oora George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BV THE FAMILY or COLONEL FLOWERS Treasui* H«"'" Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/officialreportso02conf OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BAnLES. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF CONGRESS. RICHMOND: R. M. SMITH, PUBLIC PRINTER, 1864. x / Army of the Mississippi, September, 1862. y General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Virginia : I beg lea,ve to submit the following report of the part takea by the troops composing my corps in the battle of Shiloh. It was resolved 12 by our commander-in-chief, General Johnston, to attack the enemy in his poBition on ihe Tennessee river, if possible, at dajbreak on the oth of Apiil. My corps consisted of two divisions of two brigades •each, commanded, ret-pectively, by Major General Cheatham and Brigadier General Clark, and with the exception of three regiments — one frcm Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansrs, respectively — vraa composed of Tcnnesseeans. Major General Cheatham's division was on out-post duty at and near Bethel, on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, and was ordered to proceed to a point near I'ittsburg landing, on the river, for the purpose of joining in the contemplated attack. C)n the 3d of April I was directed to march so much of my corps as was still at Corinth, towards the same point. The route to be taken was that pursued by the corps of General Hardee over the Ridge and Bark roads, and I was ordered to march so as to allow an interval of half an hour between the two corps. This c:der I was directed to observe until I reached Mickie's. On reaching Mickie's my instructions were to halt, to allow the corps of General Bragg — whose route fell into ours at that point — to fall in and follow in the immediate rear of General Hardee. The plan of battle was that the corps of General Hardee should form the frcnt line ; that of General Bragg the second ; my corps and that of General Breckinridge to constitute the third or reserve. I maintained the interval ordered betweeii General'Hardee's and my corps during the night of the third and during the following day, and lialted the head of my column at the cross-roads at MicUe's about dark, on the 4th, according to instruc- tions, my column being well up. At Mickie's we were about two and a half miles from the place at which our line of battle was to be formed, and here the head of Gen. Bragg's corps also bivouacked on the samo night. At three o'clock on the following morning — Saturday, the itli — the whole of my command was under arms in waiting for the road which it could not take, as it was occupied by the troops of General Bragg, which were filing into the rear of those of General Hardee. It was now manifest that the attack at daybreak could be made; that the troops could not reach their position in time, and that the failure was owing to the condition of the roads, which was exceedingly bad, in consequence of the heavy rains which had fallen. I took a posi- tion earl}' in the morning, near the forks of the road, to Avait for the troops of General Bragg to pass. While there in waiting, at ten, A. M., Generals A. S. Johnston and Beauregard, with their staffs, rode ap from the rear, end halting opposite me, gave me orders to move promptly in rear of General Bragg, so that 1 might give the road to General Breckinridge, who was to follow me, coming in from General Bragg's route. I was also ordered to halt my column one and a half miles in rear of the place at which General Bragg's line of battle crossed the road, and to deploy my corps to the left, on a line par- allel to that of General Bragg, General Breckinridge having been •ordered to halt at the same point, and deploy his corps to the right, with his left resting on my right. It was n€a;r two o'clock before the whole of General Bragg's corps had passed. I then put «ny column in motion, and rode to the front. Proceeding half a mile, I sent Lieutenant Richmond, my aid-de-camp, forward, to ascertain the point at which General Bragg's line would cross the road, and to measure back for the place at which I was to halt and deploy. This he did, and on reaching the place Lieutenant Richmond informed me that the road I was pursuing ran into that across which General Bragg was forming, at an obtuse angle. Ifr be- came necessary then, before I could form, to ascercain the general di- rection of the line in front of me. To effect this, I sent forward my Inspector General Blake, and, leaving a staff officer to halt my column at the proper place, I proceeded myself to aid in the reconnoissance. I had not advanced far before I came upon General Ruggles, who commanded General Bragg's left, deploying his troops. Having as- certained the direction of the line, I did not wait for him to com- plete it, but returned to the head of my column to give the necessary orders. By this time it was near four o'clock, and on arriving I was informed that General Beauregard desired to see me immediately. I rode forward to his headquarters at once, Avhere I found General Bragg and himself in conversation. He said, with some feeling, "I am very much disappointed at the delay which has occurred in getting the troops into position." I replied, " So am I, sir, but, so far as 1 am concerned, my orders are to form on another line, and that lino must first be established before I can form upon it." I continued : " I reached Mickie's at nightfall yesterday, from whence I could not move, because of the troops which were before me, until two, P. M , to-day. I then promptly followed the column in front of me, and have been in position to form upon it so soon as its line was established." He said, " He regretted the delay exceedingly, as it would make it necessary to forego the attack altogether ; that our suc- cess depended upon our surprising the enemy ; that this was now im- possible, and we must fall back to Corinth." Here General Johnston came up, and asked what was the matter. General Beauregard re- ported what he had said to me. General Johnston remarked that this would never do, and proceeded to assign reasons for that opinion. He then asked what I thought of it. I replied, ray troops were in as good condition as they had ever been ; that they were eager for battle ; that to retire now v, ould operate injuriously upon them ; and I thought we ought to attack. General Breckinridge, whose troops were in the rear, and by this time had arrived upon the ground, here joined us ; and after some discussion it was decided to postpone further move- ment until the following day, and to make the attack at daybreak, I then proceeded to dispose of my divisions — Cheatham having ar- rived — according to an alteration in the programme, and we bivou- acked for the night. At the appointed hour on the morning of the 6th, my troops were- moved forward, and so soon as they were freed from an obstruction formed by a thicket of underbrush, they were formed in column of brigades, and pressed cnward to the support of the second line. Gen- eral Clark's division was in front. We had not proceeded far before the first line, under General Hardee, was under fire throughout its length, and the second, under General Bragg, was also engaged. The 14 first order received by mo was from Gen, Johnston, who had ridden to the front to watch the opening; operations, and who, as commander-in- chief, seemed deeply impressed with the responsibilities of his posi- tion. It wa«? observed that he entered upon his work with the ardor and energy of a true soldier, and the vigor with which he pressed forward his troops gave assurance that his persistent determination would close the day with a glorious victory. The order was, to send him a brigade to the right, for the support of the line of General Bragg, then hotly engaged. The brigade of General Stewart, of General Clark's division, was immediately despatched to him, and was led by him in person to the point requiring support. I was then or- dered by General Beauregard to pend