No. 136. Report of Captain James E. Baily, Third Delaware Infantry.1
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DELAWARE VOLUNTEERS,
August 10, 1864.
CAPTAIN: *
FIFTH EPOCH.
We left this place Sunday night, June 12, pushing rapidly forward across Long Bridge, over the Chickahominy, on morning of 13th, and from thence, with our division, to near Charles City Court-House, arriving morning 14th of June. Rested till noon of 16th and then crossed the James from Wilcox’s Wharf on board transport to Wind-Mill Point; thence forward to within some two miles of Petersburg; halted at midnight and forward next day, our regiment connecting, deployed, along a road perpendicular to Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad, between our brigade and Burnside’s corps. Lost 2 men mortally and 1 slightly wounded.
June 18, early our brigade formed line parallel to railroad; moved forward, brigade front, past Colonel Avery’s house, though woods, and across the railroad; were moved back by the flank and about again, forming new line in woods south of the road. Forward again, left swinging round until we occupied line along the edge of the woods at angle of 75 degrees to railroad; then up to the crest of hill in open field some 500 yards from rebel works. Fixed bayonets and at 3.30 p.m. steadily forward, the First Brigade supporting, object to direct and enfilading fire of musketry and artillery till half the distance was passed, when we wavered, broke, and fell back, but preserving our organization. The regiment was reformed on the crest from which we started, and after moved to the right a short distance behind earth-works. After dark forward some twenty yards, where breast-works were thrown up. Loss, killed, 1 officer, 7 men; wounded, 3 officers
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* For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 29 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p.628.
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and 45 men, and several slightly. We remained in this position under close fire of rebel sharpshooters until June 29. Loss, killed, 1 man; wounded, 2 officers and 7 men. We moved back 300 yards into woods, and after occupied the works alternately with the First Brigade three days out of five.
On the morning of the 30th of July we lay in reserve in a covered way near the works, which had been strengthened and rendered formidable during the month of July.
Commanding officers: Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrell, till June 18; then killed. Captain McKaig, till July 26; discharged. Captain James E. Baily.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. E. BAILY,
Captain, Commanding Regiment.
Captain F. H. COWDREY,
Asst. Adjt. General, Second Brigadier, Fourth Div., Fifth Corps.
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), pages 477-478 ↩
If you come across more information on the 3rd DE I would appreciate it since I am thinking of writing a unit history for the regiment.