reached by our infantry, and near the hill where Although you had on the day previous shown Bee and Bartow fell, on the twenty-first July, 1861, the first battle of Manassas. The list of casualties of the three brigades having been previously forwarded, it will suffice to state that the entire loss of killed, wounded, and missing was three hundred and thirty, (four missing.) In closing this report, I beg to assure the Major-General commanding, that both men and of ficers of my brigade behaved in a manner highly creditable to them. I will only bring to his favorable notice in this report the four regimental commanders of the brigade, viz., Major Williams, commanding Ninth Alabama; Major Herbert, Eighth; Captain Saunders, Eleventh; and Major Caldwell, Tenth Alabama. It will be seen that there was no field officer of higher rank than Major, and of those but three. me General Lee's letter suggesting that I would have charge of the expedition, it was there for the first time made known to me that you designed the attack to be made at night, and showed me some sketches of Coggin's Point, a sort of peninsula, round which the James River sweeps, diminishing its width to about a thousand yards, and directly opposite to which is Harrison's Landing. Beyond this landing were large encampments of the enemy, his shipping extending above and below for a distance of two miles. No time could be lost; so, in company with General Pendleton and some of his field officers, I proceeded to examine the ground, and select positions for the guns, and observe the enemy. This reconnoissance occupied us until about nine o'clock, and caused a delay in the advance of the artillery. On our return we met the advance guns, and ordered them to be halted; and, at the suggestion of General Pendleton, I determined to report to you that an attack could not be made that night, chiefly because the night was far ad To my personal staff, Captain Walter E. Winn, A. A. General, and Lieutenant M. M. Lindsey, Nineteenth Mississippi, my thanks are especially due for their willingness and promptness in rendering their services at all times during the en-vanced, the darkness intense, and that many of gagement. I would also bring to your favorable notice private J. C. Causey, of the Third Virginia cavalry, my courier, who received, late in the action, (after dark,) a painful wound on the head, from a piece of shell, while carrying an order to one of my regiments. the officers who would command batteries had not examined the ground, the roads, nor the shipping they designed to fire on, and many pieces of artillery were far in the rear. I found you at the Merchant's Hope Church, where you had posted the two brigades of infantry. In company with General Pendleton, I explained to you the necesThe enclosed reports of Generals Featherston sity of delaying the attack. You expressed apand Pryor will bring to your notice such in-prehensions of a failure if not made at once, stances of men and officers in their brigades as are deserving of commendation. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, C. M. WILCOX, BRIGADIER-GENERAL FRENCH'S REPORT OF HIS NIGHT ATTACK ON THE SHIPPING AND CAMP OF GENERAL MCCLELLAN. HEADQUARTERS PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, August 31, 1862. General D. H. Hill, commanding Department of North Carolina: GENERAL: Numerous causes have prevented my sending you a report, ere this, of an attack on the shipping and camp of General McClellan, by the expedition under my command, on the night of the thirty-first of July last. believing our position and force would be discovered by the enemy on the morrow, and then, announcing that the expedition was under my command, informed me you would return to Petersburg. The balance of the night was mostly passed in placing the different batteries in the shelter of the woods, to prevent them being seen by reconnoissances from the balloons of the enemy; thus it was four A. M. before the men or horses got any rest. The better to secure success, I found it necessary to order the particular part that each command was to perform, and directed that the officers of artillery, who were to command guns, should be sent to pass over the intricate roads, the difficult grounds, and examine the sites selected for the batteries, and erect stakes to direct the fire of their guns at night, according to the position of the enemy. The ground not On the morning of July twenty-ninth, you di- admitting the advantageous use of all the guns, rected me to have the brigades commanded by some seventy in number, it was deemed best to Colonels Manning and Daniel ready to move the leave the lighter ones behind. All being in readfollowing night. But when I had an interview, iness, and finding the enemy had not discovered that evening at ten P. M., you directed me to us from reconnoissances in their balloon, at