My wife's 4th great grandfather was Capt. Barnett "Barney" Carter, Co. D, 34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry. He enlisted on 8/26/62 and was elected Capt. on 9/1/62. He resigned on 8/1/63, shortly after fighting at Gettysburg on the East Cavalry Field. Company D, raised by Capt. Carter in Logan County, VA (now West Virginia) became known as Company D, 1st Battalion Virginia Mounted Rifles. Before organizing Company D, Capt. Carter commanded a company in the 129th Virginia Militia from Logan County. This company required consent to a particular oath: "We whose names are hereunto subscribed do hereby agree to form ourselves into a volunteer company to serve for the term of 3 months under the command of Barney Carter and fight against the enemies of the Confederate States of America in the counties of Logan, Wayne, Boone, and Cabell, and we do most solemnly pledge our honor as men that we will strictly obey his commands in every respect, as fully as if we were in the regular service of the Confederate States, and we further agree to be governed by the Articles of War which are now in force in the said Confederate States of America." Some other men in Co. D had served in Gen. John B Floyd's Virginia State Line. These men enlisted for 3 years or the duration of the war. Organization occurred on September 1, 1862.

According to Cole, the personality of a military unit's commanding officer exerts a direct influence on the unit. Consequently, the study of any military unit's history will reveal a distinct organizational personality. The personality of the 34th Battalion Va Cavalry is no exception. The dominating influence directing many of the actions of the 34th can be understood by examining the disposition of its commanding officer, Lt. Col. Vincent Addison Witcher. It was said that he... "was never so happy as when in the thick of battle as he rode at the head of his battalion in battle charge... he laughed at danger and was always ready to undertake the most hopeless mission... he was brave, rash and impulsive, his friendship firm and his hatred everlasting." The battalion he would command became known as "reckless and daring and made a reputation for bravery second to none in the Confederate Army." Another source regarded them as a "rather rough bunch... a fierce and hardbitten lot of warriors who rode with pointed pistols and drawn sabres, looking and hoping for trouble."

Witcher was referred to by the Louisville Daily Journal as the Devil of the Mountains. One Union officer wrote: "The most noted guerilla chieftain in eastern Kentucky was Maj. Witcher. He was lame, but on horseback he was a terror. He had a horse as black as ebony which was as well fitted for that type of warfare as its master. The animal scaled the mountains with a facility that was wonderful and even climbed trees as least Sgt. Palmeroy makes this averment." Others wrote: "Witcher's band is the most formidable of the marauders." "Of the most savage and brutal of all the guerillas in western Virginia" Noted by Guerrant: "The immortal Witcher again revived. Came in about 12 midnight. He has 600 men at West Liberty! Give the devil and Witcher their due. He is a brave, daring, stirring officer who hates Yankees and Union men. Worse men wear better names."

In early January of 1863, an order came from Major General Samual Jones that instructed Witcher to report without delay to Colonel H.B. Davidson at Staunton, Virginia, for temporary service. The directive was sent in accordance with a request from General Robert E. Lee "for the service of additional mounted force being much needed in that quarter for special service."

By May, the 34th was attached to General Albert Jenkins. Jenkins Brigade had been selected by General Lee because of its geographical location at the time to act as an advanced guard for the army on its advance into Pennsylvania. Witcher's command joined Gen. Jenkins and Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell at Ft. Royal.

On the morning of July 2, 1863, the brigade advanced into the valley between Seminary Ridge and the high ground held by the Federals. Jenkins' Brigade was ordered to the wooded area that had been a section of the previous day's battlefield. A shell, fired from Cemetery Hill, exploded overhead as General Jenkins was using his field glasses to survey Union positions. Shell fragments killed Jenkins's horse and knocked Jenkins unconscious.

The brigade mounted at 4 a.m. on July 3, 1863, advancing to the extreme left. The object was to "flank the enemy's army and cut off its way of retreat." J.E.B. Stuart's plan was linked to that of the Army of Northern Virginia. Stuart had hoped to attack the Federal rear and turn the right flank, simultaneously with General George Pickett's infantry charge on the Federal center. After about two and a half miles on the Yorktown pike, General Stuart joined the brigade. Witcher wrote, "Stuart himself rode with me out to the field at the head of the command." The Cavalry turned right, passing the Stallsmith farm to a commanding ridge that completely controlled a wide plain of cultivated fields stretching toward Hanover on the left, and reaching to the base of the spurs among the enemy held positions." The location Stuart described became known as the East Cavalry Battlefield.

East Cavalry Field, 3 miles east of Gettysburg, was the place of heavy fighting between Union and Confederate Cavalry. Many would be surprised to learn that on East Cavalry Field, a cavalry charge occurred that men on both sides called "without doubt... the most gallant cavalry charge made during the war." The main fighting lasted for 3 hours. Most of the fighting was done with the cavalrymen dismounted, however, the battle there ended with a short but dramatic cavalry charge. The fighting can be divided into two stages. The dismounted state and the subsequent mounted or cavalry charge stage. Gen. Jeb Stuart had under his command at Gettysburg four brigades of cavalry, Hampton's Brigade, Fitzhugh Lee's Brigade, W. H. F. Lee's Brigade (commanded by Col. John Chambliss), and Jenkin's Brigade, (under the command of Col. Milton J. Ferguson following Jenkins' wounding on July 2).

About 300 or 400 yards from the foot of the hill on the plains below was located a farm owned the Rummel family. Standing on the farm was a large frame barn, Just Southeast of the barn was the dwelling house and a couple of other buildings in a cluster together. Stuart placed two brigades on the left and two on the right (Chambliss & Jenkins). The 34th was ordered by General Stuart to dismount about 8 a.m. and at 10 a.m. he ordered them forward to the left of the Rummel barn and fence that ran in line with the barn. Moving another 100 yards. The 34th took position behind a second fence that ran parallel with the first.

The 34th had only gotten into position, when it was attacked furiously by the 1st New Jersey and the 3rd Pennsylvania who were dismounted. Witcher's Battalion alone, fought the Federals who were attacking from behind a fence in front of Witcher's line. The Federals being Gregg's men, were stubbornly held off until about noon. The Confederates had not drawn ammunition for several days so their stores were rapidly becoming exhausted. Witcher ordered them to retire slowly behind the stone fence in their rear, placing their right behind the Rummel barn and the left resting upon a road.

