The National tribune., 1892-04-28

copy, which appeared in print several years
ago. The General wrote it shortly after the
struggle he describes, in which be lost nearly
half of the fighting force of his three old brl-
cades In killed and wounded, consequently
the mental focus he had on the circumstances
attending that Bloody afternoon OF May 5,
1864, was UNNECESSARILY superior to that OF
those who are HOW describing from memory
events which took place more than a quarter
of century ago, and his account is as much
clearer than scnae Of those now appearing as is
sunlight to twilight.-W. GEORGE, Co. Z, 10th
Ps.
HEADQUARTFRs SECOND DIVISION,
SIXTH Corps
October 13, 1854.
Maj. c. A. WHITTIER, Acting Assistant Adju-
tant-General Sixth Corps.
MAJOR: have the honor TO make the fol-
lowing report of the part taken by the Second
Division. Sixth Corps, in the operations against
Richmond Va, from May to July 1864.
l. Wilderness.-The division broke camp at
Brandy Station at daylight on the 4th OF May
last: marched TO and crossed the Rapidan at
Germana Ford, and encamped on Fiat Bush
Run. two miles from the Ford, in position
covering the Germanna Plank road, pickets
connecting on the right with the First Divis-
ion Of this corps, and on the left with the
Fifth Corps.
The division moved at a. %. to old Wilder
ness Tavern, massed, and remained waiting
orders until noon. At 1890 a. NJ. Neiils Bri-
pade-the Thiril-was detached and ordered TO
report to Gen. Wright, commanding First Di-
vision. who WAS about TO advance on Robin
son's Tavern Girt road, and did not rejoin the
division until the 9Th, after the battle Of the
Wilderness For the share borne By them In
that battle / would respectfully call attention
TO the brigade report herewith submitted.
Abcu: u ID. orders being received from Gen.
Meade. commanding Army of the Potomac to
hasten CIT 30 The junction OF the Orange
Courthouse and GeTmanna Plank roads ia sup
port the cavalry who were being driven from
Parker's Store. the division marched rapidly
out on the Plank road for tnle, ana then
took the Brock road, which crosses the Orange
Courthouse Plank road mile in advance Of
the Germanna Plank road, instead Of the latter.
On approaching the crossroads our cavalry
were found hastily retiring. fastening for
ward with ny staff, / reached the crossroads
sust as the eHsHy's skiTmishers appeared,
rapidly advancing TO gain possession OF this
point The presence Of my small retinae, con-
Eisting Of iny staff and orderlles, standing
firmly al The r-oint in dispute. although under
FIRE served 10 delay their advance few min-
utes. during which Wheaten's Brigade (the
First was brought up at the doubie-qnick,
faced TO the froat, and a volley poured in,
which drove back the enemy's advance. Skin
mishers were then Immediately degioyed and
advanced few hundred yards. until they en-
countered the ercmys skirmishefs. The
rebel dead aud wounded were found within 30
yards Of he crossroads so nearly lad they OBJ
tanned possession Of it. Prisoners taken here
reported iIilI's Corps with Hethis Division in
advance. on the Orange Courthouse Plank
road advancing. ] Immediately forwarded
this information to Gen. Seagwick, then com
manding the corps. The division was formed
In two lines a right angles TO the Orange
Courthouse Flank road. with Wheaton's Bril-
gade on both sides Of the road, Eustis's On the
right, and Grants Vermont Brigade on the
left
Wheaton's brigade was disposed as follows:
Tie 18Th and SD Pa aud 62d \. y in the first
line and 102d and 33th Pa. IN the second line.
The 10th Mass. aud Cd Z. ]. constituted Eustiss
first linr, supported by the TIN and 37th Mass.
The Tesmon:ers were in the following order:
81 and sth ia tie front line, supported by the
90, 5th, and G,s. The advance was made not
in regular line Of battle but by the right Of
companies 10 tas front
In Obedience to orders several attempts were
now made to establish connection with the left
OF the Fifth Corps, but without success. owing
70 the fact tina: the enemy were ID force be-
tween the division and that corps. For two
hours no-Y save for constant FIRE of SIX sheTs,
everything WAS quiet. The enemy were evil
oently getting into position and forming their
lines. At go p. IN. the head of Hancock s
column, the Second Corps, came up on ny left
by the Brock road. and as rapidly as possible
were forming on the LEFT OF the division.
NhcatOB's Brigade was now placed wholly on
the right Of tise road. At til is iuuctuFe orders
were received from Gen. Meade. commanding
Army Of the Potomac, to attack at once
without waiting for the Second Corps.
This order was reiterated by Col. Lyman, oi
Es..T WI 81.
the division advanced at once. a section ol
artillery from the Second Corps, under Capt.
Ricketts, Was planted on the Plank road, and
advanced with the lines aud did good service.
The enemy were found in strong force imme.
diateiy IN front Their lines out2ankcd the
division, and though forced back some distance
IN the center. they held, IN the min, their
ground, aud repEised every attack. The fight
ing was very beary. About D. m. the enemy
charged ard forced back our dimes some sc
yards, who's they wcrc checked and repulsed.
On The Plank road they got up to aud
planted color at ono of the guns OF Ricketts,,
section, which size horses being killed. could
MOI be Withdrawn, bot were immed lately driven
back and tie gun reiaken by a charge of per
tons Of Grant and HAeatCn's Brigades. il
was with the utmost difficulty and only by the
most stubborn fighting aud tenacity that the
division could hold its ground, ogtnumbcIed
and ouiiiaBked IS they were by the whole
.
length getting iYt0 position, advanced on III,
left, and 70 a great extent relieved the prcssur,
or ny liDes. Very heavy fighting. without
either ga'HiHg cr losing ground, was kept ul
until after dark. The division was then re
lieved by troops from the Second Corps anC
withdrawn from the front line.
At G O'Clock a. IA, May s, the Second Corp
attacked THIS division formed ia two Iiue
on both sides Of the Plank road, Eustis on th
right. Wheaton in the center. crossing tn
Plank road. and Grant on the lel, advanced il
support OF Eirney's Division, Second Corps
The enemy was again encountered immedi
ately Ia 'front.' hut after sharp struggle wa
forced back The troops pushed GA with re
newed vi@or. The enemy lost ground rapidly
and hundreds OF prisoners came pouring in.
mile and half in advance of the crossroads
Naosworth's Division, of the Fifth Corps cam
sweeping in from the right driving the enem,
IN great confusion, and forming junction wit
the troops which had advanced on the Orane
Courthouse Plank road. All pressed On allc
the almost routed enemy. Having ad
yaBced three Gurrlhs Of a mile farthe. heav
artillery ire WAS encountered from batteries o.
the left Of the road, but masked by The thici
scrub and pines Ia compliance with order
from Gen. Birney, the division was move
wholly to the lea OF the Plank road but 500
after psrce;ying that there was but few troop