four have them move at seven o'clock the next morn- P. M., Colonel Brown proceeded to Maycok's farm, ing, together with six batteries of field artillery. opposite Westover, with twelve Colonel guns; All started at the hour named, and, according to Coleman followed to Coggin's Point, with eight instructions, halted at a saw mill, some seven twelve-pounder howitzers; Major Nelson, with miles distant, on the road to Coggin's Point. I eight guns, to a position on his left, higher up left Petersburg at ten A. M., and, on arriving at the bank of the river; Colonel Cutts, with eleven the mill, found you, in company with General W. long-range guns, still above Major Nelson; and N. Pendleton, of the artillery, who had marched Captains Dabney and Milledge were, each with there, under your orders, in command of thirty-two siege guns, to take position a fourth of a two field guns and four siege pieces. mile below the dwelling of Mr. Ruffin, making OF HIS NIGHT ATTACK ON ENEMY'S SHIP. HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY CORPS, Brigadier-General S. G. French, commanding GENERAL: The report of our operations in attacking the enemy's shipping near Coggin's Point, on the night of the thirty-first July, which I now have the honor to submit, has been delayed by the absence, on other duty, of one of the officers from whom it was necessary to obtain some important facts. General Lee, having intimated to me, on Monday, twenty-eight July, his wish to effect something against the enemy's boats by artillery on this side of James River, and my services having been tendered and accepted for conducting the expedition, I detailed from the reserve artillery under my command, near Richmond, a force deemed sufficient for the service, and placed it en route for Petersburg early on Tuesday, twentyninth. forty-three guns in all. As night approached, BRIGADIER-GENERAL PENDLETON'S REPORT thousands of lights from the shipping and their tents disclosed the objects for attack. The guns were silently conducted over the difficult ground and winding roads, and before twelve all the guns were in position, (except two siege guns under charge of Captain Milledge,) awaiting action. Silence as profound as the darkness of the night reigned in the enemy's camp. At a signal the thunder of over forty guns startled them from their midnight slumbers. From the screams, scenes of wild confusion must have followed, as sailors rushed on the decks of their vessels and soldiers fled from their tents in midnight darkness, amidst bursting shells, falling fast around them. The gunboats soon returned the fire, and in about fifteen or twenty minutes a rapid fire was opened on us from their land batteries, but without any damage, many of the shots passing over the whole length of the point or peninsula. The red glare of the fire of so many guns and exploding shells, on such a night, is seldom witnessed. Gradually the firing on our part ceased, and the guns were withdrawn, under a heavy fire. The rain, the difficulty of seeing the roads at all, and the exposed position of the peninsula, induced us to leave the caissons behind, with the baggage wagons, and thus the number of rounds to be fired was limited; over a thousand were fired on our part. What damage we inflicted on their vessels and their camps probably will never be made known; but considering that many of the guns were within from a thousand yards to a mile of the transports, and that behind them was one vast encampment, it could not have been otherwise than destructive. Subsequent information from deserters, and prisoners, and friends, place the men killed at over forty, and of their horses a greater number. Many transport steamers appeared in Norfolk greatly damaged shortly after the attack. Our loss from the enemy was one man killed and two wounded. Three men were wounded by the careless and premature discharge of one of our guns, and two men slightly injured by the overturning of a gun in the road. I am indebted to General Pendleton and the officers under him for the careful and successful execution of the parts assigned them. Colonels Manning and Daniel's brigades and Major Ross, of the Second Georgia battalion, at Ruffin's house, protected the whole of the attack. General Ransom's brigade guarded the City Point road, seven miles from Petersburg. Major A. Anderson, Lieutenant C. D. Myers, Captain J. A. Baker, Lieutenant Shingleur, Captain Overton, and Lieutenant Storrs, members of my staff, rendered valuable services. Of the command exposed to fire, all behaved well, except some privates belonging to the siege pieces. I enclose the report of General Pendleton. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, S. G. FRENCH, This force consisted of certain batteries and sections of batteries from Colonel Brown's artil lery regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts's and Major Nelson's artillery battalions, in all thirtytwo field pieces, and two heavy rifles or siege carriages, manned by Captain Dabney, with the men and horses of Captain Milledge's artillery company, from Major Richardson's battalion, to oper ate two other large rifles transported by railroad. The command reached Petersburg by sunset, July twenty-ninth. General D. H. Hill, commanding, having been reported to early in the day, by telegram, and later by a member of my staff sent forward for the purpose, we encamped that evening a short distance beyond the city, on the Suffolk road. About midnight a despatch from General Hill was brought me, indicating Coggin's Point as our destination, and directing me to have my command ready to march early the next morning, Meantime, Major Allen, of Claremont, arrived at Mr. Ware's, where I was lodging, and gave me information, deemed valuable, respecting the river and the shipping. This we proceeded, very early on the thirtieth, to submit to General Hill. We had, however, set out, and preferred not halting for a conversation, and as Major Allen's duty lay in a different direction, we could make but slight use of his knowledge. The infantry force and several batteries brought by General Hill, and the artillery under my command, reached Perkinson's sawmill, some seven miles below, by ten o'clock, and there halted. Within an hour or two you arrived, and we were informed that the fleet, &c., was to be attacked the approaching night, and that you were to superintend the expedition. After some consultation it was determined to move the whole force forward about two miles, and there leave wagons and caissons. Colonel Brown and Lieutenant-Colonel Coleman were de tailed, with certain batteries, to proceed to Wood's Point or to Claremont, if necessary and practica Ruffin's residence, the four large rifles, to be operated by Captain Milledge and himself. ble. The other guns were to be taken by their proper commanders, when notified, to positions which adequate reconnoissance might indicate as The field and company officers assigned each best. Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts, Major Nelson, position were directed to make, as carefully as and Captain Dabney were summoned to accom- possible, special examinations of their respective pany yourself and myself, attended by one or localities, and to adjust guide-posts for pointing two members of each staff, on this reconnois-their guns. sance. By six P. M., the column was in motion, utmost The tour proved laborious and perplexing. silence being enjoined upon all. Dark came The enemy's shipping lay crowded before us; but early, and was very intense, by reason of general positions were difficult of access, and a night cloud and rain; yet through this and along the approach required great care. In consequence, difficult route, the whole moved successfully, unseveral hours of the night had passed before no-der the skilful guidance of patriotic citizens tice to advance could be given the batteries. In familiar with the region. the haste and dark, a mistake occurred also respecting the force for Colonel Brown. This led to additional delay, and I became satisfied the movement was too much hurried and confused for success that night. This judgment was concurred in by all my field officers, and I was happy to find it sanctioned by yourself, so soon as communicated. We therefore resolved to waive further proceeding, and report to General Hill, who kindly acquiesced, though much disappointed, and anticipating failure the next night from the probable disclosure of our movement to, and preparation for it by, the enemy the ensuing day. At midnight the signal-gun was to fire. It was, however, half past twelve before all was ready at Coggin's Point, where my own position had been chosen. Then, just after the cry from the enemy's sentries, "All's well!" the fire was ordered, and the whole line instantly pealed forth, in all the terribleness of midnight surprise. Lights were glimmering on shipboard along the entire shore opposite; yet in the river and the camp beyond the stillness of sleep prevailed. To be compelled, resisting outrage, to meet our fellow-men in deadly shock, cannot but be, under any circumstances, painful to a Christian mind. Especially is the trial glorious when we must be slain by, or slay, those who were so lately our countrymen, but who, having trampled upon our rights, now seek to desolate our homes, appropriate our soil, kill off our young men, degrade our women, and subdue us into abject submission to their will, In the early forenoon of the thirty-first, Gen- because we claim, under our own government, exeral Hill having returned to his more compre-emption from their insults and their control. And hensive duties in Petersburg, and committed the still more distressing to find it requisite toward expedition to us, you issued