hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteers, rapidly changed front forward on his right company, and with a few men of the Third Brigade succeeded in repulsing their advance. The Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Harper commanding, after carrying the enemy's works, pushed on until they encountered our own cavalry, while the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Colonel Hubbard commanding, turned to the left, pushing half a mile up the road, capturing wagons, forges, battery wagons, &c. The Sixty-fifth New York State Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Fisk commanding, was deployed skirmishing in front and on flank of our left. The losses in this action have been reported in detail: Killed, 17; wounded, 38; missing, 1; total, 56. Two colors, a large number (exceeding 1,000) prisoners, wagons, forges, battery wagons, and a profusion of small-arms were the results of this charge. I beg your attention to the following statement of gallant and meritorious conduct by officers and men of this brigade: Bvt. Col. E. Olcott, commanding One hundred and twenty-first, distinguished himself by abilities and gallantry which are beyond praise. The success of the 6th instant is largely due to the prompt and splendid manner in which he maneuvered his regiment, charging front under a heavy fire, and driving the enemy from our right flank. I earnestly recommend that he be appointed brigadier-general U. S. Volunteers. Col. James Hubbard, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Lieut. Col. H. C. Fisk, Sixty-fifth New York State Volunteers, and Lieut. Col. J. Harper, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, displayed the highest qualities of coolness and daring, under the most trying circumstances. Capt. Michael Kelly, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, on the 2d instant turned the guns of a captured battery on the retiring foe and fired them with great effect; he also took a battle-flag inside the enemy's works. Capt. G. N. Smith, Second Connecticut Volunteer Artillery, and Lieutenant Munger, Second Connecticut Volunteer Artillery, throughout the battle of the 2d exhibited the most daring bravery and gallantry. The following-named officers deserve notice for meritorious conduct in the assault of the 6th instant: Maj. Edward W. Jones, First. Lieut. Homer S. Curtiss, and Second Lieut. Charles F. Anderson, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery. Maj. James W. Cronkite, Capt. John S. Kidder, Capt. James Johnson, Capt. Hiram C. Van Scoy, and First Lieut. Frank E. Lowe, One hundred and twenty-first New York State Volunteers, distinguished themselves by gallant conduct in the engagement of April 2. Captain Kidder, Captain Johnson, Captain Jackson, Capt. H. C. Van Scoy, First Lieutenant Hassett, and Adjt. F. E. Lowe, One hundred and twenty-first New York State Volunteers, particularly distinguished themselves by gallantry in the engagement of the 6th instant at Sailor's Creek. Capt. Michael Devine, Capt. Fred. J. Volks, Sixty-fifth New York Volunteers, on the 2d instant displayed great coolness and ability in handling their men on the Boydton plank road, where they advanced immediately after the charge. Captain Ball, Sixty-fifth New York State Volunteers, was with that portion of the brigade that went to the right on the morning of the 2d instant, and his conduct during that advance stamps him as an officer of more than ordinary merit. Maj. Augustus H. Fenn, Second Connecticut Volunteer Artillery, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. David Gordon, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Capt. C. H. Woodman, Sixty-fifth New York Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. James Deane, Second Connecticut Volunteer Artillery, aide-de-camp; and First Lieut. Morris C. Foot, One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteers, aide-de-camp, rendered the most efficient services, leading the command in every advance, and throughout exhibiting the most intrepid valor. Captain Deane turned the guns of a captured fort, and with a detachment from the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, fired them on the enemy, until no enemy was in range. I earnestly recommend that all the above-named officers be promoted by brevet. Corpl. Elijah A. Briggs, Company B, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and Private George R. Walker, Company F, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, each captured a battle-flag on the 2d instant. Corpl. Thomas Daley, Company L, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, was the first man of his regiment on the works on the 2d instant, and though painfully wounded, refused to leave the field. Sergt. Wesley Gibbs, Company B, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, captured a battle-flag on the 6th instant. Corpl. Homer S. Sackett, Company H, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, without assistance, captured the colonel and major of a Georgia regiment on the 6th. Private Dennis Moore, Company K, Second Connecticut Heavy Artil lery, assisted in capturing Brig. Gen. Custis Lee. Private Warren C. Dockun, Company H, One hundred and twentyfirst New York State