OR XLVI P1 #196: Report of Colonel Andrew H. Tippin, 68th PA, April 2-3, 1865

No. 196. Report of Colonel Andrew H. Tippin, Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry.¹

HDQRS. SIXTY-EIGHT REGIMENT, PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,
City Point, April 6, 1865.

CAPTAIN: On the morning of the 2nd instant I received an order from brigade headquarters to move my command to the outer defenses of this post and take a position which would be assigned me in the works. Subsequent to moving I received a verbal order from General Patrick, through one of his staff, to take command of the brigade (independent) and report with it to General Benham, who had command of the works. I immediately did so, and position were assigned the different regiments of the brigade in the fortifications. I a very short time after I was ordered by General Benham to proceed forward with the brigade and report with it to him at Meade’s Station, on the railroad each regiment to take nearest route to that point from its then position in the works. I did so, and again reported to General Benham at the station with the regiments which accompanied me on the route I took. I was then ordered on to Fort Sedgwick, were I met Brevet Brigadier-General Collis, the immediate commander of the

brigade, he having preceded the command to that point. I immediately reported to him, and he assumed command, conducting the operations henceforward.

Returning to my regiment and taking charge of it I shortly afterward received an order from General Collis to advance my command in the direction of the enemy’s works. I immediately did so. In crossing the field in front of the enemy’s line of works I fell in endeavoring to cross a deep ditch, seriously injuring myself, and was completely in the night, suffering severely.

Lieutenant Colonel Winslow succeeded me in the command of the regiment, and his report will fully detail its further operations.

During the night I again went forward to the works and remained until morning,but did not take command owing to my feeble condition.

Respectfully submitted.

A. H. TIPPIN,
Colonel, Commanding Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Captain J. M. SCHOONMAKER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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