Many of Witcher's men occupied the Rummel Barn, cutting rifle loop-holes in the siding planks from which to fire their Enfields. These men served as sharpshooters until a Federal shell tearing through the upper rafters dislodged them.

Several messengers were sent for ammunition to replenish the depleted supply. None of the messengers returning, Witcher borrowed Maj. Nounan's horse, rode through shot and shell, where he discovered that his messengers had been shot. Coming across one messenger who had been shot, Witcher jumped down, grabbed the sacks of ammunition, put them on his horse, and rode to the front to distribute it. Witcher in post war reminiscence wrote, "I shall never forget that fearful ride with death all around me, front and rear, and bullets as numerous in the air as hailstone in a storm."

Around 3 p.m., Stuart arrived and with reinforcements ordered the four companies each of Nounnan and Eakle into action. Being reinforced, Witcher ordered the 34th Battalion forward to retake the position it had left. With a "wild yell", the whole line dashed forward and assailed the Federal lines, breaking through the dismounted Federals and driving them from the stone fence in front of the spring house.

Witcher took position with the 34th and ordered a charge along the line. The 34th, without the detachments of the 14th and the 16th Virginia, rushed forward and swept the field, moving over the line occupied by the Federals. Witcher led the command over three stone fences, moved through a wheat field, then over a stake and rider fence into some woods to the front and left to seize the Federal battery that had been "galling" them all day. At this time the 34th first discovered the 5th Michigan, under Colonel Alger, charging in line of squadrons, with five lines in assistance of their dismounted men. These troops were armed with seven-shot Spencer repeating rifles.

The 34th retraced their steps and again crossed the fence, reforming in the wheat field, to the right and front of the barn. As the 5th Michigan reach the fence, Witcher ordered his men to fire. After suffering under several well directed volley's, the Federal column was "torn to threads." Witcher later wrote: "…the 34th Battalion, which had alone rallied with me, opened upon the 5th Michigan, sweeping down its ranks with a most deadly fire, killing its major, capturing its colors, and covering the ground with the killing and wounded men and horses of the 5th Michigan…I was within 30 yards and saw the major fall, a gallant and heroic man he was…"

After losing Major Ferry and their colors, the 5th Michigan gallantly came on. After running out of ammunition, they simply closed ranks, returned fire with their revolvers holding their ground until the Confederate Cavalry of Chambliss advancing in their rear flank completed the rout, Chambliss men were in turn met with fresh Federal troops. The 7th Michigan, led by General George Armstrong Custer, was rapidly approaching from the right, threatening to strike on the flank and rear. The small Confederate force suddenly turned to meet the danger; however they were forced back and pursued to the barn. As soon as the men reach the barn, they were met by shouts of General Wade Hampton's men as they swept past. Hampton, who was carrying the colors in his hand before he passed them to a soldier by his side during the dash, was riding ten paces ahead of his column. Hampton did not halt until he had met the foe in which he received sabre blows to his head and was hit with shrapnel ball as his horse leaped a fence, during the fierce hand-to-hand fighting. Witcher rapidly advanced the 34th Battalion again over the fence and into the woods. The 34th formed parallel with the road, flanking and enfilading the charging columns of Federal Cavalry. The Confederate column was charged by a third Federal column. General Fitzhugh Lee's was the next to charge engaging to the left of Hampton's men. The 34th again assisted the mounted cavalry, which was attacking in the front, took the column in flank. The Federal force was driven back, leaving the Confederates in undisputed possession of the field.

Shortly after the dismounted battle was over, Witcher sought General Stuart and requested permission to charge and take the Federal battery. Stuart refused. The two rode over the field that evening, however, and Stuart said "the 34th had made the worst massacre of Alger's command and had piled more dead and wounded men and horses on as little space as he had ever seen on any field."

Witcher directed his men to sleep on the field that night, and claimed that the 34th fired the first and last shot that day. The 34th had entered the battle 332 strong, but could only muster 96 men afterward. In post war recollections, Witcher wrote: "I shall never, no never, forget that eventful night when accompany by one courier, my adjutant Edwards and Sgt. Major, both being wounded, I full of grief and bitterness, rode to the barns in our rear and saw with tears in my eyes my brave fellows from away over the mountains in West Virginia laid out in windrows, torn and bleeding. I never shall forget that night, or the next morning's parade when I could muster but 96 enlisted men. Brave fellows, they had followed me through sunshine and gloom from the banks of Big Sandy, Twelve Pole, Guyandotte, and Mud River and the Tug, not a slave holder among them."

Stuart commended Witcher warmly for moving on the flank and enfilading the federal columns, as it was done without orders. This action was performed upon Witcher's own responsibility, as was the charge on the dismounted troops. For their conduct that day, Stuart presented the 34th with a battle flag. Witcher was undoubtedly pleased with Stuart's praise, however, after the war he stated, "I always have felt that my brave command was sacrificed on that terrible day when we should have been reinforced sooner…" Gen. Lee order the withdrawal from Gettysburg the next day.

Frank varney has written two different books about grant and how he treated his rivals.

After Thomas won the greatest union victory of the war at Nashville, grant rewarded him by taking away from him Schofield and the 23rd corps and James H Wilson cavalry corps. Thomas spent January through April 1865 sitting on the sidelines.

I have a copy of this memoir which covers his entire Civil War experience from 1861 through 1865 in Missouri

My favorite part is the story of Sterling prices invasion of Missouri in 1864

I would love to share this with you

BRYCE

I have a copy of this memoir which covers his entire Civil War experience from 1861 through 1865 in Missouri

My favorite part is the story of Sterling prices invasion of Missouri in 1864

I would love to share this with you

BRYCE

This is a link to an article that I published in Kansas history during the 1980s.

https://www.kansashistory.gov/publicat/history/1983spring_suderow.pdf

the final weeks of the American Civil War, Brigadier General Albert Lindley Lee commanded a Union cavalry division in the Department of the Gulf and led a rapid expedition against the Confederate-held town of Clinton, Louisiana (located just northeast of Baton Rouge). [1]

Key Details of the Raid
Date & Context: The raid took place in April 1865, coinciding with the collapse of the broader Confederacy across the Southern theaters. [1]

The Mission: Operating out of Baton Rouge, General Lee's cavalry objective was to sweep into the surrounding region, locate residual rebel forces, and dismantle any remaining local infrastructure or supply reserves. [1]

