No. 363. Reports of Brigadier General Archibald Gracie, jr., C. S. Army, commanding Johnson’s division, of operations August 17 – September 7 and November 12.1
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
August 17, 1864.
COLONEL: I have nothing of interest to report this morning; picket and mortar fire as usual. The boring has been somewhat impeded by the late rain, which filled up the holes and prevented further progress. Colonel Goode, commanding Wise’s brigade, reports that the enemy were seen bringing dirt from under the hill near Elliott’s left. Colonel Wallace, commanding Elliott’s brigade, has been apprised of the matter, and directed to use all precautions to prevent the enemy from running a mine.
The following is a list of casualties: Wise’s brigade, wounded, 2. Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 3. Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 3. Ransom’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 2. Total, 1 killed, 10 wounded.
I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 18, 1864.
COLONEL: There is nothing to report this morning. The enemy replied quite briskly, with mortars and field pieces, to our artillery fire this morning. No change reported in strength or position of the enemy this morning.
The following is a list of casualties: Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 4. Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 7. Wise’s brigade, wounded, 2. Total, 1 killed, 13 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 20, 1864.
COLONEL: The picket-fire has not been so brisk during the past twenty-four hours as heretofore, owing, probably, to the rain. Major Caske thinks the enemy only replied with six pieces of artillery and four mortars in front of the line of this division this morning.
The following is a list of casualties: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 1; Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1; Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 2; tota, 4.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 21, 1864.
COLONEL: Brigade commanders report that the enemy’s picket-fire has not been so brisk during the past twenty-four hours. The fire from artillery and mortars was about the same last night as the night before. The heavy rain has not materially injured the works.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, killed, 1; Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 7; total, 1 killed, 7 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 22, 1864.
COLONEL: The mortar and picket fire was about as usual yesterday. The men were kept on the alert ready for any emergency. Rumbling of artillery or wagons was heard last night; the enemy were also observed strengthening their works.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade killed, 1; wounded, 5. Wise’s brigade, killed, 2; wounded, 2. Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1. Total, 3 killed, 8 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 23, 1864.
COLONEL: I have nothing of interest to report this morning. The enemy have been unusually quiet during the past twenty-four hours. Ransom’s brigade relieved Colquitt’s yesterday. The troops of this division, which have been on General Hoke’s line, were relieved about 8 o’clock last night and are now on the reserve line.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise’s brigade, wounded, 1; Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 1; Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1; total, 3 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 24, 1864.
COLONEL: The sharpshooting was very weak on the part of the enemy yesterday, but became brisk during the night. The enemy have pu a 20-pounders Parrott in position at Taylor’s house, from which they fired yesterday. Colonel Goode, commanding Wise’s brigade, sent out a scout last night, who could not gain any information in regard to the enemy, but brought in eleven rifles from near the enemy’s line.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1; Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1; Wise’s brigade, killed, 1; total, 2 killed, 1 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Near Petersburg, Va., August 25, 1864.
COLONEL: The situation is about as it was yesterday. Troops and wagons have been seen moving to the right. The picket-fire was quite brisk last night, altought the enemy seem inclined to desist from sharpshooting, but we will not permit them to do so.
The following casualties have occurred during the past twenty-four hours: Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 1. Ransom’s brigade, killed, 2; wounded, 3. Total, 3 killed, 4 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, VA., August 26, 1864.
COLONEL: Last night, about 3 o’clock, information was received that the enemy were massing in front of the left of Gracie’s brigade, preparatory to an attack this morning. The troops were immediately placed upon the alert, the reserves notified, and everything was in readiness to give the enemy a warm reception, but contrary to our expectation no attack was made. Artillery and mortar fire was quite brisk last night; the musketry fire was about as usual.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 3; Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 3; Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1; total, 7 wounded.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 27, 1864.
COLONEL: The sharpshooting has been about as usual during the past twenty-four hours. Nothing new has been observed in regard to the position or movements of the enemy.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 1. Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1. Total, 2 killed, 1 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, August 28, 1864.
