UPR: Report of Captain Edward F. Lovill, 28th North Carolina, Lane’s Brigade, of operations August 18, 1864

Editor’s Note: Brett Schulte recently noticed this report transcribed online among the James H. Lane Papers at the Auburn University Archives web site.  Permission was asked for and granted by Auburn University Libraries, Department of Special Collections & University Archives to reproduce these transcriptions here at The Siege of Petersburg Online.  These transcriptions are copyrighted by Auburn University Libraries, Department of Special Collections & University Archives and may not be reproduced without their express written consent.  The transcription attribution reads as follows: “Transcriptions made by Terri Stout-Stevens, Pfafftown, NC, in 1997 and 1998.  Edited by Marty Olliff, Assistant Archivist, Auburn University, who takes all responsibility for any errors.”

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Unpublished Report of Captain Edward F. Lovill, 28th North Carolina, Lane’s Brigade, of operations August 18, 1864¹

Head Qr’s 28th N.C.T.
Sep’t 20th 1864

Capt E. J. Hale, Jr.
A. A. Genl.

I have the honor most respectfully to make the following brief report of the part taken by by [sic] this Regt in the demonstration upon the enemy on the evening of the 18th August 1864 on the north Side of the James river near Fussell’s Mill.  My position in the Brig was with my left upon the 37th N.C.T. and my right upon the 33rd N.C.T.  Early in the afternoon I issued orders to be ready to move and to be governed by movements on the left [?] instructions that the line was to wheel to the right.  When the order [?] to move I brought the Reg’t to attention, but being unable to see any distance owing to the dense woods, I was misled by the firing of the skirmishers and thought perhaps the line was engaging the enemy, and I then ordered the Reg’t [?] forward, driving in the enemy’s skirmishers and capturing his rifle pits. But upon observation I found that that the Regt on my left had not come up, and that I was subject to a flank consiquently I ordered the Regt to fall back to its original position in the line.

My casualties in this demonstration  were 3 enlisted me wounded.

All of which is
Respectfully submitted
E[dward]. F. Lovill Capt
Comdg Regiment

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