No. 38.
Report of Captain Alexander Watts, Sixty-Third New York Infantry.1
HDQRS. SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLS.,
Near Petersburg, Va., October 13, 1864.*
FIFTH EPOCH.
June 11 according to orders, took up line of march and marched all night; crossed the Chickahominy 8 a. m. of the 12th instant. Continuing march arrived at Wilcox’s Landing at 4 p. m. June 14; threw up works and remained until 10 p. m. June 15; crossing the river we bivouacked for the night.
June 16, took position in woods two miles to right; remained until dark, when we charged the enemy’s works, fighting until 9 o’clock. Loss, 1 commissioned officer and 5 enlisted men killed and 2 commissioned officers and 14 enlisted men wounded.
June 16 and 17, the regiment was on picket; 2 enlisted men killed and 4 enlisted men wounded.
June 18, 19, 20, and 21, moved to different places on the line, building breast-works and picketing. Afternoon 21st effected connection with Second Division, Second Army Corps, upon Jerusalem plank road; built works and threw out pickets.
June 22, the enemy made a demonstration upon our line, making a spirited charge and capturing some prisoners. The loss of this regiment was 25 in wounded and missing. Repulsed the enemy and threw up breast-works during the night. Remained quiet in this place until 28th, when ordered to the left in support of a cavalry reconnaissance.
June 29, took position near the Deserted House and laid out camp. Remained in rear and support of the Fifth Corps, engaged in picket and fatigue duty. No operations of importance occurred until July 26, when orders were received to march, and falling into line with the brigade2 marched for Deep Bottom at 5 p. m. July 26; marching all night crossed the James River at Deep Bottom 5 a. m. 27th instant. Ordered to support the First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, in a charge upon the enemy’s works.
Remained quiet the 27th. Thrown out as picket during the night, remaining until 6 p. m. 28th instant, when the regiment was ordered a mile; advanced and threw up breast-works.
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* For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 3 to June 12 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 391.
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July 29, at 8 p. m. the regiment received orders to march, and recrossing the James river arrived in front of Petersburg 4 a. m. July 30; ordered to halt; the regiment was held in reserve during the assault on the enemy’s works that date. Returned to camp near Deserted House 11 p. m. July 30, 1864.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEXANDER WATTS,
Captain, Commanding Sixty-third Regiment New York Volunteers.
First Lieutenant GEORGE MITCHELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Consolidated Brigade.
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