Nelson Taylor to General, October 22, 1861

GENERAL:

I arrived here at 12 m., and encamped about 1 mile south of Mr. Posey?s house. This morning before leaving camp a man came to me, representing himself as Charles Bentrick, ranking as master in the Navy, and commanding one of the small steamers in the Government service, called E. H. Herbert. He stated that having an intimation of my detachment being in that vicinity, Commodore Craven had sent him on shore to inquire the strength of the force. He also stated that the commodore desired me to arrest Messrs. Posey, Mason, and . Runyea, but for no other reason that I could understand than that they were suspected of entertaining secession sentiments. This I of course disregarded. I should very much like to have the inquiry made at the Navy Department to know if Charles Bentrick has the position he represents himself to hold.

Captain Williamson commenced work on the shore this afternoon immediately in front of the battery at Shipping Point. During the afternoon five or six shots were fired at passing vessels, but without effect. The batteries appeared to be confined to a space of about 1 mile on the river fronting Budd’s Ferry and ranging up and down the river. The batteries are situated between Chopawamsic and Quantico Creeks. The battery at Freestone Point has been discontinued since the openU Pe

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. Cmar. XIV] — AFFAIRS AROUND BUDD’S FERRY, MD.

ing of the lower ones. I cannot learn that there has ever been a battery at Cockpit Point. A ball was thrown to the rear of Mr. Posey’s house, which was supposed to have been thrown from a battery of a single gun planted at an elevation of 150 feet. The place where the gun is supposed to be is quite visible with a glass, but not the gun, or at least not plainly. With a good glass six guns in the upper and five in the lower battery ean be eounted. It is quite certain that there are more guns in position, as one of those fired yesterday was out of sight. Its location was made known by the smoke:

Heavy firing was heard from below last evening, which from the “direction was supposed to have taken place at Mathias Point. Field batteries have been seen on the opposite shore, but are out of sight now. The supports of the batteries appeared to be at least a mile in the rear. Judging from the great quantity of smoke constantly rising above the timber, which it is supposed comes from camp fires, their force must be very eonsiderable.

Very respectfully,