Date(s): May 8-21, 1864

Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]

Forces Engaged: 152,000 total (US 100,000; CS 52,000)

Estimated Casualties: 30,000 total (US 18,000; CS 12,000)

Description: After the Wilderness, Grant’s and Meade’s advance on Richmond by the left flank was stalled at Spotsylvania Court House on May 8. This two-week battle was a series of combats along the Spotsylvania front. The Union attack against the Bloody Angle at dawn, May 12-13, captured nearly a division of Lee’s army and came near to cutting the Confederate army in half. Confederate counterattacks plugged the gap, and fighting continued unabated for nearly 20 hours in what may well have been the most ferociously sustained combat of the Civil War. On May 19, a Confederate attempt to turn the Union right flank at Harris Farm was beaten back with severe casualties. Union generals Sedgwick (VI Corps commander) and Rice were killed. Confederate generals Johnson and Steuart were captured, Daniel and Perrin mortally wounded. On May 21, Grant disengaged and continued his advance on Richmond.

Result(s): Inconclusive (Grant continued his offensive.)

SERVICE

Numbers 55. Report of Colonel Thomas A Smyth, First Delaware Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations may 17-June 12.




HDQRS. THIRD Brigadier , SECOND DIV., 2nd ARMY CORPS,


In the Field, August 29, 1864.


CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of Third Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, from may 17, 1864, the date upon which I assumed command, to July 30, 1864, divided into four epoch, pursuant to Special Orders, Numbers 209, headquarters Army of the Potomac.


SECOND EPOCH.


I assumed command of this brigade by order of Brigade-general Gibbon, May 17, 1864, the army then being in the vicinity of Spotsylvania Court-House. About 10.30 p. m. I was ordered to mass the brigade in front of the Landrum house, and near the vacated line of the enemy's entrenchments, before daylight, which was accomplished, the brigade being in column of battalions between the Landrum house and the road. Subsequently it was deployed into line by battalions, in mass, and I was ordered by Brigadier-General Gibbon to move forward in support of the Corcoran Legion. At daylight the legion moved forward and I followed at short supporting distance. The first line was repulsed, and my brigade, taking position in a ravine, covered their retreat. I at once deployed a line of skirmishers and held this position until 12.35 p. m., when, in obedience to orders from General Gibbon, I withdrew to the second line of entrenchments, where the command formed line of battle and rested. At 10 p. m. the brigade moved to Anderson's Mill, where it took position.

On the morning of May 19 the command went into camp, the First Delaware Volunteers being detailed for picket. At 6 p. m. an order was received for the brigade to march at once. The brigade moved quickly to the Fredericksburg road. The order was soon countermanded and the command returned to camp at Anderson's Mill.


THIRD EPOCH.


May 20, I received an order to move with my command at 11 p. m. I moved at 11.20 p. m., taking the road toward Massaponax Church, continuing the march during May 21, passing Guiney's Station, passing through Milford and Bowling Green,and crossing the Ny River, where the command went into position and threw up entrenchments, the Eighth Ohio Volunteers being detailed for picket.

May 22, I received orders from General Gibbon to take my brigade and make a reconnaissance to develop the strength and position of the enemy. The regiment composition the force were the Fourteenth Connecticut, Seventh Virginia, Fourth Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana, Tenth New York, Twelfth new Jersey Volunteers. The First Delaware and One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers were employed in erecting earth-works. I deployed the Fourteenth

