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Close of the War Letter

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Autograph Letter Signed, 12p. octavo, Redoubt McConike, Virginia, February 8, 1865, with attached Davis 10c with note beneath "Rebel stamp sent me from Fort Fisher." this letter reads in part: "...I am now in command of a batty of my own. I have 2 12pdr guns and 200 rounds for a gun (case shot, shell & canister) My Battery (McCornike) is the advance work on the Bermuda Hundred line and is but three hundred (300) yards from the enemy picket line...their batteries are about 700 yards from me; they have three guns bearing on my battery...There is a force of 81 men supporting the battery...if the Johnnies ever attempt its capture they will get roughly handled. My orders are to hold the Battery at all hazards, and I will. I have two (2) spikes to use as a last resort and my mind is made up to never use them until they come over the parapet, and of course then they will be of no use to us...The greatest excitement we have had here for a long while was the night the Rebel Rams came down the river. There was some very shapr picket firing the night before and deserters that came in reported that the intention was for the enemy to break through the right of our line near the James river captured the Crows nest Battery and pusing rapidly for the Pontoon bridges destory them wich would prevent us from receiving reinforcements from the Army of the James, they could then move on Bermuda Hundred and City Point and destroy millions of property; but it seems that the picket line was so strengthened that they could not break it. The next night we had everything prepared; the picket line strongly reinforced, and every man at his post anxiously waiting for the fun to commence. About eight oclcock the pickets opened very sharply and we opened our artillery which soon brought Maj. Genl. Ferrero Commanding lines to our Battery (Anderson) where he made his headquarters for the night. Soon a rocket went up from the Howlet Battery and the firing ceased. Then came a report that three Rebel gun boats were landing troops near the last named Battery, which was immediately discredited by the Genl for the reason that they could march their troops down much sooner than they could transport them...events proved that he was right. About 10 oclcock one of his aids came up from the river stating that there were gun boats at the obstructions trying to clear them awy. He dispatched another aid who came back and said he could see nothing but thoguht he coud hear men talking. In a short time Lt. Pratt Commanding Batty [?] sent up that the Rebel Rams were certainly below the obstructions. Genl. Ferrero immediately signaled to Genl. Ord that such was the case. Genl. Ord signaled back that no Rebel gunboats haad passed Fort Brady today. This Battery (Brady) is situated on the north bank of the James river, about one mile from Fort Burnham the nearest point to Richmond our armies hold. It is commanded by Capt. Pierce of our Regts and was supposed to be able to sink any craft that came down the river...As soon as Genl. Ferrero received this assurance from Genl. Ord he felt perfectly satisfied and went home to be....afterwards he came riding furiously back and informed us (I had got to sleep) that three rams were certainly below the obstructions and cruising about the river without let or hindrance. As the Monitor, torpedo boats and wooden gunboats at the first alarm made tracks down the river as rapidly as possible. At 5 oclock I was awoke and informed that the Rebel Rams were aground below the Howlet Batty and that some one had got to take a 30 pd parrot gun and go down to batty Shafford on teh bank of the river and fight them. I was told that I would have pretty warm work...At about 5:30 am I started and while on my way heard a tremendous explosion which proved to be the Rebel Boat Drewy blown completely to pieces with nearly every one on board of her. She was blown up by a 100 pdr shell from the Pratts Batty (1st Conn. Heavy) As soon as I arrived with my gun and ammunition placed it in position. Capt. Lincoln Act. Chief Artillery said to me I guess it is about 1200 yards. I told him it was at least 1600....I loaded with a percussion shell and fired, but it failed to take the groove and consequently fell short. I loaded again and fired a tthe same elevation, and struck the lower Ram...showing that my estimate of the distance was accurate. It being about a mile I fired during the day 62 projectiles of which 48 were percussion shell, 8 [?] shell and six solid shot. Of the number fired 27 struck the rams fairly beside several glancing off...Of the six solid shot 5 struck the rams fairly. All with one exception either glancing off or were crushed against her sides. One I am positive penetrated her forward port hole on her starboard side. I could plainly follow the course of shot after leaving the gun. I saw this strike and immediately something that resembled a hole such as could be made by a 20 pdr shot appeared in her side. When I sent my report into HdQrs I mentioned the fact. A day or two afterwards the Richmond papers stated that one solid shot pierced the Richmond killing 2 men and wounding 5 ...There are now in the river several iron clads among them the famous Atlanta and I think if they came down again they will be pretty apt to stay here..." More. VG.

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