Today in History:

908 Series I Volume XLII-I Serial 87 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part I

Page 908 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.


HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON'S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., November 1, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: A deserter who came in on Ransom's line reports the Fifth Army Corps on the City Point Railroad last night, about a mile in rear of the enemy's line in front of my left. Whether it is there to remain or to move farther last night he does not know. Previous to the last movement on our right troops were assembled at some point and moved to the point of attack. Among their soldiers there is some rumor of a purpose to break our line and enter Petersburg. The point at which this was spoken of was about four miles from the Appomattox toward the enemy's left. The forces on the enemy's front line have, some of them, been relieved by troops of the same army corps - the Second. The deserter was of the Second Corps and was in the fight at Burgess' Mill. He says they suffered heavily; that our troops would have completely whipped them had they pressed on. They withdrew because they were so roughly handled, and because they felt that they could not hold their position.

The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Elliott's brigade, wounded, 2 (1 mortally). Wise's brigade, wounded, 1. Gracie's brigade, wounded, 1; killed, 1.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. R. JOHNSON,

Major-General.

Lieutenant MCWILLIE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON'S DIVISION,
Petersburg, Va., November 2, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: General Gracie reports that the enemy's trains were running the greater portion of last night. Three deserters from the Second Corps came in last night. They think that the Fifth Corps is still on the extreme left of our lines and not on the railroad in front of this division as reported yesterday morning.

The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise's brigade, wounded, 1; Elliott's brigade, wounded, 1; Gracie's brigade, killed, 1; tota, 1 killed and 2 wounded.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. R. JOHNSON,

Major-General.

Lieutenant MCWILLIE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.


HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON'S DIVISION,
November 3, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have nothing new to report this morning. General R. E. Lee inspected the line occupied by this division on yesterday. Three men deserted from Wise's brigade last night. A deserter from the Second Corps came into our lines this morning.

The following casualties are respectfully submitted: Wise's brigade, wounded, 1; Gracie's brigade, killed, 1.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. R. JOHNSON,

Major-General.

Lieutenant WILLIAM MCWILLIE,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.


Page 908 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.