COLONEL: The mortar fire was quite heavy yesterday evening and early part of last night. A good many shells were thrown in the ravines in the rear of our works. The enemy were endeavoring to annoy our reserve probably. The sharpshooting was about as usual. Nothing worthy of report was observed yesterday.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 2. Elliott’s brigade, killed, 2; wounded, 3. Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 3. Total, 2 killed, 8 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, August 29, 1864.
COLONEL: Everything has been remarkably quiet during the past twenty-four hours; the picket and mortar fire have been about as usual.
No casualties have occurred during the past twenty-four hours.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 30, 1864.
COLONEL: During the day yesterday everything remained quiet; the sharpshooting was about as usual. About dark, however, the enemy opened with artillery and mortars along our entire front. From all that I can learn our artillery replied rather feebly to the enemy.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 2; Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 2; total, 4 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., August 31, 1864.
COLONEL: I have only the usual picket-fire to report during the past twenty-four hours. The mortar and artillery fire was not so brisk last night as the evening before. The commanding officer of Gracie’s brigade reports that artillery was heard moving from the enemy’s right to their left last night.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 2 (1 mortally); Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 2; Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 2; Wise’s brigade, wounded, 2; total, 8 wounded.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., September 1, 1864.
COLONEL: The sharpshooting and mortar fire has been rather weak during the past twenty-four hours. Colonel Rutledge, commanding Ransom’s brigade, thinks the enemy have placed additional pieces in the battery near Taylor’s house. The movement of wagons and artillery was heard in the rear of the enemy’s line from Gracie’s front last night.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise’s brigade, killed, 2; Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1; Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 1; total, 2 killed, 2 wounded.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., September 2, 1864.
COLONEL: Nothing of importance has transpired during the past twenty-four hours. The enemy shelled very furiously yesterday morning, but without doing much injury. Couriers were seen passing to and for yesterday, but it is supposed that it was occasioned by the enemy’s mustering. Colonel Rutledge, commanding Ransom’s brigade, thinks that two guns were opened upon his line yesterday that have not been opened before.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise’s brigade, wounded, 6 (1 mortally); Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 2; total, 8 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Near Petersburg, Va., September 3, 1864.
COLONEL: Nothing worthy of reporting has transpired during the past twenty-four hours. The enemy were strengthening the battery near Taylor’s house yesterday. Loud cheering was heard last night; it is attributed to the nomination of McClellan.
I have no casualties to report this morning.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., September 4, 1864.
COLONEL: The enemy have been very quiet during the past twenty-four hours, with the exception of the early part of last night, when they threw a good many mortar shells. No change has been observed
on the part of the enemy. Two deserters came in last night under General Orders, Numbers 65; they say the enemy is busy erecting new batteries, and think that they rely principally upon artillery to hold their line. The enemy expected an attack from us night before last. No other information worthy of reporting was obtained from them.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 3; Wise’s brigade, wounded, 2; total, 5 wounded.
Respectfully, &c.,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., September 5, 1864.
COLONEL: The position and force of the enemy are about the same as last report so far as can be observed. Last night about 11.30 o’clock the enemy shelled very briskly, and loud cheers were heard at intervals.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 3; Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1; total, 4 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. BRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., September 6, 1864.
COLONEL: Yesterday was very quiet until night approached, when the enemy commenced their usual shelling,throwing a few missiles into the city. They fired into the city from a new battery, which throws shells directly over these headquarters. The enemy’s pickets are very anxious to cease firing, but we will not permit out pickets to discontinue their fire.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 6. Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 2. Elliott’s brigade, killed, 2; wounded 2. Total, 2 killed, 10 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., September 7, 1864.
COLONEL: I have nothing of interest to report this morning. The day was more quiet than usual, and very few artillery shots were heard during the night. Colonel Goode, commanding Wise’s brigade, thinks that negro troops are confronting him. They showed themselves very rarely yesterday.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 1. Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 1. Total, 1 killed, 2 wounded.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Colonel G. W. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON’S DIVISION,
November 12, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: Nothing unusual to report this morning.
The following casualties have occurred during the past twenty-four hours: Elliott’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 4. Wise’s brigade, wounded, 2. Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 2.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Lieutenant W. MCWILLIE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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 925-932 ↩