OR XLVI P1 #56: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur R. Curtis, 20th MA, February 5-7, 1865

No. 56. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur R. Curtis, Twentieth Massachusetts Infantry, of operations February 5-7.¹

HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
February 12, 1865.

SIR: In compliance with circular from headquarters First Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps, of this date, I have the honor to report the following in relation to the part taken by this command in the operations of the 5th,6th, and 7th instant:

The regiment broke camp early on the morning of the 5th instant. On afternoon of same day was deployed as skirmishers on right of Second Brigade of this division, connecting on right with Third Brigade, Third Division. About 4.15 p.m. the enemy advanced in force, driving in the skirmishers, and in which affair this regiment lost 1 killed, 5 wounded, and 5 missing; most of those missing are supposed to have been wounded and made prisoners. The regiment withdrew on the evening of 5th instant, taking its position in line behind hastily constructed breast works, or rifle-pits where it remained until the afternoon of the 7th instant, when it was detailed for picket duty, the left resting on Hatcher’s Run, connecting with Fifth Army Corps.

A. R. CURTIS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

[Captain WILL GILDER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.]

Source: