UPR: Report of Major Jackson L. Bost, 37th North Carolina, Lane’s Brigade, of operations September 30-October 1, 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Unpublished Report of Major Jackson L. Bost, 37th North Carolina, Lane’s Brigade, of operations September 30-October 1, 1864¹

Hd Qrs 37th N.C.T.
Oct 6th 1864

Capt. E.T. Nickelson
I & A A. General

As to the engagement of 30th Sept & 1st October I respectfully submit the following report. In a short time after the line of battle was formed in front of the breast works the 33rd Regt on the right and 28th Regt on the left of the 37th Col Wm M. Barbour was wounded & carried off of the field, after which I took command, and was ordered to move the Regt on the right of a ravine which was executed. After getting in position on the right of the ravine I received no further orders, but advanced the regt. and changed direction to the left, and directed my firing obliquely to the left in order to drive the enemy back, who were advancing in the Sugar Cane and around the Jones’ House which lodgments having been cleared, and the left of the Brigade coming up the line joined again just beyond the cane field near a hedge roe, and a line of battle about which a good many prisoners were taken. The direction was then changed to the right along a certain road driving the enemy before us until we reached the crest of a corn field, and another house. My first forward movement was owing to the 33rd advancing, and the enemy upon us. The Regt towards the latter part of the fight about dusk was considerably scattered and mixed up with the Brigade and Gen. McRae’s Brigade and formed after falling back a short distance without being pressed under cover of a hill along a corn field fence.

The regt was under at times both from right and left pretty severe oblique firing besides the front. The Officers & men behaved well. My men were receipted for Twenty four prisoners, and claim Eighty for whom the Officers [in] rear would not receipt. Casualties 30th Sept. Four men killed, Fifteen wounded & one missing. Col. Wm. M. Barbour wounded & died 3rd Oct.

On 1st Oct. the Regt was not engaged but lost one man killed and Two wounded. One officer slightly wounded.

J[ackson]. L. Bost Maj
Comdg [37th NC] Regt

Capt. Nickelson
A.A. & I General

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