The regiment was all ready, and at the word, leaped over their rail pens and away for the enemies works, and without a stop, over their defences, capturing several hundred prisoners, two cannon and two battle flags. One of these battle flags is still in possession of Col. Kellogg, at Norwalk, and the other is deposited with our own colors at the Capital.
After our division had forced their lines at Hatcher’s Run, we joined our corps, and pressing on after the 6th corps, swerving to the right and closing in on the enemy around Petersburg. Just at night, our division was selected by Gen. Gibbon, to carry by storm two large forts on the South of the city.
We were soon formed in column by brigade, with our brigade in front. Company D, now the brigade sharpshooters, were deployed in front. At the order, our three brigades sprang forward to the charge at a right shoulder shift; the sharpshooters opened a rapid fire that was so well directed, that their guns were used with very poor effect. Without a stop the first fort was reached, and after ten or fifteen minutes of desperate resistance was ours. The second one then fell with scarce a struggle.
The roar of battle was now heard along the whole line, the enemy fighting bravely behind their works; but at the close of that Sabbath evening we knew that the strength of the Rebellion was broken.
During the night Petersburg and Richmond was evacuated, and the Rebel army in rapid retreat towards Danville. Early in the morning we were in pursuit, taking the road towards Burkesville, along the South Side road. Gen. Ord being in command of our portion of the army. We marched to Burkesville, arriving there at 11 o’clock on the night of the 5th, being square on Lee’s flank, who was to the north of us and on the road towards Farmville. The army was completely jaded, having been on the march since early morning, and rest was imperatively demanded. The General, however, called for two picked regiments to go out and destroy the bridges that cross the Appomattox, near Farmville, and thus cut off the enemy’s retreat in that direction. The 123d Ohio and 54th Pennsylvania were selected, and with a squadron of the 4th Massachusetts cavalry, the whole under command of Gen. Theodore Read, at once started. They met the head of Lee’s army near the point designated, and at once bravely attacked them.
Col. Kellogg was in command of the infantry, Gen. Read being away with the cavalry on a reconnaissance.
Deploying a heavy line of skirmishers, we stubbornly maintained our position, though against a largely superior force. After having repulsed them several times, Gen. Read, knowing we could not long withstand their rapidly increasing force, resolved to charge with his little band of cavalry, and endeavor to cut his way through to the main army. Gallantly that squadron rode to the assault, many of them destined never again to hear the bugle’s call. The brave Read was killed, and eleven officers of his staff and cavalry killed or wounded.
None of them succeeded in getting through, nor did any of them return to us. Still we held our ground, and as the Rebels marched out beyond our flanks, more men were deployed, until finally, both regiments were a mere skirmish line. For several hours this unequal contest was waged, till at last the boys began to get out of ammunition, and very soon that cry became general.
Col. Kellogg, who had been hoping all along that the army would come to his rescue, now saw there was no use longer to resist, and ordered the line to fall back slowly and in as good order as possible, thinking that some of the command, at least, might escape through the woods.
But as soon as they saw our line breaking back, they swooped down upon us in great force, and in few moments both regiments were prisoners. We lost a good many men in this engagement. Capt. Randolph was shot through the breast by a cavalryman, after having surrendered.