destruction of some rebel steamers and sail vessels (laden) known to be some 25 miles up the river. On going about 20 miles we saw a dense volume of smoke suddenly arise from what it was evident were the steamers and vessels of the enemy. We then made every exertion to hasten our progress, to save a part of the property, if possible. However, on arriving to within about a mile of their locality we found an impassable barrier across the river, which is quite narrow at that point, formed of a sunken canalboat, filled with stones, &c. Failing in our efforts to remove it Major Willard landed on the east side of the river with his command, and proceeded to the vicinity of the burning boats. Two steamers and some twenty sail-boats were found in flames. The objects of the expedition having been thus accomplished we returned, arriving at our point of departure at dark. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. L. D. H. CURRIE, R. B. AYRES, Captain, Fifth Artillery. Assistant Adjutant-General, Smith's Division. MAY 18-19, 1862.-Reconnaissance toward Old Church, Va. Report of Capt. James W. Forsyth, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac I reported on the morning of the 18th instant to General Humphreys, Topographical Engineers, for duty in his department. General Humphreys directed me to report to Captain Stewart, of the Engineer Corps, with General Stoneman. I accordingly proceeded to do so, but found on my arrival at General Stoneman's camp that Captain Stewart had left two hours previously. Not having any means to find him, at the request of Lieutenant Bowen, Topographical Engineers, who was on the same duty, I joined his (Lieutenant Bowen's) party for the purpose of making a reconnaissance on the main road to Richmond via the Long or New Bridge. After proceeding cautiously along this road for about 7 miles we came to a road running northwest to a place called Old Church. Having heard all along the route that the enemy were in force at that point, and knowing that General Stoneman was still 5 miles in our rear, we left our escort to guard the forks, and proceeded with a party of 12 men on our original route. In the mean time we sent word to General Stoneman to the effect that the enemy were in force at the Old Church, so that he might send up re-enforcements. After moving on about a mile farther we came to a road leading to the southwest, which had the appearance of being a side or bad-weather road to the main one. We followed this road about 2 miles (the latter half of which was about west), and having heard that the enemy were in force at Cold Harbor, we took a by-road running due north, which brought us back to our original route. About a mile and a half from the crossing we were joined by Lieutenant Custer, Fifth Cavalry, on the same duty, with the escort of a squadron of cavalry. We followed this road for 2 miles, and then struck another leading from Cold Harbor to Old Church. We were informed by residents of the vicinity that the enemy's pickets were established along this route, and had passed but a few moments previously. We immediately threw forward pickets from our escort, and in a short time discovered seven of the enemy's cavalry, whom we attempted to capture, but without success. Having heard all along the route that a larger force was at the Old Church, we returned to General Stoneman's camp, about 5 miles back on the road. On the following morning (19th) we started with an escort of three companies of the Sixth Cavalry, under Major Williams, and retraced our original route, continuing until we reached Cold Harbor, where we drove in the enemy's pickets, they retiring to Gaines' Mill, where our cavalry had a slight skirmish with them. In company with Lieutenants Bowen and Custer I then followed the road leading via Bottom's Bridge to Richmond for about 2 miles, when I could distinctly hear the whistling of the locomotives on the railroad. In ordinary weather all the roads I traveled were wet weather would require working in several places. of good camping grounds along the whole route. passable, but in There are plenty I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. ANDREW PORTER, Pro. Mar. Gen., Army of Potomac. MAY 19, 1882.—Skirmish at City Point, James River, Va. Report of Capt. William H. Willis, Company I, Fourth Georgia In ADJUTANT: On Sunday, the 18th instant, I was ordered, with my command, to City Point, to relieve the company on picket duty there and to observe the movements of the enemy's gunboats. We arrived in the afternoon and at once entered upon our duties. During the evening four additional boats arrived, making six steamers and two schooners, all of which were anchored a short distance below City Point. On Monday morning two small parties left the fleet to visit the town, but my instructions were such as prevented me from attacking them. In the mean time I received a dispatch from Major-General Huger to push forward my pickets and keep them offshore. In the afternoon Captain Albert, of the Twenty-second Georgia Regiment, arrived, to relieve my command, and we were engaged in calling in my pickets and posting his, when we observed a boat, containing 20 persons, leave the fleet, and head for the landing in the town. We watched the landing of this party, and at once determined to attack them with our advance pickets, composed of a lieutenant, sergeant, and 9 men each. With my detachment I attacked the boat, while Captain Albert entered the town and captured 4 officers and 5 marines as prisoners. The party in the boat pushed off and we fired into them. I called to them to come ashore and surrender, which they persistently refused to do, although their colors were down and some of the men imploring for mercy. We kept up the fire on the boat until, I can safely say, no one on board, 6 or 8 in number, escaped, all being killed or wounded. An officer on board of this boat-a mate, as I learned from the prisoners a daring and reckless man, fell a prey to his rashness. Our fire was not returned, though the enemy were armed with navy pistols and the skirmish was at short range at the outset. The men engaged behaved most gallantly. As we retired the enemy's gunboats moved up and commenced a promiscuous shelling of the fields and woods in rear of the town, none of which came near us. Being relieved of duty at that post I returned, with my command, on the train, in charge of the prisoners, who were delivered to MajorGeneral Huger, with officers' sword, cutlasses, and pistols captured. Respectfully submitted. WM. H. WILLIS, Captain Company 1, Fourth Georgia Volunteers. Adjt. PHIL. Cook, Fourth Georgia Volunteers. MAY 20-23, 1862.-Operations about Bottom's Bridge, Chickahominy River, Va. REPORTS. No. 1.-Brig. Gen. Erasmus D. Keyes, U. 8. Army, of operations May 20–21. No. 2.-Brig. Gen. John J. Peck, U. S. Army, commanding brigade. No. 3.—Brig. Gen. Silas Casey, U. S. Army, commanding division, of operations May 20. No. 4.