RICHMOND, VIA PETERSBURG.

Down to 8 o’clock Saturday morning [June 18, 1864] the City of Petersburg was still held by the Rebels, although [Eighteenth Corps commander William F. “Baldy”] SMITH had captured the very strong works to the northeast on Wednesday [June 15, 1864], followed by the capture of other parts of their lines by [Second Corps commander Winfield Scott] HANCOCK on Thursday [June 15, 1864], and still others by [Ninth Corps commander Ambrose] BURNSIDE on Friday [June 17, 1864].  From the obstinacy of the Rebel defense, and from the fact that [Ulysses S.] GRANT’S pushing forward his troops to “follow up their success,” we judge that there is still considerable work to be done at that point.

[Army of the James commander Benjamin F.] BUTLER acted very promptly in taking possession of the railroad and plank road between Petersburg and Richmond.  This not only obstructs the operations of [Robert E.] LEE and [Pierre G. T.] BEAUREGARD, but adds greatly to the freedom of GRANT’S motions.  Another opportunity for a flank movement now has open[ed] before him if he chooses to make use of it.

The march from Cold Harbor to the James River [from June 13-16, 1864] was a great achievement.  In the face of a vigilant and active enemy the whole army was moved an average distance of fifty miles, crossing two rivers, without the loss of a gun or a wagon.  At the point of transit the James River is two thousand feet wide and over eight feet deep.  We should like to know the names of the engineers, that we might do honor to their skill.  We have no doubt GODFREY WEITZEL was one.  The campaign looks well. ¹

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

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SOPO Editor’s Note: Captain Henry F. Young of the 7th Wisconsin wrote twenty letters while at the Siege of Petersburg from June to December 1864. Researcher Roy Gustrowsky transcribed this letter from the original at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin.  He is currently in the process of writing a regimental history of the 7th Wisconsin. “Delia” was Henry F. Young’s wife, and “Father” was his Father-in-Law Jared Warner, a prominent businessman of Grant County, Wisconsin. Gustrowsky has magnanimously made these transcriptions available to the Siege of Petersburg Online for publication, and we thank him for his generosity.

UPDATE: I recently learned that a new book has been published by the University of Wisconsin Press, entitled Dear Delia: The Civil War Letters of Captain Henry F. Young, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, and edited by Micheal Larson and John David Smith. If you want to read all of Henry’s letters throughout the war, purchase the book!

Camp 7th Wis[consin] Vet[eran] Vol[unteer]s
Near Weldon R[ail]R[oad] Va
Sept 27th 1864

Dear Father

I received yours of Sept 12th glad to find you are Sound & Strong for the Administration, for now is the time for every man to Stand firm. A few more Such rattification Meetings Such as Sherriden has given them in the Valley will entirely destroy McClellans prospects with the Soldiers.¹ Our Army is in motion and fighting has been going on for 48 hours but we have no news as the fighting is on the right and we are on the extreme left. We have been Sending troops to the right for two days. We are in the front line now, and we are Strung out till we aint more than a good Skirmish line, but we have good Strong Works with Abbetees in front rumours of Success come from the right but I can get nothing reliable but you will get the news good or bad by telegram before you get this.² Enclosed I Send$200 draft. We have just our pay up to Aug 31st. I hope you have Succeeded in Selling the Mill either all of it or your half of it.

My idea for your Selling your half to Scott & Furman is this first if you can Sell to them for $4000 I look upon it as just Saving that much from the wreck(?) Furman says Scott wont turn out his old homestead if he wont do that he would not be able to buy more than half the Mill. In the 2d place you will not Spend any More Money on it and I would not feel like Spending 1200/500 Dolls. Myself to put the Mill and race in condition but I will do it as partners if for no other purpose I will do it for the purpose of getting rid of it to the best Advantage and I think I can manage Furman So that we can get the custom(ers?) back that he has lost.

The Mill is a bad bargain for us and if we can turn half the bad bargain over to Some others we will be gainers and it is not necessary to let the question of ownership Stand in the way of what is for the best. If you can trade off My half instead of yours do So and I will be Obliged not that I want to get away from you as My partner, but that the one half of that Mill is enough for one Family.

Col [Mark] Finnicum has returned to his post. Capt Monteith of Co H has gone out the Service, it is getting lonesome here there are So many of the old officers going out. The Chaplain goes home on a leave this day.

Yours truly
H F Young³

***

Letters of Henry W. Young:

• LT: June 20, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: June 27, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 2, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 15, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 26, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 29, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 4, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 6, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 23, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 2, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 5, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 15, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 19, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 27, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 6, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 21, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 22, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 30, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 5, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 7, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 10, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 20, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 23, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)

FROM THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

—–

[Correspondence of the Petersburg Express]

———-

Line of Battle, Near Gaines’ Mill [Va.]
June 11th, 1864.

The weather is so extremely sultry and hot to day, exposed in the open field as we are, that one’s brains almost becomes addled; but a few clouds lowering here and there in the horizon, not unlike the ominous silence pervading the military department at this moment, is portentous of a coming storm, and our dusty persons and clothing, made so by living like moles beneath the surface of the ground, may soon be deluged with rain. But that would be far preferable to the present moment of excessive heat from old Sol’s mid day rays, with no inviting shade near by under which to hide even the top of one’s cranium.

