Weather Facts

Some interesting tidbits . . . form the early Twentieth Century . . .

June 1912
U.S.Department of Agriculture
Office of Experiment Stations
DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS

wettest year     1889 . . . .72.02 inches
Dryest    "     1876 . . . .27.65 "

Wettest month, July 1889  . .14.01 "
Dryest  "    , October 1874 . 0.11 "
"         , November 1890

Heaviest rainfall in 24 hours, Apr. 17-18, 1910 . . 5.33 "
Heaviest rainfall in short period(46 minutes)
August 19, 1908 . . . .2.88 ins.

Average annual snowfall . . . . 16.80 '

Highest temperature, August 11, 1900 . . .  102 degrees
Lowest temperature, February 10, 1899 . .   -3 "

Latest date of killing frost in spring . .  April 20
Average date of killing frost in spring . . April 2
Earliest date of first killing frost in autumn . .October 12
Average date of first killing frost in autumn . . November 3

Maximum wind velocity, 61 miles per hour . . . February 10/09

- A REPORT UPON THE DRAINAGE OF THE LOWLANDS OF THE CHICKAHOMINY RIVER
(HANOVER, HENRICO, NEW KENT and CHARLES CITY COUNTIES, VA.
 by George M. Warren, Drainage Engineer,
Assisted by John R. Haswell, Assistant Drainage Engineer,
and Newton B. Wade, Assistant Drainage Engineer

The Sixth New York at White House and St. Peters- 1864

June 20th- At 10 am resumed the march with Sixth New York as rear guard, crossed at Dunkirk Ferry and passed through Aylett's and King William C.H. to the north bank of the Pamunky River opposite White House and encamped. Part of the cavalry crossed the river to White House and were attacked by the enemy that had made an attempt to capture our wagon train but were repulsed by the gunboats, dismounted cavalry and some infantry. The Fourth New York had been left with the pontoon train to wait for the wagons.

June 21st- Reveille at 3 a.m. Moved out at four o'clock and crossed the Pamunky on the railroad bridge with Merritt in the advance. The Second Brigade was ordered up to find the enemy advanced toward St. Peter's Church and soon found them in force, the Seventeenth Pennsylvania was dismounted and sent forward, the Ninth New York then dismounted and advanced, the Sixth New York taking a position on the left, the enemy holding a position on a ridge in front with a gully or ravine between. The Sixth New York advanced, but the enemy after about three hours fighting had retired from our front. Then advanced our line to the Tunstall Station road and St. Peter's Church. Devin's brigade was alone on the line. The enemy's forces consisted of the cavalry of Hampton, Lee, Hoke and Butler numbering about 5000. We contented ourselves with holding the position already gained. The enemy opened upon us with shot shell and bullets, but soon the firing on both sides ceased, the enemy evacuated the church and we took possession, the Sixth New York holding it until sunset and was then relieved by the Ninth New York. This church was built in 1723 and was the one in which George Washington was married.

-History of the Sixth New York Cavalry: (Second Ira Harris Guard) Second Brigade -- First Division -- Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, 1861-1865

 Compiled by Hillman Allyn Hall, William B. Besley, Gilbert Guion Wood

 Blanchard Press, 1908       

A Depression era photo of St Peter's Church

The Sixth New York Cavalry- Along the Chickahominy 1864

June 1st- Returned to Cold Harbor before daylight and reoccupied the works before the enemy knew we had evacuated them, immediately throwing up a line of breastworks. Daybreak found us still holding our barricaded position of the previous night, and brought us the information that we were confronting parts of Lee's and Butler's cavalry, and Hoke's and Kershaw's divisions of infantry. Devin's brigade formed, with Custer's brigade on the right. At 6 a.m. the enemy made a sudden attack on the right, which the Michigan boys met right gallantly, their seven shooters doing effective work, while the batteries in the rear did great execution; the fight lasted about an hour, when the enemy fell back, leaving more than a hundred of their dead and wounded on the field. After that, sharpshooting was kept up until about ten o'clock, when the Sixth Corps arrived and relieved us, and continued the fighting The cavalry then moved toward the Chickahominy and covered the left of the infantry line till Hancock arrived at 2 p.m., when it moved to Prospect Church and went into bivouac. The infantry soon became heavily engaged and the roar of artillery and musketry was continuous until long after dark, and was kept up, at intervals, the greater part of the night.

 June 2d- At 7 a.m. took the road to Dispatch Station. Halted for several hours in support of Gregg who was fighting on the infantry's left. Then resumed the march to Bottom's Bridge which we found in possession of the enemy. The Sixth New York in the advance came up with a force of the enemy and after considerable skirmishing drove them across the bridge. As the regiment approached the bridge to reconnoitre it was greeted with a few shells from the enemy's fortifications beyond the Chickahominy, one of which killed three horses and took off a man's foot (Aaron Byington Company I). At 4 p.m. the regiment went on picket, holding the bridge all night, the division encamping a mile to the rear. It rained very hard all night.

