History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 10

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 10

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The engineer department, under the control of Colonel Talcott, deserves every commendation.

On the 23rd day of April. 1861. Gen. Wal- ter Gwynn assumed command of this depart- ment. He was appointed by Gov. John Ellis to command the North Carolina State troops and was relieved from duty here by Gen. Ben- jamin Huger on the 28th day of May.

THE BATTLE OF SEWELL'S POINT.

The first engagement in Virginia on the Igth day of May, 1861. at the beginning of the war is called the "Battle of Sewell's Point." At II o'clock Sunday morning a detachment of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues under Lieut. Thomas Nash. Jr., and a detachment of the Norfolk Juniors under Lieutenant Holmes were ordered from Boush's Bluff to Sewell's Point for duty. The Columbus ( Georgia) Light Guard. Capt. P. H. Colquitt, and the Woodis Rifles, Capt. William Lamb, had pre- ceded these from Ocean View. General Gwynn was on hand directing the construction of an earthwork. By 5 o'clock P. M .. three guns were mounted and while the work was rapidly progressing the United States steamer "Monti- cello." which had run over from Old Point the day before. fired a shot at the workmen, which struck the battery and threw the turf high in the air. All was confusion for a moment ; but immediately preparation was made to return the fire with two 32-pounders. and two rifled cannon brought up and manned by the Woodis Rifles. Captain Colquitt was in command and called for a Virginian to raise his Georgia flag on the ramparts. Maj. William E. Taylor promptly responded and unfurled it in defiance of the "Monticello's" attack. The first gun was fired by a detachment of the Juniors under Thaddeus Gray, who acted with conspicuous gallantry during the whole affair. although every man acted bravely and stood to their

posts like veteran soldiers. The "Monticello" fired rapidly but willly, most of her shots fly- ing wide of the mark. After a brisk engage- ment. the ship turned her stern to the fort and with five holes in her was towed back to Old Point. Although the Fort was struck several times, none of the defenders was injured : but Private Alexander Sykes of the Wise Light Dragoons, on picket some distance away, was slightly wounded on the leg by the fragment of a bursting shell. He was the first soldier wounded in the State. The beautiful flag which waved in triumph over the Fort in the second battle of the Confederate States was presented to the City Light Guards by Miss Ellen Ingraham, of Columbus, Georgia, one of the most lovely and beautiful daughters of our sister State of Georgia. This affair, though small. was the forerunner of the great battles which ploughed' Virginia's fields from her Eastern sands to the mountain tops of her Western limits. This was the first battle and the only battle of the Provisional Army of the State government : and the first battle of Hamp- ton Roads.

Hampton Roads is the name given to the broad expanse of water between the mouth of the James River and the entrance into Chesa- peake Bay. Newport News Point. on the north side of the river, and Pig Point on the south. at the junction of the Nansemond River with the James, may be considered as marking the mouth of the James River. Between these two points the distance is about five miles. Craney Island lies at the mouth of the Elizabeth River. some six or seven miles east of Pig Point. Sewell's Point is about the same distance north of Craney Island. These four points, there- fore. from nearly a parallelogram. Old Point is five miles north of Sewell's Point. the scene of the battle.

Captain Colquitt's official report, dated May 19. 1861. to Major-General Gwynn. command- ing the forces at Norfolk Harbor, says :

SIR :- I have the honor to report to you an engage- ment this evening between the Confederate troops, con-

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

sisting of the City Light Guards. Columbus, Georgia ; Woodis Rifles, Captain Lamb, detachment of the Nor- folk Juniors, under Lieutenant Holmes : detachment of Light Artillery Blues, under Lieutenant Nash, all under my command, and the steamer "Monticello" and Fed- eral steam-tug. which lasted one hour and a half, in which nobody was hurt on our side. The enemy fired with great accuracy, several balls passing through the embrasures of the Fort, one striking a 32-pounder within the battery, and one shell bursting in the Fort. From three to five shots from our battery took effect, we think; others struck around the steamer. The troops acted with great bravery, and I had to restrain them in their enthusiasm. The flag of Georgia was hoisted over the Fort in the absence of the Confeder- ate flag. Our firing was less frequent than that of the enemy, as our ammunition was scarce; only two rounds left after the engagement. Your aides, Major William E. Taylor, R. R. Collier and Colonel Thomas Newton, were present and aided in the struggle.

I have the honor to be, your obt. servant. PEYTON H. COLQUITT.

General Gwynn made his report to Gen. Robert E. Lee, commanding the forces of Vir- ginia, as follows :

HEADQUARTERS FORCES OF VIRGINIA AROUND NORFOLK,

MAY 20, 1861.

