W. N. Pendleton to S. G. Frenoh, August 9, 1862

Near Petersburg, August 9, 1862.

GENERAL:

The report of our operations in attacking the enemy’s shipping near Coggins Point, on the night of July 31, which I now have the honor to submit, has been delayed by the absence on other duty of one of the officers, from whom it was necessary to obtain some important facts :

General Lee having intimated to me on Monday, July 28, his wish to effect something against the enemy’s boats by artillery on this side of James River, and my services having been tendered and accepted for conducting the expedition, I detailed from the Reserve Artillery under my command near Richmond a force deemed sufficient for the service and placed it en route for Petersburg early on Tuesday, 29th. This force consisted of certain batteries and sections of batteries from Colonel Brown’s artillery regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts’ and Major Nelson’s artillery battalions—in all, thirty-two field pieces—and two heavy rifles on siege carriages, manned by Captain Dabney, with the ‘men and horses of Captain Milledge’s artillery company, from Major Richardson’s battalion, to operate two other large rifles transported by

a The command reached Petersburg by sunset July 29. General D. H. – Hill, commanding, having been reported to early in the day by telegram and later by a member of my staff, sent forward for the purpose, we encamped that evening a short distance beyond the city, on the Suffolk road. _ About midnight a dispatch from General Hill was brought me, indicating Coggins Point as our destination, and directing me to have my command ready to march early the next morning. Meantime Major Allen, of Claremont, arrived at Mr. Hare’s, where I was lodging, and gave me information deemed valuable respecting the river and the shipping. This we proceeded very early on the 30th to submit to General Hill. He had, however, set out, and preferred not halting for con944 THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, VA. (Cuar. XXTL

versation; and as Major Allen’s duty lay in a different direction, we could make but slight use of his knowledge.

The infantry force and several batteries brought by General Hill and the artillery under my command reached Perkinson’s saw-mill, some 7 miles below, by 10 o’clock and there halted. Within an hour or two you arrived, and we were informed that the fleet, &c., was to be attacked the approaching night and that you were to superintend the expedition. After some consultation it was determined to move the whole force forward about 2 miles and there leave wagons and ¢aissons. Colonel Brown and Lieutenant-Colonel Coleman were detailed with certain batteries to proceed to Hood’s Point, or to Claremont if necessary and practicable. The other guns were to be taken by their proper commanders, when notified, to positions which adequate reconnaissances might indicate as best. Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts, Major Nelson, and Captain Dabney were summoned to accompany yourself and myself, attended by one or two members of each staff, on this reconnaissance. The tour proved laborious and perplexing. The enemy’s shipping lay crowded before us, but positions were difficult of access and a night approach required great care. In consequence, several hours of the night had passed before notice to advance could be given the batteries. In the haste and dark a mistake occurred also respecting the force for Colonel Brown. This led to additional delay, and I became satisfied the movement was too much hurried and confused for success that night. This judgment was concurred in by all my field officers, and I was happy to find it sanctioned by yourself so soon as communicated. We therefore resolved to waive further proceedings and to report to General Hill. He kindly acquiesced, though much disappointed and anticipating failure the next night from the probable disclosure of our movements to and preparation for it by the enemy the ensuing day.

By the time our force was replaced in position not to be seen from the enemy’s balloon when it should go up in the morning day had dawned, and no rest or refreshment had yet been taken by men or horses.

In the early forenoon of the 31st, General Hill having returned to his more comprehensive duties in Petersburg and committed the expedition to us, you issued instructions for a systematic co-operation on the part of the infantry and all toward success that night, and I sketched and submitted to the artillery officers an exact programme for their proceeding. Colonel Brown was to take Maycox’s twelve guns, viz, four 10-pounder Parrott rifles, two Napoleons, four 12-pounder howitzers, and two 6-pounders, under Captains Watson and Macon and Lieutenants Thurmond and Pegram. He was to move by 4 p. m., so as to approach his position about dusk. Lieutenant-Colonel Coleman was to take to Coggins Point, on its right, eight 12-pounder howitzers, under Captains Dance and Joseph Graham and Lieutenant Griffin; Major Nelson also to take to Coggins Point, on its left, eight guns, viz, two 10-pounder Parrott rifles, two 3-inch rifles, two 12-pounder howitzers, and two 6-pounders, under Captains Huckstep and R. C. M. Page and Lieutenant Woodroof; Lieutenant-Colonel Cutts, to a point considerably farther on the left, eleven long-range guns, viz, eight Parrott rifles, two 3-inch rifles, and one Napoleon, under Captains Lane and Ross and Lieutenant Robertson, and Captain Dabney (Major Lewis not having then arrived to command the heavy battery), to a position still farther back on the left, near Mr. Ruffin’s residence, the four large rifles, to be operated by Captain Milledge and himself. The field and company officers assigned each position were directed to make, as care”

By 6 p. m. the column was in motion, utmost silence being enjoined upon all. Dark caine early and was very intense by reason of general cloud and rain, yet through this and along the difficult route the whole moved successfully under the skillful guidance of patriotic citizens familiar with the region.

