LOCAL MATTERS.

—–

DEATH OF DR. BELLINGHAM.—Dr. Wm. Bellingham, a prominent dentist of Petersburg, died at the residence of Mr. Daniel Perkinson, on Bank street, yesterday afternoon [June 20, 1864] about 1 o’clock. Dr. B. participated actively with the militia [Archer’s 3rd Virginia Reserves Battalion] in their fight with Kautz’s cavalry on Thursday, the 9th instant [June 9, 1864]¹, when that officer attempted to surprise and capture the city. On that occasion, which will be ever memorable in the annals of Petersburg, he received a dangerous wound in the back, which has at last resulted fatally. Dr. B. was the thirteenth victim, among our citizens, of this raid. He was a man of fine education, and stood high in his profession. He was always gentle in his bearing, polite and attentive to all whom he met, and during his residence here drew around him many warm friends.

His funeral will take place at Grace Church, High street, this morning at 9 ½ o’clock.

—–

PILLAGING HOUSES.—We understand that several houses in the Eastern portion of the city [of Petersburg] which have been recently vacated temporarily by their owners, have been forced open by robbers and partially pillaged. The property thus left behind remains at the mercy of thieves who make bold even in these trying and stirring times to practice their evil profession. However well houses may be secured, if no one remains to guard them they are unsafe. It would be the best policy, therefore, if possible, for the owners to remove all their provisions and valuable plate with them, and leave as little as they can to tempt the taste of the rogue.

Until a strong guard can be placed along our streets, this pillaging, will, we fear, continue.

—–

THE TWELFTH VIRGINIA REGIMENT—Mr. Nat. C. Harrison, the “soldier’s friend,”² will leave to-day at 12 o’clock [June 21, 1864], for the camp of the Twelfth Virginia Regiment. Persons who can furnish vegetables, such as onions, greens, or anything of the kind, would confer a great favor on our gallant boys now in camp, if they will send them before mid-day, to Pearman’s store, on Sycamore street. We would mention in this connection, that the Twelfth [Virginia] yesterday [June 20, 1864], unanimously directed their Commissary to turn over two days’ rations to the poor of Petersburg. Can our people ever repay these noble patriots for what they have done, and are still doing for their country?

—–

FREDERICKSBURG AND PETERSBURG.—At the bombardment of Fredericksburg, one hundred and seventy three Yankee cannon rained solid shot and shell, for ten hours upon the city. The guns were placed in position on the bluff around the city, and bore down immediately on the houses.—During the ten hours’ cannonading, upwards of fifteen thousand shot and shell were thrown into the devoted town, and yet, strange to say, only one person—a negro woman—of all who remained, was killed.

May the fair city of Petersburg stand ever, as she now rests, untouched and unhurt.³,⁴

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Source/Notes:

A Soldier On Peace.

HEADQUARTERS 3RD DIVISION, 2ND CORPS,
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, VA.,
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 186[4].

DEAR LOTTIE—

Your kind and ever welcome letter of the 14^th [September 14, 1864] came to hand on the evening of the 19th [September 19, 1864]. I was so glad to hear from you, to hear that you were well, and I hope that you may ever remain so. Your letter found me well and in good spirits, anticipating a speedy termination of this cruel war, when we shall all return to the fond embrace of loved ones at home. From the present appearance of things, I think the rebellion is about drawing its last breath. A few months will determine whether we are to have a Union or not. The Presidential election will in a great measure determine the fate of the rebellion. If Abraham Lincoln is elected, which he certainly will be, I think the war will be over. We have instances every day almost to prove that such will be the case. We are having victories almost daily which go to show that we are right and will come out victorious in the end. Yesterday Gen. [Gersham] Mott, our division commander [3/II/AotP], received an official dispatch from the War Department, signed by Gen. Grant, that Sheridan has gained a complete victory over the rebels in the Shenandoah valley. He hurled the rebels through Winchester and captured from twenty-five hundred to three thousand prisoners, nine battle flags, nine pieces of artillery, and all their dead and wounded fell into our hands.¹ No doubt the Copperheads will tell you this is not true, as they generally do, but news of that kind, coming through Gen. Grant’s hands, cannot be denied. And yet there is a certain class of people in the North that will stand up and cry for an armistice, so that terms of peace may be offered to the rebels, while Jeff Davis has emphatically declared that he will accept no terms other than the independence of the Confederacy, and a restoration of all slaves that have been set free. Look at our grand armies in the field. Are they in favor of an armistice and negotiations for peace? I say emphatically NO. But I will tell you what kind of peace propositions the soldier is in favor of. Such as Gen. Grant shall issue from Richmond, through the cannon’s mouth, so that all can understand them, and written with the saber and bayonet never to be wiped out. Such is the only true way of obtaining everlasting peace and a restoration of our glorious Union, and the glorious old bloodstained banner, the stars and stripes over every foot of American soil. These are my sentiments, and I will give my life if necessary to uphold them.

WILLIAM H. H. SHIMER [of the 110th Pennsylvania]².³

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

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A SINGULAR COINCIDENCE.—On Wednesday [July 27, 1864], Dr. O[tis]. F. Manson, Surgeon in charge of hospital No. 24, for the care of North Carolina troops, rode down to the lines below Richmond, carrying with him in his carriage Brigadier General [James H.] Lane, of Lane’s brigade [Lane/Wilcox/Third/ANV], wounded sometime since, but now convalescent, and returning to his brigade to assume command¹.  Dr. Manson had hardly reached the lines before Colonel [John D.] Barry [of the 18th North Carolina], commanding the brigade in the absence of General Lane fell severely wounded in a skirmish² and the Doctor, returning to Richmond, brought the wounded officer back with him.³

Colonel Barry’s wound, we are glad to learn, is not dangerous.  He is cared for at Dr. Manson’s residence where also General Lane was staying pending recovery from his wound.⁴

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

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Unit: 12th Virginia

Unit Affiliation: (Mahone/Weisiger), Mahone, III

Title: The Petersburg Regiment in the Civil War: A History of the 12th Virginia Infantry from John Brown’s Hanging to Appomattox, 1859-1865

Author: John Horn

SOPO’s Take: John Horn, author/editor of multiple books on both the Siege of Petersburg as well as the 12th Virginia, has delivered an excellent unit history. The 12 Virginia’s war started slowly in Norfolk and elsewhere in Southside Virginia.  Then they participated in their first big battle at Seven Pines, an uneven performance, before seeing action for the rest of the war with Mahone’s Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia., seeing action at 2nd Manassas, Crampton’s Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, and finally Petersburg and Appomattox.  The regiment and its brigade did not have a stellar reputation…until the Siege of Petersburg changed all of that.  Mahone had worked as a surveyor prior to the war for a railroad in the area, and knew the ground intimately.  Partly as a result, Mahone’s Division was often used as Lee’s shock troops in the battles near Petersburg. Horn utilizes a lot of first person accounts, both from well-known members like George Bernard of “War Talks” fame, as well as many others, including some who were wounded and/or died in battle.  While this is very much a traditional military history account of the 12th, Horn also looks at a lot of social data in this account.  He also has excellent maps for some often forgotten battles, especially at Petersburg and during the Appomattox Campaign.  You can clearly see where the 12th Virginia was located on each and every one.  Many, many regimental histories lack this crucial information. The advance praise is a who’s who of Siege of Petersburg authors, including Ed Bearss, Gordon Rhea, the late, great Richard J. Sommers, William Glenn Robinson, and Noah Andre Trudeau. This is an excellent book and one anyone interested in the Siege of Petersburg will want to own.

Book Summary/Review:

SOPO Siege of Petersburg Book Notes:

Publisher: Savas Beatie

Publication Date: 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1-61121-436-9

Links to Read/Buy:

1. The Petersburg Regiment in the Civil War: A History of the 12th Virginia Infantry from John Brown’s Hanging to Appomattox, 1859-1865 (Google Books)
2. The Petersburg Regiment in the Civil War: A History of the 12th Virginia Infantry from John Brown’s Hanging to Appomattox, 1859-1865 (Amazon.com)

THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE CAVALRY.

—–

Correspondence of the Inquirer.

WHITE HOUSE, Va., June 22, 1864.

From a late issue of your paper, many of its readers will think that the entire Pennsylvania Reserve Corps has returned to the State and enjoyed the ovation so justly given that worthy body of men on their return.  But the list appended below will show that the cavalry regiment of the Reserve Corps [1st Pennsylvania Cavalry] is still doing most active service in General GREGG’s Division [2/Cav/AotP], under General [Philip H.] SHERIDAN, whose manoeuvring and exploits have become the admiration of the army and the people, and a terror to the Rebel cavalry. We had just returned the evening before [June 19, 1864] from a long and exhausting raid of fourteen days in the direction of Gordonsville, and we were looking forward to at least one day’s rest when we would arrive at the White House, but before we reached this place Monday evening [June 20, 1864], we heard heavy cannonading at the place we looked for rest; it was the Rebel cavalry after our wagon train lying at White House. The gun-boats, however, and a small force inside of the entrenchments kept the off until we came up.¹ Yesterday morning [June 21, 1864], at two A. M., the cavalry was ordered out to meet the enemy we have so frequently met and defeated during the last two months. The enemy retired before the steady aim of our carbineers until four P. M., the First Pennsylvania [Cavalry] being in the advance. This morning [June 22, 1864] we found the enemy gone, and we rest until one P. M.

The casualties are as follows:—

FIRST PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY—KILLED,

Corp John Kreamer [sic, Kramer], L.²

Rob[er]t W Jackson, L.³

John [H] Doyle, L.⁴

Corp H[enry] C Portner, G.⁵

WOUNDED.

Serg W[illiam] S Miller, A.⁶

W[illiam] A [or R] Bair [or Bear], A.⁷

Harry [Henry F.] Howard, A.⁸

Serg W[illiam] H Edler, B.⁹

[Fleming] W Lucore, D.¹⁰

W[ilia]m Shafer, E.¹¹

W[ilia]m [N.] Esworthy, E.¹²

A[lfred] M Harn, F.¹³

Merser Gray, G.¹⁴

David Algeo, H.¹⁵

Serg Jno [Jonathan] Mustard, I.¹⁶

H H Brownmiller, L.¹⁷

MISSING.

Capt R[obert] J McNitt, C.¹⁸

Capt W[illiam] A Sands, L.¹⁹

Lieut. D[avid] S Buxton, L.²⁰

Sergt [?] [sic, John H] Fertig, A.²¹

Corp S[ilas] S Mairs, A.²²

Corp W[illiam] A Patterson, A.²³

Corp Jacob [Q] Ely, A.²⁴

Joseph E Nutt, H.²⁵

Albert H Arnold, M.²⁶

Corp John M Boyce, K.²⁷

Thomas Jones, K.²⁸

Serg’t John [sic, Daniel] Howder, L.²⁹

Joseph Buck, L.³⁰

Corp John J [H] Johnson, L.³¹

Corp Tho[ma]s Wending, L.³²

Isaac Bobst, L.³³

Frank[lin] Brenizer, L.³⁴

Daniel Geiger, L.³⁵

Samuel Hendricks, L. ³⁶

George W James, L.³⁷

Daniel [sic, Samuel P.] Reed, L.³⁸

John Stoltz, L.³⁹,⁴⁰

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Source/Notes:

FROM THE [PETERSBURG] FRONT.

—–

NO GENERAL ENGAGMENT YESTERDAY [June 20, 1864]—HEAVY SKIRMISHING—THE ENEMY CONTINUE TO SHELL THE CITY—OUR TROOPS EAGER FOR THE FRAY.

—–

Contrary to public expectation there was not a general engagement yesterday [June 20, 1864] between the two great armies now massed near the corporate limits of Petersburg.—From certain movements of the enemy, which were unmistakably apparent on Sunday [June 19, 1864], every body with whom we conversed, fully expected the ball to open at an early hour yesterday. It was thought too, that the chief efforts of the foe would be directed against our left, as in that direction he was observed actively moving on Sunday. But as an evidence of the uncertainty of military operations, all was unusually quiet up to half past six o’clock last evening [June 20, 1864], on that part of the enemy’s lines. It may be that that enemy contemplates an assault here, and as it is very near the river, and would give him control of that important stream, we should not be surprised at any moment to hear that Grant had made one of his characteristic assaults in the vicinity of Jordan’s Farm, but of course he is under the eye of watchful leaders, and strike where he will an opposition will be offered, that will, test the metal and endurance of his hordes to their fullest capacity.¹

On other portions of the lines there was heavy skirmishing yesterday [June 20, 1864], but nothing more. The enemy have learned a lesson, during the past four or five days, which has not been without its salutary effects. He approaches now with great caution, and the least show of determined opposition on our part, generally causes him to desist. This was especially the case yesterday.

ARTILLERY PRACTICE.

There was considerable artillery practice yesterday [June 20, 1864], as must always be the case where two armies of such magnitude confront each other. The damage inflicted, if any, we could not ascertain.

THE ENEMY’S BARBARITY.

The inhuman, uncivilized and anti-Christian practice of the barbarous foe, was continued yesterday [June 20, 1864] without abatement. All the day long, at intervals of every five minutes, his shell were thrown into the city. Fortunately, the ingenious foe have discovered no plan or method of deadening or destroying the sound, when they hurl their deadly missiles into our midst, and every report which falls upon the ear, puts all persons in exposed situations on the watch. Their whizzing sound and rapid flight through the air, are easily heard and seen, and hence we are glad to know that the damage inflicted yesterday amounted to comparatively nothing. We heard of a little bricks and mortar being displaced, the pavements torn up in two or three streets, and in one instance a large store door on Sycamore street was unhinged. But we heard of no injury to life or limb yesterday [June 20, 1864], and the enemy probably threw an aggregate of 150 or more shells into the city’s limits.²

A GREAT DELUSION.

It is quite evident from a speech delivered by Lincoln in Philadelphia on Thursday last [June 16, 1864], that his ticklers, Grant and Stanton, have impressed upon his obtuse brain the ridiculous idea, that the army of the Potomac, now occupies a position from which it cannot be driven by Gen. Lee. This speech, will be found in another portion of to-day’s Express. Never, however, did Lincoln labor under a more fallacious idea. Of all the positions the Army of the Potomac has occupied, and they have been numerous, no one has been more precarious than the present. In due time Old Abe will learn to his sorrow, that our opinion on this matter is correct, and that of his “greatest of all loving generals” wrong.

THE FLAG OF TRUCE.

The flags of truce sent in by the enemy Sunday [June 19, 1864], and referred to by us yesterday [June 20, 1864], was forwarded by that cautious Yankee commander, [George G.] Meade. He desired the privilege of burying his dead. For obvious reasons, which it is not necessary here to mention, Gen. [P. G. T.] Beauregard courteously, but peremptorily declined to grant the requests. It seems a little singular, that in all the heavy fights in the Wilderness, and around Spotsylvania Courthouse, thousands upon thousands of Yankee dead, were permitted to bake and fester, and yet no solicitude was manifested for their burial. But now when the fatal casualties are not near so large, because of the fewer numbers engaged, the enemy manifests an undue anxiety to put his dead under the sod. This glaring inconsistency must strike every reader at the first glance.

THE ENEMY’S STRENGTH.

An ordinarily intelligent Teuton, who fell into our hands Saturday night [June 18, 1864], gave the brave Confederate who captured him, a statement of Grant’s forces, which is believed to be in the main correct. He says Grant’s army now on the Southside of James River, is composed of the Second, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eighteenth and Twentieth Corps. The second, commanded by Hancock; the Fifth by Warren, and the Ninth by Burnside, are all operating immediately around Petersburg. The Eighteenth, commanded by Baldy Smith, is at and near Bermuda Hundreds. The Tenth and Twentieth, have no regular commanders, and are held near City Point as a reserve.³ All these army corps have been fearfully reduced since the commencement of the present campaign, and many of the regiments composing them, do not now muster 200 men.

The prisoner who furnishes this information, says he was enlisted in Germany two and a half years ago, and for the sole purpose of fighting in the Yankee army. He is highly pleased at the idea of being taken prisoner.

LATEST.

Last evening [June 20, 1864] about seven o’clock, the enemy was observed to double his pickets on our extreme left—a generally sure indication of an attack on his part. Up to one o’clock this morning [June 21, 1864], no engagement had occurred, but there was much picket firing going on.⁴,⁵

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Source/Notes:

ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

How to bring about an Armistice.

HEADQUARTERS CO. I, 21st P[ENNSYLVANIA]. V[OLUNTEER]. CAV[ALRY].,
ON THE CAPTURED BATTLEFIELD,
OCTOBER 4th 1864.

DEAR INQUIRER.—We have advanced on the enemy’s works; have driven them out at the point of the bayonet; have gained a grand, commanding military position; have placed our cannons in the rebel forts, and now set down amid the glory, as well as the horrors of the battlefield, to let our friends know the fallacy of the statement “that the experiment of war is a failure,” and that VICTORY and UNION shine upon the bronsed countenances of our brave soldiers; that it is belched forth from every cannon’s mouth; that it is hurled into the enemy’s ranks in bitter, indigestible pills of shot and shell, and that it spread a hallowed influence over our victorious army, and fills the bosom of soldiers with a glorious, unshaken confidence in the permanency of our government.¹

