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NP: June 28, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: Petersburg Express Account of June 17, 1864

[SOPO Editor’s Note: I do not have a copy of the June 18, 1864 Petersburg Express. As a result, I have published this excerpt from the Philadelphia Inquirer as a partial replacement of the missing issue. It will remain here until/unless I obtain access to the original paper. This article covers the third day’s fighting at the Second Battle of Petersburg on June 17, 1864.  For good maps on the several fights mentioned here, see A. Wilson Greene’s A Campaign of Giants: The Battle for Petersburg, Volume 1, pages 150, 159, and 165.]

INTERESTING SOUTHERN NEWS.

—–

[SOPO Editor’s Note: A portion of this article from the June 20, 1864 Richmond Enquirer has been excised because it will appear from the original paper later.]

The [Petersburg Daily] Express [presumably of June 18, 1864] gives the following in relation to Friday’s [June 17, 1864] operations:—

Friday’s Operations.

Yesterday’s [June 17, 1864] operations were again inaugurated by heavy firing, and this time the roar of the cannon and the rattle of musketry came from both sides of the [Appomattox] river.1

In Chesterfield the enemy had presumed upon a temporary evacuation of our breastworks on Thursday [June 16, 1864], to move up toward the railroad; but yesterday morning [June 17, 1864] early KERSHAW and PICKETT opened briskly and soon drove him back to his original position, and occupied all our old lines. The enemy, we hear, did not offer very stout resistance; but the result would have been the same, for we had the men, and these men had the vim to whip four times their number.2

In Prince George [County, just east of Petersburg] the enemy showed the same hankering for the position known as Battery No. 16 and vicinity, which covers the Baxter road. About 3 ½ o’clock [a.m. on Friday, June 17, 1864], as soon as the moon had sunk below the horizon, he appeared in great force, and by creeping stealthily through the thick undergrowth, got within twenty or thirty yards of our breastworks before he was discovered.3

In four lines of battle they rushed forward, and finding our men somewhat unprepared, leaned over the breastworks and demanded a surrender. On they poured, but our men gave them battle, and a desperate hand-to-hand fight ensued. A small gap having been left on the right, a large number of the enemy quickly availed themselves of this advantage, and our men finding themselves flanked, retreated in some disorder. General BUSHROD JOHNSON’s old brigade [led by Colonel John S. Fulton of the 44th Tennessee]4 sustained the chief force of this assault, and lost more heavily than any other. The entire loss, however, we hear, from all causes, killed, wounded and missing, will not aggregate over [100?]. A portion of our lines in this vicinity was held by the Twenty-Sixth Virginia, WISE’s Brigade, but the attack here was handsomely repulsed. We regret to hear that Colonel P[owhatan]. R. PAGE, of the Twenty-Sixth, commanding brigade, was mortally wounded in this assault. He was brought to this city, but died in the course of an hour or two after reaching the hospital. Several other officers were wounded.5

Our men fell back to a second line of works but a short distance in the rear of the first, which had been hastily constructed.

In this assault, we regret to learn that the battery of the Macon (Ga.) Light Artillery was captured. It consisted of four 12-pounder Napoleon howitzers. The men of this battery fought with unsurpassed bravery, and only abandoned their guns after losing twenty-one horses, which rendered the saving of their guns simply an impossibility.

Along other portions of the lines there was heavy skirmishing yesterday, and occasional cannonading until 3 P. M., when an effort was made to carry Battery No. 17, in close proximity to No. 16, and all important to a successful occupation of the Baxter road. The enemy approached in three lines of battle, but met with such determined opposition that after two or three attempts they abandoned the fort.6

Another Repulse.

At four o’clock the enemy charged our works on the hill near New Market Race Course, but were signally repulsed. A participant in the fight informs us that the enemy lost heavily in this charge, leaving many dead and wounded in our front. Unless recovered last night, the bodies lie there still, the two lines of breastworks being too near for either party to come out, lest they should fall by the hands of sharp-shooters.7

The Night Attack.

There was now quite a cessation of hostilities until 6 o’clock [p.m. on the evening of June 17, 1864], when heavy cannonading again commenced, the reverberations of the guns roaring through the city, and jarring the windows of every house.

As night approached the cannon firing grew more incessant, and the rattle of musketry, which was continuous, was distinctly audible to every ear.

The fight, we learn, commenced on our right, near batteries 17, 18, 19 and 20, at Colonel AVERY’s farm, but gradually extended around our extreme left, and by dark the engagement was general along the whole line, a distance of about five miles.8

As the contestants in the vicinity of the New Market race course became engaged, the booming of cannon and the popping of musketry fell upon our people with a distinctiveness which aroused the entire city to the largest pitch of excitement. The moon was high in the heavens and shone with unusual brilliancy.

For a half hour the battle raged and roared, and during this time from the nearness of the sound, many became impressed with the idea that the invaders of our soil were getting the advantage of our troops; but all of a sudden there was one universal blaze of musketry along the entire length of our line, and a shout from the throats of our brave boys which none were slow to interpret. It was the shout of victory—a glad and welcome sound to the fathers, mothers, and daughters of this city. Couriers soon arrived, announcing the glad tidings that we had repulsed the enemy along the entire line, and occupied the lines which we held at early dawn yesterday [June 16, 1864]. It was now ten minutes to ten o’clock [p.m. on the night of June 17, 1864], and the firing gradually slackened until eleven o’clock, when it had almost entirely ceased. About 7 o’clock there was a renewal of the musketry firing, and a few discharges of cannon, but it did not last more than 15 minutes.9

We have been unable to obtain any details or very little trustworthy intelligence, but parties who participated inform us that [ROBERT] HOKE’s Division stood like a wall of adamant, never receding an inch from their position. In front of their breastworks, all accounts agree that the slaughter of the enemy was fearful, and an ordnance officer who came in for ammunition, informs us that he has been present at all the great battles of LEE’s army, but that he has never witnessed greater mortality in the ranks of the enemy.

