The Virginia in the Civil War Message Board

March 29-31 1865 army of the james

THE ARMY OF THE JAMES.
Mr. John A. Brady's Despatelaea.

Detachment army of the james with Army of the Potomac

Operations of ord's detaohmsmt.

For some time past the troops of the Army of the
James have been expecting marching orders. What
their orders were nobody knew, although all kinds of
rumors were received, and many military heads were
busy In plannlng a military campaign. When orders
did come, troops selected for special duty were
marched towards the James over pontoons and It became evident that General Ord's command was to cooperate in some manner with the Army of the Potomac.

THE TROOPS PARTICIPATING IN THE MOVEMENT.

The troops selected were from both corps. Those of
the Twenty-fourth corps moved under General Gibbon,
who has for some time commanded this corps. The
colored troops selected were placed under General William
Birney The whole force was commanded by General
Ord in person.

m MOTION.

About dark last evening the different regiments moved
out from their camps, and proceeded at a rapid march In
the direction of the James river, crosslng the bridge at
Aiken, and afterwards that across the Appomattoi at
Broadway landing. The roads were In horrid condition,
but not the slightest delay was experienced. Where little
obstructlons did cause a few minutes' work on the part of
the road, General Hall’s engineers placed everything In
working order. At noon the advance bad reached Meade's headquarters. It was rumored through the column that our objective point wae fort Lampson, but It was evident that the troops could not. without difficulty and considerable straggling, make it before dark.

OCCUPYING THE POSITION OF THE SECOND CORPS

A halt took place at sunset^ and at four O'clock this
morning the column moved Into the line of the Second
corps, relieving that command, which followed on to the
left after the Fifth oorps.

March 29 Evening.

This command to day has born lying in the works vacated by the Second corps yesterday morning. Nothing has been done by us as yet, though occasional and distant discharges of heavy guns show that the Army of the Potomac has met the enemy and captured their lines.

Our pickets are at present stationed in works of the enemy from which they were driven in the late fight by the Second Corps. The rebs in their front are busily engaged In strengthening the line.

AFFAIR ON THE FRONT

Officers of our picket guard report that the enemy have negro soldiers on their picket line in our front. From deserters, who are constantly coming in we learn that the enemy before us Is composed entirely of Hill’s Third Corps. So reduced has this force become that they can hardly supply a sufficient force to man their picket line. One division of this corps (Heth’s) seems to have the greatest part of the work to do and from this division most of the deserters have come.

ORD’S ASSIGNMENT

Among the batteries accompanying General Ord's command are Elder’s First Artillery, Muddebburg’s Fifth Artillery, and Langdon’s Fifth Artillery. Langdon’s battery is now under command of Lieutenant Cloot. All these batteries report to Major Abel, chief of artillery with General Gibbon as also dod several volunteer vbatteries, among which is the well known Anthony’s.

MARCH 30 MIDNIGHT

TURNER’S DIVISION

In the midst of the falling rain Turner moved his division, of the twenty-fourth corps, shortly after daybreak down the Vaughan Road, crossed Hatcher’s Run, and, turning to the right, pushed forward to make a connection with the right of the Second Corps which was at that time drawn so as to make almost a right angle with the works we hold. With very little firing and no fighting whatever the connection was made. The firing was entirely on the skirmish line and, although the enemy’s batteries opened, still very few men were injured.

FOSTER’S DIVISION

Immediately after Turner had secured his position Foster was ordered to advance a brigade to form a junction with Turner’s on the right. General Foster immediately directed Dandy’s brigade to advance and accomplish this object Elder’s horse battery battery was also ordered to hold itself in readiness, but did not go outside the works. Colonel Dandy advanced with his brigade about noon, and with little difficulty completed the connection, although the rebels opened on both with several heavy guns.
General Foster accompanied Dandy’s advance, and personally superintended the whole movement and afterward when the position was assured. Remained on the ground through the night hastening the erection of works to repel any attempt of the rebels in force to recover the lost ground.

ERECTIOM OF NEW WORKS

The earthworks are being erected with the utmost dispatch, and under the direction of Brevet Brigadier General Turchin of the engineers, Chief Engineer of the Army of the james.

THE WOUNDED

Only eight were wounded to day, at least that constitutes the number so far brought in It will be impossible to furnish their names until to-morrow, when probably the list will be increased.

MARCH 31, 1865

FOSTER’S DIVISION IN MOTION

Simultaneously with the advance of Turner, General Crawford pushed forward that portion of his division on the line and materially assisted in the capture of prisomners. The advance of both divisions was inside the rebel picket lines and within six hundred yards of their main works.

THE COLORED TROOPS

Birney’s division, of the Twenty fifth corps has taken a position of the right of Foster, assisting that General greatly in strengthening his lines.

OUR WORKS

Throughout the night our troops were busily engaged in strengthening their works and they now have a line that will enable them to hold their ground against any force the enemy may mass against them with the intention of making a dash and breaking their lines.

PRISONERS

One hundred and eighty nine prisoners were taken, of whom four were officers, a captain, first lieutenant and two second lieutenants. Many of them stated that they did not fire a shot and did not want to fire. Nearly all expressed themselves completely satisfied with being prisoners.

April 1, 1865

FOSTER ACTIVE

General Foster pushed his lines still further forward this morning and, as I write, (five a.m.) a continuous rattle of musketry that the enemy are making desperate exertions to force him back.
OUR LOSS
Through the last three days is very slight – about one hundred wounded and ten or twelve killed.