OR XLVI P1 #152: Reports of Lieutenant John R. Brinckle, Btty E 5th US Arty, April 2-6, 1865

No. 152. Reports of Lieutenant John R. Brinckle, Battery E, Fifth U. S. Artillery.¹

BATTERY E, FIFTH U. S. ARTILLERY,
April 10, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this battery in the operations before Petersburg on the 2nd of April, 1865:

Pursuant to instructions from headquarters Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps, I reported with my battery at 3 o’clock on the morning of April 2 to Brigadier General Truman Seymour, commanding Third Division, Sixth Corps, for duty with that division. As soon as it was ascertained that the lines of the enemy had been broken I advanced my battery to position in front of works known as fort McGraw and Battery No. 45, which still remained in possession of the enemy, opening fire rapidly with all my guns.

Both officers and enlisted men performed their duties faithfully.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. R. BRINCKLE,
First Lieutenant, Fifth Artillery, Commanding Battery E.

First Lieutenant BENJAMIN FREEBORN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps.

BATTERY E, FIFTH U. S. ARTILLERY,
April 14, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my command in operations since April 2, 1865:

This battery, having been assigned to the Third Division, Sixth Corps, has accompanied that division in all its marches and participated in all

engagements. At 4 p.m. April 6 my battery was ordered to position commanding the lines of the enemy at Sailor’s Creek. I fired, under the direction of Brigadier-General Seymour, commanding Third Division, Sixth Corps, with all my guns, till the works of the enemy were carried by our troops.

My casualties in this engagement were 2 men slightly wounded.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. R. BRINCKLE,
First Lieutenant, Fifth Artillery, Commanding Battery.

First Lieutenant BENJAMIN FREEBORN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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