National Tribune Aug. 9, 1906
The 11th Pa. Cav.
The Time That It Did Not Go into Richmond
Editor National Tribune:
...Some of the Cambria County boys used to say if they ever enlisted they would either join the 11th or 12th Pa Cav., as the rebels always ran from the 11th and the 12th always ran from the rebels, so a fellow was pretty safe in either regiment. We always gave a good account ourselves wherever we were, and I think were second to none of the cavalry regiments in the service. I do not intend writing a history of the regiment, but want to give a few sketches of some of its many scouts and battles, and just at present I want to tell the comrades how we didn't take Richmond in February, 1864. General Butler, then in command of the Army of the James, thought that while Lee and his veterans were busy with Army of the Potomac over about Culpeper a cavalry raid might be made into Richmond, capture the officials of the Confederate Government., and release our poor comrades who were suffering in the rebel prisons of Libby, Castle Thunder, Belle Isle, etc. Butler started General Wistar, with about 4,000 infantry, two light brigades of artillery and a brigade of cavalry under Col. Spear, which consisted of the 1st N.Y. M't'd Rifles, 3d N.Y. Cav., 5th and 11th Pa. Cav. and First District of Columbia M't'd Riflemen. The Calvary was to charge the Chickahominy at Bottom Bridge, dash into Richmond, release the prisoners, tear up things generally. A great many of the boys had provided themselves with plenty of matches, but they only needed them to build fires where we bivouacked, for while we were hot enough in the morning when we tried to cross Bottom Bridge, it was infernally cold that night, and the matches came into good play. The cavalry command left Williamsburg about noon on Feb. 6, marched all night, and, oh, but it was dark. Several times during the night rockets were sent up by Johnnies stationed along the route. We arrived at the top of the hill above Bottom Bridge about 8 o'clock on the morning of the 7th. The supposition was, from what had been learned from the contrabands, that there was no artillery on the rebel side of the bridge. Scouts were sent down to see how things were about the bridge. They found the plank removed, and could hear the Johnnies on the other side getting their artillery into shape and laughing over the surprise they were going to give Yankee. But it became light enough to see we moved down toward bridge. The rebels opened fire on us with their artillery, and as there was no bridge to cross all we could do was to march back up the hill again. At the top of the hill, in an old field, we dismounted, made some coffee and waited for Maj. Wetherell to return, who been sent up the creek with his battalion to see if there was a ford at which we could cross. When they reached Grapevine Ford they found it blocked with fallen trees on both sides of creek, making it impossible to cross the river there. While we were waiting for Maj. Wetherell we could see the Johnnies, a great plenty of them, coming down the hill from the direction of Richmond--infantry and artillery. They planted some light artillery and fired several rounds of shells at us, but as we could not cross the river to get at them and they would not come over to us it was a drawn game all through. We marched back to New Kent Court House, where we spent in the night, and in the morning found ourselves under a covering a snow. This is where the boys' matches came into play
On the 8th we returned to Williamsburg and so ended our raid for the release of our prisoners at Richmond. I have often thought since it was a good thing for us that the Rebels did not let us across the bridge, as doubtless there would have been more rather than less prisoners in Richmond after the raid. The boys in camp have lots of fun with those who were on the raid. "How's Jeff Davis this morning? How many of our boys did you bring back from Richmond? What's the price of matches this morning?" etc., etc., could be heard could be heard through the camps.
Long live the National Tribune, and may it always put the saber to those who begrudge the old soldier his little pension. We left home in the '60s while in the prime of life, risking life, many which many lost, to perpetuate our most glorious Union.
J.B. Stalb, Co. G, 11th Pa. Cav., Hasting, Pa.
HEADQUARTERS WlSTAR'S DIVISION,
Fort Magruder, February 5, 1864.
Col. S. P. SPEAR,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade:
COLONEL: You will march to-morrow morning at 11 a.m. with Captain Hill's company (F),
First New York Mounted Rifles, in advance, passing all other troops and keeping right on.
