MAY 4-JUNE 2, 1864.--Operations on the south side of the
James River, Va.
Report of Brig. Gen. Edward W. Hinks, U.S. Army, commanding Third Division, of
operations May 5-18.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
City Point, Va., May 13, 1864.
GENERAL: In obedience to your order of this date, which was received at City
Point during my absence to the front superintending the construction of works
opposite Point of Rocks, I have the honor to submit the following brief report
of my operations since landing at City Point on the 5th of May, instant:
As you are already aware, the First and Twenty-second Regiments U. S. Colored
Troops, with two sections of Choate's battery, were landed at Wilson's Wharf;
the Tenth and Thirty-seventh U. S. Colored Troops, with two sections of Howell's
battery, were landed at Fort Powhatan, and Duncan's brigade, with one section of
Choate's and one section of Howell's battery, were landed at City Point, all on
the 5th instant, a member of my staff having been left at Wilson's Wharf to lay
out and superintend the construction of proper earth-works. Immediately upon
landing at City Point earthworks were commenced, the construction of which has
since been pushed with all our available force, and is now progressing well.
Four heavy guns, viz, one 30-pounder, two 20-pounder Parrotts, and one 8-inch
howitzer, which were received on Sunday, the 8th, have since been mounted.
On Sunday evening, 8th instant, Captain Angel's battery of six 3-inch ordnance
guns reported for duty, and the Thirty-seventh Regiment U.S. Colored Troops was
withdrawn from Fort Powhatan and placed in the works at City Point; also Captain
Dollard, Company D, Second U.S. Colored Cavalry, reported for duty. On Monday,
9th instant, with 1,800 infantry, one battery, and the company of cavalry, I
made a reconnaissance toward Petersburg, upon the river road to Spring Hill, and
returned to the middle road, so-called, and pushed up to within about 4 miles of
Petersburg, drawing the fire of the enemy's batteries; after which I returned to
City Point, arriving at 11 o'clock at night.
On Tuesday, 10th instant, went personally to Fort Powhatan and directed the
construction of earth-works. Learned that Clingman's brigade, three regiments of
infantry, and a battery of six guns came down from Petersburg to within 2 miles
of the works at City Point, and returned by the river road. Two companies of
Thirteenth New York Heavy Artillery, under command of Captain Pendrell, and a
detachment of 93 men of the Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, under command of
Captain von Schilling, reported for duty at City Point.
Thursday, 12th instant, proceeded with two regiments of Duncan's brigade, one
section of Choate's battery, and one section of Angel's battery, to a point in
the bight of the Appomattox River, nearly opposite the Point of Rocks, and
directed the construction of a work, which is now progressing favorably, in
charge of Colonel Duncan. The work when finished will consist of two lunettes
connected by an infantry parapet, or curtain, of about 150 yards in length, with
flanks of like parapets running toward the river. The position is a very strong
one, and with the assistance of gun-boats on the flanks may be held by the force
now there against greatly superior numbers. Communication with the river is
established directly to the rear of the works, and the garrison may be easily
increased by throwing troops across the river.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDW. W. HINKS,
Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers.
Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER,
Comdg. Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, in the Field.
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