e, of Company A, who fell while gallantly discharging their duty.
Since crossing the river parts of my command have again beeni daily on the skirmish line, and the following losses there occurred: July 20, 2 wounded; July 21, 1 wounded; August 4, 1 wounded; August 7, 4 wounded; August 13, 1 wounded; August 16, 2 wounded, making a total of 40 killed and wounded since the beginning of the campaign to the 16th instant.
I have the honor to be, captain, your obedient servant,
W. H. Hays, Co1 wounded; August 16, 2 wounded, making a total of 40 killed and wounded since the beginning of the campaign to the 16th instant.
I have the honor to be, captain, your obedient servant,
W. H. Hays, Colonel Tenth Kentucky Infantry. Capt. Wilbur F. Spofford, A. A. A. G., 3d Brig., 3d Div., 14th Army Corps.
Hdqrs., Tenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, Near Jonesborough, Ga., September 3, 1864.
Captain: I respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the Tenth Kentucky Infantry in the assault upon the enemy's works on the evening of the 1st instant:
The regiment was on the right of the brigade in the front line, .formed about 300 yards of the enemy's works, under the orde
n; were relieved by Eleventh Indiana Battery and moved one mile to the rear and went into camp.
24th, moved out on the line in front at daylight and threw up works again.
25th, engaged in same position all day. 26th, engaged in same position.
27th, was engaged again lightly.
28th, cngaged at intervals all day. 29th, engaged lightly.
30th, was engaged a part of the day. 31st, moved off to the left and front of a large rebel fort; took up position and threw up works during the night.
August 1, battery engaged all day with rebel fort.
2d, was engaged very heavily all day by 20-pounder guns in tho fort; they disdismounting one of my guns.
3d, fired five rounds at intervals during the day; was relieved in the evening, and moved a short tance to the rear and camped.
4th, moved at 6 o'clock in the morning and took up position on the right flank.
5th, remained in same position, but not engaged.
6th, moved a short distance to the left; took up position on front line; was engaged a
hnson, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps; engaged with the enemy three hours; threw up works during the night.
21st, in position.
22d, marched southwest three miles and to within two miles of Atlanta and put the battery in position.
23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st, in position and engaged with the enemy at intervals during the time.
Rounds of ammunition expended during the month-caseshot, 288; common shell, 13; solid shot, 113; canister, 2; total, 416.
August 1 and 2, battery in position near Atlanta.
3d, in compliance with orders, battery moved one and a half miles to the right and encamped.
4th, at 7 a. m. battery moved two miles to the right and went into camp.
5th, 6th, and 7th, in camp.
8th, battery moved three miles to the right and built works, and put the battery in position.
9th to 25th, remained in position and engaged with the enemy at intervals during the time.
26th, at 10 p. m. the battery withdrew from its position and moved to
he troops have breakfasted to-morrow, and to be finished before night.
But very little skirmishing or artillery or picket firing to-day.
The first part of the day very warm; thunder shower in the afternoon.
But very few casualties to-day.
August 1.-6 a. m., the troops of the three divisions of this corps commenced to work on the new line that we are to occupy to-night.
11 a. m., received from department headquarters a copy of Special Field Orders, No. 48, headquarters Military Division oere withdrawn after dark to the position they occupied before the advance was made.
The lines of this corps, from right to left, now stretch about four miles. We have not yet been ordered to occupy the new and interior lines that we constructed August 1.
To-day clear and hot until 1 p. m. ; then quite a shower; cleared up again at 3 p. m.
August 4.-8 a. m., received written instructions from Major-Genelal Thomas to have persons on our lookout stations to-day to watch closely the movements
ed, they would never be made scapegoats; and if they gained victories they would be given the sole credit for whatever they accomplished.
As soon as Sheridan moved south the enemy was compelled to concentrate in front of him, and the effect was what Grant had predicted — the termination of incursions into Maryland.
The general returned to City Point on August 8.
Rawlins had broken down in health from the labors and exposures of the campaign, and had been given a leave of absence on August 1, in the hope that he might soon recuperate and return to duty; but he was not able to join headquarters for two months. Already the seeds of consumption had been sown, from which he died while Secretary of War, five years afterward.
