APRIL 11-MAY 4, 1863.--Siege of Suffolk, Va.
No. 6.--Report of Brig. Gen. Michael Corcoran, U. S. Army, commanding First
Division, Seventh Army Corps.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Suffolk, Va., May --, 1863.
MAJOR: In compliance with orders from headquarters I respectfully submit
the following report as to the operations on the Edenton and Somerton roads
and the line of defenses under my command, extending from Fort Nansemond to
Fort Halleck, during the late investment of this place by the enemy:
On Saturday, April 11, it being reported that the enemy was advancing
against this place, I immediately repaired to my front and had all the
troops placed under arms and ready for action. The enemy did not, however,
advance within sight, and this condition of affairs remained until Monday
afternoon following, when an advance was made by the enemy on the Somerton
road. He opened upon us with artillery. The guns of Forts Union, Nansemond,
and McClellan replied with such effect as to very soon silence theirs and
drive the enemy back. Some skirmishing ensued, in which detachments from
the Thirteenth Indiana and One hundred and twelfth New York Volunteers and
One hundred and sixty-fifth and One hundred and sixty-sixth Pennsylvania
Militia took part and deserve great credit for their actions on that
occasion. Our picket lines were re-established that afternoon.
On Wednesday, the 15th, Col. J.P. McMahon, of the One hundred and
sixty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers, went out on the Edenton road for
the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy's position. He brought with him
three companies of infantry, one from the One hundred and sixty-fourth, One
hundred and fifty-fifth, and One hundred and seventieth Regiments
respectively, two companies of cavalry of the First New York Mounted
Rifles, under the command of Major Patton, and one howitzer. They started
out just before daylight, drove in the enemy's pickets, and engaged the
Seventeenth Virginia Regiment, capturing 4 prisoners and killing and
wounding several. They found that the enemy were in considerable force a
short distance from his outposts.
On the same day Colonel Spear, of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, went
out on the Somerton road with a small force, consisting of four companies
of infantry, two from the One hundred and sixty-fifth and One hundred and
sixty-sixth Pennsylvania Militia respectively, two pieces of the Seventh
Massachusetts Battery, one company of his own regiment, with guns, and
three companies of cavalry, and made an attempt to charge their rifle-pits,
but this movement was not as successful as was anticipated it would be.
Small parties were from time to time afterward sent out on the several
roads, also in the direction of the Dismal Swamp and along the Jericho
Canal, but nothing of interest occurred. The object of the parties sent in
the latter direction was to discover if the enemy were endeavoring to get
through in that locality, but no evidence of any such attempt could be
discovered.
On April 24 an expedition, which had been for some time in contemplation,
went out under my command on the Edenton road. It consisted of about 5,000
infantry, 500 cavalry, and 10 pieces of artillery. I assigned Col. R. S.
Foster to the command of the infantry; Colonel Spear had charge of the
cavalry, and Captain Simpson of the artillery. A small party went out at
the same time on the Somerton road to engage the attention of the enemy
there and co-operate with us on the Edenton road if necessary. We advanced
about 4 miles and met the enemy's outposts. The pickets retired, and we
found the enemy's advance behind rifle-pits. Our artillery opened, and
after considerable firing on both sides the enemy was driven from his
position and our skirmishers occupied it. The firing still continued a
short time, and finally the enemy fell back some distance and ceased
firing. In accordance with my instructions I gave instructions not to
follow, and we slowly returned to camp. As full reports of this and the
other affairs above alluded to have already been furnished I refrain from
giving any extended or detailed account of them.

