Official Records of the Rebellion

[329]

No. 20.

Reports of Brig. Gen. John G. Barnard, U. S. Army, Chief Engineer Army of the Potomac, of operations during the siege.

Friday, April 25.—About 350men of the Engineer Brigade are employed in getting out timber for bridges on west branch of Wormley’s Creek; 140 men on bridge south of Wormley’s, and 112 men are employed on Battery No. 4; 180 men making gabions, and 24 collecting and guarding pontoon property; Colonel Murphy, with 300 men, on detached service; 132 gabions made yesterday and 235 issued; 995 remaining on hand; 223 fascines on hand. The floating bridge on west branch of Wormley’s Creek was taken up yesterday and transferred to the crib bridge a few hundred yards below. This crib bridge is progressing rapidly. Some pontoons were taken from the lower pontoon bridge toallow barges to go through. Lieutenant McAlester reports that 1,240 men and 39officers were engaged on military road for twenty-four hours ending 6 a. m., and that the road is now ready for use. The widening of the mill-dam to a double track is not quite finished. It will be done to-day. Ample width for a single track is all done and ready for use. A small detail (500 to 600 men) has been applied for to work upon the dam and three additional branch roads leading from main to road up to plateau. Captain Stewart reports having examined the positions of divisions and batteries of the left of the line under orders from General Sumner. There are three batteries at the Burnt Chimneys, one of six guns in embrasure just to the left and front of chimneys, connected by a covered way, with one for four guns on the right and front. In the latter are four 10 pounder Parrott guns. Neither were quite finished. A covered way leads from this second battery to the hollow and woods on its right. Another battery for four guns—two 10-pounder Parrotts and two light 12-pounders—is also constructed. Four batteries have been constructed by General Peck nearly in the position shown in the small tracing, which is on the scale of the map photographed by Major Humphreys. The left—Battery Couch, four guns barbette, close to the creek, on a spur to sweep the channel as you approach and pass the battery. Battery Harris, for four guns; in it are two 10-pounder Parrotts, but not on the platforms; connected with Battery Couch by a narrow covered way. Battery Keyes still masked by woods, as is Battery Couch; no guns mounted. Next Battery Peck, for seven guns, at point; it has two 10-pounders. Battery West is under construction for seven or eight guns. The batteries seemed well placed for the object in view. Yesterday Lieutenant Farquhar, with 300 men, was engaged on No. 8; 100 men were making gabions for Captain Stewart’s battery. No. 7 was occupied by a battery during the day. Batteries Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 completed. A portion of first parallel was commenced yesterday, connecting Batteries Nos. 2 and 5, the portion in the woods being commenced about 1 p. m. and the open part after dark. The portions in the woods are well advanced. On the open portions the number of men called for by Captain Duane were not furnished. The men succeeded in getting cover and the parallels are progressing to-day.

Saturday. April 26.—Redoubt No. 1, parapet carried to the height of [330] banquette and the revetment commenced. Redoubt No. 2 same as No. 1; very little work was done last night; it was impossible to get the working parties to do anything; it was very dark and rainy. The parallel from Battery No. 5to York road has been carried to the depth of 4 feet and to a width of 6 feet, affording a good cover through from York road to Battery No. 2. The trench has been carried to the depth of 4feet, and is from 10 to 12 feet wide. Lieutenant McAlester reported yesterday that he would be ready to commence mortar batteries at 10 a. m. to-day with 200 men. He had located 10 inch siege mortar batteries for fifteen guns. He has asked for 400 men on branch roads to-day. One hundred and seven men of General Woodbury’s command were making gabions and 594 on bridges and dock for Mortar Battery No. 4; 78 gabions and 7 fascines were made yesterday, and 860 of the former and 180 of the latter remain on hand. The connection between the upper crib bridge and the upper pontoon bridge (west branch of Wormley’s Creek) is not complete. The lower crib bridge on west branch of Wormley’s Creek will probably be finished to-day. General Woodbury states that he had supposed that the platform timbers of the 13-inch mortars would come with the mortars; if not, he will begin immediately to hew timber for that object. I understand that platforms have come with the mortars, but that they are entirely too light for use alone, and may require a grillage or strong frame-work of some kind to support them. The trestle bridge on the south branch of Wormley’s is progressing slowly in consequence of the absence of 300men of the Fifteenth Regiment with Colonel Murphy. This detachment includes many carpenters. Two regiments have been detailed for instruction in making gabions, &c., to report to General Woodbury at the meeting house near here. One has reported this morning. Captain Stewart reports 200 men thickening the parapet and revetting No. 8 with gabions; a party of 100 men making corduroy road to Battery No. 7 from Yorktown and Warwick roads, under direction of Lieutenant Farquhar, Engineers. Captain Stewart visited Batteries Nos. 7 and 8, and examined the rifle pits and batteries at Garrow’s Chimneys and the line of General Smith between the Lee’s Mill roads. He consulted with General Smith respecting the defense of his line.

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