John Norris to R. O. Assortt, July 14, 1864

TWENTY-SECOND ARMY Corps, DEPT. OF Washington, July 14, 1864. Surg. R. O. Assortt, U. 8. Army, Medical Director, Department of Washington:

I have the honor to submit the following list of casualties on the line of defenses north of the Potomac, from July 11 to 14, inclusive, belonging to Twenty-second Corps :

WMO GAY, JULY. 115 19045 serve: 0.6101 sieie’s,c)ei01s «1/0 sieleiaie eieisjeie ofe)s cielo ele w s\> eivisia)s «isieiels

Luesday, July 12, 1864………..ceccececccccrccvescesesonsescersscececs 15 5 20 ‘Wednesday, Suly DS STSCI ererereretareleteioiejevelselerstale-s’slejetste\waleielevare oieleisiaialatee’eohais {6 1 8 G Yat ts en bot.- Goo beDO0 SUOQOO CODD GOOGOO CONT EaBOO. OOULObonacDoEDe 61 12

ROBERT REYBURN, Surgeon, U. S. Vois., Surgeon-in-Chief, Hardin’s Division.

Report of Capt. John Norris, Second Provisional Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, of the defense of Washington.

Fort De Rwssy, D. C., July 16, 1864.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report the number of shots fired at the enemy from Fort De Russy on Monday afternoon and Tuesday, the 11th and 12th instant, and their effect, as near as practicable, from No. 4 gun (100-nounder Parrott).

We fired 18 case-shot, 10 shells, and 4 solid shot. Twenty-two of these were fired on Monday evening and Tuesday morning on column of the enemy moving down the Brookeville turnpike toward Fort Stevens, and at trains parked in the fields adjoining the turnpike, at a distance, as near as I could estimate, of from 4,200 to 4,500 yards. Elevation and length of fuse were given for these distances. Having the use of a powerful glass, I considered the shots effective, at least in causing the enemy to move their trains and troops from time to time, and yesterday, as I made a close inspection of that point, found the enemy had been there in force. Two shells had exploded and struck the outbuildings of Mr. John Wilson, just to the right of the turnpike, about half a mile beyond Silver Spring ; one had entered the ground half a mile farther to the north an exploded ; others exploded just this side of the turnpike, and, as I learned from a citizen resident near by, caused at least a division of the enemy to transfer their camp to a woods beyond. Ten 100pounder shells were thrown at a house about 1,700 yards to the north and this side of Rock Creek for the purpose of firing it, as the enemy’s sharpshooters were reported there in great numbers. Two shells exploded a little short from defective fuses. The balance

assed through and to the right of the house, exploded a little Looanil There were also fired at the house this side of Rock Creek ten 30-pounder percussion-shells from Parrott gun No. 9, all of which were planted in and near the house, but not one of them exploded. Ten 100-pounder shells were thrown at a body of the enemy advancing down a strip of timber about 2,800 yards distant and drove them back. Shots well directed. Seventeen time shells, 39 percussion-shells, and 3 case-shot were fired at squads of the enemy as they emerged from the woods and charged across grain fields at the time of the advance of our skirmish line on the afternoon of Tuesday, and at squad of cavalry in lane beyond, and had the effect to drive them back. These shells were thrown at ranges from 2,200 to 2,400 and up to 2,800 yards, but few of the percussion-shells exploded. With a few exceptions the time shells with paper fuses exploded at the desired points. .Hight spherical case were used in No. 3 (32-pounder sea-coast gun) on enemy’s line of skirmishers, at ranges of 1,600 and 1,700 yards, and exploded in air over their line, but with what effect I had not the means of knowing. In the lane above referred to lies the carcass of a fine stallion killed by one of our shells, and by the location of the wound his rider did not escape asevere wound. The body of one rebel was found at adistance of 2,600 yards in the direction of our firing badly mutilated by a piece of shell, and I am informed that a number of the severely wounded left at Silver Spring were wounded by our shells, The guns were manned by troops of Battery A, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, Captain Spear commanding, and Battery L, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Lieutenant Howe commanding.

Number of—

Case-shotetromel 00=pounderse Parrottemaacesece hen. lone «ok eaee veri cent 18 Shells ifromma 00-pounderabarrotsaeeiec cis. ek check ee oes cee deen oe 10 Solidishottrom100-pounder! Parrott vi… o.oo ueucet voce veeaciceeeere) sieo

_ + Rercussion-shells from 30-pounder Parrott .2. <..........0cscceceeseeesss 49 Huse:shellitrom s0-pounder barrow aac date iets tec here eee eee 17 Case-shotrtromms0-pounder Parrottes ace ees. bes sooo Genie cc cmene 8 Spherical case from 32-pounder sea-coast gUN............ecccececeeeeeees 8 Lotalenum bemorerounds tx sels fete ajszayo'sioierei tom ciapee ies win ave cis iots SiGe ees

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,