Q.M. Office 10^th U.S.C.T.

Wilson's Landing Va.

May 30^th 1864

 

Dear Parents

            Have been looking for a letter from you for some time—but none has yet come. However I will send you a note, indicating some of our operations during the last few days.

 

When I last wrote—we were at Fort Powhattan—some seven miles up and on the south side of the river—We came down here about ten days ago,—and a larger Reg't was sent there in our stead.

 

On the 24^th inst at two P.M. we were attacked at this place by Gen Fitz-Lee's Cav. consisting of parts of three Brigades numbering 2200 picked men. They had left Richmond on the night of the 25^th with orders to return at nine O'clock on the night of the 24^th with the Garrison and stores at this post. They returned without either—not even a prisoner or a captured musket.

 

After they had driven our pickets in to our hastily constructed breastworks—Gen Lee sent in a flag of truce demanding the surrender of the Garrison—threatening that he would not be respon- / sible for the consequences if refused. Gen Wild—in command replied that "We will try it". Soon the Rebels make a slight demonstration on our left to cover a stronger one on our right. Closer and closer they came—each Officer's most anxious thought is—will that sable line of blacks stand the strike—or will they at the first fire fling their arms and run panic stricken and disordered. The answer is written on each brow in characters indelible—the impress of the Almighty: men emphatic than ought that the powder or smoke of battle can begrime—their resolution to stand or fall in victory or death. Ready—Aim—fire—and the winged messenger of death from each gaping muzzle takes its flight—Ten Rebels drop dead—others wounded and the remainder break and seek shelter in the woods. They kept up a desultory firing on us from the woods at long range for two or three hours—and towards evening retired—taking with him nearly all his wounded. How mortified he must have felt after his flag of truce and vain boasting—to be whipped by half his number of Negroes. At the commencement of the action he had 1100 men—In the evening we had reinforcements to the number of 700.

 

We buried eleven dead of the Rebels—took three prisoners—and brought in six very badly wounded. Have no means of ascertaining what their actual loss in wounded was—but must have been at least a hundred. Our loss was two men killed—two Officers / and twenty-one men wounded—none were taken by the enemy.

 

The Colored troops fulfilled our highest expectations—this was the first time they had been under fire. We have our whole force employed on our fortifications—and in a few days we will have so well entrenched that we can hold our position against five times our number.

 

We have a couple of gunboats lying in the river—will be of great service to us in case of another attack—They were here before—but on account of the woods not being cut down around us—could not get the range—and did very little execution.

 

A large force from Gen Butler's command went down the river yesterday—supposed to be going up the York River to connect with Gen. Grant. Gen B. can do nothing more than hold his position at City Point: Beauregard is in front with a heavy force.

 

My health is very good—Write soon—best wishes to all.

 

May God bless you richly

                                   

Affec. Your Son

J. W. Barnett

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