the general commanding to Captain, June 17, 1864

CAPTAIN :

In pursuance of your instructions of this date, I have the honor to inform you that the following is a correct report of the operations of my brigade on the 15th and 16thinstant:

My brigade crossed the Appomattox River on the pontoon bridge between f and 2 o’clock on the morning of the 15th instant, marched out about three miles, then halted until 5 o’elock, then marched in the direction of Petersburg, met the enemy’s pickets at 6 o’clock, and the advance was ordered to charge them, which they did, driving them into their works. 1 immediately deployed the First District of Columbia Cavalry as skirmishers on right and left of the road and advanced with them to within about 800 yards of the enemy’s works, when they opened upon us with two pieces of artillery and a heavy nusketry fire. I held my position until ordered to fall back by the brigadier-general commanding division, then joined the main column, marching in the direction of the Prince George road, marched to the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, took the road leading to the right, there met about fifty rebel cavalry, which the advance squadron of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry charged, driving them back until our men came within range of the enemy’s guns from their earth-works, when I halted them and awaited orders from the brigadier-general commanding. When the orders were received they were to advance my brigade on the left of the road as skirmishers, which I did, keeping on a line as near as possible with the First Brigade on the right. I advanced to within about 1.500 yards of the enemy’s works, tlhe enemy opening upon my line with artillery. I held my position until about 4 o’clock, when I fell back to my horses

by order of the general commanding, then marched back to near General