Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Brett Schulte.
The Petersburg Fight.
A Correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer, says the recent attack by the enemy on Petersburg was 6,000 strong, of mounted infantry, cavalry, and six pieces of artillery; while our force consisted only of two or three hundred militia, the 46th Va. regiment, two small batteries, and Dearing’s cavalry. They attacked our lines with four regiments of infantry and a portion of cavalry, and our right with their remaining cavalry, five regiments, and four pieces of artillery. They were easily repulsed, but the right, held by the militia, met them bravely, but in vain–the enemy broke their line by flanking right and left, and then advanced to the corporate limits of the city, where they were met and repulsed by Gen. Wise. Our loss was 10 killed, 32 wounded, and 28 missing–total 70. The enemy’s loss was 35 killed, 70 to 80 wounded, and 4 prisoners.
Of the forces engaged in the defense of Petersburg, the Register says: “No troops behaved better than Col. Ferrebee’s North Carolina Regiment belonging to Dearing’s brigade. The name of this gallant regiment which has in many scenes of action done signal service, was omitted in the papers, and in Gen. Wise’s congratulatory order. This omission was altogether unintentional, as there are few, if any, in Virginia, who do not know and fully appreciate the operations of Ferrebee’s regiment on the soil of the Old Dominion. We personally know the Colonel and his Lieut. Colonel, Edward C. Cantwell, and take pleasure in rendering justice to them and the patriotic men under their command.”1
Source:
- “The Petersburg Fight.” Raleigh Confederate. June 17, 1864, p. 2 col. 2 ↩