The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-24
ARTILLERY HyApoUARrrRs.

X.
Sir Since my reports to army headquarters at 7
o'clock PM last night have to for the informa-
ton OF the that during last night
tinued firing from batteries with increased r
pdity from what it had been during the day kept
up with what damage to the city is not known further
than the destruction by fire Of building in tho vicinity
Of one of the churches and the almost certainty that
every shell fell into the city.
In the Of the night additional 24-pounder
and two 8-inch howizers, with u supply Of ammunition
transported from the ordnance depot battery
No and were placed in battery except one of the
Snch howtzers which has not been placed in position
Us the platform for 1t has not yet been finished
The battery Of four 24pounders, and sinch how
itzer, opened the fire upon the city about O'Clock A. NJ
to-day and with the three mortar batteries have kept
constant and rapid Ere until late this afternoon, when
the firing temporarily ceased in of the
sage Of white flag to and from the city.
The firing to-day has evidently been very destructive
to the city, and several houses have been destroyed by
Four additional platforms for morars have been con-
structed to-day and will receive, before the morning
that number Of which will be tonight
and will DO ready to be opened the city carly tomor
Measures havc also been taken to send out to tho
trenches tonight full supply OF ammunition With
fourteen mortars four 24pound guns and:two s-inch
howitzers decided and effective preston must be
made on the city tomorrow
No accident or injury to any person in the batteries
have the honor to be sir, respectfully, obedent
servant. JAMES BANKHEAD
Colonel Chief Of Artillery
Lieut. ii. l.. ScorT, Acting Adjutant General, Arm
ARrnLERy HEApaUARrERs !
Camp Washington, March %, 1s47.
SIn,-l have already reported to army headquarters
the operations in the trenches and batteries up
o'clock, P. NJ, Of the Oath instant.
On the night OF the gath, another 2a-poundcr, and
nance depot, to battery No T. and the 24pounder and
ono Of the howtzers placed in battery; the plat
form for the other howtzers not being finished and by
o'clock, on the 25th, they ready with the other
three 24pounders to open the fire upon the city The
fire from this battery continued with but very little
interruption whole of the day 1.-THE 25th) with sig
AT
O'Clock, NJ, to o'clock NJ, the enemy kept up
brisk and well directed fire it Of shot and shells
many OF the shot passing through the embrasurc but
fortunately no injury sustained from them.
The mortar which had been dismounted was replaced,
and full supply Of shells received during the night
All the mortar batteries continued moderate fire dur
ing the night, the fire being limited to in every five
minutes, until early next morning (he 23th) when the
firing was increased to about one hundred and eighty
discharges Of shells and shot hour and continued
about or o'clock in tho afternoon, when the passage
Of white flag caused a cessation Of the firing for
hour two. 1t again renewed and continued NIL
night, and to about O'Clock, NJ on the 10th, when
the firing stopped from all Of the batteries by order
from headquarters in consequence Of offer Of the
authorities of the city to capitulate
During the Goth platforms for four additional
were constructed, and that number Of mortars
placed in battery which increased the number OF NOR
tars in battery to fourteen Tho troops remained mac
even to repair the damage made by the high wind.
On the 2lth, tho mon were employed in removing the
sand from the trenches which had been nearly filed up
by the moving Of 1t by the wind
The engineers constructed this day three plat
frus for morar and the mortars being moved
in the afternoon when they ordered back to the
ordnance depot, as being then unnecessary.
This day the 2stb the artilcrsts still in position
at the batteries and every thing perfect readiness for
any service that be required there.
estimate the number Of shot and shells discharged
from the batteries at about two thousand five hundred
but have not yet received official report from the
chief Of ordnance of the exact number used
Having had the honor to be entrusted with the com
mand and having been almost continually In the
trenches from the 22d instant when the batteries were
opened upon the city to late hour yesterday afternoon
when hosttes ceased and having had arduous duties
TO perform, have to acknowledge the able support
have received from the officers of every of
the service from the artillery officers for their cheerful
and skfu management Of the guns in the batteries;
other officers Of ordnance for their most efficient aid
from the officers Of the quartermaster's department.
particularly Captain Cross and Captain Irwin,) for
their promptnc@ In forwarding the ordnance and sup
plies to the batteries; and have witnessed with much
admiration the high professional intelligence and UNI
firing cxerton Of the engineer officers ON duty In the
trenches.
should not omit to mention that two young officers
Of the corps OF typographical engineers Licutcnants
Derby and Hardcastle, volunteered to serve In the
trenches, and did serve well and calamity for twenty
four hours.
My adjutant, Lieutenant Nichols was always in at
tendance with me- and prompt and active in every duty
required of him
have the honor to be respectfully,
Your obcdient servant,
JAMES BANKHEAD,
Colonel and Chief Of Artillery
Lieut.. II. J.. scorr, A. a. A. q. Army Headquarters
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