instructions for a contributing to avert the ruin threatened by masystematic cooperation on the part of infantry and all, toward success that night, and I sketched and submitted to the artillery officers an exact programme for their proceeding. By the time our force was replaced in position not to be seen from the enemy's balloon, when it should go up in the morning, day had dawned, and no rest or refreshment had yet been taken by men or horses. Colonel Brown was to take to Major Cocks twelve guns, viz., four ten-pounder Parrott rifles, two Napoleons, four twelve-pounder howitzers, and two six-pounders, under Captains Watson and Macon, and Lieutenants Thurmond and Pegram. He was to move by four P. M., so as to approach his position about dusk. Lieutenant-Colonel Coleman was to take to Coggin's Point, on its right, eight twelve-pounder howitzers, under Captains Dance and Joseph Graham, and Lieutenant Griffin. lignant millions, thus to send the sleeping, however unprepared, to their great account. But painful as it is, just as it is, to snatch life from an assassin, whose arm is uplifted against our best beloved, most sacred is the duty; as such was this attack made, the issue being committed to unerring wisdom. Such considerations imparted a mournful solemnity to the scene, where so many sudden flashes, through thick darkness, and multiplied reverberations startling profound stillness, constituted elements of grandeur rarely combined. Not to give the enemy time to bring to bear against us, in so exposed a position, many of his powerful guns from his boats or his land batMajor Nelson also to take to Coggin's Point, teries, I had limited the nearest pieces to twenty on its left, eight guns, viz., two ten-pounder Par-rounds each, and those more remote on the right rott rifles, two three-inch rifles, two twelve- and left to thirty rounds. These were generally pounder howitzers, and two six-pounders, under fired, making, probably, one thousand shots in Captains Huckstep and R. C. M. Page, and all, and the pieces limbered and quietly taken to Lieutenant Woodruff. the rear. Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts, to a point considerably farther on the left, eleven long-range guns, viz., eight Parrott rifles, two three-inch riHles, and one Napoleon, under Captains Lane and Ross, and Lieutenant Robertson. Captain Dabney (Major Lewis not having then arrived to command the heavy battery) to a position still farther back on the left, near Mr. When we had been firing about fifteen minutes, large shells began to be returned from the other side, some apparently from gunboats and some from the land, but with scarcely any damage to us. The two guns of Captain Dance, most of all exposed, having been taken down a ravine to the river's edge, within six or eight hundred yards of a number of vessels, were, under admirable REPORT OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL HAMPTON HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE CAVALRY, Major Fitzhugh, A. A. G. : MAJOR: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the Major-General commanding, the following report of the operations of my brigade, on the recent advance of the enemy, together with the reports of the Colonels under my command: management, withdrawn, without a scratch, after firing their allotted rounds. Nor was injury received from the enemy at a single one of our field guns. A good many shells flew over us, and seemed well aimed along the general course we had to take. But they passed beyond, or fell short; or when the ground turned us to the right or left, they deviated the other way. These occurrences, and the remarkable fact, that just when nearing the enemy, our batteries had to pass a rocky hill, likely to occasion great noise, the heaviest rain fell, and drowned the rattling of wheels, &c., made upon many the salutary impres- At half past twelve A. M., August fifth, Colosion that a kind Providence favored our enterprise. nel Young notified me that he had received inForty-one, out of the forty-three guns enumer- formation of the presence of the enemy in front ated, were brought into action. It being deemed of Colonel Baker, and that they were apparently imprudent to crowd more in the space, and the advancing. I sent this courier immediately to two heaviest, intended to act with Captain Dab- General Toombs, and despatched another to enney's long rifles, Captain Milledge having found it deavor to procure accurate information as to the impracticable to get sufficiently early into position. movements of the enemy. This latter returned The casualties we suffered were as follows: At before daylight, confirming fully the report of the one of Captain Dabney's large guns, by an ex- first, and bringing the additional information from ploding shell of the enemy, one man killed and Colonel Baker that the enemy were in strong two