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1864 Overland Campaign Battle Report: Mahone's Report

No. 293. --Report of Brig. Gen. William Mahone, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, Anderson's division, Third Army Corps, of operations May 4-6.

HEADQUARTERS MAHONE'S BRIGADE,

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MAJOR: In obedience to orders this brigade broke camp on May 4 and moved down on the Rapidan near Willis Ford, where it was charged with a portion of the line assigned to the care and defense of the division covering the left and rear of the army, then moving down upon the enemy, who had already crossed a part of his army at the lower fords of the river.

The evening of the following day (May 5) we proceeded to join the balance of our army, then confronting the enemy in the Wilderness, and encamped near Verdierville for the night. The next day (May 6) we were with our troops on the plank road, and where the fight was already earnestly progressing at an early hour. We were at once assigned a position in support of a part of the line of Lieuten-ant-General Longstreet's front, but very soon after were ordered to join and co-operate with Anderson's and Wofford's brigades, of that corps, in an attack upon the enemy's left flank. As the senior brigadier, I was by Lieutenant-General Longstreet charged with the immediate direction of this movement. Wofford and Anderson were already in motion, and in a few moments the line of attack had been formed, and the three brigades, in imposing order and with a step >ar67_1091> that meant to conquer, were now rapidly descending upon the enemy's left. The movement was a success--complete as it was brilliant. The enemy were swept from our front on the plank road, where his advantages of position had been already felt by our line, and from which the necessity for his dislodgment had become a matter of much interest. Besides this valuable result the plank road had been gained and the enemy s lines bent back in much disorder; the way was open for greater fruits. His long lines of dead and wounded which lay in the wake of our swoop furnished evidence that he was not allowed time to change front, as well as of the execution of our fire. Among his wounded Brigadier-General Wadsworth, commanding a division, fell into our hands.

Lieut. Col. G. M. Sorrel, of General Longstreet's staff, who was with me in conducting this movement, and Capt. Robertson Taylor, assistant adjutant-general of Mahone's brigade, who was wounded in the fight, specially deserve my earnest commendation for efficiency and conspicuous gallantry on this occasion.

The casualties of the brigade were as follows: Officers, 1 killed and 3 wounded; men, 19 killed, 123 wounded, 7 missing; total, 20 killed, 126 wounded, 7 missing.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM MAHONE,

Brigadier-General.

Maj. T. S. MILLS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Andersons Division.