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 9
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About 3 p. m., at a given signal, the troops charged, and with- out halting to fire passed over the enemy's lines, capturing over 200 prisoners. In the last charge the picket line from the Tenth Vermont went forward in good style. .
Col. B. F. Smith, One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, Bvt. . Col. O. II. Binkley, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, Lieut. Cols.
99
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
C. M. Cornyn, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, and James W. Snyder, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and Maj. C. K. Prentiss, Sixth Maryland, led their men with great gallantry. Dvt. Lieut. Col. Aaron Spangler, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteers, received a severe wound in the leg while gallantly urging the men forward in the last charge. Lieutenant-Colonel Damon, Tenth Vermont, did his duty nobly. Capt. Simon Dieker- hoof, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania, who was Division officer of the day at that time, also showed great coolness and gallantry.
Notwithstanding a heavy artillery fire from the enemy's guns was concentrated upon the troops the captured line was held. It subsequently proved to be of great benefit to the Corps by en- abling troops to be formed behind it for an assault upon the enemy's main works.
Copies of Regimental reports are herewith transmitted. A summary of the casualties is hereto appended.
I am, Major, your obedient and humble servant,
J. WARREN KEIFER, Brevet Brigadier General.
Bvt. Maj. O. V. Tracy,
Acting Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Div., Sixth Army Corps.
Numerical list of casualties in Second Brigade, Third Di- vision, Sixth Army Corps, March 25, 1865.
Command
Killed. O. Men.
Wounded. Missing. O. Men. O. Men.
Total. O. Men. Ag.
110th Ohio Vol-
unteers
4
1
16
1 20
21
122nd Ohio Vol- unteers
1
23
24
24
126th Ohio Vol- unteers . . .
1
4
. .
. .
. ..
5
5
67th Pa. Vol- unteers . ..
2
11
2
. . .
15
15
138th Pa. Vol- unteers ..
.
ยท
.. .
. . .
...
. .
6th Maryland Volunteers .. 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ....
1
. .
2
.
3
3
35
35
35
Total
9
1
91
2
1
102
103
.
.
..
. .
. .
...
...
..
. .
..
1 100
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
SERIES I, VOL. 46, PAGE 992. No. 139.
Reports of Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. Warren Keifer, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade.
Hdqrs. Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps,
Camp at Burkeville, Va., April 14, 1865.
Major: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to re- port the operations of this Brigade on the 2nd instant in the as- sault upon the enemy's works and in the engagement in front of Petersburg, Va.
Previous to the 2nd instant my command, with the exception of the One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, occupied the line of works from Fort Fisher to Fort Gregg. in- clusive of the forts named, and also Fort Welch, which was about the center of the Brigade. The One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania occupied Fort Dushane, on the rear line, near the Weldon railroad. The Brigade was formed for the assault to the front and left of Fort Welch about 3 a. m., in three lines of battle, with its right resting at an ahnost impassable swamp and ravine, which separated its right from the left of the Second Division, Sixth Army Corps. The First Brigade of the Third Division was formed upon the left of my Brigade. The Brigade was formed just in rear of the old intrenched pieket line of the enemy which had been taken from him on the 25th ultimo. Much difficulty was experienced in getting the troops formed, in consequence of the deep darkness and the deep swamp to be passed through, and also from a severe and annoying fire from the enemy. A number of men were killed and a number of officers and men were wounded . during the formation of the troops, notwithstanding the troops preserved good order and remained cool and steady. The One Hundred and Tenth and One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio and Sixth Maryland Regiments were formed in the front line, 'from right to left, in the order named; the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery constituted the second line ; and the One Hundred . and Twenty Second Ohio, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth and Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania Regiments were formed in the rear line, from right to left, in the order named.
