Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[147] from shore, creating great havoc among a company of rebel infantry in the house, and setting fire to the latter. The fire from the gunboats was kept up for about thirty minutes, but was not returned by the rebels, who, having no artillery, got out of the way as fast as they could.

The gunboats then proceeded up a little further, until within sight of Port Walthall, meeting no batteries or signs of any being constructed.

There was plenty of water in the Appomattox for light-draught vessels, and the reconnoissance was one of the most successful and important that has been made during the war.