OR XL P1 #49: Report of Captain Albert Gosse, 66th NY, July 26-30, 1864

No. 49. Report of Captain Albert Gosse, Sixty-sixth New York Infantry, of operations July 26-30.¹

HDQRS. SIXTY-SIXTH NEW YORK VETERAN VOLS., October 12, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to send the report of operations called for from brigade headquarters from July 30, 1864.

On the afternoon of the 26th of July orders were received to pack and be ready to move. At about 4 p. m. we moved toward the Appomattox, crossed that river about 9 p. m., then crossed the James at Deep Bottom at 2 a. m. on the 27th, and rested until daylight. The march was very severe, a great many of the men falling out of the ranks exhausted. After forming line of battle we moved forward toward the enemy’s works, which the skirmishers of the First Brigade charged and captured with four pieces of artillery. After maneuvering around until nearly dark, when a picket detail took all the regiment had present, and remained until the night of the 28th. After being relieved and joining the rest of the brigade we commenced throwing up breast-works, which were not finished until daylight of the 29th. We remained behind the works until dark and moved quietly out of the works and recrossed the river, marching all night, and at daybreak arrived in front of Petersburg in time to hear the explosion of the mine.

On the morning of the 30th of July we were massed behind a hill, where we remained all day and marched back to the old camp in the evening.

A. GOSSE,

Captain, Commanding Sixty-sixth New York Veteran Vols.

Lieutenant J. W. MUFFLY,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, 4th Brigadier, 1st Div., 2nd Army Corps.

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