superhuman efforts. He had a difficult and extended line and his attention was called to different points almost at the same time. He performed his duties in a manner entitling him to great praise. In this engagement Lieut. M. H. Sherman, a valuable officer of Major Walker's battalion, Eleventh Vermont, was instantly killed, and Lieut. Charles G. Fisher, Fourth Vermont, was wounded in the early part of the skirmishing. Capt. William C. Tracy, Fourth Vermont, was killed. His dead body was found on the field next day, surrounded by the muskets of his men lying on the ground, giving evidence that he had rallied around him the men of his command, and that they surrendered only when their gallant leader had fallen. He was near the left of the Fourth Vermont skirmish line and separated from the main force. Captain Tracy was a good and brave officer. His real worth had been but recently recognized by promotion. None excelled him in purity of character and earnestness of purpose. Modest and unassuming in manners, he rose with the occasion and was found equal to any emergency. For some time after the battles of the Wilderness he performed the duties of adjutant and commanded two companies, at the same time carrying imbedded in his face a buckshot received in action. 宫 Later in the day of June 23 the command moved back and took position near the Williams house, where it remained until the 29th of June, when the Sixth Corps marched to Reams' Station to assist General Wilson, who was attacked there on his return from the raid upon the Danville railroad. This brigade took the lead. The Third Vermont was employed about half a mile of Reams' Station. Our men charged upon them and drove them from the field without the loss of a man. The main force of the enemy had just left. We fortified our position and remained there the next day, and marched back about half way during the night of June 30, and subsequently back to our former position near the Williams house. This brigade the Third Division of Sixth Corps left for Baltimore the brigade moved forward and again occupied the line of works near the Williams house. On the evening of July 8 [9] the brigade received marching orders and marched to City Point that night, and the next day, July 9 [10], embarked for Washington. To the several regimental commanders and to Capt. A. Brown, Fourth Vermont; Lieut. Isaac L. Eells, Fifth Vermont; Capt. A. H. Newt, Third Vermont, and Lieut. Henry C. Baxter, Eleventh Vermont, officers of the staff, I am under renewed obligations. as skirmishers and met the rebel skirmishers within was held in reserve and went into camp. When Iam, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. A. GRANT, Brigadier-General, Commanding. PETER T. WASHBURN, Adjutant and Inspector General. No. 157. Report of Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Bidwell, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, of operations June 12-July 2. HDOES. THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, SIR August 20, 1864. We remained in these intrenchments until the night of the 12th of For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 719. James River, which we crossed on the night of the 16th, and arrived in front of Petersburg the next day and relieved a portion of the Eighteenth Corps (Maj. Gen. W. F. Smith's) line. On the 18th we advanced our lines about one mile, dislodging and driving the enemy, and then intrenched. On the 19th [20th] we were moved to the left, and, in connection with the Vermont Brigade, relieved a division of the Second Corps, where we remained till the night of the 20th [21st], when we moved to the extreme left of the general line near the Williams house. In the afternoon [of the 22d] we went into position on the left of the Third Divis ion with our line refused toward the Jerusalem plank road, and afterward was moved to the support of the Third Division, which had advanced toward the Weldon railroad. The next day [231] we moved about one mile to the front, which position we held during an attack on our skirmish line near the railroad, and at dark we withdrew to our former position, in which position we remained until the 30th [29th], when we advanced to Reams' Station, took position, and assisted to destroy the railroad track. On the 1st of July we returned to the Jerusalem plank road, and on the 2d of July returned to our former position near the Williams house. It would be useless to attempt to cite individual cases of bravery and fortitude during all these severe and bloody engagements. Every officer and man did his whole. duty, and the stubbornness with which every battle-field was contested is attested by the accompanying list of casu alties. But I desire to call the attention of the general commanding the division to the bravery and gallant conduct of Capt. and Asst. Adjt. Gen. W. H. Long, who by his efficiency and zeal rendered me much service and added greatly to the success of the brigade; also to the gallant conduct of Capts. George H. Selkirk, George S. Orr, and Lieut. L. C. Small, who rendered valuable service during the campaign. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. H. STEVENS, DANL. D. BIDWELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division. No. 158. Report of Col. William S. Truex, Fourteenth New Jersey Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, of operations June 12July 6. HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, November 19, 1861. CAPTAIN:* FIFTH EРОСН. June 12, Colonel Truex having reported for duty again assumed com mand of the brigade. At dark moved forward in the direction of Charles City Court-House, by way of Jones' Bridge, on the Chickahominy River. June 13, after a severe march the Chickahominy River was crossed at 9 p. m. * For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 724. June 14, at 5 a. m. moved forward again, and at 12 m. halted near the James River, about four miles east of Charles City Court-House. June 16, at 5 p. m. proceeded to Harvey's Landing, opposite WindMill Point, on the James River, where the command embarked upon transports and reached Bermuda Hundred about midnight. June 17, at this place the command was ordered to report to MajorGeneral Butler, where we remained until the afternoon of the 19th, when we crossed the Appomattox River on pontoon bridge at Point of Rocks, and arrived in front of Petersburg about midnight. June 21, in the afternoon moved to the left of the line southeast of Petersburg, near the Williams house, where earth-works were immediately thrown up. No movement of importance was made by this brigade until the afternoon of June 29. At 3 o'clock moved forward to Reams' Station, on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, in the support of Wilson's cavalry division. Reached the depot at 8 p. m., where we bivouacked for the night. June 30, at daylight a portion of the troops were directed to throw up earth-works whilst the balance were employed in destroying the railroad. The object of the expedition having been accomplished we were ordered at dark to return to our former camp at the Williams house. Arrived at our former position the morning of July 2, where we remained until daylight the morning of July 6, when we proceeded to City Point. In the afternoon embarked on transports for Baltimore, Md., which city we reached on the afternoon of the 7th, 1864. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. ANDREW J. SMITH, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 159. WM. S. TRUEX, Report of Col. J. Warren Keifer, One hundred and tenth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations June 12-July 6. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS, CAPTAIN:* Camp near Cedar Creek, Va., November 1, 1864. FIFTH EPOCH. On June 12, when it was withdrawn, and immediately commenced the The brigade remained in the last-named position until 10.30 p. m. march, with the division and corps, by the way of Hopkins' Mill, Moody's farm, and Emmaus Church, to Jones' Bridge, across the Chickahominy River; thence by way of the Charles City Court-House road to James River near Wilcox's Landing, arriving June 14. the afternoon of the 15th the brigade, with the corps, formed lines and the river a short distance, and again intrenched. At 5 p. m. colored For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, intrenched. On the 16th the troops were moved to the left and toward 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 730. troops from the Ninth Corps relieved the brigade, and, with the divis ion, it was marched to Wilcox's Landing and embarked on transports at 8 p. m. The main portion of the brigade disembarked at about 1 a. m. June 17 at Point of Rocks. The One hundred and twenty-second Ohio disembarked on the north bank of the Appomattox at the conflu ence of that river with the James. Marched and joined the brigade at Bermuda Hundred at 10 a. m. Nothing of importance transpired while at Bermuda Hundred. The division was relieved at 3 p. m. June 19, and marched and joined the corps in front of Petersburg. At 3 p.m. on the 21st the corps moved to the extreme left of the army. The Sixth Maryland and One hundred and tenth Ohio, under command of Colonel Horn, relieved the cavalry, who were then engaged with the enemy. The brigade was formed in two lines of battle and intrenched. The 22d of June, about 7 a. m., an advance was made of half a mile. heavy skirmishing ensuing, in consequence of, which the lines were halted and intrenched. At 2 p. m. the troops were withdrawn to the position last