No. 209.

Report of Maj. Martin P. Avery, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry. HEADQUARTERS SIXTIETH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,

Before Petersburg, Va., August 9, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the operations before Petersburg:

We left Cold Harbor with the division on the 12th of June, crossed the James River on the evening of the 15th, and marched all night and the next day till 5 p. m., when we formed our front line. The oppressive heat and the hard marching compelled a great number to fall out of the column. We moved with the brigade during the night, and the next morning (the 17th), when the division made the charge, we did not cross the skirmish line of the Second Corps, but halted and laid down in rear of it, by order of Colonel Christ, commanding brigade. Here we staid until the First Division had cleared the enemy's rifle-pits, when we were ordered to fill up the gap between the Second Corps, which had advanced its line, and the First Division of this corps, but I had so few men that I was unable to make anything more than a skirmish line. We immediately became engaged and held our position. until after the First Division had been forced back and the men out of ammunition. The enemy were outflanking us and the regiment fell. back to the rear of the Second Corps line, where we lay till morning. On the 18th we moved with the brigade till it had halted in the woods, when I was ordered to deploy my men as skirmishers to protect the flank of the division, and be governed by the movements of the Fif tieth Pennsylvania. We lay here for about two hours, when I was ordered forward by General Willcox with my reserve (about thirty men) with the colors to the crest of the hill this side of the railroad. Here I halted, by order of General Hartranft, and remained all day. Since that time we have followed the movements of the brigade, spending thirty-six days in the trenches up to the 31st of July.

During the campaign, and while I have had command of the regiment, my thanks are due to Capt. W. L. Stearns, acting field officer, and Lieut. J. F. Curren, adjutant (who was wounded on the 17th), for their promptness and efficiency in their respective duties.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. P. AVERY,

Major, Commanding Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. THOMAS MATHEWS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 210.

Report of Col. Constant Luce, Seventeenth Michigan Infantry (acting

division engineers).

HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,

CAPTAIN:

*

Before Petersburg, Va., August 8, 1864.

FIFTH EPOCH.

On the morning of the 13th [June] we commenced our march; built and repaired roads all day. On the 14th we crossed the Chickahominy

For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 956.

38 R R-VOL XL, PT I

in compliance with orders received from Major-General Burnside on the 27th instant, I moved the division to Prince George Court-House, and occupied a position covering that place. On the 30th, in compliance with orders received from headquarters Army of the Potomac, I moved from Prince George Court-House to the Jerusalem plank road, near the Williams house, and reported to Major-General Hancock, commanding Second Corps, for instructions. By his orders the division occupied the line of works vacated by the Sixth Corps, looking toward the left flank of the army.

!

On July 2, in compliance with orders received from headquarters Army of the Potomac, I moved the division and took position at the crossing of the Blackwater by the old Norfolk road, covering the approaches from the left of the Sixth Corps toward Prince George CourtHouse. At 11.30 p. m. on the 9th, in compliance with orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac, I moved the division to the Jerusalem plank road, near Williams', and reported to Major-General Hancock, commanding Second Corps, for instructions. By his orders the command was again placed in the breast-works looking toward the left flank of the army. On the 12th I received orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac to report to Major-General Warren, commanding Fifth Corps, for orders, and, in compliance with instructions received from him, occupied a position extending from the old Norfolk road to the Jerusalem plank road, and looking toward the left flank of the army. On the 22d instant, in compliance with orders received from headquarters Army of the Potomac, I reported with my division to MajorGeneral Burnside, commanding Ninth Army Corps. By his orders one brigade (Colonel Sigfried's) was placed in the trenches, and my two batteries reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Monroe, chief of artillery, to be placed in position, On the 27th instant, in compliance with orders from Major-General Burnside, my Second Brigade, with Colonel Humphrey's brigade, of the Third Division, and Captain Wright's (Fourteenth Massachusetts) battery moved to and occupied a position extending from the old Norfolk road to the Jerusalem plank road. On the 29th instant I received orders from Major-General Burnside to move my command to the vicinity of his headquarters. Colonel Humphrey's brigade and Captain Wright's battery were ordered to rejoin their respective commands, and I received instructions to have my command in readiness to participate in the assault on the rebel works the next morning. Early on the morning of the 30th, having formed by division in the timber in rear of the covered way, they moved according to instructions in rear of the Third Division of our corps at daylight. On reaching our advanced line of works we were compelled to halt on account of other troops occupying the position that was assigned mine. We there remained some time until I received orders from the general commanding to advance and carry the crest of the hill beyond the crater. I ordered the column forward, when I was requested to halt my command by Lieutenant-Colonel Loring, until he could confer with the general and return. I did so. I did so. Shortly after Lieutenant-Colonel Loring returned with orders that my division advance at all hazards, and if necessary to lead them in person, I accordingly advanced the column to the assault in the following order: Colonel Sigfried, commanding First Brigade, in advance, followed by Colonel Thomas, commanding Second Brigade, to move by the flank until they passed the crater (it being impossible to move otherwise), and then advance in line or column, as Colonel Sigfried, commanding the advance, might deem proper on arriving at the point designated; in moving to carry the crest of

