Battery L, 1st Artillery Regiment (Light) - George Breck Columns: Chapter 34: Appendix B Battery L’s Battle Reports In The Official Records

1st Artillery Regiment (Light)
Battery L
George Breck Columns
Chapter XXXIV:

DECEMBER 11-15, 1862.--Battle of Fredericksburg, Va.
No. 212.--Report of Capt. John A. Reynolds, Battery L, First New York Light Artillery.
(OR 1: 21, pp. 466-467)
DECEMBER 17, 1862.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my battery in the late battle:

In obedience to orders from Colonel Platt, headquarters left grand <ar31_467> division, I placed my battery, under direction of Captain De Russy, U. S. Army, in position on the crest of the hill west of Pollock's Mill. We remained in this position until about 12 m. of Friday, 11th [12th] instant, when ordered by Captain De Russy to cross the river and report to Colonel Piatt. After crossing, I was directed, by an aide from Major General Franklin, to go into battery about half a mile from the river, and open at once upon the enemy's battery, to the right of our front, about 2,000 yards. After firing a few rounds, the enemy ceased his fire, and, in obedience to orders, I did likewise.

Between 10 and 11 a.m. the next day, 12th [13th] instant, the enemy opened with his batteries to our front and left. His range was very good, quite a number of shots falling directly in front of my guns and within the battery, but, fortunately, doing no harm, except to slightly injure one sergeant in the foot. In the mean time we replied to his fire, which lasted about an hour. Soon after, I was ordered by Major-General Franklin to report to General Doubleday, and by him ordered to remain in reserve near the deep gorge, to the left of General Franklin's headquarters.

About 1 p.m. I was ordered by General Doubleday to take position on his extreme left, and engage the batteries on our front. The enemy changed his position several times, and, although getting a good range of us, did no injury, except to slightly wound 2 men. The infantry acting as our support suffered severely, the enemy's shot taking effect among them. Owing to the fog and smoke, I found it very difficult to observe the effect of our fire; but once during the day, half an hour before sunset, could I see the effect of our fire. This was upon a battery which opened a little to the right of our front. Our shots were well directed, and had the effect of soon silencing their fire. About dark I was ordered to retire and take position along the Bowling Green road. Two of our horses were slightly wounded by the enemy's sharpshooters.

Early the next morning I went near our line of skirmishers and saw dead horses lying where a section opened on us the day before, and soon ceased after we fired a few rounds.

We remained in position along the Bowling Green road until the night of the 15th, when ordered by General Reynolds to retire across the river. We fired in all 401 rounds, mostly Hotchkiss shell. The fuses appeared to work well. Two shells exploded about 50 yards from the muzzle of the gun. The officers and men behaved well--were cool and collected.

During the firing the axle of one of our pieces, owing to a defect or flaw in the iron, broke. The piece was sent to the rear, a new axle replaced, and brought up early the next morning. There appears to be a serious defect in the axles of the 3-inch guns; twice before on the battle-field have I had them break.

Learning from Captain Hall that he had two pieces in the rear which he could not use, for want of men and horses, with his consent I sent my men and horses and brought them up, and when we retired brought them across the river with us. As I was to use them only during this engagement, I shall return them to him; but I respectfully request that I may be furnished with a section of 3-inch guns, to replace those turned over at Warrenton.

I have 4 officers and 127 enlisted men for duty.

J. A. REYNOLDS,
Captain, Commanding Battery L, First New York Artillery.

Capt. E. P. HALSTEAD,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

APRIL 27-MAY 6, 1863.--The Chancellorsville Campaign.
No. 36.--Report of Capt. John A. Reynolds, First New York Light Artillery.
(OR 1: 25/1, pp. 275-276)
HDQRS. BATTERY L, FIRST NEW YORK [ARTILLERY],
Near White Oak Church, Va.,
May 9, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my battery in the late engagement:

On the morning of April 29, at daylight, I took position with my battery, in accordance with orders received from Colonel Wainwright, chief of artillery, First Corps, on the line of hills commanding the river and near Pollock's Mill. As soon as the mist rose from the river, our infantry was discovered engaged with the enemy, who was in rifle-pits, and endeavoring to prevent the laying of the bridge. Soon after, when the crossing was effected by boats, and the charge made upon the rifle-pits by the Sixth Wisconsin and the Twenty-fourth Michigan, I directed a few shots, by order of Colonel Wainwright, at the retreating rebels. I expended 12 rounds at this time.

About noon of the 30th ultimo, several shots from a battery of 20-pounder Parrotts were thrown near our position, but the efforts of the enemy failed, nearly all of the projectiles falling short. No injury was sustained and no reply made.

At 3 a.m. on the 1st instant, I was directed to move my battery across the river and report to Brigadier-General Wadsworth, which I obeyed, taking position on the plain just above the bridge and behind earthworks, which had been thrown up during the night.

At about 9 a.m. on the 2d instant, when the First Division was about to retire across the river, a severe fire was opened upon us by a battery of the enemy in our front and near the foot of the heights. They had a perfect range of my battery. Eight of my men were severely wounded, 1 of whom died; 2 others received slight wounds. Ten horses were killed or disabled and 2 slightly wounded. Three limbers were injured by the fire; on one an axle broken, on another, part of the lid to chest blown off, and, on the third, one wheel knocked to pieces. The harness was also considerably cut up. The precise effect of our fire could not be observed on account of the trees along the Bowling Green road obstructing the view from thence to the enemy's position. We saw one limber or caisson explode, and the pickets, who could better observe, state that we disabled one of their pieces. The firing was kept up for about an hour and a half before we succeeded in silencing the enemy, and was continued slowly for another half hour, during which time the other troops were safely withdrawn across the bridge. I next withdrew my battery, piece by piece, keeping up the firing until the last gun was removed. We expended 303 rounds in this action. The distance between the batteries was computed-at about 2,000 yards. Our shell, as far as I could judge, worked very well, though many of the paper fuses are imperfect. The combination case-shot worked admirably with this exception--in ramming them many caught on the end of the rammer, which had to be worked or turned to disengage them, thus deranging the setting. I have since had the rammers reamed out more, thus obviating this difficulty.

The officers and men were cool and collected. Lieutenants Reynolds and Breck were especially so, watching carefully the effect of the fire from their sections, and giving directions accordingly, inspiring their men with coolness by their example. Sergt. Amos Gibbs is also deserving of especial mention. Though wounded in the shoulder by a shell, thereby rendering him unable for duty, he persisted in remaining at his piece, and when by me ordered to go to the rear went to the bank, and in about a quarter of an hour I again found him at his post. This time I positively ordered him to the rear and to remain there. Sergt. William Henry Shelton is also deserving of special mention. He was as cool as on ordinary drill, and by his example inspired his detachment with courage and coolness. The earthworks thrown up in front of the pieces afforded great protection to the men, who would undoubtedly have suffered much more had they been entirely exposed, as several shots struck directly in front of the works and many pieces lodged in them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. REYNOLDS,
Captain Battery L, First New York [Artillery].

Capt. T. E. ELLSWORTH,
Aide-de-Camp and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 74. -- Report of Lieut. George Breck,
Battery L, First New York Light Artillery.
(OR 1: 27/1, pp. 362-364)
N CAMP NEAR PETERSVILLE, MD.,
July 16, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of Battery L, First New York Artillery, during the three days' engagement at Gettysburg, on the let, 2d, and 3d instant: At about 11 a.m. of the 1st instant, my battery, then in command of Capt. Gilbert H. Reynolds, arrived at the scene of action, after a hurried march from Emmitsburg. The battery was immediately moved into the field west of the town, where several positions were taken and abandoned without opening fire. About 1 p.m. the battery was ordered by Col. C. S. Wainwright to advance to the support of Tidball's battery, which occupied a knoll across a road to the front and extreme left of our line as then engaged. One section of the battery had hardly come into position when, in addition to the galling fire in front, an enfilading fire was opened from the left, which completely swept the position and forced both batteries to retire. At this point, Captain Reynolds was severely wounded, and the command of the battery devolved upon me.

