No. 111. Report of Captain Aaron Bright, jr., Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry,* of operations February 5-10.1
HDQRS. EIGHTY-EIGHTH PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN VOLS.,
February 14, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by this regiment during the movement upon the enemy, viz:
We moved from our camp on Jerusalem plank road on February 5, 1865, and at 6 p.m. arrived two miles to the left of Hatcher’s Run; we
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*Of the Second Brigade, Third Division.
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formed line of battle and remained over night. Morning of February 6 marched at 4 o’clock, and crossed Hatcher’s Run and laid in open field until 3 p.m. We recrossed Hatcher’s Run, and moved in toward Dabney’s Mill; formed line of battle and charged the enemy twice; gained and lost ground. We were fired into from the rear by Sixth Army Corps. We withdrew and lay over night. Morning, February 7, moved to the right, advanced and drove the enemy out of his first line of pits; we then formed heavy skirmish line and charged the enemy’s main works twice, and were repulsed each time with heavy loss to regiment. We were then relieved by a part of Sixth Army Corps; we formed on their right and threw up works. February 8, 1865, moved out, recrossed Hatcher’s Run, and lay over night. February 9, relieved the One hundred and seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, of Third Brigade, on picket; remained on picket until 10th; we were relieved by a detachment from several regiments; we then marched to old camp on Jerusalem plank road.
The officers and men behaved nobly throughout the entire move, and in one or two instances deserve special mention. First Sergt. William Sands,* Company G; Color-Sergt. D. Devine, Company K, both displayed bravery unequaled throughout any engagement we were ever in.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
AARON BRIGHT, Jr.,
Captain, Commanding Regiment.
Lieutenant LEAVITT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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*Awarded a Medal of Honor.
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Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), pages 291-292 ↩