wounded, and three horses slightly injured. force of all arms. This courier was sent forthIn Captain R. C. M. Page's battery, by their own with to give his report to General Toombs also, carelessness, from their own fire, three men were and I then ordered out the reserves of Cobb's wounded; and at one of Lieutenant Thurmond's legion, to proceed with them to the support of guns, by its overturning in the road, two men Colonel Baker; but as I was about to leave my wounded. In all, one killed and seven wounded. quarters, having previously despatched a courier The amount of injury inflicted upon the enemy to Major-General Longstreet, conveying all the we could not accurately estimate. Though from information in my possession, I heard the enemy the known range of our guns, the care taken in open fire on the artillery and infantry stationed adjusting them, and the great number of objects at Malvern Hill. I rode at once to the quarters at which to direct fire, less than serious damage of General Toombs, and communicated the intelcould scarcely have resulted. Statements, appar-ligence to him, suggesting to him the propriety ently reliable, have also reached us, derived from of reenforcing his troops on the hill. I told him the admissions of the enemy, that more than twenty of their vessels were considerably injured, and thirty or forty men and fifty horses killed. How near this is to the truth I cannot judge. Every officer behaved well, and nearly every man, and the entire enterprise was really a signal success. that if he would take reënforcements to the hill, and would let me have some artillery, I would attack the enemy in the rear near Crew's house. This was agreed on; and proceeding with the Cobb legion and Moody's artillery, I gained the position from which General Magruder had at tacked the enemy on the first July ultimo. On Rarely has difficulty been overcome on so large reaching this point, I found the enemy on the a scale, under so much risk, with so little to re- same ground occupied by him in the battle of the gret. This, while to be gratefully attributed to first of last month, whilst the troops which had the favor of divine Providence, should also be been stationed on Malvern Hill were retreating. credited to the exemplary conduct of the officers Fearing for my rear guard, and having only three and men engaged. Colonel Brown, Lieutenant-pieces of artillery, with two small squadrons of Colonels Cutts and Coleman, and Major Nelson, cavalry, I withdrew to our main lines. During who directed the operations of their respective that day I held the enemy in strict observance, commands, the company officers, who skilfully but had no opportunity to strike at him. Our seconded their efforts, the medical and other picket lines were established, and well mainmembers of my staff, and the men who, with tained. On the seventh, I was ordered by Genpersistent care and courage, did the work, are eral Lee to reconnoitre on the right flank of the well entitled to praise for what was achieved. enemy with my command. This was done as the By dawn, August first, my whole command infantry advanced in front. I proceeded through was far enough back to take a few hours' rest, Gatewood farm to Carter's mill. The enemy had well earned and much needed. When thus suffi- retreated, and a few stragglers were fallen in with. ciently refreshed to march again, we moved, in My personal observation was confined to the right compliance with orders from yourself, to the and centre of my line, as I was unable to leave neighborhood of Petersburg, where, awaiting these positions during the two days' operations. another opportunity, we have since remained. I must, therefore, refer you to the report of Col I have the honor to be your obedient servant, W. N. PENDLETON, Brigadier-General and Chief of Artillery. onel McGruder for information as to the occur rences on the left, where he was stationed. I can confirm the reports of Colonels Baker and Young from my own personal knowledge of all the facts stated. I neglected to state that whilst consulting with General Toombs in the morning, a courier brought to me news of the attack on the hill, and a request to the General from one of his officers there for reenforcements. I beg to call your attention to the very efficient manner in which Colonel Baker maintained his picket line, and to the timely information he furnished us as to the movements of the enemy. This information was always promptly communicated by Lieutenant Early, and these officers both proved themselves watchful and energetic. The report of Lieutenant-Colonel McGruder has not yet been sent in, though it has been called for. It shall be forwarded you as soon as it reaches me. Since the infantry have been withdrawn from the picket line, the enemy have made constant demonstration against me. These have always been promptly met, and our lines have