This is the eighth day that this Division¹ has been holding this point, the left of the Division resting on the same field on which the battle of “Gaines’ Mill” was fought in ’62, and although there has been some pretty heavy fighting on the left and centre of the Division, and heavy skirmishing along the entire front of it, yet so far as I am able to discern, there has been no change in the enemy’s front during that time, with the exception of his being compelled to withdraw a small portion of his lines from the field in our front, owing to his having an angle over the brow of a hill, and which was made too hot by a concentrated fire from our batteries. It is not supposed that “the man on horseback” is remaining idle, but that he is preparing for some other desperate stroke at some point thought to be more vulnerable than this against which he has so fatally persisted in butting his hirelings, and consequently we would not be surprised at any moment to find ourselves swinging against the enemy’s sliding columns, or moving to the right, to anticipate any movement the enemy may make in that direction.

We were considerably startled yesterday [June 10, 1864] morning at the intelligence that our beloved home, the “Cockade City,” came so near falling into the grasp of the Beast [Major General Benjamin F.] Butler the day before [June 9, 1864], and at the sad news of the killing and wounding of so many of the relatives and friends of those of us here, but we were rejoiced to learn that by the gallant defence made by the home guards, and the timely interposition of some regulars, the homes and firesides of our beloved ones, were not reduced to ashes, and the women and children not insulted and maltreated by the base villains of the north, who would make desolate every dear and lovely spot in our beautiful “Sunny South.” Surely the authorities “that B” will no longer thus leave exposed this vital key to Richmond; at least the many in this army from Petersburg and its vicinity earnestly hope so, for surely the horrors and rigors attendant upon this life, are sufficient to endure, without our homes being unnecessarily torn from us, and placed under the despot heel of a lawless beast. Many are the anathemas uttered against the authorities for this negligence, and the feeling in every man’s bosom who claims that section as his home is, “only give us the privilege of defending it, instead of entrusting it solely to the care of our gallant gray-headed and beloved sires, (the blood of some of whom now cry unto us for vengeance,) and not all the host that Butler could hurl against us could procure an entrance to our homes until the fields were made to reek with the gore of every one of us.”

Several have been wounded in the 12th [Virginia] and 41st Virginia regiments by the shots from the enemy’s sharpshooters since my last. I enumerate: Lieut. Wm. Ferguson, of co. F, slightly wounded in right knee; privates Jas. C Birdsong, of co. B, slightly in upper right arm; Jos. Weller, of co. G, severely in left shoulder, and John Heffron, of co. K, slightly in hip; the abovenamed belonging to the 12th [Virginia]; while in the 41st [Virginia], privates R. H. Smiley, of co. E, has been wounded in finger and thigh, and James Sharp, of co. A, in side.

These sharpshooters continue to annoy us no little, and we have become so accustomed to the whizzing of the bullets over our head, that we can form almost a mathematical calculation as to how near our heads these visitors will approach, but one cannot refrain from giving away in the knees and bending the back as the bug like sound denotes the approaching of a ball; and it is no uncommon occurrence to see some one that is moving to and fro back of the breastworks, suddenly kissing mother earth, to give free passage to one of Grant’s leaden missives. But the enemy’s line of battle must be equally annoyed by our sharpshooters, who are almost continuously pelting at it.

Mr. Harrison, with an unusually large number of eatables and clothing, reached us last night, and I do not remember at any time in his many visits to us, that one was ever more opportune than at the present, for clothing was something much needed, and satiated as we have been since the commencement of the campaign with cold bread and fried meat (though thanks to the Government we have never lacked for these,) a change of diet was not more agreeable than wholesome and thanks to kind friends the inner man of many of us to day has been made glad with the delicious taste of fresh vegetables, accompanied with many delicacies which tender hands alone can prepare.

The enemy has commenced slowly shelling this portion of our lines with what is called a mortar, but what is in reality only a heavy howitzer, peculiarly arranged, so as to fire a shell similar to a mortar, but they are doing no damage. Occasionally our guns reply, but these demonstrations are only intended to feel the lines and annoy the infantry.

Rumors are afloat of some important movements on foot, which if true, will create a sensation somewhere; but as rumors are so little to be relied on, I place no credence in those now prevailing.

ORLANDO.²

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Source:

TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

____________

LATEST FROM THE UNITED STATES.

PETERSBURG, July 6.—The Washington CHRONICLE of the 3d is received here; the following is a synopsis of its contents:

A special from Kennesaw mountain, dated June 27^th, says a severe attack was made this morning by selected portions of the Fourth, Second, and Logan’s corps, on the enemy’s breastworks on the centre, right and left.  The fight lasted two hours, but our men were compelled to give back before the severe fire of the enemy.

General Parker was killed, and Daniel McCooke severely wounded.  Our loss 2,000, but we now hold a position considerably in advance of where the fighting occurred.

Congress passed the enrollment bill on the 2d.  It provides for the reception of substitutes, repeals the commutation law, and requires fifty days notice of a draft.

Chase, on the eve of resigning, wrote a letter urging the raising of four hundred millions of additional taxes this year.

The CHRONICLE fears that Congress is in such haste to adjourn that no addition legislation will be digested.

The CHRONICLE, in noticing Wilson’s raid, says:  “Keep the railroads cut, and general starvation in a month or two will take the rebel capital without the aid of General Grant.”

There is nothing from Grant.

Gold 235.

_____________________

FROM PETERSBURG.

