War Records 2.pdf

7/29/2019 War Records 2.pdf

1/69

106 THE PENINSULAR CATIPAMN, VA. (CID, %SUL

officers be brevetted for their services, untiring energy, and courage.Their devotion deserves reward front the country. I can di spare them

I have not received the name of any other officer wounded late yes.

terday after I left the ground. Two of Smith's regiments suffered se-verelyfrommusket fire. I have not the details yet. Our work pro-greekes, with weather excellent and everything encouraging.

GEO. B. MCOLELLAN,Major.Clanorml.

II. B. STEAIKER WECEUSETT,York Oliver, April 17, 1862.

Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MOOLELLAN,Commanding Army of the Pototnno, near Yorktown

'

Ye.:MY DEAR GENERAL: Thanks for your letter of yesterday. Am

glad of the effect of your ere.I shall hereafter ',end some ride shell at night into Yorktown and

some thinch shell into Gloucester to prevent work at night.During the day rifle shell shall be thrown into Gloucester, and when

working parties are observed at any time.I am, very truly, yours,

J. 8. 31188TIOON

Commander.12.30.The rifle gun now being fired from water battery has range

to Wormleyls Creek. I suggested this morning the dismounting thetwo rinse of the enemy. If you commence too faroff they may see theobject and remove them out of range.

J. 8. B1188110086.

ORDNANCE Oman,

Waehingtort, April 17, 1862.M. Gen. GEORGE B. MeGhnhhenA rm, of the Pam., sear Y4k6o1m, Fe,

-Veer communication to the 8eoretary of War regarding thefailure ofthe 3-inch percussion shells has been referred to this department. ThePoses need aro Schenkre, the beat of their kind. It is suggested thatthe failures may arise from an omission to reverse the screw cap, theoperation of which General Barry or Major Webb understands.

Mr. Sehenkl, the inventor, will leave to-night for Yorktown to inves-tigate the matter.

JAS. W.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF Tan Pommes,April 17, 1802.

General J. W. RIPLEY,Chief of Ordnance:

Telegram received. Much obliged for your promptness. We shallrequire 8 , good deal of ammunition, and probably as many heavy guns


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asss 8,011.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.ONION. 171

thing well closed up, and will try to keep it so. News from front indi.eaten enemy in large force. Raining today. No time will be lost inbringing about a deeisive battle.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

K(Received Washington, Mayi6,11 '862-1PIOIX md

fixeskranv OF WadPlease order a supply of Schenkl ammunition for the 20.pounder

Parrott gun, say 10,000 rounds, to be sent to the White House for theuse of this army. That furnished has not given satisfoototy results.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,Ifajor.General.

Huctnonanxnes Font. Coups,Yew Hew Court-Howe, May 14, 1862-10.30 a. m.

Brig. Con. S. WIM,lems,Adjutant.Oeneral An, ofthe Potomac:

Sin: The last of my corps arrived at their bivouac, near this poi.,at about 2 o'clock this morning. The trains are :wady all in, andGeneral Casees ammunition has arrived. The delay of the march wasunavoidable on account of the blocking of the roads by trains.

On ray arrival at the telegraph station last night r wrote a note inpencil to Colonel Colbarn to say I would establish my beadonar.rsnear General Couch, but on anteing near his camp I learned that raynolemn had been delayed, and se I returned, and dispatched a staffofiker to alter my note so as to say that I would encamp here. Myfront is extensive, and I may change again to-day. If so, will notify

yen at once.I will endeavor to finish my report of the battle of Williamsburg

today.I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. D. REYES,Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Corps.

P. S.Since writing the above Colonel Gregg, Eighth PennsylvaniaCavalry, has reported to me that be has pickets 8 miles oat on theRichmond road; that they are annoyed by the enemy's shell; that thenearest infantry is 2 miles this side, thrown out from Comb% division,and that he needs a company to advance up to his pickets to anapest

them. I have Ordered General Couch to fdrnish a company, in compli-ance therewith.E. D. REYES,

Brigadier.General, Commanding Fourth Corps.

P. SsI have directed General Casey to guard well out toward theChickahominy River, and to place lie outguards far out on the roadsand to make an examination and to be certain that no road is left an.guarded.

E. D. REYES,13migadier.Genered, Commanding Fourth Corps.


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20.1.1 CORRESPONDENCE , ETC.IINION. 237

11111AnglrARTRRS IMInART10,317 OF VIRGINIA,KoClellaw's, dime 20,1800-1 p. m.

MktGen. Alamos. E. lirrIng01,08,Commanding, Nem Berne

How many troops could you bring to White House and leave every.thing secure in your present position, and what then would it requireto get the disposable troops to Port Monroet What is the earliestmoment you nun move with your present transportation on Golds-borough IAnswer at once.

GEO. B. MeOLELLAN,Majontionera

Ammer.

We can pet 7,000 infantry Nortblk in five days, but no artillery,cavalry, or wagons. We can land at a point on the Olhowan to attaokPetersburg with 7,000 infantry, twelve pieces of artillery,. 250 cavalry,and enongh wagons for ammunition and four days' promsions in livedays.

We can move on Goldsborough at slaty hours' notice with 10,000 inPantry, twenty pieces of artillery, five comporting cavalry. From mypresent information I think we ran take Goldsborough and hold it forthe present, although 13 miles of the railroad between here and Wins-

ton have been destwoyed. At all events We Can go to Mutton and re.pair dm railroad and bridges between here and there. Wedave alreadybuilt the bridges over the Trent and Batchelder's Creek, and will probe-bly have to build one more bridge of 80 feet at Core Creek and

tar

of400 feet at Kinston, although the latter is not yet destroyed and we maysave it.

[A. E. BURNSIDE,Major.General.]

21001,Ers.AN's, Jane 20, 1902.(Received June 20, 730 p. m.)

General J. W. Itler.nv,Chief of Ordnance

The Parrott ammunition heretofore fiumished the 20.pounder Parrottguns sent to this army has proved unsatisfinctory. The enemy thusfar fire better than we Ran. The Payola ammunition we have hadhas, however, done well, and I consider it of the highest importancethat a large quantity of that kind be sent here immediately. I shalldoubtless have occasion to use the 30.pounder Parrott gnus I have

and 1 strongly advise that, if it can be procured, a good supply ofSchenkl ammunition be sent forward for that caliber.

GEO. B. MoOLELLAII,Mafro,Gene,rai.


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Com.xxma CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.UNION. 239

"'"'"4'' " ' "74` ; `="1'47,f,="""'"'""'''''

E n g i g h t , ' . 1 1 3 . 1Diewmoogalt ............

w m 1 , 1 2

1 . 1 3 ..

Andommer.GasunaVe Omen,Weshiagtoo, D. O., December 31, 1862.

It is hereby certified that the preceding statement Is accurately com-piled from the morning report of the Army of the Potomac of the letday of April and the 20th day of June, 1862

'

signed by MajorrileneralMcClellan and his assistant adjutant.genera1, Seth Williams, and no*an file in thisoffice.

Z.LTAT=.

ORDNANCE OFFICE,Weehington, Jose 21,1882-11.10 a. dn.

General GEORGE B. MoCcmAalt,Army of the Potomeeneer Richmond,

My attention headmen called by the Secretary of War to the defectivenature of the time fuses used with your 20.poonders. As all the papertime fuses used with theArmyof tan Patentee are made and earefally

meted et the Washington Arsenal, I am ot a loss to understand thenatore of the defects referred to. Be pleased to state all the dream.stances of the failure, so that I may act understandingly, and I willunc every mean. io my powerto correct it.

lAr. Schaal is pushing work on the 20.pounder projectiles. Thepreparation of machinery will necessarily delay their delivery somedays. I have this day ordered him to send you 5,000 30-pounder pro.

jectiles with all possible dispatch.

MoOrdtm.mds,dime 21, 1862-2 p. m.

Hon. E. IL Fixesmos,Secretary ofWar

I would reepectfolly request that no persons be permitted to visitWhite House or the corns of this army except upon strictly militaryduty. All the means of railway transportation are required to m144

JAS. 7,41Idl:LEY,

Soo iihoSosioa i , Vol.V, P. 13.


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242 THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, VA. (Gus. scan.

Jmw 2 1 ,1 8 T 1 4 " 2 1 , . . .Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of Wert

Your dispatch of 4.30 p. In. to-day received. The guns referred tosre rifled cannon. which General Charles F. James claims to have in.vented as perfectly adapted to his patent projectile They are manu-factured by Ames, of Chimp., Mass.

A member of my staff, who is a good artillery officer, experimentedwith these guns a,,d James , patent projectiles in December last, andpronounced them the beet he had seen. They are highly recommendedby other officers, and are said to have been the most efficient ofall thoseused io the siege of Fort Pulaski. Wo have experienced Much troublewith many of our new pattern projectiles, and my only object is to

secure the beat for the service. I have no recollection of having everdeclined to recommend the purchase of these guns or projeotiles, butI have, as I mentioned in my dispatch of to.da.y, a distinet remain.hr.ce of having recommended the purchase of them in January last,and that Mr. Cameron declined to make the purchase. General Jamesinformed no that he has the guns now ready, with projectiles. Withthese remarks I leave the matter in your hands.

GEO. B. MoOLELLAN,Major-General.

MOOLELLAIPS, ,T tene 22,1882.Brigadier.Genmal RIPLEY,Chief of Ordnance:

I am directed by Major-General McClellan to reply to your dispatchof yesterday. The fuses most complained of are the paper-ease thousfuse, though in many instances the Bormsnu Mee does not give thesatisfaction we ought to expect. The paper-case fhses of short timesay up to seven or eight secondsburn with proper regularity, butthose of longer time are very uncertain ; twelve seconds often burningno longer than five or six seconds, and fifteen or sixteen seconds fee.

qoently proving of shorter time than either. This happens . oftenthat it has occurred to me that careless mistakes have biBen made inmarkiog the time on the outside of the canes. The 20.poonder Parrottprejectiles are again tvorking vet, badly. In very many OURS they failto take grooves, and pe, form quite as uncertainly . they did at Wash-ington last SeptemberCaptaiu Benton will remember. Can it be pos-sible that the projectiles condemned at that time and tamed into thearsenal are now accidentally- reissued / Please let ns have ea much ofSoltenift projectiles for our rifled gone of every description, siege as wellas field, as possible. I will write by mail more at length to-day.

