OR XLII P1 #57: Report of Lieutenant William Ludgate, 59th NY, October 26-28, 1864

No. 57. Report of Lieutenant William Ludgate, Fifty-ninth New York Infantry, of operations October 26-28.¹

HDQRS. FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT NEW YORK VET. VOLS., Near Petersburg, Va., October 29, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this command in the late reconnaissance to the left of our lines:

This regiment left camp on the 26th instant at 2 p.m., moving along the line of works in rear of the Norfolk railroad, and halted on the extreme left of our lines at about 8 p.m., where we bivouacked for the night, and took up the line of march at 3 a.m. of the 27th instant, moving in the direction of the Burgess house, near which place we arrived about 10.10 a.m., taking a position in sight and in front of the house above-named, when we were observed by the enemy, who fired a few shells without doing any damage. After lying in the position as stated above for three-quarters of on hour we advanced in line of battle to a position just vacated by a portion of the Second Brigade, when we received a vigorous shelling, losing 1 killed and 4 wounded. Held this position until dusk, when we fell back and moved out on the Blackwater road, where we staid until 2 p.m. of the 28th instant, when we moved toward the rear through woods and took a position on a hill

about four miles from the place we left, which position was vacated about 11 a.m. and marched back to the position now occupied, arriving about 3 p.m.

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

WM. LUDGATE,

First Lieutenant, Commanding Fifty-ninth Regiment New York Vet. Vols.

Captain GEORGE W. RYERSON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigadier, Second Div.

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