No. 247. Report of Lieutenant Charles P. Muhlenberg, Battery A, First U. S. Artillery.1
RICHMOND, VA., April 26, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report the operations of Battery A, Fifth U. S. Artillery, commencing March 27, 1865, and ending April 25, 1865, the date of the arrival of my battery at this post.
March 27, broke camp near First Division headquarters, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, at dusk, crossed James River during the night, and the Appomattox at daylight the following morning. March 29, took up position vacated by batteries of the Second Army Corps. Took up position on the evening of April 1 in front of interior line of defense of scout side of Petersburg. Marched with First Division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps, to vicinity of Appomattox Court-House, nothing of not incident to battery transpiring. April 9, battery in position; left and center sections engaged with the enemy’s extreme right. April 17, left Appomattox Court-House for Burkeville; road heavy; animals suffering severely. April 22, left Burkeville for Richmond; road good; animals not diseased recuperating.
I have no casualties in action to report. My losses have been 5 men (4 by desertion, 1 by accident), and 27 horses by disease and exhaustion.
Of the conduct of the men of the battery, composed of regulars various periods of enlistments, and volunteers of different organizations, I can speak in arms of highest commendation.
Respectfully submitted.
CHAS. P. MUHLENBERG,
First Lieutenant, Commanding Battery.
Major C. C. ABELL,
Chief of Artillery, Twenty-fourth Corps, Army of the James.
Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), p. 1226 ↩