SERVICE

Numbers 38. Report of Colonel Samuel S. Carroll, Eighth Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, Third Division.


HDQRS. FIRST Brigadier , THIRD DIV., SECOND CORPS,
Mountain Creek, Va., December 3, 1863.


SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the brigade which I had the honor to command in the late expedition across the Rapidan:
On the morning of the 27th ultimo, at 7.30 o'clock, my brigade started, leading the division. When about a mile this side of Locust Grove, or Robertson's Tavern, was ordered to throw out sharpshooters on the road, which I did by taking a detail of 10 men from each regiment,
under the command of Captain Jones, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and shortly afterward formed the Eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry in line of battle on the right-hand side of the road with two companies deployed as skirmishers, and the Seventh Battalion [West] Virginia Volunteers on the left with one company deployed, the other regiments (Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers) keeping the road. We advanced in this manner about 100 yards beyond the cross-roads, when we came within shot of a thin line of the enemy's skirmishers in the woods on the right who opened upon us. There the reserve regiment was formed in line of battle on the left of the pike, and as soon as this was done, the skirmishers advanced and drove the rebels 100 yards, when a heavy line of them appeared and took possession of a fence and ditch about 500 or 600 yards in our front, and the division commander ordered a halt. The skirmishers kept up a desultory sharpshooting until about 1 p. m., when I was ordered to push forward and dislodge the rebel line, which was done on a run.

The Seventh [West] Virginia Battalion suffered most loss in this move, having to cross an open field in the face of the rebels, who were concealed, but when they broke and fled our fire did them serious damage. The Eight Ohio had equal advantage with the rebels, both being in the woods.

Shortly after this the division commander, General Hays, ordered me to swing my right around so as to straighten the line, and that General Webb's skirmish line would move in the same direction. Lieutenant Sheppard, of my staff, went to the right to see the movement executed. By some mischance the line on the right did not keep up the connection, and the rebels got on the gap and poured their fire in rear of the Eighth Ohio, so that it had to fall back. As soon as Lieutenant Sheppard reported the fact to me, I went there myself, and by re-enforcing their line with two companies of the Fourth Ohio, commanded by Major Grubb, drove the enemy and made the required connection. It was during this separation, as explained in Lieutenant-Colonel Sawyer's report, that the Eighth Ohio met with most of its loss. No further movement was made that evening. Occasional firing was relieved by the Fourth Ohio, and the Seventh [West] Virginia by the Fourteenth Indiana.

On the morning of the 28th ultimo, was ordered to move at 7.30 o'clock, which I did, with the same disposition of my command as had been preserved all night. After moving a mile again came upon the rebel sharpshooters, and were ordered to halt until the rest of the division was put in position, which took about half an hour. Then moved forward to the crest of the hill upon which Rowe's house stands, when a very heavy line of the enemy's skirmishers opened upon us. We took the double-quick, and gained a position on this side of Mine Run-the enemy occupying the other side-and remained in that position, interchanging fire with them until dark, shortly after which we were relieved by another brigade, and we went back into the woods. It was in this advance and the skirmishing that followed that the Fourteenth Indiana and Fourth Ohio met their loss. After this date we remained with the rest of the division and were not again engaged.

The officers and men of the command behaved with their usual gallantry and coolness. I would particularly mention the names of Lieutenant-Colonel Sawyer, commanding Eighth Ohio; Major Winslow, commanding their skirmish line; Lieutenant-Colonel Lockwood, Seventh [West] Virginia; Colonel Coons, Fourteenth Indiana; Lieutenant-Colonel Cavins and Major Houghton, commanding right and left wings of their skirmish line; Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, Fourth Ohio, commanding regiment, and Major Grubb, same regiment, who commanded the two detached companies; as also Captain Jones, Fourth Ohio, commanding sharpshooters on the 27th, as having sustained their usual reputation. Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart and Captain Jones were both hit, but did not leave the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Sawyer had his horse killed under him.