Indiana and Fourth Ohio Volunteers as skirmishers. One lieutenant and 20 men of the Tenth New York Volunteers were placed on the right and rear of the skirmish line to protect that flank, and two companies of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers were similarly placed to protect the left flank. Colonel T. G. Ellis, Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers, and Lieutenant-Colonel Carpenter, Fourth Ohio Volunteers, were assigned respectively to the command of the left and right wings of the skirmish line. Two companies of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers were sent to reconnoiter the Hanover Junction road. The Twenty New Jersey and Tenth New York Volunteers were placed in support of artillery near the crossroads, and the Seventh Virginia stationed near the cross-roads. The skirmish line was them pushed forward about 2 miles, finding nothing but cavalry of mounted infantry to oppose them. About 3 p. m. I received orders from General Gibbon to halt, and I was subsequently ordered to assemble my command and return to camp. On May 23 the command marched at 7 a. m. to the North Anna River, where the enemy were discovered to be posted in force. At noon my brigade was massed behind a ridge of hills. At 4 p. m. the Fourth Ohio Volunteers was deployed as skirmishers and moved to the river bank, where it became engaged at once with the enemy on the opposition shore. It was relieved at dark by the Seventh Virginia Volunteers. At 7 p. m. I was ordered by General Gibbon to make a demonstration against the railroad bridge the river. I moved the Eighth Ohio Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers to the bridge where they opened fire on the enemy's skirmishers. During the night my brigade entrenched itself. Shortly after midnight the enemy succeeded in burning the brigade. At 7 a. m. May 24 I received an order from General Gibbon to construct a rough brigade and cross a regiment as skirmishers. About 10.15 a. m. the bridge was completed and the Eighth Ohio Volunteers moved to the opposite side, deployed and advanced to the enemy's earth-works, which they occupied was then crossed and took position in line of battle. At 3 p. m. I was ordered to advance and ascertain the position of the enemy. The First Delaware and One hundred and eight New York Volunteers were deployed as skirmishers and advance about a half mile, the left swinging forward. At this point the enemy offered a strong resistance, and I deployed the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers to strengthen the line. I then moved forward again, but as the enemy were posted in rifle-pits in the edge of the woods, while my skirmishers were obliged to pass on an elevated plowed field, the line was again brought to a half. I then ordered the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers to charge the enemy's rifle-pits, which was done in fine style, the enemy being driven about 500 yards. The enemy having been re-enforced, I brought up the Seventh Virginia and Tenth New York Volunteers to strengthen the center of my line. The pressure still continuing strongest at this point, and the Nineteenth Maine Volunteers having reported to me, I ordered it also to that part of the line. Learning that the enemy was moving troops toward my right, I defected the Eighth Ohio, Fourth ohio, and Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers to take position to cover, the right flank of my line of battle. At 5.30 p. m. the enemy made a determined attack on my center. The Sixth-ninth and One hundred and seventieth New York Volunteers, which had reported to me, were brought in to strengthen this part of the line, and the Fourth and

Eighth Ohio and Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers were moved from the right to the center. This attack of the enemy was handsomely repulsed. The Fifteenth and Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers having reported to me, I directed them to form on the right, relieving the Twelfth New Jersey, First Delaware, One hundred and eighth New York, and Seventh Virginia Volunteers, which regiments were formed in the rear, and resupplied with ammunition. The Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers reporting to me at this time, was formed ont he left of my line of battle. Just at dark a vigorous attack was made by the enemy on my left, which threw the Sixty-ninth and One hundred and seventieth New York Volunteers into considerable disorder, which resulted int heir falling back. I succeeded in rallying them, however, and formed that part of the line at right angle with the main line. During the night my command threw up internchments. The first line now consisted, from right to left, of the Seventh Virginia, One hundred and eighth New York, First Delaware, Eighth Ohio, Twelfth New jersey, Fourteenth Connecticut, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania, and One hundred and seventieth New York Volunteers. The Fourth Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana, and Tenth New York Volunteers were in the second line. At dark the Fourth Ohio and Fourteenth Indiana were moved by me to the Dowell house to cover the left flank of my position. At 5 p. m. May 26 I received orders from General Gibbon to advance my skirmish line by swinging forward the left, and to dislodge a force of the enemy who held a salient near the left of my line. At dark I pushed forward the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania, One hundred and seventieth New York, and two companies of the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers,w ho charged the enemy and drove him from his position. Soon after dark received orders from General Gibbon to be prepared to recross the North Anna. At 8 p. m. the brigade moved across the river and bivouacked until morning.


FOURTH EPOCH.


