No. 229. Report of Colonel J. Irvin Gregg, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations July 26 – 30.1
HDQRS. SECOND Brigadier, SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, November 22, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that from the 6th of July (date of last report of operations) till the 26th this command was doing picket duty in the vicinity of Prince George Court-House and Lee’s Mill. At that date the command marched from its camp at 4 p.m. and crossed the James River at Jones’ Neck early on the morning of the 28th and encamped on Allen’s farm, on Curl’s Neck.
On the morning of the 29th moved out on the New Market road, passing in rear of the First Cavalry Division, under Brigadier-General Torbert, and formed my command in rear of General Davies’ command, who was at the time engaged with the enemy. Heavy skirmishing continued for some time, when the enemy advanced heavy columns of infantry (Kershaw’s and Heth’s divisions) and General Davies was forced to abandon the field with the loss of one gun. I formed the Second and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in column with the intention of charging the enemy, but by order of General Gregg changed the disposition, and threw them into line, under cover of which General Davies’ command retired. Leaving the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and First Maine on picket my command returned to Curl’s Neck and encamped on Allen’s farm. On the 29th formed line of battle, dismounted, sent horses to the rear, and remained in that possible until dark. Late in the afternoon of the 29th the enemy advanced and drove
in the First Maine Cavalry pickets on Malvern Hill, but the line was soon re-established, and without loss.
I have to regret the loss of Second Lieutenant Lockwood Caughey, wounded, and since died of his would; a young officer of great promise. I have, as usual, to bear testimony to the coolness and gallantry of the officers and men of my command.
On the 30th marched to Lee’s Mill, where the First Brigade had a skirmish. Two regiments of this command (Second and Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry) sent to its support.*
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. IRVIN GREGG,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Captain A. H. BIBBER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 2nd Cavalry Division.
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*For continuation of report, see Vol. XLII, Part I.
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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 619-620 ↩
Not to be a homer or nothin, but can you post a lil somthin bout the 45th PA?
Thanks.
John,
These Official Records entries are being published one a day, in the exact order they were arranged in the ORs Volume XL, Part 1, Reports. Unfortunately, the 45th Pennsylvania does not have a report available in this volume. They may have reports in later volumes pertaining to the Petersburg (XLII) and Appomattox XLVI) campaigns, but I do not know for sure.