USA > Ohio > The official war record of the 122nd regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry from October 8, 1862, to June 26, 1865. Copied from volumes 25, 27, 29, 33, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, and 46, series I, U.S. war records, and from volumes 3 and 5 of series III > Part 11
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On Saturday, the 8th, orders to move at 5 a. m. were not re- ceived till 8 a. m., when the Corps was at once put in motion and rapidly overtook the Second Corps. Instead of following this Corps, the head of the column, at Major General Humphrey's sug- gestion, was turned off on the plank road, which runs nearly parallel to and intersects at New Store the road followed by this Corps. At New Store the Corps camped for the night, after a march of about seventeen miles.
Starting at 5 a. m. on Sunday, the 9th, the Second Corps was soon overtaken and followed closely to the vicinity of Appomat- tox Court House, where the troops were halted and held ready for any movement, awaiting the result of the conference then be- ing held between Generals Grant and Lee. Soon after halting offi- cial intelligence of the surrender of General Lee's forces was an- nounced to the army, and was received with great enthusiasm by the soldiers, who looked upon this as the result of all their priva-
120
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
tions, and as the virtual ending of the struggle which has con- vulsed the country for four years, in which they had willingly risked their lives and fortunes.
In the whole campaign I have been ably assisted by my staff, who, by their services, are entitled to the acknowledgments of the country; they are as follows: Maj. C. II. Whittelsey, As- sistant Adjutant General; Lieut. Col. Walter S. Franklin, As- sistant Inspector General; Majors Arthur Mcclellan, Richard F. Halsted, Thomas L. Haydn, and Henry W. Farrar, Aides-de- Camp; Lieut. James W. Dixon, Acting Aide-de-Camp; Maj. S. II. Manning, Acting Chief Quartermaster; Maj. James K. Scofield, Acting Chief Commissary of Subsistence; Lieut. Col. S. A. Hol- man, Medical Director; Acting Staff Surgeon S. J. Allen, Medical Inspector; Maj. D. I. Miln, Provost Marshal; Capt. George E. Wood, Ambulance Officer; Maj. E. K. Russell, Acting Commis- sary of Subsistence; Lieut. Thomas II. Fearey, Signal Officer; Lieut. Alex. Samuels, Acting Assistant Quartermaster .*
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
II. G. WRIGHT, Major General, Commanding.
Col. George D. Ruggles,
Assistant Adjutant General, Army of the Potomac.
List of casualties in the Sixth Corps, on April 2, 1865.
Command Killed. Wounded. Missing.
Total.
First Division . 3 38
21
257 292
2 57
.
. .
1
Total
9 114 68 831
. .
59
77 1,004 1,081
*So much of this report as relates to the operations of April 6 was furnished by Wright to Sheridan May 6, 1865.
List of casualties in the Sixth Corps, on April 6, 1865.
Command
Killed. Wounded. Missing. O. Men. O. Men. O. Men.
Total.
First Division. .
7 70
19 277
26 347 373
Second Division
Third Division .
7
2 58
..
2 65
67
Artillery Brig ..
..
.
. .
2
2
Total
7 77
21 337
28
414
442
O. Men.
O. Men. O. Men.
O. Men .. Ag. 297 321
Second Div. .
3 39
23
414
Third Division. 3 32
23 269
. .
24 26 388 26 301 18 19
327
Artillery Brig ..
5
1 13
2
O. Men. Ag.
121
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
ADDENDA.
Address of General Meade, April 17, 1865, to officers and soldiers presenting battle-flags, captured by the Sixth Corps.
Officers and soldiers of the Sixth Corps, I thank you very much for these numerous proofs of your valor, captured during the recent campaign. I do not wish to make any invidious dis- tinetions between your own and the other Corps of this army. They performed with valor and courage the part assigned to them. But candor compels me to say that in my opinion the decisive movement of this campaign which resulted in the capture of the Army of Northern Virginia was the gallant and successful as- sault of the Sixth Corps on the morning of the 2nd of April. It was with much pleasure I had received a dispatch from your commander assuring me his confidence in your courage was so great that he felt confident of his ability to break through the enemy's lines. I finally ordered the charge to be made at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 2nd and it was with still greater satisfaction that a few hours afterward I had the pleasure of transmitting a dispatch to the General-in-Chief telling him the confidence of your brave commander had been fully borne out.
To you, brave men, I return the thanks of the country and of the army. To each of you a furlough of thirty days will be granted to enable you to present these proofs of your valor to the War Department. Let us all hope that the work upon which we have been engaged for nearly four years is over, that the South will return to its allegiance, and that our beloved flag will onee more float in triumph over a peaceful and undivided country ex- tending from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Saint Law- rence to the Gulf of Mexico.
SERIES I, VOL. 46, PART 1, PAGES 601 TO 605. General Summary of casualties in the Union forces. March 1-April 9, 1865.
Captured or
Command. Killed.
Wounded. Missing.
0. Men. 0. Men. O. Men. Ag. .
Army of the Poto- mac, Maj. Gen. G. G. Meade.
Provost Guard
(Macy) 2
...
3
Artillery (Hunt) . 1 12
2
1 1 27
48
90 1
Signal Corps.
. .
122
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Second Army Corps (Humphreys) ... Fifth Army Corps (Warren and Griffin)
24
234
106
1,609
25
747
2,745
14
265
119
1,654
9
580
2,641
Sixth Army Corps (Wright)
22
241
120
1,582
1
122
2,088
Ninth Army Corps (Parke) ..
21
341
148
1,660
24
678
2,872
Cavalry (Gregg and Crook) .
10
9
45
3
74
141
Independent Brig. (Collis)
3
8
6
68
85
Total Army of the Potomac
85
1,113
510
6,647
62
2,249
10,666
Sheridan's Cavalry
20
152
101
831
15
212
1,331
Army of the James. Maj. Gen. Edward O. C. Ord.
Staff
1
1
24th Army Corps (Gibbon)
13
161
47
1,000
5
75
1,301
25th Army Corps (Weitzel)
10
1
41
..
46
98
Defenses of Ber- muda Hundred (Hartsuff)
2
2
36
1
43
84
Cavalry Division
(Mackenzie) ..
3
7
3
38
1
29
81
Unatt. Cavalry ....
3
2
5
5
5
60
80
Total Army of the James. .
20
182
58
1,120
12
253
1,645
Grand Total March 1 to April 9 ** ..
125
1,447
669
8,598
89
2,714
13,642
Grand aggre- gate Jan. 1 to April 9. ..
146 1,638 750 9,785 96 3,187 15,692 *Includes Crook's (formerly Gregg's) Division for April only ; the losses of that Division in March are counted with the Army of the Potomac.
** For losses, in detail, at Fort Stedman, and in the Appo- mattox campaign, see pp. 70, 581.
.. .
..
.
123
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
No. 4.
Report of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, U. S. Army, command- ing Army of the Potomac. .
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, April 30, 1865.
1
Colonel : I have the honor to submit herewith a succinct re- port of the operations of this army in the recent campaign, re- sulting in the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg and ter- minating in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
On the 29th ultimo, in pursuance of orders received from the Lieutenant General commanding, the Second and Fifth Corps were moved across Hatcher's Run, the former by the Vaughan road, the latter by the old stage road crossing at Perkins'. The Second Corps, holding the extreme left of the line before Peters- burg prior to moving, was relieved by Major General Gibbon, commanding two Divisions of the Twenty Fourth Corps.
Major General Humphreys, commanding Second Corps, was directed, after crossing Hatcher's Run, to take position, with his right resting on Hatcher's Run, and his left extending to the Quaker road. Major General Warren, commanding Fifth Corps, was directed at first to take position at the intersection of the Vaughan and Quaker roads, and subsequently, about noon of the 29th, he was ordered to move up the Quaker road beyond Gravel- ly Run.
These orders were duly executed, and by evening Major General Humphreys was in position, his right resting near Dab- ney's Mill and his left near Gravelly Meeting House, on the Quaker road. In taking this position Major General Humphreys encountered but little opposition, meeting only a small force in a line of rifle-pits, who were quickly driven out. Major General Warren was delayed in his movement by having to rebuild the bridge over Gravelly Run. The advance of his column, Brigadier General Griffin's Division, was attacked about 4 p. m., when about a mile and a half beyond Gravelly Run, by Bushrod Johnson's Division. A spirited engagement ensued, in which Griffin hand- somely repulsed and drove the enemy, capturing over 100 pris- oners.
On the 30th Major General Humphreys again advanced, driv- ing the enemy into his main line of works, and by night occupy- ing a line from the Crow house, on Ilatcher's Run, to the inter- section of the Dabney's Mill and Boydton plank roads.
124
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Major General Warren during this day advanced on the Quaker road to its intersection with the Boydton plank road, and pushed Ayres' Division in a northwesterly direction over to the White Oak road. No fighting of any consequence occurred this day, except picket skirmishing and exchange of artillery shots from the respective lines, now elose to each other.
During the night of the 30th Major General Humphreys, who had intrenched his line, was directed to relieve Griffin's Division, Fifth Corps, by Miles' Division, and Major General Warren was ordered to move both Crawford and Griffin within supporting dis- tance of Ayres, whose position on the extreme left was considered likely to invite attack.
On the 31st, about 10 a. m., Ayres, under General Warren's orders, advanced to dislodge the enemy in position on the . White Oak road. Ayres' attack was unsuccessful, and was followed by such a vigorous attack of the enemy that Ayres was compelled to fall back upon Crawford, who, in turn, was so strongly pressed by the enemy as to force both Divisions back in considerable dis- order to the position occupied by Griffin, when the pursuit of the enemy ceased. Immediately on ascertaining the condition of affairs, Major General Humphreys was ordered to move to War- ren's support, and that officer promptly sent Miles' Division to attack in flank the force operating against Warren.
This movement was handsomely executed by Miles, who, at- tacking the enemy vigorously, drove him back to his former posi- tion on the White Oak road, capturing several colors and many prisoners.
In the meantime Warren advanced with Griffin's Division, supported by such portions of Ayres' and Crawford's Divisions as could be rallied, and regaining the position held by Ayres in the morning, Griffin attacked with Chamberlain's Brigade, driv- ing the enemy and securing a lodgment on the White Oak road.
These operations over, hearing heavy firing to the left and rear, which was presumed to be the cavalry moving up from Dinwiddie Court Ilouse, Warren was directed to send a Brigade down the White Oak road to co-operate with the cavalry. This Brigade by night reached the crossing of Gravelly Run, by the road leading through J. Boisseau's, where, not meeting any enemy, it bivouacked.
During the night, having been directed to send support to Major General Sheridan at Dinwiddie Court House, Major Gen-
1
125
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
eral Warren was ordered to move with his whole Corps, two Di- visions by the White Oak road and one by the Boydton plank road. Major General Humphreys was ordered to extend his left as far as practicable consistent with its security.
During the foregoing operations the Sixth and Ninth Corps remained in the lines in front of Petersburg, with orders to watch the enemy closely, and, in the event of the lines in their front be- ing weakened, to attack.
On April 1, after consultation with the Lieutenant General commanding, believing from the operations on his right that the enemy's lines on his left must be thinly held, orders were sent to Major Generals Wright and Parke to attack the next morning at 4. About 7 p. m., intelligence having been received of the bril- liant success of the cavalry and Fifth Corps at Five Forks, orders were sent to Generals Parke and Wright to open their batteries and press the enemy's picket line. At the same time Miles' Di- vision, Second Corps, was detached to the support of Major General Sheridan, and Major General Humphreys advised of the intended attacks of the Twenty Fourth, Sixth, and Fifth Corps, and directed to hold his two remaining Divisions ready to co- operate in the same, should they prove successful.
On the 2nd of April Major General Wright attacked at 4 a. m., carrying everything before him, taking possession of the enemy's strong line of works, and capturing many guns and pris- oners. After carrying the enemy's line in his front, and reaching the Boydton plank road, Major General Wright turned to his left and swept down the enemy's line of intrenehments till near Ilatcher's Run, where, meeting the head of the Twenty Fourth Corps, General Wright retraced his steps and advanced on the Boydton plank road toward Petersburg, encountering the enemy in an inner line of works immediately around the city. Major General Wright deployed his Corps confronting their works, in conjunction with the Twenty Fourth and part of the Second Corps.
Major General Parke's attack at 4 a. m. was also successful, carrying the enemy's lines, capturing guns and prisoners, but the position of the Ninth Corps confronting that portion of the ene- my's line the longest held and most strongly fortified, it was found he held a second and inner line, which Major General Parke was unable to carry. Receiving a dispatch during the morning from Major General Parke, reporting his being pressed
126
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
by the enemy, the troops left in City Point defenses, under Brig- adier General Benham and Brevet Brigadier General Collis, were ordered up to General Parke's support, their prompt arrival enabling them to render material assistance to General Parke in holding his lines.
So soon as Major General Wright's success was reported Major General Humphreys was ordered to advance with the remaining divisions of his Corps-Hays, on the right, advanced and captured a redoubt in front of the Crow house, taking a gun and over 100 prisoners; Mott, on the left, on advancing on the Boydton plank road, found the enemy's line evacuated. Hays and Mott pushed forward and joined the Sixth Corps, confront- ing the enemy. Early in the morning Miles, reporting his return to his position on the White Oak road, was ordered to advance on the Claiborne road simultaneously with Mott and Hays. Miles, perceiving the enemy were moving to his right, pursued and overtook him at Sutherland's Station, where a sharp engage- ment took place, Miles handling his single Division with great skill and gallantry, capturing several guns and many prisoners. On receiving intelligence of Miles being engaged, Hays was sent to his support, but did not reach the field till the action was over.
At 3 a. m. of the 2nd (3rd) of April Major Generals Parke and Wright reported no enemy in their front, when, on advanc- ing, it was ascertained Petersburg was evacuated. Wilcox's Division, Ninth Corps, was ordered to occupy the town, and the Second, Sixth and Ninth Corps immediately moved up the river, reaching that night the vicinity of Sutherland's Station.
The next three days-the 3rd, 4th and 5th-the pursuit was continued along the River and Namozine roads, the Fifth Corps following the cavalry, and the Second and Sixth following the Fifth, the Ninth having been detached to guard the South Side Railroad. The progress of the troops was greatly impeded by the bad character of the road, the presence of the supply trains of the Fifth Corps and cavalry, and by the frequent changes of position of the cavalry, to whom the right of way was given. On the night of the 4th, receiving a dispatch from Major General Sheridan that his army was in position at Amelia Court House, immediate orders were given for the resumption of the march by the troops of the Second and Sixth Corps, reaching Jetersville between 4 and 5 p. m. (5th), where the Fifth Corps was found
127
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
intrenched expecting an attack. No attack being made, on the morning of the 6th of April the three Corps were moved in the direction of Amelia Court House, with the intention of attacking the enemy if found there; but soon after moving, intelligence was received that Lee had moved from Amelia Court House toward Farmville. The directions of the Corps were changed, and the Sixth Corps moved from the right to the left; the Second Corps was ordered to move on Deatonsville, and the Fifth and Sixth Corps to move in parallel direction on the right and left, respec- tively.
The Second Corps soon came up with the enemy and com- meneed a rear-guard fight, which continued all day till evening, when the enemy was so crowded in attempting to eross Sailor's Creek, that he had to abandon a large train. Guns, colors and pris- oners were taken in these successful operations of the Second Corps.
The Sixth Corps, on the left of the Second, came up with the enemy posted on Sailor's Creek. Major General Wright attacked with two divisions and completely routed the enemy. In this attack the cavalry, under Major Geeral Sheridan, was operating on the left of the Sixth Corps, while Humphreys was pressing on the right. The result of the combined operations was the cap- ture of Lieutenant General Ewell and four other general officers, with most of Ewell's Corps.
The next day, the 7th of April, the Fifth Corps was moved to the left toward Prince Edward Court House. The Second Corps resumed the direct pursuit of the enemy, coming up with him at High Bridge, over the Appomattox. Here the enemy made a feeble stand with his rear guard, attempting to burn the rail- road and common bridges. Being driven off by Humphreys he succeeded in burning three spans of the railroad bridge, but the common bridge was saved, which Humphreys immediately crossed in pursuit, the enemy abandoning eighteen guns at this point. Humphreys came up with the enemy at the intersection of the Iligh Bridge and Farmville roads, where he was found intrenched behind rail breast works, evidently making a stand to cover the withdrawal of his trains. Before reaching this point Hum- phreys had detached Barlow's Division to the left toward Farm- ville. Near Farmville Barlow found the enemy, who was about evacuating the place, which operation was hastened by a success- ful attack of Barlow's.
128
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
When Humphreys ascertained the position of the enemy, Barlow was recalled, but did not reach Humphreys till evening, and after an unsuccessful assault had been made by part of Miles' Division.
The Sixth Corps moved early in the morning toward Farm- ville, but finding the road occupied, first by the cavalry and subsequently by the Twenty Fourth Corps, it was too late in the afternoon before it reached that place, where it was found the enemy had destroyed the bridge. On learning the position of Humphreys, orders were sent to Wright to eross and attack in support. By great exertions a bridge for infantry was con- structed, over which Wright crossed, but it was night-fall before this could be effected.
