OR XLII P1 #261: Report of Capt. Henry R. West, 62nd OH, August 16-21, 1864

No. 261. Report of Capt. Henry R. West, Sixty-second Ohio Infantry, of operations August 16-21.¹

Headquarters Sixty-second Ohio Volunteers,
Near Petersburg, Va., September 2, 1804.

Sir: I have the honor to report the following as the action of the regiment on the north side of the James River whilst under my command:

The 16th ultimo, whilst holding the rifle-pits at Deep Run, Major Kahler was prostrated with the heat and relinquished the command to

me. At 4 p. m., in accordance with orders, we fell back from the captured works through the woods, where I reformed the regiment. At 5 p. m. we advanced and formed line of battle on the right of the Second Brigade, Colonel Hawley. I was ordered with the regiment on picket. Was relieved the evening of the 17th, and ordered to take position in the rear of the rifle-pits, which were occupied by the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers and Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteers. The evening of the 18th the enemy advanced upon our works in two columns, driving in our pickets. I was ordered to move the regiment into the pits, when we opened on them, causing them to retire behind their works. At 11 o’clock was ordered to fall back with the regiment; moved out and marched three miles, and was ordered by Colonel Howell, who had relieved Colonel Pond, to occupy a line of rifle-pits, the right of which rested on the Charles City road and connected with the left of the Second Brigade. Remained in this position until the 20th, at 1 o’clock, when the brigade moved to the front half a mile and formed line of battle across the Charles City road, where we remained till 8 o’clock, when orders were received to fall back to Deep Bottom and recross to the south side. Crossed over on the pontoons at 12 m., and occupied our old camp in front of Bermuda the morning of the 21st ultimo, where I relinquished command of the regiment to Colonel Pond. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY R. WEST,
Captain, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteers.

Capt. R, O. Phillips,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 10th Army Corps.

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