PETERSBURG, July 6.—The situation around this place is unchanged. There has been the usual skirmishing and very little shelling to-day.¹

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The progress and present stage of the mighty Federal campaign of 1864 begins to be ludicrous.  Disinterested spectators far off must be deriving amusement from it, though probably thinking, the farce has been played long enough, and that a joke is a joke.  We Confederates can scarcely—-absurd as the performance is—find it in our hearts to laugh; and our enemies are even very much less in a merry mood.  Yet there is a certain grim humour, a sort of horrible buffoonery in the affair.  Think of it—nearly three months ago, after the mightiest preparations by land and sea, two immense armies moved against Richmond in two directions, while another great force careered up the Valley of Virginia—all to unite in and around Richmond, and there and then cut the throat of the “Rebellion.”  And now, the irresistible, inevitable U. S. GRANT, who was to achieve that mighty work, sends word to his masters in Washington that if they can repulse the rebels (a Confederate army which is said to be threatening the Federal Capital,) he, GRANT, “can attend to Richmond.”  Why he has been attending to Richmond for many weeks, paying it the most devoted, though respectful and distant attentions; but what comfort is this to Mr. LINCOLN and Mr. SEWARD, as they “ride to the front,” or at least towards the front, listening to Confederate shells bursting in the suburbs of Washington, while they have a fast vessel in the Potomac with steam up, in their rear?  GRANT can attend to Richmond!  What kind of security is that to the bankers of Washington who have huddled their safes and their books on board another ship of the Potomac fleet?  GRANT may be paying attentions to Richmond, who, indeed, does not relish his attentions at all but keeps him at arm’s length; while Washington, his peculiar trust and care, his own lawful wife as it were, whom he is bound to defend and to cherish by all the tenderest ties, is exposed at home to the insolent overtures of a Confederate suitor.  Attending to Richmond!  and who then is to attend to LINCOLN and SEWARD, to Annapolis and Baltimore?

This Federal war to conquer the Confederacy has already furnished rich material to satirists and caricaturists in amusing pictorials of Europe, to the CHARIVARI and MR. PUNCH, and the German KLADDERADATSCH.  Not LOUIS XV, himself, “prosecuting his conquests in Flanders,” was ever so mocked by an irreverent world as these successive Grand Armies of the Yankee nation, who are always going to make a clean sweep of the South THIS time; and their long series of invincible generals, each of whom is, for a moment, the Coming Man, and next moment the Going One.  POPE, who had seen only the rebel’s back, losing the coat from his own back when the “rebels” broke his camp and scattered his army—which respectable uniform coat was long after to be seen hanging in a store window of Richmond—BANKS, who came to destroy us but turned out our beat Commissary and Quartermaster-General, and who, when last heard of, was fast running away out of his glorious conquests in Louisiana, with the loss of his “baggage and champagne,” to say nothing of his wagons and cannons, gunboats and transports, nor of the carriages which contained his fair companions with their wardrobes.

Then the “grand raids,” always destined to cut off Richmond and chop up the Confederacy into two or four pieces, which usually come to a bad end, but which are always found to have—whatever else they may lack—abundance of preserves and cheeses, jellies, Scotch ales, sardines and cognac, plenty of ladies’ dresses, corsets, petticoats, together with silver plate and richly-bound books and gold and gems, all stolen:  each of those Grand Armies and Grand Raids has its own day of popular favour; and as represented in the illustrated papers of New York, each of them does really seem, with its superb equipments, sleek horses and luxurious warriours, sufficient to conquer an empire.  It is surely well for our Confederate people that they do not often get a sight of FRANK LESLIE or HARPER’S WEEKLY; the sight of themselves in those broad wood-engravings, so cut up and chased, so driven and routed by the innumerable hosts of handsome gentlemen, on thoroughbred chargers, would almost conquer us without a blow struck.  Also the pictures of the beautiful and costly apparatus of every sort, with which that great nation goes to war—of General SICKLES’ travelling carriage, with its desk and lamps and exquisite liquor-case of rosewood inlaid with silver—of their elegant sutler’s stores and reading-rooms—of their balloons, travelling kitchens, portable steam-engines—should certainly make us take shame to ourselves that we, thus ragged and all forlorn, pretend to resist so illustrious, or at least so illustrated an army and nation.  One day this whole history, rightly told, will make the universe hold its sides.  Poor LOUIE QUINZE was nothing to it; who “was said, and even thought, to be ‘prosecuting his conquests in Flanders,’ “when he let himself, like luggage, be carried thither; and no light luggage;  “covering miles of road.  For he has his unblushing CHATEAUROUX, with her “band-boxes and rouge-pots, at his side.  He has not only his MAISON DE BOUCHE and VALETAILLE without end, but his very troop of players, with “their pasteboard coulisses, thunder-barrels, their kettles, fiddles, stage “wardrobes; all mounted in wagons, tumbrils, second-hand chaises—“sufficient not to conquer Flanders, but the patience of the world.”

This last campaign, especially destined three months ago to conquer a continent, and thought to be stupendous enough to subdue a hemisphere, is likely to make in history the most grotesque picture of all.  True, WE cannot yet fully enjoy the ludicrous aspect of it; because it is not yet quite over, and preposterous as it is, has cost, and will yet cost, tears and precious blood, which cry aloud for vengeance.—We cannot laugh; but all the rest of the world, to whom the representation costs nothing, already enjoy the thing exceedingly; and will go off into convulsions of merriment when they learn how UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER GRANT writes to the Federal capital from the swamps of the Appomattox, that if LINCOLN can only find forces enough to keep the Confederate army out of Washington, he, GRANT, can attend to Richmond.

