HDQRS. SEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS
Jacksonville, Fla., February 27, 1864
COLONEL: I have the honor respectfully to submit the following report of the
part which my regiment took in the engagement near Olustee on the 20th
instant: The regiment formed at daylight of the 20th, and, constituting the
right of Hawley's brigade, advanced from Barber's plantation, on the road
toward Sanderson. The head of the column passed Sanderson about 12 m., and
when about 3 miles beyond that place the first picket firing was heard
between our skirmishers and those of the enemy. The enemy's skirmishers
retired, and the column continued to advance for about 3 miles more, when it
came upon the main force of the enemy at a point about 3 miles east of
Olustee. My regiment was moving by the left flank and remained in that order
until we were under the fire of the enemy. The regiment was then brought by
company into line and closed in mass. The order was then given by myself to
deploy upon the first company and the deployment commenced. At this moment I
was informed by yourself that the deployment was not as you intended, and
I at once commanded, "Halt; front'." but the fire of the enemy had now
become very severe, and in the attempt to bring the regiment again into
column confusion ensued, followed by faltering on the part of some of the
men, and finally in almost a complete break. About 100 of the regiment
remained upon the ground occupied by the column and the remainder fell back
a short distance, when with some other officers I succeeded in rallying a part
of them, bringing them into something like order, and again advancing. I
continued during the engagement to hold a position a little to the right of
that on which my column stood when it was ordered to deploy, and opposed as
judiciously as I was able to do what appeared to me to be an attempt of the
enemy to flank our right. When it was apparent to me that our line was
falling back, I gradually withdrew. It is proper to state, perhaps, that
becoming separated from the commander of the brigade in the attempt to rally
the battalion, I thereafter received no orders until the close of the
engagement.
My loss in officers was 1 killed and 7 wounded. George W. Taylor, first
lieutenant and acting adjutant, fell late in the action, having been
distinguished throughout for coolness and courage, as he is now lamented by
all the regiment who esteem a true soldier. My loss in enlisted men was 14
killed and 97 wounded, and my total loss of officers and men in killed,
wounded, and missing was 209. A list of casualties is herewith inclosed.
I am, colonel, very respectfully,
JOSEPH C. ABBOTT,
Colonel Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers.
|
Col. JOSEPH R. HAWLEY,
Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, Comdg. Brigade.
Copied from The Official Records of the War of Rebellion.
Other Reports from Olustee
Battle of Olustee home page
http://battleofolustee.org/