FROM THE [PETERSBURG] FRONT.

—–

HEAVY PICKET FIRING—ARTILLERY PRACTICE—A NEW MOVEMENT—ATTEMPT TO REACH THE WELDON RAILROAD FRUSTRATED, ETC.

—–

During all of Monday night [June 20, 1864] the moon shone out brightly and beautifully from a cloudless sky, and the pickets of the two armies, availed themselves of these luminous rays, to keep each other wide awake. From 10 o’clock [Monday night] until day-dawn [of Tuesday morning, June 21, 1864], around the entire line, the popping of musketry was distinctly heard throughout the city. It was incessant, not a second’s time elapsing between the discharges of the pieces, and at the distance we occupied, resembled more the irregular explosion of fire crackers than anything to which we can liken it.¹

THE BIG BLAKELY.

Yesterday morning early [on June 21, 1864], that same old 32-pounder Blakeley of the enemy, which has now become so familiar to the ears of Petersburg people, commenced its daily business, and at the usual intervals of five minutes, its reverberating noise would break upon the ear, and elicit the remark from every one, “that Blakeley is about again.” This gun is stationed at or near Pace’s Farm, on the City Point Road, and has thrown many shells into the lower part of the city, but so far has caused no destruction of life. On Monday evening [June 20, 1864], one of its missiles fell near the Market House, entering one of the small brick buildings to the west of the Market, occupied by Mr. Frank Perkins, cutting a girder in two, and scattering the plastering in all directions. Another scraped the tin roof of the Southside Depot building, glanced over into the Depot yard, ricocheted, and finally brought up at the bottom of the Appomattox.²

THE ENEMY OPENED ON FROM THE CHESTERFIELD SIDE.

About ten o’clock [on the morning of June 21, 1864], a couple of our batteries, occupying an advantageous position on the Chesterfield side of the Appomattox, paid their respects to the enemy’s guns in the vicinity of Jordan’s farm, stopping the thunders of the Blakeley monster for a while, and causing the gunners to leave—at first in twos, and then as the locality became hotter, in squads of five, eight, ten and fifteen. Our batteries were supposed to have disarranged matters in that locality considerably, as we did not hear from the Blakeley for several hours. About seven last evening [June 21, 1864] she opened again, and continued her firing at the usual intervals.³

THE ENEMY FEELING OUR RIGHT.

About 11 o’clock yesterday [June 21, 1864], a movement was made by a portion of Grant’s army, on our lines near the Jerusalem Plank Road, in the vicinity of the residence of Mr. Wm. A. Gregory. But his advance guard only drove in our pickets, for he discovered a body of troops, which had they continued their advance would have administered to them a terrible castigation. This same body, which shall here be nameless, has already rendered not less than 20,000 of Grant’s army wholly unserviceable since the present campaign commenced.⁴

A MOVE ON THE WELDON RAILROAD.

Nothing now occurred to disturb the equanimity of our brave boys occupying the trenches, until about two o’clock [on the afternoon of June 21, 1864], when our mounted videttes discovered the enemy in much force moving around towards the Weldon railroad, on a road which crosses the rails at a point about two miles from Butterworth’s Bridge, and in the immediate vicinity of Wm. H. Davis’ place, at the forks of the Halifax and Vaughan Roads. The Yankees engaged in this movement, were encountered by a body of N[orth]. C[arolina]. Cavalry, who held them in check until reinforcements came up, both of cavalry and infantry, when the enemy were speedily driven back—the cavalry alone becoming engaged. The fortunes of war are conceded to be very fickle, but we predict for such of Grant’s forces as may attempt to sweep around in that direction, the most severe drubbing of the campaign. The Confederates who now have that portion of the approaches to Petersburg in their keeping, are fighting men in every sense of the term, and have never yet known defeat. To subserve the cause, and comply with what we believe to be the wishes of the commanding general, we refrain from mentioning troops by name, but we hope at no distant day to give all the gallant regiments, brigades and divisions, now engaged in the defence of Petersburg, their due meed of deserved praise.⁵

BALDY SMITH CROSSING THE APPOMATTOX.

Yesterday [June 21, 1864], large bodies of troops supposed to be attached to Baldy Smith’s Eighteenth Army Corps, were observed crossing the pontoons on the lower Appomattox, and it is not improbable that General Ulysses [S. Grant], chafing under the restraint imposed by our well massed lines around the city, will to day [June 22, 1864] repeat his often tried process of hurling large columns against our entrenchments. They will be welcomed as they were at Spotsylvania Courthouse and Cold Harbor. Let them come. Our boys are impatient to require them.⁶

GRANT’S FORTIFICATIONS IN PRINCE GEORGE.

A gentleman who left Prince George a day or two since, says that Grant has apparently a very large force between the defences of Petersburg and City Point—He is heavily fortified, his line of earthworks extending from the Appomattox, at a point a short distance below Petersburg to and beyond the farm of Timothy Rives in Prince George—in a southeasterly direction. Here its [sic] unites with another line, which stretches off towards the James river in a northeasterly direction—the two forming an acute angle—or in other words a very broad letter V. The northeasterly line is of course intended to guard against any movement which may be made to strike the enemy in his flank from the eastern side.

DEPREDATIONS OF THE ENEMY.

Out informant states that the people of Prince George, as everywhere else where this army of Vandals has visited, are suffering greatly from their depredations. Crops of wheat, corn, and oats, have been destroyed, and every garden has been stripped. As confirmation of this last mentioned fact, we would state that many of the prisoners brought in last week, upon being searched at the Provost Marshal’s office, were found well supplied with fresh onions, which some of the rascals stated that they had taken from the gardens of the Prince George people to keep them from “spieling.”

LATEST.

We learned last night [June 21, 1864] that our troops engaged the enemy yesterday afternoon near the Weldon road, and after a short but sharp fight, repulsed them handsomely. The enemy’s movement was watched by a party of our scouts, who first discovered them about 12 o’clock [noon], near Mr. Richard Williams’ farm in Dinwiddie, a half mile west of the Jerusalem Plank Road, and some three miles from the Weldon Road. They consisted of Hancock’s Second Corps and a Brigade of Cavalry.

We captured Lieut. Col. Homer B. Stoughton, of the 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters⁷, a Captain⁸, and some ten or twelve privates. Col. Stoughton was wounded in the Wilderness fights, but has recovered.

ARRIVAL OF THE PRISONERS.

A batch of prisoners taken near the Weldon Railroad yesterday afternoon [June 21, 1864], were brought to Major Ker’s Headquarters last night, and by him turned over to Provost Marshal Hawes. They state that they belong to the 2d Army Corps, (Hancock’s) and had been in the trenches around Petersburg, up to Monday night [June 20, 1864].—They were then relieved by a new army corps, the number of which they did not learn.

It only arrived Monday night [June 20, 1864], and was four hours in passing. An intelligent Sergeant, from Philadelphia, attached to the 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters, states that it was reported in camp, that a very heavy body of cavalry had gone down to the rear of Petersburg, and intended to cut the railroad at some point between this city and Weldon. We give his statement for what it is worth.⁹

The privates in this batch are all foreigners, and the most ordinary, illiterate, ragged, dirty, cut throat looking creatures, we have ever seen. One, a raw Patlander, says he only landed in this country last February, when he was immediately well plied with whiskey, enlisted to fight under the stars and stripes, and then sent to the army. Such is the material our gallant soldiers are now fighting.

THE LATEST FROM GRANT’S ARMY.

The latest from Grant’s army, now around Petersburg, reached us last night [June 21, 1864] at eleven o’clock, in the shape of a villainous shell. This noisy missile fell on Bank street, striking the large mulberry tree in front of the old Intelligencer building, and cutting off a limb, some eight inches in diameter. Nobody hurt, but the compositors in the Express office, and our friends at the Provost’s office, were greatly enlivened by the music.¹⁰

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COMPANY K, 208^th Reg[imen]t., P[ennsylvania]. V[olunteers].
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, Va.,
Sept., 23d 1864.

EDITOR INQ[UIRER].

Permit me through your columns to give the readers of Bedford county further particulars of the organization of company K, 208^th Reg[imen]t., P[ennsylvania].V[olunteers].¹

1^st Serg’t, James R. O’Neal.

2^nd Serg’t, William H. Bates.

3^rd Serg’t, Wilson M. Williams.

4^th Serg’t, Oliver C. Ramsey.

5^th Serg’t, James H. Foor.

1^st Corporal, George Riley.

2^nd Corporal, Samuel W. Williams.

3^rd Corporal, John W. Sams.

4^th Corporal, Joseph S. Bussard.

5^th Corporal, Joseph Messersmith.

6^th Corporal, George Hevener.

7^th Corporal, Jacob Chamberlain.

8^th Corporal, George F. Staily.