__________________

Of such glorious rumours as those which pervaded the town on yesterday [July 15, 1864], it is best to decline discourse till we know whether they are truths or only illusions of hope.  Let us attend to another report of a different character—that GRANT’S cavalry has started on a fresh raid against the Weldon railroad.¹

One of the marked peculiarities of the people with whom we war is, that they publish their military intentions in newspapers before commencing their execution.  One of the peculiarities of the singular breed of small politicians set over us at Montgomery, is a resolute disbelief in all information that comes to them through a plain, ordinary, public channel.—Although the result has a hundred times proven that the plan made public in the New York paper was really the plan of the enemy’s General or Government, they cannot comprehend the fact that the enemy does so give notice of their designs.  The publication is to them a perfect proof that they are going to do something else.²

They could not believe that this campaign in Virginia was intended, chiefly because the scheme was universally published.  They pay as little attention to the plan now ascribed to GRANT by that same press.  That plan is simple—to keep a large army close to Petersburg and LEE, while cavalry raids cut the railroads leading into Richmond as fast as we can mend them.³

This plan will be successfully executed if the Confederate authorities do not devise a method of defending the roads.  It is useless to repair, if the cavalry can ride in about the time the work is completed and undo it in a couple of hours.  They must defend the roads.  They must defend the roads by other means than the single method hitherto attempted; because that method has proven utterly and invariably ineffectual—there has not been a solitary exception in the course of the war.  The single method yet imagined or tried is, to send our Confederate cavalry in pursuit of the Yankee cavalry.  But, as one body of horse will go as fast as another, those who have six hours start are not overtaken before the goal is reached.  After the destruction is done, and the Yankee raiders have to return, they are sometimes met and sometimes not.  When collision occurs, our cavalry sometimes beats them, as they did the other day.⁴  But the railroad is broken, and the beating does not mend it.

The object being the salvation of the roads, it is clear that another means should be employed.  It would seem to an observer, that of all kinds of communication a railroad should be the easiest to preserve and defend.  Steam is stronger than horse flesh; locomotives move faster than cavalry; and a single train can transport a large body of troops to any point on the line in a few hours.  But a large body of troops is not necessary to obstruct the advance of cavalry.  A few hundred picked and well mounted men can obstruct roads and bushwhack the strongest raid till the pursuing cavalry overtakes and destroys it.  Only these few hundred must be before and not behind it—and the railroad can put both them and their horses where they will get before it, if they and the train to convey them are kept in perpetual readiness at a depot.  Hitherto the MILITIA has been relied on for that work.  Is it not time to discover that this expectation is a stupidity?  The militia is composed of stiff-limbed old men and little boys, both equally unaccustomed to arms.  Yet they are expected to perform the most dangerous as well as the most laborious service that can be demanded of the hardiest and most skilful soldier.  To bushwhack is a military duty, requiring more confidence in one’s weapon, greater strength of body and a cooler courage than any other whatever.  The man, who does it, has to close alone with the enemy, and if caught is killed.  For such a service thorough soldiers are required, and this or some other plan must be resorted to, if we would save our roads.⁵

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

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[SOPO Editor’s Note: The following account, originally published in the June 13, 1864 Petersburg Express, covers the First Battle of Petersburg, aka The Battle of Old Men and Young Boys, fought on June 9, 1864. These accounts from Petersburg papers are important to publish because they were so close to the fighting, and also because many of these issues of the Petersburg papers are not easily available or are no longer in existence at all.]

SOUTHERN NEWS.

______

Rebel Extracts—The Cavalry Attack on Petersburg—Orders from Generals Colston and Wise.

From the Petersburg Express, Monday, June 13.

The Repulse of the Enemy at Petersburg—Congratulatory Orders.

HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT N[orth]. C[arolina]. AND S[outhern]. V[IRGINI]A., June 12, 1864.—SPECIAL ORDERS No. 11.—VII.  To the troops of my command for the defense of Petersburg, on the south side of the Appomattox, on the 9^th instant [June 9, 1864], I have, with the approval and under the instructions of the Commanding-General, to offer my grateful acknowledgments for their gallant conduct, and my congratulations upon their successful repulse of the enemy.  Approaching with nine regiments of infantry and cavalry, and at least four pieces of artillery, they searched our lines from Battery No. 1 to Battery No. 29, a distance of nearly six miles.  HOOD’S [Virginia Reserves Battalion] and BATTE’S [44th Virginia] battalions, the Forty-sixth Regiment Virginia Volunteers, and one company (Captain WOODS, Company F), of the Twenty-third South Carolina, with STURDIVANT’S [Albemarle Virginia] battery and a few guns in position, and TALLIAFERRO’S cavalry, kept them at bay and punished them severely until they reached the Jerusalem Plank road, in front of Battery 29, defended by Major [Fletcher H.] ARCHER’S [3rd Virginia Reserves Battalion] corps of reserves and second-class militia, and by one piece of STURDIVANT’S battery, a howitzer, under the temporary command of Brigadier-General [Raleigh E.] COLSTON.

Then, with overwhelming numbers, they were twice repulsed, and succeeded only at last in penetrating a gap on the line, and in flanking and gaining the rear of a mere handful of citizen soldiers, who stood firmly and fought bravely as veterans until ordered to fall back.  Alas! some of the noblest of them fell “with their backs to the ground and their front to the foe,” consecrating with their blood the soil of the homes they defended.  Their immediate commanders have reported the heroism of them all, the living and the dead, and now with pride and gratitude I announce that BEAUREGARD himself has thanked ARCHER and his comrades on the very spot of their devotion.  If they lost, killed, wounded and missing, sixty-five out of less than one hundred and fifty men, they spent their blood dearly to the enemy; if STURDIVANT’S battery lost one gun a better was captured, and another disabled and if they lost a half a mile of ground, they gained about a half hour of time and saved their beloved city by holding on long enough for STURDIVANT’S and GRAHAM’S [Petersburg Virginia Artillery] and YOUNG’S [Halifax Virginia Artillery] batteries, DEMING’S [sic, DEARING’s] cavalry, and the Forty-sixth Virginia Infantry, with WOOD’S South Carolina company, a company of convalescents [under Captain Lockhart], and a company of penitents [prisoners under Lieutenant Hawes], to drive back the insolent foe from approaches which their footsteps for the first time polluted.