The 5th Corps left camp on Friday, the last day of Sept. [September 30, 1864], and marched in columns of brigades on the enemy’s works, which lay between us and the Southside R[ail].R[oad]., the 1^st Division [1/V/AotP] on the extreme left of the corps. We soon came in sight of their works which were built very strong and in a commanding position, and were protected by a fort, surrounded by an abatis.² No sooner did our boys obtain sight of those works than a loud and prolonged cheer burst forth along the lines, and we pushed on to the charge, the men fixing bayonets on the run. We sped on through a deluge of shot and shells over the knolls, down the hollows, over the abatis, into the ditch, up on the fort, shot down the captain of the battery while in the act of discharging his gun, captured a major, the guns in the fort, another outside with the horses, about 150 prisoners, and sent the rest of the enemy running pell-mell out of the works.³

At this juncture Gen. Griffin rode up to the captured fort, and was cheered by the men; but shouted “On my brave boys, charge those other works.” Never was a command obeyed more cheerfully, and in five minutes more, those glorious American banners were planted on another line of Rebel fortifications.

Our strength was now exhausted and the 9^th Corps took the advance and followed up the retreating foe, who fell back on other fortifications. About 4 P.M. a division of the 9^th Corps was so hotly pressed by overwhelming numbers that it had to fall back a little so the 2^nd Brigade of 1^st Division, 5^th Corps, [2/1/V/AotP] was ordered in to support them. Our Regiment volunteered to accompany them; so we marched at double-quick into the battlefield. This was the hottest place I was ever in, and never did men stand more firmly, fight more bravely or present a more sublime appearance than did those troops at this critical period.

The position was in an open field with dense woods in front; the enemy’s works were in the edge of those woods, while our men stood in open field without any protection from the showers of deadly missiles which the enemy hurled at them. But our men stood firmly up in line, not a man faltered while a cloud of smoke mingled with fire spread along the line from right to left. I have often seen artistic skill exhausted in portraying the battle scene, but this was the scene itself in living, sublime reality, surpassing description. The gallant Griffin soon rushed in his famous artillery and as usual silenced the enemy’s guns, while the dark shade of night shut out from view the foe, and brought the dreadful drama to a close. The enemy retreated, and a strong line of Federal earthworks and forts were now erected where our gallant braves resisted and baffled all the efforts of the foe to break our unprotected lines last Friday [September 30, 1864].⁴ But our armies are being strengthened daily; regiment after regiment is coming in every day (and) night; the sun of Liberty is rising and soon will reach the zenith of his glory, there to remain, forever shining forth his refulgent rays to rising generations.

Permit me before closing to say a word to our loyal friends at home. The soldiers are for the Union with ballots as well as with bullets. Think not for a moment that they will vote for any person with doubtful principles. In their own language “Little Mac is played out.” The army will go ten to one for the Union. I have but one doubtful person in my company, all the rest are strong Lincoln men.

[1st Lt.] M[artin]. P. D[oyle]⁵.⁶

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

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THE WAR NEWS

New Market¹, the point at which our troops on the north side [of the James River north of Deep Bottom] are, is only twelve miles from Richmond and for that reason it would appear to be very difficult to receive any authentick accounts of military operations from thence in less than twenty-four hours.  If it was distant seventy five miles we should hear in twelve hours satisfactorily of everything of importance that transpired.

We had several reports from New Market yesterday but no official or absolutely authentick advices.  Some cannon were heard in that direction yesterday morning [July 28, 1864], and there was, we are inclined to believe, some heavy infantry skirmishing.  A soldier, who says he left there at three o’clock, P. M., yesterday [July 28, 1864], reports that up to the time of his departure three of our infantry brigades had been engaged and had driven the enemy about two miles.  We think we hardly drove them so far, unless they drove us much further this way on Wednesday [July 27, 1864] than we had been taught to believe.²

THE CAPTURE OF THOSE PARROTT GUNS.

The capture of the four twenty pounder Parrott guns of the Rockbridge [VA] battery, on Wednesday morning [July 27, 1864], was one of the most singular affairs of this war.³  It seems that our line of battle was drawn up along the New Market road, which runs from Richmond in a southeasterly direction, a small portion of our infantry line extending east of the battery, guns of which were in pits on the side of the road.  The guns were pointed south, that is towards the river, which is not more than a mile distant from their position.  In front of their position, and between them and the river at Deep Bottom was the Yankee forces behind intrenchments.⁴  This was the situation early Wednesday morning [July 27, 1864].

