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He spoke of his men being out of rations, which, he said, were being issued then, and that they were very much fatigued. I told him that I should go on without waiting for him, and that he must follow as soon as possible, and do the best he could. I then went on with my staff, and, when I reached the battle-field, I met two brigades of my own division just coming out of action.
Question. During the whole of the period now in question, say the last two weeks of the month of August, were you in frank and habitual intercourse with the accused, and, therefore, cognizant of this plans, purposes, feelings, and doings?
Answer. I think I was. We were in daily intercourse during the retreat from James River, Harrison's Bar.
Question. Then, please to state when, where, and how, if at all, to the best of your knowledge and judgment, the accused ever failed during that period to exhibit all proper zeal and energy, first, to make junction, when ordered so to do, with the command of General Pope; and, second, to co-operate with that command in faithful duty against the enemy.
Answer. I do not think that he ever failed to do so. Whilst we were marching, he was constantly urging us forward, and was always attentive to see that our supplies were kept up as well as they possibly could be.
Question. Who headed the march of General Porter's corps on the march on the 30th of August?
Answer. I do not know, except from report.
Question. The order you have read directs you, among other things, to follow General Sykes. Do you know where that would have carried you?
Answer. It would have carried us to where the battle of the 30th was fought. Two of my brigades did follow him, and the third missed doing so in consequence of taking the necessary precautions to cover our rtreat on the morning of the 30th, when retiring from that position, which delayed us so that we lost sight of the brigades ahead of us.
The examination by the accused here closed.
Examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. Will you state whether or not some portion of the command arrived at Warrenton Junction, on the 27th of August last, as early as 10 o'clock in the morning?
Answer. They did not, to my knowledge; none of my division did, I know.
Question. Do you know whether a portion of General Sykes' division did?
Answer. I do not know.
Question. You spoke of a portion of the troops arriving at a late hour in the afternoon of that day; will you state the latest hour at which they arrived?
Answer. Toward sunset, I think, the main body of them; there were some stragglers that came in later.
Question. How many miles had your brigades marched on the 27th of August?
Answer. As I stated yesterday, I think two of my brigades had marched 16 or 17 miles, and the other some 19 or 20 miles.
Question. Do you think that troops having marched from 12 to 18 or 19 miles a day, and rested seven hours, are not in a condition to make another march of 9 miles if there was any great necessity for it?
Answer. If that was their only marching, it could have been done. But we had
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Examination by the COURT:
Question. Was the order of the 29th of August, issued by General Pope to General Porter, to attack the enemy on their right and rear, a practicable order or not, in your opinion?
Answer. I can hardly state whether it was or not. I had not been on the ground where the movement was to be effected, and during the 29th I had been away from General Pope a great deal of the time, acting as an aide-de-camp, according to the best of my recollection, and did not see the communications which he received that day, and I am not prepared to say whether this order could have been carried out or not.
Question. Did your order from the Adjutant-General's Office direct you to report to General Pope as his chief of staff?
Answer. It detached me for duty as chief of staff for the Army of Virginia, and directed me to report for duty to General Pope, commanding that army. It was upon that ground that I applied to be relived when General Pope was relieved from the command of the Army of Virginia. I contended that I did not belong to his staff, but to the Army of Virginia, and, when that army ceased to exist, I was liable to be subject to other orders.
Question. At what time did the action of the 29th of August commence, and for how long a time did the musketry fire continue?
Answer. The first cannonading that I heard on that day was an hour or two after sunrise; the cannonading was resumed, i think, about 8 o'clock, and continued at intervals until after dark. The night before that battle General Pope had camped on the road from Manassas to centreville, where that road crosses Bull Run Creek. The first cannonading I have spoken of, I heard while riding with General Pope near the heights of Centreville. We had then just crossed a bridge. We then went to Centreville, and remained there until in the neighborhood of 11 o'clock-either a little before or a little after that time, I cannot say which; we then went on to the field. I do not know positively that there had been musketry fire before that time, but I heard musketry firing form that time until dark.
The examination of this witness was here closed.
The court then adjourned to 11 a. m. on Monday next.
WASHINGTON, D. C., December 29, 1862.
The court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present, Major General D. Hunter, U. S. Volunteers; Major General E. A. Hitchcock, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General Rufus King, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General B. M. Prentiss, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General James B. Ricketts, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General Silas Casey, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General James A. Garfield, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General N. B. Buford, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General J. P. Slough, U. S. Volunteers; and Colt. J. Holt, Judge-Advocate-General.
The accused, with his counsel, was also present.
The minutes of the last session were read and approved.
Major General GEORGE W. MORELL, after hearing his testimony read, made the following explanation:
I am satisfied, upon reflection, that the order of the 29th to attack was not countermanded prior to the receipt of the order to pass the night where I was. I construed the order to pass the night there as being virtually a countermand of the order to attack. I was making dispositions to pass the night when General Porter joined me.
Examination resumed by the COURT:
Question. Please state whether you made, or ordered to be made, any reconnaissance of the enemy's force in your front on the 29th of
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August, by which you were enabled to form any reliable opinion as to the position and strength of the enemy?
Answer. Only by throwing skirmishers to the front a considerable distance, and also to the left.
Question. How long a time elapsed form the receipt of the order to attack until you received the order to pass the night where you were?
Answer. The order to attack was received just before sunset, and the order to pass the night was received about dark.
The examination of this witness here closed.
Colonel GEORGE D. RUGGLES, having heard his testimony read, made the following explanation:
I should like to make an explanation in regard to the testimony I have given here. A question was asked me about the order assigning me as chief of staff to the Army of Virginia. I would like to add that that order was issued at the request of General Pope, so as to show that I was not assigned to him without his consent. As to the trouble between General Pope and his staff officers, I would say that ill-feelings were entertained toward him by certain of his staff officers, myself among the number, in consequence of his treatment of us in our official relations. But subsequently, while at Fairfax Court-House, General Pope apologized to me for that treatment.
Examination resumed by the COURT:
Question. Was, or was not, the musketry fire on the 29th of August, which you have spoken of in your testimony, indicative of a severe engagement between large bodies of men?
Answer. The musketry fire was; but I desire to say that I did not hear the musketry firing myself until I came on the ground. The musketry firing which I heard after I came on the ground indicated an engagement between large bodies of men.
Question. When did the conversation occur between General Pope and yourself, in which you think you referred to his conversation with General Porter at Fairfax Court-House-after your return to Washington?
Answer. It was after the army had been withdrawn to within the entrenchments around Washington.
Question. Will you endeavor to recall, if you can remember, whether or not General Pope, in reply to your reference to the former conversation, stated that since his return to Washington he had had information communicated to him which had induce him to believe that the explanations which had been made to him by General Porter were not made in good faith?
Answer. I do not recollect to have heard him say anything of the kind.
Question. You think he made no reply at all?
Answer. I think so. The only thing he ever said to me upon that subject was, that he thought that when they got his report in washington it would make a big stir, or some commonplace expression of that kind, and that was not said at that time.
Question. What are your feeling toward General Porter?
Answer. They are not particularly friendly or unfriendly.
Question. What was the opinion in regard to General Pope, if you know it, that was entertained by General Pope and the members of his staff preceding the 27th of August, when General Porter joined the command of General Pope?
Answer. I do not know. I do not remember to have heard the subject referred to before that morning-the morning of the 27th of August.
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Question. What was said at that time in reference to General Porter?
Answer. I cannot state definitely what was said; but I know that on the morning of the 27th of August, at Warrenton Junction, near General Heintzelman's headquarters, or between those and the telegraph office, General Pope told me that his impression was that he would not receive much support from the command that was coming up from the James River, meaning the Army of the Potomac; and he conveyed to my mind the idea that he was not very favorably impressed with General Porter.
Question. Did you receive yourself any unfavorable impression in regard to General Porter in consequence of conversations at General Pope's headquarters previous to the 27th of August?
Answer. I was rather prejudiced against General Porter in consequence of what I heard at headquarters.
Question. Will you state that those conversations were, what was said, and by whom said?
Answer. I cannot state specifically what they were; but they were to the effect that, in opinion of General Pope and his staff officers, General Porter was not giving a hearty support to General Pope. I heard that from General Pope and from some of his staff officers. I cannot specify the names of the staff officers.
Question. Have you held any conversation with the accused in reference to the subject of this trial since the last meeting of this court?
Answer. Yes, sir; on Saturday evening last.
Question. Will you state what conversation you did hold with him on last Saturday?
Answer. As I was going up town on Saturday evening, I stopped at General Porter's quarters, and told him that, instead of getting off that evening, or on Sunday, I should be detained until Monday; that the judge-advocate would, perhaps, ask me a few more questions. And I then told him that I was afraid the court might think I was biased in his favor; that I desired to say to him that I was not particularly biased in his favor. I went on to make some explanation in regard to that, speaking of our serving together, and of my trial at West Point by a court-martial of which he was a member. I said that, if necessary, I could state that I was not biased in his favor. I also mentioned that I desired to put the record straight, with regard to the difficulty between General Pope and myself, according to the explanation I have made here this morning.
Question. Who requested you to remain until Monday?
Answer. The judge-advocate of this court.
The examination of this witness was here closed.
Brigadier General CHARLES GRIFFIN called by the accused, and sworn and examined as follows:
By the ACCUSED:
Question. Will you state your rank and position in the military service in August last?
Answer. Brigadier-general of volunteers, and captain in the Fifth United States Artillery.
Question. In whose army corps?
Answer. I belonged to the Fifth Army Corps, then commanded by Major General Fitz John Porter; in General Morell's division.
Question. About what time on the 27th of August did you arrive at Warrenton Junction with your brigade?
Answer. About sundown.
Question. How far did you march that day?
Answer. We had marched from Barnett's Ford, on the Rappahannock. We left
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there about 7 o'clock on the morning of the 27th of August. We estimated the distance to be from 18 to 19 miles.
Question. What was the condition of the troops under your command on the evening of the 27th, with respect to fatigue?
Answer. They were very much broken down. I mean by that that they were very weary. We had a great many stragglers that day.
Question. Do you remember whether the day of the 27th of August was hot and dusty?
Answer. It was a very warm day. I do not recollect as to the dust.
Question. State what was the character of the night between the 27th and the 28th of August.
Answer. The night of the 27th and the morning of the 28th were very dark. It rained a little about 10 o'clock that night, I should think; very little, just sprinkled.
Question. What was the condition of the road between Warrenton Junction and Bristoe Station during that night and in the morning?
Answer. I did not know the condition of the road that night, nor did I know it in the morning; that is, the entire road. The question is not definite.
Question. I mean with reference to the obstructions which you met, if any.
Answer. I received an order about 12 o'clock on the night of the 27th of August to move my brigade at 3 o'clock in the morning. At 3 o'clock in the morning I started from camp toward Bristoe Station, and marched about a mile or less to where I halted, and there I remained at the head of my column until about two hours after daylight. I know that the artillery which followed the brigade, that is, a carriage or two of the artillery which followed the brigade, got stuck in the mud, or in a little creek, and had trouble in getting out. I also know that at 3 o'clock it was very dark, so dark that I used candles with my leading regiments to get through a little piece of woods which we left, in which we had been encamped. I also know that there is a bad place for artillery at Catlett's Station. There is a very steep hill there, and also a piece of woods where the road is winding, and which would have made it difficult for artillery carriages to pass along, especially on a dark night. In fact, along on all the road to Bristoe Station there are several little places that would be very bad for artillery to pass over at night-almost impossible in a dark night-that might be passed over in the daytime.
Question. What caused you to halt when you did halt?
Answer. I halted because I found, when I got to the point where I did halt, that I had only a portion of my brigade with me. In the darkness, by some accident or other, we had become separated, and I halted to get my brigade together; and the artillery, I presume, is what detained us there until we started again. That is my impression; I do not know that positively. General Morell was in command of the division.
Question. What time was reveille that night?
Answer. As near as I can recollect, reveille was at half-past 1-about an hour and a half before we started.
Question. If you had attempted to start at 1 o'clock, what would have been the proper time for reveille, considering the condition of the command and the state of the night?
Answer. We generally allow two hours for a command to get ready; sometimes only an hour and a half, as in this instance. Reveille ought to have been at least at half past 11, if we had started at 1 o'clock; I mean, of course, to give the men time to get their breakfast. We allow time to get breakfast, and to get ready to march. An hour and a half is as little as any command can do that in.
Question. With a view to reaching Bristoe Station as early as possible that morning and doing duty there, would it have been expedient or judicious to have started at 1 o'clock that night?
Answer. I think decidedly not.
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Question. Please state your grounds for that conclusion.
Answer. I think if we had started just at daylight that morning, we would have arrived at Bristoe Station, if the road had been clear, even sooner than we did by starting at 3 o'clock in the morning; for we would have made use of the two hours of daylight that we were lying in the road. I mean by that, of course, that I think if we had started by daylight, we would have left camp properly, and would not have had the stoppages that we had.
Question. On the morning of the 29th of August, do you know of dispositions having been made to place your command and other parts of General Porter's corps in order for battle?
Answer. On the morning of the 29th, we marched from Bristoe Station to Manassas Junction. My brigades was leading the division, and following Syke's division. We halted at Manassas about a half an hour, when I received an order to countermarch, and proceed in the direction of Gainesville. After finding the direction, I moved on the road pointed out to me toward Gainesville. I had marched about 2 miles, having passed King's division in the road, when a cavalry man, said, "Look out; a trooper has been taken here, just in front a short distance." I asked him what forces were in front. He said none, except it was a few mounted men. I halted my brigade, threw four companies of the Sixty-second Pennsylvania to the front, with directions to move on in advance about half a mile, throwing out flankers to the side and skirmishers to the front.
Question. About what hour of the day was this?
Answer. We left Manassas Junction, I should think, about 9 o'clock in the morning.
Question. Go on and state what then occurred.
Answer. I then moved on until we came to cleared place, where our skirmishers commenced firing with the enemy's pickets, probably 5 miles from Manassas Junction. At this point General Porter rode up, and we halted. I also ordered the other eight companies of the Sixty-second Pennsylvania to the front to support those that were already out as skirmishers. This regiment has twelve companies. General Porter then called together General Morell, General Butterfield, and myself. I think we all got off our horses. He said, "I have a communication to read to you." He then read us a communication, I do not know by whom signed, but it was from General Pope-that is, I have always supposed it was, and understood it to be read as a communication from General Pope. We then went back to the rear on a hill, say 300 yards distant. A battery, I believe, was placed in position there. We were there some time, when General McDowell rode up. General McDowell and General Porter went off to the right of where we stood, and held a conversation, and cannot tell anything about that. I think there was a map taken out. After the conversation, General McDowell rode to the right. I received an order, almost directly after General McDowell had left, to recall my pickets, and orders to move my command to the right. I attempted to go to the right, and moved probably 600 yards, until, with the head of my column, I crossed a railroad said to run to Gainesville. Here we mat with obstructions which we could not get through. It was reported by somebody, I cannot say who, "You can't get through there." We then faced about, and moved back to the hill where the battery I first referred to was stationed. As we were getting to this hill, the enemy's batteries opened upon us. My brigade was then placed in position in rear and to the right of the batteries, and remained there during considerable artillery firing; I cannot say how long. The disposition was certainly one to repel an attack. It was a very good position for that purpose.
Question. Do you remember the general character of that communication which was read to you by General Porter?
Answer. I can state my recollection of it. The communication, as I recollect it, was to this effect: that the troops would try to make a junction at Gainesville; but, although they might get to Gainesville, it might be necessary, before morning or that night, to fall back to Centreville on account of rations.
Question. To whom was the communication directed?
Answer. General Porter the communication as coming from General Pope. I supposed it was addressed to General Porter from General Pope. I did not read it, and I could not swear positively that it was read correctly.
Question. From about 5 o'clock to about 7 o'clock of that afternoon,
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Answer. I led off my column. We ran up into some little thick pine bushes. We halted there. The next order I got was to move back again. Some one reported that we could not get through. I made no reconnaissance whatever myself.
Question. What road did General Sturgis, with General Piatt's brigade, take from Manassas, when that general inquired of you what road General Sykes had taken?
Answer. They followed immediately in the rear of the brigade that I commanded.
Question. Why did you not follow General Sykes, if such were your orders?
Answer. That morning, before leaving the position we had occupied all night, I was directed to bring up the rear. I threw out pickets of my brigade, and relieved all the others, and after the other commands were in motion, as reported to me by General Morell, I recalled my pickets, and got in motion as soon as possible. The other commands must have had a half an hour the start of me. We never overtook them at all; never got in sight of them.
Question. How far was your front from the Gainesville and Centreville pike, do you suppose?
Answer. I do not know.
Question. Do you know whether General Sturgis and General Piatt, with their forces, reached the field, and took part in the action of the 30th of August?
Answer. I do not.
Question. Did you, or not, on your march that morning, hear the guns of that battle?
Answer. No, sir; we heard them after we arrived at Centreville.
Question. Not until then?
Answer. No, sir; I should think we heard them about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at Centreville.
Question. did you, or not, hear General Porter, at any time during the 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th of August, criticize General Pope's military conduct, or his capacity for generalship, unfavorably? If so, will you state the substance of such criticism?
Answer. I never did. I never heard him, to my recollection, mention General Pope's name but once. On the 29th of August, General Porter said, "My orders are very conflicting. I first receive them from this officer, and then from that officer; officers whom I do not know and have never seen, and they are brought to me by orderlies. I have written General Pope a note, requesting of him hereafter to send all his orders to me in writing." That is the only time that I recollect of ever hearing General Porter mention General Pope's name. As I have stated before, when he read that communication to his generals, he stated that it was from General Pope. In reference to any transactions between himself and General Pope, I never heard him speak of him but that once, at the time I have mentioned.
Examination by the judge-advocate here closed.
Examination by the COURT:
Question. When on your march to Centreville, on the morning of the 30th of August, did you suppose your command was advancing or retiring, with respect to the enemy?
Answer. I cannot say that I formed any idea about that.
Question. Were the troops that you supposed were coming through Thoroughfare Gap taking position in your front as they arrived, or were they passing to your right, in the direction of Groveton?
Answer. They were going farther toward the mountains. They passed, as it were,
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Question. You do not recollect seeing any message from General Porter delivered on that day?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. Do I understand you to say that General McDowell was not on the field until after sunset on the 29th?
Answer. I did not say that.
QQuestion. At what time did he get on to the field?
Answer. Before 6 o'clock in the afternoon, I should think. It was about the center of the field that I first met him.
The examination by the accused here closed.
Examination by the COURT:
Question. On which side of the Manassas Railroad did Longstreet form his line of battle after he came on the field on the 29th?
Answer. I think he detached a part of his force behind a battery on a hill, which was on the right of the turnpike,, but the main force, I think, was formed on the left of the Gainesville and Centreville road; the Gainesville and Groveton road extending the line of Jackson to his right across that road.
Question. Do you know whether it was on the north or south of the Manassas Railroad?
Answer. The Manassas Railroad does not run on to the battle-field of Friday, the 29th of August. I do not think the right of the enemy reached to within a mile or more of the Manassas Railroad. There is another old railroad, to which I supposed you referred, behind which they formed in front of General Pope's column.
Question. Have you any knowledge of another force of the enemy, not forming a junction with this force of the enemy of which you now speak, that did lie over on the Manassas Railroad and in front of General Porter's corps?
Answer. I have already stated that I saw from the direction of the dust caused by the force that moved through Gainesville, that they did not go on that road, but came along the turnpike.
Question. From your knowledge of the position of the enemy on the 29th of August last, will you state how many of them were south of the Manassas Railroad, or in front of General Porter's command?
Answer. I do not believe, from what I know of the enemy's forces, that there was any force in front of General Porter's command on that day, except a cavalry force in observation there, with some light artillery.
The examination of this witness here closed.
The court thereupon adjourned to 11 a. m. to-morrow.
WASHINGTON, D. C., January 6, 1863.
The court met at 10 a. m., pursuant to call of its president.
Present, Major General D. Hunter, U. S. Volunteers; Major General E. A. Hitchcock, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General Rubus King, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General B. M. Prentiss, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General James B. Ricketts, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General Silas Casey, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General James A. Garfield, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General N. B. Buford, U. S. Volunteers; Brigadier General J. P. Slough, U. S. Volunteers; and Colonel J. Holt, Judge-Advocate-General.
The accused, with his counsel, was also present.
The minutes of the last session were then read and approved.
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The following communication from the Secretary of War was then read:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., January 5, 1863.
Major-General HUNTER,
President, &c., &c.:
GENERAL: The state of the service imperatively demands that the proceedings in the court over which you are now presiding, having been pending more than four weeks, should be brought to a close without any unnecessary delay. You are, therefore, directed to sit without regard to hours, and close you proceedings as speedily as may be consistent with justice and the public service.
Yours, truly,
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Major General IRVIN McDOWELL was then recalled by the Government, and examined as follows:
By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. Will you state to the court at what time and place, if you can recall it, you saw General King for the last time on the 29th of August last?
Answer. I do not recollect of seeing General King on that day. I have been trying to recall to mind when I saw him, if I did see him, on that day. I have asked of my staff officers, and tried to refresh my memory on that point, but I cannot recall to mind having met General King on the 29th of August last.
Question. After the interview which you had on the 29th of August with General Porter, of which you have spoken heretofore in your testimony, you stated that you turned down toward or near Bethlehem church. Will you state whether you have any recollection of a messenger-a staff officer-form General Porter, bearing a message, while you were there, and if you made any reply?
Answer. I do not remember anything of the kind.
Question. Have you, or not, any recollection of having, after parting with General Porter on the 29th of August, sent back to him a message like this: "Take my compliments to General Porter, and say to him that I think he batter remain where he is," or words to that effect?
Answer. I have no recollection of sending any such message.
Question. Have you, or not, any recollection of having said to General Porter, in you interview, when you first met him on the 29th of August, that that was no place to fight a battle; that he was too far in advance?
Answer. I cannot recollect precisely what occurred between General Porter and myself, or what conversation and what words passed between us at that time. The subject of our conversation, as near as I can recall it to mind, was the order which we each of us had received from General Pope; and particularly that part of it which referred to our not going so far forward that we should not be able to get behind Bull Run that night or before morning. I cannot say what language I used, or how it may have been understood, whilst talking on that point. As to that particular spot or ground, so far as topography was concerned, not being a place for a battle, I have no recollection of having said anything to the effect that it was not a good place to fight on. It was about as good a place, so far as topography was concerned, as any other in that part of the country. I think our conversation was chiefly upon the subject of not putting ourselves in a position to be unable to fulfill the requirements of the order about retiring behind Bull Run, and about not going so far toward Gainesville, or going to Gainesville, that this could not be done. Without being able to say what was said either by him or me, I think, so far as my best recollection goes, that the object and purpose of our conversation at that time was in relation to that point.
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Question. Do you recollect at what hour you first met General Pope that evening on the battle-field, or near the battle-field?
Answer. I cannot tell the hour.
Question. Have you any recollection of a messenger from General Porter, bearing an order or message which he first offered to you, and which you directed him to hand to General Pope, alleged to be then in your presence?
Answer. I have not. There may have been, but I have no recollection of it.
Question. Have you been able to fix, from recollection, with any degree of certainty, the hour at which you met Captain Pope, or the messenger bearing the order from General Pope to General Porter, on the afternoon of the 29th of August?
Answer. I think I stated in my first examination here that I did not recollect the hour. All that would enable me to tell anywhere near the hour would have to be fixed by some points that I am not myself able to give. All that I know is, that while going from Bethlehem church to the Henry house hill I met this messenger on the road. I arrived at the Henry house hill, and finding that my division had not been posted on the left of Reynolds, as I had ordered, I went forward, made a reconnaissance myself, came back, sent the division forward, went forward with it, received a message from General Pope, came back to the Sudley Springs road, and took the division north to the turnpike, where I met General Pope. The distance, as I estimated it, from the head of General Porter's column to Bethlehem church was somewhere from 2 1\2 to 3 miles; and the distance from Bethlehem church to the Warrenton turnpike I suppose to be somewhere near 3 1\2 or 4 miles. These are estimates. I met the messenger of General Pope-the officer-somewhere between Bethlehem church and the turnpike. If the time could be fixed when I saw General Pope, and how long I was occupied in bringing the division forward, then you can estimate that this took place somewhere on the road. The is all that I can tell. I got upon the battle-field some time before sundown; that I can state-that I arrived on the Henry house hill some time before sundown.
Question. As early as 6 o'clock, probably?
Answer. When I got on top of that hill, it must have been an hour at least before sunset.
The examination by the judge-advocate here closed.
Examination by the ACCUSED:
Question. Do I understand you to say that you have no recollection of having met General King at all on the 29th of August last?
Answer. The witness asked that his answer to the first question in the examination of to-day might be read as his answer to the question now asked by the accused, and it was accordingly read as follows: "I do not recollect of seeing General King on that day. I have been trying to recall to mind when I saw him, If I did see him, on that day. I have asked of my staff officers, and tried to refresh my memory on that point, but I cannot recall to mind having met General King on the 29th of August last."
Question. There are some facts, perhaps, that will recall it to you recollection?
Answer. That may be.
Question. General King states that he saw you on the morning of the 29th of August.
Answer. That may be.
Question. Have you any recollection of having dismounted at any time?
Answer. Most distinctly. It is always my rule, whenever I happen to go forward myself, to dismount and rest my horse,, and that is a direction which I give to my staff, my escort, orderlies, and cavalry.
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Question. Have you any recollection of having dismounted when you got to the neighborhood of Bethlehem church, after you left General Porter, and if there was any officer with you at that time near a fence?
Answer. I recollect distinctly having dismounted at the time referred to in the question, and that there were officers near me. I think it was under a tree. I have no recollection of a fence.
Question. Can you recollect the name of nay general officer who was with you at that time?
Answer. I think General Bayard was with me, or came to see me, and I think I may have received visits from different officers of my command; perhaps General Patrick, perhaps General Gibbon. I am merely naming different officers who may having seen them. I stopped at that place, and from that place sent out orders to get the corps on the Sudley Springs road, to other north. It was from that place that I sent the officers of my staff to get these different brigades, divisions, &c., on this road. But what officers may have come to see me, or may have been with me, for longer or shorter periods of time, I do not recollect. It was a matter that made no impression upon me at the time, for I was occupied with other matters of thought.
Question. Do you remember whether General King's division was there?
Answer. I do, most distinctly.
Question. Hid division being there, if the general was there, do you not think it probable he would have been with you on that occasion?
Answer. The general was not in command of his division during the whole of that day. But when he left the command of that division I do not know. If he had been there, it is more than likely I would have seen him.
Question. Do you recollect whether on that occasion you wore a blouse over your uniform?
Answer. Upon my word, I do not recollect.
Question. Are you in the habit of wearing it on such occasions?
Answer. On what occasions?
Question. During a battle or while traveling.
Answer. That depends upon circumstances, whether I am cold or whether it is raining, &c. I sometimes do and sometimes do not. That is all the answer I can give.
Question. can you recollect whether on that day you received any message or order at all from General Porter?
Answer. Yes, sir; I received messages from him on that day.
Question. Can you tell the court particularly about any one of those messages?
Answer. I answered one of his messages in writing, but I have no copy of that note. I do not know whether I wrote it, or whether it was written by another, and signed by me. I think his notes were asking how the battle was going on, or what was the condition of things over with us, so far as I can recollect.
Question. Did you know at that time, or do you now know, Colonel Locke, who is the assistant adjutant-general of General Porter?
Answer. I have been told that he is; and if he is the same person that I saw at General Porter's headquarters, at Upton's Hill, as his adjutant-general, I know him. I think I met him here to-day in the ante-chamber.
Question. Can you tell the court if your have any recollection of having seen that officer at all on the 29th of August?
Answer. It is very likely I saw him; but if I did, it made no impression on my mind more than many other officers whom I saw.
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(Accused, Exhibit I.)
UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH, From Bealeton, via Washington.
(Received August 26, 1862.)
General BURNSIDE:
Sykes is within 3 miles of this, in camp, and will be up to-morrow to relieve Kearny. Reading the dispatch of last night, I expected to find Banks and Reno here. I consider the fords below perfectly safe with much less force; but for future movements, think they should remain.
Sykes will get provisions and grain here. His wagons can come up with ammunition and medical supplies.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
(Accused, Exhibit K.)
UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH, From Advance, 5.
(Received August 26, 1862.)
General PARKE:
I dispatched you from Bealeton, under the impression that Sykes was 3 miles off. I went to Barnett's. All is well at the first two. Griffin is at first. Morell, with two divisions, at the second. I have decided to post Sykes at Bealeton, and picket with strength from infantry and artillery Rappahannock Station, and patrol with cavalry. The Rappahannock is fordable everywhere; and if the enemy desired to cross, he would do so with a larger force that I have. Camp, for want of water, cannot be found nearer, except within gunshot. I have sent back cavalry as fast as I could, and ordered them from the divisions, and directed Morell to use those at the fords. This I did before receiving your telegram. The 150 cavalry will be a good thing. Send grain. Provisions can be brought to Bealeton from Warrenton. Please send up the wagons and ambulances, and have the drivers directed to pick up in house about 9 miles from Bealeton, on right-hand side, and bring them here. The supply train must go to Barnett's and Kelly's Fords; ambulances, also, which belong to Morell's. Please have sent up to-morrow an operator and instrument for Bealeton, to work the other lines; also the corps mail.
F. J. PORTER.
(Accused, Exhibit L)
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, August 23, 1862.
(Received 10.30 a.m., August 23.)
General MORELL:
Dispatch received. Move on at once to Kelly's Ford, and occupy and hold it. Relieve Griffin when Sykes gets up to him. If you are called upon to go to Rappahannock Station, move up to the support of the army there. Your artillery is on the road to you. Sykes will move up this morning and relieve Griffin.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
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(Accused, Exhibit M.)
2 P. M.
Generals MORELL and SYKES:
Push a scout to Rappahannock Station, and find out if Pope has the pickets near there, and gain information of Pope or the enemy. Pope attacked the enemy yesterday near Sulphur Springs, and the latter retreated; he was to renew the attack to-day, and it is probable Pope was pushing after him. Know the river at Rappahannock was not fordable. General Halleck's orders are for us to hold the Rappahannock. Your artillery is en route; also Sykes'. You will, therefore, carry out your former instructions. Re-enforcements will push up to you. All goes right.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
(Accused, Exhibit N.)
FALMOUTH, August 24.
(Received 8.30 a.m., August 25.)
Generals MORELL and SYKES:
Keep your command well on hand for any emergency, and, before advancing another step, do your utmost to ascertain the positions of Pope's forces and where the enemy is. What force is at Kelly's Ford? has the enemy been seen on the opposite bank? Give me all the information you have, and the location of your forces, and amount of cavalry at the ford. There is no more cavalry here to send you. If you can push scouts over the ford, do so as far as possible. What is the latest information? Send your dispatches so that General Sykes can see them. Direct Griffin to fix the ground or woods at Barnett's so that a small force, with artillery, can hold it. I am just informed that Pope is on the Rappahannock, at Warrenton Springs, having attacked and whipped the enemy. I wish to hold Kelly's Ford to-morrow, and hope, by the time I join you, that you will be able to inform me what is at and opposite Rappahannock Station.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
(Accused, Exhibit O.)
ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, Fort Monroe, Va.,
August 20-11 a.m.
Major General F. J. PORTER,
Commanding Fifth Corps, Newport News:
Please push off your troops without one moment's delay. The necessity is very pressing - a matter of life and death. What progress is made, and when will you be through? See me before you sail.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
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Question. You mean done anything by daylight?
Answer. Yes, sir; by daylight that day - to have done anything that day.
Question. Did the battle cease immediately after daylight?
Answer. Yes, sir; the battle ceased about dark.
The examination of this witness here closed.
I might rely upon this testimony alone as entirely conclusive for my answer to the third specification of first charge now under consideration, but it is proper for me to say that in this testimony Colonel Marshall is supported by the clearest corroborating evidence.
In this connection I refer, in the first place, to the testimony of Major Hyland, which is found on pages 697 to 703 [995-997] of the record. Major Hyland belongs to the same regiment of observation, the Thirteenth New York Volunteers, of which Colonel Marshall is the commanding officer. Premising that Major Hyland, in his examination-in-chief, stated that his regiment and himself with it were employed as skirmishers to the front of General Morell's division from about 1 o'clock of the afternoon of the 29th until daylight of the next day, and that the Twenty-second Massachusetts and Berdan's Sharpshooters were placed on the same duty, and that he also stated, speaking of the enemy, that he could hear the commands plainly, as if forming in line, and that he also heard the movements of their artillery coming into position, I cite for the consideration of the court the whole of the evidence given by him under the cross-examination of the judge-advocate, and in reply to the subsequent questioning of the court. It is found on pages 701, 702, 703, [995-997] of the record, and is as follows:
Major GEORGE HYLAND, jr., called by the accused, and sworn and examined as follows:
By the ACCUSED:
Question. What is your position in the Fifth Army Corps, and what was it during the latter part of August?
Answer. I was major of the Thirteenth New York, the second regiment in the First Brigade of General Morell's division of General Porter's corps.
Question. Where were you on the 27th of August last?
Answer. I was with my regiment on the march from Kelly's Ford to Warrenton Junction.
Question. At what hour did your regiment arrive at Warrenton Junction?
Answer. They arrived there about dusk of the 27th.
Question. What was their condition as regards fatigue?
Answer. They were very much fatigued and worn out. They also needed provisions, as they had had no provisions that day to any amount.
Question. At what hour did you march the following morning?
Answer. About 3 o'clock.
Question. Where were you on the morning of the 29th of August?
Answer. On the march from Bristol to Manassas Junction.
Question. Where did you go from Manassas Junction?
Answer. We went on the Gainesville road; on a road to the front leading to Gainesville, I supposed; I did not know at the time what road it was.
Question. How was your regiment employed on the afternoon of the 29th?
Answer. It was employed as skirmishers.
Question. How as it situated with respect to your command - Morell's division?
Answer. We were to the front of Morell's division.
Question. How long were you so employed?
Answer. We were so employed from about 1 o'clock of the afternoon of the 29th until daylight of the next day, the 30th.
Question. What other regiments were engaged in the same duty?
Answer. The Twenty-second Massachusetts and Berdan's Sharpshooters were placed on our left in the evening.
Question. Was there any enemy formed in your front during that time?
Answer. There was.
Question. Do you know at what hour they commenced forming, or about what hour?
Answer. They commenced forming between 2 and 3 o'clock, I think.
Question. Do you know the route by which they came?
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the Napoleonic maxim quoted in the argument for the defense. The discretion it allows to a subordinate, separated from his superior officer, is understood to relate to the means, and not the and, of an order. When the accused determined that, instead of starting at 1 o'clock, he would start at 3 or 4, he did not resolve that he would arrive at Bristoe Station by daylight in a different manner from that indicated by his commanding general, but that he would not arrive there by daylight at all. In regard to this - the end of the order - he had no discretion.
The order set forth in the second specification to first charge was addressed to Generals McDowell and Porter, jointly, and a copy, or, rather, duplicate, of it was delivered to each of them, it may be inferred from all the evidence on the point, at about 10 o'clock in the morning of the 29th of August. Previously to this they had met with their forces,and, under the Sixty-second Article of War, General McDowell had assumed the command. The order directed them to move with their joint command toward Gainesville until they should effect a communication with the forces of Heintzelman, Sigel, and Reno, and then to halt, taking care to occupy such a position that they could reach Bull Run that night or by the morning of the following day. The order contained these further words:
If any considerable advantages are to be gained by departing from this order, it will not be strictly carried out.
At the time this order reached General McDowell and Porter, they were on the road between Manassas Junction and Bethlehem church, and were proceeding in the direction of Gainesville, as the order contemplated. The order being issued to them jointly,showed that it was the purpose of General Pope that they should act in independently of each other, and each in direct subordination to himself; and he testified that such was his intention. Under these circumstances, it may be well questioned whether, under the Sixty-second Article of War, General McDowell could continue the command which he had assumed over their joint forces. That article excludes the idea of the presence of an officer superior in rank to those commanding the different corps of which it speaks. In this case, General Pope was absent but a few miles - was, in fact, occupying the same field of military operations with Generals McDowell and Porter, and claimed to decide the question (which it certainly belonged to him to determine) that these generals were so far in his presence that he might command them directly, and not through each other.
Their forces continued their march - those of the accused being in the advance - until the front of his column had reached some 3 miles beyond Bethlehem church, and until a small part of General McDowell's command had passed that point. General McDowell then rode forward to the head of the column of the accused, where in interview and conference took place between them, to which reference is frequently made in the testimony. They discussed the joint order, and General McDowell determined, for himself, that there were-
considerable advantages to be gained by departing from it,
and by moving with his forces along the Sudley Springs road toward the field a battle then being fought by the main army of General Pope, at the distance of 3 or 4 miles. His purpose was to throw himself on the enemy's center, and he wished the accused to attack his right flank. He therefore said to him:
You put your force in here, and I will take min up the Sudley Springs road, on the left of the troops engaged at that point with the enemy.
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And he left him, at about 12 o'clock, with the belief and understanding that he would put in his force at that point. Why this expectation was doomed to disappointment may possible be gathered from the following extract from General McDowell's testimony as to what occurred during his conversation with the accused:
Question. You have said that the accused made an observation to you which showed that he was satisfied that the enemy was in his immediate front; will you state what that observation was?
Answer. I do not know that I can repeat it exactly, and I do not know that the accused meant exactly what the remark might seem to imply. The observation was to this effect [putting his hand in the direction of the dust rising above the troops of the trees], "We cannot go in there anywhere without getting into a fight."
Question. What reply did you make to that remark?
Answer. I think to this effect: "That is what we came here for."
These words will certainly stand in memorable contrast with the sad utterance to which they were a reply.
General McDowell, on parting wit the accused, ceased to exercise any authority over his command, and he was thus left untrammeled, and in possession of the joint order, still in full force. Soon after General Griffin's brigade - a part of the corps of the accused - was ordered to move to the right, as if for the purpose of advancing on the enemy, as directed by General McDowell. It had proceeded, however, only about 600 yards, when, coming into "some small pine bushes," and somebody saying there were obstacles ahead, a retreat was ordered, and they fell back to their original position. General Griffin saw no obstacles himself, and he made no reconnaissance. This was all that was done toward carrying into effect the stirring and soldierly direction of General McDowell.
Some time after this faint demonstration - it may have been an hour or more, General McDowell having left at about 12 - a rebel battery threw three or four shot at the head of the accused's column. It was at once replied to and silenced, and then came the order to fall back, of which Colonel B. F. Smith, who witnessed the artillery firing, speaks so distinctly. The not of the accused to Generals McDowell and King, which was read in evidence and is without date, must have been written immediately after this artillery firing, and after the order to retreat which followed it. It is in the following words:
General McDOWELL and KING:
I found it impossible to communicate by crossing the roads to Groveton. The enemy are in strong force on this road, and, as they appear to have driven our forces back, the firing of the enemy having advanced and our arrived, I have determined to withdraw to Manassas. I have attempted to communicate with McDowell and Sigel, but my messengers have run into the enemy. They have gathered artillery and cavalry infantry, and the advancing masses of dust show the enemy coming in force. I am now going to the head of the column, to see what is passing and how affairs are going. Had you not better send your train back? I will communicate with you.
F. J. PORTER,
Major-General.
This note appears to have been written for the purpose of explaining why the accused had not "put his force in" at the place which General McDowell had pointed out. It announces most energetically a determination "to withdraw" -i.e., retreat - to Manassas, because of the approach of the enemy, and because the battle seemed to be going against the Federal forces. That this purpose was promptly carried out, substantially, if not to the letter, is made evident from the fact
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presence of the enemies of his country. General McDowell, as a soldier and a commander, deposed that it was the duty of the accused to have attacked the enemy on the 29th, and it would seem this duty was so manifest and so clearly the result of his position that no order could have added much, if anything, to its force and urgency. What General McDowell prescribed for his associate in arms he unhesitatingly accepted for himself. He had no summons to arouse him, and no guide to conduct him but the sound of the cannon, following which, he, with his command, found his way to the battle-field, where his instincts as a soldier told him both his duty and his honor required him to be. And it is, no doubt, to his timely arrival participation in the conflict that we are largely indebted for General Roberts' declaration that at the close of the day the advantages were decidedly on the side of the Federal troops. Had the accused, obeying the same impulse that carried General McDowell up the Sudley Springs road, made a movement upon the enemy with the vigor and heroism which the occasion demanded, it is altogether probable that the glory of Richepanse would have been his, and the fate of the Austrian that of the rebel army. After carefully considering all the impediments which have been so elaborately arrayed as in the way of the accused on the night of the 27th, and throughout the day of the 29th, we cannot but realize that they shrink away and are scarcely to be named beside those obstacles of darkness, and tempest, and snow, and morass, and Alpine precipices, and frowning batteries which the warriors of other times and lands have unhesitatingly confronted and bravely overcome.
But there is one feature of the inaction of the accused on the 29th which it is especially sorrowful to contemplate. How, unrestrained as he was, and with the cannonade of the battle in his ears, and its smoke and the dust of the gathering forces before his eyes, he could, for seven and a half or eight hours, resist the temptation to plunge into the combat, it is difficult to conceive. But this alone is not the saddest aspect in which his conduct presents itself. This aspect is distinctly set forth in the third specifications of the second charge. Colonel Marshall states that from the cheering and peculiar yells of the enemy heard on the evening of the 29th, he and every man of his command believed that General Pope's army was being driven from the field. General Morell also says that from the sound of the artillery the battle Federal forces. The accused, in his note to Generals McDowell and King, speaking of the enemy, says:
As they appear to have driven our forces back, the firing of the enemy having advanced and our retired, I have determined to withdraw to Manassas;
and, in further justification of this step, he adds:
They have gathered artillery and cavalry and infantry, and the advancing masses of dust show the enemy coming in force.
In the afternoon, then, of the 29th, it is clear that the conviction was entertained by the accused and his officers that our forces were being driven before the enemy - a confection which, in tones above even the roar of artillery, should have appealed to his soldier's heart to rush to the rescue. But, heedless of the summons, he turned, not toward, but away, from his struggling companions in arms, in the direction of Manassas.
Must we seek an explanation of this want of sympathy with the brave men who were doing battle that day in the feelings, as shown by his dispatches, which unhappily possessed him in reference to the Army of
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WINCHESTER, March 24, 1862.
(Received 9.42 a.m.)
General S. WILLIAMS:
We are re-enforced by two brigades this morning. It is yet uncertain whether the enemy is re-enforced or can be held to a fight. I have requested General Sedgwick to remain at Harper's Ferry a few hours this morning with trains.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding Corps d'Armee.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
March 24, 1862-11 a.m.
Major General N. P. BANKS,
Commanding Fifth Corps, Winchester:
Dispatch received. Your course was right. As soon as you are strong enough push Jackson hard and drive him well beyond Strasburg, pursuing at least as far as Woodstock, and, if possible, with cavalry to Mount Jackson. Strasburg should then be held in force, and the repairs of the railway bridge over the Shenandoah pushed forward as rapidly as possible. The very moment the thorough defeat of Jackson will permit it, resume the movement on Manassas, always leaving the whole of Shield's command at or near Strasburg and Winchester until Manassas Gap Railway is fully repaired. Call on Sedgwick for aid if you require it, but not unless necessary. Communicate fully and frequently and act vigorously.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
MIDDLETOWN, VA., March 24, 1862.
Major-General McCLELLAN:
Your dispatch received. Its instructions will be followed. The enemy is in full retreat. Our men are exhausted, but will overtake them. I think they fly rapidly. I notified General Sedgwick that his force will not be wanted at 9.30 this morning. Will hasten the Manassas orders as rapidly as possible.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
March 24, 1862-1.26 p.m.
General JOHN SEDGWICK,
Harper's Ferry:
You are authorized to leave for this place as soon as your transportation arrives, unless you get further information from General Banks that your command is wanted to re-enforce him. A guard must be left at Harper's Ferry for the bridge.
R. B. MARCY,
Chief of Staff.
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Should it prove that the North Fork from Rude's Hill to Timberville and Turley Town is somewhat defensible, a depot with covering defenses and a bridge-head may be needful. It is, however, my opinion that before this question fully arises the general clearing of the great valley may be so far effected as to convert our defensive efforts to the Blue Ridge, crest-line, merely retaining the North Fork line as a valuable secondary route. So soon as you are free to move eastward, either through Chester Gap or Thornton's Gap, you escape from that isolation which is now so oppressive and so liable to end in your being excluded from the great contest to the east of your position, when you can throw your front forward to include Luray and New Market. General McDowell can doubtless hold Washington in connection. This will at once enable you effectively to combine for such movements against Fairfax [Culpeper Court-House], Gordonsville, Charlottesville, &c., as the case may call for. Hence your successful advance seems to me to open great opportunities, which, well used, will make Richmond itself apprehensive.
I have ventured thus to state the ulterior advantages which may be said to rest on Strasburg and especially on Front Royal as bases, believing that from your kind and respectful consideration, which I wish gratefully to acknowledge, I need fear no misconstruction of exceeding my duty.
Conceiving as I do that you should have force sufficient promptly to clear the great valley and establish easy co-operation with General McDowell, I lay less stress on local defenses than on active movement, and can only propose defenses for the chief points in the railroad's base line.
Very respectfully, yours, &c.,
E. B. HUNT,
Captain of Engineers.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Washington, D. C., April 11, 1862-9.36 a. m.
Major-General McDOWELL,
Commanding Department of the Rappahannock, Hdqrs. Manassas:
SIR: For the present and until further orders from this Department, you will consider the national capital as especially under your protection, and make no movement throwing your force out of position for the discharge of this primary duty.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
CATLETT'S, April 11, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
The order for the transfer of Franklin's division to Fort Monroe is received. He leaves this evening for Alexandria.
IRVIN McDOWELL.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 11, 1862.
Major-General BANKS, Woodstock:
Where is Blenker, and what are his orders? Please answer immediately. There is no news to-day. Nothing doing at Yorktown, on account
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HEADQUARTERS MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, April 13, 1862.
Brigadier General R. C. SCHENCK, Cumberland:
General Milroy's pickets were attacked yesterday by a force of about 1,000 infantry, two companies of cavalry, and two pieces of artillery. The skirmishing was brisk for some time, but the rebels were finally repulsed with considerable loss.
If General Banks has not yet advanced so that you are not yet prepared to move your infantry, send forward your entire force of cavalry to make a demonstration toward Franklin.
J. C. FREMONT.
HEADQUARTERS MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, April 13, 1862.
Brigadier General R. C. SCHENCK, Cumberland:
Every effort has been used to get from the Department the necessary transportation. It is reported to have been ordered, and upon its arrival no time will be lost in forwarding it to you.
Blenker's division is moving toward Moorefield. Advance to that place as rapidly as possible.
J. C. FREMONT.
WINCHESTER, VA., April 13, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON:
Yours giving Blenker's position received. Am studying distances, roads, supplies, &c., with a view to move via Thornton's Gap to Harrisonburg. Await answer from McDowell, Blenker, and Banks to propose something promising, as far as seen.
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army.
WINCHESTER, VA., April 13, 1862.
E. M. STANTON:
Difficulty in getting forage increases as troops advance. It will take system. Recommend that quartermasters be instructed to gather from the country systematically, without distressing. Fix moderate prices, and pay in United States bills. Confederates give scrip, not certificates. Bills will give satisfaction, and create an interest in our success. Prompt pay will cut off all complaints.
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army.
HEADQUARTERS MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, Wheeling, Va., April 13, 1862.
Brigadier General LORENZO THOMAS,
Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:
SIR: I received to-day your note of the 9th, inclosing Major-General
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Abstract from Return of the Mountain Department, Major General John C. Fremont commanding, for April, 1862.
Present for duty.
Command. Officers Men. Aggrega-te Aggrega-te
present present
and
absent
District of the 360 8,134 10,327 12,030
Kanawha
Cheast Mountain 174 3,913 5,010 6,530
District
Railroad District 103 2,202 2,417 2,573
Schenck's brigade 93 2,242 2,668 3,150
Total 730 16,491 20,422 24,283
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
Aquia, May 1, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Just before leaving opposite Fredericksburg I was told by a Union man that General Field's advance, consisting of a regiment of infantry and Walker's battery of artillery and some cavalry, was at the Sycamores, about 11 miles from Fredericksburg, on the old stage road to Richmond. This road is to the west of the railroad. Field's main body is at Stone Mill, which is on the same road as the Sycamores. His and General Anderson's force amount to about 6,000 men. Some of Field's are of recent levy and are discontented, and may leave him if they can find a good chance. The railroad repair has been delayed for want of iron from Alexandria, but is now going forward as fast as possible. One of the bridges of boats is nearly completed across the Rappahannock, and can be finished at any time in a few hours. Owing to the non-transmission of my telegram from the opposite shore, the remainder of McCall's division not march from Catlett's till to-morrow, instead of to-day, as ordered.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Major-General, Commanding Department.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
May 1, 1862.
Major-General McDOWELL:
The President has directed the transfer of General Shields, with his division, to your department. You will transmit an order to General Shields, addressed to Woodstock, to move to such point within your department as you may designate (the President preferring Catlett's Station), having in view instructions hitherto received by you with respect to this capital, communicating a copy of your order in the case to this Department.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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WHEELING, May 1, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON:
The plan of operations which the President approved is now being carried into effect. Obstacles of weather, floods, and deficient transportation are being overcome, and all movements made in reference to it.
J. C. FREMONT,
Major-General, Commanding.
McDOWELL, May 1, 1862.
General FREMONT, Wheeling:
The extent of late attack by guerrillas was 20 wagons and about 80 horses lost. Am compelling neighborhood to furnish horses for another train. Have now several parties out after the guerrillas of Highland and Pendleton.
Information received from scouts, deserters, and refugees is that Johnson's force is at Westview, 6 miles west of Staunton, ready to retreat upon any advance by us, and rapidly gathering all the militia, subsistence, forage, and transportation he can and sending it east. The greatest excitement is said to have existed in Staunton and in Johnson's camp upon the occasion of a reconnaissance by a company of our cavalry with six infantry companies last week, and Johnson had everything packed to leave, but seeing it was only a reconnoitering party, he remained and redoubled his efforts in stripping the country of subsistence and forage. He should be driven out immediately. My aide has just returned from Schenck. Will keep my communication open with him.
Captain Lowry is here.
R. H. MILROY,
Brigadier-General.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
Aquia, May 2, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
The quartermaster of King's division, who was sent after lumber in the ferry-boat, went 35 miles below Fredericksburg. He reports enemy's cavalry extending from a few miles below Fredericksburg toward Port Royal, at which point, according to all accounts he received, there is a force of some thousands, prepared to board the first steamer that comes along. This report, except as to the thousands, is in confirmation of the account given by the deserters day before yesterday. Until I can occupy in force the opposite bank of the Rappahannock and send out strong cavalry parties we use the Rappahannock River only because the enemy suffers us to do so. I think the Navy Department should be so informed. The quartermaster reports quantities of horses, mules, and grain on the south side, and plenty of lumber suitable for our purposes. I have a further report from General King that Field, who commands in our front, has moved his force, 4,400 strong, with two batteries, to the Sycamores, being an advance of some 3 miles. I am led to believe that this force and that of Anderson can be defeated with great loss to them by the force under my command at Fredericksburg, and that
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HEADQUARTERS SHIELDS' DIVISION,
May 5, 1862.
Major-General McDOWELL,
Commanding Department of the Rappahannock:
Your flattering dispatch of the 2nd instant, containing instructions, &c., has been received. A dispatch from the Secretary of War of the same date orders me to remain here until General Banks is in position at Strasburg. This and the calling in of my detachments will detain me yet a few days in this department. I am not quite able as yet to decade the different routes, but incline to the Chester Gap route. My principal difficulty will be in getting forage, and will need some supply to meet me at Warrenton if I take that route. I will telegraph you more specifically on these points hereafter . My force consists of sixteen regiments of infantry, formed in three brigades; five batteries of artillery, including twelve Parrott guns, 10-pounders, six 6-pounders, rifled guns, ten smooth-bores, 6-pounders, and two 12-pounder howitzer, and one squadron of cavalry, making in all an effective force for the field of 11,000 men; my transportation consisting of 13 four-horse wagons to each regiment, with 32 additional four-horse wagons to each brigade and 10 to each battery of artillery. The horses of the command, including those of the different trains for which forage will be required, will be over 2,000. I mean to dispense with tents, except for hospital and office purposes, and with every article of baggage that is not indispensable. Further particulars will be before I take up my line of march. Have asked the Secretary of War for two more regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, now under command of General James Cooper, Maryland volunteers. Would wish you would try to get General Cooper and his magnificent cavalry regiment for me.
JAS. SHIELDS,
Major-General.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
Opposite Fredericksburg, May 5, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
I have received dispatch from General Shields informing me he will not be able to take up his line of march to join me until General Banks is in position at Strasburg and until Shields can all in his detachments. He does not say when all this be and most likely does not know. There has been some firing this morning between the cavalry pickets across the river, some miles below the town. I am again informed that Jackson has left Gordonsville, but am unable to trace him. Jeff. Davis' coachman says he had not passed Hanover Junction last Tuesday, and he heard he was to join Whiting, Anderson, and Field in Spotsylvania or Caroline, but I have not heard that he has done so. I take the following from the last Richmond Examiner:
We learn from Fredericksburg that the enemy has made a formal demand for, and taken possession of, the railroad depot and the public stores which were deserted by our troops without being destroyed. Five gunboats and twenty-two barges have come up the river and anchored at the wharf. The barges are said to be common canal-boats. It is thought that the purpose of the enemy is to construct a bridge, over which to pass his army across the Rappahannock. The tugs are low, light-draught, dirty-looking things, bearing two or three small guns each. They are altogether wooden, and a good battery of field artillery might have sunk the whole concern, barges and all. The protection afforded by the enemy to fugitive negroes is said to be playing havoc with slave property in the neighborhood of Fredericksburg. The
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thus restricted to in guarding the western portion is inadequate to render it secure against the hands of guerrillas daily threatening it. To prevent designs against the road by much-scattered command is compelled to perform most arduous duty, which much endangers its health. I respectfully ask that you will accelerate the arrival of a relief, as before suggested. I have nothing further of importance to report.
Very respectfully,
JNO. W. GEARY,
Colonel Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Commanding
HEADQUARTERS ADVANCE BRIGADE,
Near Rectortown, Va., May 6, 1862-5 p.m.
Major-General McDOWELL,
Commanding Department of the Rappahannock:
GENERAL: In obedience to orders from your headquarters, bearing date May 5, this moment received,* I have the honor to report that the position of my command extends from White Plains to the bridge across the Shenandoah near Front Royal. My force is disposed as follows:
Four companies of cavalry have charge of the railroad from White Plains to Rectortown, patrolling it, viz, one company located at Salem and three at Rectortown. My headquarters are 1 1/2 miles west of Rectortown, near the large bridge over Goose Creek, where I have seven companies of infantry and one of artillery; two companies of infantry and one of cavalry are located at Piedmont; two companies of infantry are at Markham, and four of infantry and one of cavalry are disposed from Linden to the Shenandoah River. These last companies guard the workmen engaged upon the bridge over the river and the stores of forage and subsistence which were recently deposited at that place. The Zouaves d'Afrique, General Banks' body guard, are temporarily at my headquarters, but are expected soon to report to General Banks. The railroad is in good running order. Quite a number of guerrillas are still south of us, rendering it necessary to maintain a very vigilant surveillance of the entire line.