With the help of God it shall be the last time.  With such troops as all have proved themselves, commanders may well give assurance with confidence to the people of Petersburg.  A people who can thus fight for their altars must be aided, supported, guarded by every arm that can be outstretched for their defense.  Comrades, their wives and daughters are daily and hourly nursing our sick and wounded; they wipe the hot brow, cool the fevered lips, and tenderly nourish and comfort the suffering soldiers in their hospitals.  The angel nurses and the stricken patriots of this patriotic place shall not fall into the hands of ruffian invaders.  Its very militia has set an example which inspires the confidence that Petersburg is indomitable, and which consoles and compensates for every drop of blood which has been spilled at Nottaway, at Walthal Junction, and at Drewry’s Bluff and Howlett’s Neck, for the defense of the old Cockade City.

Let the reserves and second-class militia of the surrounding counties now come in promptly, one and all, and emulate this bright and successful example—let it hotly hiss to blood-red shame the laggards and skulkers from the streets and alleys of the city to the lines; and let it proclaim aloud that Petersburg is to be and shall be defended on her outer walls, on her inner lines, at her corporation bounds, in every street, and around every temple of God and altar of man in her very heart, until the blood of that heart is spilled.  Roused by this spirit to this pitch of resolution, we will fight the enemy at every step, and Petersburg is safe.

HENRY A. WISE, Brig.-Gen.

Official:—J. V. PEARCE, A[ssistant]. A[djutant]. G[eneral].

The Late Raid on Petersburg.

From the Petersburg Express, Monday, June 13.

In the defeat of the Yankee raiders before Petersburg last Thursday [June 9, 1864], the hand of Providence was plainly visible.  A mere handful of untrained and undisciplined militia were nerved to the repulse and holding in check of eighteen hundred regulars, whose calling is war, and whose business is to fight.  To these militia the city owes an incalculable weight of gratitude, for mainly to their bravery and heroism we owe it that our depots of supplies, our public buildings, our bridges, and probably much private property, are not now in ashes.

General [Pierre G. T.] BEAUREGARD, who visited this city on Saturday [June 11, 1864], took occasion, we understand, to express to Major [Fletcher H.] ARCHER, the gallant commander of the militia, his high admiration of the distinguished bravery shown by him in the fight on Thursday, and his deep appreciation of the valuable services rendered by them.  They fought, he said, like veterans.  Such a compliment coming from such a source was no doubt doubly appreciated.  We have already published the names of many of those taken prisoners, in which list occurred several errors.  Thus far we have been unable to get a correct list, and only publish the names as they reach us.  Since our last issue we have ascertained that Mr. THOMAS W. CLEMENTS, Mr. JOHN F. GLENN, Mr. GEORGE CAMERON and Mr. BRANCH T. ARCHER, all well-known citizens, were also made prisoners.

We understand from one of our wounded, who was carried by the Yankees to Mr. WM. A. GREGORY’S residence during the conflict, that while there the notorious Colonel [Samuel P.] SPEAR [commander of 2/Cav/AotJ] came in, coolly ordered his orderly to bring a basin of water bathed his head, and, casting himself upon a lounge, slept for an hour.  Colonel SPEAR is represented to have shown great kindness to our wounded, giving strict orders to his subordinates regarding their comfort, and supplying them with brandy and such other delicacies as he had.¹

It is now understood that the enemy’s loss was much heavier than at first represented.  They lost some thirty or forty killed, and a large number wounded.  The roads near the battle-ground will testify to numerous burials of their dead.

 The Attack on Petersburg.

From the Petersburg Express, June 13.

To the Editors of the Express—Now that Petersburg has been reinforced, we can speak freely of the past.  Gen. [Henry A.] WISE commanding the First Military District of the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia, having gained information that the enemy were advancing on the city of Petersburg, placed his troops in a position to meet them.  Major HOOD, Major BATTE, Captain STURDIVANT, and the Forty-sixth Virginia Regiment, Colonel [Randolph] HARRISON, were on the left, extending from the Appomattox River, covering the Broadway, City Point, Jordan’s Point, and Prince George Court House road.  Gen. COLSTON and Colonel ARCHER, with the militia, were on the right, from the BAXTER road, across the Jerusalem Plank Road.  On the 9th instant [June 9, 1864], at an early hour, our pickets were driven in on the Broadway, City Point, Jordan’s Point and Prince George Court House roads, and the enemy soon appeared in force in front of the left of our line, and were soon engaged with Colonel [V. H.] TALLEFERO’S Seventh Confederate Cavalry.  The boom of BATTE’S and STURDIVANT’S guns echoed far in the morning breeze, while the small arms of HOOD and the Forty-sixth Virginia, Colonel HARRISON’S, chimed in to tell mothers, wives and sisters, and others as dear, that this day brave hearts will defend the town which before the war was hospitable and kind to strangers, and which since the war has proven the soldier’s friend.

Though it was the work of death, my heart throbbed with joy as I saw shell after shell fall and explode near our direful foe, who strove to force our works that he might sack the town.  General WISE sat on his horse and commented on the firing of our men; a smile played on his face as the enemy were driven back.  Though repulsed with loss the enemy’s infantry remained in heavy force in front of our left, engaging us through the day, and sent his cavalry with some artillery from the left to feel our lines on the right.  Here the eagle eye of General WISE, our skillful, firm, bold commander, as he rode from point to point, exposing his body to the Yankee lead, watched their work.  When the cavalry, with several pieces of artillery, reached the Jerusalem plank road, he found the militia, with one piece of Captain STURDIVANT’S artillery, descending that point.  Here, too, were brave men ready to die for their loved ones at home.  Veterans never fought better.

