Raid of August 1863. Pt. III : From the New York Times

OPERATIONS ON THE PENINSULA.; Particulars of the Recent
Reconnaissance to Bottom's Bridge. 

Correspondence of the New-York Times. 

CAMP NEAR WILLIAMSBURGH, Va., Saturday, Aug. 29, 1863.
The cavalry arm of the service in this Department has been kept in constant activity since May. Gen. FOSTER assumed command. Besides our raids toward Weldon. N. C., and through the counties east of the Chowan River, we have just returned from a reconnoissance to the very doors of Richmond. 

A cavalry brigade composed of the Fifth Pennsylvania and First New-York Mounted Rifles, commanded by Col. B.F. ONDERDONK, Of the latter regiment, moved from this point on the 25th inst. to discover, if possible, the amount of rebel force between our pickets and the intrenchments(sic) about Richmond. The Fifth Pennsylvania regiment, Lieut.-Col. LEWIS, took the advance. When at Burnt Ordinary, some twelve miles from this place, we came upon a rebel picket of five men, and a squadron of the Fifth charged -- following the rebels in a spirited chase for five miles. The following day the Mounted Rifles showed the way, charging into New Kent Court-house and driving a party of Secesh out of the place. The rebels lost one man killed and two wounded. 

We rested at the Court-house two hours, and pushed on rapidly. Our advance guard kept continually charging small squads of the enemy's cavalry who appeared at intervals on fast horses, running for dear life and the Chickhominy River. 

The command again halted to rest weary horses and men within seven miles of Bottom's Bridge. Toward evening the First and Third battalions of the Mounted Rifles, the advance commanded by Major WHEELLAN the whole under Lieut.-Col. PATTON, raced for Bottom's Bridge. When about two miles from our starting-point, a running fight occurred with a squadron of the enemy's cavalry. We kept up the run in the blinding dust and hot sun until we arrived at Bottoms Bridge, thirteen miles from the rebel capital. Here we found a force of rebel infantry wellintrenched. We dismounted skirmishers [???] some spirited sharp-shooting. 

The rebels had gained sufficient time on their fresh horses to tear up the planks of the bridge. The object of the expedition being accomplished, the column moved about and leisurely returned to bivouac with the remainder of the brigade. Not a sign of a rebel appeared in our rear, and our sleep was undisturbed. Our men were covered with dust, and our horses nearly worn out. The rebels lost one man killed near Bottom's Bridge. We left his body with people along the road. 

We have greatly the advantage of the rebel cavalry in the use of the breech loading rifle. They, of course, are obliged to load from the muzzle, and can shoot but one volley from their double-barreled shot-guns before we are on to them. 

We were not disturbed during our return until we arrived at a place called Slatersville, four miles this side of New Kent Court-house. At this place the pickets of the Fifth Pennsylvania were attacked, and one man killed and one wounded. A portion of the Fifth chased the rebels back to the Court House. Maj. WHEELAN, of the Mounted Rifles, then advanced beyond the Court House, deploying his battalion in a beautiful manner as skirmishers. We found a dead rebel sergeant on the field, the rest having precipitately. We returned to camp, at this place, without further occurrences of interest. 

The Mounted Rifles did not lose a man. The Fifth lost but(?) one. The rebel loss was three killed and three captured. 

An intelligent refugee, who has just arrived from Richmond, says that our raid created great excitement in the city, every able-bodied man being obliged to turn out and shoulder a musket. C.

-New York Times of September 6, 1863

Raid of August 1863. Pt. II

-from The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies.; Series 1 - Volume 29 (Part I)

Raid of August 1863. Pt. I

 

-from The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies.; Series 1 - Volume 29 (Part I)

The enemy on the Peninsula . . . again

The enemy on the Peninsula.

--The Yankees have appeared at the White House, on the Pamunkey river. Yesterday afternoon, as the train on the York River Railroad was about leaving there for Richmond, one of our cavalry pickets galloped up and warned them to hurry off, as the enemy was approaching. The train came off directly.

