On the morning of the 30th of July we were massed behind a hill, where we remained all day and marched back to the old camp in the evening. A. GOSSE, Captain, Comdg. Sixty-sixth New York Veteran Vols. Lieut. J. W. MUFFLY, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 4th Brig., 1st Div., 2d Army Corps. No. 50. Report of Capt. Philip H. Schreyer, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations July 26-30. HDQRS. FIFTY-THIRD PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN VOLS., September 28, 1864. SIR: In accordance with circular, I have the honor to make the fol lowing report of operations of this regiment from the 26th day of July, 1864, to the 30th day of July, 1864: At 4 p. m. July 26 the regiment took up the line of march and crossed the Appomattox River at Point of Rocks and moved on toward the James River, which we crossed about 3 a. m. July 27, 1864, and after moving about one mile from the river we halted until 6 a. m., when we moved forward in line of battle for about half a mile, where we halted and formed in line under the crest of a hill. The reg iment was not engaged with the enemy, although exposed to the fire of their batteries. In the evening of July 27, 1864, the regiment was detailed as a support to the picket-line and moved out on the New Market road, remaining here until the evening of July 28, when it was relieved and rejoined the remainder of the brigade, where it was engaged in building earth-works until daylight. After remaining here until 8 p. m. of the evening of the 29th we received orders to march, and recrossing the James and Appomattox Rivers arrived at or in front of Petersburg at daylight. The regiment remained in rear of the Ninth Corps until dark, when we marched back to the camp we occupied on the 26th. There were no casualties in this regiment during the above campaign. Captain, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Vet. Vols., Comdg. Regt. Lieut. J. WENDEL MUFFLY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 51. Report of Capt. James Patton, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. HDQRS. FIFTY-THIRD PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN VOLS., Near Petersburg, Va., August 7, 1864. SIR:* FIFTH EPOCH. The march across the Chickahominy and James, and the operations in front of Petersburg up to the assault on the enemy's position, July 30, 1861. At 9 p. m. June 12 the command was ordered to march. Crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, marched to near Charles City CourtHouse, and bivouacked for the night. For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part 1, p. 423. At 8 p. m. June 14 crossed the James River on transports and camped S about one mile from the river on the south side. At 10 a. m. June 15 marched, and on the morning of the 16th arrived in front of the enemy's fortification at Petersburg, Line of battle was formed, with the regiment on the left of the line. The command was then ordered forward by Colonel Beaver, commanding brigade. In advancing through a corn-field the line was exposed to a severe fire from the enemy's artillery. After advancing some distance a halt was ordered and breast-works were constructed. At 6 p. m. the regiment, in connection with the remainder of the brigade, was ordered to charge upon a rebel fort in our front. The troops advanced gallantly, breasting a murderous fire from the fort of the enemy. The line advanced nearly up to the fort, when it was found that the line was not strong enough to carry the enemy's position. The troops were pressed so hard on the lines of the enemy that many of the command were taken prisoners. Those that were able to fall back formed promptly behind the earth-works that had been constructed in the morning. June 17, the regiment was deployed as skirmishers. On the 18th it was discovered that the enemy had vacated his posttion. The regiment advanced as skirmishers for about one mile and a half when the enemy was found in a fortified position. In the evening were relieved on the skirmish line and joined the remainder of the brigade. On the 21st moved seven miles to the left of the line and erected breast-works. On the afternoon of the 22d moved forward through a dense wood and formed line. Soon it was discovered that the enemy had flanked us and were getting in our rear, and the command fell back to the line of intrenchments, with a slight loss in missing. Remained here until July 10, at 1 p. m., and then moved about half a mile to the left and went into camp in rear of the breast-works, remaining until 3 a. m. July 12, when we moved about two miles, to the left and halted until 7 p. m. at the Williams house. Then moved out to near Reams' Station, on the