THE FIGHT AT DABNEY'S MILLS.

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brigade staff; Lieuts. L. R. Tidd, C. H. Chapman, G. A. Barker, and J. F. R. Hosea. The loss of the regiment in these two days was eleven killed, thirty-two wounded, and two hundred and fortyfive missing. The capture of Capt. F. R. Kinsley left the command of the regiment to Capt. G. S. Nelson. On the 21st, the enemy made several attacks in force, but were each time driven back in great disorder. The rebels now ceased all attempts to recover the Weldon Railroad.

During the remainder of September and October, the regiment was variously engaged in reconnoissances, frequent skirmishing, and in garrison-duty.

Nov. 5, Lieut.-Col. Tremlett returned from draft rendezvous, and took command of the regiment.

On the 7th of December, the Thirty-ninth, leading the infantry, marched on an expedition to Jarrett's Station, Weldon Railroad, to destroy portions of the road. It reached its destination a little after dark; and, during that night and the next morning, the work of destruction went forward vigorously. The forces were withdrawn in the evening; and next morning, on their return, the Thirty-ninth was designated to cover the rear. After marching some five miles, the enemy made a dash on the rear, driving in the rear-guard of cavalry; but a few shots from the infantry soon checked them. During the entire day, the enemy's cavalry followed closely, and captured many stragglers. Four men of the regiment, who fell out exhausted, were lost. On the 12th, they reached their lines before Petersburg, and went into camp near the Jerusalem Plank-road. The regiment occupied this camp a little over a month. Feb. 5, the regiment received orders to report at brigade headquarters. Early next morning, it.commenced the march towards Hatcher's Run. In the afternoon the run was crossed, and line of battle formed, the regiment having the right of the first line. An advance was made, and the enemy was found intrenched in strong works near Dabney's Mills. The first attempt to dislodge the enemy was unsuccessful; but by a second charge the works were taken, but were soon afterwards abandoned for want of support, and the troops recrossed the run, and bivouacked for the night.

Tuesday, Feb. 7, the line of battle was formed at eight o'clock, A.M. The regiment deployed as skirmishers in front of the brigade, and, advancing, drove the enemy's skirmishers from three lines of rifle-pits into their main works. It skirmished all day in front of these works until five o'clock, P.M., when an advance of the line

was ordered. The assault was not successful, and the line fell back to its original position, where it remained exposed to a galling fire till late at night, when it was relieved.

During the next few weeks, the regiment passed several reviews, once by the Secretary of War, and once by the President. On the 29th of March, the spring campaign was fairly entered upon.

The regiment broke camp at three o'clock, A.M., and, after the usual delays, was marched to the left till the Boynton Plankroad was reached, where the enemy was found, and, after some skirmishing, driven back, and possession of their lines taken. This position was held through the next day, the regiment remaining on the skirmish line during the whole time until the morning of the 31st, when a move was made still farther to the left, to near Gravelly Run, where the enemy was found in strong force. Here a heavy attack was made by the enemy, and the regiment was hurriedly sent out as skirmishers to check the enemy until the lines could be formed. This it was unable to do, and, after suffering very heavily, was obliged to fall back, leaving many wounded and dead upon the field. Lieut-Col. Tremlett was wounded soon after the engagement began, and was with much difficulty conveyed to the rear. It was found necessary at the hospital to amputate his leg at once. The command of the regiment then devolved upon Capt. J. J. Cooper. In this action, Capt. Willard received a wound which resulted in his death the next morning. By his death, the regiment lost one of its most popular and loved officers, as well as one of its best soldiers. After a rally had been made, and re-enforcements had arrived, another advance was made, and all the ground lost in the morning regained, and a considerable advance beyond made. This position was held through the night. Saturday, April 1, the corps left this part of the line, moved to the left, and united with the cavalry under Major-Gen. Sheridan. At noon the lines were formed, near the Five Forks, for an assault. The cavalry were formed on each flank, and the infantry in the centre. The Thirty-ninth was assigned a place in the front line, near the centre. About four o'clock, P.M., the forward movement began; and the enemy's skirmishers were soon found, and driven back. A quick and spirited fight soon gave us an opening in the enemy's lines; and, after this, the victory was certain. Some five miles of the enemy's works were taken, and the pursuit followed up till long after dark. This battle of Five Forks was the most successful one that the regiment was ever

DEATH OF COL. TREMLETT.

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engaged in. Almost the entire force opposed was captured, and the rout was complete. Our loss was comparatively slight.

It was the last engagement of this regiment. Next the pursuit of the rebels under Gen. Lee commenced, which resulted in his surrender on the 9th. On the 1st of May, the regiment took up the line of march for Washington; arrived there on the 12th, and encamped near Fort Albany. On the 23d, it took part in the grand review of the army in Washington.

Friday, June 2, the muster-out of the regiment was begun; and Sunday, June 4, it broke camp, and reported in Washington for transportation to Massachusetts. The trip home was quickly made, with but few halts, one at the well-known "Cooper Shop," which never allows a soldier to pass through Philadelphia hungry; and one in New York, where a lunch was promptly provided by the New-England Relief Association. Tuesday morning, June 6, it arrived at Readville, and was assigned quarters in the barracks.

The arrival home was saddened to the regiment by the death, immediately after, of its colonel, Henry M. Tremlett. He died at his home in Boston, from the effects of the wound received at Petersburg; but the blow was a sudden one to the regiment, from the favorable accounts which had been received from him from time to time. After a term of service extending back to Ball's Bluff, it seemed hard to lose him at the very end. In his death the regiment lost a good commander, who had made himself loved by both officers and men, and respected by all, for his distinguished courage.

