Gracie's Salient

883
No. 362.
Reports of Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson, C. S. Army, commanding
Johnson’s division.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., August 2, 1864.
Colonel: Colonels Goode, McAfee, and McMaster, commanding respectively Wise’s, Ransom’s, and Elliott’s brigades, report nothing of interest along their lines during the past twenty-four hours. General Gracie reports that work on the cavalier is progressing slowly, owing to the sickness of Lieutenant Welch, engineer officer, and requests that another engineer officer be assigned to his line; he also reports that as the engineers seem unconcerned about countermining
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LIV.
884
of his line to meet those of the enemy, he has sunk three shafts himself, but is making slow progress, as he cannot procure the instruments for boring. The casualties for July 30 will be forwarded in the morning.
The following casualties for the past twenty-four hours are respectfully submitted: Wise’s brigade, wounded, 1; Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 65 total, 7 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. E. JOHNSON,
Major-General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., August 3, 1864.
Colonel : Brigade commanders report the usual picket-firing along the line during the last twenty-four hours. General Gracie requests the presence of an engineer officer on his line, if only to instruct the officer in charge of fatigue party. A private named Thomas Fowler, Company I, Forty-first Alabama Regiment, has invented a boring instrument to feel for the enemy’s mine. It bores ten feet in fifteen minutes. The following is a description of the Fowler borer as given by General Gracie:
A simple cylinder of iron, about eight to ten inches long and three inches in diameter, slightly flared at the end, fastened to a pole ten feet long, to which a rope of twenty to twenty-five feet is attached. There should be a slit about a half inch wide on the side to push out the dirt, in case of it caking inside. Three to four holes should be made toward the upper end of the borer to allow water and air to escape through. I believe it would be well to cup the borer on the inside as illustrated in Figure III, when working in loose wet soil, although I have not yet tried it. Any one can work the tool simply by commencing a hole with a pick, and then forcing the tool down the hole. Every time it is drawn up earth or sand will be found in the cavity, which, if sand, can be easily knocked out, or, if clay, may have to be forced out, by a stick or a bayonet as used by the men, through the slit. The great objection to the borer is the noise it makes. There is a man in the brigade who says he can make an auger that will work rapidly. I will order him to make one.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 5. Wise’s brigade, wounded, 3 (1 carelessly); Hansom’s brigade, wounded, 1; Elliott’s brigade, killed, 2; total, 2 killed, 9 wounded.
The following ordnance stores have been collected during the past twenty-four hours: 4,315 minie-balls, 20 round shot, 41 grape-shot, 16 fuses, 16 pounds lead, and 45 shells.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. E. JOHNSON,
Major-General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
August 4, 1864.
Colonel: I have nothing of interest to report during the past twenty-four hours. Fatigue parties are constantly at work on the covered ways, &c., that have been ordered. I see from Northern accounts that our mortar and picket-fire is very destructive to the enemy, as they Chap. LIY.]
THE RICHMOND CAMPAIGN.
885
admit that they have no protection, especially in the Ninth Corps, which is in my front. I have ordered a brisk picket-fire to be kept up along my line, and would suggest that the mortars be ordered to do likewise.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise’s brigade, wounded, 3. Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 3. Ransom’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 7 (mortally, 2). Total, 1 killed, 13 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major- General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
August 5, 1864.
Colonel: I have nothing of importance to report this morning. No increase or diminution has been noticed in the picket-firing. The enemy threw a few mortar shells yesterday without inflicting much injury. The following ordnance stores were collected yesterday: 32 solid shot, 7,530 minie-balls, 33 rifle shell, 140 fragments, 15 bayonets, and 9 guns.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise’s brigade, wounded, 1 (since dead). Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 4 (1 mortally). Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1$ wounded, 1. Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 2. Total, 1 killed, 8 wounded.
Respectfully, &c.,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major- General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, August 6, 1864.
Colonel: Colonel McAfee, commanding Ransom’s brigade, reports no change in the disposition of the enemy’s forces in his front. The picket-firing has been very heavy in front of the right regiment of his brigade. The firing was heaviest from dark until 10 p. m. from that portion of the enemy’s line this side of the railroad. Not a shot could be drawn by our fire when the mine was sprung in front of General Gracie’s line, and the enemy’s pickets ran into their main line. General Gracie reports that the destruction occasioned by the mine was very slight.
Not a gabion or sap-roller was displaced, nor much of a crater formed. The mine must have been badly tamped, as the gallery was destroyed as far back as the shaft. Our picket-line was partially filled up, but again dug out.
Details for fatigue duty are regularly made. Work on the line and covered ways is progressing as well as could be expected.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 3. Wise’s brigade, wounded, 3. Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 2. Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 8. Total, 1 killed, 16 wounded. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major- General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
890
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LIV.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., September 9,1864.
Colonel: It was unusually quiet along my line yesterday and last night. A few shots were fired by the artillery yesterday morning. General Gracie reports that negro troops are in front of his line, except on the railroad.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 4; total, 4 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major-General.

