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Adjutant and Inspector General Reports
1865 Report
Appendix COfficial Reports
VII. REPORT OF COLONEL WILLIAM C. HOLBROOK, SEVENTH REGIMENT VERMONT VOLUNTEERS.
Headquarters 7th Vt. Vet. Vols.,
In the Field near Mobile, Ala., April 17th, 1865.Peter T. Washburn,
Adjutant and Inspector General.General,--I have the honor to report the part taken by my regiment in the siege of Spanish Fort, near Mobile, Ala.
The regiment left Mobile Point March 17th, and arrived before Spanish Fort on the morning of March 27th, 1865.
The division to which the regiment is attached (3d Division 13th Army Corps) was massed and moved forward to within about five hundred yards of the rebel works, driving back the enemy's skirmishers as it advanced. The line was here halted, and we remained in this position during the day, subjected to a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. At nightfall a line of works was commenced, and during the night we moved into the trenches.
The regiment daily furnished one or two companies for the skirmish line.
The advance rifle pits were within a few yards of the rebel works. Those held by this regiment were exposed to an incessant flank fire from the enemy's artillery.
Capt. Stearns and twenty-one men of Co. K were capturedin these pits. The enemy's shells had compelled his supports to fall back and had set fire to the grass and fallen timber in his rear, enveloping the entire line in a dense cloud of smoke. Capt. Stearns, however, maintained his position. About dark the rebels made a sortie, capturing him and twenty-one of his men.
During the last days of the siege the regiment assisted in putting the siege guns into position and making approaches. In this perilous operation several men were wounded.
The regiment has in every instance done excellently well, and both officers and men have behaved with great gallantry.
I append a list of casualties in the regiment since March 31st, 1865.
I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
W. C. HOLBROOK
Col. 7th Vt. Vet. Vols.