ASSOCIATED PRESS ACCOUNT.

REBEL ATTACK ON BURNSIDE.

A Desperate Conflict—They Are Repulsed with Great Loss—Our Loss Small—The Engagement with the Sixth Corps on Wednesday [sic, Thursday, June 23, 1864]—Condition of Our Army.

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 25 [1864], 6 A. M., Saturday.—The only fighting that took place yesterday [June 24, 1864] was an attack made by the enemy on BURNSIDE [sic, Stannard’s First Division, Eighteenth Corps], but whether intended as a feint to cover some more important move, or an attempt to break through his lines, it was a failure.

They opened with a heavy fire of artillery, which was returned by our batteries, and the Rebels [of Hagood’s South Carolina Brigade], making a charge, were driven back in confusion, upwards of one hundred of them being captured.

This occurred about 8 A. M. [on June 24, 1864], and the artillery firing was kept up for an hour, when all became quiet at that point.¹

About the same time a battery opened in front of a hospital on the left of the Fifth Corps, which the Rebels seemed desirous of cleaning out, but they were deterred by our guns before any damage resulted to us.²

Picket firing is still kept up along nearly the entire line, and in almost every hospital are a few victims of this species of warfare.

It is almost impossible for a change to be made in the skirmish line without some loss from the enemy’s sharp-shooters, and these lines have to be relieved always after dark on that account.

The engagement between the Sixth Corps and the enemy for the possession of the railroad, on Wednesday [sic, Thursday, June 23, 1864], was quite severe, particularly in front of the Second Division, commanded by Gen. [FRANK] WHEATON [2/VI/AotP].

Only a short distance of the railroad had been destroyed, when the party were attacked by a heavy force of the enemy under Gen. ANDREWS [sic, William Mahone] [Mahone/Third/ANV], supported by [CADMUS] WILCOX’S Division [Wilcox/Third/ANV].

Captain [ALEXANDER M.] BEATTIE, of the Third Vermont, was in charge of the party that reached the road, and fell back slowly, while the skirmish line held the enemy in check; but a body of the enemy made a flank movement, expecting to turn the left flank of his line of battle.  They, however, did not penetrate far enough, although they succeeded in taking a large number of the skirmishers prisoners, principally of the Fourth [Vermont] and Eleventh Vermont Regiments of the Vermont brigade.³

The enemy afterwards advanced, and attempted to break through the line at several points, but were met with such a heavy fire from our forces that they were driven back every time with heavy loss.

They finally, at dark, gave up the effort, and returned across the railroad embankment, where they took up an advantageous position.

Our loss was very light in killed and wounded, while that of the enemy, it is supposed, was more than double.

We lost quite a number of prisoners; but the figures cannot be correctly given.⁴

The railroad from City Point to Petersburg is being placed in order, and an engine and cars are already procured, to put on it as soon as it is in running condition.⁵

Supplies arrive at the front regularly, and the troops lack nothing in this respect, but they suffer some from the scarcity of water.

Colonel [WILLIAM E.] BLAISDELL, Eleventh Massachusetts, was killed to-day [June 23, 1864]⁶, by a sharp-shooter, while visiting the skirmish line.

W[ILLIAM]. H. CHILD [sic, Childs], Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, who was to have been re-instated yesterday as First Lieutenant, was shot dead by a Rebel sharp-shooter on Thursday evening [June 23, 1864, but also possibly Wednesday, June 22, 1864].⁷

Major [THOMAS J.] HALSEY, Eleventh New Jersey, is missing, and is supposed to be captured.⁸,⁹

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

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PETERSBURG, VA.

———-

Tuesday, June 21, 1864

——————–

A BATTLE AT HAND.

