Numbers 238. Report of Captain George C. Eckert, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, of operations August 1-31.1
HEADQUARTERS SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY, August 31, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following operations of the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry for the month of August:
August 1, about 10 a. m., moved east of Prince George-House three miles on the road to Fort Powhatan and camped, and picketed the roads and country in that vicinity until August 2. Marched to north side of Prince George Court-House and camped. August 3, at 7 p. m. broke camp and marched to near – house, on the road to
Lee’s Mill, and camped. August 4, moved half a mile to right of road to Lee’s Mill and camped; at 4 p. m. moved back to railroad crossing and picketed until 9 p. m.; relieved by Sixth Ohio and marched to camp near Jordan’s Point, which place was reached at 1 a. m. August 5, in camp near Jordan’s Point. August 8, went on picket on left of infantry front, near Jerusalem plank road. August 9 and 10, on picket at same place. August 11, relived from picket by First Brigade; returned to camp near Court-House. August 12, at Prince George Court-House. August 13, moved across the James River. August 14 and 15, at Deep Bottom. August 16, at Deep Bottom, where we engaged the enemy, loosing 4 officers and 26 men; bivouacked in the open field. August 17, went into camp until August 18, when we attacked the enemy, losing 4 officers and 28 men. August 19, went on picket on Charles City Court-House road. August 20, on picket as before; at 9 p. m. withdrew and recrossed James River, marching toward Prince George Court-House; camped near that place during the night. August 21, marched toward Reams’ Station and camped near the Weldon railroad. August 22, on the Weldon railroad near Reams’ Station. August 23, at Reams’ Station; made scout; engagement toward evening; 1 officer wounded, 3 men killed, 3 men wounded, 2 men missing; camped at the station during the night. August 24, on picket at Reams’ Station relieved by infantry in the afternoon. August 25, went on picket near Wood’s Shop; fell back in the night to the Jerusalem plank road. August 26, was relived from picket by First Maine; went into camp on the Jerusalem plank road. August 27, in camp on the Jerusalem plank road. August 28, went on picket and picketed the roads and country between the Weldon railroad and Jerusalem plank road. August 29, on picket. August 30, relieved from picket and went into camp on the Jerusalem plank road. August 31, in camp on the Jerusalem plank road. In all, traveled about 200 miles.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. C. ECKERT,
Captain, Commanding Regiment.
Captain MAINLAND,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade.
Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 1 (Serial Number 87), pages 642-643 ↩
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS REPORT !! My name is Glenn Benner from Lancaster Co. Pa. My GG-Grandfather Pvt Amos M. Benner served with Co.D 2nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. Capt George C Eckert was his commanding officer. Co. D was mustered entirely in Lancaster County (mostly Strasburg). Co. D 2nd PVC were known locally as the “Pequea Dragoons”. They were mustered Oct. 1861 & ranks were filled three times. Both Pvt. Benner & Capt Eckert survived the war and are buried in Lancaster County. Anyone who has interest, information, or is a descendent can contact me via E-Mail gkbenner@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance- Glenn