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ORN Series 1, Vol. X: Correspondence of Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee and Major General Benjamin F. Butler Regarding Obstructions for James River May 11-June 7, 1864

Major General Benjamin F. Butler, commanding Army of the James

Correspondence regarding obstructions for James River.

Report of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, transmitting enclosures.

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 7, 1864—p. m.

Sir: I transmit enclosed a copy of the correspondence between General Butler and myself relative to sinking obstructions in the river, which the Department will recollect was a part of his original plan of campaign.

The Department will appreciate the reluctance I have felt to adopt this course. The ironclad force at my command is better than was originally expected. General Grant asked for the cooperation of two ironclads. There are four here now, and there will be three left when the Tecumseh, now under your order for other service, shall leave. The Navy is not accustomed to putting down obstructions before it, and the act might be construed as implying an admission of superiority of resources on the part of the enemy. The object of the operation would be to make the river more secure against the attempts of the enemy upon our vessels by fire and explosive rafts, followed by torpedoes and ironclad vessels and boats.

General Grant seems to be expected by our military men and by the enemy (see Richmond paper of June 7) to cross the James River and operate against Richmond on the south side, and I understand it would be of vital importance to the success of the campaign that the river should be held secure against the casualties of a novel naval engagement.

Of course myself and officers desire the opportunity of encountering the enemy, and feel reluctant to discourage his approach, but the point of embarrassment with me is the consequences that would follow a failure of the campaign should the novel plans of the enemy succeed in crippling the monitor force.

Acting Rear-Admiral Samuel P. Lee, commanding the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron

I therefore lay the subject before the Department, which, understanding the views of General Grant, will best comprehend the extent and the locality of the cooperation he may desire and be able to instruct me on the subject, if thought necessary.

I am more disposed to the reference since the receipt of the Department’s dispatch of 4th instant. The water here is too shoal and narrow for maneuvering the monitors, and they occupy a position for supporting the flank of the army, from which they must engage at anchor, and to keep their turrets upstream are moored head and stern. Even our tugs can not cross the middle ground in this reach at low water, and there is no room for the longer wooden vessels, which are stationed to keep open our communications, which, however, the enemy can interrupt at pleasure, especially at Deep Bottom, should General Grant leave the left side of the James.

I am inclined, in view of all the circumstances, to obstruct the shoaler parts of this reach so as to prevent the convenient approach of the enemy’s smaller torpedo vessels and limit his approach to the channel way, which is narrow and under the control of the monitor fire.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

[Endorsement.]

Left to discretion of admiral in command, in whom the Department has confidence.

[Welles.]

[Endorsement on margin.]

Mooring head and stern seems to me very risky and entirely unnecessary.

F[ox].

[Enclosure No. 1.]

General Butler’s Headquarters,
May 11, 1864—9:45 a. m.

The bark Franklin and five schooners are at your disposal to obstruct the channel of the river. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B[enjamin]. F. Butler,
Major-General, Commanding.

Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

[Enclosure No. 2.]

Flagship Agawam, James River, June 1, 1864.

General: Will you please send to me here at once, that they may be at hand for use if necessary, the bark and schooners provided by you for obstructing the river?

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Major-General B. F. Butler,
Commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina.

Note by Admiral Lee—June 1. Written in consequence of the opinion of monitor commanders, Commander Rhind and Lieutenant Lamson, to have those obstructions ready, but like me they were averse to the sinking, and sustained my views on the subject at a council held on board the Tecumseh this day.

[Enclosure No. 3.]

Flagship Agawam, James River, June 1, 1864.

General: I thank you for sending the two contrabands to me; their information is useful. I desire that the bark and schooners may be sent me for immediate use.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Major-General B. F. Butler,
Commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina.

[Enclosure No. 4.]

June 1, 1804—3:30 p. m.

Your envelope enclosing letter to French consul in Richmond, and request for the bark and schooners for obstructions, is received. Orders have gone out to Chief Quartermaster C. E. Fuller to send them up at once, with a tow.

B[enjamin]. F. Butler,
Major-General, Commanding.

Admiral Lee,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

[Enclosure No. 5.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 2, 1864.

General: Can you ride over this morning with General Weitzel and arrange for sinking the vessels which you have obtained and appropriated for obstructing the navigation of James River, in such places as will add to the security of the army communications? It must be your operation, not mine, as I have not consulted the Navy Department on the subject, and the Navy Department alone can find vessels for this purpose, if it approves of so using them. I have no authority to employ or use vessels for this purpose, but can give such assistance to your engineers as may aid you in accomplishing the object proposed in your plan of campaign.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Major-General B. F. Butler,
Commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina.

[Enclosure No. 6. ]

Headquarters In Field, June 2, 1864.

Admiral: Your communication, dated June 2, in regard to the obstructions, is received. The five vessels sent up were procured by my order for the purpose of being used as obstructions to the river, if, in the judgment of the naval commander, they would add to the security of his fleet. I have no difficulty as to the point at which we desire to secure the river. It is the right of my line, near Curtis’ house, at the ravine, but whether the river should be secured by obstructions or by vessels, or a disposition of your obstructions or of the vessels of your navy, neither myself nor my engineers have any right to feel ourselves confident to give our opinion. The vessels are wholly at your service, but upon your good judgment, and not mine, must rest their use.

In accordance with your request, as I informed your officer, I will visit you this afternoon and designate the spot we desire to be held, but whether by means of obstructions, or by your ships, or by both combined, must be solely for you to determine.

While I know you would not undertake to give directions to my engineers as to the situation of our earthworks on land, so we ought not to presume to advise you as to your means of defending the water.

I have not consulted the War Department upon the question whether I should procure these obstructions. I supposed that was fairly within my discretion, and I venture respectfully to add that the question whether you should use them is entirely within yours. The Navy Department can not know the exigencies as you know them, and I am certain must leave that question to the good judgment of the rear-admiral commanding the fleet.

I am aware of the delicacy naval gentlemen feel in depending upon anything but their ships in a contest with the enemy, and if it were a contest with the enemy’s ships alone I certainly would not advise the obstructions, even at the great risk of losing the river. But in a contest against such unchristian modes of warfare as fire rafts and torpedo boats I think all question of delicacy should be waived by the paramount consideration of protection for the lives of the men and the safety of the very valuable vessels of the squadron.

Pardon me if I have overstepped any line of duty or courtesy in this latter suggestion.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Benj. F. Butler,
Major- General, Commanding.

Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

[Enclosure No. 7. ]

Confidential.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 3, 1864.

General: The system of naval expenditures is so entirely different from the army system, being controlled and directed by the Navy Department alone, that, to prevent future misunderstanding, I desire now to be assured by you, in writing, whether the cost of the vessels placed by you at my disposal for obstructing the river can be made a charge or liability, present or contingent, upon the Navy Department, if, under my directions, they are used for the purpose indicated, or whether I am to understand that the entire cost and expenditure for the vessels is borne by the War Department.

Without explicit authority from the Secretary of the Navy, I should not feel justified in incurring any pecuniary liability in connection with this matter.

In reply to that part of your communication of yesterday, which I have now the honor to acknowledge, which refers to the lives of the men and the safety of the very valuable vessels under my command as being the primary reason for obstructing the river, I would wish to be understood as regarding the loss of life and material as incidental to the contest which would occur should the enemy make an attack on us, whatever the result should be. The first consideration with me is the necessity, as heretofore represented by you to me, of holding this river beyond a peradventure for the great military purposes of General Grant and yourself. In consulting my own desires, I would do everything to induce and nothing to prevent the enemy from trying to assert their strength in a pure naval contest, which, in my opinion, would give us a naval victory. The only contingency of such a battle is the unknown effect of the novel instruments of war—torpedo vessels—which are to be employed by them, and which, as the attacking party, give them, perhaps, an advantage, which might possibly balance our certain superiority in all other fighting material.

Please return to me the topographical sketch which you gave me and afterwards borrowed.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Major-General B. F. Butler,
Commanding Department Virginia and North Carolina.

[Enclosure No. 8.]

Confidential.]

Headquarters In The Field,
June 3, 1864—1:30 p. m.

Sir: I beg leave to assure you in writing, as I have heretofore verbally, that the obstructions furnished you by me will in no way be any charge or cost to the Navy Department, unless it chooses voluntarily to assume the expenses.

I have neither doubt nor hesitation upon the subject. If the expenditure of the few thousands for these vessels will save one monitor from torpedo or fire raft, or the lives of ten of the men I have sent to the Navy, I should make it at once. You will judge of the efficiency of the obstructions. The expense has already been assumed by the Army, although I can not appreciate the difference. One treasury, one nation, one cause, all are served alike if one is served.

Respectfully,

Benj. F. Butler.
Major-General, Commanding.

Rear-Admiral Lee,
Commanding, etc.

[Enclosure No. 9.]

Confidential.]

Flagship N. Atlantic Block. Squadron,
James River, June 7, 1864.

General: I desire to keep the schooners ready for sinking when I am advised that a controlling military necessity requires that it be done.

Judging from the tenor of a dispatch received from the Navy Department last evening, no such precautionary measure seems to be contemplated.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Major-General B. F. Butler,
Comdg. Military Department of Virginia and North Carolina.

[Enclosure No. 10.—Telegram.]

In The Field, June 7, 1864—2:45 p. m.
(Received 6:30 p. m.)

Your note relative to the sinking of the obstructions is received by hand of Captain Clarke. The necessity of holding our positions here is an overwhelming military one. But how you are to hold yours on the river is, of course, wholly for you to determine.

Respectfully, yours,

Benj. F. Butler,
Major-General, Commanding.

Admiral Lee,
Commanding, etc.¹

Source:

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume X, pp. 129–133 ↩

Tagged as: benjamin f. butler, franklin (bark), gideon welles, gustavus v. fox, james river obstructions at trent’s reach, june 1 1864, june 2 1864, june 3 1864, june 7 1864, may 11 1864, naval official records, samuel p. lee

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MAP: Sutherland Station, 3 p.m. to Dusk, April 2, 1865 (Edward Alexander)

Source:

SOPO Editor’s Note: This map appears here at The Siege of Petersburg Online courtesy of owner and creator Edward Alexander. This map may not be reproduced without the express written consent of Mr. Alexander. All rights reserved. For even more great Civil War maps, check out Edward’s Facebook page Make Me a Map, as well as his web site, MAKE ME A MAP: MODERN MAPMAKING OF THE HISTORIC WORLD. ↩

Tagged as: april 2 1865, battle of sutherland’s station, edward alexander, Petersburg Campaign maps, the second corps final assaults, third battle of petersburg

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MAP: Sutherland Station, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., April 2, 1865 (Edward Alexander)

Source:

SOPO Editor’s Note: This map appears here at The Siege of Petersburg Online courtesy of owner and creator Edward Alexander. This map may not be reproduced without the express written consent of Mr. Alexander. All rights reserved. For even more great Civil War maps, check out Edward’s Facebook page Make Me a Map, as well as his web site, MAKE ME A MAP: MODERN MAPMAKING OF THE HISTORIC WORLD. ↩

Tagged as: april 2 1865, battle of sutherland’s station, edward alexander, Petersburg Campaign maps, the second corps final assaults, third battle of petersburg

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ORN Series 1, Vol. X: Union Orders in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, June 1864

SOPO Editor’s Note: Rather than posting each order in the Naval Official Records as its own post, I decided to group all of the orders of a given side in a given month together.

[Page 136]¹

General Order regarding information furnished to the press by naval officers.

General Order.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 9, 1864.

The attention of all officers, petty officers, seamen, and marines of this squadron is called to the recent violations of the Department’s orders prohibiting giving information to the press regarding naval operations. The effect and the fault are the same if this is done directly or through private sources. Information useful to the enemy is given and partial statements are made violating the discipline of the Navy and injurious to the public interests.

It is the duty of all good officers, petty officers, and men promptly to expose those who are guilty of such misconduct.

Each commanding officer will, on the receipt of this order, assemble the officers and men of his command and read it to them, and he will earnestly endeavor to ascertain the offenders, if any, in his command, and promptly report them in writing for punishment.

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

*****

[Page 140]²

Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, regarding obstructing the James River.

Navy Department,
June 11, 1864.

Sir: I have received your No. 325,* enclosing copy of correspondence between General Butler and yourself, relative to sinking obstructions in James River.

Action in this matter is left to the discretion of the admiral of the squadron, in whom the Department has confidence.

Very respectfully, etc.,

Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

Acting Rear-Admiral S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, James River.

* See p. 129.

*****

[Page 145]³

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant Lamson, U. S. Navy, enjoining vigilance against meditated attack of the enemy in James River.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 13, 1864—5 p. m.

Sir: The signal corporal ashore reports a rebel gunboat lying close to the brick house at Dutch Gap.

5:30 p. m.—The last report from the signal station is that a battery of six pieces is seen at Chaffin’s farm.

The enemy meditate some movement against our communications on the river, or against our occupation here.

The advance pickets must be vigilant against surprise to-night.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Lieutenant R[oswell] H. Lamson,
U. S. S. Delaware.

S.—Captain Barnes just from signal station (Crow’s Nest) reports the firing is from the rebel gunboat’s 100-pounder near Cox’s house Dutch Gap. No battery seen from there.

*****

[Page 146]⁴

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Foster, U. S. Navy, enjoining vigilance against surprise by the enemy.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 13, 1864.

Sir: These three deserters from the rebel ironclads who surrendered to our pickets this morning say that a boat expedition is talked of against our gunboats in the Appomattox. Communicate this information to the Putnam. I have informed General Butler of it.

The Perry and Putnam should keep in supporting distance of each other, and be very vigilant and prepared against surprise and attack from the enemy.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant A[mos]. P. Foster,
U. S. S. Commodore Perry.

*****

[Page 147]⁵

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Commander Nichols U. S. Navy, in view of the probable proximity of the enemy.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 14, 1864—12 m[eridian, aka noon].

Sir: Fleet Captain Barnes has just returned from headquarters of Major-General Gillmore, to whom he communicated the intelligence conveyed in your note of yesterday evening, that cavalry and four pieces of artillery had been seen in your vicinity and that musketry was heard by you in a northeast direction last night at or about — p. m. General Gillmore states that he knows nothing of any of Grant’s forces in your vicinity, but that he knows that some of Grant’s force were at Wilcox’s Wharf. General Butler replied to a telegram from General Gillmore on this subject, that he has no knowledge of any of our forces being in your neighborhood, and from their description judges they are the enemy’s forces. You will not permit any force to approach your position without being fully satisfied beyond all question that they are our own people. It is their business to make themselves known if they are our own troops.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commander E[dward]. T. Nichols,
U. S. S. Mendota.

*****

[Page 148]⁶

Order of the Secretary of the Navy to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Garfield, U. S. Navy, to proceed to duty in Hampton Roads.

Navy Department, June 14, 1864.

Sir: Proceed with the U. S. S. Banshee to Hampton Roads and report to Acting Rear-Admiral S[amuel]. P. Lee, or the senior officer present, for duty in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Very respectfully, etc.,

Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W[alter]. H. Garfield, U. S. Navy,
Commanding U. S. S. Banshee, New York.

*****

[Pages 148-149]⁷

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Commander Beaumont, U. S. Navy, to cooperate with General Butler.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 15, 1864—5:45 a. m.

Sir: General Butler asks for a gunboat to aid in crossing General Grant’s army near Fort Powhatan.

There are three gunboats near Powhatan besides the Atlanta. Assistance may be needed at some other point. Proceed without delay immediately with the Mackinaw and ascertain where your services are needed near or below Bermuda Hundred and there render them.

Respectfully,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commander J. C. Beaumont,
U. S. S. Mackinaw.

*****

[Page 151]⁸

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Cressy, U. S. Navy.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 16, 1864.

Sir: Proceed with the Malvern under your command to report to me in Trent’s Reach on the 18th instant.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Acting Volunteer Lieutenant W. K. Cressy,
U. S. S. Malvern.

*****

[Page 159]⁹

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. 8. Navy, to Commander Beaumont, U. 8. Navy, commanding U. 8. S. Mackinaw.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, Virginia, June 18, 1864.

Sir: You will upon the receipt of this order proceed with the Mackinaw under your command and take your station off Aiken’s Wharf, James River, previously occupied by you.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commander J[ohn]. C. Beaumont,
U. S. S. Mackinaw.

*****

[Page 159]¹⁰

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Quackenbush, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Pequot.

Flagship Agawam,
James River, June 18, 1864.

Sir: As the Mackinaw has resumed her station, you will closely observe the vicinity of Wilcox’s Wharf, whence an army transport was recently fired on.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Lieutenant-Commander S[tephen]. P. Quackenbush,
U. S. S. Pequot.

*****

[Page 175]¹¹

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Captain Smith, U. S. Navy, for the transfer of his command in the sounds.

Flagship Malvern,
James River, June 21, 1864.

Sir: Proceed without delay to resume command of the Onondaga in James River.

Turn over the command in the sounds to Commander Bankhead, delivering to him all unexecuted orders and post him on the situation and your views.

Send the Miami, Sassacus, and Commodore Barney here as soon as practicable, choosing favorable weather and taking a convoy if necessary. The two former will answer to protect points in James River.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Captain M[elancthon]. Smith,
Senior Naval Officer in Sounds of North Carolina.

*****

[Page 198]¹²

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Lieutenant-Commander Babcock, U. S. Navy, regarding operations in the Pamunkey River.

Confidential.

U. S. S. Malvern, June 23, 1864.

Sir: I understand from General Grant that General Sheridan is expected to come here from the White House, and that after that there will be no need for our gunboats up the Pamunkey River, etc.

You were sent up the York and Pamunkey to cooperate with the Army, and when this is no longer necessary withdraw the gunboat force there.

Be vigilant at all times against surprise from the enemy’s boats. The recent capture of the Water Witch, which had the usual boarding nettings up, impresses the necessity of having wire nettings and wire ridge ropes for them, as used in the Potomac Flotilla, and these you are authorized to require for your permanent vessels. Single vessels are very subject to assault.

The gunboats should be kept in supporting distance, as near as practicable.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Lieutenant-Commander C[harles]. A. Babcock,
U. S. S. Morse, York River.

*****

[Pages 198-199]¹³

Order of Acting Rear Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Commander Craven, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Tecumseh, to proceed to sea under sealed orders.

Flagship Malvern,
In James River, June 23, 1864.

Sir: Proceed to sea as soon as practicable with the Tecumseh under your command, and with the Eutaw to convoy you to your destination, if the Augusta or Alabama, in case the Department makes no other detail for this service, does not arrive in time to do so.

Enclosed are sealed orders from the Department to be opened when you discharge your pilot.

On your arrival at the roads send back Pilot Tilby (James River pilot), with his accounts, to be sent here from the Roanoke. If the men from the Army now on board the Tecumseh are necessary to give her efficiency, and can not be exchanged for men from the Roanoke, about whose accounts there is no embarrassment, take them with you, but send a report to the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting, giving their names, and reporting that their accounts with the Army have not been closed, if such is the case, about which you can learn from Lieutenant-Commander Upshur, of the Minnesota.

It is desirable that you should reach your destination as soon as practicable, and you can, in your judgment, lighten and trim the Tecumseh and choose the weather most favorable to the success of your passage.

Transfer your superfluous ammunition, if any, which your escorts can not take, to-the ordnance schooners at City Point.

The Augusta or Alabama, in preference to the Eutaw, will convoy you to your destination, if either is at Hampton Roads when you are ready for sea. Otherwise the Eutaw will convoy you, and her commander may, if you and he think it absolutely necessary to do so, apply by telegraph to the Department for authority to leave a part of her battery at Norfolk; but it should be borne in mind that she will not return here. The Tritonia also will accompany you. On reaching her destination order her to report to Admiral Farragut.

Wishing you a pleasant passage and regretting very sincerely to part with you and your efficient command, I am, very respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commander T[unis]. A. Craven,
Commanding U. S. Monitor Tecumseh.

*****

[Page 208]¹⁴

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to commanding officers of vessels in James River, in view of the approach of General Sheridan.

Flagship Malvern,
James River, Virginia, June 21, 1864—1 p. m.

The following dispatch has just been received:

General Sheridan is expected at General Foster’s pontoon bridge. Don’t mistake him for the enemy.
C. J. Paine, Colonel and Aid-de-Camp.

Admiral Lee.

Commanding officers of vessels in James River will exercise due caution upon the approach of any cavalry force on the north bank of the James.

By order of the admiral.

John S. Barnes,
Fleet Captain North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Commanding officer of the Althea will show this to each commanding officer in James River as he passes down.

*****

[Pages 218-219]¹⁵

Order of Acting Rear-Admiral Lee, U. S. Navy, to Commander Nichols, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mendota, regarding operations near Jones’ Neck Reach.

Flagship Malvern,
James River, Virginia, June 30, 1864—8:30 p. m.

Sir: In reply to your note of 7:30 p. m., to-day, the Mackinaw will go down in the morning to assist you to clear out the woods, etc., on the left bank, around Jones’ Neck Reach. The Mendota and Hunchback should be sufficient, ordinarily, for that part of the river, but before moving down to and by Tilghman’s Wharf, you are authorized to send your tug to desire the Mackinaw to drop down during your absence to strengthen General Foster’s position. Whenever other aid is necessary to clear out a battery send up a report by your tug.

Respectfully, yours,

S[amuel]. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron

Commander E[dward]. T. Nichols,
Commanding U. S. S. Mendota.

****

Sources:

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 136 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 140 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 145 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 145 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 147 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 148 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 148–149 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 151 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 159 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 159 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 175 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 198 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 198–199 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 208 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 218–219 ↩

Tagged as: amos p. foster us navy, charles a. babcock us navy, confederate naval firing at cox’s mill towards farrar island (june 13 1864), crossing of the james river, crow’s nest signal station, edward t. nichols us navy, gideon welles, james river obstructions at trent’s reach, john c. beaumont us navy, john h. upshur us navy, june 11 1864, june 13 1864, june 14 1864, june 15 1864, june 16 1864, june 18 1864, june 21 1864, june 23 1864, june 30 1864, june 9 1864, melancton smith us navy, naval official records, orders, roswell h. lamson us navy, samuel p. lee, stephen p. quackenbush us navy, tunis a. m. craven us navy, uss agawam, uss alabama, uss althea, uss augusta, uss banshee, uss commodore barney, uss commodore perry, uss eutaw, uss general putnam, uss hunchback, uss mackinaw, uss malvern, uss mendota, uss miami, uss minnesota, uss morse, uss onondaga, uss pequot, uss roanoke, uss sassacus, uss tritonia, w. k. cressy us navy, walter h. garfield us navy

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MAP: Sutherland Station, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., April 2, 1865 (Edward Alexander)

Source:

SOPO Editor’s Note: This map appears here at The Siege of Petersburg Online courtesy of owner and creator Edward Alexander. This map may not be reproduced without the express written consent of Mr. Alexander. All rights reserved. For even more great Civil War maps, check out Edward’s Facebook page Make Me a Map, as well as his web site, MAKE ME A MAP: MODERN MAPMAKING OF THE HISTORIC WORLD. ↩

Tagged as: april 2 1865, battle of sutherland’s station, edward alexander, Petersburg Campaign maps, the second corps final assaults, third battle of petersburg

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NP: December 23, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 55th PA, Thanksgiving at Fort Burnham, November, 1864

FROM THE JAMES.

Thanksgiving-Winter Quarters-Dutch Gap Canal.

CAMP 55^TH REG[IMEN]T. P[ENNSYLVANIA]. V[OLUNTEERS]., FORT BURNHAM, Va.,
November 26, 1864.

DEAR INQUIRER:

I hope a few lines from the Army of the James will not come amiss to you and your readers, although we [55th Pennsylvania] have no news of any importance to give you.

I must let you know how Thanksgiving day [Thursday, November 24, 1864]¹ went off in the army. We had a very nice dinner of turkey, chicken and cranberries, furnished, I believe, by the States of New York and Pennsylvania. Everybody seemed glad and joyful that their friends at home still remembered them, and that they had not forgotten those who are out battling for our good government. The boys ate their dinner with a relish, for it is not often that they get any of the kind. This morning the apples came around and they, too, were soon devoured. The day passed off in a pleasant manner among the soldiers of the Army of the James.

Four deserters came in last night [November 25, 1864]. They say that the rebs are prepared for us, and that a great deal of dissatisfaction is raging through the ranks. I guess that by the time “old Sherman” gets through with them in Georgia that a great deal more dissatisfaction will exist in their ranks, and at home.²

We received orders this morning [November 26, 1864] to put up winter quarters. The nights are pretty cold now, and the boys need something else besides their shelter tents to keep them from the cold and rain.

The canal at Dutch Gap will be completed in a short time.³ The rebel gunboats shelled it pretty hard yesterday afternoon [November 25, 1864].⁴ They are about ten feet below the surface of the water at present.

The Bedford County boys are all well I believe. Lieut. J.D. Horn and Lieut. H. Hammer are getting along fine, and liked by all the men under their command.

Everything is quiet along the lines as usual. But I must close. With the hope of rebellion being crushed soon I remain

Yours very respectfully,

TYPO.⁵,⁶

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Roy Gustrowsky.

If you are interested in helping us transcribe newspaper articles like the one above, please CONTACT US.