WILLIAM F. BARRY, -Brigadier-General, Chief of Artillery.

PLEADQVARTGISS Fine PROVISIONAL ARMY CORPS,Camp near New Bridge, ye., June 22 , 1862.

Brig. Gen. P. Be. GEORGE COOICC,Commanding Cavalry Braver,

Eilaumhx: Iam directed by the commanding general to inform youthat It is reported by a deserter that another raid is in process of prep-


6/69

46 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND Dm Ire.) neew.

broken or put in retreat by our infantry. I suppose they will notdiffer greatly from most of the new cavalry regiments.

The artillery consists of McMulliMe battery at Fayette Courtdlo.e,

Simmonds,

battery at Gauley Bridge, a howitzer battery at Tompkins,

farm, and some scattered pieces.MuMulliials battery ...is. of two bronze 6-pounder smooth guns,

two 10.pounder Parrott

000e,

and four mountain howitzers,12-pounders.This battery has very little ammunition on band; needs 14 horses, withharness, for the smooth gnus, caissons, and forge. When folly equippedit will heefficient

Simmonds, battery consists of three 10. pounder Parrot., two bronzerifled James guns, 10.pounders, one iron amooth I pounder (captured

from Wise), and has, besides, under ita care two 20-pounder Parrot.and one smooth bronze 6-pounder. Captain Simmonds tom not menenough to man more than six pieces. His company was an infantrycompany in the First Kentucky Regiment, and was transferred to theartillery by consent of the Secretary of War. They did good servicethrough all of the lost campaign, and are thoroughly reliable.

At Tompkins' farm, Gauley Mountain, there is a mountain howiMerbattery (six 12.pounders) formerly belonging to Captain Mask's

's

pany, of the Regular Army, but which is now manned by a detachmentof the Forty seventh Ohio Volunteers at that post. I cannot speak ofits efficiency..

Al Camp Platt (10 miles above here) the Forty.fourth Ohio has one

10-pounder Parrott, manned by a detachment of the regiment. Theyserve it pretty well, but have 110 horses.At Guyandotte the Ninth Virginia Volunteers have two bronze

smooth fipounders, with full equipments, recently sent them fromWashington. They are ordered to man the guns with a detachmentfrom the line.

The ordnance sergeant of this district has made arequisition for theammunition necessary to fill up the caissons of the. batteries, but noprovision is made for a supply on which to draw as needed. This abould(for operations on this line) be placed at Galley Bridge, where it couldbe safely stored. The James shot and shell do not perform solisfac-torilynot half the perco.ion shell explode, and the flying off of theleaden packing of both shell and shot not only is dangerous to troopsof our own, if fired over their heads, but from the uneven and uncer-tMn manner in which this packing leaves the projectile in its flight noaccuracy of practice seems attainable. I am told that a new projectileis being introduced (Sehenkl) which Captain Simmonds is desirous ofusing, it being of the same caliber as the James shot and shell, and ashe thinks has been proved to be free from the objections to the latter.I know nothing of it myself, bat am diesatiafied with the James pro-

jectiles, having seen shell with exactly same range and carefol pointing

of the pie. vary 30 or 40 yards from the proper line of flight, firing ata target only 1,000 or 1,200 yards d oYou will find on file in the office of the ordnance officer et Wheelingstatement I forwarded some time since showing the kind and caliber

of small-arse in the hands of our infantry. From it you will see thatin several of the regiments there are two sorts of weapons. I have dmMeal to have this changed, so that no regime. may have more thanone sort of weapon or be obliged to currymore than one caliber of a.munition M its stores. Uncertainty of supplies and mistakes in issuingare almost inseparably consequent on the present arrangement. Thereshould be also at Galley Bridge a depot of small-arm ammunition.


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Cm. axiom BATTLE or ragngrelensulifta, VA. 195

shot, or alunpnelovith fuses of from 5 to 10 seconds, length. Occasional shots were fired during the afternoon, not more than 15 or 20, and at

E mmet the battery bivouacked in position.At daylight on the lath. the Mang was resumed, while the engineer

corps was employed upon the bridge, until, at 10 to 11 a. m., the batterywas ordered to fire upon the town, and, if possible, to fire the buildings.For this purpose percussion and fuse shells were used. The firing wascontinued, each gun being fired once in twelve minutes, until quite latein the afternoon, when another and successful attempt to complete thebridge being commenced, the battery concentrated a very rapid fireupon the buildings and terraces sheltering the enemy's riflemen. Shortlyafterward the battery, by command, bivouacked in position.

During the firing of the 11th, one gun was disabled by the breakingof an axle-tree, and sent to the rear. I attribute the accident to the

excessive recoil of the3.inch gun, which, when &Med in olayey andpartially softened ground, I bane noticed to be subject to many suchfractures.

In the firing of the llth and 12th instant, about 800 rounds of am.munition were expended.

At the commencement of the action ofthe 13th, the battery co-oper-ated as far as possible with our advancing lines, by thing on the enemy'sartillery and skirmishers until our lines approached at nearly those ofthe euemy that continued firing became dangerous to one infantry, whenfiring was discontinued. At about 1 p. by command of General

Hunt, the battery was conducted across the rover and placed in position,under command of General Collet, by Major Doull. Up to this timeabout 300 rounds of ammunition were expended. At 7 o'clock on Son.day evening, the Itth, the battery recrossed the river, by command ofGeneral Couch, and reported to you at about 8 p. in. The batterybivouacked for the night, and at 8 a. m. of the 15th moved to a positionin an of the Lacy house, and bivouacked until the morning of the 16th,when it was placed in position in rear of the plain commanding the lowerpart of Fredericksburg, in readiness to repel an attaok on the engineerforce detailed for the removal of the pontoon bridge. The battery re-

mained in position until 10 o'clock of the 20th, when, by your command,it returned to its former camp, reporting to chief of artillery, Griffin'sdi

It may beproper to state that, from the eperience of the last ninedays, as well as from ten months' active service with the 3-inch gun, Iconsider it inferior at ranges of from 900 to 1,500 yards to the 10.pounderParrott gun.

'The Schenk] permission and the Hotchkiss fuse shells worked to entiresatisfaction.

The ordnance ammunition with metallic packing failed Thenmost every

instance to ignite the fuse, and I consider it worthless when explosionconstitutes the chief value of a projectile. Al solid shot, the ordnanceshrapnel was serviceable in the oanuonade of Fredericksburg.

All of which is respectfully submitted.EIGHT. WATERMAY,

Captain First Rhode Aland Artillery, Copdg. Battery C.

Col. C. H. TOMPICIN,S,FirstRhode Inland Artillery.

urea lath o[ueea^ nna,.

c, .rouse


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200 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W.VA., MO., AND PA. tem, a.m.

their troops, and one of their batteries, which had been struck severaltimes in ...Mon, failed to open fire again lentil nightfall of the sameday.

The main attackon Saturday having failed, and it being evident that

it would not be immediately repeated, I directed my batteries to savetheir anpolmition, except M cases of extreme necessity, or where thedamage done would amply warrant the expenditure of the same. Act-lag under these instructions, therefore, my battery commanders reservedtheir fire until the day after our troops bad recrossed the dyer. Severallarge bodies of the enemy at that time making their app.ramm on theplain in oar front, I opened Bra upon them with such effect that onebrigade, at the extreme distance of over 2 miles

'

broke ranks in meatdisorder while.everal other bodies moved off at double-quick. greatskier this not only as instance of remarkable accuracy of fire, bat

also as showing that the enemy, eviloa unprotected by breastworks, areenable to equal in steadiness elm own troop.After this, and until the truce, I held the field in my Boat under fire,

so that large bodies were themeformard enable to move across it oraPProach in any considerable numbers the pontoons on our left. I with.held my Are from the extreme right, where our dead were being stripped,in accordance, with instructions from you that there might bn buryingparties among the mien, there congregated.

I am happy to state that in the la. engagement I suffered no loseeither of men or animals.

My whole expenditure of ammunition was SW rounds, 4,1 in Sehenklshell, with metallic easing. I consider these defective on two accounts;Bret, that at least one in every five fails to take the grooves, and, sec.ondly, that many of those thus failieg explode in the air. The firstdefect seems to arise partially, though not wholly, from the metalliocasing, which has been latterly adopted to prevent the swelling of the

napieronaehe. This easing I consider should be made less thick, so asot to interfere with thepapier-I/meld, or of material much tougher than

eine, so as to aid the pmjeutile in taking the grooves. The seconddefect seems to arise from the fart that thecentrifugal force, operatingon the plungers of those shells which fail to take the grooves. causedthe explosion of the caps in air. Al, remedy for the first defect still,ofcourse, remedy the sewed. With the present projectile I do potfeel justified in firing over troops, which batteries of position, like thoseunder my command, are always liable to do. I would, therefore, re.sPeetfolly suggest, in order to remedy this defect, that, during the fewdays of inactivity which will doubtless follow the late contest, I beallowed to experiment with some other projectile, as, for example, theHotchkiss shell.

While I do not underrate the efficie y of fire of the batteries undermyy ...led during the late conte

nc

st, i cannot fail in conclusion to

point out the disadvantage to which they were subjected, viz, of firingat troops protected by covers and sunken roads, and the advantagesin such cases of using vertical fire.

With the highest appreciation of the zeal and efficiency of both theofficere and men of my command, I have the honor to remain, poneobedient servant,

THOS. S. TRUMBULL,Afajor Fret Connecticut Vet. Arty., Camay. Batt. Clans. Arty.

Col. R. 0. TyLpp.,Commanding Reeenne A elute,.


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one. axamd BATTLE OF REPERICKSISIORG, VA. 201

No. 32.

Report of Capt. Otto Diatiorichs, Battery A, Fit* Battalion Rao YorkLight Artillery.

Pommlow Hun; December 19, 1852.

()mourn. I have the honor to bring the following report ofthe Intoengagement opposite Fredericksburg under your notice

My battery consisted of four 20-p0nnder Parrott Ale guns. I receivedon the 10th instant, in the morning, the order from Colonel Hays toreport to you. The battery moved on the same night on the hills oppo-site Fredericksburg, hostilities commencing on the llth instant, inthe early part of the day, and I received the order to shell the city. Itired,on the morning of the 11th, 30 rounds, with degrees and seconds

time, by very dark weather, and on the afternoon 53 rounds, with 3idegrees and 5 seconds time, by fine weather. On the pest day I re-ceived the order to shell the enemy's front and left batteries, and IArad 22 rounds the whole day over, 9 shells in rear of the front bat-tery, with 10i. degrees and II seconds time, and 13 in rear of the left, inthe woods, with 7} degrees and 12 seconds time. Two of the last roundsexploded in very short distance, one right straight for the muszle, andthe other one about 100 yards far away.

On the 13th instant, I was ordered to shell the same batteries of theenemy again, and I fired through the whole day 63 rounds; 19 shot of

the front batteries, with 105 degrees and 10 seconds time; 17 shot tothe left, with 103 degrees and 10 seconds time, and 27 to the left again,with 94 degrees and 12 seconds time. One of Schenk! percussionshells exploded but 20 yards in front of the =mule.

On the 14th instant, the battery only fired 4 rounds to the same direc-tion. Altogether, from the Ilth to include the 14th instant, my batteryBred 192 rounds, the most of the shots being effective. In the wholeengagement I lost no men nor horses.

The battery is in the same position at present. I find it necessary toinform very

y bad, particularly fuses and friction primers. The most ofthe fnees are too small for the use of 20-pounder Parrott guns, and Iwas forced to pot hemp and paper on nearly every single one. Manyof the friction primers are too largo sice, and many of the shells haveholes, which, I believe, make the soon explosions.

I remain, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,O. MEI/ERE:MS,

Captain, Covet:, Bantry A, First Nem York Art. Battalion.

Col. R. O. TYLER,Commanding Artillery.

No.33.

Report of Capt. Adolph VocyLleagettlery B, First BattalionA r e 4 0 York

Pommel( Hoom, December 19, 1802.

CoLossak t I have the honor to bring the following report of the late

"A l ' ' ' :a f t r : ,Tor .F

.,1:::12,7201opttill7

gZtt,had been ordered


10/69

466 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Icon.xxxin

with Battery B, Fourth Artillery, to move down to the left. After ad-vancing about a mile, we opened lire, with shell, upon a body of cavalryin a wood near the river, and in the turnpike to the light. This drovethem from the position with some loss. We immediately occupied theground, and, toning to the right, advanced to the turnpike, our batterybeing on the extreme left. The enemy now opened upon at with shellfrom the heights in front and to the left, distance about 1,100 yards.Weimmediately opened, continuing over an hour. The dense smoke,which settled heavily over the whole ground, prevented our seeing theeffect ofTn., or oar shots, but the tire of the enemy gradually slack.reed and almost ceased.

We had now 3 men killed , our captain and 10 men wounded; a wheel

t h d pole smashed, and our limber -chests nearly empty. I now orderede pieces to retire to where our caissons were stationed, refitted andfilled the chests, and immediately returned to our position, and

re

con-

tinued fuing occasionally, in ply to the enemy, till dark, when the bat-tery was ordered to move a little farther to the right, and in this posi-tion remained till morning. During the evening the enemy threw sev-eral rounds of canister at long range, which did little or no execution.

On Sunday and Monday, the 14th and 15th, the firing was not re-vowed, except by a gun of the enemy far down on our lett flank. This,however, dal no execution, and was, apparently, silenced by the firing from tia

, opposite side of the river. Some of our men and horses werewounded by the picket filing daring these two days.

On Monday night, about 9 o'clock, by order of General Reynolds, thebattery quietly loft its position, recrossed the river, Caking up its pres-ent posit ion on the bluff near Pollock's Mill.

The battery expended, during the four days, 540 rounds of ammu.nition (Hotchkiss' and Schenkl's percussion shell). Many of the formerfailed to explode, from what cause, I am unable to say, as the fuseeseemed to be perfect. The &Monk' ammunition, as far as I am able to

judge, worked admirably. The accuracy of aim, and the ability to seethe effect of the shots, was ranch impaired by the smoky atmospheredaring the actions.

The casualties of the battery were as follows: Three men killed; 1Aker (captain) and 11 men wounded, and 1.horses killed.In conclusion, I would say the officers and men of the battery behaved

with their usual good courage, although the fighting was more destmet.ive to them than on any former occasion.

Respectfully submitted.F. M. EDGELL,

Lieutenant, Commasttliag Fires Nem Hampshire Battery.

Captati.Chief

=BOLDS,fr. Corp,.

No. 212.

Report of Capt. Joke A. Reynolds, Battery L First Nom York LightArtillery.

DECEMBER 17, 1862.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the perttaken by my battery in the late battle,

In obedience to orders from Colonel Platt, headquarters left grand


11/69

516 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (Com.. EMIL

to move forward and to support the battery, ivIdeb he did. At thistime the enemy had come within moister range. At Thisjuncture Cap-thin Ransom's battery came into action innuednilely on our right, andwith his aid the enemy in our front were compelled to retire to the

woods from which they had oharged. About sunset we received 200rounds of rase shot and shell from the ammunition train. Soon after,the enemy's guns again opened upon no from the woods, and after onhour's engagement they . emised firing, and the engagement ended forthe day, the battery having expended 980 rounds of ammunition. Thebattery retained its position until about midnight, when we were re-limed by Captain Thompson,e battery, when we withdrew to a positionnear the Barnard house.

The following is the fist of casualties in this days engagement :

J. H. COOPER,Copia is First Pennsylvania Artillery, Commanding Battery B.

[Vol. C. S. Wei:WRIGHT.]

No. 246.

Report of Capt. Frank P. Almaden, Battery G, First Pennsylvania LightArtillery.

[Dnonarenn , 1862.]

San: My report of the part taken be Battery G, First PennsylvaniaArtillery, in the battle of Fredericksburg is as follows:Received orders fromheadquarters left grand division, dated Decem-

ber 9, 1102, to report to Caphiin De Runny, II. S. Army, on .the 10th in-stant with my battery, to take poNition on the heights above Pollook'sMill. Got into position by midnight. About 1 p. in., the 11th Instant,was ordered be Captain Do Rump tale to battery down to the bankof the river, and tate position to the left of Captain Rail's battery, toprotect the troops crossing the pontoon bridge. From this position Itired 24 case shot at squads of the enemy, who appeared in the vicinityof a large stone house and the surrounding outbuildings, on the oppositebank, and to our left.About 9 a. tn. on the lath instant, was ordered to resume my first

position, on the heights. About 4 p. in. same date, was ordered byCaptain On Bossy to take my battery across the river, and report ntGeneralFranklitils headquarters. Was ordered by Colonel Wainwrightto encamp Mr the night on the plain, near the river hank, above thestone house.

About 8 a. m. 13th instant, was moved by Colonel Wainwright to apoint about 200 yards in front of the stone house. From this was led byColonel Wainwright to a position in front of General Meade's division,

to the right of Captain Cooper's battery, with orders to watch the lineof woods in front, and report to General Sinclair, commanding FirstBrigade, Third Division.

The general firespened 6.1E12 in. During the engagement the bat-tery fired 946 ease shot and 236 shell. The balance ofthe ammunitionin the cheats wee Schenkl, 80 rounds of which were percussion shell.

After the guns became a little foul, this ammunition would not enter.I also lost 25 cartridges, through the flimsiness of the material thebags were made of. They were drawn from the Washington Arsenal

Lid, omitted, shows 5 enli.d men wounded ands horses killed.


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0500.xxxini BATTLE OF FEEDERIERSBORG, VA. 511

last September. During the firing, the axles of the two middle gunswere broken by the recoil of the pieces. Examination, after leaving thefield, proved them of a very inferior quality of icen; so bad that theycould not be welded. I kept these guns firing, however, until I con-

sidered them unsafe, and then ordered them from the field. Their am.munition was nearly expended, and our infantry was falling back.

While firing the last round from the left piece of the right seetion,shot from the enemy, on our left, struck the wheel of the piece, Aire,ing it and the sale-body badly. The piece, however

'

got alt the field.The other two pieces, understanding this as an enter for the whole bat-taly, proceeded to limber up. At this moment my horse was shot underor, and, while I wee disengaging myself, these pieces limbered up andmoved off. As soon se possible, I formed the battery, parked it nearthe stone house, gave caters for the &ests to be refilled with ammuni-

tion, and procenled in search of Colonel Wainwright, to report. MetGeneral Reytiolda; reported to him. Wee ordered to 1111 my cheatswith ammunition, and report to General Meade. Them was no ammo.nition at the train, nor did any come over the river for us during thenight.

The next morning, 14th Meant, about 10 o'clock, I reported to Gen.eral Meade the state of the battery. He ordered me to have the section,with what ammunition 1 mild get, report to Captain Ransom, whowould assign it to duty with Captain Cooper's battery. , while I took thedisabled guns across the river and got them repaired. I did.

After getting the guns repaired, I joined the division about 6 p. m. the15th instant. About 8 p. in. same date, received orders to cross theriver. On this (the north) aide, received orders from Captain West, ofGeneral Franklin's staff, to resume the position of the 11th instant, onthe bank of the river. 'Was relieved from this position about 2 p. m.,10th instani, and ordered tojoin th e division at this camp.

Eery respectfully, your obedient servant,F. P. AMSDEN,

Commanding Battery a.Sept

Ddontatxi/VttillerJr Odra

No. 247.

Report of Capt. Dunbar R. Ramon, Third U. B. Artillery, commandingBattery 0, Fifth U. S. Artillery.

DEcritnErt 14,18&2.

Caaniarn : Pursuant to instructions, I moved from camp, near White

Oak Church, about midnight on the 11th instant, in rear of the ThirdBrigade, and came into position, under the direction of Major Donn,assistant inspector of artillery, coveri the lower crossing of the Rap.pahannoek, before daylight, Lieut. J.G.. Simpson, First PennsylvaniaArtillery, on my left, and supported by the Third Brigade. During them o ni lig we repulsed skirmishers sent to interrupt the laying of thebridge.