Volunteers are pouring in very fast, and a more orderly body of men have not met together in a military capacity since the commencement of the war. Six full regiments are now in this camp, and in close proximity to Butler’s intrenchments.² The “Dutch Gap” canal work is progressing favorably and will be completed shortly.³ The Company’s health is good and all are looking forward to the election of Old Abe with much anxiety; of course they don’t look for the election of anybody else. The Johnnies say if McClellan is elected, their independence shall be established and the war shall go on, but if Lincoln is elected they will give up, for they are fully associated with Lincoln’s policy.⁴

Brisk firing is kept up day and night, all along the line. Very heavy cannonading greets our ears every hour, but there is little harm done by the rebel guns.

Since the magnificent victory of Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley[5 SOPO Editor’s Note: Sheridan fought Jubal Early and won a smashing victory on September 19, 1864 at the Third Battle of Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley.], the Johnnies are very pouty; some of our boys ask them if they ever heard of Gen. Sheridan. They then get their muskets up and if the Yank leaves his head up two minutes, it is a target for Johnny’s shot.

We are all very anxious to see the Bedford Inquirer. We will send you some new subscribers very soon.

Very Resp[ectfully]. yours,

JOHN E. SATTERFIELD.⁵

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

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THE WAR NEWS.

Grant is preparing to do something; what that something is, perhaps will soon appear.  The note of preparation sounds along his whole line from Petersburg to White Oak Swamp.  There is a stir and a commotion in his camps, but it is not clear as yet what it all means.  The sum of what we know is that he has crossed to the north bank of the James a heavy force [on July 27, 1864], say between twenty and thirty thousand men, and that for the last three days these troops have been manoeuvring.¹

After the affair at New Market on Wednesday [July 27, 1864], when the Yankees took our four Parrott guns, they extended their lines as far north as White Oak Swamp, a distance from the river of five miles, resting their right on the swamp and their left on the river at Deep Bottom.  Their position was distant from the city by the New Market road about twelve miles and a half.

There was, we believe, some very heavy skirmishing on Thursday evening [July 28, 1864] on the right and right centre of our line, though we have been unable to obtain any official intelligence of what took place.²

Persons who came into the city yesterday morning [July 29, 1864] from New Market give various accounts of the occurrences of the previous day [July 28, 1864].  One statement was that we had, after a fight of several hours, taken eight guns from the enemy.  Another account said we had taken the eight guns, but that four of them were recaptured.  A wounded soldier, who came up last evening, said positively that there had been a fight on Thursday, [July 28, 1864] during which we got hold of four of the enemy’s guns, but were only able, at the conclusion of the engagement, to hold one.

We cannot undertake to settle the question about the guns, and think it a matter of no great consequence what are the facts.  We think there is no doubt that a very considerable amount of skirmishing took place.

Last night [July 29, 1864] we received official intelligence that the enemy were falling back by the Long Bridge road.  This is an important movement, as a glance at the map will show.  The Long Bridge road strikes off from the New Market road at New Market in a northeasterly direction.  At a distance of five miles it crosses what the Yankees call the “Quaker road,” which runs up north from Malvern Hill to Bottom’s bridge, crossing White Oak Swamp two miles north of the Long Bridge road.  Except by the Quaker road bridge, White Oak Swamp, which flows due east into the Chickahominy, is impassable for an army.  From this bridge to the Williamsburg road, at Bottom’s bridge, the distance is no more than a mile and a half.  Bottom’s bridge is fourteen miles from Richmond.

We say this movement of the enemy down the Long Bridge road is important.  They may design throwing a corps or two across the Chickahominy at Long Bridge to operate on the upper Chickahominy; or they may design crossing White Oak Swamp to the Williamsburg road and menacing Richmond from that quarter.  We think the latter place the more likely, with his right on the Williamsburg road, and his left on the river at Deep Bottom.  Grant would find an ample field for the operation of his whole force on the north bank of the James, and would then occupy the position which the Yankee newspapers now say is the only road to Richmond.  Is this the only one that has not been used?³

We have no news from the Valley or from Georgia.

_____________

YANKEE STEAMER DESTROYED.

Last Friday [sic, early morning of Saturday, July 23, 1864] the Yankee side wheel steamer Keystone [sic, Kingston]⁴ went ashore below Diamond Marshes, Northumberland county, and all the efforts of her crew and men having failed to get her off, her officers and men abandoned her, when some of our reserve forces went aboard of her and took off several thousand dollars’ worth of provisions and clothing among the latter there being a large number of silk dresses supposed to have been stolen.  Our reserves, having secured whatever they wanted, applied the torch to the steamer and destroyed her.⁵

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

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SOPO Editor’s Note: No one I have come into contact with has been as invaluable to me when creating this web site as author and researcher Bryce Suderow.  He knows as much about the Siege of Petersburg as any person living.  It is with great pleasure that I introduce a guest post Bryce created on the Siege of Petersburg in early September 1864.  The Federals have just won the Battle of Globe Tavern from August 18-21, 1864, and are busily consolidating their gains into a new line of rectangular fortifications. Meanwhile, Confederate Cavalry probes this new line for weakness, while Confederate infantry wearily digs a new line to the west to protect the Boydton Plank Road.  By mid-September, the Union forces send out a brigade sized recon mission to scout in the direction of Poplar Springs Church.  Only two weeks after this recon mission, Grant would launch the Fifth Offensive against Petersburg.

MILITARY OPERATIONS AT PETERSBURG: SEPTEMBER 1-18, 1864

by Bryce Suderow¹

Grant decided to hold the Weldon Railroad.  This meant the army needed to build a line of works that spanned the four miles between the railroad and the Jerusalem Plank Road.  On August 23^rd using laborers from Crawford’s division Warren began constructing a permanent line by building Fort Wadsworth, located west of the Halifax Road and the Weldon Railroad.  The IX Army Corps constructed forts along its front between the Weldon Railroad and the Strong House.  The II Corps built forts between the Jerusalem Plank Road and the Strong house which was one third of the way between the road and the railroad.²

South of the new north-facing line of forts, the federals also built a line of forts facing south that spanned the distance between the railroad and the Jerusalem Plank Road.  This was called the Secondary Line.  Warren began the work on this line by constructing Fort Dushane.  The black division of the IX Corps constructed this line.  On September 6 the 2^nd Brigade 3rd Division V Corps “Moved out at 5.30 a. m. and built breast-works to connect with the works of Ninth Corps at the Gurley house.”³ The two lines of new Union forts formed a four mile long rectangle.  At the western end the rectangle was one mile from north to south.  At the eastern end the rectangle measured two miles from north to south.  Within this rectangle was the main east-west road, a new railroad from City Point (which got as far as Warren’s headquarters at Globe Tavern on Sept. 11)⁴, and the camps of the Union infantry.  A Union cavalry picket line guarded the approaches to the northern line of forts.  Another cavalry picket line guarded the approaches to the southern line of forts.

The east face of the Dimmock Line stretched south from the Appomattox River to Rives Salient.  It was defended up to the Crater by the two divisions from Lt. Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard’s Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia.  Robert Hoke’s division held the left and Bushrod Johnson’s division held the right up to just north of the Crater.  The ground between the Crater and the Rives Salient was defended by two of Heth’s brigades under Generals John R. Cooke and Joseph Davis.  The four battalions of Col. Hilary P. Jones’ artillery brigade provided fire support for the infantry,

Opposite them was the X Corps from Butler’s Army of the James and Hancock’s II Army Corps.  The X Corps occupied the line between the Appomattox and the Norfolk Railroad.⁵

The line held by Mott’s division of the II Corps rested its right on the Norfolk Railroad. The line continued south up to the Jerusalem Plank Road, crossed the road, and continued along in a southwest direction opposite the southern face of the Dimmock line until it rested its left on Fort Alexander Hays on the Strong Farm.  The 1^st and 2^nd divisions were in reserve behind the 3^rd division and were working on building a second line of forts.⁶.

The southern face of the Dimmock Line was defended by Maj. Gen., William Mahone’s division from Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill’s III Army Corps.  Mahone’s left rested on fortifications located just west of the Rives Salient and his right extended to the Weldon Railroad.,  Col. Reuben Lindsey Walker’s artillery brigade from III Corps defended this line.  The battalions of Lane and Richardson defended the east end of the line. The Washington Artillery Battalion defended batteries 30-35.  Batteries from McIntosh’s Battalion and possibly part of Pegram’s battalion defended the west end of the line.⁷.

Opposite Mahone’s left was the left wing of Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock’s II Army Corps.  Its right rested on the salient and its left on the Strong House.  The rest of the southern face was held by the IX Army Corps under John C., Parke.