exposed at least an hour. Owing to the crowded lines of troops of the stated divisions immediately in front it was impossible to get my brigade on. Just as the troops in front were about to make a charge a white color-bearer with his colors crossed the work in retreat. The troops gave way and sought shelter in the crater, where was concentrated a terrific fire from the enemy's batteries and intrenchments. My brigade held its position until pushed back by the mass of troops, black and white, who rushed back upon it, and until the enemy occupied the works to its left and the opposite side of the intrenchments, when, becoming exposed to a terrific flank fire, losing in numbers rapidly and in danger of being cut off, it fell back behind the line temporarily occupied by part of the Eighteenth Corps, where it originally started from.

*

Too much praise cannot be awarded to the bravery of both officers and men. The former fearlessly led while the latter as fearlessly followed through a fire hot enough to cause the oldest of troops to falter. The field officers particularly distinguished themselves. Col. Delevan Bates, commanding Thirtieth U. S. Colored Troops, fell shot through the face at the head of his regiment, while his major, James C. Leeke, stood on the ramparts urging the men on, with the blood from a wound through his breast gushing from his mouth. Lieut. Col. H. Seymour Hall, commanding Forty-third Regiment, lost his right arm bravely leading his regiment. His adjutant, First Lieut. James O'Brien, deserves honorable mention, having displayed the most heroic courage and daring, standing on the summit of the crater cheering the men on amidst a terrific fire of shot and shell. He received a severe wound through the breast. Capt. A. D. Wright (Forty-third), in charging the rebel line with his men, personally captured a stand of rebel colors and 5 prisoners, bringing all safely to the rear, although receiving a wound through the right arm. Col. O. P. Stearns, commanding Thirty-ninth, put his regiment into the fight with great coolness and ability. His officers and men bravely did their work. Lieut. Col. Charles J. Wright, commanding Twenty-seventh, remained on the rebel works with part of his command until the enemy occupied the opposite side and until but few men remained with him, when he directed them to retire through the ravine on the right. He received two shots, neither of which disabled him sufficiently to leave his command. Where so many displayed such bravery and fearlessness it is difficult to enumerate; suffice it to say that all did their duty.

I have to regret the loss of First Lieut. William Washburn, of Thirtyfifth Massachusetts Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp on my staff, a valuable officer, who was wounded in the neck and taken prisoner while delivering an order to the brigade. My staff behaved well, were constantly busy, and of great assistance in maneuvering the brigade. Had it not been for the almost impassable crowd of troops of the leading divisions in the crater and intrenchments Cemetery Hill' would have been ours without a falter upon the part of my brigade. but, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. K. SIGFRIED, Joice Colonel Forty-eighth Regt. Pennsylvania Vet. Vol. Infty., Comdg. Capt. GEORGE A. HICKS,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fourth Division, Ninth Army Corps.

*Awarded a Medal of Honor.