Inclosed herewith you will a consolidated morning report of the command.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. W. GEARY,
Colonel Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Commanding
NEW MARKET, May 6, 1862-9.30 a.m.
Honorable E. M. STANTON:
Nothing important resulted from movements of enemy reported last night. Fifth Army Corps now encamped near New Market. My immediate command is ready to move at any time. Have received no specific orders whether to move before or after General Shields be here. His division will not be ready for a day or two. Ewell's division seems
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* See Schriver to Geary, May 7, p.139.
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is now guarding 30 miles of this road, performing duties so arduous that the health of them men is threatened. I would ask that, in consideration of the Twenty-eight Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers having guarded 26 miles of The Potomac for seven months under trying circumstances and borne in confidence of more active duties in the field upon the company assuming its present form, we may be permitted to throw ourselves upon your kindness and be relived from this class of duty, of which we have had a goodly share. The command is excellently drilled and tried and are well caparisoned to do active service in the field, to which they look forward with all confidence that a consideration of their performance of arduous duties have been taken cognizance of. Any order or effort on your part, general, to relieve the present position of the command will be greatly prized by all my officers and men as well as myself.
Very respectfully, &c.,
JNO. W. GEARY,
Colonel Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
NEW MARKER, May 10, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
General Shields defers his march to Monday, and desires me to remain. Unless otherwise directed, I will delay the march of my command until Sunday (to-morrow) evening. I have been ready to march at an hour's notice since my orders were received. General Shields desired that we should move together if possible. I will reach Strasburg Tuesday morning, or immediately if required.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
NEW MARKER, May 10, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
No important change in affairs. Ewell is still this side of the Blue Ridge, apparently tending southward. One brigade is reported by deserters who left his camp yesterday to have fallen back to the Rapidan near Gordonsville. Jackson is believed to be near Stauton by our scouts and the country people. A reconnaissance in force was made to-day to the town (Harrisonburg), of which no report is yet received.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
FRANKLIN, May 10, 1862-2 p. m.
(Received 3.40 p. m.)
Colonel ALBERT TRACY:
Am here where the wire was broken, determining who of the neighborhood shall be held responsible. Arrived this morning, and am in camp with both brigades 2 miles south of Franklin, leaving our former ground at the village for Blenker's division as it shall arrive.
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of which I find none here, and they cannot drag the guns and caissons much farther without it. They are nearly all of them undersized horses in the first place, and now overworked and starved down; and I respectfully submit that I be authorized to substitute for them the larger and stronger ones that I see in some of the wagon teams on the road.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. C. SCHENCK.
No. 11.] FLAT TOP, May 26, 1862.
Colonel ALBERT TRACY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Franklin:
No change to-day. Greenbrier River too high for troops to cross. Crook is therefore safe against any combination from that direction. Heth left his dead and some 60 wounded on the field. His flight was disorderly; arms and accouterments were scattered through the woods and along the roads. Everything shows that the defeat and rout were complete. I am looking anxiously for news from your direction. News of Banks' retreat reached us to-day.
J. D. COX,
Brigadier-General.
MANASSAS, May 27, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
The following I find to be disposition of the troops: General Shields' advance brigade is at Hay Market, on the way to Thoroughfare Gap, the Second Brigade close to the First; the Third is here, and the Fourth at Catlett's. Of General Ord's division, two brigades, less two regiments, on the railroad between this and Alexandria, are here, and one brigade (Duryea's) at Canterville. The artillery and cavalry not yet arrived. On questioning General Geary as to the force of the enemy he tells me he estimates Jackson to have had 7,000, Ewell about as many, marching together - between 14,000 and 15,000. I called his attention to his reporting 20,000, threatening to cut him off, &c. He replied that he gave these as the reports he had received.
General Shields has just received the following from the brigadier-general commanding his advance brigade:
We are moving finely. Roads good. Geary burned 1,000 Enfield rifles and 700 carbines, all new, and tents and clothing. This is the all-forested scare I ever heard of. I want that cavalry and my baggage train. The railroad is all right. One or two baggage cars on the track are here (New Market) and one at Gainesville. The one at Gainesville is loaded with corn.
NATHAN KIMBALL,
Brigadier-General.
The parties of cavalry sent out by General Shields have not as yet discovered any enemy. I was delayed in getting here by trains ahead of me loaded with troops. General Geary reports having decided the burning of the tents for want of transportation, but did not know of the arms.
IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Major-General.
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MANASSAS, May 27, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON, Washington:
Your telegram just received. I have already reported. The three brigades of Shields' division between this and Thoroughfare Gap will continue their march to-morrow to Front Royal. The brigade at Warrenton will join the division by the Warrenton turnpike. Ord's division will follow as soon as it all gets up. We shall thus, while feeling for the enemy, still cover Washington. The only rumors we have as to the present position is of his being in the direction in which we are marching.
IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Major-General.
CATLETT'S, May 27, 1862.
General MCDOWELL:
Where is Banks? Is Harper's Ferry safe? Where has the force gone that attacked banks? Is there any information as to the force before General Geary?
SHIELDS.
WASHINGTON, May 27, 1862.
General SHIELDS, Catlett's:
Banks is at Williamsport and safe. Harper's Ferry is held by Brigadier-General Saxton. General Geary reports the enemy to be marching by Aldie to cut off his communications, and thinks he has the whole of the enemy upon him. Saxton reports rumors of intention to attack him.
IRVIN MCDOWELL,
Major-General.
CATLETT'S, May 27, 1862.
General MCDOWELL:
I would prefer subsistence and forage at Manassas to re-enforcements at present. I do not believe the enemy is before Geary, but will ascertain that fact to-day. I regret that these men have been pushed forward, as I think unnecessarily. The whole, in my opinion, is a disgraceful panic, and if he permits me to act on my own judgment I will not call for assistance until I know for a certainly there is an enemy in front of me.
SHIELDS.
CATLETT'S, May 27, 1862.
General MCDOWELL:
I will open communication with Geary at Thoroughfare early this morning. I will support him if necessary. I will push forward my men and supplies to Manassas to-morrow early. I have plenty subsistence and forage.
SHIELDS.
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WASHINGTON, June 9, 1862-11.20 a. m.
Colonel E. SCHRIVER,
Chief of Staff, Front Royal:
Two messages will be coming to Front Royal in cipher, one for General Shields and one for General Fremont.
Have the operator make two copies of the one to Fremont and send one copy, together with the message, to General Shields to Luray, with orders to send, it to General Fremont immediately; send the other copy to General Fremont by way of Strasburg.
Let the messengers in each direction go with all reasonable expedition, and send commissioned officers if you can.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Major-General, Commanding Department.
SEVEN MILES BELOW FREDERICKSBURG,
June 9, 1862.
Major-General McDOWELL:
Your dispatch is received. I have to embark my division below the burnt hulks, at least 7 miles below the city. I have had to make wharves. The First Brigade (Reynold's) is on board and will drop down at once. The Second Brigade is on the ground and is embarking. The Third will embark to-morrow, as will the artillery, if I have transports. The embarkation of the cavalry will depend on the arrival of transports. They have all been longer coming than they counted on. The first boats arrived before sunset yesterday. We worked all night, and are progressing as fast as possible.
GEO. A. McCALL,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
FRONT ROYAL, VA.,
June 9, 1862-9.30 a. m.
Major General JAMES SHIELDS,
Commanding Division, Luray:
GENERAL: I have just received instructions from General McDowell to order you to get your division together and keep it in hand.
The general says you should not have sent a part of your force so far ahead that it could have no support, his instructions on this point having required you expressly not to do so.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. SCHRIVER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
FRONT ROYAL, June 9, 1862.
General SHIELDS:
I have this moment received your dispatch respecting Carroll's affair. It would seem too late to do anything to sustain your movement from this quarter.
ED. SCHRIVER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
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HDQRS. MAJOR-GENERAL SIGEL'S ARMY CORPS,
Middletown, Va., July 2, 1862.
[Colonel RUGGLES:]
COLONEL: No news of great importance. A detachment sent by me from Strasburg toward Edenburg found a picket of 30 men at Woodstock and will proceed to Edenburg. From another detachment sent toward Moorefield I received report that about 60 rebels were at the burnt bridge beyond Wardensville. They drove in some of our cavalry stationed there, but were attacked by our troops and fled toward Moorefield. Colonel Geary, stationed between Middletown and Front Royal, behind Cedar Creek, reports a force of 800 infantry and two pieces of artillery 7 miles from his camp, on the south side of the North Fork of the Shenandoah. His scouting party was attacked to-day and 2 men were wounded. He will send a strong detachment out to-morrow in the same direction.
Jackson has probably left a small corps of observation near Brock's Gap and near Luray, from which scouting parties are sent out against our lines. If we leave here they will probably come down toward Winchester. It would therefore be well to have our position occupied when we leave, as it has great advantages and can easily be defended.
F. SIGEL.
I am doing all in my power to be ready for your order.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Washington, July 2, 1862.
Major General FRANZ SIGEL,
Commanding First corps d' Armee, Middletown, Va.:
One hundred and fifty wagons are being sent to Manassas, which will join you as soon as you have taken up your position in front of Front Royal. They are intended for the use of your command. The day after General Banks marches you will move forward to the position which will be designated to you to-morrow. You must contrive to move forward your stores to that point as well as possible with transportation now in your possession, even if it be necessary to make two trips with your wagons for that purpose. You will leave for the present one brigade of your command with one battery of artillery at Winchester to intrench themselves strongly in that position. They will be relieved as soon as practicable. A regiment of cavalry will be in Winchester to take post in a day or two. Telegraph here a memorandum of what you need for your command, so that it may be furnished.
Your dispatch in regard to Ashby's cavalry was received at 6 p. m. to-day.
By command of Major-General Pope:
GEO. D. RUGGLES,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
BALTIMORE, MD., July 2, 1862-6.32 p. m.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
I informed Major-General Pope yesterday that I would, if you had no objections, send a regiment nearly a thousand strong to Winchester
29 R R-VOL XII, PT III
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suspect reserves of troops within call. The intimation was so strong that immediate and full instructions would come from Washington that it will not do move till that matter is settled. Meanwhile we shall get better information of the rebel plans. Some skirmishing in front with scouting parties. I hear one passed your right and intercepted your mail. Is that so?
J. D. COX,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
MEADOW BLUFF, July 13, 1862.
General COX,
Commanding:
The rebels have three regiments and some 800 cavalry, besides their batteries, at Salt Sulphur; they expect a re-enforcement of 3,000 more men, and intend attacking me in a couple of days. This information comes from so many corroboratory sources, and from their suspicious movements I am satisfied it is all so. General Loring will command probably. I will fight right here. Can't you send the whole of the Eleventh to my assistance at once, which will be quite sufficient? The rebels may, to get in my rear on Big Sandy, have the regiment make forced marches. We have some six days' provisions on hand. Pitch in.
GEORGE CROOK,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
NEAR WARRENTON, VA., July 14, 1862.
Colonel GEORGE D. RUGGLES:
A dispatch just received from General Hatch, dated 13th, reports al quiet at his headquarters. Major Deems' Maryland cavalry returned from the front this morning; had some skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, in which they left Lieutenant--mortally wounded. He reports that the party sent to burn small railroad bridges by mistake of orders destroyed the Rapidan Bridge. The people there believe that a large force is moving against us.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Washington, July 14, 1862.
Major General N. P. BANKS,
Commanding Second Army Corps:
Your dispatch has been received. I regret very much indeed that any orders were given to burn any railroad bridges, great or small. The object of your movement was to preserve the road, not to destroy any portion of it. We are advancing and shall continue to advance, and the roads must be preserved for our use. I again beg of you to dismiss any idea that there is any purpose whatever to retreat from the positions which you are instructed to take up or that there is any design whatever to await any attack of the enemy. I wish the roads kept
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you for active operations, and in placing you in positions from which you can act promptly and to the purpose. These labors are nearly competed, and I am about to join you in the field.
Let us understand each other. I have come to you form the West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies; from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary and to beat him when he was found; whose policy has been attack and not defense. In but one instance has the enemy been able to place our Western armies in defensive attitude. I presume that I have been called here to pursue the same system and to lead you against the enemy. It is my purpose to do so, and that speedily. I am sure you long for an opportunity to win the distinction you are capable of achieving. That opportunity I shall endeavor to give you. Meantime I desire you to dismiss from your minds certain phrases, which I am sorry to find so much in vogue amongst you. I hear constantly of "taking strong positions and holding them," of "lines of retreat," and of "bases of supplies." Let us discard such ideas. The strongest position a soldier should desire to occupy is one from which he can most easily advance against the enemy. Let us study the probable lines of retreat of our opponents, and leave our own to take care of themselves. Let us look before us, and not behind. Success and glory are in the advance, disaster and shame lurk in the rear. Let us act on this understanding, and it is safe to predict that your banners shall be inscribed with many a glorious deed and that your names will be dear to your countrymen forever.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Washington, July 15, 1862.
Major General N. P. BANKS,
Commanding Second Army Corps, via Warrenton, Va.:
The major-general commanding regrets that your army corps has not yet moved into the position designated for it, as its presence there is of the first importance. He desires you to move at once, and to leave a sufficient party to construct a temporary brigade over Hedgeman's Creek strong enough to cross your supplies. He desires no re-enforcements other than those he has himself already designated to be sent to Front Royal. He considers the garrison as designated by him to be strong enough for all purposes.
By command of Major-General Pope:
GEO. D. RUGGLES,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
WASHINGTON, July 15, 1862.
Brigadier-General BAYARD,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade, Warrenton Junction:
March to-morrow with your cavalry to Culpeper Court-House,l and report for temporary service to Brigadier-General Hatch, whose headquarters are at that place. The infantry and artillery now with you will repair to Warrenton and report temporality to General Ricketts.
Acknowledge the receipt of this immediately.
IRVIN McDOWELL,
Major-General, Commanding.
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that goes on in his front. If the enemy should undertake to advance the probable point of our concentration will be Banks' position.
I do not credit the report that Jackson is at Louisa Court-House with such a force, but be ready to move at a moment's notice. How are the roads to Banks' position and to Culpeper and the exact distance to each? Halleck will be here the day after to-morrow. The President is unwilling for me to leave here until he arrives.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, Fredericksburg, July 20, 1862-10.30 a. m.
Colonel [SCHRIVER]:
I explained, in reply to your dispatch of yesterday, why it was that General McDowell had received no reports from me for two days. The telegraph communication was interrupted for two days. The telegraph communications was interrupted for that length of time, so that I could no send anything by the wires, but I wrote to you daily.
In obedience to orders from Major-General Pope I dispatched the Harrison Light Cavalry last evening on an expedition to the Virginia Central Railroad, in the neighborhood of Beaver Dam, with instructions to break up, if possible, both the railroad and telegraph communication at that point. They had a cool, pleasant night for their march, and will, I hope, accomplish their object.
We have on hand our ten days' rations, and expect to-day our extra ammunition, which will give us 140 rounds per man and 250 per gun. In all other respects the division is ready to move at an hour's notice.
Everything has been quiet in our front for the past two days, and we can hear of no movements of the enemy.
Is it desire that we should continue to send an orderly daily to headquarters?
Very respectfully,
RUFUS KING,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Washington, July 20, 1862-9.35 a. m.
General PIATT,
Winchester:
Spare no means through spies and others to inform yourself of the movements of the enemy's cavalry in the valley. It is reported to me that Jackson is on the road to Moorefield. Spend whatever money is necessary to keep yourself fully advised of what is going on within 50 miles south of you.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA, Washington, July 20, 1862-10.25 a. m.
Major-General WOOL,
Baltimore:
It is reported that Jackson is on his way toward Romney,with the pur-
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Ashby), with two or three regiments of cavalry, was at Orange; Ewell with a force of all arms 3 miles beyond, and others of Jackon's troops strung along toward Madison Court-House for several miles, variously estimated at 30,000 and 20,000. General Hatch expresses the opinion if the enemy moves upon us it will be by a cavalry raid. He represents that they have some 4,000 cavalry near Gordonsville. This he gathered from report of people and contrabands.
The Signal Corps completed their communication with Culpeper last night. I am grateful that your supervision is so thorough and your reports so frequent. It is necessary that the utmost possible vigilance should be exercised to prevent a surprise by the enemy. Your measures seem to be well taken and executed. I await anxiously for explanation of the occasion of the signal gun.
Very truly, yours,
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
CHARLESTON, July 27, 1862.
General COX:
I have a communication from Buffalo I wish you to have, viz:
BUFFALO, July 27, -.
Colonel J. A. J. LIGHTBURN:
The brothers Jenkins are now at home. Secessionists are much excited, and threat ening Lieutenant Watterson, commissioned by Governor Peirpoint. He states that threats are being made daily by the rebels that now is their time to do mischief; that the Yankees must go up. Jenkins was on his place and also his brother Jeff. Several of their men had not been seen since the beginning of the war are at home, threatening their neighborhood. Buffalo is threatened, so is Gallipolis and Point Pleasant. The rebels here are jubilant. Can you send a company, and we will raise what men can to help them? It now requires concert of action or all we have is lost. The leading rebels who have been leading should be arrested as hostages and their property taken as security.
Lieutenant Watterson says he can prove the above by proper witnesses. The picnic of which I informed Lieutenant Russell took place Tuesday.
Respectfully,
NARE.
J. A. J. LIGHTBURN.
FLAT TOP, July 27, 1862.
Colonel J. A. J. LIGHTBURN, Charleston:
Who are the Jenkinses Dr. Nare refers to? If they are at A. G. Jenkins' place, near Guyandotte, your two companies there ought to catch them; but I do not believe they are there at all.
I will order a company of cavalry down to you. Your detachments must all be kept busy, and not remain quiet in such posts as Chapmanville, Guyandotte, &c., but keep so active that they will know everything going on within 30 miles of them. Send smaller detachments to Buffalo, Ripley, and other places to show that we are alive, and let it be everywhere understood distinctly that the secessionists of the neighborhood will be held responsible for mischief done by guerrillas, both in property and person. If persons are threatening, arrest them promptly and keep them confined at Charleston till they can give good security for their behavior; activity, energy, and, if need be, severity must be
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scouts. The Rapidan should be occupied by our pickets constantly, Vigorous and hold reconnaissance by our cavalry in small parties, moving in different directions without cessation, will best serve to harass our foe and develop his position and plans. With all possible precaution for safety it is still necessary to take some risks. We must be able in one way or another constantly to feel the enemy. Frequent change, both of position and forces on our part, will both deceive and deter. Do not allow our troops to stand for any length of time in the same condition. Thus "the people" can't avail themselves of their presence in our midst to carry intelligence to the enemy. They must not elude us if they desire it.
There is no general news more than you will find in the papers which I send. General Sigel desires you to send a cavalry scout in the direction of Madison. Do so as frequently as you can.
What do you think of the reports of contrabands of the evacuation of Richmond?
Very truly, yours,
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
HDQRS. SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
July 31, 1862-10 a.m.
Colonel CLARK:
DEAR SIR: I received your very full report of the affairs at the front with great satisfaction.* We are sometimes puzzled by the introduction of new local names of places. If you can occasionally explain the position of these places as they occur in the development of new positions it will aid us here. Your last was very full and satisfactory in this respect, and has occasioned this reminder and acknowledgment. I fear our forces are too cautious in their movements. Precaution is necessary, but some risks must be assumed. Frequent changes in the position and number of our troops and constant and hold scouts in parties sometimes large and sometimes small will intimidate the enemy and disturb him more than regular warfare.
We must constantly feel the enemy, know where he is, and what he is doing. To this end permanent positions of our troops must be avoided, whether large or small, and the enemy harassed by the uncertainty as well as the persistency and constancy of our scouting parties.
The Rapidan should be constantly guarded as a sort of scouting base of operations. Vigilance, activity, and a precaution that has a considerable mixture of audacity in it will carry you through many difficulties. There is a splendid opportunity for well-mounted cavalry. Communicate with General Crawford on this subject. We must not let the enemy elude us if we can help it. Your reports give us great satisfaction. The more the better.
Our troops will assemble to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. to hear the President's order read on the death of President Van Buren.
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
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* Not found.
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HEADQUARTERS ARMY,
Near Sperryville, August 1, 1862-6 p. m.
Major-General HALLECK, Commanding:
I have just arrived here (5 o'clock p. m.). No news of consequence from the front. I go to Sperryville to-morrow afternoon to inspect Sigel's army corps. Will return day after to-morrow morning. Will keep you advised of everything of importance.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 1, 1862.
General BURNSIDE or General STEVENS,
Newport News, Va.:
The troops of General Burnside's command will immediately embark for Aquia Creek, and on reaching that landing will take position near Fredericksburg; the movement to be made as rapidly as possible, and the destination to be concealed.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General, Commanding.
FORT MONROE, VA.,
August 2, 1862-2.40 p. m.
Major-General HALLECK,
Commander-in-Chief:
Your dispatch received. My troops are rapidly embarking. The fleet will sail at 12 o'clock to-night as quietly as possible, and will reach Aquia Creek to-morrow. By preparations all being made I can leave for Washington at once for definite instructions if you wish it, and can then reach Aquia Creek by the time the troops are landed. You will remember that, by direction of the Department, we brought with us no wagons, ambulances, artillery, or cavalry from north Carolina.
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
NEAR WASHINGTON, VA.,
August 2, 1862-1 p. m.
Major-General HALLECK:
A mixed column of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, under General Crawford, is advancing to-day upon Orange Court-house to reconnoiter. Enemy in force.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS FORCES AT CULPEPER, VA.,
August 2, 1862.
[General BANKS:]
DEAR GENERAL: I have just returned. I went into camp to-day
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for service. Have given orders for the amalgamation of the Virginia batteries, but cannot count on them being ready. The bridge over the Rappahannock at this place is not built, the wire rope being three days on the way from Washington here. The bridge can be finished in two days after the wire is received. The stream, however, can at this time be passed, though the ford is deep and the water may come into the wagon-boxes. The pontoon train has arrived at Washington and is being discharged from shipboard.
To sum up, Ricketts can go at once with his ten days', Carroll at once with five days', leaving his other five under guard at this place; the batteries referred to not to be counted upon.
You speak of moving troops from Warrenton. Shall the regiment now there be moved before the railroad bridge is completed and the depot there is broken up?
IRVIN MCDOWELL.
HEADQUARTERS KING'S DIVISION,
Fredericksburg, August 3, 1862-11 p. m.
Major-General POPE, Washington:
Your dispatch is just received. I will send out two cavalry expeditions to-morrow toward the Central Railroad and support them with infantry and artillery. I think that we can break up Hanover Junction with but little risk.
RUFUS KING,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Near Sperryville, August 3, 1862.
(Received 10.45 p. m.)
The following dispatch from General King has just been received, sent me by General McDowell:
William Bishop, who has been employed for more than a year past at the Tredegar Iron Works, left Richmond yesterday morning and arrived here to-day on his way to Baltimore, where he used to reside. He came along the railroad. He saw no troops except a few cavalry at Hanover Station. Re-enforcements keep coming into Richmond from the South, and large numbers have been sent to Jackson in the vicinity of Gordonsville and beyond.
He gave some interesting information about Richmond, the prices there, and the ordnance manufactured at the Tredegar Iron Works, of which a full report will be sent you by mail. He thinks Jackson is to attack Pope, and will have all the troops he wants for the purpose.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
AQUIA, August 4, 1862-7 a. m.
(Received 8.10 a. m.)
General HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief:
Arrived here last night with the advance of my command, and will commence landing at once and proceed to Falmouth. Whole command
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will probably be the by to-morrow night. Will I need more definite instructions?
A. E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS,
Fredericksburg, Va., August 4, 1862-1 p. m.
Colonel RUGGLES,
Chief of Staff, Washington:
I have made the arrangements for the expedition ordered by the general commanding. They start to-night and the supporting column in the morning. They will endeavor to strike at two points.
General burnside, with his advance, arrived at Aquia last night and is expected here to-day. The mechanic from the Tredegar Iron Works will go to Washington by first train.
RUFUS KING,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
(Similar dispatch to McDowell.)
WARRENTON SPRINGS, August 4, 1862.
Brigadier-General KING, Falmouth:
The major-general commanding has seen your dispatch of 1 p. m. to-day, and he directs that as soon as General Burnside shall have arrived at Aquia you draw in all your command form that place to Falmouth.
ED. SCHRIVER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
WARRENTON SPRINGS, August 4, 1862.
General RICKETTS,
Commanding Division, Waterloo, Va.:
GENERAL: March with the whole of your division, except the garrison at Warrenton, early to-morrow morning toward Culpeper Court-House, going for the first day to the best camping ground between the village of Jefferson and the crossing of Eastham River.
General Pope states that the troops which garrison Warrenton will be relieved at an early day and will join the corps to which they belong.
The headquarters of the corps will remain here all day to-morrow. As soon, therefore, as you get into camp report the fact to this place, stating the precise position you occupy with the different parts of your division. Carroll's brigade moves from this place to-morrow, and will go to the Eastham River, where it comes under your orders.
Major Houston, of the Engineers, states the distance between your camp and Jefferson as 11 miles, and that you can find good water at convenient distances between that place and Eastham River.
Start early and give stringent orders against straggling. Draw in all
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WASHINGTON, D. C., August 12, 1862.
Major-General POPE,
Cedar Mountain, Va.:
It has just been suggested that, under existing circumstances, you should remove your rolling stock this side of the Rappahannock and keep the bridge strongly guarded. General Burnside will move to-day to re-enforce you. He could not move sooner for want of transportation. General Wool will not be responsible for Winchester if your brigade is withdrawn. I am doing everything in my power to hasten McClellan's movements.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Cedar Mountain, August 12, 1862-6 p. m.
H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
The enemy has retreated to Gordonsville, blowing up the bridges on the common roads. Our cavalry and artillery pursued as far as Orange Court-House. I shall move forward on Louisa Court-House as soon as Burnside arrives. Do I understand that he takes the chief command when he joins? I will send detailed report to-morrow.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
SIGNAL STATION AT HEADQUARTERS,
August 12, 1862-11 a. m.
General MCDOWELL:
Please send me some infantry. The enemy are trying to turn our left.
DUFFIE,
Colonel.
SIGNAL STATION, HEADQUARTERS,
August 12, 1862-12 m.
General POPE:
General Sigel's cavalry fired on us. It was not the enemy.
A. N. DUFFIE,
Colonel.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 12, 1862.
Major-General BURNSIDE, Falmouth, Va.:
Retain what forces may be required to protect the bridge of the Rappahannock and the landing at Aquia, and send the remainder to Pope's assistance by the road north of the Rapidan. If General McClellan should not re-enforce you in time, and you are compelled to retreat, fall back on Alexandria. Keep me advised of any re-enforcements arriving. The horses and wagons are intended partly for you and partly for the re-enforcements from McClellan.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
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FIRST DIVISION.
(1.) Brigadier General ROBERT C. SCHENCK.*
(2.) Brigadier General JULIUS STAHEL.
First Brigade.
(1.) Brigadier General JULIUS STANEL.+
(2.) Colonel ADOLPHUS BUSCHBECK.
8th New York Infantry.
41st New York Infantry.
45th New York Infantry.
27th Pennsylvania Infantry.
New York Light Artillery, 2nd Battery.
Second Brigade.
Colonel NATHANIEL C. MCLEAN.
25th Ohio Infantry.
55th Ohio Infantry.
73rd Ohio Infantry.
75th Ohio Infantry.
1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery K.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brigadier General A. VON STEINWENR.
First Brigade.>
(1.) Colonel JOHN A. KOLTES. @
(2.) Lieutenant Colonel GUST. A. MUHLECK.
29th New York.
63th New York.
73th Pennsylvania.
THIRD DIVISION.
Brigadier General CARL SCHURZ.
First Brigade.
(1.) Brigadier General HENRY BOHLEN. #
(2.) Colonel A. SCHIMMELFENNIG.
