21 May 1864

General,

It is my duty to report the late actions in eastern Va. on the James River.

We arrived this place on the 18 Th. Instant. My command taking several different routes in order not to alert the enemy of our movements. The team of captured Michigan horses struggled with the wet ground but some corduroy of the roads enabled us to get to our intended position. We made a good camp in some old works and waited for the arrival of the rest of our troops. This being accomplished with the arrival of new recruits the next morning.

We moved up to press the enemy and found them entrenched in a well fortified position . A well designed fortification about four hundred yards long with two artillery bastions on the walls to cover both the face and the flanks. We would later find them well defended with cannon. Our skirmishers drove in the enemy with little resistance initially. As we closed on their works we began to take a heavy fire from their guns. At first, to little effect, but as we moved into position we realized that we had come up into an infaliade fire from the guns on the east bastion. We then concentrated our fire on that position while our cavalry and attacked the face of the fort. Three gallant charges were made as we supported. It looked for a time that we would be successful, but unfortunately every charge was repulsed. Even though we failed to take the position, we succeeded in relieving the surrounding plantations from the enemy’s harassment. Many of our men saw the elephant this day, some even claimed to have seen a mermaid. War does strange things to men sometimes.

We moved back to our original position and tried to get settled in for the night. We were fortunate to catch some nice fish and had a handsome feast. A ruse by the enemy allowed them to distract our pickets and suddenly we found ourselves under a surprise attack. A small affair at first, that quickly turned into a general engagement. The enemy gained a portion of our works, but was repulsed after a spirited fight. Their momentum faded when a gun was brought up and hit them at point blank range. As they were driven from our works another gun was brought up to hasten their retreat. The firing commencing till after dark.

Our camp again secured, we settled down again to fatigue duty and were preparing for bed when we again were rudely attacked by renegades. Corp. Am Dick, armed only with a bright torch and a strong constitution single handedly put down the uprising, for which she received a personal commendation from the General. This area is full of ruffians and renegades.

We have moved back to our original base of operations and await further orders.

Yours for the duration

Wayne Womble Capt.

Charlotte Battery