FEBRUARY 5-22, 1864.-The Florida Expedition.

Report of Colonel James Montgomery, Second South Carolina Colored Infantry, commanding brigade, of engagement at Olustee, or Ocean Pond, February 20.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,
Jacksonville, Fla., March 15, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following official report:

When the battle of Olustee began my command, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and First North Carolina Regiments, was in rear of the train. Thinking it might be a demonstration intended by the enemy to draw us away from the train, I immediately disposed by force so as to protect it, at the same time sending an aide to the front for orders. The aide was hardly out of sight when the fight thickened so rapidly that I moved forward with the Fifty-fourth without waiting for orders, leaving the First North Carolina to guard the train. We soon met the aide with orders to bring up both regiments. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts was placed on the left of the line, while the First North Carolina moved directly forward. Fresh re-enforcements of the enemy came up at this time, and the fight, which had slackened a little, broke out again in all its fury, and continued till sunset, when the troops retired slowly from the field. The Fifty-fourth, commanded by Colonel Hallowell, lost 1 captain and 2 lieutenants wounded, and 84 men killed, wounded, and missing. The First North Carolina lost in killed, wounded, and missing, 199 men and 10 officers.

I have the honor to be, captain, your most obedient servant,

JAMES MONTGOMERY,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Captain P. R. CHADWICK,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[35.]

Report of Captain John Hamilton, Battery E, Third U. S. Artillery, of engagement at Olustee, or Ocean Pond, February 20.*

HILTON HEAD, S. C., February 24, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the commanding general, such operations as fell under my observation in the battle of the 20th, near Olustee, Fla.:

Upon the general engagement of the pickets along the line, Colonel Henry went forward on our left flank to reconnoiter the enemy's position. Coming back he informed me, in General Seymour's presence, that by planting, say two sections of artillery at a point he would designate, he thought I might enfilade their line, and that we might worst them in a short time. The sections were advanced, but received, on coming into batteru, a fire from a more extended line of infantry than what had been first observed. My battery was under 250 yards from the enemy's right of infantry, while an oblique line of cavalry bore off to their right and nearly, as far as I could see, into the woods. The Eight U. S. Colored Fribley, then deployed, but its left wing filled all the intervals of my pieces and preven ed their working to any

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* See also Myrick's report, VOL. XXXV, Part I, p. 319.

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