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 5th New Jersey Vols., 7pp. 4to., concerning their movements and engagement with the enemy during Grant's Overland Campaign May 4 through July 30, 1864, signed by Capt. Thomas C. Godfrey, as commander of the 5th, to acting Assistant Adjutant General, 1st Lt. William J. Rushing, reading, in part: "I have the honor…to make the following report of the part taken by the 5th New Jersey Vols. in the actions etc. between May 4 and July 30, 1864…on the 4th day of May crossed the Rapidan…on the 5th engaged the enemy in the Wilderness. The right wing of the regiment deployed on skirmish line…holding the right of the brigade…on the 6th again engaged 4 companies on the skirmish line…in the two engagements our loss was 51 in killed, wounded & missing…on the 10th, 11th, 12th engaged holding the left of the brigade took part in the operations before Spotsylvania Court House. It is impossible to give the position of the regiment…during this time, sustained a loss of 13 in killed & wounded…on the 21st of May marched beyond Milford Station…on the 22d…advanced about 1 1/2 miles and went into line and then threw up breastworks…24th crossed the river. Three officers and fifty men were in the first line of skirmishers who crossed…they were engaged until 2 o'clock P. M. sustaining a loss of one man wounded…30th. The regiment was ordered to report to Col. McAllister to go on a reconnoissance. Six companies were placed on the skirmish line and advanced about two miles through the woods meeting with no opposition…the loss of one man captured…June 1st…over to the right…June 2d…near Coal Harbor…June 3d…was ordered out to support 1st & 2d Divisions of the corps…moved to the right…and went into line between 5th and 18th Corps…and built works…June 4th relieved…by Burnsides troops…14th June crossed the James River from Wilcox's Landing to Windmill point…morning of the 16th arrived at the Dunn House front of Petersburg…moved up to the works and reversed them…formed line of attack and at 6 advanced about 3/4 of a mile where we were stubbornly resisted by the enemy and were severely engaged until 3 o'clock in the morning of the 17th…losing in killed & wounded 34…morning of the 18th…advanced as a skirmish line and halted at the Hare House…under fire all day with a loss of 6 killed and wounded…on the 21st marched to the left…& threw up breastworks…advanced about 900 yards in front of the breastworks…changed front…when the enemy suddenly appeared on our left flank causing the troops on our left to become panic stricken and…general stampede…followed. The whole line fell back to the breastworks. Every effort was made to stay the flying troops but all efforts proved utterly futile and of no effect. 10 men were here lost in wounded…mooring of the 27th…halted near Deep Bottom and went into battle column and received a severe shell fire fro the enemy …advanced in line of battle across Strawberry Plain…moved by the right flank and took position on the eft of the river road between the 1st & 2d Divisions…during the above action…the regiment was under several commanders…Major V. M. Healy was for a few days in command and Capt. H. H. Woolsey who fell…on the 18th day of June..I cannot speak of the other officers…all were brave and each tried to emulate the other in the performance…and duty. All nobly assisted in sustaining the reputation of the regiment…I took command on the 18th of June and since that time I have endeavored to enforce discipline & make the regiment maintain its former high reputation and although reduced to meager numbers [they are] the pride of the brigade…T. C. Godfrey…". Minor spotting, else VG
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