No. 117.

Report of Maj. Mason W. Burt, Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, Second Brigade.

SIR:*

HDQRS. TWENTY-SECOND MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT,

Near City Point, Va., August 13, 1864.

√.

At 8 p. m. [June 12] marched from the position near Bottom's Bridge and bivouacked near Long Bridge until daylight on the 13th; then crossed the river and advanced two miles and bivouacked near the White Oak Swamp road until 8 p. m.; then marched toward the James River, arriving there on the 14th, bivouacking near Wilcox's Landing until the morning of June 16; then crossed the river in a boat and marched to within two miles of Petersburg and bivouacked until the morning of June 18; then took position on the left of the Ninth Corps; the regiment was deployed in front as skirmishers; drove the enemy's skirmishers across the Norfolk railroad to his line, inside of his works, and took -position about 150 yards from him; held this line until relieved by a regiment of the Third Division on the morning of the 19th; then moved to the rear of the railroad and remained until the evening of June 20; then moved farther to the rear, and on the morning of the 21st of June went into camp on the left of the Jerusalem plank road and half a mile in rear of the front line.

On the 22d of June went to the left about half a mile as support for part of the Second Corps. Returned on the 23d, and on the 24th went about two miles to the left, and formed on the flank of the Sixth Corps. Returned to camp on the 25th. Remained in camp, furnishing frequent details for fatigue duty until July 12; then took position on the extreme left of the division; here remained the balance of the month of July. The losses in the last part of the campaign were as follows: June 18, enlisted men killed, 7; wounded, 14. June 19, enlisted men wounded, 1. June 22, enlisted men wounded, 4. Total killed and wounded, 26 enlisted men. Fifth epoch, killed, 7; wounded, 19.

All through the campaign the officers and men of this command have performed their duty in an admirable manner. By the death of Captains Davis and Baxter, former killed May 10, and latter killed June 3, the Government lost the services of two valuable officers.

The following-named enlisted men I mention (they having come particularly under my notice at the dates mentioned) for coolness under fire and personal bravery: Sergt. Maj. Walter Carter, in all the battles of the campaign; Sergts. William H. Madden and B. F. Woodbury, company sharpshooters, on the 5th and 8th of May; Sergt. James H. Abbott, Company H, on the 30th of May; First Sergt. Philip Wenzell, Company E, on the 10th of May and 3d of June; Corpl. Daniel Rankin, Company C, May 30; Sergt. George A. Hardman, Company B, May 10 and 23; First Sergt. Andrew Wilson, Company K, May 10, since died from wounds received that day. Private Wesley Shultz, Company C, May 30, since died of disease caused by exposure and overexertion in the heat that day. Private Joseph S. Howland, Company C, by his presence of mind saved the life of the lieutenant commanding his company on the 8th of May.

For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 566.

No. 119.

Report of Maj. John D. Lentz, Ninety-first Pennsylvania Infantry.

HDQRS. NINETY-FIRST REGT. PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,

CAPTAIN:

In the Trenches, near Petersburg, Va., August 9, 1864.

FIFTH EPOCH.

At 4.30 a. m. [June 13] struck tents and moved in the direction of the Chickahominy; crossed on pontoons at daylight. 13th; resumed the march in an easterly direction; halted and threw up works. Marched at 7.30 p. m. southeasterly, reaching a field near Charles City Court-House, and pitched tents; received orders, with One hundred and fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, to leave the brigade; transferred to Second Brigade, First Division, by order from Fifth Corps headquarters. June 15, joined Second Brigade, First Division, near Charles City Court-House. Left 4 a. m. 16th (with brigade); crossed the James River at 9 a. m.; reached an old rebel camp three miles south of Petersburg about 12 p. m.; bivouacked for the night. 11 a. m. 18th formed line of battle with Thirty-second Massachusetts, Twentyfirst Pennsylvania Cavalry (dismounted), and One hundred and fiftyfifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, all placed under the command of Col. E. M. Gregory, Ninety-first Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers; advanced upon the enemy, drove him across the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad; remained on the north bank of the railroad a short time; advanced again, driving him into his intrenchments about a quarter of a mile from the railroad, and threw up breast-works. Was attacked about 11 p. m.; drove him back. Kept up the fire during the night; relieved by a portion of Crawford's division. 4.30 a. m. [19th] retired on the railroad and bivouacked. Left the railroad 9.30 p. m. 20th, moved southeast of the railroad half a mile, and bivouacked for the night. Left again 10 a. m. 21st, moved toward the left of the line, halted 12 m. on the Chieves farm; the left wing of the regiment sent out as skirmishers on the right of the Jerusalem plank road, the balance of the regiment, with the Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, following about 3 p. m., and took position to support the skirmish line. Advanced about half a mile, driving the enemy's picket-line before us and establishing the line; threw up breast-works and remained until about 4 a. m. 23d; were relieved by the First Brigade; ordered to the left of the plank road in position on the ground where a portion of the Second Corps had been driven the night previous. Remained until 9 a. m., was relieved by the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, and returned to camp half a mile east of Chieves' house. Struck tents at 6 p. m. on the 24th and moved to the left of the line about two miles south of Chieves' house, near the Jerusalem plank road, to support the Sixth Corps. Threw up breast-works; remained until 6 p. m. 25th; were relieved by the Corcoran Legion and returned to camp, where we remained, sending details for working parties from the 6th to the 20th of July. 3 a. m. 21st relieved the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry (dismounted) on the front (on the left of the Jerusalem turnpike); found the works and camp in a filthy condition; devoted all spare time in cleaning up and reconstructing the works, leaving a detail at old camp for guard.

For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVÍ, Part I, p. 555,