Camp Of Company G, Second Artillery, October 27, 1862

SPECIAL ORDERS, } HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
October 27, 1862.
No. 301. Camp near Knoxville, Md., October 27, 1862.

1. A court of inquiry, of which Col. C. H. Tompkins, First Regiment Rhode Island Artillery, is president, convened at the headquarters of Kearny’s division, near Harrison’s Landing, Va., by virtue of Special Orders, Nos. 213 and 230, from these headquarters, dated, respectively, July 24 and August 8, 1862, issued at the request of First Lieut. P.S. Jastram, First Rhode Island Artillery, ”To inquire into the facts connected with the loss of one of the pieces of the section of Battery E, Rhode Island Artillery, commanded by said Lieutenant Jastram, on June 30, 1862, at Charles City Cross-Roads.” The court, having carefully weighed the tesiimony before them, presents the following summary of evidence:

It appears that Lieutenant Jastram received an order to move his section, and was guided to a position he knew nothing about at a trotout by a person having the authority of General Kearny; that he opened fire without any definite object; that regular supports were not near the section in question, but disjointed squads were moving confusedly about near to where it was stationed; that there was a deficiency of men, owing evidently to the fact that Lieutenant Jastram failed to mount his cannoneers before starting; that confusion prevailed around the section, the lead driver of the piece which was abandoned having been dismounted to work at the piece, the teams became entangled, one or more horses being wounded, and a difficulty in limbering was the result; that Lieutenant Jastram gave the order to spike and abandon the piece; that no enemy was nearer than 200 yards, if so near; that the remaining piece of this section, with other artillery and other troops, remained in the neighborhood of the abandoned piece until daylight the next morning.

2. The general commanding has carefully considered the proceedings in this case. They show Lieutenant Jastram to have been culpable—

1st. In failing to mount his cannoneers before starting his sections. _

2d. In unnecessarily abandoning his position.

3d. In not making proper efforts to withdraw the piece that was lost.

4th. In not making, or causing to be made, inquiries and efforts for its recovery during the night. Pe

It appears, however, that in moving to the front and in opening fire on the enemy he acted with promptness and spirit; that objects had then become very indistinct to the eye; that confusion prevailed around; that no one gave him sufficient information or any instructions for his guidance, and that his abandonment of the position was an error of judgment. ;

The major-general commanding disapproves the conduct of Lieutenant Jastram, but upon full consideration of the testimony and the finding of the court is of the opinion that the interests of the service do

not require any proceedings against him beyond the censure herein expressed.

By command of Major-General McClellan :

37 ai, RES,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
No. 64.
Reports of Capt. James Thompson, Battery G, Second U. 8. Artillery, of
the engagement at Peach Orchard, and battle of Glendale or Nelson’s
Farm (Frazier’s Farm).
CAMP OF CoMPANY G, SECOND ARTILLERY,
Near Harrisows Landing, July 11, 1862.