brigade. At dark on the 12th of June, in pursuance of orders directing a general movement of the army, I moved my command to Long Bridge, on the Chickahominy. Finding the bridge destroyed and the stream not fordable, I dismounted the Twenty-second New York and Third Indiana. The first named command was mainly crossed on a log a short distance above the bridge, and, making their way with much difficulty and considerable delay through the swamp, succeeded in crossing the second branch of the stream as they had crossed the first, on logs, and joined the brigade on the south bank of the river or swamp. In the mean time a pontoon-boat having been launched into the first branch of the stream, the Third Indiana were hastily crossed over under fire from a small force of the enemy, who occupied a rifle-pit on the south bank of the second branch of the stream. These were soon driven back, and the Third Indiana crossed over the second branch on limbs and logs of trees and formed in line of battle, with skirmishers thrown well to the front. Owing to the difficulties to be overcome considerable time was consumed in laying the pontoon bridges, and it was after midnight when my command was entirely over. The command then moved forward to White Oak Swamp, the advance skirmishing with a small body of the enemy's cavalry, who fell back across the swamp. At this point we found the enemy prepared to make resistance to our farther advance, with a battery in position, from which they opened fire. Lieutenant Fitzhugh's battery, then serving with this brigade, was ordered into position and a lively artillery duel ensued, in which one of the sections of our battery suffered considerably in men and horses.*

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. H. CHAPMAN, Colonel Third Indiana Cavalry, Commanding Brigade. Capt. LOUIS SIEBERT,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Cavalry Division.

No. 218.

Report of Lieut. Alexander C. M. Pennington, Battery M, Second U. S. Artillery, First Brigade Horse Artillery, including operations April 16-May 31.

CAMP OF HORSE BATTERY M, SECOND U. S. ARTY.,

Jordan's Point, Va., July 25, 1864. I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of my battery while serving with the Third Cavalry Division, from the 16th of April to the 31st of May, 1864:

I reported for duty with the Third Cavalry Division on the 16th, of April, but was not called upon for any active duty till the 3d of May. About 10 p. m. on May 3 I received an order to prepare my battery to move immediately, and to follow the Second Brigade (Colonel Chapman) when it moved from camp, which I did about 11 p. m., and at daylight arrived at Germanna Ford, where I crossed the Rapidan on the pontoon bridge as soon as it was laid; marched in rear of the Second Brigade till we reached Parker's Store, where I placed my guns in position and bivouacked for the night. A little after daylight on the 5th I followed the First Brigade

*For continuation of report, see Vol. XL, Part I.

(Colonel Bryan) to Craig's Meeting-House, where I took position to await the result of our advance, made by the Second Brigade, which had driven the enemy for several miles. The enemy, however, being re-enforced, compelled the Second Brigade to fall back, and I opened, as soon as a favorable opportunity presented itself, upon the enemy's flank as they came in sight. Lieutenant Fitzhugh's battery took position by the side of mine, and, with the twelve guns, we checked farther pursuit. The enemy not pursuing, I received an order from General Wilson, commanding division, to leave a section with the rear guard and to move to the rear with the remaining four guns of my battery. I directed Lieutenant Fitzhugh to fire a few rounds and then to withdraw, by order of General Wilson. Lieutenant Woodruff, whose section had been detailed with the rear guard, moved to the rear, after firing a few rounds, by order of Colonel Bryan, commanding the rear guard, and passed a section of Lieutenant Fitzhugh's battery, which had been placed in position to cover the falling back of the rear guard. Lieutenant Woodruff then received an order from General Wilson to close upon the battery, which the crowded state of the road in the front did not permit him to do till he reached Todd's Tavern. At this place my guns were placed in position and remained so during the night. At daylight on the 6th of May we marched to Piney Branch Church and from there to a place near Alrich's house, where the command drew rations, forage, and ammunition, marched back to Piney Branch Church, and late in the afternoon marched to Chancellorsville, reaching it after dark, and bivouacked for the night. On the 7th of May the battery marched to the Ny River with the Second Brigade, but returned immediately and encamped at Alrich's for the night. Marched to Spotsylvania Court-House on the 8th with the Second Brigade, placed the guns in position, but was not engaged with the enemy. After remaining in position for about half an hour, I received an order from General Wilson to retire, which I did, reporting to Colonel Chapman, commanding Second Brigade. I recrossed the Ny River and took position on a commanding hill overlooking the country on the opposite side of the Ny River. After remaining here about an hour, I received an order from Colonel Chapman to limber up my guns and to follow the leading regiment of his brigade as it moved out. Rejoined the division at Alsop's and from thence marched to near Alrich's, where the command encamped. During the night received orders from General Wilson to replenish ammunition and to obtain forage and rations, as the command was going upon a long march. On the morning of the 9th marched to North Anna River and encamped near Anderson's Bridge. Marched to Ground Squirrel Bridge, on the South Anna, on the 10th, and to Yellow Tavern on the 11th, at which place my guns were placed in position, but the battery was not engaged.