Under cover of the fire of a battery behind their intrenchments, a Yankee infantry force⁵ advanced directly towards our guns, while another force bearing east struck the New Market road some distance below our position and then advanced up the road towards our left flank.  To meet this movement our infantry on the left of the battery swung around and turned their faces southeast, and the guns of the battery were drawn from the pits, and being pointed down the road, opened upon the enemy with cannister.  The swing of the infantry was so badly performed as to partake very much of the nature of a retreat.  When they got into line to meet the flanking party who were coming up the road, their right, instead of resting on the battery, was from twenty to fifty yards to the rear of it.

Both bodies of the Yankees had now gotten within a hundred yards of the battery, one body between it and the river, the other on the road.—Just then our infantry received orders to fall back, which movement was executed promptly and without firing a musket, leaving our artillerists to fight their guns until the enemy were within fifty yards of them, entirely unsupported.  The artillerists then saved themselves.  To have remained longer with their guns would have been folly.

From all we can learn our infantry did not behave unbecomingly, having only throughout executed the orders they received.

We give below parts of a letter from a member of the Rockbridge battery, describing the affair in which we lost the guns:

“NEW MARKET, July 27^th, 1864

“Our infantry was in line of battle along the Charles City road.  They extended about one mile along the road, from the ‘Sweeny’ House to what is known as ‘Tilghman’s Gate.’  On the night of 26^th [of July 1864], our battery was taken down from New Market Hill and placed in position on this line, in pits previously excavated by the company, supported by _______on the left and by_______on the right.  The same position was occupied by our battery when it shelled Foster’s camp⁶, and compelled Grant to ride off on a foundered horse, as reported by late Yankee papers.

“About eight o’clock this morning [July 27, 1864] the report came that the enemy were flanking us on the left.  Half an hour later our infantry formed in line at right angles to our formed line, we having drawn our guns out of the pits.  As the enemy moved round on our left______’s brigade swung round, uncovering our battery by the act making our fourth gun instead of our first the vertex of their angle.

“Very soon our infantry line was fifty yards in rear of the battery.  The men stood by their pieces and fired canister at the enemies’ skirmishers as they advanced on our then front, we having changed front with the infantry when we moved our guns out of the pits.  We checked their skirmishers, they waiting until their line of skirmishers came up on our flank.  We had no skirmishers out on our flank, although a colonel in ______’s brigade repeatedly asked for them.  The enemy only advanced with a skirmish line on our right, and were not troubled.  We turned one piece on them, but they were protected from our fire by the rise in the ground.  I know that if we had thrown out a line of skirmishers, we could have held them in check on our right long enough to have gotten the battery off by hand.  They advanced within one hundred yards of the battery and fired into us.  The infantry fell back, holding on well to the right, enabling us to get off all our men, and, owing to Captain Graham’s good management, ALL OUR HORSES, but losing four 20-pounder Parrott guns, captured from the enemy at Harper’s Ferry.  While I am stating facts it is but justice to say that, from the first the officers and men of Lieutenant-Colonel Hardaway’s battalion have openly and avowedly protested against placing this splendid battery in such a trap to fight gunboats.⁷

“Captain [Archibald] Graham asked for muskets that his men might rally around him and retake the guns and work them, but it was refused.  All our men acted with their usual gallantry, our Lieutenant-Colonel and Adjutant both being present, and cheering us by their presence and coolness.

“The friends of the battery will be glad to learn that all the men escaped, not one killed or wounded, and not a horse lost.”⁸

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

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Source/Notes:

Unit: 39th Virginia Cavalry Battalion

Unit Affiliation: Provost, ANV

Title: Lee’s Body Guards: The 39th Battalion Virginia Cavalry

Author: Michael C. Hardy

SOPO’s Take: Michael C. Hardy adds another volume to his already impressive list of Civil War books, and yet another volume to his collection of Confederate unit histories.  The 39th Virginia Cavalry Battalion was part of the Army of Northern Virginia’s provost guard during the Siege of Petersburg, and as such it does not have a typical unit history. The unit was formed specifically “to serve as scouts, couriers, and guides for General Robert E. Lee.” Often, they also escorted Union prisoners to the rear.  There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of material out there on this rather unique unit, but Michael Hardy found most of it judging by the bibliography.  The unit history takes up about 93 pages, while a roster makes up the last half of the book.

Book Summary/Review:

SOPO Siege of Petersburg Book Notes:

Publisher: The History Press

Publication Date: 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1-4671-4150-5

Links to Read/Buy:

1. Lee’s Body Guards: The 39th Battalion Virginia Cavalry (Google Books)
2. Lee’s Body Guards: The 39th Battalion Virginia Cavalry (Amazon.com)