61st Ohio Infantry.
74th Pennsylvania Infantry.
8th West Virginia Infantry.
Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Battery F.
Second Brigade.
Colonel W. KRZYZANOWSKI.
54th New York Infantry.
58th New York Infantry.
75th Pennsylvania Infantry.
2nd New York Light Artillery, Battery L.
Unattached.
3rd West Virginia Cavalry, Company C.
1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery I.
INDEPENDENT BRIGADE.
Brigadier General ROBERT H. MILROY.
82nd Ohio Infantry.
2nd West Virginia Infantry.
3rd West Virginia Infantry.
5th West Virginia Infantry.
1st West Virginia Cavalry, Companies C, E, and L.
Ohio Light Artillery, 12th Battery.
CAVALRY BRIGADE.
Colonel JOHN BEARDELEY.
1st Battalion Connecticut.
1st Maryland.
4th New York.
9th New York.
6th Ohio.
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*Wounded August 30.
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+Succeeded General Schneck in command of division.
>Temporarily attached to Third Division August 30.
@Killed August 30.
#Killed August 22.
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ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
THIRD ARMY CORPS.
Major General SAMUEL P. HEINTZELMAN.
FIRST DIVISION.
(1.) Major General PHILIP KEARNY.*
(2.) Brigadier General DAVID B. BIRNEY.
First Brigade.
Brigadier General JOHN C. ROBINSON.
20th Indiana.
63rd Pennsylvania.
105th Pennsylvania.
Second Brigade.
(1.) Brigadier General DAVID B. BIRNEY.
(2.) Colonel J. H. HOBART WARD.
3rd Maine.
4th Maine.
1st New York.
38th New York.
40th New York.
101st New York.
57th Pennsylvania.
Third Brigade.
Colonel ORLANDO M. POE.
2nd Michigan.
3rd Michigan.
5th Michigan.
37th New York.
99th Pennsylvania.
Artillery.
1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, Battery E.
1st United States, Battery K.
SECOND DIVISION.
Major General JOSEPH HOOKER.
First Brigade.
Brigadier General CUVIER GROVER.
1st Massachusetts.
11th Massachusetts.
16th Massachusetts.
2nd New Hampshire.
26th Pennsylvania.
Second Brigade.
Colonel NELSON TAYLOR.
70th New York.
71st New York.
72nd New York.
73rd New York.
74th New York.
Third Brigade.
Colonel JOSEPH B. CARE.
5th New Jersey.
6th New Jersey.
7th New Jersey.
8th New Jersey.
2nd New York.
115th Pennsylvania.
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*Killed September 1.
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HDQRS. FIRST AND SECOND DIVS., NINTH ARMY CORPS,
August 21, 1862.
Major-General POPE,
Commanding Army of Virginia:
GENERAL: I have just received a letter from General Burnside, stating that he would send troops to Barnett's Ford to-morrow. Would it not be well for you to request him to hurry them up?
General Buford has just returned. Longstreet's and Hill's divisions were the troops he was engaged with. They appear to be returning toward Rappahannock Station. The general reports them in strong force. He had a very successful skirmish, compelling their whole force to retire to the cover of the woods. Some 8 or 10 of his men were killed and wounded. The enemy's loss is unknown.
I have the honor, general, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. L. RENO,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
August 21, 1862 - 4 p. m.
Major-General RENO,
Commanding Detachment Ninth Corps:
GENERAL: Your dispatches just received. Hold on to your position as long as possible. I will re-enforce you if you need it. Keep me constantly advised, and by no means allow the enemy to interpose between us.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Rappahannock Station, August 21, 1862 - 4 p. m.
Major-General HALLECK:
Just received dispatch from General Reno, who is at Kelly's Ford, 5 miles below. He says that Longstreet and Featherston, with their divisions, are advancing on him and are very near, and that Jackson is marching east. What time am I to expect General Porter at Barnett's Ford? I must abandon the railroad and fight a battle lower down on the river or be separated form Porter. Please inform me at once what you desire.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Rappahannock Station, August 21, 1862 - 5 p. m.
Major-General RENO,
Commanding Detachment Ninth Army Corps, Kelly's Ford:
GENERAL: I have sent the Second Army Corps (Banks') to take post within 2 miles of you. If you need assistance send to General Williams, who commands the corps. I think Longstreet's and Feather
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RAILROAD DEPOT,
Alexandria, August 23, 1862.
Honorable P. H. WATSON:
I am waiting in intense anxiety to know what has become of returned trains. I ordered some time ago a reconnoitering engine to go forward. No report as yet. If power is returned we can forward large numbers - 10,000 per day. Until I can get answer I can give no information. Not an engine has yet returned of all that went up the road. I learn that some reached Warrenton Junction, which is very favorable intelligence thus far; but why they are not sent back I am yet unable to ascertain.
HAUPT,
Superintendent.
WASHINGTON, August 23, 1862 - 12 o'clock.
Colonel HAUPT:
Have you concluded to send a locomotive here for the train containing Cox's troops or shall they be shipped from Sixth-street wharf to Alexandria?
P. H. WATSON.
ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD DEPOT,
August 23, 1862.
Honorable P. H. WATSON:
As soon as your telegram was received we asked Colonel McCallum to allow the Baltimore and Ohio engines to run the troops to Alexandria, and we understood that he would do so. If he cannot, we will be unable to send for them under two or three hours, and it would be much better to send them by boat. I propose to go forward again to-night, and see if my personal presence will not expedite the return of cars. Devereux will keep matters straight here. The return of cars promptly is now the all-important consideration.
H. HAUPT.
ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD DEPOT,
August 23, 1862 - 12.40 p. m.
Honorable P. H. WATSON:
I have just sent the following to General Pope:
General POPE:
The number of troops now sent forward is 6,600. Fifteen hundred more now marching up, and transportation ready for them. After repeated attempts for hours to get answer I learn that the track is clear, the bridges safe, and that six engines and trains are now ready to return to Alexandria. There must have been great delay somewhere. Please order some competent officer to see that the cars are unloaded and returned. There will be no relaxation of effort on our part so long as we can hold out. Shall the place of unloading be Warrenton or Catlett's for the remainder? Nine trains will be returned in three hours if no accident occurs.
H. HAUPT.
HAUPT.
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received from Fort Leavenworth. By it you will perceive there is no intention to return the prisoners illegally captured in missouri and of which I wrote you several days since.
You will also observe that it is but a fair "inference" from the expressions used that it is the intention of the commanding officer to disregard all laws of the State, the proceedings of the courts, and the rights of the citizens.
That upon an "inference" it is proposed to invade Missouri, and in the courts of justice or elsewhere arrest whom they please and convey them to Kansas and there try them before a military commission.
Well, sir, he will not do it with impunity.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BEN. LOAN,
Brigadier-General, Missouri State Militia.
[Sub-inclosure.]
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS,
Fort Leavenworth, May 15, 1862.
Brigadier General BEN. LOAN. Mo. S. M.:
SIR: Yours on the 9th instant received and placed on file. In reply I would state, as directed by the general commanding, that on or about the 7th of May a man and a lady from Kansas visited Missouri for the [purpose] of getting some stolen property. The men merely accompanied the lady to act her, her husband being in the United States service. It so happened that they found a mare, which the lady claimed, and the man accompanying her also recognized. The man in Missouri who had the mare went with the Kansas parties to a number of the neighbors, all of whom failed to prove the mare as his. At this the Kansas man was determined to take the mare and did start with her, when he was overtaken by an armed party of missourians and made prisoner. The lady came here and made her report, and stated how the man was a prisoner in the hands of a lawless and armed party. It became the duty of the commanding general to rescue the man and property as well as arrest the parties concerned, if possible. Accordingly a party was detached for that purpose, which succeeded. The mare is now in the hands of the Government awaiting settlement. Parties from Missouri visited these headquarters some days afterward, but failed to prove by any means that the property was theirs, it being clearly understood by all parties that the mare was left with the man who now claims her by another party, and that other party is in the Southern Army. Inference: the mare was probably stolen originally from Kansas, as claimed by Kansas party.
The intention of the general commanding is to restore peace and harmony as far as possible between Missouri and Kansas, and to this end he will endeavor to prevent parties from crossing into Missouri on any such errand, but at the same time he will not suffer Kansas men to be thrown into prison with impunity by an armed band of men who make it a business to carry on this work. If men from Missouri cross into Kansas and carry on their depredations-kidnaping, &c.-they will be pursued until they are overtaken and justice meted out to them by a military commission.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. MOONLIGHT,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
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admiral opposite Bayou Sara, with the Hartford, the Albatross, and the ram Switzerland, all well; that the Yazoo expedition was reported as abandoned; that our troops had left the immediate vicinity of Vicksburg and gone to some point above; that the Lake Providence Canal had proved a success, and that General Grant would co-operate with me opposite Bayou Sara with 20,000 men about the 1st proximo. This force he tells me is to come though the Tensas, black, and Red Rivers. I have sent Mr. Gabaudan back third morning with a dispatch to General Grant, of which I have the honor to inclose a copy for your information, and which I have requested him to commit to memory and destroy. General Augur will send a cavalry force across the river to facilitate Mr. Gabaudan's return.
If the iron-clads now reported to be engaged in the reduction of charleston are sent here after the termination of that affair, as they may well be, I think in any event we will take Mobile. If Grant sends me 20,000 men we will take Port Hudson.
I received this morning at extract from Special Orders, No. 123, of the 16th ultimo, from the Adjutant-General's Office, transferring Key West and the Tortugas to this department. By the Fulton, leaving New Orleans on the 14th, I shall send an officer to Key West to communicate with the commanding officer there and obtain information as to the condition of affairs in that district. Brigadier-General Woodbury has not yet reported to me.
I would respectfully request that the postmaster at New York may be instructed to make up the ail for my headquarters in a separate bag, so as to avoid the delay, sometimes of two or three days, incident to its distribution in New Orleans; and that these bags may be sent by the regular steamers instead of by Government transports, which stop at New Berne, Pot Royal, Key West, and other points, and are delayed attach. A week or ten days' delay more than counterbalances any pecuniary saving that may be involved in sending our dispatches by public transports.
I respectfully ask attention to a matter that will soon become of great importance to the interests of he Government in this Department. The terms of our nine-months' men begin to expire in May. In August all will have expired. We shall thus lose twenty-two regiments of infantry. this will leave us, in the whole department, exclusive of Key West, concerning which I know nothing as yet, and of the negroes, but thirty-six regiments of infantry, and an effective force reporting for duty less than 20,000 men of all arms. With this force we can hold New Orleans and the La Fourche - possibly Baton Rouge - but we cannot move an inch or even hold any success that we may gain by our present operations. Not an hour should be lost in forwarding to this department the men who are to replace the nine-months' levies.
I respectfully suggest that a copy of this dispatch and its inclosure be sent to Major-General Grant by a special messenger, and that I may be informed of the purport of the latest advices from him.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. P. BANKS,
Major-General, Commanding.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
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declared his intention, if the firing on his vessels be repeated, to complete the destruction of the town to lay waste the whole neighboring coast, a threat which this committee believes he will most assuredly carry into effect; and whereas, whilst the people of the said parishes disclaim any intention to question any policy which the Government may deem it advisable to pursue in the prosecution of the war within the limits of the said parishes, and they are willing to make, as they nave already made, every personal sacrifice for the common defence, they humbly conceive at the same time, with due deference to the opinion of those in authority, at the firing upon and destroying a few unarmed boats (for hitherto no armed vessels have been assailed) can be productive of no results which would justify the jeopardizing the lives and the total destruction of the property of our own people and the demoralizing of our servile population, a result which they consider inevitable if that course be persisted in. They conceive that so long as the enemy with his immense fleet possesses exclusively the whole of the river, embracing the lower coast, any attempt to molest him from its banks, unless systematically and efficiently, must necessarily prove utterly fruitless, whilst the enemy's ability to retaliate exposes riparian estates to utter destruction and ruin: Be it therefore
Resolved, That a comminute, composed of the following gentlemen, viz., Hon. A. Duffel, Hon. St. m. Berault, Aristide Landry, Trusemon Landry, Captain Camille Mire, and Emile Lengendre be, and they are hereby, appointed to wait upon His Excellency Governor Moore, in person, and to submit to him he proceedings and resolutions of this meeting; and the said committee is hereby authorized to explain verbally to His Excellency the Governor the true object of this meeting, and to use avert the evil now impending over the good and loyal people of these parishes.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN H. ILSLEY, Chairman.
ELVI MELANCON.
J. K. GAUDET.
ERNEST PEDESCLAUX.
MICHEL D. GAUDET.
On motion,
Resolved, That the report and resolution of the committee be, and the same are hereby, fully by this meeting.
A. B. ROMAN.
J. ARISTIDE LANDRY, Secretary.
SAINT JAMES, August 11, 1862.
[Inclosure.]
To the People of Donaldsoville, La.:
Every time my boats are fired upon I will burn a portion of your town.
D. G. FARRAGUT,
Flag-Officer.
ORDERS,
HDQRS. LOUISIANA MILITIA, ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 810. Opelousas, August 12, 1862.
I. The Militia now in actual service at Camp Pratt will remain in
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Reprinted 1985 by Historical Times, Inc.
Distributed by Broadfoot Publishing Company
Historical Times, Inc.
Morningside House
THE REPUBLICATION, in is entirety, of the War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, is a service project undertaken by the National Historical Society in the interest of libraries and scholars who have long needed a reissue of this indispensable work. Each of the 128 volumes is published in full, including the Index, and all are heavily bound in buckram for long and continued use. This and other volumes of the set are available only from the National Historical Society.
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whole I have found the force in an utter state of disorganization and confusion. I am obliged to confess also that the accounts of the discipline of portions of the troops are not gratifying. I am trying to get them straight.
D. C. BUELL,
Major-General.
CORINTH, July 12, 1862.
Major-General BUELL, Huntsville:
Your dispatch of yesterday is received. I can well understand the difficulties you have to encounter and also the impatience at Washington. In the first place they have no conception of the length of our lines of defense and of operations. In the second place the disasters before Richmond have worked them up to boiling heat.
I will see that your movements are properly explained to the President. Give me all the information you can of the enemy. It is believed in Washington that a part of Kirby Smith's force is in Richmond. It was also reported at one time that Beauregard was there with most of his army.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General.
HUNTSVILLE, July 12, 1862.
General HALLECK:
I learn that General Mitchel is making an effort to have his division ordered to Virginia. I must venture to warn the authorities against any diminution of the force in this district. I have reports of a considerable force of the enemy's cavalry having crossed into Kentucky, and it is probable that I shall have to send a force there. Three companies of our cavalry were badly defeated at Tompkinsville on the 9th.
D. C. BUELL,
Major-General.
CORINTH, July 12, 1862.
Major-General BUELL, Huntsville:
I understand that Generals McClernand, Pope, Wallace, and Mitchel are urging that 25,000 or 30,000 men be sent from this department to Richmond. The Secretary of War so ordered, but afterward suspended the order. I should not be surprised any day at its renewal, although I have done all I could to prevent it. The impression there is that large rebel force have gone east. I can get no evidence whatever that such is the fact.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS, Huntsville, July 12, 1862.
J. B. ANDERSON, Nashville:
We expect to finish the road to Elk River to-day. If you have crossed Elk River put your stock mainly on that road and push supplies
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gow, Ky., about a week ago [September 18]. The papers captured were copies of the originals sent by General beauregard to General Jordan to be entered.
JAMES B. FRY,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
[Inclosure Numbers 2.]
MOBILE, ALA., September 5, 1862.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant-General, &c., Richmond Va.:
GENERAL: Under the supposition that on the restoration of my health I would be returned to the command of Department Numbers 2, I had prepared, while at Bladen, Ala., a plan of operations in Tennessee and Kentucky, based on my knowledge of that part of the theater of war, but hearing that my just expectations are to be disappointed I have the honor to communicate it to the War Department, in the hope that it may be of service to you arms and to our cause. It was submitted by to General Bragg on the 2nd instant. By looking at the map it will be seen that the forces operating in that section of country will be separated a first river (the Tennessee) and afterward by two (the Tennessee and Cumberland.) Hence they will be unable to support each other, being unprovided with pontoon trains, but their operations must be more or less dependent on or connected with each other. I will first refer to those in East Tennessee an then to those west of it. In the first case our objective points must be first must be first Louisville and then Cincinnati. How best to reach them from Chattanooga with buell at Huntsville and Stevenson is the question. It is evident he has the advantage of two bases of operations-the cumberland and Tennessee Rivers- and that if we advance toward our objective points without getting rid of him we would expose our lines of communication with Chattanooga. We must then give him battle first or compel him to retire before us. Should he retire on Nashville (as the newspapers say he is now doing), we will be advancing toward Louisville, but should he retire on Florence or Savannah to unite his forces with Rosecrans or Grant, we will have to concentrate enough of our forces from Middle and East Tennessee to follow hi rapidly and defeat him in a great battle, when we would be able to resume our march as before indicated. We must, however as soon as practicable, construct strong works to command the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, for otherwise our communications would be cut off by the enemy as soon as these two rivers shall have risen sufficiently to admit the entrance of their gunboats and transports. The best position for said works is about 40 miles below forts Donelson and Henry, not far frog Eddyville, where those two rivers come within 1 1/2 miles of each other. I am informed there is at that point a commanding elevation, where a strong field work could be constructed for a garrison of about 2,500 or 3,000 men, who could hold out (with ample provisions and ammunition) against a large army. Under the guns of this work and along the bank of each river a series of batteries, armed with the heaviest guns (8,9, and 10 inch and rifled guns), could be constructed, bearing directly on obstructions placed in each of said rivers. When Louisville shall have fallen into our possession I would construct a work there for the command of the Ohio and the canal, and I would destroy latter as soon as possible so completely that future travelers would hardly know where it was. This I would do as a return for the Yankees' vandalism in attempting to obstruct forever the
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Number 36. Report of Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith, Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade.
HDQRS. SECOND Brigadier, SECOND DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS, Post Arkansas, Ark., January 12, 1863.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the part taken in the late action by the Second Brigade, under my command:
Debarking, by order of General Stuart, on Saturday, 10th instant, the brigade followed the line of march indicated, and just before night took position in the woods in front of one of the enemy's batteries. I ordered the Fifty-seventh Ohio to the right to support the Eighth Missouri, by request of Colonel Smith, commanding the First Brigade, and the Fifty-fifth Illinois and Eighty-third Indiana forward, with instructions to draw the enemy's fire, which they did with such effect as to cause the loss of the enemy's fire, which they did with such effect as to cause the loss of 14 killed and wounded by their shells, among them Captain Yeoman, commanding the Fifty-fourth Ohio, whose right arm was shattered; since amputated.
Early the next morning the brigade moved forward and at 1 o'clock forme a line of battle to storm the fortifications, the Fifty-seventh Ohio, led by Colonel Mungen, on the right; the One hundred and twenty-seventh Illinois on the center; the Eighty-third Indiana on the left, with the Fifty-fifth Illinois and Fifty-third Indiana on the left, with the Fifty-fifth Illinois and Fifty-fourth Ohio in reserve, immediately in the rear. Their action was under the eye of General Stuart. I saw none falter, and where all, officers and men, were so gallant I cannot make invidious distinction. The Eighty-third Indian and the Fifty-seventh Ohio each have a Texan flag as trophies, surrendered by the enemy before the close of the fight.
I desire to make special mention of Colonel Malmborg, commanding the Fifty-fifth Illinois, whose zeal and unremitting diligence in superintending working parties and planting batteries, performing at the same time his whole duty to his regiment, demand compliment.
With a list of casualties in my command, appended below, and which I have to submit herewith,*
I am, with the highest respect, your obedient servant,
THOS. KILBY SMITH,
Colonel, Commanding Second Brigadier, Second Div., Fifteenth Army Corps.
Captain C. McDONALD,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Number 37. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Malmborg, Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry.
HDQRS. FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Arkansas Post, Ark., January 12, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor herewith to report the part taken by the Fifty-fifth in the engagement during the 10th and 11th instant:
At the point on the Arkansas River indicated in general orders the regiment disembarked and took up a northwesterly line of march at noon, the 10th instant, right in front, it being in the lead of the Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel T. K. Smith, and immediately preceded
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*Embodied in revised statement, p.718.
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Numbers 14.
Report of Brigadier General Robert Ransom, jr., C. S. Army, of skirmish at Sandy Ridge, April 20.
HEADQUARTERS,
Kinston, N. C., April 21, 1863.
GENERAL: Your note of to-day is received. I have started five different parties to vicinity of Morehead City and New Berne. Whitford reports the Yankees retiring from Swift Creek; says Foster declares he will give you a hard fight, which do to write in the history of the war. In an hour after your telegram came I started a regiment and four pieces of artillery to Coward's Brigade. I have now here sixteen field pieces. I kept [A. D.] Moore, [Company E, Tenth North Carolina Volunteers, or First Artillery], as I deeded his battery of importance. Yesterday there another skirmish on Sandy Ridge; there companies of the Forty-ninth and about 70 of [Major J. H.] Nethercutt's men, [Eighth North Carolina Battalion]. The enemy was first driven back, but got a strong re-enforcement and in turn we had to retire. We had 1 killed, 6 pounded, and 12 or 14 missing. Three horses were killed by our men belonging to the field officers. We went forward to in sight of Core Creek after the fight. To hold Core Creek would require at least two regiments. I cannot afford to fritter away strength. We shall soon know if the enemy is going to come this way. I should have to fight him on Southwest [Creek] or not at all until he gets to the river. We are working on Southwest. If I have time will destroy the works over the bridge. For three days I have been getting sink, and am now hardly able to write this. If morning finds me no better this place will need you presence or some one else. I have no horses. Where are the Wheeler forces? I heard that the men were permitted to sell them or send them home. If an attack be made here we cannot well have too many guns. I am almost ill.
Yours, respectfully and truly,
R. RANSOM, JR.,
Brigadier-General.
General D. H. HILL.
P. S.-I have just heard (9 p. m.) that the enemy is rebuilding the railroad; finished to Core Creek, and were working this side with very large force.
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on his strong line of intrenchments and under the fire of a numerous artillery. The purpose of the movement having been attained, the troops were directed to remain on the ground awaiting events.
in conjunction with the above, Major Crosby crossed the Nansemond near Sleepy Hole with the Twenty-first Connecticut, a section of the Fourth Wisconsin Battery, and eleven mounted rifles. At 4 a. m. pushed on and occupied Chuckatuck, driving out 300 rebel cavalry. He skirmished all the way to Reed's Ferry, capturing 16 prisoners, and then returned to the river under cover of the gunboats. At the same time Colonel Dutton crossed in boats and occupied Hill's Point with the Fourth Rhode Island, a portion of the One hundred and seventeenth New York, and a detachment from the Commodore Barney. he advanced some distance, but was met by a superior force posted strongly in the woods, and after much skirmishing returned upon Hill Point from which the enemy could dislodge him.
I again take pleasure in acknowledging the valuable services of Lieutenants Cushing Lamson, and Harris, U. S. Navy. These officers rendered every assistance in their power in crossing the river. Lieutenant Cushing sent a boat howitzer and detachment with the Fourth Rhode Island, under Colonel Dutton.
I regret to state that Colonel Ringold, of the One hundred and third New York, lost his life from two wounds while leading on his men in the most gallant manner. He was a meritorious officer.
May 4.-About 9 p. m. on the 3rd the enemy commended retiring upon the Blackwater. His strong line of pickets prevented deserters and contrabands from getting through with the information until he had several hours the start. Generals Corcoran and dodge were promptly in pursuit on the Edenton road while Colonel Foster followed upon the Somerton. By 6 a. m. Colonel Foster was pressing the rear of a formidable column on the old orad near Leesville. He was compelled, from the smallness of his force, to wait for the command under General Corcoran and could again strike the column before it reached the river. The cavalry of Colonels Spear and Onderdonk were pushed on numerous roads, and rendered valuable services in procuring information and capturing prisoners.
Thus ends the present investment or siege of Suffolk, which had for its object the recovery of the whole country south of the James extending to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina, the ports of Norfolk and Portsmouth, 80 miles of new railroad iron, the equipments of two roads, and the capture of all the United States forces and property with some thousands of contrabands.
General Longstreet finding that an assault at the outside upon works defended by one-half his own force would be expensive and uncertain, and having failed in turning either flank, decided the place and asked for re-enforcements; probably not less than two divisions joined from General Hill. The works constructed are on the most extensive scale and in the approved manner.
The rules and regulations prescribed by military authorities for the conduct of siege operations have been observed. Some idea may be formed of this so-styled foraging expedition when I state that not less than 10 miles of batteries, covered-ways, and rifle-pits have been thrown up; most of the artillery was protected by embrasures; the parapets were from 12 to 15 feet in thickness and well revetted, while the covered ways were from 8 to 10 feet. Longstreet had a wire laid from the Blackwater, and telegraphed arrangements through his lines.
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carried about 7 o'clock p. m., and this command marched immediately. On arriving at Dr. Council's no boat was ready to take the command over. About 10 o'clock p. m. Captain Vallee received an order to return with his section of artillery to Calhoun's Point. The One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers, 720 strong, remained in the road until about 12 p. m., and received an order to report to Colonel Donohoe, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, about 1 1/2 miles above Dr. Council's. The regiment reported as ordered, and about 2.30 p. m. on the 20th an order was sent to send four companies of the One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers back to Dr. Council's house to embark for Hill's Point. A special order was received from the commanding general for the colonel of the One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers to take command of the four companies of his regiment and accompany them to Hill's Point. Companies D, F, H, and K were the companies sent over; they arrived at 4 o'clock p. m. and began to intrench. A detail was made from the companies to furnish skirmishers. The skirmishers were deployed and exchanged shots with the enemy, in which First Sergt. William Casselman, Company D, One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers, was severely wounded in the right leg by a rifle-ball from the enemy's skirmishers. The first fire applied to the building on Hill's Point was set by Second Lieutenant D. B. Magill, One hundred and seventeenth New York Volunteers, who volunteered to perform the service. At 10 o'clock a. m. on the 20th the remainder of the regiment arrived and reported and were set to work intrenching. At 3 o'clock p. m. the order to evacuate the Point was issued. The embarkation commenced on one of the gunboats, and after landing about 400 men on the marsh opposite Hill's Point the small boats were substituted, and the crossing of all was completed about 12.30 a. m. on the morning of the 21st. All reached their old camp in safety.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. R. PEASE,
Colonel, Commanding One hundred and seventeenth N. Y. Vols.
Captain HAZARD STEVENS,
Asst. Adjt. General, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps.
HDQRS. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEENTH N. Y. VOLS.,
Calhoun's Point, Va., April 22, 1863-8.30 a. m.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report all quiet on this end of the line. No movement of the enemy discovered last night; no evidences of any parties working during the night. If we could have the use of a 12-pounder boat howitzer it would be very effective indeed in preventing the enemy from placing artillery in the battery on the opposite shore. Captain Morris informs me that the howitzer can be obtained from Captain Cushing, on the gunboat. I have a four-gun battery nearly completed, and respectfully request that the remainder of Captain Vallee's pieces be sent down. There was no movement of the gunboats during the night.
Very respectfully, captain, your obedient servant,
W. R. PEASE,
Colonel, Commanding One hundred and seventeenth N. Y. Vols.
Captain STEVENS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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[Inclosure J.]
CAMP NEAR SUFFOLK, VA., April 20, 1863.