Article Image

Source/Notes:

SOPO Editor’s Note: Thanksgiving was on the last Thursday of November in 1864, or November 24. See this article, one of many on some aspect of Thanksgiving Day 1864. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: Sherman had begun his March to the Sea by this point, having just captured the Georiga capital of Milledgeville a few days before this letter was written. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: The canal at Dutch Gap was barely over a month from being blown open on January 1, 1865, though it would prove a failure during the war. Much like Grant’s Canal at Vicksburg, though, it permanently changed the course of the James in the postwar years. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: I can find no evidence of a Confederate naval attack on November 25, 1864. Much more likely is that the Confederate land battery at Howlett’s Bluff shelled Dutch Gap Canal on that day. More research is needed. Please CONTACT US if you have any more information on this small affair. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: I do not know the identity of letter writer TYPO. If you know who this man was, please CONTACT US. ↩
“From the James.” The Bedford Inquirer (Bedford, PA), November 26, 1864, p.1, c.6. ↩

Tagged as: bedford pa inquirer, dutch gap canal, fort burnham, letter, november 24 1864, november 25 1864, november 26 1864, Petersburg Siege Newspapers, thanksgiving

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ORN Series 1, Vol. X: Union Telegrams to and from the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, June 1864

SOPO Editor’s Note: Rather than posting each telegram in the Naval Official Records as its own post, I decided to group all of the telegrams of a given side in a given month together.

[Page 139]¹

[Telegram.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrars Island, June 9—10 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 10th, 4 p. m. Received 2: 30 a. m., 11th.)

A flag-of-truce tug came this afternoon to deliver a letter from Mr. Ould to Major Mulford.

The army lookout on the hill near us has several times reported seeing the smokestacks of the rebel steamers above Chaffin’s Bluff.

S. P. LEE,
Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.

*****

[Page 139]²

[Telegram.]

Navy Department, June 10, 1864.

Boats can not be spared from Potomac. Steam dredging machine can be had at Norfolk.

Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee,
Hampton Roads, Care Captain Gansevoort.

*****

[Page 139]³

[Telegram.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 10, 1864—10 p. m.
(Received Washington 12:15 p. m., June 12.)

No change in naval situation.

Five of the tugs have arrived.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Nary.

*****

[Page 146]⁴

[Telegram.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 13—10 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 14th, 9 p. m. Received 2:35 a. m. 15th.)

Deserters from rebel ironclads confirm previous information.

Rebel tug from bend above fired a shot or two in this direction this afternoon.

S. P. Lee,
[Acting] Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

*****

[Page 147]⁵

[Telegram.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Island, June 14—10 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 6 p. m., 15th. Received 7:15 a. m., 16th.)

No change in the naval situation. I learn unofficially that General Grant was at General Butler’s headquarters to-day; that “Baldy” Smith’s corps is here, and that the Army of the Potomac is crossing James River at Wilcox’s to-day.

S. P. Lee,
Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Nary.

*****

[Page 149]⁶

[Telegram.]

Flagship Agawam,
Farrar’s Inland, June 15, 1864—11 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 10 a. m., 17th. Received 4:15 p. m., 17th.)

Early this morning General Butler signaled me that he would sink his obstructions to-day, ordering Commander Craven to assist the army engineers to sink their obstructions where and as they wished. I went to see General Grant, who informed me that he had several days ago ordered General Butler to do so. Five vessels were, according to the plan of campaign, sunk to day under the direction of the army engineers on Trent’s Reach Bar, which will, to some extent, add to the security of the military situation.

General Meade’s army is crossing on pontoons at Wilcox’s Wharf. The operation will take two or three days. To-night, Smith’s and Hancock’s corps are attacking Petersburg. The enemy appear to be crossing on their pontoons above Drewry’s Bluff to day.

S. P. Lee,
Acting Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.

*****

[Page 160]⁷

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern, June 18, 1861—11 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 6 p. m., 19th. Received 8 p. m.)

Canonicus broke a long screw of XV-inch guns by elevated firing required here. Tecumseh is only monitor with short and reliable screws. Shall I not detain her, in the present state of affairs, until short screws are received for the other monitors?

It is doubted if the long screws will stand the increased charges.

S. P. Lee,
Acting Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

[First endorsement.]

Bureau Ordnance, June 20, 1864.

None of the monitors except the Tecumseh have been fitted with short screws to their guns. This arrangement of short screws requires a special fixture to the carriage, which will require time. Spare long screws can be sent if required.

R. Aulick,
Assistant Chief Bureau.

[Second endorsement.]

Send the above endorsement. The Tecumseh must not be delayed.

*****

[Page 161]⁸

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
Farrar’s Island, June 19, 1864—11 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 6 p. m., 20th. Received 7: 50 p. m.)

Grant was here to day. Three rebel ironclads and three gunboats appeared abreast of Chaffin’s farm to-day, returned, came down again, and were off Chaffin’s, as reported from army signal station, at sundown.

S. P. Lee.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

*****

[Page 162]⁹

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
Farrar’s Island, June 20, 1864—10: 30 p. m.
(Received 7 p. m., 21st.)

No change in the naval situation. Report from the army lookout that the rebel ironclads are taking on board sand in bags.

S. P. Lee,
Acting Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

*****

[Pages 193-194]¹⁰

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
Off Trent’s Reach, June 22,1864,—10 p. m.
(Received 12: 30 p. in., 24th.)

The President, with Assistant Secretary Fox, visited us to-day, and left City Point this afternoon for Washington. Enemy threatening army position at Deep Bottom this evening. I hear from Philadelphia that this squadron is likely soon to suffer seriously for want of coal.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

[Endorsement]

June 15.

Tons.

Hampton Roads ……………………………………3,448

Navy yard………………………………………………..713

Ten vessels in James River.

*****

[Page 194]¹¹

[Telegram.]

Jamestown Island, June 22, 1864.
(Received at Washington 9:10 p. m.)

We shall be in Washington at 4 p. m. tomorrow. Grant is enveloping Petersburg without fighting. A little firing of monitors yesterday of not much account. The river is closed above our monitors.

G. V. Fox,
[Assistant Secretary of the Navy.]

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

*****

[Page 197]¹²

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
Trent’s Reach, .June 23, 1864—10 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 4: 40 p. m., 24th. Received 12: 40 a. m., 25th.)

No change in the naval situation. Tecumseh and Eutaw, with Admiral Farragut’s four tugs, Tritonia, Pink, Rose, and Althea, leave to-morrow for Hampton Roads. Eutaw will convoy Tecumseh if Augusta does not arrive in time, or if Department does not send a convoy from the North. Captain Gansevoort ordered to repair and equip tugs and send them to their destinations. Please give him or them additional instructions, if necessary.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

*****

[Page 198]¹³

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
Trent’s Reach, June 23, 1864—10 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 4: 30 p. m., 24th. Received 12:25 a. m., 25th.)

It will be necessary to send stone ballast in the bulks to be sunk.

S. P. Lee,
Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.

*****

[Pages 207-208]¹⁴

[Telegram.]

James River, Virginia, June 24, 1864.
(Received at Washington, 6:45 p. m., June 25.)

You probably have, and will be good enough to use, the means to correct the injustice which the files of the Department will show has been done me by the editorial attack in the New York Herald of the 23d instant, and which, if not publicly corrected, will be prejudicial to the public interests.

The bar in this reach, which is at the head of monitor navigation until it shall be dredged out, was obstructed according to the military plan of campaign.

The obstructions furnished by the army are of a temporary character and can be readily removed when the progress of the army makes naval cooperation higher up the river necessary. At present, as heretofore, the navy is only needed to protect the communication of the army. You know that for more than a month I took the responsibility of resisting the sinking of these obstructions. It was finally done under an army order.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. G. V. Fox,
Assistant Secretary Navy.

*****

[Page 209]¹⁵

[Telegram.]

Trent’s Reach, June 26, 1864—10 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 5:30 p. m., 27th. Received 6:45 p. m.)

The enemy is strengthening his works at Howlett’s. Our army is mounting some heavy guns to bear on Howlett’s.

S. P. Lee,
Acting Rear-Admiral.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary of Navy.

*****

[Page 210]¹⁶

[Telegram.]

Navy Department, June 26, 1864.

Land your IX-inch guns and return immediately to James River after the Tecumseh reaches her destination.

Gideon Welles,
Secretary.

Lieutenant-Commander Homer C. Blake,
Commanding U. S. S. Eutaw, Norfolk, Va.

*****

[Page 211]¹⁷

[Telegram.]

Navy Department, June 27, 1864.

After seeing the Tecumseh safe to her destination, return and report to Acting Rear-Admiral Lee for duty.

Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy.

Commander Thomas G. Corbin,
Commanding U. S. S. Augusta, Hampton Roads, Virginia.

*****

[Page 215]¹⁸

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
James River, June 28, 1864—11 p. m.
(Received at Washington, 11 p. m., June 30.)

Howlett’s Battery fired twice at a tug which went to the obstructions this afternoon. Monitors replied. No casualties. Instructed Captain Gansevoort tonight that Augusta must convoy Tecumseh, as preferred by Assistant Secretary. If her repairs, which I suppose are slight, can be made in time, unless otherwise ordered by Department.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

*****

[Page 215]¹⁹

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
Trent’s Reach, June 29, 1864—11 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 5 p. m., 30th. Received 11 p. m.)

This morning the rebels opened a four gun battery, situated 2,000 yards up Four Mile Creek, at Deep Bottom, and commanding the river in open view between the army intrenchments there. An army tug was crippled. Saugus and Hunchback fired without silencing the battery. Two double-enders will attack it to-morrow. A deserter reports that the enemy are mounting many heavy guns at Howlett’s.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

*****

[Page 219]²⁰

[Telegram.]

Flagship Malvern,
James River, June 30, 1864—11 p. m.
(Via Fort Monroe, 5 p.m. Received 9:55 a. m., July 2.)

The enemy removed his battery from Deep Bottom last night, thus avoiding the heavy gunboat fire which opened on his position early this morning. This evening he opened a battery lower down, which the Hunchback drove away. Am enquiring about the canal boats. Deserters report that the rebels are strengthening Howlett’s Battery.

S. P. Lee,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Comdg. North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary Navy.

Sources:

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 139 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 139 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 139 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 146 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 147 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 149 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 160 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 161 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 162 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 193–194 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 194 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 197 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 198 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 207–208 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 209 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 210 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 211 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 215 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 215 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, p. 219 ↩

Tagged as: action at four-mile creek (june 30 to july 1 1864), action at howletts bluff (june 21 1864), action at howletts bluff (june 28 1864), casualties, confederate naval firing at cox’s mill towards farrar island (june 13 1864), engagement at four mile creek (june 29 1864), gideon welles, gustavus v. fox, homer c. blake us navy, james river obstructions at trent’s reach, june 10 1864, june 13 1864, june 14 1864, june 15 1864, june 18 1864, june 19 1864, june 20 1864, june 21 1864, june 22 1864, june 23 1864, june 24 1864, june 26 1864, june 27 1864, june 28 1864, june 29 1864, june 30 1864, june 9 1864, naval official records, samuel p. lee, skirmish at grover house deep bottom (june 22 1864), telegrams, thomas g. corbin us navy, uss agawam, uss althea, uss augusta, uss canonicus, uss commodore perry, uss eutaw, uss general putnam, uss hunchback, uss malvern, uss pink, uss rose, uss saugus, uss tecumseh, uss tritonia

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NP: June 24, 1864 Washington Daily National Republican: Defending Admiral Lee Against the Herald

ADMIRAL LEE AND THE REBEL RAMS IN THE JAMES RIVER.

The editor of the New York Herald, in the issue of the 23d inst. [June 23, 1864], says he does not know “what took place” in Saturday last [June 18, 1864], on the occasion of the interview between Gens. Grant and Butler and Admiral Lee on the James river. We knew that before. But he adds, with the cool audacity which is characteristic of the Herald, “we know very well what ought to have taken place.”

After this important announcement, accompanied by the most profuse flattery of Gen. Grant, as “the victorious commander of our armies,” the wiseacre of the Herald expresses the hope that Admiral Lee “will go forward to the performance of his plain duty in opening the James and taking his iron-clads to the wharves of Richmond city.”

On this point we will remark, right here, that we understand that Gen. Grant proposes to conduct the expedition against Richmond on a line of his own selection, and not upon the plan of [Herald owner] James Gordon Bennett.

But to return. The editorial referred to contains the following false and malicious paragraph:

“But, as if mere idleness were not enough, Admiral Lee has just performed an act that, we doubt not, has called an honorable blush to the cheek of every officer in his fleet. He has sunk boats in the river—obstructed the channel—to prevent the rebel rams from getting out at his ships. He has iron-clad vessels enough to blow every ram in the confederacy to atoms; but he is afraid of the trial.”

This statement is intended to throw disgrace upon Admiral Lee. Without discussing the propriety of giving circulation to such a willful falsehood, in a journal like the Herald, which circulates largely abroad, we are authorized to state that Admiral Lee had no more to do with the sinking of vessels in the James river, to prevent the rebel rams from interfering with our transports, than to promptly obey the explicit order of Gen. Grant.

To use the language of Admiral Lee to the Department, after he was ordered to sink the vessels—

“The navy is not accustomed to putting down obstructions before it, and the act might be construed as an admission of superiority of resources on the part of the enemy. The object of the operation would be to make the river more secure against the attempts of the enemy upon our vessels by fire and explosive rafts, followed by torpedoes and iron-clad vessels.”

In another dispatch to the Navy Department on the same subject, under date of June 16th [1864], Admiral Lee says:

“June 16.—Last evening I saw Gen. Grant at City Point, who informed me that several days before his arrival here he had ordered Gen. Butler to sink these obstructions, and that, finding his order had not been received, he had renewed it.”

We happen to know that Admiral Lee preferred that the river would be left open, being satisfied that he could demolish the rebel fleet up the James, but we know that Gen. Grant considered it a military necessity that the river should be made secure by every available means, as vital to the success of the campaign and the cause. Admiral Lee obeyed the orders of Gen. Grant, and caused the obstructions to be placed in the river, and subsequent developments have demonstrated the wisdom of Gen. Grant’s foresight.

We could state several very important reasons why Gen. Grant desired to blockade the rebel iron-clads, but we do not cho[ose] to do so at this time.¹

Article Image

18640624DailyNatRepP2C4AdmiralLeeHeraldRebuttal

Source/Notes:

“Admiral Lee and the Rebel Rams in the James River.” Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), June 24, 1864, p. 2, col. 4. ↩

Tagged as: daily national republican (washington dc), james river obstructions at trent’s reach, june 15 1864, june 16 1864, june 23 1864, new york herald, Petersburg Siege Newspapers, samuel p. lee, ulysses s. grant

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NP: June 23, 1864 New York Herald: “The Failure of Our Iron-Clad Navy”

SOPO Editor’s Note: This New York Herald article condemning the inactivity of Acting Rear-Admiral Samuel P. Lee and mocking him for placing obstructions in the James River at Trent’s Reach, is actually referenced by Lee in a June 24 telegram to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox.¹ Considering Lee had spent a month arguing with General Butler² against sinking vessels as an obstruction at Trent’s Reach, and after finally having General Grant order army engineers to do so, I can understand the Admiral’s frustration. I present Lee’s telegram to Fox here in its entirety so readers might see how Lee felt about being unfairly attacked in this way:

“You probably have, and will be good enough to use, the means to correct the injustice which the flies of the Department will show has been done me by the editorial attack in the New York Herald of the 23d instant, and which, if not publicly corrected, will be prejudicial to the public interests. The bar in this reach, which is at the head of monitor navigation until it shall be dredged out, was obstructed according to the military plan of campaign. The obstructions furnished by the army are of a temporary character and can be readily removed when the progress of the army makes naval cooperation higher up the river necessary. At present, as heretofore, the navy is only needed to protect the communication of the army. You know that for more than a month I took the responsibility of resisting the sinking of these obstructions. It was finally done under an army order.”

Interestingly, a day later on June 24, 1864, the Washington Daily National Intelligencer rebutted the article below in no uncertain terms.

*****

Operations on James River—The Failure of Our Iron-Clad Navy.

It is announced in the news from the James river that Generals [Ulysses S.] Grant and [Benjamin F.] Butler visited Admiral [Samuel P.] Lee, on one of the gunboats, on Saturday last [June 18, 1864]. What took place at this interview between the Lieutenant General and the commander of the James river flotilla we of course do not know; but we know very well what ought to have taken place; and we can only hope that the presence and the words of the victorious commander of our armies may have stirred up Admiral Lee to a sense of his position, and inspired him to make some attempt, even though a lame one, to go forward to the performance of his plain duty in opening the James river, and taking his iron-clads to the wharves of Richmond city.

There is no disguising the fact that, under their present commander, the James river gunboats are having a shamefully easy time of it. They are ignominiously compelled to look on in idleness, while the army loses eight or ten thousand men in a glorious struggle that they should have rendered unnecessary. It is reported that even Commodore Goldsborough has growled at the inactivity of the gunboats on the James river. But, as if mere idleness were not enough, Admiral Lee has just performed an at that, we doubt not, has called an honorable blush to the cheek of every officer in his fleet. He has sunk boats in the river—obstructed the channel—to prevent the rebel rams from getting out at his ships. He has ironclad vessels enough to blow every ram in the confederacy to atoms; but he is afraid of the trial. If he fears to meet these vessels down the river where his own boats lie, when may we expect that he will go up the river and fight them where they are supported by batteries on shore?

