No. 286.

Report of Capt. George B. Easterly, Fourth Wisconsin Battery, of operations June 15-17.

JUNE 17, 1864.

Report of movements of the right section of the Fourth Wisconsin Light Battery from the night of June 15 to the morning of June 17, 1864:

June 15, 1 a. m. crossed the Appomattox in rear of the Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry and marched in direction of Petersburg; halted shortly after daybreak. Resumed march, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry in advance. About one mile and a half from the crossing of the City Point and Petersburg Railroad the enemy opened fire on the column from artillery. The section was ordered to the front and placed in position by Maj. T. H. Schenck, Third New York Artillery, chief of artillery, near the ravine occupied by our advance and close to the fire of the enemy's artillery. Directions were given to fire through the woods, calculating the position of the enemy's guns, which were concealed from view, at 1,800 yards. After firing fourteen rounds, ceased firing and moved to the rear out of range, one cannoneer slightly wounded by piece of shell. Resumed march with column, Third New York Cavalry in advance. About 12 m. placed one gun in position on a road commanded by and under fire of the enemy's artillery from a line of breast-works about 1,600 yards to the front. The enemy's position could not be seen from this gun, and a short fire only was kept up by it. The remaining gun was placed in position about 200 yards farther to the front, and immediately at the edge of the woods facing and commanded by the works of the enemy. A slow firing was kept up by this piece with an accurate range of the enemy's position. Both guns were soon placed in position on the edge of the woods, under a hot fire from the enemy, with directions to attract his attention from the advance of our line of skirmishers. A steady fire was kept up and nearly every projectile was seen to strike in the enemy's works. One gun became disabled by a shell lodging in the bore, and was sent to the rear, but shortly returned in a serviceable condition and was placed in position until the return of the line of skirmishers. Ammunition on hand at this time, fifty rounds shell and twenty rounds of canister; whole amount expended during the day, 130 rounds. The march was resumed in lead of the rear regiment, First New York Mounted Rifles, and bivouac was made with the column.

June 16, resumed march and continued in rear of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. Replenished my limbers soon after halting, about 10 a. m. 10.30, marched and continued in rear of the Eleventh Pennsylvania during the day and until arrival in the camp now occupied on the morning of the 17th instant.

Very respectfully,

G. B. EASTERLY,

Captain, Commanding Fourth Wisconsin Battery.

Capt. M. J. ASCH,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 287.

Report of Lieut. William P. Powers, Fourth Wisconsin Battery, of operations July 27-30.

CAMP FOURTH WISCONSIN LIGHT BATTERY,

Near Jones' Landing, Va., August 3, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following record of the operations of one section of the Fourth Wisconsin Battery, equipped as horse artillery, under my command in the late movement at Deep Bottom:

We left camp, with the Cavalry Division under General Kautz, at daylight on Wednesday morning, the 27th of July. Crossed the James River at Deep Bottom at 10 a. m., and camped about a mile from the river until the following morning at 10, when the division moved toward Malvern Hill, at the foot of which we met the enemy in some force. A sharp skirmish ensued, during which, though under fire, we were not engaged. The enemy was repulsed. In my section 1 man and 2 horses were wounded. A line of battle was formed on Malvern Hill, from which we marched at about 1 o'clock on Friday morning to the ground occupied by us on the first night, where we remained until daylight. Here one horse, with saddle, bridle, and blanket, escaped from the sec tion and was lost-probably picked up by the cavalry.

At noon of Friday, the 29th, we were formed in line of battle, with Sheridan's cavalry near to and with both flanks resting on the river, where we remained until the following morning at daybreak, when the division returned to camp.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. P. POWERS,

First Lieutenant, Fourth Wisconsin Battery.

Capt. GEORGE B. EASTERLY,

Commanding Fourth Wisconsin Battery.

No. 288.

Report of Lieut. Dorman L. Noggle, Fourth Wisconsin Battery, of oper ations July 30-August 1.

