Alfred Roman
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 316
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XXXVIII. Major-General B. R. Johnson's Statement of the Explosion of the Mine at Petersburg, July 3Wi, 1864. On the 27th of July, 1864, the enemy was observed to bo moving large forces to the north side of the James--to bo showing much activity in that direction, leading us to auticipate some active operations there. This was, no doubt, a piece of strategy or a trick to deceive us; and it had, to a certain extent, that effect, for movements were made on our side correspondingly. General Field's division, which had been holding the part of our lino of defences on the right of my division, was taken out of the trenches, and Colquitt's brigade, of Hoke's division, was temporarily transferred to my command, in exchange of Grade's brigade, and I was left to hold, with less force, defences doublo the length, or more, of that which I had previously defended. Indeed, my understanding is that my command was all the troops in our trenches when tho mine was exploded; all of tho rest of the army having been moved or held ready to meet any demonstration the enemy might make on the north side of tho James River. Abont five minutes before five o'clock on tho morning of the 30th of July the enemy sprung a large mine under that portion of my breastworks, about two hundred yards north of the Baxter road, known as Pegram's salient. In this salient there were four guns of Captain Pegram's battery, and the 18th and 22d South Carolina regiments of Elliott's brigade occupied tho parapet in the battery and adjacent to it. The 22d extended from a point some seventy yards to tho right of the right gun to a point beyond, but near the left gun of the battery. The 18th was posted on tho left of the 22d South Carolina regiment. Tho regiments of...