If it be urged against his advance up the James that the obstructions are dangerous and that the fire of the forts is too severe, it must then be admitted that iron-clad vessels are a failure, and that the immense sums spent in their construction have been thrown away. Early in the war Admiral Dupont silenced shore batteries under a terrible fire with only wooden ships. Admiral Farragut went to New Orleans despite obstructions in the river, and running the fire of perfectly constructed forts, all with wooden ships. He ran the fire of the Port Hudson batteries with wooden ships; and Porter ran past the formidable and well served Vicksburg batteries with even the army transports. If so much more can be done by some commanders with wooden ships than can be by others with iron ones, we ought either to waste no more money in the construction of iron ships, or we ought to change commanders.

We do not object to Admiral Lee because he is a relation of Mr. Blair, nor yet because he is a Virginian; but we do object to him because he has no energy in the discharge of his most obvious duty, and because he is for that simple reason palpably unfit for the important position he now occupies.³

Article Image

18640623NYHeraldP4C4FailureOfIroncladNavy

Source/Notes:

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 207–208 ↩
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series 1, Volume 10, pp. 129–133 ↩
“Operations on James River—The Failure of Our Iron-Clad Navy.” The New York Herald (New York, NY), June 23, 1864, p. 4, col. 4 ↩

Tagged as: james river obstructions at trent’s reach, june 18 1864, new york herald, Petersburg Siege Newspapers, samuel p. lee

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NP: December 9, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 55th PA at Bermuda Hundred, Second Petersburg and Chaffin’s Farm, May-November, 1864

Army Correspondence.

History of the Operations of the 55^th P[ennsylvania].V[olunteers].

55^TH P[ENNSYLVANI]A. VOL[UNTEER]S., FORT BURNHAM, Va.,
Nov. 22, 1864.

For the Bedford Inquirer:

Since everything is quiet, some account of our regiment [55th Pennsylvania] may be acceptable to you and your readers, as Bedford County is pretty well represented in it.

[SOPO Editor’s Note: A good portion of the first part of this letter recounts the 55th Pennsylvania’s role in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, which occurred just prior to the Siege of Petersburg. I’ve chosen to include it here due to the detailed recounting of the event and the scarcity of Army of the James accounts. I generally dislike linking to Wikipedia, but I have not found a better web site for the Bermuda Hundred Campaign.]

I shall accordingly commence with the opening of [the] campaign. Our regiment belonged to the 10^th Corps, which was in the Department of the South until early last Spring [of 1864]. When Grant was commissioned Lieutenant General, this corps was brought to Ft. Monroe, forming part of Gen. Butler’s army-since called the “Army of the James”-which was destined to operate against Richmond from the south side of the James. The 4^th of May [1864] was fixed upon as the time for all the grand armies to move. On that day we embarked at Gloucester Point, sailed down the York River, passed Ft. Monroe, and continued our way up the winding James. We landed at Bermuda Hundred on the 6^th [of May 1864] and pushed forward immediately. Having advanced several miles we halted for the night and commenced throwing up breastworks. We remain here until the 9^th [of May, 1864]. Early on the morning of that day the whole command formed and took up the line of march toward the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, which we reached about 10 0’clock without any opposition, and a party was immediately set tearing up the track. We again resumed the march toward Petersburg. Our division left the railroad and marched along the pike. About 2 o’clock the enemy was encountered near “Old Town Creek.” A lively skirmish continued for some time; the enemy held very tenaciously to a strip of woods that skirted both sides of the road. He was finally dislodged from this by an attack upon the flank. A brisk fight continued for about two hours, when the enemy fell back under cover of his entrenchments. Night came on, pickets were posted, and the troops, tired and hungry, partook of a little supper, consisting of “hard tack” and coffee, made in tin cups, then, spreading their gum blankets to protect them from the damp ground, wooed sweet Morpheus, who speedily came to the relief of the weary. The enemy made two attempts during the night to force the left of our line, but each time met with a bloody repulse. In this little affair our regiment lost considerably. ¹

Next morning [May 10, 1864] it was ascertained that a force had gotten in our rear. We turned about to settle with this presuming party, but found that task well done when we arrived at the scene of action, though we marched as rapidly as circumstances would permit, the heat being oppressive. That night we marched into camp, and the remainder of the troops also returned. On the morning of the 12^th [of May 1864] we again formed during a tremendous storm of rain. The elements seemed to be against us, for the rain fell in torrents. Long lines of troops marched past us, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and a fine representation of artillery. At length we received the word “forward” and marched off; this time towards Drury’s Bluff. It was ascertained that Beauregard had gone in that direction, as if he contemplated our design. Our line of march was the pike, along which a portion of the enemy passed that day. About 4 o’clock P.M., we came up with, and opened fire upon, the rear guard with the artillery. Night approached, and the rain, which ceased during the day, commenced again. Pickets were posted, and all the troops put in position to repel attacks, then we bivouacked on the open field. Everything at hand was made use of to protect them from the cold ground; the palings around the garden of a secesh farmer sharing the common fate.

A few slight alarms occurred during the night [of May 12-13, 1864], and at early dawn the troops were aroused from their slumbers, a hastily gotten breakfast was dispatched, and everything was ready to move onward. About 10 o’clock we heard the call “attention,” and moved slowly to the left. We struck the railroad, below “Half Way Station,” and halted. A reconnoitering party was sent up the road, which soon came in contact with the enemy’s pickets. Part of our regiment was deployed as skirmishers on both sides of the road, and a brisk fight ensued. The enemy held an earthwork on a bluff at the left of the road, from which he opened upon us with field pieces. Our artillery was put in position, and replied with interest. An attack was made in the rear at the same time, which caused him to abandon his position. Our troops immediately occupied the work, and shelled the retreating foe severely. He then made a stand at the right of the road, and opened upon us from a battery. An attempt was made to dislodge him from this position, and a brisk engagement was brought on, which continued till dark. Then the forces were withdrawn, and pickets posted. Our regiment had the fortune to perform part of this duty. The night was cold and damp, the men were weary, and all whose duty did not require them to keep on the alert, lay down to seek repose.

Next morning, the 13^th [sic, 14th of May 1864], an early move was made. An incessant fire was kept up all day by the skirmishers, with a deafening roar of artillery, as numerous duels were fought with that arm. The enemy fell back about a mile. Next day [May 15, 1864], being Sunday, was pretty quiet. On the morning of the 16^th [of May 1864] a heavy fog settled close to the earth, hiding everything from view. Our position here proving inconvenient to the enemy, he had collected his forces for the purpose of driving us back. The heavy fog was favorable to the attempt. Our lines were to be advanced at the same time, but the enemy took the lead. His masses were hurled upon the right which was compelled to give way, not, however, without inflicting severe loss upon the assailing column. The left was then attacked by overwhelming numbers, and was compelled to fall back also. Our regt. bore a conspicuous part in this engagement, losing heavily, especially in prisoners.²

Most of the regiment was upon the advance skirmish line, and could not see the approaching foe until the fog lifted. An order was sent to the 10^th Corps, directing it to fall back early in the engagement, but did not reach its destination at the proper time, consequently a large number were captured who might otherwise have escaped-Lieut. Barnhart, Co. D, was killed; Capt. Filler, Co. K, Lieuts. Lynch, Co. A, O’Neill, Co. C, and Weaver, Co. G, were wounded. Lieut. Colonel Bennett and Lieut. Hodge, Co. C, were wounded and captured. Col. White, Capts. Fox, Co. A. Metzger, Co. C, Lieut. O’Connell, Co. C, Adjt. Mitchell and Asst. Surgeon Laurer, were all captured. The command devolved upon Capt. John C. Shearer. A stand was made a short distance from the field, and the enemy gave up pursuit. We marched back to our old position at Bermuda Hundred. Here the regt. participated in a number of picket fights, some approaching the magnitude of engagements. On the 19^th [20th? of May 1864] the enemy attempted to force our line, but meeting a bloody repulse, he gave up the design.³

At length the movement to the north of the James was decided upon. On the 28^th [of May 1864] we started to Bermuda Hundred. At this time a change was made in the organization of the troops. We were transferred from the 10^th to the 18^th Corps, 2^nd Division, 1^st Brigade. The brigade consisted of the 23d, 25^th and 27^th Massachusetts, 89^th New York, 9^th New Jersey and 55^th Pennsylvania regiments, commanded by Gen. Stannard, as brave and good an officer as ever led troops. We embarked at Bermuda Hundred, and on the morning of the 30^th [of May 1864] our regt. landed at West Point, and marched to White House Landing on the Pamunkey River. On the 31^st [of May] we drew an additional supply for our haversacks, and started for Cold Harbor. The march was a hard one. The route was strewn with haversacks, woolen blankets, and clothing of every description; the men becoming fatigued, threw away those articles to lighten their burden. About midnight we bivouacked along the road, having continued the march until it became necessary to halt and allow the troops to rest.⁴

Early on the 1^st of June [1864] the march was resumed. The day was very hot. In the afternoon we came up with the trains of the “Army of the Potomac.” Further on we came up with the 6^th Corps. At length our ears were greeted by the thunder of artillery, which indicated what was going on in front. About five o’clock we heard the fire of the skirmishers, the engagement having commenced. We pushed rapidly forward. At dark the action ceased. The enemy lost heavily in prisoners. On the night of the 2d [of June 1864] the regt. was deployed along a road, amidst a drenching rain, for the purpose of protecting a wagon train, passing that way.

