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OR LI P1: Report of Lieutenant Colonel William Wilson, 81st PA, March 25, 1865

Report of Lieutenant Colonel William Wilson, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations March 23.1

HDQRS. EIGHTY-FIRST PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
March 26, 1865.

CAPTAIN: In answer to circular of this date I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the engagement of yesterday, March 25, 1865:

About 7.30 a. m. I received orders to pack up and strike tents. At 10 a. m. I received an order by Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, acting assistant adjutant-general of First Division, Second Army Corps, to advance in front of the works and report to Colonel Scott, commanding First Brigade. I immediately did so and received orders from Colonel Scott, to take position, right resting on a by-road (name unknown) just in front of our original picket-line, and connecting my right with the Sixty-first New York Volunteers. Remaining in this position about twenty minutes, orders came to advance, keeping my connection with the Sixty-first New York, and reach the line of rifle-pits which had been previously occupied by the enemy. Movement being executed and position gained, laid in line of battle till about 4.30 p. m., at which time the enemy advanced on our position, and drove in the skirmish line, which I assembled on my left. I engaged the enemy for about fifteen minutes, drove them back and re-established the skirmish line in my front in its original position.

Casualties during the day.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM WILSON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Eighty-first Pennsylvania Vols.

Captain WILLIAM McCALLISTER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, 1st Brig., 1st Div., 2nd Army Corps.

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*Nominal list (omitted) shows 1 officer and 12 men wounded.

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Source:

  1. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume LI, Part 1 (Serial Number 107), p. 299
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