guns. The officers of the Tenth Massachusetts fortunately succeeded in escaping. When the enemy first broke through the lines I caused the guns of the section of Battery C, First New Jersey, which was near the grove, to change direction to fire to the right. Captain Woerner also changed the other section, and as soon as it could safely be done they opened fire on the enemy's line. The section on the right near the grove was charged several times, but by a rapid fire of canister repulsed them each time and aided very materially in checking the enemy. Soon after the line had broken the First Division (General Miles) was reformed and gallantly charged the enemy, retaking and holding the greater part of their original line of works and also three of the guns of the Twelfth New York Battery. The other one lay between the buildings, and it was impossible to get it.

Darkness now put an end to the fight. Battery C, First New Jersey, being out of ammunition, was then taken to the rear about one-third of a mile, halted, and its horses brought back to bring off the recap

tured guns of the Twelfth New York and such limbers and caissons as could be brought away. After considerable time was lost in trying to get men three of the guns were dragged off the line down into the ravine at the rear of the battle-field, where the horses were hitched to them and the guns taken to the rear. The other gun could not be reached. Three of the limbers and two caissons were afterward saved by the assistance of Lieutenant Sweeney, with the provost guard of the First Division, and a few men of the Sixty-first New York Volunteers, they having volunteered for that purpose. All the pickets with the exception of a cavalry vedette had been withdrawn ere the last caisson was drawn away.

Horses from one of the batteries near the Southall house were sent down as soon as possible where these limbers and caissons were brought and drew them away, taking also the caissons of Captain Woerner's battery which had been left by taking the horses to draw off the guns of the Twelfth New York.

By 8 o'clock on the morning of the 26th the guns and caissons were all in camp near the Jones house.

Our losses in this movement were severe. They are as follows, viz: Officers-killed, 1; wounded, 1; wounded, missing, 1; missing, 2; total, 5. Enlisted men-killed, 10; wounded, 24; missing, 65; total, 99. Many of the wounded are among the missing.

The total number of guns lost was 9, 5 light 12-pounders and 4 3-inch ordnance guns, also 8 caissons. The total number of horses lost was [134].

In closing this report I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers of the different batteries and the men under their charge during this movement, and especially during the last engagement. Under a terrible fire of artillery and musketry combined they stood bravely to their guns, fighting with the greatest gallantry to the end. For coolness and courage they could not be surpassed, and the record of their gallant deeds will be cherished with pride and will ever hold a bright and honorable place in the history of the corps. And I would not forget the cool courage and gallantry on the field of Lieutenants Eddy, Bull, and Fairchild, of the brigade staff, or their unwearied exertions at the close of the engagement in getting off the shattered remnants of the artillery engaged.

Individual acts of gallantry were numerous, but when all were brave it were almost an injustice to speak of individual cases. I will only mention one, Private Ginley, G, First New York Artillery, who was acting as mounted orderly on the field. When the line was giving way he drew his saber and riding gallantly among the men succeeded in rallying a large number and taking them back into the fight. But while we remember with pride the glorious deeds of those who fought so gallantly, we do not forget the heroes who have fallen at the post of duty. We deeply mourn their loss and will ever cherish and keep green their memory.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. JUDSON CLARK,

Captain, First New Jersey Artillery, Commanding Brigade.

Maj. SEPTIMUS CARNCROSS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Corps.

ADDENDA.

Field return of Artillery Brigade, Second Army Corps, showing the loss of men, horses, and material during the action of August 25, 1864.*

a First Lieut. Walter S. Porrin, wounded and missing; First Lieut. James E. Chase, missing; Second Lieut. Gideon Spencer, missing.

Capt. J. H. Sleeper, wounded.

c Second Lieut. H. D. Brower, killed.

None of the other batteries attached to this brigade were in the engagement.

No. 108.

Report of Maj. John G. Hazard, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, commanding Artillery Brigade, of operations October 26-28.

HDQRS. ARTILLERY BRIGADE, SECOND ARMY CORPS,
October 29, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this command in the battle of Hatcher's Run October 27, 1864, and the operations of the portion of my brigade which moved with the column previous to and after the engagement:

At 12 a. m. October 26 Beck's battery (C and I), Fifth U. S. Artillery, six light 12-pounder guns, was ordered to report to Brigadier General Egan, commanding Second Division; Granger's (Tenth Massachusetts), six 3-inch Parrotts, and Roder's (K, Fourth United States), four light 12

* Furnished August 27, 1864, by Maj. John G. Hazard.

