Today in History:

82 Series I Volume XL-III Serial 82 - Richmond, Petersburg Part III

Page 82 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LII.

Captain Pitkin, depot quartermaster, City Point, twenty more 8-inch mortars with platforms, implements, and equipments complete, with 1,000 rounds per mortar, with as little delay as possible. I have now only two not in position. Please acknowledge receipt of this telegram.

HENRY L. ABBOT,

Colonel First Connecticut Artillery, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, July 8, 1864.

Colonel H. L. ABBOT:

Telegram received; 7-inch mortars and beds ordered to Fort Monroe; 4,000 10-inch mortar shells at Fort Monroe will be sent if necessary.

GEO. D. RAMSAY,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Ordnance.

SMITH'S HEADQUARTERS, July 7, 1864.

Colonel ABBOT,

First Connecticut Artillery:

Send as soon as possible to Major Trumbull six 8-inch mortars for use on this front.

WM. F. SMITH,

Major-General, Commanding.

JULY 8, 1864-7.20 a. m.

Brigadier-General HUNT,

General Meade's Headquarters:

General Smith has directed me to send, as soon as possible, six 8-inch mortars to his front. Of course I shall await instructions from you before doing so.

HENRY L. ABBOT,

Colonel First Connecticut Artillery.


HEADQUARTERS SIEGE TRAIN, July 8, 1864-7.20 a. m.

Major General W. F. SMITH,
Commanding Eighteenth Army Corps:

I have notified General Hunt that you have directed me to send six 8-inch mortars to your front and await his orders. He has given me positive orders not to forward guns without his authority for so doing.

HENRY L. ABBOT,

Colonel First Connecticut Artillery, Commanding.


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 8, 1864-8.30 a. m.

Colonel ABBOT:

Send the six mortars to Colonel Burton, with ammunition. Would it not be well to ask for more 8-inch mortars and shell? We will require many mortars for the work before us.

HENRY J. HUNT,
Brigadier-General.


Page 82 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LII.