Early upon the 3d [of June 1864] we went on the “double-quick” across a cornfield. Our ranks were thinned with fearful rapidity, but the survivors seemed not to heed the loss of their comrades, so desperate was the conflict. Having gone far enough to accomplish the object of the move-the advance of the right to straighten the line-we halted, lay down, and opened a fire, that seemed to cool the ardor of the enemy, and held all the ground gained. This advance was made in five minutes, but proved fatal to many. The loss in enlisted men was 90, killed and wounded. Many were borne away with lacerated limbs from this, their last field, death having ended their sufferings. Capt. John A. Livingston, Co. H, and Lt. Heaney Adair, Co. F, were wounded. Lt. James H. Miller, Co. H, was wounded slightly, but did not leave the field.⁵

Capt. Shearer, while gallantly leading the regiment, was struck in the shoulder by a minie ball, and was compelled to leave the field. The command thus devolved upon Capt. J.S. Nesbit. This officer was nobly pressing forward, unconscious of the wound received by Capt. Shearer and his absence from the field. The troops continued to advance until ordered to fall back a short distance, and held the ground that had been gained. This was done in good order. Capt. Nesbit’s clothing was pierced by several balls, yet he was unhurt. As soon as he became aware that the command devolved upon him, he assumed control, and was giving directions to those around him, when he was severely wounded. Capt. Geo. H. Hill then took command. The enemy kept up a fire of musketry and artillery throughout the day, most however passing over us. Gen. Stannard received a musket ball in the leg, but did not leave the field until dark, when the brigade was relieved and marched into the intrenchments.

The regt. lost heavily in this engagement, being exposed to a galling fire from early in the morning until dark. We remained in the intrenchments until our troops abandoned Cold Harbor, which was done the 12^th and 13^th [of June 1864]. Our regt. was the last of the brigade to leave the pits, the General having selected it for the rear guard. At 2 o’clock A.M. the 13^th, we quietly marched out of the intrenchments, and left the spot, which proved a final resting place for a number of our comrades.⁶

We marched to White House Landing, and that evening got aboard the steamer “Key Port” [sic,sidewheel steamer Keyport]. The evening of the 14^th [of June 1864] we landed at Point of Rocks, on the north side of the Appomattox, drew rations, and were ordered to be ready to march at 2 o’clock A.M. next day. Early on the 15^th [of June 1864] we were on our way toward Petersburg. The enemy’s pickets were encountered about 12 o’clock and driven in. We pushed forward and soon found ourselves in front of a strong work, upon a high bluff, from which a fire of grape and cannister was spewed upon us. The troops upon our left had more of a circuit to perform, and were not yet up to cooperate with us against these works. Accordingly we halted and awaited the arrival of Brooks’ (1^st) Division). Gen. Martindale commanded ours. The enemy kept up an irregular fire all day, doing some damage, but his practice was poor, many shots falling far off the mark: this was greatly in our favor. About four o’clock everything was ready for another attack, the troops upon the left having swung around, and batteries were put in position. Suddenly our batteries opened a fire which seemed to shake the ground, keeping up a continuous roar, which, echoing and re-echoing among the hills and valleys, made doleful music for the deluded followers of the Southern Star. This was more than the “chivalry” could stand, and they began to leave their works. Two lines of infantry were immediately pushed forward, and they went with a yell after the retreating foe. The polished steel, glittering in the rays of the setting sun (for the day was beautiful) furnished a sight that would do honor to the pen and pencil.⁷

At 5 o’clock the next day (16^th) [June 16, 1864] another attack was made and the pickets were used as skirmishers. The captured works were greatly strengthened, and artillery placed in them. Fire opened from these and soon silenced a battery which proved a little annoying during the day. The smoke of the guns settled close to the earth, thus rather prematurely obscuring the light of day and scenting the air with the villainous sulphur. Amid this deafening roar the infantry advanced; common conversation could not be heard, and commands had to be given in a boisterous tone to make them audible. Capt. G[eorge] H. Hill, as brave an officer as ever trod upon a battlefield, commanded the regiment. We were ordered to “go forward and engage the enemy.” As we advanced we could see the foe awaiting us. We advanced quite close to his position, and he opened fire on us. We took cover and opened simultaneously. A heavy fire was kept up by both parties long after nightfall. The object of the advance being accomplished we were ordered to withdraw. This was not accomplished without loss. Besides those who were killed upon the field, many of our comrades who were wounded there, have since “gone to that bourne from whence no traveler returns.” We marched back to the rear and enjoyed one day’s rest.⁸

On the morning of the 18^th [of June, 1864] we started toward the scene of our former operations, to do another hard day’s work, without anything to appease the appetite, having been without food nearly forty-eight hours previous. But hunger on some occasions seems a stimulus to exertion. Marching and counter marching were the principal operations during the early part of the day. But at length it came to our turn to go further forward. Advantage was taken of a couple of deep ravines. In one of these we formed for the chef d’ oeuvre⁹. With our right resting on the Appomattox, we advanced over a bluff that hid us from the enemy. As soon as we reached the top, a heavy fire of musketry was opened upon us. Simultaneously we were ordered forward, and we swept across a cornfield that only a few days previously was an interesting object to the tiller of the soil. At dark we halted. Two powerful works were wrested from the enemy, some prisoners and eighteen pieces of artillery remained in our hands as trophies of the day’s work. Lt. Bloomhall, Co. B, and Lt. Shorb, Co. G, were wounded. The loss, however, this day was not very heavy. It fell upon our brigade to do the picketing that night, thus being obliged to keep on the alert, we found that we need not expect the coveted and much needed repose night generally affords: but weary watching and marching the two previous nights, we prepared for another wakeful tour of duty.¹⁰

Shortly after this engagement Gen. [George J.] Stannard was put in command of the 1^st Division [of the 18th Corps, or 1/XVIII/AotJ. Keep in mind, however, that the 55th Pennsylvania was in the Second Division of the 18th Corps at Petersburg up through the time this letter was written.]. The remainder of the time we were in front of Petersburg, the duties were arduous. An incessant fire was kept up by both parties, upon the skirmish lines. Night and day missiles of larger dimensions were thrown from field pieces and mortars. The 18^th Corps was present in reserve at the springing of the mine, the 30^th of July¹¹, in front of the 9^th Corps. On the 25^th of August [1864] we were relieved by the 10^th Corps, and came to the north side of the Appomattox, encamped near the spot we occupied upon first arriving here in May, at the location indefinitely termed “near Bermuda Hundred.” Here we enjoyed a short season of rest. The brigade was changed while here [in early to mid-September 1864]. The three Massachusetts regiments and the 9^th New Jersey went to North Carolina, thus leaving our regt. alone-the 89^th New York was taken out some time before.¹²

After the enemy made the raid upon Union livestock¹³, our regt. again went to the south side of the Appomattox, to guard against any further incursions of the kind. On the 28^th of Sept. [1864] we returned to the north side, and commenced fitting up our camp. Here the 148^th [New York] and 158^th New York Vols. were brigaded with us: Colonel, since Brevet Brig. Gen. J. Jourdan, of the 158^th, commanding. Orders came to be ready to march at 2 o’clock, A.M., the 29^th [of September 1864].

At the appointed time [on September 29, 1864] the line was formed, and the troops marched towards the James. Capt. [George H.] Hill commanded the regiment. This was a fatal day to many, but the survivors won a lasting wreath of glory. Pontoons were thrown across the [James] river during the night, below Aiken’s Landing, and at daylight the troops crossed. The enemy’s pickets were encountered a short distance from the river, driven in and some prisoners captured. We came in front of, and received the fire of Fort Harrison. The 1^st, Stannard’s division [1/XVIII/AotJ], charged this in front, our division, Heckman’s [2/XVIII/AotJ], operating on the flank. The enemy gave way before this vigorous charge, and our troops triumphantly entered his vacated works.¹⁴

Beyond the line already captured was another, consisting of strong redoubts, and fortifications, connected by breastworks. It was desirable that this line should be captured. One Regiment, the 2d P[ennsylvani]a. [Heavy] Artillery, gallantly charged these works, and were most all captured.¹⁵ The enemy was assisted in this day’s operations by the gunboats on the James, which threw shell of mammoth dimensions, but doing comparatively little damage, in proportion to the metal thrown. About 3 o’clock P.M. we were ordered to be ready to move forward at a moment’s notice. About 4 o’clock, Col. Jourdan rode up to Capt. Hill and said, “Capt., I want your regiment to charge that work and take it.” Sufficient support was to be at hand to enable us to hold the works if entered.

