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