Frank F. Wheaton to Charles Mundee, July 28, 1864

I have reached this point with my command, and have been instructed by General Hunter to await orders, unless induced to move by threatened movements of the enemy. Cavalry reports everything quiet on this side of the Potomac, and no movements of the enemy to be discovered on the other east of the Blue Ridge.

H. G. WRIGHT, Major-General. Major-General HALLECK, Chief of Staff.

Itinerary ve the Siath Army Corps, Maj. Gen. H. G. Wright, . S. Army, commanding, July 1-August 3.*

July 1.—Camp near Warwick Swamp.

July 2.—Returned to original position on left of the line, near Petersburg.

July 6.—Third Division marched at daylight to City Point and embarked for Baltimore.

July 10.—First and Second Divisions embarked at City Point for Washington.

July 11.—Portion of Second Division landed and marched to Fort Stevens.

July 12.—Balance of Second Division arrived in the morning ; skirmishing in the evening near Fort Stevens.

July 13.—Moved in the afternoon to Offutt’s Cross-Roads.

July 14.—Marched to Poolesville.

July 16.—Marched to Leesburg.

July 17.—Third Divison rejoined.

July 18.—Marched to Snicker’s Ford ; engagement of two batteries with the enemy in conjunction with the troops of General Crook’s command.

July 20.—Crossed Shenandoah to vicinity of + Berryville; afternoon marched back through Leesburg, reaching Goose Creek at noon of 2ist.

July 22.—Moved from Goose Creek to vicinity of Difficult Run.

; July 23.—Marched across Chain Bridge to vicinity of Tennallyown.

July 26.—Moved to Rockville.

July 27.—Moved to Hyattstown.

: July 28.—Moved to Monocacy Junction ; thence to vicinity of Jeferson. i

July 29.—Crossed_the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry and encamped near Hyattstown [Halltown].

July 30.—Recrossed Potomac at Harper’s Ferry ; marched during the night, and encamped near Jefferson at noon of 31st.

August 1 and 2.—In Camp at Frederick, Md.

August 3.—Moved by way of Slabtown and Buckeystown across the Monocacy and encamped on the bank, where the corps remained until the nignt of the 5th, when it moved to Monocacy Junction.

* From returns of commands indicated for July and August, 1864.

July 9.—The brigade left Petersburg, Va., for Washington, D. C., by transports.

July 11.—Arrived in Washington, since which time the brigade has been attached to the Department of West Virginia.

July 1 to 9.—Remained in camp near the Jerusalem plank road.

July 9.—Moved to City Point.

July 10.—Embarked for Washington.

July 12.—Debarked at Washington and encamped near Fort, Stevens.

July 13.—Marched by River road to Offutt’s Cross-Roads, Md.

July 14.—Continued the march to Poolesville.

July 16.—Forded the Potomac and marched through Leesburg to Jack’s Gap, Bull Run Mountain.

July 17.—Marched to Snicker’s Gap, in Blue Ridge.

wy 20.—Crossed Shenandoah River and marched to near Berryville.

July 21.—Recrossed Shenandoah and marched to Goose Creek.

July 22.—Continued march to Difficult Creek.

July 23.—Crossed the Potomac at Chain Bridge and encamped near Fort Gaines.

July 26.—Broke camp and marched to Rockville, Md.

July 27.—Continued march to Hyattstown.

July 28.—Marched to Jefferson, Md.

Juiy 29.—Marched to Halltown, W. Va.; crossed the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry.

July 30.—Recrossed Potomac and marched to near the junction of Jefferson and Middletown roads.

July 31.—Continued march to within three miles of Frederick to the position on the left of the army.

July 9.—Marched to City Point.

July 10 and 11.—The command was shipped on board of transorts.

July 12.—Arrived at Washington ; marched through the city and took up a position at Brightwood. Two regiments of the brigade— Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers—were ordered to the support of the skirmish line, the latter suffering some loss.

July 13.—Marched to Offutt’s Cross-Roads. _

July 14.—Moved again as rear guard to the trains, reaching Poolesville about noon on the 15th.

July 16.—Crossed the Potomac at White’s Ford and marched through Leesburg and as far as Clark’s Gap.