I crossed the river with the division on the 13th, and camped somehalf mile below the crossing, near the stone home, used as a hospital.

On the 14th, as the division was advancing, I came into battery, by

General Mcede's order, in rear of the Skirmishers of the Sixth, under


13/69

258 w. VA., W. VA., SD., AND PA. Muer. xxxva

and myself, to cover the crossing, in accordance with directions reelVedfrom you time previous day; Reynolds', Hall's, Amsden's, and ()co

(twenty 3.ineh gnus) above the mill; Edgell's, Thompson's, and tick.ate' (fourteen 3.ineb guns) below the mill. Soon after,Ratinomo's battery

(airy light 12.pounders) was posted ou the first rise between the roadand the river. The enemy held the opposite bank with 400 or 600 men,one regiment, the Ninth Louisiana, in a large rifleint directly in frontof where the head of the bridge was to reel, the others as skirinishersalong the bank. Our engineern had not etteneeded in throwing thebridge before daylight, as intended, and the Me of the enemy's sharp.shooters was quite brisk, an well es that ofthe regiment i s the rife pit.

The Mg lifted Inborn 8.30 o'clock, and the rifie.plt was slowly abettedby the hatterien

lore

on the hill. A regiment coming down to reliev or re.enforce them scattered and severely handled by our artillery

e

Ore.At 10 o'clock, two regiments of Infantry were thrown acre., 3 1 1 hosts,

and the rinerpit carried, with about 100 prisonere. During these opera.tines, the 3.1nel) batteries expended 160 rounds of ammunition in nearlyequal proportion of &ramie', filer, and percussion-shell, and CaptainR8,11.111 tired 3 rounds. Tho thing was good, that or Captain Cooper'sbattery (which held the beet position fora crossfire oil the pit) t oar-ticularly so, The bridgen having been entablished and the First Its, io

o011 posted on the opposite bank, everything remained quiet for the re,f the day.April 30.At tram, Stewait's cad Ransom's batteries were nw,'

acme the

rem

and placed in rxofiirar on the crest directly ahoy, the

head of the

and

so as to commend the plain at far as the BowlingGreco road.About 5 p. Cl. the enemy opened from four 20.potmoler Punnet guns,

placed on the Might on which they hod their batter.. in the chnowc-mentof this corps in December last. 'De, Me was Mot. dimmed onthe infantry of tire Second cm) Third DAtsicas, mussed r or the flat mthis aide of the river. Them Ming withdraw, they turned their atten-tion in the batteries on the Mlle, nod just berme dock rim) a few Motsat Stewmfis and Ransom's lca trericx. Tle it prectim o es very good,injuringa number of the inf.), and se) erely- wounding one ofLieu-tenant Stewart's men. 8e soon oar infantrywon' thdrawn,weopened room it

wi

three batteries on the firights below t he mill, firing 138rounds. The distance wee almor 3,400 yards, too great for certainpractice with the 3.ineh gulls. The elevation notified was Mond tobe 14 degrees, and time Ott end a half seconds lot a -Hotchkiss fool -

The Schenk] percussion was found to work best at thin distance.shell.About

so

hour before dark, Lientenan4Colonel Werner moverl arc-hon ofTatt's battery of 20.trounder Femme out ou the rend aboveTraveler's Rest, and opened on the enemy's battery. Alen , Whitworthshot were Oral from a gnu of the enemy posted below the Massapmmx,doing no damage. The firing mast,' at dark. After darkone section

of Ellewart's battery was inoved op to the front of the brick houstgPraha within ourlines on dm opposite bank,and before daylight Warr-emu's battery was withdrawn from that side and replaced IA- Reynolds'Min 3 inch guns). Om whole front ens eovered with a rdic.pit, andsmall earthworks thrown up In front of the gnus.

May1.Ererything erediuturd quiet through the day, the batteriesnsmaining in the MM.position, except that of Amsden's (four 3.tookguns)vms moved down the river to' rayol,.r's 11,,t, to replace one of timereserve batteries ordered up th Ford, and Lieutenant Blocherrelfifited with six 2Orpounder Pon ens (Twenty-nroth New York Battery),

and was placed in position on the 'filo( the other batteries on the crest


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xx[ru.7THE cHANCELLORS VILLE CAMPAIGN. 259

in front of the Filuimul, house. Large hod, s ee the enemyWOO seenmoving up the river. Oar I no].uuts eepor , .11 iiiite bs t cries, offifty goes.

May0./ rsieh'ed orders to 0 ithdraw across the river and proceedto the United States Fool. Soon after, the niiivemoi it eommetreed, and

about 8 a. to. the enemy Opened with Di-

moulder Parrott, above men-

booed, .d also with two 10-p Periods stathmeil on the .tnecrest. Their See w. directed on our hedge and at Reynolds' battery,stationed immediately in front of it. Captain Reynolds replied &Sher.atoly and with goisl effect, exploding one of their ammunition chests.

The battedes on the hill also opened, and veld] much better effect thann the 30th ultimo, the range having been pretty aeomately ascertained

ut that time. I- beaten:int Blucher did good aervice with Pin digpoutalereafter he had ascertained the range and got hie men evicted down. The

Ibattery was silenced in about An hour. Captain liernoldsand

Lieutenant Blucher, however, continued to throw occasional shots into(heir position for half an hour longer, until all our troops were with.drawn. The enemy's fire was rapid mid aumeate, destroying one of thepontoons aud wounding 10 men (1 mortally) in Reynolds' battery ; threeor his limbers were also struck and moreor lees damaged, and 10 LomaM., The battery was .eeedingly well handled, the firing being canrital on coolly and delibemtely.

The troops having been withdrawn, the butteries (re seeded up theriver, Ban .m, Stewart, and Cooper with their die isior s; the remainderby an inner road, under my own command. Wes.rrived at the Ill uitedStates Ford about dark, and lay that night near the brio, hospital, half

a mile in front of the bridges.tianday, May 3.On prom:Ming to the front, I found the thret Corpsamusing the right of the army, along rho road Wadi im from Chancel-lorsville to Ely's Ford. By direction of General Reynolds, Ilan (s153.incle guns), Itemsom'n, and Stewart's (twelve light 12puundo,) bat,teries went brought up mid posted whero our lines made a bend to therear, About onn.third of a mile from the point at which the road cross.BuntingCreek. Their guns wereafteesanl protected with small..rth-works, and remained in this position without being engageduntil with-drawn on the Maine( the 5th. Captain Leppien's battery (Fifth/Art.1ne)had been entered to this position instead of Captain Minnow's, but, onarriving nt the Chanewllorsville Mid Ely's Ford road, was turned off byorder of General !looker, and sent out to Chancelloraville.lv,he engagement at that point on the 3d, this battery suffered very

severiy, losing 3 officers tend 25 wee alsol3hors. Mil a m l wounded.The battery seemed to have beheeeed excellently, nib', with the aid of abody of General llaneook's temps, brought off all their guns. I wunot pre.nt in this engagement, and would refer for part Pm lira to thereport of Lieutenant Stevens, a copy of which is appended" liming theday Amsden'Sbuttery (four 2.incie guns) was moved to the bout andposted by Captain ho eye' on his left front, Toward evening,

with six 3.inch gun, relieved Full kammerki battery, on the same front,and Mallet., with four 3.inch gnus, relieved Henry'sl battery, on Cap-tain Weed's light front. Almiden wan engaged M the actions of thatafternoon and alsothe nut morning, having 1 officer and8 men wounded,the other two batteries we're also engaged to a small extent. Thesebatteries at the time were not under my command, and do mot reportanything deserving your fet.it

May 4.Reynolds' battery was moved op to relieve %nap's batteryono a small knoll. about 1011 yards in the rear of the Chaneellorsville
http://alsol3hors.mil/http://alsol3hors.mil/http://alsol3hors.mil/http://alsol3hors.mil/http://alsol3hors.mil/http://alsol3hors.mil/


15/69

260

and Ely's Ford road, and half a mile west of the road to the bridges.Wiedrichh battery, of the &leveed, Caere, also held the same potation.They were not engaged at all, and were safely withdrawn on the nightof the 5tb.

May5 .

Everything remained quiet along on lines during the day.So soon as it was dark I commeneed withdlnwing the batteries eta,tinned along the front of the First Corps. Wiedrich's and Rep101di.

passedoff without bumble, but the road by which tile three batteries onoar left were to have withdrawn having being rendered impassable bythe heavy rain, they were obliged to go around by the main road, andthe bridges having been damaged, were ordered back to their old goer.ton after getting half-way to the cronaing.

In another hour, however, they were again started, and after daylighton the morning of the 6th all the batteries of the corps were again outhis side of the river. With the exception of Thompeon's and Coopega

batteries, they at on proceeded on their march leek to White OakChurch. These two batteries were ported on the heights below thebridges, to cover their removal, and daring the afternoon had a sharpengagement with some of their gem at about 1,400 eerie in whichThompson loin I killed and 3 wounded. The enemy were driven fromtheir gone and several of their chests exploded.

It has Woo dinicult to make rho above report satisfactory, as thebatteries, of the corps were much eerleeml, and, except dining the ope-redoes below Froderickeburg,thoee that were engaged were not undermy own command at the time. go far as I have been able to learn, the

officere and men behaved well.I would submit the following observations in regard to the 3-inch

projectiles. The dohenkl common fuse worked well, but can only beaired within 2,500 yards. The heed of the fuse was found in some easesto stick in tirebellow at the end of the rammer, and the shot displacedafter being sent home, eaueing it to fail in taking the groove. TheHotchkiss then and shrapnel did well, bet the paper flare were far form.certain. This was doubtless partly owing to the dampness of the atoms.where and the powder in the Case-hod having got more or loos rubbedoff by abrasion in the cheats. Both Were difficulties areremoved bythe new mode of putting up fusee, I notice, in some ofthroe issuedeince return. For certainty, both of flight and explosion,' give thepreference to the tichenal pereneaimeshell over any other projectile.