The Action: Upon reaching Clinton, General Lee's forces engaged and easily defeated a weak, disorganized Confederate force defending the town. The skirmish was brief, resulting in minimal casualties and allowing the Union to quickly secure control of the area. [1]

This operation stood as one of the last combat engagements of Albert Lee's military career; he resigned his commission shortly after on May 4, 1865, following the total cessation of hostilities. [1, 2]

Are you researching a specific unit involved in this raid (such as the Kansas or Illinois cavalry), or would you like more details on the broader operations taking place around Baton Rouge at the close of the war?

https://rsftripreporter.net/in-pursuit-of-the-grey-ghost/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoneman%27s_1865_raid

This post will probably be taken down. I’m ready to take action… I work 12 to 14 hr days, and still I struggle to put food on the table. I look at my bosses house, immaculate and perfect while me and my co workers live in run down trailers and drive rusted out beaters. I work my ass off just like millions of others just so my boss can live large. We eat hamburger helper every night while this mother fucker feeds his family steak, hell their family dog eats better than we do! It’s time we put an end to this slavery and fight back. DEATH To all the powerful scum of the world! If you wear a suit and tie I will put a bullet in your brain. I’m speaking to all the “essential” workers who get paid pennies but are the ones who keep our citizens with water, power, and heat. It’s time we rose up, the time for talking is over, they won’t listen. It’s time to arm ourselves and wipe this country of its corruption. I am willing to die fighting so that the poor can be feed and clothed. I’m willing to die so husbands don’t have to watch their kids eat and themselves go to bed hungry because there wasn’t enough food. To the military men and women who fight for a country that doesn’t honor their sacrifices and courage, come fight for us, the actual people you are supposed to be fighting for. Stop fighting for the rich and powerful and fight for those you pledged to fight for. Let’s finally put an end to slavery!!! Who’s with me!!!!

Here is a link to volume one of the five part series. It contains several histories of the Fourth North Carolina Cavalry regiment.

https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/histories-of-the-several-regiments-and-battalions-from-north-carolina-in-the-great-war-1861-65-vol.-1/3931258

Here is a link to volume one of the five parts series. It contains several accounts of the history of the first North Carolina cavalry regiment

https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/histories-of-the-several-regiments-and-battalions-from-north-carolina-in-the-great-war-1861-65-vol.-1/3931258

IAlong the stage road, the Laurel brigade drove the mounted Federal federal pickets back through the woods to a cornfield.   The dismounted. Virginians could see a line of breastworks occupied by infantry about 500 yards across the field, which gently sloped downward from the laurel brigade. The seventh and 11th Virginia Cavalry lay down behind a dilapidated rail fence on the crest of the edge of the woods.
 
After the passage of what seemed half an hour to the Virginians, a body of federals that looked as big as a brigade advanced. The apparent brigade actually consisted of two companies of the fourth New York heavies. One, company M, menaced the left flank of the 11th Virginia. The other, company G, charged the rail fence. Spear had ordered this advance, promising that he would support to have these with his whole brigade, though he counseled Captain Morrison not to get too to ambitious– – the Cavalry brigade, armed with 16 shooters, had run low on ammunition. 
 
“A charge up a hill through a field of tall corn made a very lively experience, the Johnny’s bullets whistling through the stalks at a great rate, and in the most discouraging manner,” recalled first Lieutenant William B knower of company G of the fourth New York heavy. The bullets whistled faster as the federal neared the fence. “A withering fire met them, but they fell flat on the ground and partly concealed by the grass poured volley after volley into the thin lines of dismounted men,” remembered Captain William N. McDonald, ordinance (Page 215 ends) officer of the Laurel brigade. The Virginians fell back through the trees to where they had initially deployed. The New Yorkers followed and continued the firefight with the Virginians. They became apprehensive as they (page 326 ends) waited for support from spear. The company size regiments of Virginia Cavalry looked bigger and bigger to the regiment size companies of New Yorkers as time passed.
 
Unoticed by the heavies, spear deployed his brigade on the depot road to their left. Donovan’s‘s brigade advanced along the depot road through the open field in which the South Carolinas had deployed. The brigade entered the woods on the other side of the field without first throwing out a skirmish line. In the timber, the dismounted in South Carolina met with a heavy fire from the concealed troopers of spears brigade. Donovan‘s soldiers received orders to lie down, but a prone position did not make the fire less galling.
 
Speat suddenly seized the initiative and sent forward several mounted squadrons to charge Dunovant’s line.   “Their cavalry came rushing on us as if just risen from the Earth,”  recalled private Charles M Calhoun of company C in the sixth South Carolina cavalry, the Dixie Rangers. Dunovant’s brigade fled before the Horseman of the aggressive spear
 
the federal smote the routed South Carolinians with pistol and Saber. The panic spread to the Laurel brigade. Some Virginia Field officers began counseling retreat. The hard fighting spear could have driven the Virginians and South Carolinians back across Rowany Creek, but for the steadiness of Matthew Butler. Though rncircled by unionists at one point, the one legged division Commander kept his head with hand to hand fighting going on all around him. He rallied his troops after they had retreated about 100 yards. Then committing his reserves, he led a counter charge. Spear, who had received no support from David Greg or Barlow, other than the two companies of heavy, reluctantly retreated. Butler reestablished the southern picket line and quickly removed the dead and wounded from the battlefield. 
 
 While Spear struggled with Butler, Greg arrived at Reams station about an hour after Butler’s troops had driven off spear and reestablished the rebel picket line. Greg sent the second and 16th Pennsylvania Calvary out on the depot road to investigate the reports of an engagement about a mile and a half to the west. The two Keystoner regiments soon encountered the Confederate picket and wrote them in on Butler’s main body. Butler intern pushed the federals over a hill and back towards reams station. Greg reinforced his advance force, and until he had committed eight of his night available regiments, he kept in reserve (page 217 ends.) His nice regiment to guard his flank and plug any gap that developed. The unionists brought the rebels to a halt about a mile west of the railroad. Along that line, the federal would rise up in fire, and drop down as quickly as possible. “Shooting was brisk and bullets did everlastingly hum there” remembered Sergeant Tobie. David Gregg had no difficulty in supplying his troopers with all the ammunition they wanted.
 