My thanks are due Captain Gregg, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieutenant Reid, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenants Sheppard and Curtiss, aides-de-camp, of my staff, for their valuable assistance on the field and for the coolness displayed while carrying orders for two days to different parts of the skirmish line under a severe fire.

I would respectfully and urgently call the attention of the commanding officer to the cartridges that are issued. The charge is so small as to be ineffective at long range, and when they have time to do so, the men put in double charges of powder, throwing away the ball, thus making a loss.

I inclose herewith the reports of regimental commanders, and append a list of casualties, as follows: Wounded, 59; killed, 4; and missing, 1.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. S. CARROLL,
Colonel, U. S. Army, Commanding Brigade.


Captain GEORGE P. CORTS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.



Numbers 39. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Gordon A. Stewart, Fourth Ohio Infantry.


HDQRS. FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Near Mountain Run, Va., December 4, 1863.


SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry took in the late movement of the army:
On the morning of November 26, 1863, the regiment broke camp near Mountain Run and moved with the brigade to the Rapidan, crossing at Germanna Ford, going into camp for the night about 3 miles beyond. On the morning of the 27th, we moved to Robertson's Tavern on the pike leading from Fredericksburg to Orange Court-House, where we met the enemy's skirmishers. Captain Jones was ordered forward with Company B and a detail of 40 men, 10 from each of the four regiment of the brigade, to assist in driving the enemy's skirmishers from their position, which was handsomely done. The regiment was then ordered up as a support to our skirmishers. It being desirous to change the line of skirmishers on the right of the road to check the enemy's fire on the flank of the Seventh [West] Virginia, who were on the left of the road, Companies D and E, under Major Grubb, were thrown forward, when the line again



PAGE733 [CHAP. XLI. MINE RUN, VIRGINIA, CAMPAIGN.


advanced and drove the enemy from his position on the right of the pike. The regiment relieved the Eight Ohio and remained on the skirmish line all night. On the morning of the 28th, the whole skirmish line was ordered forward. We advanced about a mile, skirmishing with the enemy, till we found him strongly posted on a ridge on the opposite side of Mine Creek [Run]. The regiment remained on the line till night.

The casualties of the regiment on this two days' skirmish were 4 officers wounded, and 1 enlisted man killed and 17 wounded; total 22. A nominal list has heretofore been furnished.

On the 29th, the regiment moved with the brigade to our left, crossing the plank road and unfinished railroad that leads from Fredericksburg to Orange Court-House, to a position on the road that runs from the plank road to Spotsylvania Court-House. About daylight of the 30th, the regiment was ordered into line and moved out in front of the enemy's works, where it remained with the brigade all day. On the 1st of December, the regiment was sent to the left of our division on picket duty, where we remained till about 9 p. m., when we were ordered to rejoin the brigade, which we did, continuing to march all night. We recrossed the Rapidan at Culpeper Mine Ford at sunrise on the 2nd. We then moved to this place, which we reached at dark, taking up our quarters in our old camp after an absence of seven days.

It gives me great pleasure to state that the officers and men of the regiment behaved finely during the whole movement.

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

G. A. STEWART,
Lieutenant-Colonel Fourth Ohio Vols., Commanding Regiment

Lieutenant J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.



Numbers 40. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Sawyer, Eighth Ohio Infantry.


CAMP NEAR MOUNTAIN RUN,
Culpeper County, Va., December 3, 1863.