On the right, occupied by a portion of BUSHROD JOHNSON’s Division, we hear that the enemy came up in seven lines of battle, and so great was the pressure of overwhelming numbers that there was a temporary wavering among our men, who, upon the first shock, gave way. They were soon rallied, however, our lines restored, and the enemy made to pay fearfully for their temporary success.10

[SOPO Editor’s Note: A portion of this article from the June 18, 1864 Petersburg Register has been excised because it will appear from the original paper later.]11

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Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: There were two fights on June 17, 1864.  The first was the relatively minor Skirmish on the Bermuda Hundred Front, where Pickett’s Division drove the Army of the James back into Butler’s corked bottle.  There was also day three of the Second Battle of Petersburg, featuring multiple attacks by Burnside’s Union Ninth Corps upon Beauregard’s defenses east of Petersburg. ↩
  2. SOPO Editor’s Note: This was the Skirmish on the Bermuda Hundred front of June 17, 1864, which occurred north of the Appomattox River on the same day as day 3 of the Second Battle of Petersburg. ↩
  3. SOPO Editor’s Note: The attack was made by Potter’s Division of the Union Ninth Corps during day three of the Second Battle of Petersburg on June 17, 1864. ↩
  4. SOPO Editor’s Note: Fulton was commanding Johnson’s Tennessee Brigade during the battle. See Porter, G. W. D. “Col. John S. Fulton.” 44th Tennessee Infantry, www.tennessee-scv.org/4455/fulton.html. Accessed 13 Aug. 2020: “On June 16th, Fulton’s, Gracie’s, and Wise’s commands, and a few militia, met and defeated Butler in front of Petersburg, at the head of six Federal army corps – two of the James River army, and four of the Potomac, commanded as follows: Gilmore’s, Tenth Corps; Smith’s, Eighteenth Corps; Hancock’s, Second Corps; Warren’s, Fifth Corps; Wright’s, Sixth Corps; Burnside’s, Ninth Corps. Fulton’s command captured almost all of Wilcox’s command, six stands of colors, seven hundred prisoners and their arms. For the details of this battle see the October number of Annals of Tennessee, by Dr. Drake. The disaster the following day-the 17th-was not attributable to Fulton, but the result of weakness, not having men enough to close the gap; for he anticipated the move of the enemy, and called on Johnston for men, which he could not furnish. To avoid the disaster and conceal his weakness, Fulton then proposed a sortie upon the enemy on tile night of the 16th, believing they could be dislodged; but Gen. Johnston would not allow it, fearing the enemy would discover it and take advantage of the weakened lines.” ↩
  5. SOPO Editor’s Note: Colonel Powhatan R. Page was in charge of Henry Wise’s Brigade on June 17, 1864, as the paper writes, and he was mortally wounded that day.  See Page’s Find a Grave page, for instance, for confirmation. ↩
  6. SOPO Editor’s Note: This paragraph admittedly confused me.  Willcox’s Third Division of Ninth Corps made an attack around 2 pm, but it was a little to the north of the morning attack.  See Wil Greene’s A Campaign of Giants, Vol. 1, page 159 for map of this attack.  Battery 17 was further south of the morning attack. If you can help clarify this, please Contact Us.  Perhaps it was just simply mistaken information which made it to print. ↩
  7. SOPO Editor’s Note: Although the time seems to be a little off, THIS paragraph describes Willcox’s Division’s afternoon attempt, just north of the morning fighting. Per Wil Greene, Willcox assaulted at 2 pm, not 4 pm. Willcox’s men were facing the Confederate brigades of Clingman and Wise in this assault. Miles of the Second Corps faced Martin’s Brigade on the Confederate side further north near the Hare house. ↩
  8. SOPO Editor’s Note: This was the third and final Ninth Corps assault on June 17, this time by Ledlie’s First Division, Ninth Corps. The main assault started sometime after 5:30 pm, and was directed at Wise’s Virginia Brigade and Elliott’s South Carolina Brigade. Supporting Confederate brigades included Ransom’s North Carolinians, Clingman’s North Carolinians, Gracie’s Alabamans, and Fulton’s Tennesseans. Wise and Elliott broke from this attack for good, leaving the Ledlie’s Division in command of the field, but the Confederate brigades on both sides held firm. Union reinforcements arrived in the form of Crawford’s Division of Fifth Corps and the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, also of Ninth Corps.  However, no more advantage could be gained in the darkness.  Beauregard’s Confederates withdrew that night to a line closer to Petersburg.  There would be a fourth day of fighting on June 18. ↩
  9. SOPO Editor’s Note: This entire paragraph is wishful thinking.  It does not bear any resemblance to the actual state of affairs on the ground. ↩
  10. SOPO Editor’s Note: The divisions of Bushrod Johnson and Robert Hoke were the units doing the fighting for the Confederates on June 17, 1864.  Both were parts of P. G. T. Beauregard’s Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.  They do indeed deserve praise for the stand they made from June 15-17, waiting for the Army of Northern Virginia to arrive. Beauregard and his men had saved Petersburg. ↩
  11. “Interesting Southern News.” The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA). June 28, 1864, p. 2 col. 3-5 ↩

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NP: June 22, 1864 Petersburg Daily Express: Southern War Correspondents

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS.