Things are now, we suspect, rapidly drawing to a focus in this vicinity.—Grant cannot slide any futher unless he slides into James River, or backwards to Bermuda Hundreds or the Chickahominy. If he again resorts to this sort of evasive movement, he will have shown himself not fit to command a platoon. Such another dodge as those he has been making, will strip him of all semblance of pretension to military respectability, and bring his reputation as a commander down below the level of that of the humblest corporal in his army. His course since he left Spotsylvania has been almost puerile¹. It certainly has not been such as his great Greek namesake would have thought of pursuing under the same circumstances. The Ulysses of classic fame never shunned a fight when the Trojans offered one.² The Yankee Ulysses rushed into the Virginia campaign with all the daring and energy of a General determined to push along his selected path to Richmond without turning to the right or to the left. His cry was, “I propose to fight it out upon this line if it takes all summer.”³ These words were echoed and re-echoed by the northern press and their reverberations rolled on from the Potomac to the Pacific through all Yankeedom. Brave words they certainly were, just as brave as the memorable ones which McClellan thundered forth to the same Grand Army of the Potomac when he took command of it. “We have met our least defeat and made our last retreat!” But words are one thing and the deeds which they promise another.—McClellan discovered the truth of his remark after a short experience, and Grant has made the same discovery. Instead of fighting it out on that famous line of his, he was beaten from it before he had advanced more than a dozen miles, and has ever since been getting further and further from it. For upwards of a hundred miles has he been slipping and sliding along sidewise, confronted at almost every turn by Lee’s army, until now he has got into the county of Prince George, where he finds a force something like that which confronted him in Spottsylvania, at Hanover Junction, and at Cold Harbor. We will not say that this march to Cold Harbor was a retreat or that Lee’s was a pursuit, in the ordinary military sense.—But we will say that it was not the march of his choice, and that Lee’s movements savored a good deal of a chase.

He (Grant) is now in a condition and position which demand either another change of base or another battle. He now again has before him a full opportunity of testing his capacity and power to crush the rebel lion. Will he avail himself of it, as he did in the Wilderness, or will he imitate his prowess at Hanover Junction and Cold Harbor, by another slide? He cannot, with any regard for his reputation, shrink from the arbitrament of battle in his new position, and a battle is therefore bound to come off before the lapse of many days.⁴,⁵

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ARMY CORRESPONDENCE

M’CLELLAN IN THE ARMY,

A Correction-A Soldier on Peace.

HEADQUARTERS 76^TH P[ENNSYLVANI]A. VOL[UNTEER]S.
IN THE FIELD BEFORE PETERSBURG VA.
Sept. 21^st, 1864.

DEAR INQUIRER.—Although I have nothing of great interest to communicate, yet I wish to occupy a small place in your columns. A few days since a Bedford Gazette¹ made its appearance in our midst, and in it I see a communication written over the letter H, from the 76^th P[ennsylvani]a. Vol[unteer]s., and for the sake of simple truth I wish to correct one of the frequent misinterpretations contained therein.

In the first place he states that he wrote on a day of great rejoicing among the troops of this command over the announcement that McClellan was nominated, as candidate on the Democratic ticket for President at the coming election.

Now I do not wish to dictate to any man, who elects to do as he pleases, in exercising his right of suffrage, but to say that the army is rejoiced over the nomination of McClellan, is, as far as public rejoicing is concerned, utterly FALSE, and I can call four-fifths of this brigade to witness, have never heard any rejoicing, not even a single man, as far as I know, and if any cheering was done it was done within the rebel entrenchments, in our front.

Now in the name of good sense, can it be possible that a soldier who has served in the army for three years, and borne all the dire privations and suffering, run the risks of a score of battles will support a man or a cause that is willing, yes begging his enemies, traitors in arms, who have fought him in a score of battles, to come back into the Union, and will compound with his most deadly enemies, in treason, and would place the humiliating spectacle before the world of an army, the mightiest in arms, and numbers, and of late the most successful, that ever trod the earth, after shedding rivers of blood, coming down to beg its enemies to come back and all the bloodshed, and the gallant dead, be sold them in a miserable compromise, for peace, and they to prescribe their own terms. It is the most ignominious and humiliating thought that could be entertained. We all espoused the cause of the government in the day when it was attacked by traitors and believing, as we do now, that he who stood aloof and would not support it, was and is a traitor, and if there is any man insane enough, or who is now convinced the government is wrong, and to take pleas with its enemies, why in all reason don’t he go into their lines and take up arms in accordance with his convictions. That is my opinion, and I think every sane man’s also.

I speak generally, but that Lincoln is “played out” is a fact that I never knew, and I am a member of the 10^th Army Corps “near Petersburg Va.” McClellan may, speaking with all allowance, get a small vote with the army, but Lincoln is the man for the Army and Navy of the United States, and we want no better commander, and to say that the Army before Petersburg is jubilant at McClellan’s nomination, is a libel the most dishonorable, and for one I would feel outraged in having my people believe it, for I hold that as a soldier, we want a war man, and if we are following our own conviction in sustaining the government, we don’t want to be defeated, and in view of all the suffering, bloodshed, desolated homes, sorrowing families, murdered comrades, and above all the justice of our cause. What man could say compromise but a craven, a coward, or an avowed enemy of his country.

