OR XLVI P1 #87: Report of Major Walter F. Scott, 120th NY, March 25, 1865

No. 87. Report of Major Walter F. Scott, One hundred and twentieth New York Infantry of operations March 25.¹

HEADQUARTERS 120TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
March 27, 1865.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the engagement with the enemy, March 25, 1865:

About 11 a.m. of the 25th instant I was ordered by the brevet brigadier-general commanding to report to you with my regiment, and pursuant to orders received from you I formed my regiment in line of battle, my left joining the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, my right resting near the edge of the woods in front of the Armstrong house. I was ordered to advance steadily to the edge of the woods, and, upon reaching there, dash forward and capture and hold the enemy’s picket-

line, conforming my movements with those of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. We charged across an open field, about 300 yards, carried the enemy’s line, capturing 2 commissioned officers and about 40 enlisted men. We held the line until about 3 p.m. when the enemy sent a force on our left through a ravine which entirely concealed them until they were within a few yards of our line; they dashed upon us, driving us from the line. I immediately reformed my regiment and charged the line the second time, driving the enemy from it and capturing about twenty prisoners, and held the line until about 5 p.m. The enemy again massed a strong force on our left, and charged our left, driving a portion of my regiment away from their pits, and moved by the flank along our toward our right, driving our men away pit by pit. I reformed my regiment in the woods, when the Seventh New Jersey Volunteers came up in line of battle and took up a line in the woods about fifty yards in my front. I reported to brigade headquarters and was ordered to remain where I was until further orders.

At 1 a.m. March 26 I received orders to return to our original camp. During the day our loss was, 6 killed, 32 wounded, and 46 missing.

I am, sir, yours, respectfully.

WALTER F. SCOTT,
Major, Commanding 120th New York Volunteers.

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

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