HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, GENERAL: I have the honor to forward the following report of guns captured from the enemy by the Second Army Corps from May 3 to November 1, 1864 : Three 8-inch howitzers were captured from the enemy on the 14th of August by the Tenth Army Corps, Major-General Birney commanding, which was then under my command. W. S. H. Report of guns lost in action by the Second Army Corps, from May 3 to November 1, 1864. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General of Vols., Comdg. Second Corps. One gun was lost by Sheridan's cavalry while under my command. at Deep Bottom, north side of James River, July 28, 1864. WINF'D S. HANCOCK, Major-General, Commanding. Report of flags captured by the Second Army Corps, from May 4 to November 1, 1864. Major-General Hancock reports that seven flags not included in the foregoing statement were captured by his command during the period indicated, and sent home by officers and others. HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS, November 9, 1864. GENERAL: In compliance with paragraph 6, Special Orders 297, headquarters Army of the Potomac, of the 3d instant, I have the honor to forward the following report of colors lost by regiments of this command, from May 4 to November 1, 1864 : GENERAL: In compliance with paragraph 6, Special Orders, No. 297, headquarters Army of the Potomac, of the 3d instant, I have the honor to forward the following report of colors captured by the troops of this command from May 4 to November 1, 1864 : ADDENDA. Copy of daily memoranda taken at headquarters of the Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the campaign commencing May 3, 1864, with copies of messages, dispatches, &c. The Army of the Potomac commanded by Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant in person, Major-General Meade second in command. W. G. MITCHELL, Major and Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Hancock. May 3, 1864.-Corps broke camp and marched at midnight toward Ely's Ford on the Rapidan. First Division (General Barlow commanding), Second Division (General Gibbon commanding), artillery, and engineers marching on road from Stevensburg to Madden's house, crossing Mountain Run at Hamilton's Bridge, joining Third Division (General D. B. Birney commanding) and Fourth Division (General Mott commanding) at Madden's house, and thence moving on direct road through Richardsville toward Ely's Ford. May 4, 1864.-Head of column (First Division) reached Ely's Ford at 5.25 a. m., and immediately commenced crossing the river, taking position as rapidly as possible on the south bank to cover the ford. Threw light canvass pontoon bridge across the stream below the fording. At 8.15 a. m. head of column (First Division) moved toward Chancellorsville, arriving at that point at 9.30 a. m. corps came up and took position covering Fredericksburg turnpike, plank road, and United States Ford road; pickets thrown out; troops encamped. General D. McM. Gregg and staff at Chancellorsville when we came up. Whole May 5, 1864.-Corps marched from Chancellorsville at 5 a. m., Gibbon in the advance, by way of Catharpin Furnaces, to Brock road, thence on Brock road to Todd's Tavern at 8.30 a. m. Order of march directed that General Hancock should proceed to Shady Grove Church, crossing Corbin's Bridge on Catharpin road. Head of column accordingly moved on toward Catharpin road about 14 miles from Todd's Tavern, when at 9 a. m. General Hancock received a note from General Meade stating that the enemy was in strong force on the Orange plank road about 2 miles in front of our lines (Sixth Corps). Column at once directed to halt and Gibbon's division formed line of battle on right and left of Catharpin road. About 12 m. cannonading heard in direction of Old Wilderness Tavern ; Second Corps directed to move toward Orange plank road at its junction with the Brock road. General Hancock rode ahead of troops up the Brock road to Orange plank road, where he met General Getty with his division (Sixth Corps), which was in position across the Orange plank road at its intersection with the Brock road. Getty's division had encountered the enemy (Hill's corps) at that point, and after a sharp contest Getty had taken possession of the cross-roads. Head of column of Second Corps (Birney's division) joined left of Getty's line on Brock road at 2 p. m., forming two lines of battle. Mott's division followed immediately and formed in two lines on Birney's left; Gibbon formed on left of Mott, and Barlow on extreme left of corps, occupying a high, open space, where all of our artillery was posted save one battery. At 4.15 p. m., Getty moved forward on right and left of Orange plank road. Birney moved forward on Getty's right and left, attacking the enemy at the same moment within 200 yards of the plank road. One section of Ricketts' (Penn sylvania) battery, Second Corps, in position at crossing of Brock and plank roads; went into action with the troops. 4.30 p. m., Carroll's brigade, of Gibbon's division, moved forward on right of plank road to the support of Getty. 4.40 p. m., Owen's brigade, of Gibbon's division, went forward and joined the fight on right and left of plank road. Very close and severe musketry fighting continued along the entire front of Birney and Getty until about 8 p. m., without decided advantage to either party. At 7 p. m., Captain Cadwalader, of General Meade's staff, informed General Hancock that the Fifth Corps was then attacking the enemy, and that the First and Third Divisions of the Sixth Corps would also attack at once. During the action this evening the section of artillery on the plank road (of Ricketts' battery) having suffered terribly, was replaced by a section of Dow's (Sixth Maine) battery. At-p. m. a portion of General Barlow's division (Irish Brigade) and a part of Brooke's brigade attacked enemy's right and drove it some distance. 10 p. m., General Hancock received the following order from General Meade : Major-General HANCOCK: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 5, 1864--9 p. m. You are required to renew the attack at 4.30 o'clock to-morrow morning, keeping a sharp lookout on your left. Your right will be relieved by an attack made at the same time by General Wadsworth's division and by two divisions of General Burnside's corps. General Getty is under your command. GEO. G. MEADE, May 6, 1864.-5 a. m., the divisions of Birney, Getty, and Mott, supported by Carroll's and Owen's brigades, of Gibbon's division, assaulted the enemy on the right and left of the Orange plank road, driving him steadily for about 1 miles. 6.30 a. m., Webb's brigade, of Gibbon's division, sent to the right to support of General Birney; fighting very heavy at this hour. 7 a. m., General Hancock received the following dispatch from General Humphreys: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Old Wilderness Tavern, May 6, 1864. Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Corps: Your dispatch is received informing the major-general commanding of the presence of Longstreet's force. I am directed to say that the only reserve force of the army (one division of the Ninth Corps) is here, and will be ordered to your support should it become absolutely necessary. Call for it, therefore, only in case of the last necessity. A. A. HUMPHREYS, 7.05 a. m., delivered order to General Gibbon (then commanding First and Second Divisions) from General Hancock to attack with Barlow's division on enemy's right, and to fight up toward Orange plank road. 8 a. m., head of Stevenson's division, Ninth Corps, reached Orange plank road, to report to General Hancock. General Hancock received the following from General Humphreys: 8 a. m., HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC-6.30 a. m. Major-General HANCOCK, Commanding Second Corps: A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff. |