All is quiet and we have beautiful weather.

Very Respectfully,

I[SAIAH]. H. RAWLINS², Sergt. Major.³

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

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The movements of the enemy on the Peninsula demand immediate attention.  GRANT has tried battles, he has tried siege works, he has tried blockade so far as he could by cutting roads.  All these means for taking Richmond have proven ineffectual.  His position at Petersburg is a deadlock.  He can do absolutely nothing with the position.  But he cannot go back to Washington.  He has no idea of abandoning the enterprise.  On the contrary, he has lately been heavily reinforced by the greater part of Banks’ army, which was delayed for the defence of Washington while EARLY was in Maryland, but which was brought on to him the moment that danger was believed to have passed.¹  In the last day or two a powerful body of troops have crossed the river and stretched up the Chickahominy.²  This looks as if GRANT was about to try his last chance for taking Richmond—a COUP DE MAIN—like that by which he NEARLY won Petersburg some six weeks ago.³  If the Confederate generals are as slow to learn his movements now as they then were, he may yet give us much trouble.  But let us trust that they have learned the lesson of experience.

We repeat, that it is logical to suppose that the enemy are about to try this chance, because it is all that is left him.  Neither by a battle nor by a siege can he touch Richmond; his only hope is a surprise of some point on a long line by superiour forces suddenly thrown far from the mass of both armies.⁴

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SOPO Editor’s Note: 12th Mississippi researcher Shelly Liebler was kind enough to send along this very detailed look at the men of the 12th Mississippi who were present at the Battle of Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865.  Shelly is writing a book on the regiment and hopes to publish in the coming years. Several years ago Bill Furr, who owns and operates the excellent 19th Mississippi Infantry Regiment web site, allowed me to publish a list of Confederate defenders of Fort Gregg several years ago.  As Shelly explains below, her list for the 12th Mississippi is updated from the one Bill provided after looking through the many primary sources and service records for the 12th Mississippi.

Casualties of the 12th Mississippi at 2 April 1865

(Fort Gregg/Whitworth)

Compiled by Shelly Liebler – salsjourney@gmail.com

The action at Fort Gregg on 2 April 1865, served as a defining moment for that remnant of the Harris Brigade that partook in its stubborn defense. In post-war writings and remembrances, Fort Gregg was the engagement most often mentioned by the 12^th Mississippi, one of Harris’ regiments in the fort. As controversy played out in the Southern Historical Society Papers¹ between Harris and General James Lane, whose North Carolina troops had also fought that day, the survivors of the Mississippi brigade stood on their record and behind the service of their General.²

Both the 12^th and 16^th Mississippi were placed in Fort Gregg after Harris received orders to pull his troops back from an advanced position on the Boyton Plank Road. Harris would assign the 19^th and 48^th to Fort Whitworth. As this was the final action of the war with all defenders of Fort Gregg being killed, wounded or captured, no formal casualty report was ever submitted by Harris. Preparing a roster for the 12^th Mississippi using the National Archives records as a primary source, afforded the opportunity to compile a comprehensive listing of the men from that regiment that had served at Fort Gregg (and some at Fort Whitworth) that day. Several of the holes were also filled in through the assistance of previous research efforts.

 

Totals: (6k, 8w, 68c)

 

F&S (1k, 0w, 0c)

Barry, Charles A., Musician³. – KIA.

 

Co. A (0k, 1w, 5c)

England, Hampton D., Pvt.

Monroe, James Dudley, Pvt.

Johnson, Joseph B., Capt.

Jennings, Warren T., Sgt.

Standifer, William F., Pvt.

Williams, Bright, Pvt.⁴ – wounded.]

 

Co. B (0k, 1w, 4c)

Anderson, David Monroe , Pvt.

Mulcaha, James, Pvt.⁵ – wounded.

Sibley, W. W., Pvt.

Sturdivant, Ransom, Corp.

Windom, William W., Pvt.

 

Co. C (0k, 2 w, 5c)

Dickerson, Caleb J., Lt.⁶ – wounded.

Forbes, William M., Pvt.

Henry, Matthew M., Pvt.

Keegan, John E., Pvt.⁷ – wounded.

Roth, Nicholas, Pvt.

Wellborn, James C., Pvt.

Whitworth, Samuel Hudson, Sgt.

