No. 57. Report of Major Edward A. Springsteed, Seventh New York Heavy Artillery.*1
FIFTH EPOCH.
Our march to Petersburg occupied three days. Reached the James River at sunset on the 13th [June]. Crossed on the evening of the 14th. Marched two miles and then halted till morning. About noon we resumed our march, arriving in front in front of Petersburg by night-fall. 16th, the regiment is thrown forward and toward evening is ordered to carry a redoubt. The assault was unsuccessful, and the regiment lost heavily. 21st, the regiment, having lain in the trenches under fire, is at length relieved. Sudden orders, however, call them into line again, and we start forward upon a reconnaissance. We march and countermarch some twelve miles and halt in the neighborhood of the Richmond and Danville Railroad. 22d, the regiment was present at the disaster which befell General Barlow’s division, and lost considerably in officers and men during the fight.
July 10 [12], the regiment moved to the left and at night acted as support to the cavalry while they cut the Weldon and Danville railroad. 26th, march to Deep Bottom and support the charge upon the enemy’s line at Malvern Hill. Return to our position in front of Petersburg on the 31st.
E. A. SPRINGSTEED,
Major Seventh New York Artillery, Commanding.
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* For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 418.
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Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 365 ↩