OR XLVI P1 #161: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Adolph Becker, 46th NY, Mar 29-Apr 9, 1865

No. 161. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Adolph Becker, Forty-sixth New York Infantry.¹

HDQRS. FORTY-SIXTH NEW YORK VETERAN VOLS.,
April 20, 1865.

In compliance with Special Order 94, headquarters Army of the Potomac, dated April 14, 1865, I have the honor to make to following report, showing the operations of the Forty-sixth Regiment, New York Veteran Volunteers, from the 29th ultimo to the 9th instant, both inclusive:

The Forty-sixth Regiment was stationed on the 29th ultimo at Forts Mansfield and McGilvery as garrison; during the night of the 29th the enemy directed a terrific fire of shot, shell, and musketry against those forts, killing 2 enlisted men, wounding 1 officer and 3 enlisted men, destroying some Springfield rifles and a large amount of camp and garrison equipage. From the 30th ultimo until the 1st instant the forts were repaired by the men.

On the 2nd of April at daybreak a demonstration was made by the regiment which resulted in the capture of the rebel pickets. The

assaulting party was then withdrawn and the wounded taken from the field; 1 officer and 14 enlisted men wounded and 1 man missing. On the evening 2 enlisted men were wounded on picket in front of Fort McGilvery.

About 2 o’clock on the morning of the 3rd instant the pickets reported that the enemy evacuated the line of fortifications, and were at daybreak ordered to advance toward city of Petersburg, which was promptly executed; by entering the city one man of the regiment captured a rebel battle-flag, which was delivered to Second Brigade headquarters; after a short stay at the city the regiment was sent as a scouting party across the Appomattox River near Pocahontas; by so doing 2 field pieces of artillery, 3 caissons, 30 ambulances, 10 army wagons, and about 350 rebel prisoners fell into our hands.

Remained there on picket during the following night and day until relieved on the 4th of April, when we marched to the camp ground of Second Brigade, south of Petersburg, near Cox’s road.

On the 5th instant the regiment marched to Sutherland’s Station, a distance of ten miles; arriving there the whole command was ordered to form a picket-line of three miles extension along Cox’s road and South Side Railroad, doing picket duty there until the 9th instant, when we were relieved by the Fiftieth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and ordered to move farther south to Ford’s Station, South Side Railroad, about six miles distance; guarding the South Side Railroad since that date.

List of casualties during the operations before Petersburg from the 29th ultimo no the 9th instant, both inclusive: Two men killed, 2 officers and 17 men wounded, 1 man missing.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ADOLPH BECKER,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Source: