44th N. Y. from Wilderness to Cold Harbor, Report of Major Edward Knox
HDQRS. FORTY-FOURTH NEW YORK STATE VOLS.,
Near Petersburg, Va., August 6, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: In obedience to Special Orders, No. 209, headquarters Army of the Potomac, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Forty-fourth Regiment New York State Volunteers in the several operations of the campaign, from the crossing of the Rapidan to the assault on the enemy's position in front of Petersburg, July 30, 1864:
FIRST EPOCH
On the morning of May 4, 1864, this regiment crossed the Rapidan at Germanna Ford, and marched to a point on the Fredericksburg and Orange Court-House pike, about 1 mile from Wilderness Tavern, and there encamped for the night. At 6 a.m. the following morning orders were given to march, when the enemy was discovered advancing down the Fredericksburg and Orange Court-House pike in force. About 2 p.m. the regiment went into action on the right of Fredericksburg and Orange Court-House pike, and about three-fourths of a mile in front of the ground occupied during the night previous. After about one-half hour's hard fighting we were relieved, and fell back about half a mile and took position behind breast-works. Our loss in this engagement was 1 officer (Capt. S. F. Johnson) killed and 3 slightly wounded, and 11 enlisted men killed and 47 wounded. At 4 a.m., May 6, the regiment was placed in position in the front line on the right of the Fredericksburg and Orange Court-House pike, a few rods to the front of the ground occupied during the battle of the day previous. We remained here until dark, when, in accordance with orders from General Bartlett, commanding brigade, we fell back to the breast-works occupied the night before. Our loss in this day's operations was I enlisted man killed and 5 wounded.
SECOND EPOCH
Saturday, May 7, at 8 p.m. we took up the line of march for Spotsylvania Court-House. At 9 a.m. May 8 line of battle was formed near Laurel Hill, and we advanced under a heavy musketry fire, halting at the crest of the hill, and opened fire within 20 yards of the enemy's line. We maintained our position for about three-quarters of an hour The enemy succeeded in forcing back the troops on our left, which caused us to fall back. Our loss during this engagement was Lieut. Col. F. Conner, Maj. E. B. Knox, Capt. J. Fox, and Lieut. T. Hoes, wounded; Capt. B. R. Wood, jr., acting adjutant; Lieut. O. L. Munger, and Lieut. E. Bennett, prisoners; 11 enlisted men killed, 44 wounded, and 36 prisoners, 20 of whom, together with the 3 officers captured, were recaptured by Sheridan's cavalry the following day and rejoined the regiment May 26. Both field officers being wounded the command of the regiment devolved upon Capt. E. A. Nash.
May 9, remained all day on the right of the Pine Grove road and about one-half mile to the rear of the ground occupied during the battle of the day previous. At 12 m. on the 10th moved up to the front for the purpose of participating in a charge on the enemy's works. The order to charge being countermanded, the regiment returned to its old position.
May 11, at 8 p.m. we relieved the Sixteenth Michigan on picket. Were relieved May 12, at 3 a.m., and moved to the right about 1½ miles and took position behind works vacated by a portion of the Second Corps. At 5 p.m. marched to the left about 3 miles and went into bivouac in rear of the Second Corps. On the 13th, at 2 a.m., returned to our old position near Pine Grove road, went into bivouac, and threw up breast-works. At 10 p.m. moved again to the left about 7 miles and went into bivouac. On the 17th, at 8 p.m., moved about 1 mile to the front and constructed breastworks. On the 18th Capt. C. Allen returned from recruiting service and assumed command of the regiment.
THIRD EPOCH
May 21, at 1 p.m. took up the line of march to the left, passing Guiney's Station, through Stanard's Swamp, and bivouacked at 11 p.m. On the 22d, at 6 a.m., marched to the left about 12 miles, skirmished all day with Longstreet's rear guard, and went on picket at dark. Five men wounded. On the 23d, at 9 a.m., pickets withdrawn and march continued to the left, reaching North Anna River near Island Ford at 2 p.m.; forded the river and formed on the south bank preparatory to going into bivouac, when our troops in front were attacked by the enemy. In obedience to orders we moved forward to their support and threw up breast-works. On the 25th, at 7 a.m., moved to the front, going into bivouac near Noel's Tavern.
FOURTH EPOCH
May 26, at 9 p.m. took up the line of march; halted at 5 p.m. on the 27th at Mangohick and went into bivouac. On the 28th, at 5 a.m., continued the march, crossing the Pamunkey at Hanovertown. Went into bivouac and constructed breast-works. On the 29th broke camp at 10 a.m., moved to the right and front near Totopotomoy River, and bivouacked at 9 p.m. On the 30th broke camp at 11 a.m. and moved to the front; skirmishers heavily engaged with the enemy; Captain Nash and 1 man wounded. At dark went on picket at the right of Mechanicsville road and about 5 miles from Mechanicsville. On the 31st relieved at 12 m. and went into bivouac.
June 1, at noon moved to the left and front about 1 mile and constructed breast-works. At 7 p.m. the enemy attacked our line and were repulsed. On the 2d, at 2 p.m., moved to the rear about 1½ miles and rested in line of battle. On the 3d took up position on the right of Third Brigade, advancing under heavy artillery and musketry fire, and constructed breast-works; lost Capt. B. K. Kimberly wounded, and 4 men killed and 16 wounded. On the 5th, at midnight, moved to the left 4 miles and went into bivouac. On the 7th, at 4 a.m., marched to Sumner's Bridge, on the Chickahominy, and went into bivouac.
I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. KNOX,
Major, Commanding.
Lieut. L. C. BARTLETT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Series 1, Volume XXXVI, Part 1, Book 67, Pages 586-588
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