Major L. M. SHUMAKER:
SIR: In obedience to your order, received this morning, I have the honor to make the following report of the condition of Stribling's battery. The battery was captured by the enemy yesterday evening, when the loss was as follows:
Commissioned officers..................................... 4
Non-commissioned officers................................. 8
Privates.................................................. 47
12-pounder guns........................................... 3
24-pounder howitzers...................................... 2
Chests with 12-pounder ammunition......................... 9
chests with 24-pounder ammunition......................... 6
The present condition of the battery is as follows:
Commissioned officers present for duty.................... 1
Non-commissioned officers present for duty................ 7
Privates present for duty................................. 83
----
Aggregate present......................................... 91
Public horses............................................. 93
Wagons.................................................... 3
Ambulances................................................ 1
Forges.................................................... 1
Limbers to guns........................................... 5
Running-gear to caissons.................................. 5
Chests of 12-pounder gun ammunition....................... 3
Chests of 24-pounder howitzer ammunition.................. 2
REMARK.- In addition to the number of men stated above as present for duty there are 6 privates absent sick, who many reasonably be expected to join their company within a few weeks.
With respect, your obedient servant,
GRAY CARROLL,
Lieutenant, Commanding Stribling's Battery.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA,
May 25, 1863.
GENERAL: During the three weeks that Lieutenant-General Longstreet kept the enemy confined within Suffolk there was an effort made to remove the iron from the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad. commencing near Suffolk, the engineer department succeeded in taking up about 3 miles of the rails and removed it toward Franklin and deposited it at or near a place known as Beaver Dam, where it could be protected by the forces near Franklin. After we withdrew from Suffolk the enemy discovered the effort made to secure the iron on our part, and soon marched to Carrsville with a force of between 9,000 and 10,000 infantry, 30 pieces of artillery, and cavalry, and immediately fortified their position and commenced taking up the track and removing it toward Suffolk. General Jenkins assembled all the available forces, and with about 3,000 men crossed over and drove in all their advanced lines behind their intrenchments and kept them there for near three days, causing them to abandon the road this side of Carrsville, and thus enabled our forces to save the road to that point, except a few hundred yards, and the iron brought from near Suffolk. The enemy
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would not leave his work to attack us, and with our small force had we driven him from his intrenchments it would have been a victory barren of results and involving a heavy sacrifice of men on our part. All this time while confronting him we were removing the iron as rapidly as possible. The road destroyed, the enemy fell back and immediately with his whole force assumed a position at Windsor, on the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, and simultaneously moved up the Chowan with gunboats above the Nottoway River.
Leaving some force to attack the gunboats in case they came up I assembled about 3,000 men and on Saturday afternoon crossed the Blackwater at the Blackwater Bridge by means of pontoons and moved in the direction of Windsor. I found the enemy again with all his force in a thick woods, his lines running from the railroad to across the Blackwater road. His outposts and advanced lines were rapidly driven in, and I assumed a line of battle in hopes he would move to the attack. This he did not do, and after dusk I withdrew to the right bank of the river. There were no results that seemed in anywise attainable that would have justified me in attacking the enemy, outnumbering us four-fold.
While over the river information was received that the enemy's gunboats had moved up the Meherrin and taken possession of Murfreesborough, N. C. General Jenkins the same night moved to Franklin, and with his forces was directed to operate against the gunboats. I do not know what forces Major General D. H. Hill has in North Carolina to guard those streams.
It is to me a source of great regret that so little of the iron from the two railroads referred to was taken up during the time General Longstreet was at Suffolk. I am sure had there been any concert or a proper concert of action in the departments the bridge over the Blackwater could have been built, and by constructing a small curve at the crossing of the roads near Suffolk trains could have been run from Petersburg to Franklin via Suffolk and both roads taken up. Had a bridge been thrown across the Zuni before General Longstreet moved and during the month he was making preparations, every bar of iron could have been secured while we were there at Suffolk.
Yours, very respectfully,
S. G. FRENCH,
Major-General, Commanding.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
[Indorsement.]
ENGINEER BUREAU, June 9, 1863.
Respectfully returned to the honorable Secretary of War.
No effort was spared to remove the iron from the Norfolk and Petersburg road and from the Seaboard road while General Longstreet was in command; but his efforts, assisted by the engineers under his control, were given tot eh collection of supplies for the army, these being considered of the first importance. Everything possible with the engineers has been done to save the iron in question, and I am now able to report that a large part of the iron from the Seaboard Railroad is on the right bank of the Blackwater.
J. F. GILMER,
Colonel of Engineers and Chief of Bureau.
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MAY 12-26, 1863.-Operations on the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, Va., and skirmishes (15th and 16th) near Carrsville.
REPORTS.
Numbers 1.-Major General John A. Dix, U. S. Army, commanding the Department of Virginia.
Numbers 2.-Major General John J. Peck, U. S. Army, commanding at Suffolk.
Numbers 1. Report of Major General John A. Dix, U. S. Army, commanding the Department of Virginia.
FORT MONROE, May 16, 1863-1 p. m.
Colonel Foster is covering our work, which is in good progress on the railroad near Carrsville. He has been engaged with the enemy more workmen. Yesterday the enemy advanced within canister range, but was driven back with considerable loss. On our side a caisson was riddled, a horse killed, and 9 men wounded.
The iron is arriving in Norfolk. When we get on the other road we shall probably have some sharp fighting.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
[Addenda.]
Extract from "Record of Events" of Seventh Army Corps.*
May 12.-Forces under Colonel R. S. Foster went to Carrsville to cover working parties employed in taking up the rails on the railroad between Suffolk and the Blackwater.
May 16.-Surgeon Hand, medical director, and Captain Stevenson captured by the guerrillas getting in rear of the troops.
* * *
May 26.-The expedition commenced returning to their camp, the object of their mission being entirely accomplished; 36 miles of railroad were secured.
* * *
Numbers 2. Reports of Major General John J. Peck, U. S. Army, commanding at Suffolk.
MAY 15, 1863.
Colonel Foster reports good progress up to daylight. The enemy fired about sixty shot and shell down the railway between 5 and 7 p. m.; no material damage. An attempt on his picket line failed.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
Major-General DIX.
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*From Return for the mouth of May, 1863.
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Yorktown. The general commanding further directs that you send a brigade to Williamsburg for a few days to cover this work. The general desires you to take the general command and control of the operations.
Exhibit this to General Van Alen.
R. B. MARCY,
Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
For Monroe, Va., August 21, 1862-10.30 p. m.
Major General E. D. KEYES,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps, Yorktown, Va.:
I am instructed by the commanding general to say that, owing to the great emergency which exists at this time, it is necessary that you should furnish working parties for the defenses of Yorktown at the earliest moment that tools can be obtained.
The engineer officer in charge will call upon you when the details are required.
R. B. MARCY,
Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Fort Monroe, August 22, 1862-3 p. m.
Major General E. D. KEYES, Yorktown, Va.:
As a temporary measures, please place one of your field batteries in the work at Gloucester Point.
Please push the work laid out by the engineer offices with the utmost rapidity. I hope to have new troops to relieve your men by the time transports are ready for your corps. Please detail some of your artillery offices and non-commissioned officers to instruct the garrison you found under General Van Alen in the use of heavy guns, and have them prepare tables of ranges, &c., for them. I trust to your zeal and activity in this very trying moment.
They are fighting now on the Rappahannock. A general engagement is probably going on now.
GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
August 22, 1862.
Major General E. D. KEYES,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps:
The duty instructed to your corps, while it is no doubt disagreeable, is of the utmost importance. I fully realize how severe a tax it is upon men who have fought so gallantly and worked so hard as your corps to require them now to go upon fatigue duty. I feel sure, however, that if they know that the work I now call upon them to perform is necessary they will perform it cheerfully. You will please detail as large
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UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA,
Off Newport News, Va., September 26, 1862.
Major General JOHN A. DIX, U. S. A.,
Commanding Seventh Army Corps, Fort Monroe, Va.:
GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your reply to my communication of the 25th, relative to giving notice to the foreign consuls and to the inhabitants of Norfolk to prepare them in the event of an attack on Norfolk, now threatened by the concentration of rebel forces in the vicinity of Suffolk, the outpost of Norfolk. Should the enemy march upon the town, and under shelter of it attack the troops and gunboats, the latter, stationed in the harbor to assist in maintaining our occupation of the place, would be obliged to fire upon it.
By giving timely notice to the women and children, the consuls, & c., we shall feel free to fire, should it become necessary to do so. By hesitation and delay, lest we put to some inconvenience the inhabitants, of whom the influential, if not the larger part, appear hostile to the General Government, we may entail on ourselves the disagreeable alternative, in the event of a sudden attack, of firing upon a town whose people have not had the benefit of a previous and proper notice. A premature warning would be better for them and for us than none at all, and might possibly have the effect of inducing the enemy, at the instance of the inhabitants, to desist from any attempt against our position there.
I therefore propose that the terms of a notice shall at once be arranged to your satisfaction and signed by me, so that you may date, sign, and publish it, whenever in your good judgment it shall be proper to do so.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Monroe, September 27, 1862.
Major General H. W. HALLECK:
GENERAL: Soon after I took command here I presented to the Government the case of the inhabitants of Norfolk, who were then and are now more grievously affected by the commercial restrictions imposed on them.
On the 4th instant I presented their case a second time to the War Department, reiterating my views, and contending that Norfolk, not being a blockaded port, is not subject to the laws of blockade, but that it is held by military occupation and governed by the laws of war, and that neutral nations cannot call us to account for any commercial intercourse we may think proper to allow for the comfort of our troops or of the inhabitants who are dependent on us, and for whose wants every dictate of justice and humanity calls on us to provide.
The state of things here is deplorable. The people are suffering for want of almost all the necessaries of life. They pay to-day $ 16 per barrel for flour. Through our interdiction of trade we have shut them out both from the North and the South, and they are actually worse off than they were under the insurgents. I confess I do not understand the policy, if there is any. The permission was asked the other day to take a
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boat are sutlers' goods for the military forces, or goods in small quantities, having the requisite permits from the Treasury Department. I have given the strictest orders to the captain of the port, Captain James Millward, and am assured by him that they are rigidly enforced. I will thank you to recognize him as authorized to give permits to vessels and merchandise going to Norfolk with the requisite permission from the Treasury Department.
I am also assured by Captain Millward that no vegetables nor fruit are brought here in the Pioneer and shipped direct to Baltimore to be sold on speculation. The only articles of that description brought here from Norfolk are for the use of the troops and the population in the vicinity of the fort.
Captain Millward was appointed captain of the port by Major-General Wool before the capture of Norfolk. His duty is to board all vessels coming here or departing, and to supervise generally all that is done in the harbor.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
UNITED STATES FLAG-HIP MINNESOTA,
Off Newport News, Va., October 15, 1862.
Major General JOHN A. DIX, U. S. A.,
Commanding Seventh Army Corps, Fort Monroe, Va.:
GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that a guard steamer has been stationed at a convenient distance from Fortress Monroe for the purpose of enforcing the blockade.
I would respectfully request you to cause the masters of all vessels in the employ of the army to leave a certificate on board of her similar to that left on board the guard steamer at Norfolk by vessels so employed.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA,
Off Newport News, Va., October 15, 1862.
Major General JOHN A. DIX, U. S. A.,
Commanding Seventh Army Corps, Fortress Monroe, Va.:
GENERAL: Your letter of the 6th instant, making certain specific inquiries relative to my interpretation of and proposed course of conduct under my blockading instructions from the Department, was, with my reply thereto of the 8th, submitted to the Navy Department for its decision.
The Department approves of my letter of the 8th instant to you of my course in regard to traffic and the ingress and egress of vessels as correct and in conformity with my instructions and duty, and instructs that until the blockade is raised or modified it must be strictly maintained.
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FORT MONROE, November 27, 1862.
Major-General PECK:
I have just received a letter from General Foster, at New Berne, saying he may ask my co-operation in an important movement about the 5th of December. Has your expedition gone? A week ago General French was at Petersburg with 4,000 men. I have nothing later.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, November 27, 1862.
Major-General DIX:
Mud and water have delayed our move. The enemy are signaling between here and the Blackwater.
JOHN J. PECK.
FORT MONROE, November 27, 1862.
Major-General PECK:
Perhaps it would be as well to wait till I hear from General Foster. In that case I will send an officer to him to-morrow. What do you think?
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Monroe, Va., November 27, 1862.
Major General J. G. FOSTER,
Commanding Department of North Carolina:
GENERAL: I only received this evening your letter of the 14th instant. It is now too late for me to meet you, but if you will send by Lieutenant Mabie, who will take this dispatch to you, any communication which will indicate your wishes I will endeavor to meet them. I have not a large force at Suffolk, but sufficient to make a diversion on the Blackwater. The enemy are now turning their attention to the Suffolk route to Petersburg. They have recently put the railroad from the latter city to the Blackwater in order, but I have changed the gauge on this side so that they cannot use it. They are repairing the bridge on the Seaboard Railroad over the Nottoway so that they can re-enforce on the Blackwater from Weldon. I can attack at Franklin, where the Seaboard Railroad reaches the Blackwater (Carrsville on the maps), or at Zuni, where the Petersburg strikes the same river; or if I can aid you by a different movement let me know and I will do all in my power.
I had an expedition organized under Major-General Peck to move on Zuni to-morrow with 5,000 men, but since the receipt of yours have countermanded it in order to make the time suit you.
I am, respectfully and truly, yours,
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
30 R R-VOL XVIII
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SUFFOLK, VA., January 10, 1863.
Major-General DIX, Fort Monroe:
Reports from the front state the enemy's force in the region of Windsor at 6,000, with six piece - probably from four to six. Spear advanced so far toward Somerton yesterday that he could not possibly get to the position indicated until ten or twelve hours after the time. He must now be near Windsor with 4,000, and ten pieces.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA,
Newport News, Va., January 10, 1863.
Major General JOHN A. DIX, U. S. A.,
Commanding Seventh Army Corps, Fortress Monroe, Va.:
GENERAL: Your reply to my communication of Thursday evening was received yesterday, and I am very much gratified by the kind terms in which you express your regret at the occurrence referred to.
I desire to thank you for referring to me the letter of the master of the steamer Champion on the 31st ultimo, and to state that Commander Foxhall A. Parker, senior naval officer in York River and vicinity, reported to me in reply to my inquiries with regard to the supposed violation of the blockade at Mob Jack Bay, as observed by Captain Low, that vessels in heavy weather or when wind-bound have been accustomed to make a harbor of that bay under the protection of the guns of the United States steamer Crusader. Hence probably the error of Captain Low. Commander Parker is confident from his knowledge of the blockade in that vicinity that nothing larger than a canoe has succeeded in running that blockade since November 19, and even then under favor of night or thick weather.
I will always be glad to hear of any attempt to evade or violate the blockade. In this spirit I beg to inform you that the officer commanding the United States steamer Stepping Stores reported to me under date of the 3rd as follows:
The most popular route for transportation of goods and information from Norfolk and Portsmouth appears to be by the Dismal Swamp road and Chowan, and by this route a surprising quantity of goods are smuggled into the enemy's lines.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
SUFFOLK, VA., January 10, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
General Pryor is in command. We have captured messengers with a dispatch for him from Franklin, informing him that a column of 6,000 was approaching, referring to our moves yesterday.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, VA., January 10, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
The following is correct: Pryor has on this side 14 pieces, 7,000 infantry, and 1,500 cavalry. He crossed at Franklin, learning that we were
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under this order and will attend to the collection and payment into court of the rents. He will take and report an inventory of all personal property belonging to each estate, and not allow any property to be removed, except on his written permit, without General Dix's orders.
By command of Major-General Dix:
[JOHN A. BOLLES,]
Major and Aide-de-Camp, Provost-Judge.
SUFFOLK, VA., March 28, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
Have just returned from Western Branch by water. Found a deserter there. Several came in this morning. All agree with the statements made heretofore of not less than 12,000 or 15,000 immediately on the river; expecting more. General Longstreet was there last week and with Jenkins came over at Blackwater Bridge and recrossed near Zuni. Your new regiment of Virginia near Zuni. Cavalry force increased by another regiment.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, March 28, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
You are at liberty to say to General Halleck that I concur with your views touching the command of the cattle [cavalry?] as expressed in your telegram of this date.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, March 28, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
Have just returned from below the Western Branch with gunboat. Yesterday rode over the east side with my horse, devoting the day. Can be crossed most anywhere with three pontoons. Shall commence works at the point selected by the rebels for the new road. Their piles were down for the bridge. We have removed most of them. The position is half way, or 4 miles by water, while only two direct corn [roads]. One air [brigade] or two regiments there will make the line secure.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, VA., March 30, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
A sergeant of the engineers deserted Saturday night to the enemy. He has been on the works all the time and can give much valuable information. Sharp fellow, and probably has been bought.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
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Last spring we concentrated and defeated the enemy. Since then we have spread out and now the enemy is attacking us in detail. If not too late, I suggest, as I did last fall when my views were communicated by the Navy to the War Department, razing all their works. Their works are numerous in this vicinity, tempting a struggle for reoccupation and giving them a great advantage if reoccupied. I have and shall make every effort to co-operate with you.
The interest I feel in this great subject will be sufficient to excuse the freedom with which I communicate my views in reply to your private letter of the 12th instant, which I partly answered on the 16th instant.
Heartily wishing you success, I am, very truly, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, Off Newport News, April 17, 1863.
Major General JOHN A. DIX:
GENERAL: I send you a copy of a sketch received this evening by the Spaulding showing that the enemy has reoccupied his old earthworks at Washington, N. C. This experience sustains the views I have heretofore presented for your consideration.
I have the honor to be, general, respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Acting Rear-Admiral.
NEAR CORE CREEK, N. C., April 17, [1863]-1.45 p. m.
Lieutenant-Colonel HOFFMAN:
COLONEL: I have received your dispatch of this date, and shall observe its contents. The enemy's pickets were driven in on the railroad last night and at crossing of Dover road. They were driven from their intrenchments after the forcing of the creek. We have 1 man killed and 4 wounded and taken 4 prisoners. The position on the railroad has no weakness save that it may be turned.
Respectfully, yours,
HENRY PRINCE,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
NEAR CORE CREEK, N. C., April 17, 1863-7.15 p. m.,
Lieutenant-Colonel HOFFMAN:
COLONEL: We have entertained the enemy very much to-day; during the entire day we have occupied his attention. My best information is that besides Nethercutt's 300 men there is a regiment, the Thirty-third [Sixty-third] North Carolina, at Wise's Cross-Roads; Ransom's brigade a mile or so this side of Kinston. We have observed evidences of a force on the railroad, 4 miles in our front, and we have rumors of a force at Sandy Ridge fortified. We are encamped on the east side of Core Creek, holding the railroad crossing and the Dover Crossing with pickets beyond the creek.
Yours, truly,
HENRY PRINCE.
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Hinton's Toll-Gate. He burned 7,000 bushels corn going to rebel army; knows that a rebel brigade or more is to occupy or move through Elizabeth City.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, Fort Monroe, Va., April 22, 1863.
Actg. Rear-Admiral LEE,
Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron:
ADMIRAL: I received at midnight your letter of yesterday in regard to the battery captured at the mouth of the West Branch of the Nansemond River, inclosing one from Lieutenant Lamson, and cheerfully accept them as an explanation of the withdrawal of the gunboats. I supposed the order to withdraw them was absolute, and the impression was confirmed by your former dispatches, in which you said I "must not rely upon these frail and open ferry-boats and river steamers, which you (I) call gunboats, to keep the rebels from crossing the Upper Nansemond, which is long, narrow, and crooked, a more creek, a natural canal, and unfit for the operations of vessels, now that the enemy is establishing his artillery and rifle-pits in such strength as to command that communication," and for this reason you said you did not see the propriety of continuing them there. From these and other expressions of the same character I supposed their withdrawal was definitely settled, although I had opposed it with all proper earnestness. My two armed steamers are to remain there. I know that there is danger that they will be fired into, injured, perhaps crippled; but this hazard must be incurred to prevent the rebels form crossing. Your will be must be incurred to prevent the rebels from crossing. Your will be exposed to no more danger than mine. The position of the captured battery, though a commanding one, gives us no security against the crossing of the enemy expect at that point. It would have been no obstacle to his crossing 1, 2,3, 4, 5, or 6 miles above, and the troops we must have kept there to hold it would have been much more useful on the right bank of the river as a movable force to oppose him whenever he should have made an attempt to cross. Besides, its occupation would not have removed your objections to the employment of your gunboats in the narrow channel above. What we want is to have two or three gunboats moving up and down the Upper Nansemond for several miles to watch the enemy's movements and to aid in destroying his pontoon bridge if he should attempt to throw one across the river.
I have not time to enter into explanations, but if you will give to Lieutenants Lamson and Cushing (who have displayed so much gallantry) discretionary power, so that they may go up the Upper Nanselantry) discretionary power, so that they may go up the Upper Nansemond when they think it safe, and permit them to act in conjunction with General Getty, who is charged with the defense of the right bank of the river, I feel confident we can defeat the enemy's purpose, and should he establish batteries below your gunboats I have no doubt they will be able to pass them without loss.
I know you will be happy to hear that the fleet above Vicksburg has passed that stronghold, as General Halleck informed me yesterday, without the loss of a single armed vessel, and I really think that your apprehensions in regard to your gunboats should be lessened when you consider that as yet not one of them has been permanently disabled.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
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I have taken pains to apprise the military authorities of the insufficiency of these means to the ends proposed and urged by them.
Lieutenant Cushing and Lamson are still in the Nansemond and still under instruction to give all the assistance in their power to the army. The orders which I have given Lieutenant Lamson not only do not restrain but direct his going into the Upper Nansemond when necessary and practicable at his discretion.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. LEE,
Actg. Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
FORT MONROE, VA., April 28, 1863.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
Admiral Lee has withdrawn all his gunboats from the Upper Nansemond, against my remonstrance and General Peck's, leaving us to take care of ourselves. We had two unarmed transports at Suffolk, which were much wanted, and yesterday I ordered them down. Two of our officers, who have been commanding on a gunboat I armed myself, volunteered to pilot them, and they have this morning performed the service successfully. Both boats received some cannon-shot and a good many rifle-balls, but that we expected. Neither sustained any injury worth mentioning, though they were fired on by three batteries and from a good many rifle-pits. I have just received the following dispatch from General Peck, from which you will see that the enemy is in earnest:
SUFFOLK, VA., April 28, 1863.
Major General JOHN A. DIX:
The force reported by Stratton on the Chowan was Garnett's six regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and some artillery, which has joined Longstreet. Garnett commanded at Little Washington. The enemy were very active all night, and we kept several batteries in play on chopping parties. General Getty reported movement of troops down the river with artillery, indicative of crossing.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
FORT MONROE, VA.,
April 28, 1863-9.30 p. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
I have been on the Nansemond to-day. No movements there. General Garnett's brigade, from North Carolina, has joined Longstreet. Two heavy guns, drawn each by 10 horses, passed through Surry County to Suffolk on Tuesday evening, reaching there yesterday. We shall no doubt soon hear from them.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, VA., April 28, 1863.
General DIX:
The enemy opened a new battery with three guns on the river last night. Lieutenant Rowe deserves great credit for his exploit. When will the guns we talked about be sent?
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
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FORT MONROE, VA., May 22, 1863.
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
Eighty contrabands were sent last week to Franklin from Richmond to take up the iron on the Weldon road. Four of them are in Suffolk. We have now all the iron safe. We have commenced on the Petersburg road, near Zuni, and shall take up the track back to Windsor by to-night. We commenced dismantling these roads at the right time.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, May 22, 1863.
Major-General DIX:
Will be at Windsor before night on the return. I have 10,000 there to protect workmen. General Dodge is just from Windsor. He says 45-pound rail is just as good as the heavy one, and the Government can save much.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
FORT MONROE, May 23, 1863.
Major-General PECK:
I incline to the belief that there are few troops on the Blackwater. From two sources I learn that troops in large numbers have gone from New Haven to New York and to the Southwest by Danville. We have no artillerists. You must take them from your cavalry regiments.
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.
SUFFOLK, VA., May 23, 1863-8.45 p. m.
General DIX:
General Dodge at Antioch Church was attacked at 6.15 p. m. No particulars.
JOHN J. PECK,
Major-General.
RED HOUSE, PICKET STATION, May 23, 1863.
Colonel J. RICHTER JONES,
Commanding Outposts:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that in accordance with your orders to me of the 21st instant I moved my company, together with Company L of my regiment and two companies of the One hundred and fifty-eighth New York Regiment from Captain
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command, on the Trent road, at 5 o'clock yesterday morning. On arriving at the Trenton Forks, which point was reached without our seeing more of the enemy than a half dozen who scattered into the woods at our approach, I sent one of the infantry companies down the Trenton road to reconnoiter the crossing of the river, and left the other at the forks. I proceeded with the cavalry up the Kinston road, and on reaching the edge of Noble's plantation, 6 miles from the forks, found it barricaded, and a small earthwork thrown up to the right of the road. Passing this ob-
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alludes to the iron of the Atlantic road. The State is but a stockholder in the road, a large portion belonging to private individuals. A meeting of the directors of the company has been called and your proposition will be submitted to them. Their decision will be made known to you.
Yours, very respectfully,
DAVID A. BARNES,
Aide-de-Camp to the Governor.
HEADQUARTERS,
Petersburg, Va., November 16, 1862.
His Excellency ZEBULON B. VANCE,
Governor of North Carolina:
GOVERNOR: Your letter to the President of November 11* has been referred to me, in which you represent that some forty persons were arrested in the eastern part of North Carolina and sent to Salisbury for confinement. I have invariable instructed offices on the frontier not to molest any citizen unless they had positive proof of his having committed offense against our Government or violated its ordinances, and this because I found it resulted in no good, for often, however guilty, nothing could be proven against them, and when liberated they went home more embittered. Besides, the enemy can arrest any number of our friends for each one we may arrest, and it cannot now be prevented. I regret that Colonel Radcliffe should have brought them beyond Tarborough. I will write to Colonel Radcliffe to have him make out charges against such as have committed offenses, and that the others at least be sent back under guard by way of Goldsborough to Greenville, to turn to their homes under such obligations as you may impose on them. These obligations will readily suggest themselves to you. If, however, you wish to have nothing to do with them I will instruct the commandant of the post of Salisbury what to do with those against whom no charge is made; but this will take some little time.
Yours, very respectfully,
S. G. FRENCH,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS,
Petersburg, Va., November 17, 1862.
Major General GUSTAVUS W. SMITH,
Commanding Army, &c., Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: When I was on the Roanoke River the other day I passed over the route for several miles by which the army under General Foster advanced and saw many evidences of their wanton destruction of private property and heard related many of their acts of cruelty to in offensive citizens. At Hamilton they burned from sixteen to eighteen private dwellings, and in nearly every house in the town they made a forcible entry and destroyed all the furniture, broke all the crockery, and demolished the doors and windows. They entered houses by the roadside and in the presence of the inmates destroyed everything in the dwellings. They burned all bedding, all the ladies' dresses, and stole, in one instance, money from the bosom of an aged lady by force. They, in pure wantonness, shot cattle and hogs by the roadside and in the fields. In Williamston they quartered their horses in the parlors of dwellings, and in that place also destroyed the jail and other buildings.
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*See Series IV.
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HEADQUARTERS,
Wilmington, N. C., March 23, 1863.
Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
SIR: The steam-tug Mariner, formerly the most powerful tug in this river, has come in from Nassau, her owners having put her to blockade running. She is not suitable for this purpose, carrying but very little cargo, while, her boilers and engines being very good, she is absolutely necessary here for the navy first and then for us. She can readily be fitted into a powerful gunboat. I consider her essential for the defense here, especially in connection with the gunboats building, as a tender, and also in connection with the valuable cargoes now arriving in Government steamers. With her we shall be able to save much in case of accidents which might happen to any of our vessels from the enemy's fire. She is also needed for amy transportation. Please to show this to the Secretary of the Navy who will, I hope, at once order her purchase. Flag-Officer Lynch concurs with me in the necessity of this and will doubtless report at once. If the Navy Department does not want the boat we certainly do. I shall not permit her to leave unless ordered. Great efforts no doubt will be made to procure a permit, but I beg to refer you to my letter of this date relative to blockade running. The boat could carry but very few bales. Her engines, boiler, and hull are too valuable to permit them to be sacrificed in order that a party of speculators should make money.