vacated. A charge was made by the division at 7 p. m., causing the enemy to give way precipitately. After advancing two miles the troops halted and again intrenched. Orders were received from Brigadier-General Ricketts June 23, at 6 p. m., to send three regiments to report to Brigadier-General Wheaton, commanding Second Division, Sixth Army Corps. Accordingly, the One hundred and tenth and One hundred and twenty-second Ohio and Sixth Maryland Regiments were sent. The remainder of the brigade was withdrawn, and formed in rear of and as support for the Second Division, Sixth Army Corps. The brigade was withdrawn about 8.30 p. m. to the position occupied on the evening of the 21st. The works were strengthened on the 24th, and the troops were ordered to rest for the first time on the campaign; headquarters and regimental wagons were also ordered up to the troops for the first time. The remainder of the Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, commanded by Col. John F. Staunton, joined the brigade June 28. The 29th the brigade, with the corps, marched to Reams' Station, on the Weldon and Petersburg Railroad, and formed in position and intrenched. A detail of 600 men from the brigade aided in tearing up the railroad on the 30th of June. At 6 p. m. the troops marched, by the way of the Jerusalem plank road, toward a point near the Williams house, and arrived the same night. July 2, the brigade went into intrenchments at the Williams house, about five miles south of Petersburg. Colonel Staunton took command of the brigade on the morning of the 6th of July. Orders were received at 3 p. m. July 6 to march to City Point, embark for Baltimore, and from thence proceed to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, Va. Many officers who fell in this long and memorable campaign should be favorably mentioned, but the already great length of this report forbids my doing it. I would do injustice to brave and valuable officers if I did not make mention of Cols. William H. Ball, John W. Horn, Matthew R. McClennan, and Lieut. Cols. A. W. Ebright, Otho H. Binkley, and Moses M. Granger. These officers endured the dangers and hardships of the entire campaign, and by their personal daring and good example did much to secure the results attained. It should not be forgotten that many of the affairs mentioned in this report as skir mishes rise to the dignity of battles, compared with many of the soreported battles of this and former wars. In justice to line officers it should not be forgotten that they were the principal actors in managing the skirmishers, and were, often for many hours and even days, under the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters. The men on the campaign, in addition to the many hard days' fighting, suffered uncomplainingly the severe marches in the heat of summer and often without a proper supply of water, &c. This long campaign, more than all others, illustrates the endurance, valor, and patriotism of the true American soldier.* I am, captain, truly, your obedient and humble servant, Capt. ANDREW J. SMITH, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Div., Sixth Army Corps. No. 160. Report of Col. John W. Horn, Sixth Maryland Infantry, of operations HDQRS. SIXTH REGIMENT MARYLAND VOLUNTEERS, SIR:t V. September 14, 1864. The corps had River. the rear of the entire army until reaching the James On the 13th we crossed the Chickahominy at Jones' Bridge, and went pickets joined us on the 15th near the James River. into camp. Our At noon on the 16th moved near the river and threw up earth-works, Bwith both flanks resting on the river. About 5 p. m. we were relieved liby colored troops, and took up the line of march for Wyanoke Landing, where we embarked about 9 p.m., and landed at Point of Rocks about midnight, and went into camp about one mile from the landing." and took position in the forts and fortifications constructed by General June 17, marched at daylight about one mile and a half to the front June 19 [18], at dark formed line of battle outside of the works, and preparations made to charge the enemy's intrenchments. This was abandoned, however, and we returned to the works. June 19, we were relieved by the Eighteenth Army Corps, and ordered to join our corps at Petersburg. Took up the line of march about 3 p. m., crossing the Appomattox on pontoons, joining our corps near Petersburg; reached here about 8 p. m., and went into camp.. regiment and engaged with the enemy. The Ninth New York Heavy Artillery reported to me and were placed on the left of the line. About 10 p. m. For continuation of report, see Vol. XXXVII, Part I, p. 206. push forward to the relief of the cavalry, who were then For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864, see Vol XXXVI, Part I, p. 735. |