OR XLVI P1 #89: Report of Bvt. Captain John W. Roder, Btty K 4th US Arty, February 5-11, 1865

No. 89. Report of Bvt. Captain John W. Roder, Battery K, Fourth U. S. Artillery, of operations February 5-11.¹

HEADQUARTERS BATTERY K, FOURTH U. S. ARTILLERY,
Before Petersburg, Va., February 12, 1865.

COLONEL: In compliance with instructions from headquarters Artillery Brigade, Second Corps, of this date, I have the honor to submit the following report of the participation of Battery K, Fourth U. S. Artillery, in the recent movement:

In obedience to orders from headquarters Artillery Brigade, Second Corps, I reported with my battery to Brevet Major-General Mott, commanding Third Division, Second Corps, at 6.30 o’clock on the morning of the 5th instant; was directed by the general to follow the division, which would take the Vaughan road and march in the direction toward Hatcher’s Run. Soon after we had started I was requested by one of General Mott’s aides to send one section to the front, which I did, sending

the right section, under the command of Lieutenant Smith. I afterward found it in position in a small field near Hatcher’s Run. I brought the rest of the battery in the same field; remained there all day without firing any. Some time during the night I was directed by the chief of artillery to detach one section, under command of Lieutenant chief of artillery to detach one section, under command of Lieutenant Smith, which I did (you will find his report inclosed herewith), and ordered to move the rest of the guns back in a field near the Cummings house. Here I remained from the 6th to the morning of the 11th instant, when I was ordered to go back to my old camp.

I have no losses or casualties to report of any kind.

Respectfully submitted.

J. W. RODER,
First Lieutenant, Fourth U. S. Arty., Bvt. Captain, Commanding Battery K.

Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel J. G. HAZARD,
Commanding Artillery Brigade, Second Corps.

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