99th New York Infantry: The "Union Coast Guard"-- Part 7: 1864

OPERATIONS IN 1864:

JAN. 18TH TO FEB. 10TH: Operations around New Berne, NC against Confederate General W.H.C. Whiting.

JAN. 31ST-FEB. 1ST: Smithfield, Virginia, detachment. Capt. Frederick Rowe wounded and captured. Also 41 enlisted captured. (I have been writing a lot about this action)

FEB. 1ST: Action at Batchelor's Creek. Captain David Bailey and Lt. James Fleming and 52 men captured.

FEB. 2ND: Action at Beech Grove. Three captured.

JUNE 14TH: Old members mustered out and the regiment consolidated into Companies A-D.

More 1864 to Come. --Old Secesh

Battle of Smithfield, Va.-- Part 5

B.A. Sowell wrote a letter from Hardware, Fluvanno County, Virginia, to Mr. R.S. Thomas saying that he had been a member of Captain Nat. A. Sturdivant's battery but hadn't been at the Battle of Smithfield. But, he had been at the engagement of Scott's Factory earlier. As of this date in 1906, he said that all the commissioned Confederate officers were dead so he will tell the story.

Preliminary to the battle, his battery was in winter quarters about a mile from Ivor when they received word that a Yankee gunboat was expected to come up the Nansemond River and an artillery unit might be able to capture it.

His battery was dispatched and went to Cherry Grove and waited there until after high tide and then were in the process of returning when word came that the Yankees had landed at Smithfield and were rapidly approaching. So close were they that Mr. Whitfield, the Confederate Congressman from the Smithfield district was captured. Shortly afterwards, Sturdivant's force was ambushed. Lt. Perkins of the infantry later died from his wound. Considering this was Sturdivant's first battle, he handled himself and his troops bravely and efficiently.

His battery continued serving on many battlefields throughout the duration of the war with distinction. Nathaniel Sturdivant was later promoted to major and after the war became a popular and prominent Richmond attorney.

--Old Secesh

Battle of Smithfield, Va.-- Part 4: The Sassy Boy

The surrendered Union soldiers were taken to Ivor, including William Rodgers. Along the way they stopped at Four Square, J.O. Thomas' farm, for water. His brother, R.S. Thomas, continued: "You may remember the lady of the house as a red-hot Rebel. Captain Pipkin (NC Cav.) had on his horse behind him, a boy of your command, some twelve or thirteen years of age who was a little 'sassy' to her.

She recognized hin after the war in the Green House of the Soldier's Home, at Hampton, Va. She was admiring his flowers when there was mutual recognition." (Wonder if they "feud" continued or they made peace.)

After the Smith Briggs surrenedered it was set on fire. When the flames reached the magazine with two tons of powder, the ship was blown to pieces. The wreck remained there until 1867 or 1868 when it was removed by the government.

R.S. Thomas said he had a momento from the Feb. 1st, 1864, battle, a cannonball at his front door steps. He found it and kept it. There were other cannonballs in trees and houses around the town.

A Good Account of a Little-Known Battle. --Old Secesh

The Battle of Smithfield, Virginia-- Part 4

Thomas suggested Sturdevant divide his forces for an attack on Lee's right and left flanks. When Lee's men saw Sturdevant's Confederates coming "they broke and ran down Todd's Hill to the county wharf where they threw their artillery overboard." Lee then retreated from the wharf to Hodge's Shipyard seeking shelter under the Smith Briggs' guns.

An artillery battle ensued and a Confederate shell hit the Union gunboat in its steam chest and it surrendered instantly.

Most of Lee's force surrendered, but he and six or seven men swam the creek and were able to get away.

--Old Secesh

The Battle of Smithfield, Va.-- Part 3

They saw Capt. Lee's Union forces posted at the top of Todd's Hill at the junction of Church and Main Streets. Confederate Captain Studevant sent a letter to lee demanding his surrender.

Lee replied asking for a meeting, but J.O. Thomas told Sturdevant that the meeting was just a ploy to buy time for Lee so the gunboat could return. A flood tide was coming in and the Smith Briggs would be able to rescue Lee's force.

The demand for immediate surrender was reissued and again refused. At this time, the Smith Briggs arrived.