Very respectfully,
W. H. C. WHITING,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS,
Wilmington, N. C., March 23, 1863.
Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
SIR: I will add to my letters of this date some considerations on the subject of the blockade running, to show how this matter of private exportation of cotton is affecting our currency. Vessels owned abroad come in with cargo, which sells for nearly $ 1,000,000 Confederate currency, and for $ 50,000 Confederate currency they buy a load of cotton, as much as they can carry, to take back. The balance of proceeds they can afford to expend for exchange and gold at enormous prices, and still make a handsome profit. Each vessel that comes in instead of producing the effect by increase of supply of diminution of prices actually increases prices and the current value of gold. I can illustrate this by an example, a small one, but showing the whole business, which has come to my knowledge: A man brought in six demijohns of gin, which cost him in Nassau $ 24. He sold them here for $ 900. This man could afford to give $ 9 for $ 1 of specie in gold, which he did, and then make $ 76 profit, a good business for a common sailor. The profits made by these people are not expended here; they are invested in gold and abroad. Every single bale of cotton that goes abroad on other than Government account to establish Government credit abroad does us injury at home. I know there is a law prohibiting the exportation of cotton. I am not
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HEADQUARTERS,
Near Suffolk, Va., April 17, 1863-6.30 p. m.
Major General S. G. FRENCH, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: The commanding general desires me to say that you may use the North Carolina regiment (Fifty-fifth) of General Davis' brigade on the river for the protection of your batteries. I am just writing to Colonel Brown, and tell him, as I also did this morning, to send his four companies, if he has not already sent them, to Franklin by the nearest route. The balance of his regiment will be at Smithfield to-night. The gun are behind; he will will wait for them there.
I am, general, very respectfully,
G. MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 18, 1863.
Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War:
SIR: An officer reported to-day, bringing from Captain Pannill, provost-marshal of Petersburg, six disloyal citizens of North Carolina, captured by General D. H. Hill. The three younger ones will be assigned to the North Carolina regiments, as conscripts, by your order. I think it would be better, however, to send them somewhere into the interior of the country. They will be worth nothing as soldiers, and the facilities for desertion to the enemy are very great here. They will of course carry to the enemy all the information which they have obtained in North Carolina, Richmond, and elsewhere, and communicate any intended movement of this army of which they may chance to hear.
There have already been frequent desertions from the North Carolina regiments, and the enemy claim that many have come to them. The three men who are over the conscript age I will send back by the train to-morrow, as they are evidently not included in your orders. General Hill states that he will send the charges against there men to Petersburg. I would suggest that in order not to create any ill-feeling it might be better to try them within the limits of the State from which they come.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
Richmond, Va., April 18, 1863.
Lieutenant General JAMES LONGSTREET,
Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: I am gratified by the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant. The successful repulse of the enemy's marine attack at Charleston appears to have so deranged their plans and discouraged them that, in General Beauregard's opinion, they are withdrawing as well as portion of their land forces as their iron-clads. He is in consequence returning the troops sent from Wilmington. I have telegraphed him in doing so to exchange Cooke's brigade for Evans', retaining the latter and sending back the former. Fearing that, baffled at Charleston, the enemy might seek to retrieve his disaster by a sudden attack on Wilmington, I have not ventured to stop any troops moving from General Hill to re-enforce General Whiting, until assured of the return of Cooke's
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, EXECUTED DEPARTMENT,
Raleigh, N. C., April 23, 1863.
Major General D. H. HILL,
Commanding, Goldsborough, N. C.:
GENERAL: Yours of yesterday is just received. In view of the alarming information it conveys of this probable invasion of the State, I will not press for the troops to be sent to Moore County at present. I will at once issue an appeal to the people to send in the deserters and absentees and do everything I can to bring up every man to his post. I do not think, general, that the militia ought to be called out, for various reasons: Their help would be little, their consumption of rations great, and beyond any sort of doubt their removal now from their crops would be followed by the most disastrous consequences. If you think it necessary when the enemy's movement is fully developed I will call out the militia officers, of whom there are some 2,000 or 3,000, which will be a larger number, I fear, than we can arm and make available. I can bring them to Raleigh at once by an order. I earnestly hope, however, that such a think will not be necessary. In accordance with a previous request, I have addressed a not to the city editors, urging them to avoid exciting any panic among the people and to be caution not to speak of the movements of troops, &c.
Very respectfully,
Z. B. VANCE.
BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,
Chaffin's Farm, Va., April 23, 1863.
Major General ARNOLD ELZEY, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: Yesterday morning I issued all the necessary orders, as instructed me, and moved back all the forces which I took down from this place. They will reach here this morning, or some time today, as the weather permits. We left all quiet, the enemy making no demonstration, and still re-enforcing and fortifying at Fort magruder. I placed the headquarters of the cavalry at barhamsville, as better for them in all respects than Diascund, having shorter transportation of forage and a close eye on the Pamunkey and York Rivers. I ordered Hawley's company back to its position on the Lower Chickahominy, below Diascund Creek. The pickets are arranged in inner and outer lines, with infantry scouts all in and about Williamsburg.
And now, general, again I urgently appealed to you to send to the Fifty-ninth and Forty-sixth Regiments their companies, detailed for police duty at Richmond. The two of the Fifty-ninth and five of the Forty-sixth are absolutely required on the Peninsula, if we are to protect the people on making this year. They are near Richmond, and produce there is most convenient to the city. We can maintain no forces down below without making there something to eat, and that object is more important than the police of Richmond. Will the city battalion never be organized?
I am confident that if the iron-clad boat the Richmond) was sent down the river it would yet make General Long street's attempt a success.
Very respectfully, your, truly,
HENRY A WISE,
Brigadier-General.
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HEADQUARTERS, April 24, 1863-4 p. m.
Major General S. G. FRENCH, Commanding Division:
GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you have the batteries on your line hitched up at once.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
General Pickett reports that the enemy have opened heavily on his front with artillery, with strong infantry support.
HEADQUARTERS, April 24, 1863-5 p. m.
Major General S. G. FRENCH, Commanding Division:
GENERAL: The commanding general directs that you get your troops under arms as soon as you can.,
Very respectfully,
G. MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL PICKETT'S HEADQUARTERS,
April 24, 1863.
Major General S. G. FRENCH, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: The effort of the enemy this evening proves to have been nothing more than a strong reconnaissance. It is all over now and your troops may return to their bivouacs. The commanding general directs you to have everything ready early in the morning and your batteries hitched up.
Respectfully, your,
G. MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
The commanding general desires you to order Bradford's battery to report to Major Dearing at General Law's headquarters early to-morrow morning.
CHARLESTON, S. C., April 25, 1863.
Major General D. H. HILL., N. C.:
Scouts are mistaken. Five monitors are in Edisto and one at Port Royal. Only one supposed gone North disabled. Some troops are still of Folly Island, Edisto, and Port Royal. Probably some gone to North Carolina.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
HEADQUARTERS, April 25, 1863.
Major General S. G. FRENCH, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: Captain {thomas J.] Goree thinks that he saw distinctly new works about 600 yards in rear of the old line of works and near the
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completed and whether any of the troops you have in North Carolina can be spared from there? As regards your aggressive movement upon Suffolk, you must act according to your good judgment. If a damaging blow could be struck there or elsewhere of course it would be advantageous; but if the place was taken doubt whether we could spare a garrison to hold it, and storming of his works might cost us very dear.
I am, very respectfully, yours,
R. E. LEE,
General.
P. S.-Is not the Eighth Corps, which you mention in your front, Keyes', from Yorktown?
HEADQUARTERS,
Near Suffolk, Va., April 27, 1863.
Honorable James A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War:
SIR: If the reports of officers of the quartermaster's and subsistence department are to be relied upon, it will require a month to haul out the supplies of this portion of the country. If it is desirable that we should remain for that purpose the Richmond would be of great assistance to us; it would at least secure Richmond City against any sudden move of the enemy and protect my left. Unless a part of this force is necessary on the Rappahannock it would probably be well for us to hold our line as it now is instead of giving up the country back to the Blackwater again. I learned yesterday that there are a number of guns in the old river forts that were abandoned by us when this country was given up. I have sent Captain Clark (engineers) down to examine the old works and guns and report their condition. I presume that many of these guns may be made useful if we can have carriages made for them.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
JAMES LONGSTREET,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS, April 27, 1863-1 p. m.
Lieutenant-General LONGSTREET,
Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: I started this morning at 8 a. m., and with Generals Jenkins and davis, have walked the margin of Spikes' Run from where the right of my lines strikes the run to where General Garnett is defending the ford, on old Somerton road. The distance is over three-quarters of a mile, and the run, while it is an obstacle, is no barrier to infantry. It can be crossed at any point through its length between those points by infantry. There are several log crossings in the interval. I have your note, and will have an examination made with a view to have a ford for artillery. I mention the condition of Spike' Run that it may be duly considered as a part of the general line.
Very truly,
S. G. FRENCH,
Major-General, Commanding.
65 R R-VOL XVIII
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9 a. m. this morning I proceeded to execute the order, and have destroyed two wharves-Cox's and Aiken's. The destroying of landings, as ordered by General Longstreet, I do not understand. To-morrow the working party will proceed to Deep Bottom, Curtis' Neck, Turkey Island, and Ladd's, destroying all the wharves as low down as we can reach. Will you please say by return courier how low down I must go? The order embraces all the wharves on this side of James River. It will require more force than I have under my command to execute it. Shall I proceed as far as I safely may to the mouth of the Chickahominy?
General, permit me to say this is a vain expenditure of labor. The enemy can land any 5 miles as well without as with the wharves. I say this under a sense of duty.
Very respectfully and respectfully, your obedient servant,
HENRY A. WISE,
Brigadier-General.
Abstract from Field Return of Troops, Department of Richmond, Major General Arnold Elzey commanding, for May 1, 1863.
Present for duty.
Command. Office Men. Effecti Aggrega Aggreg
rs. ve te ate
total present presen
present . t and
. absent
.
Brigadier General 172 2,155 2,284 2,707 3,530
H. A. Wise.
Lieutenant Colonel 24 339 403 452 530
J. M. Maury.
Captain S. S. Lee. 16 324 378 434 458
Grand total. 212 2,818 3,065 3,593 4,518
HDQRS. DEPT. SCOUT CAROLINA, GEORGIA AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. c., May 2, 1863.
Major General D. H. HILL, Commanding, Kinston, N. C.:
GENERAL: Your favor of the 29th ultimo has been received. Two regiments of Clingman's brigade left here yesterday for Wilmington; the other two will probably leave to-day. You have also been telegraphed to that effect. I will also be happy to assist you to the extent of our means, so soon as I shall know positively the departure of the balance of Foster's troops still on Folly Island, near the mount of the Stono, and on Seabrook's Island, North Edisto. The enemy's iron-clads are still as already report-one on Port Royal and five in North Edisto. What he proposes doing with them is more than can now be determined; probably he has not done so himself.
Wishing you ample success in your future operations, I remain, yours, very truly,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General, Commanding.
[MAY 2-7, 1863.-For correspondence and orders, in reference to raid from Army of Potomac, see Series I, Vol XXV.]
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HEADQUARTERS MARTIN'S BRIGADE,
Tarborough, May 16, 1863.
Major ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Goldsborough, N. C.:
MAJOR: I returned here last night from Greenville. I found Captain Coleman had laid out a line of defenses around the town. They do not fulfil all the conditions necessary to a good defense, but I thought it the best the ground would permit. I understood the captain to say General Hill had decided to put the line of defense at Greenville, and I did not examine any other point.
Colonel Griffin was absent from his headquarters visiting his pickets, and I did not see him. The adjutant showed me the picket stations on the map, and they seemed to be well selected.
The telegraph operator at Rocky Mount is said not to understand the English language. It seems to me very desirable that this line should be extended to Tarborough at once. I also think it would be less expensive than to keep a line of couriers on the road.
I shall leave here to-day for Hamilton, where my headquarters will be established till I can become well acquainted with the roads or General Wessells shall mover from Plymouth. The presence of this general in Plymouth with his brigade made it advisable, in my judgment, to move Colonel Martin's regiment to Hamilton. I found also that on account of the scarcity of tools the working detail from the Forty-seventh Regiment would not be heavy.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. G. MARTIN,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS MARTIN'S BRIGADE,
Hamilton, May 17, 1863.
Major ARCHER ANDERSON,
Asst. Adjt. General, General Hill's Hdqrs., Goldsborough:
MAJOR: I returned here last night. Another prisoner from the Ninety-sixth New York Regiment was brought in yesterday. I examined him carefully to-day. He confirms in all essential points the information derived from the two whom I examined at the cavalry camp near Williamston. He says the Ninety-second New York, one of Wessells' brigade was left in the fort opposite New Berne, but a Massachusetts regiment took its place in the brigade at Plymouth. The regiments are small; only nine companies in the Ninety-sixth New York; all the officers of Company G in that regiment having resigned-the men were transferred to other were rather larger, but could not say positively. General Hunt had been in Plymouth and in command of Wessells' brigade during the absence of the latter on account of the death of his wife, but had returned to New Berne.
I think I have made such arrangements as will give me information from Plymouth through our own people in a few days.
The Seventeenth reached Hamilton yesterday. Colonel Griffin reports that there are 500 of the enemy's infantry at Hill's Point and the same number at Rodman's farm; ten regiments of infantry, several pieces of light artillery, and about 40 cavalry (Jocknick's), besides a company of 40 cavalry, now in Washington. It is thought there is no
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Davis', Cooke's, Ransom's, Clingman's, and Martin's brigades a large amount of field artillery, and three regiments of cavalry; one of the latter, in addition to the two sent, he has offered to send me. I have directed him to suspend the execution of the orders from me and await orders from the Adjutant and Inspector General.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
May 30, 1863.
Major General D. H. HILL,
Commanding Department South of James:
GENERAL: Your letter of May 27 has been received. I telegraphed to you this morning to suspend the execution of my order of the 25th instant. The President will give you such orders as he may see fit. I know nothing of the force in your front, but I attach no importance to the estimate of the enemy's forces in New Berne based on the captured mail. These letters only go to show that the writers thought these regiments were in New Berne at the time they wrote.
One of longstreet's scouts, in whom he places some confidence, has just returned from Fortress Monroe. He reports some of Foster's forces at that point, and that Foster, Dix, and Keyes are at Yorktown and West Point.
From the returns of Pettigrew's and Daniel's brigades the effective force of the two is 5,844. Two cavalry regiments give 1,068 effectives. Estimating the third regiment of cavalry at 500, this will a total effective of 7,500 sent from your department. Each of the two brigades is reported to have left one regiment in North Carolina.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE,
General.
RICHMOND, May 30, 1863.
General D. H. HILL, Petersburg, Va.:
What force can you spare to General Lee on the basis of his proposition to you? Was a regiment of Pettigrew's and another of Daniel's brigade left in your department? What became of the force on the Blackwater which was substituted by Jenkins' brigade? Did it join Pickett's division and was it a brigade?
S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,
Richmond, May 30, 1863.
Major General D. H. HILL, Commanding, &c.:
GENERAL: I inclose you a copy of a confidential letter just received from General Lee.* You will perceive he anticipates a serious effort on the part of the enemy by a sudden inroad to possess themselves of Richmond, and urges timely preparation. This impression on General Lee's part accounts in a measure for his orders for the removal of troops
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*See Lee to Davis, p. 1078.
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Quarter's Department. He remarks that the Quartermaster-General may have ordered the clothing to be forwarded, but that it has not yet reached the depots of his army, and that unless greater efforts to insure prompt transmission are made by this department, the articles might as well remain in New York or Philadelphia, so far as the articles might as well remain in New York or Philadelphia, so far as the army under his command is concerned.
Upon first hearing that there was a deficiency of supply of clothing in that army, I made inquiries of those whose duty it was to attend to this portion of the business of the Quartermaster's Department, and I am assured that all articles of clothing called for by requisition from General McClellan's headquarters were not only ordered but had been shipped on the 14th of October. This department cannot control the trains upon railroads of which the War Department has not taken the management into its own hands. Messengers were sent over the railroads by Colonel Sawtelle, appointed quartermaster, assistant to the chief quartermaster of the Potomac, to endeavor to facilitate and hasten the transport of these stores, and Colonel Sawtelle reported to me that not only had they all been shipped but that the messengers could find none of them in transitu, and he concluded that they must have reached the termini of the railroads in Hargerstown, Frederick, or Harper's Ferry, with the exception of 51 boxes of clothing, which it was feared had been captured at Chambersburg by Stuart's cavalry. The railroad companies complain that cars are not unloaded at their destinations, and that their sidings are occupied with cars are needed for forwarding supplies. I presume that the missing articles are in some of these cars, or that they have been unloaded and have not yet reached the particular corps or detachment for which they are intended.
The Secretary of War gave to General Haupt (and a more capable man is not to be found) an unlimited authority to do whatever was necessary, in his opinion, to insure safe and rapid transit over the railroads supplying the army of General McClellan. He has, at the instance of the Quartermaster-General, within a few days directed General Haupt to take possession of the Cumberland Valley road, against which the greatest complaints are made, and to run it as a United States military railroad route, if on inspection this should appear to be necessary to the public service.
The fact is that no railroad can provided facilities for unloading cars and transacting the business attending the supply of an army of the size of General McClellan's in a short time or in a contracted space. Sidings, switches, depots, turn-outs do not exist and cannot be laid down at once for such a traffic. I believe that the railroad companies and the officers of the Quartermaster's Department have worked faithfully and zealously, but too much business has been thrown upon these railroads. In addition to the stores transported, they have been called upon to move large bodies of troops, which interfered with the transportation and delivery of stores.
General Porter informs me that his troops need clothing still. Any deficiency which may be pointed out will be filled if possible.
General McCllelan states that the number of horses received by his army since the commencement of the present campaign is only 1,964, which is several thousands less than reported in my letter of the 14th October to the Secretary of War. The apparent discrepancy is only apparent. That letter was a report made upon seeing a dispatch to you from General McClellan, stating that the arrangements to supply horses were insufficient; that the weekly average issue to the Army of the
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their headquarters were in the vicinity. When General McClellan took his position upon the field of battle, the headquarters station was that,then near him, which had previously been established near General Pleasonton.
With the advance of General Jesse Reno's division to the crest of the mountain south of the gap, a signal station was ordered, as I am informed by Captain Fisher, to be located upon the crest. Owing to some conflicting instructions from some officer, this station was not established. Later in the afternoon Lieuts. J. C. Paine and C. H. Carey were directed to open a station at this point. The flag was promptly carried to the position indicated, and the communication opened with both the station of observation on the
tower and a station near General McClellan, then on the field. A few reports were received from this station, but it was feebly worked, soon ceased to reply to calls, and became of no importance. At noon the whole line of communication mentioned was fully opened, and during the progress of the engagement there were given to General McClellan on the field reports from Point of Rocks, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the other stations established. There were announced, among other reports, the movements of our troops visible in the valley and on the ridge, and at the time of their occurrence the facts of General Franklin's engagement, then commencing at the gap near Burkittsville, the sounds and smoke as of a battle of Maryland Heights, and that no enemy was visible anywhere on our left of in the valley of the Potomac. A message wa signaled from the field, addressed to General H. W. Halleck, at Washington. The stations were fully employed throughout the engagement until night. Some of Them had been working form early morning. The officers remained at their posts throughout the night. There were,however, no occasions for night signals. At daylight on the following day it was found that the retreat of the enemy had rendered the further occupation of those upon and near the battle-field unnecessary.
On Monday, September 15, following the retreat of the enemy, commenced the advance of the army through the pass in South Mountain and toward the Antietam. Early in the morning the course of the enemy's retreat and the positions they would select were uncertain. Officers were sent to the summit of the Blue Ridge with instructions to select stations, and also to examine and report their observations of the country upon the west side of the Blue Ridge. A careful examination was made from the high peak of the Blue Ridge north of the gap known as Washington monument, which overlooks all the valley between the North and South Mountains.
From this point the forces of the enemy were visible near Sharpsburg, and thence to Shepherstown. The line of battle beyond Antietam, then just beginning to be formed, was seen, and a full report of this and other facts sent to General McClellan. The line was yet forming as this dispatch was forwarded by orderly. It is possible it contained as early information as any given as to the position of the enemy. A signal station was established at this point.
On the evening of this day it became evident that there would be an engagement of some magnitude, and preparations were commenced for the battle of Antietam. At this time and early on the following morning instructions were received from General McClellan that signal communication should be established between his position chosen for the field of battle to so far as practicable on the right and left within
our lines; that our left should be observed with particular care, and
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UNATTACHED.
6th New York Cavalry (eight companies), Colonel Thomas C. Devin.
Ohio Cavalry, Third Independent Company, Lieutenant Jonas Seamen.
3rd U. S. Artillery, Batteries L and M, Captain John Edwards, jr.
TWELFTH ARMY CORPS.*
(1.) Major General JOSEPH K. F. MANSFIELD.+
(2.) Brigadier General ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS.
ESCORT.
1st Michigan Cavalry, Company L, Captain Melvin Brewer.
FIRST DIVISION.
(1.) Brigadier General ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS.
(2.) Brigadier General SAMUEL W. CRAWFORD.#
(3.) Brigadier General GEORGE H. GORDON.
First Brigade.
(1.) Brigadier General SAMUEL W. CRAWFORD.
(2.) Colonel JOSEPH F. KNIPE.
5th Connecticut, ~ Captain Henry W. Daboll.
10th Maine, Colonel George L. Beal.
28th New York, Captain William H. H. Mapes.
46th Pennsylvania:
Colonel Joseph F. Knipe.
Lieutenant Colonel James L. Selfridge.
124th Pennsylvania:
Colonel Joseph W. Hawley.
Major Isaac L. Haldeman.
125th Pennsylvania, Colonel Jacob Higgins.
128th Pennsylvania:
Colonel Samuel Croasdale.
Lieutenant Colonel William W. Hammersly.
Major Joel B. Wanner.
Third Brigade.
(1.) Brigadier General GEORGE H. GORDON.
(2.) Colonel THOMAS H. RUGER.
27th Indiana, Colonel Silas Colgrove.
2nd Massachusetts, Colonel George L. Andrews.
13th New Jersey, Colonel Ezra A. Carman.
107th New York, Colonel R. B. Van Valkenburgh.
Zouaves d'Afrique, Pennsylvania.
3rd Wisconsin, Colonel Thomas H. Ruger.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brigadier General GEORGE S. GREENE.
First Brigade.
(1.) Lieutenant Colonel HECTOR TYNDALE.
(2.) Major ORRIN J. CRANE.
5th Ohio, Major John Collins.
7th Ohio:
Major Orrin J. Crane.
Captain Frederick A. Seymour.
29th Ohio,** Lieutenant Theron S. Winship.
66th Ohio, Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Powell.
28th Pennsylvania, Major Ario Pardee, jr.
Second Brigade.
Colonel HENRY J. STAINROOK.
3rd Maryland, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph M. Sudsburg.
102nd New York, Lieutenant Colonel James C. Lane.
109th Pennsylvania, ++ Captain George E. Seymour.
111th Pennsylvania, Major Thomas M. Walker.
* Designation changed from Second Corps, Army of Virginia, to Twelfth Army Corps, by General Orders, Numbers 129, Adjutant-General's Office, September 12, 1862.
+ Mortally wounded September 17.
# Wounded September 17.
^ Detached at Frederick, Md., since September 15.
No officers present; enlisted men of company attached to Second Massachusetts.
Wounded September 17. **Detached September 9. ++Detached September 13.
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their men, and equally exposed with them. Those wounded refused all assistance, ordering their men to return to the ranks and do their duty.
I desire to call your particular attention to Major Philbrick and Adjutant Hooper. They were with me during the entire engagement in the thickest of the fight, receiving and executing my orders with great coolness and promptitude.
I herewith append a list of the casualties in the late engagement.
Officers killed: Captain C. S. Simonds, Captain J. Saunders, First Lieutenant R. Derby, First Lieutenant William Berry, First Lieutenant F. S. Corbin. Officers wounded: Captain W. Forehand, slight; Captain G. C. Joslin, severe; Captain A. Bartlett, slight; First Lieutenant Thomas J. Spurr, severe; First Lieutenant L. H. Ellingwood, severe; Second Lieutenant W. Gale, slight; Second Lieutenant A. J. Bradley, slight. Enlisted men killed, 60; wounded, 238; missing, 38. Officers killed and wounded, 12. Enlisted men killed, wounded, and missing, 336. Total, 348.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN W. KIMBALL,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Captain J. GORMAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General
Numbers 63. Report of Colonel Alfred Sully, First Minnesota Infantry, of the battle of Antietam.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS,
Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 20, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part the regiment took in the action of the 17th instant:
We marched out of camp, the regiment on the right of the brigade. After crossing the creek and gaining the high ground on the opposite side, we were formed on the right of the front line of battle, under a very severe artillery fire from the enemy, and advanced under this fire over several fields, the distance of about three-quarters of a mile, into a woods close to the enemy and in front of our line of battle. Here we were posted behind a rail fence. The enemy soon appeared in force on the left of the brigade, opened a very severe fire of musketry on us, while some of their artillery in front of us also opened on us. Our loss here was very heavy, yet the men bravely held their position, and did not leave it until after the two brigades in rear had fallen back and the left regiments were moving, when they received the order to retire. Retiring in line of battle, we again halted outside the woods, to hold the enemy in check while the rest were retiring. Here the Eighty-second New York with their colonel and colors reported to me, and formed on my right. The Nineteenth Massachusetts also reported, and formed on my left. We were soon again engaged with the enemy, but, seeing that the enemy were turning my right, I ordered the line to fall back in line of battle. The regiment here also suffered greatly in killed and wounded. We again made a stand near some farm-house for a short time, and there took up a strong position about 100 yards back, behind a stone fence, when a section of artillery was sent to assist us. We kept the enemy in check till they brought a battery of artillery on our flank, which compelled me to order the regiments back to join our line of battle.
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very full ranks. I informed Colonel Lee that he was in command of the brigade, being my senior; but he positively declined to relieve me, and repeatedly desired me to give such orders as I saw fit, and be would obey them. I reported this immediately to General Howard, commanding the division, and he directed me to continue in command. At this point I found Captain Leach, assistant adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Hallowell, aide-de-camp to General Dana. Captain Leach pointed out the position of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, and went in search of the Forty-second and Fifty-ninth New York Volunteers. A portion of the former was on the road a considerable distance farther to the rear, where it had been ordered to stop fugitives from the battle. A portion of the latter, under Colonel Tidball, was found in the direction of the camp left by the brigade in the morning. They were both ordered to rejoin the brigade. The Twentieth Massachusetts, Colonel Lee, was sent to the front edge of the woods to support a battery which had been placed there. The Nineteenth Massachusetts, under Lieutenant-Colonel Devereux, Colonel Hinks having been seriously wounded,was brought up, and, shortly after, the brigade was ordered to support a line of batteries in the corn-field immediately in front of the woods, and I was directed to report to Major-General Smith, commanding division.
After being in position a few minutes, I received orders from General Smith to move to the left and support the batteries in the interval between the lines of the divisions of Generals Smith and Slocum. While passing to this last point I was joined by the One hundred and sixth Pennsylvania, Colonel Morehead. The Forty-second New York joined me some hours after. The Fifty-ninth New York was, I understood, sent to Colonel Lee on the right.
The Nineteenth Massachusetts, Seventh Michigan, One hundred and sixth Pennsylvania, and Forty-second New York were subjected to an annoying fire from the enemy's artillery for several hours during the afternoon of the 17th, during which time their conduct was unexceptionable. Lieutenant-Colonel Bomford, who had received much injury from a fall, I believe, was taken to hospital, and Lieutenant-Colonel Devereux, Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, had been struck on the left wrist by a bullet, inflicting a painful bruise. Colonel Lee assumed command on the 19th. The One hundred and sixth Pennsylvania was withdrawn to its own brigade on the 18th.