 

Co. D (1k, 0w, 13c)

Chastain, Allen M., Pvt.

Cochran, Henry B., Pvt.

Dillard, Samuel H., Corp.

Haley, Warren L., Lt.

Johnson, Joseph J., Sgt.

Lloyd, Thomas R., Sgt. – KIA.⁸

Martin, Seth S., Pvt.

Owens, William L., Pvt.

Peyton, Ephraim G., Pvt.

Peyton, Martin H., Pvt.

Sabell, Nicolas S., Pvt.

Scott, Robert M., Pvt.

Short, William H., Corp.

Thompson, Jesse, Jr., Lt.

 

Co. E. (0k, 0w, 4c)

O’Brien, Lawrence F., Pvt.

Shackford, Ephriam, Pvt.

Swords, William, Pvt.

Yenwine (Ernwine), George, Pvt.

 

Co. F (0k, 0w, 6c)

Holcomb, William D., Corp.

Lowe, James N., Sgt.

Short, William, Pvt.

Simmons, Vincent A., Pvt.

Turrentine, Newton M., Corp.

Williamson, William L., Pvt.

 

Co. G (0k, 2w, 10c)

Barlow, Horace, Sgt.

King, Wilbur F., Pvt.

Glasscock, William T., Lt.

Lecand, Frederick J. V., Sgt.

Murray, Francis H., Corp.

Naftel, Daniel F., Pvt.

Podesta, Louis, Pvt.- Wounded⁹

Scudamore, Robert, Pvt.

Underwood, George E., Pvt.

Vandyke, Joseph F., Pvt.

Vandyke, James, Pvt. – wounded¹⁰

West, Fitz Henry, Pvt.

 

Co. H (1k, 0w, 4c)

Applewhite, Rufus R., Capt. (Commanding)

Burke, J. C., Corp. – KIA.¹¹

Douglass, E. P., Sgt.

Hyman, Bernard, Pvt.

Thetford, Robert B., Pvt.

 

Co. I (2k, 2w, 6c)

Bennett, Israel P., Pvt. – wounded.¹²

Crowell, George T., Pvt.

Grantham, Alexander, Pvt. – wounded.¹³

Guerry, Samuel M., Sgt.

Lehr, Pettus C., Sgt.¹⁴

Lowe, William A., Sgt.

McClelland, William J., Pvt.¹⁵

Swain, William R., Lt. – KIA¹⁶

West, James O., Sgt.

Woods, Samuel R., Corp. – KIA¹⁷

 

Co. K (1k, 1w, 11c)

Brown, William D., Pvt. – wounded.¹⁸

Coulson, Henry M., Pvt.

Coutch, William W., Pvt.

Fuller, Henry K., Corp.

Jones, A. K., Capt.

Porter, Henry W., Pvt.

Roberts, J. H., Pvt. – KIA.¹⁹

Sevier, Andrew J., Pvt.

Shaifer, George W. N., Pvt.

Simms, John H., Musician.

Thompson, William R., Pvt.

Wells, Pearson, Pvt.

Wilson, Richard, Pvt.²⁰

Sources: Information is per National Archives Compiled Service Records accessed via Fold3, except where footnoted. Unless otherwise stated, soldiers were captured/wounded/killed at Fort Gregg.

Notes:

OPERATIONS OF FRIDAY [June 24, 1864].

A Rebel Charge on Stannard’s Lines—The Storming Party Annihilated—What South Carolina Prisoners Say—General Wright Destroyes [sic] Five Miles of the Weldon Railroad—All Quiet on Friday Night [June 24, 1864].

Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
NEAR PETERSBURG, FRIDAY, June 24 [1864]—9 P. M.

This morning [June 24, 1864] opened with one of the heaviest cannonades of the whole campaign, and the impression was produced on people at a distance from the scene that a terrible battle was in progress.  It transpired, soon, however, that the enemy had merely been wasting ammunition in a concentrated and tremendous but harmless fire upon the troops and batteries of the Eighteenth Corps, from his batteries beyond the Appomat[t]ox.  Terrible as was the storm of shot, shell, grape and cannister that rained along our lines on the right, the damage done was utterly insignificant.

The ball opened at about 6:30 o’clock A. M., and closed at about nine.  Our own batteries during this time were not silent, but replied in spirited style.  While this artillery fire was raging, a charge was made on a position of General STANNARD’S Division of the Eighteenth Corps [1/XVIII/AotJ], by HOKE’S [sic, Hagood’s] Brigade [of Hoke’s Division] of Rebels.  About four hundred of them succeeded in entering our front line of rifle pits—a mere picket line, our skirmishers retiring to the main breastwork of the front line of battle.  While these were coming in our troops did not fire from the fear that they might hit our own men.

The Rebels, encouraged by this, advanced boldly towards our intrenchments, but the moment our skirmishers had all got in a volley was immediately fired into the ranks of the enemy, and mowed them down fearfully.  Their progress was all at once stopped, and to retreat was as much out of the question as to advance.  While placed in this dilemma our men continued firing rapidly upon them.  They made signs of a desire to surrender, which was not at first perceived, but as soon as their wish was ascertained firing was discontinued and they received a cordial invitation to come in.¹

The number of prisoners taken was one hundred and sixty-six, and thirty-six wounded were brought off the ground.  The remainder of the four hundred must have been either killed or too badly wounded to get away, as the men captured say none went back.  Many of the prisoners appeared to be rather pleased than sad at the lot which had befallen them.  One, a sergeant, exclaimed fervently, as he jumped into our intrenchments, “Thank God, I’m a white man again,” a rather emphatic way of announcing that he considered himself released from slavery in becoming a prisoner.

Another one, a Captain, expressed the opinion that the entire brigade to which he belonged would come in if they could do so without being fired on.  It is worthy of remark that these men appear to be chiefly South Carolinians, and judging by the feelings they express, one would infer that the State which inaugurated the war was ready to cry “hold, enough,” but these men are of the poorer class, and their views and feelings are entirely distinct from those of the wealthy oligarchy who rule them, and wield them for the accomplishment of their own aims by combining a system of the most shameless mendacity with a rigorous exercise of power.

Some of the prisoners taken this morning say they have been told constantly that the Yankees, if successful, will reduce them to a condition almost worse than that of the slaves, compelling them to work for seven pence a day, or whatever they may see fit to give.  I was particularly struck by the naturalness and evident sincerity of the reply made by a wounded Rebel to some one who inquired whether he came into the army on his own inclination.  “No, indeed,” he answered, “I ought to be at home ploughing corn this very hour.”  The look of care in his eye as he said this betrayed anxious thoughts of his distant wife and children, and the crops he had planted, wilting under the hot sun for want of his culture.

Yesterday afternoon [June 23, 1864], General [HORATIO] WRIGHT, with the Sixth Corps [VI/AotP], made a movement to the left and reached the Weldon Railroad, of which he destroyed some five miles. Fires were built along it which destroyed the ties and at the same time warped the iron so as to be unfit for future use. Having accomplished this object he returned to his former position.  Towards evening a report was brought in that a heavy column of the enemy was moving off towards our left with the probable intention of turning our flank.²

Some little excitement was created by this statement as soon as it got hinted around, but it was only a very brief time before preparations had been made to repel any attack from the threatened quarter.  Colonel [JACOB B.] SWEITZER’S Brigade of General [CHARLES] GRIFFIN’S Division, Fifth Corps [2nd/1st/V/AotP], moved down the Jerusalem plank road at double-quick, and Colonel COLLIS, with the Provisional Brigade from Head-quarters of the army [Provost/AotP]³, moved down in the same direction.  Selecting a suitable position they deployed across and to the right of the road, and threw up a line of breastworks which were held throughout the night, but no enemy appeared to molest them.

Everything is extremely quiet to-night. Three or four times since dark I have heard the report of cannon and a little musketry but now I hear no sound more warlike than that of [?] hovering in the bushes near where I write, [?] single wagon rattling over corduroys a quarter of a mile away; not the sound of a single gun, large or small, for the last half hour. The heat to-day has been intense, and the dust rises in clouds, which envelop everything.⁴

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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 WAR NEWS.

Yesterday [June 20, 1864], as usual, the Richmond papers were not forthcoming at the opening of the mails.¹ Later in the day, a friend kindly gave us the [Richmond Daily] Whig, of yesterday [June 20, 1864]—From its columns we make the following extracts:

THE SOUTHSIDE².