Col. G. W. Brent.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., September 10,1864.
Colonel: There seemed to be an unusual stir among the enemy last night, moving of wagon trains, cheering of troops, &c. General Gracie says that the enemy informed him this morning that they were cheering over the old news—fall of Atlanta; they also informed him that the colored regiment in his front was from Pennsylvania, that it belonged to the Eighteenth Corps, and was the only colored regiment in the corps. According to their own report, “they are new niggers, but well disciplined.” The position occupied by Blount’s battery has been damaged by the enemy’s fire and needs repairing; this work is in the hands of the artillery. The ordnance officer has now been three weeks removing the 10-inch columbiad and mounting the 8-inch. It seems to me that this is a waste of valuable time, and if he will consult with me I can expedite the work. Private Joseph H. Jackson, Company I, Twenty-third South Carolina Volunteers, deserted to the enemy about 1 a. m. on yesterday.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 1. Grade’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 3. Total, 2 killed, 4 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major- General.

Col. G. W. Brent, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., September 11, 1864.
Colonel: The sharpshooting was heavier yesterday and last night, than usual. The mortar fire was quite severe at different times during the day and night. No change has been observed in the position or strength of the enemy. The negro troops have been removed from General Gracie’s front, and he is now opposed by white troops, believed to be the Eighteenth Army Corps.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 4. Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 5. Ransom’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 1. Total, 2 killed, 10 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major-General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., September 15, 1864.
Colonel: With the exception of heavy cannonading yesterday nothing unusual has occurred along my front. The enemy have again placed negroes along Gracie’s front. This seems to be their custom when they desire to use their white troops to effect particular
 
893
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., September 19, 1864.
Colonel: I desire to call [the] attention of the commanding general to the following facts:
First. The two-gun battery in rear of Gracie’s salient, and west of railroad, has been so altered by the artillery officer in command that the original object of its construction is entirely abandoned. It was located to fire into Gracie’s salient and to the left of it. It now fires into the ravine to the left of Gracie’s salient and bears up toward Colquitt’s salient, without bearing directly on it. I would recommend that the battery be made to conform to the original plan.
Second. I am satisfied that the frequent change of officers and men with our batteries on the lines has many disadvantages. Details which remain but a short time with a battery fail to learn all the gearings of their guns in reference to the enemy’s works, the positions of which are perhaps often unknown to officers and men, and the details seem to be only interested in serving out their tour and returning to repose, or perhaps idle pleasures in rear. In some of the batteries I have failed to find sentinels duly posted and on the alert to observe the movements of the enemy in front, and brigade commanders have had to send to the batteries instructions to fire on objects plainly in view. Each battery should keep the strictest watch on all the grounds in view within enemy’s lines. The artillery officers in command along my line rarely communicate with me or report their headquarters.
Third. Deserters report that about 1,000 of the enemy’s troops are engaged in cutting down the woods in front of Gracie’s salient to expose that salient to their batteries and lines on the hill beyond. It is suggested that our artillery should be required to play upon that woods frequently, and at times perhaps with a concentrated fire. This seems to me an important matter.
 
