June 14, 1862 – Destruction of the Merrimac

Com. Tatnall reports as follows to the Rebel Secretary of War :

“We observed from the Merrimac that the flag was not flying on Sewell’s Point Battery, and that it appeared to have been abandoned. I dispatched Lieut. J. P. Jones, the Flag Lieutenant, to Craney Island, where the Confederate flag was still flying, and he there learned that a large force of the enemy had landed on Bay shore, and were marching rapidly on Norfolk ; that Sewell’s Point Battery was abandoned, and our troops were retreating. I then despatched the same officer to Norfolk, to confer with Gen. Huger and Captain Lee. He found the Navy Yard in flames, and all the other officers had left by railroad—that the enemy was within a half a mile of the city, and that the Mayor was treating for its surrender.

On returning to the ship he found that Craney Island and all the other batteries on the river had been abandoned.

It was now seven o’clock in the evening, and this unexpected confirmation rendered prompt measures necessary for the safety of the Virginia.

June 1, 1862 – Enthusiastic Reception of General Sickles by His Brigade—His Address to the Men

Excelsior Brigade,
Camp Four Miles Beyond Bottom’s Bridge;
May 28, 1862

After a fresh march, which brings us four miles beyond Bottom’s Bridge, I snatch a few leisure moments to let you know I am in good health and spirits, and that we are all looking forward with the greatest eagerness to the capture of Richmond. The country is beautiful, and becomes more and more captivating as we proceed into the heart of Virginia. Every house displays a flag of truce in the shape of a white handkerchief suspended over the gateway—the inhabitants, as a general thing having stuck to their plantations. The roads are very bad after the rains, which renders marching very fatiguing to the troops. On Friday, the 23d, in the afternoon, General Sickles made his appearance among us. As he approached the camp and was recognized he was lustily and heartily cheered by every regiment of the brigade. The cheerings were repeated for over half an hour, amid the enlivening music of the bands, and the wildest excitement prevailed. All the officers gathered around him and congratulated him on his return, and the General, in a few earnest and heartfelt words thanked them for the gallantry they had displayed at Wlliiamsburg, where they had saved the day. He had something kind to say of all the officers who fell in the struggle, and whose merits were to none better known than he himself.

May 18, 1862 – Latest from Fortress Monroe

Fortress Monroe, May 16, 1862.

There is no news from General McClellan’s army to-day. He is pushing on as fast as practicable.

A recent order appoints Major Richard Nixon, of the Ninety-ninth New York Volunteers, Asssistant Provost Marshall of the Department of Virginia, for the city of Norfolk and the surrounding country.

May 16, 1862 – Monday’s Fight at Williamsburg

The American‘s account of the battle of Monday says it was a warmly contested engagement. Owing to the roughness of the country and bad condition of the roads, but small portion of our troops could be brought into action. Sickles’ brigade, of Gen. Hooker’s division, bore the great brunt of the battle, and fought most valiantly, though greatly overpowered by numbers and the superior position and earthworks of the enemy.

May 12, 1862 – Letter from the 2d N. H. Rgt.

PARTICULARS OF THE WILLIAMSBURG BATTLE.

Bravery of our Boys.

Williamsburg, May 7, 1862.

Dear Father :—As we have again been in one of these bloody encounters with the rebels, you are of course in the midst of excitement at home, each one anxiously waiting to hear from their own friends and relations in the army. It has been a terrible fight, and many of our friends lay dead on the battle field.— The 2nd N. H. regiment took a prominent part in the fight making the attack, and company B. was the first to drive them from their right position, and kept them at bay fer two and a half long hours, waiting for reinforcements — all our ammunition gone excepting two or three cartridges, which we kept for any emergency, not wishing to fire unless we were sure of our man.

The Mass. 1st came nobly up to our aid, and stood their ground manfully, meeting with a good deal of loss in both killed and wounded. In fact, all of our boys fought well, and bravely, but in the afternoon, we were whipped twice and driven back to the ground where we first attacked them.