July 18.—Moved again, crossing the mountains at Snicker’s pl: came up with the enemy on the bank of the Shenandoah ; brigade on picket ; so remained until the 20th. ‘

July 20.—With the rest of the corps it forded the Shenandoah and marched to within two miles of Berryville. That night commenced the return march to Washington ; continued the march all night and the next day.

July 21.—Reached: Goose Creek in the evening, when the command bivouacked for the night.

July 22.—Moved again as far as Peach Grove Post-Office.

July 23.—Crossed the Potomac at Chain Bridge and encamped in rear of Fort Gaines.

July ,26.—Moved again to four miles beyond Rockville, where the command halted for the night.

July 27.—Marched to Hyattstown.

July 28.—Marched to Jefferson, fording the Monocacy.

July 29.—Marched to Halltown, crossing the Potomac on the pontoon bridge at Harper’s Ferry.

July 30.—Recrossed the Potomac at the same point and marched to Petersville.

July 31.—Continued the march to Frederick City.

Distance marched during the month, about 239 miles.

July 1.—Marched from Reams’ Station back to old camp near Jerusalem plank road.

July 9.—Marched at 9 p. m. to City Point.

July 10.—Embarked at 11 a. m. for Washington.

July 11.—Disembarked at Washington and took position in rear of Fort Stevens; First Brigade engaged the enemy.

July 12.—First and Third Brigades attacked the rebel position ; charged and drove them.

July 13.—Marched at 8 p. m. to Offutt’s Cross-Roads.

July 14.—Marched to near Poolesville, thirty-five miles in twentyfour hours.

July 16.—Crossed at White’s Ford and marched to Leesburg.

July 18.—Moved to Snicker’s Gap and supported General Hunter.

July 20.—Crossed the Shenandoah at 9 a. m. ; recrossed at 8 p. m. and marched to Goose Creek.

July 21.—Reached Goose Creek at 4 p. m.

July 22.—Marched to near Freedom Hill, near Lewinsville.

July 23.—Marched to and crossed Chain Bridge.

July 26.—Marched to Rockville, Md.

July 27.—Marched to Hyattstown.

July 28.—Marched to Monocacy, near Frederick, and thence to J epee –

uly 29.—Marched through Harper’s Ferry to Bolivar Heights. July 30.—Marched to Poterarille. : cee July 31.—Marched to near Frederick, Md.

July 1.—Camped on the Jerusalem plank road, south of Petersburg and extreme left of Army of the Pitonast

July 9.—At 11 p. m. started for City Point with the rest of the division.

July 10.—At 5.30a.m. embarked on transports Dictator and Guide for Washington.

July 11.—Debarked at Washington at 12 m.; marched to Fort Stevens; arrived there at4 p.m. At5p. m. brigade marched outside and relieved skirmishers belonging to the Veteran Reserve Corps, t00-days’ men, and War Department clerks, who were being driven toward the fort. Deployed the whole brigade without any support and drove the rebels back to a position 800 yards from the fort.

July 12.—Continued skirmishing all day. At5 p. m., in conjunction with Third Brigade, attacked and drove the rebel skirmish line until dark. At 11 p. m. relieved by Second Brigade and returned to camp near Crystal Spring.

July 13.—Marched to Offutt’s Cross-Roads.

July 14.—Marched to Poolesville, Md.

July 16.—Marched via White’s Ford and Leesburg to Clark’s Gap, in the Catoctin Mountain.

July 18.—Marched to Snicker’s Gap, in the Blue Ridge, and held in reserve to the force crossing the Shenandoah.

July 20.—Crossed the Shenandoah and moved to within a mile of Berryville. At 10 p. m. recrossed the river and marched to Washington via Leesburg, Chain Bridge, and Tennallytown.

July 23.—Arrived at Washington.

July 25.—Ordersto embark for Petersburg, which were suspended.

July 26.—Marched to Rockville.

July 27 and 28.—Marched to Hyattstown and Jefferson.

July 29.—Marched to Harper’s Ferry and Halltown.

July 30.—At 7 p. m. marched for Frederick, Md.

July 1.—Marched from Reams’ Station to Jerusalem plank road.

July 9.—Marched to City Point.

July 10.—Embarked for Washington at 11 a. m.

July 11.—Disembarked at Washington and moved to Fort Stevens.