CAMP DETACHMENT FOURTH WISCONSIN BATTERY,

We

Near Light-House Point, August 9, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on the evening of July 30, 1864, I left camp near Jones' Landing with one section of the battery, accompanying the cavalry expedition under General Kautz. marched all night, arriving at the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad about 4 a. m. July 31. Remained there two hours, then crossed the railroad and proceeded to Lee's Mill, where I placed my two guns in position, but did not fire any. On the morning of August 1 received orders to move with the cavalry which returned to near Light-House Point, where we went into camp and remained until joined by the center section under your command.

Respectfully, yours,

D. L. NOGGLE,

Second Lieut., Comdg. Detachment Fourth Wisconsin Battery. Capt. GEORGE B. EASTERLY,

Commanding Fourth Wisconsin Battery.

No. 289.

Report of Capt. Amaya L. Fitch, Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery, commanding U. S. Steamer Parke, of operations July 16-17.

HDQRS. NAVAL BRIGADE, DEPT. OF VA. AND N. C.,
Point of Rocks, Va., July 17, 1864.

Col. J. W. SHAFFER,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: In forwarding the report of Captain Fitch I desire to express my approbation of the courage; zeal, and prudence exhibited by him on this occasion, as well as many others, and to call the attention of the major-general commanding to the neatness and efficiency of the steamer Parke, and the thorough discipline which prevails on board of her. I likewise avail myself of this opportunity to renew the suggestion made to the major-general commanding several days since that no sailing vessel should be permitted to come up the river, but that all vessels should be obliged to take tugs in the Government employ, and be under the constant supervision of military officers from the time of leaving Fort Monroe to their arrival at City Point. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHARLES K. GRAHAM,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINIA,

July 17, 1864. Respectfully forwarded to Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding. The report of Brigadier-General Graham approved. The plaudits of Captain Fitch's courage, conduct, and efficiency are concurred in by the major-general commanding the department. This expedition is but another evidence of the efficiency of the armed transports now in the service. The attention of the lieutenant-general is specially called to the suggestion that no sailing vessel be permitted to come up or go down the river without a tow; certainly not to come up, because of the ease with which smuggling can be carried on in this length of river, and the fact that aid and comfort may be furnished to the enemy, as undoubtedly was the case by the schooner with the torpedoes. Sutlers' schooners and others have been in the habit of coming up without these tows, and I have had numerous complaints of trading with the enemy by them; therefore I beg leave again to suggest that the chief quartermaster should give the directions required.

[Inclosure.]

BENJ. F. BUTLER, Major-General, Commanding.

U. S. STEAMER (GUN-BOAT) PARKE. GENERAL: In accordance with instructions received the 16th instant, I got under way and steamed down James River; went alongside the wharf at Herring Creek, and, taking Lieutenant Hart and Lieutenant Nelson, with twelve men, went ashore to the late residence of Andrew Ellett, now in Richmond. Here we received information from a negro on the estate that the enemy had a force of cavalry and infantry about two miles and a half inland at a place called Rowland's Mills, and on

