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Doc. 110.-operations on James River, Va.


Flag-officer Goldsborough's report.

U. S. Flag-ship Susquehanna, James River, Va., May 18, 1862.
sir: In consequence of a report from Commander Rodgers that there were two batteries on the south side of this river--one at Rock Wharf Landing and the other at Hardin's Bluff or Mother Pine's Landing — which required reducing in order to open the river and get supplies up to him, of which he was about to stand in need, I moved up to them yesterday with this ship, the Wachuset, Dacotah, Maratanza, and tug Young America, but found that both had been recently abandoned and left comparatively in a useless condition. At Hardin's Bluff the guns were spiked, carriages burnt, and magazines blown up, but a little below a solitary gun remained intact, and this we put out of use. At Rock Wharf Landing the guns were also spiked and carriages burnt; but neither the magazines nor bomb-proofs had been destroyed. This I ordered to be done, and it was effectually accomplished.

The James River is now open from its mouth up to Ward's or Drury's Bluff; or, in other words, up to within eight miles of Richmond, where, as you will perceive by Commander Rodgers's report of his fight, it is seriously obstructed.

I am, very respectfully, your ob't servant,

L. M. Goldsborough, Flag-Officer, etc. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy.


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