JULY 28, 1864.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
Allow me to submit to your consideration a thought which has struck me. The rebels have fortified Howlett's house bluff with nineteen guns and a very strong work. Trent's Reach is so shallow that our iron-clads cannot get up without great labor in dredging the channels. Now, what hinders us from turning the Howlett house battery by taking the hint from that Dutchman and cut a canal at Dutch Gap? It is but 200 yards from 16-foot water to 16-foot water across the gap. The land is but 30 feet high as an average, and we should have for a 50-foot cut but about 55,000 cubic feet of excavation, or ten days' labor for 1,000 men. By that means our iron-clads could get out and Howlett would be useless. If you will look upon the map you will get my idea at once. I have made my examination by the Coast Survey map. I should not depend on the current to do any part of the cutting, as at Vicksburg although it might help. The gun-boats cover the place.
Respectfully,
BENJ. F. BUTLER,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 12, 1864.
General R. S. EWELL,
Chaffin's Bluff:
Deserter reports that men at Dutch Gap are volunteers, paid 40 cents extra for digging, their purpose being to dig a canal. If they cannot be stopped arrangements must be made to make the canal useless by choosing positions and erecting batteries, &c. See what can be done.
R. E. LEE.
GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
AUGUST 13, 1864.
Captain DAVIDSON:
Firing has been going on all day from our gun-boats and the battery of light artillery in position at Signal Hill (Rockbridge battery) on the enemy at Dutch Gap. Our firing was warmly returned by the enemy's gun-boats, assisted by the shore batteries at Baldwin's. I am happy to say no casualties yet on our side. The Rockbridge battery of light artillery did great execution among the enemy's works at Dutch Gap. The only damage done us by the enemy was a large shell, which passed through an officer's bed, tearing up the floor and passing out at the back part of the house. No one inside at the time.
Very respectfully,
G. F. SMITH.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
August 14, 1864.
Lieutenant-General EWELL,
Commanding,& c.:
GENERAL: On my visit to Howlett's house yesterday I had a full view of the ground at Dutch Gap and could see distinctly their tents and lines of intrenchments in front and rear of their position, with rifle-pits in advance. The men were concealed from view, probably driven under cover by our fire, which, from the gun-boats, was very accurate. No working parties were, of course, in sight, but I could see nothing to indicate the construction of a canal as is reported by prisoners and deserters from the enemy. Colonel Mayo, Third Virginia Regiment, who is stationed on the point at Howlett's farm, says that owing to the height of the bluffs at Dutch Gap and their being thickly covered with tall trees it is impossible to get a view of their operations from the highest point on his side. Small parties of the enemy, however, could be seen moving along the bank yesterday, and did not seem much embarrassed by the fire of our batteries or gun-boats. Officer commanding pickets of the margin of the river reported the enemy at work all night before last. Wagons were heard going and coming, unloading plank; also sounds of digging, driving stakes, &c. The details at work are estimated to be about 600 men. Can you not from some point on your side of the river discover what the enemy is doing? If we cannot arrest his work we must in other ways counteract his operations. Perhaps the navy might accomplish both objects. I desire you to see Captain Mitchell and see what can be done.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
HEADQUARTERS BATTALION,
Friend's Farm, August 19, 1864.
General W. N. PENDLETON,
Chief of Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia:
GENERAL: In compliance with your instructions received last night, Captain Penick is sent with thirty men to report to Colonel Walker. We will make out to man his guns in case they are needed. We are not altogether idle here; a moderate fire is kept up at night on the enemy at Dutch Gap, where it is pretty well ascertained they are cutting a channel. Two of my companies, Utterback's and Williams', were sent to Colonel Carter a few days since in obedience to order from General Lee.