The signal to assault the enemy's works was given, by direc- tion of Major General Wright, at precisely + a. m., by discharging a piece of artillery at Fort Fisher. Immediately after the signal was given the troops in the front line moved forward upon the
101
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
enemy's outer works, which was held by a strong line of pickets, and captured them, and without halting or discharging a piece, although receiving a heavy fire from the enemy, the whole com- mand moved upon the enemy's main works. Not even a tem- porary check transpired in passing through and over the double line of abatis, ditch, and strong earth-works. A hand-to-hand fight ensued within the main works, in which many gallant offi- cers and men fell killed and wounded. The enemy in our front was soon killed, wounded, captured, or dispersed. Although the enemy had a large amount of artillery in the works in our front, we suffered but little from it. The whole of his artillery in our front fell into our hands immediately upon entering the works. This Brigade assaulted the enemy's works just to the left (the enemy's right) of a salient angle in the enemy's line of works. After gaining an entrance within the works the enemy were still firing over the works to our right and upon the First and Second Divisions of the Sixth Army Corps, but in a few moments he was driven from his entire line of works in front of the Corps. This Brigade captured 10 pieces of artillery immediately after enter- ing the works, for which it received receipts ; also a large number of prisoners, 3 battle-flags, and Major General Ileth's Division Headquarters' flag. The troops of the Brigade were in some con- fusion after entering the works, but the main body was at once directed along the enemy's fortifications to the left and upon a strong fort containing four pieces of artillery, which was soon captured. Although a number of troops of the Division were hurried to this fort, yet when attacked by the enemy, owing to their unorganized condition, the troops were driven baek and the fort retaken. At this juncture I directed Maj. William Wood and Brevet Major Lamoreaux, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, to place in position a four-gun battery, captured from the enemy, which they were prompt in doing, and fired the guns with good effect.
A portion of the One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio and One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania Regiments, after passing over the works, continued directly forward across the Boydton plank road to a camp of the enemy some distance in the rear of the fortifications, where they captured a large number of prisoners. Some of the troops continued as far to the northward as the South Side railroad and destroyed the telegraph line and tore up two rails on the South Side road. Upon their return
102
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Corporal John W. Mauk and Private Daniel Wolford, Company F, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, be- came separated from the other troops. Two mounted men with pistols in their hands rode upon them and demanded their sur- render, which was refused. The mounted men told them that other troops were coming upon them. The corporal and private deliberately fired upon the mounted men, the corporal killing one of them, the other escaped. The corporal and his comrade, fearing that others of the enemy were near at hand, retreated to the main body of the troops. From the manner in which it is known that Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill was killed, there can be no doubt but what Corporal Mauk killed him. One of General Hill's staff officers, who was near him when he was shot, locates the place of his death at the same place the corporal related that he had shot an officer, before the death of General Hill was known by him.
The main body of the troops of the Brigade soon retook the fort from which they had been driven, and, with the other troops of the Division, swept along the enemy's fortifications to the left as far as Hatcher's Run, and small parties of the Brigade, with the Brigade sharpshooters, crossed it and captured a large num- ber of prisoners.
Twelve pieces of artillery were captured during this move- ment to the left by the troops of the Third Division. Capt. Wil- liam L. Shaw, with a small party of men, captured a 49-in. bat- tery and over fifty prisoners near Hatcher's Run. The prisoners were brought away and the guns were turned over to Brevet Brigadier General Harris' Brigade, in the Twenty Fourth Army Corps.
As the prisoners were all hastened to the rear, I am unable to approximate the number captured by this Brigade.
From Hateher's Run the troops were hastened back to the place where the attack was first made, from whence the Division was sent to the right and formed, fronting Petersburg, and upon the left and in support of the Ninth Army Corps.
Particular mention has already been made of the gallantry of officers, but it is due to Col. M. R. McClennan, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania; Lieut. Col. Charles M. Cornyn, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio; Lieut. Col. James W. Snyder, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery ; Major Clifton K. Pren- tiss, Sitxh Maryland Volunteers; Majors William and Anson S. . Wood, Bvt. Maj. S. B. Lamoreaux, Ninth New York Heavy Artil-
-
103
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
lery, that their most brilliant services should be acknowledged here. Majors Wood and Lamoreaux, with men of the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, were the first to turn and fire the enemy's guns upon him. Major Prentiss, Sixth Maryland, with a large portion of his Regiment, was the first to penetrate the enemy's works, where, after a most bloody struggle, he fell severely, if not mortally, wounded. Five other officers of the Sixth Mary- land were wounded very soon after entering the fortifications. Too much praise cannot be given the officers and men of this Regi- ment.
So nearly at the same time were the colors of the One Hun- dred and Tenth Ohio, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania, and Sixth Maryland placed upon the enemy's works that each claims the honor of being the first.