The march from our first petition to the ford woe a herd one onhorses and harneas. and much of the latter was broken. I would re-epectfully call the attention of the Ordnance

Department,through

Yon,to the fact that the loiroeos loan.] ot the oommeucement of this wax isnow nearly worn out, end that there will soon be a necessity for its re-placement.

Of the teem and men deserving especial approbation, I would metetion First Limit. A. B. Twitcbell, Fifth Maine Battery, who, though

twice wounded and his dotting badly burned at the commencementof the engagement at llhaucellorevIlle, continued to command his see-tion until struck the third time; elan Bengt.Ale.Gibbs, ofBatteryL, First New York, who, though badly wounded in the shoulder by ashell, pereieted in remaining at his piece after being permitted to go tothe rear by his captain.

I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,C. B. WAINWRIGHT,

Colonel and Chief of Artillery, First Corps.

Brig. Gee. Hertel'J. fillt11. ,

Ode, of Artillery, Army of too Potomac.


16/69

302 N. VA., W. VA., MD, AND

No. 59.

Report of M aj. Berm W. Matthew, Piret Penneyboanim Light Artillery,Chief of Artillery.

Howls. ARTILLERY, Texan Dry., Fleas ABBY Cones,May 10, 1263.GENERAL: I have the honor to Mawr the reports of the operations

of Batteries B, F, and G, First Pennsylvania Artillery, fromApril 29to May 6.

While in position at the lower crossing of the Rappahannock, oppo-site the Fitzhugh house, they were engaged, on April 29 and 30, andMay 1 and 2, in shelling the and in replying to the enemy'sheavy guns (20.pounder Parrot.) at long range; no loss at this point.

On the 2d instant, they marched with the First Corps to and across

the Bulled States Ford.On the 3d, Captain Amsden, commanding Battery G, took positionin the front line of the Soloed Army Corps near the white house, atone time occupied as headquarters by General Hooker. Here he weeoonstantly annoyed by the enem y's sharp shooters, and du ring the severalengagements 1.t 2 men severely wounded, 1 officer and d men slightlywounded., and 3 home killed. On the afternoon of the &I, CaptainRicketts took position in front of General M.de's headquarters, on the'left of the Fifth Corps and on the right of the Second. This positionwas attacked several -Sm., and was .posed to the constant fire of thesharpshooters of the enemy, bet, by removing his horses to the rear and

throwing up earthworks in front, Captain Ricketts suffered no loss what.ever. General Whipple was standing near this position when shot byone of the enemy's sharpshooters.

Captain Cooper did not move to the front, but on the 5th recrossedthe river and took position on the left bank below the ford, where hethrew a few shells at the enemy's batteries et long range ; he sufferedno loss

On the 6th instant, the batteries returned to camp near their presentposition at White Oak Church. Officers and men behaved well, withone exception, an attached infantryman, of Battery F, who feigned

Maness and did not aro. the river; be will be brought to trial Thebatteries are ready for further operations.have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,

E W MATTHEWS,Major, Commanding Artillery, Third/Beiges, First Army Corps.

Maj. Gen. A. DOUBLED.'Conimayuling Third Dinision, First Army Corp.

No. 60.

Report of Capt. James K. Cooper, Battery B, First Pranolownia LightArtillery.

,1863.

Son: 1 have the honor to make the following report of the action ofBattery B, First Pennsylvania Artillery, from April 29 to May 7;

The battery was ordered into position on the morning of April 2h onthe left bank of the Rappahannock, a short distance below the Bernard


17/69

Ocus. TEEPLE.] THECIIANCELLORSMLE CAMPAIGN. 303

hoose, and to the right of the bridges. At about 8.30 a. m., by orderof Colonel Wainwright, the ride-pits of the enemy, on the opposite shore,were shelled slowly tbr about one hour. During the thing 79 projectileswere expended, of which 30 were Schenk] perenseion, 30 Hotchkiss time.shell, and 111 Hotchkiss ease-shot. boat of the pearoussion.shell struckin and about the pits and exploded. A small proportion did not ex-plode. The Hotchkiss shell and eam-shot worked well, most of themexploding at or near the points fired open. The battery remained atthe place above designated without thrther action until the morning ofMay 2, at 10 a. m., when it took pp the line of march for the UnitedStates Ford, where it aroused the river and parked three-eighths of amile from the bank until May 5. At 10 a. m., by order of Captain Best,it recrossed the river and Ind posted on the bank of the river, 1 milebelow the United States Ford, where it remained until about 10 a. in.,May 6, when the enemy opened a battery to oar right and front, about

1,500 yards d istant.This battery was beyond a crest of a hill, firing down a ravine at

Thompson% and linsp's betterie. We could see nothing but the smokeof their guns rising above the crest of the kill, and the projectiles werebred at such an elevation as to ge over the hill, and the effect mildnot be observed. This en clement lasted about one hour, in which 73prejectiles Tern fired, of which 10 were Hotchkiss timeebell, 12 Schenklpercussion, and 51 Hotchkiss case.shok At 6.30 p. m. the battery with.drew from Wis positioo, mut went iota camp near the Warrenton pike.

On the morning of the 7th instant, it marched to its present amp near

White Oak Church, where it arrived at 5 b. tn.Ito casualties occurred to the men or officers of the battery duringthese ope.d ions. The materials lost were 1 horse (left exhausted);tebbuckets and 4 wateringbuckets were lost on the march.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,J. H. COOPER,

Captain, Powasylowsia Artiness Commanding Battery B.

gS. o;VArtilleryler'retArmy Corns.

No. 61.

Report of Pape, B. Bruce Mamas, Battery F, First Pennsylvania LightArtillery.

Helene. BATTERY F, FIRST PENNSTLVANIA. ARTILLERY,May 9, lea.

Altana: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part

taken by my command in the late operations in the vicinity of Freder-icksburgAt daylight on the morning of April 29, I way placed in position in

the corn-field in front of the Fitelingh house, by Colonel Wainwright,chief of artinery, First Army Corps.

At 5 p. m. on the 30th, the enemy opened from abattery of 20.pounder Parrott gene, at a distance of about 3,600 yadls, and contin-ued firing magi 7 p. m. During that time I fired 20 Hotchkiss shell, 25Sehenkl percussion, and 3 coseehot (Solienkl), at an elevation of from10 to 14 degrees, and fuse from eleven to fifteen seconds. The sits.


18/69

304 N. VA., W. VA., 1.10., AND PA.

tans being so great, and several batteries firing at the same time, itwas iinpossible to determine with any degree of certainty what execu-tion was done. 1 wee able to ascertain, however, the proper elevationto be 14 degrees, and length of fuse fifteen seconds.

On Saturday morning, May 2, the enemy opened again from thesame battery. During the forenoon I Bred 30 e l l

al

en (Hotchkiss), 27percussion (Schenkl), and 18 oase.shot (Sehenkl), l at an elevation of14 degrees. On Saturday afternoon I matched with my command upthe river, and crossed at the United States Ford. On Sunday even-ing, I was ordered to the froot, to relieve Captain Seeley's battery, andwas placed in position on the extreme left of the Fifth Army Corps.The enemy made several attacks on this position, bat every time wererepulsed. The woods in front were but 250 yards distant, and were oc-cupied by the enemy's sharpsbooteni, who Pept up a continued firing,compelling me . remove the horses to the rear and to throw up earth-

works for the protection of the men. Not a man or horse was hit dur-ing all the operation. While in this position, I fired 4 rounds of can-ister and 2 ease-shot (Solienkl), with one and a half seconds , fuse.

On Tuesday evening, May 5, 1 received orders to retire across theriver, and reached our present camp, near White Oak Church, on

Thursday, May 7. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

It. BRUCE RICKETTS,Captain, Condo. Battery F, First Pennsylvania Artillery.

Binh E. W. MATTAXWEI,

Chief of Artillery, nirdDivision, FirstArray Corps.

No. 62.

Report of Capt. Frank. P. Anode., Battery G, First Pennsylvania LightAr6111671/.

CAMP Romney 0, FIRST PENNSYLVANIA ART., May 9, 1863.Xenon: I have the honor to make the following report of the par-

ticipation of Battery 0, First Pennsylvania Artillery, in the late engage-ment:

Left camp April 28, about 10 . m.; took up line of march for theheights in the rear of Pollock's Mill; reached the heights and went intoposition about daylight on the morning of the 29th. Fired 8 rounds ofshrapnel during the morning.

Left this position at 4 p. m. May 1; took position near Traveler's Rest,on Widow Gray's farm, about 10 a. in.

On the 2,1 instant, took np lino of march to the United States Ford;crossed the United States Ford about midnight, and encamped in the

woods about 2 miles beyond the font.About 10 e. m. on the 3i1 Instant, I received enters from CaptdieCandler, aide to General Hooker, to report at General iladcor's head-quarters with the battery , found General Meade at headquarters, mhoordered me to report to General Couch, on the road toward Chancel.lomville , reported to General ()ouch, who ordered Me to report to Cup.taro Weed, commanding the artillery. Was assigned a taiiioa ht theline of artillery, upon the ground recently occupied as General Hook-ens headquarters; maintained tide position until 8 a. m. of the 0thInstant.


19/69

596 N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA.

No. 224.

Report of Capt. James H. Rigby, Battery A, Maryland Light Artillery.

