on the same road to support the cavalry detachment there posted, where they remained all day. In the evening they rejoined the brigade, and took up position in a redoubt, from which the enemy had been driven by the First Division, Fifth Army Corps. The brigade took up a line of battle in the following order from right to left: The Twelfth and Fourteenth U. S. Infantry on the right of the redoubt; the Fifth and One hundred and forty-sixth New York Volunteers in the redoubt; the Eleventh U.S. Infantry and Fifteenth New York Heavy Artillery on the left, and threw up breast-works. During the evening the Tenth and Twelfth U. S. Infantry were advanced as pickets in our front, and were relieved about 8 a. m. October 1, 1864, by the Seventeenth U. S. Infantry and the One hundred and fortieth New York Volunteers. When relieved and about to resume their places on the line, the enemy, advancing, attacked the pickets, when brisk firing commenced. Lieutenant Schwan, commanding Tenth U. S. Infantry, immediately deployed his men and gallantly advanced to assist the new picket-line, but the enemy advancing in two lines of battle the skirmish line fell back to the main line in good order, keeping up a sharp fire on the enemy. The enemy continued to advance and charged our line, but were gallantly repulsed, and, owing to the well-directed fire from our line, fell back, suffering great loss. Lieutenant-Colonel Otis, One hundred and fortieth New York Volunteers, commanding brigade, was at this time severely wounded and carried from the field. Sharp picket-firing.was kept up the remainder of the day. Our picket-line was again advanced under the direction of Lieutenant Thieman, brigade inspector, driving the enemy's sharpshooters from the woods and houses in our front.

On the 2d day of October, 1864, the Fifth and One hundred and fortieth New York Volunteers were advanced in support of the Maryland Brigade sent out on a reconnaissance about one mile in advance, and remained a few hours, when they were withdrawn to the main line. The Fifteenth New York Heavy Artillery and One hundred and forty-sixth New York Volunteers were withdrawn and took up a new position about 400 yards in rear of the old line and built breast-works. The rest of the brigade was then placed in reserve. Orders were given to Lieut J. B. Sinclair, commanding Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, to burn dowu the buildings in our front on the Davis farm, which he did about 4 a. m. on the 2d of October, 1864. Nothing of any importance transpired during the rest of the day. October 3, 1864, about 2 p. m., the brigade, in compliance with orders, marched to the Flowers house, relieved General Bragg's brigade, of the Third Division, where it took up position and has remained ever since.

The regimental commanders one and all performed their duties well, and fully sustained the reputation of the brigade. To Lieutenants Broatch, Thieman, and Hazzard, composing the staff of this brigade, I am indebted for valuable assistance. During the operations they discharged their varied duties with diligence and ability.

I inclose the reports of the regimental commanders, to which I respectfully call the attention of the general commanding.

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

JAMES GRINDLAY,

Major 146th New York Volunteers, Commanding Brigade.

Lieut. Col. C. E. LA MOTTE,

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

No. 148.

Report of Maj. James Grindlay, One hundred and forty-sixth New York Infantry, of operations December 7-12.

HEADQUARTERS 146TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
December 16, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor, in compliance with orders, to report that this command broke camp on the morning of the 7th of December, 1864, at 5 o'clock, and marched with the brigade toward the Nottoway River. On the evening of December 8 it was engaged in destroying the Weldon railroad, also during December 9; reaching Three Creeks, it encamped for the night. December 10 it retraced its steps, reaching its present camp December 12. During the raid 3 men were missing, but supposed to be in our lines.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. GRINDLAY,

Major 146th New York Volunteers, Commanding Regiment. ACTG. ASST. ADJT. GEN., 1st BRIG., 2D DIV., 5TH ARMY CORPS.

No. 149.

Report of Lieut. J. Chester White, Tenth U. S. Infantry, commanding Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, of operations August 19.

