we destroyed as far as White Pond, beginning at Graham's, in a most thorough manner. A large quantity of cotton was also destroyed. From this road we moved toward Columbia, reaching following points as below specified: 11th, reached South Fork of Edisto River at Guignard's Bridge. Here I built a bridge that having been burned by the enemy. 12th, crossed river, the men being obliged to wade in exceedingly cold water nearly or quite two-thirds of a mile; halted some three miles south of the North Branch of Edisto. 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th marched, crossing the North Edisto, upon the Columbia road; crossed Congaree Creek two miles from Lexington and a projected railroad from Columbia to Augusta (work upon this had been abandoned upon the approach of our army), encamping in plain sight of Columbia. Dur ing the 16th, my division being in advance, I had been ordered to proceed with great caution, since the enemy in large force was reported in my front. Upon pushing forward, however, I found my front uncovered by the advance of General Howard's column. February 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st occupied in reaching Winnsborough. 18th, crossed Saluda at Hart's Ferry, covering crossing of the corps. 19th, relieved General Carlin's division of Fourteenth Corps on picket at Rockville. 20th, crossed Broad River in rear of the corps and pushed forward beyond Little River. 21st, reached Winnsborough and camped some three miles beyond. The roads during these four days were exceedingly bad, the rear of my division when with train being unable to reach camp before daylight of succeeding day, it being necessary to corduroy nearly the entire day's march. Reached the Catawba River on the 22d, crossed the 23d, and pushed forward toward Hanging Rock as far as Rocky Mount. (I respectfully invite attention to Colonel Dustin's report on the difficulty of crossing this river.) A heavy rain upon the 23d and 24th and 25th detained us in camp. Reached Hanging Rock Post-Office on the 26th, having laid a continuous corduroy for the entire distance. From this point the division marched with no especial incident other than the remarkable abundance of wretched roads to Chesterfield Court-House, arriving there upon the 3d of March. Upon the 4th moved to Sneedsborough, N. C.; halted two days, and upon the 6th marched to Cheraw, and on the morning of the 7th crossed the Great Pedee, camping near Laurel Hill, upon the Wilmington and Rockingham road. Upon the 8th and 9th pushed forward toward Lumber River over the worst roads met with. Reached Fayetteville upon the 11th; remained here one day, crossing the Cape Fear on the 13th; camped three miles on the Raleigh road. Upon the 15th reached Taylor's Hole Creek. Upon the 16th I was ordered to move forward, repairing the roads as usual, to the cross-roads, and was so doing when orders were received that as the enemy were hard pressing General Kilpatrick, I should at once move forward with two brigades. I directed Colonel Dustin (my leading brigade) to hurry forward, and also drew Brevet Brigadier-General Cogswell's brigade (the Third) off the train, directing Colonel Case to cover the entire train upon arriving at Smithville, some two miles distant. I massed my Second Brigade (Colonel Dustin's) upon the right of the Raleigh road, in_rear of Colonel Hawley's brigade, of the First Division, my Third (Brevet Brigadier-General Cogswell's) upon the right of the Second, and my First (Colonel Case's, he having been ordered to leave train and push forward) upon the right of the Third. In this formation I moved forward until I developed the enemy's line. Under orders from Brevet Major-General Williams, commanding corps, I here moved my left brigade (the Second) across the road to relieve a portion of General Kilpatrick's command, and posted it behind some woods and houses some 500 yards from the enemy's main line, which were in full sight. I further directed General Cogswell to move forward and relieve Colonel Hawley, which he at once rapidly and quickly effected, relieving his skirmish line also. Though engaged, I now directed Colonel Case to move with the First Brigade well around to the left and feel for the rebel flank, at the same time directing Colonel Dustin and General Cogswell to press the enemy in their front. I cannot speak too highly of the manner in which Colonel Case executed this movement. While the attention of the enemy was fully occupied by the artillery and by the musketry fire of Colonel Dustin and General Cogswell, who were pressing them very closely, so much so that they were obliged to reinforce their line, Colonel Case came sweeping down on their flank, his right striking just inside their works, and with a ringing shout, and ringing muskets too, he cleared their works at the same time Colonel Dustin was leaping them in front. The enemy fled in great confusion, leaving all their dead and wounded and 3 pieces of artillery, together with 100 prisoners, exclusive of some 68 wounded, in our hands. I at once made disposition to cover my left flank and pressed forward into a second line, which was abandoned, in the following formation: First Brigade on the left, Third on the right, Second in reserve. Having made connection with General Jackson's division on the right, and being informed that General Morgan's was on my left, I again, in obedience to orders, moved forward. The nature of the ground precluded a rapid advance, it being very swampy and heavy. My line pressed steadily forward, driving the rebel line before it through the swamp and off a commanding ridge into works. After crossing the swamp, the troops upon my left not coming up, and receiving a full flank fire, I was obliged to order a halt, my line