Without the services of Captain Leach, assistant adjutant-general, I do not know how it would have been possible for me to have brought together the regiments during the 17th, and I cannot speak too highly of his conduct during the action in endeavoring to cause the troops of the brigade to my left to stand fast, or recommend him too strongly for honorable mentation or increased responsibilities.
Lieutenant Milton, aide-de-camp, though suffering from a painful wound, remained upon the field; and Lieutenant Hallowell, aide-de-camp, continued for duty, although scarcely able to stand. Lieutenant Knaggs, adjutant Seventh Michigan, was of much assistance during the time I was in command.
Very respectfully,
N. J. HALL,
Colonel Seventh Michigan Volunteers, Commanding.
Captain E. WHITTLESEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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Numbers 69. Report of capt. H. G. O. Weymouth Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry, of the battle of Antietam.
HDQRS. NINETEENTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS,
Bolivar, Va., September 29, 1862.
COLONEL: At your request I forward to you the following report of the part taken by this regiment, in connection with the First Minnesota, during the engagement of Sedgwick's division on the 17th instant:
The Nineteenth Regiment was on the extreme right of the second line of battle, the Minnesota regiment being on the right of the first line, when the Minnesota was the last regiment in its line to leave the position, and was immediately followed by the Nineteenth. A stand was made by the latter regiment, at the command of Colonel Hinks, on a slight elevation, where it was directly joined by the former. Soon slight elevation, where it was directly joined by the former. Soon Colonel Hinks gave the order to fall back still farther, and immediately fell, severely wounded. The command then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Devereux, who reported to Colonel Sully, as the superior officer then on the field, informing him of the wound of Colonel Hinks. Under command of Colonel Sully, both regiments were withdrawn to a close stone wall, where preparations were made to receive the enemy should he attempt an attack. Colonel Sully remained in command until the troops were withdrawn by command of General McClellan.
Believing the above statement to be correct, I remain, sir, respectfully, yours,
H. G. O. WEYMOUTH,
Captain, Commanding Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteers.
Colonel ALFRED SULLY,
First Minnesota Volunteers.
Numbers 70. Report of Brigadier Gen William H. French, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of the battle of Antietam.
HDQRS. FRENCH'S DIVISION, SUMNER'S CORPS D'ARMEE,
Camp near Sharpsburg, on the Battle-field, September 20, 1862.
COLONEL: My division, composed of Brigadier General Max Weber's and Kimball's brigades, and three regiments of new levies under the command of Colonel Dwight Morris (Fourteenth Connecticut), having been in readiness since daybreak on the 17th instant, was put in motion by orders of the general commanding the corps at about 7.30 o'clock a. m. The Antietam Creek was forded by the division, marching in three columns of brigades, Max Weber on the left, the new regiments in the center, and Kimball's brigade on the right. When my left flank had cleared the for a mile, the division faced to the left, forming three lines of battle adjacent to and contiguous with Sedgwick's, and immediately moved to the front.
The enemy, who was in position in advance, opened his batteries, under which fire my lines steadily moved until the first line, encountering the enemy's skirmishers, charged them briskly, and, entering a group of houses on Roulette's farm, drove back the force, which had taken a strong position for defense. Whilst Max Weber was clearing his front and driving before him the enemy's first line, a sudden and
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No. 99. Report of Colonel Thomas M. Anderson, Twelfth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam.
CAMP, SYKES' DIVISION, Near Sharpsburg, Md., September 26, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the battalion of the Eighth and Twelfth Infantry marched from Middletown, Md., on the 16th of this month, with your brigade, to Antietam Creek, near Sharpsburg. During the battle of Antietam we were held in reserve, and took no part in the engagement or in the operations which immediately preceded or followed it. We therefore suffered no loss of officers or men.
The officers serving with the battalion at the time were Captains Dallas and Dunn, of the Twelfth; Lieuts. J. N. Andrews, of the Eighth; Newbury, Perkins, Wells, Bootes, and Vanvalzah.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. M. ANDERSON,
Captain, Commanding Second Battalion Twelfth U. S. Infantry.
Lieutenant WILLIAM H. POWELL,
Asst. Adjt. General, First Brigadier, Sykes' Div., Army of the Potomac.
No. 100. Report of Captain W. Harvey Brown, Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, of the battle of Antietam.
HDQRS. FIRST BATTALION FOURTEENTH INFANTRY, Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 24, 1862.
SIR: In compliance with instructions this day received, I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Battalion, Fourteenth Infantry, in the recent battle:
The battalion was first posted in line of battle at 6 p.m. on the 15th, on the left of the Second Battalion, Fourteenth Infantry, and in rear of the Second Battalion of the Twelfth Infantry. In this position I bivouacked.
September 16, occupied the same ground under heavy artillery fire for several hours, and remained in this position all day.
September 17, occupied the same ground under very heavy artillery fire until 3 p.m., at which time I received orders to cross the Antietam Creek in company with the Fourth Infantry, Captain Dryer, Fourth Infantry, in command.
I then continued up the road nearly 1 mile toward Sharpsburg, under heavy artillery fire and musketry firing from the enemy's sharpshooters. At this place the Fourth Infantry were deployed as skirmishers, and I received orders to hold the battalion in reserve near a wagon road which crossed said pike about 1 mile from the position I had occupied during the early part of the day. The battalion remained here about three hours, 2 men being wounded by scattering shots from the enemy's skirmishers. At dark two companies (F and G) were thrown forward as skirmishers about 100 yards to the edge of a cornfield occupied by the enemy's sharpshooters. In a short time thereafter I received orders to withdraw my command, and in company with
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No. 102. Report of Major Charles S. Lovell, Tenth U. S. Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of action near Shepherdstown.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SYKES' DIVISION, Camp near Sharpsburg, Md., September 25, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the instructions of the general commanding division, I crossed the Potomac River on the morning of the 20th instant, in command of the Second Brigade, composed of the following four battalions: Second and Tenth Infantry, commanded by Captain J. S. Poland; First and Sixth Infantry, Captain L. C. Bootes; First Battalion Eleventh Infantry, Major De L. Floyd-Jones, and First Battalion Seventeenth Infantry, Major G. L. Andrews.
Soon after getting across, Lieutenant Ingham, aide-de-camp, told me the general's orders were for me to advance to the second belt of woods in front, which was about 1 1/2 miles distant. On arriving there, Major Floyd-Jones' battalion being in advance to act as skirmishers, a portion were deployed up to within 30 or 40 paces of the outer edge of the woods, when it was soon after discovered that the enemy were in force in our front and on the right. This fact was immediately communicated to the general, and I was directed to fall back to the crest of the river bluff.
To march down the road in column of fours would have subjected my command to great loss, if fired on. The leading battalion, Seventeenth (the brigade being left in front), was filed off to the right of the road to watch the movements of the enemy, while the other three battalions marched into the woods on the left in column by battalion, with intervals of 60 or 70 paces. Finding the enemy approaching in greatly superior numbers, the battalion were faced about, and retired slowly and in most excellent order until reaching the open ground on the hill near the river, when the enemy opened a heavy fire upon us, fortunately, but few shots taking effect. The Second and Sixth were then thrown into the woods on our left, by the orders of the general. Soon after the fire from our own batteries rendered it absolutely necessary to withdraw these two battalions from the woods, and they fell back to the crest of the hill, by my directions, in fine order.
The conduct of officers and men during the march back and while under the fire of the enemy was admirable. Lieutenant E. E. Sellers, Tenth Infantry, acting assistant adjutant-general, was very active in transmitting my orders to the different parts of the field. Assistant Surgeon Woodhull very kindly offered his services to act a side so long as his professional services were not required, and is entitled to my warmest thanks, as I had but one staff officer, Lieutenant Sellers. I inclose a list of casualties. The enemy's force, when I first discovered them advancing upon us, could not have been less than 3,000. My brigade numbered about 1,060.
Respectfully submitted
CHAS S. LOVELL,
Major Tenth Infantry, Commanding Second Brigade.
Lieutenant HEYWARD CUTTING,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Sykes' Division.
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and well. On the 16th firing of the enemy for some time was pretty sharp, but no one was injured. On the 17th we were fired at but little, and without effect, except two horses killed. Private Drimer was accidentally wounded in the hand by a piece of friction-primer. Two guns became unserviceable from the vent-pieces wearing out.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAMUEL N. BENJAMIN
First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Commanding Battery
Captain ROBERT A. HUTCHINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 143. Reports of Colonel Benjamin C. Christ, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of the battles of South Mountain and Antietam.
HDQRS. FIRST Brigadier, FIRST DIV., NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Antietam Creek, Md.
SIR: I respectfully submit the following report of the action of my command at the battle of South Mountain, on Sunday, September 14, 1862:
Leaving our encampment on the morning of the 14th, we proceeded along the Hagerstown road to a point near the base of the mountain, where we were considerably annoyed by the shot and shell of the enemy until we filed off on the road to the left that led us directly to the top of the mountain. Before reaching the summit, I was ordered to form in line of battle on the right of the road, but before this movement was completed the enemy opened a battery, which commanded this road. Cook's battery, which was just being placed in position at this time, received this fire directly in front, and from its great severity they were obliged to retire with their caissons, leaving two of their pieces in danger of being taken by the enemy. The Seventy-ninth New York Volunteers, Colonel Morrison, was immediately ordered to the front on the left of the road, and the Seventeenth Michigan, Colonel Withington, on the right of the road, to protect these pieces.
The enemy held their position for some considerable time, and fired their shot and shell with terrible effect until about 2 o'clock, when he commenced the attack with his infantry. From the previous disposition of my command, it was impossible for me to give my attention to the whole. I therefore led forward the Seventeenth Michigan on the right of the road, while Colonel Welsh advanced on the left with the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania and Forty-sixth New York Volunteers. Supported by the Seventy-ninth New York, the Seventeenth Michigan moved steadily forward until they arrived within good range, and then opened a fire on the enemy with terrible effect, piling the road and field with his dead and wounded, and finally completely routing him, driving him in the utmost confusion across the field into the woods, and capturing a number of prisoners.
Under any circumstances the conduct of both officers and men of this regiment was worthy of the highest commendation, but especially so when taking into consideration that they were mustered into service as late as the 21st of August, 1862, and that this was their first engagement.
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Division, Ninth Army Corps, with which we were connected, held the extreme left of our line, and about 4 o'clock p. m. were ordered to advance to the support of General Willcox on our right, who had been repulsed. We did so, and held our position far in advance, until ordered to retire by General Rodman but not until we had lost over 50 percent, of our regiment. The fire from artillery and musketry was very severe, the regiment receiving fire in front and on both flanks. The conduct of both officers and men was all that could be asked for, and have to thank the officers for their active co-operation with me in the performance of their several duties. I will notice particularly the conduct of Private Charles Walker, of Company D, who brought the national colors off the field after the sergeant and every corporal of the color-guard were either killed or wounded.
Our loss was 34 killed,, 139 wounded, and 21 missing; total, 194.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. EDWARD WARD,
Major, Commanding Eighth Connecticut Volunteers.
General J. D. WILLIAMS.
Numbers 153. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph B. Curtis, Fourth Rhode Island Infantry, of the battle of Antietam.
HDQRS. FOURTH REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS,
Mouth of Antietam Creek, September 22, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the battle of Sharpsburg on the 17th instant:
On the afternoon of the 16th, Harland's brigade, consisting of the Eighth, Eleventh, and Sixteenth Connecticut and Fourth Rhode Island, left the bivouac it had occupied on the left of the Sharpsburg road, and proceeded in a southwesterly direction, following the general course of the Antietam Creek, for 3 or 4 miles, and took up a position behind a range of hills covering a stone bridge which crossed the creek. The regiment lay upon its arms all night, having its front covered by its own pickets. The Fourth had the left of the brigade, line and upon its left lay Fairchild's brigade of Rodman's division. About an hour after light on the morning of the 17th, the enemy's pickets commenced firing upon those of the regiments upon our left, and shortly after they began shelling the whole division line, their range being very accurate. As soon as the firing commenced, the ranks were dressed and the men directed to lie down in their places. The three left companies, being in a more exposed position, were brought in rear of the rest of the battalion.
Orders were received from Colonel Harland to follow the other brigade to the left, but before that brigade could move, the enemy opened another battery on our right, enfilading our position with a fire of round shot, and completely commanding a little rise of ground on our left, which we should have been obliged to cross to roach the ground occupied by the other brigade. This fact was reported to Colonel Harland by an officer, who returned with orders for the regiment to move to the left and rear, thought some woods, in a direction to be indicated by Lieutenant Ives, of General Rodman's staff, who came back with him. The order was executed, the regiment moving by the left flank to the rear through a wooded gully, but partially concealed from the enemy,
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In the mean time the whole line had formed in good order, and were pushing the enemy from the woods and open fields. The requisitions made upon the corps would permit of no reserves, and it may be truly stated that, to cover the points threatened or pressed, every regiment (save Thirteenth New Jersey, held in reserve for a while by General Gordon) was, as early as 6.30 to 7 o'clock a. m. engaged with the enemy.
The enemy at this time had pushed his columns into the open fields in advance of a strip of woods, a few hundred ;yards wide, which extended along a gentle ridge from the brick church, on the Sharpsburg road, to the farm-house of J. Miller, and extending beyond in the same direction to a distance not discernible from my position.
In the rocky ravines of these woods, and in a considerable valley in the rear of them, the enemy covered his supports and brought up his re-enforcement. A prominent hill beyond was a strong position for his artillery. Into these woods, after a severe struggle of an hour and a half to two duration, we drove the enemy. A line of high post-and-rail fence on each side the public road between the church and the farm house before named, and rods from and nearly parallel with the inner edge of the woods, proved a great obstruction to our rapid pursuit, checking up our line until the enemy could bring up his strong re-enforcements.
All the regiments of this corps were engaged, and had been under arms from daylight, without food; still, they held their position, exposed) part of the time to an enfilading fire from an enemy's battery on the right and all the time to a tremendous fire of musketry and artillery in front. In the mean time Brigadier-General Greene, on the left, with two small brigades of his division, numbering only about 1700 men, had successfully resisted several attacks, and at about 8 o'clock a. m., making successfully resisted upon the woods where they abut upon the toad at the brick church before mentioned. These he gallantly held for several hours.
I greatly regretted that his repeated calls for aid could be answered only by sending the Thirteenth New Jersey, and subsequently the Twenty-seventh Indiana and the Purnell Legion, of the Third Brigade. Impressed with the importance of holding this position, I made several efforts with the importance of holding this position, I made several efforts to recall the residue of the Third Brigade of his division to his assistance, as well as to procure re-enforcement from other sources, but did not succeed.
At nearly 9 o'clock a. m., it being reported that a portion of the Second Corps (Major-General Summer's) was advancing to our support, I dispatched a staff officer to apprise him of our position and the situation of affairs. Soon after, the firing on both sides wholly ceased. Some of the old regiments had emptied their boxes of ammunition, and all were greatly exhausted by the labors of the day and of the preceding night. As the line of General Sedgwick's division appeared, the regiments of the First Division of this corps were withdrawn to the first line of woods in the rear, within supporting distance of several batteries, and directed to replenish their cartridge-boxes and to rest the men. A portion of the One hundred and twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers continued, however, to hold the woods near Miller's house until it was ordered, without my knowledge, to withdraw, by some officer unknown, to the commanding officer of the regiment. Greene's command had also the possession of the woods at the other end near the church.
General Sedgwick's gallant division and the veteran commander of the Second Corps were received by hearty cheers of our men. This
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enroll Colonel Goodrich, Sixtieth New York, commanding Third Brigade, Second Division, killed; Colonel Croasdale, of One hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Dwight, of Second Massachusetts Volunteers mortally wounded. Other names on gallant dead, of subordinate rank with fitting tributes from their immediate commanders, will be found in the reports forwarded herewith. Brigadier General Crawford, who succeeded me to the command of the First Division on the fall of General Mansfield, was wounded near the close of the action, but not so severely as to oblige him to leave the field.
Colonel Ruger, Third Wisconsin Volunteers; Colonel Hawley, One hundred and twenty-fourth Pennsylvania; Colonel Beal, Tenth Maine; Lieutenant-Colonel Powell, Sixty-sixth Ohio; Lieutenant Colonel Tyndale, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania; Lieutenant-Colonel Hammersly, One hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, and Major Maginnis, Third Delaware, were wounded.
The officers commanding divisions and brigades (Brigadier-Generals Greene, Crawford, and Gordon, and Colonels Knipe, Ruger, and Stainrook, and Lieutenant-Colonels Tyndale and Brundage) were active and constant in the discharge of their responsible duties, and merit more than this feeble acknowledgement.
My personal staff present, Captain Best, Fourth Artillery, chief of artillery; First Lieutenant S. E. Pittman, aide and acting assistant adjutant general, and Captain Morgan, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, division provost-marshal and acting aide, discharged their arduous duties faithfully and capably, and I beg leave to recommend them to the favorable consideration of the major-general commanding.
Surgeon Antisell, medical director of First Division, are entitled to high commendation for their excellent preparations made for the wounded, and their faithful attention to them at the hospital depots.
I forward such subordinate reports as have been received and respectfully refer to them for the commendations due to individuals and commands. The report of Brigadier-General Crawford, commanding First Division (absent, wounded), and other officers of his command have not been sent in.
I have the honor to be, colonel, with much respect, your obedient servant,
A. S. WILLIAMS,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Addenda.]
Itinerary of the Twelfth Army Corps, September 1-November 30, 1862.
FIRST DIVISION.
September 1, division moved from Bull Run and encamped near Fairfax.
September 2, moved toward Alexandria, Va., arriving on the morning of the 3rd instant, and halted outside the city.
September 3, moved to Georgetown, D. C., and bivouacked in rear of Fort Richardson.
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pursuit of the flying enemy, making several prisoners and capturing a number of horses and arms. They proceeded to near Winchester, whence they returned and joined me with the main force near Bunker Hill. I returned to camp. I caused Captain Bronson, of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, in pursuance of an order to that effect from General White, to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Smithfield, from reported to me having met no force of the enemy in that direction. At 8 o'clock in the evening the forces under my command had all returned to camp.
The enemy's loss is 41 prisoners and 25 killed. We had none killed, and but 1 man taken prisoner. We have 13 wounded, most of them badly, amount them Captain Grosvenor, who received a pistol-shot in his right breast in the charge at Darkesville. I am rejoiced to say that both he and Lieutenant Logan are doing well and will speedily recover. A list of the names of our wounded is appended hereto. Among the killed on the other side are Captain McDonnel and Lieutenant Albert Carroll, of the maryland Line Cavalry.
The officers and men of my command behaved admirably. The Twelfth Illinois Cavalry were the only troops engaged in this fight, and they fought bravely and gallantly, maintaining in a high degree the honor of the State form which they hail. The infantry, under Major Wood, did me good service in throwing out skirmishers on both flanks and marching in double-quick to the scene of action, eager to have a share in the fight. Captain Phillips brought his section of artillery promptly into position. Lieutenant-Colonel Davis is entitled to a special mark of distinction for his bravery and gallantry exhibited in these several encounters. Captain Grosvenor, Lieutenant Logan, and assistant Surgeon McCarthy also deserve special mention.
The number of horses killed and wounded on our side is 15.
From the prisoners I learn that the force opposed to us on the 7th instant consisted of the Seventeenth Battalion Virginia Cavalry, a portion of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry (Ashy's), and the Maryland Line Cavalry, numbering in all 700.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[A. VOSS]
Brigadier General JULIUS WHITE,
Commanding Brigade.
Numbers 196. Report of Major General John E. Wool, U. S. Army, commanding Middle Department, of the siege of harper's Ferry.
HDQRS. MIDDLE DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, Md., September 27, 1862.
GENERAL: Herewith you will receive the following report, &c., relating to the defense of Harper's Ferry and its disgraceful surrender by our troops, viz:
1. Report of Brigadier General Julius White, of the occupation and subsequent evacuation of Martinsburg, and retreat to Harper's Ferry, on the 12th of September, 1862.*
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*See Numbers 197, report of September 20, p. 524.
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The following telegrams, which I sent to General White and Colonel Miles, will show that they were instructed what to do, and that, at all hazards, they were to defend themselves to the last extremity:
[Dated Baltimore, September 6, 1862]
Brigadier General JULIUS WHITE, Martinsburg:
Defend yourself to the last extremity. No running before the enemy is coming Reconnoiter.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
[Dated Baltimore, September 8, 1862]
Brigadier General JULIUS WHITE, Martinsburg:
The enemy is ported as approaching Hagerstown with a force of 5,000 from frederick. Notify Lieutenant-Colonel Downey, at Kearneysville. You will order that regiment to Martinsburg or harper's Ferry, if deemed necessary.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
[Dated Baltimore, September 8, 1862, in reply to his inquiry.]
Brigadier General JULIUS WHITE, Martinsburg:
If 20,000 men should attack you, you will, of course, fall back. Harper's Ferry would be the best position I could Recommend, but be sure that you have such a force against you, or any other that would overwhelm you. All surplus property will be ready for instant removal should you find it absolutely necessary to abandon Martinsburg. No property will be destroyed if by any means it can be saved.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
[Dated Baltimore, September 4, 1862-11.10 p. m.]
Colonel DIXON S. MILES, Harper's Ferry:
You will send the major, with the remaining two companies of the Eighty-seventh Ohio Regiment, to Berlin, to report to Colonel Banning at Point of Focks, to-morrow morning, the 5th. The Twelfth Regiment New York Militia ought not to think of laving for home until we know what the enemy at Winchester intends to do, and in what direction he intends to move. To go before, the regiment will forever be branded as cowards.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
[Dated Baltimore, September 5, 1862.]
Colonel MILES, Harper's Ferry:
* * * * *
The position on the heights ought to enable you to punish the enemy passing up the orad in the direction of harper's Ferry. Have your wits about you, and do all you can to annoy the rebels should they advance on you. Activity, energy, and decision must be used. You will not abandon Harper's Ferry without defending it to the last extremity.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
I did not fail to caution him in regard to supplies of ammunition and rations. His reply was that he had abundance.
To mine of the 5th instant, when I directed him to defend his position to the last extremity, he says, on the 7th instant:
The enemy is steadily pressing on my pickets, and is establishing batteries on the plateau opposite Point of Rocks, but I am ready for them.
This was the last dispatch I received from Colonel Miles. The telegraph wires were cut, and the road from Monocacy to harper's Ferry was in the hands of the rebels. Every preparation was made for the defense, both in guns and materials.
On Maryland Heights [there were] seven guns, and on Camp Hill fourteen guns and howitzers, besides three light batteries, with horses. It was reported to me that fifty-eight guns were surrendered. How
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of its extremities, however, being in view. I saw it first at about 11 o'clock and again and about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy were observed planting a battery on the western slope of the eastern range of mountains. On the morning of September 12, 1862, I made the following written communication to Colonel Miles:
CAMP AT SANDY HOOK, September 12, 1862.
Colonel DIXON S. MILES, Commanding:
COLONEL: The enemy is in sight with a large wagon train, apparently making its way toward Weverton and Knoxville.
We, of course, are strong enough only to defend ourselves when attacked, according to your orders, and I make this communication in order that you may understand the condition of affairs, and take such action as you may deem proper. The train is apparently guarded by a heavy force of cavalry and infantry. The artillery, if any, is not yet in view.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. P. MAULSBY,
Colonel, Commanding.
The same evening, I think, I received from Colonel Miles the following communication:
SEPTEMBER 12, 1862.
Colonel MAULSBY, Commanding Sandy Hook:
A large force is represented marching on you; it may be our own army, but if it is the enemy your position is not a defensible one, and as soon as you know to a certainty it is the enemy you must fall back to the head of the bridge with your whole command, bringing the two guns along. Do it deliberately; obstruct the road against a charge of cavalry. Send Cole out to distinctly understand what is the character of the force marching on you. I will visit you so soon as I can. Out troops are driven out of Solomon's Gap, and a large infantry force is advancing on Maryland Heights. I shall now place guns to play on the road, from the bridge to Sandy Hook. Have the trees cut down by Captain Bamford's company to unmask the road on bank of canal. Have this done at once.
Your obedient servant,
D. S. MILES,
Colonel Second Infantry, Commanding.
I received this on the top of the hill, and wrote a note to Colonel Miles in reply, in substance, that it was very clear the force in sight was the enemy, but as I did not understand his note to be a distinct order to retire, I wished him to give me such distinctly, if such was his wish.
A few hours afterward Colonel Miles rode up, and said, "If attacked, you will lose that gun, as you will not be able to get it down." He then ordered the guns to be brought down, and to fall back toward the head of the bridge, and there to make a stand, which we did, and fired several rounds. The enemy threw a shell which burst near us, when Captain Potts removed the guns to the point indicated by Colonel Miles, near the head of the bridge. That position we held until the next day. On Friday night my headquarters were removed to a point between the railroad and pontoon bridge. On Saturday morning I saw two regiments pass my position toward the Maryland Heights.
About 3 p. m. I saw the column retreating from the Maryland Heights. I received, about the same time, an order from Colonel Miles to cover the rear of the column and follow it across the bridge, which I did. I was still guarding the eastern approach. At the same time I was ordered by Colonel Miles (in person, I think, but am not positive) to destroy the pontoon bridge after the retreating column and my command had crossed. I detailed one of my lieutenants, having supplied him with axes, but directed him not to cut the rope of the pontoon boats until I should confer again with Colonel Miles. Calling on the colonel, I was told, through his aide, not to cut the ropes. A short time afterward I met Colonel Miles, and said to him, "Why, colonel, what does this mean? What is to be done?" To which the replied, in an agitated manner, "My God! I don't know; I am afraid Colonel Ford has abandoned the heights almost too soon. Do you hold these bridges." Which I did till Monday morning, the 15th, when I left my post for a few moments, and on my return I found the flag was lowered, and was told that a surrender had taken place.
The enemy advanced from the east. There were but two approaches from the east, one by Sandy Hook and the other through Solomon's Gap. Colonel Miles, four or five weeks before, had contemplated fortifying Solomon's Gap and holding it, which was never done.
Question. What is the distance from Maryland Heights to the gap?
Answer. About 4 miles.
Question. From the view which you had of the whole field, and of the operation of the enemy's force, what necessity, if any, existed, in your judgment, for the evacuation of Maryland Heights?
Answer. I am not prepared to speak of the necessity of the evacuation, when and as it occurred, but I am very clear that if the forces at Harper's Ferry had been moved
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would have been difficult or impossible to have withdrawn the lines then already occupied. My own ideas were that time it was not so much a successful resistance as a prolonged resistance, for twenty-four or forty-eight hours. I do not believe we could have withdrawn or made any charges of troops after daylight on the morning of the 15th of September.
By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. How long do you think you could have held the position that you occupied without a change?
Answer. I think about three minutes.
By General WHITE:
Question. Did you have opportunity during the siege of Harper's Ferry to observe the officers, or either of them, who are under arrest, in connection with this investigation; if so, what was their conduct as officers?
Answer. I saw General White and Colonel Trimble. I do not recollect of seeing the other gentlemen at all during that time; at least I had no official communication with them that I recollect. The only orders that I received were from General White and Colonel Trimble. Colonel Trimble went with me when my regiment was posted on picket, showed me the way out, gave me my orders, and altogether seemed to be anxious and interested in the affair; and on Sunday, when the attack commenced on our left on the Maryland regiment, General White came up and immediately ordered re-enforcements to be sent out, directed artillery to be sent forward and to be placed in position, gave me orders as to what dispositions to make of my regiment, and came down himself to see that they were carried out. Colonel Trimble also did the same thing. During the cannonade or bombardment, on the morning of the 15th, both of these gentlemen also came down to my regiment and gave some few directions.
The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. The object of the question, I suppose, is not so much the details, but the general estimate of the witness of their actions.
