OR XLVI P1 #134: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob J. Janeway, 14th NJ, April 2-9, 1865

No. 134. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob J. Janeway, Fourteenth New Jersey Infantry.¹

HDQRS. FOURTEENTH Regiment NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS,
April 10, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report, in compliance with circular dated headquarters First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, April 10, 1865, of the operations of my command from April 2 to 9, inclusive:

At 12 p.m. April 1 moved out and formed line in rear of the pickets of our division being the right regiment of the second line, One hundred and fifty-first New York being the left, seventy-five paces in the rear of the first line. We had been formed but a short time before the rebel pickets commenced firing, which caused some confusion at first. As soon as the firing slackened the line was all right again and remained so. About 4 a.m. the order being given to advance, the rear line commenced passing over my regiment. Brevet Major Bailey was in command of the left wing, while I the right. I was to wait until I saw the left move before I ordered the right wing forward, but as the rear line passed over my regiment, seeing some of the men moving forward on the left, I gave the order to forward. It being dark and all the lines moving about the same time the men soon got mixed up in passing over the ground to the rebel works. The greater portion of my command went into the fort near the unpainted barn outside of the enemy’s works. From this fort we went to the next and then to the third. Here my regimental colors were the first to be planted on the fort, and men from the regiment the first to enter under a heavy fire. Our brigade was not able to drive the rebels from this fort, although we held a part of it for some time and had possession of their artillery, but not enough men would come up, so we were obliged to fall back to the next fort. Here we remained until batteries came up, then formed line and charged. This time my colors were the second ones in the fort. From here we participated with the movements of the brigade in advancing to near Hatcher’s Run along the rebel breast-works, then marched back and formed line along the First Division picket-line, entrenched, and remained for the night.

April 3, left at 8 a.m. marched back to camp; the men got their knapsacks and marched until sunset on the Burkeville road; halted for the night in columns, battalions in mass. April 4, left at 5.20 a.m.

The regiment, leading the brigade, marched on road to Jetersville, and halted for the night at 9 p.m. in columns, battalions closed in mass. April 5, left at 3.30 a.m. marched to near Jetersville on the Danville railroad; formed line, and relieved the cavalry in second line of battle. April 6, advanced by the right of battalions to the front for about three miles; found the enemy had retreated and formed single line, and made a forced march until 4 p.m., and came up to our cavalry fighting at Sailor’s Creek. Our division was formed in columns-battalions. My regiment, being next to the rear, advanced, driving the rebels from their earth-works, wheeled to the left and guided upon the road and continued to advance about a mile. The brigade was formed in three lines; my regiment was in the second line on the right, One hundred and fifty-first New York on the left. Here we halted while our batteries shelled the enemy and advanced across Sailor’s Creek, when our brigade was formed in two lines, Tenth Vermont on my right. After remaining a short time wheeled to the left, when the battle ceased by the whole force surrendering. Marched a short distance to the left; halted for the night in line of battle. April 7, left at 9 a.m. and halted for the night at Farmville, on the Richmond and Lynchburg Railroad. April 8 left at 8 a.m., my regiment leading the brigade, and halted for the night at New Store at 8 p.m. April 9, left at 6.15 a.m., marched until 1.30 p.m.; halted in a field, and here received the glorious news of the surrender of General Lee’s whole army.

Casualties: Two men killed, 1 officer wounded, and 22 men wounded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. J. JANEWAY,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Bvt. Major CHARLES H. LEONARD,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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