OR XLVI P1 #57: Report of Lieutenant Colonel George W. La Point, 7th MI, February 5-7, 1865

No. 57. Report of Lieutenant Colonel George W. La Point, Seventh Michigan Infantry, of operations, February 5-7.¹

HDQRS. SEVENTH MICHIGAN VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY,
February 12, 1865

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of operations of my command for the 5th, 6th, and 7th of February, 1865:

I reported at brigade headquarters at 6 a.m. on the 5th instant, as per orders from brigade headquarters. I marched in rear of the bri-

gade until we reached the Cummings house; then received orders from the colonel commanding brigade to take my regiment, together with the First Minnesota Battalion, and deploy them as flankers on the right of the brigade so as to cover the front and right flank of the brigade. I marched through the woods until I reached the field in front of the Armstrong house. I then received orders from Colonel Olmstead to deploy my regiment, together with the First Minnesota Battalion, so as to cover the left flank of the brigade. I then received orders from the colonel commanding the brigade to advance into the timber, and connect on the right with the One hundred and eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers and on the left with the Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and in so doing we drove in the enemy’s skirmishers and captured two prisoners of war. During the night of the 5th Major M. Van Sickle captured a prisoner of war, together with one horse and equipments. Held our line until 3 p.m. of the 6th. Received orders from the colonel commanding brigade to advance my line so as to connect with the Fifth Corps, and in so doing drove in the enemy’s pickets and occupied the woods on the banks of Hatcher’s Run. Fell back to our old line on the evening of the 6th; held our line until 3 p.m. of the 7th instant; received orders from the colonel commanding brigade to advance with the Fifth Corps, and in so doing drove in the enemy’s pickets; fell back at 6 p.m. of the 7th instant to our old line.

I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. W. LA POINT,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Captain WILL GILDER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade.

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