one of the brigades of my rear division to the support of General Bragg's left, which was pressed by the enemy. Orders were given to that effect to General Cheatham, who took charge of the brigade in person, and executed the move- ment promptly. My two remaining brigades were held in hand, un- til I received orders to move them directly to the front, to the support of General Bragg's centre. These were Colonel Russell's, of General Clark's division, which was directed by that officer, and General Bush- rod Johnson's, of General Cheatham's division. They moved forward )it once, and were both very soon warmly engaged with the enemy. The resistance at this point was as stubborn as at any other on the field. The forces of the enemy* to which we were opposed were un- derstood to be those of General Sherman, supported by the command of General McClernand, and fought with determined courage, and contested every inch of ground. Here it was that the gallant Blythe, Colonel of the Mississippi regiment bearing his own name, fell, under my eye, pierced through the heart while charging a battery. It was here that Brigadier General Johnson, while leading his brigade, fell also, it was feared, mortally wounded ; and General Clark, too, while cheering his command amidst a shower of shot and shell, was struck down, and so severely wounded in the shoulder as to disable him from further service, and compel him to turn over a command he had taken into the fight with such distinguished gallantry. And here, also, fell many officers of lesser grade — among them the gallant Captain Mar- shall T. Polk, of Polk's battery, who lost a leg — as well as many pri- vates, who sealed their devotion to our cause with their blood. We nevertheless drove the enemy before us, dislodged him from his strong positions, and captured two of his batteries. One of them was taken by the thirteenth regiment Tennessee volunteers, commanded by Col- onel Vaughn ; the other by the one hundred and fifty-fourth senior regiment Tennessee volunteers, commanded by Colonel Preston Smith ; '-the former of Col. Russell's, the latter of General Johnson's brigade. After these successes, the enemy retired in the direction of the *river, and while they were being pressed, I sought out General Bragg, 'to whose support I had been ordered, and asked him where he would have my command. He replied, if you will take care of the centre I will go to the right. It was understood that General Hardee was attending to the left. I accepted the arrangement, and took charge of the operations in that part of the general line, for the rest of the 15 day. It was fought by three of my brigades only, General Stewart's, General Johnson's, — afterwards Colonel Preston Smith's — and Colo- nel Russell's. My fourth brigade, that of Colonel Maney, under the command of General Cheatham, was on th-e right with Generala Bragg and Breckinridge. These three brigades, with occasionally a regiment cf some other corps which became detached, were fully em- ployed in the field assigned me. They fought over the same groun(i three times ; as the fortunes of the day varied, always with steadiness, a single instance only excepted, and that only for a moment, ami with occasional instances of brilliant courage. Such was the case of the thirty-third regiment Tennessee volunteers, under Colonel A. W. Campbell, and the fifth Tennessee, under Lieu- tenant Colonel Venable, both for the moment under command of Colonel Campbell. Shortly after they were first brought forward as a supporting force, they found themselves ordered to support two regiments of the line before them, which were laying down and en- gaging the enemy irregularly. On advancing; they drew the enemy's fire, over the heads of the regiments in their front. It was of 20 fierce a character that they must either advance or fall back. Camp- bell called to the regiments before him to charge. This they declined to do. He then gave orders to his own rcginients to charge, and le \ them in gallant style over the heads of the regiments lying in advance of him, sweeping the enemy before him, and putting them completely to route. In this charge Colonel Campbell was severely wounded, but still retained his command. Such also was the charge made by the fourth Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Strahl. This was against a battery of heavy guns, which was making sad havoc in our ranks, and was well supported by a large infantry force. In reply to an enquiry by their cool and determined brigade commander — General Stewart — ''can you take that battery" their colonel said, *' we will try;" and at the order "forward" they moved at a double-quick to within thirty paces of the enemy's guns, halted, delivered one round, and with a yell charged the battery, and captured several prisoners and every gun. These prisoners reported their battery was supported by four Ohio and three Illinois regiment. It was a brilliant achieve- ment, but an expensive one. In making the charge the enemy lost thirty-one killed on the spot, and one hundred and sixty wouuded, yet it illustrated and sustained the reputation for heroism, of the gallant State of which it was a representative. About three o'clock, intelligence reached me that the commander- in-chief— General Johnston — had fallen. He fell in the discharge of his duty, leading and directing his troops. His loss was deeply felt. It was an event Avhich deprived the army of his clear, practical judg- ment, and determined character, and himself of an opportunity which he had coveted, for vindicating his claims to the confidence of his countrymen, against the inconsiderate and unjust reproaches which. had been heaped upon him. The moral influence of his presence had nevertheless been already impressed upon the army, and an impulse given to its action which the news of his death increased instead of abated. The operation of the day had now become so far developed 16. ft8 to foreshaflovf the result with a good decree of certainty, and it was a'mclanchnly fate to be cut off when victory seemed hastening to perch upon his standard. He was a true soldier — high toned, emi- nently honorable and just, considerate of the rights and feelings of others, magnanimous and brave. Ilis military capacity was also of a high order, and his devotion to the cause of the South unsurpassed by that of any of her many noble sons who have offered up tiieir lives on her altar. 1 knew him well from boyhood — none knew him bet- ter — and I take pleasure in laying on his tomb, as a parting offering, this teatiraonial of my appreciation of his character as a soldier, a patriot, and a man. The enemy in our front was gradually and successively driven from his positions, and forced from the field back on the river bank. About five, P. M., my line attacked the enemy's troops — the last that were left upon the field — in an encampment on my right. The attack was iriade in front and flank. The resistance was sharp but short. The enemy perceiving he was flanked and his position completely turned, hoisted the white flag, and surrendered. It proved to be the commands of Generals Prentice and William L. Wallace ; the latter, who com- manded the left of their line, was killed by the troops of General Bragg, who was pressing him at the same time from that quarter. The former yielded to the attack of my troops on their right, and delivered his sword with his command to Colonel Russell, one of my brigade c6mmanders, who turned him over to me. The prisoners turned over were about two thousand. They were placed in charged of Lieuten- ant Richmond, my aid-de-camp, and with a detachment of cavalry. Bent to the rear. , I take pleasure in saying that in this part of the operations of my troops, they were aided by the Crescent regiment of Louisiana, Col- onel M. L. Smith. This command was composed chiefly of young laen from the city of New Orleans, and belonged to General Bragg's corps. It had been posted on the left wing in the early part oT the diy, to hold an important position, where it was detained, and did not reach the field until