The retreats of Grant from the Rapidan Anne [sic, Rapidan], have brought to our city, several members of the Press, who have been with our army from the beginning of the campaign. Yesterday we were favored with a visit from two of these gentleman [sic, gentlemen], who we hope will call again. P[eter]. W[ellington]. Alexander, formerly one of the Editors of the Savannah Republican, and now the well known and universally read army correspondent of that paper, is prepared to furnish the south with a faithful and graphic account of the struggle for Petersburg, whenever Grant shall afford him an opportunity. Mr. [James Beverly] Sener, (whose Christian name we cannot now recall,) formerly of the Democratic Recorder, Fredericksburg, Va., though an exile from his home, is hopeful and buoyant as ever. He is at present acting Reporter for the Associated Press, in connection with the Army of Northern Virginia. His correct and readable reports reach the people through the daily presss [sic] and of course are about the first items sought after by the reading public. There are doubtless other gentlemen of the Press now in our city, members of the Army.1 We extend to all such a cordial invitation to give us a call. They will find our exchanges at their service, and paper and pencil also, should they desire to communicate with their distant readers.2

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Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: For a good list of Southern War Correspondents, see this Appendix in The South Reports the Civil War, a classic book on the subject. ↩
  2. “Members of the Press.” The Daily Express (Petersburg, VA). June 22, 1864, p. 2 col. 3 ↩

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NP: October 28, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 210th PA, West of Weldon RR, Oct. 7, 1864

Letter from Lieut[enant]. [Hosea] Hudson.

CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG Oct. 7th 1864.

     Editor of the Inquirer.— I am on the extreme front, that being nothing but the skirmish line between us and the enemy. We are to the left of the Weldon R.R. in the 5th Corps. We are working on the intrenchments taken from the Rebs near a week ago.1 The men seem anxious to render them effective, and hope that when completed they shall be permitted to defend them. The men whom I brought from Bedford Co. are all well and seem to enjoy themselves very much. As far as my observation goes, the majority of the electors go [for?] Father Abraham. Many with whom McClellan is a favorite cannot sustain him on the Platform and in connection with Pendleton. The old soldiers who have not been home for many months begin to appreciate the fact that a “respectable portion” of the Peace Party is composed of those who are afraid of being called into service, and are willing to divide our country and acknowledge the “confederacy” with all the evils resulting therefrom, rather than submit to any privations or put forth any personal effort to prevent it.

We regret that we have been unable to get tickets for the State election. We hope, however, to be prepared for the Nov. election and will have the papers sent on. Send us some blank votes, also send to me your paper regularly.

LIEUT[ENANT]. H[OSEA]. HUDSON,
Co. C, 210th Reg[imen]t. P[ennsylvania].V[olunteers].2,3

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

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Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: Lt. Hudson is referring to the fighting from September 30-October 2, 1864  at the Battle of Peebles’ Farm, also known as Pegram’s Farm, Poplar Spring Church, and a host of other names. As in many other offensives, once the Union Army took a new piece of ground, they quickly incorporated it into their ever expanding lines of works near Petersburg and Richmond. ↩
  2. Gayley, Alice J. “210th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Company C.” 210th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company C Muster Roll, www.pa-roots.com/pacw/infantry/210th/210thcoc.html. ↩
  3. “Letter from Lieutenant Hudson.” The Bedford Inquirer (Bedford, PA), October 28, 1864, p.3, c.2. ↩

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NP: July 30, 1864 Richmond Examiner: Executions and a Promotion in Pickett’s Division, July 1864

PICKETT’S DIVISION, IN TRENCHES,
July 2[7?]th, 1864.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXAMINER:

No news except the execution of two men for attempted desertion to the enemy.  No sympathy and little curiosity was excited.  The crime produced only loathing with the division, and the punishment was regarded as merely a necessary police measure, ridding us of offensive intruders.  Their names were McDonald [sic, Demarcus L. Daniel]  and [John S.] Mitchell, and belonged to the Fifty third Virginia Infantry, Barton’s brigade.  I did not attend the execution, and do not know the particulars of the last act.1

In our regiment, (Eighteenth Virginia) Lieutenant-Colonel H[enry]. A. Carrington has been formally promoted to Colonel by the retirement of Colonel R. E. Withers for disability from a wound incurred at Gaines’ mill in 1862.2  Colonel Carrington has been Lieutenant Colonel of this regiment from its organization, and been with it constantly, except when absent from being wounded or sick.  He is a native and resident of Charlotte county, in this State, and a graduate of the Lexington Military Institute.  As an officer, he is vigilant, and sees to the business of the regiment as if attending to his private matters, while, in leading his men into action and handling them under fire, all concur in according to him both cool judgment and self-possessed courage of a decided character.  His whole heart is in our struggle, and he willingly submits to separation from family and peril of an independent fortune in his behalf.  Upon taking command, he issued the following order:

COMRADES OF THE EIGHTEENTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT:

On assuming command of this regiment as your colonel, allow me to give you a few words of friendly counsel.  Heretofore the Eighteenth regiment, known as “Withers’ regiment,” has won for itself, on the records of the War Department, by its prowess on many a hard fought field, an imperishable renown.  Now that it will be known as “Carrington’s regiment,” let not its fair fame be tarnished, but let us resolve that, under the blessing of Heaven, we will win new laurels.  To this end I shall expect the cordial support of the tried officers and the co operation of the gallant privates who have borne, without murmur or complaint, the severest trials and faced the most appalling dangers.  I shall try to prove myself worthy the high honour of commanding you, and all my energies of head and heart shall be devoted to the promotion of the honour, the welfare and the reputation of my command.

H[enry]. A. CARRINGTON, Colonel.

