Autobiography and personal reminiscences of Major-General Benj. F. Butler; Butler's book (1892) (14583201620)

Identifier: autobiographype00butl (find matches)
Title: Autobiography and personal reminiscences of Major-General Benj. F. Butler; Butler's book
Year: 1892 (1890s)
Authors: Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893
Subjects:
Publisher: Boston, A.M. Thayer
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto



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lunch with me,which, after New England fashion, was at twelve oclock. He didso, and between twelve and one left for a ride of about seven milesto the bridge at Deep Bottom. The attack was made quite late in the da), and was not success-ful. It was renewed the next day, and was in part successful, aminor fortification and four guns being captured. Then, deeming theposition of the enemy to be too strong to be taken, Hancock with-drew his troops back to the lines at Petersburg, and Birney camehome.1 The enemy having repulsed the two corps of our army, I supposedwould become careless, not thinking1 the attack would be renewed. 2 About the 25th of July General Grant had made a formal demonstration with HancocksSecond Corps and Birneys Corps from Bermuda Hundred across the James River by thepontoon bridge at Deep Bottom, which, for reasons that need not be discussed, was not success-ful, and he renewed the attempt on the 13th of August, as has been hereinbefore described. BUTLEIVS BOOK. 719
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BUTLERS BOOK. 721 With a view of finding out exactly how matters stood with themin that part of their lines, I caused my scouts and secret servicemen to make a most thorough investigation. As I have stated, Ihad an exceedingly accurate map, drawn by the rebels themselves,of all their fortifications, and I instructed my secret service men tofind out exactly how many men were holding each fortification,including the works at Chafnns farm and Fort Harrison, and theconnecting lines of forts between them» I got such reports thatupon reinvestigation I was satisfied they were correct. This tooksome time, but about the 20th of September I went to GeneralGrant and explained to him my preparation, and asked his leave tomake an attack in that quarter with such men as I could spare fromthe Army of the James. I felt satisfied that I could leave compara-tively few men in my intrenchments, for while I was attackingRichmond on one side of the James I was quite sure the enemy wouldnot find itself suf