ARMY OF THE JAMES.
BATTLE BEFORE RICHMOND.
October 7, 1864.
The enemy under General Anderson, on this day, attacked the extreme right of the army of the James, their object being to distract the attention of General Grant from his intended operations against the rebel left. The attack was made at about daylight, and lasted till noon. Kautz’s cavalry, posted on the Central road, was first assailed, and a simultaneous charge was made against the line of the Tenth corps, commanded by General Birney, who took the field on this occasion, although ill, and suffering severely from malarious fever. The rebel divisions engaged were those of Field and Hoke.
Their first movement was, in a measure, successful. They succeeded in almost surrounding Kautz’s cavalry, and driving it back, in a sort of panic, to the rear, where however, it was immediately rallied.
The artillery in this fight,—Battery B of the First United States, and the Fifth Wisconsin Battery,—did efficient service, and was handled with great skill and courage. Colonel Sumner’s New York Mounted Rifles also distinguished themselves by a bold stand, to cover the confusion of Kautz’s retreat, and enable General Birney to seasonably perfect his line of battle. At ten o’clock the rebels made a determined assault on Birney’s line, and the battle became general. Artillery was employed with great effect, and the loss in this branch of the service was uncommonly severe, attesting the fury of the rebel attack. Battery E of the Third United States Artillery, lost three men killed, and nine wounded, and fourteen horses killed. Battery D of the First United States lost one man killed, and four wounded, and ten horses killed. Battery C of the Third Rhode Island, and the Fifth New Jersey Battery also suffered severe losses. But the brunt of the battle was borne by the Second Brigade—in the centre—upon which the rebels made their most desperate and pertinacious attack. They were met by a destructive fire from a line of carbineers, which, falling back, gave place to another line, from which the fire was even more deadly. Still the enemy pressed over piles of his own dead and wounded, and still the fire of the carbineers continued, the woods being resonant with the continuous rattle and roar of musketry. At last, baffled and utterly routed, the rebels gave up their enterprise, and retreated—only stopping when safe within their works along the James river, and in Richmond. General Grant computed the Union loss in this engagement at about three hundred; and the rebel loss at upwards of one thousand. In effect, the Union forces repulsed a formidable attack, which, had it succeeded, would have cost them the loss of very strong and important works, and an advanced position beyond Deep Bottom. But the rebel movement utterly failed, nor was General Grant for a moment deterred in his proposed operations against the rebel left. The Confederate General Gregg was killed in this battle, and several other rebel officers of distinction were wounded. About one hundred and fifty prisoners were captured by the Union forces.
THE BATTLES OF HATCHER’S RUN.
October 27, 1864-February 5–7, 1865.
Operations against the rebel position at Hatcher’s Run were among the most important incidents of the siege of Petersburg. Their object was to extend the National lines on the left, and, of course, to sever railway communication with the beleaguered city. An attack on the enemy’s works at this point was made on the 27th of October, 1864, the Second and Fifth corps participating. But the battle was comparatively trivial in extent and in attendant losses. The rebel pickets and cavalry were driven inside of the main work, and the National forces captured seven loaded teams, and between seventy-five and one hundred prisoners. Each party lost about two hundred men. The result of this engagement was to extend the Union line from Armstrong’s Mill, along the south bank of Hatcher’s Creek, to a point where Hatcher’s Creek intersects the Boydton plank road.
To beat the rebels back from this position, and to destroy the Southside railroad, was an object with General Grant throughout this campaign. That railroad was, as it were, the main artery of Lee’s army. Many attempts were made to destroy it, some of which, as has been heretofore shown, resulted in doing it temporary injury.
A further attempt to carry the rebel works at Hatcher’s Run was made on Sunday, the 5th of February, 1865. The Fifth and Second corps, as before, were engaged, the entire movement being led by General Warren. Early on the morning of the 5th, being Sunday, the march began. General Gregg’s cavalry led the way, followed by the troops of the Fifth corps, along the Halifax road, in the direction of Reams’s Station. At the same time a covering movement was commenced, to blind the enemy as to the advance of the Fifth corps. This consisted in an advance of the Second corps, preceded by the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, Major Hess, along the Vaughn road towards Hatcher’s Run. It was an uncommonly bright and beautiful day, and the spirits of the soldiers seemed correspondingly cheerful.
The first object of the march of the Second corps by the Vaughn road was to cover the movement of the Fifth corps. About midday the head of the Second corps column reached Hatcher’s Run. Finding the enemy intrenched, the Third Pennsylvania cavalry essayed to carry the ford, but found the enemy too strong, and was driven back. The First brigade, Third division, was next ordered up and deployed, facing the ford. The Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania, Colonel Biles commanding, immediately advanced across the Run, scattering the enemy and driving him back under cover of the wood. The cavalry now gave pursuit, followed by the infantry, and the line of the Third division was advanced about a mile, occupying the summit of a hill, upon which they commenced the erection of fieldworks. During the progress of these demonstrative operations on the part of the Third division, the Second division struck off through an untravelled road to the right, towards Armstrong’s ford. The head of the column, composed of the Nineteenth Massachusetts, encountered the enemy near the run, and, with the assistance of the Tenth New York, compelled them to withdraw across the stream. This success effected a junction of the two divisions, and the whole line of the Second corps was arrayed in order of battle to meet any offensive movement on the part of the enemy.