SIR: Pursuant to circular of this date, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteers in the late movement of this army:
No especial duty was assigned to the regiment until we arrived near Robertson's Cross-Roads, when, evidences of the enemy appearing, this regiment was ordered to equalize its companies in six companies, to move to the right-hand side of the road, to deploy all the regiment except two companies as skirmishers, and to move forward, dressing on a body of sharpshooters, who were to move up the road, in command of Captain Jones, Fourth Ohio.
We advanced, under this order, over some farm lands for about half a mile, when we came to a dense wood, where the regiment was halted by the command of Colonel Carroll, commanding brigade, after advancing in the wood a few yards for cover. Our skirmish line was dressed up, and some temporary defenses of rails made, as the enemy appeared to be in some force, and firing constantly



PAGE734 [CHAP. XLI. OPERATIONS IN N. C., VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA.


upon our skirmishers. My whole reserve prior to making the defenses had been moved to the right of the line, as the enemy appeared on that flank, but was withdrawn after General Webb advanced and joined our line on that flank.

We maintained the above position until about 2 p. m., when we were ordered to advance through the woods, dressing to the left, which we did in good order, although the enemy stubbornly disputed the ground, and formed our line as directed by Lieutenant Sheppard, aide-de-camp to Colonel Carroll. This line we held until relieved by the Fourth Ohio, about 8 o'clock in the evening. During the whole time picket firing on both sides was constantly kept up, and at one time the enemy took advantage of a gap made between us and General Webb's line by our advance (his line remaining) and we received a volley from our right and rear, which for a few moments created some confusion in so changing our line as to successfully meet the enemy, and this confusion was increased by the fact that some of the enemy had on our overcoats, and some of our officers believed it was General Webb's line advancing. I sent Captain Reid to the right with his company, and Colonel Carroll and some of his staff coming on the field at that time, our line soon reformed, pushing the rebels back. Just at sunset they again tried the same maneuver, but finding our line stubbornly resisting them, fell back without giving us much trouble.

Major Winslow commanded the skirmish line, which duty he performed well. The officers and men behaved with their usual bravery and courage.

Our loss was 1 killed and 8 wounded, a nominal list of which has already been forwarded.

Our movements after this evening were with the brigade, being in support of the skirmish line on Saturday and Saturday night, and from Sunday morning until our arrival in this camp, we were not again under fire or called upon for any especial duties.

During the march the conduct of the men was especially commendable. There was no straggling, and all cheerfully performed their duties.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

FRANKLIN SAWYER,
Lieutenant-Colonel Eighth Ohio Volunteers, Commanding

Lieutenant J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.



Numbers 41. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan H. Lockwood, Seventh West Virginia Infantry.


HDQRS. SEVENTH BATT. WEST VIRGINIA VOLS.,
Near Mountain Run, Va., December 3, 1863.


SIR: Pursuant to circular of this date, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh Battalion West Virginia Volunteers in the late movement of this army:
No especial duty was assigned to this battalion until we arrived near Robertson's Cross-Roads, where, evidence of the enemy appearing,
the battalion was ordered to form on the left of the road and deploy one company as skirmishers, move forward, dressing on line with the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who occupied the position on our right. We advanced under this order near half a mile, when the battalion was halted by command of Colonel Carroll, commanding brigade. Hare we occupied an open field, with the left of our skirmish line resting in a dense woods.

We maintained the above position until between 1 and 2 p. m., when we were ordered to advance, dressing on the right to form a line along a raid fence in front, which was occupied by the skirmish line of the enemy. We succeeded in driving the enemy from the fence and established our line along it, although the ground was obstinately contested by the enemy. This line we held until relieved by the Fourteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, between 7 and 8 p. m. During the whole time picket firing on both sides was kept up.

Lieutenant Ravenscraft commanded the skirmish line, which duty he performed well. The officers and men behaved with their usual bravery and courage.

Our loss was 2 killed and 25 wounded, a nominal list of which has already been forwarded.

Our movements after that evening were with the brigade, being in support of the skirmish line on Saturday and Saturday night, and from Sunday morning until our arrival in this camp, we were not again under fire or called upon for any special duty.

During the march the conduct of the men was becoming of soldiers. There was no straggling and their duties were performed cheerfully. I would especially mention the conduct of Sergt. Major R. Strickland, who was wounded through both ankles while doing most nobly.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. LOCKWOOD,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.


Lieutenant J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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