The regiment advanced slowly, at first, then fixing bayonets, started off “double-quick.” The enemy held his fire until it came in good range, and opened. Shell went howling through the air; grape and cannister were poured in among us, as fast as the enemy could load and fire his pieces. Such a tremendous fire could not be received without having a telling effect. The ranks were thinned with fearful rapidity; undaunted the line swept onward under the concentrated fire of three batteries now so close that the features of the men at the guns could be distinctly seen, every charge could be heard rammed home, and the word “fire” heard at every discharge.

When within fifty yards of the works the regiment halted. This was done to wait the proffered support, but it was soon ascertained that no assistance was to be expected from it. Here the prize that was almost within our grasp, had to be given up, for the ranks were so thinned that the remainder could not sustain the unequal strife, then the enemy sallied out, doubtless, with the intention of capturing the little band. Seeing no assistance at hand, the regiment marched off by the “left oblique,” under cover of a strip of woods. The effort was not, upon the whole, crowned with success, because the number of the assailants was not sufficient to accomplish the task.¹⁶

The wounded not able to leave the field were captured. The color-bearer, Augustin Flanigan, fell while boldly advancing the colors. Sergt. Hammer, now Lt. Hammer of Co. K, seized them as they fell from the hands of his wounded comrade, and nobly bore them from the field. Lt. Adair, Co. H, was killed, Capt. O’Neill, Co. I, was wounded and captured, since paroled, Capt. Hill was wounded in the hip, but refused to leave the field. The operations closed at night.

Next day [September 30, 1864] the enemy made two unsuccessful attempts to retake the works but met with a bloody repulse each time. Our regiment is now in the Fort, but since it was entered by its present occupants, the name has been changed to Ft. Burnham. When our regiment started in the campaign it was 1400 strong, but now it reports only 373 for duty. Thinking I have already exceeded the proper limit, I will close. At present, all is quiet.

“OCCASIONAL.”¹⁷,¹⁸

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Roy Gustrowsky.

If you are interested in helping us transcribe newspaper articles like the one above, please CONTACT US.

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Source/Notes:

SOPO Editor’s Note: This was the May 9, 1864 Battle of Swift Creek during the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: This was the May 16, 1864 Battle of Drewry’s Bluff, the largest and decisive battle of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. After Drewry’s Bluff, Butler’s Army of the James retired into the entrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, where they would ultimately remain until Petersburg fell on April 2, 1865. To their credit, the Army of the James did make some large attacks north of the James River which gained quite a bit of ground during the Siege of Petersburg, especially on September 29, 1864 at the Battles of New Market Heights and Fort Harrison. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: I suspect this is the May 20, 1864 Battle of Ware Bottom Church. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: The 18th Corps under Baldy Smith was reinforced by some regiments of the 10th Corps, including the 55th Pennsylvania, and sent to reinforce the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor. As noted above, they sailed to West Point Landing on the York River before marching east to Cold Harbor. West Point had become a supply depot for the Union army by this point in the Overland Campaign. ↩
SOPO editor’s Note: This was, of course, the deadly assault at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 3, 1864. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: This was the start of the movement to cross the James and the Siege of Petersburg. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: The 55th Pennsylvania and the 18th Corps participated in the June 15-18, 1864 Second Battle of Petersburg, and on this first day of the battle, June 15, 1864, they were a one corps show. Baldy Smith missed a golden opportunity to take Petersburg outright and avoid a siege. But he hesitated, and the opportunity was lost. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: June 16, 1864 was the second day of the Second Battle of Petersburg. The main attacks were made by the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, though the Eighteenth Corps was also involved, as you can see by the above paragraph. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: French for a masterpiece. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: June 18, 1864 was the fourth and last day of the Second Battle of Petersburg. Meade’s forces probed cautiously forward after the Confederates under Pierre G. T. Beauregard retired back a few hundred yards from their previous works, finally digging in after finding them. A siege had begun. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: The 18th Corps was present on the right of the Ninth Corps during the July 30, 1864 Battle of the Crater, but as noted, did not directly participate. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: The 55th Pennsylvania and the regiments named in this paragraph belonged to 1/2/XVIII/AotJ. The three Massachusetts regiments were worn out and shells of their former selves. If you take a look at my pages for the 23rd Massachusetts, 25th Massachusetts, and 27th Massachusetts as well as the 9th New Jersey, you quickly see they were sent to North Carolina for duty there. The 23rd and 25th Massachusetts moved to New Bern, NC from September 4-10, 1864. The 27th Massachusetts and the 9th New Jersey moved to Carolina City, NC from September 17-21, 1864. The 89th New York had transferred to 3/2/XVIII/AotJ on June 24, 1864. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: This was Hampton’s Beefsteak Raid of September 14-17, 1864, in which he went around the rear of the entire Union Army and stole thousands of cattle from the Union cavalry guarding them near the James River at Coggin’s Point. Hampton successfully moved the herd back to Confederate lines while fighting off Union cavalry chasing him. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: This paragraph and several below describe the September 29-30, 1864 Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, or Battle of Fort Harrison. As the letter writer describes, the 18th Corps of the Army of the James crossed north of the James River on the night of September 28-29, 1864, and surprised the Confederates with a vigorous offensive on September 29. The 10th Corps of the Army of the James crossed the James further east at Deep Bottom and attacked the Confederate entrenchments on New Market Heights. These attacks resulted in the capture of Fort Harrison and portions of the Confederate works near Chaffin’s Bluff. Robert E. Lee himself came to supervise the counterattack on September 30, 1864, so important was Fort Harrison. But the Confederate counterattack failed amidst confusion between division commanders, and Fort Harrison was secured for the Union. It would soon be renamed Fort Burnham. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: In looking over the maps on pages 71 and 83 and the text from pages 66-70 of Richard Sommers’ 2nd Edition of Richmond Redeemed, it appears the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery assaulted in the Confederate Outer Line in the vicinity of Battery #11 towards Fort Johnson. Since this was a heavy artillery regiment, it was divided into three battalions. One of those three battalions was captured en masse in front of Fort Johnson, though the other two escaped. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: In looking over the map on page 83 and the text from pages 91-92 of Richard Sommers’ 2nd Edition of Richmond Redeemed, the 55th Pennsylvania and other parts of Jourdan’s Brigade assaulted the Confederate works on the Intermediate Line near the Mill Road, probably Fort Gregg (NOT the famous Fort Gregg defending Petersburg), which was just south of the larger Fort Gilmer. These attacks ultimately failed, and the Union forces retreated back to the Confederate Outer Line and Fort Harrison. ↩
SOPO Editor’s Note: I have been unable to determine the identity of “Occasional.” If you know who this is, please CONTACT US. ↩
“Army Correspondence.” The Bedford Inquirer (Bedford, PA), December 9, 1864, p.1, c.4 to 6. ↩

Tagged as: 1 2 xviii aotj union, 148th new york, 158th new york, 2 xviii aotj union, 23rd massachusetts, 25th massachusetts, 27th massachusetts, 55th pennsylvania, 89th new york, 9th new jersey, august 25 1864, battle of chaffins farm, battle of cold harbor, battle of drewry’s bluff, battle of fort harrison, battle of swift creek, battle of the crater, bedford pa inquirer, bermuda hundred campaign, confederate naval support of chaffins farm (september 29 to october 1 1864), fort burnham, fort gregg (chaffins farm), fort harrison, george j. stannard, james river squadron, july 30 1864, june 1 1864, june 12 1864, june 13 1864, june 14 1864, june 15 1864, june 16 1864, june 17 1864, june 18 1864, june 2 1864, june 3 1864, keyport (1853-1917) (steamer), letter, may 10 1864, may 12 1864, may 13 1864, may 14 1864, may 15 1864, may 16 1864, may 20 1864, may 28 1864, may 30 1864, may 31 1864, may 4 1864, may 9 1864, my 6 1864, november 22 1864, Petersburg Siege Newspapers, second battle of petersburg, september 28 1864, september 29 1864, september 30 1864, unit strengths

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