CAMP PAROLE,

Annapolis, Md., December 10, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report on the engagement on the Weldon railroad August 19, 1864, in which the Fourteenth Infantry, U. S. Army, participated while under my command:

Lieutenants Foot and Weir, having been seriously wounded the day previous, and Lieutenant McKibbin being incapacitated by a wound from serving with his regiment, performed staff duty with General Hayes, Captain Ingraham having been seized with convulsions had been sent to the rear, and the command devolved upon me. About 2 p. m. we moved, pursuant to orders, to the front line of intrenchments along with the Twelfth Infantry, U. S. Army; the left of the Fourteenth Infantry resting on the railroad, the right joining the left of the Twelfth Infantry, forming a prolongation of the line of General Crawford's (Third) division, Fifth Army Corps. About 5 p. m. the enemy made an attack in our front, which was promptly met by our troops. The enemy, however, effected a successful flank movement on the right of the Third Division, and smartly engaged the troops in our rear. Having received orders from Brigadier-General Hayes, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, to hold my line at all hazards, I retained the Fourteenth Infantry in the works until the whole Third Division had retreated, leaving but the Fourteenth Infantry and Twelfth Infantry in the line of intrenchments, when, deeming it folly to remain longer, I ordered the Fourteenth Infantry to fall back, the Twelfth Infantry having received the same order from the commanding officer of that regiment. In attempting to retreat we found ourselves completely cut off from the second line. Lieutenant Driscoll, Second Infantry, and myself, with a number of the men, were captured by the

enemy.

In closing this report I must call your attention to the efficient aid rendered me by Second Lieut. John J. Driscoll, Second Infantry, U. S. Army, and Second Lieut. T. M. K. Smith, Seventeenth Infantry, U. S. Army, both assigned for duty to the Fourteenth Infantry, in preserving the morale and steadiness of the regiment under the disheartening effects of a severe front, flank, and rear fire. Indeed, the whole regiment behaved in a manner deserving of the gallant record that the Fourteenth Infantry bears.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. CHESTER WHITE,

Maj. G. CHAPIN,

Second Lieutenant, Tenth Infantry, U. S. Army.

Fourteenth Infantry, U. S. Army, Commanding Regiment.

No. 150.

Reports of Col. Samuel A. Graham, Purnell Legion Maryland Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations August 18-September 2 and October 1 and 8.

SEPTEMBER 2, 1864.

Report of the part taken in the several engagements since the 18th of August, 1864, by the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps:

In obedience to circular of August 27, 1864, headquarters Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, I have the honor to make the following report:

Pursuant to orders from division headquarters, this brigade broke camp and moved off on Jerusalem plank road at 4.45 a. m. August 18, and reached the Weldon railroad at 10 a. m. at the Yellow House and, after resting one hour, formed in line protecting the left flank of troops advancing in the direction of Petersburg, on line of Weldon railroad. After advancing nearly a mile, the enemy appeared in our front in strong force, driving in our skirmishers. The brigade was at once ordered in line of battle, in prolongation of that formed by the First Brigade, leaving nothing to protect the left flank except the flank skirmishers. This line of battle was formed at the farther edge of the woods, about 100 yards from a corn-field, from which the enemy emerged in line of battle, charging upon our line. The order to fire was promptly and vigorously executed, and the enemy sought shelter. At this critical moment it was ascertained that the troops on our right were falling back, of which irregularity the enemy at once took advantage, rallying his men and pushing vigorously on our unprotected flanks. Colonel Dushane, commanding, gave the order to retreat, which was executed in considerable confusion, owing to the density of the woods and proximity of the enemy. As soon as we got disentangled from the woods, the troops were successfully rallied and reformed, thus checking the enemy, and eventually driving him from the field, leaving his dead in our hands. In the engagement the brigade sustained a loss of- commissioned officers and 12 men killed, 11 officers and 111 men wounded, and 1 officer and 38 men missing. The enemy suffered severely, he having left in dead in the immediate front of this brigade 47 men, including 2 commissioned officers. On the 19th all remained quiet until late in the

afternoon, when the enemy drove our skirmishers from their pits. Colonel Hofmann communicated to Colonel Dushane, commanding brigade, that he was ordered to fall back, but not having received any direct orders the brigade held its position. A loss of 1 officer and 1 man killed, 15 men wounded, 1 officer and 7 men missing, was sustained, principally on the skirmish line. On the 20th Colonel Wilson, in command of the skirmishers, ordered a charge upon their picket-line, and succeeded in regaining the pits lost the previous day, taking 1 commissioned officer and 13 men prisoners, losing in wounded 1 officer and 13 men. During the night the brigade withdrew and took position in the intrenchments. On the 21st the brigade was not extensively engaged, as the artillery refused to let the enemy come within easy range of musketry. The Purnell Legion, Colonel Graham commanding, was on skirmish and lost heavily, but remained on skirmish line during the engagement. Col. N. T. Dushane, commanding the brigade, was instantly killed early in the day by a solid shot whilst in the active discharge of his duties. During the day the brigade sustained a loss of 3 officers and 8 men killed, 4 officers and 39 men wounded, and 1 officer and 30 men missing. Since the 21st the brigade has not been engaged nor sustained any casualties.

