ing on our left. Those two regiments were soon hotly engaged, and I had them re-enforced by the Seventy-third New York Volunteers, filling the gap between the right of the One hundred and tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers and the left of the Fortieth New York Volunteers. At the same time I sent the One hundred and forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers and the Second U. S. Sharpshooters to hold an important position in and around a house situated on the center of my advance line, keeping in reserve the Seventeenth Maine Volunteers, Twentieth Indiana, Eighty-sixth and One hundred and twenty-fourth New York Volunteers. The enemy was driven back on our left with a loss of 4 guns, and a rebel battery which had opened on my reserve was soon silenced by our artillery and disappeared in the woods. The Ninety-ninth and One hundred and tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and part of the Seventy-third New York Volunteers, having advanced on the retreating enemy, the balance of the brigade' soon followed the movement, and was ordered to form a strong picket-line covering the flank of the corps from the right of our line of battle to the river. This position we kept during twenty-four hours, when on the afternoon of the 28th we were relieved by General Miles' brigade, of the First Division, and joined the Second and Third Brigades of the Third Division near the pontoon bridge. During the night the division marched back to Petersburg and halted in the rear of the line of the Eighteenth Corps, near the Appomattox. . On the evening of the 29th my brigade relieved Turner's division, of the Tenth Corps, in the front line near Hare's house, and held that position during the assault following the explosion of a mine on the 30th of July. Respectfully submitted. R. DE TROBRIAND, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. Capt. J. P. FINKELMEIER, Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division. No. 79. Report of Capt. Madison M. Cannon, Fortieth New York Infantry. HDQRS. FORTIETH NEW YORK VETERAN VOLUNTEERS, LIEUTENANT: ** FIFTH EPOCH. August 7, 1864. At 8p. m. of the 12th of June the command again moved to the left, Crossing the Richmond and York River Railroad near Dispatch Station at 9 a. m. 13th, Crossing the Chickahominy River at Long Bridge at 12 m., and arriving at the north bank of the James near Wilcox's Landing At 10 a. m. 14th crossed the James River on transports. As soon as disembarked the regiment was sent on picket. Relieved from picket rived at the first line of defenses near Petersburg at 11 p. m., and at 6 p.m. at 10 a. m. 15th, and joined the brigade en route to Petersburg. Ar For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1861, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 473, Formed line of battle in rear of the works at 6 a. m. 16th, and soon after moved to the left and occupied a rifle-pit in the front line, supporting a portion of the brigade which was making a charge. At 10 a. m. the entire brigade advanced, driving the enemy into his fort. We then formed a line at right angles to the line deserted by the enemy. At this time Colonel Egan, commanding brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Warner were both wounded and the order to advance countermanded. Maj. E. F. Fletcher then assumed command of the regiment. This position we occupied until 5 p. m., when we were relieved by a portion of Colonel Brewster's brigade and moved to the right and took position in the works as support for an attacking column. This position we held. until the morning of the 17th, when we moved out with the brigade to the advance line of works. At daylight on the 18th advanced upon the enemy's works and found them deserted. The command was then employed in turning the works until 1 p. m., when it advanced to the first line and took position to the left of the Hare house. At 4 p. m. massed with the brigade in rear of the Hare house. At 4.30 p. m. participated in an unsuccessful assault upon the enemy's works.. The regiment and the remainder of the brigade then took a position in the second line, where it remained until dark and then moved out to the front and erected a new line of breastworks. This position we occupied until 11 p. m. 20th, when the command was relieved by a division of colored troops of the Ninth Corps, and withdrew behind the first line of captured works. . At 9 a. m. on the 21st the command moved with the brigade to the left and took position on the left of the Jerusalem plank road about 3 p. m. At 11 p. m. moved to the front and relieved a brigade of the First Division. Early on the morning of the 22d moved with the brigade to the right to fill up a gap occasioned by the Second Brigade moving to the front. At 3.30 a. m. on the 23d the command formed in line of battle, with the remainder of the brigade, and at daylight advanced without any resistance to the position