Couriers who arrived in Richmond last night report that the enemy in force had driven in our pickets at Bottom's Bridge, eighteen miles from the city. They consisted of two cavalry regiments, and it is supposed of eight infantry regiments, as eight regimental flags were counted. At last accounts they were this side of Bottom's Bridge.

-from the Richmond Daily Dispatch, August 28, 1863

Tooker on the Name Pamunkie - Part Three

Sempley the Best . . .

On the York River Railroad

Richmond and York River Railroad. – The sixth annual report of the President of this Railroad Company, Alex. Dudley, Esq., to the stockholders, furnishes all the requisite information as to the condition of the company and the progress of the work. The temporary track at West Point is still in use, but the embankment on the main track is rapidly approaching completion, and it is confidently believed that the trains will be running permanently over the main track to the Pamunkey wharves early in January next. The new and elegant steamer West Point, which commenced her regular trips in June last, was purchased in view of the absolute necessity of establishing a permanent connection between the road and Norfolk, and the intermediate landings; the Directory having been unsuccessful in their exertions to procure such connection by arrangement with steamboat owners and capitalists. Her cost, including everything, was $42,272.17.The necessity of the purchase was urgent, and the Directory confidently believe that it will meet with the approbation of the stockholders.

A passenger shed has been completed at the Richmond depot, and a brick building, 48 by 64 feet, for reception rooms for passengers and others awaiting the arrival and departure of trains, and for the offices of the company, is now nearly completed. Station and freight houses have been erected at Summit and Cohoke, and as soon as the wharf on the Pamunkey shall be completed, it is in contemplation to erect there large temporary freight and passenger sheds.

Although the road is now in good running order, a considerable expenditure will be required to place it in a permanent and satisfactory condition. The Pamunkey river bridge, and admirable structure, perfectly safe and reliable, and capable of sustaining any train that can be carried over it, ought, nevertheless, to be replaced, as soon as possible, by one of more durable material, either stone or brick for the water way, the costs of which, it is believed, in the absence of actual estimates, may be put down at $12,000. 

A permanent passenger and freight house ought to be built at West Point within the next ensuing year, and an engine house and workshop at either Richmond or West Point. The costs of these, from an estimate of the Chief Engineer, will not be less than $20,000. 

As it cannot be reasonably expected that the money necessary for these objects can be paid out of the earnings of the road, or the present means of the company, authority is asked for to apply to the next General Assembly for a State loan of $100,000.

The Treasurer’s statements also show that there has been paid or the steamer West Point, on account of transportation, the sum of $12,134.20, including the sum of $844 for repairs, occasioned by (a)n accident while running up the Pamunkey river at night, and that her receipts have been $9,978.10, showing a balance of $2,156.10 against the boat on her transportation account. But this sum should not be regarded as a loss to the company, for the reason that it appears, for the road’s transportation account, that the through travel and freight credited to the boat has been running, and which has obviously brought to the road by the boat, amounts to the sum of $3,225.70; and if this amount be carried to the credit of the boat, her’s would be a creditor, instead of a debtor account, on the business of the four months.

With regard to the proposed connection with the coal fields of the New York and Richmond coal fields of the New York and Richmond Coal Company, the report says it is in contemplation to organize a new company, the old one being now insolvent, and it is confidently believed that their plans will ultimately be carried into successful operation. 

The success of the road thus far, under numerous disadvantages, is plainly apparent. - May we not, then, (says the report,) reasonably expect, when fully completed, with all its wharves, warehouses, depots and equipment in readiness for the reception and transportation of the passengers and freights, which must inevitably be concentrated at West Point when the advantages of York river as a harbor for foreign and coasting vessels shall become fully known and justly appreciated, an increase of receipts from transportation over and above its cost sufficient to pay the interest on the mortgage debts, and, within a few years a dividend on the stock. Of this the writer is absolutely confident. But, to attain this most desirable end, much, very much of energy and perseverance will have to be exerted to make suitable connections with the many rivers, creeks and inlets bordering on the lower Chesapeake Bay, and with Northern and Southern cities, and time will be required to consummate these connections.

 

-Richmond Dispatch, November 11, 1860