Report of Capt. R. Bruce Ricketts, Battery F, First Pennsylvania Ligh Artillery, of operations June 12-July 1. HDQRS. BATTY. F, FIRST PENNSYLVANIA LIGHT ARTY., SIR:* July 1, 1864. June 12 and 13, marched with Second Army Corps to Wilcox's Land ing, on the James River. June 14, encamped near Wilcox's Landing. June 15, crossed the river at Wilcox's Landing. June 16, marched to near Petersburg with Second Army Corps, and took position on left of the line; fired ten rounds; no casualties. June 17, in same position; not engaged. June 18, took position on Birney's line; shelled the city of Peters burg; fired 362 rounds; no casualties. June 19, in same position; not engaged; one man seriously wounded. June 20, Lieutenant Brockway's section on front line; fired sixteen rounds. June 21, marched to the left with Second Army Corps. June 22, not in position. June 23, in position on right of plank road, on Gibbon's line; fired forty-four rounds. June 24, in same position; fired 242 rounds; no casualties. The balance of the month not in position. Total ammunition expended, 1,480 rounds. Total casualties: 2 men killed, 5 severely wounded; 9 horses killed, 9 wounded. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Comdg. Battery F. Lieut. U. D. EDDY, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Artillery Brigade, Second Corps. No. 110. Report of Lieut. G. Lyman Dwight, Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, of operations June 8-30. HDQRS. BATTY. A, FIRST RHODE ISLAND LIGHT_ARTY., July 1, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, from the 8th to the 30th of June, inclusive: I assumed command of the battery on 8th of June, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Va. The strength of the company on that date was as follows: 2 commissioned officers present, 1 absent wounded, 48 enlisted men present, 12 absent wounded, 43 attached men present, 9 absent * For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 531. wounded; there were 19 men temporarily attached to the battery same day and 10 men on 9th of June, 1864, from other batteries of the corps; making a total of 120 present. The battery received as thorough a reorganization as the time and circumstances would permit, and reported for duty on the evening of 10th of June, 1864. On the 12th it was assigned to duty with General Birney's division, and the same day at p. m. threw several shots at an observatory being erected by the rebels before General Birney's left; fired slowly for two hours, causing them (the enemy) to cease their work and conceal themselves. At 10 p. m. moved with Third Division toward Chickahominy River, crossing at about noon of the 13th; two horses abandoned on the road from exhaustion during march of 12th of June. At 5.30 p. m. 13th arrived at James River and camped in rear of line established by General Birney; distance marched from Cold Harbor to the James River about twentyfive miles; six horses abandoned on the road from exhaustion and want of feed. At 6 p. m. 14th loaded the battery on transports near Wilcox's Wharf, crossed the river, and at 4 a. m. 15th camped on opposite side, one mile above place of disembarkation, where teams unharnessed. At 11.30 a. m. moved with General Birney's division to vicinity of Petersburg, Va., distance eighteen miles, camping at 10 p. m., teams in harness all night; unharnessed at daybreak 16th of June. At 6.30 a. m. took a position on General Birneys' line, at his order, and threw a few shot into the city. At 8 a. m., by order of General Birney, assumed position on his left, under fire, and engaged the guns of the enemy intrenched in his front. Silenced the enemy in an hour, causing their battery to be withdrawn from their works. Desultory firing during the day. Earth-works were constructed for the protection of the battery. June 17, at 6.30 a. m. moved half a mile to front and right, by General Barlow's order, to his line, and occupied a position of his selection. Was briskly engaged with two batteries of the enemy for half an hour, when firing ceased from both lines, and the battery was intrenched immediately. Engaged with the enemy's batteries (at 1,000 yards distance) at intervals during the day, sustaining the loss of 7 men and 4 horses wounded. June 18, enemy's lines were changed during the night, rendering occupation of position by battery useless, and at 7 p. m. the battery was moved into camp, half a mile in rear. June 19 and 20, remained in same camp. 9 June 21, at 7.30 a. m. moved with Artillery Brigade to brigade camp, one mile to rear. At 9 a. m. rejoined Third Division and