OR XLVI P1 #21: Report of Lieut. James H. Casey, 1st CT HA, Co. K, March 25, 1865

No. 21. Report of Lieutenant James H. Casey, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, of operations March 25.¹

BATTERY K, FIRST CONNECTICUT ARTILLERY,
Before Petersburg, Va., March 26, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor herewith to report the part my company took in the engagement of the 25th of March, 1865.

The first intimation we had of the attack was by hearing the yelling and firing all round us. As soon as we reached our mortars we found the enemy on all sided of us, and we were driven back after hard fighting and being flanked. Lieutenant John Odell was killed at the beginning of the fight, and Captain Twiss was wounded, so the charge of the company devolved on Lieutenant Casey, who, after having been driven back, collected some of the company and reported to Major Ager at Battery No. 4. He remained there a short time, and was then ordered to proceed with the company to the battery, now being charged upon by our forces, and it if was taken to open fire with the mortars. He found the implements destroyed and scattered about, so that he was unable to fire any.

The company’s loss sums up to 49 in killed, wounded, and missing; there were 4 killed, 4 wounded, and the rest are missing. We took some prisoners, but how many I cannot tell. We have lost none of our pieces, and only one is damaged, and that slightly.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES H. CASEY,
Second Lieutenant, First Connecticut Artillery.

Lieutenant W. S. MALONY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Siege Batteries.

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