Siege of Yorktown - View of Battery No. 4 - North and South Sections - May 1862

A crop from the right side of a James Gibson's stereograph at the Library of Congress with the title of, "Yorktown, Virginia (vicinity). Battery No. 4, mounting 13-inch mortars, each weighing 20,000 pounds." Unlike most of Gibson's other stereo work, there's not a lot of 3D in this view, so presented here in flat 2D.

 

Link to glass plate negative: www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/civwar/item/2018671776/

 

Notes: A seldom seen view of almost the entire Battery No. 4, on Wormley Creek which was constructed by the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery over a period of several weeks in April 1862. Battery No. 4 consisted of ten 13-inch sea-coast mortars (1861 model), with three in the south section (at left) and seven in the north section (at right) - two mortars are hidden by the trees at right. The battery was completed on May 3, 1862, just in time for a planned massive bombardment by all 14 Union batteries on the Confederate lines at Yorktown.

 

However, the Confederates were aware of what Gen. McClellan was up to and pulled out the night before, retreating to Williamsburg. The mortars seen here in Battery No. 4 were never fired in the Yorktown siege, nor were any of the heavy siege guns in the other batteries, except for Battery No. 1, which fired for four consecutive days; perhaps just long enough to convince the Confederates it was time to go.

 

This is a wide crop from Gibson's stereograph; I've cleaned it up some and upscaled it. The more familiar view of this mortar battery is another Gibson image (see my previous 3D flickr postings) of just the south section, with officers posing around three mortars, seen here in this image at left. It appears Gibson would have had some difficulty setting up his camera and tripod for that view where the terrain (at far left) gives way to a depression full of small trees and brush.

 

There are several details that can be seen here, not visible in the more familiar Gibson view. In the middle of the battery can be seen the magazine which held the gun powder, in the foreground is Wormley Creek, and parked at the shoreline is one of the large barges which were used to transport the mortars, ammunition, and supplies. Also visible, above the magazine and just to the right, can be seen a rather crude looking ladder for scaling the tallest tree at center, used as an observation post.

 

The original shoreline here would have likely appeared as you see in the foreground at right and at the extreme left of the image - sloping and covered with trees and brush. Obviously, there was a tremendous amount of manual labor involved to excavate this battery, clear trees for a line of sight, and haul ashore all the heavy mortars and ammunition. The ten mortar tubes each weighed 17,000 lbs., and the total weight of one gun and carriage was 22,000 lbs. (11 tons). The 315 mortar shells brought into the battery weighed 220 lbs. each (or 204 lbs. from another source) and could be fired with a range of up to 2.5 miles.

 

Later in the war, with the increasing number of escaped slaves, some of this labor might have been done by "contrabands," but I believe at this point in time all the labor was performed by the Union soldiers. Confederate forces at Yorktown, however, were making widespread use of enslaved labor to build their earthworks and entrenchments.

 

Below is Gen. Barry's report on the siege preparations, which provides a day by day description of the completed work. I have excerpted just the sections that relate to Battery No. 4, and some of that which relates to the overall effort. It's lengthy and rather dry reading - some of it is interesting, but probably just for Civil War buffs.

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HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OF ARTILLERY,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, May 5, 1862.

 

GENERAL: I have the honor to make the following general report of the operations of the artillery at the siege of Yorktown.

 

The army having arrived in front of the enemy's works, April fifth, went into camp, and preparations were at once commenced for the siege. From this date until April tenth, active reconnoissances of the enemy's lines and works were pushed by the Commanding General. By his orders I examined the various inlets and creeks for the purpose of selecting a suitable place for landing the siege-train. Cheeseman's Creek, an affluent of the Poquosin River, about two miles and a half from the proposed location of our works, was selected as possessing the greatest advantages of deep water, a good landing, and facility of approach. The siege-train dépôt was established in a large open field about one mile and a half from the landing, and at the junction of the roads forming the approaches to the various batteries. The siege-train consisted of 101 pieces….

 

[The report then provides the location of all 14 batteries]

BATTERY NO. 4.-In ravine under plateau of "Moore's house."

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH.-By pushing close reconnoissances, the engineer officers have seen at least 50 guns in the enemy's works. Of these, 33. are on water-front and looking down York River, of which 23 will bear on our battery No. 1. The remainder, 17 guns, are on land-front. There are probably more, which are masked by sand bags.

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 19TH…..Rain for past twenty-four hours, and ground soft and slippery, and altogether unfavor-infantry supports be now placed in position in able for heavy work.

