Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
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Our Special Detailed Report of the Advance on the Left.
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MR. J. L. RHODES’ SPECIAL DESPATCHES.
Gregg’s Advance.
HEAD-QUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, Sept. 30, 10 o’clock P. M.—Yesterday morning Gen. GREGG’S division of cavalry, supported by two brigades of infantry, started out and reconnoitered the country west of the Weldon Railroad. Nothing of special interest developed itself until this morning, when the enemy was found in considerable force about one mile north of Poplar Springs Church, and strongly intrenched. Their position was naturally a strong one; a hexagonal fort erected on an eminence, and mounting four guns, commanded an open country for nearly a mile around from this fort, running east.
Strong earthworks were found for near a mile, thrown up to a second fort of equal, if not superior strength, and westward they ran through a clear country, some distance, just outside of a dense wood.
Owing to the open country that intervened between the formation of our line of battle and the enemy’s intrenched position, it was necessary to throw forward the troops rapidly, and in order that the attack might prove successful, a charge was ordered.
Charge of Col. Gwynn’s Brigade.
The Third Brigade, First Division of the Fifth Corps, commanded by Colonel [James] GWYNN [sic, Gwyn], of the One-hundred-and-eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was formed in line directly opposite to the fort and led the charge. They advanced for half a mile at a double quick over a clear field, before reaching the enemy’s works.
Our Immense Captures.
The enemy offered a strong resistance, but were compelled to fall back, leaving in our hands two forts, one and a half miles of rifle-pits, two pieces of artillery, a large number of intrenching tools, and fifty prisoners.
The Guns and Prisoners.
The guns captured belonged to Captain [Edward] GRAHAM’S Battery, of Petersburg, five men of which were captured.
The prisoners say that they belong to General BEAUREGARD’S command. One Major, one Captain, and five Lieutenants are among the captured.
The Union Loss.
Our entire loss will not exceed one hundred and fifty men.
All honor is due Colonel GWYNN and his gallant command, which consisted in part of the One-hundred-and-eighteenth Pennsylvania, Forty-fourth New York, and the Sixteenth Michigan. The officers and men composing these particularly distinguished themselves.
Killed and Wounded.
The following is a list of killed and wounded officers, so far as I have been able to learn, and of enlisted men belonging to Pennsylvania regiments:—
Col. N E Welch, 16th Mich., killed.
Major B. F Partidge, 16th Mich., wounded, neck.
Lieut. Col. Edwards, 23d Mass., wounded.
Capt. Samuel Kilgore, 155th Pa., thigh, severe.
Lieut. Conaly, [Connelly], 118th Pa., killed.
Lieut. John Scott, 118th Pa., slight.
Lieut. Edward Burnett, 44th N. Y., thigh.
Lieut. A. B. Edson, 83d Pa., wounded.
W Peden, Co. F, 83d Pa., wounded.
Jeff. W. Woth(illegible), K, 198th Pa.
Sergt J Hoffman, I, 138th Pa.
J A Bull, 21st Cavalry.
Corp. S. John, I, 118th Pa.
S. Jones, K, 118th Pa.
G. Collins, B, 118th Pa.
Sergeant G. Gills, I, 118th Pa.
S. C. Best, I, 21st Cavalry.
John Hoover, C, 21st Cavalry.
Thomas Taylor, K, 155th Pa.
George Rottenson, H, 155th Pa.
Moses Robinson, 155th Pa., killed.
Corporal J. G. McConnell, F, 155th Pa.
Charles W. Green, I, 118th Pa.
Sergeant-Major W Cor(illegible), 118th Pa.
F. Raskedeen, K, 155th Pa.
P. Broda(?), 155th Pa.
J. A. Wharton, C, 91st Pa.
G. O. Mallory, C, 83d Pa.
Alfred Cole, I, 155th Pa., mortally.
Sergeant Wallace Ladeld, 149th Pa., killed.
L. A. Jeffries, E, 83d Pa.
John L(?), B, 45th Pa.
Jacob Grier, 45th Pa.
Henry C. Maren, K, 118th Pa.
Corporal Samuel Parker, A, 118th Pa.
Joseph C. Dixon, E, 83d Pa.
John Thurobourgh, H, 198th Pa.1
Source:
- “Army of the Potomac.” Philadelphia Inquirer. October 3, 1864, p. 1 col. 2-3 ↩