At New Kent Court-House it is expected that Captain Hill will ride down and capture the
pickets, by having picked horses in advance; the same with the picket at Baltimore
Cross-Roads. At Bottom's Bridge is a rebel picket of 20 men; the bridge must be carried
without firing, if possible. There is believed to be a practicable ford on each side of
it. You will leave 100 men of the First District Cavalry to hold the bridge until the
arrival of the infantry, some hours later. One mile and a half on a hill on your right
hand are encamped about 250 effective men, of the Holcombe Legion (rebel). If they don't
attack you pay them no attention, but push right on at as rapid a rate as your horses can
stand, in order to surprise Battery Number 2, near Richmond; having surprised, captured,
or passed that, you will dash forward. At Rocketts a detachment of 250 of the Eleventh
Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Major Stratton, previously instructed and placed at the head
of the column, will break off to the left and destroy the navy-yard. Next, the Third New
York, Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, will break off to the left to attend to the Libby Prison
and other public buildings. This detachment will then cross Mayo's Bridge, dash up on the
other side and seize the bridge to Belle Island, liberating the prisoners, who will cross
by Petersburg railroad bridge, the Third New York returning across Mayo's Bridge, burning
it behind them, together with the Danville bridge; and after the prisoners have crossed it
(the Mayo bridge) at Sixteenth street, Colonel Onderdonk, with 250 of his regiment, will
turn off to the right and destroy the Central Railroad depot and contents at corner Broad
and Sixteenth streets, and then the Fredericksburg Railroad depot at Broad and Eighth
streets, being careful to cut the telegraph the first thing. At Twelfth street, or sooner,
Major Wheelan, with 300 of First New York Mounted Rifles, will turn to the right and
capture Jeff. Davis at his residence, corner Twelfth and Marshall streets. The Fifth
Pennsylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, will keep right on up Main or Cary streets to
Eighth street, where they will cooperate in the attack on Belle Island by the Third New
York on the opposite side of the river, and then destroy the Tredegar Iron-Works and
numerous public buildings, factories, and store-houses adjacent. Yourself, with the
remainder of the Eleventh Pennsylvania and the First District Cavalry, will proceed direct
to the Capitol square and remain there as a reserve to support the various detachments.
Each detachment will be instructed to report to you there when its duties are performed,
except Major Wheelan's detachment, which, with their prisoner, if taken, will at once make
their way back by direct road to Bottom's Bridge and join the infantry column at that
point or beyond. All the officers designated to command detachments will be thoroughly
instructed by you on the road, and their proper and convenient places in line assigned.
Other instructions have been given you verbally. You will familiarize your principal
officers with them carefully en route. You will be safe in Richmond for about three
hours, after which, and possibly two hours, your retreat will be menaced by the troops
from Chaffin's farm.
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I. J. WISTAR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
MARCH 12, 1864.
Colonel WEST:
Request Colonel Onderdonk to make immediate report to me of the service of his regiment
and the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry in the late expedition. Their good conduct, as
contrasted with some other troops, entitles them to special mention in my report.
I. J. WISTAR,
Brigadier-General.
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FEBRUARY 6-8, 1864.--Expedition from Yorktown against Richmond, Va. ...
No. 2.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Isaac J. Wistar, U.S. Army, commanding expedition.
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
Yorktown, February 9, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report the following operations of the forces under my
command, undertaken with a view to the surprise and capture of Richmond, and incidental
results:
All the infantry and cavalry placed at my disposal by the general commanding, being about
4,000 of the former and 2,200 of the latter, was suddenly concentrated behind my lines at
Williamsburg after dark on the evening of the 5th instant, together with Hunt's and
Belger's light batteries.
The infantry, consisting of three white regiments, brigaded under Col. R. M. West, First
Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and three colored regiments under Colonel Duncan, Fourth
U.S. Colored Troops, moved thence at 9 a.m. on the 6th, carrying on the person six days'
rations in the knapsack and 70 rounds of cartridges--40 in the boxes and 30 in the
knapsack.