I am, general, with high respect, your obedient servant,
W. T. POAGUE,
Lieutenant-Colonel, & c.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFICE,
September 10, 1864.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of engineering operations of this department for the month of August, 1864:
Early in the month Brigadier General G. Weitzel, chief engineer, left for Fortress Monroe, and subsequently on leave of absence, owing to severe illness contracted in active service in the field. On the 3rd of August the line of entrenchments were repaired and new abatis laid wherever the old had been burnt out by the fires in the woods. A pontoon bridge 560 feet long was laid on the Appomattox River for the passage of the Second Army Corps on the same day. On the 5th of August a survey of the locality called Dutch Gap was made for the purpose of deciding on the practicability of cutting a canal for the passage of iron-clads. The report was favorable, the following gestures being notice: The width of the neck or gap is 500 feet from high-water mark on the north and south side. The height above high water mark on the north end, or center line of the gap, is thirty-eight and two-tenths feet, and at sixty feet on either side of this line is forty-two and eighty-tenths feet. The height at south end on center line is four feet and at sixty feet on either side of this line is forty-two and eight-tenths feet. The total amount of excavation in round numbers is 50,000 cubic yards or a canal 500 feet long, fifteen feet deep, eighty-five feet wide at the bottom, leaving a berm fifteen feet wide on each side of the canal. This takes in account a slope of 1 on 1 in all the cuttings, which, from experience, will be unnecessary in the nature of the soil. It will be much steeper. The soil consists of a layer from twelve to sixteen feet thick in the average, of an indurated clay and sand, not easily moved to the pick, underneath which is a layer of heavy gravel and sand, the gravel of the size of ordinary paving stones. The work was ordered to be commenced on the 10th of August. The ground proving very hard, recourse was had to sub-soil plows to loosen the earth, and this assisted very materially. Eighteen carts and twelve wagons were employed in removing the excavation, which was dumped on a low flat just above the lower mouth of the gap. I have proposed to carry on the excavation down to the required depth, leaving an embankment at each end fifteen feet thick, which will be blown out simultaneously by four charges of powder-two in each dam-and each of 500 pounds sunk at a depth of seven feet from the surface. These will be so arranged that the radii formed by each will overlap each other about the center of the dam. These charges will be inclosed in gutta percha cylinders thirty inches in diameter and thirty inches high, and exploded by means of the Gomez fuse. I have now at work a dredging machine excavating on the water side (south), designing to make a hole nearly thirty feet deep, so as to receive the debris from the explosion, and leave sufficient depth of water afterward.
On the enemy's side of the gap the shore is very bold, and we rely on the representations of Professor Maillefert, now on duty with the navy, who says that it is perfectly possible to deepen the water to any extent by exploding torpedoes under water on the bottom. The length of river navigation saved by this cutting will be four miles and three quarters as compared with 500 feet.
The number of days that work has been going on this month is eighteen-the day's work being represented by 150 men working twelve hours, with the assistance of twenty carts, twelve two-horse wagons, and six four-horse plows. The enemy annoy the working parties by mortar and other firing, although their pickets are quiet and harmless. The signal tower on the James River at the Crow's Nest, nearly opposite Dutch Gap, is now completed, being 126 feet high and capable of being made forty feet higher if required. This was constructed by Company D, First New York Volunteer Engineers, Captain Hartmann.
A wharf has been built on the Appomattox and one on the James River, together with several roads and other minor engineering details at different places.
I have as yet received no report of engineer operations on the Eighteenth Army Corps front (now the Tenth Army Corps), and can only say that it consists principally in erecting strong redoubts connected by strong curtains along the whole front.
Listening galleries have been run from the redoubt near the Hare house in anticipation of the enemy's running in that direction. As yet, however, no indications have been seen.
Captain Francis U. Farquhar, U. S. Engineers, was relieved from duty in this department about the 22nd of August. Captain George L. Gillespie, U. S. Engineers, was appointed chief engineer for the Eighteenth Army Corps front at Petersburg,, by orders from the headquarters Army of the Potomac. First Lieutenant William R. King, U. S. Engineers, is on duty in this department at New Berne, N. C. First Lieutenant Charles B. Phillips, U. S. Engineers, became, sick and is now on leave of absence.
I have the honor to transmit also the following photographs and drawings, viz:*
Numbers 1. One photographic copy of Redoubt Anderson (Numbers 3), viewed from its front.
Numbers 2. One photographic copy of Redoubt McConihe (advanced in front of Numbers 3), viewed from the interior.
Numbers 3. One photograph of the excavation at Dutch Gap, August 20, nine and one-half days' progress, viewed from the south side.
