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ful area of cleared ground of several hundred acres, extending east and west of the railroad and north along the road, perhaps half a mile from the Yellow House. This clearing is surrounded by a dense wood, interspersed with swamps, parts of it so filled with underbrush that it is difficult to penetrate. The ground is generally a level. In these grassy fields the troops were permitted to rest about an hour, when they were called to arms. The battery on the railroad had opened and skirmishing had commenced on the right and left of the road in the direction of Petersburg and in the woods beyond the open ground just mentioned. This brigade, then under the command of Col. Peter Lyle, of the Ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was formed in line of battle and advanced to within a short distance of the woods. The One hundred and seventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers were ordered to deploy as skirmishers, and advanced into the woods about twenty yards and halted for further orders. While this regiment was in the act of deploying and advancing, orders were given for it to oblique to the right and also extend the intervals that it might extend to the right and form a curve, following the line of the clearing so as to protect the right flank of the division, the other brigades of which were now advancing and forming on the right of the first.

The brigade soon advanced into the woods with orders to connect with the right of the Second Division, which extended across and to the right of the railroad from 50 to 100 yards. This was effected by the Sixteenth Maine Regiment (Colonel Tilden), that regiment being on the left of the brigade. While Colonel Lyle was exerting himself to bring up each successive regiment on the right of the Sixteenth Maine into line, it being very difficult to accomplish in the thick and tangled wood and underbrush, the enemy's column of battle advanced and made a furious attack on the Second Division, on our left, and extending along the front of our brigade, then in course of formation. The Sixteenth Maine first came under the fire with the right of the Second Division. The troops on the right of that division retiring somewhat, left the left flank of this brigade exposed. This regiment holding its ground for some minutes, soon discovering that the enemy was threatening the flank and rear, fell back some 150 yards, together with the other regiments of the brigade that had also become engaged, suffering a loss of some killed, wounded, and missing. This was not done, howeyer, without inflicting loss upon the enemy. Lieut. William T. Spear, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, a most worthy officer, of Christian habits and character, was killed in this part of the action, and Lieut. Col. Charles L. Peirson and Lieut. John D. Reed were wounded, the former very seriously, together with a considerable number of men killed, wounded, and a few prisoners. The Sixteenth Maine Regiment also lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Lieut. John T, Reilly, of the Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was taken prisoner, with some of the men of that regiment. These regiments retiring but a short distance and reforming, the line of battle was again formed as soon as possible. The One hundred and seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers was in the meantime relieved as skirmishers by the order of General Crawford, and at this period in the conflict took its place in line, its place as skirmishers being filled by the One hundred and ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers (seven shooters). The brigade, in connection with the troops on our right and left, again advanced under a brisk skirmish fire and partially reoccupied the ground from which it had just retired. The skirmishing was kept up during the evening and night until 12 o'clock with but little intermission.

During the night intrenchments were thrown up, and during the early part of the 19th the troops were engaged in strengthening their works. In the morning it was discovered that the enemy's skirmish line had been withdrawn several hundred yards to rear of the one occupied on the previous night, leaving a few dead in our hands and quite a number of small-arms. The dead were buried and the arms sent to the rear. In our front there was quietness during the early part of the day. At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon the brigade moved by the right flank for a distance of about 200 yards, occupying part of the ground vacated by the Second Brigade, the part of the line we vacated being occupied by part of the brigade of General Hayes, of the Second Division. The men again engaged in repairing the works, a heavy rain during the day having made additional labor necessary. At about 4 o'clock a brisk musketry fire was opened on our right on the line, perhaps a half or three quarters of a mile distant and in front of another or part of another division of the corps. A short time before this fire was opened it was reported to Colonel Lyle by the picket officer that the enemy was forming a line of battle in our immediate front. The fire continued on the right and seemed to grow in volume. The regiments were in the breast-works awaiting the expected attack. The pickets in front soon opened fire on the approaching enemy and fell back, taking refuge in the breast-works, and very soon thereafter the whole line opened a heavy musketry fire, repelling the enemy in every attempt to approach our lines. This fire was continued almost without intermission until rifle-balls and shells began to come from our rear, and very soon thereafter a backward movement was made in the direction of our second line of battle. In passing through the woods in the direction named, the fire from our own batteries was very hot, and I believe some were killed and not a few wounded. The enemy also suffered from this fire. Before reaching the clear ground a rebel column was met that had interposed through a break in the line in the division on our right, while our division in our part of the line was repelling the attack from the front, and came along in our rear between our retiring force and the second line of works, and this being effected through the thick wood and with great daring, was accomplished unperceived by us and before measures could be taken to resist or avoid it; hence we lost in prisoners largely, in both officers and men.

