OR XLII P1 #218: Report of Colonel Charles V. DeLand, 1st MI SS, August 19-22, 1864

Numbers 218. Report of Colonel Charles V. DeLand, First Michigan Sharpshooters, of operations August 19 – 22.¹

HDQRS. FIRST REGIMENT MICHIGAN SHARPSHOOTERS.

August 25, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In obedience to instructions I have the honor to report upon the actions of the 19th:

I received the order to move out of the works in front of the Crater at 7 o’clock on the 18th, but the regiment was not relieved until after 2 a. m. on the 19th, when we passed out under a severe fire from the enemy’s batteries and sharpshooters and immediately took the woods to the left. Arrived near the Weldon railroad at 9 a. m. and rested till about 3 p. m., when line of battle was formed, the enemy attacking. After considerable marching and counter-marching we were ordered to charge the line of earth-works held by the enemy immediately on the

left of the Weldon railroad. The men were pushed rapidly toward the works by a left oblique movement and carried the works, without firing a gun, capturing 12 prisoners and a large number of guns and equipments. Our loss was only one man mortally wounded. On the 20th the regiment held front picket-line till noon, when it was returned to the second line, and on the morning of the 21st was still farther returned to the supporting line of the corps. Soon after the commencement of the action of the 21st I was ordered to report to General White, commanding First Division, and was established on the picket connecting the First and Second Divisions of the Ninth Army Corps, being relieved on the morning of the 22nd. No fighting took place on our lines during any of the last-mentioned days.

Casualties: Private Stephen Chatfield, Company K, mortally wounded August 19, died August 20.

CHAS. V. DE LAND,

Colonel First Michigan Sharpshooters.

[Captain THOMAS MATHEWS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.]

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