-Brig. Gen. Henry M. Naglee, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, Casey's division, of operations May 20-23. No. 5.-Col. David McM. Gregg, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. No. 1. Reports of Brig. Gen. Erasmus D. Keyes, U. 8. Army, commanding Fourth Corps, of operations May 20-21. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Camp near Bottom's Bridge, Va., May 20, 1862-11.30 a. m. GENERAL: I have to report the result of a reconnaissance made by Major Harlow and party, of Colonel Russell's Seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, this morning. The party, consisting of Captains Holman and Whitcomb's companies, got into the skirt of the woods this side just before daylight. Captain Holman saw the bridge. It appeared to have been blown up in the center. They were fired upon on reaching the woods from rifle pits on the opposite bank. One sergeant is missing and one man wounded. It is thought that the sergeant had strayed off to the left. The river at the bridge is 10 yards wide; the swamp perhaps 60 or 100. I inclose a copy of a sketch sent in by Colonel Russell.* I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, E. D. KEYES, Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Corps. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, A. A. G., Army of the Potomac. 41 R R-VOL XI *Not found. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Camp near Bottom's Bridge, Va., May 21, 1862—6.45 a. m. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that at daylight this morning Colonel Russell pushed one of his companies across at Bottom's Bridge. His companies on the railroad have also thrown a picket over at that point. He has at the former, besides his own four companies, a regiment to support him. He reports that during the night he partially laid the railroad bridge, so that infantry can pass, and that he can soon repair Bottom's Bridge. I have already telegraphed to you for instruction in the matter of building the bridges. I can, if it is thought advisable, throw over a considerable force, but will not make any further advance movement until receiving instructions. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, E. D. KEYES, Brigadier-General, Commanding Corps. Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac. P. S.-Colonel Gregg writes that his pickets also have crossed at Bottom's Bridge; that he has taken a deserter. He has not yet arrived, however, and I do not delay sending this to take his examination, E. D. K. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS, Camp near Bottom's Bridge, Va., May 21, 1862. SIR: In compliance with your instructions of the 19th instant, I detached a brigade of Couch's division, two batteries, and Colonel Gregg's cavalry, to assist Lieutenants Comstock and McAlester in a reconnaissance in the vicinity of Bottom's Bridge. Brigadier-General Peck, who commanded the party, carried out his instructions literally as far as practicable, as his report, herewith inclosed, will show. On the 19th instant I had given orders to Generals Couch and Casey to examine their positions thoroughly, Casey to examine particularly in a northerly and northwesterly direction. Under that order General Casey left yesterday morning with Naglee's brigade and two batteries by a road leading toward the railroad in a direction nearly perpendicular to the road to Bottom's Bridge. Fearing a clash, I gave precise verbal and written orders to General Casey to expose no part of his forces to the view of the enemy at or near Bottom's Bridge. As soon as I had finished examining some contrabands I.hastened to the front, and took post between the railroad and the Bottom's Bridge road on an elevation within 600 yards of the railroad bridge. From that point I could see the enemy across the railroad bridge and all that was passing this side of Bottom's Bridge. I remained there in observation between two and three hours. The enemy threw five or six shells before any of our artillery replied at all. As my orders to General Casey were so explicit, I did not for a moment suspect that the two regiments and section of a battery down from my left belonged to his division, and I was so well pleased with their movements that I found no occasion to send any orders, though I was only a few hundred yards away. Finally one of Casey's batteries, which had been standing on the hill about 150 yards to my rear, opened, throwing shells over the woods near Bottom's Bridge. I went immediately to Colonel Bailey to order him to cease firing in that direc tion. From him I learned that the troops near the woods at Bottom's Bridge were a part of Naglee's brigade. Hastening down to the house near Bottom's Bridge, I succeeded in finding General Naglee, and explained the orders for the reconnaissance to him. As his men occupied the woods and the open space this side, I did not deem it expedient at that late hour to displace them by a portion of Peck's brigade, which was concealed in rear of the house from which General McClellan made his observations. I inclose a copy of my letter to General Casey, his reply, and the explanation of Brigadier-General Naglee. The result of the operations of yesterday is that we have both bridges and the river between them. The enemy had at least one battery, some cavalry, and sharpshooters opposed to us. Our pickets are across the Chickahominy. I have advanced one brigade of Couch's division to the opening this side of Bottom's Bridge, and will to-day or tomorrow, unless otherwise ordered, move my whole command to the Old Tavern and beyond. The report of the casualties of yesterday has not yet come in. We had several men wounded. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Corps. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac. [Inclosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS, May 20, 1862. SIR: As the orders for the engineers to examine Bottom's Bridge, and above and below, came from general headquarters and are explicit, I have made a detail of a brigade from Couch's division to assist in the reconnaissance. My orders also direct that as small a force as possible must be exposed to the view of the enemy. Under such circumstances I deem it proper to order that you do not under any circumstances expose any portion of your command to the view of the enemy at or near Bottom's Bridge during your reconnaissance to-day. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Brig. Gen. SILAS CASEY, Commanding Division. [Inclosure No. 2.] HEADQUARTERS CASEY'S DIVISION, Near Cross-Roads, May 20, 1862. CAPTAIN: In answer to your communication of this day's date I have the honor to reply that as soon as I saw General Naglee after receiving your orders I communicated them to him. I saw him soon after he had taken possession of the railroad bridge across the Chickahominy. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SILAS CASEY, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding Division. Capt. C. C. SUYDAM, Assistant Adjutant-General. |