OR XLII P1 #169: Report of Captain Delos E. Hall, 97th NY, August 18-21, 1864

No. 169. Report of Captain Delos E. Hall, Ninety-seventh New York Infantry, of operations August 18-21.¹

HDQRS. NINETY-SEVENTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
September 6, 1864:

CAPTAIN: In accordance with orders from your headquarters, I have the honor to report the following ad the part taken by this regiment on the 18th, 19th, and 21st of August, 1864:

The regiment was commanded by Colonel Charles Wheelock until 2 o’clock on the 18th, when he assumed command of the brigade, leaving the regiment under my command. At this time the regiment was in line about 80 rods to the right of the railroad in a dense wood. The skirmishers in our front were falling back, passing through our line. the flank companies of this regiment were immediately thrown forward as skirmishers, under command of Lieutenant Frank Faville, who advanced the line as far as practicable. Lieutenant Faville, with his first sergeant, while endeavoring to form a connection with the Third Brigade, which was deployed as skirmishers on his right, was captured. About 4 p. m., having received orders to advance, I moved the regiment forward nearly one-fourth of a mile in line with this and the First Brigade, of this division, when a sharp skirmish fire checked our advance, and we were very near the enemy’s line, and as soon as dark we, according to instructions, threw up a line of breast-works and remained there during the night. During the forenoon of the 19th there was some skirmishing in our front. About 2 p. m. a simultaneous attack on the right and left of the brigade was made, causing the line to our left of give way. Soon after this it was discovered that the enemy had gained our rear from the right. This, with the shell from our own batteries, caused some excitement, but the men stood firm until orders were received from a division staff officer to move to the left. I immediately faced the regiment to the left and moved up the line of works for some distance; then to the left, reaching the open field with but little confusion, though with a considerable loss. We immediately halted, and very soon moved back with the brigade to the works with but little opposition, where we remained until morning, when we were relieved by a portion of the Ninth Army Corps. We moved back to the caring

and took position near the Blick house, throwing up breast-works. Remained there that day and night. On the morning of the 21st the regiment was under a heavy fire form the enemy’s batteries during the engagement of that morning, but met with no casualties. Since that time have been held in reserve and participated in no engagements.

The total loss of the regiment during the engagements of August 18 and 19 was, 1 commissioned officer and 4 enlisted men killed, 3 commissioned officers and 10 enlisted men wounded, 6 commissioned officers and 87 enlisted men missing. Aggregate loss, 111.

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

D. E. HALL,

Captain, Ninety-seventh New York Volunteers.

Captain ISAAC DOOLITTLE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, 2nd Brigadier, 3rd Div., 5th Army Corps.

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