deserted by the Second Brigade on the 22d. At 5 p. m. retired with the brigade from this position and moved to the left and relieved a brigade of the First Division. At 9 a. m. on the 24th moved with the brigade to the right and commenced to construct works in front of and near division headquarters, but the order was countermanded before the works were completed. On the evening of the 26th moved out and occupied the works built on the 23d. This position we held until daylight of the 27th, when we returned to our former position in the second line, leaving two companies to hold the works. On the 28th the command lost from its effective strength 99 enlisted men by reason of expiration of term of service. At 1 p. m. on the 29th moved out with the brigade to the front line and established temporary camp behind the works. On the 7th of July the regiment was formed into a battalion of six companies, and Maj. E. F. Fletcher and three line officers were mustered out, having been rendered supernumerary. I was then ordered by General Birney to assume command of the battalion. On the night of the 11th destroyed the works in my front, and at 3.30 a. m. of the 12th withdrew with the brigade about two miles to the rear and massed near the Jerusalem plank road, where we remained until the morning of the 13th, when we moved to the rear of the Fifth Corps and went into camp. We occupied this camp, doing occasional fatigue duty near the front, until 5 p. m. of the 26th, when the regiment moved with the brigade and marched rapidly to the James River, cross, ing on pontoons at 3.30 a. m. on the 27th, at a point called Deep Bottom. On arriving on the north bank of the river the regiment was detailed for picket, and advanced far enough to cover the division, with the right resting on the river. At 3 p. m. the regiment was withdrawn from the picket-line and rejoined the brigade. At 5 p. m. was again placed on picket, prolonging the brigade line to the river. At 9 a. m. assembled the command and was assigned a position to guard the right flank of the brigade. This position it occupied until 7 p. m., when we recrossed the river and with the brigade moved back to the works in front of Petersburg, arriving and massing in rear of the Eighteenth Corps at 4 a. m. 29th. This position we occupied under cover of the woods until dark, when we moved with the brigade to the front, three companies taking position in the front line of works, the remainder of the command having been detailed for picket. This position we occupied until the night of July 30, when the command was relieved by a portion of the Tenth Corps and it returned to its former camp, arriving The loss during this time was 5 officers and 46 men. at 11 p. m. paign: Killed, 3 officers, 59 men; wounded, 15 officers, 211 men; missthe In closing this report I am unable to particularize individuals for distinguished service without doing injustice to others, where all did their duty so well. Respectfully submitted. (Lieut. JAMES H. LOCKWOOD, M. M. CANNON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.] No. 80. Report of Lieut. Col. Michael W. Burns, Seventy-third New York south side. Infantry. August 9, 1864.* HDQRS. SEVENTY-THIRD REGT. NEW YORK STATE VOLS., The Second Corps, crossing the Chickahominy at Long Bridge and the evening of the 13th [June]. On the morning of the 14th crossed marching steadily on, reached the north bank of the James River on the river on transports, this regiment being the first to land on the ing the night; was shelled heavily during the forenoon of the 16th, and and taking position on the left of the line, threw up breast-works durStarted for Petersburg the morning of the 15th, arriving at 9 p. m., single line to do so) in the front line. Remained in that position under in the afternoon relieved three regiments (our men being deployed in a tremendous fire whilst the First Division of the corps charged the celsior), when the command moved to the right and threw up breastFor portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, Were relieved at dark and rejoined the brigade (Ex 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 503. works. Remained until the morning of the 18th, when, the enemy having been driven back, the brigade advanced, the Seventy-third Regiment being in the advance, driving the enemy's skirmishers beford them into their works. Here formed line and again threw up works and remained until the evening of the 20th, when the corps was re lieved by the Ninth Corps, and the command fell back to the rear and remained until the morning of the 21st, when the march was resumed for the extreme left, near Jerusalem plank road, and again threw up works. On the evening of the 22d, a portion of the line having fallen [back], the regiment was deployed as skirmishers and held those of the enemy in check until the picket-line was re-established on the morning of the 23d. Remained in breast-works until the 