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Reports of Col. P. F. De Gournay, Twelfth Louisiana Artillery Battalion, of operations May 24-July 2.
HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, COLONEL: During the two
hours and a half bombardment by the enemy's mortar and gunboats, the
batteries of this command fired twenty-four shots with little effect,
being at very long range. One of the shots from Captain [W. B.] Seawell's
battery struck the Monongahela in the bow. Our batteries were struck many
times, but with no damage. The gun-carriage at Battery 10 was slightly
injured, but not enough to disable it. I have to deplore the
following casualties among the men armed as infantry at the breastworks on
the extreme right, viz: Killed, Corporal [William] Zengle and Private
[Adolph] Hildman, of Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion; Private
[John] Haindel, Company E, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. Wounded, Private
[John] Fink, Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. I am, colonel, respectfully,
your obedient servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding. Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy
Artillery. HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, MAJOR: I have to report
the following casualties among the men of my command armed as infantry,
and stationed at the breastworks on the extreme right: Killed, Corporal
[William] Zengle and Private [Adolph] Hildman, of Company A, and Private
[John] Haindel, of Company E, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. Wounded,
Private [John] Fink, Company A, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion. These
casualties resulted from a single bomb-shell. The gun carriage at Battery
No. 10 was slightly injured, but not disabled. I have no other damages to
report, although the batteries were struck quite often by fragments of
bomb and rifle shells. I am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant
Adjutant-General. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, COLONEL: I had the
Parrott gun and the rifled 24-pounder trailed and pointed yesterday, and
bearings marked, so that they could be directed at the mortar-boats during
the night. At 11.30 the mortars commenced bombarding, when our guns
replied, firing at the flash, deliberately and slowly. We fired in all
nineteen shots, and this morning the mortar fleet is below the Point,
having fallen back during the darkness that preceded daybreak. I owe this
result in great part to the excellent management of Lieutenant [L. A.]
Schirmer, whom I had placed in charge of the Parrott gun. During the fight
the bursting of a bombshell in the rear of the battery wounded 3 men of
Company D, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion; 1 seriously. No damage to the
works. I am, colonel, very
respectfully, your obedient servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy
Artillery. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY ARTILLERY, MAJOR: During the
furious bombardment by the enemy's mortar-boats this afternoon, a shell
struck the gun (32-pounder rifled) at Battery No. 10, breaking the screw.
The damage is easily repaired, and the gun can be used to-night. Another
shell fell in the camp near Battery No. 9, killing 1 man instantly. The
mortar-boats have moved to-day nearer the Point, probably on account of
the river falling steadily. They are not much nearer to us, but in better
view. For several days they have been using occasionally extra charges of
powder, by which they have attained greater range, and thrown shells
beyond Battery No. 6. I will take advantage of their new position, and
attack them to-morrow with the Parrott gun (30-pounder) and the rifled
24-pounder and 32-pounder. I am, major, respectfully,
your obedient servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant
Adjutant-General. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, COLONEL: The
communication to General Gardner from several officers of the right wing,
land defenses, asking that more heavy guns should be placed on that wing,
is before me, and I have the honor to submit my opinion, as requested by
you. As regards the 8-inch shell gun, the only one from my command alluded
to, I cannot see the practicability of its removal to the lines. It is a
barbette gun, and a battery would have to be constructed, which would
involve delay and labor; it would, besides, deprive the river defenses of
one of the few effective guns they have with which to contend against the
superior armament of the fleet. If this gun were placed
in Battery No. 8, on a columbiad pivot carriage, as agreed lately, it
might be brought to bear on the enemy's land batteries, while still
retaining its position on the river. Such is the case with
the 30 pounder Parrott and rifled 24-pounder, which commands both the
river and land. These two guns will support any battery on the right wing
whenever, by previous understanding, it wishes to open. By so doing, they
will probably attract the fire of the fleet, but such a consideration can
have no weight. If we calculate the number of guns of the enemy, and bow
to their superiority, we are lost. We have to fight them
when and as we can, and trust to God and our own fortitude for the result.