Weldon railroad, distance about three miles, and remained until 11 p. m., when we returned to the Williams house. At 4.30 a. m. July 13 we took up the line of march for this place, arriving here at 11 a. m., where we remained until July 26, at 4 p. m., when we took up the line of march, crossing the Appomattox River at Point of Rocks and the James River at Jones' Neck, arriving at the latter place at 3 a. m., and after marching about one mile from the river halted to rest. At 6 o'clock moved forward in line of battle. We did not become engaged with the enemy, although we were exposed to the shells from the enemy's batteries. On the evening of the 27th the regiment was detailed as support to the picket-line, where it remained until the evening of the 28th, when it was relieved and joined the rest of the brigade, where it was engaged in throwing up earth-works until daylight 29th. During the 29th remained in camp, and at dark, with the remainder of the brigade, took up the line of march, and crossing the James and Appomattox Rivers arived in front of Petersburg at 5 a. m. July 30, where we remained until 8 p. m., when we received orders to march back to our former camp, where we are still encamped. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. J. WENDEL MUFFLY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 52. Report of Capt. David W. Megraw, One hundred and sixteenth Pennsyl vania Infantry, of operations July 26-30. HDQRS. 116TH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, September 28, 1864. Report of the operations of the One hundred and sixteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, at Deep Bottom, from the 26th to the 30th of, July, 1864: July 26, lay in camp in rear of the Fifth Army Corps. About 2 p. m. received orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Struck tents at 4 p. m., and marched at 5 p. m. Crossed the Appomattox River about 11 p. m. Continued on all night, nothing of consequence occurring. July 27, crossed the James River at 4 a. m., regiment moving all day from one position to another. About 7 p. m. whole command detailed for picket. July 28, all quiet on picket-line. Relieved about 9 p. m. A portion of the regiment employed building breast-works all night. July 29, lay in breast-works all day and at S p. m. packed up and marched. Recrossed the James River at 10 p. m. Marched all night, nothing of consequence occurring. July 30, arrived in front of Petersburg about 7 a. m. Lay all day in rear of Eighteenth Army Corps as a reserve. In the evening about 7.30 o'clock marched, arriving at our old camp in rear of Fifth Army Corps in about an hour's time, where we prepared to remain. DAVID W. MEGRAW, Captain, Commanding Regiment. No. 53. Report of Capt. Garrett Nowlan, One hundred and sixteenth Pennsyl vania Infantry. HEADQUARTERS 116TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, FIFTH EPOCH. August 10, 1864.* June 13, crossed the Chickahominy River at 10 a. m., arriving within one mile of the James River that night. June 14, crossed the James River in transports at 11 p. m., and camped for the remainder of the night. June 15, started on the march in the. afternoon about 4 o'clock and marched nearly all night. June 16, all quiet until about 4 p. m., when our line charged the enemy and drove them from their position and which was occupied by us. June 17, advanced still farther. Occupied position in orchard. June 18, left in morning, advanced about two miles, charged the enemy, took two lines of work and held them. June 19, lay in the rifle-pits all day. June 20, moved out of the pits into the woods. June 21, moved on to the left and built breast-works. June 22, advanced beyond the breast-works and attacked the enemy between 1 and 2 p. m.; fell back, pursued by the enemy, but finally succeeded in driving them back. For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 398. June 23, lay quiet all day. Moved to the right at night and built breast-works. June 24, destroyed new works and fell back to old ones. June 25, strengthening the works. June 26, moved a short distance, but returned to our old position at night again. June 27, our regiment, the One hundred and sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, transferred from Second to Fourth Brigade. June 28 and 29, nothing of importance occurred. June 30, mustered for pay. All quiet along our line. July 1 to 7, nothing of importance occurred. July 8, alarmed during the night; under arms for two hours. July 12, destroyed our works, moved on the left early in the morning to position formerly occupied by Sixth Army Corps; engaged all afternoon destroying breast-works. About 5 p. m. marched three or four miles farther to left, remained four or five hours, and marched back to position occupied in the afternoon. July 13, moved to the right and encamped in rear of Fifth Army Corps. July 14 and 15, destroying enemy's old works. July 16 and 17, nothing of importance occurred. July 18, called out in line, and for an hour or two nothing occurring. July 19, nothing of importance occurred. July 20, on fatigue, building a road. July 21 and 22, nothing of importance occurred. July 23, on fatigue, building road. July 24, nothing of importance occurred. July 25, on fatigue, constructing road. July 26, struck tents at 4 p. m.; marched at 5 p. m.; crossed Appomattox at 11 p. m.; traveled all night; nothing of any consequence occurring. July 27, crossed the James River about 4 a. m.; regiment on picket. same night. July 28, built breast-works; worked all night. River at 10 p.m. and continued on the march. July 29, packed up and left about 8 p. in.; recrossed the James July 30, arrived before Petersburg about 5 a. m.; heavy firing in our front. Lay all day in rear of Eighteenth Army Corps as a reserve. Broke camp in evening and returned to old camp in rear of Fifth Army Corps. GARRETT NOWLAN, Captain, Commanding 116th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. No. 54. Reports of Capt. James H. Hamlin, One hundred and forty-fifth Pennsyl vania Infantry. SIR* HEADQUARTERS 145TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, FIFTH EPOCH. August 10, 1861. Left Cold Harbor on evening of the 12th [June], traveled, all night and crossed the Chickahominy the 13th, and camped on banks of the James For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864,8 See Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 426. River until the evening of the 14th; crossed on Government boat and camped until about noon the 15th. Marched and arrived in front of Petersburg morning of the 16th, and in the evening took part in the assault of the enemy's works and lost heavily in killed, wounded, and missing. During the 17th were on support, and on 18th again took the front line and held it until we were relieved the evening of the 20th and moved off to the left. On the 22d lost a number in wounded and missing, and were in the advance line until July 12. Went out to support cavalry on the Jerusalem plank road, and on the 13th camped in rear of Fifth Corps, and were on fatigue a number of times until the 26th. Crossed the Appomattox and James Rivers, and were on the support during the 27th, 28th, and 29th, and marched back the night of the 29th and arrived in front of Petersburg morning of the 30th, and were on the reserve during the day, and in the evening ordered back to camp, where we still remain with 6 officers and about 100 men for duty, while on May 3 we numbered 24 officers and 450 men.. Respectfully, yours, &c., JAS. H. HAMLIN, Captain, Commanding Regiment. ACTG. ASST. ADJT. GEN., FOURTH BRIGADE. HEADQUARTERS 145TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, September 28, 1864. ADJUTANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the regiment under my command during the engagement of the Second Corps, at Deep Bottom, from the 26th to the 30th of July, inclu sive: About noon of the 26th I received orders through brigade headquar ters to have my command in readiness to move at 3.30 p. m. At the time designated the regiment formed in line with the other regiments of the brigade, and at about 5, uniting with the division, moved on the City Point [road] some distance, then bore off to the left and crossed the Appomattox River at Point of Rocks; traveled down Jones' Neck, crossed the James River, and camped about 3 a. m. of the 27th on the north bank. At daylight, with the brigade, formed line of battle and advanced, supporting the skirmish-line during the day. In the evening two commissioned officers, with most of the regiment, went on picket. remainder of the men were then moved back to protect the flank, and bivouacked for the night. The On the 28th were on support until evening, when we moved to the left and threw up a line of works during the night. On the 29th completed the works begun, arranged and cleared up camp during the day, and at 8 p. m. received orders to pack up, and a few moments after moved. Marched very hard during the remainder of the night, many of the troops giving out by the way, and arrived in front of Petersburg between daybreak and sunrise of the 30th, and lay on support of the lines, which were heavily engaged with the enemy. Here we remained during the day under cover of a hill, where it was very hot and unpleas ant, until dark; were ordered back to the camp left on the 26th-all without the loss of a man. JAS. H. HAMLIN, [ACTG. ASST. ADJT. GEN., FOURTH BRIGADE.] |