Late in the afternoon the rebels opened a brisk fire of artillery, without, however, eliciting a reply. Emboldened by this silence, their infantry, preceded by a heavy skirmish line, advanced in line of battle.
The National troops permitted them to come within easy range, when they opened a severe fire of musketry, which caused the line to fall back in considerable disorder. The enemy, not disheartened, repeated his attempt to dislodge the Federals, and met with a similar repulse. The flank movement was then attempted, with no better success. Colonel Matthew Murphy, of the Sixty-ninth New York, commanding the Second brigade, held the right of the line, his own right flank resting on a swamp. As the enemy approached he greeted him with an effective shower of bullets, which caused him to break and retreat out of range. Soon after dark, having been thwarted in every effort to break the continuity of the lines, the enemy withdrew to his fortifications. The Second brigade of the Second division and the Third brigade of the Third division bore the brunt of the day’s fighting. The officers and men throughout bore themselves nobly. General Humphreys in person superintended the operations of the corps. Among the wounded was Colonel Murphy, commanding the Second brigade, Third division. The sum of the day’s losses, in the Second corps, was about ninety.
While the Second corps was thus engaging the attention of the rebels, on the Vaughn road, the Fifth corps pressed on toward Reams’s Station. After a march of six miles the advance reached Rowanty creek. Videttes and flying parties could be seen hovering mysteriously on the front, taking observations, and then suddenly disappearing. The troops, however, had, thus far encountered no opposition. The Rowanty creek is about twenty feet wide, and not conveniently fordable. The old bridge was no longer in existence. The column was accordingly delayed for a short time, while the pioneers constructed a temporary bridge. The men worked with difficulty, and, though covered by a detachment of light infantry, the sharpshooters of the enemy harassed them from the cover of the wooded banks. Their impromptu bridge having been completed, in order to secure a lodgment beyond the stream and protect the construction of bridges for the passage of the whole force, the Third brigade, Second division, Brevet Brigadier-General Gwynn commanding, advanced in column, on a trot, across the bridge. The opposite bank was steep and difficult of ascent, and, a short distance beyond, rifle pits obscured a line of riflemen. Undaunted by these uncertainties, Gwynn urged his men forward. A scattering fire ensued, and, in a few minutes after, the patriots occupied the rifle pits of the enemy, and quiet was restored. General Gwynn lost but one man. The enemy lost several, besides twenty-two prisoners.
In the mean time, the cavalry of General Gregg, piloted by a negro, had ridden onward, and entered Dinwiddie, capturing a rebel train and mail. From Dinwiddie the cavalry returned and took position in the rear of Warren’s forces, two miles from Hatcher’s Run.
The losses, on the first day, were about two hundred. Both corps had secured a position beyond Hatcher’s Run.
Thus affairs stood, on the 6th inst., when the conflict was renewed. The positions were: Second corps on the right, Fifth corps on the left, cavalry parties in front. The lines were covered by hasty breastworks, timber, and the roads filled with mud. The morning was spent in strengthening the defences and corduroying roads. Generals De Trobriand and McAllister, of the Second corps, made a reconnoissance and developed the fact that there was no force between the new lines and the old works below Petersburg. The Fifth corps passed the morning in taking positions of attack. General Meade was on the field. Early in the afternoon the enemy disclosed a column moving towards the right.
At noon the Third division, Fifth corps, moved to the right from the Duncan road toward the Boydton plank road. The skirmishers were soon engaged, and a running fight ensued, the main body following up closely as the enemy retired. In the vicinity of Dabney’s mill the enemy took position under cover of temporary works. From these he was soon dislodged. The two lines now engaged in an irregular interchange of bullets through the timber in front. On the part of the enemy the fire gradually grew more continuous and heavy. It now became evident that he was strengthening his lines for a determined stand, and an offensive strike at the proper moment. It was five o’clock, P. M. To prepare for emergencies, Ayres’ division was ordered up to the support of Crawford, and while moving in column was suddenly assailed, in large force, and driven back. At the same time a brigade of Griffin’s division moved to the support of Gregg’s cavalry. Subsequent movements of the enemy developed an intention to cut off Crawford. A column of the enemy was swung around to envelop him. Crawford, simultaneously, was heavily engaged on his front.
At six P. M. comparative order prevailed, and preparations were made to receive the enemy, who, it was evident, felt no disposition to abandon a slight advantage he had secured. Gregg, during this time, was fighting his cavalry on foot, and held his own on the Vaughn road against Mahone’s division.
The enemy had already engaged Pegram’s, Gordon’s and Heth’s divisions. Mahone, unable to gain any advantage over Gregg, suddenly withdrew in a northwesterly direction, and fell upon the left of the Fifth corps. The flank resisted for a moment, but to no avail. It was crumbled on the centre. The ammunition of part of Crawford’s division at this critical moment became exhausted. This portion of the line broke off, and in a few minutes the entire line became a wreck. The Third division (Wheaton’s) of the Sixth corps, which left its camp that morning, crossed Hatcher’s run during the height of Crawford’s confusion, and also lost its self-possession. The fighting now became desultory but desperate, and both forces entered into the work in earnest—as a matter of life or death. The country between Hatcher’s run and the mill is covered with a heavy wood, the ground softened by numerous swamps and cut up by ravines. The road upon which the columns and trains were obliged to move was narrow, filled with stumps, and, above all, knee-deep with mud. A slight crust of frozen surface only multiplied the difficulties. The column moved forward with the most exhausting exertions, and, instead of being fresh for battle, was used up by its conflict with the mud. The men lost their shoes, their clothing was dampened, and their arms in many instances were rendered unfit for immediate use. The artillery and trains suffered more than the men. Animals tossed about in their useless exertions to extricate themselves and their burdens. This being the case, the operations of the troops off the road were infinitely worse. The ground was fresh. The timber was thick and netted with a web of undergrowth. As the men advanced through this maze many were laid low by the deliberate fire of an unseen musketeer or rifleman. When they retired the roads and the woods were alive with disorder. The lines were much broken in the advance; it would be impossible to convey the formations on the retreat. The men fought single-handed through the timber from tree to tree. Their alarm was greatly increased by fear of being intercepted on their rear. No efforts on the part of officers could stay the men. They were unmanageable. They were determined to abandon the wood, and only upon reaching the open country on the Vaughn road and finding the bridges all entire and the guards perfectly calm, did they recover their presence of mind. The lines were hastily reformed, and, under protection of the temporary works thrown up by the Third division of the Second corps the day before, the men awaited the onslaught of the enemy. A few minutes of suspense and their anticipations were realized. The skirmishers fell back hastily. The woods in front were soon bristling with bayonets, and the enemy dashed undaunted upon the cleared space in front. From their works the Fifth corps met him with a terrible fire. The opposition was trifling. The enemy made no persistent effort to carry the works. He soon withdrew, and was lost in the obscurity of the wood.
During the action of the Fifth corps the left of the Second corps sustained and repelled an attack near the Armstrong House, on the Duncan road.
The Union losses, on the second day, were upwards of eleven hundred men, killed, wounded, and missing. The enemy’s loss was equally heavy. One hundred and eighty rebel prisoners were taken.
On the 7th, a reconnoissance of Crawford’s division encountered the rebels, about half a mile from the Union bivouac. The division now deployed in line, the right on Hatcher’s run and the left supported by Wheaton’s division of the Sixth corps. The whole line felt its way carefully. The enemy soon discovered himself in force. The conflict which ensued was spirited, but brief. The enemy gave way, though contesting his ground with vigor, and finally took up his position in the works at Dabney’s mill. The two forces indulged in a spirited exchange of musketry. The enemy evinced no desire to repeat the assault of the day before, and at night Crawford rejoined the main body on the Vaughn road.
During the next few days the National lines were greatly strengthened throughout the territory of Hatcher’s Run, which had thus been gained and occupied. The dense woods were converted into hostile defences, and the Union line was extended, in safety and strength, over a distance of five miles.
CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN. BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS, VA.
April 1–3, 1865.
In March, 1865, General Canby was moving an adequate force against Mobile and the army defending it, under General Dick Taylor; Thomas was pushing out two large and well appointed cavalry expeditions—one from Middle Tennessee under Brevet Major-General Wilson against the enemy’s vital points in Alabama, the other from East Tennessee under Major-General Stoneman towards Lynchburg—and assembling the remainder of his available forces, preparatory to offensive operations from East Tennessee; General Sheridan’s cavalry was at White House; the armies of the Potomac and James were confronting the enemy under Lee in his defences of Richmond and Petersburg; General Sherman with his armies reinforced by that of General Schofield, was at Goldsboro’; General Pope was making preparations for a spring campaign against the enemy under Kirby Smith and Price, west of the Mississippi; and General Hancock was concentrating a force in the vicinity of Winchester, Virginia, to guard against invasion or to operate offensively, as might prove necessary.
The progress and results of the various movements are elsewhere described. This narrative now concerns itself with the final blow—the battle and Union victory of Five Forks.
General Grant commenced his final operations on the 29th of March. Sheridan’s cavalry, from White House, had joined the army of the Potomac on the 27th. This force was immediately pushed up to Dinwiddie Court House, and the Union line, on the left, was extended to the Quaker road, near its intersection with the Boydton plank road. The position of the troops, from left to right, was as follows: Sheridan, Warren, Humphreys, Ord, Wright, Parke.
