Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, June 15, 1862

Fair Oaks. Heavy firing in the direction of Fort Darling.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Tuesday, June 17, 1862

Heavy cannonading in the direction of Fort Darling.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 47

Major Charles Wright Wills: May 9, 1865

Drury's Bluff, Va., May 9, 1865.

We were reviewed by Howard, Logan and Hartsuff this morning as we passed through Petersburg. We lie tonight along the outer line of Drury's Bluff defenses which Butler took a year ago this month. Signs of a good deal of fighting; good many roads, etc. The James river is about one mile to our right. I have been to some very fine forts. Fort Wagner and Fort Stevens (or Stephens) are the best, on the second and main line of Rebel works, which Butler was working against when the Rebels came out and whipped him. From one fort I saw the spires of Richmond, James river and Shipping, Fort Darling and Fort Harrison. Coming back toward camp we found one of our soldiers unburied in the bushes. His skull was brought in by our hospital steward.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 379

Major Charles Wright Wills: May 10, 1865

Manchester, Va., May 10, 1865.

The rain yesterday made the road, which is a splendid one fifty yards wide, just right for traveling. We passed through three lines of Drury's Bluff and Fort Darling defenses, and are now at the second and inside line of works for the defense of Richmond. Hostile Yankees never saw either of these two lines at this point, or any other, I guess, this side of the James River. It is about 22 miles from Richmond to Petersburg. "Old Brains" (Halleck) issued his proclamation that no soldier or officer of this army should enter Richmond only when we pass through. Howard and Logan say they will pass around if they can. I hope they will.

We have a fine view of Richmond from here. It is situated much like Peoria and Columbia, S. C. The burned district shows very plainly from here and makes the resemblance to Columbia very striking. Several thousand men and officers of the corps made a raid on Logan last night and got a little talk from him. He was very careful not to say too much, all small talk. This got up a real elephant hunting mania, and I guess every regiment commanded in the corps was called out. Colonel Wright had to make a little talk. The 14th and 20th move out tomorrow.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 379-80

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, June 18, 1864

A light rain yesterday was followed by rain most of today, and all was quiet along the lines until late this evening, when there was heavy cannonading till late in the night. We were ordered to keep all accouterments on and our rifles at our sides during the night, for it is expected by our officers that the rebels will attack our left or evacuate. Deserters report that their men have orders to that effect. There has been some very hard fighting on our right this afternoon, and General Thomas has turned the rebels' left and pierced their center.¹ The news from Richmond is that General Grant is on the south of Richmond, that he has taken Fort Darling, and that he is going to change his base of operations.

_______________

¹ The final result of the demonstrations on the left the previous day —Ed.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 199

Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman to Elizabeth Russell Lyman, September 29, 1864

September 29

Headquarters contented itself by getting up about half-past five, which was plenty early enough, as turned out. We rode down to General Hancock's about 9.30. He was camped not far from us, or had been, for now his tents were struck and packed, and there lay the familiar forms of Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan and Major Mitchell, on some boards, trying to make up for their loss of sleep. The cheery Hancock was awake and lively. We here were near the point of the railroad, which excited General Meade's indignation by its exposure. Now they have partly sunk it and partly built a bank, on the enemy's side, so that it is covered from fire. Here we got news that Ord and Birney had crossed the James, the first near Dutch Gap, the other near Deep Bottom, and advanced towards Richmond. Birney went up the Newmarket road, took a line of works, and joined Ord, who took a strong line, with a fort, on Chapin's farm, which is before Chapin's bluff, which again is opposite Fort Darling. We got sixteen guns, including three of heavy calibre, also some prisoners. General Ord was shot in the thick of the leg, above the knee. There was another line, on the crest beyond, which I do not think we attacked at all. We went down then to the Jones house, where were Parke's Headquarters, and talked with him. I saw there Charlie Mills, now on his Staff. Finally, at 1.30 we got to Globe Tavern where was the astute Warren. Everything was “set,” as he would say, for an advance by Griffin's and Ayres's divisions, while Willcox's and Potter's divisions of the 9th Corps were massed at the Gurley house, ready to support. General Gregg made an advance west of Reams' station, and was heavily attacked about 5 P.M., but repulsed them. Their artillery blew up one of his caissons and we could see the cloud of smoke suddenly rise above the trees. This was all for that day in the way of fighting.

SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to Appomattox, p. 233-4

Particulars of the Fight at Fort Darling

NEW YORK, May 20.

The following was written on board the Galena, yesterday morning.  We ran up to Watches Bluff where we found the river full of sunken steamers.  The Jamestown, Yorktown, and a number of others.  The bank was lined with rifle pits, and on top of the bluff the rebels had a very heavy battery, mounting ten guns, some of them ten inch, and three or four very heavy rifles.  We ran within half a mile of the batteries, anchored and swung broadside to them.  They opened fire, the first shot striking our port bow, and going through the armor.  About five minutes after, we got another shot very near where the first one struck.  As it came through, it killed one man instantly, and wounded four more.  We fought them four hours, until we got out of ammunition, when we had to retire.  We got 28 shots in our side, and 17 on the deck.

We had 12 men killed, 2 dangerously wounded, who have since died, and 15 slightly wounded.  We made a gallant fight, but had we taken the battery we could not have held it, and the obstructions in the river prevented our going up any higher. – One thing we have demonstrated: the Galena cannot stand heavy shot at short range.  He fired 238 rounds, all that we had.  Had we had plenty of shells, we could have silenced the rebels in two hours.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, May 19.

No official dispatch has been received from Com. Goldsboro about the expedition up James River.  It comprised the steam frigate Susquehanna, three gunboats and tug Wave.  The latter mounting one gun.  They found the first rebel battery at Dog’s Point deserted.  The rebel flag was flying over the battery at Hardy’s Point, 15 miles above Newport News, but on landing was found deserted.  Also all the rebel batteries between there and Jamestown, with guns mostly dismounted.  Near Jamestown they met a squadron under Commander Rogers, which had previously gone up the river, and learned from them particulars of the fight at Fort Darling, and the disaster to the Naugatuck.

Goldsboro’s expedition was last heard from Friday, and was still going up river, securing most of the ordnance left by the rebels.

The general evacuation below Fort Darling doubtless gives Goldsboro a chance to bring up mortar boats, &c., to act effectively against the fort.  James River and banks are now clear of rebel soldiers.  The Monitor and Galena were the only vessels run by Dog’s Point and Hardy’s bluff batteries.  The remainder of the fleet stopped below.  Of twenty-eight shells which struck the Galena eighteen penetrated.  None did the Monitor any damage, all glancing off.  Both returned down river Friday last.  The Galena is not materially injured.  They doubtless followed Goldsboro, Saturday up the river.

The universal topic is of course the President’s proclamation, denouncing and repudiating the conduct of Maj. Gen. Hunter.  It was understood yesterday that the President would await advice of the authenticity of the alleged proceeding of Hunter, but to-day it was too obvious that the mischief would be irreparable, if immediate action was not taken.  The effect in Washington has been most happy and reassuring.  The grand patriarchal spirit manifested, yearning for the good of the whole nation more than ever, exalts the President in the confidence and love of the people, and increases the sway he has over al extremes of political parties here represented.

The circuit court to-day appointed three commissioners for adjudication of cases arising under the fugitive slave law.  Seven arrests only were made to-day.  There seems to be concurrent jurisdiction claimed by the military authorities, regarding the fugitives under their protection, therefore it cannot be said the law has full course.

This morning about 50 of the citizens of the adjoining counties of Maryland, proceeded to the White House, accompanied by Messrs. Crissfield, Calvert, Webster, and Leary, representatives in Congress from that state, who had a conversation with the President regarding the interest of their constituents, as involved in the fugitive law.  They say the President promised a response on some other occasion.

The U. S. military telegraph has an office open and working, in a saw mill, at the 14th mile post from Richmond.  The lines to the various camps and stations between headquarters and Fort Monroe are in good condition and working admirably, under the personal superintendence of F. F. Rekert.

WASHINGTON, May 20.

Hon. Edward Stanley is on the eve of departure for North Carolina.  He to-day received his commission as Military Governor of that State.  He is invested with the powers and duties of that station, including the power to establish all necessary offices and tribunals, and suspend the writ of Habeas corpus, during the pleasure of the President, or until the loyal inhabitants shall organize a State government in accordance with the Constitution of the United States.  His powers are exactly similar to those with which Gov. Johnson, of Tennessee, is invested.

