tain Paschall was killed early in the action of the first day. He was a brave, noble soldier, an upright gentleman, and carries with him to the grave the love and respect of many friends. Captain Throsseau was missing the evening of the same day, and I believe was captured. Captains Beatty and Cilley had each two horses shot under them. There are many names particularly commended for courage and good behavior, for which I respectfully refer to the reports of the regiments and the battery. We have lost many gallant officers and men, a list of whom is herewith furnished you. In the charge made by the Ninth Ohio, on the nineteenth, which recaptured the battery of the regular brigade, their loss in killed and wounded was over fifty. I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. VAN DERVEER, Colonel Commanding Third Brigade. Doc. 185. OPERATIONS IN TENNESSEE VALLEY. GENERAL HAZEN'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, Lieutenant-Colonel C. Goddard, A. A. G., Headquarters Department Cumberland: ÎN obedience to orders received at Poe's Tavern, September third, 1863, from headquarters of the department, I assumed command of all the troops in the Tennessee Valley, embracing Wagner's and my own brigade of infantry, Minty's brigade of cavalry, and Wilder's brigade of mounted infantry, in all between six and seven thousand men, with orders to keep these forces well in hand, to closely watch the movements of the enemy at all the crossings of the Tennessee River, make such dispositions of the force as should lead the enemy to believe that the valley was occupied by a large force, and to cross ourselves and occupy Chattanooga at the earliest opportunity. The forces were scattered from Kingston to Williams's Island, a distance of seventy miles, watching the entire line of the river for this distance, and guarding at least twenty ferries and fords. I at once visited in person the entire length of the line, making such dispositions as I thought best for carrying out the design of the command, withdrawing as much as possible the left of the line, and giving orders for the construction of boats in the North-Chickamauga to be floated down and used for crossing when needed at the mouth of that stream. Troops were made to appear simultaneously at three or four different crossings, and by ingeniously arranging their camp-fires and beating their calls, and the dexterous use of artillery, were made to represent a division of troops at such place. The object desired was fully obtained. I also placed all heavy stores on Waldon's Ridge, and as the enemy threatened to cross his cavalry in heavy force, made preparations to receive him, and failing to destroy him, to drive him up the valley beyond Pikeville, where he could be met by General Burnside. A battery and two regiments of infantry were placed opposite Chattanooga, and the enemy at that point annoyed, and two of his boats disabled. I also established communication by signal between all the crossings near me and my headquarters. On the second the enemy burned the Loudon Bridge, and Buckner's corps commenced moving slowly down the river, making strong demonstration upon its banks as if to cross at several places. They moved on Tyner's Station, reaching that point on the sixth and seventh, followed by a heavy cavalry force, that took the place of the infantry on the river as they were relieved, and from their numbers, Colonel Minty reported that indication made it pretty certain that a crossing was about to be attempted. At the same time the pontoon-bridge of the enemy was moved at Chattanooga, as if to cross over troops at that point. All the crossings were closely watched and the troops held in readiness for any movement. On the eighth the river was cleared of all rebel troops above Chickamauga, and I directed Minty to cross over at the mouth of Sale Creek, reconnoitring the country well in his front, and move cautiously down to Harrison, always controlling one of the fords near him, so as to cross back if it should be found necessary. Before the order could be obeyed, a heavy cav alry force confronted him on the opposite side of the river, and the crossing was not attempted. On that night, however, they all retired from above Friar's Island, and at eleven A.M. on the ninth, from their works opposite that island. The city of Chattanooga was also evacuated the same morning, and the troops of General Wagner crossed over and occupied the city, a portion of Wilder's force crossing at Friar's Island, reconnoitring thoroughly the country opposite and toward Chattanooga. Colonel Minty was at once ordered down to cross and report to Colonel Wilder, while all the troops, not already over, were on the night of the ninth concentrated at Friar's Island, and on the morning of the tenth crossed by fording, which was accomplished within the space of six hours without loss of life or material. The boats, although completed, were not required. I found in the Tennessee Valley an abundance of subsistence for my troops, and brought out of it seventy beeves for the army. The casualties in all these operations were two killed, one drowned, and five or six wounded. Several hundred prisoners and deserters were sent to the rear. I have earnestly to commend to the attention of the Government the services of Colonels Wilder and Minty, commanding cavalry brigades. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. B. HAZEN, Brigadier-General. Doc. 186. AN APPEAL TO SOUTHERN MATRONS. ASSISTANT } AND GARRISON DEPOT, SELMA, October 8, 1863. I WANT all the blankets and carpets that can possibly be spared. I want them, ladies of Alabama, to shield your noble defenders against an enemy more to be dreaded than the Northern foe with musket in hand-the snows of coming winter. Do you know that thousands of our heroic soldiers of the West sleep on the cold, damp ground, without tents? Perhaps not. You enjoy warm houses and comfortable beds. If the immortal matrons and maidens of heathen Rome could shear off and twist into bow strings the hair of their heads to arm their husbands and brothers in repelling the invader, will not the Christian women of the Confederacy give the carpets off their floors to protect against the chilly blasts of winter those who are fighting, with more than Roman heroism, for their lives, liberty, and more, their honor? Sufficient blankets cannot be had in time. Food and clothing failing the army, you and your children will belong to Lincoln. To get your daily bread, you will then be permitted to hire yourselves to your heartless enemies as servants, or perchance to your own slaves. Think of that! Think of your brothers, fathers, and sons drenched with the freezing rains of winter, and send in at once every blanket and carpet, old or new, you can spare. They will be held as a sacred trust. As soon as they can be gotten ready for issue, they will be sent to the Quartermaster-in-Chief of General Johnston's army for distribution. As a guarantee that a proper disposition shall be made of such as may be donated, H. H. Ware, Esq., will receive and receipt for the same at Selma. Honorable and well-known names will be announced to receive and receipt for the same at Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Marion, and elsewhere. We will pay a liberal price for all that may be delivered at this place, or to any bonded quartermaster in this State, upon the presentation of his certified account upon form No. 12. Honorable boards of mayor and aldermen of incorporated towns will please take such action in this regard as to them may be deemed best calculated to aid us in the premises. Ministers of the Gospel also are urgently requested to call the attention of their congregations to this matter. Every one, male or female, whe can furnish a blanket may save a man to the army. Having been assigned to the duty of providing clothing and camp and garrison equipage for the army of the West, I make this appeal to the people in confidence. Your obedient servant, W. M. GILLASPIE, AFTER the slight skirmish with the rebels on Sunday evening, the fourth instant, and the rapid retreat of the enemy for some four miles, they again, as soon as our advance halted, assumed their air of defiance, sending their scouts within a short distance of our lines, and making a show of strength which they were not supposed to be possessed of. Accordingly, on Tuesday, Colonel Davis was ordered forward to furnish them an opportunity for a fight or foot-race, at their own option. Their determination was quickly taken at the appearance of our force, and the gallant Colonel gave them a hot chase for several miles, accelerating their unreluctant movement by a brisk application of musketry and shells from Captain Nim's battery. One horse was killed, and report says a few of the enemy were wounded. The ground thus gained it was desirable to hold, and accordingly the First brigade of this division, Acting Brigadier-General Love commanding, was ordered forward to the support of the cavalry. They were not interfered with, the enemy preserving their distance, reconnoitring closely, and well in hand for a race upon our advancing. The morning of Thursday, the ninth instant, the Nineteenth corps was ordered to advance, the rear of the entire column, consisting of the Thirteenth army corps, Major-General Ord commanding, having closed up, and the entire command being well in hand, advancing cautiously, but surely, ready for service in a moment should occasion require. There was no occasion, however, for the troops to test the fighting qualities of the rebels, for they kept well out of range, retreating before the cavalry without firing a shot. At night the encampment was pitched on the open prairie, about seven miles from Vermilion Bayou, at which point the enemy were reported in force at from two to eight thousand men, with some heavy siege guns, two field batteries of artillery, quite a force of cavalry, and several regiments of infantry. Our cavalry were sent well to the front, and exchanged shots with the enemy's pickets, who were posted on the east side of the bayou. The position of the enemy was apparently a powerful one, and, if they mustered as strong as reported, every thing looked fair for a severe engagement. During our stay at this camp, Colonel Paine, of the Second Louisiana regiment, ranking officer of the First brigade, arrived and assumed command, relieving Colonel Love, who assumed command of his old regiment, the One Hundred and Sixteenth New-York vol unteers. Next morning, at eight o'clock, the advance was resumed, and about eleven o'clock reached a favorable position for forming line of battle, in the neighborhood of which Major-General Franklin, who had preceded the army a short distance, had established his headquarters. Colonel Davis, Doc. 188. OPERATIONS IN VIRGINIA. General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-Gen- GENERAL: In advance of a detailed report, I have the honor to submit, for the information of the department, the following outline of the recent operations of this army: from a point about a quarter of a mile to the right, opened the fight with a brisk skirmish, driving the enemy across the bayou, and followed up the advantage with a hot fire from the section of Nim's rifled battery with his command. In a very short time a battery of the First Regular United States artillery, (Elaian's,) under command of Lieutenant Frank Taylor, was in position in the centre, immediately opened fire, sending shells some two or three miles across the bayou, stirring up the enemy in lively style. Taylor was followed by the First Indiana battery, Major Ray commanding, which was sta- With the design of bringing on an engagement tioned on the extreme left, and opened with the with the Federal army, which was encamped twenty and thirty-pounder rifled pieces, shelling around Culpeper Court-House, extending thence the woods on the shore of the bayou, up and to the Rapidan, this army crossed the river on down. The two last-named batteries were as- the ninth instant, and advanced by way of Madisisted by the One Hundred and Sixteenth New-son Court-House. York volunteers, Colonel Love, (of the First bri- slow, as the march was by circuitous and conOur progress was necessarily gade, Colonel Paine, First division, General cealed roads, in order to avoid the observation of Weitzel,) who were deployed as skirmishers, the enemy. supported by the One Hundred and Fifteenth New-York volunteers, Colonel Kinsy, of the same brigade. For about an hour the firing was very warm, the booming of the cannon being interspersed with the sharp reports of the muskets, the enemy replying but feebly, mostly from the left of their line, and soon ceasing altogether. A reconnoissance revealed the fact that they had fled, in their haste leaving behind them in their camp, dinner already cooked, some arms, camp furniture, and in one spot three of their hats. A force was immediately thrown across the cavalry fording, close to the remains of a destroyed bridge on our right, and the infantry by means of an improvised pontoon bridge laid on the halfburnt stringers of a bridge on the left. There was some little skirmishing after crossing, the enemy firing on our cavalry as they retreated. That they met with severe loss is perfectly evident, as new-made graves were discovered this morning a short distance from the town, and the inhabitants report that quite a number of wounded rebels were carried through the place during the progress of the fight. General Fitz Lee, with his cavalry division and a detachment of infantry, remained to hold our lines south of the Rapidan; General Stuart, with Hampton's division, moved on the right of the column. With a portion of his command he attacked the advance of the enemy near James City on the tenth, and drove them back toward Culpeper. Our main body arrived near that place on the eleventh instant, and discovered that the enemy had retreated toward the Rappahannock, ruining or destroying his stores. We were compelled to halt during the rest of the day to provision the troops, but the cavalry, under General Stuart, continued to press the enemy's rear guard toward the Rappahannock. A large force of Federal cavalry, in the mean time, had crossed the Rapidan, after our movement began, but was repulsed by General Fitz Lee, and pursued toward Brandy Station. Near that place the commands of Stuart and Lee united, on the afternoon of the eleventh, and after a severe engagement, drove the enemy's cavalry across the Rappahannock with heavy loss. The army is now consolidated, and Major-Gen- On the morning of the twelfth the army eral Banks arrived just after the fight of yester-marched in two columns, with the design of day, assuming command of the entire force, con- reaching the Orange and Alexandria railroad sisting of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth army north of the river, and interrupting the retreat of corps, under the command of Generals Ord and the enemy. Franklin. Our loss was none killed, and Major Cowan, of the Second Louisiana cavalry, and four privates wounded. The Major's wound is reported as very slight, and he will be on duty again in a very short time. The conduct of all concerned in this affair was excellent, and the most conspicuous of all was the gallant General Weitzel on his war-horse, riding boldly to the front, whither he had forbidden any other going on horseback. His appearance inspired his troops with the wildest enthusiasm, and the firing, which was warm and rapid before, seemed to redouble as he rode along the line. After a skirmish with some of the Federal cavalry, at Jeffersonton, we reached the Rappahannock at Warrenton Springs in the afternoon, where the passage of the river was disputed by cavalry and artillery. The enemy was quickly driven off by a detachment of our cavalry, aided