Report of Brig. Gen. John P. Hawkins, U.S. Army, commanding First Division, U.S. Colored Troops, of operations March 20-April 9.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of operations in my front during the past twenty-four hours: In front of Drew's brigade (the right) the skirmishers are about 600 yards from the fort. A battery for Napoleon guns is being constructed about 300 yards in rear of the skirmish line on the right. The battery for four 30-pounder Parrott guns on the right is finished and is about 1,200 yards from the fort. Scofield's brigade (center) - The advance line of works is between 700 and 800 yards from the fort. In rear of the line a battery for two guns is ready for the pieces. Pile's brigade (left) - The average distance to the fort from the advance line is between 500 and 600 yards. General Pile reports that on his right center there is a very fine position for a battery, which can be made to bear upon all the enemy's guns in his front. As far as known, there are on his front nine guns-one 32-pounder, two 24-pounders, one 18-pounder, and one 12-pounder, the caliber of the other four unknown. No advance has been made during the last twenty-four hours. The men being engaged in constructing batteries and strengthening the parallels and approaches already made, a greater number of picks is required. The ground is hard, and the shovel is a poor instrument without a greater number of picks to assist it.

Capt. J.F. Lacey,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: United States War Department. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 48. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.

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