General COLSTON says this of them, and he knows what a soldier should be, for he is gallant, brave and true.  Though many tears will be shed for the dead, Petersburg will ever be proud of Colonel ARCHER and his men.  The militia—why! one hundred and twenty were flanked right and left by the enemy, still they stood under a cross fire until ordered to fall back.  The enemy entered the line of fortifications and rode up near the town.  The ladies, who crowded housetops, expected now to be under Yankee rule, and to know all the horrors of Yankee wrongs.  But the enemy, as if by the lurid lightning’s flash, were brought to a stand.  The reinforcements ordered to the right by General WISE came in time; one of our guns, which had done good service in the morning, routed them again, and soon GRAHAM’S battery from the Reservoir Hill opened on them again, and soon Colonel TALLIFERO, who began the fight outside our lines at early dawn, together with a portion of General DEARING’S cavalry, YOUNG’S battery, the Forty-sixth Virginia infantry, with WOOD’S South Carolina company, many of the sick and wounded, under the command of Captain LOCKHART and Lieutenant LINDSAY, who have been so kindly nursed by “angel hands,” were ready to begin again for their country’s cause, and even the Confederate prisoners under command of the Provost Marshal, Lieutenant HAWES, who has already lost the use of one leg in defense of his country, all aided to repel the foe.

The Yankee force consisted of four regiments of infantry and five of cavalry.  We had killed, 10; wounded, 33; missing, 23; total, 71.  The enemy, as far as known, had 35 killed, 80 wounded, and 4 prisoners.  We lost one piece of artillery and captured a better piece.

Gen. WISE has ever been for defending the City of Petersburg.  His brigade has lost four hundred and ninety men in the fights around the town.  When placed in command here, he proclaimed he would hold the place or fall with it.  His defense on the 9^th [of June 1864] proves him to be as good as his word.  The hero of Charleston will stand by him.  We’ll trust in God and fight.²

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

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SOPO Editor’s Note: Captain Henry F. Young of the 7th Wisconsin wrote twenty letters while at the Siege of Petersburg from June to December 1864. Researcher Roy Gustrowsky transcribed this letter from the original at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin.  He is currently in the process of writing a regimental history of the 7th Wisconsin. “Delia” was Henry F. Young’s wife, and “Father” was his Father-in-Law Jared Warner, a prominent businessman of Grant County, Wisconsin. Gustrowsky has magnanimously made these transcriptions available to the Siege of Petersburg Online for publication, and we thank him for his generosity.

UPDATE: I recently learned that a new book has been published by the University of Wisconsin Press, entitled Dear Delia: The Civil War Letters of Captain Henry F. Young, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, and edited by Micheal Larson and John David Smith. If you want to read all of Henry’s letters throughout the war, purchase the book!

Camp 7th Wis[consin] Vet[eran] Vol[unteer]s
On Weldon R[ail] Road Sept 19th 1864

Dear Father

I rec your Kind letter Several days ago glad to hear you were all in good health. We are Still on the Weldon [Rail] Road¹ Strongly fortified in fact we are So Strong we want the Rebs to come on and drive us off as Soon as they please, the Sooner they try it the better it will Suit us. So the draft commences in earnest this day. That Suits us it makes Lincoln Stock raise 100 per cent with the Soldiers in fact Lincoln will get most of the Soldier vote. The New York Herald by its Strong union articles and bitter denunciation of the peace faction has helped Lincoln with the Soldiers, it May Support McClellan but its bitter denunciation of the Men that nominated him will overbalance all it can Say in little Ms favor.

A A Kidd & Lieut Sloat have been mustered out of the Service in fact most of the officers who have been in three years have been Mustered out or have made application to be mustered out. I can Muster out any time as My term of Service is out and I wont remuster three years in the Same grade I have Served, but I dont feel like leaving the Service now Somehow My hope is large, and I Still hope to See the Rebellion crushed before winter. The draft and Recruits will fill up the Army by Nov-then I look for the Election of Lincoln which in its Self will be a crushing blow at the Rebellion. Let him be elected and at the Same time let Grant, Sherman, & Sherridan be heavily reenforced and ready to Strike the decisive blow and down will the Rebellion. At all events this is not the time to falter when the Govt is calling for men is not the time for me to leave the Service Although I am free to confess I am tired of it and Some times very home Sick.

If you cant rent the Mill to your Satisfaction let it Stand till winter, by that time the new Recruits will be well in the field and I can feel better Sattisfide in quitting, but if you can rent it for a year or till next Spring I would like to have it done. I can See nothing ahead but high prices and hard times, those that will be best off are the ones that have Small farms that they can cultivate themselves and are out of debt. I think we will have to take to raising Sheep & Flax and go in on the old homespun(?) and raise our own Sugar Tobacco & it costs an officer $1 per day to live here at the present prices of provisions, and we live poor at that.

I am Sorry to hear that they are Still raising new organizations in Wis I should think the fate of the 36 37 & 38th [Wisconsin regiments] would have given them enough of Sending new troops into the field with undrilled officers.

My good wishes to all.

Yours truly
H F Young²

***

Letters of Henry W. Young:

• LT: June 20, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: June 27, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 2, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 15, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 26, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 29, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 4, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 6, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 23, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 2, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 5, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 15, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 19, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 27, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 6, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 21, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 22, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 30, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 5, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 7, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 10, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 20, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 23, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)

TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

____________

VERY LATEST FROM THE NORTH.