Hampton placed Butler’s division near the quaker meeting house, ten miles south of Petersburg.  Rooney Lee’s division was positioned on his right near the Stage Road.  Dearing‘s brigade was stationed on the right of the infantry.  Lee recommended that Hampton use Dearing’s brigade to picket the roads leading west from Globe Tavern in order to give Butler’s and Lee’s divisions a rest.  Apparently Hampton did so.⁸

David M., Gregg’s 2^nd Division headquarters were at the Williams house near the Jerusalem Plank Road., The troopers of the 1^st and 2^nd brigades were camped nearby in the vicinity of the plank road.⁹

West of the Weldon Railroad on September 16 the Confederates began constructing the Boydton Plank Road line which followed the course of the Boydton Plank Road and was sited a bit south of the Boydton Plank Road stretched from Battery 45 in the east to just north of Burgess Mill. Two of Heth’s brigades (McRae’s and Archer’s) and the three brigades of Gen. Charles Field’s division (Bratton’s, Anderson’s, and Perry’s) south of the James labored on the earthworks for four days before Lee sent them south to construct another line.  During this time the Confederates accomplished little.  They had built a weak and primitive line consisting of logs covered by dirt.¹⁰

The Halifax Road was the gateway into the terra incognito west of the Weldon Railroad.  Five roads traveled west from the Halifax Road and provided avenues for the Federals to seize the Boydton Plank Road and the Southside Railroad.  Lee ordered the five brigades to construct earthworks along the Squirrel Level Road which ran southeasterly and was located three miles east of the Boydton Plank Road and a mile west of the Weldon Railroad.  The line was three miles long and blocked the five roads leading into Lee’s rear. McRae’s Brigade was located on the far southern end of the line and built Fort McRae.  Unfortunately, the new line was very weak.¹¹

*****

Individual Actions during this Time

September 1, 1864 Skirmish Near Gurley House

On September 1^st Rosser attacked the pickets of the 4^th Pennsylvania Cavalry between Union and Confederate cavalry that took place in the rear of the Fourth division, Ninth Army Corps.

First Person Accounts:

Rosser’s Cavalry Brigade:

Red Tavern.

On the first of September 1 made a  reconnaissance of the rear of Grant’s army near the Red Tavern, drove off the enemy, and captured their camps and drove the infantry outpost guards inside their intrenchments.,  I found the army as grand and as well fortified from the rear as from the front; the troops were not only covered by a good breastwork but strong abatis (barricades of felled trees with sharpened branches) was planted along the whole line and all the roads used in communicating and supplying the troops ere constructed between these two strongly fortified lines.¹²

4^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

. . . on the 31st we went on guard duty, relieving the Thirteenth Penna. Cavalry at Gurley House. Our picket line was here supported by Gen. Farrero’s Division of Colored Troops, a fine review

of which we had seen while we were on picket. Our lines were now considerably troubled with guerillas, who continually picked our men off post. These guerillas were the military outlaws, the cowards and felons of the war. There was not, by possibility a spark of true manhood, to say nothing of courage or valor, in their composition—the very scum of the foul wave of treason, as it rolled and blackened along the Union lines; the sloughcd-off rottenness of the cancer of slavery; the foetid, decomposed humanity which even the rebel cast oft’ from his living armies;a paltry, weasel- spirited horde, who were dragging about bodies of which they had robbed the Potter’s fields of the South, ever since their first escape from the gallows. Strange to say, when we captured any of these, by the humane provisions of our government, they were treated as prisoners of war.¹³

 

On the 2d [sic, 1st] of September, a brigade of rebel cavalry drove in our pickets, coming in on them suddenly at a gallop, and taking our reserves even by surprise.They completely cut off one detachment of thirty men, of which I was in command. After scouting round and discovering that the enemy had pursued, far along and past our flank, and that they might possibly return by the road on which we were doing duty, i concluded to cross the path by which they had gone in, on their rear, as they were now fighting our main reserve in our own rear.

I accordingly led the command to the road, and ordered them to quickly charge across. The regimental commander had given us up as having been captured and lost, as- another small detachment or reserve had been. When, however, we made the movement successfully, and he saw us safely before him, he was surprised, and complimented us highly, on the happy issue of our effort. We had dashed across the road and into the woods on the opposite side by a circuitous movement, and had entered our own lnes several miles to the right at Geary’s Church, having lost two of my command, privates Drake and Druinbore, both of whom were captured through the stumbling of their horses. But they were both soon afterwards paroled. The enemy finding us well supported,rapidly retired in the direction of Reams’ (page 230 ends) Station. Their intention had only been, to make adash and find out what force we held in that vicinity.

On the 3d of September, we were relieved from picket duty, and returned to camp.¹⁴

 

UNION. Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 1, 1864. Major-General Parke, Comdg. Army of the Potomac, Headquarters Ninth Corps: The following just received from the staff officer I sent out. I have notified Hancock and Warren: Headquarters Second Army Corps, September 1, 1864—5.10 p. m. General Humphreys, Chief of Staff: The picket-line of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, on right of Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, Colonel Smith, on right of plank road, was attacked. Colonel Smith, temporarily commanding Cavalry Division, strengthened his lines and sent out reconnoitering forse. It has returned, and Colonel Smith reports they found no enemy, and thinks the attack was only a raid on the picket-line. All quiet now. C. D. EMORY, Captain and Aide-de-Camp. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 1, 1864. Major-General Parke, Commanding Army of the Potomac: The following dispatch just received by General Gregg: Headquarters Second Division Cavalry, September 1, 1864. (Received 4.40 p. m.) Brigadier-General Gregg, Headquarters Army of the Potomac: Pickets of Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry attacked by enemy. Colonel Smith has sent out First Maine. All quiet on other parts line. The Fourth is near Gurley’s house. H. C. WEIR, Assistant Adjutant-General. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.¹⁵

 

September 2, 1864 Reconnaissance beyond Yellow Tavern, on Weldon Railroad

Map:

 

First Person Accounts:

4th South Carolina Cavalry:

In a letter of Sept. 2^nd Lt. Col. William Stokes of the 4^th South Carolina Cavalry wrote, “We are under marching orders to move at a moment’s notice.  The enemy are reported as moving on the South Side RR which is about ten or twelve miles to the northwest of this place.”¹⁶

 

1^st Maine Cavalry:

September 2.—Went on a reconnaissance, passing through the infantry lines at Yellow Tavern, driving in the enemy’s pickets on the Vaughn road, and then turning to the right, taking Poplar Spring road, finding nothing more than pickets until within half a mile of Boydton plank road, where the enemy was posted with artillery; withdrew and returned to camp same day.¹⁷

 

2^nd Pennsylvania Cavalry:

September 2, when, at 2 a. m., moved to Weldon railroad, in front of Fifth Corps; regiment made a scout; no casualties; returned to railroad and remained in open field in rear of infantry until 5 p. m., when we returned to camp on the Jerusalem plank road.¹⁸

 

8^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

September 2.—Moved out and made reconnaissance toward Petersburg and returned to camp same day, having discovered nothing of any consequence; marched nineteen miles; in camp until the 4th.¹⁹

 

13^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

September 2.—Moved with brigade across Weldon railroad at Yellow Tavern out to Vaughan road 5 found the enemy in entrenchments; returned to Yellow Tavern and to camp in the evening.²⁰

 

16^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

September 2.—Moved with brigade across Weldon railroad at Yellow Tavern out to Vaughan road 5 found the enemy in intrenehments; returned to Yellow Tavern and to camp in the evening.²¹

 

V Army Corps (V/AotP)

 

Crawford’s 3^rd Division (3/V/AotP):

September 2. One brigade went on a reconnaissance to support the cavalry one mile down the Halifax road, but soon returned to camp; no casualties.²²

 

2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, V Corps, AotP (2/3/V/AotP):

September 2.—Brigade moved at 2 a. m. to support cavalry on a reconnaissance; marched about a mile on the Halifax road and halted until daylight; marched back to Yellow House and went outside the works about ten rods; remained there until 10 a. m., when the cavalry returned, then marched back to camp; no casualties.²³

 

Correspondence:

City Point, Va., August 31, 1864. Major-General Meade: As soon as it can be done I would like to have a column of cavalry, perhaps supported by infantry would be well, thrown out west from Warren’s position to cut off wagon trains carrying supplies into Petersburg. It should be a rapid, sudden dash to gather up all the teams and straggling escorts they could find. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General. City Point, Va., August 31,1864. Major-General Meade : I go this morning to Fort Monroe. Expect to start back this evening. U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General.²⁴

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, September 2, 1864—7 p. m. Major-General Humphreys, Chief of Staff: I send yon the following, just received: Headquarters First New Jersey Cavalry, September 2, 1SG4. Capt. H. C. Weir, Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division, Cavalry Corps: I have the honor to report that I drove in the enemy’s pickets on the railroad to within 400 yards of the junction of it with the Dinwiddie Court-House road, at which point the enemy appeared in force of about fifty, firing on my men, and on the Vaughan road I drove them across the swamp. Both these roads they had barricaded by trees and wires. Across the swamp they had a camp of cavalry, probably a reserve of their pickets. No movement of the enemy could be detected on either of these roads. The pickets belonged to Colonel Gregg’s brigade, and were picketing strongly. The Second Brigade does not connect wTith my left, and this line is in good condition, excepting the left. JOHN W. KESTER, Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Pickets. G. K. WARREN, Major- General, Commanding.²⁵

*****

Headquarters Second Cavalry Division, September 2, 1864. General Warren : The force of the enemy that attacked last evening not ascertained. The commander of pickets sends his report to the nearest commander of infantry, General Ferrero. I will instruct him to send you a report also. D. McM. GREGG, Brigadier- General. Headquarters Second Division, Fifth Army Corps, September 2, 1864. ²⁶

*****

Lieut. Col. F. T. Locke, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters Fifth Army Corps: Sir: By an act of treachery on the part of rebel officers, who approached our outposts on the Weldon railroad this morning, two commissioned officers were drawn out of the post and shot; one slightly, the other severely. They were fired on by about fifteen men posted near where the interview took place, and immediately after the rebel officer who conversed with them had left. The above is reported by the division picket officer. General Griffin has furnished me with a  few of his sharpshooters, who, I hope, will be able to punish this perfidy. As I understood the report our officers were invited out by the rebel officers, who waved papers, as if they desired to exchange orders concerning deserters, which have lately been exchanged by the pickets. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. P. STOKE, Colonel Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, in Temporary Command.²⁷

*****

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 2, 1864—3,10 p. m. Brigadier-General Greco, Confmanding Cavalry: The commanding general desires to know what your losses were, and what those of the enemy this morning. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.²⁸

*****

Headquarters Second Division, Cavalry Corps, September 2, 1864. Maj. Gen. A. A. Humphreys, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: General: In the attempt to reach the plank road this morning, three men of the First Maine Cavalry were wounded. Three prisoners were captured from the enemy. What other loss the enemy may have had is not known. D. McM. GREGG, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.²⁹

*****

Headquarters Second Division, Cavalry Corps, September 2,1864. Major-General Humphreys, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: The cavalry is very closely massed in the only open space within our lines in this vicinity, a space too small for camping. If the command is to return to its former camp I would request that I may be permitted to send a portion away before dark, as the road across to the plank road is very difficult to travel in the dark. Parties sent out reconnoiter-ing can discover no movement of the enemy in a southwesterly direction. D. McM. GREGG, Brigadier-General of Volunteers.³⁰

*****

Hatcher’s, Ya., September 2, 1864. (Received 9.20 p. m.) “General Humphreys, Chief of Staff: Is there anything new in your front? E. O. C. ORD, Major-General. Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 2,1864. (Received 9.50 p. m.) General Ord: So; nothing new. A column of Gregg’s cavalry made a dash close to the Boydton plank road, opposite Warren’s headquarters, this morning early, but found the road guarded. The losses on both sides were few. Nothing further during the day. A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General.³¹

 

 

September 10, 1864 Attack at the Chimneys on Jerusalem Plank Road

Map:

Sources:

SEPT. 10-A.M.-At  a point of our line just west of the Jerusalem plank road, occupied by the 3d Division of the [2]d Corps, the pickets have been so close together that they could convene without difficulty. On a part of this line, and some distance in the rear of their advance, the enemy had thrown up a line of slight works, with the intention, it is supposed, of falling back to them when occasion might demand. It was determined last night to drive them back to this line, and thus straighten our own.  About midnight, when all was quiet, the division was formed in line of battle, and the picket lines, being reinforced, were ordered to advance.

The Rebels were evidently not prepared for such a movement, as they were taken by surprise, and nearly the entire line was captured. They made every effort to retake the lost ground, but did not succeed. Our men now occupy the line, and are securely entrenched. We took about 100 prisoners, while our own loss was very light.

Desultory firing has been kept [up] in that vicinity all the morning, and the enemy evidently feel sore at being so taken by surprise. Some of them called over to our men saying-“That was a cursed mean Yankee trick, any how; but we’ll pay you up for it before long.”³²

 

 

September 11, 1864 Davenport Church

Headquarters Second Division, Cavalry Corps,
September 13, 1864—10 a. m.

Maj. Gen. A. A. Humphreys,
Chief of Staffs Army of the Potomac :
General : I have the honor to report all quiet on the line of the Second Division since last report. Last night strong scouting parties were sent to Lee’s Mill and toward Wood’s Shop. No enemy discovered at the former place. Beyond Wood’s Shop and toward Reams’ Station tires were seen which indicated the camp of a regiment of cavalry. I had dismounted men concealed well in front of my line; but none of the enemy approached, as on previous nights. General Kautz was instructed to send out a strong scouting party toward Disputanta and Union, and thence around to Prince George. No report received of the operations of this party. General Kautz’s line is much annoyed by dismounted guerrillas at night. These men lurk in the thickets for the purpose of stealing horses. Night before last a small reserve near Davenport Church was surprised by a dismounted party of the enemy; six horses were stolen and one man killed. Increased precautions are being taken on that portion of General Kautz’s line to prevent surprises and to destroy these small parties of the enemy.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. McM. GREGG,
Brigadier-Generalj Commanding Second Division.³³

 

 

September 12, 1864 Sandy Run

7th Georgia Cavalry:

On page 128 of The Gallant Little Seventh, the battle at Sandy Run is mentioned as having taken place in early September 1864.  On page 129 private William Henry Fleetwood of the 7th Georgia Cavalry was shown to have been wounded on September 12 at an unknown location.³⁴

 

 

September 13, 1864 Scout to Poplar Spring Church

First Person Accounts:

4^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

September 13.—Regiment, accompanied by the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was on a scout to Poplar Spring Church; drove in the enemy’s pickets a respectable distance.³⁵

 

 

September 15, 1864 Reconnaissance to Poplar Grove Church aka Fall’s Church

Map:

First Person Accounts:

Field’s Division, First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia:

Maj. Gen. Field wrote, “Some days after this I was with three brigades (Bratton’s, Anderson’s, and Perry’s) summoned to Petersburg. The Texas brigade and Benning’s (Colonel DuBose) were left on the north side, Gregg falling in command. After reaching Petersburg it was found that the particular event for which I had been wanted did not occur, and I remained there for some weeks doing nothing very special, but going from point to point, wherever the enemy threatened or my services were required. I think it was about the last of September that early one morning General Lee sent for me and directed me to proceed at once to Chaffin’s Bluff, showing me at the same time a telegram from Gregg stating that Fort Harrison had been captured.”³⁶

 

Bratton’s SC Brigade, Field’s Division, First Corps, ANV:

Bratton’s wrote,”We worked on the fortifications and lie in reserve at night. . . . ³⁷

On Sept. 17 Bratton wrote: “We moved out on the Boydton Plank Road three days ago to meet what was supposed to be a movement of the enemy against the South Side r. road. . . . It turned out to be a false alarm the other day  But we are ordered into camp here probably to be on the ground should the enemy reach out for this road. . . We are at present encamped some four miles from Petersburg about opposite the enemy’s position on the Weldon R. Road.³⁸

 

16^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

Orders to march at 3 a.m. with 1 days forage and 2 days ratios.  We started on time and reported to General Warren’s head quarters at dawn o’ day.  Went on a scout or reconnaissance in force – our regiment = the 4^th Penn. Cavalry and General Baxter’s brigade of Fifth Corps of infantry.  We drove in the enemy’s pickets via Poplar Springs Church over the Hawks farm to Clemens farm – had some rough little skirmishes but suffered no casualties of note but got back to Genl. Warren’s Head Quarters and lay in woods  til 8 pm   I had the honor to become acquainted  and have some talk with Generals Warren and Baxer. Both were very affable, especially the latter  I spent some time in their tents.³⁹

 

4^th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

September 15.—Regiment was on a scout to Falls Church, being severely engaged with the enemy; Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment returned to camp.⁴⁰

We also remained in camp three days, when our regiment, with the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was ordered out in light marching order, proceeding in advance of a division of the 5th Army Corps, on a reconnaissance to and beyond Poplar Spring Church. We found the rebels, and drove in their pickets, and after reconnoitering their whole line, returned to camp.⁴¹

 

V Army Corps:

September 15.—A reconnaissance was made by the (Baxter’s) Second Brigade, Third Division, Brigadier-General Baxter, out on the Vaughan road, for the purpose of developing the position of the enemy; found them in force; the brigade returned about 12 m.⁴²

*****

Formed line at 4 a. m. and went on a reconnaissance to the vicinity of Poplar Spring Church; found the enemy in force behind works; drove in their pickets and returned to camp with small loss.⁴³

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—7.30 a. m.

Major-General Humphreys, Chief of Staff:

General Baxter’s brigade, with the cavalry, started out a little past 4 o’clock this morning and met some of the enemy on the Vaughan road southwest from here and on the road running west. Some skirmishing has been going on for the last hour, but no report has yet been received of what force the enemy has.

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.

(Transmitted to Lieutenant-General Grant at 7.45 a. m.)⁴⁴

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—8.30 a. m.

Major-General Humphreys, Chief of Staff:
The commanding officer of the cavalry has just sent in to say that they have met a considerable force of the enemy on both roads. He states they have both cavalry and infantry. No report has yet been received from General Baxter.

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.

(Transmitted to Lieutenant General Grant at 8.40 a, m.)⁴⁵

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—9 a. m.

Major-General Humphreys,
Chief of Staff:
I send the following, just received:
7.45 a. m.
General Warren :
We are at the cross-roads, just beyond the church. The enemy have a line of infantry stretching in a circle around the Poplar Grove Church as a center, radius three-quarters of a mile. We are forming line of battle immediately around the church. The cavalry is skirmishing heavily north and west from the cross-roads; the infantry skirmishers are now being deployed for their assistance. The western road, out which the cavalry was to go, is also guarded by the rebel infantry, and it therefore seems doubtful at present whether the cavalry can go out that road. Major Falls has gone two miles down the Vaughan road, driving a small cavalry force before him. We have found out nothing more so far. Mrs. Smith, near the church, knows nothing. The road was barricaded for a few hundred yards, obstructing our march very much.

