OR XLVI P1 #181: Reports of Major General John B. Gordon, commanding Second/ANV, Feb 6 and Mar 25, 1865

No. 181. Reports of Major General John B. Gordon, C. S. Army, commanding Second Army Corps, of operations February 6 and March 25.¹

HDQRS. SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
February 9, 1865.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following brief report of the fighting on the west side of Hatcher’s Run on the 6th instant:

On the morning of that day Pegram’s division moved out from camp to reconnoiter, one brigade moving near the run and the others farther to the right and along the Vaughan road. In these positions the brigades were vigorously attacked by both cavalry and infantry in heavy force. They were pressed slowly back, bravely resisting the enemy’s advance. Gordon’s division, Brigadier-General Evans commanding, sent forward in support, formed on Pegram’s left, charged and drove the enemy before it, but was finally forced by superior numbers to retire. It was readily reformed near the enemy’s lines, and again advanced wit spirit, while Pegram charged on the right. The enemy was again driven back, but General Pegram, who was riding immediately with his troops, being killed, and Colonel Hoffman, commanding brigade, severely wounded, a portion of the line was thrown into confusion. The battle had been obstinately contested for several hours, when Mahone’s division arrived and was placed in position to fill a gap between Evans and Pegram. The whole line now advanced to the attack and drove the enemy in confusion to his works along the bank of the creek.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. B. GORDON,
Major-General, Commanding.

Lieutenant Colonel W. H. TAYLOR, A. A. G., Army of Northern Virginia.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS,
February 11, 1865.

I respectfully forward a report from General Gordon of the operations of the infantry west of Hatcher’s Run on the 6th instant, which is more full than my dispatch of that date.

R. E. LEE,
General.

HDQRS. SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
March 27, 1865.

I desire to bring to the attention of the commanding general the admirable conduct of Colonel H. P. Jones, commanding artillery on my line, and the officers and men of his command, during the action at Hare’s Hill, on the morning of the 25th instant. Colonel Jones at the front, personally superintending the management of the artillery, and a select body of officers and men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stribling, charged the enemy’s breast-works with the sharpshooters of this corps, and at once turned upon the enemy the captured guns.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. B. GORDON,
Major-General, Commanding.

Colonel W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of Northern Virginia.

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