1,800 bushels sweet potatoes, 515 gallons sorghum molasses, 298 bushels beans, 773 head beef cattle, 230 head sheep. My acting assistant quartermaster collected from the country the following amount of corn and fodder: 80,000 pounds corn; 50,000 pounds fodder. During the campaign 64 horses and 96 mules were captured by my brigade. One hundred and thirteen negroes (both sexes) followed my column, many of whom were sent away at Fayetteville and a large number still remain employed as officers' servants, &c. Eleven cotton-gins, 9 presses, and 353 bales of cotton were burned by my command. No railroads were destroyed. Since the commencement of the campaign I forwarded to division and corps headquarters 46 rebel prisoners, and sent to the hospital from the battle-field 5 wounded rebel prisoners, all of whom were taken by my command. I also captured 154 guns and buried 60 of the enemy's dead, all of whom were killed in front of my brigade on the 16th and 19th of March. Before closing this report I wish to tender my thanks to the officers and men of my command for the cheerful manner in which they performed the arduous duties imposed upon them; bearing every hardship and deprivation with that willing spirit which is the characteristic of brave and noble men. To Col. J. C. Rogers, commanding One hundred and twenty-third New York Volunteers; Lieut. Col. H. W. Daboll, commanding Fifth Regiment Connecticut Veteran Volunteers; Maj. P. Griffith, commanding Forty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Capt. William Merrell, commanding One hundred and forty-first New York Volunteers, I would especially offer my gratitude for their zealous efforts to promote the interest of the service, and their prompt compliance with every order issued to them. They are officers of fine judgment, brave in action, and in every respect worthy the confidence and esteem of their superior as well as subordinate officers. To each member of my staff I am indebted for the cheerful performance of each and every duty devolving upon them. Capt. D. W. Palmer, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. William C. Rockwell, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. A. W. Selfridge, acting commissary of subsistence; Capt. George Tubbs, topographical engineer; Dr. James Chapman, surgeon-in-chief; First Lieut. R. Cruikshank, provost-marshal; First Lieut. A. L. Crawford, acting assistant quartermaster, and Second Lieut. Harvey M. Bosworth, aide-de-camp, and Second Lieut. Charles N. Barrett, chief of pioneers. Accompanying this you will please find report of casualties, all of which are most respectfully submitted. I have the honor to be, captain, your obedient servant, Capt. E. K. BUTTRICK, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Div., Twentieth Army Corps. [Inclosure.] HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., 20TH ARMY CORPS, Capt. E. K. BUTTRICK, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Div., Twentieth Army Corps: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report in compliance with instructions contained in circular from headquarters First Division, Twentieth Army Corps, dated March 25, 1865: HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., 20TH ARMY CORPS, CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade from the 10th of April, 1865, up to the 19th of May, 1865: At 4.45 a. m. on the morning of April 10 I marched from Goldsborough, N. C., with my brigade at the head of the Twentieth Corps in a westerly direction toward Smithfield, N. C. Met the enemy's cavalry about one mile east of Moccasin Swamp; deployed the One hundred and twenty-third Regiment New York Volunteers, Col. James C. Rogers commanding, on the right of the road as skirmishers, and supported him with the remainder of the brigade. Colonel Rogers advanced with his command, pushing the enemy slowly backward, the latter contesting every inch of ground and showing a determination to hold us at bay and prevent our gaining a position from which our artillery could be made effective. After driving him about a mile our skirmishers reached Moccasin Swamp, which was almost impassable, owing to the depth of water and the thick growth of underbrush, which impeded the advance of our troops and rendered the position of the skirmishers extremely hazardous. Notwithstanding the difficulties which here presented themselves, the determination of our gallant officers and men overcame all obstacles and rendered further opposition on the part of the enemy useless. After driving him from the opposite bank of the swamp I crossed my whole brigade and formed line of battle. From this point I advanced about one mile and a half, meeting with very little opposition, when I was ordered by Brevet Major-General Williams to encamp for the night. In this little engagement I lost 1 man killed and 3 wounded, as follows: Private William A. Tooley, Company K, One hundred and twenty-third New York Volunteers, killed; Corpl. Silon A. Ormsby, Company B, and Privates David Irwin and William J. Nelson, Company F, One hundred and twenty-third