Colonel Carrington has commanded the regiment since the battle of Gaines’ mill and Frayser’s farm, when he was laboring under a severe wound received at Seven Pines.  He was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, but exchanged in time to lead eight companies of the regiment in the[battle?] near here on the last 16th of May.3

Everybody is laughing at the Clay, Holcombe, Greeley, &c., peace correspondence.  It was thought, after the explosion of the North Carolina member of Congress last winter in Richmond, who got bothered up in some way with another member of Congress of the same name and from the same State, that the height of ludicrous meddling with matters which had passed beyond intervention of self-assumed friends had been definitively reached.  But peace overtures have sprung up suddenly at the Clifton House.  This is all appropriate.  Some years ago Burlingame, of Massachusetts, it will be remembered first brought this place into publick notoriety by naming it as the place of a duel with Brooks, of South Carolina—The notoriety was ludicrous then, and Messrs. Clay, &c, seem resolved that the Clifton House shall hold its own.  By the way, is it not strange that a Government, which nobody recognizes, should have so many agents in foreign countries in its “confidential employment?”  We here in the trenches, not caring particularly about either Hons Clay or Holcombe and, not informed that their aspirations or gifts are supposed to be military, even by themselves, are willing to be amused by reading their struggles to get into notice, and laugh at their repulses.  But we do not like to see REPRESENTATIVES of our Government travelling about foreign courts like PARVENU snobs, humiliatingly begging even court lacqueys to get us introduction.  The two armies at Atlanta and under Lee are the only Peace Commissioners likely to be recognized by Lincoln and a really sensible (illegible) of honourable peace should prompt to efficient aid of these army negotiaters.  Fishing about all round the canoe by intermeddling children who do not know even how to bait their hooks, has always been regarded a great annoyance by successful anglers.  We have no doubt General Lee looks upon them in this light, if he thinks at all about the lilliputian efforts of these ANIMALCULA.4

We are sorry that the fight at Atlanta was not productive of more important results.  We all hope for the best, as the administration would not have ventured upon the removal of General Johnston without probability of military success to sustain the injustice, and the knowledge that measures to make reasonably certain had been consummated before the deed was done.5

As regards Grant, we know nothing—most probably because he is doing nothing.  The general impression in the higher military circles, I hear, is that he is waiting the result of Sherman’s expedition, when, if successful he will receive from it immediate reinforcements, and proceed vigorously to reduce both Petersburg and Richmond.  If unsuccessful he is strong enough to hold his present lines until he can get all the hundred days men and a portion of the drafted men, when he will give us a lively time—say in October—to influence the Presidential election, and give opportunity to Yankee lying to improve itself still more by converting repulses into victories, and the capture of stragglers into the capture of regiments.  In the meantime, it is regarded as not improbable that he may vary the monotony of a siege by a dash either upon the north side of the James, or attempt to break this line.  I think these speculations are as reasonable as most others.6

We had a hard and windy and cold rain night before last.7

A PRIVATE.8

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.

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Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: I went through the Compiled Service Records of the 53rd Virginia at Fold3.com, but found no one by the name of McDonald.  I searched for names close to this, such as McDowell and McDaniel, but I turned up no one who was shown as being executed.  Mitchell was an almost immediate hit, however.  Private John S. Mitchell was executed for desertion on July 25, 1864.  After some deliberate searching online, I also found the second man on a page detailing the Civil War dead of Pittsylvania County, and Danville, Virginia.  Demarcus L. Daniel was also executed on July 25, 1864.  The second number of the dateline above is smudged out, but this letter had to have been written on July 25 or later, assuming the date from the CSR is correct. ↩
  2. SOPO Editor’s Note: According to the 3rd Edition of Lee’s Colonels, Henry A. Carrington was promoted to Colonel on July 2, 1864. See Krick, Robert. Lee’s Colonels: A Biographical Register of the Field Officers of the Army of Northern Virginia. Third Edition, Dayton, OH, Morningside Bookshop, 1992, p. 84 for Carrington’s entry. ↩
  3. SOPO Editor’s Note: The Second Battle of Drewry’s Bluff occurred on May 16, 1864 not too far from where the 18th Virginia was stationed in July 1864. ↩
  4. SOPO Editor’s Note: Horace Greeley’s attempts to find a way to peace embarrassed the Lincoln Administration.  If I remember correctly, this incident is discussed at great length in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals. ↩
  5. SOPO Editor’s Note: Given that this was probably written on July 27, 1864, the author is probably writing about both the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20 and the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864.  Hood’s Confederate army attacked in both instances, and suffered heavy casualties they could not afford to lose. ↩
  6. SOPO Editor’s Note: If this letter was written on July 27, 1864, Grant had indeed just launched “a dash…upon the north side of the James” River near Deep Bottom, northeast of where Pickett’s Division lay in the trenches. ↩
  7. SOPO Editor’s Note: I strongly suspect this letter was written on July 27, 1864, for two reasons.  First, the date had to be July 25 or later due to the July 25, 1864 execution of the privates from the 53rd Virginia.  Second, in looking at mentions of a hard rain, the July 27, 1864 Richmond Examiner mentions just such a hard rain on the night of July 25.  Working forward from July 25, this letter would have had to have been written on July 27 in order for the “night before last” comment to fit. If you know more or think I am incorrect, please Contact Us. ↩
  8. “Pickett’s Division, In the Trenches.” Richmond Examiner. July 30, 1864, p. 2 col. 5-6 ↩

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NP: June 5, 1865 Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon): Union Scouts Battle Confederate Cavalry at Jones’ Ford, March 25, 1865

LETTER FROM A SOLDIER IN THE ARMY

Balfour U.S. General Hospital,
Portsmoruth [sic, Portsmouth], Va.,
April 14th, 1865

Dear Mother:   No doubt you have heard of my being wounded before this reaches you, as a kind lady wrote a letter for me at Point of Rocks when I was there.  She was connected with the Christian Commission.

My wound is very painful even now, and I write this lying on my back in my cot.  You will understand the nature and extent of my injury from the diagnosis of my surgeon which I will copy:  “Wound caused by a pistol ball entering one half inch from the seventh cervical vertebra—left side—in a perpendicular direction.” I tell you it was a severe operation to extract the ball, much more severe than putting in, as they gave me nothing to render me insensible to the pain; and it was lodged in a depth of four inches, requiring a great deal of cutting before it could be removed.  But I suppose you are anxious to know how and where I got hurt.

Just before the campaign against Richmond commenced, on the 25th of March [1865], our party of scouts was detailed as body guard and guides to [Brigadier] General [John] Turner, on an expedition to the Chickahominy, to secure the passages, lay pontoon bridges, &c. for Sheridan to cross on his way to the army of the James.1  Nothing of importance occurred until we reached Long Bridge on the Chickahominy, when we were sent with Capt. Carr of Turner’s staff on a scout to Jones’ Ford, to learn if Sheridan had been there, and also if the river could be crossed.  Two miles from the Ford we learned Sheridan had passed, and also learned that rebel cavalry were at the Ford.  We had just crossed an open space and were entering the timber when we met the Johnnies—five of us to fifteen of them.  We were armed with Spencer rifles, seven shooters, and felt quite equal to the task; so pouring in a volley we charged, driving them into the woods and emptying several saddles.

We passed on to the Ford, but on our return found the rebs attempting to cut off our retreat.  Giving them another volley, we pushed on.  I was eager, however, to get a good shot or two; so checking my horse I blazed away twice.  The other boys had now about seventy yards the start of me, and the rebels close at hand; but my horse exceeded all my expectations, fairly distancing the enemy and overtaking two of my companions.  The Captain and Sergeant were now far ahead, being well mounted and going like the wind.  I lost my hat, and had just passed the two hindmost when the road made a bend and ascended a slight elevation, among some scattered timber, which gave us command of the road.  Calling to the boys that we could whip them right there, I wheeled my horse, dropped the reins on the pommel of the saddle, and as the first of the pursuits appeared, I laid him out to rest.  Soon the whole gang were popping away; when, to my surprise, I found that only one of the boys was on the ground, the others scouring off at full speed.  The balls flew quite lively around our ears, but I soon laid another Johnny out.  Just then, Morris, who had been firing quite briskly, got a cartridge fast in his carbine, and turned and fled.  I leveled again and fired, but before I could ascertain the result, was surprised to hear, “surrender you d—-d Yankee; and glancing round saw that the rebel Captain, taking advantage of my exposed situation, had come down a by path on my flank.  My carbine missed fire; — and as I turned to flee, at the same time seizing my pistol, he shot, at ten paces distance, stunning and almost unhorsing me.  I clung to the saddle, and putting spurs most unmercifully to my horse, soon increased the distance between us.  His second shot struck my ear, cutting off my mustache and driving it into my mouth.  These were his best although he fired six time.  Soon after overtaking the boys, one of them had his horse killed and surrendered. — The Captain advised me to do the same; but, although the blood was running down my back and off my saddle, I replied: “They can never get more than my dead body.”  After leaving a guard for the prisoner, there were only three rebs left, and they soon gave up the pursuit. — When we arrived at camp, they took me from the saddle and dressed my wound.  Next day I suffered terrible agony, traveling over a corduroy road in an ambulance to the hospital on James river.2

After eleven days the ball was extracted.  I still suffer a great deal, but hope that I shall not lose the use of my left arm.

Now I must close with one regret, that I was not with the gallant old Fifth [Pennsylvania Cavalry] to enter Richmond.3  Oh! It were worth the remainder of my life to have been there; but man may propose, God will dispose, and blessed be His holy name, that this day I am not lying with many of our brave boys beneath the ungrateful clods of the Virginia lowlands.  God bless the Christian Commission and the Sanitary too. — You do well to support them, especially the former.   *   *   *   J. C. Grubbs4

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Nadine Kirchner.

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Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: Major General Phil Sheridan, fresh off of his masterful Valley Campaign of 1864, took his two divisions of cavalry from the Shenandoah Valley to the vicinity of Richmond and Petersburg during the course of March 1865. Grant’s plans called for Sheridan’s cavalry to be used in the final offensive against Petersburg, which kicked off only a few days after the events of this letter.  Because Sheridan was approaching from the north, Grant hoped to prepare a welcome for his forces once they reached the area.  The Army of the James held the lines north of the James River, and so Turner’s Division of the XXIV Corps was one of the units nearest to where Sheridan would arrive. ↩
  2. SOPO Editor’s Note: I have coined this small fight the “Affair Near Jones’ Bridge.” If anyone has more information, please CONTACT US. ↩
  3. SOPO Editor’s Note: The 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry and other units belonging to the Army of the James entered Richmond on the morning of April 3, 1865. ↩
  4. “Letter from a Soldier in the Army.” Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon). June 5, 1865, p. 1 col. 6 ↩

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NP: June 28, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: Who Bridged the James River, June 14-15, 1864

WHO BRIDGED THE JAMES RIVER?

—–

Honor to the Successful Engineers.

HEAD-QUARTERS ENGINEER BRIGADE,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
CAMP AT CITY POINT, Va., June 22, 1864.

ED. PHILADA. INQUIRER:—In reply to the following remark made at the end of the editorial of your journal of the 20th instant [June 20, 1864], viz:—“At the point of transit the James River is two thousand feet wide and over eighty feet deep. We should like to know the names of the engineers, that we might do honor to their skill. We have no doubt that GODFREY WEITZEL was one. The campaign looks well,” I send the inclosed letter, being a copy of one written to the editor of the New York Herald by one of the engineer officers who assisted in laying the pontoon bridge across the James River, at Fort Powhattan, Va.