PETERSBURG, July 15 [1864].—The [Washington] CHRONICLE of the 13^th [of July, 1864] has been received.  Despatches from Baltimore of the 12^th [of July 1864] says all is quiet and the city is strongly defended.  All business places except the drinking houses are open.  The Gilmers, Hoffmans and other prominent secessionists have been arrested.  Gunpowder bridge is not badly burnt, and will be repaired in a few days.

No rebels are believed to be within twenty miles of Baltimore.  The [Baltimore Daily] CLIPPER of Tuesday evening [July 12, 1864] says:  Already we have it certainly that troops levied for the emergency, by General [Darius N.] Couch¹, are gathering in front of the rebels, and that every day the rebel hosts linger in the State, the greater is there [sic, their] probable peril.

In front of Washington there was skirmishing all day Tuesday [July 12, 1864], and the [Washington] CHRONICLE reporter from the front says the rebels were being reinforced by the arrival of troops.  He says cavalry and infantry came in from the north side of Seventh street road, and nearly all passed to the right or east side of the road, and other troops, before on west side, passed over to the east side.

The reporter says he left the front with the conviction that the rebel hosts now thundering at the gates of the National Capital have accepted this issue as a last resort, and came hither with the determination to succeed in the undertaking, and will not turn back without a thorough and lasting defeat.

The CHRONICLE says there was irregular skirmishing all day, and it is believed the rebels were retiring to Harper’s Ferry.²

Lincoln’s wife and several members of Congress rode to the front to watch the fight on Tuesday evening.

Couch and Hunter are reported to have formed a junction at Frederick, Maryland, though the rebels still hold the passes of the South Mountains.³

Railway and telegraphic communication between Washington and Baltimore were cut after 12 o’clock Tuesday [July 12, 1864].

Laurel and Point Branch bridges on the Washington and Baltimore railroad were burnt by the rebels on Tuesday [July 12, 1864], and the railroad cut in five different places.

The CHRONICLE says it will take some time to repair the road.

[Senator Charles] Sumner, of Massachusetts, was on board the train with General [William] Franklin, but not being recognised escaped capture.⁴

The CHRONICLE says the crack of the rebel rifles are heard in the very environs of Washington.

A letter from Nashville, dated July 7^th, says the final and decisive battle for the possession of Atlanta must shortly ensue in the vicinity of that city, and adds, should Johnston stand, Sherman will probably cease flanking, and deliver battle.

Owing to the interruption of the telegraphic communication, the CHRONICLE has no despatches north of Baltimore.  Generals Edward Johnson, G. P. Stuart, Frank Gardner, J. J. Archer and Jeff Thompson, have been placed under the rebel fire in forts near Charleston.

The Florida has captured five more vessels.⁵

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

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

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[SOPO Editor’s Note: The following account, originally published in the June 16, 1864 Petersburg Express, covers the first day’s fighting at the Second Battle of Petersburg on June 15, 1864. These accounts from Petersburg papers are important to publish because they were so close to the fighting, and also because many of these issues of the Petersburg papers are not easily available or are no longer in existence at all.]

REBEL ACCOUNTS OF AFFAIRS AT PETERSBURG.

WASHINGTON, June 19 [1864].—The Petersburg Express, of Thursday, the 16^th [of June, 1864], says:—

We learned last evening [June 15, 1864] that the main point of attack was on the City Point road, at a distance of six or seven miles from town [Petersburg].  At an early hour the enemy advanced with at least seven regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, upon some breastworks thrown up hastily during Tuesday night [June 14, 1864], at BAYLOR’S Farm, by Col. [Dennis D.] FEREBEE, of the Fourth North Carolina Cavalry.  They were held in check by Col. FEREBEE’S men and GRAHAM’S Petersburg Battery for four hours, who fought bravely, but were finally compelled to fall back before overwhelming numbers.

FEREBEE’S men inflicted serious loss upon the enemy, and [Captain Edward] GRAHAM’S battery shelled the masses of his men with admirable effect.  Our men retired in good order, and sustained but few casualties during the fight.  It is stated that GRAHAM lost one gun in consequence of the horses being disabled, but this is not confirmed.  The enemy demonstrated at other points along our lines, but all attacks were feeble, and easily repulsed.

It is stated that our sharp-shooters did admirable execution, picking the enemy off wherever he showed himself, and in some instances at a distance which appeared almost incredible.  It is estimated that effective arm of our service placed not less than sixty Yankee hors du combat along our lines yesterday [June 15, 1864].  A few prisoners were taken.  Among the number was a fellow who rode into our lines at full speed, minus his cap.

He was mounted upon a blooded steed, no doubt, stolen from some Virginia gentleman in one of the recent raids, and could not rein the animal up.  In fact the fellow was a poor rider, and let go the bridle and hung on to the pommel of the saddle with as much tenacity as a drowning man would to a drifting log.

Some of the prisoners stated they belonged to BURNSIDE’S corps, and asserted also that BURNSIDE, the barber, was at City Point with his whole corps.

We presume it is not very formidable, since it was pressed into service on the second day of GRANT’S fearful encounter with General LEE and has been engaged ever since.  BURNSIDE may probably expect to win some laurels around Petersburg, but we can assure him in advance that he will pay dearly for them.  Our authorities are more than ever alive to the importance of defending Petersburg, and should the invaders renew their attempt this morning, as it is probable they will, a very different reception will be given them to any which has been heretofore extended.