July 12:—Engaged the enemy at Fort Stevens.

July 13.—Marched at 8 p. m. to [Offutt’s] Cross-Roads.

July 14.—Marched to near Poolesville.

July 16.—Crossed White’s Ford and shelled the rear guard of the enemy and marched to Leesburg.

July 18.—Moved to Snicker’s Gap.

July 20.—Crossed Shenandoah River at 9 a.m. ; recrossedat 8 p. m. and marched to Goose Creek.

July 21.—Marched to Lewinsville.

July 23.—Marched to and crossed Chain Bridge and encamped near Fort Gaines.

July 26.—Marched to Rockville.

July 27.—Marched to Hyattstown.

July 28.—Marched to Monocacy and then to Jefferson.

July 29.—Marched through Harper’s Ferry to Bolivar Heights.

July 30.—Marched to Petersville.

July 31.—Marched to Frederick.

pon: CO) OED: @:@:@0 fan cal Ma July ’18.—Reached Snicker’s Gap at sundown ; encamped on west side at foot of the mountain.

July 20.—Crossed the Shenandoah River and advanced to near Berryville; in the evening recrossed the river and continued the march in the direction of Washington.

July 21.—Encamped at Goose Creek at 4 p. m. ‘

July 22.—Continued the march and encamped on east side of Difficult Run at 7 p. m.

July 23.—Crossed the Potomac at Chain Bridge at 11 a. m. and encamped near Tennallytown, D. C. July 26.—Marched at 8 a. m. and encamped near Rockville for the night.

July 27.—Marched to Hyattstown; encamped at 4 p. m.

July 28.—Marched to Monocacy Junction at 4 p.m. ; resumed the march at 10 p. m.; encamped at Jefferson.

July aoe aedehod Harper’s Ferry at 3 p. m. and encamped near Halltown, W. Va.

July 30.—At 4p. m. resumed the march, which was continued all night in direction of Frederick City, Md.

July 31.—At 3 p. m. went into camp near Prospect Hili, one and a half miles from Frederick City, Md.

July 1.—Lay in camp near Jerusalem plank road, three miles from Williams’ house, during the day and night.

July 2.—Marched to the Williams house, near our former camp.

July 3 to 5.—Nothing of moment occurred.

July 6.—Broke camp at 5 a. m. and marched to City Point, where we embarked on transports for Baltimore. The Third Division only was included in this movement.

July 8.—At 12m. the greater part of the brigade had disembarked in Baltimore and were conveyed by cars to Frederick Junction, Md., as rapidly as possible.

July 9.—We took position near the Junction. Skirmishing with the enemy commenced at 8 a.m. The brigade became generally engaged at 2 P. m. The conflict was fierce and bloody, but at 3 p. m., the enemy having turned our left flank by force of superior numbers, the brigade received orders to retreat, which was done in good order. Continuing the retreat, we reached Frederick and Baltimore pike and proceeded toward Baltimore. At New Market were joined by the Sixth Maryland, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, and part of the One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, which had been delayed by ne slowness of the transports. We halted for the night near Ridgeville.

July 10 to 13.—We continued our march; halted one day at Ellicott’s Mills; took cars for Baltimore ; encamped near Camp Carroll ; moved from thence to Druid Hill Park. ;

July 14.—Took cars and went to Washington ; encamped near the depot.

* For record from July 1 to 17, see p. 204.

July 15.—Left the city at 8 a. m.; marched through Georgetown and Tennallytown.

July 16 and 17.—Continued the march, crossing the Potomac, passing through Leesburg, and joined the corps at Catoctin Mountain.

July 18.—Proceeded on and crossed Blue Ridge at Snicker’s Gap ; encamped on the east bank of the Shenandoah. ~ July 20.—Crossed the river and marched three miles on Winchester road and were ordered to retrace our steps; marched all night and recrossed the mountain.

July 20 to 23.—Continued the march and finally encamped near Tennallytown, D. C.

July 27.—Broke camp and took up line of march, passing through Rockville.

July 28.—Continued the march to Jefferson, near the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

July 29.—Marched across the Potomac and encamped near Halltown.

July 30.—Recrossed the Potomac and marched all night.

July 31.—Continued the march to Frederick City, where we encamped.

Report of Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, of operations July 11-12.

