Nelson Penfield to I. H. Wilder, August 8, 1864
Sir :* We left our position near Cold Harbor at 8 o’clock on the night of the 12th of June and marched all night. We rested about two hours next morning and then took up the line of march, crossing the Chickahominy about 10 a. m. and reaching our position near Charles City Court-House about 5 p.m. We remained here during the 14th throwing up earthworks.
At3a.m. of the 15th we took transports at Moore’s [ Wilcox’s] Landing and crossed over the James to Wind-Mill Point. We moved at noon and marched until midnight and then lay down until 3 o’clock of the 16th, when we moved again and marched into position in front of Petersburg.
The regiment, with the division, was on the left of the line during the 16th of June; was moved to the right about 6 p.m. and was closed en masse, and with the corps charged upon the enemy. The brigade led in the charge, the regiment being in the first line. Itmoved through some woods down into a deep ravine, up a hill and down into another and worse ravine, and up another hill on Shands’ farm, where it halted. We lost quite heavily here, losing some 41 in all, as follows.t
We remained in the position taken on the 16th during the 17th and 18th. The brigade was moved to the right during the night of the 17th, excepting the regiment, which was left to support a battery. The regiment was moved to the right the night of the 18th, and was employed all night building breast-works.
We fell back with the corps on the night of the 19th, and were moved about 9 a. m. of the 20th [21st] some six miles to the left. When we came near the Weldon railroad skirmishers were thrown out, and in the skirmishing that followed the regiment lost 6 men, as follows.{
The men were moved from point to point during the night of the 21st, and were occupied also in building breast-works.
About 2 o’clock on the afternoon of the 22d of June we moved with the corps out of the breast-works into the woods. We moved forward about a mile, the enemy retiring before us. The whole regiment exRRP INSTA ERDL! (SR MER OT MES ee ee Tes ee
“For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 403.
tNominal list (omitted) shows 2 officers and 10 enlisted men killed, and 1 officer and men missing.
cepting the colors was sent on the skirmish line. This line was flanked and was forced to fall back. We lost in this affair some 39 [38] officers and men, as follows. *
We went into camp behind the breast-works at this place and remained until the morning of July 12, when, after destroying the works thrown up at this point, we fell back a few miles. We remained here during the day, and at night went out as support to the cavalry near Reams’ Station; returned during the night and went into camp next day near Petersburg, Va. Were employed on fatigue duty here until the 26th of July, when we broke camp in the afternoon between 3 and 4 o’clock and marched until 3 a. m. of the 27th, crossing the Appomattox at Point of Rocks and James River at Deep Bottom.
Occupied our assigned place in line of battle a.m. of the 27th, but met with no casualties.
Recrossed the James on the night of the 29th; marched all night, reaching position near Petersburg about 5 a. m. of the 30th. Took no part in the battle fought on that day. About 8 p. m. took up the line of march for our old camp.
The regimental colors are torn by the rough usage of the march and battle-field, so that but about one-third remains clinging with ragged hands to the staff.
The regiment left Stevensburg with 365 men; we have now 140 left; to this number some have been added on the march, but those that remain, with brave hearts and strong hands, relying on God’s providence, will uphold, defend, and carry forward the old flag, until the cause it represents is fully triumphant.
All of which is
respectfully submitted.