00., BATTERY A, MARTLARR ARTILLERY,May 9,1823.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, on the morning of the 28th ofApril, I received an order to report with my buttery to Col. CharlesTompkins, at the Sands house. I found the colonel about 5 o'clock inthe evening, and was ordered by him to take a position on the heightsopposite Fredericksburg. I lett ramp about 2.30 a. m., 29th, for theplace designa ted ) arrived there, and placed my battery in position atabout 4 a in. I remained there without having occasion to her on theenemy until the evening ofMay 2, when I opus ordered to cross the

river and report to you.About t o'clock on Sunday morning, May 3, I was ordered by you totake a position in front of two small earthworks, in which the enemywere working our brass 12.pounders. After a lively engagement ofabout two hours' duration, they were compelled to ,,lire, and the fortswere immediately occupied by two 20.pounder Farrotts. At the sametime an attempt was made to reenforee them with four 12.pounders,but the solid shot from Captain McCurtney'6 12 - pounders and the shellfrom a section of Captain Elexamer's ,nol my own battery fell amongthem so thick that I do not think they 6 1 otteroled in placing more thanone of the guns in position. We remained in this position until theheights in the rear of Fiederieksburg were in possession of our troops,when I was ordered by General Brooks to proceed to Fredericksburg.In this p osit ion I fired 2 00 Schenk] percus sion shel l and 2 50 Schenk' coo.bination shrapnel, at , distance of 1,200 yards; had 1 man and 1 horsewounded. I mined in the city about 1 p. m., and rested about three-fourths of an hour, after wLich started, in company with the brigade,for the heights. Mice resting there about half an hour, was orderedto follow the Third Brigade, First Division. Had not proceeded morethan 15 miles, when we tell on the ene iny's pickets. Just as we reachedthe top of a hill in the anal, they opened noon 1 1 8 with a rifted gun,ata

distance of about pop yards. The second shell exploded directly infront of my right piece, sevoely wounding Sergt. John Wormsley andkilling his horse. bla right, piece war immediately thrown forward, sodtook a pOldtion on the left of the read therest or my guns were placedin position on the right of the road, from wind, point wedelivered a veryeffective Bre, judging from the haste which Ire enemy withdrew kinguns. We followed hint about a mile, when he made a Mend upon ahigh ridge iu rear of a dense wood. Here a severe engagement tookplace between the infantry, the artillery not being very actively engaged,until near sundown, when the rebels pressed our infantry so bard theywere compelled to retire. At this time I poured shrapnel into them asfast as I could, and as soon as they came within the range my rightsection gave them canister. I was unable to fire canister from my otherguns on account of the largenumbers of our troops directly in front ofthem. Night ended this engagement. In the two positions I Bred 150Sehenkl percussionshell, 200 ScLeukl combination shrapnel, and 10rounds of minister. I hml I sergeant severely wounded, 1 horse killed,and 1 crippled.

The next morning (Monday, May 4), I was ordered to report to Gen.ere) Howe for duty. I found him about 7 a. m. He placed me in aposition on the Hanks' Ford road, about 250 yards to the loft of the


20/69

on.r. xxxvnt vfre CILINCELLORSVfrAv CaaifiAlda. 597

Plank road. We reinnined in this position, inactive, until about 4 p.

at which time the rebels 110,C,1 us with rwhelming torte, and

compelled our troops to retire. I poured she

ove

ll into Mem 001i1 t hey

came close enough for sinxpncl, when I ponied that into them. They

advanced firmlyand steadily, and when they boa tiniest about 200

yards from the battery, the Twentieth New York Regiment (which was

directly in front of me) broke and ran into the buttery. They frightened

my horses, and created no much c.f.i., Ih AI could do nothing. The

rebels were still advancing, and, w hen they were about 80 yards from

me, I gave the order to limber to the rear. This was done with consid.

arable difficulty, owing to the confusion createdby the broken regiment,which was still hovering around the battery. The horses attached to

one of my limbers became unmanageable and ran away, leaving thepiece on the field. As soon as I permit's]. this, I drew my saber, and,

by hard blows, forced the infantry to assist in drawing the piece from

the field, which was done by attaching a prolonge. They deal it about200 yards, where I Mend the limber. The rebels were driven hack by

the Third Vermont Regiment. I immediately Joined the rest of my

battery, and moved to the left of the line, where I met Colonel Thomp.kids, who placed me in position, where 1 remained until dal:, when I

was ordered by General Howe to proceed to the river and report to Gen

eral Brooks. found General Brooks; be placed mei nposil ion, where

I remained until about midnight, wheal was ordered to el OSN the river.

In the last engagem t tired Sal fiehenkl p aercussion shell, tla Sehe len

combination shrapnel, and had I man wounded and 2 horses eripplid.

Yon will perceive that I have tired 085 projectiles, had 1 sergeant and2 privates wounded, 1 horse 1,010 and 4 wounded.

I am happy to say that my gunners have proved themselves excellent

marksmen, my men have behaved extveddigly well, my officers per-formed their duties with gallantry, and 1 ant proud to say are an honor

to the State which calls then, her sons.

I am, sir, most respectfully, year ohedient servant,JAS. H. RIGBY,

Captain Battery A, Maryland Artillery.

CAW of.17,

irle'

r7,'

Stoat Division, Sixth Army Corps.

No. 225.

Report of Lieut. Bdward B. Williston, Battery 11, &egad U. S. Artillery.

Cale In THE FIELD, May 10, 1883.Bra: I have the honor to submit the following report of the port taken

by this battery in the action on the south aide of the Rappahannock

between the 29th day of April and the Gth day of May, 1883At 1 p. m. on the 28th of April,I was detached from the First Divia

Sixth Corps, and ordered to report to Colonel Tompkins, FirstRhode Island Artillery, chief of corps artillery, at Sands' house. Imoved the battery to the place designated as soon as possible, and re-ported, as ordered, at ft p. m. of same day. Iwas ordered to bold mybattery in readiness to protect, with Seeley's battery of the Fourth U.S.Artillery, the bridge.builders at PollookB house.

On the morning of the 29th, the rills-pits on the opposite side of theriver having been occupied by one Infantry, I moved my guns over and


21/69

Case. 0000I1.1 1010 CliANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN. 721

LillgioLorded, and missing, ofwhich I herewith for.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,WM. HAWLEY,

Colonel, (lowly. Third Regiment Wieconsin Vole.

Brig. Gen. Tuos,s 10. Boona,Commanding Third Brigade.

No. 279.

.iitkorla of Copt Robert B. Fit:Immb, First Mon York Artillery, can.mantling ballarg, and COW of Artillo,

STAFFORD Oovam.Hoosis, VA.,May 7, 1069.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of thepart taken by Battery K, First New York Artillery, in the late opera-tions on the Rappahannock :The battery crowd the river at lJnited States Ford on Thursday,

April 30,1863, and early the next morning joined its division (First, ofthe Twelfth Corps) near Chancellorsville, Va. During the reconnais-sance made by the Twelfth Corps on Friday, May I, the battery was

held in reserve, and remained nnengaged mitt about 5 p. in. of Satur-day,May 2, when the enemy, having driven in the Eleventh Corps,Captain Best, chief of artillery, Twelfth Corps, directed me to come Intoposition south of the Plank road, and about 500 yards in rear of theline held by Generals Williams and Berry. Soon after, Lieut. F. B.Crosby, with four pieces of Battery F, Fourth B. S. Artillery, took posi.don on my right, sod Line.. N.E. Winegar, commanding BatteryFirstNew York Artillery, on my left, joined, at about 6 p. m., by BaLtoy D, First New York Artillery, and forming, with other batteries ofthe Third and Twelfth Corps, a line of thirty.four pieces. From thisposition I fired, during dm lighting of Saturday night, 56 rounds, chieflyof Hotchkiss shell, at II degrees elevation, with *second fuse, direct-ing the lire against a body of the enemy occupying the Plank road andthewoods in frt. of General Berry's line. They were thrown into greatconfusion by the fire of the batteries, and their advance was checkedfor the night.

At about 4.90 a. m., Sunday, May 3, I was ordered by Captain Bestto send one section to strengthen General Geary's line, and the otherto General Meade'sLieutenant Bailey joining General Meade, andLieutenant Davis General Geary.

400 E

voL ICYV, PT I


22/69

722 N. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. (ODA =PPM

At about 9 a. in. Lieutenant Winegar, commanding Battery M, FirstNed York Artillery, still engaged in his position of the previous evening,reporting to ma that Da was nearly out of ammunition, I brought upLieutenant Davis' section from General Geaq's line to relieve him; butbefore the section, though coming up at a trot, could reach the grave-yard in rear Of the Twelfth Corps attillery, the batteries of that linehad all fallen back, U, of the Flint New York Artillery, the lest of themto retire, going by Lieutenant Davis just as he went into battery, whit%be did under my direction a little northeast of the graveyard. Fromthis position we opened M fire of Hotelikiaa fuse and Schenhl perces-sloe shell against a rebel battery which was enfilading our line from thefield about a mile south of the Plank road, every one of the 12 shellsthat we fired (elevation 6 degrees) thirsting among the enmity's pieces,although the smoke that bung over that part of the field prevented orfrom seeing any other eilhot than the espies'oa of an ammunition chest

and a temporary slackening of their fire. After firing 12 rounds, wewere obliged to direet our pieces against a body of rebel infantry whohad driven our troops back over the road, and were pouring into us asharp fire of musketry from our right and front. We now fired thenand ease shot at an average elevation of 1 degree until the enemy ad-vanced over the line that had been monied by Captain Battle artillery,D, of the Fhet New York Artillery, and other batteries, earlier in themorning, when eve fired percussion shell et pointblank.

A regiment of our infantry that had been lying on the ground oil ourright and rearnow row and fell bank. At about 10.30 a. m. I with.

drew the motion, under cover of a fire from BOMB of our artillery poetednear the Chantellorsvillo house, to the second line, formed near thewhite house, which we had barely reached when we came into battery,west of the United States Pad road, against a body of the enemy whowere driving our infantry out of the woods on the west and south of thewhite house. We here fired percussion shell at pointblank against theenemy in the edge of the wooda with great effect. Their advance atthat point was ethmtually checked by the artillery fire. Between 2 and3 p: m. I directed Lieutenant Davis tojoiu Lieutenant Bailey's section,which had boon in position, unemptged, tear General Griffin's divisionof the Fifth Corps, on our right.

Early Monday morning, Captain Weed, commanding the artillery ofthat line,ordered the battery tett. left, near Oe...1 13i..3,.divisionofthe Thad Corp. Here, toward evening, we were hotly engaged withthe rebel infantry and artillery, first shelling a battery on the left, whichwe glanced, and then turtling our fire, in 00111M0a with that of the wholeline, against a battery on the right, which was also eilenoed in a few/ninon,.

From Monday evening, May 4, moth Tuesday, 8 p. to., we remainedIn the lastuaund position, uneugaged. We were then (Tuesday, May 5,8 p. m.) ordered to United States Fowl by Captain Weed.