pounders, to Brevet Major-General Mott, commanding Third Division, for the march. Capt. A. Judson Clark, First New Jersey Artillery, senior officer, was placed in command of the batteries left on the intrenched line held by the First Division. The batteries moved with the divisions to which they were assigned at 2 p. m., and camped for the night near Fort Dushane. At 3.30 a. m. of the 27th the column moved down the Halifax road to the Church road, by the Church road to the Vaughan road, and by that route to Hatcher's Run. No artillery was used in the affair at this point. As soon as the crossing was effected Beck's battery went into position on the west bank of the stream.. The troops moved en at once, accompanied by the artillery, the Second Division to the right, the Third by a different road. A junction was formed at Dabney's Mill, and the column moved by a narrow wood road toward the Boydton plank road. As the infantry emerged from the woods and massed on both sides of the plank road a battery opened on them from a hill near Burgess' Tavern. A battery which had fired a few shots from a point near Mrs. Rainey's house, taking our line in reverse, retired about this time. Beck's battery was hurried forward and placed in position at the junction of the wood road with the Boydton plank road. Lieutenant Beck opened on the enemy's battery at Burgess' Tavern, silenced it, and drove it away. At this timé Lieut. Thomas Burnes was struck by a bullet while fighting his section. The wound was mortal, and Lieutenant Burnes died during the night. Lieutenant_Beck continued to fire on the enemy at this point as General Egan's division advanced across the plain against the position at the tav ern. The enemy attempted to get artillery in position so as to open fire on our advancing line, but the heavy fire from Beck's battery drove them away. The line advanced and occupied the crest at Burgess' Tavern. One section of Beck's battery, under command of Second Lieut. R. Metcalf, was ordered forward, and went into position on the crest in rear of the ravine near the tavern, opened on the enemy's battery west of the Boydton road, which was enfilading General Egan's line, and drew the fire on himself. Lieutenant Beck, with another section, was ordered forward across the ravine. I went into position near the tavern and opened fire on the enemy's battery in the road.

The enemy replied heavily, and the other section was ordered up and took position with Lieutenant Beck. The enemy then concentrated a heavy fire on him from three batteries. Lieutenant Beck fought his battery stubbornly, losing heavily. The enemy then charged his battery in flank with infantry, but broke and ran back when he opened on them with canister. They seemed determined to silence him, but they did not succeed. In the meantime Roder's and Granger's batteries had arrived on the field and were massed near the junction of the roads. It soon became evident that Lieutenant Beck needed assistance. I ordered up Lieutenant Granger's battery of six 3-inch guns, which went into position by the side of Lieutenant Beck. The enemy's fire had already begun to slacken and almost ceased when Lieutenant Granger opened. General Egan now advanced toward the bridge over Hatcher's Run. Lieutenant Smith's section of Granger's battery moved forward with the infantry and took position near the south end and opened on the enemy. During this time the enemy kept up a continuous artillery fire, enfilading the Boydton road and crossing it at right angles. The fire did not seem to be directed at any particular point, and did but little damage. Lieutenant Metcalf continued to fire occasionally from his position near the woods. Lieutenant Beck was

now ordered to withdraw his four guns by General Egan, and massed his battery near Lieutenant Roder's. He had expended all his ammunition except canister. At about 3 p. m. the enemy commenced a furious attack on our right, and succeeded in driving the line back for a time to the Boydton road. They swept over Lieutenant Metcalf's section by the time he could fire a half dozen shots. Their fire killed nearly all the horses, severely if not mortally wounded Lieutenant Metcalf, who was made prisoner and carried off by the enemy. Many of the men were killed and wounded, and it was impossible to get the guns away. The enemy hauled one of the limbers off into the woods and it was not recovered. The movement of General Egan's division, made about this time, forced the enemy to retire, and the infantry hauled the guns off by hand. As General Egan's division returned from the bridge for the purpose of attacking the enemy, who were in their rear, a staff officer of General Egan's directed Lieutenant Smith to withdraw his section to the tavern and join the rest of the battery at that point. He did so, and at the moment of arrival received a mortal wound, from which he has since died. The battery commenced firing to the rear and continued to do so as long as there was any ammunition left; as only the limbers were there the supply was small. After the charge of Egan's division the battery retired down the plank road and massed near Mrs. Rainey's house without serious loss in men or horses.

At the moment the attack commenced Lieutenant Roder was directed to put his battery in position on the right of the plank road, near its junction with the wood road, covering the edge of the wood toward which the enemy were advancing. He did this with great rapidity; Lieutenant Beck's four guns took position on his left. Lieutenant Beck obtained a supply of ammunition from Lieutenant Roder, and an accurate fire was opened upon these eight light 12-pounders. A brigade advancing checked the enemy and the fire of spherical case in addition to that of the infantry forced them to retire at this point, and our skirmishers reoccupied the edge of the woods. Our line being a few yards in front of the guns prevented the use of canister. At about 4.30 p. m. the enemy made an attack on the rear and attempted to force their way up the plank road from the south. The cavalry were severely engaged with them, and as a precautionary measure, Granger's battery, was placed on the west of the road and facing toward the threatened point. Soon after taking up this position Lieutenant Granger was shot through the body. It is feared that the wound will prove mortal. The battery was left without officers. Lieut. E. S. Smith, of Roder's battery, was directed to take command, and Lieut. J. G. Deane (Sixth Maine Battery), acting aide-de-camp, sent to assist him. Until some time after dark the enemy kept up a heavy fire of artillery on the position held by the troops. The attack on the cavalry was repulsed, and by 7 p. m. all was quiet. About this time I sent to the rear with the ambulance train, under an escort of the Seventeenth Maine Infantry, Beck's and Smith's (late Granger's) batteries. They moved back to the Yellow House and parked there. Lieutenant Roder was ordered to report to General Egan, and moved back with him. The battery halted at Hatcher's Run until 6 p. m. of the 28th, and then returned with the Second Division. The commands moved back to the points from which they had started, and the batteries camped at the same.

The limber of Beck's battery, which the enemy drew back into the woods, was not recovered. The loss of this and 14 horses rendered it necessary to abandon one caisson body, which was destroyed.