I brought the pieces again into position about 500 yards in rear of the first position, and in a line nearly west of the brick seminary. After an engagement of nearly an hour's duration in the last-named position, I moved my battery to the crest of a hill to the left and front, and fired about 6 rounds at the lines of the enemy, which were very steadily extended around our left.

The right section of the battery, under command of Lieut. B. W. Wilber, was ordered to go still farther to the left, where a few rounds only were fired, when the section was forced to retire with our troops, who were rapidly falling back, closely pressed by the enemy. The other four pieces, under command of Lieut. William H. Bower and the immediate supervision of Colonel Wainwright, returned to the second position above named. As the infantry were falling back close upon the guns, no fire was opened, and the four pieces again retired, and took position upon the ridge running south from the brick seminary and in rear of the belt of timber to the left of that building. After firing a number of rounds in this position, including some canister, and with great effect, the enemy charging upon the guns, the four pieces again retired under cover of the line of cavalry already formed to cover the withdrawal of our troops. These pieces, the supply of ammunition being exhausted, were then conducted from here by Lieutenant Bower to a position of security on the Taneytown road. I accompanied the right section, which, continuing to retire, took its third position on the ridge running south from the seminary, near a small house and orchard. Here, after expending a few rounds, including canister, the section was ordered to again retire, which it did by a road leading through the town.

Soon after getting into the road, the 6 horses of the rear piece were shot down, the enemy close to the right and front. Lieutenant Wilber's horse was at the same time shot under him, and, as the enemy was rapidly advancing, the piece disabled was obliged to be abandoned, and fell into the enemy's possession. The other piece Lieutenant Wilber succeeded in conducting through the town, and took position on the right slope of Cemetery Hill and in front of the cemetery gate. At the time the piece in question was lost, I had run the remaining part of the battery safely from the field to the Taneytown road, and was hastening to remove the caissons in the same direction, as the enemy was rapidly advancing his right toward the Emmitsburg road, where said caissons were in park. I finally succeeded in joining the caissons with the four pieces, and, after replenishing with ammunition, I took position with the five remaining pieces of the battery to the front and right of the cemetery gate, as before mentioned, which position, by order of Colonel Wainwright, I caused to be intrenched, and held during the two following days of the battle. In the position last assumed, my command was the third battery to the right of the right angle formed by our line of artillery near the town and ranged upon by the enemy's center. With the exception of picket firing, a general quiet was maintained along the lines on the 2d instant, until about 4 p.m., when the enemy attempted to break our lines on the left. At the same time, a line of batteries directly in my front opened a simultaneous and very severe fire, to which we replied steadily, and before dusk succeeded in silencing most of their fire. This action continued about four hours, almost without intermission. The battery to the right of our front, and situated on a knoll in a wheat-field about 1,800 yards distant, upon which I principally directed my fire, was silenced and forced to retire in the early part of the engagement. After our forces obtained possession of the ground occupied by this battery, three guns were found disabled and abandoned, furnishing very good proof of the accuracy and skill of my gunners.

A considerable fire of infantry followed the cannonade, and terminated in an unsuccessful charge upon my battery and the two upon my left. This charge was mostly repelled by the infantry in support, whose presence in front prevented the use of canister. The enemy being driven back, the engagement closed for the day. In this action the axle of one of my guns was broken, disabling the piece, in consequence of which it was sent to the Artillery Reserve, by order of Colonel Wainwright, to be repaired. During the cannonade, an ammunition chest of one of my caisson limbers was struck by a shell, exploding a few rounds of ammunition which it contained, and completely destroying it.

At about 2 p.m. a battery nearly 2,500 yards distant on my front opened and delivered at intervals an irregular and inaccurate fire, to which at first my gunners replied, but shortly after were forbidden to return the fire.

I sustained in the three days' engagement the following losses: One man killed, a private, and 16 wounded, including Captain Reynolds and 2 non-commissioned officers. One of the wounded men has since died. I had 22 horses killed and disabled. Two horses were wounded by fragments of shells from a battery of 20-pounder Parrotts in the cemetery in my rear, which seemed too often to explode prematurely.

