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*Concerning Sumner's arrival and Sheridan's approach, plus the trade-offs.
On March 16, 1865, Signal Corps stations reported their visibility was limited due to blustery winds, but there was much activity within the confederate lines. Colonel George D. Ruggles, the Assistant Adjutant-General at headquarters of the Sixth Army Corps received a message at 11:15 a. m. from Major-General H. G. Wright. It stated:
[Official Records, Series 1, Volume 46, Part 3, Section 1]
"I have the honor to report that nothing of importance has transpired on the lines of this corps during the past twenty-four hours. One man from the Tenth New Jersey Volunteers deserted to the enemy."
[Page 8]
There were a number of so-called desertions to the enemy that occurred on this day. Except this one circumstance noted above, all reports point to confederates gaining access to the Union line. They were carrying messages of disconsolate soldiers and loss of confidence among officers; and numerous movements among the picket lines in front of Petersburg. Notably, some mention that the lines were guarded from behind to keep confederates from deserting to the rear. Numerous reports were mainly concerning General Bushrod Johnson's Division as well as Pickett's, who by specified intelligence were both placed in three or four different positions during the day as the troops were being relieved and swapping places. The troops had not struck tents but were in full readiness with their packs and bedrolls, except for the temporary reliefs. The latter fact had been verified by the Signal Corps also.
The Union had a Divisional Provost guard for the Brigades that passed every deserter from the Confederacy up to the Army Corps level of Provost-General. These reports are numerous as information was coming in quickly and had to be transmitted for useful intelligence of any changes of a static front to a fluid movement.
The importance of what a New Jersey Volunteer could transmit to the confederates is timely. The Secretary of War was visiting City Point on this occasion and not only a review of Warren's Corps was to take place, but there was to be a horse race, both the next day; March 17. Warren was commanding the Fifth Army Corps and ordered to turn out all his pioneers in marching order with their tools from each Division. Also:
[Ibid.]
"The Major-General commanding deems it proper to caution you against permitting too large a number of the officers or men of your corps to attend the races tomorrow.... [and] that no improper use of public animals is made by officers of men visiting the race-course. The commanding officer of the Cavalry division will take especial pains to prevent any abuses of the animals of his command by the enlisted men."
[Page 6-7]
This message was transmitted to the Sixth (Wright) and Ninth Corps (Parke) and General Davies Cavalry Division at 7:30 a. m., March 16, 1865.
Does anyone believe a New Jersey soldier would truly cast his lot in with the confederacy at this point in the war? How about under orders to transmit false information by desertion from a Corps commander? I will place a $2 Bill the Jersey Jockey was a butternut.
Do you think anyone carried the confederate plans for attacking a Union fortification in the near future? Your betting windows are now open!
??
Lubliner.
On March 16, 1865, Signal Corps stations reported their visibility was limited due to blustery winds, but there was much activity within the confederate lines. Colonel George D. Ruggles, the Assistant Adjutant-General at headquarters of the Sixth Army Corps received a message at 11:15 a. m. from Major-General H. G. Wright. It stated:
[Official Records, Series 1, Volume 46, Part 3, Section 1]
"I have the honor to report that nothing of importance has transpired on the lines of this corps during the past twenty-four hours. One man from the Tenth New Jersey Volunteers deserted to the enemy."
[Page 8]
There were a number of so-called desertions to the enemy that occurred on this day. Except this one circumstance noted above, all reports point to confederates gaining access to the Union line. They were carrying messages of disconsolate soldiers and loss of confidence among officers; and numerous movements among the picket lines in front of Petersburg. Notably, some mention that the lines were guarded from behind to keep confederates from deserting to the rear. Numerous reports were mainly concerning General Bushrod Johnson's Division as well as Pickett's, who by specified intelligence were both placed in three or four different positions during the day as the troops were being relieved and swapping places. The troops had not struck tents but were in full readiness with their packs and bedrolls, except for the temporary reliefs. The latter fact had been verified by the Signal Corps also.
The Union had a Divisional Provost guard for the Brigades that passed every deserter from the Confederacy up to the Army Corps level of Provost-General. These reports are numerous as information was coming in quickly and had to be transmitted for useful intelligence of any changes of a static front to a fluid movement.
The importance of what a New Jersey Volunteer could transmit to the confederates is timely. The Secretary of War was visiting City Point on this occasion and not only a review of Warren's Corps was to take place, but there was to be a horse race, both the next day; March 17. Warren was commanding the Fifth Army Corps and ordered to turn out all his pioneers in marching order with their tools from each Division. Also:
[Ibid.]
"The Major-General commanding deems it proper to caution you against permitting too large a number of the officers or men of your corps to attend the races tomorrow.... [and] that no improper use of public animals is made by officers of men visiting the race-course. The commanding officer of the Cavalry division will take especial pains to prevent any abuses of the animals of his command by the enlisted men."
[Page 6-7]
This message was transmitted to the Sixth (Wright) and Ninth Corps (Parke) and General Davies Cavalry Division at 7:30 a. m., March 16, 1865.
Does anyone believe a New Jersey soldier would truly cast his lot in with the confederacy at this point in the war? How about under orders to transmit false information by desertion from a Corps commander? I will place a $2 Bill the Jersey Jockey was a butternut.
Do you think anyone carried the confederate plans for attacking a Union fortification in the near future? Your betting windows are now open!
??
Lubliner.
Last edited:
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