On May 27 the command marched within a mile of Hornquarter Creek, where it bivouacked for the night. At noon, May 28, we crossed the Pamunkey River. At 1 p. m. I received an order to follow the cavalry, which was subsequently countermanded, and my brigade filed into the field on the left of the road, and took position in two lines of battle. On May 29 I was directed to wing forward the left of my command, now about half a mile to the front from line of battle, and intrench. Subsequently I was ordered to hold the command in readiness to march at short notice. At 5.30 a. m. May 30 the command marched, acting as reserve. At 9.25 a. m. I was ordered to move farther to the front. My brigade was then formed in line of battle near the Jones' house. The Seventh Virginia Volunteers was directed to drive the enemy's sharpshooters from a house about 500 yards in front of my left flank, which they accomplished. On May 31 I received orders to be in readiness to support the First Brigade. At 2 p. m. the command was marched across Topotomoy Creek and massed in rear of the First Brigade. At 2 p. m. the One hundred and eighth New York and Seventh Virginia Volunteers were sent to the support of the right. At dark the Fourteenth Connecticut, Eighth ohio, and Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers were formed in an interval between the First and Second

Brigades. Soon after dark the Eighth Ohio Volunteers was relieved and returned to its original position. At 2.35 p. m. June 1 I was ordered by General Gibbon to be in readiness to march at once. This order was subsequently countermanded, and the brigade threw up entrenchments. At dark I was ordered to occupy the earth-works and relieve the First Brigade. At 9 p. m. the brigade marched, taking the road to Cold Harbor, which place it reached June 2. At 2.20 p. m. June 2 my brigade was deployed in line of battle, and by order of General Gibbon advanced to a vacated line of rifle-pits, where it took position under a severe fire from the enemy's skirmishers, who were concealed in rifle-pits within short range of my right. At 5 p. m. I was ordered to attack the enemy's position, by the attack was subsequently deferred. The One hundred and eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers reported to me and was placed on the extreme right of my line. During the night sharp skirmishing occurred on my right. At 4.30 a. m. June 3 I was ordered to attack the enemy. I formed my brigade in line of battle, and at 4.30 a. m. advanced and charged the enemy's works. When the command arrived at from 60 to 100 yards from the enemy's works the ranks had become so thinned and the fire from the enemy's artillery and musketry was so destructive that the men were compelled to halt and seek such shelter as presented itself. In this position the command soon erected a rude breast-work. At 9 a. m. Berdan's Sharpshooters and a battalion of the First Massachusetts heavy Artillery reported to me. I deployed part of the sharpshooters in front as skirmishers, and held the battalion of First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery in reserve. At 4 p. m. the One hundred and sixty-fourth New York Volunteers and the remaining battalion of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery reported to me, which regiments I formed on the opposite side of a ravine on my extreme right. My line strengthened their works, and was arranged from right to left as follows: First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, One hundred and Sixty-fourth New York, Fourteenth Connecticut, Eight Ohio, Fourth Ohio, Seventh Virginia, Twelfth New Jersey, Tenth new York, First Delaware, and Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers. About 8 p. m. the enemy opened upon us a heavy artillery fire, which lasted about thirty minutes, after which he charged along my whole line. He was repulsed with considerable loss. during the night one-half of the command was kept awake and under arms. In this action Lieutenant Benjamin Y. Draper, acting aide-de-camp on my staff, a brave and gallant officer, was killed. At 10.30 a. m. June 4 the enemy opened on us a heavy artillery fire which continued until 11.35, doing but little injury. Sharp skirmishing was kept up all day. At 8.40 p. m. the brisk skirmish fire changed to very heavy musketry fire on both sides, followed by a short artillery duel, which did no damage to my brigade, except the wounding of one of my staff orderlies, Private James Ray, Tenth New York Volunteers. Sever skirmishing continued all day. June 5, in the afternoon, my standard bearer, Private Elliott. Tenth New York Volunteers, was mortally wounded while carrying an order. At 8.30 p. m. the enemy commenced a vigorous attack with artillery and musketry, which lasted twenty-four minutes without doing any injury. Heavy skirmishing continued June 6 and until 4 p. m. June 7, when a cessation of hostilities was ordered to give opportunity to bury the dead. During the 8th and 9th of June there was


very little skirmishing, and on the 10th my command was relieved from duty in the entrenchments. There was skirmishing all day June 11. At dark June 12 the command marched to the left.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. A. SMYTH,
Colonel , Commanding Third Brigadier , Third Div., 2nd Army Corps.


Captain A. H. EMBLER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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