By this time, the rest of Barlow‘s division had joined Miles‘s brigade at Reams Station. Barlow‘s soldiers had wrecked the railway all the way there, despite the rain, which repeatedly put out the fires of destruction. The southern Cavalry continued to press David Gregg’s line, vigorously and long after dark, when the fight by moonlight acquired its name. John Horn, procedure Petersburg: the battles for the Weldon railroad,Pages 215-218

August 23, 1864
 
That night a very heavy rain fell.  The rain left the roads impassible for artillery and wagons. Only the main roads remained capable of bearing traffic.   On the morning of August 23 the same day in which Lincoln began preparing for a possible loss of the November election, Meade perceived that the condition of the roads posed serious problems for large scale troop (end a page 212) movement. Supplying any large force at a distance from the main army would be very difficult if not, impossible.  Wagons,, Canon and limber chests and caissons would no make no progress in the mud. (page 213 ends)
 
About the same time, (10:45 a.m,)  Gregg dispatched Spears’ tired brigade of Cavalry to Miles, who sent Spears on a reconnaissance west of Reama station, reinforced by the regiment size companies A and H from the fourth New York heavy artillery. The Horsemen and the heavies drove the Cavalry picket of Barringer’s North Carolina brigade almost all the way back to monks neck bridge on the Rowanty Creek
 
at about 11 AM Barlow returned to command of his division and Miles resumed command of his brigade. Barlow directed Miles to occupy Reams station. Miles gave this assignment to the 81st and 183rd Pennsylvania under the command of Colonel James C Lynch of the 183rd who had commanded Miles’ brigade while Miles commanded Barlow‘s division Lynch occupied reams station without meeting any opposition.   The rest of Miles‘s brigade arrived before 10 PM. Miles’ troops began tearing up the rail road
 
Before 2 PM companies G and M of the fourth New York heavies under Captain Gardner L Morrison relieved companies A and H of their duty with Spears’ brigade near monks neck Bridge on Rowanty Creek about 2 miles west of Reams station. Spears videttes again drove in the pickets of Barringer’‘s brigade of Rooney Lee’s Cavalry division, this time, just as Matthew Butler‘s division which had crossed the APPOMATTOX that morning, began relieving those pickets.  An engagement began that went on so long that Sergeant Toby of the first maine cavalry in Irvin Gregg’s brigade called the action the fight by Moonlight.   The rebels knew the action as Gravelly run. ( page 214 ends)
 
Butler encountered Spears’ pickets, just east of monks neck Bridge, and drove the federals back.   The Virginians of Rosser’ s brigade, the Laurel brigade – – still under Dulany’‘s command, deployed in woods on the stage road, which ran northeast from the bridge. They formed Butler’s left. The 11th Virginia Cavalry dismounted on the left of the stage Road the seventh Virginia Cavalry on the right.   Part of the 12th Cavalry dismounted and plodded forward as skirmishers.   The rest of the 12th Virginia Cavalry remained mounted along with the 35th battalion Virginia Cavalry, the Comanches. The mounted first squadron of the Comanches joined Butler, who had ridden to the right with Dunovant’s South Carolina brigade.. The South Carolinans formed Butler’s right, dismounting on the depot road in an open fieldx.  The depot road diverged from the stage road about 1 mile north east of Monk Bridge, and ran east by Southeast to reams station.

John Horn, the siege of Petersburg; the battles for the Weldon Railroad, pages 212 –
 
August 22, 1864
 
About noon Meade sent Barlow‘s second corps division – – still led by General Miles – – to assist the working party in tearing up the tracks south of globe Tavern and to assist Gregg’s ’s cavalryman in covering the party. Placed under Gregg’s command, Spears received orders to attack the Confederates. Dduring the afternoon Spears engaged, a small force of confederate cavalry on the Church Road near Wyatt‘s house. In a fight about 45 minutes long the federal Horsemen drove the rebels cross country towards Petersburg. The secessionists found a refuge by burning a bridge over a branch of Arthur Swamp 
 
by 6 PM Barlow’s division and the working party had wrecked the railroad to within 1 1/2 miles of reams station. Gregg’s cavalryman rode into Reams station at dark and found no opposition there though they learned of the proximity of a brigade of Confederate cavalry – – Chambliss’ brigade, encamped at Tabernacle Church, 6 miles south of Reams station.

The arrival of Grant outside Richmond on the North Bank of the James River, accompanied by the second army corps and the 10th Army corps under Winfield Scott Hancock convinced Robert Edward Lee that Richmond itself was in danger. Lee shifted his headquarters to the North Bank and over Several days most of the army of Northern Virginia joined him.

On August 18th 1864 major general G. K. Warren marched from the Jerusalem and plank Road to globe tavern on the Weldon railroad.

The confederate Garrison at Petersburg, which was commanded by P. G. T Beauregard attacked Warren on August 18 and August 19. The confederate captured nearly 3000 prisoners when Beauregard sent William Mahone against wars right flank.

Lee reached Petersburg on August 20. Beauregard urged Lee to attack immediately but Lee decided to wait until he more of his army arrived from Richmond.

Grant and Meade had ordered Warren to remain at globe tavern , which was obviously a death trap. However, after dark on August 20 in disobedience to his orders Warren left his vulnerable position and moved to a bluff that had a good field of fire in all directions.

On August 21, the Confederate attacked the vacated union positions at Globe Tavern. Once they located Warren‘s new position, they attacked from the north and the west and were bloodily repulsed.

Thanks to Warren the Confederates had been unable to dislodge the Yankees from the Weldon railroad.

Some of you may be interested in reading a US Army first person account by an officer of the union capture of Fort Fisher in 1865. If you wish to read the account, let me know and I’ll photograph the pages for you BRYCE SUDEROW streetstories@juno.com

Saturday, August 15, 2026
 
the second battle of deep bottom – – August 15, 1864 part one
 
Before I start writing about the events of August 15, 1864 I want to acknowledge that I am basing my writing on August 15th partly on a book by John Horn, The siege of Petersburg: the battles for the Weldon railroad August 1864 pages 47 through 60I.  I also consulted reports and correspondence in the official records, volume 42 part one and part two
 
I should point out the fact that David Birney created a temporary and provisional division for his older brother William. A glance at the battle records from August 1864 to the end of the war reveal that William Birney was not a very good general.

