OR XLVI P1 #116: Report of Bvt. Colonel Baynton J. Hickman, 49th PA, April 1-9, 1865

No. 116. Report of Bvt. Colonel Baynton J. Hickman, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry.¹

HDQRS. FORTY-NINTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
April 15, 1865.

CAPTAIN: In reply to circular from headquarters Third Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps, of April 14, 1865, I have the honor to forward the following report as the part taken by this regiment in the late operations, from the assault on the works in front of Petersburg to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia by General Lee:

On the evening of April 1 the regiment was ordered to move, and about 11 o’clock we left camp and moved with the brigade toward the left, and passed through our works near Fort Fisher, and formed on the left of the One hundred and nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers in the second line of battle. When the order to advance was given the regiment moved with the brigade toward Hatcher’s Run, and then came back to the enemy’s works in front of Fort Fisher, and

moved on the left of the brigade toward Petersburg. During the night the enemy evacuated, and on the 3rd the regiment moved with the brigade in pursuit of the enemy in the direction of Amelia Court-House. Nothing worthy of note occurred until the evening of April 6, when we came upon the enemy near Sailor’s Creek. The Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers was formed in the second line, the One hundred and nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers on the right, and one wing of the Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers on the left. We advanced, and the troops on the right and left oblique, and this regiment filled the opening and became part of the advance line, and then advanced across Sailor’s Creek and attacked the enemy in the woods. After getting within twenty yards of the woods the enemy got upon our left flank, and had then a fire in front and flank, compelling us to fall back. The same night we were detached as a guard, by order of Major-General Wright, to take charge of rebel prisoners captured in the engagement. On the 7th the regiment was sent wit prisoners to Burkeville Junction. When they had been turned over, we started to rejoin the brigade, which we did on Monday, the 10th instant.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. J. HICKMAN,
Brevet Colonel, Commanding Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Captain T. G. COLT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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