been maintained. Of course the position cannot be held by cavalry alone against a serious attack; but orders have been given to hold it as long as possible. I incline to the belief that the enemy are withdrawing, and I strongly recommend a forced reconnoissance with infantry, artillery, and cavalry. This is entirely practicable. Referring you for details to the accompanying reports, I have the honor to be, courier notified me that Colonel Lee had fallen back to the cross-roads. Expecting an attack upon my own picket line, I ordered my brigade to be ready to move, and I sent a few men from the provost guard toward the stone bridge to procure information of the movements of the enemy. In a short time they returned, and, to my great surprise informed me that the enemy had crossed the bridge; and in a few moments they appeared between me and the town, not more than six hundred yards from the latter. This forced me to recall my squadron, and to send the gun into town, the only position in which it was available. Placing my guns in position here, I ordered my wagons to go by the Romney road (as I had agreed with Colonel Lee to do) to Darksville. The First North Carolina, with two guns, was sent as an escort for the wagons, and to hold the Winchester road, where the cross-road intersected it, in case I should have to fall back. After my wagons had all got off, and messages had been sent to bring in my pickets, (all of whom had to retire by Hedgesville, as the enemy had got completely in their rear,) I withdrew my two remaining guns from the town, as I was very unwilling to draw the fire of the enemy upon the village, and placed them in position on a hill commanding both the Winchester and Tuscarora and Romney roads, and between the two. All of the brigade, except the First North Carolina regiment and the squadrons on picket, was drawn up as a support to their guns on the Tuscarora road, in advance of the camp of the North Carolina and South Carolina regiments. From this position I wrote to Colonel Lee, telling him that we could retake the town; and the letter was given to one of his pickets, who failed to send it to the Colonel. As soon as I found the enemy To Major-General Stuart : retiring, I ordered up my command before reGENERAL: The enclosed report of General R. ceiving any order from yourself. My brigade E. Lee, in reference to the late advance of the went with Lee's to Flag's Mill, and were then enemy on Martinsburg, has just met my eye, and sent to reestablish their picket line, while a secbeg most respectfully to call your attention, and, tion of my artillery proceeded to within two miles through you, that of the General commanding, to of Shepherdstown, the last position from which the injustice which (unintentionally, no doubt) has Lee's artillery fired that night. This is a full been done to the brigade I have the honor to statement of this affair as far as my brigade was command. The report says: "General Hamp- concerned, and I beg to refer you to Colonel Lee, ton's brigade had retired through Martinsburg on who will, I am sure, corroborate the facts as far the Tuscarora road, when General Stuart arrived as they relate to his brigade. I do not attach and made disposition to attack." This phrase- any blame to him that the positions he had ology implies that the enemy had advanced on designated to hold were not held, nor that his Martinsburg through my lines, and had driven in pickets did not give me any notice of the apmy brigade. The following statement will show proach of the enemy. I simply state the facts that such was not the case. As you are aware, that none of my pickets were driven in; that my line extended on the Potomac from Black the enemy did not advance on any road under my Creek to the mouth of the Opequon. When supervision; and that they were within six hunGeneral Lee joined me, upon consultation with dred yards of the edge of the town, on the ShepColonel Lee, (who was in command of the brigade herdstown road, before I was aware of their proximthe day before the advance of the enemy,) he said ity. I then took position in front of my camp, and that if his pickets were driven in, he would make held it till my pickets were withdrawn. In justice a stand at Williamston's cross-roads, and, if to my brigade, I beg that you will transmit this forced to retire, would fall back to the Stone statement to the General commanding. I did not Bridge, which he would hold to the last extremity. make a report to you, because, though I had been On the morning of the first October, a courier placed in a most critical position by the failure of from Colonel Lee informed me that the enemy Colonel Lee's pickets to communicate with me, were advancing on him, and, soon after, another still I met with no loss, and I did not desire to ap WADE HAMPTON, OF OPERATIONS AFTER RECROSSING THE HEADQUARTERS HAMPTON'S BRIGADE, |