W. A. ROEBLING,
Major and Aide-de-Camp.

(Copy to General Griffin.)

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.⁴⁶

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864.

Brig. Gen. S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
I have the honor to report that nothing of importance transpired in my front yesterday or during the night. The One hundred and ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel Sickel, reported last night and is assigned to General Griffin. One hundred and twenty-seven recruits arrived yesterday, eighty-one for Twentieth Maine and forty-six for Thirty-second Massachusetts.

G. K. WARREN,
Major- General, Commanding.⁴⁷

*****

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 15, 1864—9.30 a. m. (Received 9.40 a. m.)

Major-General Warren,
Commanding Fifth Corps:
Your several dispatches are received. Whenever you are satisfied that the reconnaissance has obtained all the information that can be got by it the troops can be withdrawn.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.⁴⁸

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—9.30 a. m.

General Humphreys:
The force I sent out this morning was Baxter’s brigade of infantry, about 1,400 strong, and added the 200 cavalry I had here to the two (page 840 ends) regiments. They all got off at 4 a. m. The infantry have reached the point (Poplar Grove Church) at which I directed them to halt and cover the roads coming in and let the cavalry attempt to penetrate farther. From Major Boebling’s dispatch of 7.45 a. m. I think it probable a farther advance will not be practicable, and they will then need instructions whether to stay there till forced back or withdraw. I do not think it advisable to send any body of infantry beyond the church.

Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,
Major- General.⁴⁹

*****

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 15, 1864—9.50 a. m. (Received 9.55 a. m.)

Major-General Warren,
Commanding Fifth Corps :
Since sending you my dispatch of 9.30 a. m. your dispatch of 9.30 a. m. has been received. The object of the reconnaissance was to obtain information of the supposed movements of the enemy. Whenever you are satisfied no further information can be obtained withdraw the troops. It is not intended or wished that they should remain out until forced back.

A. A. HUMPHREYS.
Major-General and Chief of Staff.⁵⁰

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—10.30 a. m.

General Humphreys:
I sent out word to General Baxter to withdraw as soon as he had accomplished all he deemed practicable in the way of a reconnaissance. The officer just returned from the Poplar Spring Church says: I found General Baxter near the church, from which point he had sent his advance one mile. Had not found the enemy in force nor any evidence of the passing of any considerable body of troops.

Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.⁵¹

*****

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 15, 1864—10.40 a. m. (Received 10.45 a. m.)

Major-General Warren,
Commanding Fifth Corps:
The wagons of the Fifth Corps near the plank road are in sight of the enemy’s batteries and draw^ their fire upon the reserve troops of the Second Corps. There is woods on the right of the Second Corps headquarters, behind which they would be concealed from the view of the enemy.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.⁵²

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—12.30 p. m.

General Humphreys:
The reconnoitering party has returned. Their casualties were about a dozen killed and wounded. They found the enemy occupying an old intrenched line on the Squirrel Level road, about one mile north of Poplar Spring Church. Our cavalry forced the enemy’s back westward over a mile beyond the church. The enemy was not in any considerable force nor could a knowledge of any movement of troops be gained. A brigade of cavalry were said to be stationed on the plank road south of Hatcher’s Run. Our cavalry on the Vaughan road pushed back the enemy’s for a considerable distance southwest. A patrol I sent down the railroad found the enemy’s vedettes about one mile south of our own. On the whole, I consider that there is no great force of the enemy between me and the Boydton plank road, and the report of the signal officer of the battery moving in that direction and the dust confirms it as it was probably a re-enforcement. The map we have is very imperfect and the country is not easy to operate in wrest of us. I will send up the detailed reports and sketch this evening.

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.⁵³

*****

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, September 15, 1864—12.30 p. m. (Received 12.35 p. m.)

Major-General Warren,
Commanding Fifth Corps:
Deserters who came into General Birney’s line this morning state that the reserve troops moved toward the Weldon railroad last evening.

A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.⁵⁴

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864.

General Humphreys:
I think these movements indicate that the enemy were not in force here and that they are preparing for any demonstration we may intend making. Major Roebling says from our advance this morning the long roll could be heard in places by the enemy. I think 1 am fully prepared for anything that occurs to-day, and I am of the opinion that the enemy will wait our attack rather than attacking us.

G. K. WARREN,
Major- General.⁵⁵

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—5 p. m.

General Humphreys :
If it is all quiet, shall I send back the two regiments of cavalry?

G. K. WARREN,
Major- General.⁵⁶

*****

Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
September 15, 1864. (Sent 6 p. m.)

Major-General Warren,
Commanding Fifth Corps:
Yes; send back the cavalry.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Major-General and Chief of Staff⁵⁷

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—7.30 p. m.

General Humphreys :
The enemy’s infantry came this afternoon in small force this side of the Poplar Spring Church, almost to the Vaughan road, but did not drive oft* my cavalry at the fork of the road. They fired a little at the cavalry and disappeared. All quiet.
Respectfully,

G. K. WARREN,
Major- General.⁵⁸

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 157 1864—8.20 p. m.

General Humphreys:
The cavalry picket, on the fork of the Vaughan road going to Poplar Spring Church, sends in word that the enemy’s infantry were seen moving toward Petersburg lately and fired a few shots at our outposts.

G. K. WARREN,
Major-General.⁵⁹

*****

Hdqrs. First Pennsylvania Veteran Cav. Battalion,
September 15, 1864—8.30 a. m.

[Col. F. T. Locke,]
Assistant Adjutant-General:
Colonel : I have the honor to report all quiet on my road from the forks to the railroad. I have had a brisk skirmish of about one hour’s duration, in which I had two men wounded, one probably mortally. The enemy is in considerable force on my right, their line extending down to near the railroad on my left, where 1 connected with General Gregg’s cavalry.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. J. FALLS,
Major, Comdg*. First Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry Battalion.⁶⁰

*****

Hdqrs. First Pennsylvania Vet. Reserve Cavalry,
September 15, 1864—3 p. m.

Lieutenant-Colonel Locke,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that on my return here I found my picket had retaken his post, and now holds indisputable possession of it. The enemy are not supposed to be in force in this vicinity, having* drawn off on my pickets repossessing their post. Everything is apparently quiet.

I am, sir, very respectfully, yours, &e.,

E. J. FALLS,
Major, Commanding.⁶¹

*****

Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
September 15, 1864—3.40 p.m.

Major Falls,
Commanding First Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry:
Information has been received from the signal station that the enemy are moving large forces to our left. Keep a bright lookout in all directions, and send in word if anything transpires. Keep your command out till dark, when word will be sent you when to withdraw.
By command of Major-General Warren:

FRED. T. LOCKE,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.⁶²

*****

September 15,1864.

Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren,
Commanding Fifth Army Corps:
General: I have the honor to state that, in pursuance of your order, I visited General Baxter. I found him near a church, from which point he informed me he had advanced one mile. He had not found the enemy in force, nor had he discovered any evidence of the passage of any considerable body of troops. The order to withdraw was given in my presence.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. HIGBEE,
First Lieutenant, Eleventh Infantry, and Acting Aide-de-Camp.⁶³

*****

Headquarters Second Army Corps,
September 15, 1864.

General Warren:
The following just received:
Signal Station,
Plank Road, September 15, 1864—4.40 p. m.
Captain Taylor :
Cavalry and infantry have been passing, bearing south of west. Wagons and ambulances accompanied the movement.      Movement commenced at 3 o’clock, but the dust prevented seeing everything that passed. Cavalry and infantry were passing      three-quarters of an hour, but owing to the dust cannot tell in what proportion. Enemy quite active, and stragglers still passing.

I. Thickstun,
Captain and Signal Officer.

WINF’D S. HANCOCK.⁶⁴

 

 

September 16, 1864 Skirmish on Fifth Corps Picket Line

First Person Accounts:

September 16.—About 8 a. m. the enemy advanced upon our picket line, when a brisk skirmish ensued, in which the brigade sustained a loss of 1 commissioned officer and 60 enlisted men captured, 1 enlisted man killed and 5 wounded.⁶⁵

 

 

September 18, 1864 Weldon Railroad

7th Georgia Cavalry:

On page 129 of The Gallant Little Seventh Richard Patterfield of the 7th Georgia Cavalry is listed as a casualty on 18 September on the Weldon Railroad.⁶⁶

*****

Notes:

THE SIEGE OF PETERSBURG.

—–

Cannonading near Bermuda Hundred on Saturday [June 25, 1864]—Sheridan Attacked while Crossing the James—The Rebels Repulsed—Five Miles of the City Point and Petersburg Railroad Finished—Wilson Gone on Another Raid—General Foster Attacks Chapin’s Bluff

WASHINGTON, June 27—The steamer Highland Light arrived here [Washington, DC] at 11 o’clock from City Point, which place she left at 10 o’clock yesterday morning [June 26, 1864].¹

The Highland Light brought up the Eighth Ohio Volunteers, commanded by Major [ALBERT H.] WINSLOW, whose term of service has expired. The regiment numbers 151, officers and men.²

There has been no very heavy fighting within the last few days, but skirmishing is kept up all along the lines. The cannonading at times is heavy.

Firing was heard about five miles from Bermuda Hundred on Saturday [June 25, 1864], where General BUTLER is intrenched.

The enemy made an attack upon BUTLER’s intrenchments, but did not succeed in effecting anything, and were driven off.³

On Saturday [June 25, 1864] the Rebels attacked Sheridan’s rear at Wilcox’s Landing, and captured a few of his men.⁴

A brigade of infantry was at once despatched to protect SHERIDAN’s rear, and the enemy was kept back till Sheridan had succeeded in crossing the [James] river with his entire train.

The [new US Military] railroad is advanced five miles from City Point towards Petersburg.⁵

Yesterday [June 26, 1864], just before the Highland Light left [at 10 am], heavy firing was heard in the direction of Petersburg.⁶

On Saturday night [June 25, 1864] the Rebels made an attack on our pickets, about the centre of our line, as they were being relieved, but were repulsed, with little or no loss to our troops.⁷

On the heights beyond Petersburg the Rebels have an eighteen-gun battery, bearing on the centre of our lines in front of that place.

The battery has been very troublesome, and so far has proved too heavy for any artillery that we have brought against it.

[Third Division of the Cavalry Corps commander James] WILSON has gone on another cavalry expedition, and good news from him may be expected soon.⁸

A Rebel captain and four privates came into BUTLER’s lines on Friday [June 24, 1864] and took the oath of allegiance. Two hundred Rebel prisoners were at City Point yesterday morning [June 26, 1864].

Reported Movement of General Foster.

NEW YORK, June 27 [1864].—The [New York] Commercial Advertisers’ [army?] letter of June 25th states that General [Robert S.] FOSTER’s force, of the Tenth Corps, has probably ere this attacked Chapin’s Bluff, and perhaps captured it.⁹

This would permit the erection of a strong counter [work?] to operate against Fort Darling.¹⁰

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Source/Notes:

[SOPO Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Richmond Daily Whig of June 20, 1864.  However, I have not been able to find the Daily Whig available online, and I am unsure if the time period from June 1864 to April 1865 is available on microfilm from some entity. I am posting this “copied” version from the Petersburg Express until/unless I find the original.  If you know where I can find the Richmond Daily Whig, please Contact Us.]

THE SITUATION.

The Richmond Whig, of yesterday [June 20, 1864], has the following editorial on “The Situation”:

As we surmised would be the case, Grant has definitely established himself on the South-side¹ The scene of immediate assault is transferred from Richmond to Petersburg. The mass of the Federal army is now south of the Appomattox, and about 15 miles farther from this city [Richmond] than when it made its last effort on the north side of the James [at Cold Harbor]. For one thing we must give Grant credit. He seems to be in just as much of a hurry as we are, to get through with this campaign. To be sure, he is hastening to a very different conclusion from that which he had hoped to reach; but after all, it is a conclusion. He has at his command a certain number of men, and a definite amount of resources. He has no sort of hesitation in sacrificing the men and expending the resources within the shortest possible space of time.—When he has solved this little problem nothing more can be done. Richmond will still stand a monument to the skill and constancy of the one side, and to the unrelenting but fruitless vindictiveness of the other and—viola la fin. But Grant will at least have done one thing in which his predecessors have failed. He will have exhausted the means of the Yankee nation. He is resolved to differ in something from that long list of fugacious chieftains who educated the Army of the Potomac to defeat and safety. If the beginning of every Yankee campaign in Virginia had for its object to capture Richmond, the end of every campaign had for its purpose to save the army. So when McClellan made his famous change of base; when Burnside recoiled from the heights of Fredericksburg, when Hooker rushed frantically back across the Rappahannock, the Yankee papers could say with some truth that those Generals had accomplished their objects—they had saved the army. Grant evidently thinks that if Richmond cannot be taken the army is not worth saving.—With dogged resolution he led it to slaughter at the Wilderness, at Spotsylvania and at Cold Harbor, and  managed in these fruitless assaults to dispose of as many men as McClellan took away from the Chickahominy, or as Hooker saved from the shambles of Chancellorsville. With the battered remnant he is now making his last effort on the south side of the James. Laus Deo²! when that is over, Grant and the Army of the Potomac will pass away into the depths of history together.

But in the meantime he will doubtless strike heavy and furious blows. The assaults on our lines at Petersburg, in the early part of last week [June 15-16, 1864], were but a prelude to a more ferocious attack on Friday [June 17, 1864]. It appears that on the morning of that day the enemy gained a partial success in the capture of one of our batteries, but heavy and repeated charges on the others were successfully repelled. In the evening a general advance was attempted; but was met by our troops with their resolute courage, and after severe fighting the Yankees were driven from the ground they had gained, and our lines were re-established in their original integrity. Of the operations of Saturday [June 18, 1864] in that quarter, we have, at the moment of writing, no definite information. Rumors were current yesterday [June 19, 1864] that there had been very severe fighting; but up to a late hour, no official, or even authentic unofficial, information to this effect had been received. We imagine that, after the repulse of Friday [June 17, 1864], Grant took at least a day to rest his forces and modify his plans.

On the line between this city [Richmond] and Petersburg the schemes of the enemy have signally failed. It was, no doubt, Grant’s intention and his hope to interpose a force on our lines of communication before a sufficient number of men could be concentrated in Petersburg for its protection against the sudden assault which he meditated. It was for this object that the Yankees advanced from Bermuda Hundred and occupied the lines which we had temporarily abandoned [on June 16, 1864]. But there must have been some notable defect in this part of the scheme, for a very slight effort [on June 17, 1864] sufficed to eject the Yankees from their threatening position and to force them back into their works at Bermuda [Hundred]. When Grant marched against Petersburg in force he found, of course much to his mortification and chagrin, that he was again confronted by the redoubtable troops who have stood between him and Richmond, like a wall of brass. It is useless to try strategy, Lieut. Gen. Grant, Lee is your master in that, just as the Army of northern Virginia is the master of the Army of the Potomac in valor and enduarance.³

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Source/Notes:

The following letter, intended for publication before the October election, has not lost its interest for the November election:

BEFORE PETERSBURG VA.,
Sept. 17, 1864.

For the Bedford Inquirer:

Men of Pennsylvania, the issues are now before you for consideration and decision. You must abide the result as you establish it for good or evil. We ask you to support Abraham Lincoln because we believe his re-election will fully vindicate the authority of the National Government, and fully establish the fact that the freemen of the loyal States are able to sustain the existence of the Union and the Government against the hazard of opposition from abroad and at home. It needs no argument of our own to establish this position because our political opponents antagonize us to achieve entirely the opposite result. We have received the news of Little Mac’s nomination for the Presidency on the copperhead ticket. The rebels appear to hail his nomination with much joy. Straws show which way the wind blows. For my part I am done with McClellan now and forever. If he would refrain from associating with men like Fernando Wood, Long, and other notorious copperheads, he might possibly stand some chance for the occupation of the White House. God deliver him from conducting the affairs of this nation. It is time that the North should know that those who are trying to get their support are men who have debased themselves-men to whom we have looked for guidance in this hour of our peril, men to whom we have entrusted the reins of Government and who have proven themselves so unworthy of our trust. The men who will give them their support are no better. Sometimes I can hardly think it possible that men raised and educated under the auspices of the best government ever enjoyed by any people, can have so degenerated in the scale of morality and love of country, as to become objects of contempt rather than sympathy. I blush to think that men who but a short time before this war broke from their country[?] and her free institutions, are today, [?] [cow]ardice, cringing in the attitude of supplication to the shrine of the so-called Confederacy.

BENJ[AMIN]. HARRIS WALKER.
Co. A, 84^th P[ennsylvania]. V[olunteers].

P.S.–Gen. McClellan is losing ground every day. His letter produced no effect on the soldiers. We think he keeps bad company.¹

 

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

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Source/Notes:

TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION

____________

FROM GENERAL EARLY, &C.

PETERSBURG, July 28.—A telegram from General Early states that the Yankees have retreated across the Potomac at Williamsport, burning over seventy wagons and abandoning twelve caisons—Our forces held Martinsburg.  The Yankees retreated in great disorder.¹

From the north side of James river there is nothing beyond the fact that the enemy’s cavalry are on the Charles City road.  Everything is stagnant in front.²,³

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

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Source/Notes:

Dear Readers,

I wanted to drop you all a quick note to point out my GREATLY expanded Letters Page at the Siege of Petersburg Online. In the past, I’ve kept that page limited to just original letters transcribed by me or others, similar in process but not in scope or execution to what “Griff” Griffing is doing over at his awesome Spared and Shared sites.

