1864) |
The enemy having driven in our cavalry holding the right of the line, and penetrating to the Boydton plank road at a point known as Burgess' Mills, about six miles southwest of Petersburg, MacRae's Brigade, together with other troops, was sent to their support. Finding the enemy in heavy force on the west side of Hatcher's Run, and south of the plank road, we crossed the run some distance below, and immediately after crossing advanced our corps of sharpshooters, who at once encountered the enemy's skirmish line, which was rapidly forced back upon the Federal line of battle. In the meantime our line of battle had been formed. With a yell we charged the enemy's lines, which were broken by the impetuosity of our attack, and were driven rapidly before us. Having driven the enemy for nearly a mile, and finding no support advancing to our assistance, the enemy being in great number on both our right and left flank, General MacRae was forced to call a halt and fall back on our lines. In this engagement the loss of officers and men was heavy. Among the former was Lieutenant James W. Huske, of Company B, Fifty-second Regiment, who fell, pierced through his body with a minie ball while gallantly leading the left wing of the regiment in this charge. He had on this occasion, as on all others, behaved with conspicuous gallantry. He died upon the field, and in his death the regiment lost one of its most valuable officers, and his company a kind and considerate friend. Fighting until nearly dark our lines were drawn back and reformed, where we awaited an expected attack, but apparently the enemy had been sufficiently punished, as they withdrew under cover of night, leaving their killed and wounded on the field. A Major-General said in the hearing of this writer, next morning, that he counted 286 dead and 145 so severely wounded as to be unable to help themselves. |
1864 |
On the 29th MacRae's Brigade returned to the lines near Hart's house, whence it had been taken, and was employed in changing our lines, building a new line of works and tearing down the old ones. At this point we erected cabins and went into winter quarters. Occupied in working on fortifications, drilling and the ordinary camp duties, we were not called upong to move until 9 December, 1864, when the brigade started upon a tramp in pursuit of a party of the enemy's troops engaged in an effort to destroy the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad. We did not get a fight, but were successful in driving them back within their own lines, after which we returned to our camp, reaching it on the 14th. From this date until 5 February, 1865, we remained in our winter quarters, doing picket duty, drilling and performing such other duty as is incident to camp life. |
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