The following field officers were captured and taken to Petersburg by the enemy: Col. G. G. Prey, One hundred and fourth New York Volunteers; Col. C. W. Tilden, Sixteenth Maine Volunteers; Lieut. Col. J. R. Strang, One hundred and fourth New York Volunteers, reported to be wounded; Lieut. Col. William A. Leech, Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Maj. Jacob M. Davis, same regiment. Others were taken but made their escape before they could be taken to the enemy's rear. Thirty-three line officers were taken and 721 enlisted men.

I would not omit to mention that Colonel Tilden, of the Sixteenth Maine, a most worthy and esteemed officer, being deeply impressed with a vivid recollection of a former imprisonment in Richmond, after having been taken to Petersburg and on his way under guard from that city to the Libby Prison, made a most daring and successful escape, and rejoined his regiment the third night after his capture. Considering the perils through which he passed in making his escape, it cannot be otherwise regarded than remarkably providential. He was accompanied by Lieut. E. F. Davis, of the same regiment. I would also state that the brigade staff has suffered severely by the following members of it having been captured: Capt. Byron Porter, assistant adjutant

general, Capt. E. J. Trull, acting brigade inspector, and Lieut. I. F. R. Hosea, commanding pioneer corps. Lieut. A. Leavitt, acting aide-decamp, was captured, but made his escape, and bringing into our lines a number of prisoners. It was with difficulty that Colonel Lyle, commanding brigade, made his escape, having to abandon his horse in the attempt. With all these losses, however, the remnant of the brigade was rallied, and with the aid of other troops advanced again into the woods, and late in the evening reoccupied the line of the afternoon. All these operations of the afternoon took place during a rain-storm, and the men were wet to the skin and greatly exhausted.

On the 20th the brigade was relieved from duty in the front line and took position in the open field on the right of the railroad, again connecting with the Second Division and in support of the Ninth Massachusetts Battery, when the men threw up a line of intrenchments during the afternoon fronting the northeast. There were indications of an attack of the enemy during the night, and on the morning of the 21st the indications were still more striking and apparent. At 9 o'clock the enemy opened their batteries, and soon after their columns of infantry advanced against the left flank and front of our line. Their repeated attempts to advance upon the works were repulsed, and after about an hour's fighting they retired in disorder, leaving many prisoners in our hands and the ground strewn with their dead and wounded. Our loss in this engagement was comparatively small, which may be attributed to our men fighting behind breast-works. The artillery on our part of the line did the greater part of the fighting. Some prisoners were turned over to Colonel Lyle that were taken in our front. There was no further fighting during the day. The wounded rebels were carried from the field and well cared for by our surgeon. On Monday, 22d, the dead were buried. On the 23d the division under General Crawford was engaged in destroying the railroad from the Yellow House in the direction of Petersburg, this brigade being most of the time in a position to protect the working parties. On the 24th the brigade was allowed to rest quietly in camp. On the 25th it was ordered to change camp, in the act of doing which orders were received to prepare for action, and immediately the column took up the line of march in the direction of Reams' Station, where General Hancock's corps was heavily engaged with a large force of the enemy. At this period in the movements of the brigade, Colonel Lyle, who had been in command since the battles of the Wilderness, to the great satisfaction of the officers and men, was compelled by severe illness to relinquish the command to the undersigned. I immediately assumed command and marched the column to the Yellow House, when I received an order from Brigadier-General Crawford, commanding the division, to report with my command to Brigadier-General Bragg, which I did at once and moved under his direction toward Reams' Station. Having marched about one mile, orders were received to countermarch the command and go into camp for the night. On the following day, the 26th, we were again ordered to change camp and throw up a line of works southeast of the Yellow House. September 2, instant, the brigade, with the division, was supporting the cavalry under General Gregg in a reconnaissance, since which time, with little interruption, it has remained quietly in camp near . the Gurley house.