 

MONDAY, APRIL 21ST.-Batteries 4 and 5 commenced. The officers and cannoneers of Randol's and De Russy's batteries making gabions and fascines, under Brig.-Gen. Woodbury;

 

APRIL 22D. Another detachment is at work on the 13-inch mortars; blocks and tackle for handling them have arrived.

APRIL 22D, P.M.-The usual detail of cannoneers of two batteries for instruction in the manufacture of gabions, fascines, etc.; harnessed horses furnished for transportation of siege-guns; 90 barrels of powder transported from landing to dépôt.

 

APRIL 23D…..mortar was transferred from transport to canalboat, which is to carry it up Wormley Creek. A detachment is ordered to work all night, to complete the transfer of the remaining 4 mortars. The whole number will be ready to be towed into position to-morrow night.

 

…A vessel has arrived at Cheeseman's Landing with 13inch mortars, number not known. Arrange ments are made to receive these mortars when hoisted out of the vessel, and when the present heavy weather abates, to tow them around to the immediate vicinity of the battery in which they are to be placed in position. It will be necessary to ask the assistance of the Navy to hoist them out of the transport. I respectfully request that this assistance be asked for.

 

APRIL 24TH. Eight 13-inch seacoast-mortars were transferred from the transport to canal-boats, and will tonight, at high-tide, be towed into Wormley Creek. Two 13-inch mortars and 1 200-pounder Parrott gun will be transferred to-morrow, and, weather permitting, will also be towed into the creek.

 

Eight 13-inch seacoast-mortars, with a quantity of shells, were towed out of Cheeseman's Creek last night, en route for Wormley Creek. Upon arriving at the fleet, it was ascertained that the tide was beginning to ebb, and the officer detailed by me to superintend the work (Major Webb) was dissuaded by the pilot and Captain Missroon from attempting the passage. The canal-boats were therefore anchored beyond range of the enemy's guns and view, and they will be run in at eight o'clock to-night, together with the remaining mortars and 200-pounder.

 

APRIL 25TH, 9 P.M.-In consequence of the breaking of the blocks and falls procured from the navy, the transfer of mortars was necessarily delayed. Two 13-inch mortars and 1 200-pounder gun yet remain to be transhipped. Measures have been taken to procure from Fort Monroe lifting materials of adequate strength.

 

Six hundred 30-pounder shell and 400 30pounder shot were transferred from landing to dépôt. One large sling-cart, lifting-jack, and ropes were taken to Battery No. 4, in readiness for 13-inch mortars. Eight 13-inch mortars are to be brought into Wormley Creek to-night, at high-tide, (eight P.M.,) and will be moved up to Battery No. 4 early to-morrow morning.

 

Batteries Nos. 3, 5, and 6.-No change. Battery No. 4.-Preparations made for landing and mounting 13-inch mortars. The roads to and from Cheeseman's Creek, are again getting bad, and require immediate attention.

 

APRIL 27TH, A. M.-The 200-pounder Parrott and the remaining 2 13-inch mortars were successfully brought into Wormley Creek just at daybreak this morning. Great credit is due my assistant Major Webb for this work. It was by his energy, perseverance, and coolness during the greater portion of forty-eight hours almost continuous labor-for nearly two hours of which he was under the enemy's fire of shot and shell, that the great difficulties attending the movement of this exceedingly heavy material were overcome.

I have given orders to Colonel Tyler (who has already entered upon the execution of them) to mount and place in position the mortars and 200pounder. I have no change to report in any of the batteries.

 

APRIL 27TH, P.M.-One hundred and twentyfive barrels of powder were to-day hauled from Cheeseman's Landing to the siege-dépôt. The roads to and from the landing are now so bad that it is utterly impossible to bring more than light loads over them. I earnestly request that a strong working party be detailed at once for its repairs. The road in rear of Battery No. 2 is still unfinished. I beg to repeat my application of yesterday and of the day before, that a party be detailed to complete it.

 

APRIL 26TH, 9 A.M.-Two of the barges containing 8 13-inch mortars, were successfully taken into Wormley Creek this morning. The remaining barge, loaded with 13-inch mortar shells is hopelessly aground, and will have to be discharged, and I have to request that the Engineer Department be ordered to furnish Col. Tyler with pontoons for this purpose. No change re-zine improved and splinter-proofs constructed ported in any of the batteries.