The amount of ammunition expended during the three days' battle was 1,290 rounds, consisting of Schenkl percussion, 523 rounds; Schenkl compound, 715 rounds; and canister, 52 rounds. Two chests of ammunition, 100 rounds, were issued to Captain Wiedrich's battery by order of Colonel Wainwright.

The officers and men acted with much bravery, coolness, and collectedness. Though greatly fatigued and exhausted by almost constant labor and watchfulness for three days, the men performed their duties cheerfully and quite enthusiastically. I would mention in a particular manner, Bugler R. Mastin Smith, who, when one of the cannoneers was wounded, dismounted from his horse and bravely filled the part of the wounded man.

I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BRECK,
First Lieut., Comdg. Battery L, First New York Artillery.

Lieut. A. MATTHEWSON,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Artillery Brig., First Army Corps.

MAY 4-JUNE 12, 1864--Campaign from the Rapidan to the James River, Va.
No. 146.--Report of Lieut. Charles L. Anderson, Battery L, First New York Light Artillery. (+)
(OR 1: 36/1, pp. 656)
HDQRS. BATTERY L, FIRST NEW YORK ARTILLERY,
August 9, 1864.

SIR: In compliance with Special Orders, No. 209, headquarters Army of the Potomac, I have the honor to report:

I.

This command broke camp at Culpeper, Va., the morning of the 4th day of May, 1864, crossed the Rapidan River at Germanna Ford the same day, marching as far as Wilderness Tavern, went into park, and bivouacked for the night. [Resignation of Capt. G. H. Reynolds being accepted May 3, 1864, First Lieut. George Breck became commanding officer at beginning of campaign. ]

On the morning of the 5th entered the Wilderness, by a cut road to the right and in the direction of Parker's Store and the enemy, with Battery B, Fourth U.S. Artillery, and Brigadier-General Wadsworth's (Fourth) division, Fifth Army Corps. Arriving at an open space or clearing, the lamented Brigadier-General Wadsworth formed and advanced his division in line of battle into the woods, leaving the two batteries of twelve pieces in park. Soon after, by order of First Lieutenant Stewart (B), Fourth U.S. Artillery, withdrew and went into park in rear of Lacy's house. [The repulse of the Fourth Division and the impracticability of rifled guns so far advanced from main line in the Wilderness induced the order of First Lieutenant Stewart, acting chief of artillery, to withdraw Battery L (this command). His own battery of light 12-pounders soon followed our column by the narrow road in the retreat before the heavy masses of the enemy.]

On the 6th went into position on the right of Battery B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and in rear of Colonel Kitching's brigade heavy artillery; remained in same position during the night of the 6th, throwing up works. Were exposed to an unimportant artillery fire, but suffering no damage, made no reply. [June 6 First Sergeant Rooney, Corporal Blake, and 12 privates made their way to the battery without arms, connecting at expiration of veteran furloughs.]

II.

Took up line of march on the night of the 7th, moving in the direction of Spotsylvania Court-House. After a brief halt at Todd's Tavern, under command of Captain Martin, Fifth Massachusetts Battery, we again advanced. On the march, and within 2 miles of the town, wheeled into the field on the left of the road and went into action, engaging the enemy's batteries at a distance of 1,500 yards. Expended 127 rounds of shot and shell. Remained in position during same day, constructing at night lunette defenses. At 3 p.m. of the 9th instant moved to the right and rear by a pioneer road through a copse of woods and took position confronting the enemy and relieving Battery A, First New Hampshire Artillery; were subject to a severe fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, by which 1 man was mortally wounded and the commanding officer, First Lieut. George Breck, slightly wounded, the latter not leaving the field. At midnight moved back to works we had erected the night previous. At 10 a.m. of the 10th instant returned and took an advanced position of the one occupied the day preceding, in connection with Battery D, Fifth U.S. Artillery, and engaged the enemy's batteries, posted behind strong defensive works, at a distance of 1,200 yards; also shelling his line of battle to our left and front, expending 231 rounds of ammunition in very satisfactory practice. In the afternoon retired to our works by order of First Lieutenant Rittenhouse, Battery D, Fifth U.S. Artillery. [Owing to the withdrawal of Second Corps from the enemy's side of Po River this position became untenable. The enemy approached so as to enfilade the two batteries with musketry and artillery. First Lieutenant Rittenhouse (D), Fifth U.S. Artillery, acting chief of artillery, therefore instructed us to retire, and soon followed with his Parrott battery.]

