1 they caught the spirit and importance of the occasion, and the zeal and enthusiasm with which they delivered the death-dealing canister with shouts of defiance; and I trust the general commanding the division will kindly remember that they detained a large portion of the enemy by a galling fire for full ten minutes after the other troops had left the field (save Colonel Spear and a few dismounted cavalry), and perhaps contributed in some degree to weaken the subsequent attack on the Tenth Army Corps. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. M. HALL, First Lieutenant, First U. S. Artillery, Commanding Battery. Maj. THEODORE H. SCHENCK, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Div., Army of the James. No. 348. Report of Capt. George B. Easterly, Fourth Wisconsin Battery, of operations August 1-September 30. CAMP OF FOURTH WISCONSIN. BATTERY HORSE ARTY., Near Jones' Landing, Va., October 20, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following report of the operations of the Fourth Wisconsin Battery from August 1, 1864, to September 30, 1864: August 1, the right section and Second Lieut. D. L. Noggle was with the Cavalry Division on an expedition near the Weldon railroad; the two remaining sections were in camp at Jones' Landing, and on the 11th of August joined the right section near Light-House Point, on the James River. August 13, the battery marched to Prince George CourtHouse. August 26, moved camp near Petersburg, in rear of Ninth Corps. September 16, the battery marched with Cavalry Division in pursuit of the enemy's cavalry that had captured a large cattle herd. September 17, returned to camp. September 27, broke camp and moved to Jones' Landing. September 28, marched at daylight to the suburbs of Richmond and in full view of the city. Were under a constant fire from the enemy's inner line of defenses, First Lieut. M. McDevitt in command. Camped for the night 1,000 yards from the rebel works. September 29, the battery moved with the cavalry around Richmond in full view of the city and under the uninterrupted fire of the enemy. The right section (Lieut. D. L. Noggle), detached with the Second Cavalry Brigade (Col. S. P. Spear), moved on the Charles City road; engaged a small force of the enemy and drove them into the city; they approached within 800 yards of the main line of defenses and engaged them. ing this fire Lieutenant Noggle elevated his guns and fired about 140 · shell into the streets of Richmond, which were in plain view, it being the first and only time during the war that artillery has approached so near and fired into the rebel capital. September 30, the battery repulsed a cavalry charge of the enemy and at night moved to a position in the rear and distant four miles from Richmond. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. B. EASTERLY, Dur Capt., Comdg. Fourth Wisconsin Battery Horse Artillery. General AUG. GAYLORD, Adjutant-General, Madison, Wiş, No. 349. Report of Lieut. Dorman L. Noggle, Fourth Wisconsin Battery, of oper ations October 7. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH WISCONSIN HORSE BATTERY, Near Jones' Landing, Va., October 9, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations by the Fourth Wisconsin Horse Battery in the engagement on the Darbytown road, October 7, 1864: The battery was posted on the left of the Darbytown road, near the old breast-works, one section about twenty rods in rear and on the right of the road. As the attack was made on both flanks at the same time, my left section engaged the enemy on the left and in front, and the right section on the right and in front. After firing several rounds, the enemy continually advancing, I was compelled to retire with both sections. 1 again formed in battery about ten rods in rear of the position first taken by the right section, both sections united. We were again compelled to retire, as the enemy were on our right flank. Again we took position about fifteen rods in rear of the second position taken. Before taking our last position two of my pieces became temporarily unserviceable. I sent them to the rear. As the enemy were steadily advancing we were compelled to retire. Before leaving the field 4 of my men and several horses were wounded, 1 man mortally. After retiring a few rods the leading piece of the battery, which preceded me, became mired, delaying the column and giving the enemy time to come up with his main force. The enemy appearing on our left flank, I was ordered to abandon my pieces. I succeeded in getting some of my horses away, but lost most of my harness. I sustained the following casualties: Lost 4 pieces and caisson, 45 horses, 24 sets of harness, 4 men wounded (1 mortally), and 1 missing. The men all behaved well; I could not ask for better soldiers. Where all stood so well at their posts I do not desire to speak of individual cases. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. L. NOGGLE, Second Lieutenant, Comdg. Fourth Wisconsin Horse Battery. Maj. THEODORE H. SCHENCK. No. 350. Medals of Honor awarded for distinguished services under Resolution of Congress, No. 43, approved July 12, 1862, and section 6 of Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1863. Medals of Honor awarded for distinguished services, &c.-Continued. Name. Rank and organization. McKown, Nathaniel A.. Sergeant, Company B, 58th Pennsylvania Infantry. Pinn, Robert First Sergeant, Company I, 5th Reed, George W. Private, Company E, 11th Penn- Ratcliff, Edward First Sergeant, Company C, Robie, George F.[Frank Shilling, John. 38th U. S. Colored Troops. First Sergeant, Company H, 3d Smith, Alonzo.. Sergeant, Company C, 7th Mich- Smith, Joseph S.. Lieutenant-colonel and com missary of subsistence. Smith, Richard Private, Company B, 95th New Schellenburger. John S. Corporal, Company B, 85th Penn sylvania Infantry. Schiller, John Private, Company E, 158th New York Infantry. Skellie, Ebenezer. Corporal. Company D, 112th Shea, Joseph H. Private, Company K, 92d New Vanwinkle, Edward.... Corporal, Company C, 148th Veal, Charles.. Private, Company D, 4th U.S. Walling, William H.... First Lieutenant, 142d New York Infantry. Wells, Henry S Private, Company C, 148th New York Infantry. Wright, Robert Private, Company G, 14th U. S. No. 351. Reports of General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Northern Virginia, of operations August 16-December 27. CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, August 16, 1864-1 p. m. The enemy has made a determined attack on our line between the Darbytown and Charles City roads. At one time he broke through, but was repulsed, and we now occupy our original positions. SECRETARY OF WAR. CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, August 16, 1864-8.30 p. m. The enemy did not renew the attack after his repulse mentioned in my first dispatch. His force on the Charles City road, after advancing to within two miles of White's Tavern, was driven back across White Oak Swamp. Our loss was small. Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR. CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, August 18, 1864. This morning our skirmishers reoccupied the hill north of Dutch Gap, from which the enemy had' been driven by our gun-boats. This afternoon the left of our line north of James River advanced against the enemy's right to discover his strength and position; drove in his skirmish line, and finding him strongly intrenched withdrew. About noon the enemy in front of Petersburg moved his Fifth Corps toward the Weldon railroad, when he was met by General Heth, who drove him a mile, capturing 150 prisoners. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, R. E. LEE. CHAFFIN'S BLUFF, August 20, 1864. (Received 9.20 a. m.) General Hill attacked the enemy's Fifth Corps yesterday afternoon at Davis' house, three miles from Petersburg, on Weldon railroad. Defeated and captured about 2,700 prisoners, including 1 brigadier-general and several field officers. Loss on our side believed to be smaller than that of the enemy. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War. R. E. LEE. DUNN'S HILL, August 21, 1864. The enemy abandoned last evening his position north of James River and returned to the south side. This morning General Hill attacked his position on Weldon railroad. Drove him from his advanced lines to his main intrenchments, from which he was not dislodged. Over 300 prisoners, exclusive of wounded, were captured. Our loss was principally in Hagood's brigade, which mounted enemy's intrenchments. Supports failing, many were captured. Hon. J. A. SEDDON. R. E. LEE. HEADQUARTERS, August 26, 1864. (Via Petersburg.) General A. P. Hill attacked the enemy in his intrenchments at Reams' Station yesterday evening, and at the second assault carried his entire line. Cooke's and MacRae's North Carolina brigades, under General Heth, and Lane's North Carolina brigade, of Wilcox's division, under General Conner, with Pegram's artillery, composed the assaulting column. One line of breast-works was carried by the cavalry under General Hampton with great gallantry, who contributed largely to the success of the day. Seven stand of colors, 2,000 prisoners, and 9 pieces of artillery are in our possession. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is reported to be heavy, ours relatively small. Our profound gratitude is due to the Giver of all victory, and our thanks to the brave men and officers engaged. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War. R. E. LEE. |