No. 10
HDQRS.
THIRD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS,
Bermuda
Hundred, Va., June 12, 1864.
SIR:
Having been verbally requested by you to give my Opinion of the practicability of storming the works of the enemy around Petersburg,
I have the honor to state that on the 9th instant my regiment first occupied a position in the edge of a piece of woods near
the open field on the north of the City Point and Petersburg Railroad, and afterward moved to a high ridge on the south of
the above railroad, and in front of and about 200 yards from a strong redoubt of the enemy. From these positions I had a good
opportunity to see the town (about 1 mile distant) and the enemy's lines. I consider the lines of works quite strong and capable
of being held by a small force against large numbers, the redoubts and batteries being so situated as to rake all the ground
by which we could approach the town so far as I could see. It is my opinion that our forces on the 9th instant were entirely
too small to attempt to enter the town.
J.
I. PLIMPTON, Lient. Col., Comdg.
Third
New Hampshire Volunteers.
Col.
J. R. HAWLEY,
Commanding
, Second Brigade.
SOURCE: The war of the rebellion: a compilation
of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 - Volume 36 (Part II); page 304.