An army officer, just arrived here, from Port Royal, denies the published statement that at the last accounts our pickets were within four miles of Savannah.

A private letter from an officer of the flotilla, speaking of the recent engagement, says: The iron-clad Galena was maneuvered so beautifully and saucily that she passed five or six times as close as she could get, and silenced one of the batteries; she then passed and repassed the second battery six times, but finding they were using so much ammunition, for which we expect to have better use further up, Rogers, the commander, ordered the wooden vessels to run up, whilst he in the galena lay just off the battery, and disconcerted the rebel gunners.  The Galena then followed, but the buoys have been displaced so that the pilots lost their bearing, and run the galena ashore, and she is still aground.  None of our vessels are seriously injured.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21, 1862, p. 1

A Federal Repulse On The James River

The Gunboats Beaten off at Fort Darling.

WASHINGTON, May 17.

The following has been received at the War Department:

WASHINGTON, May 17.

The gunboats Galena, Monitor, Arostook, Naugatuck and Port Royal were repulsed from Fort Darling 7 miles below Richmond, yesterday.

A Portion of them have returned to Jamestown Island, near this place in James River.

Seventeen of our dead have already been buried, and there are numbers wounded aboard the vessels, including Lieut. Morris.

The 100-pound gun on the Naugatuck exploded the first fire.

(Signed)

DAVID CAMPBELL,

By authority of

GEN. McCLELLAN.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 2

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 17, 1862

CAMP NEAR THE CHICKAHOMINY, June 17, 1862.

To-day we hear very heavy firing in the direction of Fort Darling on the James River, and we presume the gunboats are engaging the batteries on the river; though I understood from Commodore Dahlgren, whom I met at Fredericksburg, that the gunboats could not pass the obstructions in the river at Fort Darling, the enemy having pretty much destroyed the navigation, which it would take a long time to correct by removing the vessels and rocks, etc., which have been sunk and thrown in. I learned very little at headquarters yesterday. I think McClellan is awaiting the arrival of all his reinforcements, before pushing his lines any farther forward, or making any grand attack. In the meantime the enemy is busily at work fortifying all the approaches to the city, and without doubt will make a most vigorous and desperate resistance to our advance. McClellan, I understand, is in good spirits and confident of success, which I most sincerely trust he may attain. Our division remains where it was first posted, just behind the Chickahominy at the railroad crossing, where it is understood we will remain for a few days, as it is a good position for defending the railroad, and from whence we can readily be sent to reinforce any part of the line that may be suddenly attacked. From what I can gather, the taking of Richmond will be the work of time, by our slowly but gradually and surely advancing, until we get near enough to make a final assault. In this operation we shall, of course, have frequent skirmishes, and now and then big battles, like the recent one at Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, as it is sometimes called, where they thought they had a fine chance to cut off our left wing, isolated from the rest of the army by the sudden rising of the Chickahominy. Unfortunately for their calculations, our bridges stood the freshet, and our communication was not cut off, enabling us to meet their attack and repulse it.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 274-5

Southern News

NEW YORK, May 14.

News from North Carolina states that Gov. Clark has refused to furnish any more troops to Jeff. Davis, and has recalled all the N. C. soldiers now in the rebel army.

North Carolina has held a convention of its citizens, and pronounced against giving further aid to the rebellion, thus virtually returning to the Union.  In reply to the demand of Jeff. Davis for additional troops and means of transportation for his army through the Cotton States, Gov. Clark said that Davis had received all the aid from North Carolina that he could expect and that hereafter no more troops would be permitted to leave the State, and he has ordered all the N. C. troops home.

Gov. Clark also informed the rebels that they could use the railroads in retreating homewards, and that they would run their own risk of being intercepted by a Union force at any part of the State.

The Tribune has the following:  “We can positively assert that whatever modification may be made in his order Gen. Hunter will not be recalled, nor placed in position necessitating his resignation.”

Fort Darling, where our gunboats were engaged is situated on a bluff, 200 feet above the river, high enough to direct a plunging fire upon the attacking boats, which could not use their guns in response.