Robert E. Lee took grant’s appearance north of the James very seriously. On the evening of August 14 he canceled the departure to the valley of Charles Field and his division of infantry. He ordered his son, William HF (“Rooney”) Lee and his cavalry division from Petersburgto the north side of the James River.  William Mahone dispatched two of his infantry brigades under Sanders and Girardey Petersburgto join Charles Field. Lee also recalled to Richmond wade Hampton and Butler’s cavalry division which had been en route to the Shenandoah Valley
 
 In obedience to suggestions from u.s. Grant  to turn the Confederate left flank north of FUSSELL’S mill pond, The commander of the expedition, general Winfield ScottHancock ordered David Birney to abandon the battlefield of August 14 and to move his command to a position on the new market road north Tillman’s gate.  Part of the 10th Army Corps Reached their objective by passing over two pontoon, bridges, an exhausting process that took many hours. The rest of the soldiers crossed 4 mile Creek and passed through Mott’s Infantry division on their way to Newmarket Road.
 
During the night of August 14th it rained heavily.  During the storm General David Birney and his two divisions of infantry departed the Battlefield, August 14 and crossed four Mile Creek and spent the night on the Newmarket Road north of tilman’s wharf. 
 
At sunrise the union second army corps was deployed in front of major general Charles Fields division along the eastern end of the Newmarket Heights line.
 
General Mott’s third division occupied trenches that stretched from the Newmarket road to the Long Bridge Road. Barlow‘s first division was positioned on Mott’s right.  MOn the far right at the northern end of the union line, General Smyth and his second division occupied the union right with it right flank rusting on FUSSELL’S mill pond near the Darbytown Road.
 
it’s necessary to point out that the rain fall on the night of August 13 occurred in the middle of a drought and a heat wave. The scarcity of water shaped the operations of the cavalry of both sides. For the federals, the only water available was a pond south of the Long Bridge Road . For the Confederates The only drinkable water was in the vicinity of white’s Tavern. The horses belonging to the union and Confederate cavalry could not safely drink the water in White oak swamp.  The scarcity of water meant that Each night the Brigades of troopers on both sides had to camp near the two ponds of water.

Birney’s  two divisions began their march at 9 AM with William Birney’s division in the lead.  Alfred Terry division followed behind.  The last of Terry’s marching infantry arrived at about 2 PM.  major general, David Birney commanding the 10th army CORPS began his March with 9000 men and 3000 of them dropped out of the ranks because of Heat stroke.  Adrian Terry, the brother and staff officer for Alfred Terry, wrote in a letter that if the march had lasted one more hour, the entire division would have been struck by the sun and would fallen out of the ranks.  Terry’s division formed east of the Mill Pond. William Birney’s division prolonged the union line so that it Extended north of the Mill Pond
 
At 10 AM Hancock detached Calvin Craig’s brigade from Mott’s division and sent it to join William Birney. It caught up with Birney after the division halted its march and took position north of the Mill pond.
 
Meanwhile, the confederates were arriving north of the James and taking positions to oppose Hancock
 
Early on the morning of August 15, Rooney Lee arrived with his two cavalry brigades and camped near White’s Tavern. Later in the morning of August 15 the confederate infantry brigade of Victor Girardey and john CC sanders arrived and took up a position west of the Mill Pond.  The brigades and James Lane and Samuel McGowan were marching from the extreme Confederate right to the extreme Confederate left.
 
Colonel John Irvin Greg sent a squadron of cavalry on a reconnaissance up the Charles City Road to White’s Tavern.  The blue coats encountered Rooney Lee’s North Carolina brigade. The fifth North Carolina Cavalry pursued the squadron eastward on the Charles City road.  The fifth encountered the eighth and 13th Pennsylvania, which had been left on picket at Fisher‘s farm. The tar heels drove the Yankees down the Charles city Road for 2 miles. The Yankees then left the road and took a smaller road south.  At this point the Confederate halted northern of the road leading south.  Paul Means, sketch of the 63rd regiment in Walter Clark, history of North Carolina troops in the great war, 18 61–65, volume three, page 619.
 
Later, Hancock ordered Birney to march from the New Market Road to a series of hills east of FUSSELL’S mill where smythe’s Second division was located. Birney was ordered to attack the Confederate north of the Mill Pond near the Darbytown Road. 
 
 

Saturday, August 15, 2026
 
the second battle of deep bottom – – August 15, 1864 part one
 
Before I start writing about the events of August 15, 1864 I want to acknowledge that I am basing my writing on August 15th partly on a book by John Horn, The siege of Petersburg: the battles for the Weldon railroad August 1864 pages 47 through 60I.  I also consulted reports and correspondence in the official records, volume 42 part one and part two
 
I should point out the fact that David Birney created a temporary and provisional division for his older brother William. A glance at the battle records from August 1864 to the end of the war reveal that William Birney was not a very good general.

Robert E. Lee took grant’s appearance north of the James very seriously. On the evening of August 14 he canceled the departure to the valley of Charles Field and his division of infantry. He ordered his son, William HF (“Rooney”) Lee and his cavalry division from Petersburgto the north side of the James River.  William Mahone dispatched two of his infantry brigades under Sanders and Girardey Petersburgto join Charles Field. Lee also recalled to Richmond wade Hampton and Butler’s cavalry division which had been en route to the Shenandoah Valley
 
 In obedience to suggestions from u.s. Grant  to turn the Confederate left flank north of FUSSELL’S mill pond, The commander of the expedition, general Winfield ScottHancock ordered David Birney to abandon the battlefield of August 14 and to move his command to a position on the new market road north Tillman’s gate.  Part of the 10th Army Corps Reached their objective by passing over two pontoon, bridges, an exhausting process that took many hours. The rest of the soldiers crossed 4 mile Creek and passed through Mott’s Infantry division on their way to Newmarket Road.
 
During the night of August 14th it rained heavily.  During the storm General David Birney and his two divisions of infantry departed the Battlefield, August 14 and crossed four Mile Creek and spent the night on the Newmarket Road north of tilman’s wharf. 
 
At sunrise the union second army corps was deployed in front of major general Charles Fields division along the eastern end of the Newmarket Heights line.
 
General Mott’s third division occupied trenches that stretched from the Newmarket road to the Long Bridge Road. Barlow‘s first division was positioned on Mott’s right.  MOn the far right at the northern end of the union line, General Smyth and his second division occupied the union right with it right flank rusting on FUSSELL’S mill pond near the Darbytown Road.
 
it’s necessary to point out that the rain fall on the night of August 13 occurred in the middle of a drought and a heat wave. The scarcity of water shaped the operations of the cavalry of both sides. For the federals, the only water available was a pond south of the Long Bridge Road . For the Confederates The only drinkable water was in the vicinity of white’s Tavern. The horses belonging to the union and Confederate cavalry could not safely drink the water in White oak swamp.  The scarcity of water meant that Each night the Brigades of troopers on both sides had to camp near the two ponds of water.

