Capt. and A. A. G.
Second Division.
BRIGADE REPORT FROM BENTONVILLE TO GOLDSBORO,
NORTH CAROLINA.
Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2d Division, 14th A. C.
Goldsboro, N. C., March 30, 1865.
Captain: I have the honor to report herewith the operations of this brigade from the hour I assumed command of the same up to its arrival at this place.
A few minutes before 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th, I was informed by Capt. Swift, A. A. A. G. of the brigade, that Gen. Fearing was wounded and disabled for further command, when I immediately assumed command of the brigade. This was just as my own regiment came out of the fight and began its formation on the Goldsboro road, as described in my regimental report. Capt. Snodgrass, commanding the 22d Indiana, had rallied about 100 men, mostly of his left wing, which had remained in better order than his right. The 125th Illinois almost entire formed line to the left and on the prolongation of the basis of alignment of the 22nd Indiana. I immediately directed two staff officers to find the 52d Ohio and 86th Illinois and put them in their order on the right of this new line. While these officers were preparing to execute this order, I directed so much of the line as was already formed to move forward to a point by me designated, where the left should rest, and about seventy-five yards in advance of the rallying point. I had at this time but one entire regiment and so much of the 22d Indiana as above mentioned. These I directed to carry rails and when arrived at the point to which they were ordered, to advance. I then chose my defensive line, nearly at right angles with the Goldsboro road, and ordered works to be rapidly constructed. As soon as the work began, a brigade of the 20th A. C., commanded by Gen. Robinson, joined my left, and began the construction of a refused line. I then passed towards the right and met Capt. James, commanding a portion of the 52d Ohio, and directed him to form on the 22d Indiana. Very soon thereafter Lieut. Col. Fahnestock reported with a part of the 86th Illinois, whom I directed to form on the right of the 52d Ohio, refusing well his right. By this time I may safely say that not more than one-half the command was present. I urged regimental commanders to bring forward their men as rapidly as possible, and waste no time in strengthening their works. Cartridge-boxes were nearly empty, and I directed Captain Swift to find ammunition wherever he could and distribute it to the regiments. This he obtained from the 20th army corps, not being able to find ammunition wagons of our own division. Men who had become separated from their commands, were rapidly coming forward, so that the line was now compelled to yield battalion front to the right. My works were scarcely strong enough to protect men lying down, when the enemy's skirmishers advanced to within shooting distance, and commenced a lively fire. At this moment a staff officer of the Major General commanding left wing, met Captain Burkhalter, brigade inspector, and directed that the line should be thrown back about seventy-five yards. This direction I could not obey, even if the point, selected by him, had been more advisable, for the main line of the enemy at this moment vigorously assaulted my works, and were handsomely repulsed. My line having proved available once I determined to strengthen and hold it; besides it was the nearest position I could obtain to the lines of the 1st and 2nd brigades of the division, which I knew were then isolated by the intervention of a heavy rebel column. About half an hour before sundown, Gen. Coggswell, commanding a brigade of the 20th army corps, moved in past my right, and advanced swinging to the left past my front, until his left rested about 150 yards to the front of my center. Here his command became hotly engaged, but maintained firmly its position, until darkness terminated all efforts of the rebels to dislodge it. During the fight in front, my left was attacked by strong columns of the enemy, but in every instance they failed to move it. As soon as darkness came on, I directed my line of works to be made strong, and obstructions placed in front. Though the troops of this command had been driven back at an early period of the day, I can bear witness to the total absence of anything like demoralization in the ranks, in the engagement I have attempted to describe. Men were cool and determined, and fought with the energy of heroes. During the night I maintained a good picket line to my front. On the morning of the 20th, at 9 o'clock, I was relieved by Gen. Carlin of the 1st division, and directed to join the 1st and 2nd brigades. This I did, and took position in reserve. At 9 p. m., by order of Gen. Morgan, I placed two regiments in temporary works which had been vacated by Gen. Baird's troops, and on the following morning I moved the two remaining regiments of the brigade, and extended the line across the Goldsboro road. This formation put the brigade in single line with the left much advanced. Here I had constructed a strong line of works. This new position placed me about one third of a mile in advance of the 1st division of the corps, and with no connection on my left, which fact I reported. About 10 a. m. Maj. Gen. Slocum visited my line, and informed me that he would immediately put in troops on my left. Soon after a division of the 20th army corps was formed, making the connection complete, but did not remain more than half an hour, when it was withdrawn, again leaving my left exposed. This involved the necessity of refusing the center and left of my line so much, that it threw my entire line on the south side of, and parallel to, the road. About 3 p. m., the enemy opened on my skirmish line with artillery, and at the same time advanced a line of battle and drove the skirmishers in. The line of battle advanced to within shooting distance of my main line, but hastily retired upon receiving our fire. The most of my line was so close to that of the enemy, that lively picket firing was kept up all day. At night the enemy retreated, and my skirmishers were the first to enter his works at daybreak, which fact I reported to you at once. On the 22nd instant the brigade marched as far as the Neuse river, and encamped for the night. On the morning of the 23rd, it crossed the Neuse and marched as train guard to this place, where it reached its present camp, on the north side of the city, at dark. In order to show, to some extent, the damage done to the enemy in the fight of the 19th instant, I have to report that on the next day, details from this brigade, for that purpose, buried 112 dead rebels, including 8 commissioned officers, on our front alone. Other duties were required of the troops before the dead were all buried. The casualty list of the brigade, pursuant to orders, has been forwarded. My grateful thanks are due to Captain Swift, A. A. A. G., Captain Burkhalter, A. A. I. G., and Lieut. Tanner, A. D. C., for the efficient services they rendered me at the critical moment when I assumed command of the brigade, and their subsequent conduct on the field only added luster to their long acknowledged bravery; also to Captain Stinson and Lieutenant Scroggs, of the division staff, who were, during a portion of the engagement, cut off from their commander, and served me to excellent purpose as volunteer aids, until communication was opened to Gen. Morgan's quarters.
I have the honor to be Captain,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant