Official Records of the Rebellion

[p.535] About 11 o’clock a. m. on the 5th instant, being encamped in line of battle in the edge of the woods which separated us from Fort Magruder, and receiving a message from General Smith that he wished to see me at his headquarters at Whittaker’s house, I there met him and Brigadier- General Sumner, commanding the left wing of the Army of the Potomac. General Sumner directed me to take four or five regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery and proceed by a road to the right, crossing Cub Dam Creek; 1 ½ miles distant, and to take possession, if possible, of the enemy’s work on the opposite side of the creek commanding the dam at this point. There was a report that it was evacuated. General Smith subsequently authorized me to advance farther if I thought any advantage could be obtained, and if I required them to send to him for re-enforcements. I accordingly detailed from Hancock’s and Davidson’s brigades, then under my command, the Fifth Wisconsin, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, and Sixth Maine Volunteers, of my brigade, and the Seventh Maine and Thirty-third New York Volunteers, of General Davidson’s brigade, leaving the remaining regiments of both brigades in camp. At the same time Lieutenant Cowan’s New York battery of six guns was ordered to report to me.

Proceeding toward the point in question, I left three companies of the Thirty-third New York Volunteers at the junction of a road leading to my right, not knowing its terminus, and proceeded until we came out of the woods into an open country, with York River in view, about 1 mile to our right. From this point I turned to the left and soon came in sight of the work overlooking the dam. The dam at this work was about 75yards in length, the breast of it forming the roadway across the creek, there being no practicable way of getting into the work either to the right or left unless by this narrow passage, owing to the depth of the water and the flood above and below it. It was learned from some contrabands that the enemy had occupied this work the [p.536] previous night in force, but for some unexplained cause it was now believed to be evacuated. However, to meet any emergency, I made my dispositions for an assault under the supposition that the enemy might be present.

At this time, General Keyes having appeared in view of the work, sent for me. I accordingly left my command, and having met him, and understanding that his object was to make a reconnaissance of the country between my command and the river, I expressed to him some anxiety on that subject, and requested from him some cavalry, to which he replied that a regiment would be ordered to report to me immediately.