OR XL P1 #210: Report of Colonel Constant Luce, 17th MI (Actg Div Eng), June 13-18, 1864

No. 210. Report of Colonel Constant Luce, Seventeenth Michigan Infantry (acting division engineers).¹

HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Before Petersburg, Va., August 8, 1864.

CAPTAIN: *

FIFTH EPOCH.

On the morning of the 13th [June] we commenced our march; built and repaired roads all day. On the 14th we crossed the Chickahominy

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*For portion of report (here omitted) covering from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p.956.

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and marched to Wilcox’s Landing, on James River. Here we rested until the night of the 15th, when we crossed the pontoon to the south side of the James. That night we continued our march to Petersburg. We arrived near Petersburg on the 16th near night, when the regiment encamped until morning. On the 17th the division engaged the enemy and my regiment was deployed as skirmishers to keep up stragglers; also cut some roads. On the 18th the fight was renewed, my regiment being still deployed to keep up stragglers. Since that time the regiment has been engaged each day in cutting timber for rifle-pits, cutting roads, digging pits, building forts, and making gabions, giving general satisfaction. I have had 1 man killed, 2 officers and 5 men wounded; none missing.

Most respectfully I remain, your obedient servant,

CONSTANT LUCE,

Colonel, Commanding Seventeenth Regiment Michigan Volunteers.

Captain R. A. HUTCHINS,

Asst. Adjt. General, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps.

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