being within 100 yards of the rebel works. The loss was quite severe, as shown by accompanying list of casualties; out of abundant caution I withdrew my line some twenty or thirty yards and fortified, being so allowed to do by General Williams, commanding corps. Upon the next morning, the 17th, the enemy having in the night evacuated, agreeable to orders I moved to Averasborough, holding Raleigh and Smithfield roads, up which the rebels had gone, to cover passage of trains and wounded by interior roads. At this place, and indeed along the road, I overtook quite a large number of the rebel wounded. At Averasborough I paroled thirty-two at one hospital. I learned from my scouts that the enemy's train was moving on the Smithfield road, only a mile before me; I requested permission to destroy these, but was not allowed. In this engagement I estimated that before my line there were buried, 100 dead; wounded, between 400 and 500, and captured 110 unhurt, besides 150 wounded. Upon the 18th crossed Black Creek, the men wading nearly waist deep; the great difficulty in getting the trains along occasioned much delay and it was past midnight when I encamped. Marched at 8 a. m. of the 19th; heard heavy cannonading all a. m.; about 11 o'clock I was directed to hurry forward my command, and being so urged I came with my Second Brigade upon the double-quick and at once disposed this brigade to support the left, which was heavily threatened; upon the arrival of my Third Brigade it was massed upon the left of the main Smithfield road in hand to hurl it where most needed, and my First Brigade disposed upon the extreme left and rear, being then threatened by the enemy's cavalry; about 4 p. m. I was informed by a staff officer from General Williams that my Third Brigade had been ordered away as a support to a division of General Davis' corps and sent Captain Beecher of my staff to see and report the position of the same. This brigade was thrown into a gap between General Morgan's left and some portions of General Carlin's right; its arrival was fortunate indeed. The active foe had already discovered this weakness and was hurrying two columns to the left and rear of General Morgan when General Cogswell struck him a stunning blow, cutting off two regiments, or parts of two, and checking immediately the advance. How efficient the service of this brigade may have been, I leave others to decide. Though three times relieved, the enemy failed to dislodge the valiant Cogswell and his brave officers and men. My loss in this battle, confined as it was to one brigade, was severe, as per accompanying report. On the 20th I extended and advanced my left, feeling for the enemy's line, and fortified in an advanced position. On the 21st developed his line toward Mill Creek in a reconnaissance. Withdrew in obedience to orders upon the 22d, and marched to the rear and left for Cox's Bridge and Goldsborough, which latter I reached on the 24th, and encamped on the right of the Fourteenth Corps, two miles and a half north of the town. In closing this, my report, I desire to especially mention my brigade commanders-Colonel Case, Colonel Dustin, and Brevet Brigadier-General Cogswell-who, by their prompt obedience of orders, their fidelity in their execution, their personal supervision of, and their active interest in each day's duty, through the many and great difficulties incident to a march of 475 miles through an enemy's country, over indifferent country roads at best, now rendered bogs and sloughs by rain and heavy trains, over many deep and rapid rivers, through almost impassable swamps, they have carried our heavy transportation without loss, and our soldiers in good health and spirits, undismayed alike upon the route, in bivouac, or upon the battle-field; the officers and men have uniformly displayed that prompt and ready obedience to orders which characterizes the good soldier. I desire also to mention in terms of highest praise the gentlemen of my staff-Surgeon Grinsted; Captain Speed, assistant adjutantgeneral; Captain Chipman, acting assistant inspector-general; Captain Lacey, assistant quartermaster; Captain Beecher, assistant commissary of musters; Captain Crawford, aide-de-camp; Captain Scott, aide-de-camp; Captain Burgess, ordnance officer; Captain Rennie, ambulance officer; Lieutenant Harryman, aide-de-camp; Lieutenant Thompson, provost marshal; Lieutenant Hardenbrook, pioneer officer; Lieutenant Tuttle, topographical engineer-who, by their attention to duty and their intelligent comprehension of orders, have rendered invaluable assistance upon the march and on the battle-field. I annex a brief estimate of provisions and stock captured, and also cotton burned and miles of road destroyed: Brevet Major-General, Commanding Division. Lieut. Col. H. W. PERKINS, A. A. G., Twentieth Army Corps. 50 R R-VOL XLVII, PT I W. T. WARD, HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS, Fort Lincoln, D. C., June 11, 1865. COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command since leaving Goldsborough, N. C.: The division, in pursuance of orders from Twentieth Corps headquarters, marched from camp near Goldsborough, N. C., on the morning of the 10th of April toward Smithfield, camping eight miles from Goldsbor ough; distance, eleven miles. April 11, marched at 7 a. m., crossing Moccasin Creek Swamp and Boorden Creek, reaching Smithfield at 5 p. m.; distance, fifteen miles. April 12, marched at 5 a. mn., crossing Neuse River on pontoons, Swift Creek, and encamping on north side Swift Creek at 3.30 p. m.; distance, fifteen miles. About 4.30 p. m. received orders to push forward to support General Kilpatrick's divis ion of cavalry. The division having just started, the orders were countermanded, and division