Sgt. Heines took the surrender demand to Lee and came galloping back as fast as he could saying the gunboat was in sight.

--Old Secesh

Battle of Smithfield, Va.-- Part 2

At the same time Sturdevant made his move, unknown to him, the Union Army gunboat Smith Briggs had brought Captain Lee and his men to Smithfield and they had started to sweep along the river. Sturdevant's force was surprised by Lee's men at Six Oaks near Scott's Factory about four miles from Smithfield.

"A slight engagement ensued. The result of it was, Lee fell back to Smithfield and Sturdevant went on his way, westwardly, to Ivor, Virginia." Going to Ivor, he passed his brother's farm, Four Square. His brother, J.O. Thomas, had learned the strength of Lee's force and knew the gunboat (Smith Briggs), was not at Smithfield. He persuaded Sturdevant to go there. Sturdevan't larger force would be able to capture Lee's force if they moved fast.

--Old Secesh

The Battle of Smithfield, Virginia-- Part 1

From the Southern Historical Society Papers, Vol. 34 concerning the Yankee Gunboat Smith Briggs.

William Rodgers received a reply. The letter was addressed to Smithfield, Virginia, and was given to the Mayor Joyner in 1906,. He gave it to Mr. R.S. Thomas, who replied. His brother, J.O. Thomas, of Four Square, now 73, participated in the Feb. 1, 1864 engagement.

"Captain Sturdevant of Richmond, Va., with two pieces of artillery, with two small companies of North Carolina infantry, and with a few cavalrymen from that State, went down to Cherry Grove, about ten miles from Smithfield where he had a splendid and unobstructed view of the whole river from that point to Norfolk, so that he might see and report anything and everything that was going on."

--Old Secesh

A Smith Briggs Survivor Wants Information-- Part 3

William W. Rodgers wasn't a member of the Smith Brigg's crew, but was involved in the ship's final hours.

Rodgers had wanted to go to the dedication of a monument at Andersonville but couldn't because of severe rheumatism. (in 1905 to 1906) And since had been confined to his house and wanted to find out more about the battle and what happened to the Smith Briggs. He also wanted to know about the burial of the Union soldier at Ivor Station.

He said that after the battle, he was taken to Belle Island near Richmond, Virginia and then on March 10th, to Andersonville, Georgia. He arrived there on St. Patrick's Day 1864 and was released Oct. 18, 1864, and of the five who came home with him from that place, only two are still alive.

He signed it : William W. Rodgers, 2553 N. Colorado Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

--Old Secesh

A Smith Briggs Survivor Wants Information-- Part 2: Capt. Lee Was a Coward

The light draught gunboat Smith Briggs was blown up by the enemy. "Our Commander by the name of Captain Lee a New York man was a coward and he Drew us up in Line on the first road next to the Little River which I think was called Pagan Creek told the boys all who were in favor of Surrender Hold up their Right Hand.

The New Yorker Hands went up almost to a man. Only one Pennsylvanian sent up his hand.

The New Yorkers had the strongest side So Captain Lee Signed the Surrender looking as white as this paper I am writing upon."

This account of Captain Lee is certainly different from the previous accounts of his bravery and fortitude. And, it now sounds like the troops surrendered on land and not on the Smith Briggs.

Intereesting. --Old Secesh

A Smith Briggs Survivor Wants Information-- Part 1

From Southern Historical Society Papers, Vol. 34 "Yankee gunboat Smith Briggs from the Times-Dispatch, March 18, 1906 and July 15, 1906.

William W. Rodgers was a survivor of the Smith Briggs who was captured and ended up at Andersonville Prison in Georgia. He wants information from someone to find out about the ship's capture by the Rebels.

Written from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1906.

Mr. Rodgers said that on February 1, 1864, he was taken prisoner along with 12 New York Cavalry and a detachment of the 99th NY (I'll write more about Captain Lee's unit in a forthcoming post) along with some of his (Rodgers') Battery A 3rd Pa. Heavy Artillery and some of that unit's Battery B. He said that a total of 110 were captured.