June 3d- Still raining. All quiet except that the rebel sharpshooters were busy. Regiment was relieved at 10 am by the Seventeenth Pennsylvania and fell back but remained within gunshot of the bridge.

June 4th- At 5 a.m. left Bottom's Bridge and marched to the right wing of the army and encamped at Hall's Shop a short distance to the rear near Old Church. Rain in afternoon.

June 5th- Marched to Studley, the birthplace and residence of Patrick Henry near Totopotomoy Creek. Rain.

June 6th- Beveille at 2.30 a.m. At sunrise marched to Little Page's Ford on the Pamunky River near Hanovertown and bivouacked on Ruffin's farm. Major Ruffin was the rebel who fired the first shot on the old flag at Sumter.

-History of the Sixth New York Cavalry: (Second Ira Harris Guard) Second Brigade -- First Division -- Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, 1861-1865

 Compiled by Hillman Allyn Hall, William B. Besley, Gilbert Guion Wood

 Blanchard Press, 1908      

The Sixth New York on the Ride- May 24- May 31 1864

We return to the Sixth New York Cavalry and their crisscrossing of Central Virginia during May and June of 1864 . . .

We last left them as they headed north over the Pamunkey . . .

From Cold Harbor to Tunstall's Station

May 24th- Left Dunkirk Ferry (or ford) at 9 a.m. and taking the direction of Hanover Junction, passed Hebron Church and Concord and to the Bowling Green road, bivouacking near Polecat River after a hard, dry, dusty march.

May 25th- Moved out early and marched to Chesterfield Station, at which point we crossed the railroad and encamped three miles to the northwest. Supply train arrived via Port Royal, twenty miles distant. Mail that had been accumulating for nearly a month reached us at this point, bringing gladness and joy to the heart of many a weary trooper. A very heavy rain-storm coming up every one and everything was thoroughly soaked. General Torbert, having returned to duty, now took command of the division (First).

May 26th- Moved at noon and marched via Chesterfield and Concord Church and Lee's woods on toward Mangohick, and at 8.30 p.m. halted about twelve miles south from Chesterfield and about two miles from Mangohick. After a short halt to rest the horses, moved on again, marching all night, and halted at daybreak at Hanovertown Ferry on the north bank of the Pamunky for a short rest and sleep.

May 27th- At 7 a.m. three boatloads of Custer's men were thrown across the river, who after a little skirmishing, cleared the opposite bank of the enemy. The pontoon bridge was then thrown across and the First Division crossed over Found Gordon's Confederate brigade about a mile from the river, which we drove over the road, the Second Brigade capturing about thirty of the Third North Carolina Cavalry. The prisoners were fine looking fellows, well dressed and clean -such an unusual thing that it was noticeable. We rested on the field at night, weary from the tiresome march of upward of thirty five miles.

May 28th- All quiet through the night. No bugle calls allowed. All moves made in silence. The Sixth Corps moved up and relieved our skirmish line, and we moved to the support of Gregg, who was fighting on our left at Salem Church. The artillery fire was very sharp. We drove the enemy although our losses were heavy in carrying a strong position. Were relieved by the Second Division, Second Corps, about dark, and went into camp near the bridge

May 29th- At 9 a.m. a foraging party of the Sixth New York discovered a large force of the enemy's cavalry moving to our left at a double quick. The party returned at once to camp, and making a report, the brigade was ordered farther to the left, where it found Gregg's division and Custer's brigade already engaging the enemy. It formed and remained in line of battle until the enemy fell back, forced by our cavalry. At 4 p.m. we moved farther to the left of our line parallel with the Pamunky River, where we halted about six miles from the river, and bivouacked, the Sixth New York going on picket for the night.

May 30th- In readiness to move at 4 a.m. At nine o'clock marched to Old Church and threw out a line of pickets. Those of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania on the Cold Harbor road were attacked in force about noon. The balance of the brigade was brought up dismounted and advanced, and soon our whole front was a line of fire and smoke. The Third Brigade coming up, the two brigades were soon engaged and the enemy was being forced back when, suddenly, our left for some reason gave way, causing the whole line to fall back a short distance to a good position, where it formed. At that moment Custer's brigade came to our aid, and with a rush and a yell that made the hills and woodland resound, the "Wolverines" charged the "greybacks," pouring deadly volleys from their "seven shooters, which caused the enemy to break and fall back in precipitate flight, while the whole line rapidly idly pursued in the direction of Bottom's Bridge. The enemy consisted of Butler's South Carolina Brigade and Hampton's Legions. Halted for the night about seven miles from Bottom's Bridge. Speaking about the "seven shooter" carbines reminds me that a Confederate officer captured asked me if we sat up all night to load our guns to shoot at them in the daytime. Lieut. Jno. W. Blunt wounded in thigh James Wright and Harry G. Cooper, Company I, wounded; George Andrews Company K, killed.

