The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-03-12
On the NanSpmOnd.

To THE EDITOR: In your issue of the 22d
ult under the caption "Longstreets Expedi-
tion," w. II. Armstrong, 1st n. Y. Mid Rifles,
gives an account of the capture OF a fort OH the
Nansemond, which is not correct.
The seth n Y. captured the fort, assisted by
two companies of the Sth Conn This fortitica-
ton commanded the river West Branch. and
permitted no boats TO pass, either up or down.
1t was a very old structure, and was rebuilt by
the Contederates.
On the afternoon Of Sunday, April 10, 1863,
the S9th and the two companies of Sth Conn.
were taken board steamer some distance
above the fort The boat was well covered with
canvass, and as she steamed down the river not
a man was to be seen on her. She kept her
course as if to run by the fort, and the men i'll
the fort trained their guns for her; but just be-
fore she came opposite she turned quickly, and
ran as near the shore as she could The men
on board leapcd out into the water, nearly
waist deep, and ran up the bank,
when they found the ground SO swamny
between them and the fort, that it was impos-
sible to reach it without circuit, which they
made, striking road that had been built to
enter the fort from the rear. On this road the
S9th approached, not in parade style, but fully
determined to accomplish the work. The Con-
tederates in the fort fastened with gun and
planted it to sweep the road with grape aud
canister, but, fortunately for us, they could
not get it to shoot; otherwise, the capture of
that fort would probably have been delayed for
want of men, or at least to a more convenient
season.
The men of the Sth Conn. were meanwhile
keeping up a brisk fire on the ConfederateS in
the fort from different positions i'll the swamp.
The surrender was not made until after the
seth entered the fort. My Orderly Sergeant
(Marvin Watrousl was killed on the parapet
not a minute before the surrender. The Con-
cd
were at their posts when the steamer first came
in sight. The number of officers and men cap
tured was 121, together with five cannon and
a very large quantity of ammunition. 1t was
after dark when the prisoners were landed
from the boat on the other side of the river
Other regiments were Immediately sent over,
and all of us worked all night throwing up
earthworks in the rear. 1t is my impression
that the 18th n. II. came over that night and
worked with the rest of us, but not a man of
the 18th n. III. was at the capture. The guns
captured were simply recaptured, they having
been surrendered to the Confcderates at Mary
land flights, opposite Harper's Ferry. This
exploit was conceived and directed by Gen.
Getty The next da,r a daring Federal soldier
made his way through the open field iii our
front for a distance of more than One-fourth of
a mile. and set fire to barn, behind which the
Confederates We're sheltered, and made his re-
turn in safety. the barn burning to the ground
and the Johnnies leaving for the woods.
The following was received at headquarters
of our regiment after we got back to camp
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, NINTH CORPS,
SMALL PoX HOSPITAL, April p, 1868.
Lieut.-Col ENGLAND S9th \. y.
COLONEL: The General desires me TO convey to
you and the officers and men of your command
his hearty congratulations and thanks for their
galantry and success i'll the affair of the 18th inst
BY order: q. w. GETTY,
Brighten. Com'd'g. Third Div, Ninth Corps.
r. MCkECKNIE, First Liuet. and A. ID. G.
When Gen. Getty sent an Aid for the S9th to
perform this exploit we were some little dis
lance out from Suffolk, working on a fortifica-
ton and many of the officers and men had re-
turned to camp at Suffolk for change of cloth
ing and a Sunday cleaning up This fact was
reported to the General, when the Aid returned
with the order that the General wanted the
S9th, if it had but Corporal to command It,
In writing this statement | have but one
purpose and that is, that the old fighting seth
shall have the credit that properly belongs to
it. A man who was there could hardly be mis-
taken about that fact, while one who was not
there might honestly misunderstood the affair.
FRANK BURT Capt, S9th \. Y.