Jim Martin
Re: Skinner's/Watkins' Farm
Wed Jul 25 12:36:47 2001


Thanks Dr. Bergeron,

I just recently started investigating this engagement(s) due to a recent discovery (or confirmation) that my wife's gg-grandfather was a member of the 43rd Alabama Infantry, Co. C (John B. Lanford, Bvt. 2nd Lt.). When I received his service record from Art Green, it stated he was captured on March 25, 1865 at Hatcher's Run and sent to Fort Delaware. I immediately thought this must be a mistake, first of all Hatcher's Run occurred earlier and the major action on this date was the attack on Fort Stedman. In looking for other actions on that date near Petersburg, I came across a couple of references to a skirmish at Skinner's Farm in a History of the 69th New York Infantry. I was not familiar with this engagement, so I posted on the ALCWMB, hoping someone might enlighten me. Alan Pitts, of course, provided information on the engagement known as "Watkins' House" and I presume this should be considered the "official" name of this encounter.

Another question arose from this discussion in my mind. Was this forward movement by the 2nd Corps only coincidentally on the same date as the attack on Fort Stedman? Or, is their any indication that this movement by Moody's Brigade on the 24th was meant as a diversion to deceive the Union army as to Lee's intentions for the 25th?

As always, thanks for your valued contribution to the ALCWMB,

Jim Martin