It affords me pleasure to state that the One hundred and ninetieth and One hundred and ninety-first regiments Pennsylvania Volunteers, formerly composing the Third Brigade of the Third Division, have been transferred to this brigade, and have composed a part of it since the

morning of the 23d of August. In the operations of the 18th and 19th these regiments lost by capture about three-fourths of the number they had with the command, including Col. W. R. Hartshorne, One hun dred and ninetieth, commanding the brigade, and Col. James Carle, commanding One hundred and ninety-first, with Maj. John A. Wolff, of the former, and Maj. M. Weidler, of the latter regiment, together with a large proportion of their line officers. Not having any personal knowledge of the operations of these regiments, then composing the Third Brigade, I cannot report their operations further than to inclose the reports of Capt. N. B. Kinsey, of the One hundred and ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Capt. R. M. Birkman, One hundred and ninetieth, temporarily assigned to the One hundred and ninety-first, who have been in command of these regiments since the disaster of the 19th, to which I would respectfully refer the brigadier-general commanding the division.

I also forward, as a part of my report, the several reports of the regimental commanders of the brigade, and would refer the commanding general to them for many of the details that I have necessarily omitted. A recapitulation of the losses are appended to this report.*

I should not omit to state that a rebel flag belonging to a North Carolina regiment was captured on the afternoon of the 19th by Private Solomon J. Hottenstine, of Company C, One hundred and seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, who presented it on the field to Brigadier-General Crawford, commanding the division.

In closing this imperfect report of the operations of the brigade, I would express my extreme regret at the loss of so many brave veteran officers and men. They are a great loss to this gallant corps and army, and to the good cause of our country. This is especially so at the present crisis of the contest. In their capture, however we may deplore it, it is gratifying to be assured that no dishonor or blame can attach to them. They battled bravely and successfully with the foe in their front. That the enemy was allowed to approach their rear from a distant part of the line cannot, and I am glad to know is not, chargeable to them. They have truly for a time lost their liberty and the privilege of continuing to battle for the righteous cause of the Government, but they have not sullied their fair fame, won and maintained on many battle-fields; they still retain a soldier's patriotism, integrity, and honor.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. F. MCCOY,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Capt. GEORGE MONTEITH,

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

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,

September 24, 1864.

1 fully concur in the above report of Colonel McCoy of the operations of the brigade on the above dates.

Very respectfully,

P. LYLE,

Colonel Ninetieth Regt. Pennsylvania Vols., late Comdg. Brigade.

* Embodied in table, p. 124.

No. 162.

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Reports of Brig. Gen. Edward S. Bragg, U. S. Army, commanding First
Brigade, of operations October 27-28 and December 7-11.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
November 2, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit, in brief, the part taken by my command in the late operations south of Hatcher's Creek.

My command, in connection with Colonel Hofmann's, broke camp at 4 a. m. 27th ultimo and marched to the front. Were delayed on the Vaughan road by troops in front until after daylight, and then marched to the Armstrong house and crossed to the south side of Hatcher's Run. Here line of battle was formed, and marched with skirmishers in front, and its right resting on the creek, through dense thickets and jungles until connection was made with the First Division, and the troops struck Hill's corps of Confederates in flank, lying behind hastily constructed works, in front of the First Division. My skirmish line passed this point, and advanced half a mile up the creek toward the plank road and in full view of the Confederate hospital. This was done without opposition. My line of battle having made its connection with the First Division, halted and bivouacked for the night. Developments during the night, as well as the statement of prisoners, showed that the enemy had his line on three sides of our position, but he did not attack. During the night my command captured 224 prisoners, with 4 officers, belonging principally to Mahone's division of the Confederate army. At 3 a. m. 28th ultimo the command crossed Hatcher's Run, over a bridge built by it during the night, and joined the First Division, and formed line of battle on its left, fronting Hatcher's Run. At 10 a. m. my skirmish line from the front, and scouting parties on the flank, crossed the creek without molestation from the enemy, and the command returned to its old position.

The prisoners captured by the command were turned over to the provost guard Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, the provost-marshal Ninth Army Corps, a commissioned officer of the Second Army Corps near Dabney's Mill, and a first lieutenant of Company D, Eighth Maryland Volunteers. Many of these prisoners had in charge men from the Second Corps, who had been captured. Among those released was an officer who claimed to be of the rank of major, and a member of General Hancock's staff.

My losses were very slight, and as follows: Officers-prisoner, 1.
Enlisted men-killed, 1; wounded, 10; prisoners, 7.
All of which is respectfully submitted.

EDWD. S. BRAGG, Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

Maj. E. C. BAIRD, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
December 17, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the recent operations on the Weldon railroad toward Belfield:

In conformity with orders, I left camp on the morning of the 7th instant, and, joining the Fifth Army Corps, moved to Sussex CourtHouse. On the 8th reached the railroad near Nottoway bridge, and engaged in its destruction. On the 9th continued the destruction of

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