OR XLVI P1 #42: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Lewis W. Husk, 111th NY, Mar 29-Apr 9, 1865

No. 42. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Lewis W. Husk, One hundred and eleventh New York Infantry.¹

HDQRS. 111TH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
April 14, 1865.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this command in the campaign commencing March 29, 1865:

At 6 a. m. of March 29 the regiment broke camp, and with the brigade moved in the direction of Hatcher’s Run, which was crossed before noon, and from thence moved some three miles to the west, where we halted and constructed temporary breast-works. During the afternoon the regiment advanced with the brigade in line of battle toward the enemy, meeting no opposition, and halting for the night in a thick wood. In the morning (March 30) advance in line of battle was continued. Two line of breast-works were built and abandoned for a farther advance, as our skirmishers compelled the enemy to retire. In the afternoon we reached an old line of works within easy range of the enemy’s batteries. Here a considerable action took place, in which a portion of the regiment, under Lieutenant J. P. Fishback, was engaged, with a loss of two men wounded. On the morning of the 31st we moved about a mile to the left, occupying works built by the Fifth Corps, and just before noon the division advanced in line of battle to check the enemy, who were pressing back the Second and Third Divisions of the Fifth Corps. The enemy were strongly posted on the crest of a hill, behind hastily constructed works, and to dislodge them the whole line was ordered to charge. This regiment advanced with the greatest enthusiasm, gallantly carrying the enemy’s works, completely routing them and capturing 1 stand of colors and over 100 prisoners. A detail from the regiment, under Lieutenant E. W. Hoff, were engaged as skirmishers during most of the day, and performed their duty admirably, driving the enemy to the shelter of their fortifications and capturing some

prisoners. A new line of works was erected about a mile in advance of those occupied in the morning. The loss of the regiment during the day was 3 men killed, 23 wounded, and 1 missing.

On the evening of April 1 the regiment was ordered to reconnoiter the enemy’s works in our front and, if practicable, carry them by assault; but after a careful reconnaissance the regiment was withdrawn and, with the division, joined General Sheridan. On the 2nd of April the regiment had the advance of the division, and was the first to enter the works which the enemy was abandoning. Following to the vicinity of the South Side Railroad the regiment participated in the three assaults upon the enemy which resulted in the capture of the railroad. Our loss in this affair was 1 commissioned officer and 4 enlisted men killed, 1 commissioned officer and 40 enlisted me wounded, and 2 commissioned officers and 16 enlisted men missing. In the operations subsequent to the 2nd, which resulted in the destruction of the Army of Northern Virginia, this regiment performed its full share of duty, meeting with a further loss of five men wounded.

The conduct of the regiment during the campaign, both on the march and in action, is worthy of high praise. Many of the men had but recently entered the service, but they generally behaved with the steadiness of veterans, and the regiment has, I believe, fully sustained its former reputation.

Very respectfully,

LEWIS W. HUSK,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Captain H. DODT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

Source: