OR XL P1 #171: Report of Captain William A. Harn, 3rd NY Btty, June 13-July 31, 1864

No. 171. Report of Captain William A. Harn, Third New York Battery.¹

CAMP THIRD NEW YORK INDEPENDENT BATTERY, Before Petersburg, Va., September 5, 1864.

SIR: +

Moved at 1 o’clock morning of the 13th [June], and marched with rear guard; crossed the Chickahominy at Jones’ Bridge about 10 p.m. and went into park. 14th, one horse died; moved early; marched to near James River and parked. 15th, went into position on right of line to protect trains coming in; one horse died. 16th, crossed the James River on pontoon bridge; marched all night; parked near Petersburg. 17th, took position in battery marked No. 5, defenses of Petersburg; one horse died. 18th, same position; moved at noon directly to the front, and took position in an earth-work previously taken from the enemy, remaining here during the 19th and 20th, and firing 344 shots of all denominations. 21st, moved to the left; marched all night. 22nd and 23d, in position on left of line. 24th, moved back at night; parked in rear. 25th, changed camp. 26th, 27th, 28th, in same camp. 29th, moved at 11 a.m.; marched toward the left, and arrived at 10 p.m. on the Weldon railroad; in harness all night. 30th, moved back a few miles and parked.

July 1, in same park. 2nd, moved back to former camp; one horse died from fatigue. From the 3rd to the 6th, no change. 7th, moved battery to breast-works in front. 8th and 9th, in same position. 10th, moved at night and marched to City Point. 11th and 12th, in camp near City Point. 13th, embarked at City Point. 16th, arrived at Baltimore; took cars for Washington; arrived at Camp Barry. 17th, felt

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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.766.

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Camp Barry; embarked for City Point. 19th, arrived at City Point and went into camp on ground formerly occupied, remaining in same camp until the 26th. 26th, moved at 1 p.m. toward Petersburg; camped near Second Corps; remained in same camp until the 29th. 29th, battery in position in front of Petersburg. 30th, engaged; Private Dudley wounded. 31st, battery relieved from front at night; and went into camp near army headquarters; 330 shots were fired during the time in position.

There have been expended from May 4 to July 31 a total of 2,635 rounds of ammunition, including 855 rounds expended at Cold Harbor, and accidentally not stated in the foregoing.

Up to July 31 3 men have been killed and 2 men wounded; 5 horses have been killed and 2 wounded, 4 have been lost and 10 have died.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. A. HARN,

Captain, Commanding Battery.

First Lieutenant WHITTIER,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps.

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