894
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LIY.
Fourth. The 8-inch columbiad west of the Norfolk railroad, after over four weeks delay in putting it up, is now without a proper sight or hawser, which should be immediately supplied. This gun had orders, until about three days past, not to fire. About 300 shots were fired at it deliberately by the enemy on Thursday last, and then the captain in command was told that if fired on he might reply deliberately. During this concentrated fire no battery of ours replied. I would respectfully request that this gun be immediately supplied with all necessary appliances, and that the gun shall be fired when the enemy is not firing on it, so as to get the range of the gun and its bearings, especially in regard to enfilading the enemy7s works. For this purpose suitable officers should be posted on the right to watch the effect of its shots. This practice is the more necessary because it is manned by infantry that have never served such a piece of artillery. General Gracie reports that he can distinguish a work that the enemy are erecting on the hill in his front, supposed to be a battery.
Colonel Goode, commanding Wise’s brigade, reports that four men of the Forty-sixth Virginia Regiment, viz, Privates Lewis Wilson, Company A; Thomas W. Mattox, B. T. Keesee, John E. Hodges, Company C, deserted to the enemy last night.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Ransom's brigade, wounded, 1; Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 1.
Very respectfully,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Maj-General.

Col. G. W. Brent,
Assistant Adjutant-General
Headquarters Johnson's Division,
Petersburg, Va., September 20, 1864.
Colonel: The enemy’s fire was quite weak yesterday until about dark, when quite a brisk mortar fire sprang up, resulting in no damage to us, however. Captain Hurt, commanding the columbiad battery, reports that he opened on the enemy’s battery in orchard, with excellent effect. Out of five shots fired (all of which struck), two of them passed through an embrasure and exploded. I would respectfully request that our artillery, from Blount’s battery to the White House battery, shall be ordered to fire from each in turn, in succession, one gun every five minutes, on the enemy’s working parties in the woods running from the front of Gracie’s salient to the right (that is, our right).
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Gracie’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 3. Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 1.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major- General-General.

921
Lieut. Col. John M. Otey, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
October 5, 1864.
Colonel: The firing which occurred about 7 o’clock last night was to my right, although my command suffered somewhat from the mortar fire which immediately followed the musketry volleys. Colonel McAfee, of Ransom’s brigade, who occupies Colquitt’s salient, suggests that the engineer officer be instructed to run a gallery from our mine in the direction of Taylor’s Creek.
The following casualties have occurred since last report: Ransom’s brigade, killed, 1; wounded, 9. Gracie’s brigade, killed, 3; wounded, 3. Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 2. Total, 4 killed, 14 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. B. JOHNSON,
Major- General.
 
910
Lieut. William McWillie,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., November 6‘, 1864.
Lieutenant: With a view to force the enemy’s picket-line farther back at points very near our line, two movements were made in this division with small detachments last night. At 11.40 p. m. Brigadier-General Gracie moved out three companies of the Forty-first Alabama Regiment and took the enemy’s picket-line in front of Gracie’s salient, capturing 31 prisoners without firing a gun or suffering the loss of a man. Our picket-line in front of the salient is now established on the enemy’s old line, with the left resting on Gracie’s dam and the right connected with our picket-line on the right of the Norfolk railroad. The enemy seem not to have been aware of the movement until some time after it was consummated, and they now appear to acquiesce in the change in our lines, having made no effort to drive back our troops. At the same time 200 men of Holcombe Legion carried the enemy’s picket-line in front of the Grater, capturing the adjutant and nine men of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment. The enemy were on the alert here, and fled after delivering a single volley. They, however, continued to fight for the position, and fired on our forces in possession of their works from all points, but mainly from the (our) right of that position. They continually pressed their forces up the ditch and kept up a fire from the ridge on the (our) right. From this ridge they enfiladed our line, and for five hours small additions were being constantly made to our losses. A working party was placed at work to make a covering for our troops on the new line, with a view to holding it permanently. Through the incessant fire this party made such little progress in the work that at 5 o’clock this morning our losses continued to be such as to induce the withdrawal of our troops to our old line.
911
 
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LIV.
The casualties, a list of which is herewith forwarded, are:
Command. Killed. Wounded. Captured. Missing.
Elliott’s brigade 14 41 6 34
Ransom’s brigade 2 3
Wise’s brigade 4 i
Gracie’s brigade i
Total division 16 48 6 34
This morning Colquitt’s salient was shelled for some time by mortars. In front of Wise’s brigade at 12 o’clock there was a spirited fire with small-arms, after which the artillery fire continued for about an hour. The adjutant captured reports that their lines were re-enforced last evening about 5 o’clock, and that it was stated that a movement on our part was anticipated. It is pretty well ascertained that the enemy’s rear line, upon which they evidently mainly propose to depend, consists of a system of detached forts completely inclosed with ditch and drawbridge. Near these the troops not on picket duty are kept. It seems to me this system possesses advantages over that of our lines. To some extent this system is in progress so far as the fortifications are concerned on my line. I shall for some time need a working force in rear for the work on my rear line.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON

904
Lieutenant Mc Willie,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General,
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., October 22, 1864,
Lieutenant: The enemy have been very quiet along our front during the past twenty-four hours. They did not fire upon our working parties last night. General Ransom reports that the enemy have thrown down most of their front line opposite his center, having left only posts for vedettes and sharpshooters. They seem to occupy their second line, which is now strongly stockaded. On his right and left they still appear to hold parts of the old line.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Ransom’s brigade, wounded, 2. Elliott’s brigade, killed, 2. Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 15 killed, 1. Total, 3 killed, 3 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major-General

905
#927
Chap. I.IV.j
THE RICHMOND CAMPAIGN.
905
Lieutenant McWillie,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
Petersburg, Va., October 25, 1864.
Lieutenant: Nothing of importance! has transpired during the past twenty-four hours. The enemy have been very quiet. General Gracie reports that the enemy have leveled their line of works in front of their three-gun battery, and are destroying their abatis; probably the men are using the latter for fuel.
The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott’s brigade, wounded, 1.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major-General.

914
Lieutenant McWillie, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Johnson’s Division,
November 21, 1864.
Captain: Seven deserters from the Seventh New Jersey Regiment and two from the Eighth New York [Heavy Artillery] Regiment came into our line this morning. James Stewart (one of the deserters), of the Eighth New York Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, stated that the enemy were mining in front of Colquitt’s salient; that they used a car which ran upon tracks to bring the earth out. He stated that the car could be heard running down grade some time after it started from the entrance to the mine. I would respectfully request that an officer acquainted with mining operations be sent to Colquitt’s salient to investigate the matter and determine what countermining is necessary upon our part. I would also request that he confer with me upon the subject. Stewart also reported that the Second Division of the Second Corps rested upon the Appomattox and extended to the left until it united with the Third Division, Second Corps. The Ninth Corps is on the left of the Third Division of the Second Corps, and the First Division of the Second Corps is in reserve to the Second Division of the same corps in front of Colquitt’s salient, where the enemy are mining. The disposition of the enemy’s forces shows a large reserve force where we have none. As the repairing of the roads are under charge of Colonel Talcott, I would respectfully suggest that he be directed to examine the road across Lieutenant Creek, at the end of Sycamore street, as it is impossible to haul wood on that road, and I think it will be necessary to construct a new one.
The following casualties are respectfully reported: Gracie’s brigade, wounded, 1.
Respectfully, &c.,
B. R. JOHNSON,
Major-General.
 
933
Captain Foote,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Elliott’s Brigade,
November 6, 1864.
Captain: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of orders from division headquarters I last night organized a detachment to carry the picket line of the enemy in front of the Crater. The detachment, consisting of 200 men from the Holcombe Legion (infantry), were formed in our picket-line in front of the Crater and advanced over the parapet. They quietly advanced to within a short distance of the enemy’s line, when they received a fire from the enemy’s pickets, and charged and carried the enemy’s line in their front, driving the enemy some distance along the trench to the right and left. The counterscarp of the enemy’s line had been removed, so that in the event of its occupation by us it would afford no protection to our men from a fire from the enemy’s second line. Our men were therefore withdrawn and established in front of the parapet of the work they had carried. A party of sixty men was immediately supplied with intrenching tools and put to work to cover the men from the fire of the enemy. The enemy in the meantime opened a rapid and continuous fire on our front and right
 
