Charles K. Graham to Daniel E. Sickles, November 11, 1861

Camp Fenion, near Port Tobacco, Md., November 11, 1861.

GENERAL:

Shortly after my arrival at this point Captain Wilkinson, of Company I of this regiment, by my orders seized several small boats and manned them with crews of sailors picked from his company.

* Some matters of detail omitted.

They were employed in reconnoitering the Potomac shore and neighboring creeks and in keeping a general surveillance over the movements and actions of the secession sympathizers on this shore. In the numerous expeditions he made, Captain Wilkinson was frequently materially assisted by Lieut. Commander Samuel Magaw, of the U. S. steamer Freeborn, and Acting Master Arnold Harris, of the U. S. steamer Island Belle. I was on board these steamers in several of their reconnaissances, and from information gleaned from reliable sources I became convinced that there were no batteries at Mathias Point sufficient to. oppose the landing of troops. The commanders of the gunboats above named agreed with me in this opinion, and also as to the desirability of a thorough inspection of this point. They very kindly placed their vessels at my disposal for such a purpose. :

Sunday evening was the time agreed upon for this service, but Lieutenant Magaw was unfortunately prevented, by orders from his superior officer, from carrying out his intentions in this particular, but Acting Master Wm. T. Street, of the U. S. cutter Dana, volunteered the service of himself and vessel. The Island Belle, with the Dana in tow, ran up Port Tobaeco Oreek to Chapel Point, and on them I embarked about 400 picked men of my regiment. The embarkation was conducted silently and in good order. Arrived at. Mathias Point, the force was landed under the admirable direction of Masters Harris and Street, and made a thorough reconnaissance of the point for several miles around. Master Harris, of the Island Belle, was the first to land, and, aecompanied by a squad of skirmishers, pushed forward and took possession of Grimes! house. About a quarter of a mile from shore he came suddenly upon 3 of the enemy?s pickets, 1 of whom.raised his musket and was about to fire, when Master Harris, shot him dead. in his tracks with his revolver. The other 2 pickets took to their heels. We secured a musket of 1 and the horses of all. The main body of the command, under my own guidance, then made a thorough inspection of the point — for some 4 miles inland. We met 2 of the enemy’s pickets, and endeavored to eapture them, but they escaped; 1 of them, however, wounded by a musket-ball. We discovered a few rifle-pits and a battery partially masked, but upon which no guns had been mounted. Several rebel houses and barns were burned. Beyond this there were no batteries or troops to be found, except a party of perhaps 20 cavalry, who retreated as we advanced. We were informed that there was a rebel camp at Hampstead, consisting in part of three pieces of artillery. Cap- . tain Street offered his howitzer and erew, but I decided not to expose

my command to too great risk, and concluded not to attack the enemy in his camp, some 9 miles from the landing. A large amount of forage and grain was burned and several horses belonging to the enemy were captured. :

I was also fortunate enough to secure Mr. George Dent and son, and brought them as prisoners to this camp. We found them armed, and under circumstances which leave no doubt of their complicity with treason. I shall transmit them to you, with the papers found in their possession, aS soon as possible. Several attempts were made to burn the woods on the Point, but owing to their non-inflammable nature at this season, with but qualified success. By this means, however, the only earthworks on the Point were unmasked.

After having completed my reconnaissance the force was withdrawn in good order to the beach and re-embarked on the gunboats, and reached camp about 1 p. m. without injury of any kind. A large number of negroes followed, some on board the gunboats, but a majority in a large launch, which by some means they had obtained.

` Cmar. XIV} = AFFAIR AT GUYANDOTTE, W. VA.

_ I cannot close this report without again referring to the valuable and important services rendered by Master Harris, of the Island Belle, and

. Master Street, of the Dana. Both gentlemen exerted themselves to the utmost to render the expedition a complete success, and all that

their vessels afforded, whether in men or arms, was cheerfully placed at my disposal. The bravery of Master Harris in boldly advancing as he did upon the rebel pickets cannot be too highly spoken of. Master Street personally supervised the embarkation and landing, and the orderly manner in which it was accomplished is chiefly due to him.

Of the officers and men of my regiment concerned I cannot speak in too high terms. Not the slightest trepidation was evinced by any, and all vied with each other in striving for the posts of danger. Had we met the enemy in force, the coolness and bravery of the little force with

me would, I doubt not, have been still more manifest. I need not par-

. tieularize the officers when all did so well. It might, however, be stated

that to Capt. A. Wilkinson, Company I, much of.the credit of arranging the general plans of the expedition is due. Quartermaster O’Kell and Lieut. Charles W. Squier accompanied me as aides, also Mr. John McMillan, master’s mate of the Island Belle.

The successful expedition by so small a force, and upon so important a point, cannot fail to have inspired the enemy with fear for the large portion of unprotected coast along the Potomac, and will not fail, I think, to cause them to scatter their forces along the exposed points, and thus prevent them concentrating a large force at any one position.

I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,

Colonel.

Headquarters Excelsior Brigade.

*

NOVEMBER 10, 1861.—Affair at Guyandotte, W. Va.

Report of Adjt. J. C. Wheeler, Ninth Virginia Infantry, U. S. Army.