OR XLVI P1 #81: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers, 11th MA, March 25, 1865

No. 81. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Rivers, Eleventh Massachusetts Infantry, of operations March 25.¹

HDQRS. ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOL. BATTALION.
March 27, 1865

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the proceedings of this command during the operations of the 25th instant:

At 10 a.m. the battalion moved into the works running parallel with the camp, where it remained until about 1 p.m., when orders were received to move out to the front and support the Eleventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. Upon arriving there line was formed on the left of that regiment, and soon after the left of this battalion was connected with the right of the Second Division, which space was unoccupied by any troops until the arrival of this command. Remained in this position until the charge was made across Hatcher’s Run by General Smyth’s troops, which drove the enemy from their position on the crest of the hill on the south side, when this command moved forward and formed a line on the left of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, and two companies from the left of this battalion were ordered across the run, where they formed a junction with the right of General Smyth’s command. Soon after dark I learned that the enemy had broken the connection in the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers and were advancing on my right, which fact was immediately reported to General Smyth, who placed a regiment to fill the gap until the line of troops on the left could be withdrawn, which was soon successfully done without any interruption from the enemy, and the command marched to the open field near the old picket-line, where it remained until about 2 a.m. on the following morning, when it returned to camp.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. C. RIVERS,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Eleventh Massachusetts Vol. Battalion.

Lieutenant Colonel J. SCHOONOVER,
Commanding Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

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