a late hour. On arriving, it came to the point at which I was commanding, and reported to me for orders. The conduct of this regiment during the whole afterni)on was distin- guished for its gallantry, both before and after the capture of the com- mand of Gen. Prentice, in which it actively participated. Immediately after the surrender, I ordered Col. Lindsay, in command of one of the regiments of cavalry belonging to my corps, to take command of all the cavalry at hand, and pursue euch of the enemy as were fleeing. He detached Lieutenant Colonel Miller, of his own regiment, on that service, immediately, while he proceeded to collect and take charge of other commands. Colonel Miller dashed forward and intercepted a battery, within one hundred and fifty yards of the river, the second. Michigan, and captured it before it could unlimber and open fire It was a six gun battery, complete in all its equipments, and was cap- tured, men, horses and guns. A portion of this cavalry rode to the river and watered their horses. By this time, the troops under my command were joined by those of Generals Bragg and Breckenridge, 17 and my fourth brigade, under General Cheitham, from tlie right. The field was clear, the rest of the forces of the enemy were diven to the river, and under its bank. We had one h )ur or more of daylight still left, were within from one hundred and fifty to four hundred yards of the enemy's position, and nothing seemed wanting to com- plete the most brilliant victory of the war, but to press forward, and make a vigorous assault on the demoralized remnant of his forces. At this juncture his gunboats dropped down the river ne\r the land- ing, where his troops were collected, and opened a tremendous can- nonade of shot and shell, over the bank in the direction from whence our forces were approaehing. The height of the plain on which we were, above the level of the water, was about one hundred feet, so that it was necessary to give great elevation to his guns to enable him to fire over the bank. The consequence was that shot could take ef- fect only at points remote from the river's edge. They were compar- atively harmless to our troops nearest the bank, and became increas- ingly so as we drew near the enemy, and placed him between us and his boats. Here the impression arose that our forces were waging an unequal contest, that they were exhausted, and suifering from a murderous fire, and, by an order from the commanding General, they were withdrawn from the field. One of my divisions, that of Gen- era! Clark, consisting of Stewart's and RusselTs brigades, now under the command of General Stewart, bivouacked on the ground with th.? rest of the troops, and were among the first -to engage the enemy on the following morning. They were actively eng^iged during the day, and sustained the reputation they had won the d ly before. The other division, under General Cheatham, a brigade of which was separated from me at an early hour on the Gth, and was fought throughout the day with a skill and courage which always distinguished th.it gallaut ofiicer, was moved by him to his camp of the night before. They were taken there to obtain rations, and to prepare for the work of the following day. Hearing they had gone thither, I informed General Beauregard I should follow them, to ensure their being on the ground at an early hour in the morning. This I. did, and gave orders that night, in person, to General Cheatham, to be ready to move at day- light. Before day, I despatched my aid-de-camp. Lieutenant Rich- mond, to put them in motion. Their march was stopped for some time to arrest a stampede which came from the front ; they then moved, under the command of General Cheatham, to the field. I sent for- ward a staff officer to General Beauregard, to inform him of their ap- proach, and was directed to post them in the rear of Shiloh church, and hold them until further orders. This was about eight o'clock, A. M. It was not long before an order from the commanding General was received to move these troops to the support of the line in my front, ■ They were formed in line of battle, and moved forward half a mile to the position held by General Breckinridge. Finding he was able to hold his position without' assistance, they were moved by the left flank, past Shiloh church, to form on the left of our line. Here they were formed, under the superrision of General Cheatham, immediately 2 18 in front of a very large force of the enemy, now pressing vigorously to turn our left flank. They engaged the enemy so soon as they uere formed, and fought him for four hours one of the most desperately contested conflicts of the battle. The enemy was driven gradually from his position, and though reinforced several times during the engagement, he could make no impression on that part of our line. During this engagement, the command of General Cheatham was reinforced bv a Louisiana brigade, under Colonel Gibson, and by the thirty-third Tennessee, under Colonel Campbell, and the twenty-scv- cnthTennossee, under Major liOve, all of whom did admirable service, and the last fell mortally wounded Colonel Preston Smith, ccin- ijianding a brigade, was at the same time severely wounded, but it'tained his command. This force maintained the position ithadheld for so many hours uj» to , half-past two o'clock, the time at which orders were received from the General commanding to withdraw the troops from the field. I gave orders accordingly, and the command was retired slowly and in good order in the direction of our camp, the enemy making no advauce whatever. In the operations of this morn- ing, as well as the day before, those of my troops who acted under ,lhe immediate orders of Major General Cheatham bore themselves with conspicuous gallantry. One charge particulary was made under tiie eye of the commander-in-chief and his staff, and drew forth exprea- fijons of the most unqualified applause. For the details of these ope- rntions, as well as for those of the troops under General Clark, I beg leave to refer to the reports of those generals herewith submitted ; elso, to those of their brigade, regimental, and battery commanders. The conduct of the troops of my corps, both ofllcers and men, was of the most gratifying character. Many of them had never been under fire before, and one company of artillery, (that of Captain Stanford,) from the scarcity of ammunition, had never before heard the report of their own guns. Yet fjom that facility which distinguishes our South- ern people, under the inspirition of the cauae which animates them, they fought with the steadiness and gallantry of well-trained troops. The fact that the corps lost within a fraction of one-third of its num- ber in killed and wounded, attests the nature of the service in which it was engaged. To my division commanders, Major General Cheatham and Briga- dier General Clark, 1 feel greatly indebted for their cordial co-opera- tion and efficieut support. Also; to Brigadier Generals Stewart and Johnson, and Colonels Russell, and Maney, and Stephens, and Pres- ton Smith, commanders of brigades. My obligations are also due to my personal and general staff; to Major George Williamson, my adjutant general, who had his horse shot under him, and was himself Wounded; to my inspector general, Lieutenant Colonel Blake; to my chief of artillery, Major Bankhead ; to Captain Champneys, my chief of ordnance, to whose vigilance and activity, in conjunction with the energetic and vigorous administration of -my chief of artil- lery, I am indebted for taking ofl" from the field thirteen of the four- teen guns reported by the General commanding to have been secured by the army from the enemy. To my aids-de-camp, Lieutenant W' 19 B. Richmond and Lieutenant A, H. Polk, I am particularly indebted for the promptitude and fidelity with which they performed the duties of their office. Their fearless bearing was eminently conspicuous. The former had tAvo horses shot under him. I an under obligations to Lieutenants Spence, Lanier, and Rawle, who acted on my staff during the battle ; also, to Lieutenant W, M. Porter, who acted as volunteer aid during the operations of the 6th ; also, to my quarter- master. Major Thomas Peters, and my medical director, Dr. W. D. Lyle. Above all, I feel I am indebted to Almighty God for the courage with which he inspired our troops, and for the protection and defence with which he covered our heads in the day of battle. I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, L. POLK, Major Genera!, Commanding First Corps, Army of the Mississippi,. BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN. REPOllX OF GENERAL JACKSON. Headquarters Second Corps A. N. V., April 11, 1863. General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General^ C. S. Army : General : I have the honor to forward herewith the reports of brigade and other commanders, of the operations of their troops in the battle of Kernstown, March 23rd, 1862, and respectfully request that jdu will file them with my report of that battle. I am, General, your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON, • Major General. Headquarters Second Corps, A. N. V., • • April 25, 1863. General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army : General : Your letter informing me that my official report of the battle of Kernstown has not been received, came to hand yesterday. The original report was forwarded to department headquarters more than a year since. I herewith forward a copy. I am, General, your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON. Headquartkr.* V.allkv District, ) Near Mt. Jackson, April 9, 18G2. J Major T. G. Rhett, A. A. General: Major : I have the honor to submit the following report of the battle of Kcrnstown, A^irginia, on Sunday, the 23rd of March, 1862. On the preceding Friday evening, a dispatch was received from Colonel Turner Ashby, commanding the cavalry, stating that the ene- my had evacuated Strasburg. Apprehensive that the Federals would leave this military district, I determined to follow them with all my available force. Ashby, with his cavalry and Chew's batter}'-, was already in front, Colonel S. V. Fulkerson's brigade, consisting of the twenty-third and thirty-seventh regiments of Virginia volunteers, and Shumaker's battery, was near Woodstock, Brigadier General R B. Garnott's brigade, consisting of the second, fourth, fifth, twerity- seventh and thirty-third regiments of Virginia volunteers, and Mc- Laughlin's, Carpenter's and Waters' batteries, was near two miles below Mt. Jackson. Colonel J. S. Burk's brigade, consisting of the twenty-first, forty-second and forty-eighth regiments Virginia volun- teers, and the first Virginia battalion, P. A. C, S., and Marye's bat- tery, was near two miles below Mount Jackson. The three brigades were ordered to march at dawn of the following morning. All the regiments, except the forty- eighth. Colonel John Campbell's, which •was the rear guard, arrived within a mile or two of Kernstown, by two o'clock, P. M., on the 23rd, and directions were given for bivou- acking. During the march, information had reached me from a reliable source, that the Federals were sending off their stores and troop^from Winchester, and after arriving near Kernstown, I learned from a source, which had been remarkable for its reliability, that the enemy's infantry force at Winchester, did not exceed four regiments. A large Federal force was leaving the valley, and had already reached Castle- man's ferry, on the Shenandoah. Though it was very desirable to prevent the enemy from leaving the valley, yet I deemed it best not to attack until morning. But subsequently, ascertaining that the Federals had a position from which our forces could be seen, I con- cluded that it would be dangerous to postpone it until the next day, AS reinforcements might be brought up during the night. After ascertaining that the troops, part of which had marched over fourteen miles since dawn, and Garnett's and Burks' brigades, which iiad made a forced march of near twenty-five miles the day previous, were in good spirits at the prospect of meeting the enemy, I deter- mined to advance at once. Leaving Colonel Ashby with his command 'On the valley turnpike, with Colonel Burk's brigade, as a support to the batteries, and also to act as a reserve, I moved with one piece of Carpenter's battery and Colonel Fulkerson's brigade, supported by General Garnett's, to our left, for the purpose of securing a command- ing position on the enemy's right, and thus turning him by that flank, t 23 force him back fro n his strong position in front, which prevented a direct advance. Soon after Captain Carpenter brought up his other pieces, also McLaughlin's and Waters' batteries came forward, the eminence was reached, and the- three batt:;rics under their respective captains, cora- menced playing upon the enemy, whose position was now commanded. We continued to advance our artillery, keeping up a continuous fae upon the Federals on our right. Colonel John Echols, with his regiment, the twenty-seventh, with its skirmishers thrown forward, kept in advance and opened thaughlin, the for- mer from having upset when hard pressed by the enemy, and the latter from having its horses killed when on the eve of leaving the field it had so well swept with grape, as to have driven back the enemy from a part of it, over which he was pressing near the close of the battle. During the engagement, Colonel vVshby with a portion of his com- mand, including Chew's battery, which rendered valuable service, re- mained on our right, anrl not only protected our rear in the vicinity of the Valley turnpike, but also served to threaten the enemy's front and ieft. Colonel Ashby fully sustained his deservedly high reputa- tion by the able manner in which he discharged the important trust committed to him. Owing to our infantry having man-bed between thirty-five an^l forty miles since tlie morning of the previous day, many were left be- hind. Onr number present on the evening of the battle was, of in- fantry, three thousand and eighty-seven, of which two thousand seven hundred and forty-two were engaged ; twenty-seven pieces of artil- lery, of which eighteen were engaged. Owing to the recently' heavy cavalry duties, and extent of country to be picketed, only two hundred and ninety of this arm were present' to take part in the engagement. ' There is reason to believe that the Federal infantry on the field numbered over eleven thousand, of which probably over eight thousand were engaged. It may be that our ar- tillery engaged tquajied that of the enemy, and that their cavalry exceeded ours in number. Our loss was : Killed, six officers, twelve non-commissioned officers, 25 and sixty-two privates ; wounded, twenty-seven officers, fifty-three non-commipsioned officers, and two hundred and sixty-two privates — of which number some seventy were left on the field; missing, thir- teen officers, twenty-one non-commissioned officers, and two hundred and thirty five privates. Nearly all of the missing were captured. A few days after the battle a Federal officer stated that their loss in killed was four hundred and eighteen. Their wounded, upon the sup- position that it bears the same proportion to their killed as ours, must be such as to make their loss more than three times that of ours. Our wounded received that care and attention from the patriotic ladies of Winchester which they know so well, how to give, and our killed were buried by the loyd citizens of the town. The hospi- talities of Baltimoreans relieved the wants of the captured. For these acts of kindness on both sides of the Potomac, I am under last- ins oblifjations. The officers and men in the various regiments and batteries deserve great praise. In consequence of Major F. B. Jones, second regiment Virginia volunteers, being familiar with thfe country, he was detached from his regiment, and acted as a staff officer during the engagement ; and from his familiarity with the country, added to -his zeal and dar- ing, rendered very valuable service. Dr. Hunter McGuire, medical director, discharged his duties in a