OR XL P1 #248: Report of Captain Gustavus S. Dana, Signal/X/AotJ, July 1-31, 1864

Numbers 248. Report of Captain Gustavus S. Dana, Signal Corps U. S. Army, in charge of Signal Detachment, Tenth Army Corps, of operations July 1-31.¹

HDQRS. SIGNAL DETACHMENT, TENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Va., August 1, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations for the month ending July 31, 1864:

The stations worked by this party remained the same as reported on the 30th of June until July 6, when the station at Battery Numbers 3 was enabled to communicate direct with the signal tower at Cobb’s Hill.

July 16 Second Lieutenant G. M. Chase, Seventh New Hampshire Volunteers, and acting signal officer, reported for duty with this detachment in compliance with Special Orders, Numbers 37, dated headquarters Signal Detachment, Department of Virginia and North Carolina, July 15, 1864.

On the 19th of July I returned to duty, having been absent sick, without the department since June 19, 1864.

On the 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st of July many important movements of the enemy from the west to the east side of the James River were observed and reported from the Water Battery signal station and from a tree a few hundred yards east of the Water Battery; also all the messages signaled by the enemy from the rams near Chaffin’s Bluff and a station on the west bank of the James River near Cox’s Ferry.

I would respectfully recommend for promotion to sergeant in the corps First Class Private A. J. Fowler, Signal Corps, U. S. Army, and to privates of the first class C. P. Hubbard and J. M. Lewin, both privates of the second class, for gallant and meritorious conduct under fire and general efficiency during this campaign.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,

G. S. DANA,

Captain, Signal Corps, U. S. Army.

Captain L. B. NORTON,

Chief Signal Officer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.

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