Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-10-23
Report of Col. smyth, of the First Della
ware Regiment.
ACTIONS AT TURKEY CREEK AND BRls-
Tow STATION


llEAD-QUARTRns % BRIG, 81 Div. 2p
ARMY, CoBPs
October l7th, 1869.
Carr GgouGE p. CoRrs,
ASST ADuT. GEN. 30 DIVISION;
Captain have the honor to make the follow
ing report of the part taken by this Brigade III
the actions of the lith Of October, at Turkey
Creek and Bri-tow Staiion:
The command marched from camp on the
Warrenton road at daylight, on the morning Of
the l1h OF 0ctObtrs While crossing Turkey
Greek the enemy opened on the column with nr-
uery. An order was received from Brig. Gen
Hays, commanding the Division, to deploy skir
mlahers on the right and left lnnks OF tue col
umn. accordingly dep oyed five companies of
the lst Del Vols, under command OF Major
WoOiall, and the lOslh n. Y. Vols, under com
mand OF Col, Powers the LIST DEL. on the lett.
mud the lOSth N. ", on the right. The lith
Conn. Vols was flrmed in line of battle wi h
the right resting on the road AMI as the enemy
commenced n fire Of mugkctry further to the
lett, the lat Del. -krmi'heis were extended by
the left flank, aud the l2h N. Vols, was
formed in line Of battle facing to the left, with
the right resting on the left OF the 18th Conn. -
heceving an order from Gen. Hays to send IA
regiment to the support of the l2Gth N. Y. Vols ,
sent the 18th N. j. Vols. for this SERVICE The
order was then given by Gen. Hays TO advance
.
On the right. The skrmishers Of the lst Del.
were Withdrawn from the left and depoyed as
llankers on the right. The column then moved on,
About 2. ~, as the command was marching
by lank from wood toward the Ruil Road
near Biis.ow Station, the enemy suddenly at,
tackled the column with artillery. Gen. llays
ordered me to form line Of battle to the left and
advance. As the Brigade debouched from the
wood, | marched it by the left flank Owing 10
the RIGHT nf fha Ilriuntln unrchin,r in 1tua s.
tle while the left was obliged TO move forward
into line ~ it came out Of the woods, some little
disorder was occasiOned, which was however
soon recifed and the Brigade was formed into
line along the Rail Road A column of the en-.
emy appeared on hill in our front, aud little
to our right and opened fire OF musketry. An
order was received from Gen. Hays, to move
forward through the wood and charge that col
umn of the enemy on their right flank / or-
dered my command to fix bayonets, and advance
through the wood. The line was formed in the
wood, the LIST Del. on the right, and the follow
ing regiments in succession to the left = llth
Conn, 18th N. j., and los N. Y. regiment
Of the ID Disvision, the 7th Michigan came to
the front at this point, they had been deployed
as ilankers As there was an interval between
the Eth N. j., and l08ih n Y, / placed the
9Th Michigan there to complete the connection,
thinking that mere service could be obtained by
forming it in the line here, than by permitting
it in the emergency, to fall back to seek its Bri
eade. This regiment was commanded by Major
S. W. Curtis, who seemed anxious to perform his
share in the action wherever circumstances might
place him. His regiment fought we'll Col G,
D. Powers, l0Sth N. Y. Vols reported a force Of
the enemy moving toward our left and several
musket shots were fired into the lOSth N. Y,
woundng one or two men. reported this to
Gen Hays, who directed me to make such dis
position as would meet the enemy, then ori, r.
ed the los N, Y, 7th Mich, and two companies
of the 18th N. j. to file to the left. Finding