Letter

Cc. V. De Land to Thommas Mathews, August 3, 1864

HEADQUARTERS FIRST MICHIGAN SHARPSHOOTERS,

August 3, 1864.

CAPTAIN: The participation of this regiment in the action is hereby stated as follows: We went into the action with about 100 guns. In the charge on the enemy’s works the regiment took a small section on the left of the fort, capturing about 30 prisoners in their works. The command aided in repulsing two charges and also in clearing a small “flanker” of rebels, capturing about 20 more, making about 50 in all. A part of the regiment, under the orders of General Bartlett, assisted in working two pieces of cannon found near the fort as long as ammunition could be obtained, then the works were abandoned. We lost a large number of prisoners and one State color. I was disabled before the charge was made and Capt. E. C. Dicey, who led the regiment, was captured, and I aa thus unable to give full particulars. The following is a list of our losses.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Cc. V. DE LAND,
Colonel, Commanding.
Capt. THomMAS MATHEWS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: Colonel Cc. V. De Land reports the First Michigan Sharpshooters' participation in an August 1864 battle, detailing their capture of prisoners, repulsion of enemy charges, artillery use, and significant losses.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 40, Part 1 View original source ↗