Editor’s Note: Brett Schulte recently noticed this report transcribed online among the James H. Lane Papers at the Auburn University Archives web site. Permission was asked for and granted by Auburn University Libraries, Department of Special Collections & University Archives to reproduce these transcriptions here at The Siege of Petersburg Online. These transcriptions are copyrighted by Auburn University Libraries, Department of Special Collections & University Archives and may not be reproduced without their express written consent. The transcription attribution reads as follows: “Transcriptions made by Terri Stout-Stevens, Pfafftown, NC, in 1997 and 1998. Edited by Marty Olliff, Assistant Archivist, Auburn University, who takes all responsibility for any errors.”
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Unpublished Report of Captain James G. Harris, 7th North Carolina, Lane’s Brigade, of operations August 18, 18641
Hd Qrs 7th Regt N.C. Troops
September 20th 1864
Captain:
I have the honor very respectfully to report the following as the operations of this Regiment on the 18th day of August 1864.
Some time in the afternoon I received orders to be in readiness to move at a moments notice. At about 5 o’clock P.M. moved out in front of our works between fifty and seventy five yards. We remained there until near dark when we received orders to return to works which we did with McGowan’s Brigade. The other Regiments of our Brigade having previously fallen back.
In the mean time our sharpshooters attacked the enemy’s skirmishers in our front and drove them from their rifle pits. Our casualties in this affair were One officer and three men wounded.
I am Captain Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
J[ames] G. Harris
Capt Comdg 7th N.C. Troops
Capt E.J. Hale Jr.
A.A. Genl
Source:
- Harris, James G. (1864, September 20). (Official Report sent to E. J. Hale, Jr.). James H. Lane Papers (RG 501, Box 2, number 76). Auburn University Libraries Department of Special Collections & University Archives, Auburn, AL. ↩