On Wednesday a. tn., May 6, I put the luittery in position near thegroup of buildings a short distance south of the ford, by older of Major-General Reynolds, commanding First Collis, and about 10 a. m., by orderof the same officer, creased the river, the battery joining its corps atStafford Courtllouse at about 7 p. m.

First Lieut. Edward L. Dailey and Second Lieut. Henry W. Davisdeserve a great deal of credit, not only for their gallant bearing undera are fire, but for the etoellentjudgment displayed by them both inthe management oftheir respective section. The non.cominieeionedofficers .4 men,without weenie exception, behaved nobly. The pieces


23/69

xxxmo THE clunk..or:3ve,, cnitr,22. 723

were worked very carefully, au d not a shot was thrown away. The totalexpenditure of amunition was HO roods.

I have the hono

m

r to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,ROBERT IL FITZLII7GH,

Captain First Now Cart Artillery, Cdrmay. Battery K.001. C. 8. WALYWILlaall,

Conusandiny FirstiVos 1,k,Artillery.

Casual Cm iu Itattery K, First New York Artillery, during battlesnear Chaneellorsville, Va., May 1-5,180.*

Capta in Fine N., York ArtIlieryll;allzy11. 17iFsii;K.

STAFFORD COURT-HOUSE, VA.May la,

VA.,

LialwEiterw, I have the honor to submit the following report of thepart taken by the artillery of the division in the late operations on theRappahannock:

A list of oasualties and losses in material have already been for-warded.

Battery if, First New York Artillery, First Lieut. C. E. Winegarcommanding, having crossed the Rappahannock with the division at

Kelly's Ford, reached Fairview Thursday p. m., April 30, where, on Fri.day, May I, at 13 a. m., it was joined by Batteries F, Fourth U. 8. Ar-tillery, Lieut. F. B. Creel., commanding, and K, First New York Artil-lery, First Lieut. E. L. Bailey temporally commanding.

During the reecnnaissanee of Friday a. m.,none of the batteries were

mgaged.About noon of that day, First Lieut. E. D. Muhlenberg, with a see.

tion of Battery F, Fourth U. S. Artillery, was ordered to GeneralGeary's line by ()apt. O. L. Best, chief of artillery, Twelfth Corps, andremained there during the actione of the next two days.

About 4 p. m. of Friday, May La rebel battery, opening from a point

about 300 yards southweat of Colonel Ross' timition, was silenmd inabout half an hoar by the converging lire of Battery lf, potted nearthe log house, First Division headquarter, with one seed.. of BatteryF, Fourth U. 8. Artillery, and from another motion of Battery F, underLieutenant Crosby, [mated, by order of Brigadier-General William,commanding division, at the point of woods on the west side of theravitie.

Daring Friday night, the division artillery remained in battery tearGeneral Williams' headquarters.

On Saturday, May .2, Lieutenant Mahlenberg, on General Gerires

left, was engaged at intervals during the whole day repelling threecavalry charges and one of infantry, using .niator with great effect.The nut of the divillion artillery remained unongaged until between 2and 0 p. m. The Eleventh Corps giving way, by order of CaptainBest I poSted the batteries in Molitor General Williams' hmdquarters,forming, with the rat of the Twelfth Corps artillery and two batteriesof the Third Corps, a line of thirty.four pieces, stretching from thePlank road south to a short dist:tam beyond the log house, the linebeing completed just as Generals Will isms' (Twelfth Corps) and Berry's

Manisa list, omitted, shows ',splint. lam wounded.


24/69

mv..) THECHAN CELLOPSVILLS CAMPAIGN. 785

of Jackson's operations on the night of May S. When I made thatcharge, or started to make it, we were a considerable distance inside oftheir advance line, and farther out than the head of his column, andmoving at right eagles to it. The main portion of the regiment charged

his front, and two squadrons from the rear (for we were in column)barged toward the left flank of his column, at which time I am vale.hod they drove him back on his own column, when be was woundedmortally. Of these facts. I am entirely satisfied, with the amount ofinformation I bare on the subject, and if such is the case beyond adoubt, I have often thought our command should have the credit of it,at least in the history of the war.

I am, very sincere], your obedient servant,PENNOCK HUEY.

Maj. Gen. A. PLESConToN.irese ,m,

Wenn:N.0n, D. C.,M ay 29, 1806.

This eopy %respectfully referred to MajorGeneral Rawlins, chief ofstaff, utkonling to the requeet of the writer, to be incorporated in tbehistory of the war. The writer, Ormond Huey, commanded the EighthPennsylvania Cavalry, under my orders,at the battle of Chaucelloixedle,end cbarged the heat) of Jacirson'a column by my direction at the timeitw an naming the rout of the Eleventh Corps. General Itnev wasdistingnished for gallantry and energy, and fidelity in his reports, andthe information I have already submitted in myreports of the battle ofChancellorsville goto confirm the inclosed Mateo.. that Jackson wasmortally wounded by our troops in his attack open our right at thattime.

A. PLEAOONTON,flourand BrevetBriyadier.Geaerai, U, B. Army.

Ne. 307.

Report of Lieut. Joseph W. Ma= Sixth Battery Hem York Light

14Pein IhtlatOPTB,May P, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I bog leave to submit for your consideration the followingreport of the participation of my battery, the Sixth Independent NewYork, in the recent movements and engagemenM of this army:

In accordance with orders from headquarters First Division, CavalryCorps, I marched from camp, near Potomac Bridge, on the Stithat 6 a. m., with instructions to report M Brigadier-General Pleasoutonat Grove Church, on the road leading from Hartwood Church to Mor-risville, Va. I had hardly unparked 'the battery, however, when theorder was changed so as to specify Hartwood Church instead of (HoveChurch.

At 4 p. m. (about Dahmer after I had arrived at Hartword Ch arch), Iwas ordered by the brigneliengeneral commanding to report to him withmy battery at once ht the United States Ford. I succeeded in getting

be a ItVO L PTV, PT I


25/69

786 a. A., W. VA., MD., AND PA. We.. 2[8857I.

the battery about 200 yards on the road leading to the ford, when,finding it impossible to proceed farther on account of the road beingcompletely blockaded by the wagon and artillery trains belonging tothe Second Army Comm, then en route for the ford, I left instructions

with Lieut. George Browne, jr., my first officer, to push ahead with thebattery as faat as possible, while I went forward to find General 'Pleas-onton, if possible, and report to him the reasons of my delay. 1arrived at Major-Gwent Couch

,. headquarters about 9 p. m., but wasunable to Bad any transof General Pleasonton's whereabouta ColonelCarroll, commanding a brigade in the Second Army Corps, advised meto encamp for the night as near to the headquarters of the Second ArmyCorps as possible, and report my petition by letter to him, stating to methat be was to command of the pickets on General Couch's front ; thatGeneral Ileasonton could not arrive there without his knowing it, and

in ease he did arrive he would immediately inform him where my bat-tery was. I accordingly returned, and found, to my greet disappoint-merit, that the battery had been tumble to advance more than IOU yardsfrom where I left it. It was now 11 o'clock at night ; my animals hadbeen without food or water and in harness since 3 o'clock in the morning,and the road being no clearer than it was five hours before, I deemed ituseless to make any further attempt to proceed, and accordingly wentinto park, reporting by letter to Colonel Carroll.

At daylight the next morning (30th ultimo) 1 was again moving, betit war 5 dole& in the afternoon before I Lame in sight of the river.From the immense transportation and artillery trains which occupiedthe road and the fields bordering thereon, waiting an opportunity tocross, team immediately that it would be morning before I couldget athence to cross. I accordingly rode across the river, and reported toMajmGeneral Couch. He told me that he did not know where GeneralPleasanton Ives, but that he hadheard a minor that he had crossed theriver at Kelly's Ford, in advanee of the Fifth, Eleventh, and TwelfthCorps. Still, of this he was not assured officially, and he thereforeadvised me to remain on the north bank of the river, and await fartherorders from General Pleasanton.

Upon this advice. I encamped on the bank of the river, and remained

there until 2 o'clock on the morning of the 1st instant, when CaptainKennedy, of General Pleasontords staff, reached me with the news thatthe general's headquarters were at Chaneellorsville, and directed me toreport there as soon as I possibly could. I immediately moved for.ward, and reported to General Pleasonton at 6 a m. By his directions,I remained near hie headquarters until 3 &dock that afternoon, whenI moved down the road leading to Ely's Fold, on the Rapidan, andencamped for the night with the remainder of the First CavalryDiv m

The next morning (2d instant) I had the battery harnessed at. day.

light, but until 3 p. m. the day was spent ...sling the command andgradually moving nearer to the front. At that hour (3 delook) theentire command was - ordmod out to pursue the retreating enemy.

Proceeding to the brick house Chancellersville, occupied by themajor.general commanding as Lis ea; thence along the road(known as the Plank road) running in an masterly direction from thehoarse about a mile, and turning from that into a road on the left side,I moved forward until I readied a large open field, where, by GeneralPleasonton's order,

f

formed the battery in line, and remained longenough to feed and groom the horses. Across this open field the ThirdArmy Corps was moving in line of battle, while, in the woods and under.


26/69

fine. saavarTHE CHINCELLOESVILLE CAMPUICW. 787

growth beyond, the sharp musketry and artillery firing told plainlywhere the enemy were. In about three.fourths of an hoar I wasorderedforward with the cavalry, two pieces without caiseons beingplaced in advanoe, under Lieutenant Browne, The remaining two sec-ti usti marched directly to the rear of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry.he column had hardly avanced 900 yards, however, before very

rapid firingd

in our rear and vehement claming, .which recognized andwell asheing iron, the enemy, was heard, and in a moment afterwardl met the advance of our column returning, and reorientan order toreverse the battery and return to my former position. This was a slowundertaking, owing to the narrowness of the road, which necessitatedthe unlimbering of the carriages and reversing each portion of thecarriages by themselves Having accomplished this, I moved rapidlyback, reported to the brigredier-general commanding, and by his orders

formed the two sections of my batteryin battery, bearing on the woodstanning at right angles with the mad on which we had but a fewmoments before advanced, the remaining section (Lieutenant Browne's)being funned in battery on the woods in which we bad just reversed.The front of the battery was shortly afterward hanged to the right,the pieces thrown forward en Sodden, and Lieutenant Browne's sectionbrought into position on the right of and about CO yards distant fromthe eemaindes of the battery.