One of Robinson’s Cavalry³, who came to this city Saturday evening [June 18, 1864] with twenty-five Yankee prisoners, informs us that 10,000 cavalry, the last of Grant’s army, crossed to the Southside at Westover, on Thursday night [June 16, 1864] and Friday morning [June 17, 1864]. All of his artillery and infantry had been previously carried over. On Friday [June 17, 1864], our informant was one of a party of scouts who went as far down as the mouth of the Chickahominy, and he encountered no Yankees except those who had straggled from the main body of Grant’s army.—He says, however, the woods are filled with these, and they seem anxious, whenever occasion offers, to be made prisoners. This shows that Ulysses will have to try some other expedient than drugging with whisky, to keep his army up to a standard sufficient to fight it out on his new line “all the summer.”⁴ Apropos to the morale of his army, we learn from a wounded soldier just from Petersburg, that Yankee prisoners brought into the Cockade city [Petersburg] on Saturday [June 18, 1864], state that the day before Grant “moraled” his army in imitation of the great Napoleon, and said, “but not in a boastful spirit,” that if with such troops Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant cannot put down the rebellion “there is no use for any other General or army to try it.” The prisoners, with characteristic depravity, seemed to prefer whisky rations to broken doses of oratory.

It must be remembered that yesterday [June 19, 1864] was Sunday—the day of all others when rumors are “the special order.” As the morning opened with heavy reports of artillery in the direction of Petersburg, it was but natural that every cleanly shaved man, wearing a “biled” shirt, had a budget of special intelligence from the seat of operations. Were we to discard the unimportant rumors, and only enumerate such as assumed mammoth proportions, like the Hard Shell preacher in the division of his sermon, we should soon reach eighteenthly. We must therefore confine ourselves only to such items as are reasonably authentic.

In another column we give from the Petersburg Express a full account of Friday’s [June 17, 1864] fighting. On Saturday [June 18, 1864] it was resumed, and at intervals, all along our lines, there was a series of artillery duels as well as considerable musketry firing. Several random shells were thrown, it is said, into the city during the day. From two of our wounded soldiers, who left Petersburg Saturday [June 18, 1864] night and reached this city yesterday [June 19, 1864] about 11 o’clock, we learned that early in the day the enemy endeavored to turn our right, in which they were unsuccessful, and that the principal fighting took place along this portion of our lines. They gave a very intelligent account of the location of our batteries and disposition of our forces, but this, of course, we omit. As to the numbers engaged, or killed and wounded, on either side, they seemed entirely uniformed. They agree, however, that from the beginning we had the better of it, and maintained our advantage all through the day.⁵

By the Danville train which arrived yesterday evening [June 19, 1864] a 6 ½ o’clock, a number of persons came from Petersburg by way of the Junction. All concurred that there was no general engagement on Saturday [June 18, 1864]. The enemy, it seems, made several assaults on our lines during the day, which was promptly repulsed. In the afternoon they boldly advanced against Eillott’s [sic, Elliott’s] brigade in heavy force, and, to use the exaggerated account of a soldier who witnessed it, “in a column an acre deep.” When within four hundred yards of our works, we opened with grape and canister, and literaly covered up the ground with dead and dying. Our loss was again very slight.—In fact, one of our informants was very certain that a thousand will cover our entire loss in killed, wounded and missing, since the commencement of the fights around Petersburg.

About 8 o’clock last night [June 19, 1864] we met a very intelligent member of the Richmond Blues [Co. A, 46th Virginia], who came over with despatches for the War Department. He left Petersburg just before 12 o’clock [noon] yesterday [June 19, 1864], and in addition to the above informed us that up to that time of his leaving, everything was comparatively quiet. He heard nothing in Petersburg of the painful rumor circulated in Richmond yesterday [June 20, 1864], to the effect that Capt. Sturdivant, of this city, who was taken prisoner on Wednesday [June 15, 1864], had been brutally murdered by negro troops.

CASUALTIES IN THE BLUES.

The following is a list of the killed and wounded of the Richmond Blues [Co. A, 46th Virginia], in the fight near Petersburg on Friday [June 17, 1864], in addition to that given in another column of our issue this morning [the Richmond Whig of June 20]:

Killed: Capt Fred Carter, Private Sam’l Frayser.

Wounded: Lieut Chas Bigger, severely in shoulder; Lieut Levy, slight, still in command of the company; Ordl’y Sgt Bob McDowell, severely; Privates Chersterman, Miller, mortally; Watkins, slight; H E Pace, Rush Wilson, slight; Madlecote, Omenbanser, prisoner; Thos Payne, flesh wound; and E W Blackburn.