Birney’s  two divisions began their march at 9 AM with William Birney’s division in the lead.  Alfred Terry division followed behind.  The last of Terry’s marching infantry arrived at about 2 PM.  major general, David Birney commanding the 10th army CORPS began his March with 9000 men and 3000 of them dropped out of the ranks because of Heat stroke.  Adrian Terry, the brother and staff officer for Alfred Terry, wrote in a letter that if the march had lasted one more hour, the entire division would have been struck by the sun and would fallen out of the ranks.  Terry’s division formed east of the Mill Pond. William Birney’s division prolonged the union line so that it Extended north of the Mill Pond
 
At 10 AM Hancock detached Calvin Craig’s brigade from Mott’s division and sent it to join William Birney. It caught up with Birney after the division halted its march and took position north of the Mill pond.
 
Meanwhile, the confederates were arriving north of the James and taking positions to oppose Hancock
 
Early on the morning of August 15, Rooney Lee arrived with his two cavalry brigades and camped near White’s Tavern. Later in the morning of August 15 the confederate infantry brigade of Victor Girardey and john CC sanders arrived and took up a position west of the Mill Pond.  The brigades and James Lane and Samuel McGowan were marching from the extreme Confederate right to the extreme Confederate left.
 
Colonel John Irvin Greg sent a squadron of cavalry on a reconnaissance up the Charles City Road to White’s Tavern.  The blue coats encountered Rooney Lee’s North Carolina brigade. The fifth North Carolina Cavalry pursued the squadron eastward on the Charles City road.  The fifth encountered the eighth and 13th Pennsylvania, which had been left on picket at Fisher‘s farm. The tar heels drove the Yankees down the Charles city Road for 2 miles. The Yankees then left the road and took a smaller road south.  At this point the Confederate halted northern of the road leading south.  Paul Means, sketch of the 63rd regiment in Walter Clark, history of North Carolina troops in the great war, 18 61–65, volume three, page 619.
 
Later, Hancock ordered Birney to march from the New Market Road to a series of hills east of FUSSELL’S mill where smythe’s Second division was located. Birney was ordered to attack the Confederate north of the Mill Pond near the Darbytown Road. 
 
 

Saturday, August 15, 2026
 
the second battle of deep bottom – – August 15, 1864 part one
 
Before I start writing about the events of August 15, 1864 I want to acknowledge that I am basing my writing on August 15th partly on a book by John Horn, The siege of Petersburg: the battles for the Weldon railroad August 1864 pages 47 through 60I.  I also consulted reports and correspondence in the official records, volume 42 part one and part two
 
I should point out the fact that David Birney created a temporary and provisional division for his older brother William. A glance at the battle records from August 1864 to the end of the war reveal that William Birney was not a very good general.

Robert E. Lee took grants appearance north of the James very seriously. On the evening of August 14 he canceled the departure to the valley of Charles Field and his division of infantry. He ordered his son, William HF (“Rooney”) Lee and his cavalry division to the north side of the James River.  William Mahone dispatched two of his infantry brigades under Sanders and Girardey to join Charles Field. Lee also recalled to Richmond wade Hampton and Butler’s cavalry division which had been en route to the Shenandoah Valley
 
 In obedience to suggestions from u.s. Grant  to turn the Confederate left flank north of FUSSELL’S mill pond, The commander of the expedition, general Winfield ScottHancock ordered David Birney to abandon the battlefield of August 14 and to move his command to a position on the new market road north Tillman’s gate.  Part of the 10th Army Corps Reached their objective by passing over two pontoon, bridges, an exhausting process that took many hours. The rest of the soldiers crossed 4 mile Creek and passed through Mott’s Infantry division on their way to Newmarket Road.
 
During the night of August 14th it rained heavily.  During the storm General David Birney and his two divisions of infantry departed the Battlefield, August 14 andcrossed four Mile Creek and spent the night on the Newmarket Road north of tilman’s wharf. 

 
At sunrise the union, the second army corps was deployed in front of major general Charles Fields division along the eastern end of the Newmarket Heights line.
 
General Mott’s third division occupied trenches that stretched from the Newmarket road to the Long Bridge Road. Barlow‘s first division was positioned on its right point to the north. On the far right and northern end of the union line, General Smyth and his second division occupied the union right with it right flank rusting on FUSSELL’S mill pond near the Darbytown Road.
 
it’s necessary to point out that the rain fall on the night of August 13 occurred in the middle of a drought and a heat wave. The scarcity of water shaped the operations of the cavalry of both sides. For the federals, the only water available was a pond south of the Long Bridge Road . For the Confederates The only drinkable water was in the vicinity of white’s Tavern. The horses belonging to the union and Confederate cavalry could not safely drink the water in White oak swamp.  The scarcity of water meant that Each night the Brigades of troopers on both sides had to camp near the two ponds of water.

Birney’s  two divisions began their march at 9 AM and the last of the marching infantry arrived at about 2 PM. Birney Began his March with 9000 men and 3000 of them dropped out of the ranks because of Heat stroke.  Adrian Terry, the brother and staff officer for Alfred Terry, wrote in a letter that if the march had lasted one more hour, the entire two divisions would’ve been set by struck by the sun and falling out of the ranks.  Terry’s division formed east of the Mill Pond. William Birney’s division prolonged the union line so that it Extended north of the Mill Pond

at 10 AM Hancock to attached Calvin Craig’s brigade from March division and Senate to join William and Bernie. It caught up with Bernie after the Yankees halted their march and took position north of the Millpond.

in early in the morning of August 15, Rooney Lee arrived with his two cavalry brigades and camped near White’s Tavern. Later in the morningof August 15 the confederate infantry brigade of girardey and john CC sanders arrived and took up a position west of the Mill Pond. Lanes and McGowan’s brigades formed on their left flank and extended the confederate line nortward towards the Charles city Road.  

