Emilio, Luis F., History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , 1863-1865

[152] men were also seen lurking about, as if fearing musket or cannon shots. When abreast of the place, the ‘Norwich’ continued up the stream a short distance and anchored. General Seymour, on the ‘Maple Leaf,’ ran up to a wharf, and Major Appleton had his men ashore in a moment. A few cavalrymen had been discovered, who, as our Fifty-fourth men were formed, fired some shots, one of which wounded the mate of the ‘General Hunter,’ from which Colonel Hallowell and his six companies were disembarking. As the shots were fired, General Seymour ordered Major Appleton to ‘take his men and catch the Rebels.’ What followed, the major thus describes:—

‘I tried, but our men with knapsacks were not fleet enough. I had a dark overcoat on, and was conspicuous. One “Johnny” took deliberate aim at me over a fence. I saw him just as he fired. The ball came quite close, but did not hit me. By orders I placed men in each street, and pushed the command to the outskirts of the town, with no casualties on our side. We took a few prisoners, civilians, etc. Porter of Company A shot a Rebel through his leg, and got him and his horse.’

While the major was thus engaged, the six companies of the regiment landed from the ‘General Hunter;’ and Colonel Hallowell, also throwing out skirmishers, advanced through the town to the west side, where the regiment was reunited soon after. Pickets were thrown out, and the Fifty-fourth went into bivouac for the night.

The pursuit of the enemy was taken up and continued five miles by Major Stevens with his Independent Battalion Massachusetts Cavalry, which landed after the Fifty-fourth. They captured eleven Confederates, including some signal-men.