Respectfully submitted.

SAML. A. GRAHAM,
Colonel, Commanding.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., FIFTH ARMY CORPS,

October 13, 1864.

SIR: In obedience to circular of this date I have the honor to report that during the engagement of the 1st instant the picket-line only of this brigade was engaged, a part of which was driven in, but soon advanced to its original position, sustaining a loss of 5 men killed and 14 men wounded. During the 8th instant no portion of the brigade, except the picket, was engaged, which advanced with the picket of the corps, and late in the evening fell back to its original position, with å loss of 1 man killed, 4 men wounded, and 8 men missing. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAML. A. GRAHAM, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.

Lieutenant-Colonel LA MOTTE,

Acty. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Fifth Army Corps.

No. 151.

Report of But. Brig. Gen. Andrew W. Denison, Eighth Maryland Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations December 7-12.

Report of operations of Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps, during the expedition on the Weldon railroad, Va., from December 7 to December 12, 1864:

In obedience to orders from Major-General Ayres, commanding division, this brigade broke camp early during the morning of the 7th instant, and marched to the Gurley house and took charge of the corps

31 R R-VOL XLII, PT I

train which accompanied the expedition, and moved down the Jerusa lem plank road to Freeman's without accident or molestation. Crossed Nottoway on pontoon bridge, parked the train, and bivouacked for the night. The command was relieved from duty as wagon guard on the morning of the 8th, and reported to General Ayres for duty. Marched via Sussex Court House to within a mile of Weldon railroad, and halted for several hours. At 6 p. m. we moved upon the railroad and commenced its destruction, continuing until 12 midnight. The destruction of the road was resumed on the morning of the 9th and continued until night, when [we] reached Three Creeks. After night we crossed the creek and destroyed a considerable length of road, when we returned to the north bank of the creek and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 10th, pursuant to orders from division headquarters, we commenced our return, marching to within a few miles of Sussex Court-House, a distance of twenty miles. On the 11th we crossed Nottoway River and bivouacked for the night. On the 12th returned to the Gurley house.

The brigade sustained a loss of 3 men killed and 12 men missing. Those killed were found on our return near Sussex Court-House, and were apparently murdered by the citizens. It is believed that those reported missing have met the same fate, as they were known to have crossed the river, but did not return. Respectfully submitted.

A. W. DENISON,

Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Brigade.

No. 152.

Report of Capt. James A. Haughey, Third Delaware Infantry, of operations August 18–28.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DELAWARE VOLUNTEERS,

August 28, 1864.

CAPTAIN: Pursuant to instruction, I have the honor to submit the following report of movements of Third Delaware since August 17, 1864:

We left position near Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad at 5 a. m. August 18, striking Petersburg branch of Weldon and Wilmington Railroad at noon same day. Our division (the Fourth) was, shortly after arrival, moved forward on east side of railroad, some quarter of a mile past the Yellow House, in two columns facing Petersburg. After a few minutes' halt, the enemy shelling smartly, our brigade marched quickly across the railroad by the flank and then forward to the support of Second Division, whose line we relieved at edge of open field, rebels occupying woods in front. Fire was opened, and shortly after skirmishers thrown out. Breast-works were erected during night and this position held during 19th and 20th, the brigade falling back some half mile once under orders, but retaking position immediately after. Night of 20th moved back till opposite Yellow House, same side of and line parallel to railroad. Earth-works were thrown up during night, and about 5 a. m. next morning enemy opened with artillery. Shortly after the regiments on our right commenced firing and we observed a brigade of rebels debouching by the flank some thirty yards from the line of our regiment. We occupied the left, our line refused, forming an