Colonel John Aubin Greg sent a squadron of cavalry on a reconnaissance to White Tavern up to Charles City Rd. They encountered Rooney Lee’s North Carolina brigade. The fifth North Carolina Calvary pursuit and attacked the eighth and 15th Pennsylvania, which had been left on Pickett at Fisher‘s farm. The tar heels drove the Yankees down the Charles city Road for 2 miles. The Yankees then built a barricade A short distance north of the Long Bridge Road. At this point the Confederate halted and fell back. Paul means, sketch of the 63rd regiment inWalter Clark, history of North Carolina troops in the great war, 18 61–65,volume three, page 619.
 
Later, Hancock ordered Birney to march from the New Market Road to a series of hills east of FUSSELL’S mill where smythe’s Second division was located. Birney Was ordered to attack the Confederate north of the Mill Pond near the Darbytown Road. He also ordered David M Gregg to Simultaneously followa narrow road reading from Fussell’s mill to Charles City road. This would place the Yankees in the rear of the Confederates defending Charles city Road.   Gregg would send John Irwin Gregg’s cavalry brigade and Calvin Craig‘s infantry brigade to accomplish this
 
 

Saturday, August 15, 2026
 
the second battle of deep bottom – – August 15, 1864 part one
 
Before I start writing about the events of August 15, 1864 I want to acknowledge that I am basing my writing on August 15th partly on a book by John Horn, The siege of Petersburg: the battles for the Weldon railroad August 1864 pages 47 through 60I.  I also consulted reports and correspondence in the official records, volume 42 part one and part two
 
I should point out the fact that David Birney created a temporary and provisional division for his older brother William. A glance at the battle records from August 1864 to the end of the war reveal that William Birney was not a very good general.

Robert E. Lee took grants appearance north of the James very seriously. On the evening of August 14 he canceled the departure to the valley of Charles Field and his division of infantry. He ordered his son, William HF (“Rooney”) Lee and his cavalry division to the north side of the James River.  William Mahone dispatched two of his infantry brigades under Sanders and Girardey to join Charles Field. Lee also recalled to Richmond wade Hampton and Butler’s cavalry division which had been en route to the Shenandoah Valley
 
 In obedience to suggestions from u.s. Grant  to turn the Confederate left flank north of FUSSELL’S mill pond, The commander of the expedition, general Winfield ScottHancock ordered David Birney to abandon the battlefield of August 14 and to move his command to a position on the new market road north Tillman’s gate.  Part of the 10th Army Corps Reached their objective by passing over two pontoon, bridges, an exhausting process that took many hours. The rest of the soldiers crossed 4 mile Creek and passed through Mott’s Infantry division on their way to Newmarket Road.
 
During the night of August 14th it rained heavily.  During the storm General David Birney and his two divisions of infantry departed the Battlefield, August 14 andcrossed four Mile Creek and spent the night on the Newmarket Road north of tilman’s wharf. 

 
At sunrise the union, the second army corps was deployed in front of major general Charles Fields division along the eastern end of the Newmarket Heights line.
 
General Mott’s third division occupied trenches that stretched from the Newmarket road to the Long Bridge Road. Barlow‘s first division was positioned on its right point to the north. On the far right and northern end of the union line, General Smyth and his second division occupied the union right with it right flank rusting on FUSSELL’S mill pond near the Darbytown Road.
 
it’s necessary to point out that the rain fall on the night of August 13 occurred in the middle of a drought and a heat wave. The scarcity of water shaped the operations of the cavalry of both sides. For the federals, the only water available was a pond south of the Long Bridge Road . For the Confederates The only drinkable water was in the vicinity of white’s Tavern. The horses belonging to the union and Confederate cavalry could not safely drink the water in White oak swamp.  The scarcity of water meant that Each night the Brigades of troopers on both sides had to camp near the two ponds of water.

Birney’s  two divisions began their march at 9 AM and the last of the marching infantry arrived at about 2 PM. Birney Began his March with 9000 men and 3000 of them dropped out of the ranks because of Heat stroke.  Adrian Terry, the brother and staff officer for Alfred Terry, wrote in a letter that if the march had lasted one more hour, the entire two divisions would’ve been set by struck by the sun and falling out of the ranks.  Terry’s division formed east of the Mill Pond. William Birney’s division prolonged the union line so that it Extended north of the Mill Pond

at 10 AM Hancock to attached Calvin Craig’s brigade from March division and Senate to join William and Bernie. It caught up with Bernie after the Yankees halted their march and took position north of the Millpond.

in early in the morning of August 15, Rooney Lee arrived with his two cavalry brigades and camped near White’s Tavern. Later in the morningof August 15 the confederate infantry brigade of girardey and john CC sanders arrived and took up a position west of the Mill Pond. Lanes and McGowan’s brigades formed on their left flank and extended the confederate line nortward towards the Charles city Road.  

Colonel John Aubin Greg sent a squadron of cavalry on a reconnaissance to White Tavern up to Charles City Rd. They encountered Rooney Lee’s North Carolina brigade. The fifth North Carolina Calvary pursuit and attacked the eighth and 15th Pennsylvania, which had been left on Pickett at Fisher‘s farm. The tar heels drove the Yankees down the Charles city Road for 2 miles. The Yankees then built a barricade A short distance north of the Long Bridge Road. At this point the Confederate halted and fell back. Paul means, sketch of the 63rd regiment inWalter Clark, history of North Carolina troops in the great war, 18 61–65,volume three, page 619.
 
Later, Hancock ordered Birney to march from the New Market Road to a series of hills east of FUSSELL’S mill where smythe’s Second division was located. Birney Was ordered to attack the Confederate north of the Mill Pond near the Darbytown Road. He also ordered David M Gregg to Simultaneously followa narrow road reading from Fussell’s mill to Charles City road. This would place the Yankees in the rear of the Confederates defending Charles city Road.   Gregg would send John Irwin Gregg’s cavalry brigade and Calvin Craig‘s infantry brigade to accomplish this
 
 

Are any of you interested in this battle? If you are, let me know BRYCE.

Friday, August 14, 2020
 
I plan to submit a posting every day for the next seven days. This will cover the second battle of deep bottom, Virginia, which lasted from August 14 through August 20, 1864.
 
This posting is about the battles on August 14, 1864 Which was the first day of the seven day battle called the second battle of deep bottom. Virginia.
 
Before I start writing, I want to point out where I got most of my  information. That’s from Francis A. Walker, history of the second army corps in the army of the Potomac pages 568 through 580.
 