On the 2d instant, about 11 p.m., we received information from two
deserters that the enemy was retreating from our front, and I immediately
went in person to the major-general commanding and reported the information
and that I had ordered a force out on the Edenton and Somerton roads. The
major-general having approved of my action I started out myself, ordering
an additional force to follow. Colonel Foster went on the Somerton road and
General Dodge on the Edenton. I accompanied the latter. He crossed over to
the Somerton and met the force under Colonel Foster at Leesville; we
advanced some distance farther, and as it was then apparent that the enemy
were beyond reach I ordered the troops to return, except a few cavalry left
for the purpose of picking up the enemy's stragglers. On the march we
captured a large number of prisoners, arms, &c.
From the commencement of the affair the officers and men evinced the most
commendable disposition to do their whole duty, always on the alert and
ever ready to obey all commands of their superior officers.
The works, which at the beginning were unfinished, by unceasing exertions
were soon completed, while other works of defense were also as rapidly and
cheerfully erected. The woods in front were cleared to a great extent by
slashing parties, who were at work at times night and day. The pickets
maintained their grounds except upon two or three occasions when they were
forced to retire by overpowering numbers, and deserve great praise for
their courage and vigilance; in fact the desire exhibited by the troops to
meet the enemy either inside or outside the works gave undoubted assurance
that the enemy would have been encountered, had he attempted to carry out
his intention of attacking this place, with as courageous and determined a
resistance as could possibly be made by gallant men. I feel called upon to
state that I was ably assisted throughout the whole time by General Dodge
and Colonel Foster, who, respectively, commanded portions of my front, and
that they were ways at the post of duty and carried out their instructions
upon all occasions promptly and cheerfully. I send their reports herewith.
I remain, major, your most obedient servant,
MICHAEL CORCORAN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. B. B. FOSTER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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APRIL 11-MAY 4, 1863.--Siege of Suffolk, Va.
No. 9.--Report of Col. Robert S. Foster, Thirteenth Indiana Infantry,
commanding Second Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FOSTER'S BRIGADE,
Suffolk, Va., May 9, 1863.
CAPTAIN: In pursuance of circular from your headquarters I have the honor
of submitting the following report of the part taken by my command during
the twenty-three days of the investment of Suffolk:
Upon receiving information on Saturday, April 11, of the approach of the
enemy I immediately visited my command and found them occupying their
respective positions previously assigned. Every arrangement was made to
secure as strong a defense as possible. No evidence of the enemy's
appearance on my front until Sunday.
On Monday, the 13th, the pickets on the Somerton road were driven in by a
force of infantry and cavalry, the pickets maintaining their ground as long
as possible. The enemy opened on us with artillery, and immediately the
guns from Forts Union, Nansemond, and McClellan responded and silenced
their guns. At 3.30 p.m. I sent out a party of skirmishers, accompanying
them myself, consisting of details from the Thirteenth Indiana, One hundred
and twelfth New York Volunteers, and One hundred and sixty-fifth and One
hundred and sixty-sixth Pennsylvania Militia. They advanced rapidly and
drove the enemy's skirmishers back to their reserve at Brothers' house, on
the Somerton road. I then established my old picket line, extending from
the right of Fort Union to Fort Nansemond, and have maintained said line
throughout the siege.
Too much praise cannot be given to the detachments from the above-mentioned
regiments in their skirmishing on that day. At the earnest solicitations of
Colonel Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, I sent out two pieces of the
Fourth Wisconsin Battery, under Captain Vallee, supported by one company of
the One hundred and sixty-fifth Pennsylvania Militia. After having fired a
few rounds I recalled them. In the morning I ordered the houses on the
Somerton road near the reserve picket station burned, which was
accomplished. The enemy used the white house of Brothers as a shelter, and
I was anxious to destroy it if possible. To this end I dispatched on
several occasions a party of skirmishers to effect this object, but the
overpowering force of the enemy prevented.

On Wednesday Colonel Spear (with orders from General Corcoran) took
command of a small party, consisting of two companies of the One hundred
and sixty-fifth Pennsylvania Militia, two companies of the One hundred and
sixty-sixth Pennsylvania Militia, two pieces of the Seventh Massachusetts
Battery, one company of his own regiment, with guns, and three companies of
cavalry, and made an attempt to charge their rifle-pits at Brothers' house,
but without success.
On Thursday, April 16, a party of skirmishers, under Lieutenants <ar26_294>
Wallick and Conron, of the Thirteenth Indiana, were sent out. They
exchanged a few shots with the enemy, but found them too strong to make any
advance.
On the succeeding day I sent Lieutenants Zent and Conron with a party of
the Thirteenth Indiana to flank the works at the white house if possible.
After a sharp engagement they were obliged to withdraw. In this encounter
Lieutenant Conron received a wound from which he died a few days after. He
was a brave and gallant officer, and sacrificed his life in his zeal to
accomplish my desire. In all these skirmishes the men and officers from the
different regiments behaved in a gallant and praiseworthy manner, and one
name I wish particularly to mention: Private Bircham, Company F, Thirteenth
Indiana Volunteers.
On Saturday, the 18th, an unusual quietude prevailed on the picket lines.
The pickets of the One hundred and twelfth New York exchanged newspapers
with the enemy's pickets and received the assurance they would not be fired
on as pickets. The Thirteenth Indiana was ordered to report to General
Getty at the small-pox hospital.
On Sunday a portion of my command was ordered to be in readiness to form a
part of an expedition on the Edenton road, and I also organized a party to
push out on the Somerton road to co-operate with the former party. Said
expedition was postponed and did not go out until the succeeding Friday.
The forces from my front consisted of the Eleventh, Fifteenth, and
Sixteenth Connecticut and the Thirteenth Indiana, under command of Colonel
Beach, Sixteenth Connecticut; the One hundred and sixty-ninth New York and
five companies of the One hundred and twelfth New York forming a part of
Colonel Drake's command. I was intrusted with the command of infantry. A
report has already been furnished of the result of the expedition.(*) I
have kept large details from the different regiments at work during the
whole time building new works and strengthening the old, chopping the trees
on the front, and in every way doing all I could to make our means of
resistance as successful as possible. Upon hearing of the enemy's
departure, early on Monday morning, and under General Corcoran's
directions, I started in pursuit of the enemy, the result of which has
already been furnished you officially.
During the time, I have had the following regiments on my front: The One
hundred and sixty-ninth New York was added to my brigade on April 17. In
addition to my brigade the Eleventh, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Connecticut
and One hundred and forty-third, One hundred and twenty-seventh, and One
hundred and eighteenth New York have occupied a portion of my front at
different periods. The Seventh Massachusetts, First Delaware, Sixteenth New
York, and Fourth and Second Wisconsin Batteries also constituted at
different times a part of my command. All the above commands exerted
themselves to the discharge of their duties in an acceptable and
praiseworthy manner, at all times meeting every detail with promptness and
in every way discharging their duties in a soldierlike manner. During the
time, in the different expeditions and skirmishes, the enemy met with a
heavy loss, as subsequent events prove.

ROBT. S. FOSTER,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Capt. J. J. BLODGETT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.