No. 339. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Kleintz, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, of operations August 10-14 and October 7.1
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY,
In the Field, August 14, 1864.
Pursuant to instructions from your headquarters, I left camp with my command and proceeded to Fort Powhatan, arriving there on the evening of the 10th instant, and reported to the commanding officer, and procuring from him a guide, left for Cabin Point on the morning of the 11th with telegraph repaired. Arriving at Cabin Point, I sent a squadron to communicate with the gun-boats at Low Point and Claremont, if possible, who returned unsuccessful. I have sent a
squadron with the telegraph repairer to Swan Point, and found the telegraph wire cut on this road about five miles from Cabin Point. While the squadron was operating on this road I sent a squadron toward the Blackwater, who discovered, about three miles from Cabin Point, four of the enemy’s scouts; pursued them for two miles through the woods and by-roads, without effecting their capture. Another detachment was sent out on the Surry road for several miles without discovering any appearance of the enemy. The wires being repaired my command returned to Fort Powhatan on the 12th. On arriving there, the commanding officer informed us that the wire had been cut since our return. A telegram was sent to the commanding general of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, stating that the command was without rations and forage, which was replied to by Colonel Shaffer, chief of staff, directing us to return and repair the wire, and, if possible, capture the scouts and bring in all men found in that vicinity able to walk. I returned to Cabin Point on the same day; sent 120 men under Captain Faith from Brandon Church, about four miles from the fort, in the direction of the Blackwater, scouting all the roads within ten miles of Cabin Point in a southwesterly direction. I repaired the wire at Cabin Point, and, with the rest of my command, I again scouted all the roads from Cabin Point toward Surry Court-House, Blackwater, and Swan Point. Engaged in scouting the country until near midnight, when the command concentrated at Adams’ Mills, near Brandon Church, where we bivouacked for the night. On the morning of the 13th I sent Captain Faith’s squadron to Fort Powhatan, at the same time sending Captain Reinmuller with his squadron to Cabin Point. Taking sixty men I proceeded on the Blackwater road for the purpose of entering the village of Cabin Point at the lower end, in order to act in conjunction with Captain Reinmuller entering the upper end of the village, and to capture, if possible, any of the enemy’s scouts which might be in the vicinity. Not finding any of the enemy’s scouts, and, in accordance with orders from Colonel Shaffer, brought in all white men able to walk found on the route, and delivered them to the commanding officer of Fort Powhatan, Colonel C. B. Phillips. Bivouacked for the night. Having carried out the instructions I received, I returned with my command to camp, arriving there at 11.30 a.m. this day.
With high respect, your very obedient servant,
CHRIS. KLEINZ,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Captain M. J. ASCH,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY,
In the Field, Va., October 10, 1864.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report the following operations of my regiment in the engagement of the 7th instant:
Firing was heard on the picket-line at about 7 a.m., which indicated an attack. I at once ordered all my men (with the exception of the proper detail to lead the horses) to the breast-works. About fifteen minutes after the picket-firing commenced the enemy (one regiment of infantry) appeared on my front, and attacked my line with great fury,
but were promptly repulsed. Shortly after this another regiment attacked the picket reserve of the Third York Cavalry, some distance from my extreme right, and drove them back. By this movement the enemy got on my right flank and rear, and I was obliged to charge front. The regiment, which was at first repulsed, now joined the one which had flanked me. Both regiments I held in check until the Third New York Cavalry, on my right, was again flanked and driven back, and finding myself nearly surrounded, I ordered my men to fall back. When near the woods I ordered a halt, in order to confront the enemy once more and to enable the men with the led horses to get off, but here again I found the enemy’s cavalry on my left flank and in full charge. I found it hopeless to form the regiment under those circumstances, and directed my men to take to the right. Here it was that the regiment lost heavily in horses and men, the road being completely blockaded with the former. Inclosed please find the list of casualties.
I have the honor, colonel, to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHRIS. KLEINZ,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Colonel R. M. WEST,
Commanding First Brigade.
Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 831-833 ↩
Christopher Kleinz was my Great Great Grandfather. Chris Kleinz had 7 children. John F Kleinz was my Great Grandfather born 1846 1 st child.I was like to know if you have any pictures you could send me.
Thank You,
Bill Kleinz
Bill,
Thanks for the comment. I do not have any more on Christopher Kleinz than what is listed here, but I would suggest subscribing to Fold3.com or Ancestry.com. Both places usually have free trials you can do and should allow you to find out a lot about your ancestor including when and where he enlisted, his progression through the ranks, any wounds he received, and other interesting items.
Brett