Capt. William D. Shellenberger, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, received a severe wound in the arm while advancing upon the enemy's works. Capt. H. II. Stevens, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteers, was shot dead after entering the fortifications.
Capts. George P. Boyer, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, J. W. Moffatt and C. E. Patterson, One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, J. J. Bradshaw, Sixth Maryland, and Charles J. Gibson, One Hun- dred and Twenty Second Ohio, are among the many who specially distinguished themselves on that day.
Sergt. Francis M. McMillen, Company C, and Private Isaac James, Company HI, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, and Private Milton Blickensderfer, Company E, One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, each captured battle-flags. Private George Loyd, Company A, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, captured Major General IIeth's Division Headquarters' flag. Sergt. Judah Taylor, Company A, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, is reported by his Regimental commander as having captured a battle-flag, which he gave up to two officers whose names are not known to him.
The names of many other enlisted men might in justice to them be mentioned. They have already been named in a separate report.
Capt. William L. Shaw, Acting Assistant Adjutant General of this Brigade, and other members of the Brigade Staff deserve special mention for their good conduct. Capt. Harrison De Yar- mett, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio Volunteers, who commanded the Brigade sharpshooters, was particularly efficient
104
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
and active. He showed superior skill and judgment.
My orders for the day's operations were received from and. through Brig. Gen. T. Seymour, who in person accompanied the troops in the assault. Major General Wright and Brigadier Gen- eral Seymour were present with the troops directing the opera- tions of the day.
Copies of Regimental reports are herewith transmitted.
A numerical list of casualties is hereto annexed.
I am, Major, your obedient and humble servant, J. WARREN KEIFER, Brevet Brigadier General Volunteers.
Bvt. Maj. O. V. Tracy,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
Numerical report of casualties in Second Brigade, Third Di- vision, Sixth Army Corps, April 2, 1865.
Regiment. Killed. Wounded.
O. Men.
O. Men.
Total.
110th Ohio Volunteers. ..
1
3
2
22
O. Men: 25 3
Ag. 28
122nd Ohio Volunteers. ..
1
1 10
1
11
12
67th Pa. Volunteers. .
2
. .
6
8
8
138th Pa. Volunteers. . ..
2
14
2
14
16
6th Maryland Volunteers. .
2
6
20
6
22
28
9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery
4
3
59
3
63
66
Total
1 12
14
139
15 151
166
8
8
8
126th Ohio Volunteers.
. .
. .
. .
...
Hdqrs. Second Brig., Third Div., Sixth Army Corps, Camp at Burkeville, Va., April 18, 1865.
Major : In obedience to orders, I have the honor to forward a report of movements and operations of this Brigade from the 3rd to the 13th of April, 1865, inclusive.
After the movements and operations of the 2nd instant the Brigade bivouacked for the night in front of Petersburg, Va. Early on the morning of the 3rd it was ascertained that Peters- burg was evacuated on the night previous by the rebel army and reports were received, which proved to be true, that Richmond, the rebel Capitol, was also evacuated on the same night. About 9 a. m. on the 3rd this Brigade, with the Division and Corps, com- meneed the pursuit of the enemy by the road in the direction of Burkeville Junction, Va. The pursuit was continued on the 4th and 5th. Just after dark of the 5th instant the Brigade went into position, on the left of the Corps, in two lines, near Jetersville.
105
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
Va., facing Amelia Court House, its left connecting with the Fifth Army Corps. The front line threw up slight earth-works.