by a small force of infantry and a battery. Early next morning (fifteenth) the march was resumed, and the two columns reunited at Warrenton, in the afternoon, when another halt was made to supply the troops with provisions. The enemy fell back rapidly along the line of the railroad, and early on the fourteenth the pursuit was continued, a portion of the army mov ing by way of New-Baltimore toward Bristoe Sta tion, and the rest, accompanied by the main body of the cavalry, proceeding to the same point by Auburn Mills and Greenwich. Near the former place a skirmish took place between General Ewell's advance and the rear guard of the enemy, which was forced back and rapidly pur sued. The retreat of the enemy was conducted by several direct parallel roads, while our troops were compelled to march by difficult and circuitous routes. We were consequently unable to intercept him. General Hill arrived first at Bristoe Station, where his advance, consisting of two brigades, became engaged with a force largely superior in numbers, posted behind the railroad embankment. numbers, to attack General Imboden, who retired, bringing off his prisoners and captured property, his command suffering very little loss, and inflicting some damage upon the pursuing column. In the course of these operations, two thousand four hundred and thirty-six prisoners were captured, including forty-one commissioned officers. Of the above number, four hundred and thirty-four were taken by General Imboden. A more complete account, with a statement of our killed, wounded, and prisoners, will be forwarded as soon as the necessary official reports have been received. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GENERAL STUART'S REPORT. The particulars of the action have not been Official: JOHN WITHERS, A. A. G. officially reported, but the brigades were repulsed with some loss, and five pieces of artillery, with a number of prisoners, captured. Before the rest of the troops could be brought up, and the position of the enemy ascertained, he retreated across Broad Run. The next morning he was reported to be fortifying beyond Bull Run, extending his dine toward the Little River Turnpike. The vicinity of the intrenchments around Washington and Alexandria rendered it useless to turn his new position, as it was apparent that he could readily retire to them, and would decline an engagement unless attacked in his fortifications. A further advance was therefore deemed unnecessary, and after destroying the railroad from Cub Run southwardly to the Rappahannock, the army returned on the eighteenth to the line of that river, leaving the cavalry in the enemy's front. The cavalry of the latter advanced on the following day, and some skirmishing occurred at Buckland. General Stuart, with Hampton's division, retired slowly toward Warrenton, in order to draw the enemy in that direction, thus exposing his flank and rear to General Lee, who moved from Auburn, and attacked him near Buckland. As soon as General Stuart heard the sound of Lee's guns he turned upon the enemy, who, after a stubborn resistance, broke, and fled in confusion, pursued by General Stuart nearly to Haymarket, and by General Lee to Gainesville. General. BUCKLAND, VA., Oct 20, 1863. GENERAL: After offering some considerable resistance to the advance of the enemy at this point yesterday, in accordance with the suggestions of Major-General Lee, I retired with Hampton's division slowly before the enemy, until within two miles and a half of Warrenton, in order that Major-General Lee, coming from Auburn, might have an opportunity to attack the enemy in flank and rear. The plan proved successful. The enemy followed slowly and cautiously after Hampton's division, when, on hearing MajorGeneral Lee's guns on their flank, I pressed upon them vigorously in front. They at first resisted my attack stubbornly, but once broken, the rout was complete. I pursued them from within three miles of Warrenton to Buckland, the horses at full speed the whole distance, the enemy retreating in great confusion. Major-General Lee had attacked them in flank just below Buckland. We captured about two hundred prisoners, eight wagons and ambulances, arms, horses, and equipments. The rout was the most complete that any cavalry has ever suffered during this war. Crossing at Buckland, General Fitz Lee pushed down the pike toward Gainesville, while I with the few men of Gordon's and Rosser's brigades, who could be collected after our unusually long chase, moved around to our left, and pressed down toward Haymarket. Here I encountered, besides a large cavalry force, the First army Here the Federal infantry was encountered, corps, who retired a short distance beyond Hayand after capturing a number of them during the market, on the Carolina road. I attacked their night, the cavalry slowly retired before their infantry pickets by moonlight, and scattered advance on the following day. When the move- them over the fields, capturing many. General ment of the army from the Rapidan commenced, Lee pressed down to within a short distance of General Imboden was instructed to advance Gainesville, when he encountered their infantry, down the valley, and guard the gaps of the and captured prisoners from the First army corps mountains on our