I realized not too long ago that I have dozens and dozens of OTHER letters on my site, letters written by soldiers to their local papers. Once I realized this, I went through every single newspaper article currently on my site and used the tag “letter” for each and every soldier letter.  As a result, you can now see on one page every single soldier letter on this entire site!

I have even BETTER news.  I am committed to continuously publish new soldier letters each and every week from the likes of the New York Sunday Mercury, the Bedford PA Inquirer, the Augusta GA Daily Constitutionalist, and many more.  So keep your eyes peeled and please do like and share these posts.  I am looking to steadily build readership here as I continue to add content to the site.

And as always, if YOU are:

1. Interested in the Siege of Petersburg
2. Have the time to spare

I’d love for you to help us transcribe all of these wonderful letters for publication.  Please CONTACT US if you are interested in transcribing newspaper accounts.

I’d like to take a moment here to thank Jackie Martin, Roy Gustrowsky, Brent Hutchinson, Dan Eyde, Jack Phend, Ted Linton, and past transcribers for all of the help they’ve given me over the years.  This site would not be here without them.

Here’s a list of all of the soldier letters published in newspapers which are now on this site:

Soldier Letters in Newspapers:

• GREATLY Expanded Letters Section!
• NP: June 3, 1864 Kennebec Journal: The Rebel Torpedoes in James River
• NP: June 13, 1864 Richmond Examiner: General Lee’s Army, June 12, 5 P.M.
• NP: June 13, 1864 Richmond Sentinel: Army of Northern Virginia, June 12, 1864
• NP: June 14, 1864 Petersburg Daily Express: From the Army of Northern Virginia, June 11
• NP: June 15, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: From the 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery
• NP: June 15, 1864 Raleigh Confederate: Cold Harbor, 28th N. C. Regt., June 9
• NP: June 15, 1864 Richmond Examiner: General Lee’s Army, June 14
• NP: June 15, 1864 Richmond Sentinel: Army of Northern Virginia, June 13, 1864
• NP: June 17, 1864 Raleigh Confederate: General Clingman and His North Carolina Brigade
• NP: June 17, 1864 Raleigh Confederate: Hoke’s Brigade, June 10
• NP: June 17, 1864 Richmond Examiner: General Lee’s Army
• NP: June 18, 1864 Lowell Daily Citizen and News: An Interesting Letter
• NP: June 20, 1864 Raleigh Confederate: Fort Clifton, June 5 and 9
• NP: June 21, 1864 Richmond Examiner: Sheridan’s Defeat
• NP: June 22, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: The James River Fleet, June 7, 1864
• NP: June 23, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Twenty-Fourth
• NP: June 23, 1864 Raleigh Confederate: Ransom’s Brigade at Second Petersburg
• NP: June 27, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: 1st PA Cav at Skirmish at White House, June 20-21 1864
• NP: June 28, 1864 Albany Evening Journal: Letter from the Eleventh (Havelock) New York Battery
• NP: June 28, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Twenty-Fourth
• NP: June 28, 1864 Philadelphia Inquirer: Who Bridged the James River, June 14-15, 1864
• NP: June 28, 1864 Trenton (NJ) State Gazette: Correspondence of the Gazette
• NP: June 29, 1864 Baltimore Clipper: From the Second Maryland
• NP: June 29, 1864 Broome (NY) Weekly Republican: From the 109th N.Y.V. In the Field Near Petersburg, June 19
• NP: June 29, 1864 New York Herald: Letter from a Son of Frederick Douglass
• NP: June 29, 1864 The Tioga County Agitator (Wellsboro, PA): The 45th PA Moves on Petersburg, June 12-20, 1864
• NP: June 30, 1864 Brockport (NY) Republic: From the James River, June 15 and 22
• NP: June 30, 1864 New Hampshire Sentinel: Letters from Virginia, 6th NH and 9 NH
• NP: July 1, 1864 Geneva (NY) Gazette: A Letter from “Hesperus”
• NP: July 1, 1864 Richmond Examiner: 2nd VA Cavalry at Trevilian Station and Nance’s Shop
• NP: July 2, 1864 Irish-American (NY): The Irish Brigade, June 22
• NP: July 2, 1864 Stoughton (MA) Sentinel: Army Correspondence
• NP: July 5, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: From the 8th N.Y. Artillery
• NP: July 5, 1864 Green Mountain (VT) Freeman: A Soldier’s Letter, June 19
• NP: July 7, 1864 Brockport (NY) Republic: From the Army, 2nd Corps
• NP: July 8, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 55th PA at Second Petersburg, June 14-21, 1864
• NP: July 9, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 59th MA at Second Petersburg, June 17, 1864
• NP: July 10, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 12th NY Folded Into 5th NY Veteran
• NP: July 10, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 12th U. S. Infantry at the Siege of Petersburg, Early July 1864
• NP: July 10, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 25th NY Cavalry at the Siege of Petersburg, Early July 1864
• NP: July 10, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 48th NY Guards the 18th Corps Trains, June 1864
• NP: July 10, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): USS Hydrangea and the Action at Howlett’s Bluff, June 21, 1864
• NP: July 12, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: From the 8th N. Y. Artillery
• NP: July 12, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: Head Quarters 8th N.Y. Vol.
• NP: July 14, 1864 Brockport (NY) Republic: On the James River (1B,4D,5C)
• NP: July 14, 1864 Pittston (PA) Gazette: Interesting Letter 2nd Pa Provisional Heavy Artillery
• NP: July 16, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 13th MA, Last Days at Petersburg
• NP: July 16, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: Co. D, 32nd MA at Petersburg, Late June to Early July 1864
• NP: July 16, 1864 Irish-American (NY): Letter from the 5th New Hampshire Vols.
• NP: July 17, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 146th NY from the Wilderness to Petersburg
• NP: July 17, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 95th NY at the Second Battle of Petersburg, June 18, 1864
• NP: July 18, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Michigan Cavalry Brigade
• NP: July 19, 1864 Sandusky (NY) Register: Interesting Letter from the 122nd New York
• NP: July 20, 1864 Augusta (GA) Daily Constitutionalist: Letter from the 48th Georgia
• NP: July 22, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 55th PA at Petersburg, early July 1864
• NP: July 23, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: Co. D, 32nd MA Fourth of July
• NP: July 24, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 16th NYHA at Fort Magruder
• NP: July 24, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 170th NY from Spotsylvania to Jersualem Plank Road
• NP: July 24, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 5th NY Veteran Remains Separated at the Siege of Petersburg
• NP: July 25, 1864 Eastern Argus: Letter from the Army
• NP: July 27, 1864 The Tioga County Agitator (Wellsboro, PA): The 45th PA at Petersburg, Early July 1864
• NP: July 28, 1864 Daily Eastern Argus: Letter from the Army (Skirmishing, Digging, Politics)
• NP: July 28, 1864 Windham County Transcript: 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery in the Trenches
• NP: July 29, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The Capture of The Rockbridge Artillery’s Parrotts, July 27, 1864
• NP: July 29, 1864 Vermont Phoenix: Our Army Correspondence, 17th Vermont
• NP: July 30, 1864 Augusta (GA) Daily Constitutionalist: Letter from Cobb’s Legion of Cavalry
• NP: July 30, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA, Mid-July 1864
• NP: July 30, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: Co. D, 32nd MA, Mid-July 1864
• NP: July 30, 1864 Richmond Examiner: Executions and a Promotion in Pickett’s Division, July 1864
• NP: July 31, 1864 Augusta (GA) Daily Constitutionalist: Letter from Wofford’s Brigade
• NP: July 31, 1864 New York Times: In Bivouac
• NP: July 31, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): 57th NY Receives a Boost In Strength, July 1864
• NP: August 1, 1864 Richmond Examiner: A Member of the 1st Rockbridge Artillery Defends Its Honor, July 27, 1864
• NP: August 2, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: Our Army Before Petersburg
• NP: August 3, 1864 Sandusky (VT) Register: Army Letter, 5th USCT
• NP: August 4, 1864 Windham County Transcript: From the Eleventh (CT) Regiment
• NP: August 5, 1864 Vermont Phoenix: Our Army Correspondence, 17th Vermont at the Crater
• NP: August 6, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA And Shelling Along The Lines
• NP: August 7, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The 146th New York, Black Troops, Back Pay, and 500,000 More at Petersburg, August 1864
• NP: August 7, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The 170th New York at First Deep Bottom, July 1864
• NP: August 7, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The 3rd New York, Secesh, and Sutlers at Petersburg, June-July 1864
• NP: August 7, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): An “Old Soldier” Visits the 5th NY July-August 1864
• NP: August 8, 1864 South Danvers (MA) Wizard: Naval Correspondence
• NP: August 9, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Seventh Infantry
• NP: August 10, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Fifth Infantry
• NP: August 11, 1864 Brockport (NY) Republic: The 22nd New York Cavalry
• NP: August 12, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 110th PA at First Deep Bottom, July 26-30, 1864
• NP: August 12, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: Gregg’s Cavalry Division at Samaria Church, June 24, 1864
• NP: August 13, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA and Confederate Countermines
• NP: August 13, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA Observes the Crater Battle