About 11 p. m. I received an order to move and was directed to follow Lieutenant Fitzhugh's battery. This I did, and moved down the Brook turnpike toward Richmond. Our command soon became engaged with the enemy on the Mechanicsville turnpike, and I hurried up my battery to the point where Lieutenant Fitzhugh's battery was engaged but did not place my guns in position, General Wilson having directed me to withdraw my battery as soon as I reached the ground. I withdrew the battery and placed it in position so as to cover the falling back of the advanced portion of our command, if such a thing became necessary, and also

to check any advance of the enemy from the direction of my right and front. After having been in this position for two or three hours, the enemy advanced a strong line of skirmishers almost in my immediate front. I directed my guns upon them and opened. The enemy were checked for a moment, but again advanced. Having no support I asked Colonel Chapman, who was near the battery, if he could furnish me any. He replied that he could not, as his troops were all employed, and that I had better withdraw. The enemy still advancing, and not knowing what troops of ours, if any, were in my front, I withdrew to a position about three-quarters of a mile in rear, the only one that presented itself as a fit position for artillery. While here I received an order from General Sheridan to open upon the woods which were on the left of General Gregg's line. This was done, but with what effect I cannot say. I occupied this position till about 4 p. m., when I received an order from General Sheridan to cross Meadow Bridge with four of my guns and to take position to cover the crossing of the troops, and to leave one section in the position I then occupied. I detailed Lieutenant Woodruff to remain, crossed the bridge, and took position. Here I was joined by Lieutenant Fitzhugh's battery and Lieutenant Woodruff's section not long after. Remaining here till the troops had crossed I joined the division at Mechanicsville and bivouacked that night at Gaines' house; marched to Bottom's Bridge on the 13th, and on the 14th crossed the Chickahominy and marched to Malvern Hill. On the 15th marched to Haxall's Landing, where we remained till the 18th, obtaining rations, &c. On the 18th marched to Jones' Bridge and crossed the Chickahominy. On the 19th marched to Baltimore Cross-Roads. On the 20th marched to near Cold Harbor and camped. Left on the 22d and camped at White House. On the 23d marched to Aylett's via King William Court-House and continued the march the next day, and on the 25th camped at Chesterfield. Crossed the North Anna River on the 26th and made a demonstration at Little River, shelling the opposite side, and recrossed the North Anna at 11 p. m. and camped. On the 27th marched to Chesterfield, and on the 28th camped at Mangohick Church. On the 29th reached the Pamunkey River opposite Hanovertown. On the 31st crossed the Pamunkey and marched toward Hanover Court-House. Battery was relieved by Captain Ransom on the 31st.

On the evening of the 11th I received an order from General Sheridan to destroy the rear portion of my forge and send the limber to the headquarters to take a Blakely gun which had been captured. This was done and I transported the gun to Haxall's Landing, where it was turned over to the ordnance department. From the time we crossed the Rapidan to the 31st of May I expended 350 rounds of 3-inch ammunition. I lost during the march 15 horses, which were abandoned, being unable to travel or which died on the march. My men and horses subsisted upon the country when out of rations, foraging parties under charge of a commissioned officer being sent out daily. Both of my officers, Lieuts. C. A. Woodruff and William Egan, performed all their duties skillfully and with great credit. My men were obedient to orders and attentive to all their duties. I have no casualties to report.

A. C. M. PENNINGTON, First Lieutenant, Second Artillery, Comdg. Battery M.

Capt. L. SIEBERT,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Cavalry Division.

No. 219.

Report of Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, U. S. Army, commanding Ninth Army Corps.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., November 26, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Ninth Army Corps from May 4 to July 30, 1864 :

The corps acted as a separate army, under my immediate command, reporting direct to the headquarters of Lieutenant-General Grant until the 25th [24th] of May, when it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. I have thought it best, however, to make the entire report to the headquarters Army of the Potomac. Previous to the 4th of May the corps was stationed at different points along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, having relieved the troops of the Army of the Potomac at these points. A complete roster of the corps, with the dates of the joining and mustering out of the regiments, is hereto annexed.