manner which proved him admirably qualified tor his position. Major J. A. llarraan, chief quartermaster, ably discharged his du- ties. Major W. J. Hawks, chief commissary, with his usual fore- sight, had the wants of his department well supplied. First Lieuten- ant G. G. Jenkin, A. D. C. and A. A. A. G., faithfully and efficiently devoted himself to his duties, until near the close of the engagement, when, I regret to say, he was captured by the enemy. First Lieu- tenant A. S. Pendleton, A. D. C, who is an officer eminently quali- fied for his duties, discharged them in a highly satisfactory manner. First Lieutenant J. K. Boswell, chief engineer, rendered valuable service. Though Winchester Avas not recovered, yet the more important ob- ject, for the present — that of calling back, troops that were leaving the Valley, and thus preventing a junction of Banks' command with other forces — was accomplished, in addition to his heavy loss in killed and wounded. LTnder these circumstances, I feel justified in saying that, though the field is in possession of the enemy, yet the most essential fruits of the battle are ours. I am, Major, your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON, Major General. Official copy : A. S. Pendleton, A. A. G. REPORT OF COLONEL BURK. Headquarters Third Brigade, ^ Camp near Woodstock, Virginia, \ March 27, 1862. ) Captain A. S. Pendleton, A. A. A. G., V. D. : Shi : In obedience to an order from Major General T. J. Jackson, I bc;^ leave to submit the following report of the part borne by the third brigade, io the action of the 23d March, near Winchester, Vir- ginia: My brigade was marching in rear of Major General Jaokson'a forces, and, on arriving' near the field of battle, were halted by his order, and I was ordered to take position in a field on our right wing, and was ordered to hold my brigade as a reserve supporting the batte- ries stationed there, together with my battery which came up with my brigade. I was also ordered to check any advance of the enemy on our right wing. The enemy threatened our right flank, but did not advance. Soon after the attack was made on the enemy's right wing, I was ordered to send forward Capt. McLaughlin's battery, supported by a regiment. I obeyed the order, sending the twenty-first Virginia regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Patton. Near the same time I re- ceived an order to send Captain Carpenter's battery forward, which I did, supported by the first Virginia btttalion, under command of Cap- tain Bridgford. Still liter in the afcernoon I was ordered to bring up the balance of my brigade. I immediately ordered forward my battery, under command of Lieutenant Pleasants, supported by the forty-second Virginia regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colo- nel Langhorne. At the same time, I sent an or'ler to Colonel Camp- bell, commanding forty-eighth Virginia regiment, to bring forward, his regiment, which had been left several miles in our rear to protect our baggage, (that duty being performed by tlie different regiments in turn.) This regiment (although obeying the order promptly) did not arrive until after the battle was over The battery and forty-second regi'ucnt moved rapidly to the scene of action, and, on arriving, the regiment was ordered to form on the right of the fifth Virginia, which- they did promptly. The battery was then ordered to retire by a spe-r cial order of Major General Jackson, which they did in good order. The forty-second Virginia, in conjunction with the fifth Virginia, opened a terrific fire upon the enemy, causing them to recoil. The forty- second regiment, officers and men, acted bravely, not one retiring un- til finding we were flanked. It being nearly dark, I gave the order to retire They retired some four hundred yards, when they Avere halted and formed by their commandant. Lieutenant Colonel Lang- horne. It would be invidious to make distinction, as every officer and private, from the Lieutenant Colonel down, did their- whole duty. I deem it but justice to state, that the forty-second regiment was the last to leave the field of battle. The twenty-first Virginia, under Lieutenant Colonel Patton, and the first Virginia battalion, under Captain Bridgford, being detached from the brigade, and not coming under my notice, I refer to the reports made by their commanders ; and I have been informed that all officers and men discharged their duty faithfully. Below you will find a statement of the casualties of the different regiments engaged. The number of killed, wounded and miss- ing in the forty-second Virginia regiment is seventy ; two commis- sioned officers killed, and five wounded; two non-commissioned officers killed, and eleven Avounded ; three wounded and left on the field, and two missing ; seven privates killed, and twenty- six wounded, five left on the field Avounded, and seven missins, makinnr a total of seventy. The summarj of casualties in the twenty-first Virginia regiment is three commissioned officers wounded; one commissioned officer wounded and missing; one non-commissioned officer Jiilled ; ten non-commis- sioned officers wounded; six privates killed ; thirty privates wounded, and nine missing, making in all sixty killed, wounded and missing. The summary of casualties in the first Virginia •battalion is six killed, twenty wounded, and twenty-one missing, making in all forty- seven. The killed, wounded and missing of this brigade amount to 6ne hundred and seventy-seven men. . Lieutenant llobert C. Noonan, of Frederick county, Maryland, was killed while acting as a volunteer Lieutenant in company B, twenty- first Virginia regiment. Captain R. N, Wilson, my Assistant Adjutant General, acted as my aid during the fight, and- discharged his duty faithfully. For particulars of the names of parties killed, wounded and missing, I refer to the accompanying reports of the commandants of regiments and the battalion Very respectfully, JESSE S BURK, Colonel commanding third brigade. Official : R. M. AV1L.SON, A A. General. ^ P. S. — For the information of the Major General commanding, I will state that very few of the wounded men are mortally wounded, and the most of them will be fit for duty in a short time. J. S. B. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL PATTON. Camp near Mount Jackson, ) March 26, 1862. J Colonel Jesse Burk, Commanding third Brigade : Sir : In obedience to orders, from headquarters, I beg leave to transmit the following report of the part borne by the twenty-first regiment Virginia volunteers in the battle near Winchester, on the 23d instant : On reaching the field of battle, we were ordered by you to support the Rockbrilge artillery, commanded by Captain McLaughlin, and, in company with that battery, were shortly afterwards ordered into po- sition. In marching to this position, the force was exposed for a con- siderable time, in an open field, to a reverse fire from the enemy's artillery, as also afterwards, when under cover of a hill in rear of the battery. The enemy's guns were admirably served ; their shelly burst, in many instances, at close quarters, but fortunately with no loss to the regiment, except one man slightly- w^ounded, and another* stunned for a moment. McLaughlin's battery was admirably posted on a height equally commanding with that of the enemy's, and m}^ regiment remained im- mediately in their rear and in supporting distance, during the spaco of two hours or more, while the artillery fight was progressing. Colonel Echols' regiment, was on the left of our position, and was about this time suddenly attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy's infantry. As soon as the musketry was heard, the Major General commanding, who was near us at the time, ordered me to form line of battle in the direction of the fire, and support Colonel Echols incase he was driven back. This occurred very soon. I threw the regi- ment forward iuto line on first company. The movement was well and promptly performed, jet so quick were the movements of the enemy, that the regiment received a volley from them before it was finished. I immediately ordered the fire to be returned, and from this time forth the rattle of musketry was incessant. Meantime, a huge portion of Col- onel Echols' regiment rallied on our left flank, and this small force, for a considerable time, held back "an overwhelming force of the en- emy. The enemy were twice driven back, and were substituted by fresh troops. By this time, the ammunition of the regiment was nearly exhausted, and the front was becoming thin by the retirement of those whose cartridges were out, and by the loss of killed and wounded. Those who fell back were ordered to rally behind a rein- forcing regiment, which by this time had gotten up, and was formed in line about fifty yards in our rear. It was advanced and took the place of our regiment. At or about this time a regiment of the en- emy appeared on our right flank, and advanced within about fifty to seventy yards. 29 With the assistance of various ofBcers, among whom Captain F. D. Irving, company D, and sergeant major Page, were conspicuous, we rallied all of the regiment whom we could find with ammunition, and posted them along a fence, by which we flanked, in part, the flanking enemy. From this point, in co-operaticn with the skirmish- ers from the main body, a galling fire was kept up upon the enemy. They, in their turn, were broken, and retired. They did not again appear^ but were immediately sub.stituted by a fresh regiment, who in co-operation with those in our front, made a galling cross fire on our troops. The day was pretty wqII spent, when an aid of the General commanding, ordered me to retire with the regiment. The regiment went into the battle with twenty-two commissioned officers, forty-three non-commissioned ofl[icers, and two hundred and five privates. Out of thia number, their loss was sixty in killed, •wounded and missing, of whom nine are missing, and may or may not be wounded. Paper A, herewith presented, contains a detailed ac- count of these losses. The regiment made a most gallant stand at the close of two days' forced marching ; though foot sore and weary, their hearts were firm, and they did great execution on the enemy. The want of commissioned oflBcers was seriously felt. Many Lieu- tenants and eight Captains were absent. Almost all the latter, and some of the former, had been sent home, in obedience to general or- ders, on recruiting service. It would be invidious, perhaps, to make mention of individual in- stances of gallantry, which came under my observation. There were many such, both among the commissioned and non-commissioned offi- cers and privates, and doubtless many occurred which I did not see, I therefore report merely, that the officers and men generally, be- haved well and did their duty, I cannot close this report, however, ■without mentioning Lieutenant Robert C. Noonan, of Frederick city, Maryland, lately appointed, as I understand, a Lieutenant of artil- lery in the Confederate army. While awaiting his appointment, he attached himself as a volunteer Lieutenant to company B, of this re- giment, and fell while gallantly doing his duty. Great credit is due to Dr. R. T. Coleman, surireon of the regiment, for the energy and foresight by which he was enabled to bring from the field almost all of our wounded. We are also indebted to both field officers, cavalry and artillerymen, for bringing some of them away on their horses. Respectfully submitted, JOHN M. PATTON, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel commanding. Official : William H. Morgan, Adjutant twenty-first regiment Va. volunteers. REPORT OF MAJOR BRIDGFORD. IIkadquartf.rs First Va. Bvttai.ion, P. A. C. S, ^ Bivouac near Woodstock, Shenandoah, Co. Va., \ March 2G. 1862. ) To Captain R. S, Wilson, A. yl. General, ^c. ; Sir: In obe. A. LANGHORNE, Lieut. Col. commanding forty -second regiment Va. volunteers. p, S. — Accompanying the above you will find a report of casual- ties, a summary of which I. append below. Summary, There Tvere nineteen commissioned officers, fifty-two non-commis- S7 » sioned oflBcers, and two hundred and twenty-two privates in the engagement. Of this number, two commissioned officers were killed and five -wounded. Of the non-commissioned officers, there -were two killed, eleven wounded, three wounded and left on the field, and two missing. Of the privates, there were seven killed, twenty-six wounded, five wounded and left on the field, and seven missing. Total number of casualties, seventy. REPORT OF COLONEL ASHBY. Camp near Woodstock, > March 26, 1862. \ Major A. S. Pendleton, A. A. A. General, Army of the Valley : Dear Sir : In reporting the part performed by troops under mj command, in the engagement of Sunday, 23rd, it is proper to state that four companies of cavalry, under Major 0. R, Funston, were by your order sent by me to the extreme . left of your line, and acted under your orders directly. . Having followed -the enemy, in his hasty retreat from Strasburg upon Saturday evening, I came upon the forces remaining in Win- chester, within a mile of this place, and became satisfied that he had but four regiments, and learned that they had orders to march in the direction of Harper's ferr'y, but Sunday morning I moved my force of cavalry, battery of three guns, and four companies of infantry, under Captain Nandenbousch, to Kcrnstown, where, after firing a few shots and pressing in the direction of AVinchester with cavalry, I learned that the enemy was increasing his force and intended making a stand. lie had thrown skirmishers out to threaten my guns, when I ordered Captain Nadenbousch to protect them against him, which ho did by driving him from his place in the woods, most gallantly, and it was with extreme regret that I found it necessary to order him to fall back, which I did, owing to theencuiy's getting into position upon my left with artillery and infantry, to command the position taken by Captain Nadenbousch. Accompanying this you will find Capt. Nadenbousch's report. Upon falling back, which I did for one-fourth of a mile, I received your order to prepare for an advance, and learned that your force had ar- rived. My order being to threaten the front and right, I placed one gun to bear upon the front and on§ upon his left, where I kept up an incessant fire, with some visible effect, gaining ground upon him, •when I ordered a charge upon his extreme left, where I drove their advance upon'themain line, losing one Lieutenant, (Thaddeus Strasher killed,) six privates wounded. We however, took six or seven pris- -oners. The loss of Lieutenant Strasher is a great one to his company and regiment, as his boldness and efficiency had made its mark in the regiment. One man was taken prisoner upon the left of Captain Turner's company, having been thrown from his horse and ordered to ■the rear. . When the firing ceased at twilight, I ordered my guns back to the rear, and the cavalry to cover the flank of Colonel Burk's command, • coming out in the turnpike, and after this had passed remained at 39 Bartonsville with my companies until' ten o'clock, on Monday morn- ing, "when the enemy again advanced cautiously. Respectfully, TURNER ASHBT, Coknd cominanding Cavalry. P. S. — Owing to the arduous duties imposed upon ray cavalry com- panies up to the time that the enemy left Strasl)urg upon his retreat to Winchester, I started in pursuit with one company, Captain Sheets', with orders for Captains Bowen and Turner to come on during the night, (Friday.) After reaching Newtown, or on the way there, I dispatched an order for all of the companies to come up, when I sent Captaijis Bowen and George W. Myers to Clarke county — left Captains Shands and Harper upon the back road — proceeded with such of Captains Turner's and Sheet's companies as were fit for duty, towards Winchester — Captain Henderson and Captain Marshall coming up while I was skirmishing with thern — Captain Baylor being on the Front Royal road. These companies having had insufficient forage and rest for one week or more. I educed their number in the fight of the 23rd to not more than one hundred and fifty, in the regiment with me, and I am informed by Major Funsten that ho had but one hundred and forty men. I feel that an explanation is due for my ranks being so small, but when I assure you of the poor condition of my men and horses, and not ex- pecting a fight until Wednesday, will explain the a^bsence of so many. REPORT OF COLONEL FULKERSON. IIeahquartf-rs Brigadf., a. N. V. ) Comp near Mt. Jackscn, Va , March 26, 1862. J Lieutenant A. S. Pkndi.eton, A. A. A. Ginrral, J'oUey District : ISiR : Ou the night of the 22nd inatant, while in camp near Stras- burg, 1 received an order from the Major General commanding, to have my baggage packed and move my command, consisting of the thirty- seventh Virginia volunteers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel R. r. Carson, the twenty-third Virginia volunteers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A. G. Taliaferro, and the Danville artillery, com- manded by Lieutenant A. 0. Lanier, at dawn on the following morn- ing, on the road towards Winchester. Accordingly I marched off, and proceeded about ten miles, when I was filed off from the road to the left, about one half mile, and placed in a piece of woods. 