Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-05-06
2aftsman'a gunrnal,
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE JOURNAL. f"
Letter from Suffolk. Va.

| CAhP, SUFFOLK, VA, APRIL 18th, 1868.
DEAR Row In former letter 1 told you
something of the state OF things here, and the
probability of having fight. How well this
has been verified You are informed ere this,
| from other sources. The most daring feature
| of the past few days was the storming of a
rebel battery on the left bank of the Nanse-
mond, on the night of the 18th, some six miles
| from this point The movement was success
fully executed by the 18th Indiana and the
99th New York, led by Gen. Getty, and re-
suited in the capture of five pieces, three Ma
| poeons (light 12-pounders), and two twenty
four pound howitzers, besides one hundred
and twenty five men, including officers. Great
curiosity was manifested among the members
OF this battery to see these guns, inasmuch as
a story had got loose somehow or other, that
some of these pieces had been Captured from
Calls Division. AS thisi is the only battery
in that Division that ever had such pieces, |
thought would examine them and see for NV
self how well founded the story was I found
that they never did be long to us, as all the
pieces We had were distinctly marked, so that
they could be readily identified anywhere by
those who had become familiar with them.
Since the capture of the guns and men,
nothing of interest transpired here previous to
yesterday afternoon, when an expedition was
organized to make reconnaissance in force
The expedition consisted of eight regiments
Of infantry, two of cavalry, and ten pieces of
artillery, including two sections of Battery D,
4th U. s. artillery, one section of our Battery
nd tprn
had been some time since was in disputed
territory, l avaiIed myself of the opportunity
of accompanying the party The whole con-
cerD was led by Gen. Corcoran in person, who,
by the way, is now in command of the defen-
ses to the west and south of Suffolk. We pro-
ceeded about three miles when we emerged |
into wide open space, on the Edenton road, |
joining woods, the .rebs' had thrown up earth |
works of quite formidable character. We |
approached TO within easy range, and opened |
upon them from the four rifed pieces belong |
ing to Battery d, (regulars,) but could elicit
no reply, save from the sharpshooters, who
seemed to be the only tenants of the works.
Finding there was no artillery in position, the
works were stormed and the rebels driven to
cover in the woods. They were followed by
our infantry and riied pieces for half mile,
when, upon a sudden, at an angle of the read,
the pursuing party found themselves in close
to masked battery of the enemy,
which opened quite briskly and compelled
our artillery TO fall back short distance to
gain position. While this was being execu-
ed, three of the men belonging to the Bate
y were killed instantly; also one man belong
ng to the legion, who had the top of his head
entirely blown off. Several were wounded
It the same time, but none very seriously.
While suddenly turning about with one of
ne carriages an accident happened, by break
ng tongue, which came very near losing |
ne of the pieces, but by good management it
1as secured and brought.off. The woods was
hen sujected to complete shellng, which
ras only faulty replied to. Some three or |
bur houses which formed good retreat for |
cbel sharpshooters were burned after which, !
siIing to get any further response from the
ebels guns, the expedition returned TO camp.