OR XL P1 #287: Report of Lieutenant William P. Powers, 4th WI Btty, July 27-30, 1864

Numbers 287. Report of Lieutenant William P. Powers, Fourth Wisconsin Battery, of operations July 27-30.¹

CAMP FOURTH WISCONSIN LIGHT BATTERY.

Near Jones’ Landing, Va., August 3, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following record of the operations of one section of the Fourth Wisconsin Battery, equipped as horse artillery, under my command in the late movement at Deep Bottom:

We left camp, with the Cavalry Division under General Kautz, at daylight on Wednesday morning, the 27th of July. Crossed the James River at Deep Bottom at 10 a.m., and camped about a mile from the river until the following morning at 10, when the division moved toward Malvern Hill, at the foot of which we met the enemy in some force. A sharp skirmish ensued, during which, though under fire, we were not engaged. The enemy was repulsed. In my section 1 man and 2 horses were wounded. A line of battle was formed on Malvern Hill, front which we marched at about 1 o’clock on Friday morning to the ground occupied by us on the first night, where we remained until daylight. Here one horse, with saddle, bridle, and blanket, escaped from the section and was lost-probably picked up by the cavalry.

At noon of Friday, the 29th, we were formed in line of battle, with Sheridan’s cavalry near to and with both flanks resting on the river, where we remained until the following morning at daybreak, when the division returned to camp.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. P. POWERS,

First Lieutenant, Fourth Wisconsin Battery .

Captain GEORGE B. EASTERLY.

Commanding Fourth Wisconsin Battery.

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