16th Michigan at the Wilderness, Report of Captain G. W. Fuller

HDQRS. SIXTEENTH MICHIGAN INFANTRY, VET. VOLS.,
August 8, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor, in compliance with Special Orders, No. 209, headquarters Army of the Potomac, August 5, 1864, to forward the subjoined report of the operations of this regiment during the recent campaign, extending from May 4 to July 30, 1864:

FIRST EPOCH

On the 4th of May the regiment, Maj. Robert T. Elliott commanding, crossed the Rapidan River at Germanna Ford at 10 o'clock in the morning, having broken bivouac at 1 a.m., and reached the Wilderness at 3 p.m., meeting no opposition. On the 5th the regiment was detailed to guard the wagon train at Wyckoff's Ford, and performed this duty till the morning of the 6th, when it rejoined the brigade and was ordered into the third line, supporting a portion of the brigade. On the 7th the regiment was thrown out as skirmishers, in charge of Capt. George H. Swan, with orders to advance till the enemy was found, and there hold them in check. After advancing about 1 mile the left of the line became engaged and drove the enemy from an advanced line of rifle-pits. This our men took possession of, but, owing to an enfilading fire bearing upon them from the enemy's second line, were compelled to return a short distance to the crest of a hill, which they occupied and held until nearly dark, when, the enemy having driven in the skirmishers of the Sixth Corps on the right of the regiment, it was compelled to retire the whole line a short distance. On the line thus formed the regiment remained on picket until 2 o'clock on the morning of the 8th, when it fell back, taking the road toward Spotsylvania Court House. The loss of the regiment in killed and wounded during the 7th and 8th was 37.

SECOND EPOCH
About noon on the 8th rejoined the corps near Spotsylvania Court-House after a forced march, and was at once ordered to report to General Crawford, commanding Third Division, as support. About dark, in conjunction with the One hundred and eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was ordered by General Crawford to the support of the left of his line, and in attempting to reach the position designated, and while endeavoring in line of battle to pass over an almost impassable swamp, three-fourths of the regiment in the darkness, which by this time had become complete, and in the confusion resulting from a portion of our troops falling back, became separated from the One hundred and eighteenth Pennsylvania, and under command of Capt. Guy W. Fuller was left to do as it best could. That portion of the regiment in command of Captain Fuller was at once formed into line on the edge of the swamp. The enemy, having driven in the first line, advanced two regiments by a flank down a ravine on our left and deployed there, with the intention of turning the left flank of our position, but the regiment opened upon them a destructive fire, throwing them into confusion, and many of our men advancing, a hand-to-hand conflict ensued, resulting in the capture of their colonel and a large number of men. The loss to the regiment was small, composed mainly of prisoners taken by the enemy, who were subsequently recaptured by our cavalry.

At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 9th fell back, rejoining the brigade at noon, remaining in line without being engaged till 12 m. of the 10th, at which time the regiment was sent out to relieve the skirmishers of the Second Brigade. Relieved under a heavy fire of musketry, which continued until night, at which time the regiment was relieved. On the 11th again on the skirmish line until night and then relieved. At 2 a.m. of the 12th moved to right, and at daylight occupied the line vacated by the Second Corps. At 12 m. moved back to near position of the Second Brigade, and occupied line of breast-works on the left of that brigade. At 5 p.m. moved to the left about 3 miles, and in conjunction with the division remained all night in support of the Second Corps. On the morning of the 13th returned to our original position and constructed line of breast-works. At 9 p.m. received marching orders, vacated breast-works and marched all night, reaching the left of the Ninth Corps at daybreak of the 14th, on the east of Spotsylvania Court House; remaining in breast-works at this point until night of the l7th, advanced 1 mile and threw up a line of earth-works. Occupied this line until noon of the 21st, at which time fell back and moved in the direction of the North Anna River. After a march of 12 miles bivouacked for the night.

