OR XL P1 #269: Report of Captain Charles M. Coit, 8th CT, June 15-17, 1864

Numbers 269. Report of Captain Charles M. Coit, Eighth Connecticut Infantry, of operations June 15-17.¹

HDQRS. EIGHTH REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,
Near Petersburg, Va., June 28, 1864.

GENERAL: I have the honor to render the following report of the operations of this regiment from the 15th to the 17th of June, inclusive:

On the morning of the 15th instant, at 2 a.m., the regiment, 200 strong, occupying the right of the brigade, moved across the Appomattox and out one the road to Petersburg, Va. The first line of the enemy’s works having been captured by General Hinks’ command (colored), this regiment was advance to the front about half a mile beyond the captured works, and the left wing, under Captain Roberts, deployed as skirmishers on the left of the road, and soon came up with the enemy, when the right wing was also deployed, the color guard being sent to the rear. The line advancing drove them a quarter of a mile through the woods, at which point their strong fortifications were discovered. The men, covering themselves as much as possible by the trees on the left nd a thick jungle on the right, advanced as close to the works as these afforded shelter and kept up a deliberate fire on the enemy’s works, and on our right were enabled to almost entirely silence the artillery, in the strong fort in their front. About noon the enemy charged on the center of our line, but were repulsed with considerable loss. At 6 p.m. the two companies (G and K) armed with Sharps rifles, occupying the center of our line, having during the day expended their sixty rounds of ammunition, and being unable to procure an additional supply of that caliber, were relieved by two companies of the One hundred and eighteenth New York Volunteers. At 7 p.m., in accordance with orders from General Burnham, commanding brigade,

the skirmish line (the Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers on the left and eight companies of the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers, with the detachment of the One hundred and eighteenth New York Volunteers, on the right) advanced, and charging upon the enemy’s works, captured them, with 250 prisoners and 5 field pieces. The regiment immediately advanced to a hill in the rear of the captured works, within two miles of Petersburg, and directly in front of the enemy’s inner line of works. Here we built breast-works and remained in support of —- that were brought up during the night until 6.30 p.m. on the 17th instant, when we were relieved by the Third Vermont Regiment, of the Sixth Corps. We marched during the night to Point of Rocks.

Our casualties, which all occurred during the first day’s operations, were: Killed, 2; wounded, 17; total, 19.

The behavior of the whole command, officers and men, was in the highest degree commendable.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. M. COIT

Captain, Commanding Eighth Connecticut Volunteers.

Brigadier General HORACE J. MORSE.

Adjutant-General State of Connecticut.

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