Taken from the National Tribune March 17, 1887 edition

Capture of the "Rocket" Battery.

Editor National Tribune: In December, 1862, the 11th Pa. Cav. lay at Suffolk, Va. and did scouting as far as Edenton, Elizabeth City, South Mills, and sometimes as far as Winton and Jackson, N.C. We were an outpost for the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, headquarters being at Fort Monroe. We had many engagements at Franklin, on the Blackwater. The enemy gave us much trouble with a rocket battery captured from Gen. McClellan army on the Peninsular campaign. They used cotton powder and it made no report. The first thing we could hear was the ball wizzing and screeching over our heads. Col. S.P. Spear often said if he could get them on our side of the Blackwater he would show them a Yankee trick.

On Monday, December 1, 1862, two brigades of infantry under Gens. Foster and Wessels; Battery D, 4th U.S. Art., and a battery of the 7th Mass. Art. and nine companies of the 11th Pa. Cav. started out, and at daylight of the morning of December 2 ran into the rebel picket at Beaver Dam Church. We stopped to get coffee and hardtack, and Co. I was put on picket. It was not long until Col. Griffin commanding the 62d Ga. Inf. (called 2d Ga. Cav.) crossed the river at Franklin with his rocket battery to attack us. Co. I held the rebels in check until Cos. G, A and B started on a gallop and to its support. As soon as Co. I saw them coming they drew sabers gave a yell, and charged into the dismounted and mounted Georgian's. They only got to fire two shots with the battery when they broke and ran. Our boys knocked them right and left, capturing horses, guns and all the men of the battery and about 75 more. Our infantry gave us cheer after cheer, stating that this was the first time they ever saw cavalry doing the fighting. While the infantry was cooking breakfast.

As soon as we got to camp our Colonel ordered grindstones to sharpen our sabers, and swore that the next time he wanted to see some heads cut off instead of being pounded with dull swords. We afterward used the guns to advantage at the siege of Suffolk.

William J. Shirley, Co. G, 11th Pa. Cav., Altoona, Pa

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DECEMBER 2, 1862.---Skirmish on the Blackwater, near Franklin, Va.

No. 1.--Reports of Maj. Gen. John A. Dix, U.S. Army, commanding the
Department of Virginia.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Monroe, Va., December 4, 1862.
GENERAL: I sent you a message the day before yesterday, by telegraph, in
regard to an action near the Blackwater between a party of the enemy and a
portion of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, sent out from Suffolk by
Major-General Peck the previous day. Colonel Spear, of that regiment, who
commanded the expedition, returned last night, bringing back his entire
force, consisting, in addition to a part of his own regiment, of portions
of the Thirty-ninth Illinois, Colonel Osborn; Sixty second Ohio, Colonel
Pond; One hundred and thirtieth New York, Colonel Gibbs; Sixth
Massachusetts, Colonel Follansbee; One hundred and third Pennsylvania,
Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell; two sections of Davis' Massachusetts Light
Battery and one section of Howard's battery, Fourth U.S. Artillery; in all,
about 3,100 men. The expedition was sent out in pursuance of the object,
heretofore explained to you, of keeping a part of my force in constant
motion, and also to ascertain the truth of information reported to
Major-General Peck in regard to the movement of the enemy in the vicinity
of Franklin. While Colonel Spear's force was breakfasting his pickets were
driven in, and a charge was made by about 500 of the enemy's cavalry, with
a section of a rocket battery. It was gallantly met by Colonel Spear, at
the head of 300 of his regiment, and the enemy, thrown into confusion by
his impetuous attack, recoiled, and was driven over his floating bridge at
Franklin, which is protected by a battery of heavy guns. Ten or 12 of the
enemy were killed and 20 were taken prisoners. We also captured 14 horses,
a quantity of harness, 7 saddles, 42 rifles, 70 rockets of 12 and 15
pounds, and other minor articles. We sustained no loss either in men or
horses. General Peck speaks in high terms of the gallantry of Colonel
Spear, who has distinguished himself on more than one occasion by h is
prompt and spirited movements; and the colonel mentions with communication
Major Stratton and Lieutenants Buttz and Roper, of his regiment. The enemy
retreated so suddenly that our artillery and infantry were not brought into
action. The enemy's floating bridge swings from one bank of the Blackwater,
which is very narrow, to the other, and is withdrawn from our side as soon
as his forces cross.
Col. J. R. Griffin and Major Boggs commanded the insurgents. General R. A.
Pryor has just taken command at Franklin.

With the means of crossing, the enemy's position at Franklin might easily
have been attacked, and in all probability carried.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-general.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
General-in- Chief.

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