The scone before me wee one of indescribable confusion. The eventhArmy Corps was panimstrieken, and the pack trains, ambulances, sr-

finery carriages, Ste, belonging thereto were rushing to mid fro, manyof the earnages eithoet &teenier teamster, Not more, %sat 250yardsfrom the battery there ran a line of fence, aud behind this appeared aline of infantry, but in the fast-increasing darkness it was impossibleto tell whether they were our own or the enemy's troops. LieutenantClark asserts positively that he heard them say," Do not fire on yourfriends' , and these filets, combined with another, that they carried afag, which, if non the Amerioan on was certainly very nearly thename as it, deterred me from opening fire upon the line

On repotting these facts to the brigediertgenaral commanding, beordered me non to open Bre until I received orders from him, be in themeantime sending his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Thomson, to aseertainthe Erne state ofaffairs. I was not, howevercompelled to wait for hisreport. Lie had hardly disappeared in the 'darkness before a brightline of fire and the sharp rattle of musketry told on who were in ourfront. Almost simultaneously came the order from the brigadier-gen-eral commanding to me to fire, and the engagement opened in earnest. -

It is useless for me to attempt to describe the heat of the action orthe difficulties under which the battery labored in maintaining its Pam.don. The brigadier.general commanding, from the exposed positionwhich he kept throughout the notion, in the center of em battery, saw

it 811, and it would only be wearisome to tell Mtn what he saw an wellas myself.The are of the enemy was very vigorous and well maintained. I

trust that of toy battery was equally so. The guns were served withgreat difficulty, owing to the way in which the cannoneers were inter.fered with in their duties. Carriages, wagons, horses without riders,nod panie-stricken infantry were rushing through and through my bat-tery, overtarning guns and limbers, smashing mycaissons, and tramplingmy horse.holders under them.

eaJ

W

sstt: ewlZi

= Browne wen bringing

t Z I V ; L a ,


27/69

788 N. VA., W. VA., MD., AN D Pb 1 c m , e . wave

and severely injuring one of his drivers, carrying away both dental,meats of his horses, and breaking the caisson no badly as to necessitateits being left upon the held.

At the conclusion of the action, which lastedabout an hour, Itan-

dolph's Rhode Island Battery, of light 12.pounders, took up position infront of mine, and, by General Pleasonton's instructions, I moved mytwo sections to the left of the position occupied by Lieutenant Browne'ssection.

In this position I remained until a little after daylight in the morn-ing (3,1 ioutant), when, by Gmerel Pleationton's order, I withdrew thebattery to a position behind the headquarters of the mojorgeneral corn.moaling. and from thence moved to the United States Ford. Beforeleaving, however, I went to headquarters to see if it was prooticable totake a limber and bring off the body of the ealason which Ihad been

obliged to leave ou the Held, but seeing that a battery belonging to theenemy occupied the position I had into left, I regarded it as hardlyfeasible.

I remained at the United States Ford, on the soma side of the river,until o'clock on the afternoon of the 4th, when, by directiou of Cap-tain Tidball, Second U. S. Artillery, to whom, by order of GeneralPlessonton, I bad reported with my battery, I moved to the north sideof the river, and encamped about a mile from the ford.

I shonld here mate that, owing to the loss of borees and men, withthe permission of the brigadiergenend commanding, I had reduced thebattery to two neetiOne, believing that fear guns, with loll detachmentsand good horse, would be capable of doing bettor mercies than sixgnus badly horsed and imperfectly manned, and on the afternoon ofthe 3d Bent the remaining election to the north side of the rive , whereby wagons, &c., were encamped.

At 2 o'clock 0 1 1 the morniug of the lith instant, I received orders tomCaptain Tidball to march to Falmouth, and arrived there at ll a. 0.At 12 tn. I was ordered to report to Col. B. F. Davis, commandingSecond Brigade, First Division, Cavalry Corps, and with his columnmarched to Deep Bun

'

arriving there et (I p. m.I remained at Deepltun until 2 p. m. on the 7th instant, when I was

ordered to Potomac Creek, "h., on the 8th instadt, I was ordered toreport to First 1Aent. A. C. M. Pmmiugton,Secoud U. S. Artillery, nom.mooding First Brigade Horse Artillery, and reached the brigade campabout 1 p. in. on that day.

In the engagement on the 2d, and in the shelling of our wagon campson the morning of the 4th instant, I have the following casualties toreport:

May lulled, 1 (Private Luther P. Hilvety); wounded, 4 (Privet.Patrick (Cl]a, Thomas E. Hunt, Noah S.Irving, severely, and Ed.ward Hart, slightly).

May 1--killed, 1 (Private Herman Sanders).Leas in material-1 caisson, 1 set wheel harness, 15 sets horse equip.marts, 17 bonus (killed, wounded, and missing).

Ammunition consumed-150 porcussionsliell (Schenkl), 127 case shot(Hotchkiss), 82 canister (Hotchkiss), and 339 cartridges.

It is impossible to make any particular mention of the conduct ofmy command. My chiefs of sections (Lieutenants Browne and Clarkand Serge. James E. Tileston) behaved with great gallantryand cool-ness while under Ore, and while on the march their labors tended greatlyto promote and maintain the ellIcieney of the battery. The enlisbdmen of the commend wore under the immediate eye of the brigadier.


28/69

Mass fillfOrt-1 egg CgsNen...MS-M. CAMPAIGN. 789

general commanding throughout the action, and a few flattering wordswhich he spoke to them while the engagement was progressiconductsufficient to assure me that he was more than satisfied with theof all of them. I feel certain that when the next struggle comes they

will not be found wanting.In conclasion, captain, I beg leave to return my sincere thanks to the

brigadier-general commanding for the uniform kindness and courtesywith which myself and my command were treated during the operationsof the division. It was owing entirely to his exertions and to those ofhis staff that my battery wee kept mann supplied in everything neces-sary to its sustenance, and the fact that six hours after it had arrivedat its original camp it was ready again for service as a fell battery speakshighly for the forethought and attention which be paid my commandwhile it WASa participator in the late operations of the Army of the

Potomac.I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,J. W. MARTIN,

First Lieut., may. tilt lwdyt. N. Y. Battery Horse Artillery.

Pint Bvn., Cavalry Corps.

No. CM

Organisation of the Army of Northern Virginia*

gum. CORPS,

Yel. Goo. larsrnwn MaLsws.

Woionas Brigade.

Brig. Gen. W. T. WO....

seams, Brigade.

Brig...Perm J. Swaim.

: . . 7 4 ; LbvLCOl F. Ream.raia

Lorgiagai. James P . M a n n a .

Beriltaaas Brigade.

rig. Gen. Jowl, B.Ifausmew.

&I Son. CsJolim, Col. John D. Ren.

MMaorrearefino, Lieut. Col. Joseph

3d PLietiolio.,BsEtallo, Lieut.Col.W Moo.

Bark.. Brig..

Brig. Oen. Wurwaa Beauf.swas.

rt h Mi pi. Col. J. W. Ceder.

cut . . 3 ' 7 , 1 1 , 1 1 1 " . !

2 1 E E E F S 5 n a E 4 ! ' = " - - - - - - - ' .


29/69

Cade. xxxv1/.1 OPERATIONS AT RAPPAHANNOCK BRIDGE, ETC. 83

APRIL 11-18, 1808.Scour from Beverly to Franklin, W. Va.

Report of VOL George R. Latham, SomaTV., Virginia Infantry.

BEVERLY, [W. VA.,] April 18, 1863.CAPTAIN: The expedition which went toward lbsoklin has returned.

They took Franklin by surprise, and penetrated 5 miles beyond, butfound no enemy; 5 prisoners were brought when] I forward thismorning. We had 2 men wounded, 1 of whom wnd member of theBwamper's Home Guards from Seneca. Will forward written reportas soon as prepared.

G. R. LATHAM.

j"(7=Ot t t a lliP2;u,...t

APRIL 14-15,1883ivAterrA,Rontas r. 1.3 ftirlge, and at Kelly's,

viacv. c114.TS.

No. 1.Firet Lieut. Samuel S. Elder, First 11. S. Artillery, commanding Battery E,

Fourth U. S. Artillery, ofoperations at Kelly's Ford.

No. 2Firet Lieut. Robert Clarke, Second E. 9. Artillery, of operations at Rappa.

hannoekNo. 9.Bel. St... N. II. F. Ise, C. tArmy, euminanding Cavalry Meade, Stuart,

DivIelou, Array of Northern Virginia.

No. 4.Capt. J. W. Straus, Seoul. Nosh Carolina Cavalry.No. 5.Col. IL L. T. Beale, Ninth Virginia Cavalry.

No. RCol. Jolin R.Okumblim, yr., Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry.

No. 7.Capt. Marceline N. Memnon, Stud. Home Artillery.

No. C.Lieut. C. E. Ford. Stuart Rome Artillery.

215. 1.

Report ofFires Lieat. $easel 8. Elder, Fired p. 8. Artillery, cuo+nand.ing Pottery E, Fourth U. 8. Ardllerq, of opooeliose at Kelly's F d.

RESERVE BRIGADE, REGULAR Cevelay,Campnear Beoletow, Va., April 19,1863.

Stu: I have tho honor to report that after having, in compliant.with your instructions at I Iartwood Church on the 13th instant, reportedto Goners' Buford, cono mding Reserve Brigade, regular cavalry, Ipromm tied a, ith the battery to Morrisville the same day, and encamped

with his command.On the morning of the 14th, I proceeded with the brigade to Kelly'sFord, taking with me only the pieces. Some time after our arrival atthe ford, the enemy opened sharply on the cavalry from two field pieces(rifled), on an elevation on the opposite side of the river, at a distant.of about 2,000 yards. I immediately planed ray guns in battery at apoint Indicated by the general commanding, and in less than teu min.me

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