Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3., page 334

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When Grant determined to throw Meade's army to the south side of the James, he hastened to Butler's Headquarters for the purpose of arranging a plan of co-operation from Bermuda Hundred, against Petersburg,¹ the possession of which would be of vast importance as a point d'appui, or fixed place for the forming of troops for chief operations against Richmond. Butler's line of works, erected under the direction of General Weitzel, were then perfected, and were not surpassed, in completeness

Line of defense at Bermuda hundred.²

for defensive operations by any made during the war. His position was almost impregnable; yet, while Smith was absent with a greater portion of the Army of the James, he was too weak to attempt formidable offensive movements. It was for this reason that Smith was so quickly sent back to Bermuda hundred, as we have observed.³

1 Petersburg is situated on the south bank of the Appomattox River, about ten miles from its mouth at City Point. That river is navigable to Petersburg for vessels of one hundred tons burden; but larger ones ascend only to Port Walthall, six miles below it, near the high eminence on the north side, known as Point of Rocks. Through Petersburg passed the railway that connected Richmond with the Carolinas. Another, called the Southside road, extended westward to Lynchburg; another, running in a southeasterly direction, connected Petersburg and Norfolk, and a short one also connected Petersburg with. City Point.

2 this shows a portion of the line of works constructed by General Weitzel. First, there was a strong line of earthworks, consisting of redoubts and entrenchments, with embrasures made more efficient by bags of sand.

Chevaux-de-frise.

outside of this was a ditch, with abatis in front, and outside of all a row of pointed palisades of timber, inclining toward the approaches of assailants. The Confederate engineers also constructed admirable defensive works around Petersburg, in which they extensively employed a species. Of movable chevaux-de-frise, delineated in the annexed engraving. These were made of saplings, through which passed strong spikes of wood, sharpened at each end, and presenting four or six radiating arms. The sapling forming the center of each was connected by wires or chains with another and so continuous lines of chevaux-de-frise were formed to any required extent.

3 see page 333.

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Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3.

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