Volunteers, and Private B. Gifford, Company H, One hundred and twenty-first New York State Volunteers, each captured a flag. Sergt. Redford Dustin, Company F, One hundred and twenty-first New York State Volunteers, on the 2d instant, turned, loaded, and fired a captured gun upon the enemy. Private Harris S. Hawthorn, Company F, One hundred and twentyfirst New York State Volunteers, captured Brig. Gen. Custis Lee on the 6th instant. Private Francis Sprowl, Company F, Sixty-fifth New York State Volunteers, was the first man of his regiment in the rebel works on the 2d instant, and twice loaded and fired one of the captured pieces on the retreating enemy. Color-Sergt. Patrick Leavins, Company H, Sixty-fifth New York Volunteers, and Corpl. Barney Farrell, Company G, bearer of the regi mental flag, were very conspicuous for their gallantry on the 2d instant, after being entirely under the enemy's fire while moving to the right. Color-Sergt. Albert J. Bannen, Company C, and Sergt. John B. Cook, Company D, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, captured one gun on the 2d instant. Corpl. Francis A. Wilson* and Private Hosea B. Taylor, Company B, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, captured one gun on the 2d instant. Private William R. Fox,* Company A, and Private John McLaughlin, Company G, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, captured one gun on the 2d instant. Corpls. Albert W. Scott and Robert D. Wilson, of Company C, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, were the first of a number of men to enter the fourth fort on the * Awarded a Medal of Honor. right on the morning of the 2d and captured three guns. These guns were partially disabled. They were compelled to leave them before fully doing so, and the guns were retaken by the enemy, but again captured by the Twenty-fourth Corps. Color-Sergt. Albert J. Bannen, Company C, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, displayed great gallantry on the 6th instant, rushing ahead with the colors of the regiment while under a very heavy fire, and by his example urging the men to advance. I earnestly recommend that a medal be awarded to each of the abovementioned enlisted men. For honorable mention I recommend Sergt. Maj. James S. Day and Corpl. Albert W. Scott, Company C, Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious conduct on the 6th instant. Among the killed on the 6th instant I regret to name Capt. T. C. Howland, One hundred and twenty-first New York State Volunteers; no braver or more gallant officer ever carried sword. I have the honor to be, colonel, your obedient servant, JO. E. HAMBLIN, Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Comdg. Brigade. No. 110. Reports of Lieut. Col. Henry C. Fisk, Sixty-fifth New York Infantry. HDQRS. SIXTY-FIFTH NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEERS, April 4, 1865. CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders of the general commanding, I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 2d instant the colors of the Sixty-fifth New York Volunteers were the first of our brigade to be planted on the enemy's works. As soon as we passed there we moved to the right, the regimental flag being in the lead, and the first in the battery of three guns that was enfilading our assaulting column from the right. In the movement to the right four guns were first reached by men of this regiment; these guns were served. Private Francis Sprowl, of Company F, was the first man in the battery, and twice loaded and fired one of these pieces at the retreating enemy. Color-Sergt. Patrick Leavins and Corpl. Barney Farrell, Company G, bearer of regimental flag, were very conspicuous for their gallantry, often being entirely under the enemy's fire while moving to the right. I would respectfully recommend that these men be granted medals for their bravery. Capts. F. J. Volks, Michael Devine, and C. J. C. Ball rendered most efficient services during the assault. Captains Devine and Volks, while in charge of the skirmish line on the Boydton road, in danger of being flanked by the enemy, met the danger with coolness, and by a handsome change of front checked them. Captain Ball was with that portion of the brigade that went to the right, and his conduct during that advance stamps him as an officer of more than ordinary merit. In fact, the conduct of all was all that could be wished. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. CHARLES H. WOODMAN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade, HDQRS. SIXTY-FIFTH NEW YORK VETERAN VOLUNTEERS, April 14, 1865. CAPTAIN: In compliance with Special Orders, headquarters Second Brigade, April 9, 1865, I have the honor to report the Sixty-fifth New York State Volunteers were deployed as skirmishers at the engagement known as Sailor's Creek, Va., on the 6th instant, and that no individual cases of gallant conduct of either officers or men came under my observation. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. CHARLES H. WOODMAN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade. No. 111. Report of But. Col. Egbert Olcott, One hundred and twenty-first New York Infantry. HEADQUARTERS 121ST NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, Captain WOODMAN, April 14, 1865. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade: CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward the report of the part taken by this regiment in the engagements of April 2 and 6. I am, captain, very respectfully your obedient servant, E. OLCOTT, Brevet Colonel, Commanding. Report of the part taken by the One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteers in the engagement of April 2, 1865: The brigade being in two lines, the One hundred and twenty-first New York formed the left of the second. When the order to advance was given the regiment moved rapidly forward, maintaining a good line until within about 200 yards of the enemy's works, when the second line was moved a short distance by the left flank and then forward again. This, together with the darkness and the character of the ground, divided the regiment somewhat, most of the men with the colors entering the works farther to the right than intended, capturing two guns; one of these was immediately turned upon the enemy, loaded, and fired by Sergt. Redford Dustin, Company F. Sergeant Dustin served for nearly two years in the First Massachusetts Battery, and is a skillful artillerist. These guns were carried off, and a receipt obtained for them. The portion of the regiment engaged in taking the guns mentioned, with a part of the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania, Second Connecticut, and Sixty-fifth New York, advanced along the enemy's works to the right for nearly a mile, capturing all the artillery in them and holding the works until ordered to join that part of the brigade to the left. The regiment in this charge captured about 200 prisoners. The regi ment afterward was, with the brigade, sent to the support of the Ninth Corps, and occupied the first line of works taken from the enemy in front of Fort Sedgwick. On the morning of the 3d the regiment formed part of the skirmish line that advanced on Petersburg, entering that city about 4.30 o'clock. The regiment captured one 84-pounder cannon and about 200 prisoners during the morning. The casualties were 1 killed and 11 wounded; aggregate loss, 12. Report of the part taken by the One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteers in the battle of Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865: The brigade being in two lines, the One hundred and twenty-first New York formed the right of the first, the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania being on the left. About 4 p. m. advanced across Sailor's Creek. Remained a short time under the crest of the hill to reform, the creek being quite deep and the crossing difficult. Charged with the rest of the line, drove the enemy, capturing a large number of prisoners. Pressing forward, the enemy were found to be on the right flank of the brigade, the troops on the immediate right having been repulsed. The regiment, by order of Colonel Olcott, rapidly changed front, forming on the road that, crossing the creek, runs nearly perpendicular to the original line of battle. Farther down the road, near the creek, a portion of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts were striving to hold their ground. The One hundred and twenty-first New York having checked the enemy, who were endeavoring to get into the rear of the brigade, was ordered to charge, which it did, driving the enemy in confusion, capturing General Custis Lee and several other officers of high rank, together with two stand of colors. General Lee was captured by Private Harris S. Hawthorn Company F, the proofs of which, there having been some controversy about the matter, accompany this report, marked A. It was near the road mentioned that Captain Howland was killed; no braver or more gallant officer ever carried sword. First Lieutenant Morton was also killed. The casualties in the engagement were, 2 officers and 7 enlisted men killed, and 1 officer and 12 enlisted men wounded; aggregate, killed and wounded, 22. The officers of the command displayed, without exception, great gallantry, particularly Captain Kidder, Captain Johnson, Captain Jackson, Captain Van Scoy, First Lieutenant Hassett, and Adjutant Lowe. The names of the men who captured the colors are Warren C. Dockun, and Benjamin Gifford, Company H. The regiment took at least 500 prisoners. [Inclosure A.] CAMP IN THE FIELD, VA., Private Harris S. Hawthorn, Company F, One hundred and twentyfirst New York Volunteers, being duly sworn, says, that he knows of his own knowledge that he is the first person (officer or enlisted man) who seized or captured General Custis Lee, of the Confederate Army, in the engagement of the 6th of April; and that he never lost sight or control of said General Custis Lee until he delivered him up to Colonel Olcott, commanding One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteers; and that he, Hawthorn, was one of the men detailed by Colonel Olcott, on account of such capture, to conduct General Custis Lee to the headquarters of General Wheaton, commanding First Division, Sixth Army Corps. H. S. HAWTHORN. Subscribed and sworn to, at Malvern, near Burkeville, Va., this 14th day of April, 1865, before me. H. E. HINDMARSH, Lieutenant, Judge-Advocate, First Division, Sixth Army Corps. |