From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st the rain fell in such torrents as to make it impossible to move wheeled vehicles, except as corduroy roads were laid in front of them. During the 30th Sheridan advanced from Dinwiddie Court House towards Five Forks, where he found the enemy in force. General Warren advanced and extended his line across the Boydton plank road to near the White Oak road, with a view of getting across the latter; but finding the enemy strong in his front and extending beyond his left, was directed to hold on where he was and fortify. General Humphreys drove the enemy from his front into his main line on the Hatcher, near Burgess’s mills. Generals Ord, Wright, and Parke made examinations in their fronts to determine the feasibility of an assault on the enemy’s lines. The two latter reported favorably.
General Grant now determined to extend his line no further, but to reinforce General Sheridan’s cavalry with an infantry force, enable him to cut loose and turn the enemy’s right flank, and with the other corps assault the enemy’s lines. The proximity of the belligerent lines particularly favored this movement. The lines, indeed, were so close together at some points that it was but a moment’s run from one to the other. Preparations were at once made to relieve General Humphrey’s corps, to report to General Sheridan; but the condition of the roads prevented immediate movement. On the morning of the 31st General Warren reported favorably to getting possession of the White Oak road, and was directed to do so. To accomplish this he moved with one division, instead of his whole corps, which was attacked by the enemy in superior force and driven back on the second division before it had time to form, and it, in turn was forced back upon the third division, when the enemy was checked. A division of the Second corps was immediately sent to his support, the enemy driven back with heavy loss, and possession of the White Oak road gained. The Union losses were about one thousand. Sheridan, meantime, had advanced from Dinwiddie, and got possession of the Five Forks, but the enemy after the affair with the Fifth corps, reinforced the rebel cavalry, defending that point with infantry, and forced him back towards Dinwiddie Court House. Here General Sheridan displayed great generalship. Instead of retreating with his whole command on the main army, to tell the story of superior forces encountered, he deployed his cavalry on foot, leaving only mounted men enough to take charge of the horses. This compelled the enemy to deploy over a vast extent of woods and broken country, and made his progress slow. General Grant was immediately notified respecting the position of affairs, and he at once sent General McKenzie’s cavalry and one division of the Fifth corps to Sheridan’s assistance. Two other divisions of the Fifth corps were subsequently sent forward to swell that officer’s force. On the morning of the 1st of April, General Sheridan, thus reinforced, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, where, late in the evening, he assaulted and carried his strongly fortified position, capturing all his artillery and between five thousand and six thousand prisoners.
During the night of the 14th of April a steady bombardment of the enemy’s lines was kept up by General Sheridan, whose troops were further reinforced by General Miles’s division of Humphrey’s corps. At four o’clock on the morning of the 2nd of April, an assault was ordered on the rebel line. General Wright led the charge, and, with his whole corps, broke through the enemy’s defences, sweeping everything before him and to his left towards Hatcher’s Run, capturing many guns and several thousand prisoners. He was closely followed by two divisions of General Ord’s command, until he met the other division of General Ord’s that had succeeded in forcing the enemy’s lines near Hatcher’s Run. Generals Wright and Ord immediately swung to the right, and closed all of the enemy on that side of them in Petersburg, while General Humphreys pushed forward with two divisions and joined General Wright on the left. General Parke succeeded in carrying the enemy’s main line, capturing guns and prisoners, but was unable to carry his inner line. General Sheridan being advised of the condition of affairs, returned General Miles to his proper command. On reaching the enemy’s lines immediately surrounding Petersburg, a portion of General Gibbon’s corps, by a most gallant charge, captured two strong, enclosed works—the most salient and commanding south of Petersburg—thus materially shortening the line of investment necessary for taking in the city. The enemy south of Hatcher’s Run retreated westward to Sutherland’s Station, where they were overtaken by Miles’s division. A severe engagement ensued and lasted until both right and left rebel flanks were threatened by the approach of General Sheridan, who was moving from Ford’s Station towards Petersburg, and a division sent by General Meade from the front of Petersburg. Then the enemy broke, in the utmost confusion, leaving his guns and many prisoners in the hands of the Unionists, and retreated by the main road along the Appomattox river. Thus the rout of the rebels was complete, and nothing now remained to the National forces but to reap the fruits of their glorious victory.
SHERIDAN’S EXPEDITION IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY, VA.
February 27-March 19, 1865.
In the month of February, 1865, before any important movement of the armies operating against Richmond had taken place, General Grant deemed it essential that all railroad communication with the city north of James river should be cut off. At that time the enemy had withdrawn the bulk of his troops from the Shenandoah valley, to strengthen the forces then in opposition to Sherman. The cavalry force of that commander was then far inferior to that of Johnson; and in order to assist Sherman as well as to destroy the lines of communication and supplies of Lee’s army, General Sheridan, then at Winchester, was instructed to undertake an expedition, for the double purpose contemplated. On the 20th of February General Grant telegraphed to him as follows:
“City Point, Va., February 20, 1865—1 P. M.
“General: As soon as it is possible to travel I think you will have no difficulty about reaching Lynchburg with a cavalry force alone. From there you could destroy the railroad and canal in every direction, so as to be of no further use to the rebellion. Sufficient cavalry should be left behind to look after Mosby’s gang. From Lynchburg, if information you might get there would justify it, you could strike south, heading the streams in Virginia to the westward of Danville, and push on and join General Sherman. This additional raid, with one about starting from East Tennessee under Stoneman, numbering four or five thousand cavalry, one from Vicksburg, numbering about seven or eight thousand cavalry, one from Eastport, Mississippi, ten thousand cavalry, Canby from Mobile bay with about thirty-eight thousand mixed troops, these three latter pushing for Tuscaloosa, Selma, and Montgomery, and Sherman with a large army eating out the vitals of South Carolina, is all that will be wanted to leave nothing for the rebellion to stand upon. I would advise you to overcome great obstacles to accomplish this. Charleston was evacuated on Tuesday last.
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.”
General Sheridan moved from Winchester on the 27th of February with two divisions of cavalry numbering about five thousand each. On the 1st of March, he secured the bridge, which the enemy attempted to destroy across the middle fork of the Shenandoah, at Mount Crawford, and entered Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated on Waynesboro’. Thence he pushed on to Waynesboro’, where he found the enemy in force in an intrenched position, under General Early. Without stopping to make a reconnoissance, an immediate attack was made, the position was carried, and sixteen hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery, with horses and caissons complete, two hundred and ninety wagons and teams loaded with subsistence, and seventeen battle flags, were captured. The prisoners, under an escort of fifteen hundred men, were sent back to Winchester. Thence he marched on Charlottesville, destroying effectually the railroad and bridges as he went, which place he reached on the 3d. Here he remained two days, destroying the railroad toward Richmond, and Lynchburg, including the large iron bridges over the north and south forks of the Rivanna river, and awaiting the arrival of his trains. This necessary delay caused him to abandon the idea of capturing Lynchburg. On the morning of the 6th, dividing his forces into two columns, he sent one to Scottsville, whence it marched up the James river canal to New Market, destroying every lock, and in many places the banks of the canal. From here a force was pushed out from this column to Duiguldsville, to obtain possession of the bridge across the James river at that place, but failed. The enemy burned it as the Union troops approached. The rebels also burned the bridge across the river at Hardwicksville. The other column moved down the railroad toward Lynchburg, destroying it, as far as Amherst Court House, sixteen miles from Lynchburg; thence across the country, uniting with the column at New Market. The river being very high, Sheridan’s pontoons would not reach across it; and the enemy having destroyed the bridge by which he had hoped to cross the river and get on the South Side railroad about Farmville, and destroy it to Appomattox Court House, the only thing left for him was to return to Winchester or strike a base at the White House. Fortunately he chose the latter. From New Market he took up his line of march, following the canal towards Richmond, destroying every lock upon it and cutting the banks wherever practicable, to a point eight miles east of Goochland, concentrating the whole force at Columbia on the 10th. Here he rested one day, and sent through by scouts information of his whereabouts and purposes, and a request for supplies to meet him at White House, which communication reached General Grant on the night of the 12th. An infantry force was immediately sent to get possession of White House, and supplies were forwarded. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten Richmond to near Ashland station, he crossed the Annas, and after having destroyed all the bridges and many miles of the railroad, he proceeded down the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on the 19th.
EXPEDITION AGAINST ST. MARKS, FLA.
March 4–12, 1865.
An expedition set out from Key West about the 1st of March, under General Newton, having for its main object the occupation of St. Marks. The troops were landed from Appalachee Bay, near the light house at the mouth of St. Marks river, and encamped about two and a half miles from that spot, in order to await the landing of the artillery, and the cooperation of the gunboats, which were to ascend the river, and assist in the assault. A dense fog unfortunately occurring at the time, several of the gunboats went ashore, and none were able to ascend the river. The enemy, by this delay, received timely information of the movement, and were prepared to meet it.
Previous to landing the troops an expedition was sent to cut the railroad bridge and two turnpike bridges over the Oclokony river, and to destroy the trestle work over the Ocilla river. Another expedition was sent to cut the railroad between St. Marks and Tallahassee. These enterprises were unsuccessful. On the following morning an advance was made along the road towards the bridge over the East river, where it was found that the planking had been torn up by the enemy, who was posted on the opposite side, with one piece of artillery, prepared to dispute the passage.
Two companies of a colored regiment, commanded by Major Lincoln, made a gallant charge towards the bridge over the open space intervening, before whom the enemy fled with great rapidity. They were followed by the two companies, who acted as skirmishers, capturing the piece of artillery, which was immediately turned on the flying rebels.
The bridge was promptly repaired by the soldiers of the Ninty-ninth colored regiment, and, crossing, the line of march was commenced towards Newport. On reaching Newport a dense column of smoke indicated that the bridge which it was necessary to cross, was destroyed.
Leaving Major Weeks at Newport bridge to guard against any attempt of the enemy to cross and get in the rear of the Union troops, a service that he gallantly performed under an incessant fire from the enemy, the column pushed on towards the Natural bridge, some eight miles above, with the design of crossing there. Here it was discovered that the enemy was strongly posted on the opposite side, determined to oppose its passage.
At daylight on the following morning, Major Lincoln, with two companies of the Second cavalry, commenced the attack, and succeeded in driving the advanced posts of the rebels over the bridge; but his further progress was checked by a superior force, who were strongly intrenched, besides being protected by marshes, thickets, and other natural defences.
Reconnoissances were made with the view of ascertaining the practicability of crossing at some other place, but without success, and it was determined to attempt to force a passage over the bridge. Accordingly Colonel Townsend, in command of the Second colored, was ordered to turn the enemy’s flank, and Major Lincoln to make the direct assault, supported by Colonel Piersoll, commanding the Ninety-ninth colored.
Advancing gallantly to the charge, Colonel Townsend drove the enemy before him. They fled precipitately, abandoning their breastworks; but, unfortunately, the Union soldiers encountered, right in their way, a wide deep ditch, impassable to troops, and were compelled to return.
Finding that the enemy were too strong in numbers and position, while the Union troops were posted in a low, marshy position, it was determined to withdraw about three hundred yards in the rear, in an open pine barren, which had been previously selected. This was done in good order.
The rebels, now supposing that the Federal force were in full retreat, advanced in force, with artillery and infantry; but, to their surprise, they were received by a perfect line of infantry supported by artillery. Two desperate charges were made by the enemy, but they were repulsed with heavy loss on the part of the assailants, and the Union troops remained masters of the field. The Federal loss was about one hundred and fifty in killed, wounded and prisoners.
No further advance was deemed prudent by General Newton, and he accordingly reembarked his troops, and returned to Key West.
STONEMAN’S EXPEDITION IN NORTH CAROLINA.
March 20-April 13, 1865.
On the 14th of February, General Grant sent the following communication to General Thomas, containing instructions for a proposed cavalry expedition, under General Stoneman, from General Thomas’s army. It was the design of General Grant that this expedition should have started early in February, and have penetrated as far as Columbia, South Carolina, in cooperation with General Sherman’s forces in that State at that time. As General Stoneman’s troops did not move at the time appointed, it now became necessary to change the plan and route of the expedition:
“City Point, Va., February 14, 1865.
“General Canby is preparing a movement from Mobile bay against Mobile and the interior of Alabama. His force will consist of about twenty thousand men, besides A. J. Smith’s command. The cavalry you have sent to Canby will be debarked at Vicksburg. It, with the available cavalry already in that section, will move from there eastward, in cooperation. Hood’s army has been terribly reduced by the severe punishment you gave it in Tennessee, by desertion consequent upon its defeat, and now by the withdrawal of many of his men to oppose Sherman. Canby’s movement will attract all the attention of the enemy, and leave the advance from your stand-point easy. I think it advisable, therefore, that you prepare as much of a cavalry force as you can spare, and hold it in readiness to go south. The object would be three-fold: first, to attract as much of the enemy’s force as possible to insure success to Canby; second, to destroy the enemy’s line of communications and military resources; third, to destroy or capture their forces brought into the field. Tuscaloosa and Selma would probably be the points to direct the expedition against. This, however, would not be so important as the mere fact of penetrating deep into Alabama. Discretion should be left to the officer commanding the expedition to go where, according to the information he may receive, he will best secure the objects named above.
“Now that your force has been so much depleted, I do not know what number of men you can put into the field. If not more than five thousand men, however, all cavalry, I think it will be sufficient. It is not desirable that you should start this expedition until the one leaving Vicksburg has been three or four days out, or even a week.
“U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
“Major-General G. H. Thomas.”
General Stoneman’s expedition started from East Tennessee on the 20th of March, moving by way of Boone, North Carolina, and struck the railroad at Wytheville, Chambersburg, and Big Lick. The force striking it at Big Lick pushed on to within a few miles of Lynchburg, destroying the important bridges, while with the main force he effectually destroyed the road between New river and Big Lick, and then turned for Greensboro’, on the North Carolina railroad; struck that road and destroyed the bridges between Danville and Greensboro’, and between Greensboro’ and the Yadkin, together with the depots and supplies along it, and captured four hundred prisoners.
General Stoneman, in his dispatch to General Thomas, gives the following account of his operations after leaving Boone:—
“Slaterville, N. C., April 13, 1865.
“From Boone it became necessary to cross the Blue Ridge into the Yadkin river bottom, in order to obtain supplies for men and horses. There we were detained three days by freshets. From thence we struck for Christiansburg. On the route I detached Colonel Miller, with a portion of his brigade, to Wytheville, and Major Wagner, with a portion of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, Palmer’s brigade, to Big Lick. These three points were struck almost simultaneously. Colonel Palmer attacked, and, after some fighting, captured Wytheville, destroyed the depot of supplies at that point, and also at Mair’s Meadow. Major Wagner, after striking the railroad at Big Lick, pushed on towards Lynchburg, destroying, on his way, the important bridges over the Big and Little Otter, and got to within four miles of Lynchburg with the main body, and effectually destroyed the road between New river and Big Lick, and then struck for Greensboro’, on the North Carolina railroad.
“Arrived near Salem, N. C., I detailed Palmer’s brigade to destroy the bridges between Danville and Greensboro’, and between Greensboro’ and Yadkin river, and the large depots of supplies along the road. This duty was performed with considerable fighting, the capture of four hundred prisoners, and to my entire satisfaction. With the other two brigades, Brown’s and Miller’s, and the artillery under the command of Lieutenant Reagon, we pushed for Salisbury, where we found about three thousand troops, under the command of Major-General W. M. Gardiner, formed behind Grant’s creek, about two miles and a half from Salisbury. As soon as a proper disposition could be made, I ordered a general charge along the entire line, and the result was the capture of fourteen pieces of artillery, and one thousand three hundred and sixty-four prisoners, including fifty-three officers.
“We remained at Salisbury two days, during which time we destroyed fifteen miles of railroad track and the bridges towards Charlotte, and then moved to this point. From here we shall move to the south side of the Catawba river, and be in a position to operate towards Charlotte and Columbia, or upon the flank of an army moving south.
“The following is a partial list of the public property captured north of Salisbury, and destroyed by us: Four large cotton factories and seven thousand bales of cotton; four large magazines, containing ten thousand stand of small arms and accoutrements, one million rounds of small arm ammunition, one thousand rounds of fixed artillery ammunition, and seven thousand pounds of powder, thirty-five thousand bushels of corn, fifty thousand bushels of wheat, one hundred and sixty thousand pounds of cured bacon, one hundred thousand suits of gray uniforms and clothing, two hundred and fifty thousand army blankets, twenty thousand pounds of harness leather, ten thousand pounds of saltpetre; also a very large amount of sugar, salt, rice, and other stores and medical supplies. In addition to the arsenals at Salisbury, the military workshop was being fitted up, and was filled with machinery sent from Raleigh and Richmond, all of which was destroyed.”
GENERAL WILSON’S EXPEDITION IN ALABAMA.
March 22-April 20, 1865.
When General Canby received orders in January to advance from the forts in Mobile Bay, and attack Mobile, he was also instructed to dispatch an expedition under General Wilson into the interior of Alabama, where the rebels maintained several important towns, which were garrisoned by forces of some magnitude.
The expedition under command of Brevet Major-General Wilson consisted of twelve thousand five hundred mounted men. It was delayed by rains until March 22, when it moved from Chickasaw, Alabama. On the 1st of April General Wilson encountered the enemy in force under Forrest near Ebenezer Church, drove him in confusion, captured three hundred prisoners and three guns, and destroyed the central bridge over the Catawba river. On the 2d he attacked and captured the fortified city of Selma, defended by Forrest with seven thousand men and thirty-two guns, destroyed the arsenal, armory, naval foundry, machine shops, vast quantities of stores, and captured three thousand prisoners. On the 4th he captured and destroyed Tuscaloosa. On the 10th he crossed the Alabama river, and after sending information of his operations to General Canby, marched on Montgomery, which place he occupied on the 14th, the enemy having abandoned it. At this place many stores and five steamboats fell into Federal hands. Thence a force marched direct on Columbus, and another on West Point, both of which places were assaulted and captured on the 16th. At the former place General Wilson captured fifteen hundred prisoners and fifty-two field guns, destroyed two gunboats, the navy yard, foundries, arsenal, many factories, and much other public property. At the latter place General Wilson took three hundred prisoners, four guns, and destroyed nineteen locomotives and three hundred cars. On the 20th he took possession of Macon, Georgia, with sixty field guns, twelve hundred militia, and five generals, surrendered by General Howell Cobb. General Wilson, hearing that Jeff Davis was trying to make his escape, sent forces in pursuit, and succeeded in capturing him on the morning of May 11.
On the 4th day of May, General Dick Taylor surrendered to General Canby all the remaining rebel forces east of the Mississippi.
A force sufficient to insure an easy triumph over the enemy under Kirby Smith, west of the Mississippi, was at once put in motion for Texas, and Major-General Sheridan designated for its immediate command; but on the 26th day of May, and before they reached their destination, General Kirby Smith surrendered his entire command to Major-General Canby. This surrender did not take place, however, until after the capture of the rebel President and Vice-President; and not till after General Smith had disbanded a large portion of his army, and permitted an indiscriminate plunder of public property.
Owing to the fact that many of those lately in arms against the government had taken refuge upon the soil of Mexico, carrying with them arms rightfully belonging to the United States, which had been surrendered by agreement to the Federal commanders, General Grant deemed it essential that a large army should be maintained in Texas. The unsettled state of the Mexican country on the Rio Grande at that time, also rendered this course necessary. Many of the leaders in the late rebel armies, who had surrendered and given their parole, had also taken refuge in Mexican territory, feeling distrustful of their personal safety at the hands of the Federal authorities.
CAPTURE OF MOBILE AND THE REBEL FLEET.
April 12-May 4, 1865.