SIR :- I have the honor to inform you that, late in the evening of the 18th inst., I received intelligence of an attack, made by the enemy's steamer "Monticello." on the unfinished works at Sewell's Point. This bat- tery was not sufficiently advanced at the time to re- ceive its armament and garrison. The "Monticello" carried three guns, one of which was a heavy ro-inch Dahlgren. With these she kept up a constant fire with solid shot and shell for more than an hour, when a steam-tug, from Old Point, carrying one gun, came to her aid, and the two vessels continued the cannonade until the close of the day. without any serious injury to the works. The tug then returned to Old Point. and the "Monticello" moored, with broadside on, with the intention, apparently, of continuing the attack, in order to demolish the works or prevent their progress. Early on the morning of the 19th I hurried on the guns and equipment, and repaired to Sewell's Point, to expedite the works for their reception, and by 5 P. M. succeeded in getting three 32-pounders and two small rifled guns into position, while detachments of infantry and artillery, ordered from neighboring posts, occupied the battery and contiguous points. During all this time the "Monticello," apparently not suspecting the operations going forward. was engaged in prepar- ing for another effort, by calculating the range and distance, and adjusting her guns to suit. With instruc- tions to Captain Colquitt, of Georgia, to whom I gave the command of all the forces and guns at the post, to continue the preparations, reserving fire until the enemy renewed the cannonade, I returned to Norfolk.

At 5:30 o'clock the "Monticello" again opened fire from all her guns, and with much greater precision than on the preceding day. It was instantly returned. and with such effect that she was driven off and returned to Old Point. The engagement continued for an hour and a half without intermission on either side, and. though the enemy's fire was well directed, one shell bursting within an embrasure and several others directly over the battery, while solid shot repeatedly passed through the embrasures and struck the crest and sides of the merions, hurling masses of earth from the outside among the gunners, I am happy to inform you that no casualty of moment occurred to the troops, nor was material injury done the battery. What damage or loss was sustained by the enemy I was not able to discover, but his retreat indicated that our fire had become too warm for further endurance. As early as I received information of the second attack and repulse, I ordered forward more troops, and hastened during the night to Sewell's Point, to make such other dispositions as might be necessary to defend the post against any fur- ther and more formidahle assaults which the enemy's large naval and military forces at Old Point would enable him to make. I cannot close this brief account of the engagement without expressing my admiration of the enthusiasm and bravery manifested by the troops. Where officers and men displayed so much merit, it would be invidious to discriminate, and I therefore refer you to the accompanying report of Cap- tain Colquitt for further particulars. His position, as commanding officer of the post, gave him an opportu- nity of displaying the qualities which adorn the soldier, and the general appreciation of his gallantry and merit by those under his command enable me to commend him most warmly to your consideration. In conclusion, I would state that, in consequence of the want of a Vir- ginia or Confederate flag for the occasion, the flag of Georgia, belonging to Captain Colquitt's company, was planted on the ramparts during the engagement, and, while the hottest fire was prevailing, two members of his company, whose names I will forward to you when reported to me as deserving particular notice, fearless- ly passed to the outside of the battery, and deliberately removed the sand and other obstructions to the range of one of the guns, while shot and shell were striking all around them.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WALTER GWYNN.

Capt. Henry Eagle, U. S. N., commanding the "Monticello," in his report to Flag-Officer S. H. Stringham, U. S. N., dated May 19, 1861, says:

From the time I reported to you yesterday I kept a strict watch on the movements of the enemy in and about the Sewell's Point battery.

Several noises were heard during the night, but not distinct enough for me to trace them. At 5:30 P. M. I heard distinct blows, as if from an ax, secur- ing timber platforms for gun carriages inside of the

LIGHT

Cape Charles

Fisherman's I

CHESAPEAKE

Hampton.

Hamilton

Tail of the Horseshoe.

FORTRESSS MONROE

gold Point Comfort

BAY

- Rip Raps " A . Federal Battery

Federal Batteries

'Willoughby's

Campina ""Butler

--- -

...

Se well's Pt

Muldle Ground

Confed Battérico

line of 18 feet of wepth

Conted Batteries

LIGHT

Pig Pt.

Confed Bat

Craney ]

Confed

Batteries

WisesR

Confederate ? &Battery

HAMPTON ROADS AND APPROACHES

Fort Norfolk

NORFOLK

Showing the, scene of the battle between the MONITOR and the MERRIMACKÍC.S S.VIRGINIA).

PORTSMOUTH

Statute Miles

Gosport

Navy Yard

A REPRINT OF A MAP OF THE BATTLE-GROUND OF HAMPTON ROADS,

AND WASHINGTON

JAMES RIVER

Newport News Pil

ROA

HAMPTON

.... Lynn Haven Hay

"Cape Henry

ANSEMOND RIVER

Confed Battery

. ELIZABETHR.

Camp

SHIP CHANNEL FROM BALTIMORE A

AND) REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

embrasures, and immediately I ordered a shot to be fired over them. The rebels immediately hoisted a white flag ( mistake .- Ed.) with some design on it, and fired a shot that cut the fore-spencer vangs near the gaff. I immediately went to quarters and returned their fire, which was continued by them. Fexpended 15 stand of grapc. 12 10-inch shot, 32 10-inch shell. 10 shell for 32-pounders, and 45 32-pound shot, making a total of 114 shots, which I think did some execution among the rebels. 1 only desisted for want of ammu- nition, having only 5 8-pound charges remaining for the pivot gun. I regret that want of ammunition com- pelled me to retire. as I am satisfied that 1 could have silenced the battery in a short time. I cannot too highly praise the courage and patriotism of the officers and men under my command. They acted nobly and with great coolness during the repeated firing, as above will show. The action continued from 5:30 P. M. to 6:45 P. M. a duration of an hour and fifteen minutes. The battery is masked, thirteen embrasures having been erected behind a sand bank.

The rebels had three rifled cannon and fired several volleys of minie balls, which struck the ship. The ship was struck five times by rifled cannon shot in the hull and upper works. The damage can be repaired by ourselves. I herewith enclose the report of the medical officer of this ship, by which you will perceive that two men were slightly wounded during the action.

Commander D. L. Braine reported to Cap- tain Eagle that after the Monticello had fired a number of times the steamer "Thomas Free- born" came along and Commander Ward came on board. that he went with Commander Ward in his boat to the "Thomas Freeborn," and took it, at his request. in as close to the earth- works as he thought necessary. Commander Ward then fired a number of shots from his forward gun. a heavy 32-pounder, which did some slight injury to the embrasure. "There were some twelve or fourteen shots fired in all and the 'Thomas Freeborn' then withdrew from her position, and returned to Hampton Roads." While on board the "Freeborn." Commander Braine did not see any armed men in the battery nor any pieces of ordnance.

Gen. Robert E. Lee in his report to Gor- ernor Letcher, dated June 11, 1861. of the mili- tary and naval preparations for the defense of Virginia, from the period of her separation from the United States government to the date of transfer of military operations of the State to the Confederate government says : *

"Six batteries have been erected on the Elizabeth River to guard the approaches to Norfolk and the Navy Yard. They mount 85 guns. 32-pounders and 8 and g-inch colum- biads.

"The frigate 'United States' has been pre- pared for a shoal ship. provided with a deck battery of nineteen guns. 32-pounders and 9- inch columbiads, for harbor defense. The frigate 'Merrimac' has been raised and it is in the dry dock and arrangements are made for raising the 'Germantown' and 'Plymouth.'

"In addition to the batteries described. other works have been constructed for their land defense, exceeding, in many instances, the works on the batteries themselves. An exten- sive line of field works has been erected for the security of Norfolk on the sides toward the bay."

At many other points, as will be seen from the report, the great commander in an incredi- bly short time had made wonderful progress with the defenses of Virginia.

Report of the armanent of batteries around Norfolk and Portsmouth, October 29th, 1861.

SEWELL'S POINT.

For defense of the river-

32-pounders, 61 ewt

32-pounders. 57 cwt 7

32-pounders. rifled 2

IX 6-19

Interior defenses-

32-pounders. 61 cwt

32-pounder .. 27 cwt I

42-pounders, carronade- 3-10

Total

FORT NORFOLK.

32 pounders. 61 cwt

32-pounders, 57 cwt 2

32-poundlers. 27 cwt. 2

18-pounders. 4.737 pounds I

Total

FORT NELSON.

32-pounders. 57 cwt . . . 8

32-pounders. 51 cwt . . 5

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

8-inch guns, 55 cwt 2-15

November report adds one gun, rifled (English)

Total

PINNER'S POINT.

32-pounders, 57 cwt 7

32-pounders, 42 cwt

Total II

LAMBERT'S POINT.

32-pounders, 57 cwt .

8-inch gun, 63 cwt

Total .IO

NEW BATTERY, NEAR PINNER'S POINT (NOW PORT NORFOLK).

32-pounders. 61 cwt.

TANNER'S CREEK.

32-pounders, 62 cwt 3

42-pounders. carronades 2

Total

32-pounders, 42 cwt. 5

ENTRENCHED CAMP.

32-pounders, 61 cwt .15

42-pounders, carronades 14

Total 29

FORREST ENTRENCHMENTS.

32-pounders. 61 cwt. 16

DEVOTION OF THE CONFEDERATE WOMEN.

Heroines of no era have given the world a higher standard of devotion than the Con- federate women. Amid the stirring and excit- ing times which marked the beginning of war in Norfolk County they tendered to the soldiers a welcome to their homes and offered any as- sistance within their power for the cause of the South. The ladies of the Episcopal churches in Norfolk gave notice to the soldiers who were encamped in and near Norfolk that they

would be at Christ's Church lecture room every morning from 9 to 12 o'clock, to receive any work,-either making, washing, or mending clothing. Out on the country farms sewing circles were formed and uniforms were made for entire companies from the cloth furnished by the county. An association of ladies was formed in Portsmouth called the "Sisters of Mercy" to nurse the soldiers in the hospital, like angels of mercy. All were untiring in their good offices and their charming voices, with unstinted praise for patriotism, made every man a soldier.

How truly has Whitcomb Riley spoken of their graces and power: "I think the reason the Southern women have such deliciously soft voices may be traced to the deference of the men. Southern men look upon their women as angels.

"When a Southern man's wife or daughter begins to talk she doesn't have to yell for the purpose of attracting his attention or getting him to stop his story and give her a chance. When a Southern woman speaks, the Southern man is silent and attentive. He listens to her words as if they were honey dropping to his lips. This attitude of respect upon the part of the man for the woman, which seems to be universal through the South, makes the South- ern woman the gentle, sweet-voiced creature that she is," and as she is. I may add, makes the man a hero and Christian gentleman.

There is a United States survey steamer named the "Endeavor." The former name of this steamer was the "Lady Davis," so named because the ladies of this section furnished the money to build it for the Southern Confeder- acy ; many sacrificed their jewelry to raise the money. It was built on W. H. Graves' marine railway, on the Eastern Branch of the Eliza- beth River. but was never used by the Con- federacy, as the Northern army captured it on the stocks and appropriated it to their own use. It is 125 feet keel. IS feet beam and 10 feet deep. and is used in coast survey work under the seamanship of Captain Young.

BOUSH'S BLUFF. -

CHAPTER VI

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued

THE GREAT BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS-DESTRUCTION OF THE "CUMBERLAND" AND "CONGRESS"-FAMOUS CONFLICT OF THE IRON CLADS-VICTORY OF THE VIRGINI ..

OVER THE " MONITOR "-DIFFERENT REPORTS OF THE FIGHT-OFFICERS OF THE ". VIRGINIA "-EVACUATION OF NORFOLK COUNTY BY THE CONFEDERATE FORCES.

Under the Confederate rule there were two masked batteries constructed on Sewell's Point,-one of four gun's on Doyle's farm just opposite the Rip Raps or Fort Wool, formerly Fort Calhoun, which was never unmasked ; the other, defended by two 32-pounder rifle- bore cannon located on the sand hill site be- tween the pavilion and hotel at Norfolk-on- the-Roads, was walled up with heavy timbers and covered with several layers of railroad iron. These guns were smooth-bore 32-pound- ers which had been left at the Navy Yard when Commodore McCauley evacuated it ; and afterward the Confederates converted theni into rifle-bores with a range of three miles. This battery. garrisoned by the Jackson Greys. was unmasked on the day of the great histori- cal naval battle and engaged the United States. men-of-war as they passed up from Old Point toward Newport News. A shell from a gun on the Rip Raps entered the embrasure of the right hand gun and wounded Lieut. William C. Wallace and Private Alexander B. Cooper. The range of these guns was much greater than that of any on the ships. for the latters' broadsides fired at the battery fell far short, while our shells reached and went over the

ships. The effect of the battery guns was not known at the time but the reports of the Fed- eral captain give an account of the damage from this battery.

The log of the U. S. S. "Roanoke" says : "At 2:30, coming in range of Sewell's Point battery they opened fire and several shot and shell passed over and fell around this ship. One rifle shot passed through the foresail and cut away a shroud on each side of the fore rigging ; put on stops at once. The forward pivot-gun was trained on Sewell's Point bat- tery and fired, but fell short.'

The log of the U. S. S. "Minnesota": "At I :30 went to quarters. At 2:00, when off Sew- ell's Point, the enemy opened fire on us, which was immediately responded to by this ship. One of the enemy's shot took effect upon the mainmast. We immediately fished and se- cured it with a hauser over the masthead. Captain Van Brunt of this ship in his official report says: "While passing Sewell's Point the rebels there opened fire upon us from a rifle battery, one shot from which going through and crippling my mainmast. I re- turned the fire with my broadside guns and forecastle pivot." The log of the U. S. S.

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

"St. Lawrence": "At 5:25. passing Sewell's Point, the batteries opened on us, firing some half dozen shot and shell, one of which passed over our quarter deck forward the mizzenmast and just clearing the bows of the whaleboat, another carrying away the starboard quarter- block foreyard." Capt. II. Y. Purviance of this ship reported that : "At half past two we got under way in tow of the 'Cambridge.' and, when abreast of the rebel battery at Sew- ell's Point, the battery opened fire, one of the shells exploding under the forefoot of the 'St. Lawrence,' doing, however, no material in- jury. The fire was returned and it is be- lieved with some effect." Captain Purviance was greatly mistaken, for not one shot or shell from the ships reached near the shore and the only damage done to our battery was from a Sawyer shell which came from the Federal battery on the Rip Raps. Opposite to Fort Monroe at a distance of 1.900 yards between that fortification and our battery at Sewell's Point is Fort Wool, formerly Fort Calhoun. but more generally known as the Rip Raps. It is an artificial island made by throwing overboard rocks from vessels on the shoal water with a depth of 20 feet. The sound made by the pieces of stone thrown from the vessels while making the artificial foundation for this fort when the heap neared the surface of the water, was "rip! rap!" "rip! rap!" hence the popular name "Rip! Raps!" The official change of the name from that of the able and distinguished South Carolinian to that of the Federal general could not wipe out the name which came from the "rip raps" of the rocks. These Federal officers were also mistaken about solid shot, for the only ammunition used by our battery was shell.

And now let us hear about the "Virgin- ia's" victories. When two men fight and one cries "enough!" he who cries is whipped. When two men clinch in a fight and one dis- entangles himself and runs away beyond the reach of his antagonist, he who runs is whipped. The "Virginia" and "Monitor" were in close contact ; the "Monitor" drew off

to shallow water out of the reach of the "Vir- ginia," and dared not return to the contest. The "Virginia" was victorious, the "Monitor" was defeated. It takes brazen effrontery to claim a victory for the "Monitor" under the true version of the battle.

The "Virginia" left the Navy Yard at 11:00 o'clock A. M. on March 8, 1861. and steamed down the river past our batteries, through the obstructions, across Hampton Road, to the mouth of the James River. where, off Newport News, lay at anchor the

C. S. S. "VIRGINIA" IN DRY DOCK.

frigates "Cumberland" and "Congress," pro- tected by strong batteries and gunboats. The action commenced about 3:00 P. M. by firing the bow-gun at the "Cumberland," less than a mile distant. A powerful fire was immedi- ately concentrated upon the "Virginia" from all the batteries afloat and ashore. The frig- ates "Minnesota," "Roanoke" and "St. Law- rence," with the other vessels started immedi- ately from Old Point. The "Virginia" fired at the "Congress" in passing. but continued to head directly for the "Cumberland," which vessel she had determined to run into, and in less than 15 minutes from the fire of the first gun rammed her just forward of the star- board fore-chains. There were heavy spars about her bows. probably to ward off tor- pedoes, through which the "Virginia" had to break before reaching the side of the ship. The noise of the crashing timbers was distinct-

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ly heard above the din of the battle. There was no sign of the hole above water. It must have been large. as the ship soon commenced to careen. The shock to the "Virginia" on striking was slight. She immediately backed the engines. The blow was not repeated. The "Virginia" lost her prow and had her stem slightly twisted. The "Cumberland" fought her guns gallantly as long as they were above water. She went down bravely, with colors flying. One of her shells struck the sili of the bow-port of the "Virginia" and ex- ploded : the fragments killed two and wounded a number. The "Virginia's" after nine-inch gun was loaded and ready for firing. when its muzzle was struck by a shell which broke it off and fired the gun. Another gun also had its muzzle shot off : it was broken so short that at each subsequent discharge its port was set on fire. The damage to the armor was slight. The enemy's fire appeared to be aimed at the "Virginia's" ports. Had it been concentrated at the water-line she would have been seri- ously hurt. if not sunk. Owing to the ebb tide and her great drait, she could not close with the "Congress" without first going up stream and then turning, which was a tedious operation, besides subjecting her twice to the full fire of the batteries, some of which she silenced.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 10

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054