Early upon the morning of the 6th instant the Brigade, with the Corps, advanced toward Amelia Court House, in the vicinity of which it was known that the rebel Army of Northern Virginia had been concentrated. The troops moved forward about three miles, when information was obtained that the rebel army had withdrawn and was then moving around the left flank of our army and in the direction of Burkeville Junction. The troops were marched back by the way of Jetersville and moved upon a road which enabled the Corps to strike the enemy in flank. The Corps came up with General Sheridan's cavalry about 3 p. m. of the 6th instant. This Brigade was in the advance of the Corps; the Brigade sharpshooters and the One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio Regiment were rapidly deployed as skirmishers, and the other Regiments formed in two lines in their rear. Without delay or scarcely a halt for the formation the whole Brigade was pushed forward, as directed by Major General Wright through Brigadier General Seymour. During the movement I caused two companies of the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio to deploy to the right to pro- tect the flank. The enemy was moving troops and trains upon a road which extended parallel to our then front. A short distance from the road upon which the enemy was marching a brisk skir- mish ensued between my advance and troops of the enemy, but the road was soon gained, and a considerable number of prisoners and wagons captured. The Brigade struck the main road upon which the enemy was moving at the junction of a road which led off to the right and at right angles with it. The greater part of the skirmish line-One Hundred and Tenth Ohio and Ninth New York Ileavy Artillery-was ordered to pursue a body of the enemy which had retreated on that road. The enemy also had a section of artillery upon that road, from which they fired shell and can- ister shot, but without producing much damage. The troops in pusruit soon compelled the artillery to withdraw from its first position to a second. Although the troops had performed a march of over eighteen miles they eagerly pressed forward, and were in the act of making a second charge upon the artillery when orders were received purporting to come from Major General Sheridan to halt and allow the cavalry to charge. The cavalry charge was not made. The section of artillery was very soon withdrawn, but it is believed that it was subsequently captured. The Sixth Mary-
--
106
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
land, Sixty Seventh and One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsyl- vania Regiments were re-formed in line across the main road upon which the enemy had been moving, and at once commenced his pursuit. The rear guard of the enemy was soon overtaken and attacked; it was vigorously pressed for about one mile, to and aeross Sailor's Creek. The enemy being cut off from retreat by cavalry, under command of Major General Custer, were forced to give battle, and for that purpose formed his line behind Sailor's Creek. The Divisions of General Pickett, Kershaw, Custis Lee, and also the Marine Brigade, commanded by Commodore Tucker, the whole under the command of Lieut. Gen. R. S. Ewell, are known to have participated in the battle. Artillery was brought within range of the enemy and opened a destructive fire upon him. The First Brigade, Third Division, and the First Division, Sixth Army Corps, were soon upon the ground and formed for an attack. Although staff officers were sent to withdraw the part of this Brigade that had been sent in pursuit of the enemy upon the other road, only a portion arrived in time to participate in the final engagement, in consequence of the refusal of officers in the Second Army Corps, which had then come up on our right, to allow them to be withdrawn from their front. An attack was ordered to be made by Maj. Gen. HI. G. Wright, commanding Corps, with the troops already upon the ground. A concentrated artillery fire was directed upon the enemy's center, under cover . of which the troops advanced through and across the swamp, and at once charged up the steep hills upon which the enemy was posted. A severe conflict ensued as the lines of the opposing forces came together. A number of men were bayoneted on both sides. The enemy had a heavy column massed in the rear of his center, with which he charged upon our troops. Owing to the fact that our troops could only be fought in one line, the enemy succeeded in breaking through the center and gaining a momentary success. The troops on the right and left continued the advance until the enemy's column in the center was enveloped and cut to pieces and captured. The enemy was soon routed at all points, and many general officers and many thousands of prisoners threw down their arms and surrendered. The rebel Marine Brigade fought with most extraordinary courage, but was finally eut off and captured. Commodore Tucker, Commander Hunter, Captain Semmes, and about twenty-five naval officers, with the Brigade, surrendered to .me.
107
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
It is impossible to give the number of prisoners captured by troops of this brigade. Two battle-flags were taken from the enemy during the conflict. Corpl. John Keough, Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania, and Corporal Trustrim Connell, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania, each captured a battle-flag.
Much gallantry and many aets of distinguished bravery were noticed during the attack. Unusual credit is due the troops for the vigorous manner in which they attacked the enemy, consider- ing the long and tiresome march made on the same day. Lieut. Col. J. C. Hill, commanding Sixth Maryland, was captured by the enemy, but soon after persuaded his captors, including a number of officers and men, to surrender to him and come within our lines.
During the entire day's operations, Col. M. R. MClennan, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania; Bvt. Col. O. H. Binkley, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio; Lieut. Cols. C. M. Cornyn, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, and James W. Snyder, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Regimental ,commanders showed great skill, judgment, and bravery. Maj. William G. Wil- liams, One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, commanding Sixty Seventh Pennsylvania, was particularly gallant.
Maj. William Wood, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, while leading his Battalion in a charge, received a dangerous wound from a canister shot in the face.