The cavalry, belong detachments of five regiments under Col. S. P. Spear, Eleventh
Pennsylvania Cavalry, moved two hours later. Colonel Spear was directed to arrive at
Bottom's Bridge, 12 miles this side of Richmond, by 3 a.m. of the 7th, surprise it, and
move on rapidly to Richmond. A picked company under Captain Hill, First New York Mounted
Rifles, with selected horses, was placed in advance to ride down the three pickets--at New
Kent, Baltimore Cross-Roads, and at the bridge. Arrangements had been previously made to
have the telegraph wire between Meadow Station and Richmond cut between dark and midnight
of the 6th. By these means it was hoped to surprise the enemy's Battery No. 2, on the
Bottom's Bridge road near Richmond, and occupy Capitol Square in that city for at least
two or three hours; detachments previously detailed and carefully instructed breaking
successively from the main column, on entering, for various specific purposes. Of course
the success of the enterprise was based upon the sudden and noiseless surprise of the
strong picket at Bottom's Bridge, without which it would be impossible for cavalry alone
to pass Battery No. 2. Colonel Spear failed to capture the pickets at Baltimore
Cross-Roads, owing to the excessive darkness of the night, which unfortunately proved to
be cloudy and rainy. He reached Bottom's Bridge, a distance of 51 miles, ten minutes
before the time designated, but found the enemy there in strong force, with infantry,
cavalry, and artillery. They had received notice some sixteen hours previously, as
appeared from the testimony of various persons in the vicinity, including women, children,
and negroes, separately examined, of the arrival near Williamsburg of accessions to our
usual force, and had during that time been vigorously making preparations. The bridge
planks had been taken up, the fords both above and below effectually obstructed, extensive
earth-works and rifle-pits constructed, and a strong force of troops brought down by the
York River Railroad, by which large accessions were still arriving.
The darkness prevented an attack till morning, when a detachment of the New York Mounted
Rifles, under Major Wheelan, made a gallant but unsuccessful charge on the bridge by the
only approach--a long causeway flanked on either hand by an impassable marsh. The enemy
opened with canister, first checking and then repulsing the charge, with a loss to us of 9
killed and wounded and 10 horses killed. All our men were subsequently brought off, as
well as the saddles and equipments. The river was reconnoitered both above and below for
some miles, but at every possible crossing the enemy was found in force with newly placed
obstructions. Three regiments of infantry were plainly seen, besides other infantry, which
fired from the woods, where their numbers could not be ascertained. Four batteries of
field artillery were counted, and at least one heavy gun was in position, its shot
reaching the bluff on this side and falling far in our rear.
Our infantry had marched on the 6th 33 miles, arriving at New Kent Court-House at 2 a.m.
on the 7th. After a halt of three hours I moved on with them rapidly as possible toward
the firing at the bridge, which was plainly audible. At 11 a.m., knowing from the
continued firing ahead that Colonel Spear had not succeeded in effecting a passage, and
that even if now effected our object of surprising the city must necessarily be defeated,
I sent him orders to retire, but kept pushing on to his support lest his condition might
be worse than I supposed. The infantry had arrived within 7 miles of the bridge when it
met the head of his returning column, and after hearing from him the full state of the
case, I reluctantly felt obliged to retire my whole force, not feeling authorized to incur
the loss necessary to force the position without any longer an ulterior object to justify
it. The cavalry was suffered to pass ahead, except about 300 men of the Third New York
Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, retained for rear guard.
At Baltimore Store the enemy overtook and attacked my rear guard with vigor, but were
quickly and handsomely repulsed by it, with the aid of a section of Belger's battery, the
two pieces being alternately fired and retired to new positions. The enemy in this affair
lost at least one officer and some few men, whom they abandoned till we had passed on.
The command bivouacked at New Kent unmolested, and on the 8th, the cavalry being out of
forage, which the country did not afford, were sent ahead, arriving at Williamsburg the
same evening. The infantry bivouacked in order of battle at Burnt Ordinary, and to-day
returned to their former camp, having marched during the four days of their absence 33,
28, 18, and 25 miles, respectively, with alacrity and cheerfulness, and almost without
straggling, the colored troops being in this respect, as usual, remarkable. With the
exception of a little looseness of discipline in one or two of the cavalry regiments in
returning, the conduct of officers and men, both in action and on the march, was
everything that could be desired.
The whole result of the expedition, in addition to one or two prisoners captured and a few
refugees, escaped Union prisoners, and negroes picked up and brought in, is the obvious
fact that a small force in this vicinity, actively handled, can and should hold a much
superior force of the enemy in the immediate vicinity of Richmond inactive except for its
defense.
I have the honor to be, major, with great respect, your obedient servant,
ISAAC J. WISTAR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. R. S. DAVIS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Indorsement.]
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
Fort Monroe, February 12, 1864.
Report approved.
The operation was skillfully and brilliantly done. It gives the commanding general renewed
confidence in General Wistar as a commander of a division.
BENJ. F. BUTLER,
Major-General, Commanding.
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