OR XLII P1 #264: Report of Capt. Lewis C. Hunt, 67th OH, October 27-28, 1864

No. 264. Report of Capt. Lewis C. Hunt, Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, of operations October 27-28.¹

Hdqrs. Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
Before Richmond, Va., October 28,1864.

Sir: I have the honor respectfully to make the following report of the Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the recent operations before Richmond, Va., on the 27th and 28th of October, 1864:

October 27, at 4 a. m., the regiment was in line and took up the line of march shortly after crossing the Darbytown road at Doctor Richards’ farm and moved on a by-road toward the Charles City road, when orders were received to about face and march back to a deserted house and form line of battle. A short halt was made at this house when orders were again received to push forward through a dense woods toward the enemy’s works. By this time I received orders to detach four companies (C, F, E, and D) of my regiment and deploy them as skirmishers in front of the brigade. These companies were deployed by the right Hank, with orders to connect with skirmishers of the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteers, but on finding that their line already covered our front, I then withdrew them to their proper [position] in line, when the column was again pushed forward to a slashing in front of the enemy’s works. Here a slight halt was made, under cover of the woods, when I again received orders to send out skirmishers and push forward to the enemy’s works and make a demonstration and ascertain the position and numbers of the enemy. My skirmishers pushed forward rapidly and took the enemy’s first line of rifle-pits and captured five prisoners. At this time the enemy opened six pieces of artillery, which, however, did but little damage. Nothing but desultory tiring between the enemy’s sharpshooters and our skirmishers took place during the remainder of the day. About dark I was ordered to move my regiment back in the woods and remained there during the night. On the 28th, a. m., my regiment was again sent out on the skirmish line, [with] orders to relieve the Thirty-ninth Illinois and Sixty-second Ohio Volunteers, who were out as pickets or skirmishers, where we remained until ordered to tall back, arriving in camp at 4.p. m.

Casualties of first day were, killed, 1, and 13 wounded; second day (28th), 1 killed and 8 wounded; 2 missing. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

LEWIS C. HUNT,
Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Captain Nevin,
Assistant Adjutant- General.

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