C. W. Squires to J. B. Walton, July 5, 1862

Captain Squires will report, with his battery of rifle guns, to General Longstreet, at his headquarters, at Phillips’ house. J. B. WALTON,

General Longstreet ordered me to follow, with my battery, such directions as Col. 8. D. Lee would point out. Colonel Lee accompanied me over a farm road leading into the Charles City road. Reaching this road I marched to a point opposite Waddell’s farm, and there awaited the arrival of the cavalry, which, I was informed, would support the battery.

The cavalry arrived about dark, and, in obedience to verbal orders from General Stuart, I followed with my battery, arriving at Dr. Wilcox’s house (situated 1 mile from James River) about 8 p. m., when I received orders from Colonel Lee to halt. After reconnoitering the position my guns were to occupy Colonel Lee ordered me to march, taking a road known as the road to Wilcox’s Wharf. On arriving within 100 yards of the river I placed my battery by sections on a bluff, protected on the right by thick woods, the section on the right, Lieutenant Owen commanding, composed of one steel and one bronze

3-inch rifle, and the left section, Lieutenant Galbraith commanding, consisting of two 3-inch bronze rifles. I placed two cannoneers as lookouts on the banks of the river, and was informed about 1 a. m. that a light was seen coming upstream. Preparing everything to give the craft a salute as she passed, we awaited her approach, and as soon as she appeared opposite our position fire was opened from my four guns. Darkness prevented us from seeing the effect of our shot, but it was the opinion of all present that eight projectiles out of thirteen fired struck the mark. I remained in the same position till daylight, when orders came to take my former position in a piece of woods near Waddell’s farm.

At this point men and horses rested until 6 p. m. July 6, when I received orders to place my command in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. The artillery was now increased to seven guns, viz, four 3-inch rifles (my own battery), two 10-pounder Parrott guns, of the Loudoun Artillery, Captain Rogers, and one Blakely gun, of Stuart’s artillery, under Lieutenant McGregor, the three additional pieces of artillery reporting to me by orders from General Stuart. About 8 p.m. the artillery moved in rear of Colonel Rosser’s cavalry, and finally took up a position near the river, on the farm of Mr. Thomas Wilcox, about 9 miles from the point we occupied on the previous night.

At sunrise July 7 a small steam transport (the Juniata) was discovered aground about 1,000 yards from our position, when the guns were speedily thrown into battery and opened upon her. The boat was lightened by her crew and backed up the river, but finding the direction was likely to prove of disadvantage she moved down the river, evidently worsted by our fire, and we have since been informed by the army correspondent of the Northern papers that she had to be run ashore to keep her from sinking, with a loss of 2 killed and 6 wounded. The enemy now came up with his gunboats, and we retired under their fire without sustaining any damage. He shelled the whole country, but could not discover our new position, which was in a piece of woods about 1 mile from the river.

About 4 p.m. I received an order from Lieutenant-Colonel Lee to send one section of artillery to a point on the river near Christian’s farm, which he informed me would be supported by one squadron of Colonel Brien’s cavalry. I detached Lieutenant Galbraith’s section, and I am informed by Lieutenant Galbraith that he came into battery in time to fire upon two transports, conducted by a tug-boat, compelling the tug to cut away and leave the transports to his mercy. Lieutenant Galbraith sank one transport and damaged the other greatly, compelling the crew to abandon her and escape to the opposite shore. The enemy’s gunboats now opened [on] this section and Lieutenant Galbraith retired in good order under his fire and took up his former position. At 5 p. m. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee informed me that nine transports were coming up the river, and ordered me to move the artillery, now consisting of five guns, to the position on the river we occupied in the morning. The transports soon came in sight, convoyed by three gunboats. They consisted of eight schooners, two abreast, towed by a steamboat. The channel was very near the shore, say 400 yards, and they were fairly within our range, when fire was opened there, which was steadily kept up, nearly every shot taking effect. The enemy from his gunboats fired upon us the whole time, but I am happy to say the artillery sustained no damage. The transports having been towed beyond our range, we retired to Charles City Court-House, where we bivouacked for the night. The fire of the gunboats, though

* very hot, was not replied to by our artillery, and we did not condescend to turn a single piece of artillery upon him, which seemed to exasperate the enemy to such an extent that he avenged himself by shelling the neighboring farm-houses.

Early next morning, July 8, I was ordered to move down the Charles [City] road in the direction of Bottom’s Bridge, as the enemy was advancing in large force with infantry and cavalry. Having accomplished our object, Lieutenant-Colonel Lee ordered the artillery to their respective camps.

During the expedition the artillery fired 172 rounds, as follows: First Company, Battalion Washington Artillery, 122; Loudoun Artillery, 30; Stuart’s artillery, 20. Total, 172 rounds.

The officers and non-commissioned officers acted with their usual coolness and good judgment, and I would respectfully recommend them to your kind consideration. :

Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,