OR XLVI P1 #55: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice, 19th MA, February 5-7, 1865

No. 55. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice, Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry, of operations February 5-7.¹

HDQRS. NINETEENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
February 12, 1865.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following operations of this regiment during the 5th, 6th, and 7th instant:

At 4.30 a.m. of the 5th we broke camp, marched out, and massed with brigade. The brigade moving out to the left, this regiment was sent forward to support cavalry skirmishers. At 8.30 a.m. two companies were deployed to the front, under command of Lieutenants Stone and Libby, and another in charge of the adjutant and Lieutenant

William H. Tibbits. The latter found the enemy in the vicinity of Armstrong’s Mill, at Hatcher’s Run, and drove them steadily until progress was impeded by the ford. This latter was occupied by skirmishers from this regiment all day. That part of the regiment still in reserve was then sent forward, and the whole were placed on the skirmish line, where they remained all night, the works on the opposite side being occupied by the enemy. The regiment in this position during the 6th and 7th, and on the evening of the former day participated in checking the advance of those of the enemy’s troops which had repulsed the Third Division of the Fifth Corps. The regiment lost on the 5th, 1 officer killed and 1 man killed and 4 wounded; on the 6th, 1 man wounded.

I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully,

EDMUND RICE,
Lieutenant Colonel Nineteenth Massachusetts Vols., Commanding Regiment.

Captain WILL GILDER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade.

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