OR XLII P1 #42: Report of Captain James F. Weaver, 148th PA, August 22-27, 1864

Numbers 42. Report of Captain James F. Weaver, One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations August 22-27.¹

HEADQUARTERS 148TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
August 29, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In accordance with existing orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers from the 22nd instant to the 27th instant, inclusive:

On the 22nd the regiment moved with the brigade to and occupied the Weldon railroad, on the left of the Fifth Corps. During the afternoon of that day my command was engaged with its brigade in tearing up and destroying the road. This destruction of the road was continued on the 23rd. At sundown of that day the regiment deployed as skirmishers in front of the brigade, immediately on the north side of Reams’ Station, supporting and advanced line of infantry skirmishers and the cavalry skirmish line, during the spirited engagement of pickets on the evening of the 23rd. On the 24th the regiment, less a large picket detail which left it on the evening of the 23rd, made a reconnaissance along the railroad in the direction of Stony Creek, a distance of some three miles, and returned to the brigade at Reams’ Station the same night. Throughout the forenoon of the 25th my command lay

quietly in the entrenchments just south of the station. At 12 m. I moved rapidly off the left and took post in line on the right of our brigade, the brigade being the extreme left of our line. Before we got fairly into position the whole command was ordered to march at double-quick to the station on the right of the line. My regiment was then put under the immediate orders of General Miles, commanding the division. Captain Sutton with his company (E) was reported to Lieutenant Black, division staff, for duty as sharpshooters. He was sent to the front and occupied a house near the picket-line. When the line was driven back he was compelled to retire as possible to save his command. The regiment was then ordered to cross the railroad and support the Third Brigade. In a few minutes I was ordered to deploy the regiment as skirmishers and advance it to drive back the rebel pickets and sharpshooters in front of the Fourth Brigade. This was done, and the regiment advanced a considerable distance under the enemy’s severe fire. The enemy’s pickets were driven back until the regiment came upon their line of battle and was compelled to retire behind our works. A few moments afterward the enemy charged our line. The regiment was engaged in their repulse. A half hour later the regiment was ordered to the right of the Third Brigade, where they were engaged during the terrible hand-to-hand fight which ensued. The enemy advanced, notwithstanding the galling fire they received, up to the works, and mounting the entrenchments were met by the command. The men in many instances knocked their assailants down with the butts of their guns, and only retired when the right and left flanks were completely overpowered and the enemy not only had possession of the works but occupied the railroad. The command fell back beyond the church at this point and reformed. During the day the regiment lost 1 commissioned officer and 4 enlisted men killed, 19 enlisted men wounded, and 42 enlisted men missing. During the night fell back to the Williams house; remained there during the day, and on the 27th moved to the right and went into camp, where the regiment is at the present time.

I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. F. WEAVER,

Captain, 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Commanding Regiment.

Captain A. R. CHACE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, 4th Brigadier, 1st Div., 2nd Army Corps.

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