OR XLII P1 #154: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. La Motte, 4th DE, August 18-21, 1864

Numbers 154. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. La Motte, Fourth Delaware Infantry, of operations August 18-21.¹

HDQRS. FOURTH REGIMENT DELAWARE VOLUNTEERS,
In the Field, August 28, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that the Fourth Delaware Volunteers moved from camp in front of Petersburg on the morning of the 18th instant, arrived at the Weldon railroad, and engaged the enemy in the afternoon. Toward evening the regiment was moved to the left to re-enforce General Ayres. Here I engaged the enemy with musketry and repulsed him. Loss during the day, 1 man killed, 1 wounded. On the morning of the 19th I was ordered to relieve the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers and One hundred and fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers on the skirmish line. During the morning the line was advanced, and in the afternoon was attacked by the enemy, he advancing in line of battle. I was compelled to retire slowly, making a stand behind three parallel lines of rifle-pits which had been thrown up during the advance. Being unable to check the advance of the enemy, I retired to the main line of breast-works, where the enemy was finally

repulsed. Loss during the day, 5 men wounded, 7 missing. I remained in this position during the next day, nothing of importance transpiring and no casualties occurring. After dark the regiment was moved to the left and threw up a line of breast-works during the night. On the morning of the 21st the enemy advanced to charge the works, but were repulsed, with severe loss. Two stand of colors fell in front of Fourth Delaware Volunteers, and were picked up by the Third Delaware and the Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers. Loss during the day, 1 killed, 4 wounded. The good conduct of officers and men engaged was so general that it is impossible to make distinctions.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. E. LA MOTTE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fourth Delaware Volunteers.

Captain F. H. COWDREY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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