New York Volunteers, wounded. The enemy's loss is said to be much greater. The officers and men behaved with much coolness and bravery, and well sustained the reputation they have won upon many a hard fought field. Col. James C. Rogers, commanding One hundred and twentythird New York Volunteers, deserves much credit for the admirable manner in which he handled his regiment, and for the determination evinced in driving the enemy from his strong position on the opposite bank of the swamp. The day was unpleasant and stormy. We marched about sixteen miles. April 11, pleasant day; country good and quite thickly inhab ited; marched at 11 a. m.; traveled fourteen miles and encamped at Smithfield, N. C. April 12, received news of the surrender of Lee's army to General Grant; great rejoicing throughout the army. Marched in northwesterly direction at 7 a. m.; passed through Smithfield; crossed Swift Creek and encamped one mile from it. April 13, rainy day; marched in northwesterly direction toward Raleigh at 3 a. m.; roads very good; reached Raleigh about 12 m. after marching fourteen miles, and encamped on the south side of the city. From April 13 up to the 22d nothing of importance occurred in the command. On the 22d my brigade, together with the remainder of the corps, was reviewed on Fayetteville street, in the city of Raleigh, by Major-General Sherman. From the 22d to the 25th nothing of importance occurred. On morning of the 25th, at 7 a. m., this brigade started in advance of the corps toward Jones' Cross-Roads, which place we reached at 2 p. m. after marching twelve miles. Here we remained in camp until April 28, when we returned to Raleigh. Here and upon this date I received my appointment as brevet brigadier-general of volunteers. April 29, received orders from General Sherman to-day stating that General Joseph E. Johnston had surrendered to him all Confederate forces east of the Chattahoochee River. April 30, very pleasant day; commenced our march toward Richmond at 5 a. m.; marched through Raleigh, N. C., in review order; marched about fifteen miles, crossed the Neuse River, and encamped at 2 p. m. From the 1st to the 8th of May our march was a very pleasant one, over good roads and through a pleasant and tolerably well cultivated country. On our route we crossed the rivers Tar, Roanoke, Meherrin, Great Nottoway, Little Nottoway, and the Appomattox, reaching Falling Creek, Va., about nine miles from Richmond, on the afternoon of May 8. We were favored with beautiful weather and the roads were in good condition. The average number of miles marched was eighteen per day. We remained in our encampment near Falling Creek until May 11, when we commenced our march toward Alexandria, Va. On the morning of the 11th we started at 10 o'clock, and were received by a portion of the Army of the James in the streets of Manchester, who paid honor as we passed them in review order. Marched through Richmond in review order, and encamped at 5 p. m. near the Hanover CourtHouse road, three miles from Richmond. From the 11th to the 19th instant we were constantly on the march, averaging about fifteen miles per day. We had some oppressively warm weather, but owing to the discreet manner in which the division was marched the troops suffered very little. On our route we crossed the rivers Chickahominy, South Anna, Little, North Anna, and Rappahannock, also passed through Spotsylvania Court-House and over the battle-ground of the same name, also over the battle-field of Chancellorsville. Many of our dead still remain unburied on the former battle-field, which is a burning stigma and disgrace upon the county of Spotsylvania. The commonest feelings of humanity should have prompted some action in the matter, and the citizens who have for the past year looked with indifference upon the whitening bones of our brave soldiers and left them for their swine and dogs to revel over, should forever be deprived of the privi leges and blessings of our Government, and be branded as desecraters of the dead, unfit to associate with the living. We crossed Bull Run on the afternoon of the 18th instant, and reached Fairfax Station at 6 p. m., where we encamped for the night. On the 19th instant we marched to within two miles of Alexandria, Va., and went into camp at 4 p. m. We were favored with clear, pleasant weather, although at times very warm. The roads were good and the country well cultivated. The citizens along the route seem well disposed and are much pleased at the prospects of peace. We met many paroled prisoners of Lee's army, both officers and men. In closing this report I wish to tender my thanks to each regimental commander, who are as follows, for the prompt support they have given me and the able manner in which they have governed their respective commands: Col. James C. Rogers, commanding One hundred and twenty-third New York Volunteers; Lieut. Col. H. W. Daboll, commanding Fifth Connecticut Veteran Volunteers; Lieut. Col. A. J. McNett, commanding One hundred and forty-first New York Volunteers, and