From Chesterfield [Bermuda Hundred] we learn that the enemy withdrew all their white Yankees from BEAUREGARD’S front in Chesterfield on Tuesday night, and substituted negro Yankees in their stead.  Yesterday morning [June 15, 1864] our pickets over there were surprised when day dawned to find themselves confronted by soldiers of pure African descent.  Be it so!  If the elegant, refined and fastidious BUTLER desires to achieve the reputation of a warrior with such troops it is not in our power to prevent him, however much we may object; but when the actual conflict does come it will be a sad day for those sable sons of Mars, and their burly leader, too, if he should take the field.

LATER.

Desperate Fighting—The Enemy Charge and Take a Portion of Our Breastworks.

The above account was written at 5 P. M., yesterday [June 15, 1864], when comparative quiet had prevailed along our lines for two hours or more, and it was the general impression that fighting had ceased for the day.  In this, however, our troops were mistaken, for it was ascertained before dark that the enemy had massed a very heavy force on our left, especially on the City Point and Prince George Court House roads.

At sunset the enemy charged our batteries commanding these roads, coming up in line of battle six and seven columns deep.  The brunt of the assault was sustained by the Twenty-sixth [Virginia] and Forty-sixth [Virginia] Regiments of WISE’S Brigade and STURDIVANT’S Battery of four guns.  Five previous assaults were made, the enemy coming up with a yell and making the most determined efforts to carry the works.

Our troops were received with a terrific volley each time, sending the columns back broken and discomfited.  The fourth assault was made by such overwhelming numbers that our force found it impossible to resist the pressure, and were compelled to give way.

The enemy now poured over the works in streams, captured three of our pieces, and turning the guns on our men opened an infilading fire which caused them to leave precipitately.  The guns captured belonged to STURDIVANT’S Battery, and we regret to hear that Captain STURDIVANT himself was captured and two of his lieutenants wounded, both of whom fell into the enemy’s hands.

The gallant manner in which the battery was fought up to the last moment is the theme of praise on everybody’s tongue.  All present with whom we have conversed say that Captain STURDIVANT and his men stood up manfully to their work, and his last discharge was made by the Captain almost involuntary and alone.

The city was filled with rumors last night regarding the killed and wounded, but as we could get nothing authentic regarding names, we forbear to give them.  It is generally conceded that Captain STURDIVANT was captured, and also Major BOTTLE [sic, BATTE], of the Petersburg City Battalion.

The position gained by the enemy is a most important one.  Our generals are fully aware of this, and we shall undoubtedly have hot work to-day [June 16, 1864].

Officers in the field, yesterday [June 15, 1864], estimated the number of the enemy actually seen fronting the different positions of our lines at from 10,000 to 12,000.  It is believed that this is only the advance column, and that GRANT has nearly his entire army on this side of the river.

Thirty odd transports ascended the James river yesterday [June 15, 1864], with troops.

Twenty-three prisoners were brought in yesterday, belonging chiefly to the One-hundred-and-forty-eighth New York Regiment.  All concur in the statement that BALDY SMITH’S Army Corps, the Eighteenth [from the Army of the James], is on this side of the river again; other prisoners taken yesterday morning state that they belong to BURNSIDE’S [Ninth] Corps.

The Fight on the Baxter Road—The Enemy Repulsed.

An officer engaged furnished us, at a late hour last night, with a brief account of an engagement which occurred on the BAXTER road yesterday [June 15, 1864], about three miles from the city.  It seems that the enemy appeared on this road, near the residence of Colonel AVERY about 12 o’clock [noon].

Immediately in front of battery No. 16 was stationed the Macon, Georgia, Light Artillery, Captain C[harles]. W. SLATER [sic, Slaten], supported by a portion of the Thirty-ninth [sic, Thirty-fourth] Virginia Regiment, WISE’S Brigade.  The enemy showed himself at once, driving in our pickets and planting a battery in front of our works, with which he opened a furious cannonade.

He was promptly and gallantly responded to by the Macon Artillery.  His fire was maintained for two hours, when the enemy charged our works, but after coming within two hundred yards of the fortifications, was repulsed with considerable loss.  The artillery sent round after round of shell and canister into their ranks with great rapidity and accuracy, and, the work becoming too warm for them, they broke and fled in confusion.

They were pursued by the Thirty-fourth [Virginia] for some distance, who poured several galling volleys into their ranks.  Among the dead left on the field was Colonel [Simon H.] MIX, of New York [commanding 1/Cav/AotJ], who seemed to have been instantly killed by a canister shot in the breast.  About sundown the enemy disappeared from this portion of our lines and returned to the left.

Fires were seen in various portions of the county of Prince George, yesterday, from the hills surrounding Petersburg.  Persons familiar with the country essayed to locate them.  This was all guess work, but we understood last night that the residence of Mr. ALEX JERDAN, on the City Point road, was destroyed, and that the dwelling of Mr. WM. BOWDEN on the Baxter road, was also destroyed.  The torch was applied to several outhouses on the estate of Col. AVERY, also on the Baxter road, but we understand the dwelling was not burned.

Three of GRANT’S miscegenators taken yesterday in Prince George’s county were brought in last evening and assigned to quarters at the Rock House prison near WELLS’ foundry.  One of these invaders was a Sergeant attached to SPEAR’S Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.  The other two are attached to Company F, One-hundred-and-forty-eighth New York Regiment, Eighteenth Army Corps, commanded by BALDY SMITH.

These prisoners had two days’ cooked rations in their haversacks, and stated to the Provost Marshal that they expected to eat one of them in Petersburg to-day.  They will not be disappointed in this respect, but they will eat under very different circumstances from what they expected.

GRANT had as well make up his mind at once to take the back track, for he will never take Richmond.¹

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

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