FROM LYNCHBURG AND VICINITY

It is stated upon undoubted authority, that Hunter shelled the town of Lexington before he occupied the place, and that too, without notice.

A cavalry skirmish took place in Bedford, about one mile this side of Forrest depot on what is known as the Forest road, Thursday afternoon [June 16, 1864]. The results were unimportant.

The Yankees in their advance through Bedford burned all the bridges on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. Among others those across Big and Little Otter Rivers and Elk Creek. The two former are considerable structures.

The [Lynchburg, VA] Republican [of which day?] says: The evident design of Hunter is to capture Lynchburg, open railroad communication with Washington, and make this point his base for important operations further South. An excellent plan, but one that will be signally foiled.

A cavalryman, a native of the [Shenandoah] Valley, who, while on furlough, has been acting as scout for General Imboden, reached the city [Richmond] yesterday evening [June 19, 1864] on the Danville train. He furnished us with the following:

On Saturday [June 18, 1864] the enemy attacked our sharpshooters about two and a half miles from Lynchburg, and were soon repulsed. This may have been done to cover the retreat which, he says, they soon after commenced by way of the Salem road. We took, according to the report, five pieces of artillery. He estimates the combined force of Averill, Crook and Hunter at 18,000—He says their cavalry is decidedly poor.—A much larger portion of their force, however, is infantry, than has been represented. This will render their escape more difficult than we had been led to expect.

At 9 o’clock last night [June 19, 1864], we obtained the following dispatch from the Adjutant General’s office:

PETERSBURG, June 19, 1864.
Hon. Secretary of War:

A dispatch, just received from New London, states that an assault was made on our lines at Lynchburg last night [June 18, 1864] and repulsed by troops that had arrived.—When the rest of our force came up preparations were made to attack this morning [June 19, 1864], but the enemy retreated in confusion.—Our troops in pursuit.

(Signed)                                     R. E. Lee, Gen.

SHERIDAN’S ROUTE.

From a gentleman just from Spotsylvania county, we obtain the following account of the route taken by Sheridan’s raiders after their defeat by Gen. Hampton.⁶ The fight on Sunday [June 12, 1864] commenced at Trevilian’s Depot, on the Central Railroad, and extended to the Grass Springs neighborhood, the hardest fighting taking place near the houses of Mssrs. Vast and Michie, on the road leading from Louisa C. H. to Mechanicsville. The raiders, after being badly whipped by Gen. Hampton, retreated on the road leading through the upper end of Louisa county, by Brock’s bridge. They crossed the north fork of the North Anna at Holliday’s Hill, into Spotsylvania county. They went through the Mount Harmon neighborhood in the upper end of Spotsylvania county, and struck the Catharpen Road at Shady Grove Church. Here they divided their force, one portion going by Spotsylvania C. H., and the other by Remy’s old place. From Spotsylvania C. H. they continued their retreat in the direction of Bowling Green, in Caroline county, the two columns uniting near the Mud Tavern. On Wednesday night [June 15, 1864] they camped at the Reedy Mills, in Caroline, and on Thursday [June 16, 1864] were at Bowling Green.

They camped at Mount Harmon Church on Monday night [June 13, 1864].

Gen. Rosser has a flesh wound of the leg below the knee, cutting the posterior titial artery. He is in Louisa doing well.

From another source, we learn that Sheridan, on Saturday [June 18, 1864], was in Newtown King and Queen. He had only 23 wagons left—the rest having been either captured by cavalry or abandoned during his hasty retreat.

Our cavalry are on his trail.

Newtown is about 20 miles south west of Tappahannock, and about the same distance in a south easterly direction from Bowling Green.

JAMES RIVER TOPOGRAPHY

[SOPO Editor’s Note: Before reading the following section, I’d highly suggest opening this map of the James River and environs and check it out as you read.]

The course of James river, below Richmond, describes on the map the profile of a human face, looking westward, with an aquiline nose and well defined chin.—Drewry’s Bluff, or Fort Drewry, is on the South side of the river, at the point of the nose. The turn under the nose is the locality of the naval attack on Fort Drewry in 1862. Immediately under the chin of the profile, (to follow up the simile,) is a curious bend in the river of seven miles, forming what is called “Farrar’s Island,” the neck or isthmus of which is known as “Dutch Gap” and is only half a mile wide. Trent’s Reach, alluded to in Gen. Lee’s dispatch, is on the South side of the horse shoe turn of the river, at Farrar’s Island.⁷ Howlett’s Hill, in Chesterfield, is opposite Trent’s Reach, nearly half a mile from the river, and is considered an important position. Ware Bottom Church is between Howlett’s Hill and Bermuda Hundred.⁸

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CONGRATULATORY ORDERS.