returned to same camp for the night. April 13, marched at 5.30 a. m.; reached Raleigh at 3 p. m., going into camp near the insane asylum. April 14, remained in camp, receiving orders to move at 5.30 a. m. next morning. April 15, broke camp at 5.30 a. m.; Second Brigade moved some half a mile, when the order to march was countermanded. April 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, remained in camp. April 22, passed in review before Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi, returning to old camps. April 23 and 24, remained in camp. April 25, marched at 5 a. m. toward Jones' Cross-Roads in southwest direction, encamping at 5.30 p. m. three miles from the cross-roads; distance, twelve miles. April 26, and 27, remained in camp. April 28, marched at 6 a. m. back to old camps near Raleigh; distance, twelve miles. April 29, remained in camp preparing for our homeward march via Richmond, Va., and Washington, D. C. April 30, started at 7.30 a. m.; from this date the march was continued with perfect regularity, making from fifteen to twenty-two miles daily until May 8. The division encamped on east side of Falling Creek, seven miles from Richmond, Va. the division having marched during the last nine days 145 miles. May 9, moved camp to within five miles of Richmond. May 10, remained in camp. May 11, marched at 10 a. m., crossing James River and passing through the city of Richmond and encamping five miles from the city on the Mechanicsville pike. May 12, resumed the homeward march, passing through the Chickahominy Swamps, the battlefields of Spotsylvania Court-House and Chancellorsville, crossing the Rappahannock River at United States Ford, encamping, May 19, in permanent camp four miles from Alexandria, having marched during the last eight days miles. May 20, 21, 22, and 23, remained in camp preparing for review.. May 24, marched from camp at 7 a. m., crossing the Long Bridge over the Potomac and passing in review before the President of the United States, Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant, commanding the Armies of the United States, and other high officials, going into permanent camp five miles from the city on the Bladensburg pike at Fort Lincoln, D. C., since which time the division has remained in the same camp, all busy in preparation for the final muster out and transfer of themselves and their men. During the past week the whole of the First Brigade of my division, viz, One hundred and second Illinois, One hundred and fifth Illinois, One hundred and twenty-ninth Illinois, Seventieth Indiana, [and] Seventy-ninth Ohio, and Nineteenth Michigan, of the Second Brigade, and the Thirty-third Massachusetts, of the Third Brigade, have been mustered out and returned to their respective States. The Seventy-third 新屋 and Fifty-fifth Ohio Veteran Volunteers and Thirty-third Indiana Veteran Volunteers have been transferred to the Fourteenth Corps. The other regiments of my division have their papers in a state of completion and by Friday next will be all mustered out. In closing this my last report of this division I would respectfully call your attention to the fact of the good conduct of the officers and men during the march from Raleigh to this point. Habituated as they have been for the previous six months to foraging almost without limit on the country through which they have passed, no sooner had it been announced that the "war was over," that they were not still in an enemy's country, than they became the obedient and disciplined soldier, and to my knowledge no one case of outrage or disorderly conduct has been reported. My brigade commanders, Brevet BrigadierGenerals Harrison, Dustin, and Cogswell, have at all times done their full duty as officers and brave men. To my staff officers I return the thanks due them for their efficient discharge of their respective duties and the prompt manner in which they have at all times and under every circumstance promulgated my wishes and orders, and among them I would especially mention Maj. William Grinsted, surgeon-in-chief; Capt. F. C. Crawford, acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. H. M. Scott, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. R. E. Beecher, assistant adjutant-general and assistant commissary of musters; Capt. L. Y. Stuart, commissary of subsistence; Capt. J. H. Burgess, ordnance officer; Capt. J. F. Chipman, acting aidede camp; First Lieut. S. K. Harryman, aide-de-camp; First Lieut..B. F. Cooledge, acting assistant quartermaster; First Lieut. R. M. Tuttle, topographical engineer; First Lieut. J. P. Thompson, provost-marshal; First Lieut. W. S. Harbert, acting aide-de-camp; First Lieut. William Hardenbrook, pioneer officer. As a reward for their valuable services I desire that all who wish to be retained in the service with a promotion of one grade added to their present rank. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. H. W. PERKINS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Twentieth Army Corps. No. 185. Reports of Col. Henry Case, One hundred and twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations December 31, 1864-March 24, 1865, and April 10-19, 1865. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., TWENTIETH CORPS, Near Goldsborough, N. C., March 27, 1865. In obedience to circular from division headquarters under date of March 25, 1865, I have the honor to submit the following report: On the 31st of December, 1864, I assumed command of this brigade, and on the same day the brigade broke camp at Savannah under orders to cross the river and enter South Carolina, but owing to the scarcity of boats and barges, and especially to the severity of the wind, I was unable to cross the river with my brigade until the next day. |