On the morning of the 12th moved again to the right of the Fifth Army Corps, together with the Third Massachusetts Battery, taking position in line with Colonel Kitching's brigade of heavy artillery; fought the enemy's batteries at a distance of 1,500, 1,800, and 2,000 yards; also placed one section in position to enfilade his general line of battle, firing one shot every three minutes for an hour. This section fired at a distance of 3,500 yards. We received the concentrated fire of such batteries as he could bring to bear upon us, during which he exploded a limber chest of the Third Massachusetts Battery. We expended 378 rounds of ammunition. At 5 p.m. we withdrew from this line and moved to rear of hospitals of Fifth Army Corps. On the night of the 13th marched by a circuitous route, crossing the Ny River and confronting the enemy in front of Spotsylvania Court-House, near the Fredericksburg turnpike, when we went into position and remained till the 18th, when we advanced to our left and front, forming in battery on Brigadier-General Crawford's (Third) division line, together with Battery B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and the Third Massachusetts Light Artillery, engaged the enemy's artillery posted in heavy works immediately in front of the town. Expended 383 rounds of ammunition. The casualties were 1 veteran volunteer mortally wounded, and also a sergeant severely wounded. At the enemy's attack on our right and rear 1 bugler was captured with horse and equipments. [May 17, by order of General Meade, turned in one section of the battery, two pieces with horses and equipments.]

III.

Left Spotsylvania on the 21st, arriving at the North Anna River on the 23d, taking position on the north bank of the river at the extreme left of long range batteries, D, Fifth U.S. Artillery, and B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, posted to cover the crossing of the Fifth Army Corps at Jericho Ford. We fired 87 rounds of ammunition with marked effect, silencing the enemy's artillery thrown boldly forward for the purpose of shelling the Fifth Army Corps, which was en masse and crossing upon a pontoon bridge.

IV.

Crossed the Pamunkey River the 28th, and went into position at a trot on the afternoon of the 30th, coming to the assistance of Battery D, First U.S. Artillery, 100 yards to the left of its position; engaged a rebel battery posted upon the Mechanicsville turnpike and drove them, expending 76 rounds of Schenkl shot and shell. Advanced June 2 across the Mechanicsville turnpike, entering and passing through heavy timber by a cut road. We formed en echelon on the extreme left of General Crawford's line of battle. Remained in this position duelling daily until the night of June 5, expending 350 rounds of ammunition, and were subject to a fire of sharpshooters, and fighting 10, 12, and 20 pounders. It was 9 miles to Richmond; in moving out at night we lost 1 man captured.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. ANDERSON,
First Lieut., Comdg. Battery L, First New York Artillery.

Lieut. F. MORRIS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
No. 147.--Report of Lieut. Charles L. Anderson, Battery L, First New York Artillery.
(OR 1: 40/1, pp. 490-491)
HDQRS. BATTERY L, FIRST NEW YORK ARTILLERY,
August 9, 1864.

SIR:

V.

Crossed the Chickahominy River on the 13th day of June at Long Bridge. June 16, crossed the James River at Wind. Mill Point upon the great pontoon bridge, and went into park. In the afternoon of same day took up line of march, which was continued all night, bringing us at daylight before Petersburg defenses. At meridian on the 17th, together with Battery B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, engaged rebel Batteries Nos. 18 and 19, expending 200 rounds of ammunition with satisfactory practice. At daylight of the 18th advanced with Brigadier-General Cutler's division (Fourth), Fifth Army Corps, passing the rebel Colonel Avery's house, and entering the open field and the city of Petersburg. Under fire of the enemy's artillery we went into action at a trot, engaging his batteries for an hour, which were again strongly posted; when, being re-enforced by many other batteries of our brigade, we fired advancing, principally by hand, to the front for a distance of fifty yards. Ceased firing by order of Colonel Wainwright, First New York Artillery, and withdrew to the rear. We expended in this action 480 rounds of ammunition. The concentrated fire of eight batteries of the Fifth Army Corps had completely silenced the enemy. We suffered a loss of 1 man, severely wounded. [June 20, one sergeant, one corporal, and eleven men were detached, together with portion of E Company, First New York Artillery, temporarily serving with this command, for service with Coehorn mortars before Petersburg.]

