Letter

Unknown, October 20, 1864

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH NEW YORK ARTILLERY,

October 20, 1864.* halted at 3.30 p.m. Marched to Doctor Wilcox’s farm and bivouacked on the banks of the James River at 9 p.m. 14th and 15th, worked incessantly day and night loading transports. 16th, crossed James River at 5 a.m.; rested until 9 a.m. Marched about twelve miles and halted for the night. 17th, about 5 a. m. moved up to the lines in front of Petersburg. Sent out five companies, under command of Major Williams, as a detail to General Gibbon’s division. 18th, ordered forward; took one line of pits and the road from the enemy. Retained the position until 11 a.m., when an advance was ordered; the command was repulsed with severe loss. Relieved at dark and ordered to the rear. 19th and 20th, lay in second line of pits. 21st, at 4 a. m. moved to field near corps headquarters. At 10 a. m. marched eight miles, crossing the Jerusalem plank road; rested until 5 p. m. in edge of woods; fell back a little. Supported Brown’s battery on plank road. Sent three companies on skirmish line. 22d, went back to Wilson’s house at 7 a.m. At4p. m. were ordered up to fill gap between Second and Sixth Corps, at the moment when McKnight’s battery and some regiments were captured by the rebels. Built rifle-pits all night. 23d, at 5 a, m. were attached to General Gibbon’s command. Lay on skirmish line all day; lost some men killed; ordered to abandon line about 4 p. m., as it was untenable. Erected a line of pits to west of plank road. Lay there until June 30, when the command was assigned to the First, Second, and Third Brigades, Third Division, Second Army Corps.

July 1, companies D and L were detached to Artillery Brigade, the former to serve mortar battery, the latter to guard ammunition train. The remainder of the command remained on infantry picket duty until 12th of July.

July 13, forty men detailed to Artillery Brigade as cannoneers

by

order of General Hancock. Moved from rear of General Hancock's
headquarters, and camped during the day with Third Brigade, Third
Division. In the evening were ordered to report to General Hunt,
*For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12,
1864, see Vol. XXXVI. Part I, p. 525, from duty with mortars. 2d, the entire command relieved from the immediate command of the chief of artillery and ordered to report to MajorGeneral Hancock. 3d, received complimentry order from General Hunt,
for the efficiency, skill, and gallantry displayed by the officers and men
while under his orders. 4th, received from Colonel Abbot complimentary letter thanking the colonel commanding for the cordial co-operation of the regiment whilst under his orders, and rendering flattering
testimony to its gallant conduct in the engagement of July 30. 5th,
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: A detailed military report chronicles the Fourth New York Artillery's movements, engagements, and strategic positions during the Petersburg campaign in October 1864.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 40, Part 1 View original source ↗