20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment: Official Records

Report of Maj. Ellis Spear, Twentieth Maine Infantry.

HDQRS. TWENTIETH VOLUNTEERS, Near Petersburg,
Va., August-, 1864.
LIEUT.: In accordance with Special Orders, No. 209 (extract 5),
dated headquarters Army of the Potomac, I have the honor to submit the
following report:

I.

On the morning of the 4th of May the regiment crossed the Rapidan,
and in the afternoon went into line of battle on the left of the Orange
Court-House road, and there bivouacked for the night. On the morning
of the 5th I threw up earth-works and cleared the trees in front. At
12.30 p.m. advanced through the woods in second line of battle about
three-fourths of a mile, emerging into a section opening under heavy fire
of musketry from front and left. Observing from cessation of fire on the
right that that part of the line had not come up I immediately deployed
a company as skirmishers across the road and in the wood, and been
back my right, and, with the regiment originally in my front, which
being flanked had formed in rear and faced also to the right, held the
enemy in check until, passed from right and left and in front, we fell
back to our original works, bringing off 35 prisoners, with loss of 10
men killed, 58 wounded, and 16 missing. Lay in line of battle on the 6th
in front of the works. Lost 2 men killed and 10 wounded. The 7th I
advanced under command of Lieut.-Col. Herring, with orders
to push the enemy back as far as possible, and ascertain his position and
force. Their skirmishers were driven at once through the woods until
they opened fire of artillery and musketry from a line of earth-works,
when I withdrew out of range of the musketry, and occupied an interior
line as support to the picket. Loss, 2 officers killed and 1 wounded; 2
men killed and 10 wounded.

II.

At 1 a.m. of the 8th followed the brigade to Spotsylvania Court-House.
Arriving at Laurel Hill at 8 a.m., this regiments was ordered to report
to Gen. Crawford. Advanced toward the enemy
and lay during the day under heavy fire of artillery. At 6.30 a.m. I
moved forward, with other detachments of the brigade, under command
of Lieut.-Col. Herring, supporting a line of Gen. Crawford's
division, under severe fire of musketry, and halted in close proximity
to the front line, then at a halt and firing, when suddenly in the twilight
the enemy rushed on my line. After a sharp action heavy were repulsed,
leaving about 100 prisoners, including 4 commissioned officers captured
by my regiment. Loss, 1 officer killed and 2 wounded; 5 men killed, 13
wounded, and 2 missing. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 9th I was
ordered to withdraw and report to the brigade.

Took no active part in the operations of the 10th and 11th. Loss, 1
killed, 2 wounded. Moved to the right on the morning of the 12th and
occupied earth-works; back again at midday, and to the left; in support
of a portion of the Ninth Corps at night. The day following moved to
the right and entrenched, and at night marched to the left occupied
ground vacated by a part of the Ninth Corps; 1 officer wounded. From
the 13th and to the 20th, inclusive, occupied rifle-pits in front of the
enemy near Spotsylvania Court-House; loss, 1 killed.

III.

Moved at 1 p.m. the day following, being in advance, the regiment
under command of Col. Chamberlain; took part in a skirmish with
the enemy's rear guard of cavalry and artillery, losing 1 wounded.
The regiment crossed the North Anna River in the afternoon of the 23d
and took part in the action of that day; 1 officer wounded. Then pushed
on to the railroad and occupied a line, with some skirmishing, in front
of the works of the enemy until the night of the 26th. Loss, 3 wounded.

IV.

Marched to [vicinity of Mangohick Church] on the 27th, and crossed the
Pamunkey the day following. Moved forward again on the 30th,
supporting a part of the brigade, them skirmishing with the enemy. On
the 1st day of June the regiment moved forward and entrenched. Loss,
1 man killed. Fell back on the 2d, with some skirmishing, and
occupied an interior line of rifle-pits. Loss, 2 officers wounded.
The day following advanced with the brigade, making a left half wheel,
and pushed the enemy back, losing 22 men wounded, 2 killed, 1 officer
wounded, and 1 man missing. On the night of the 5th moved to the left,
and bivouacked in rear of the Ninth Corps. Marched on the morning
of the 7th, and moved out to the support of the picket-line near the
Chickahominy.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ELLIS SPEAR,
Maj., Cmdg.

Lieut. L. C. BARTLETT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 573-67 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. [CHAP. XLVIII.
[Series I. Vol. 36. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 67.]

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Report of Maj. Ellis Spear, Twentieth Maine Infantry, Third
Brigade, of operations June 12-21.

HDQRS. TWENTIETH MAINE VOLUNTEERS,
Near Petersburg, Va., August-, 1864.
LIEUT.: [?]

V.

Moved on the night of the 12th [June], crossing the Chickahominy early
on the morning of the 13th, marched up the right of the river, and
bivouacked during the day. Moved again at dark toward the James. On
the 14th marched to near Wilcox's Landing. On the 16th crossed the
James, and marched toward Petersburg; bivouacked at midnight. The
regiment was in reserve during the action of the 18th, and on the day
following. Loss, 1 killed, 2 wounded. On the 21st moved with the
brigade across the railroad, and at dark advanced, went into position,
and threw up earth-works. This line the regiment has occupied, doing
fatigue and picket duty, since that date, during which time the loss has
been 1 officer and 5 men killed and 7 men wounded. The total loss
during the campaign was 4 officers killed and 9 wounded, 33 men killed
and 128 wounded, 19 men missing in action.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ELLIS SPEAR,
Maj., Cmdg. Twentieth Maine Volunteers.

Lieut. L. C. BARTLETT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade.