Batteries A and B
were ordered to report near Conrad's Ferry, where we arrived before sunrise, it
being only five miles from our camp. While going through the woods, orders were
given not to talk loud, the distance between us and the enemy being not more
than three miles at the time. The enemy's position, which was a fortified one,
consisting of two forts, called Beauregard and Johnson, had already been
reconnoitred from a balloon, the day before. At our arrival, we found General
Stone and Colonel Tompkins, with two companies of Van Allen's cavalry, two
companies of the Thirty-fourth New York, and two of the First Minnesota,
already there. We opened on the two forts, without much effect. Lieutenant
Perry was more successful, with his Parrott guns. The enemy could be seen
standing in squads by his artillery, yet no reply was made. By four o'clock we
all withdrew, except the Parrott guns of Battery B, doing picket duty. The old
members will remember, when returning to camp, Lieutenant Perry rode that
nigger down. Quiet up to Wednesday, December 18.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 28
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