From the Official Reports - Col. John
R. Brooke
.
MAY 4-JUNE 12, 1864--Campaign from the Rapidan
to the James River, Va. No. 41.--Report
of Brig. Gen. John R. Brooke, U.S. Army, commanding Fourth
Brigade.
ANNAPOLIS, MD., November 1, 1865.
SIR: My command (Fourth Brigade,
First Division), consisting of Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Lieut. Col. R. McMichael;
One hundred and forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Col. H. L. Brown; One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col.
James A. Beaver; Sixty-fourth New York Volunteers, Major Bradley; Sixty-sixth
New York Volunteers. Lieut. Col. J. S. Hammell; Second Delaware Volunteers,
Col. W. P. Baily, in all 3,200 officers and men, marched at 12 o'clock midnight,
May 3, 1864, in obedience to orders received that day, for Ely's Ford, on
the Rapidan River, being the leading brigade of the corps. Arrived in sight
of the river at 5.25 a.m. of the 4th instant, immediately com menced crossing
the river (Gregg's division of cavalry in the advance) on pontoons, and formed
on the hills on the south side of the river; at about 8 a.m. marched on the
direct road to Chancellorsville, arriving there about 9.30 a.m., and went
into position, covering the Fredericksburg road; camped for the night. Received
orders from Brigadier-General Barlow, commanding division, to remain at this
point until after the trains of the corps should take the road on the 5th
instant, then to move as rear guard to the corps toward Shady Grove Church.
Marched at 10 a.m. on the 5th instant, and proceeded as far as the Catharpin
Furnaces, where I was met by orders from division headquarters to halt and
cover the trains, which were being parked; went into position and remained
until 4 p.m., when I was ordered to proceed by a road through the woods toward
the intersection of the Brock road with the Orange plank road. Reached the
Brock road about 5.30 p.m., after a tedious march over a faint track through
a dense thicket. Hearing heavy firing at 4.30 p.m., I made all possible exertions
to hasten the march. Having reached the Brock road, I was ordered into position
on the left of the First Division, and throwing a strong line of skirmishers
to the front, I commenced strengthening the position by throwing up slight
breast-works. During all this time the battle was raging in the vicinity
of the intersection of the Brock and plank roads to our right. Our line ran
parallel to the Brock road. At about 6.45 p.m. I received orders to move
rapidly by the right flank. After moving a half mile I met General Barlow,
who directed me to send two regiments to support the Second Brigade (Smyth's)
then engaged in my immediate front. I sent the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-sixth
New York Volunteers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hammell, of the Sixty-sixth
New York. These regiments moved up and formed on the left of Smyth’s
line, and at nearly a right angle to it. I was then ordered in with the rest
of my brigade, four regiments, to support the First Brigade (Miles'), which
was then formed on the left of Colonel Hammell's command. It was by this
time quite dark, and very difficult to pass through the dense thicket of
the Wilderness. At about 9 p.m. I found Miles' brigade and formed my troops
in support, leaving Colonel Beaver's regiment, One hundred and forty-eighth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, on the extreme left, where I had sent it when the
movement began. The loss of the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers
was considerable in this part of the fight. I remained in this position until
about 3 a.m. of the 6th instant, when I retired to the Brock road by General
Barlow's orders (leaving a strong skirmish line at our advanced position),
and occupied a line of works thrown up by the pioneers. Formed in two lines;
first line consisted of One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Sixty-fourth and Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers; second line, of One hundred
and forty-fifth and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Second Delaware
Volunteers. Remained in this position until 9 a.m., when I was ordered to
move with my brigade and a section of artillery (Hunt's) of Arnold's (Rhode
Island) battery, down the Brock road about 1 ½ miles, and repel any
attempt by the enemy to come up the road. I found the Eighty-first Pennsylvania
(Colonel McKeen) in position at this point. I at once strengthened the position
with slight breast-works, and placed the artillery to cover the road. At
10 a.m. Colonel Coulter, with part of a brigade of the Fifth Corps, reported
to me. I had sent scouts to the front, and could discover no enemy. I reported
this to General Barlow at 10 a.m., and received orders to rejoin the division,
which I did, leaving Colonel McKeen to hold the road. I formed in my former
position, as before given, at 12 m. At about 4.30 p.m. a heavy assault was
made by the enemy on our right near the plank road. General Gibbon directed
me at about 5 p.m. to move with that part of my brigade in the second line
to the assistance of Mott's division. Moving with my left along the works,
and my line perpendicular to them, I reached General Mott's line in time
to see it leave the works (which were on fire in many places) and the enemy
plant their colors on them. I at once changed front to the left, and charging
drove the enemy from our front. I then had the fire put out, and held the
position until relieved by Owen's brigade, of the Second Division. I then
returned to my former position in the line of the First Division. My loss
during this short engagement was very slight. My command was not again engaged
on this day. On the 7th instant, with the exception of sharp skirmishing
on our front, nothing occurred of importance. On the 8th instant marched
with the corps to Todd's Tavern, forming line parallel to Brock road on left
of the Third Brigade, skirmishers to the front. At 5.30 p.m. the enemy attacked
Miles' brigade near Corbin's Bridge. General Barlow ordered me to be ready
to support Miles if necessary. On the 9th instant, at 4.30 a.m., having sent
scouts out in my front, I found no enemy, and reported this to General Barlow.
At 12 m. marched down Spotsylvania Court-House road about 1 mile, then by
a wood road to the right toward the Po River. At about 2 p.m., having been
ordered to annoy the enemy's train, which was passing- on the opposite side
of the Po, I moved out with two regiments and a section of Arnold's artillery,
shelled the train, compelling it to take another road. At 5 p.m. was ordered
by General Barlow to cross the Po and take possession of the Block house
road. After crossing the river, which was 2 ½ feet deep, I met considerable
opposition from some cavalry and horse artillery, but succeeded in occupying
the road with slight loss. Camped for the night near the intersection of
Block house road and Glady Run road. On the 10th instant, at about 10 a.m..
General Barlow ordered me to move down the Po and cross a portion of my command
to feel the enemy in that direction. I sent Colonel Ham-moll with the Sixty-sixth
New York across, and driving in the skirmish line found a strong line of
works filled with men, and with several pieces of artillery. I reported this
to General Barlow, who directed me to withdraw and oppose the advance of
Heth's (rebel) division, which was crossing Glady Run, and threatening our
right. In obedience to these orders, I formed on the left of the Third Brigade
about 100 paces from and parallel to the Block house road, and awaited the
attack.
At 2.30 p.m. Heth attacked vigorously and was repulsed
with loss. He rallied and was again repulsed. He came up the third time in
column and was driven from the field with heavy loss. I then received the
order from General Barlow to retire to the opposite or left bank of the Po,
which I at once commenced. After having nearly reached the Po, I was informed
that one gun of Arnold's battery was wedged between two trees, and could
not be extricated. I immediately halted and directed every effort to be made
to bring it off, and rode in that direction myself, when I met Captain Arnold,
who informed me that it was impossible to save the piece. I then continued
retiring, and without further annoyance reached the left bank of the Po.
My loss in this action was very heavy, being the first of importance in which
this brigade was engaged in this campaign, and the first in which most of
the men were ever in.
The officers and men behaved with great gallantry.
I would particularly mention Col. James A. Beaver, One hundred and forty-eighth
Pennsylvania, whose regiment occupied the right of my line and the most exposed
position, for his great gallantry and the masterly manner in which he extricated
his regiment from the burning woods (which were set on fire by some means
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