No. 46
Report of Capt. James Patton, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry
Hdqrs. Fifty-third Pennsylvania Veteran Vols.
Near Petersburg, Va., August 7, 1864.
SIR: In compliance with Special Orders No. 209, dated headquarters Army of the Potomac, August 5, 1864, I have the honor to transmit the following report of the operations of this command from the crossing of the Rapidan May 4, 1864, to July 30, 1864:
FIRST EPOCH.
The crossing of the Rapidan and the battle of the Wilderness.
On the 3d of May, near midnight, was ordered to march from camp near Stevensburg, Va.; marched all night and crossed the Rapidan River at Ely's Ford at 6 a.m. on the 4th. After crossing the river, marched about 10 miles and camped on the old battle-field of Chancellorsville. At 10 a.m. on the 5th my command constituted part of the rear guard for the wagon train; marched 3 miles and formed line of battle and sent out skirmishers. Soon after we marched on and joined the remainder of the division, when we formed line of battle in rear of breast-works and remained in that position all night. On the 6th left up rifle-pits at 10 a.m., and marched nearly 2 miles and took up a position on the left flank in a wood and built breast-works. At 2 p.m. marched back to our former position, and formed line of battle in rear of One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the left of One hundred and forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers. I was then ordered by Colonel Brooke, commanding brigade, to move to the right, and after moving about 1½ miles, I was ordered forward into the front line of works, relieving the Nineteenth Maine Regiment. I was soon relieved by a portion of General Mott's command, and resumed my former position in rear of One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. I received orders to march to the left and report to Colonel Miles, commanding First Brigade; remained under his command all night. At 5 a.m. May 7, was ordered by Colonel Miles to relieve the Sixty-first New York, and strengthen the line of works between two sections of Battery G, First New York Artillery. Laid in breast-works until 6 p.m. when I was ordered by General Barlow to join my brigade, which, I did, and took up a position in the breast-works. Marched at 6 a.m. May 8, moving left in front and following Sixty-fourth New York. Marched about 4 miles to Todd's Tavern, and formed line of battle to the right of a road, where I remained until 6 p.m., when firing commenced some distance on my left. I was ordered to move to the left, and after moving a short distance, I was ordered to move back to my former position. At 6:30 a.m. the regiment moved forward into the breast-works and formed on the left of the One hundred and forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
SECOND EPOCH.
The march to Spotsylvania Court-House and the operations in front of that place.
At 12 m. on the 9th we marched about 3 miles to the left, and formed line of battle and began throwing up works. About 5 p.m. crossed the Po River, formed line on the right of the Sixty-fourth New York, and marched in line of battle about 1 mile. Then moved by the left flank a short distance, and formed on the edge of a woods. At 7 p.m. moved about 1 mile to the left. On this day Lieutenant-Colonel McMichael was relieved of command of the regiment, and Lieut. Col. D.L. Stricker, Second Delaware Volunteers, assigned to the command. Bivouacked for the night.
At 8 a.m. May 10 marched to the right, remaining two hours, and then marched back to the same position we held in the morning. At 11 a.m. again moved to the right into a woods and built breastworks. At 1 o'clock was again ordered to the position we held in the morning. Formed line of battle in a woods, when we were ordered to move forward down along the road and cross with the left of the regiment a deep ravine. The regiment then moved forward and occupied the crest of a hill in our front. The enemy opened upon us a severe musketry fire. The fight continued for nearly an hour, when the thick undergrowth and fallen timber took fire and burned furiously. The fire compelled the regiment to fall back on the opposite side of the ravine, which was done in good order. Line was formed and remained for a short time, when the regiment in accordance with the orders of Colonel Brooke moved left in front and recrossed the Po River. Bivouacked for the night about one-half mile from the river, where I remained until 9 p.m. May 11, when I moved to the left about 4 miles. About 4 o'clock of May 12 the regiment was ordered forward to charge the intrenched position of the enemy in our immediate front. Moved forward in good order to near the rebel position, when we charged at a double-quick and gallantly carried the rebel works, capturing many prisoners and cannon. Remained in the works thus captured until about 8 a.m., when the regiment was relieved by a portion of the Sixth Corps. Soon after moved some distance to the right, where there was heavy fighting. At 11 a.m. we again moved forward into action, and were hotly engaged until noon, when the ammunition was all expended, and we were ordered to the rear. At 3 p.m. again moved to the front, threw up breast-works, and remained all night.
May 13, advanced half a mile, formed line, and began constructing breast-works, remaining in the position until 7 p.m., May 14, when we were relieved by the Second Delaware Volunteers, and formed line in rear of One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. On the 15th moved about 2 miles to the left, and remained inactive until the 17th, when we marched and counter-marched about 2 miles, occupying in the evening nearly the same position that the regiment was in on the 15th. On the 18th marched about 5, miles to the right, and remained in bivouac.
THIRD EPOCH.
The march to the North Anna and the operations on that river.
At 11 p.m. May 20 took up the line of march, and passed through Bowling Green and Milford Station, bivouacking near the latter place. Remained until May 23, when we marched about 8 miles and halted on the banks of the North Anna. Formed line of battle in a dense wood and began constructing breast-works. On the 24th crossed the North Anna and formed line on the brow of a hill, and remained in position until 5 p.m., when we moved forward about three-quarters of a mile, when the enemy began shelling our lines. There were no casualties.
Built breast-works and remained behind them until May 27, when the North Anna was recrossed.
FOURTH EPOCH.
The march across the Pamunkey, including operations on Totopotomoy and at Cold Harbor.
At 11 a.m. May 27 took up the line of march from the North Anna; marched 15 miles and bivouacked. Began marching at 6 a.m. on the 28th, and after marching about 10 miles, crossed the Pamunkey River, and bivouacked about a mile from the river, and commenced building breast-works. At 11 a.m. May 29 marched about 4 miles and formed line near a white house. Advanced three companies as a picket support to the Sixty-sixth New York, who were on the skirmish line. Afterward moved about 2 miles to the left and took position in a dense wood, and bivouacked for the night, where we remained until 9 a.m. May 30, when we were ordered by Colonel Brooke to move forward and occupy the line of works vacated by Second Brigade. Afterward moved out and relieved part of the Second Brigade as support of the skirmish line. At sundown moved to the right, along the line of earth-works, when we advanced in rear of Seventh New York Heavy Artillery and formed line along the edge of a wood. Remaining there a short time, we were ordered back to the breast-works, and remained there until 8 p.m. May 31, when we were ordered to move to the left and form line along a deep ditch, where we built breast-works.
June 1, took up the line of march and marched about 16 miles toward the left of the line. At 11 a.m. on the 2nd formed line, our right connecting with the left of the Second Division, and fortified the position. At 3 a.m. June 3 moved to the left and formed in front of the earth-works. At 4 a.m. advanced on the enemy, who occupied a fortified position on the crest of a hill in our front. While advancing the regiment was exposing to a disastrous fire of artillery and musketry, and the command suffered severely in killed and wounded. The enemy's works were not taken. The line fell back a short distance and intrenched itself. The regiment remained in this position until June 12, constantly exchanging shots with the enemy in his works close to our immediate front.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES PATTON
Capt., 53d Pa. Vet. Vols., Commanding Regiment.
Lieut. J.W. MUFFLY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Fourth Brigade.
Headquarters Fourth Brigade, First Division
May 10, 1864
Maj. J. HANCOCK,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: My scout has just returned, and reports that he went about three-fourths of a mile to the front up the creek, and discovered a marsh and creek running nearly parallel to the road on which we are (the road which we seized yesterday). The swamp is impracticable. The enemy are erecting works on the other side as far up as he went. One man killed by the enemy in the stream.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN R. BROOKE
Colonel, Commanding
Headquarters Fourth Brigade, First Div., 2d Army Corps,
May 13, 1864
Maj. J. HANCOCK,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: I have the honor to report that my brigade entered the works of the enemy, in which I counted sixteen pieces of artillery, and took an immense number of prisoners, among whom were Major-General Johnson and Brigadiere-General Steuart. I also forward the reports of the regimental commanders who made the capture of colors and officers (generals). I also have the honor to forward the flag captured by the One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Respectfully, your obedient servant.
JOHN R. BROOKE
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.