OR XL P1 #132: Report of Brigadier General Samuel W. Crawford, commanding 3/V/AotP, June 17, 1864

No. 132. Report of Brigadier General Samuel W. Crawford, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of operations June 17.¹

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
June 18, 1864-2 a.m.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders from corps headquarters, I at 6.45 p.m. moved my command to the support of General Ledlie’s command, First Division, Ninth Army Corps, the Third Brigade, of my command, Colonel Carle commanding, in the advance, and the First and Second Brigades in supporting distance. It was reported to me that General Ledlie’s division occupied and held the enemy’s line of breast-works. The Third Brigade on advancing found this report to be erroneous, General Ledlie occupying only the enemy’s skirmish line. Colonel Carle advanced in front of General Ledlie’s line, and by a gallant effort succeeded in capturing the Thirty-ninth Regiment North Carolina Troops, the commanding officer of which surrendered to Colonel Carle, himself, regiment, and colors. These prisoners were sent to the rear by Colonel Carle, and turned over to one of my aides, and seized by General Ledlie from him. I respectfully insist that the prisoners and colors of the Thirty-ninth Regiment North Carolina Troops were taken by Colonel Carle, and he alone should receive for the same. General Ledlie’s line having fallen back, and not deeming it prudent for Colonel Carle to remain in his advanced and exposed position, I ordered Colonel Lyle, commanding First Brigade, to relieve him with a strong skirmish line, and to place his line of battle on a prolongation of General Ledlie’s line. The enemy is enabled by means of a battery placed in an advantageous position to enfilade our lines, rendering it impossible for my line to advance unless the troops on my left advance to capture or silence the battery. The enemy’s force in my immediate front consists of Pickett’s division, of Longstreet’s corps, in a strongly intrenched position.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. W. CRAWFORD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Lieutenant Colonel FRED. T. LOCKE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifth Corps.

[First indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
June 18, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded.

G. K. WARREN,

Major-General.

[Second indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 19, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Major-General Burnside for a report as to so much of the within as relates to the capture of a North Carolina regiment.

By command of Major-General Meade:

S. WILIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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