No. 148.

Report of Capt. John M. Deane, Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, of operations March 25.

HDQRS. TWENTY-NINTH MASSACHUSETTS VETERAN VOLS.,

Near Petersburg, Va., March 27, 1865.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with circular received, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this command in the action of March 25, 1865:

The alarm was first given by the trench guard, just as the enemy were entering Fort Stedman. Before our men had time to man the works the enemy entered our camp at the north front. They fired no shots, but used the butts of their muskets. The three companies on that front were captured, and the enemy then advanced to the west front, where they were met by Companies B, C, E, and H, and a desperate encounter ensued, in which most of our men were taken prisoners. The regiment now rallied at that part of the line between Batteries 11 and 12, and repulsed the enemy as they advanced, and drove them from our camp. As our prisoners were being taken to the rear they found the pickets in our immediate front still occupying their pits. Four officers and many of our men who at one time were prisoners broke from their guards and escaped. Soon after daylight the enemy swept around our rear from Fort Stedman, when the regiment retired to Fort Haskell, where it remained during the remainder of the engagement.

There were many instances of individual gallantry. Lieut. Nathaniel Burgess, Company E, fought gallantly at the west front, refused to surrender, and fell mortally wounded. Lieut. H. C. Joslyn, Company G, was captured on the picket-line, broke from his guard and rejoined his regiment, passing through a column of the enemy marching along the works; he afterward fought with distinguished gallantry at Fort Haskell, aiding in the working of a piece of artillery. Color-Sergt. Conrad Homan was ordered to surrender with his colors, but refused so to do, and escaped. Private T. M. O'Brien, Company B, while being taken to the rear with other prisoners, at a given signal tripped one of the guards, threw him into a ditch, and, with Capt. Pizer and several men, made his escape. First Sergt. C. F. Harlow, Company C, refused to surrender when summoned to by three of the enemy, and was killed. Private W. Klinkler, Company E, placed himself at the entrance of a bomb-proof, refused all demands for a surrender, and fell fighting gallantly. Private Preserved Westgate, Company F, fought the enemy with a club until mortally wounded. Color-Corpl. Nelson Cook, Company G, fell fighting with distinguished gallantry. Private George E. Snow, Company G, a sentinel, fell fighting at his post. Private Edward Carney, Company G, was seized by the throat and ordered to surrender; he replied, "I don't see it;" received several severe blows upon the back with a musket and a slight gunshot wound in the head; he freed himself from the enemy and escaped. Private Charles L. Nightingale, Company H, a sentinel, remained at his post and shot one of the enemy who demanded his surrender. Sergt. William H. Howe, Company K, and Private Levi B. Gaylord, Company A, fought with distinguished gallantry at Fort Haskell, aiding in the working of a piece of artillery mounted en barbette after all but two of the batterymen belonging to the piece had been killed or wounded.

The following are the casualties in this command during the day: 9 enlisted men killed, 2 officers and 4 enlisted men wounded, 3 officers and 47 enlisted men missing.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. T. W. CLARKE,

JOHN M. DEANE, Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., 9th Army Corps.

No. 149.

Report of Lieut. Col. Julius M. Tucker, Fifty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry, of operations March 25.

CAMP OF FIFTY-SEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOL. INFTY,

Before Petersburg, Va., March 27, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command in the engagement with the enemy on the 25th:

At the sound of unusually heavy musketry the command formed line of battle near its camp about 4 a. m. Escaped pickets reported the enemy in heavy force in possession of the line of works in our front, and Companies G and K were deployed forward as skirmishers, the regiment advancing to the attack, the enemy advancing simultaneously and in the darkness effecting the capture of a portion of right wing of skirmish line. Information having been received of the lodgment made by the enemy in Fort Stedman, the skirmishers were withdrawn, and the regiment moved to the rear of the fort, with intention of attempting its recapture by assault, but the appearance of the enemy on both flanks forced a retirement, which was conducted in good order. The enemy's advance was checked by the regiment in four positions successively taken up while in line of retreat, but from all of which it was compelled to retire by repeated demonstrations on its flanks. The crest overlooking the plain now presented the best possible defensive position, and the battery at its summit, the possession of which was evidently the enemy's object, and which would have given him an incalculable advantage, was entirely without support. The regiment accordingly took up position in its rear; subsequently was deployed as skirmishers to cover advance of portion of Third Division, Ninth Army Corps, and moved forward, the enemy's skirmishers precipitately withdrawing. Successive charges were made to recover the camp of the regiment, the third of which was rewarded by most complete success, the enemy fleeing in helpless disorganization or surrendering as prisoners of war.