FIRST EPOCH.

From May 4 to May 7, inclusive.

The crossing of the Rapidan and the battle of the Wilderness.

In accordance with directions from the lieutenant-general commanding, the following dispositions of the troops of the corps were made: On the morning of the 4th the First Division, under Brigadier-General Stevenson, started for Germanna Ford, on the Rapidan River. Crossed on the morning of the 5th and went into camp, where they remained during that day and night. The Second and Third Divisions, under command of Generals Potter and Willcox; the Provisional Brigade, under Colonel Marshall, and the Reserve Artillery, under Captain Edwards, were directed to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice. The Fourth Division, Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero, with the different cavalry regiments which occupied positions farthest to the rear, broke camp and commenced their movements on the 4th. The artillery attached to the several divisions accompanied the divisions. On the morning of the 5th the Third Division (General Willcox) moved from Rappahannock Station, crossed Germanna Ford, moved out some 2 miles to the front, and relieved General Ricketts' division, which was at that time on the right of the Sixth Corps. The Second Division (General Potter) moved the same morning from Bealeton Station, crossed Germanna Ford in the afternoon, and bivouacked in the neighborhood of Spotswood Tavern. The Fourth Division (General Ferrero) followed, and reached Mountain Run about 6 p. m. on the afternoon of the 5th, where they bivouacked until the following morning. The Provisional Brigade (Colonel Marshall) and the cavalry regiments moved on the morning of the 5th, crossing Germanna Ford that afternoon, taking positions between the First and Second Divisions.

On the evening of the 5th Maj. Gen. John G. Parke, who had been absent sick, joined the corps and remained with me as chief of staff, or in immediate command when occasion required, always rendering efficient and gallant service.

On the morning of the 6th the First, Second, and Third Divisions of the corps got under way, the head of the Second Division starting at 1 a. m., the Third Division following. The First Division was directed to report to Major-General Hancock, commanding the Second Corps. The Provisional Brigade and cavalry were so disposed as to relieve these three divisions. The Fourth Division started from Mountain Run at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, crossed the Germanna Ford, and at 7 a. m. received orders from the lieutenant-general commanding to report to Major-General Sedgwick, commanding Sixth Corps, for instructions. From that time until July this division was at no time under my immediate control, it having become necessary to make it a guard for the general train of the army, receiving its orders directly from the headquarters of the lieutenant-general or from the headquarters Army of the Potomac. With the remaining two divisions, the Second and Third, I moved out on the Parker's Store road, between the positions then held by Generals Warren and Hancock, and after crossing the Wilderness Run at about daylight, General Potter was directed to make his dispositions with a view to pressing his force forward so as to seize, if possible, the point known as Parker's Store, on the plank road leading from Orange to Fredericksburg, Colonel Griffin's brigade leading and Colonel Bliss' disposed so as to protect the left flank. These movements were executed most creditably under a brisk artillery and infantry fire of the enemy. General Willcox's division was so disposed on the right and left of the road as to support the movement of General Potter, who had already pushed his advanced line across the open ground beyond the run and gained the edge of timber on the opposite side of the field. Just as preparations were being made to charge the enemy and drive them from the woods which intervened between this point and Parker's Store, an order was received from the lieutenant-general commanding to move all the available force of the corps to the left, with a view to attacking the enemy on the right of General Hancock. After consultation with Lieutenant-Colonel Comstock, who brought the order, it was thought best to move General Potter's command by the left flank through the woods until it reached a proper position for attack, and to leave General Willcox for the present to cover the Parker's Store road. The obstacles in the way of General Potter's movement were much more formidable than was at first supposed; a dense and almost impenetrable undergrowth caused considerable confusion, irregularity, and delay, but finally General Potter succeeded in getting his command into an open field which was comparatively near the proposed point of attack, where he formed his brigades and moved them forward through a thick growth of timber in the direction of the enemy. It was impossible to see anything of their position, in fact but little could be seen of the movement of our own troops after they entered the woods. In a short time our men came in contact with the enemy, who were well intrenched on the opposite side of a swampy ravine, soon after which their line was charged and a portion of it carried, but our men were not able to hold the advance ground gained. Two more gallant charges were made by this division, which resulted in considerable advantage of position to us, yet the enemy's line was not carried. General Willcox, of the Third Division, had made his dispositions for the support of the first movement of General Potter on Parker's Store, and afterward held the Parker's Store road, under a heavy artillery fire of the enemy, until