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206 Series I Volume XLVI-I Serial 95 - Appomattox Campaign Part I

Page 206 N. AND SE. VA., N.C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter LVIII.

to the left to the Smith house, moved about 200 yards to the front of the picket-line, and were halted in the open field, between two pieces of wood. We remained here about two hours, when the brigade was moved to the left about one quarter of a mile. We had just halted and were forming line of battle in the woods, when the enemy charged the brigade in our front, and for a short time the musketry was very heavy. At this time General Madill ordered my regiment to move to the left and front, and occupy the space in the open field to the right of the house, and connecting with the Third Division on my left and the Third Division on my left and the Second Brigade on my right. I ordered my men to lie down, as the enemy's sharpshooters were very active. At about 6.30 p.m. we discovered a line of battle in our front, in the edge of the woods, and at the same time another line charged, with a yell, on the right of the Third Division. We gave the enemy in our front, who had already started on the double-quick, our particular attention, and after a few well directed volleys they broke and field in confusion. The line in front of the Third Division was for the time more successful, driving back the right of the division for a short distance. I then directed my regiment to fire to the left oblique, thus getting a cross-fire on them, and punishing them severely and holding them in check. In the meantime the Third Division rallied and charged to recover the lost ground, which they did routing the enemy and capturing a number of prisoners. By this time it was quite dark, and the firing had nearly ceased. We immediately threw out vedettes in our front, and we remained in this position until about 1 a.m. [26th], when I was ordered to post a picket in front of my line and march my regiment back to camp.

Several deserters came into my line during the evening, who reported that the enemy were badly demoralized and cut up.

My regiment was nearly all new men, who smelled powder yesterday for the first line. They fought nobly, both officers and men, and I am proud of them, knowing that when the tug of war comes they can always be depended upon.

I am, captain, very respectfully,

LEWIS W. HUSK,

Lieutenant-Colonel 111th New York Volunteers, Commanding Regiment.

Captain E. J. CHUESTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.


Numbers 42. Report of Captain I. Hart Wilder, One hundred and twenty-sixth New York Infantry, of operations March 25.


HEADQUARTERS 126TH NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
March 26, 1865.

CAPTAIN; I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this battalion in the operations of yesterday, March 25:

I received orders at 7 a.m. to strike tents and be in readiness to move at a moment's notice. At 8 o'clock my command was in line awaiting the order to move. About 1 p.m. the battalion, with the rest of the brigade, moved a short distance in front of the picket-line held by the Second Brigade previous to the advance. The troops rested in line for one-half or three-quarters of an hour, and then moved to the left on the


Page 206 N. AND SE. VA., N.C., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter LVIII.