XVIII Corps parading near the Gibbons/Gibben/Friend stable complex on Harrison's Creek, July 28, 1864.
LC 20472. William Waud . Sketched from the Head Quarters of the 18th Corps. This Regiment is in the 18th Corps and is one of the largest in the service, numbering when it left Washington over three thousand strong. Colonel A.A. Gibson, Major in the 3rd U.S. Artillery commands the regt.
Dated from historical sources. "[a]fter inspection, dress parade was had, when a representative of Harper's Weekly made a sketch of the regiment which was published in the paper." (Source: History of the Second Pennsylvania ..., by George W. Ward, 1904 rev. ed., p. 86). This sketch corresponds to an engraving published in Harper's Weekly, Aug. 13, 1864.
Illustration published as: "Army of the Potomac : Inspection of the Second Pennsylvania, Colonel Gibson" in Harper's Weekly, v. 8, no. 398 (1864 August 13), p. 516.
History of the Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery , by George W. Ward, 1904 rev. ed., describes the William Waud sketch above:
The regiment was again relieved from duty in the pits during a heavy rainstorm on the night of July 27th, and repaired to its camp in the ravine, where dress parade and inspection was held on the afternoon of the following day....After inspection, dress parade was had, when a representative of Harper's Weekly made a sketch of the regiment, which was published in that paper and occupied the two inside pages. In its comments, the paper said : "The Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery is recognized to be the best drilled and disciplined regiment in the volunteer service, and Col. Gibson is not only proud of his 'boys,' but feels assured the regiment will continue to hold its own in any duty it may be called upon to perform (page 86)."
Where was the camp?
During the night of June 18th, the Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery was relieved by the Tenth New
York Heavy Artillery, and moved to the rear on the left of the City Point railroad, where it went into camp in the ravine through which Harrison's creek ran under the railroad, a short distance in front of Friend's mansion [Friend House], then occupied by General Martindale as division headquarters. The Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery had its rendezvous and camp in this ravine during its 72 days spent in the siege of Petersburg, excepting two days at Spring Hill to reorganize the regiment, and two days near Fort Hell at the time of the "Crater" fight (page 68).
What were these buildings?
According to the History of the Ninety-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, During the War of the Rebellion, 1861-65, by Isaiah Price :
After the earthworks on the heights had been captured [Battery V, on June 15, 1864], the 97th P. V. moved to the right, and occupied the heights at Dr. Friend's house, an eminence overlooking the city of Petersburg and the intervening country; two lines of the enemy being in plain view, the next morning, at the foot of the slope. During the night, the reverse face of the hill was intrenched, which occupied the troops until morning. Advance parties were sent forward, during the early part of the night, to ascertain the position of the enemy. They were able to proceed for a considerable distance, encountering only straggling parties, a few of whom were captured. Later in the night, the rebel lines were re-established at a short distance in our front. Before morning, a very different enemy confronted and menaced the advance upon Petersburg.
The van of Lee's veterans was now before us. By their arrival, the fall of Petersburg, so imminent and so possible the evening before, was now indefinitely postponed. Early on the morning of the 16th, a line of skirmishers with strong support, dashed rapidly forward, from Gen. Smith's lines, near Friend's house, to intercept and capture a rebel force, occupying a position behind some buildings on the banks of Harrison's creek, three hundred yards distant. They were met by a severe fire from the enemy which caused the line to waver. Seeing the peril of the situation and the need of encouragement, the boys of the 97th P. V. arose in the trenches and sent forth hearty cheers. The line then dashed forward again and carried the position, capturing over two hundred prisoners. The batteries at Friend's house had, by a well-directed fire, routed this force from the adjacent trenches, to seek concealment behind the bank and the buildings (pages 292-293).
Woodcut of the above William Waud sketch as published August 13, 1864, for comparison. The buildings included stables for Hare's nearby race course.