The next day, April 8, the pursuit was continued on the Lynchburg stage road. On the 9th, at 12 m., the head of the Second Corps, when within three miles of Appomattox Court House, came up with the enemy. At the same time I received a letter from General Lee asking for a suspension of hostilities pending negotiations for surrender. Soon after receiving this letter Brigadier General Forsyth, of General Sheridan's staff, came through the enemy's lines and notified me a truce had been made by Major General Ord, commanding the troops on the other side of Appomattox Court House. In consequence of this I replied to General Lee that I should suspend hostilities for two hours. At the expiration of that time I received the instructions of the Lieutenant General commanding to continue the armistice until further orders, and about 4 p. m. I received the welcome intelligence of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
It has been impossible in the foregoing brief outline of opera- tions to do full justice to the several Corps engaged. For this purpose reference must be had to the reports of Corps and Division commanders, which will be forwarded as soon as re- ceived. At the same time I would call attention to the hand- some repulse of the enemy by Griffin's Division, Fifth Corps, on the 29th ultimo; to the important part taken by the Fifth Corps, in the battle of Five Forks; to the gallant assault, on the 2nd instant, by the Sixth Corps-in my judgment, the dicisive movement of the campaign; to the successful attack of the Sixth Corps in the battle of Sailor's Creek; to the gallant assault, on the 2nd instant, of the Ninth Corps, and the firmness and tenac- ity with which the advantages then gained were held against all
-
-
129
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
assaults of the enemy; to the brilliant attack of Miles' Division, Second Corps, at Sutherland's Station; to the energetic pursuit and attack of the enemy by the Second Corps on the 6th instant, terminating in the battle of Sailor's Creek, and to the prompt pur- suit the next day, with Barlow's and Miles' attacks-as all evinc- ing the fact that this army, officers and men, all nobly did their duty and deserve the thanks of the country. Nothing could exceed the cheerfulness with which all submitted to fatigue and priva- tions to secure the coveted prize-the capture of the Army of Northern Virginia.
The absence of official reports precludes my forwarding any statement of casualties or lists of the captures of guns, colors and prisoners. To my staff, general and personal, I am indebted, as I ever have been, for the most zealous and faithful discharge of their duties.
Respectfully yours,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major General, U. S. Army, Commanding. COL. T. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Medals of honor allowed to enlisted men of the 122nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
To George A. Loyd, private of Company A, for capturing battle flag of Heth's Division Army of Northern Virginia, April 2, 1865, at Petersburg, Va., by act of Congress, April 24, 1865.
To Alexander W. Bell, First Sergeant of Company C; Elbridge G. Robinson, private of Company C, and to John T. Patterson of Company C, principal musician of said Regiment -. one medal to each by the War Department, April 4, 1898, for special daring gallantry on the 14th of June, 1863 in rushing through the Confederate skirmish line on the hill south of the Romney road at Winchester, Va., and bringing to safety the body of Drummer Worthin, who had been mortally wounded in the skirmishing on that morning.
21. By direction of the President, the following officers are hereby assigned to duty according to their brevet rank: Brevet Major Generals, U. S. Volunteers-Henry J. Hunt, Orlando B. Wilcox, R. B. Potter, Nelson A. Miles, S. W. Crawford, Charles Griffin, Romeyn B. Ayres, David MeM. Gregg, George W. Getty.
130
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Frank Wheaton, J. J. Bartlett. Brevet Brigadier Generals, U. S. Volunteers-C. S. Wainwright, H. A. Morrow, J. Irvin Gregg, J. W. Hoffman, C. HI. Smith, John C. Tidball, Fred Winthrop, G. N. Macy, A. W. Denison, N. B. Mclaughlin, J. Warren Keifer, W. H. Penrose, Joseph E. Hamblin, H. G. Sickel, Robert McAllister, John Ramsey.
SERIES I, VOL. 40, PART 1, PAGES 100 TO 102. Itinerary Sixth Army Corps.
1
1865.
January-No change of camp during the month.
(February)-The Corps remained in camp until the night of the 5th instant.
February 5-The First Division was ordered to move to Hatcher's Run and report to Major General Humphreys, com- manding Second Corps.
February 6, 7 and 8-This Division (First) participated in the engagements at Dabney's Mill.
February 9-Returned to camp.
February 7-Pursuant to instructions contained in circular from headquarters, Army of the Potomac (same date), a new disposition of the lines was effected, the Corps now occupying the front line from Fort Howard, on the right, to Fort Gregg, on the left, inclusive. With these exceptions, no other events worthy of record occurred.
March 1 to 25-Remained in camp near Petersburg, nothing unusual or worthy of record taking place until the morning of the 25th.
March 25 .- The enemy made a desperate assault on a portion of the Ninth Corps front, gaining a temporary advantage, at which time the First Division was ordered to the support of that Corps, but before it arrived at the point of attack the enemy had been repulsed and the lost ground regained. As soon as its ser- vices were no longer needed the Division was ordered back. In the afternoon of the same day an attack was made on the intrenched picket line of the enemy, in front of the Corps, which was carried and held, some 650 prisoners being captured; not, however, without a desperate fight, in which the Corps lost a considerable number of officers and men.
March 27-Sharp picket firing. At night the enemy re-
-
132
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
April 10-Remained at Clover Hill.
April 11-Moved in the direction of Burkeville, which was reached on the 13th. Remained encamped near Burkeville until 23rd.
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