HEADQUARTERS, 76^TH REG’T., PENN’A. VOLUNTEERS.
NEAR HATCHERS Va., August 21^st, 1864.

Editor Bedford Inquirer:—

SIR:— I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of congratulatory orders promulgated by the Major General Commanding, to the 10^th Army Corps, and to request that you give it publication in your valuable paper. There are three Pennsylvania Regiments serving in the 10^th Corps, and a large number of boys from Bedford County, whose friends will notice with pleasure the acknowledgement of the officer’s services from Fort Pulaski Ga., to Sumter, Wagner, and the battles of the present campaign, from Port Walthall Junction, to Drury Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and the recent achievements on the Peninsula, near Deep Bottom and New Market Cross Roads, by so distinguished authority as Major General [David B.] Birney, in the following General Orders.

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 25.

HEADQUARTERS, 10^TH ARMY CORPS, IN THE FIELD.
NEAR FUSSELL’S MILLS, VA., August 19^th, 1864.

The Major General Commanding [Major General David B. Birney] congratulates the 10^th Army Corps on its success. It has on each occasion, when ordered, broken the enemy’s strong lines, and has captured during this short campaign, four siege guns protected by the most formidable works, six stand of colors, and many prisoners. It has proved itself worthy of its Old Wagner and Sumter renown.

Much fatigue, patience and heroism may still be demanded of it, but the Major General Commanding feels confident of the response.

By Command of Major General, D. B. Birney.
(Signed) E. D. Smith, A. A. General.

The casualties in the 76^th [Pennsylvania] Regiment, in the battle of New Market on the 16^th inst. [August 16, 1864], are 81 men wounded, 7 killed, and 9 missing, who are supposed to be either killed or wounded. Company “E” had 1^st Lieut. R.P. Pilkinton wounded, left forearm; 2^nd Lieut. Levi Smith wounded, left side, painful; Henry H. Miller shoulder, slight; Adam Himes shoulder, slight; privates, John T. Eckels and Benj. R. Malin, Missing.¹

It is reported here that [Union Fifth Corps commander Gouverneur K.] Warren is now on the Weldon R[ail].R[oad]., we have withdrawn from Deep Bottom, and Hancock is on the quick-step for Petersburg.² Birney is under marching orders and in a few hours we will know where we are to go. Heavy cannonading is heard in the direction of the Weldon R.R., and I think this has given us decided advantage over Lee.³ The rebels say we are marching them to death, for we taking the invitation can move off cautiously and at ease, and pitch into them at some far off point, and they have to fly almost to get up in time for its defense; weather cool and the army in general movement.

Yours Very Respectfully,

I[SAIAH]. H. RAWLINS⁴,
Serg’t. Major.⁵

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

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TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

_________

FROM PETERSBURG.

PETERSBURG, July 25 [1864].—To-day (the forty-second of the siege) was decidedly the most quiet of the campaign.  There was scarcely any picket firing and not more than one or two discharges of artillery.¹

SECOND DESPATCH.

PETERSBURG, July 27 [1864].—The prediction of the Philadelphia INQUIRER, of the 22[n]d [of July 1864], seems likely to be realized soon on the north bank of James river.  Hancock’s Second corps, which was in our front a few days ago, has gone there, and perhaps other Yankee forces.  An engagement occurred there to-day [July 27, 1864], but full particulars have not transpired.²

The Nineteenth corps of the Yankee army appeared in front of Bermuda Hundreds.³  In front of this place all is comparatively quiet, though Grant is still digging.  A citizen of California was sent into our lines under flag of truce yesterday on private business.

_________________________________

FROM LOUISIANA.

CLINTON LA., July 26.—The enemy have withdrawn nearly all of the garrison from Baton Rouge.  Seventy of their men deserted at one time.

New Orleans papers of the 23d [of July 1864] have been received.  The Free Negro Convention adopted the constitution by a vote of 65 yeas to 15 nays.

Gold is quoted at 312; cotton at 165.

General Banks has issued an order that no gold shall be sold unless first deposited in the United States Treasury.

Two or more District Judges in New Orleans, have resigned in consequence of Handel’s removal for a decision on the negro question.⁴

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

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