Editor’s Note: Brett Schulte recently noticed this report transcribed online among the James H. Lane Papers at the Auburn University Archives web site. Permission was asked for and granted by Auburn University Libraries, Department of Special Collections & University Archives to reproduce these transcriptions here at The Siege of Petersburg Online. These transcriptions are copyrighted by Auburn University Libraries, Department of Special Collections & University Archives and may not be reproduced without their express written consent. The transcription attribution reads as follows: “Transcriptions made by Terri Stout-Stevens, Pfafftown, NC, in 1997 and 1998. Edited by Marty Olliff, Assistant Archivist, Auburn University, who takes all responsibility for any errors.”
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Unpublished Report of LtCol John W. McGill, 18th North Carolina, Lane’s Brigade, of operations July 28, 18641
Hd Qrs 18th N.C. Regt
July 29th 1864
Capt.
In compliance with circular just received I have the honor to submit for your inspection the following report of the part borne by the 18th N.C. Regiment while under my command in the Engagement of yesterday, I received orders about 7 oclock yesterday morning the 28th to follow the 7th N C Regiment moving left in front. At about 12 oclock M. I received orders to form my command into Line of Battle on the right of the 7th Regiment and shortly afterwards orders to conform to movements of the left which was the directing flank. About this time the order to advance was given and my command advanced until I found that the troops on my right & left were falling back and on the right that the enemy were advancing in such a manner as to cut off my Regiment if I remained longer in the position I then occupied. I then gave the order for the Regiment to fall back. The Enemy were then formed in a Line at nearly right angles to the Line I had previously occupied, and were not more than seventy (70) yards distant and my Regiment had to fall back under a most galling fire, and I fear that several of my men who are now missing were either wounded or killed as several were to start to fall back and have not been seen since. Among this number was the Color Bearer Corp Barefoot of the Color Guard who had the colors. The Color Seargt was wounded early in the Engagement and Corp Barefoot received the colors and bore them at the front until I ordered the Regiment to retreat. The Conduct of both officers and men in my Regiment needs no comments further than that they acted in a manner both credible to themselves as Soldiers and as North Carolinians. Among the casualties was 2nd Lieut F.J. Simpson Comdg Co. H who was killed while gallantly leading his men forward.
[Page 2 ]
A young officer of high promise and unsurpassed gallantry his fall is a serious loss to his Regiment his Company and his friends.
The casualties were as follows
|
Com’d Off. |
Non Com |
P[rivates] |
Total |
|
| Killed |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
| Wounded |
– |
3 |
1 |
4 |
| Missing |
– |
– |
16 |
16 |
| Aggregate |
1 |
3 |
17 |
21 |
[To:] Capt E.J. Hale Jr. A.A. Gen
Very Respectfully Your Obdt Srvt
John W. McGill
Lanes Brigade Lt. Col Comdg 18th N.C.T.
Source:
- McGill, John W. (1864, July 29). (Official Report sent to E. J. Hale, Jr.). James H. Lane Papers (RG 501, Box 2, number 74). Auburn University Libraries Department of Special Collections & University Archives, Auburn, AL. ↩