P[HINEAS]. C. KINGSLAND, A. D. C.1,
Engineer Brigade, Army of the Potomac.

—–

DETACHMENT OF FIFTIETH N[ew]. Y[ork]. V[olunteer]. C[orps?],
CAMP AT CITY POINT, VA., June 19, 1864

To the Editor of the New York Herald:—As my name has been made unduly prominent in a description of the laying of the pontoon bridge at Fort Powhattan, upon the 15th instant [June 15, 1864], as given in your paper of the 17th [of June, 1864], the justice due to the other troops concerned, requires that I should offer you a statement of this successful effort at pontoneering, the most important that has ever yet occurred in our country.2

It is proper to state here in justice to Mr. MERRIAM that the account given is strictly correct up to the time of his leaving Fort Powhattan for General BUTLER’s head-quarters, that is to say his despatch embraces all he saw, the object of this card being to set forth the facts which occurred after he left.

The bridge [rafts?] were sent up from Fort Monroe on the 14th inst. [June 14, 1864], under charge of Captain LUBEY [sic, Timothy Luby]3, of the Fifteenth New York Engineers, and myself. Captain LUBEY, the senior officer, having with him Captain W[ILLIAM W]. HENDERSON and Lieutenants MARSH and MEGARY and two hundred men of that regiment, and I having Lieutenant BURDIN and sixty men of the Fiftieth New York Engineers, all being of General BENHEIM’s [sic, BENHAM’s] Engineer Brigade. On my arrival, General [GODFREY] WEITZEL, of General BUTLER’s staff, then at Fort Powhattan (and while awaiting the arrival of General [HENRY W.] BENHAM, who was ordered up that morning), directed the preparation of the approaches. And a portion of the Regular Engineers, under Captain MENDELL and Lieutenant GILLESPIE, and Colonel [EDWARD W.] SERREL’s Engineers [1st New York Engineers], under Captain LYONS’ command, commenced the work at the abutment on each side. Upon the arrival of General BENHAM about four or five P. M., the construction of the bridge was placed under his charge by [Army of the Potomac commander] General [GEORGE G.] MEADE, and the work was rapidly pushed forward by all the troops and officers above named (except SERRELL’s Engineers, who were at that time relieved) until its completion, at between ten and eleven P. M. that evening [June 14, 1864].

The regular engineers were relieved immediately after the bridge was laid, and from that time the care of the bridge, and the constant watchfulness and repairs necessary upon much of the planking, nearly worn out by previous use, was attended to entirely by the small number of officers and men of the engineer brigade, who (including Gen. BENHAM and his aids Captain P[HINEAS]. C. KINGSLAND and Lieutenant F. S. LIVINGSTON) were constantly on duty night and day, with scarcely two hours’ sleep in any twenty-four, for the seventy-five to eighty hours that the bridge was down.

During this time I would state that the mass of this large army, with its trains, artillery, and cattle herds even, were successfully crossed, the greater portion in forty-seven hours only, without the loss of a single man or animal, over this bridge or some two thousand two hundred feet in length, over two thousand feet of which was on pontoon boats only. Very respectfully,

JAMES S. ROBBINS,
Captain Fiftieth Regiment N. Y. Engineers.4

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Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: For confirmation of Kingsland’s first name, see the following at Google Books near the bottom of the page. ↩
  2. SOPO Editor’s Note: Captain Robbins is of course referring to the massive pontoon bridge laid across the James River, allowing the Army of the Potomac to cross over to Southside Virginia and threaten Petersburg.  The operation is considered a brilliant one, and succeeded in no small part due to the efforts of the engineers to lay this bridge. ↩
  3. SOPO Editor’s Note: See the roster of the 15th NY Engineers. ↩
  4. “Who Bridged the James River?” The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA). June 28, 1864, p. 2 col. 2 ↩

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NP: June 22, 1864 Petersburg Daily Express: Gary’s Cavalry Brigade Burns the James River Wharves, June 19, 1864

Destruction of Yankee Wharves—Another Brilliant Cavalry Victory Reported.

RICHMOND, June 21—The wharves at Wilcox’s Landing, Harrison’s Landing and Westover, all on the north side of James River, nearly opposite City Point, were totally destroyed by our cavalry on Sunday night [June 19, 1864]. The torch was applied by Col. Gary’s cavalry [brigade], and not a timber left.1

The [Richmond] Enquirer of this morning [June 21, 1864] reports that Sheridan was again routed yesterday [June 20, 1864]. This time near the White House on the Pamunkey River. Eight hundred prisoners and five or six pieces of artillery were captured. Our cavalry at last accounts were in pursuit.2 No official despatches received from any quarter this morning.3

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18640622PetersburgVAExpressP1C7CavVictory

Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: I wasn’t sure of the validity of this information, but it is correct.  Thanks to Lisa Fulton, who is transcribing the letters of the Jeffers brothers and blogging about the experience, I was able to read an unpublished letter of Henry Jeffers of the 7th South Carolina Cavalry, written on June 20, 1864 to his father.  In this letter, Henry corroborates this report: “I wrote sister Annie, that I thought we would get to rest a few days, but Sunday morning we were ordered to mount, moving off in the direction of Harrisons Landing. I thought that the enemy had thrown a force back across the river to make a demonstration again on this side. But our business was to burn the extensive wharves built by the enemy at Harrisons and the different points on the River. This was done successfully and we returned to camp last night.” The partially unpublished diary of William G. Hinson, also of the 7th South Carolina Cavalry, notes this incident as well: “Sunday, went near to Chas City. Sent squad to burn bridges; returned unmolested.” I’ve added a line item for this event on my always growing Skirmishes and Actions page. If you have other accounts of this action, Contact us.  Not one of the regimental histories I looked at for Gary’s Brigade even mentioned this event. ↩
  2. SOPO Editor’s Note: This was an interesting engagement on June 20, 1864.  The Confederate Cavalry was still pursuing Sheridan’s two Union cavalry divisions after the June 11, 1864 Battle of Trevilian Station.  Sheridan was trying to reach the safety of the south bank of the James River. Luckily for the Federals, there were several Union Navy gunboats in the Pamunkey River who added the weight of their naval guns to the defense of White House. ↩
  3. “Destruction of Yankee Wharves…” The Daily Express (Petersburg, VA). June 22, 1864, p. 1 col. 7 ↩

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NP: October 21, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: Co. H, 208th PA at the Siege of Petersburg, Late September 1864

BUTLER’S FRONT, Va.
Sept. 29, 1864.

MR. EDITOR:

Having a little leisure time, I write you to give your readers in Bedford County the doings of Co. H, 208th [Pennsylvania] Regiment. The officers of our Company are Capt. Harvey Wishart, 1st. Lieut. W[illia]m. G. Eicholz, 2nd Lieut. David Keagy. They are men worthy the position they occupy, and are well-liked by every member of the company. Your humble correspondent has been appointed Regimental Post Master.

We received marching orders yesterday [September 28, 1864] and were brought up here to the front in haste, and now occupy the center of the line. We are holding this post while the fighting is going on at the right.1 Today [September 29, 1864] there was very heavy fighting on the right and the Rebs badly used up, though many of our brave boys have fought their last battle. Heavy firing is heard toward Petersburg this evening, but that is nothing unusual. I think the Rebel capitol will soon have the dear old flag waving over it.

You will please send my paper to me instead of to my former abode, as we are all anxious to have Bedford County news.

As this is my first attempt at newspaper correspondence you will please excuse all errors and omissions, and “as brevity is the soul of wit,” I close the present. Resp[ectfull]’y. Yours,

DAVID S. JOHNSON.2

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

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18641021BedfordPAInquirerP1C6

Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: On September 29, 1864, Grant’s Fifth Offensive against Petersburg and Richmond kicked off.  The “fighting…going on at the right” was the Battle of New Market Heights and the ensuing Battle of Fort Harrison or Chaffin’s Farm. These battles were occurring north of the James River, while the 208th PA was stationed in the intrenchments on the Bermuda Hundred line, just south of the James River. ↩
  2. No Title. The Bedford Inquirer (Bedford, PA), October 21, 1864, p.1, col. 6. ↩

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NP: July 30, 1864 Richmond Examiner: Casualties in Gary’s Cavalry Brigade, July 27, 1864

LIST OF CASUALTIES

In Gary’s cavalry brigade, in the affair of 27th June, at Tilghman’s farm1, Brigadier General [Martin W.] Gary, commanding2

Lieutenant F C[harles] Hume, acting Aid[e] de camp, supposed mortally wounded.

Seventh South Carolina [Cavalry] regiment, Captain J[ohn] H Tucker, commanding—Company A—J J Evans, wounded slightly in hand.

Company B—Wounded:  Sergeant C[hristopher] J Wilson, severely in face; Privates C [A] Wagner, in leg; A [G] Gowan [or Gowen], in hand; W [N] Clark, in arm; S M Crayton, in shoulder; E P Earle, in leg; M F Nelson, in both legs; S[anders] Glover, slightly.

Company D   Missing:  J H Baker.

Carried into action one hundred and sixty-two.

Hampton [South Carolina] Legion, Major R[obert] B Arnold  commanding;  Field and staff  no casualties.

Company A, Captain E[ugene] A Thomas, commanding—Killed:  None.   Wounded:  Captain E[ugene] A Thomas, severely; Privates R[ichard] T Morrison3 and E O Hall, slightly; William [T] Tupper, severely.  Missing:  Private [Moses] Pearsen.

Company B, Captain B[enjamin] E Nicholson, commanding—Killed:  None.  Wounded:  Sergeant R[obert] A Turner; Private S J Tompkins, slightly.

Company C, Captain W[illiam] T[heo] Lesesne, commanding—Killed:  None.  Wounded:  Captain W[illiam] T[heo] Lesesne, slightly; Corporals Joseph E. Graham, mortally; R[ichard] W Tindall, severely; B[enjamin] P Kelly, slightly; Private J[acob] Ford, slightly.

Company D  Lieutenant John H [sic, T] Donaldson, commanding   Killed:  Private James [Earl] Neighbors4.—Wounded:  Lieutenant John H [sic, T] Donaldson, severely; Corporal J W Pickens [sic, Israel Wesley Pickens]5, painfully; Privates A W Roper, slightly; W T Todd6, slightly.

Company E, Lieutenant C[yrus] D Nesbitt, commanding.  Killed:  Private W T Dorrah [sic, William Pinckney Dorroh]7.  Wounded:  Lieutenant C[yrus] D Nesbitt, severely; Privates J[osiah] B Wasson, dangerously; J[ohn] P Rice, dangerously; R C Peyden [sic, Robert C. Peden], severely; T[homas] W Traynham8, slightly; L[ewis] H Turbyfill9, severely.

Company F, Lieutenant J[eremiah] J[udge] Cleveland, commanding.  Killed:  Corporal W[illiam] P Thackston10.

Company G, Lieutenant D W Bracey, commanding—No casualties.

Company H, Captain J[ohn] D Palmer, commanding.—No casualties.