Hpagrs. First Bric., SECOND Div., SIxTH ARMY CORPS, September 1, 1864.

In this connection, I desire to report the part taken by my command and the Third Brigade, of this division, in the operations around Fort Stevens, Washington, D. C., July 11 and 12, and of which no report has been called for:

Upon arrival at Washington, July 11 at 12 m., I was directed by General Wright to move toward Chain Bridge. While marching up Pennsylvania avenue, in compliance with the instructions of the corps commander, I was halted by Colonel Taylor, chief of staff, Department of Washington, and informed by him that the enemy was driving in our picket-line and seriously threatening Fort Stevens on Seventh street, and received through him General Augur’s instructions to march at once in that direction instead of Chain Bridge, as first ordered. I turned my brigade up Eleventh street, and while on the march to Fort Stevens was passed by General Wright, commanding the corps, and received his verbal instructions to mass near Crystal Spring, in the neighborhood of Fort Stevens, where we arrived at 4 o’clock in the p. m.

At 5p. m. the force outside of Fort Stevens, consisting of a portion of the Veteran Reserve Corps, War Department clerks, and citizen volunteers, were driven in toward the fort by a portion of the enemy’s forces under EHarly. At the same time I was ordered to

* For portion of this report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to July 10, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 681,-and Vol. XL, Part I.

move 500 men of my brigade out to recover the line held in the afternoon. This mee siceeetalls, accomplished before 7 by the Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, Col. J.’F. Ballier ; One hundred and second Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, Mey Thomas McLaughlin, and One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsy vania Volunteers, Capt. James McGregor, which deployed as skirmishers, drove the enemy’s advance back to their main lines. The position was strengthened at dark by the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. S. Long, and Sixty-second New York Veteran Volunteers, Lieut. Col. T. B. Hamilton, and extended from a point opposite the center of the line between Forts Stevens and Reno to the west, and a point opposite Fort Slocum to the east, a distance of about two miles. Skirmishing continued through the night and following day. se,

At 5p. m. of the 12th, while in charge of the division during the temporary absence of its permanent commander, General Getty, I was ordered to drive in the enemy’s skirmish line and to occupy, if successful, two strong wooded hills in our front, the possession of which gave the enemy great advantage of position near our intrenched line. I ordered Colonel Bidwell, Forty-third New York Volunteers, commanding Third Brigade, to move his command outside of the fort and, under cover of a ravine and woods, at trail arms, and every precaution taken to prevent the enemy discovering the movement, form in two lines in rear of my brigade (which was all deployed as skirmishers), and about 300 yards on the right of the Rockville pike, the position being entirely covered by scrub timber and underbrush. Colonel Bidwell was then directed to select three of his very best regiments at an indicated point a few paces in rear of our skirmish line and fronting the strong wooded position held by the enemy. The attack was ordered to be made by the whole skirmish line of the First (my own) Brigade, and these three regiments from the Third Brigade were to assault and carry the strong position referred to, the remainder of the Third Brigade to be held ready to support the general movement. The Seventh Maine, Fortythird New York, Lieut. Col. J. D. Visscher, and Forty-ninth New York, Lieut. Col. G. W. Johnson, were very skillfully placed in position near the skirmish line under the direction of Colonel Bidwell without the enemy discovering the movement. A preconcerted signal was made by a staff officer when these regiments were in position, at which time the batteries from Forts Stevens and Slocum opened fire upon certain indicated points strongly held by the enemy. As had been previously arranged, after the thirty-sixth shot from Fort Stevens had been fired, a signal was made from the parapet of that work and the commander of the skirmish line and three assaulting regiments dashed forward, surprising and hotly engaging the enemy, who was found to be much stronger than had been supposed. It became necessary to deploy immediately the three remaining regiments—Seventy-seventh New York, Lieut. Col. W. B. French; One hundred and twenty-second New York, Lieutenant-Colonel Dwight, and Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Bidwell’s brigade, on the right of those he had already in action, and the picket reserve of 150 men from One hundred and second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and a detachment of eighty men from the Vermont brigade to support the skirmish line immediately on the right and left of the Rockville pike. The enemy’s stubborn resistance showed that a farther advance than already made would re- quire more troops, and two regiments were sent for. Before their arrival, however (the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Montague, and Second Rhode Island, Capt. E. H. Rhodes), an aide-de-camp from General Wright directed me not to attempt more than the holding of the position I had gained, as the object of the attack had been accomplished, and the important points captured and held.

