Today in History:

520 Series I Volume XL-I Serial 80 - Richmond, Petersburg Part I

Page 520 OPERATIONS IN SE.VA. AND N.C. Chapter LII.

night I discovered the enemy throwing up a work for a battery in my rear on a bend of the river, in consequence of which the men worked all night, throwing up a traverse in rear of the guns.

June 20, the enemy opened on my position at daylight with three batteries, two on my right and one [a 20-pounder Parrott] in my rear. The sharpshooters in my front had advanced during the night to within a few hundred yards, and both kept up a brisk fire for four hours, when, finding that they could not silence my guns or drive me from my position, they ceased firing. They would have undoubtedly ruined the battery were it not for the strength of my works, the battery in my rear being completely out of range. I lost four horses killed and expended 127 rounds of ammunition. My officers and men behaved splendidly in this as well as in previous engagements.

June 21, was relieved by Battery E, Fifth U. S. Artillery, and went into camp in the rear. Broke camp at 9 p.m. and marched all night, arriving at the extreme left of our line at 8 a.m.; was ordered to report to General Ricketts; took position by his order, and was then ordered to throw up an earth-work, which took nearly all night.

June 23, lost Privates Joseph F. Divens and Israel Riley, probably taken prisoners by guerrillas.

Remained in position until June 29, when I accompanied the corps to Reams' Station, to re-enforce General Wilson, who was returning from his raid. Arrived there at 10 p.m. and bivouacked for the night.

June 30, was placed in position by Major Tompkins, and ordered t throw up breast-works; worked all day and was relieved at dark, reporting to General Getty. Marched all night with his division, and camped at daylight near Lee's Mill.

July 1, was placed by General Getty in a position to command the plank road from Reams' Station, and remained all day and night.

July 2, was relieved, and marched with the corps to Williams' farm, and took my former position on the left. Remained there until July 9, when I was relieved at 11 p.m., and marched with the corps to City Point, arriving there at daylight the 10th. The corps, with six batteries, embarked for Washington. I remained in camp near the Point until July 13, when I was ordered to embark, with the remaining batteries of the corps, to join the corps in Baltimore, where we arrived the morning of the 15th.

July 16, received orders to disembark, march to Camden Station, and take the cars for Washington; which I did, and arrived at Washington in the afternoon, and camped at Camp Barry.

July 17, received orders to march to Sixth-street Wharf, and embark for City Point, where we arrived the 19th and went into camp near the Point.

July 26, the batteries were ordered to report to General Hunt, chief of artillery of the army. We were then ordered to relieve the batteries of the Second Corps, which were in the reserve. Remained there until the evening of the 29th, when I was ordered to report to Lieutenant-Colonel Monroe, chief of artillery Ninth Corps, and was placed in reserve for that corps.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. B. RHODES,

Captain First Rhode Island Artillery, Commanding Battery E.

Lieutenant E. N. WHITTIER,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps.


Page 520 OPERATIONS IN SE.VA. AND N.C. Chapter LII.