Numbers 4. One photograph of same taken on September 5, twenty-three days' progress, viewed from the same position.
Numbers 5. One photograph of Parrott gun battery forming the right of the entrenchments for the protection of Dutch Gap.
Numbers 6. One map of Dutch Gap, showing survey of ground with contour lines.
Numbers 7. One map of Dutch Gap and entrenchments.
Numbers 8. One section of signal tower, with bill of lumber and material.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER S. MICHIE,
First Lieutenant, U. S. Engineers,
Acting Chief Engineer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.
Bvt. Major General J. G. BARNARD,
Chief Engineer, Armies in the Field, City Point, Va.
Hdqrs. Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina,
Chief Engineer's Office,
September 18, 1864
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of engineering operations of this department for the week ending September 17:
The excavation at Dutch Gap progressed very well for the small number of men at work during the week. The labor is a little more than half finished -- a rough estimate. the enemy's mortar batteries have been very active of late, and having moved to within 300 yards of the gap, have been more troublesome than ever. As far as can be learned, there are four Coehorn mortars in position. The casualties on our side have been very few, considering the number of men and animals engaged. A part of my force has been engaged in repairing and putting in running order a saw-mill found in the woods. It will be ready for use in two weeks. A force of 200 infantry and fifteen engineers has been at work on the line of defenses on our front. A new line has been laid out, joining No. 3 and No. 5 batteries, as shown by the accompanying tracing. By this arrangement Battery No. 4 will be isolated from the line of works and form a part of the advanced line of works. This shortens the infantry line of defense about 100 yards and is better adapted to the movement of the troops behind the lines. The work at Harrison's Landing has progressed well. The main work, or redoubt, is now completed, its gorge closed with stockade, and the whole surrounded with abatis. From right and left flanks an infantry parapet, four feet six inches high, runs half way to the river shore. The remainder will be completed within eight days, when a full description and plan of the works will be submitted.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER S. MICHIE
First Lieutenant, U.S. Engineers,
Acting Chief Engineer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J.G. Barnard
Chief Engineer, Armies in the Field, City Point, Va.
I have the honor to transmit with this the tracings of Dutch Gap, which should accompany last month's report, together with a section of the signal tower lately erected on the James River.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER S. MICHIE
First Lieutenant, U.S. Engineers,
Acting Chief Engineer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.
CAMP AT DUTCH GAP, VA., September 21, 1864.
Major General B. F. BUTLER,
Commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina:
GENERAL: Is it not established with sufficient certainty that the rebels have remitted to slavery, or otherwise put to hard labor, colored prisoners of war captured from us at Plymouth, Petersburg, and elsewhere, to warrant the use of rebel prisoners upon the work now in progress at Dutch Gap, where the shells of the enemy are beginning to tell with considerable effect upon our laboring soldiers? My men would take pleasure in acting as guards; would perform the duty, I think, with unusual pride and efficiency.