left. This duty was well per- on that road also. The pursuit was continued formed by that officer, and on the eighteenth until after dark. The cavalry force was cominstant he marched upon Charlestown, and suc-manded by Kilpatrick, and composed of ten regiceeded, by a well-concerted plan, in surrounding the place, and capturing nearly the whole force stationed there, with all their stores and transportation; only a few escaped to Harper's Ferry. The enemy advanced from that place, in superior ments. (Signed) Most respectfully, GENERAL IMBODEN'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS VALLEY DISTRICT, IN THE FORK Colonel R. H. Chilton, Chief of Staff, A. N. V: After the cavalry engagement on Sunday, it was rumored that the rebel infantry was in force, supporting their cavalry. This induced General Meade to countermarch the troops, with the intention of making the line of the Rappahannock his base of operations in case of an attack. He also intrenched his reserve artillery in the forts near the river. Their desperate attack on Gregg's cavalry on Monday evening seemed to open our eyes to their real intentions; so an order came for the troops to march in the dead of night. The corps then moved on and encamped for the night at Greenwich. The Second corps bivouacked in the woods, beyond the ford. On Tuesday morning, as our infantry were returning toward Auburn, on nearing the ford, which is in a dry ravine, with close trees and underwood, the enemy's dismounted cavalry opened a brisk fire on the front of the column from their sheltered position. The front line was composed of Graham's brigade, the Sixty-third Pennsyl vania being in advance-a regiment chiefly of conscripts, and commanded by Colonel Danks. General Birney seeing them wavering, rode up, One volley was exchanged, when the enemy and cried out, "Come on, boys! go into them," threw down his arms and surrendered uncon- and charged. The regiment at once rallied and ditionally. The Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and forced back the enemy. The First division of the five others, who were mounted, fled at the first Third corps lost in this short but stubborn enfire, and ran the gauntlet, and escaped toward counter, eleven men killed and forty-two woundHarper's Ferry. The force I captured was the ed. Lieutenant Miller and Captain Consort were Ninth Maryland regiment, and three companies both wounded severely. The rebels retired, of cavalry, numbering between four and five hun- leaving eight killed and a large number of wounddred men and officers. I have not had time to ed, besides a lot of arms and accoutrements, behave them counted. In wagons, horses, and hind them. Among the wounded were the mules, arms, ammunition, medicine, and cloth-bugler and two orderlies on the General's escort. ing, were considerable, all of which I have saved, and will have properly accounted for. As I expected, the Harper's Ferry forces, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, appeared at Charlestown in About six o'clock we resumed our march, and less than two hours after I fired the first gun. soon crossed the ford at Auburn. The First diviHaving promptly sent off the prisoners and pro- sion, commanded by General Caldwell, fell into perty, I was prepared for them. I retired from line of battle on the heights beyond. So secure the town and fell back slowly toward Berryville, did we feel that the men were ordered to stack fighting the enemy all the way, from ten o'clock their arms and cook breakfast. We heard some till near sunset. My loss, as far as ascertained, firing on our left, and when the dark haze that is very small-five killed and fifteen or twenty obscured the morning cleared away, we could wounded, more or less, three or four mortally. see the lines of cavalry within half a mile of us. Captain Coleman will lose an arm, and Captain Corn was stacked in the field; so we left our Cumnel was badly shot in the hip. I think a tired and hungry steeds to feed on it, and ada few ten or fifteen broken-down men-who vanced to the top of the hill to witness the constraggled behind, were captured. We killed and flict going on in the plain beneath. We saw our wounded dreadfully several of the enemy in the cavalry (Gregg's) charging into the wood; but court-house, including the Adjutant of the Ninth after a fierce shelling and musketry fight, we saw Maryland; and, in the fight along the road, the them break back, followed pell-mell by the eneenemy's loss was considerable, as we ambuscad-my. They were now rushing toward our lines. ed them several times with good effect. I march- Our men were cooking their coffee, speculat ed nearly all night, and reached the river here at ing on the chances of the conflict. It was to be daybreak. It was quite full, but I have effected many a poor fellow's last breakfast. On our a safe crossing of the north branch. right were a couple of high knolls, thickly woodVery respectfully, ed. From these all of a sudden masked batteries opened on our lines, shot and shell came shrieking through the air, and so accurate was their range, that nearly every one of them came ploughing through us. The men jumped to their arms, the officers rushed to their commands. Your obedient servant, Official: JOHN WITHERS, A. A. G. Brigadier-General. |