moved with it to left of army, distance five miles, camping on Jerusalem road at 7 p. m., where unharnessed horses. June 22, remained in same camp till 5.30 p. m., when the battery was ordered to position on infantry line of Third Division. The woods occupied by the enemy were 230 yards by measurement from the front of the battery. At dark the battery was removed from the works, the position being considered too near the enemy to permit occupation during night. The night was employed in construction of works suitable for battery. June 23 to 27, inclusive, the battery remained in same position, being withdrawn at dark nightly and resuming position at earliest light (3a. m.) daily. On night of 27th of June the battery was relieved by Captain Edgell, commanding First New Hampshire Battery, and drawn to camp near Jones' house. June 28 to 30, inclusive, in camp. The daily movements of the battery from 3d of May to 8th of June, 1864, and its constant participation in the battles of that period, I am unfortunately unable to submit, as for some unknown reason they were taken away by the late commanding officer on his departure from the battery on 8th of June, 1864. Unofficial intelligence has been received of the death of First Lieut. Peter Hunt on 14th of June, 1864, from wounds received at Shallow Creek, Va., 30th of May, 1864, while in command of a section of this battery. The battery deeply regrets the loss of so brave, valuable, and efficient an officer. Respectfully submitted. G. L. DWIGHT, First. Lieut., First Rhode Island Light Arty., Comdg. Co. A. Lieut. U. D. EDDY, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Artillery Brigade, 2d Army Corps. No. 111. Report of Lieut. Walter S. Perrin, Battery A, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, of operations July 8-29. CAMP BATTERY A, FIRST R. I. ARTILLERY, Near Petersburg, Va., August 8, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by Battery A, First Rhode Island Artillery, in the opera tions of the Army of the Potomac of the fifth epoch, from July 8, 1864, at which time I assumed command of the battery, at camp near the Jones house, front of Petersburg: July 11, by order from Major Hazard, commanding Artillery Brigade, Second Army Corps, I moved out of camp at 12 p. m., and marched to the field near the Williams house, where the other batteries of the brigade were massed, remaining there until 6 p. m. of 12th instant. By order of Major Hazard I reported to General Birney, commanding Third Division, Second Army Corps, by whose order I parked my battery in the field front of his headquarters. On the morning of the 13th instant, by order of Major Hazard, marched to the rear of the Fifth Army Corps and went into camp near the Deserted House. July 26, by order of Major Hazard, moved out of camp at 5 p. m., following Captain Clark's battery (B, First New Jersey Artillery), crossed the pontoon bridge at Point of Rocks, and marched to Deep Bottom, where I remained in reserve on the south side of the river until 10 p. m. of the 29th, when, by order of Lieutenant Fairchild, aide-de-camp to the major commanding, followed Captain Clark's battery, recrossing the pontoon bridge at Point of Rocks, and massed my battery with the other batteries of the brigade in rear of General Ord's headquarters. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. S. PERRIN, First. Lieut., First Rhode Island Arty., Comdg. Battery A. Lieut. U. D. EDDY, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Artillery Brigade, Second Corps, No. 112. Report of Lieut. John W. Roder, Battery K, Fourth U. S. Artillery. MAJOR:* HDQRS. BATTERY K, FOURTH U. S. ARTILLERY, Near Petersburg, Va., September 3, 1864. FIFTH EPOCH. June 12, I was directed by the chief of artillery to report with my battery to General Barlow, commanding First Division, Second Corps. Was ordered by him to leave my position at dark and move with the division; marched all night. June 13, crossed the Chickahominy at 9 a. m.; arrived in camp, near the James River, about 4 p. m. June 14, remained in camp all day. June 15, left camp at 9 a. m. Crossed the James River near Wilcox's Landing at 12 m. on the transport Eliza Hancox; marched with the division in the direction of Petersburg and went into park about midnight. June 16, left park about 3 a. m.; moved with the division to the left of the Second Corps line; was directed by Major Hancock, General Barlow's assistant adjutant-general, to take up a position to the right of one of the enemy's works situated near the Avery house. I opened fire on the work and some infantry that were brought up to support a battery, with good effect; remained in position all night. June 17, was directed by one of General Barlow's aides-de-camp to change position farther to the right and nearer the enemy's line of works. Here I did good execution; fired 151 rounds of ammunition. The enemy returned my fire with both artillery and infantry. Had 1 corporal severely and 1 private slightly wounded; remained in position all night. June 18, remained in same position. June 19, by direction of General Barlow I moved the battery farther to the front and within 400 yards of the enemy's first line of works; fired thirty-seven rounds; had 1 man severely wounded and 1 horse killed. June 20, was directed by Major Hazard to withdraw as soon as I was relieved by another battery, and join the rest of the batteries of the corps near the Norfolk road. June 21, by direction of the chief of artillery I marched with the other batteries of the corps to the left and rear of our line about two miles. Was then ordered to report to General Barlow and move with the First Division. Marched as far as the Jerusalem plank road; was then directed by one of General Barlow's aides-de-camp to go into camp near the Jones house, where I remained all night, June 22, I was directed by Lieutenant Fairchild, aide-de-camp to the chief of artillery, to move with the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery to the front and take up a position on line with the First Division. I moved up at a trot, and just as I arrived on the line the enemy made an attack on my right. I directed Lieutenant Smith to open on them at once with the right section, but with what effect I am not able to say on account of a thick wood being in my immediate front; however, enemy left in a very short time after; remained in position. the June 23 to 26, remained in the same position. For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1861, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 534. June 27, was relieved by Captain Brown's battery, and directed by the chief of artillery to go into camp near the Jones house. June 28 to July 11, remained in the same camp. July 12, left camp at midnight, marched one mile and a half to the rear, and went into park. July 13, remained in the same place. July 14, left camp at 8 a. m., marched with the other batteries of the corps about two miles to the right, and went into camp near the Norfolk road and army headquarters. July 15 to 24, remained in the same camp. July 25, received orders to move at short notice. July 26, left camp at 3 p. m.; was directed to move with the reserve batteries of the corps; marched by way of Point of Rocks to the James River, near Deep Bottom; returned July 30; was ordered to go back to my old camp near army headquarters. The casualties are comparatively small considering the number of engagements the battery has been in since the commencement of the campaign. They are as follows: 1 man killed and 12 wounded, 9 horses killed in action and 12 died of wounds and hard marching. My loss in material is five wheels and four poles broken, one limber accidentally blown up. Before bringing this report to a close I wish to return my thanks to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the battery for their hearty co-operation while on the march and in action. Of their soldierly bearing and conduct under fire I cannot speak too highly. Lieutenants Smith and Burnes, my section commanders, are deserving of great credit for the efficient manner in which they performed their duties. To their vigilance and attention my success is, in a great measure, due. Respectfully submitted. J. W. RODER, Second Lieut., Fourth U. S. Artillery, Comdg. Battery K. Maj. J. G. HAZARD, Chief of Artillery, Second Army Corps. No. 113. Report of Lieut. James Gilliss, Batteries C and I, Fifth U. S. Artillery. of operations June 12-30. SIR:* HDQRS. BATTERIES C AND I, FIFTH U. S. ARTILLERY, July 1, 1864. June 12, changed position a short distance to right and fired eight rounds. Started at 11 p. m. toward James River. June 13, arrived at James River with General Birney's [division] at 5 p. m. June 14, commenced to cross James River at 4 p. m. June 15, finished crossing at daylight; marched toward Petersburg. June 16, went into position in rebel work on road from Prince George Court-House to Petersburg; fired about 100 rounds. June 17, same position. June 18, advanced at daylight 500 yards and relieved Sleeper's (Tenth Massachusetts) battery; fired at intervals during the day. For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 536. |