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OR XLVI P1 #108: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Baldwin Hufty, 4th NJ, April 1-9, 1865

No. 108. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Baldwin Hufty, Fourth New Jersey Infantry.1

HDQRS. FOURTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
April 16, 1865.

MAJOR: In compliance with circular, First Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps, April 15, 1865, I have the honor to report the operations, of my command since April 1, 1865.

On the night of April 1 we broken camp and marched to the left and front of Fort Fisher, where the brigade was massed in column of regiments-the Fortieth New Jersey Regiment occupying the first line, the Fourth New Jersey Volunteers the second line, the Tenth New Jersey Volunteers the third line; and the Fifteenth New Jersey Volunteers the fourth line; the Second Brigade on our left, and the Third on our right in echelon. We remained in this position some time before receiving the signal to advance and charge the rebel line of works in our front. At about 4.15 o’clock on the morning of the 2nd we received the order to advance. Owing to the darkness, &c., much confusion occurred, and the line became broken and mixed with the Fortieth Regiment, which was still further increased by the Tenth

and Fifteenth Regiments. We soon reached the rebel picket-line, where a number of prisoners were captured. Here a portion of the regiment was halted and reformed; another portion, under my command, proceeded on through the abatis in front of the rebel works and struck the breast-works, meeting with very little opposition. I think I can safely claim my colors as being the first in the brigade to enter the works. In connection with a portion of the Third Brigade we cleared over a mile and a half of the works, capturing three batteries or redoubts-one of three pieces and two of two pieces each; the enemy being re-enforced obliged us to give up the two latter. The remainder of the regiment, which had been reformed, entered the breast-works, and with the remainder of the brigade struck to the left. After proceeding some distance and meeting with little or no opposition the line of march was turned toward Petersburg. In the afternoon the Fourth Regiment was formed in the first line, on the left of the Fifteenth, a portion of the First Battalion acting as skirmishers. We advanced against the city with very little opposition, and camped for the night within sight of Petersburg, which place was evacuated during the night.

Much credit is due the First Battalion for their good behavior throughout; also to Lieutenant William S. Ackley and Color-Sergt. Samuel D. Appleby, of the Fourth Regiment, for their bravery, both being killed inside the rebel works.

The loss in the Fourth Regiment (total), 3 killed, 18 wounded, and 1 missing; in the First Battalion, 2 killed, 9 wounded, and 1 missing.

On the morning of the 3rd we marched on the River road to intercept Lee’s army. On the 6th the Fourth and First Regiments were detailed as guard to wagon train, and reached the brigade in the evening. On the 7th rejoined the division and marched to Farmville. On the 8th marched to New Store. On the 9th General Lee surrendered his whole army. On the 11th, 12th, and 13th marched toward Burkeville, which place we reached on the evening of the 13th.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. HUFTY,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Fourth New Jersey Veteran Volunteers.

Bvt. Major C. R. PAUL,
Act. Asst. Adjt. General, First Brig., First Div., Sixth Corps.

ADDENDA.
HDQRS. FOURTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
April 18, 1865.

Bvt. Major C. R. PAUL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: In compliance with circular from headquarters First Brigade of this date, I have the honor to forward the following report of officers and men who particularly distinguished themselves by their bravery and good conduct in the battle of the 2nd instant: Captain J. R. Wells, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Lieutenant W. S. Ackley, Company K, by bravery in leading charge on breastworks and battery. Lieutenant William Brant, Company B, First new Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Lieutenant E. R. Howard, Company I, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Color-Sergt. Samuel. D. Appleby, Company I, by his bravery in carrying the colors and first to cross the enemy’s works. Sergt. George C. D. Pow-

ell, Company I, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Corpl. Charles Moran, Company I, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Sergt. Enoch Cordery, Company K, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Corpl. Charles Dolbow, Company K, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Sergt. John A. McKenny, Company D, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Sergt. Isaac Howell, Company D, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Sergt. James Connor, Company D, by bravery and efforts to rally his men. Color-Sergt. Jasper Archer, Company D, by bravery in carrying the colors and boldly charging. Corpl. George W. Archer, Company D, by bravery in rallying his men. Corpl. Michael Boyle, Company D, by bravery in rallying his men. Corpl. William Alger, Company D, by bravery in rallying his men. Private William Dougherty, Company D, by bravery in rallying his men. Private C. J. Wilson, Company D, by bravery in rallying his men. Private William Bennett, Company D, by bravery in rallying his men. Private John McCabe, Company D, by bravery in trying to rally his comrades. Private Alexander G. Rainier, company D, by bravery in trying to rally his comrades. Corpl. W. H. Crowley, Company A, by bravery in trying to rally his comrades. Sergt. William E. Cavalier, Company G, by bravery in trying to rally his comrades. Color-Sergeant Jones, Company G, by bravery in carrying the colors until disabled and obliged to leave. Corpl. William A. Burnett, Company G, by bravery in continuing fighting after being wounded. Serg. Samuel B. Fisher, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. John S. Nichols, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. John S. Nichols, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. James H. Nugent, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. Walter W. Woodward, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. Alfred Webb, by gallantry in rallying his men. Sergt. William G. Fletcher, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Sergt. Charles H. Morton, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. James Campfield, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. James Campfield, Company C, by gallantry his men. Corpl. James Edgeworth, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. James Campfield, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. Jacob Van Marter, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Private Lewis Southard, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Private Anthony A. Reed, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Private John Smith, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Private Jacob L. Bozier, Company C, by gallantry

in rallying his men. Private Jacob Mundin, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Private Thomas Rainear, Company C, by gallantry in rallying his men. Corpl. William O’Brien, Company K, by gallantry in rallying his men. Sergt. Thomas McElhany, Company B, First Battalion, by bravery in leading his comrades and cheering them forward. Corpl. William Little, Company A, First Battalion by bravery in leading his comrades and cheering them forward. Corpl. Cornelius S. Abrahams, Company A, First Battalion, by bravery in leading his comrades and cheering the forward. Private William C. Smith, Company A, First Battalion, by bravery in leading his comrades and cheering them forward. Corpl. Cornelius S. Abrahams, Company A, First Battalion, by bravery in leading his comrades and cheering them forward. Private William C. Smith, Company A, First Battalion, by bravery in leading his comrades and cheering them forward. Corpl. Charles Gruff, Company H, First Battalion, by bravery and good conduct. Corpl. Louis Mattour, Company E, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Sergt. Samuel B. Keeler, Company A, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Sergt. Emil Jaerin, Company A, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Corpl. Joseph

Harding, Company A, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Private Charles Wood, Company A, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Private Frederick Schnieder, Company A, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Private John Lenk, Company A, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct. Sergt. John McLean, Company H, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, by bravery and good conduct.

The commissioned officers mentioned in the above list were under my own eye; as far as my knowledge extends all behaved with commendable gallantry and bravery in rallying and leading their men.

Respectfully submitted.

B. HUFTY,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fourth New Jersey Volunteers.

Source:

  1. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), pp. 928-931
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