I have the honor to be, & c.,
SAMUEL A. DUNCAN,
Colonel, Commanding.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
ENGINEER'S OFFICE,
October 10, 1864.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of engineering operations in this department for the week ending September 24, 1864, viz:
At Dutch Gap the work progressed slowly during the week owing to the continuous fire of the rebel mortar batteries on the low ground across the river. All our efforts to dislodge them have proved unavailing. Two or four men is all they require in a pit to work their small 6-inch mortar, which are annoying and demoralizing to the men at labor on the canal. The difference of water level at the two ends of the proposed canal was found to be ten and one-tenth inches by means of the common Y level. A survey of the works at Harrison's Landing, now completed, was made on the 20th, which is transmitted with this report. The main work on the line is completed and the labor lately has mostly been on the infantry parapet, extending to the river. The entire length of the line is 1,412 yards. The distance in a straight line from flank to flank 892 yards. On the 19th instant a canvas pontoon bridge was laid across the Appomattox River at Broadway Landing, requiring in all twenty-three boats, including the two used in the draw. The upper bridge, heretofore used, had been so constantly employed that it needed a thorough overhauling and repair. The pontoniers who laid the canvas bridge had no experience heretofore with these boats. The average time required to build the boats was seven minutes and a half. The first required twelve minutes and the last few three minutes each. The bridge was laid by sixty pontoniers, after the boats were build, in one hour and fifteen minutes, the abutments being previously prepared. I find that the tide rises variously on this river, sometimes being as high as four feet two inches. For heavy trains or much travel this bridge soon becomes useless. Among items noticed during its use the following may be interesting. Unless the claw balks are lashed to the saddle-piece, they have a great tendency to slip up or down, according as the tide is flow or ebb. The canvas, without having holes punched in it, does not allow row-locks to be put in the gunwales, and it is difficult and tedious otherwise to operate the draw. The draw, too, is not stiff enough, owing to the play allowed by the claw balks. The dust of the manure covering requires to be constantly removed to prevent rotting the canvas. It is noticed that leakage follows quickly where any such matter remains a short time. The worst case of leakage reported was six inches in one night, and strange to say the same boat leaked none the following day. These boats are nineteen feet six inches long and are altogether too short. In some cases they come down to within four inches of the water when very heavy loads pass over them. They are also very liable to injury, owing to the many accidents which may occur by careless or mischievous soldiers, a single bayonet punch being sufficient to disable a boat.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER S. MICHIE,
First Lieutenant, U. S. Engineers,
Acting Chief Engineer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.
Bvt. Major General J. G. BARNARD,
Chief Engineer, Armies in the Field.
Hdqrs. Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina,
Chief Engineer's Office,
October 10, 1864
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following as my report of engineering operations in this department for the week ending October 1, 1864, viz:
A tracing of a rebel map found on the body of General Chambliss was made from the original, which was lent to this office by Major Michler, chief engineer, Army of the Potomac, and seventeen copies (photographic) were made and distributed by direction of the major-general commanding this department.
Early in the week General Butler informed me of contemplated movements north of the James River, so that pontoon bridges should be ready at the proper time. The bridges at Deep Bottom, on the James River, and at Broadway, Appomattox River, were covered with manure on the 26th to deaden the sound of travel over them. On the 27th a survey was made of the banks of the James River in the vicinity of Aiken's Landing, to determine the site for a new bridge to be used in the coming movement. An excellent location was found about 600 yards below Aiken's house, there being good approaches on both sides. Generally, along the James River, while one side is good the opposite is marshy, and it is rarely that two points directly opposite can be found that will admit to be used for the abutments of a bridge unless first a long corduroy road is built on one side. The width of the river at the point designated is 1,320 feet, requiring sixty-seven boats for the construction of the bridge, including the two additional ones for the draw. The details of construction were intrusted to Capt. James W. Lyon, chief pontonier, Army of the James, who has proved himself in every case a most reliable and skillful officer. Thirty-six boats were brought by water from Broadway Landing and thirty-nine from Deep Bottom. One lieutenant and fifty men were each detailed from the company of pontoniers attached to the Army of the James, and from the command of Captain Lubey, Fifteenth New York Volunteer Engineers, at Deep Bottom, and these constituted the whole party engaged on the bridge. The success of the entire movement depending upon its secrecy quiet and good order was strictly enforced. The work was commenced at 7.30 p.m. and finished at 2 a.m. 29th of September. At this time it was dead low water, and the last nine boats had to be dragged over the soft mud and placed in position by hand. Had the tide been favorable the bridge would have been finished at 11 p.m. The infantry began coming at 3 a.m., one hour after its completion, and not till then did the enemy's pickets have any idea of its existence. On the 29th the advance was made and at noon our troops were in possession of a part of the defenses at Chaffin's farm. Toward noon the troops occupied the line indicated by General Barnard and Colonel Comstock, who were present during the day. On the 30th engineer troops and infantry were engaged in strengthening the line, changing the front of Fort Harrison (captured), laying abatis, and otherwise making the position strong. On the 1st October I was sent with General Terry, who made a demonstration on the Darby road toward Richmond, approaching with his advance to within 500 yards of the second line of works to the right of this road.