934
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LIT.
flank. The men were protected in a measure from the fire from the front, but the fire from the right flank from the enemy’s picket line, re-enforced to a distance equal to the range of their rifles, was annoying. The working party of sixty men diligently worked to protect the right flank from this fire, but the conformation of the ground and the direction of the enemy’s line was such that it was not possible to do it under the circumstances, and this fire continuing to increase in rapidity and destructiveness the detachment finally withdrew to our line. An officer captured from the enemy informed me that an attack upon that part of their line in front of the Crater was anticipated, and preparations were made to meet it. An adjutant and nine enlisted men were captured from the enemy.
The men and officers of the detachment behaved very well, and failed of entire success from untoward circumstances that will sometimes intervene to mar the best laid military plans and snatch victory from the grasp of those who deserve it.
I forwarded a list of casualties to your office this morning.*
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. WALLACE, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
 
42, part 2
#797
Chap. LIV7]
COEEESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION.
795
City Point, Va., September 12, 1864—3.30 p. m. Major-General Halleck,
Washington:
The branch of railroad running out to the Weldon road is now finished, and all supplies for the army are now moved in that way. Everything is now perfectly quiet except the usual picket-firing. The enemy seems to be mining in front of the Tenth Corps, but it causes no uneasiness. On Friday morning General Hancock moved a portion of his picket line forward, and in doing so captured 85 of the enemy’s pickets.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
[September 12, 1864.—For Grant to W. T. Sherman, relating to proposed operations about Petersburg and Wilmington, see Vol. XXXIX, Part II, p. 364.]

Special Orders, ) Hdqrs. Armies of the United States,
No. 91. ) City Point, Va., September 12, 1864.
I. The chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac and of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina will hereafter forward to these headquarters on the last day of each week a report of the engineering operations during the week in the respective armies. Maps and plans of all works constructed under their supervision will also be forwarded as soon as they can be prepared.
#######
III. Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Neill is hereby relieved from duty with the Eighteenth Army Corps, and will report in person to Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, commanding Middle Military Division, for orders.
# # * * # # #
By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:
HORACE PORTER, Lieutenant-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
September 12,1864—12 m.
Lieutenant-General Grant:
Major-Generals Warren, Parke, and Hancock report all quiet on their lines during the past twenty-four hours. General Birney reports the enemy working steadily on a flying sap, either a covered way for their pickets or probably to gain the crest of a hill which our pickets occupy with a view of driving them away. General Birney] has begun this morning a countermine at the Hare house, where the enemy are supposed to be mining. General Birney also reports the enemy throwing up a work on their second line just in rear of the old Crater, and that a new battery has been established at the foot of Cemetery Hill, from which they opened at 8 a. m. this morning. This last is for the purpose of firing at the trains on the railroad, which, owing to Mr. Wentz,
 
42 Part 3
534
Hdqrs. First Brig., Second Division, Second Corps,
November 6,1864.
Capt. A. Henry Embler,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division:
Captain : I have the honor to forward herewith a map* of the position in my front, showing the old picket-line captured November 5, the new line, the rebel picket-line and fortifications, with their dam and the submerged ground. The high ground now fortified by the enemy has always been held by them, and their assault has gained them no new position of value for offensive purposes. They are still hard at work on their new rifle-pits.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. W. EGAN,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

1053
#1055
Chap. LXV.]
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION,
1053
Headquarters Sixth Army Corps, December 21,1864. (Received 9.25 a. m.)
Brig. Gen. S. Williams:
I have the honor to report that nothing of importance has transpired on the lines of this corps during the preceding twenty-four hours. Three batteries of the Fifth Corps were yesterday relieved by a corresponding number of batteries of this corps.
H. G. WRIGHT,
Major- General, Commanding.
Headquarters Ninth Army Corps,
December 21,1864.
General S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
Nothing new along our lines. Five deserters have been reported— one from Sixtieth Alabama, two from Thirty-fifth North Carolina, one from Forty-ninth North Carolina, one from Fifty-sixth North Carolina.
JNO. G. PARKE,
Major-General.