When Vice-Admiral Farragut left the West Gulf squadron in the autumn of 1864, the command devolved on Commodore James S. Palmer, senior officer on the station. That officer continued operations until the arrival of Admiral Farragut’s successor, Acting-Rear-Admiral Thatcher. The resumption of offensive operations against the city of Mobile, under the direction of Major-General Canby, was not determined upon until early in January, when Acting-Rear-Admiral Thatcher was ordered to proceed immediately to New Orleans, in order to cooperate with the military commander.
The force placed under Acting-Rear-Admiral Thatcher was increased by light-draught iron-clads detached from the Mississippi squadron for service in Mobile Bay. A joint movement by land and water was arranged and carried into execution. Indications that the rebels were about to evacuate the city led to a naval reconnoissance in force, to ascertain the facts, on the 11th of March, with five monitors, in as close proximity as the shallow water and obstructions would permit. This movement drew from the insurgents such a fire as to place beyond doubt that those defences were still intact.
The principal defence of Mobile was Spanish Fort, an irregular bastioned work of very ancient structure, connected with fortifications five miles in length commencing at D’Olive’s creek, and running to Minetta bay. Beyond Spanish Fort, to the left, on the opposite shore of Minetta bay, is Fort Alexis, mounting heavy guns. Forts Huger, Bradley, Tracy, Battery Gladden, Spanish River battery, Blakely, and other rebel defences frowned defiantly on the Federal army from the land side.
From September, 1864, to March, 1865, important movements of the armies of the Nation in distant States deterred the Government from sending a sufficient military force for the reduction of Mobile, which was garrisoned during that time by about fifteen thousand troops under General Maury.
After the breaking up of Hood’s army by Thomas, and the successful march of Sherman through South Carolina, the corps of A. J. Smith and General Steele were sent to reinforce General Canby, and steps were taken to insure the capture of Mobile. An army of forty thousand men soon invested the city on the land side, while the powerful fleet closed up the waters, and prepared for the perilous attack.
The Sixteenth corps, Major-General A. J. Smith commanding, moved from Fort Gaines by water to Fisher’s river; the Thirteenth corps, under Major-General Gordon Granger, moved from Fort Morgan and joined the Sixteenth corps on Fisher’s river.
The troops were landed on the 21st of March on the left bank of Fisher’s river, about seventeen miles from its junction with the bay, and advanced as rapidly as the condition of the road would permit, while the naval vessels shelled the woods and kept open communication by signals with General Canby for cooperation.
On the 27th of March, an assault on Spanish Fort was made by General Canby’s troops, and simultaneously a portion of the fleet crossed Blakely river bar, an extremely dangerous undertaking, owing to shallow water, and the number of torpedoes with which that portion of the bay was filled. The rebels doubtless believed that the naval vessels were not able to cross the bar of Blakely river; and even if successful in crossing, that it was in their power to destroy the fleet by their marsh batteries and the innumerable torpedoes with which the river was filled. They did succeed in sinking two of the monitors, the Milwaukee and the Osage, and four wooden gunboats at the entrance of Blakely river, by these submarine implements of destruction, although the river had been thoroughly dragged, and many torpedoes were removed before the vessels went over the bar.
By the 3rd of April, Spanish Fort and Fort Alexis had been completely invested by the troops, and during the night of the 8th and morning of the 9th they were, after a short but severe bombardment, captured, and with them from sixteen hundred to two thousand men, with sixteen heavy guns. With the key to Mobile thus secured, the other works of importance, Batteries Tracy and Huger, were within easy reach, and on the evening of the 11th they were evacuated.
At two o’clock on the morning of April 9th, General Canby’s troops entered the intrenchments. General Canby’s report, the next morning, said:
“Spanish Fort and its dependencies were captured last night. We have twenty-five officers, and five hundred and twenty-eight enlisted men prisoners, and have taken five mortars, and twenty-five guns. The major part of the garrison escaped by water. Blakely is already invested and will be assaulted to-day.”
On the 12th, the troops were convoyed to the west side of the city for the purpose of an attack, and the fleet gained a suitable position for performing its share of this work, but it was soon ascertained that the city was at the mercy of the Union arms, all the remaining defences having been abandoned. A formal surrender was, therefore, demanded by General Granger, and Acting-Rear-Admiral Thatcher, which was complied with, and possession was taken of the city. The works which environed Mobile were of immense strength and extent. Nearly four hundred guns were captured, some of them new and of the heaviest calibre.
The rebel army, on evacuating the city, retreated up the Tombigbee. Preparations to follow and capture them were far advanced, when, on the 4th of May, propositions were received from Commander Farrand, commanding the rebel naval forces in the waters of Alabama, to surrender all the vessels, officers, men, and property yet afloat and under blockade on the Tombigbee. The basis of the terms of surrender, being the same as those of General Lee, were accepted. On the 10th of May the formal surrender took place, and the insurgent navy ceased to be an organization. Four vessels were surrendered, and one hundred and twelve officers, two hundred and eighty-five men and twenty-four marines were paroled and permitted to return to their homes.
Sabine Pass and Galveston, the only remaining rebel fortified points on the Gulf coast, soon capitulated.