Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
June 14, 1864.—I have been down to the river today. Our pickets exchange shots with the rebels on the other side almost every day. They are few in numbers, and the river is so wide that it is a harmless amusement for both sides.
Colonel Chapman is below on the river somewhere, and I expect him every day. The 18th Wisconsin is on the river below us. I have got the companies all posted now, and intend visiting them as soon as Colonel Chapman gets back.
June 14th. Called up by daylight. This morning a hot one. Must bid farewell to this town. The people will no doubt be pleased to see us leaving. We had a very quiet time here. Roads very dusty. Our scouts report the enemy in all directions. The boys are in good spirits as we go marching along, taking observations, looking for points of interest. Passed within four miles of Virginia Natural Bridge. Was in hopes that we could see it. These are rough, stony roads. After a hard march we reached the town of Buchanon, near high and lofty mountains. Here the enemy had burned the bridge. The Engineer and Pioneer Corps made the ruins strong enough for us to cross. We camp for the night in a wheat field. Thankful to stop for a rest, after marching about twenty-four miles. It looks to us as though we shall be obliged to climb the mountains tomorrow. The road leads in that direction. This is a wild looking country. The scenery grand. Very few people can be seen as we pass through the towns and villages on the line of march, going farther in the enemy’s country, and away from our base of supplies. It makes us feel that we are in for much hard work and marching.
14th. Moved on to Charles City, and drew one-half day’s rations of provisions. Remained saddled till 3 P. M. when we moved back on the Richmond road to the junction of Richmond and Harrison Landing roads. Remained saddled at some church till morning. Hasty breakfast.
Tuesday, June 14th.—Lieutenant-General Polk instantly killed by shell to-day.
Tuesday, 14th—No rain, but cloudy and quite cool. Skirmishing began again early this morning and our artillery threw shells into the rebels’ works, but they would not reply. They are still fortifying their position. A rebel company consisting of thirty-five men came over to our lines today and gave themselves up. They informed us that there was a whole brigade that would surrender if given a chance, for they were tired of retreating all the while. They also represented to our officers that Johnston’s entire force numbered only sixty thousand men, and said that their artillerymen had orders not to fire when our artillery shelled, but to wait until our troops should make a charge, and then open up on us. There was one man of the Sixteenth Iowa killed today by a rebel sharpshooter.
Huntsville, Tuesday, June 14. A sunny day without rain at last. Signed receipt rolls for clothing. All the wounded and sick sent North from the hospitals here. The long-expected order was at last issued this afternoon. “Hold ourselves in readiness to march at any time.” After four days’ waiting I [received] my letter.
June 14 — We moved only about two miles to-day, and camped near Bumpas Station. Late this evening the second and fourth guns were ordered to the front, in the direction that the raiders are retiring.
Tuesday, June 14. — Routed out at 4.3o A.m., to move. Crossed a creek at Pollock’s Mills. About a mile farther we crossed the Chickahominy, which divides, running round an island. The branches were not over 25 feet broad. Saw Colonel Spaulding[1] here. We then marched down to within two miles of the James River, near Tyler’s Mills. Halted here an hour, opposite Ex-President Tyler’s house. Moved on three miles, and went in rear of the Sixth Corps, where we camped for night. Dalton came over, and gave us provisions.
[We had been twenty-four hours without food. By changing our base from White House over to the James River we interrupted the commissariat somewhat. I do not think I was ever so hungry in my life. We stacked arms in line of battle, and just as we did so a quail flew up. The men had broken ranks, and they gave chase and caught him, and he was given to me and I had him broiled for my supper. Henry Dalton came over also and gave us some hard-tack. Adjutant Lipp caught a box-turtle and had him roasted. Late in the evening we all of us had plenty to eat.]
[1] Commander of one of the regiments in the Engineer Brigade.
June 14th. Started at 10 A.m. for James river; embarked on a steamer and landed the other side; marched two miles and halted for the rest of the column; formed line of battle and stopped for the night.
Tuesday, June 14th.
A detail of a thousand men from the regiment was made this morning to go to the river near the Charles City Court House, which had been burned, and cut a way for the trains to the pontoon bridge and the boat landings, and was engaged in this work pretty much all day. The country about here is very attractive, perhaps the most so of any part of Virginia which we have traversed.
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