Headquarters Third Division, Ninth Army Corps,
December 21,1864—11.50 p. m.
Brigade Commanders:
It is reported that the enemy have drawn the water from a pond in the vicinity of Fort Stedman since dusk, and that their picket-firing is more lively than usual. In view of any movement on the part of the enemy, the general commanding directs that you have the men of your command ready to move at one hour before daylight to-morrow morning, in case their support should be required. The troops will not leave their respective commands, but they will be held in readiness to march at a moment’s notice.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. D. BERTOLETTE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

OR XL, Part I
#732
712
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LII.
ion in the Tenth Army Corps. Having done so, by order of General Turner, I relieved the brigade of Colonel Bell, occupying the front line of pits opposite the crater, in which position my command now remains.
I had the honor to forward a list of casualties in my brigade attending the operations of yesterday.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. F. STEVENS, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Capt. Theodore Read,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 267.
Report of Brig. Gen. Hiram Burnham, TJ. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, of operations June QO-July 1.
Hdqrs. Second Brio., First Div., 18th Army Corps,
Before Petersburg, Va., July 1, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command from the 20th ultimo to present date :
Left camp at Bermuda Hundred on the 21st ultimo at 4 a. m., and marched to this place.
On the evening of the 21st I relieved Brigadier-General Upton’s brigade, of the First Division, Sixth Corps, placing the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers and One hundred and eighteenth New York Volunteers in the front line of rifle-pits, with the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers and Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers in the second line.
On the evening of the 21st I relieved Brigadier-General Upton’s brigade, of the First Division, Sixth Corps, placing the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers and One hundred and eighteenth New York Volunteers in the front line of rifle-pits, with the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers and Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers in the second line. I held this position during the 22d and 23d, my pickets keeping up a desultory Skirmishing with the enemy. On the evening of the 23d my command was relieved by the First Brigade, and in obedience to orders moved to the rear about a mile, remaining there during the 24th and 25th. On the evening of the 25th I relieved the First Brigade, placing my entire command, with the exception of the eight companies
#732
712
OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C.
[Chap. LII.


Lieut. William McWillie, 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 
Headquarters Johnson’s Division, 
Petersburg, Va., November 6, 1864. 

Lieutenant: With a view to force the enemy’s picket-line farther back at points very near our line, two movements were made in this division with small detachments last night. At 11.40 p. m. Brigadier-General Gracie moved out three companies of the Forty-first Alabama Regiment and took the enemy’s picket-line in front of Gracie’s salient, capturing 31 prisoners without firing a gun or suffering the loss of a man. Our picket-line in front of the salient is now established on the enemy’s old line, with the left resting on Gracie’s dam and the right connected with our picket-line on the right of the Norfolk railroad. The enemy seem not to have been aware of the movement until some time after it was consummated, and they now appear to acquiesce in the change in our lines, having made no effort to drive back our troops. At the same time 200 men of Holcombe Legion carried the enemy’s picket-line in front of the Grater, capturing the adjutant and nine men of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment. The enemy were on the alert here, and fled after delivering a single volley. They, however, continued to fight for the position, and fired on our forces in possession of their works from all points, but mainly from the (our) right of that position. They continually pressed their forces up the ditch and kept up a fire from the ridge on the (our) right. From this ridge they enfiladed our line, and for five hours small additions were being constantly made to our losses. A working party was placed at work to make a covering for our troops on the new line, with a view to holding it permanently. Through the incessant fire this party made such little progress in the work that at 5 o’clock this morning our losses continued to be such as to induce the withdrawal of our troops to our old line. ...


This morning Colquitt’s salient was shelled for some time by mortars. In front of Wise’s brigade at 12 o’clock there was a spirited fire with small-arms, after which the artillery fire continued for about an hour. The adjutant captured reports that their lines were re-enforced last evening about 5 o’clock, and that it was stated that a movement on our part was anticipated. It is pretty well ascertained that the enemy’s rear line, upon which they evidently mainly propose to depend, consists of a system of detached forts completely inclosed with ditch and drawbridge. Near these the troops not on picket duty are kept. It seems to me this system possesses advantages over that of our lines. To some extent this system is in progress so far as the fortifications are concerned on my line. I shall for some time need a working force in rear for the work on my rear line. 
​
Respectfully, your obedient servant, B. R. JOHNSON
​Major-General