May 31st- "Boots and saddles" at 2.30 a.m. and prepared for an attack. The weather was very warm and the roads were many inches deep with dust. At 4 p.m. the brigade moved out in connection with Merritt's and Custer's and gave the enemy battle in the vicinity of Cold Harbor. The Sixth New York was held in reserve to charge, if a favorable opportunity presented itself. The fighting was very severe until dark, when the enemy retreated, leaving us in possession of their earthworks on the Meadow Bridge road, about five miles from the bridge and eight miles from Bottom's Bridge. At dark we built barricades along the road and at ten o'clock fell back about three miles and stood to horse all night.

-History of the Sixth New York Cavalry: (Second Ira Harris Guard) Second Brigade -- First Division -- Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, 1861-1865

 Compiled by Hillman Allyn Hall, William B. Besley, Gilbert Guion Wood

 Blanchard Press, 1908      

Capture of Fitz-Hugh Lee

Taken from the National Tribune, Jan. 21, 1897 edition

Captured Fitz-Hugh Lee.

The General Made Hostage for Three Union Prisoners Condemned to Death.

Editor National Tribune: We broke up May 1, 1863, at Camp Getty, near Portsmouth, Va, and went on board transports with the 11th Pa. Cav. and two regiment of infantry, and steamed out through Hampton roads and up the Pamunkey River as far as White House Landing. We disembarked on the Hanover County side of the River, and marched across country to Hanover Junction. The weather was extremely hot, and many of the men of the infantry died from sunstroke. 

When we arrived at the junction we found a place guarded by a stockade fort and 100 men and four pieces of artillery. After receiving their first fire we were ordered to fall back out of range. Then our Colonel (Spear, 11th Cav.) called for volunteers, to see if there was anyway to approach the fort without being seen by enemy. 

Serg't Star stepped to the front and said if he could have the pick of men he would undertake the hazardous work. The Colonel told him he could. The Sergeant picked 11 men from the regiment and started on, with only revolvers and belts. They took a roundabout way, striking a ravine thick with undergrowth, following it up to the stockade.

At the same time the troops in front for making small charges to the attract rebels' attention the Sergeant and party for devising ways of getting inside the fort. They soon discovered that the spring of water inside was the cause of the ravine, and that there must be an outlet for the water. 

The men soon found the place, and by digging with an old saber bayonet, they had picked up on the way, and their hands, they soon made a hole big enough to admit a man.  

After they had all gotten on the inside they made a grand rush, firing their revolvers as signal for the troops to come. The entire rebel force threw down their arms and surrendered, with the loss of two men killed. After the surrender a rebel saw the small force, grabbed a gun and shot one of our men. On the instant he was shot many times. The prisoners were paroled on the same day, and after destroying all Confederate property and tearing up the railroads at the Junction, we went into camp for the night.

On May 3 we started on our return trip to White House Landing, with quite a heavy rear-guard to protect our main force. We met no enemy to break the monotony until the rear guard came across an old colored man. He said that if we would go along a certain road we might capture Fitz-Hugh Lee.

The Colonel on Net the rear guard to go with the old darky as guide, and without any mishap we found the General at his country-seat*. He had been wounded a few days before in the Shenandoah Valley, and was on sick leave for a short time. As his wound was slight, we soon made arrangements for taking the General with us by ordering out his family carriage team and driver. After putting a mattress in the carriage and the General on that, we started for White House Landing, arriving there the same day and went into camp. The General was put on board a transport. The next day, May 4, 1863, we started for Fort Monroe, arriving there on the same date, and reporting to the commandant, Gen. Wool, that we had a prisoner of war.

The old General said we had done the best thing since the war had begun. He said that our cavalry in scouting in the Shenandoah Valley had captured some three guerrillas who had committed a crime on some of their own people that was punishable by death, and they were hung for that offense, and the rebel authorities at Richmond, to retaliate had ordered out 100 men from Libby Prison, all officers of high rank, with Chaplain McCabe with them, to draw lots for three men to be executed in retaliation for the three guerrillas deaths. The drawing was made, and the Chaplain's dear friend, a Colonel was one drawn out. They were taken to the city jail and confined the condemned cells, to be shot or hung the next day.

To save these men Gen. Wool ordered out a flag-of-truce boat to the enemy. After conference with the authorities at Richmond exchange was made, we receiving the three Union officers for the rebel Gen. Lee. I think that expedition resulted in great good for the Union cause, with a small loss of life and no loss of property for the Government. 

W.B. Porter, Troy, Pa.

Via the website http://www.blackburn-tree.org/11-PA-Cav/

* actually the home of his in-laws.


The Fitz Hugh Lee referred to is William Henry "Rooney" Fitzhugh Lee, son of Robert E. Lee, not Fitz Hugh Lee his cousin.

The Geographical Transformation of New Kent County, Part Two

New Kent in 1700 compromised what is now the present county, as well as Hanover and Louisa counties and a large slice of James City. The county had two parishes, Blissland in the east, which covered part of York county, all of James City county and what is now eastern New Kent, and St. Peter's parish which ministered to all the rest. In 1704 St. Peter's was divided and all the land in what was to be Hanover and west was place in a new parish, St. Paul's.