the Malvern Hill road, near the locality where, on the 13th instant, I had before discovered them. He supposed their force to be about 100 men, with a force of 1,500 cavalry some miles farther back. I also learned from the negro that a white man, residing also on the estate, named Richard Bully, was in daily communication with the enemy. On questioning Bully, I had reason to believe the negro correct, and on his refusing to take the oath of allegiance I arrested him and took him on board the vessel. After scouting the neighborhood for some distance around without discovering the enemy, 1, at 1.30 p. m., returned on board, and getting under way steamed down the river as far as Ward's Creek. At 3 p. m. came about, and proceeded up the river again as far as Wilcox's Landing, where I came to alongside the wharf, and taking Lieutenants Hart and Nelson, with a party of men, went ashore. After searching thoroughly the plantation, I discovered in the houses of the two Mrs. Douthat's a number of sabers, saddles, bayonets, &c., which they asserted had been picked up at the old camping ground of the Army of the Potomac. Both these ladies' husbands are prisoners at Point Lookout. At 4 p. m. I returned on board. At 6 p. m. got under way and started down the river, and at 7.30 came to anchor above Kennon's Marsh. As I was desirous of effecting a landing during the night at Herring Creek, I remained at anchor here until 10.30 p. m., when I weighed anchor and started up the river. At 12.30 a. m. came to alongside the wharf above Herring Creek, and with Lieutenants Hart and Parkinson landed eighty men, consisting of fifty sailors and thirty marines. Immediately on landing I threw out a party of ten sailors as advanced scouts and skirmishers. Forming my main body I advanced cautiously after them. Immediately in front of the house the skirmish line, 200 yards in advance of the main body and 800 yards from the beach, encountered the enemy, consisting of about fifty cavalry, who received them with a brisk [fire], to which my men as promptly and as briskly replied. The moment I found my skirmishers engaged I ordered the marines to the right at doublequick, in order to take the enemy in flank, and with the sailors charged at a run in front. I am proud to say that on this occasion, as heretofore, my officers and men seconded me with a zeal and alacrity beyond praise. On arriving at the scene of action I found the skirmish line falling back slowly. Reforming, we advanced down the road, the enemy retreating at full speed. They being all well mounted I was unable to come up with them, and I was reluctantly compelled to discontinue the pursuit. I regret to say that in the action with the skirmishers 1 had one man wounded in the foot. I now threw out pickets all around the building and roads leading from it, and, drawing my men up under shadow of the house, awaited the attack of the enemy. In the position I remained until 3 a. m., when I returned on board with all hands, and, getting under way, steamed over to the other side of the river and came to anchor opposite the plantation. At 5 a. m. I got under way and came to alongside the wharf, and sent Lieutenants Hart and Nelson ashore with a party to bring on board some refugee negroes and scout the neighborhood. While on shore they discovered two boats, containing twelve torpedoes, with their anchors and equipments, drawn up under the bushes on the beach. The oars in the boat were muffled, and from the fact that only two of the torpedoes had been landed, I am convinced that the party I had engaged the night previous had been engaged in the debarkation of the torpedoes when we interrupted them and drove them off. I immediately had the boats launched, the torpedoes that had been landed put on board, and

the whole towed to the vessel. While engaged in this we discovered a white signal waving from a point about a mile below. I immediately took the gig and with Lieutenant Nelson proceeded to learn the meaning of the signal. We found it was made by three white refugees from Richmond, named Sidney H. Jefferds, B. W. Jordan, and Frank D. Briquit. I took them on board the cutter, and on regaining the vessel immediately got under way.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. L. FITCH, Captain, Commanding U. S. Steamer Parke.

Brigadier-General GRAHAM,

Commanding Naval Brigade.

No. 290.

Report of Brig. Gen. John J. Abercrombie, U. S. Army, of operations June 20.*

WHITE HOUSE, June 20, 1864-4 p. m.

This place was attacked at 7 o'clock this morning by Hampton's division cavalry and artillery. So far I have foiled all their attempts to get into the depot. About an hour ago one of their caissons exploded. There has been no firing from them since. The head of General Sheridan's column is in sight. But 2 or 3 wounded in my comcommand. General G. W. Getty has just arrived.

Brig. Gen. SETH WILLIAMS,

J. J. ABERCROMBIE, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac.

GENERAL ORDERS,

No. 10.

ADDENDA.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
White House, Va., June 20, 1864.

The undersigned hereby relinquishes the command of the troops at this station to Brig. Gen. George W. Getty. In doing so he avails himself of this opportunity of expressing his high appreciation of the services of his staff in their respective positions, tendering his sincere thanks to Capt. Charles A. Babcock and the officers of the Navy for the very efficient aid and support to the land forces in the persistent attack on the post to-day by the enemy.

J. J. ABERCROMBIE,
Brigadier-General.

No. 291.

Report of Cant. Christian Woerner, Third New Jersey Battery, of oper ations June 20.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD NEW JERSEY BATTERY,

In Camp, near White House Landing, Va., June 21, 1864. SIR: I respectfully report that the rebels yesterday morning, about 6.30 o'clock, drove our pickets to within thirty yards in front of our line

* See also reports of Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee, Lieut. Commander Charles A. Babcock, and Acting Master N. Graham in Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 5, 1864.