[CHAP. XXXIII.

their troops, and one of their batteries, which had been struck several times in succession, failed to open fire again until nightfall of the same day.

The main attack on Saturday having failed, and it being evident that it would not be immediately repeated, I directed my batteries to save their ammunition, except in cases of extreme necessity, or where the damage done would amply warrant the expenditure of the same. Acting under these instructions, therefore, my battery commanders reserved their fire until the day after our troops had recrossed the river. Several large bodies of the enemy at the time making their appearance on the plain in our front, I opened fire upon them with such effect that one brigade, at the extreme distance of over 2 miles, broke ranks in great disorder, while several other bodies moved off at double-quick. I consider this not only as an instance of remarkable accuracy of fire, but also as showing that the enemy, when unprotected by breastworks, are unable to equal in steadiness our own troops.

After this, and until the truce, I held the field in my front under fire, so that large bodies were henceforward unable to move across it or approach in any considerable numbers the pontoons on our left. I withheld my fire from the extreme right, where our dead were being stripped, in accordance with instructions from you that there might be burying parties among the enemy there congregated.

I am happy to state that in the late engagement I suffered no loss either of men or animals.

My whole expenditure of ammunition was 357 rounds, 4 1/2-inch Schenkl shell, with metallic casing. I consider these defective on two accounts; first, that at least one in every five fails to take the grooves, and, secondly, that many of those thus failing explode in the air. The first defect seems to arise partially, though not wholly, from the metallic casing, which has been latterly adopted to prevent the swelling of the papier-mache. This casing, I consider should be made less thick, so as not to interfere with the papier-mache, or of material much tougher than zinc, so as to aid the projectile in taking the grooves. The second defect seems to arise from the fact that the centrifuge force, operating on the plungers of those shells which fail to take the grooves, caused the explosion of the caps in air. Any remedy for the first defect will, of course, remedy the second. With the present projectile I do not feel justified in firing over troops, which batteries of position, like those under my command, are always liable to do. I would, therefore, respectfully suggest, in order to remedy this defect, that, during the few days of inactivity which will doubtless follow the late contest, I be allowed to experiment with some other projectile, as, for example, the Hotchkiss shell.

While I do not underrate the efficiency of fire of the batteries under my command during the late contest, I cannot fail in conclusion to point out the disadvantage to which they were subjected, viz, of firing at troops protected by covers and sunken roads, and the advantages in such cases of using vertical fire.

With the highest appreciation of the zeal and efficiency of both the officers and men of my command, I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,

THOS. S. TRUMBULL,

Major First Connecticut Vol. Arty., Commanding Batt. Conn. Arty.

Colonel R. O. TYLER,

Commanding Reserve Artillery.