~ This whole attack was as gallant as it was successful, and the troops never evinced more energy and determination. The losses were very severe, the brave Colonel Bidwell losing many of his most valuable regimental commanders.

The following are the casualties among officers and enlisted men of the First and Third Brigades :*

Severely wounded: Col. J. F. Ballier, Lieut. William Wilson, unteers ; Assistant Surgeon Crawford, One hundred and second Pennsylvania Volunteers; Maj. J. W. Crosby, Sixty-first Pennsylvania ; Capt. Davis Cossitt, One hundred and twenty-second New York ; Capt. George H. Baker, Seventh Maine Veterans. Killed:

W. Johnson, Forty-ninth New York; Maj. James P. Jones, First bert, jr., Forty-ninth New York; Second Lieut. William Laughlin, Sixty-first Pennsylvania. Wounded slightly: Lieut. Col. W. B. French, Seventy-seventh New York.

Recapitulation. Killed. Wounded, Total. . : : 8 n

ear cal Up Test 832920 cane pOO HAO OCHO BUR OOUOACAGLE Om. 000 OndopS i(é 4 48 4 55, 59 Hird rigs ade nee wccretasstelnts erersielene erelel isl eicleisternceiais)« 6 46 4 89 10 135 145 STO Gaye ersvags tee arciayetctore ahctessrakesarots/sics-vetaverefeistsie’es 6 53 8 187) ) 14 190

The last shot was fired about 10 o’clock, and the remainder of the night was occupied in strengthening the position, burying the dead, and caring for the wounded, and relieving the skirmish line, which had been two days in front constantly under fire, by troops of the Second (Vermont) Brigade. This was accomplished at 4 a. m. of the 13th.

On the morning of the same day the enemy was reported moving away from our front in the direction of Rockville, Md., and in the afternoon the command joined in the march on the new campaign, which culminated in the brilliant victories of the Valley of the Shenandoah. :

To my gallant and efficient staff, Iam under the deepest obligations, and for their valuable services during the past unprecedented campaign from the Rapidan to Petersburg, I desire to ask for them the promotion and favorable consideration they have earned. To gade, I am especially grateful for the energy and devotion he has

a Nomipeat ist of enlisted men omitted. See numerical statement in recapitulation following.

displayed in the performance of his varied duties, and for his conspicuous gallantry in every battle; though at eat wounded in the Wilderness, this officer declined to leave the field. Captain Clendenin has been with me and rendered important service in every battle in which the Army of the Potomac has been engaged since its organization. Capt. James H. Coleman, One hundred and second Pennsylvania Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general, deserves especial mention for the creditable manner in which he conducted his department while in camp, and for the support rendered and gallantry displayed on every field. To Captain Denny O’Neil, One hundred and second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Lieut. William J. Bradford, Second Rhode Island Volunteers, aides-de-camp, are due my thanks for their faithful services and unfailing attention during the varied and Hynes scenes of the campaign. Capt. John Snodgrass, One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, pioneer officer, executed his duty of repairing the roads, bridges, &c., with skill and alacrity, facilitating materially the movements of troops and the passage of the trains. In time of action he acted as aide-de-camp, and was conspicuous for bravery. Lieut. John M. Schneipp, Ninctyeei ght Pennsylvania Volunteers, acting assistant quartermaster, and Capt. Hibbert B. Masters, commissary of subsistence, merit the highest commendation for the able manner in which they managed their departments, supplying the troops with all they required, notwithstanding the many serious physical difficulties encountered. And Surg. S. F. Chapin, One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, surgeon-in-chief of brigade, was devoted and indefatigable in his attentions to the sick and wounded. To the professional skill and devotion to duty of this accomplished officer, the command is under deep obligations.

Of the brave men of this command who have so promptly and so gallantly engaged the enemy in the many battles and skirmishes of this memorable campaign, I cannot speak in too high terms of

raise. They have never faltered in battle nor murmured at the atigues and hardships they have been called upon to endure.

They have nobly earned the admiration of their commander and the gratitude of the nation.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,