Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union battle/operational report for the 6th New Jersey Vols., 4pp. 4to., concerning their movements and engagement with the enemy during Grant's Overland Campaign from May 5 through July 30, 1864, signed by Lt. Col. Stephen R. Gilkyson, as commander of the 6th, to acting Assistant Adjutant General, 1st Lt. William J. Rushing, reading, in part: "…I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Sixth Regt. N. J. Vols. in the recent marches and battles from the crossing of the Rapidan ot the assault of the 30th ult…the regiment was placed in position on the afternoon of May 5…3 companies of my command were deployed as flankers and before they could be assembled, the regiments on my right and left had closed up…without making any allowance…for…my regiment…after throwing up temporary breastworks the line was ordered to move forward…I lapped the regiment on my right (5th N. J. V.) some 30 feet which…caused considerable confusion among my men. While endeavoring to get my command in proper order the 5th N. J. Vols. moved suddenly by the right flans and was lost to our view owing to the dense growth of underbrush. This was not perceived by me until I was informed we had connected with a regiment of the 2 Division, 6th Corps. Almost simultaneously…the regiment which I had connected 'about faced' and broke through my ranks perfectly panic stricken and…without any cause whatever…to my left I observed it also breaking in considerable confusion. It was impossible longer to restrain my own men and they were not rallied again until they reached the breastworks…on the morning of May 6 we moved forward…but did not meet the enemy until we had advanced three-fourths of a mile when we suddenly received several heavy volleys…wounding myself and one other commissioned officer and killing and wounding about 30 men. The command now devolved on Capt. L. M. Morris who with 1st Lieut. and Adjutant Charles F. Moore is deserving of great credit for gallant conduct…Capt. Morris informs me that after he assumed command the line advanced about one fourth of a mile further…before the enemy was discovered on our left flank and in our rear in heavy force. Our front was changed and the enemy kept in check for half or three fourths of an hour when we were overpowered and appearances indicating that the enemy were penetrating still further to our rear the men could not be induced to stand longer…after exhausting every means to force them to stand…they were directed to re-form at the breastworks where we took an active part in repulsing the charge made…by Longstreet's Corps. Casualties…enlisted men killed 7, enlisted men wounded 28…total 39…the regiment arrived near Spotsylvania…the 6th N. J. Vols. assigned to duty of skirmishing for the brigade with instructions to lay down and let the line of battle pass over it…on the 12th of May it participated in the charge of the 2nd Corps and the capture of the enemy's works, guns, etc. After expending all our ammunition and such as could be gathered from the boxes of the killed and wounded the regiment was relieved by a portion of 6th Corps…Brig. Gen. Neil…ordered us to deploy across the opening to the right of the White House and stoop all stragglers…during the early part of the engagement Capt. L. M. Morris was wounded and turned the regiment over to Capt. Joseph Hays…during the forenoon we were again marched to the front and placed in a very singular position. Owing to an angle in the works our backs were directly to the enemy! My men were being wounded constantly from the rear without an opportunity of returning the fire. The 26th Penn. Vols. and two of the Excelsior regiments were thrown into confusion by the fire from the rear and broke over and through the 6th…through this a report was circulated that the 6th N. J. Vols. ran and left their colors which was…false…casualties, commissioned officers wounded 6, enlisted men wound…total 32…June 12 marched from the line at Coal Harbor…June 15 the regiment was detailed for advance guard of the division…June 22 advanced our line and took position…at nearly right angles with our position…throw up breastworks. While thus engaged a heavy musketry fire opened some distance to my left increasing in volume as it grew nearer. I ordered my men to fall in and take arms, but before many…reached their stacks we received a volley directly in our rear. This threw the men into great confusion and before they could recover themselves the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery and other regiments of the brigade came rushing up the line in disorder creating a panic in my own and other regiments…all efforts to change my front in order to meet the enemy were unavailing…July 29 relieved a portion of the 18th Corps in the entrenchments near the Appomattox and occupied this position during the assault of the 30th ult…casualties…enlisted men killed 6, enlisted men wounded 25…total 37…S. R. Gilkyson…". Near fine.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.