No. 119. Report of Colonel James M. Warner, First Vermont Heavy Artillery, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, of operations March 25.1
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISON, SIXTH CORPS,
March 29, 1865.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of my command on the 25th instant:
In the morning were distributed along the breast-works from Fort Wadsworth to Fort Tracy; at 2 p.m. were massed at Fort Fisher. An hour later two regiments, the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers and the Sixty-second New York Veteran Volunteers, were sent to the assistance of the Third Brigade to the right and front of the fort, but in a few moments driven back in disorder; the remaining two regiments were at once moved to their assistance. At 5 p.m. was
directed by General Getty to carry the enemy’s skirmish pits in our front. The line was formed in the following order from left to right: One hundred and second Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, First Maine Veteran Volunteers, Ninety-third Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and about fifty of the One hundred and twenty-second New York Volunteers. The behavior of the troops was admirable. The pits and a crest about 300 yards beyond was carried, capturing many prisoners.
The following-named commissioned officers of the regiments displayed great personal gallantry in leading their respective commands: Bvt. Colonel John G. Parr, One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Bvt. Colonel James Patchell, One hundred and second Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers; Lieutenant Colonel D. C. Keller, Ninety-third Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers (who was severely wounded), of the First Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel S. C. Fletcher, First Maine Veteran Volunteers, and Major A. H. Clapp, One hundred and twenty-second New York Volunteers, of the Third Brigade. The Sixty-second New York Veteran Volunteers became detached from the brigade and did not participate in the charge. Captain Edward A. Todd, acting assistant adjutant-general; Captain W. L. Pettit, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieuts. H. J. Nichols and B. F. Krieger, acting aides-de-camp, and Lieutenant Hugh McIlwain, pioneer officer, rendered excellent service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. WARNER,
Eleventh Vermont Volunteers, Commanding Brigade.
Bvt. Colonel CHARLES MUNDEE.
Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), pages 302-303 ↩