 

APRIL 26TH, 9 P.M.-Two canal-boats containing 8 13-inch mortars and 9 beds were brought into Wormley Creek in readiness to be taken up to their position at high-tide, (half-past eight tonight.) Major Webb left Cheeseman's Creek at five o'clock this afternoon in charge of two canalboats containing 2 13-inch mortars, 1 bed, and 1 200-pounder gun with chassis, carriages and platform. They will be brought into Wormley Creek at high-tide to-night.

Battery No. 4.-Four platforms for 13-inch mortars laid, and 2 mortars transferred from barge to battery.

 

Cheeseman's Landing. — Four companies of First Connecticut artillery relieved by two companies Fifth New-York volunteers. The discharging of the vessel loaded with 10-inch shell was completed. The vessel on which are the 10-inch

seacoast-mortars, drawing so much water as to be unable to get to the wharf until high-water; no mortars were discharged.

 

APRIL 30TH…..Battery No. 4.-One mortar transferred from barge and two mortars mounted and now ready for service. A third mortar was being mounted, when the blocks broke, and further work was delayed for repairs; 315 shell were placed in the battery….I beg to urge the necessity of immediate further repairs upon the road near Cheeseman's Landing, and in front of General Hooker's division, (Yorktown road.) It is impossible to haul heavy guns over that portion of the road.

 

MAY 1ST, 1862.-Battery No. 1.-A few shots were fired this afternoon at Yorktown wharf, with what effect, is not known, as the fog was thick. Fire at the rate of one shot per hour was maintained at this battery all night, to prevent the enemy's transports, which were driven away yesterday afternoon, from returning to discharge their freight under cover of darkness. Some of the pintle-blocks have started. Repairs will be made at once.

Battery No. 2.-No change; a working party of eighty or one hundred men is needed to complete the road.

Battery No. 4.-Two more mortars mounted; 3 more mortars discharged; 5 beds discharged, and 4 platforms laid.

 

MAY 2D, 1862.

Battery No. 4.-Three 13-inch mortars, and 3 beds disembarked; 4 platforms laid and 3 mortars mounted.

 

MAY 3D, 1862. Battery No. 4.-This battery was entirely completed; platforms all laid and mortars all mounted at nine o'clock A.M.; one hundred barrels of powder placed in magazine, and implements and equipments supplied. The battery is now ready for service.

 

MAY 4TH, 1862.-The enemy evacuated the place during the night, and the United States troops took possession at daylight.

 

The difficulties attending the placing in position the unusually heavy material used in this siege, were very much increased by the peculiarities of the soil, and by the continuance of heavy rains during the greater portion of the operations. Oftentimes the heavier guns, in their transportation of three miles from the landing to the batteries, would sink in the quicksands to the axletrees of their travelling carriages.

 

The efforts of the best-trained and heaviest of the horses of the artillery reserve were of no avail in the attempts to extricate them, and it became necessary to haul this heavy metal by hand, the cannoneers working knee-deep in mud and water. In these labors the officers and men of the First Connecticut artillery and the Fifth New-York volunteers exhibited extraordinary perseverance, alacrity, and cheerfulness. finally became necessary to construct a heavy corduroy road, wide enough for teams to pass each other, the whole distance from the landing to the dépôt.

 

Whenever it was practicable to use horses, they were promptly supplied by Col. Hunt, from the batteries of the artillery reserve, under his command.

 

At the suggestion of Major-General McClellan, a number of rope mantlets, on the plan of those used by the Russians at Sebastopol, were constructed in New-York under the supervision of Col. Delafield, and were forwarded to me with great despatch. They were placed in the embrasures of Batteries 2 and 3, and would doubtless have fully answered the same good purpose which those of similar construction did at Sebastopol.

 

Although all of the batteries but two, (and they required but six hours more to be completed,) were fully ready for service when the enemy evacuated his works, circumstances permitted fire to be opened only from Battery No. 1.

 

The ease with which the 200 and 100-pounders of this battery were worked, the extraordinary accuracy of their fire, and the since ascertained effects produced upon the enemy by it, force upon me the conviction that the fire of guns of similar calibre and power in the other batteries at much shorter ranges, combined with the crossvertical fire of the 13 and 10-inch seacoast-mortars, would have compelled the enemy to surrender or abandon his works in less than twelve hours.

 

It will always be a source of great professional disappointment to me that the enemy, by his premature and hasty abandonment of his defensive line, deprived the artillery of the army of the Potomac of the opportunity of exhibiting the superior power and efficiency of the unusually heavy metal used in this siege, and of reaping the honor and just reward of their unceasing labors, day and night, for nearly one month.....

 

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM F. BARRY, Brigadier-General, Chief of Artillery."

Done