OR XLII P1 #313: Report of Lieutenant John R. Myrick, Btty E 3rd US Arty, October 7, 1864

No. 313. Report of Lieutenant John R. Myrick, Battery E, Third U. S. Artillery, of operations October 7.¹

CAMP OF LIGHT COMPANY E, THIRD U. S. ARTILLERY,
Laurel Hill, Va., October 8, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report for the information of the lieutenant-colonel commanding, the part which my battery took in the action of yesterday, 7th instant.

I commenced firing with the two right sections of my battery at about 9 a.m., directing my fire at the enemy’s artillery, and a little later the left section, Lieutenant Smith commanding, opened on the same point. The firing continued without any serious disaster to my pieces until just before the charge, when the limber of my second piece sent to the rear and distributed the cannoneers among the other pieces. I continued firing until the enemy’s guns ceased.

The behavior of my recruits was all that could be expected, while my old men as usual behaved splendidly. The conduct of First Sergt. G. F. Sessions, Corpl. F. Ringol, and Private Clark G. Shaw was especially worthy of notice, while Bugler Daniel Urmey, who had charge of the caissons, acquitted himself nobly in the prompt and very efficient manner in which he brought up ammunition.

I cannot close my report without bringing to notice the praiseworthy and gallant conduct of Privates Charles W. Ware and Augustus Ingleman, both of Company E, Thirty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, who came out of the trenches, during the heaviest firing, and assisted in unloading a caisson of ammunition and rendered other services which at the time were of no small importance.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. R. MYRICK,
First Lieutenant, Third U. S. Artillery, Commanding Light Company E.

Lieutenant O. S. DEWEY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Light Artillery Brigade.

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