OR XLII P1 #152: Report of Captain James A. Haughey, 3rd DE, August 18-28, 1864

Numbers 152. Report of Captain James A. Haughey, Third Delaware Infantry, of operations August 18-28.¹

HEADQUARTERS THIRD DELAWARE VOLUNTEERS,
August 28, 1864.

CAPTAIN: Pursuant to instruction, I have the honor to submit the following report of movements of Third Delaware since August 17, 1864:

We left position near Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad at 5 a. m. August 18, striking Petersburg branch of Weldon and Wilmington Railroad at noon same day. Our division (the Fourth) was, shortly after arrival, moved forward on east side of railroad, some quarter of a mile past the Yellow House, in two columns facing Petersburg. After a few minutes’ halt, the enemy shelling smartly, our brigade marched quickly across the railroad by the flank and then forward to the support of Second Division, whose line we relieved at edge of open field, rebels occupying woods in front. Fire was opened, and shortly after skirmishers thrown out. Breast-works were erected during night and this position held during 19th and 20th, the brigade falling back some half mile once under orders, but retaking position immediately after. Night of 20th moved back till opposite Yellow House, same side of and line parallel to railroad. Earth-works were thrown up during night, and about 5 a. m. next morning enemy opened with artillery. Shortly after the regiments on our right commenced firing and we observed a brigade of rebels debouching by the flank some thirty yards from the line of our regiment. We occupied the left, our line refused, forming an

angle of 45 degrees, with rest of brigade. As the enemy’s right passed our left we opened fire, fairly mowing them down. Two colors were captured by the regiment, and the whole brigade of rebels, with the exception of perhaps 75 men, were killed or taken prisoners. Adjt. Manuel Eyre, jr., took one set of colors in front of the line of works shortly before the surrender of the broken rebels; the other was captured after by First Sergt. John Shilling, Company H. We occupy the same line at present, and the enemy did not again appear. An abatis covers our front, and trees and brush have been cut in woods beyond us, forming a mass of chevaux-de-frise impassable to troops.

Our losses are: August 18-wounded, 2 men; August 19-wounded, 6 men; missing, 1 man; August 20-wounded, 1 officer, 3 men; August 21-killed, 1 man; wounded, 3 men; missing, 7 men. These losses, with four exceptions, occurred on the picket-line.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. A. HAUGHEY,

Captain, Commanding the Regiment.

Captain F. H. COWDREY,

Asst. Adjt. General, Third Brigade, Second Division.

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