A loyal black who left Richmond on Friday, brought the first news of the fight, which was at the time going on.  The Richmond people were very apprehensive of the result.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1

Letter from James River

NEW YORK, May 28 – The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Philadelphia Press under date of the 26^th, says that E. A. Stevens (Naugatuck) arrived last night from City Point.

She brings official dispatches for the Navy Department.

Our fleet on the James River is ready to make another attack of Fort Darling on Drury’s bluff as soon as the order is given.

The rebels have increased their forces very considerably on the south bank of the James river from City Point to Richmond and have forced the inhabitants at City Point and vicinity to retire to the interior.

The rebels seem to dread an attack upon Petersburg and are improving the defenses on the Appomattox river.

Beauregard visited Richmond not to take command there, but to confer with the rebel leaders concerning his future operations in the West.  It is said he reached the rebel capital only after overcoming extraordinary difficulties and doubts are expressed concerning his capacity on going to his army.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3

The Fleet in James River

WASHINGTON, May 19. – No official dispatch has been received from Com. Goldsboro about the expedition up James River, comprised of the steam frigate Susquehanna, three gun-boats and the tug Servitor, the latter mounting one gun.  They found the first rebel battery at Dolf’s Point deserted.  The rebel flag was flying over the battery at Parly’s Point, 15 miles above Newport News, but on landing was found deserted, also the rebel batteries between there and Jamestown, with their guns mostly dismounted.  Near Jamestown they met the squadron under Commander Rogers, which had previously gone up the river and learned from them particulars of the fight at Fort Darling and the disaster to the Naugatuck.

Goldsboro’s expedition was last heard from on Friday and were still going up the river securing most of the ordnance left by the rebels.

The general evacuation below Ft. Darling has doubtless given Goldsboro a chance to bring up mortar boats, &c., to act effectively against the Fort.

James River and the banks are now clear of rebel soldiers.

The Monitor and Galena were the only vessels that run by Day’s Point and Hardy’s Bluff Batteries.  The remainder of the fleet stopped below.

Of 28 shots which struck the Galena, 18 penetrated.  None did the Monitor any damage, all glancing off.  Both returned down the river on Friday last.  The Galena is not materially injured.  They doubtless followed Goldsboro on Saturday up the river.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

A Federal Repulse on the James River

The Gunboats Beaten off at Fort Darling – Seventeen killed on board the Flotilla – the Naugatuck’s 100 pounder Burst.

WASHINGTON, May 17.

The Gunboats, Galena, Monitor, Aroostook, Naugatuck and Port Royal were repulsed from Fort Darling seven miles below Richmond yesterday.

A portion of them have returned to Jamestown Island near this place, in James River.

Seventeen of our dead have already been buried and there are numbers of wounded aboard the vessels including Lieut. Morris.

The 100 pound gun on the Naugatuck exploded on the first fire.

(Signed.)

DAVID CAMPBELL,

By authority of GEN. McCLELLAN

Later.

WASHINGTON, May 18. – No official report of the gunboat affair on James River has been received.  Messages received indicate an opportunity to do better in future.  The river is now clear of obstructions to within eight miles of Richmond.  At that point there is a heavy battery on a high bluff.  The river is temporarily closed to navigation by sunken vessels among which are reported the Yorktown and Jamestown, piles chains &c.  The Monitor could not elevate her guns to reach the bluff, which rendered her useless.  The banks of the river are filled with rifle pits from which an incessant fire was poured on our fleet, a part of which were engaged within six hundred to a thousand yards of the main battery.  After an action of four hours the fleet finding it impracticable to silence the battery on the bluff withdrew.

Our loss is 13 killed and 11 wounded.  Full particulars expected to-morrow.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

A New Move on James River

Hancock’s corps went on board transports at City Point, on the 15th, and going down the river till dark, they then returned and landed up the river 12 miles from Richmond. The same evening the 10 corps, under cover of darkness crossed to the north side of the James River.

It is supposed that the object of this move is to destroy the pontoon bridges above Fort Darling, belonging to the rebels, so that Lee cannot transfer his army to the north side of the river without going by way of Manchester, some 20 miles.

A later report says that the 2nd corps has routed a large force of the enemy at Dutch Gap, capturing [500] prisoners and several pieces of artillery.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, August 20, 1864