Majs. Anson S. Wood, S. B. Lamoreaux, and Capts. George W. Brinkerhoff, Henry J. Rhodes, and Chauncey Fish, Ninth New York Ileavy Artillery; and Capts. George P. Boyer, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, Charles J. Gibson and Moses D. Wheeler, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, John J. Bradshaw, Jolm G. Simpers, and Charles A. Damuth, Sixth Maryland, and Simon Dickerhof, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania Regi- ments, are among the many who did their duty nobly.
Capt. Harrison D. Yarmett, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio, commanding Brigade sharpshooters, handled his men as skirmishers with great skill and success.
Capt. William L. Shaw, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio, Acting Assistant Adjutant General of Brigade; Capt. J. P. Dudrow, One Hundred and Twenty Second Ohio; Capt. William H. Abercrom- bie, Sixth Maryland, and Second Lient. R. W. Cook, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsylvania, Acting Aides-de-Camp; and Capt. J. W. Jewhurst, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, serving upon Brigade Staff-were particularly active, efficient, and brave.
108
THE OFFICIAL WAR RECORD
Capt. T. J. Hoskinson, commissary of subsistence of the Brigade, were conspicuous for gallantry upon the field.
Privates Richard Netz, One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, and George W. lekes, One Hundred and Thirty Eighth Pennsyl- vania, mounted orderlies, accompanied me with the advance of the troops in the field attack, the former carrying the Brigade flag. Their most commendable conduct should not be forgotten.
The troops were moved from the scene of the battle after dark toward Rice's Station, and bivouacked for the night about two miles and a half from the battle-ground and about three miles from Rice's Station. The remnant of the rebel army re- treated, via Farmville, across the Appomattox river toward Ap- pomattox Court House, Va., and was closely pursued. This Brigade, with the Division and Corps, crossed the river at Farm- ville about 10 p. m. of the 7th, and bivouacked for the night.
The enemy was closely followed on the 8th and 9th of April until about 2 p. m. of the 9th instant, when the troops halted about six miles from Appomattox Court House, and were soon after informed that General R. E. Lee had surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia. The rebel army was then in our immediate front and not to exceed five miles from Appomattox Court House, Va. The wildest enthusiasm prevailed among the troops upon being informed of the surrender.
Early on the morning of the 11th instant the Brigade, with the Corps, commenced the march to this place, where it arrived on the 13th instant and went into camp.
The One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Ohio, Col. B. F. Smith commanding, was detached from the Brigade on the night of the 5th of April to guard prisoners, and did not rejoin the Brigade until April 15, 1865.
Detailed reports of the operations of Regiments are herewith transmitted. 1
My orders were received from and through Brig. Gen. T. Seymour, commanding division, to whom I beg here to tender my thanks for his uniform courtesy to me.
The once defiant rebel Army of Northern Virginia being ut- terly vanquished, the troops are in the highest possible spirits at the prospect of an early and universal peace in our country.
I am, Major, with high esteem, your most obedient and hum- ble servant,
J. WARREN KEIFER, Brevet Bregadier General, Commanding.
Bvt. Maj. O. V. Tracy,
Acting Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Div., Sixth Army Corps.
1
109
OF THE 122ND REGIMENT, O. V. I.
The Brigade remained at Burkeville Junction until the morn- ing of April 23rd, 1865, when, with the Sixth Corps, it commenced a forced march toward Danville, under orders, said to have emanated from General Halleck's headquarters, "to push through as rapidly as possible for the purpose of assisting in the capture of General J. E. Johnston's army." The Corps arrived at Dan- ville on the 27th, and halted, General Johnston's army having surrendered to General Sherman, on the 26th, at Greensborough, North Carolina.
The Brigade remained at Danville until May 16th, at which time it moved by railroad to Richmond, Va., and on the 24th of May, wes reviewed, with the Corps, in Richmond, and at once commenced the march for Washington, D. C. The Corps arrived at Ball's Cross Roads, four miles from Washington, on the Vir- ginia side of the Potomac, the afternoon of the 3rd of June, hav- ing marched through Hanover Court House, Fredericksburg, etc.
The Corps camped at Ball's Cross Roads until its organization was broken up. It was reviewed June 8th, in the streets of Wash- ington, by the President, General Grant, and others high in authority.
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