I really enjoyed working on this problem.
On June 22, 1864, elements of Bushrod Johnson’s division moved out from reserve behind Field’s and Kershaw’s divisions into the Dimmock Line east of the Lead works in support of Mahone’s troops. These elements included Wise’s Virginia Brigade, Elliott’s South Carolina Brigade and Ransom’s North Carolina Brigade minus its 49th North Carolina.[1] Around 5 p.m. Bushrod Johnson’s troops advanced southward from the Dimmock Line onto the Johnson farm, passing through harvested wheat tied into sheaves, forming line of battle in the standing wheat to the east, and lying down.[2]
On June 23, Bushrod Johnson’s division returned to the Dimmock Line about 2 a.m.[3] At 9 or 10 that morning troops from Bushrod Johnson’s division tramped out to the Johnson farm again and erected breastworks in case II Corps continued its advance westward.[4] After dark, Bushrod Johnson’s division drew in its skirmish line and the division departed the breastworks it had thrown up just east of the Johnson farmhouse and hoofed it toward Rives Salient, opposite the Federals nearest Petersburg on Jerusalem Plank Road.[5]
Next, tying up the loose end of Kirkland's (Faribault's) brigade and A. P. Hill's headquarters.
Then: why did Wilcox's brigadiers want him court-martialed for cowardice?
On June 22, 1864, elements of Bushrod Johnson’s division moved out from reserve behind Field’s and Kershaw’s divisions into the Dimmock Line east of the Lead works in support of Mahone’s troops. These elements included Wise’s Virginia Brigade, Elliott’s South Carolina Brigade and Ransom’s North Carolina Brigade minus its 49th North Carolina.[1] Around 5 p.m. Bushrod Johnson’s troops advanced southward from the Dimmock Line onto the Johnson farm, passing through harvested wheat tied into sheaves, forming line of battle in the standing wheat to the east, and lying down.[2]
On June 23, Bushrod Johnson’s division returned to the Dimmock Line about 2 a.m.[3] At 9 or 10 that morning troops from Bushrod Johnson’s division tramped out to the Johnson farm again and erected breastworks in case II Corps continued its advance westward.[4] After dark, Bushrod Johnson’s division drew in its skirmish line and the division departed the breastworks it had thrown up just east of the Johnson farmhouse and hoofed it toward Rives Salient, opposite the Federals nearest Petersburg on Jerusalem Plank Road.[5]
Next, tying up the loose end of Kirkland's (Faribault's) brigade and A. P. Hill's headquarters.
Then: why did Wilcox's brigadiers want him court-martialed for cowardice?
[5]
Wiatt, Confederate Chaplain, 182; OR 40, 2:376; Smith Kitchens Diary, June 23,
1864, Winthrop University; Beckham, A Confederate Soldier’s Eloquent War, 92;
Clark, NC Regiments, 3:367.
[4]
Bushrod Johnson Diary, June 23, 1864, Supplement 7:279; OR 40, 1:761, 2:376,
668-669, 678; Clark, North Carolina Regiments, 3:367; James Carson, The Southern Soldier Boy: The Experiences of a Confederate Soldier of
the 56th North Carolina Regiment During the American Civil War (Driffield,
2010), 34 (left line June 19, 1864, rested 24 hours, then “moved right and
worked on some fortifications.”); William Henry Harder Memoir, 525, Tennessee
State Archives; Wiatt, Confederate Chaplain, 182; Smith Kitchens Diary, June
22-23, 1864, Winthrop University; Beckham, A Confederate Soldier’s Eloquent
War, 92. Johnson’s brigade remained
north of the Appomattox on the right of Pickett’s division. OR 51, 2:1027.
[3]
Wiatt, Confederate Chaplain, 182; Smith Kitchens Diary, June 22-23, 1864, Winthrop University; Beckham, A Confederate Soldier's Eloquent War, 92; Clark, NC Regiments, 3:367.
[1]
Supplement 7:278; OR 40, 1:761; Wiatt, Confederate Chaplain, 182. Elliott’s brigade also went out to the
Dimmock Line. Smith Kitchens Diary, June
22-23, 1864, Winthrop University; OR 40, 2:376; Mickey Beckham, ed., A
Confederate Soldier’s Eloquent War: The
Complete Diary of Samuel Lowry, Enlistment, Hardship, Battles and Death;
Yorkville to Columbia, Charleston to Kiawah, to Manasses, to Petersburg,
Finally Borne Home by Servant Henry Avery (Charleston, SC, 2008), 91. Johnson’s Tennessee Brigade and Gracie’s
Alabama Brigades did not go out to the Johnson farm because Beauregard had
ordered them to the north side of the Appomattox on June 19. OR 40, 2:668-669, 678; William Henry Harder
Memoir, 525, Tennessee State Archives.
Nor did all of Ransom’s Brigade, which had received orders to relieve
Colquitt’s brigade of Hoke’s division the previous day but after the 49th North
Carolina relieved the pickets of Colquitt’s brigade, the rest of Ransom’s
brigade got instructions to support Mahone.
OR 40, 2:678; Clark, North Carolina Regiments, 3:367; Diary of Captain
Henry A. Chambers, 205; Diary of Washington L. Dunn, June 21, 1864; The
Southern Soldier Boy, 34.
