OR XL P1 #201. Report of Colonel Samuel Harriman, 37th WI, June 12-July 31, 1864

No. 201. Report of Colonel Samuel Harriman, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry.¹

HDQRS. THIRTY-SEVENTH WISCONSIN VOL. INFANTRY,
Near Petersburg, Va., August 12, 1864.

In compliance with Special Orders, No. 39, I have the honor to submit the following record of the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteers from date of assignment to the First Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps, to July 31, 1864:

June 12, having reported as per orders from corps headquarters for duty to Brigadier-General Hartranft, were assigned to a line of rifle-

pits at Cold Harbor, which we occupied at 2 p.m. Evacuated Cold Harbor at 9 p.m. After a constant and rapid march arrived near James River 6 p.m. 14th. Crossed James River on pontoon bridge at 11.30 p.m. 15th. Arrived in woods near Petersburg and halted 5.30 p.m. 16th. At dusk advanced and occupied a line of rifle-pits near the left of our line.

June 17, having changed our position, made a charge toward enemy’s work, conforming (as per order) to the movements of regiment upon our left. The charge was a failure, and we found ourselves at its terminus occupying our own rifle-pits, to the right of our previous position. June 18, in concert with the balance of the brigade charged to the ravine between the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad cut and Petersburg, Va. June 19, relieved from duty and ordered into camp to rear of front line of battle. June 20, ordered into intrenchments. June 23, occupied another position in line of intrenchments to left of the one occupied on the 20th. June 26, Captain R. N. Doyle, Eighth Michigan Volunteers, placed in command of regiment by order of Brigadier-General Hartranft. June 27, moved out to picket-line; set about strengthening line. July 9, regiment relieved from duty in pits, and in camp at rear and out of range. July 17, entered pits again. July 18, Captain Doyle relieved of his command of regiment, Colonel Samuel Harriman assuming command. July 30, after explosion of enemy’s fort by our mine charged their works at 4.30 a.m., which were held by our troops until 4 p.m., when the Thirty-seventh was among the last few who fell back to former line of works. July 31, regiment relieved and sent to rear 2 a.m.

SAM. HARRIMAN,

Colonel, Commanding.

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