At midnight the signal gun was to fire. It was, however, 12.30 before all was ready at Coggins Point, where my own position had been chosen. Then, just after the cry from the enemy’s sentinels “Als well,” the fire was ordered, and the whole line instantly pealed forth in all the terribleness of midnight surprise. Lights were glimmering on shipboard along the entire shore opposite, yet on the river and in the camp beyond the stillness of sleep prevailed.

To be compelled, resisting outrage, to meet our fellow-men in deadly shock cannot but be, under any circumstances, painful to a Christian mind. Hspecially is the trial grevious when we must be slain by or slay those who so lately were our countrymen, but who, having trampled upon our rights, now seek to desolate our homes, appropriate our soil, kill off our young men, degrade our women, and subdue us into abject submission to their will, because we claim, under our own Government, exemption from their insults and their control. And still more distressing to find requisite toward contributing to avert the ruin threatened by malignant millions thus to send the sleeping, however unprepared, to their great account. But painful as it is, just as to snatch life from an assassin whose arm is uplifted against our best beloved, most sacred is the duty. As such was this attack made, the issue being committed to unerring wisdom. Such considerations imparted. a mournful solemnity to the scene, where so many sudden flashes through thick darkness and multiplied reverberations startling profound stillness constituted elements of grandeur rarely combined. Not to give the enemy time to bring to bear against us in so exposed a position many of his powerful guns from his boats or his land batteries I had limited the nearest pieces to 20 rounds each and those more remote on the right and left to 30 rounds. These were generally fired, making probably 1,000 shots in all, and the pieces limbered and quietly taken to the rear.

When we had been firing about fifteen minutes large shells began to be returned from the other side, some apparently from gunboats and some from the land, but with scarcely any damage tous. The two guns of Captain Dance, most of all exposed, having been taken down a ravine to the river’s edge, within 600 or 800 yards of a number of vessels, were, under admirable management withdrawn without a scratch, after firing their allotted rounds; nor was injury received from the enemy at a single one of our field guns. A good many shells flew over us, and seemed well aimed along the general course we had to take; but they passed beyond or fell short, or when the ground turned us to the right or left they deviated the other way. These occurrences, and the remarkable fact that just when nearing the enemy our batteries had to pass a rocky hill likely to occasion great noise the heaviest rain fell and drowned the rattling of wheels, &c., made upon many the salutary impression that a kind Providence favored our enterprise.

Forty-one out of the 43 guns enumerated were brought into action, it

being deemed imprudent to crowd more in the space, and the two heav60 R R—VOL XI, PT II iest, intended to act with Captain Dabney’s large rifles, Captain Milledge having found it impracticable to get sufficiently early into position.

The casualties we suffered were as follows:

At one of Captain Dabney’s large guns, by an exploding shell of the enemy, 1 man was killed and 2 wounded and 3 horses slightly injured; in Capt. R. C. M. Page’s battery, by their own carelessness from their own fire, 3 men wounded, and at one of Lieutenant Thurmond’s guns, by its overturning in the road, 2 men wounded—in all, 1 killed and 7 wounded.

The amount of injury inflicted upon the enemy we could not accurately estimate, though from the known range of our guns, the care taken in adjusting them, and the great number of objects at which to direct fire, less than serious damage could scarcely have resulted. Statements apparently reliable have also reached us, derived from admissions of the enemy, that more than twenty of their vessels were considerably injured and 30 or 40 men and 50 horses killed. How near this is to the truth we cannot judge.

Every officer behaved well and nearly every man, and the entire enterprise was really a signal success. Rarely has difficulty been overcome on so large a scale, under so much risk, with so little to regret. This, while to be gratefully attributed to the favor of Divine Providence, should also be credited to the exemplary conduct of the officers and men engaged. Colonel Brown, Lieutenant-Colonels Cutts and Coleman, and Major Nelson, who directed the operations of their respective commands; the company officers, who skillfully seconded their efforts; the medical and other members of my staff, and the men who with persistent care and courage did the work, are well entitled to praise for what was achieved.

By dawn August 1 our whole command was far enough back to take a few hours’ rest, well earned and much needed. When thus snfficiently refreshed to march again we moved, in compliance with orders from yourself, to the neighborhood of Petersburg, where, awaiting another opportunity, we have since remained.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Artillery.
Brig. Gen. S. G. FRENOH, Commanding Expedition.
AUGUST 3, 1862.—Reconnaissance on south side of the James River and
skirmish at Sycamore Church, Va.

No. 1.—Col. William W. Averell, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding First
Cavalry Brigade.