--Old Secesh

Battle of Smithfield-- Part 2

Smithfirld, Virginia

"Information was then received from prisoners and darkies" of a strong enemy force being in the vicinity and the Union troops retreated back to Smithfield and took up defensive positions along the main street.

That Confederate force attacked at 7:30 AM and after 3 1/2 hours, Captain Lee's surrender was demanded. Lee refused, saying that if they "wanted him he [they] would have to come and take him." About 12:30 PM, Lee was forced to retreat.

The gunboat Smith Briggs arrived and the Union forces had to swim out to it. The Briggs' commander Rowe was severely wounded in the throat, the engineer was seriously wounded and all of the crew but six disabled. Lee took command of the greatly disabled ship.

The pilot house was entirely demolsihed (making me wonder how the gilded eagle on it survived) and the wheel couldn't be turned but through huge efforts, they were able to get the Briggs away from shore.

At 3 PM, a shot from a Confederate cannon ashore hit the boiler and it exploded, forcing the Briggs to surrender. Only Captain Lee, a Pamucky Indian pilot and Geo. Smith (a volunteer pilot) and two other men of the 150 aboard were able to escape.

The Smith Briggs was a total wreck and in possession of the Confederates.

--Old Secesh

The Battle of Smithfield, Virginia-- Part 1

From the February 7, 1864, New York Times which reprinted it from the Feb. 2, 1864, Philadelphia Inquirer. Dated Feb. 2, 1864, from Norfolk, Virginia.

The Union force was commanded by Brigadier General Graham and consisted of the Army gunboats Smith Briggs, Flora Temple and Gen. Jessup and the Army transport Long Branch.

There were detachments from the 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, 20th New York Cavalry, 99th New York Infantry and 1st Connecticut Infantry.

The force proceeded up the James River to Logan Creek and Smithfield. Ninety men under Captain Lee of the Norfolk Harbor Police landed from the Long Branch and the gunboats left to go up the Nansemond River.

Lee traveled 4 1/2 miles toward Suffolk where he surprised about 250 Confederates and two 12-pdrs and drove them off easily.

More to Come. --Old Secesh

Army Gunboat Smith Briggs

A photo of the gilded eagle taken from the Smith Briggs accompanies the article. It was taken by Confederate soldier Joseph Chapman Norswiorthy who removed it from the ship's pilot house. It can now be seen at the Isle of Wight Courthouse on Main Street in Smithfield, Virginia.

The Smith Briggs was an Army gunboat which had taken part in the Battle of Suffolk while a part of the Upper Nansemond Flotilla under Lt. Roswell Lamson, USN who was commanding the USS Mount Washington. There is not a lot information about the ship.

--Old Secesh

150 Years Ago: The Battle of Smithfield, Virginia-- Part 2

Continued from Feb. 3rd.

Both columns were successful early on, but the Smithfield group retreated to town and set up defensive positions in the main street and after a brisk fight, by the end of Feb. 1st, more than 100 were captured.

The battered wreck of the Army gunboat Smith Briggs was left burning on the Pagan River and exploded, breaking the glass in windows all over town.

Smithfild doctor Herbert S. Southgate's grandfather took the ship's gilded eagle figurehead as a trophy.

The sesquecentennial observance of the battle took place Feb. 1st from 10 to 4 at the Isle of Wight Museum.

--Old Secesh

150 Years Ago: Battle of Smithfield, Virginia-- Part 1

I mentioned this on my February 1st post in my Civil War Navy Blog, Running the Blockade.

This battle took place February 1, 1864. I'd never heard of the Battle of Smithfield before (nor did I even know there was a town by that name in Virginia).

I found this article in the Jan. 31, 2014, Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press "Hampton Roads History: Cannon fire thunders down Main Street 150 years ago in fiery Battle of Smithfield" by Mark St. John Erickson.

During the Civil War, the Union ships blockading the Hampton Roads area were often fired on from shore while they patrolled. This battle was a result of those actions.

In late January 1864, the near-grounding of a Union vessel from these shots from the James River bank caused four gunboats, two armed Navy launches and detachments of infantry, cavalry and artillery to land at Smithfield and Chuckaluck on January 31st for a two-pronged sweep along the banks to help eliminate this Confederate practice.

More to Come. --Old Secesh