OR XLII P1 #151: Report of Bvt. Brigadier General Andrew W. Denison, 8th MD, commanding 2/2/V/AotP, December 7-12, 1864

Numbers 151. Report of Bvt. Brigadier General Andrew W. Denison, Eighth Maryland Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations December 7-12.¹

Report of operations of Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps, during the expedition on the Weldon railroad, Va., from December 7 to December 12, 1864:

In obedience to orders from Major-General Ayres, commanding division, this brigade broke camp early during the morning of the 7th instant, and marched to the Gurley house and took charge of the corps

train which accompanied the expedition, and moved down the Jerusalem plank road to Freeman’s without accident or molestation. Crossed Nottoway on pontoon bridge, parked the train, and bivouacked for the night. The command was relieved from duty as wagon guard on the morning of the 8th, and reported to General Ayres for duty. Marched via Sussex Court House to within a mile of Weldon railroad, and halted for several hours. At 6 p. m. we moved upon the railroad and commenced its destruction, continuing until 12 midnight. The destruction of the road was resumed on the morning of the 9th and continued until night, when [we] reached Three Creeks. After night we crossed the creek and destroyed a considerable length of road, when we returned to the north bank of the creek and bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 10th, pursuant to orders from division headquarters, we commenced our return, marching to within a few miles of Sussex Court-House, a distance of twenty miles. On the 11th we crossed Nottoway River and bivouacked for the night. On the 12th returned to the Gurley house.

The brigade sustained a loss of 3 men killed and 12 men missing. Those killed were found on our return near Sussex Court-House, and were apparently murdered by the citizens. It is believed that those reported missing have met the same fate, as they were known to have crossed the river, but did not return.

Respectfully submitted.

A. W. DENISON,

Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Brigade.

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