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HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of engineering operations Army of the James for the week ending November 19: A detail of 300 men has been employed daily until Saturday constructing corduroy road from Tenth Army Corps front along New Market road toward Deep Bottom. Plank platforms have been made in the redoubts on the right flank. The redoubt near Four Mile Creek is now completed, having embrasures for thirteen guns. It is revetted and constructed like those on Camp Holly and Signal Hills, and surrounded with abatis. The infantry parapet connecting this work with the crest of New Market Hill is nearly completed. The work on the new line in advance of the lunette (No. 2) is almost finished and will have sixteen embrasures. Slashings in front and flank of Camp Holly redoubt is being continued daily with a detail of seventy-five men. The corduroy road (twenty-eight feet wide) crossing the ravine beyond Aiken's Landing is finished. All engineering work has been delayed by unfavorable weather. The excavation at Dutch Gap Canal has been prosecuted with but small details. Blasting has been tried with favorable results in the stiff blue clay, which forms the bed of the canal. The mine for the charge to blow out the main embankment has been sheathed with stout gallery frames. But little water has been met with until lately, when a small stream has been opened; it can be kept out, however, by buckets. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, PETER S. MICHIE, Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. G. BARNARD, |
Last updated: February 26, 2015