- Joined
- Nov 27, 2018
- Location
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
Hoping this is in the proper forum, I came across a report that proved the value of our 'lovable' four-footed friends.
On August 29, 1864, the commissary of subsistence had a herd of cattle grazing on Coggin’s Point in Virginia about 10 miles away from City Point. This was opposite Harrison’s Landing on the James River. By September 15 there were 2, 486 head of cattle on hand. On that day the cattle were moved to the Harrison farms two miles from the river and one mile nearer City Point. The cattle were grazed, watered and corralled before sunset, with the usual night watch on guard; a detachment of the Thirteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry and the First District of Columbia Cavalry. At about 4:45 a. m. on the 16th of September, the picket line was attacked at all points simultaneously by confederates, and within 20 minutes had surrounded the cattle and either shot down, taken prisoner, or dispersed all the guard.
“The enemy was commanded by Generals Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee. Their force was large. With it was a regiment called the Home Guard, raised in this county; also eight pieces of artillery, together with mounted infantry. They numbered in all about 6,000. With the enemy was a large number of hounds and herding dogs that attacked the cattle furiously and hurried them off….the cattle were thriving and healthy, and as I thought, safe up to the hour of their complete capture by the enemy.” Captain Richardson, Volunteer Commissary of Subsistence.
[ Official Records, Series 1, Volume 42, Part 1, page 27-30].
These dogs must have been somewhat trained by their handlers, shown by the silence maintained as the confederates encircled the detailed Yankees. Any thoughts on this?
Lubliner.
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