Maj. P. Griffith, commanding Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers. Also to the other officers and the enlisted men of this brigade do I desire to offer my thanks for the great assistance they have rendered their superiors and for the faithful, uncomplaining manner in which they have borne each and every duty devolving upon them. To the respective officers of my staff, who are as follows, I am grateful for their kind attention and zealous efforts to promote the interest of the service: Capt. D. W. Palmer, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. William C. Rockwell, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieut. H. M. Bosworth, acting aide-de-camp; Lieut. R. Cruikshank, acting aide-decamp; Lieut. A. L. Crawford, acting assistant quartermaster; Dr. James Chapman, surgeon-in-chief, and Capt. A. W. Selfridge, acting provost marshal. Accompanying this please find reports of my regimental commanders, all of which are respectfully submitted. JAS. L. SELFRIDGE, Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Brigade. Capt. E. K. BUTTRICK, Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Twentieth Army Corps. No. 135. Reports of Lieut. Col. Henry W. Daboll, Fifth Connecticut Infantry, of operations January 17-March 24 and April 10-May 19. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VET. VOLS., Near Scottsville, N. C., March 28, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward the following report of the recent campaign: Leaving Savannah on the 17th day of January, 1865, we crossed the Savannah River at Screven's Ferry, where the regiment was engaged for two days in loading wagons, &c. We then rejoined the brigade at Purysburg, remaining until the 27th, when we marched in the direction of Sister's Ferry, at which place the command was occupied in procuring supplies, &c., until February 4, when the division, being relieved by the Fourteenth Corps, took up the line of march. No events of general importance took place during the first month of our advance, the regiment subsisting upon the country and performing the duties incident to a protracted campaign. On the 2d of March, the First Brigade being in advance, the Fifth Connecticut Veteran Volunteers on the right, having advanced within two miles of Chesterfield Court-House, S. C., we came upon the enemy. This regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and advancing forced the enemy into and through the town, and across Thompson's Creek, one mile and a half beyond, where by maintaining a continuous fire we prevented the success of their repeated attempts to destroy the bridge. On the following morning continued the advance, meeting no enemy. No further opposition was encountered until March 16, when the enemy were met in force near Silver Run, and this regiment in common with the remainder of the brigade advanced, relieving a portion of General Kilpatrick's cavalry, and were at once engaged repulsing the enemy, who in the eagerness of pursuit exposed themselves, the entire brigade opening fire upon their lines before they became aware of our presence. And it is here that the commanding officer of this regiment desires to render his tribute to the memory of First Lieut. James P. Henderson, commanding Company A, killed in the action of the 16th. Early devoting himself to the cause of his country, participating in every battle in which the regiment has been engaged, and at last meeting a soldier's fate, his loss is deeply regretted by the entire command. Upon the evening of the 16th the regiment was deployed as skirmishers, continuing upon the line until after dark, when we were relieved, after losing several men killed and wounded. On the following morning, the enemy having abandoned his position, we continued the march. On the 19th of March, the Fourteenth Corps having engaged the enemy, this regiment as a part of the First Division was advanced to its support, went into position, constructed works, and remained until the morning of the 22d, when we moved in the direction of Goldsborough, near which place we now await orders. This command destroyed no railroads, no cotton, nor cotton-gins. About thirty animals were captured during the campaign. The following is as nearly as can be ascertained the amount of forage taken: 10,000 pounds bacon and pork; 8,000 pounds corn meal; 1,000 pounds flour; 2,000 bushels potatoes; 10 barrels sorghum. Appended is a list of casualties. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY W. DABOLL, Lieut. Col., Commanding Fifth Connecticut Veteran Volunteers. Capt. D. W. PALMER, Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 1st Div., Twentieth Army Corps. List of casualties in the Fifth Regiment Connecticut Veteran Volunteers during the campaign commencing January 17, 1865, and ending March 24, 1865.* Recapitulation: Killed, commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 3. Wounded, commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 10. Missing, enlisted men, 11. Aggregate, 26. HENRY W. DABOLL, Lieut. Col., Commanding Fifth Connecticut Veteran Volunteers. * Nominal list omitted. |