• NP: August 13, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 32nd MA Observes the Crater Battle
• NP: August 13, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 32nd MA, the Crater, and a Feud
• NP: August 13, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Twentieth Infantry
• NP: August 13, 1864 Irish-American (NY): War Correspondence, 5th NH
• NP: August 14, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The 48th NY at the Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864
• NP: August 14, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The Fearful Explosion at City Point, August 9, 1864
• NP: August 16, 1864 Batavia (NY) Republican Advocate: More on The First Deep Bottom Operation
• NP: August 16, 1864 New York Evening Post: The Colored Troops at Petersburg
• NP: August 16, 1864 Vicksburg Daily Herald: From Before Petersburg, Va (Battle of the Crater)
• NP: August 18, 1864 Pittsfield (MA) Sun: Extract of a letter from a member of Co. E, 27th Mass. Vols.
• NP: August 19, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 21st PA Cav and the Crater, Part 2
• NP: August 19, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 21st PA Cav and the Crater, July 30, 1864
• NP: August 20, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA and the City Point Explosion
• NP: August 21, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The 95th NY Witnesses the Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864
• NP: August 21, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The Fearful Explosion at City Point, August 9, 1864
• NP: August 23, 1864 Detroit Free Press: From the Seventh Infantry
• NP: August 26, 1864 Augusta (GA) Daily Constitutionalist: Letter from Anderson’s Brigade
• NP: August 27, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA Feuds with the 32nd MA
• NP: August 27, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: Co. D, 32nd MA Shelling and Explosions at Petersburg
• NP: August 27, 1864 Quincy Patriot: Camp of 56th [Mass] Reg.
• NP: August 28, 1864 Sunday Mercury (New York): The 6th New York Cavalry at First Deep Bottom, July 27-29, 1864
• NP: August 31, 1864 Augusta (GA) Daily Constitutionalist: Letter from Cobb’s Legion
• NP: August 31, 1864 Daily Eastern Argus: A Soldier’s Letter
• NP: September 2, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 21st PA Cav at Globe Tavern, August 18-21, 1864
• NP: September 2, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 76th PA at Fussell’s Mill, August 16, 1864
• NP: September 2, 1864 Boston Recorder: The Repulse at Petersburg, July 30, 1864
• NP: September 2, 1864 Richmond Examiner: 24th Virginia Cavalry at the Battle of Fussell’s Mill, August 14
• NP: September 2, 1864 Richmond Examiner: Battle of Fussell’s Mill
• NP: September 3, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 23rd MA at the Siege of Petersburg, Late August 1864
• NP: September 3, 1864 Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph: 32nd MA at the Battle of Globe Tavern, August 18-21, 1864
• NP: September 3, 1864 Irish-American (NY): Sixty-Ninth Regt., N.Y.S.N.G.
• NP: September 5, 1864 Richmond Examiner: McIntosh’s Battalion at Ream’s Station, August 25
• NP: September 7, 1864 Richmond Examiner: Rosser’s Cavalry Brigade at Ream’s Station, August 25
• NP: September 8, 1864 Brockport (NY) Republic: From the Second Corps, August 28
• NP: September 8, 1864 Raleigh Confederate: Scales’ Brigade
• NP: September (?) 9, 1864 Windham County Transcript: Twenty-ninth (CT) Regiment
• NP: September 10, 1864 Anglo-African: From the 29th Connecticut Regiment
• NP: September 10, 1864 Richmond Examiner: North Carolina Troops at Ream’s Station, August 25
• NP: September 17, 1864 Boston Evening Transcript: From the Ninth Army Corps
• NP: September 17, 1864 Irish-American (NY): Corcoran Legion at Second Reams Station
• NP: September 23, 1864 Boston Recorder: Work of the Christian Commission
• NP: September 28, 1864 Trenton State Gazette: A Soldier’s Letter, 68th PA
• NP: October 1, 1864 Easton (MD) Gazette: Army Correspondence, Maryland Union Soldier
• NP: October 5, 1864 Broome Weekly Republican: A Voice from the Soldiers
• NP: October 5, 1864 New York Evening Post: A Rebel Letter: Shelling of Petersburg
• NP: October 12, 1864 Richmond Sentinel: Chaffin’s Bluff, Oct. 8
• NP: October 13, 1864 Richmond Sentinel: Chaffin’s Bluff, Oct. 11
• NP: October 14, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 110th PA and The Election of 1864
• NP: October 14, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 21st PA Cav at Fort Archer, September 30, 1864
• NP: October 14, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 76th PA and McClellan, September 21, 1864
• NP: October 21, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 84th PA and The Election of 1864
• NP: October 21, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: Co. H, 208th PA at the Siege of Petersburg, Late September 1864
• NP: October 21, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: Co. K, 208th PA Arrives at the Siege of Petersburg, Late September 1864
• NP: October 27, 1864 Harrisburg Patriot and Union: Letter from a True Soldier
• NP: October 28, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 210th PA, West of Weldon RR, Oct. 7, 1864
• NP: November 2, 1864 (Concord) New Hampshire Patriot: Letter from a Soldier
• NP: November 8, 1864 San Francisco Bulletin: Work of the Sanitary Commission before Petersburg
• NP: November 10, 1864 Windham County Transcript: Letter from Grant’s Army, Battery 4
• NP: November 11, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 208th PA Election Results, November 1864
• NP: November 11, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 208th PA Settles In at Bermuda Hundred, November 1864
• NP: November 11, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 210th PA and 3/2/V/AotP Election Results, November 1864
• NP: November 11, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 3rd PA Heavy Arty Election Results, November 1864
• NP: November 11, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: Co. K, 208th PA Settles In at the Siege of Petersburg, Early November 1864
• NP: November 14, 1864 Cleveland Plain Dealer: Army Correspondence, The Soldier’s Vote
• NP: November 17, 1864 Windham County Transcript: From the Twenty-Ninth (CT) Regiment
• NP: November 21, 1864 Cleveland Plain Dealer: Army Correspondence, Morale
• NP: December 3, 1864 Irish-American (NY): 170th N. Y. Vols.,—Irish Legion
• NP: December 8, 1864 Windham County Transcript: Letter from Grant’s Army, 1st CT Heavy Artillery
• NP: December 9, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 55th PA at Bermuda Hundred, Second Petersburg and Chaffin’s Farm, May-November, 1864
• NP: December 17, 1864 Irish-American (NY): Monitor Onondaga Engages Battery Dantzler, Nov. 29, 1864
• NP: December 23, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 110th PA, Thanksgiving at Fort Sedgwick, November, 1864
• NP: December 23, 1864 The Bedford Inquirer: 55th PA, Thanksgiving at Fort Burnham, November, 1864
• NP: December 24, 1864 Irish-American (NY): Four Union Ironclads Attack Battery Dantzler, Dec. 5-6
• NP: January 6, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: A Signal Corps Soldier at Christmas, December, 1864
• NP: January 13, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 15th NY Eng Letter, January 6, 1865
• NP: January 20, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: 138th PA at Ft. Dushane, January 6, 1865
• NP: January 27, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: Co. K, 208th PA Near Petersburg, January 15, 1865
• NP: January 27, 1865 Burlington (VT) Free Press: The Capture of Fort Harrison, Sept. 29
• NP: January 27, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 15th NY Eng Letter, January 19, 1865
• NP: February 4, 1865 Irish-American (NY): Battle of Trent’s Reach from Deck of USS Onondaga, Jan. 23-24
• NP: February 6, 1865 Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon): The Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry at the Skirmish on Fort Holly Hill, December 10, 1864
• NP: February 24, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 15th NY Eng Letter, February 13, 1865
• NP: March 3, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: Major May of the 138th PA Describes His Kind of Peace, February, 1865
• NP: March 17, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 15th NY Eng Letter, March 4, 1865
• NP: March 24, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 50th NY Eng Letter, March 14, 1865
• NP: March 31, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 15th NY Eng Letter, March 18, 1865
• NP: April 7, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: The PA “High Number” Regiments at Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865
• NP: April 14, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: 138th PA at the Breakthrough, April 2, 1865
• NP: April 14, 1865 The Roman Citizen (Rome, NY): 15th NY Eng Letter, April 6, 1865
• NP: April 14, 1865 Vermont Watchman: 3rd Vermont Battery at the Breakthrough, April 2, 1865
• NP: April 14, 1865 Vermont Watchman: The 9th Vermont in Richmond, April 1865
• NP: April 15, 1865 Columbus Sun: In the Trenches Near Petersburg
• NP: April 21, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: 206th PA Enters the Burning City of Richmond, April 3, 1865
• NP: May 5, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: The 81st PA Gains a New Chaplain, April 3, 1865
• NP: May 19, 1865 The Bedford Inquirer: Corporal Mauk of the 138th PA Kills Gen. A. P. Hill, April 2, 1865
• NP: June 5, 1865 Weekly Oregon Statesman (Salem, Oregon): Union Scouts Battle Confederate Cavalry at Jones’ Ford, March 25, 1865
• NP: October 22, 1905 Richmond Times-Dispatch: Sanders’ Alabama Brigade at the Crater