OR XLII P1 #102: Report of Captain Thomas C. Godfrey, 5th NJ, August 13-20, 1864

Numbers 102. Report of Captain Thomas C. Godfrey, Fifty New Jersey Infantry, of operations August 13-21.¹

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS,
Camp near Petersburg, Va., August 24, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor, in compliance with circular dated headquarters Third Division, to forward the following report of the part taken by the Fifty New Jersey Volunteers from the 13th to the 21st instant: On the afternoon of August 13 embarked on steamer at City Point, Va., and sailed down to Light-House Point, and there remained until 10

in the evening, when again steamed up the river to Deep Bottom and disembarked about 6 o’clock on the morning of 14th. At 11 a. m. marched across Strawberry Plaints and remained until 5 p. m. Marched to the front and joined the left of the Second Division. About 8 a. m. [15th] were sent on picket, relieving the Fifth New Hampshire. On the morning of the 15th [16th] were relieved from picket at 9 a. m. Under a severe fire of the enemy were relieved by the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers, and joined the brigade about 11 a. m., lying between the First and Second Divisions, and there remained the balance of the 15th [16th], during the 16th [17th], and on the evening of the 17th [18th] took up line of march for James River. About 10.30 p. m. recrossed that river and marched until 7 a. m. on the morning of the 18th [19th], and remained until 2 p. m., when we took position in the first line of works in front of Petersburg, relieving the Twenty-second U. S. Colored Infantry. Remained in this position until the afternoon of the 21 st [20th], when we were relieved by a part of the Eighteenth Corps, and marched to the left, near Jones’ house, where we threw up line of breast-works. During this time only one man was wounded.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. C. GODFREY,

Captain, Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, Commanding Regiment.

Captain J. P. FINKELMEIER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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