Rain.
I went down to the landing to ascertain the effect of the rumpus
last night. I could plainly see and count twenty seven Rebels at
the Cole house across the river. They were no doubt looking for
sunken vessels or steamers in the James, but none were found for
their shot and shell had been thrown away for nothing. All the vessels
and steamers had moved down river early this morning, but were anchored
in a safer position below Herring Creek. The gunboats alone were
in the river opposite the landings and I wondered why they did not
shell the Cole house now as the Rebels were plainly seen in the
cupola of the tower without the aid of glasses. But they did not
man the guns, and I was disappointed accordingly. During the attack
last night ten men and thirteen horses were killed, besides fifteen
more wounded, some mortally. Several contrabands were also killed
and wounded. The loss was mainly in Averill's cavalry. They were
now moving their quarters farther back from the river. Many of our
vessels and steamers were struck, but not much damage done, as the
Rebels aimed quite high, and did not have time to play their "little
game" long, before the screeching shells from our gunboats scattered
them in the woods. . . .
At 5:30 p.m., 1800 of our troops
were assembled at Westover wharf, who soon embarked on three or
four steamers. A large detail of axemen went with them and under
cover of the gunboats, the crews of which were "all at quarters."
The force steamed across, landed at the ruined wharf, deployed,
and went over the hill to the Cole house. This was set on fire,
and soon the flames streamed out of every window and wrapt the
fine dwelling in sheets of fire. The sun had just set, and the
scene was grand.
I made a sketch on the spot. The
axemen now felled the trees, destroyed the outbuildings, and the
fire caught in the dry timber and brush, and at 6:30 p.m. the
whole opposite bluff was a sheet of fire and smoke, which burnt
clean over twenty acres of ground before morning. The troops were
withdrawn at 10 p.m. while the fire raged unobstructed all night.
I did not leave the landing until 9:30 p.m. The fire at this time
had demolished the house and outbuildings and the woods were burning
fiercely. The river was lit up for miles, and the rigging of the
vessels shone like gold. Many officers and men came from their
camps to see the fine sight. We had a fine serenade at headquarters
. . . and whiskey punch flowed freely. General Kearny's favorite
air is "The Mocking Bird," and the band leaders know that if this
tune is well played they will be furnished whiskey "ad libitum."
So we have this fine piece played over repeatedly, or as long
as the musicians can see his instrument. Sometimes the whiskey
prevents his so doing, when the band is dismissed without thanks.
The camps have now a neat and compact
appearance and they are all sheltered from the sun as much as
possible in woods. The work on the defenses still continues, and
the troops are drilled every day when the weather permits.