The numerical and nominal casualty lists have already been forwarded you, but the irreparable loss to the regiment and the service in the death of Capt. James Doherty, acting field officer, and under whose immediate supervision the operations of the regiment were mainly conducted, deserves more particular mention in this report. By most conspicuous bravery invariably displayed, by the complete subordination of his every regard for his personal safety in action to his efforts to secure victory, by his remarkable executive ability and tactical skill, he had long since achieved a reputation as a most reliable, brilliant, and invaluable officer, and in consideration of the pre-eminent

display of these qualities on the 25th, and of the large contribution to the gratifying result made by his efforts, I earnestly recommend that promotion by brevet or otherwise be awarded his name.

First. Lieut. Albert M. Murdock, killed with the colors of the regiment in his hand, which he had grasped to lead a charge, deserves espe cial mention for gallantry.

To every officer of the command present in the action I know that honorable mention for distinguished services is due; but as they as a unit co-operated in the execution of the movements resulting so successfully, so to them collectively do I confess my obligations.

The following enlisted men were observed as conducting themselves bravely and performing specific acts of gallantry, enumerated below, viz:

Sergt. Maj. Charles H. Pinkham-captured battle-flag of Fiftyseventh North Carolina (rebel); saved colors of his regiment from capture, seizing them from a tent after the enemy had entered the regi mental camp.

First Sergt. George Adams, Company G-conspicuous bravery on skirmish line, receiving his fifteenth wound, continuing with regiment after being wounded.

First Sergt. Charles S. Chase, Company H, acting color-sergeantgeneral good conduct.

Sergt. John O'Donnell, Company A-rallying and encouraging his men; has participated in every engagement with his company and regiment since its entry into service.

Sergt. William F. Oakes, Company K (missing in action, and acting lieutenant)-gallantry while in command of portion of skirmish line; carried Captain Doherty to rear; resisted attempt of enemy to kill him (Doherty) after being taken prisoner.

First Sergt. William Magner, Company B-general bravery.

Sergt. R. Wesley Williams, Company I (wounded)—general bravery. Corpl. Frederick S. Cheney, Company C (killed), color corporal-general bravery.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. M. TUCKER, Lieut. Col. Fifty-seventh Massachusetts Vol. Infty., Comdg. Regiment. Capt. THOMAS W. CLARKE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., 9th Army Corps.

No. 150.

Report of Maj. Ezra P. Gould, Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, of operations March 25.

HDQRS. FIFTY-NINTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,

Before Petersburg, March 27, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the engagement of March 25, 1865: The regiment was, on its first arrival at the front, ordered to occupy and hold Battery 11, which it did until the lines on either side were deserted or occupied by the enemy, and the rebels' line of battle, completely outflanking my position, was within a very short distance, when I gave the order "by the right flank, over the works, to Fort Haskell,"

One stand of colors was captured by Private James K. Brady, H Company, Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery.

At the commencement of the attack I immediately sent orderlies to the Twenty-ninth and Fifty-seventh Massachusetts Regiments, also to brigade and division headquarters, asking for immediate support, stating that it would be impossible for me to hold the works unless re-enforced immediately.

Too much credit cannot be given to the officers and men of the Third New Jersey Light Artillery for their noble conduct. The First Connecticut Heavy Artillery fought hand to hand with the enemy while protecting their mortars, and then remained with them until the last moment; also the Nineteenth New York (Captain Rogers) Battery, and one section of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Battery.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. M. RANDALL;

Major Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery, Comdg. Regt. Byt. Col. G. P. ROBINSON,

Commanding Third Brig., First Div., Ninth Army Corps.

No. 152.

Report of Maj. Norman J. Maxwell, One hundredth Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations March 25.

HDQRS. ONE HUNDREDTH PENNSYLVANIA VET. VOLS.,

March 27, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this regiment on the 25th instant:

Immediately upon ascertaining that the enemy were in possession of Fort Stedman, Colonel Pentecost ordered a skirmish line to be thrown from the mortar battery immediately [on] our right (Battery 11) across the field to our (then) right. This line, supported by one company, succeeded for a few minutes in stopping the enemy's advance, but being pressed by a heavy line of battle were compelled to retire. Perceiving that it was useless to attempt to hold our line of works, three companies were ordered to occupy a part of the old works immediately in our rear, and the remainder of the regiment directed to rally in Fort Haskell. While superintending the movement to Fort Haskell Colonel Pentecost was mortally wounded. When the rebels occupied our camp the part of the regiment in the fort and the detached companies opened fire upon them, and, in common with the other troops, succeeded in driving them out. The line was almost immediately reoccupied, and with the men at my command I pressed on to Fort Stedman.

Color-Sergt. Charles Oliver planted his colors on Fort Stedman while it was still occupied by a portion of the enemy. The following is a list of colors captured, with the names of their captors: Colors Fifth Virginia Infantry, captured by Capt. John L. Johnson, Company D; colors First Virginia Infantry, captured by Private Joseph B. Chambers, Company F; colors Thirty-first Georgia Infantry, captured by Color-Sergt. Charles Oliver, Company M; rebel staff and part of color and national camp color staff, captured by Corpl. M. D. Dewire, Company A.

A large number of prisoners were captured by the regiment, but I have no means of knowing how many.