The topography and other details of the rebel map heretofore referred to were found to be very accurate, except in one or two minor details, such as names of a few of the houses being changed, &c. The heavy rain and murky atmosphere prevented a close and satisfactory inspection of their works, but I feel convinced that their general character is the same as laid down in the map. We met no infantry outside of the works, and but very few of their cavalry.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER S. MICHIE
First Lieutenant, U.S. Engineers,
Acting Chief Engineer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J.G. Barnard
Chief Engineer, Armies in the Field, City Point, Va.
Hdqrs. Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina,
Chief Engineer's Office,
October 10, 1864
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of engineering operations in this department for the week ending October 8, 1864,viz:
October 2 a line of defense was determined on by General Barnard and Colonel Comstock, its right resting on Four-Mile Creek and its left on the marsh on the James River below Three-Mile Creek. On the 3d General Butler detailed the One hundred and twenty-seventh Regiment U.S. Colored Troops to report to me for the construction of this line. Selecting Captains Eaton and Dalrymple, of the First New York Volunteer Engineers, I indicated and laid out the details of the whole line with a detached square redoubt on Signal Hill, to the right of the New Market road. At 11 a.m. the same day the parties commenced work, 150 men being occupied on the work at Signal Hill, and from 550 to 600 daily on the line itself, with two companies of the First New York Volunteer Engineers. I have the honor to submit herewith a tracing(*) showing the details of the line. October 8. The work is well advanced. The infantry parapet is nearly two.thirds completed along the line, from 200 yards to the left of the Battery No. 7 to 100 yards to the right of the Kingsland road, near Four-Mile Creek--in all, more than 1,300 yards, exclusive of batteries. The revetment is of rails. Battery No. 1 was commenced today. Battery No. 6 is completed for three guns Battery No. 3 has three embrasures and the interior revetting finished, so that it is now ready for guns. Battery No. 4 is almost finished. The redoubt on Signal Hill has three faces completed, seven embrasures cut, seven platforms raised, and four guns in position. Abatis has been laid on two fronts, as well as on 150 yards of the main line to the rear. At Cox's Hill 40 engineers and 400 infantry have been worked, under the direction of Captain Suess, First New York Volunteer Engineers, since October 5 on a redoubt to command the river above, and act also as a counter-battery to rebel works across the river. The work on the parapet and revetments will be finished by October 9. An outline (+) of the redoubt will be sent with this report. At Dutch Gap engineers have been constructing bomb-proofs for the steam dredge at work there and the steam pump to be used. The excavation will progress rapidly hereafter by means of the dredge, which throws out about 400 cubic feet in twelve hours. The main line of works progresses in strength and protection daily. That portion occupied by the Tenth Army Corps is very weak and not well laid out. It is simply the old rebel line reversed. I have urged a new line, with appropriate works, to protect our right flank and make it secure, but an unwillingness has been manifested to have this carried out for the present. That occupied by the Eighteenth Army Corps, from the left of the Tenth to Cox's Hill, on James River, is secure and in good condition. Fort Harrison has been very much strengthened and closed in rear (our front). Traverses have been erected to protect it from fire in every possible direction. Abatis has been planted around it and the old line destroyed. Redoubts and batteries have been erected along the line from this point to Cox's Hill in the best possible positions to command the ground. Lieut. W. R. King, U.S. Engineers, has been assigned as chief engineer of the Eighteenth Army Corps.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER S. MICHIE
First Lieutenant, U.S. Engineers,
Acting Chief Engineer, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J.G. Barnard
Chief Engineer, Armies in the Field, City Point, Va.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 12, 1864-11.15 a.m.
Brigadier-General PATRICK,
Provost-Marshal-General, City Point, Va.:
Please send me under guard, on board a boat, 150 of the most considerable of the prisoners captured by us in your hands, especially of the local defense, including privates Henly and McRay, for the purpose of being put to work in Dutch Gap, in retaliation for out soldiers now at work in the rebel trenches near Fort Gilmer.
BENJ. F. BUTLER,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
October 18, 1864-9 p. m.
Brigadier-General PATRICK,
Provost-Marshal-General, City Point, Va.:
Please send my fifty more rebel prisoners to put in Dutch Gap. So many of these are taking the oath of allegiance that I want to keep the numbers full.
BENJ. F. BUTLER,
Major-General, Commanding.