29th, when the Sixth Corps was relieved by our own. Returned on the 2d day of July and remained until the 10th, when the Second Corps again moved to the left, and tore down the breast-works of the Sixth Corps, they having left them for Maryland. On the 12th marched to the rear of the Fifth Corps and went into camp. Nothing occurred until the 26th, when the corps marched to James River, crossed on pontoons at place called Jones' Neck, reaching the north bank just at daylight. The Seventy-third New York was deployed as skirmishers on the left One hundred and tenth New York Regiment and connecting with the Fortieth New York on the right. The line of skirmishers steadily advanced, driving those of the enemy back over a mile. Skirmished heavily all day, and during part of the forenoon this regiment was under a sharp artillery fire; was withdrawn at night and placed on picket. Remained there until the evening of the 28th, when the Third Division recrossed the river and marched to Petersburg, and remained in the rear of the Eighteenth Corps until the evening of the 29th, when, with the rest of this command, this regiment occupied the front line of works, which had been held by the Eighteenth Corps. Remained in them until the evening of the 30th, when we were relieved by the Eighteenth Corps and returned to our old camp. Such is a brief account of the services of this regiment during the present campaign. Whilst I would gladly mention by name each and every one who has distinguished himself by individual acts of daring and heroism, yet when all have done so well comparison is almost invidious. Of the officers Captains Thompson and McKenna, Adjutant Doris, and Lieutenant Potter, who were all wounded, faithfully performed their trying and arduous duties up to the time of their being disabled. Captain Bell and Lieutenant Shiel throughout the whole campaign have rendered me most signal and efficient support in the discharge of my duties, as has also Captain Manning, on each and every occasion. Of the enlisted men who have come under my personal notice may be mentioned Privates Christopher W. Wilson, Company E; Jeremiah Butler, Company B; Philip Slaughter, Company F, as worthy of especial notice. Orderly Sergt. William Jones, Company A, was killed May 12, whilst seizing a rebel flag from the hands of its bearer; and in conclusion I would say that almost each and every one, both officers and soldiers, have done their duty. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. JAMES H. LOCKWOOD, Actg. Asst. Adgt. Gen., First Brig., Third Div., Second Corps. THE RICHMOND CAMPAIGN. 397 No. 81. Report of Capt. John B. Vande Wiele, Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, including operations June 12-August 5. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH NEW YORK ARTILLERY, FIFTH EPOCH. October 20, 1864.* [June] 13th, halted until 11 a. m.; crossed the Chickahominy and halted at 3.30 p.m. Marched about twelve miles and halted for the night. 17th, about 5 a. m. moved up to the lines in son's house at 7 a. m. Supported Brown's battery on plank Second and Sixth Corps, at the moment when McKnight's battery and Some regiments were captured by the rebels. Built rifle-pits all night. 23d, at 5 a. m. were attached to General Gibbon's command. Lay on skirmish line all day; lost some men killed; ordered to abandon line about 4 p. m., as it was untenable. Erected a line of pits to west of to the First, Second, and Third Brigades, Third Division, Second Army plank road. Lay there until June 30, when the command was assigned former to serve mortar battery, the latter to guard ammunition train. July 1, companies D and L were detached to Artillery Brigade, the The remainder of the command remained on infantry picket duty until At 4 p. m. were ordered up to fill gap between Corps. 12th of July. July 13, forty Companies A men detailed to Artillery Brigade as cannoneers by order of General Hancock. Moved from rear of General Hancock's headquarters, and camped during the day with Third Brigade, Third Division. In the evening were ordered to report to General Hunt, General Meade's headquarters and went into reserve camp. 14th, chief of artillery, and, according to instructions, marched to woods near mainder of command employed in erecting fortifications, mounting guns, and other similar fatigue duties until 27th of July. On 27th one comquarters, to serve battery of six Coehorn mortars. Daily duty as usual. inch guns at Castle Hill redan; Company K detailed to serve ten Coehorn Petersburg without suffering any loss. August 1, Company K relieved mortars on Fifth Corps lines. 30th, participated in the grand assault on For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, and M detailed to siege train, Broadway Landing; re pany ordered to report to Major Trumbull, at General Ord's head 28th, rested all day. 29th, Company H detailed to battery of six 4 1864, see Vol. XXXVÎ, Part I, p. 525. |