There is nothing to warrant the opinion that with two heavy guns on the
line we can silence all their batteries, and, in my opinion, the removal
of the 8-inch shell gun would give certain prejudice and barely probable
benefit. These remarks are my
candid opinion, but should the general order any of the guns of my command
to be moved to other positions, he may rest assured that we will fight
them as long as they will stand. Should he wish the 24-pounder and
30-pounder Parrott to open to-morrow on the enemy's batteries, I will have
it done. We could effect nothing at night with these guns, as the enemy's
batteries are concealed from view, and we must be guided by the smoke of
their guns. I am, colonel, respectfully, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy
Artillery. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, COLONEL: During the
firing from the ships this morning, the 24-pounder rifled gun at Battery
11 was struck by a shell near the vent, and a small piece of metal broken
off. No serious damage, however, and the gun can be worked with safety. Yours, respectfully, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy
Artillery. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, COLONEL: The 30-pounder
Parrott gun was disabled about an hour ago by a solid shot from a land
battery, nearly opposite, that had just opened for the first time. The
shot struck the gun near the muzzle, cutting off a piece and splitting the
gun. Two other successive shots broke the axle and a wheel, making the
piece a complete wreck. The piece was just being placed in position to
fire, and was not yet in battery when struck. Sharpshooters now line the
hill opposite, and keep up a steady fire when our men show themselves.
Amid this sad disaster, I have the consolation to report that none of my
cannoneers were hurt. Respectfully, your obedient
servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Lieut. Col. M. J. SMITH, Chief of Heavy
Artillery. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, MAJOR: The enemy opened
fire from their land batteries and the fleet (including mortar-boats) at
3.45 o'clock this afternoon, to which the guns on this
wing replied, and soon brought on a spirited artillery fight. The mortar-boats ceased
firing after two hours and a half, the gunboats four hours. No damage was
done to our guns and no man hurt at the batteries. The works at Battery
No. 11 were badly torn up by the enemy's fire, which seemed to be, in
great part, concentrated on that point. So terrific was the fire at that
battery, that it was found impossible to man the siege 24-pounder rifled
gun without an almost certainty that it would be dismounted. The guns
engaged on the extreme left were the rifled 32-pounder, which fired
fourteen shots; the 8-inch shell gun, which fired six shells with
excellent effect on the enemy's principal works, after which it
unfortunately got disabled by the accidental giving way of the elevating
screw--he damage is now being repaired; the rifled 24-pounder barbette,
which fired 27 Reid shots at the mortar-boats, many shots taking effect on
the boats and also on the Essex. From the center, the
10-inch and 8.inch columbiads of this command were also engaged, first
with the fleet, and subsequently, with much better effect, firing on the
enemy's works. I cannot yet report the number of shots fired from these
two guns. I beg leave to make
most honorable mention of Lieut. L. A Schirmer, of my command, for an act
of heroic bravery. The flag of [W. R.] Miles' Legion was hoisted on the
extreme left (Battery 11), and was shot down. Lieutenant Schirmer seized
it, fixed it to a light pole, and, jumping on the parapet, planted the
flag-staff amid a shower of bullets. Again and again the flag was shot
down, and each time the gallant lieutenant raised it, waved it defiantly,
and planted it firmly, regardless of the volleys of the enemy's
sharpshooters. He escaped unhurt after repeating thrice this gallant feat,
that called forth the enthusiastic cheers of the brave men who lined our
works. There is still
occasional firing, and it is probable that the attack will be renewed
to-night, preparatory to an attempt to charge the works in the morning.
The men are in excellent spirits and will do all their duty. I am, major, respectfully,
your obedient servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant
Adjutant-General. ----- HEADQUARTERS
LEFT WING, HEAVY BATTERIES, MAJOR: Capt. Felix Le
Bisque, Company B, Twelfth Louisiana Battalion, died yesterday in the
general hospital, after a protracted illness. My batteries were again
engaged today with the enemy's guns recently placed on the opposite side
of the river. The 32-pounder rifled gun at Battery No. 10 was dismounted
by a shot cutting down the cheeks. The gun is not injured. Captain [W. N.]
Coffin, commanding, was slightly wounded. We are unable to say what damage
was inflicted on the enemy. I am, sir, very
respectfully, your obedient servant, P.
F. DE GOURNAY, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Left Wing, Heavy Batteries. Maj. T. F. WILLSON, Assistant
Adjutant-General. |
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