June 24, together with Battery B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and the Ninth Massachusetts Battery, we reported to Brigadier-General Crawford, commanding Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, and were posted at right angles with the Jerusalem plank road, relieving batteries of the Second Army Corps. For a month at this portion of the line the enemy continued a desultory fire, our instructions being not to reply. The only compliments we could return him were those of a contemptuous silence.

[July 21, the commanding officer, First Lieut. George Breck (recently commissioned as captain), became incapacitated for duty by being struck down by a kind of malarial fever; was ordered to brigade hospital for treatment.]

On the 26th of July we moved to left and rear and were posted on the south front of Fort Warren, joining the Ninth Massachusetts Battery and First Brigade, Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, commanded by Colonel Lyle, Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, where upon the 30th we were in anticipation of an attack upon the left and rear of our line.

Owing to the necessary length of this report, the necessity is felt of abruptly closing it. A recapitulation of casualties and such notes as seem needful to a history of the command throughout the campaign are submitted with the report.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. L. ANDERSON,
First Lieut., Comdg. Battery L, First New York Light Artillery.

Lieut. FORD. MORRIS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. BATTERY L, FIRST NEW YORK ARTILLERY,
August 9, 1864.

List of casualties occurring to this command from May 4, 1864, to July 30, 1864, inclusive [nominal list omitted]: Recapitulation: Mortally wounded, 2; severely wounded, 2; prisoners, 2; total, 6.

MARCH 29-APRIL 9, 1865.--The Appomattox (Virginia) Campaign.
No. 186.--Report of Bvt. Maj. George Breck, Battery L, First New York Light Artillery.
(OR 1: 46/1, p. 1085)
HDQRS. BATTERY L, FIRST NEW YORK ARTILLERY,
April 22, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with instructions, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command since its separation from the Fifth Army Corps, in the actions before Petersburg:

On the 29th of March my battery, under command of Lieut. D. M. Perine, was ordered to report to Bvt. Maj. C. A. Phillips, commanding the batteries detached from the Fifth Army Corps. The battery moved into position on the line occupied by the Ninth Army Corps in front of the Avery house, in rear and on the left of Fort Morton. It remained in this position inactive till the morning of April 2, at which time an assault was made upon the enemy's works, resulting in the capture of four forts, a number of guns, and prisoners. The four gun detachments under command of Lieutenant Deitz (during the temporary absence of Lieutenant Perine) were ordered to advance and work the guns abandoned by the enemy. This was promptly done, the men being led on a double-quick, exposed to a severe fire of musketry and artillery which the enemy was pouring into the captured works from forts on either flank and in rear of them. Arriving at one of the forts the guns were found manned by others who had preceded the men of Battery L for the same purpose. They then advanced to another of the captured works, found one gun, but were unable to work it in consequence of the gun implements being destroyed. They then proceeded to another and found that occupied and manned also. After remaining awhile in this work and finding the guns efficiently served Lieutenant Deitz returned with the men to the battery, which, under command of Lieutenant Perine, engaged the enemy whose guns were still directed at our forces in the line of captured works. A desultory firing was kept up till sunset with apparent good effect, as the enemy's artillery was silenced whenever my battery engaged him. During the night Petersburg was evacuated, and on the following day my command fell back into camp. On the 6th of April I was ordered to proceed to City Point and encamp.

Number of rounds expended in action, 115; casualties, none.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. BRECK,
Bvt. Major, Commanding Battery L, First New York Artillery.

Lieut. FORD. MORRIS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Artillery Brig., Fifth Army Corps.

Transcribed And Donated By Bob MarcotteTranscribed And Donated By Bob Marcotte
Robert E. Marcotte
Rochester, N.Y.
February 2005