He was greatly missed by every one at headquarters, and his chief expressed no little anxiety about his illness, although no one then thought that it was the beginning of a fatal disease.
An event occurred in the forenoon of August 9 which looked for an ins
essary for my safe return, so with rare judgment he desisted, zealously turning to the alternative proposition — the assault on Petersburg — for more significant results.
This was the only occasion during the war in which I was associated with Hancock in campaign.
Up till then we had seldom met, and that was the first opportunity I had to observe his quick apprehension, his physical courage, and the soldierly personality which had long before established his high reputation.
On the 1st of August, two days after the mine explosion, I was relieved from the personal command of the Cavalry Corps, and ordered to the Shenandoah Valley, where at a later date Torbert's and Wilson's divisions joined me. Practically, after I went to the valley, my command of the Cavalry Corps became supervisory merely.
During the period of my immediate control of the corps, I tried to carry into effect, as far as possible, the views I had advanced before and during the opening of the Wilderness campaign
uct or consolidate the different districts.
After informing me that one division of the Cavalry Corps would be sent to my new command, he went on to say that he wanted me to push the enemy as soon as this division arrived, and if Early retired up the Shenandoah Valley I was to pursue, but if he crossed the Potomac I was to put myself south of him and try to compass his destruction.
The interview having ended, I returned to Hancock Station to prepare for my departure, and on the evening of August 1 I was relieved from immediate duty with the Army of the Potomac, but not from command of the cavalry as a corps organization.
I arrived at Washington on the 4th of August, and the next day received instructions from General Halleck to report to General Grant at Monocacy Junction, whither he had gone direct from City Point, in consequence of a characteristic despatch from the President indicating his disgust with the confusion, disorder, and helplessness prevailing along the upper Potoma
1866-5 P. M. Major-General P. H. Sheridan, Commanding Mil. Div. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La.
Continue to enforce martial law, so far as may be necessary to preserve the peace; and do not allow any of the civil authorities to act, if you deem such action dangerous to the public safety.
Lose no time in investigating and reporting the causes that led to the riot, and the facts which occurred.
U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.
In obedience to the President's directions, my report of August 1 was followed by another, more in detail, which I give in full, since it tells the whole story of the riot:
headquarters Military division of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., August 6, 1866. His Excellency Andrew Johnson, President United States:
I have the honor to make the following reply to your despatch of August 4.
A very large number of colored people marched in procession on Friday night, July twenty-seven (27), and were addressed from the steps of the City Hall by Dr. Dostie, ex
o accept the Congressional plan of reconstruction.
”During the controversy over the Levee Commissioners, and the correspondence regarding the removal of Governor Wells, registration had gone on under the rules laid down for the boards.
The date set for closing the books was the 30th of June, but in the parish of Orleans the time was extended till the 15th of July.
This the President considered too short a period, and therefore directed the registry lists not to be closed before the 1st of August, unless there was some good reason to the contrary.
This was plainly designed to keep the books open in order that under the Attorney-General's interpretation of the Reconstruction laws, published.
June 20, many persons who had been excluded by the registration boards could yet be registered, so I decided to close the registration, unless required by the President unconditionally, and in specific orders, to extend the time.
My motives were manifold, but the main reasons were that as
here.
Our army is greatly reduced, but I hope recruits will be promptly sent forward from most of the States, and there are many causes which will interfere with the execution of the enemy's plans, and some things they have not dreamed which we may do. If our ranks were full we could end the war in a few weeks.
There is reason to believe that the Yankees have gained from England and France as the last extension, this month, and expect foreign intervention if we hold them at bay on the first of August.
My great grief at the loss of the Virginia is renewed and redoubled by our want of her now in the James River.
The timber for the completion of the Richmond was burned at Norfolk, and the work on her has been thus greatly delayed; it is uncertain when she will be finished.
The batteries on the river, eight miles below here, will stop the gun-boats, and we must intercept and defeat any land force which attempts to take them from the land side.
Our troubles, you perceive, have not en
