The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-30
THE BLACKWATER.
Fighting at the Ford-The Damage Done BY 30
Determined Rebels.

Fighting at the Ford-The Damage Done BY 30
Determined Rebels.
To THE EDITOR: In reading the accounts OF
the battles in the West under Grant, Sherman
and Others, and the difficulties they overcame,
/ thought l would write sketch Of one en-
gagement it was my great good luck to witness,
III which our forces had an immense advantage
in numbers and material, but lacked two quail
fications without which numbers are not OF
much account.
On Dec. ii, 1862, an expedition started from
Suffolk, Va, under the command of Gen. o. S.
Ferry, afterwards U. S. Senator from Con-
necticut, having for its objective point Peters
burg. At that time Lee was confronting Burn
side at Fredericksburg, and Richmond was
poorly defended by Gen. Gustavus w. Smith,
former Street Commissioner of New York.
The expedition was at least 10000 strong,
but at this late date ] recall but few of the
regiments-the 120th and both n. Y, 9th
Mass, the famous 18th Ind. commanded by
the brave Col. L. S. Foster, the 18th Pa. Cav.
(Col. Sam Spear, 1st n. Y Mounted Rifles Col.
c. c. Dodge, 4th Wis. battery, and Batteries ID
and L of the 4th U. S. Art, under Capt. Jerry
Howard There were six or seven other regl-
ments that have forgotten.
We left Suffolk by the Deserted House road
and camped at dark between Windsor and Isle
of Wight. i shall never forget that bivouac,-
the night was beautiful not too cold; fires
were 1tEnltu, CUncc WIS uOlcSo iSu, aho
at clock at night we started for the old BACK
water. Just before the dawn we reached 1t
near Joyner's Ford. Leut.-Col. B. +. Onder-
donk, with detachment of the Mounted Rifles,
had gone down to the river ahead Ned Bunt-
line the guide, was with him. They discovered
the ford blockaded with fallen trees and the
enemy ready for US; but, against Col. Onder-
donks advice an advance was ordered, which
drew the enemy's fire, killing amongst others,
Serg't Pently, Troop c, Mounted Rifles, brave
and gallant Sullivan County volunteer.
i shall never forget that cold, frosty morn
Ing sitting on our horses in the dark, the river
on our right, and hidden by trees, the enemy
prepared for US on the other side, not 100 yards
from us, their occasional shots coming through
the woods l also remember that as we stood
quietly our horses took notion to turn their
backs TO the enemy, caused, no doubt, by the
spurs OF the men in the saddle i also remem-
Der that when the horses got completely around
the Indiana boys got down.
At daylight Gen. Ferry came up and ordered
us into a field. Capt Towards battery came
up under Lieut.. Beecher and opened fire across
the river at the enemy. About 10 o'clock Gen.
Ferry ordered Col. Dodge to send troop to
charge down the river and attempt to cross,
though he was informed that cavalry could not
get through on account of distractions.
Gen. Dodge called on Troop B, Capt. Louis
P. Siebert. a veteran Prussian cavalry officer OF
gigantic size and immense boots. Down they
went directly under the fire of our artillery.
The center of the troop received the enemy's
fire. killing Privates Has5e and Braschard, be-
sides wounding several others and killing and
wounding number of the horses. As soon as
We reached the river we saw it completely
biockaded. Most of the men returned to the top
best they could Others got off their horses and
took cover behind the trees growing beside the
river. Here we conversed with the JohDnies,
foE inn uooI IN ,Cpll habipH tho
/ remember one of our boys, John Gibson,
who kept calling the Johnnies over to get some
beef (meaning the horses) They called on him
TO come out from behind the tree and give
them shot. He would put his cap on his
saber and shove it out so they could get
glimpse of it, 1t was hit twice before the reb-
els detected the trick. All this was going on
for an hour or more, with our artillery firing
over us and our infantry scattered along the
bluff. Towards 2 o'clock Col. e. S. Foster took
his regiment 18th Ind. down the river a half
mile, cut down some large trees, which reached
across, and two companies crossed over, coming
up on the other side. We soon heard their ia
miliar cheer as they charged on the enemy's
fort. Our side ceased firing. The rebels ran
out to escape but all were taken. One was
killed by an Indiana boy picking up the double
barrel gun the rebel had thrown away and
killing him with his own gun. Gen. Ferry
crossed over with several regiments. About
ociock the rebels came down from Petersburg
and opened fire with artillery, the first shot,
remember, coming across the river to our side.
Ferry Immediately retreated, and the move
ment came to an end. During the night We
returned to Suffolk.
The enemy consisted Of about 30 men, under
Capt. Sykes, who successfully held US in check
from daylight till 2 o'clock, and long enough
for his superior officer TO send down few hun
dred men, who were sufficient with q single
piece of artillery to drive as back. BE lost
one man and was himself wounded in the arm
We had over dozen killed, twice as many
wounded, and / have no doubt 200 men placed
on the pension rolls at an expense to the Gov
eminent of 100000 as result Of the march.
In reading of the advances of Grant to Bel
mont, Fort Henry, DOnelson and Vicksburg, and
the difficulties he overcame,-the numbers be-
ing nearly equal,-I am led to think that we
were badly handled that day, or else Capt. Sykes
and his 80 men deserve to be placed beside the
heroes of Thermopyle. l do not remember
what Southern regiment he belonged to. / hope
that some Confederate will see this and hunt
him up. / would like to hear from him. We
took him into our camp. DR.. Bennett dressed
his wounded arm and kept him till he recov-
cred then, think, he was sent to Fort Monroe
There may have been some other instance
where the numbers were as disproportionate as
at Joyner's Ford, but have not heard of it.
Sergt w. III. ARMSTRONG, Troop 3, LIST N. Y
Mounted Rifles, As vesey St., N. Y.