General WHITE. That is the object.
The WITNESS. I have no hesitation in saying that both of those gentlemen, so far as I observed them, were cool and collected. They were the only officers who gave me any orders whatever, or that I saw moving about the field.
By Colonel D'UTASSY:
Question. Did you see some troops ascend Maryland Heights after they had been abandoned, and save the guns and ammunition, and do you know what troops they were, and who gave them those orders?
Answer. I know by hearsay; I know nothing of my own knowledge. I did not see any troops go up.
By General WHITE:
Question. Was there a skirmish by the enemy's cavalry prior to reaching Harper's Ferry by General White's command?
Answer. Not that I am aware of.
Question. I mean the day we got in.
Answer. I recollect that the command was halted, and that there was such a report on the day we reached Harper's Ferry. I know nothing of it, of my own knowledge. The command was halted and formed, I may say, on the day we reached Harper's Ferry.
Question. How long have you been in service?
Answer. I have been a commissioned officer since 1848.
Question. Did General White consult you the next morning after arriving at Harper's Ferry; and, if so, state the subject of the conversation?
Answer. General White did consult me upon taking command of the forces at
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Question. On the northern slope of the hill?
Answer. Yes, sir; north of the lookout, in the direction of Solomon's Gap. A little before night I received an order from Colonel Miles to make an examination in regard to the enemy's cutting a road up the side of the mountain, and also to ascertain about the amount of force; that was the substance of the order. That, I think, was a verbal order, brought by some one of his men, I did not know who it was. I went on and ascertained all the facts that I could, and satisfied myself that there was a large force there, and that it was my duty to report the precise condition of things to my commander, and I went down for that purpose; that was after everything had become quiet, and after skirmishing had ceased. I reported these facts to Colonel Ford, and he ordered me to go over the river and lay the whole matter before Colonel Miles, and I did so.
Question. What occurred between you and Colonel Miles?
Answer. I informed him of the probable amount of force there, and that a general engagement might be expected in the morning at that point. "And," says I, "nothing short of a force sufficient to just shove them right off the mountain will save that place, and we want re-enforcements;" that was my language to him, as near as I can recollect. He had gone to bed when I called for him. He got up and came into his office, and I met him there. He asked some few questions in regard to the position of the enemy, the amount of the forces, and then assured me that there should he two regiments on the mountain by break of day, and two pieces of artillery, and also that he would send another regiment up on the west side of the mountain so as to come in on their right flank. He said that they should all be there by the break of day. I then returned to the mountain, and went on to the front of our lines. Colonel Sherrill, of the One hundred and twenty-sixth New York, was there with the men while I was absent. They all lay down there in line during the night until morning.
In the morning about sunrise, perhaps, Captain Russell, of the Maryland cavalry, reported with a part of his command; I should think not over a company; they were cavalry; they left their horses, and came up with their carbines. I placed them in position. As soon as it was light enough to see, skirmishing commenced, and, soon after, a general engagement. There were no re-enforcements that came until 9.30 o'clock, except this company of Russell's. Our men held thir ground there and fought well and did well. There were no re-enforcements until 9.30 o'clock, and then they came in scattering companies, or perhaps two or three companies together in two or three instances. The officers were all of them strangers to me. We held the position there with a little variation-sometimes we would be driven back a little, and then again we would drive the enemy back-until, I should judge, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, or between 3 and 4 o'clock, we received orders from Colonel Ford to fall back in good order. I notified the officers to draw their men off in good order.
Previous to that, however, there was one time when we were almost entirely overwhelmed by their forces. They were on both of our flanks, firing a cross-fire. I think Colonel Downey came up with some re-enforcements. I do not know what number of men he brought. I communicated to him the situation of things, and told him to go forward and hold the position as long as possible, and, if he was compelled to fall back, to fall back gradually and in order, and to fall back from the west side of the mountain; that is, with a portion of the men. There was only one path on the slope that they could come down. They could fall back that way with less confusion and with more safety, I judged. We remained in that situation, fighting all the time, until this order came to fall back to Harper's Ferry. I was about the last man that left the ground. I saw that all the men were formed in proper order, and marched off in an orderly manner.
Question. State the number of killed and wounded before you fell back.
Answer. In the regiment I commanded there were 35 killed and wounded.
Question. How many killed and how many wounded?
Answer. I could not give you that item exactly. There were 10 killed, and the greater portion of the balance were severely wounded; some were wounded slightly. Our regiment, I think, suffered more than any other that was engaged there, as they were in the front and center.
Question. Was this beacon lighted as was directed?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. Do you know the reason why it was not?
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By Colonel FORD:
Question. What was your profession before you entered the military service?
Answer. Medicine and surgery.
Question. Do you know the cause of my disability on Sunday evening and Monday while I was on the Harper's Ferry side? If so, state it.
Answer, I do. I know that you obtained leave of absence for sixty days, for the purpose of going home and having an operation performed for fistula; and that after you returned you had been almost utterly unable to ride horseback, and, in walking, the parts became so much inflamed that that caused a great deal of suffering and swelling. I know that Colonel Ford was confined to his bed in consequence of that swelling, on Sunday and Monday; I examined him myself. We had to bring him sway from Harper's Ferry on a bed in a wagon. I tried to obtain an ambulance for him, but I could not succeed.
The Commission adjourned until to-morrow at 10 a. m.
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 7, 1862.
The Commission met pursuant to adjournment.
* * * * * *
Rev. SYLVESTER W. CLEMANS, called by the Government, was sworn and examined as follows:
By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. What position do you occupy in the military service?
Answer. I am chaplain of the One hundred and fifteenth New York State Volunteers.
Question. Were you occupying that position during the late events at Harper's Ferry?
Answer. I was.
Question. Were you present at the time that Maryland Heights were evacuated?
Answer. I was on Bolivar Heights at that time.
Question. Did you have any conversation with Colonel Miles, or hear him have any conversation with others, as to the circumstances under which the evacuation of those heights took place?
Answer. I had no conversation with Colonel Miles, and I did not hear him have conversation with others; that is, with individuals. I heard some language he used on discovering the movement of the brigade on Maryland Heights.
Question. Will you state what it was?
Answer. I was standing on Bolivar Heights. Colonel Miles rode up there and halted his horse, perhaps 30 feet from me, and with his glass took a survey of the heights. In his apparent astonishment, as he saw the first movement of the retreat from Maryland Heights, I could give his own language if necessary.
Question. Give it.
Answer. He exclaimed "God Almighty; what does that mean? They are coming down! Hell and damnation!" He wheeled his horse and rode toward Camp Hill.
Question. That was all you heard him say in regard to it?
Answer. That is all.
Question. You have no personal knowledge in regard to the matter beyond that?
Answer. Nothing more.
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I had several times called for ammunition. On the 12th of September I received the following:
I have the honor to report your communication received. The reserve ammunition is on an island a short distance above here. Requisition for ordnance have to be approved by Colonel Miles. Lieutenant Thompson is ordnance officer.
I sent down three times, but I did not get one bit of ammunition. I even had not ammunition for my own men. When the first order came for eighty rounds of ammunition. I had to borrow it from the One hundred and eleventh and One hundred and fifteenth regiments, whose caliber was equal to that of mine.
The Commission adjourned to 11 a.m. to-morrow.
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 8, 1862.
The Commission met pursuant to adjournment.
* * * * * *
Major HUGO HILDEBRANDT, called by the Government, and sworn and examined as follows:
By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. What is your position in the military service?
Answer. I am major of the Thirty-ninth Regiment New York State Volunteers, and its commander at the affair of Harper's Ferry.
Question. Will you state, so far as they came to your knowledge, all the circumstances connected with the evacuation of Maryland Heights?
Answer. On the 11th day of September, late in the evening, I received orders from my colonel to proceed the next morning early to Maryland Heights to report myself to Colonel Ford, in command there. I had two companies from my regiment absent, and therefore I begged the colonel to relieve my companies, or send me two other companies. He gave me two other companies of the One hundred and fifteenth New York Regiment. I started with eight companies, and reported at 5 o'clock on the morning of the 12th to Colonel Ford. After a little rest, Colonel Ford gave me orders to proceed with six companies as far as Solomon's Gap to make a reconnaissance. It was reported to him that there were two companies of rebels in the gap, exhausted, and he ordered me to take them prisoners, if possible. I went with four companies of my own regiment, and two companies of the Maryland Home Brigade to conduct me, as I had no knowledge of the road. When I went out of the picket line, the cavalry pickets who were posted there told me that they were driven in from their position by a heavy force, and that they were shelled out from the gap. They were there on the lookout for observations. I paid not much attention to them, because, as my orders were, I thought I would go up with my force. I sent out skirmishers immediately; but the woods are so thick there that it is not possible to skirmish in the regular way. It was a very narrow road, and we had to go only on the road, and it is nearly impossible to ride on a horse. When we came up near to the heights, the two companies of skirmishers which I sent out were received by a very heavy fire. There I lost by the skirmish 2 men from the Maryland brigade, and from my regiment 4 or 5, and 1 missing. Then I drew up my column very easy by the flank; but we could not resist, as it was such a large force; and therefore I withdrew my forces and took up a better position, so that if they should come after us we could stay there and fight them. But they remained there, and we halted on our position near to the picket line. After a little rest, we heard some firing on the ridge of the mountain. It was the pickets that I had posted out from the Maryland regiment. I posted them so that I could cover my flank. They were attacked. Then we went up with the whole force, and after a few hours I returned to the camp with the force, and reported to Colonel Ford the facts. In the evening I received orders from Colonel Ford to go up on the heights. I was stationed by his headquarters. I was ordered to go up on the heights and report myself to Major Hewitt. I did so. Two, companies of my regiment were ordered again, with other companies under the command of an officer from the Thirty-second Ohio whose name I do not recollect. I went up with only four companies to Major Hewitt. Major Hewitt ordered me back to the battery, and to stay the whole night under arms to protect the battery. The next morning I received orders again to go up with three companies on the heights to support Major Hewitt. My other three companies, which had returned in the night I left at the battery in the command of a captain. I went up to Major Hewitt and reported. I was posted with the three companies on the extreme right of the line. After the first fire, which was, I think, at 7 o'clock, the skirmish began.
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By General WHITE:
Question. How long have you been in the service?
Answer. Altogether?
Question. Yes, sir.
Answer. Three months and a little over, last year, and the same period this year, or rather a little over four months.
Question. You have stated that you were in command of the Fourth Brigade on Monday morning, at the time of the surrender; I will thank you to state how your brigade was disposed of - where the troops were during the action on Monday morning.
Answer. The Twelfth Regiment were chiefly places in the ditch of the intrenchment.
Question. On Camp Hill?
Answer. Yes, sir; the Eighty-seventh Ohio were in their camp, the greater portion of them; Captain McGrath's command, of the Fifth New York Artillery, had charge of the guns. That was all the force that I had on Monday morning.
Question. The others were disposed of elsewhere?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Was your regiment during that siege, during either of the engagements on Maryland Heights, or in front toward the valley, engaged as infantry?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. Were they engaged at all?
Answer. My regiment did not fire a single shot.
Question. About how far was it from Camp Hill to the intersection of the Charleston road and Bolivar Heights, where the engagement took place on Sunday?
Answer. I should judge it was about a mile, in a straight line.
Question. And how far from Camp Hill to where the engagement occurred on Maryland Heights?
Answer. We used 5-second fuse for spherical case, and 7-second fuse for time-shell I do not know the exact distance.
Question. It was across the river?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. you have expressed the opinion that an assault might have been resisted from the front. Being at Camp Hill that morning, at the distance of a mile, were you able fully to judge of the position of the enemy's batteries and the effect of their fire?
Answer. No, sir; I merely gave my opinion from my stand-point.
Question. You had no means of knowing what force they would have assaulted us with?
Answer. No, sir; my opinion is founded merely upon my own observations.
Question. When; at that time?
Answer. At the time.
Question. And at the distance of a mile?
Answer. Yes, sir.
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I did not hear of it until I got down to headquarters. It seems that Colonel Davis brought him to headquarters to deliver him to Colonel Miles, and waited there at the quarters for some time for our return. But the officer complained of this wound, and Colonel Davis sent him up to the hospital and have his wounds dressed. The surgeon, it seems, rode up to the hospital in front, and the team followed on behind. The surgeon says that he did not understand that he was a prisoner. When he arrived there the team was not behind him and could not be seen. As soon as we heard of it we sent out scouts after him, but did not overtake him till morning. We do not know how he got out, he said he had flanked us with his team. He was recaptured the next morning and brought up to Colonel Miles' room, and was in the room something like an hour. I heard part of the conversation between this Lieutenant Rouse and Colonel Miles. Colonel Miles did everything he could to worm out of him the position of the enemy and what their plans were, but he could get no information of any importance at all from him. There was considerable talk with regard to his parole. The young man begged for his parole, and gave his word as an officer and as a gentleman that he would not undertake to take up arms again until he was properly exchanged. He had some conversation in regard to Colonel Davis, on account of some insulting language that Colonel Davis had used toward him. He put on considerable airs about his honor, and being a gentleman, &c. He was finally paroled, Colonel Miles having paroled this man, and there were some remarks made in regard to it. there seemed to what I heard in that line. He represented that it was not worth while to pay attention to it; that at that time there had been nearly 300 Union prisoners who had been taken at Manassas and paroled, who had passed through Harper's Ferry and sent on to baltimore, and he said that if our men were entitled to parole theirs were. This officer, I think, was paroled nearly five or six days previous to our being attacked at saw was under command of this Lieutenant Rouse, who had his sword drawn, in command of the company. I spoke to General Hill about it, and called his attention to it; but he said he did not know anything about it. I then suggested to General Hill that there was a good chance for him to swap me off for him, but he did not pay any attention to it. This lieutenant had represented that he was severely wounded in the thigh. I do not know whether he was or not. I know he was on duty that day. I do not think that Colonel Miles - I never heard anything said about it - was any way acquainted with this man or had ever seen him before. There was another officer captured, the one Major Russell speaks of, named Bougher. He was a Marylander, and his family resided somewhere down near Berlin. I think he was a formed acquaintance of Colonel Miles. He was not paroled, so far as I know. I know he was in jail for some time, and his wife came and interceded with Colonel Miles to parole him; but I do not know that he paroled him. I think he was in jail there when we surrendered.
Question. Were you present during the whole interview between Colonel Miles and Lieutenant Rouse?
Answer. No, sir. I went in there with a letter Colonel Miles had directed me to write, as we always carried the letters to him to read over before we sent them away. As I went in he told me he was busy then, but would attend to me in a moment. I sat down and heard part of the conversation. I know Colonel Miles hesitated some time before he gave him a parole.
Question. On what day was this prisoner taken?
Answer. I do not recollect. It was before the siege commenced; before we were attacked at Solomon's Gap. I think it was about a week before we were attacked at all that he was paroled.
Question. Are you certain of that?
Answer. It was about the time our pickets were being driven in down by Point of Rocks, about the time the report was brought in of the enemy's crossing the Potomac, before we had any attack at Harper's Ferry. I think it was after the railroad had been destroyed, and the communication cut off with Baltimore.
By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. You say that when you brought the matter to General Hill's notice he declined paying any attention to it?
Answer. Yes, sir.
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By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. You say they were blindfolded as they passed through our lines?
Answer. The two privates were.
Question. Were they blindfolded as they came in?
Answer. I do not know. I know they were as they passed out. Our guard-house was full of citizen prisoners, and we had no place to put them, and our provost guard were on duty guarding the bridge.
By the COURT:
Question. You say that Colonel Miles was acquainted with one of these men?
Answer. One of the citizens who represented themselves to be conscripts. Yes, sir.
Question. Where had he known them; do you know?
Answer. I do not know. I had seen them before, myself; either at the Ferry of somewhere else.
By Dr. MILES:
Question. Do you know anything of the private conversation that took place between Colonel Miles and Colonel Ford, about which the female witness yesterday testified that there was no one in the room?
Answer. I know I was present in the room at that time.
Question. Did you hear the conversation?
Answer. Yes, sir; I repeated the conversation in my former evidence.
Question. Were not the troops at Harper's Ferry regularly brigades?
Answer. They were regularly brigades previously to occupying Maryland Heights. However, the heights had been occupied for some months past by a battalion of the Maryland Home Brigade and McGrath's battery. After the troops were brought down by General White from Winchester, and he had left for Martinsburg, the troops were regularly brigades in four brigades.
Question. Was it not customary to send orders to brigade commanders and have them issue copies?
Answer. Yes, sir. After the troops were brigades, I never knew Colonel Miles to write a letter or issue an order respecting any independent battalion, regiment, or battery. I never knew him to send it directly to any regiment, but to the brigade commander, and let him issue it. I never knew him to issue any orders to any one except to brigade commanders.
Question. When verbal orders were given, if of any importance, did he not send a written order immediately afterward?
Answer. He did not often give verbal orders. if on the field he gave any verbal orders, if it was of any importance he sent a written order after he got to his headquarters.
Question. Did Colonel Miles allow his aides or any of his staff to issue orders?
Answer. No, sir; he never allowed us to issue an order. He always wrote out himself and brought it to us to copy, and also all tellers of any importance he always wrote himself. Some of little or no importance at all - as, for instance, he would come in and tell us perhaps, "Answer this letter so and so." But it was always submitted to him for him to read before it went away.
Question. Were all orders and letters copied?
Answer. Yes, sir. All orders, and letters and telegrams, whether of great importance or not, were always copied in the letter-book.
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SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 12. Baltimore, Md., June 20, 1862.
I. The Twelfth Regiment New York State Militia (exclusive of Company A) will march to-day for Harper's Ferry. Upon the arrival of the regiment at that place, the colonel will report to Colonel D. S. Miles, commanding, for duty. All unnecessary baggage will be left behind. Major James Belger, quartermaster, U. S. Army, will provide the necessary transportation.
By command of Major-General Wool:
W M. D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 57. Baltimore, Md., August 8, 1862.
* * * * * * *
VIII. The troops at Hagerstown, Williamsport, and Frederick, Md., are placed under command or Colonel Dixon S. Miles, commanding at Harper's Ferry, Va. Captain Perkins, First Vermont Cavalry, is relieved from duty at Hagerstown, and will proceed to join his regiment without delay.
By command of Major-General Wool:
W M. D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, Md., August 22, 1862.
Colonel DIXON S. MILES,
Commanding Railroad Brigade, Harper's Ferry, Va.:
SIR: The major-general commanding directs that you will ascertain, without delay, the quantity of ammunition in the hands of the troops, and if not supplied with at least 100 rounds per man, to cause immediate requisition to be made for sufficient to furnish them with that quantity. The utmost vigilance and activity in the protection of the railroad is expected from all the troops stationed along it for lance and activity in the protection of the railroad is expected from all the troops stationed along it for its defense.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W M. D. WHIPPLE:
Assistant Adjutant-General.
BALTIMORE, August 24, 1862.
Colonel MILES, Harper's Ferry:
You will relieve no regiment without an order from these headquarters.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, August 24, 1862.
Colonel DIXON S. MILES, Harper's Ferry:
COLONEL: You will inform me by return mail to what regiment the cavalry captured by the enemy belonged. It appears to me that these men are wholly unworthy of trust, as they were taken while at dinner. I hope you will be careful in your selection of men sent out on picket. I all such cases you ought to select an officer in whom you have full confidence, and with instructions to guard against surprise. I will send, in a day or two, a regiment of cavalry in which you can confide.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
HARPER'S FERRY, August 25, 1862.
Lieutenant-Colonel WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
The enemy's cavalry are increasing on Winchester road. Trains have to be guarded by infantry escort. To run the road with safety much longer will require a cavalry regiment, and I hope one will be sent me immediately.
D. S. MILES,
Colonel Second Infantry
SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 77. Baltimore, Md., August 28, 1862.
* * * * * * *
VII. Major R. S. Rodgers, Second Regiment Eastern Shore of Maryland Volunteers, will repair to Harper's Ferry, Va., and report to Colonel Dixon S. Miles, Second U. S. Infantry, for duty in the construction of a block-house on Maryland Heights, above the battery, in order to protect it from a flank movement of the enemy, and prevent him from taking possession of the heights.
By command of Major-General Wool:
W M. D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
BALTIMORE, September 2, 1862.
Colonel MILES, Harper's Ferry:
I have received your dispatch. Be on the lookout and keep up a vigilant reconnaissance. Let me know what is passing.
JOHN E. WOOL,
Major-General.
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petent officer in command, Colonel Ford, himself, not appearing nor designating any one who might have restored order and encouraged the men. That the abandonment of the heights was premature is clearly proven. Our forces were not driven from the field, as full time was given to spike the guns and throw the heavier ones down the precipice, and retreat in good order to Harper's Ferry. The loss in killed and wounded does not indicate a desperate conflict, and the opinion of officers sustaining that abandonment is weakened by the fact that the next day a force returning to the heights found them unoccupied, and brought away, unmolested, four abandoned guns and a quantity of ammunition.
In so grave a case as this, with such disgraceful consequences, the Commission cannot permit an officer to shield himself behind the fact that he did as well as he could, if in so doing he exhibits a lack of military capacity. It is clear to the Commission that Colonel Ford should not have been placed in command on Maryland Heights; that he conducted the defense without ability, and abandoned his position with out sufficient cause, and has shown throughout such a lack of military capacity as to disqualify him, in the estimation of this Commission, for a command in the service.
Colonel D. S. MILES.
The Commission has approached a consideration of this officer's conduct, in connection with the surrender of Harper's Ferry, with extreme reluctance. An officer who cannot appear before any earthly tribunal to answer or explain charges gravely affecting his character, who has met his death at the hands of the enemy, even upon the spot he disgracefully surrendered, is entitled to the tenderest care and most careful investigation. These this Commission has accorded Colonel Miles, and, in giving an opinion, only repeats what runs through our nine hundred pages of evidence, strangely unanimous upon the fact that Colonel Miles' incapacity, amounting to almost imbecility, led to the shameful surrender of this important post.
Early as the 15th of August he disobeys orders of Major-General Wool to fortify Maryland Heights. When it is attacked by the enemy, its naturally strong position are unimproved, and, from his criminal neglect, to use the mildest term, the large force of the enemy is almost upon an equality with the few men he throws out for their protection.
He seemed to have understood and admitted to his officers that Maryland Heights was the key to the position, and yet he placed Colonel Ford in command with a feeble force; made no effort to strengthen him by fortifications, although, between the 5th and the 13th of September, there was ample time to do so; and to Colonel Ford's repeated demands for means to intrench and re-enforcements to strengthen the position, he made either inadequate return or no response at all. He gave Colonel Ford discretionary power as to when he would abandon the heights, the fact of the abandonment having, it seems, been determined on in his own mind, for, when the unhappy event really occurred, his only exclamations were to the effect that he feared Colonel Ford had given them up too soon. This, too, when he must have known that the abandonment of Maryland Heights was the surrender of Harper's Ferry. This leaving the key of the position to the keeping of Colonel Ford, with discretionary power, after the arrival of the capable and courageous officer who had waived his rank to serve wherever ordered, is one of the more striking facts illustrating the utter incapacity of Colonel Miles.
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[CHAP. XXXI.
CAVALRY.
Major General JAMES E. B. STUART.
Hampton's Brigade.
1st North Carolina, Colonel L. S. Baker.
2nd South Carolina, Colonel M. C. Butler.
10th Virginia.
Cobb's (Georgia) Legion, Lieutenant Colonel P. M. B. Young.
Jeff. Davis Legion, Lieutenant Colonel W. T. Martin.
Lee's Brigade.
Brigadier General FITZ. LEE.
1st Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel L. Tiernan Brien.
3rd Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel John T. Thornton.
4th Virginia, Colonel Williams C. Wickham.
5th Virginia, Colonel T. L. Rosser.
9th Virginia.
Robertson's Brigade.
Brigadier General B. H. ROBERTSON.
Colonel THOMAS T. MUNFORD.
2nd Virginia, Colonel T. T. Munford and Lieutenant-Colonel Burks.
6th Virginia.
7th Virginia, Captain S. B. Myers.
12th Virginia, Colonel A. W. Harman.
17th Virginia Battalion.
HORSE ARTILLERY.
Captain JOHN PELHAM.
Chew's (Virginia) battery.
Hart's (South Carolina) battery.
Pelham's (Virginia) battery.
Numbers 205. Report of Surg. Lafayette Guild, C. S. Army, Medical Director Army of Northern Virginia, of killed and wounded at Boonsborough (South Mountain or Turner's Pass), Crampton's Gap, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg (Antietam), and Shepherdstown (Blackford's or Boteler's) Ford.
Command. Killed. Wounded. Total.
PICKETT'S DIVISION
Kemper's brigade.
1st Virginia --- 8 8
7th Virginia 2 10 12
11th Virginia 3 38 41
17th Virginia 6 30 36
24th Virginia. --- 2 2
Pickett's (old) brigade
8th Virginia 4 9 13
18th Virginia 5 38 43
19th Virginia 7 37 44
28th Virginia 8 54 62
56th Virginia 1 19 20
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Return of casualties in McLaws' division, &c.-Continued.
Engaged. Killed.
Command. Officers. Enlisted Officers. Enlisted
men. men.
Kershaw's brigade:
2nd South
--------
--------
--------
-------
Carolina*
3rd South 26 345
--------
14
Carolina.
7th South Carolina 38 428
--------
13
8th South Carolina 36 90
--------
6
Read's battery. 4 74
--------
-------
Total. 104 937
--------
33
Grand total. 194 1,807
--------
35
CONTINUATION:
Wounded.
Command. Officers. Enlisted men Aggregate.
Kershaw's brigade:
2nd South Carolina*
-----------
-----------
----------
3rd South Carolina.
-----------
35 49
7th South Carolina 6 94 113
8th South Carolina 3 25 34
Read's battery.
-----------
-----------
----------
Total. 9 154 196
Grand total. 10 168 213
Return of casualties in McLaws' division at the battle of Crampton's Gap, September 14, 1862.
Engaged. Killed.
Command. Officers. Enlisted Officers. Enlisted
men. men.
Cobb's brigade:
Georgia Legion. 22 226 4 7
16th Georgia. 27 341 4 20
24th Georgia. 22 270 3 9
15th North 27 375 1 10
Carolina.
Troup Artillery. 1 30
--------
1
Total. 99 1,242 12 47
Semmes' brigade:
10th Georgia. 18 155
--------
+3
CONTINUATION:
Wounded. Missing.
Command. Offi- Enlis- Offi- Enlist Aggre-
cers. ted men cers. ed men gate.
Cobb's brigade:
Georgia Legion. 2 21 12 144 190
16th Georgia. 6 50 5 102 187
24th Georgia. 9 50
------
55 126
15th North 1 47 9 115 183
Carolina.
Troup Artillery.
------
3
------
-----
4
Total. 18 171 26 416 690
Semmes' brigade:
10th Georgia.
------
+19
------
+37 232
Return of casualties in McLaws' division at the battle of Sharpsburg, Md., September 14, 1862.
Engaged. Killed.
Command. Officers. Enlisted Officers. Enlisted
men. men.
Barksdale's
brigade:
13th Mississippi. 24 178 1 5
17th Mississippi. 22 248
--------
9
18th Mississippi. 24 162 1 10
21st Mississippi. 18 182 3 3
Howitzer Battery. 1 32
--------
1
Total. 89 802 5 28
CONTINUATION:
Wounded. Missing.
Command. Officers Enlisted Officers Enlist Aggre-
men. ed men gate.
Barksdale's
brigade:
13th 7 47
-------
2 62
Mississippi.
17th 10 67
-------
2 88
Mississippi.
18th 7 62
-------
-----
80
Mississippi.
21st 3 53
-------
-----
62
Mississippi.
Howitzer
-------
1
-------
-----
2
Battery.
Total. 27 230
-------
4 294
---------------
*Not engaged.
+Officers and men not separately reported.
---------------
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