Report of Col. James
Montgomery,
commanding Montgomery's Brigade,
on the engagement at
Olustee, Florida
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,
Jacksonville, Fla., March 15, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following official report: When the
battle of Olustee began my command, the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and First
North Carolina Regiments , was in rear of the train. Thinking it might be a
demonstration intended by the enemy to draw us away from the train, I
immediately disposed my force so as to protect it, at the same time sending an
aide to the front for orders. The aide was hardly out of sight when the fight
thickened so rapidly that I moved forward with the Fifty-fourth without
waiting for orders, leaving the First North Carolina to guard the train. We
soon met the aide with orders to bring up both regiments. The Fifty-fourth
Massachusetts was placed on the left of the line, while the First North
Carolina moved directly forward. Fresh re-enforcements of the enemy came up at
this time, and the fight, which had slackened a little, broke out again
in all its fury, and continued till sunset, when the troops retired slowly
from the field. The Fifty-fourth, commanded by Colonel Hallowell, lost 1
captain and 2 lieutenants wounded, and 84 men killed, wounded, and missing.
The First North Carolina lost in killed, wounded, and missing, 199 men and
10 officers.
I have the honor to be, captain, your most obedient servant,
JAMES MONTGOMERY ,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Capt. P. R. CHADWICK,
Copied from The Official Records of the War of Rebellion
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