C. S. Wainwright to Fred. T. Locke, September 1, 1864

September 1, 1864. COLONEL :*

June 12, marched by cross-roads to Long Bridge; crossed the Chickahominy about midnight. June 13, remained near the crossing all day. Barnes’ and Hart’s batteries accompanied Third Division on reconnaissance to near White Oak Swamp; Barnes only slightly engaged. During the night marched by Saint Mary’s Church to near Charles City Court-House, arriving on the morning of June 14, and 15th remained in camp. June 16, crossed the James by pontoon bridge and marched all day and night, arriving at break of day. June 17, in the afternoon, when the Fourth Division formed on the left of the Ninth Corps, Major Fitzhugh accompanied it with Mink’s and Breck’s batteries, placing them in position to the left of the Norfolk road and in front of the Deserted House, between this road and the Norfolk railroad, where they engaged the guns on the enemy’s right. About dusk Cooper’s battery (Captain Cooper resumed command this day) was also brought up and posted south of the Avery house, opening on the enemy’s works around that house at 500 yards. The other batteries not engaged. June 18, at sunrise Cutler’s division advanced to the Avery house and the edge of the woods beyond. Breck’s, Mink’s, and Cooper’s batteries were pushed forward with them and took position to the right of the woods along a ridge opening on the enemy’s batteries and troops beyond the railroad. Soon after, Barnes’, Bigelow’s, and Hart’s batteries were brought up on the right of these and also opened. Meanwhile Ayres’ division, with Rittenhouse’s, Rogers’, and Walcott’s batteries, had passed around to the left of Cutler and crossed the railroad. The three batteries went into position 900 yards in front of the

*For portions of report (here omitted) covering operations from May 4 to June 12, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 639.

31 R R—VOL XL, PT I great salient of the enemy’s works and opened fire. Phillips’, Stewart’s, and Richardson’s were engaged in line with the First Division on the right of the road which crosses the railroad near the Taylor house, advancing as the infantry did until about 10 o’clock, when they had reached within 200 yards of the railroad and took a good position parallel to it, the right close to the above-mentioned dirt road, where they remained the remainder of the day, warmly engaged most of the time and doing good service. So soon as the enemy’s skirmishers were driven out of the woods on the far side of the railroad Mink’s battery was thrown forward and formed atright angles to and about 500 yards from the railroad, firing up the track and driving the enemy out of the clump of woods at the ice-house. Barnes was removed to within 100 yards of Mink’s right, and Cooper was also brought forward. Having gained the railroad along the whole front of this corps, about noon the Second and Fourth Divisions, with a portion of the First, being established beyond it, Mink’s battery was moved to the edge of this cut, to the right of the Taylor house; engaged two of the enemy’s guns immediately in his front at 500 yards, and kept them silent nearly all the time. Bigelow’s and Hart’s batteries were taken across the railroad and halted behind the crest with Chamberlain’s brigade, First Divis10n, while slight lunettes were being thrown up on the crest held by our skirmish line. At3 p. m., when the general attack was made, these batteries were shoved up on the crest and opened on the enemy’s works as our troops passed down into the intervening ravine. Barnes’ battery was soon after brought over and posted about seventy-five yards to the left of the others. The attack failing, the batteries covered the withdrawal of our troops. The position held by Mink’s, Bigelow’s, and Hart’s batteries was within easy canister and musketry range of the enemy’s works, and all suffered severely. Their practice, nevertheless, was excellent and reflected great credit on officers and men. After dark Barnes, Bigelow, and Hart were withdrawn.

June 19 to July 30. Captain Mink’s battery remained in position near the Taylor house until the morning of June 24, firing occasional shots during the time, when it was relieved by a battery of the Ninth Corps, and camped in reserve. Bigelow’s battery returned to its position beyond the railroad on the 19th and 20th. On the 21st this battery was assigned to Crawford’s (Third) division and took position on the 24th to the left of the Jerusalem plank road in front of the Gregory house, where it remained until July 12, when it was removed into the large redoubt. Harts battery relieved Bigelow’s in its position of the 18th beyond the railroad on the morning of the 21st, where it remained until the 28th, on which day it went into reserve until July 13, when it occupied the smaller redoubt back of the Chieves house. Cooper’s and Breck’s batteries held their positions near the front of the woods, in front of the Avery house, until the 20th, when they were assigned to Crawford’s division, and on the 26th relieved two batteries of the Second Corps in the small works west of the plank road. Cooper remained here until the end of the period covered by this report. Breck was moved into the large redoubt on the 12th of July. Rittenhouse, Rogers, and Walcott remained in their positions of the 18th until our line was advanced on the 13th of J uly, when these batteries also moved forward into works constructed for them at a distance of 600 yards from the great salient of the enemy’s works. They fired at times during the whole of this time, doing neither good nor harm. Barnes, Stewart, Phillips, and Richardson remained in reserve until the morning of the 19th.

Excepting in the engagements on the North Anna, May 23, and in front of Petersburg, June 18, the campaign covered by this report afforded but little opportunity for the legitimate and successful use of artillery. There were but few days, to be sure, in which some of the batteries were not engaged with the enemy’s artillery, but as they were always well protected the most accomplished was a temporary quieting of their fire. Hardly a charge was made, either by or upon our lines, which was not made through the woods, where artillery could do almost nothing. In the few opportunities that there were of bringing a single section or battery into play (as near Bethesda Church on the 30th of May by Lieutenant Richardson, and again on the 2d of June by Lieutenant Stewart) it was quickly and well done. At the North Anna the prompt movement of Mink’s, Walcott’s, and Matthewson’s batteries of light 12-pounders undoubtedly relieved the corps from great danger, if they did not save it from defeat.

The ground moved over by the corps in its advance on the 18th of June was mostly open and intersected by gentle slopes, affording the very best chance for the maneuvering of light batteries, which 1 believe I may say was taken full advantage of.

The losses of the brigade in material have not been heavy, but in officers and men it has suffered materially, especially in the former.

Capt. H. W. Davis and Second Lieutenant De Mott, First New York Artillery, First Lieut. Peleg W. Blake, of the Fifth Massachusetts Battery, and First Lieut. Thomas Goodman, serving with B, Fourth U.S. Artillery, were either killed in action or died of wounds received shortly after. All of them were officers of great promise, and who stood high in the estimation of those who knew them.

To Maj. R. H. Fitzhugh, First New York Artillery, Capt. J. H. Cooper, First Pennsylvania Artillery, and Capt. A. P. Martin, Massachusetts Artillery, the senior officers of the brigade, and who frequently held detached commands of two or more batteries, I have been indebted for most valuable services. I regret to say that both the last-named officers since left the service after having for three years held the position of captains of artillery and participated in all the actions of this army. The false organization of the artillery arm in our service provides no way of rewarding such officers by deserved promotion.

In every case during the campaign I have found all the battery commanders prompt to perform the duties required of them, and fully seconded by their subordinates and men.

Where all have done so well I can have no particular individual to bring to the notice of the commanding general.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,