THIRD EPOCH
On the morning of the 22d moved forward again, regiment acting as advance guard for the corps. No opposition encountered until near Pole Cat Creek, at which point the enemy's rear guard was found posted in a belt of woods, with artillery in position in the open country beyond. Four companies of this regiment were at once deployed as skirmishers, and, advancing, drove the enemy from their position, capturing a number of prisoners. No further resistance w met with, and the regiment, in conjunction with Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, advanced to near Mrs. Allen's and established a picket-line 1 mile in advance of the corps. On the morning of the 23d, continued the march toward the North Anna River, fording that stream about 3 p.m. After a short halt, and just as this regiment was ordered to occupy a position in the second line, the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery and charged the right of the line, causing a portion of it to retire. This regiment, with the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, was ordered to regain possession of the ground, and, moving by a flank to the spot, formed line of battle under a heavy fire of musketry, and drove the enemy back with great loss and retrieved the lost position. After night-fall the regiment was relieved and took up its position on the second line. On the 24th moved to near Noel's Tavern on the Virginia Central Railroad. On the 25th moved to near Little River, and in the evening took up position with brigade in front line. On the night of the 26th recrossed the North Anna River and moved toward the Pamunkey, marching all night.

FOURTH EPOCH
On the forced march toward the Pamunkey on the 27th, and on the morning of the 28th crossed the river at Hanovertown, went into line of battle on the south bank, and threw up a line of breastworks. On the morning of the 29th moved to near Totopotomoy Creek and remained in line of battle till the morning of the 30th, and again moved forward. About 1 p.m., in conjunction with the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, moved out to support the Second Brigade, which was engaged with the enemy. Orders were subsequently received to go into position on the left of that brigade, extending to its line. Formed line under a heavy fire and threw out skirmishers; exposed on an open field to a raking fire, the men stood their ground with great pertinacity, and protected themselves by heaping up earth with their hands, bayonets, and plates. Here it was that Maj. Robert T. Elliott was struck down while engaged in disposing his men for greater safety. Our skirmishers drove those of the enemy, and the regiment, under the command of Capt. George H. Swan, occupied the ground first taken until dark, when it fell back under cover of works erected by the Ninth Corps.

On the 31st the regiment was detailed for picket in front of the division and about 1½ miles in advance, remaining until the morning of the 1st of June, when orders were received to advance as skirmishers. Advanced about three-fourths of a mile, driving the enemy's skirmishers from their rifle-pits and taking possession of them. This brought the regiment within rifle range of the enemy's main works and an annoying fire of musketry was kept up all day, the enemy making an attempt, assisted by artillery, to force us from the position. In the evening, after thirty-six hours of picket and skirmish duty, were relieved, and retired to rear of brigade. At dark, the enemy having succeeded in driving the skirmish line and were advancing, the regiment was ordered to support part of the brigade line; continued doing this duty till the afternoon of the 2d, and then fell back to the vicinity of Bethesda Church, the enemy making great efforts to harass our movements; being close pressed, this regiment and the rest of the brigade occupied a line of breast-works, which they found constructed, and opened a fire upon the enemy, which completely repulsed them.

On the 3d a skirmish party sent out from this regiment drove the enemy's skirmish line back. Captured some prisoners, and occupied the rise of ground from which the enemy had been driven. Remained in this position with occasional skirmishing until the night of the 5th, and then moved to near Cold Harbor. After going into bivouac the regiment was sent on picket duty and remained till evening, being relieved by the Eighty-third Pennsylvania.

On the morning of the 6th moved to near Dispatch Station, on the Chickahominy, crossing that river at Long Bridge, remaining there doing duty until the night of the 12th.

G. W. FULLER,
Captain, Commanding.

Lieut. L. C. BARTLETT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 1, Book 67, Pages 583-6

Return to Official Records

Return to Battles

Home Normal School History Recruiting Battles The Men U.S.C.T. James Woodworth

After the War Memorial Gov. Morgan Photo Gallery Capt. Albert Husted Letters and Diaries