Company I, Lieutenant William Jones, commanding.  Killed:  None.  Wounded:  Lieutenant William Jones, in thigh, severely; Privates W P Hatton [sic, Warren D. Hatton]11, severely; Rufus [D.] Grogan, severely.

Company K, Lieutenant B F Mullikin, commanding.  No casualties.

Carried into action one hundred and ninety-five.

Twenty-fourth Virginia regiment, Colonel W[iliam] T Robins, commanding—Company B    Killed:  Private M [W.] Ha[y]nes.  Wounded:  Lieutenant [Andrew B.] Cottrell, in hand, since amputated; Lieutenant [Thomas M.] Deitrick, in hand, slightly.

Company I—Missing:  W[illiam] W Parker.12

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.

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18640730RichmondExaminerP1C6CasualtiesGarysBrig

Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: This was the first day of fighting at the First Battle of Deep Bottom.  Gary’s Brigade and some Confederate infantry brigades were protecting the four 20 lb Parrott Rifles of Graham’s Rockbridge VA Artillery, which had been firing on passing Union ships on the James River to the south.  The Confederates did not perform particularly well that day, and the cannon were captured. ↩
  2. SOPO Editor’s Note: All of the linked men’s names below take you to the first card of their Compiled Service Records, or CSRs, at Fold3.com. ↩
  3. SOPO Editor’s Note: There were two candidates for this name, Richard T. Morrison and Robert V. Morrison, brothers.  The middle initial is badly blurred in the article.  Per a recent unit history, Richard was wounded ”circa July 29, 1864”.  Robert V. had been wounded at Riddell’s Shop on June 13, and was in the hospital convalescing from then until July 24, 1864.  So, he COULD have also been the one wounded on July 27.  All of that said, I believe Richard was wounded on July 27 rather than July 29, and is the man listed here.  Feel free to correct me if you have evidence and Contact Us.  See Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 211 ↩
  4. SOPO Editor’s Note: See Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 332 ↩
  5. SOPO Editor’s Note: See Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 309 ↩
  6. SOPO Editor’s Note: I could not find a man fitting this name in Company D in either the Compiled Service Records or O. Lee Sturkey’s unit history. The name is also blurred, so the last name may not be Todd.  If you know more, please Contact Us. ↩
  7. SOPO Editor’s Note: See Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 357 ↩
  8. SOPO Editor’s Note: For Traynam’s first name, see Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 372 ↩
  9. SOPO Editor’s Note: See Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 372 ↩
  10. SOPO Editor’s Note: See Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 382 ↩
  11. SOPO Editor’s Note: For Hatton’s full name, see Sturkey, O. Lee. Hampton Legion Infantry C.S.A. (The South Carolina Regimental Roster Set). 1st ed., Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 2008, p. 478 ↩
  12. “List of Casualties.” Richmond Examiner. July 30, 1864, p. 1 col. 6 ↩

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NP: February 6, 1865 Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon): The Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry at the Skirmish on Fort Holly Hill, December 10, 1864

Soldier’s Letters.—J. C. Grubbs, who went from here last Summer and enlisted as a private, has risen by energy and perseverance to the position of Sergeant-Major of the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry.  We have been permitted to read several of his letters to friends in this city, from which we take the following extracts:

“On the morning of Dec. 9th [sic, December 10, 1864], our coffee was hardly swallowed when the rapid firing of pickets gave us warning of a fight.  Wildly the bugle sounded ‘boots and saddles,’ and soon as wildly went our old regiment into the charge.  The rebels had taken one line of our breastworks at the outset.  Finding they were behind the works, we dismounted and charged them as ‘dough boys’ (the name we give infantry).  We stormed the place three times, and the fourth carried it, driving the Johnies like sheep, and capturing two brigades.”1

Speaking of a fight on the Southside Railroad, in which a rebel attack was unsuccessful, he says:

“The poor fellows we killed were many of them without shoes, and had scarcely clothes enough to cover them.  Longstreet and Field, who led their charge, told them most of our men had been removed to join Warren, and that they could just walk in and help themselves to our Commissary and Quartermaster stores, which God knows they needed bad enough.  But the Old Fifth was there, and though we had to stand the shock of battle which should have been met by nearly an entire corps, we held them at bay and discharged finally many a luckless conscript.”2

In the same letter he speaks in the highest terms of the labors and efficiency of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions.3

SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Nadine Kirchner.

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18650206WeeklyOregonStatesmanP2C4LETTERJCGrubbs

Source/Notes:

  1. SOPO Editor’s Note: Grubbs is talking about the December 10, 1864 Skirmish in Front of Fort Holly, north of the James River. Confederate General James Longstreet, only recently back from his wounding at the Wilderness, led Charles Field’s infantry division, a battalion of artillery from E. P. Alexander, and Gary’s Cavalry Brigade to probe the Union defenses on their far right, north of the James River. Grubbs exaggerates when he says the Union cavalry captured two Confederate brigades.  The casualties were light in this fight.  See Henrico County Field of Honor, Volume 2, pages 812-820, including map on page 816 and a detailed description of the role the 5tth Pennsylvania Cavalry played in this little affair. ↩
  2. Despite the newspaper editor’s claim that this paragraph discusses a fight on the Southside Railroad, I believe Grubbs is still talking about the December 10, 1864 fight at Fort Holly. Clues include the fact that Longstreet and Field were in charge of the Confederate forces, and that the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry was in the Army of the James’ Cavalry Division.  They almost always operated north of the James River, far away from the Southside Railroad, which ran west from Petersburg.  This cannot be the Wilson-Kautz Raid because Longstreet was present. He didn’t return to action from his Wilderness wound until October 1864. ↩
  3. “Soldier’s Letters.” Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon). February 6, 1865, p. 2 col. 4 ↩

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