FORTIETH REGIMENT.

The Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers was recruited at Camp Stanton, Lynnfield; and left Massachusetts for Washington, Sept. 8, 1862, under command of Lieut.-Col. Dalton, an experienced officer in the volunteer militia.

On the 7th of September, Major Burr Porter, U.S.A., of New York, was commissioned colonel; and he joined the regiment, and took command of it, Sept. 14.

Its roll of officers was then as follows:

On its arrival at Washington, it was assigned to the brigade of Gen. Robert Cowdin. Its camp was an advance post of the defences of Washington, and farther from the forts than that of any other regiment. This camp was well sheltered, well drained, and very healthy.

Dec. 28, the regiment, with the rest of the brigade, marched to Mills Cross-roads in search of Stuart's rebel cavalry. The enemy made a hurried flight, and only a small rear-guard was captured. The brigade returned to camp next evening, where the regiment remained until Feb. 12, 1863, when it was ordered to Hunt's Chapel, and performed picket-duty on the Columbia Turnpike. March 30, the regiment was ordered to Vienna, fifteen miles distant.

This march won for the regiment extraordinary praise. In a driving storm of wind and snow, over bad roads and through dense woods, the distance was passed, in heavy marching-order, in four hours. Here they remained, under command of LieutCol. Dalton, in the performance of the severe and exacting duties imposed upon light troops in advanced positions. The regiment returned to quarters April 11, and received laudatory notice for its conduct and fortitude, in General Orders, Department Headquarters.

On the 15th of April, received at four, A.M., marching-orders for Alexandria. Upon arrival, were, with the brigade, under command of Col. Porter, embarked in transports for Norfolk, en route for Suffolk, at that time invested by Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet. They arrived at Suffolk at midnight, and bivouacked. The next day, formed camp with the other brigade of this division, outside the town, on the banks of the Nansemond River. An officer wrote,

In hope of compelling Gen. Longstreet to remain where he was, news having been received that Hooker had crossed the Rappahannock, a strong column was sent across the Nansemond, May 3. In this the Fortieth participated. The object of this movement being achieved, the troops left Suffolk next day under orders to proceed to West Point. Thence, on the 31st, they proceeded to Yorktown. On the 9th, Gen. Keyes's advance started for Williamsburg, where they arrived in the afternoon of the same day. Next morning, the Fortieth was detached, and sent on a raid across the Chickahominy River to Jamestown Island, and returned on the 13th after a wearisome march of seventy-five miles. On the 15th, it went up the Peninsula to White-House Landing, and thence on the 1st of July to Baltimore Cross-roads.

On the night of the 2d, the second brigade, under command of Col. Porter

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of the Fortieth, was ordered to support Col. West's brigade, which had been repulsed. It started at once, and met West coming down the road in utter confusion. It drew up by the side of the road, let him pass, and formed line, throwing out skirmishers. Within thirty minutes, the enemy showed himself, and we opened fire on his cavalry. They were repulsed with loss of the chef de squadron and several horses. The advance of the enemy was resolute. It was ten o'clock at night, and our brigade fell back to supporting distance. The enemy opened with his artillery, and we replied. The Fortieth did all the skirmishing and all the fighting done by infantry. It may truly be said, that to the Fortieth Massachusetts it was due that lasting disgrace was not inflicted upon the entire corps.

Having advanced as far as the honor of the Government and the purpose of the expedition required, on the 8th, when within fifteen miles of the enemy's capital, orders were given to return. The Fortieth acted as rear-guard of the column in retiring. In forty-eight hours from the time of starting from Baltimore Store, the Fortieth, passing over roads cut up by wagons and artillery, and rendered almost impassable in some places by heavy rains, stacked arms in Yorktown, and, after resting an hour, were embarked in transports for Washington. Arrived July 11, at seven, P.M., and embarked in the cars for Frederick, Md. Reached there at midnight. On the 13th, Col. Porter resumed command, and the old brigade was dissolved; and, after the battle of Chancellorsville, the Fortieth was ordered to the Eleventh Corps d'Armée. The Fortieth marched with the Army of the Potomac in pursuit of Lee, through Maryland to the Potomac River, at Berlin. Built a pontoonbridge over the river, and, on the 19th, crossed. Marched from Berlin to Warrenton, thence to Greenwich, and thence to Catlett's Station. Here we received orders, on the 6th of August, to proceed to Alexandria; and, on the 7th, embarked for Charleston. Arrived at Folly Island on the 13th, and went into the trenches on Morris Island, before Fort Wagner, on the 15th.

Out of the seven days' bombardment and siege of Fort Sumter, the Fortieth were in the trenches five days and nights. On the 26th, the Fortieth was ordered to the front to support a two-hundred-pound battery. Nov. 10, Col. Guy V. Henry assumed command; and, on the 13th, the regiment went upon an expedition to Kraivah and Seabrook Islands. Here the men forced the channel between the islands, drove in the enemy's pickets, and fired upon his cavalry. The rebels immediately fled; and the Fortieth, finding nothing worthy of its attention, took up the line of march for home. The enemy followed, and opened fire with artillery; but the regiment soon silenced his fire, and shelled him from his position.

The regiment remained on Folly Island until Jan. 16, 1864, when it was ordered to Hilton Head. Sailed from Stone Landing the same day, and disembarked at Hilton Head on the 18th. On the 4th of February, it joined the expedition to Florida, and, after a successful voyage, landed at Jacksonville on the 7th. The mounted force called the "Light Brigade," consisting of the Independent Battalion Massachusetts Cavalry, the Fortieth Massachusetts,