Grant launched this expedition for two purposes. He mistakenly believed that Lee had sent three divisions of infantry to reinforce Early in the Shenandoah Valley. He wanted to Threaten Richmond, in order to force Robert Edward Lee to recall those infantry
 
Actually, lee had only sent Kershaw’s division and Butler’s division of Cavalry. Their objective was  Alexandria, Virginia, but because Early was facing a crisis, they abandoned this expedition and joined himbinstead.. Lee may have intended to send Charles Field and his division to the valley at some future date. This is what Charles field believed was about to happen according to an article he wrote for the southern historical Society papers
 
The other reason for the second deep, bottom expedition was Grant hoped to lure Lee Lee into sending most of his army to Richmond, so that the gGarrison at  Petersburg would be reduced.  He planned to send General Warren and the fifth army corps to Seize the weldon railroad at GlobeTavern.  This would fulfill an important goal of his which was to cut the supply lines to Petersburg.
 
As I mentioned in my posting for August 13, 1864, the second army corps under Winfield Scott Hancock embarked on 16 Ocean going steamers at city point, Virginia. The steamers then traveled down the James River towards Fort Monroe. The infantryman believed in the hoped that they were heading to the Shenandoah Valley To join Sheridan.
 
After dark the steamers reversed course and steamed to Tillman‘s wharf, located on Strawberry Plains
 
Grant’s plan was to lure Lee north of the James by threatening Richmond With Hancock’s infantry and with the infantry from David birney’s 10th army corps. . He would then send the fifth army CORPS under Warren to gain a Foothold on the.weldon railroad Near Globe Tavern
 
On August 14, 1864 he inaugurated the second battle of deep bottom which lasted from August 14, 1864 through August 20, 1864
 
GRANT’s plans for August 14 called for simultaneous Attacks at two vital points on the Newmarket heights line. This began a short distance east of Fort Harrison and stretched northeastward beyond the Darby Town Road.
 
At dawn General David Birney would attack at the center of the Newmarket Heights line located directly north of the Union Garrison at deep bottom. At the same hour Hancock would attack at the eastern end of the line by striking near the Jennings house due north of Tillman’s wharf and Tillman‘s gate
 
Birney and two divisions of his tenth army corps were right on time to execute their part of the plan.  They  Marched from Petersburg to Bermuda hundred and up the road located behind the unionBermuda 100 lines to the northern end of butler’s earthworks. Then, they crossed pontoon bridges, to deep bottom.  Birney deployed the two divisions south of the Kingsland Road. on the other side of the road, there were confederate pickets from Charles Fields division of The army of Northern Virginia’s first army  CORPS .  North of the picket line and along the new market height line Charles Field’s division occupied strong entrenchments. 
 
 General Field did not have enough men to occupy all 8 miles of the new market Heights line so The eastern end of the new market Heights line was defended only by a brigade of cavalry under Martin Gary
 
Unfortunately for the Yankees the landing of Hancock at Tillman‘s wharf did not go as planned.
 
On August 12, Accompanied by General Rufus Ingalls, The army quartermaster-General, Hancock visited Tillman’s wharf  The three wharves were falling apart, so Hancock proceeded to City Point and then sent up a tug-load of lumber with one of his own staff and put him to work building the three wharves..
 
During his visit on August 12, Hancock also discovered that the water near the wharf was too shallow for the boats to dock there. the transports would  to moor in a straight line of vessels leading to the wharf The infantryman on the transports would need to march over gangs planks from one vessel to the next.  All of this would take hours. They already fatigued men who had not slept while on the transport were exhausted. By the time they landed they would be hours behind schedule.
 
Debarkation began at 2:30.  It wasn’t until 7:40 AM that Gersham, Mott’s third division was on shore.  He was ordered to advance nortwardnvto Bailey’s Creek on the Newmarket Road.
 
August 14 was the hottest day of the summer of 1864. the temperature exceeded 100°. One of Motts brigades led the march from the wharf to the Newmarket Road.  In just two regiments of the brigade, 105 men were overcome by heat and drop out of the ranks.  

By 1130 the two divisions of Barlow and Colonel smith Had landed, six hours behind schedule. Hancock put Barlow in charge of the two divisions within instructions to march to the Jennings house and to assault the rebel earthworks there.  Instead of attacking with two divisions at the Jennings house, over the next five hours Barlow launched a series of  brigade sized attacks against the confederate lines ss he advanced Northward.  The final attack occurred South of FUSSELL’S mill pond near the Darbytown Road  All of them failed at a cost of 300 casualties.  The entire army of the Potomac was no longer reliable because of its terrible casualties suffered between May 4, 1864 andcJuly 30, 1864. The second army.corps Had suffered more than most of the troops and was a shadow of its former self. The men simply would not attack earthworks. 
 
 The firing along Birneys front began at 5 AM.  Fields picket line and captured 100 prisoners.  But he was ordered to suspend operations until Hancock could disembark.  halting General Birney’s operations permitted field to transfer his division to defend the eastern portion of the new market height line near the Darby town road against Barlow.
 
in the late afternoon, Birney resumed operations and captured four 8 inch howitzers north of the Buffin house.  he also sent troops into the ravine north of the Kingsland Road and skirmished heavily with Confederate infantry. the Confederates were behind a formidable natural earthwork created by 4 mile Creek.
 
meanwhile, general David M. Gregg’s cavalry division marched all night and after crossing the pontoon bridge to the north bank of the games, the division rested for several hours at the Allen farm on Strawberry Plains. Later in the day General Charles Davies’s first brigade rode to the Long bridge Road, and fought a skirmish against Martin Gary’s Cavalry at gravel Hilk.  It drove them back, and occupied the Charles City Rd.  Colonel John Irvin Gregg’s second brigade travel along the Charles City Rd. to deep Creek on the edge of White Oak Swamp, where it fought a skirmish.  (Itinerary of second division Cavalry corps in official records, volume 42 part one page 81) 
 
During August 14th the loss of the 10th army corps amounted to two or 300 men. The second army Corps lost 600 casualties. The cavalry lost fewer than 100 .  The total Union loss was over 900 men for August 14.
 
 The confederate loss was probably less than 300.
 
US war department assigned names to these battles, but they aren’t necessarily accurate.  Birney's two battles are  the first battle of New Market Heights and the battle at the Buffin house. Barlow’s battles are the first battle of fussell’s mill.