1 was then ordered to take my infantry force and scour a body of woods, standing still further to the left, «i^d extending parallel with the road leading to Winchester. I threw forward skir- mishers, and proceeded through the woods, followed by the second Virginia volunteers, Colonel Allen.* When 1 reached the open land and finding no enemy in the woods, I reported to the Major Gen- eral commanding, when he rode forward and ordered me to turn a battery of the enemy's, which had opened fire upon us from a com- manding hill across the field in my front, and at the same time he in- formed me that 1 would be supported by General Garnett. I threw my command into column by division at full distance, the thirty-seventh in front, and after tearing down a portion of a plank fence, entered the fields directly in front of the enemy's position, from which he instantly opened a galling fire upon^s. After going in that direction for some distance, I turned a little to the left, which brought the right flank of my command next to the enemy's position. 1^0 ground at this point being marshy, and several fences interposing, theadvance was a good deal retarded, but steady. The enemy all the while throwing shell ami ^^hotinto the column with great rapiility. On the enemy's right, and near his position, stood a small cluster- of trees. I thought that if I could so direct my course as to place that grove between me and the enemy's guns, I would be ' protected from his fire. But so soon as I had reached the desired point, a bat- tery placed in the opened ground beyond the trees, opened a terrible fire upon me. I then turned still further to the left, and took shelter in apiece of wood land, into which the enemy poured a very hot fire of shell and grape, for some half hour. In the- meantime the enemy threw a heavy column of infantry on the brow of the hill below his guns, seemingly for the purpose of resisting a charge upon the position. My advance up to this point, a distance of about half a mile, was 41 under a fire that might well have made veterans quail. But my offi- cers and men pressed steadily forward, instantly closing up where a break was made in the column by the enemy's shot. I then moved across a hill and took position in a hollow,where General Garnett had his brigade sheltered, and reported my position to the Major General commanding. At this point I was much annoyed by the enemy's shelling, but only had one man wounded by it. In a short time the twenty-seventh Virginia volunteers, (Colonel Echols,) moved forward as skirmishers, and soon engaged the enfby, when I instantly put my command in line under cover of some timber, and moved forward across a field, under a most destructive fire of musketry. I reached a stone fence which extended from the left Hank of our forces already engaged with the enemy, behind which I took position, thus forming the left of our line. On reaching the stone fence, I found two regiments of the enemy a short distance in the field beyond, which were evidently trying to get possession of the same fence. My command at once opened a very destructive fire which in a short time strewed the field with the dead and wounded of the enemy. He withstood the fire but a short time, when he gave way and fled to the woods in his rear, and to a atorc fence, which joined to 'and run at a right angle with the fence behind which I was. I im- mediately detached a portion of the thirty-seventh, and placed them in position, at the junction of the two stone fences, for the purpose of dislodging that portion of the enemy, which had taken shelter be- hind one of them. This was soon effected, and the enemy driven en- tirely from the left fiank of our line. He left one stand of colors upon the field. In a ?hort time the right wing of our line gave way, it being nearly night, and the enemy advancing to the position just left by our right wing, thus placing himself on my right flank, threaten- ing my rear. I ordered my command to fall back to the next piece of woods. Some stone fences and a mill pond produced some confusion, and separated a few of my men from their regiments, and on the op- posite side of the pond a few were captured by the enemy's cavalry. I rallied the remainder in the woods, intending to render such assist- ance as I could to Colonel Burk, who was now engaged with the enemy. But it being dusk, and the firing having ceased, and seeing Colonel Burk retiring through an adjoining field, I proceeded to my encampment, near Newtown. My command had been greatly reduced by furloughs, and men on the recruiting service. Many of my offi- cers were also absent on recruiting service or sick. I Avent into the action with tkree hundred and ninty-seven men in the thirty- seventh, and one hundred and sixty in the twenta|third, making a total of five hundred and fifty-seven. ^^% The artillery was not engaged. I have to regret the loss of several valuable officers, who were killed or wounded. In the thirty-seventh, Lieutenant J. C. Willis was killed, Captain R. E. Cowan and Lieutenant P. S. Hagy were, I fear, mortally wounded, and. the latter taken prisoner. Captain James Vance and 42 Lieutenant George A. Ncal were wounded and taken prisoners. Captain Thomas S. Gibson and Lieutenant II. Charles Preston wounded. The enemy's cavalry got in the rear, and captured some ambulances with some of my wounded. In the twenty-third, Captain Walton, Lieutenants Crump and Cur- tis were wounded — Captain Sergeant is missing. My whole loss is as follows : In the thirty-seventh, twelve killed, six- ty-two wounded and thirty-nine missing — tatol loss in thirty-serenth one hundred and thirteen. In the twenty-third, three killed, fourteen wounded and thirty-tjvo missing — total forty-nine. Aggregate in both one hundred and sixty-two. I cannot speak in suitable terms of the brave conduct of my officers aud men, and when all acted so well, it would be unjust to discrimi- nate. To Lieutenant Colonel Taliaferro, of the twonty-third, and Lieutenant Colonel IJarson and Major Williams, of the thirty-seventh, I am especially indebted for their distinguished gallantry throughout the contest. My adjutant, William S. Rice, exhibited great courage and coolness in executing my orders. Surgeon Daily and Assistant Surgeon Den- nis, of the twenty-third, deserve great praise for their attention to the wounded, under the hottest fire. Appended I tr^xnsrnit a list of the killed, wounded and missing. Repectfully, SAMUEL V. FULKERSON, * Cvluncl commanding Brigade. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL TALIAFERRO. Camp near Mount Jackson, March 26, 1862. To Colonel Fulkerson, Commanding Fourth Brigade Virginia Volunteers : Colonel : As my commanding officer, I beg leave to report the following as to the part taken by my regiment in the late battle fought near Winchester, on the SSrd, its strength on that day, cas- ualties, &c., &c. As you are aware, our operations were upon the extreme left of the army, to which your command was ordered. The morning's report of that day gave us only two captains, six lieutenants, nine sergeants, and one hundred and sixly men, rank and file, fit for duty, the regiment being sa^ily reduced by leaves of absence to re-enlisted men. Of this number, I have to report three killed, fourteen wounded, and thirty-two missing, as see list given below. Where all behaved so well, I find it impossible to discriminate. Officers and men alij^e bore themselves bravely and gallantly. To the members of my medical staff my thanks are especially due for their prompt attention to the wounded, ivhich w^as fearlessly given, and under showers of shot and shell and small arms. Company A. — No casualties. Company B. — Wounded — John E. Foster. Missing — G. L. Saun- derson, T. B. Hall, W. A. Dervine. Company C. — AVounded — W. T. Edmonds. Company D. — Missing — Captain W. J. Sergeant, Private R. S. Watkins. Company E. — Wounded — 0. E. Burnes, W. Davis, T. M. Hobson. Company F. — Wounded — Lieutenant E. W. Curtis, Corporal C. Clark. Missing— J. S. Johnson, W. Bowler, 11. C. Young. Company G. — Killed — H. S. Francisco. Wounded — W. A, Gar- rett, M. Sharp, J. P. Waddy. Missing — J. L. Burruss, H. Duke, H. Oliver, R. F. Tally, D. A. Trice. Company H. — Wounded — Lieutenant E, C. Crump. Missing — H. Haupt, J. Allurues. Company I. — Missing — Sergeant N. E. Venable, Sergeant F. Hamilton, J. M. Hamilton. Company K. — Killed — J". C. Pettis, G. G. Eubanks. Wounded — Captain S. T. Walton, Sergeant J. H. Pettis, T. C. Hawkins. Missing — W. B. Couch, W. Cassaday, Corporal P. A. Booth, C. B. Anderson, A. S. Eubanks, J. F. Eubanks, N. Flemming, E. II. Hawkins, J. Howard, A. W. Keeling, C. Robertson,^ J. J. McCargs, JV. J. Webb, S. M. Willis. All of which is most respfectfully submitted. ALEXANDER G. TALIAFERRO, Lieut. Col. commanding twenty-second regiment Virginia volunteers, Official : W. S. Rice, A. A. A. G. REPORT OF CAPTAIN McLAUGIILIN. Camp Buchanan, March 29tb, 1862. Captain R. J. Wingate, A. A. General : I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the battery under my command in the action of the .23d instant, near Winchester: Wc left Cedar creek about seven o'clock, A. M , on t\ie 23d, and arrived near the scene of the subsequent action about noon. We were immediately put in position, by order of the Major General commanding, on the hill to the left of the road, so as to protect the approaches from the direction of Winchester. About one o'clock, I received an order from General Jackson to piove around with four pieces to the left, immediately followed by an order to proceed with the whole battery. I reported to him in person and was directed to occupy a hill on the left with the least possible delay, as the enemy seemed to be endeavoring to do the same. In proceeding thither we were subjected to a rapid T number forty- three, the operations of my regiment on the day of and during the engagement of the 23d instant : Starting from near Cedar creek, we marched a distance of thirteen miles, and to within five miles of Winchester, on the Valley turnpike, when we were ordered to the left of the road into Burton's woods, and remained about an hour, a brisk cannonade going on in our front: My command was then ordere,d to take position in rear of a stone fence, running in front of an open field between the woods and road, my right resting on the turnpike' the raraainder of the brigade moving off to my left to the battle-field. After remaining in this p-j- sition for about two hours, during which time there was a continual fire of artillery in my front, and large bodies of the enemy moving around from my right, but approaching nearer than a mile and a half or two miles, as well as I could judge, I was then ordered by Gea- eral Garnett, through Major T. B. Jones, second Virginia voluntecra, to proceed with my regiment to the field of battle, which I did at a quick march under his conduct, and proceeded about two miles. During the whole time a terrific fire of cannon and musketry was going on ia my front. I immdiately reported to the Major General commanding, n )t being aware of the position of General Garnett, who ordered me to support the troops engaged. I had, however, not proceeded more than a few hundred yards, when I received an order through Major Jones, to file to the left into the woods. Almost immediately thereaf- ter, whilst the regiment was filing to the left, the Major General com- manding approached and ordered me to occupy and hold those wooda.; and, whilst filing into the woods. General Garnett approached me a!id assigned me my position near the top of the wooded ridge. In froat of me was an open field, and behind it a large and heavily timbered hill. My front was occupied by two regiments of the infantry of the enemy ; on my left were scattered squads of our men who were retiring from the field. On my right a regiment of the enemy was approacii- ing. I immediately ordered my men to open fire upon the enemy. In a very short time,the regiments of the enemy in ray front were broken, one of them retiring and leaving its colors in the field ; but they were almost immediately reinforced by a fresh regiment, upon whifh they rallied. At this time a regiment of the enemy openod fire upon my left, thus subjecting me to a heavy cross fire. Seeing that my right was hardly pressed, I rode forward to observe the cause and cheer themon. The regiment which was firing upon them at this moment gave way, but observing that my centre and left had given 4 50 way, I ordorctl tliern (the right companies) to cease firing, retired, my colors a short distance holow my first position, ordered the regi- ment to form upon them, \vhich was fcpidly done, brought the regi- Diont to an about face, and continued to give the enemy fight. Thia position I held for some time, contending with a hirgely superior force, the enemy displaying six or seven regimental flags. I was then com- pelled to fall back to a position near the fence, at the edge of the woods, where I remained for some minutes, until I fo.und it was im- possible to withstand a force so superior to me in numbers, there being at least six or eight to one engagsd against me, and in addition to that, it being quite dark, and a large body of the enemy's cavalry threatening me on my left. The gallant forty-sec6nd Virginia regi- ment had taken position on my right," and were most efiiciently .en- gaged ; but no other of our infantry were at that time engaged. After crossing the fence, I was jojned by General Garnctt, with whom I retired from tha field. My regiment being in much better Older than I could have hoped, under the circumstances, I fell back by Bentonsville to the train of wagons which had retired beyond New- town, I believe that, under the providence of God, my regiment had the honor of contributing materially to the protection of the artillery, end the preservation of the gallant men of other regiments, who, from overpowering force and want of ammunition, were compelled to retire from the field. To the officers and men of ray command, without exception, I am greatly indebted for the gallantry, determination and courage they displaced throughout my participation in this engagement. When the f?.3t is considered that my men had, on the day before, made a march of twenty-six miles, and before going into the fight had marched thir- teen miles on a rock pike, I think 1 may, without f(far of criticism, claim for them the highest meed of praise. Where every single com- pany displayed the greatest gallantry and intrepidity, 1 cannot dis- tinguish one over the other. I cannot refrain frcm expressing the deepest regret at the loss of the following officers, left on the field, viz : Captain George T. Autrine, company II, severely wounded; second Lieutenant J. W. Dale, company C, supposed to have been mortally wounded ; Lieuten- ant John W, \Vilson, company E, killed. To Major Absalom Koiner, the only field officer with me, I am greatly indebted for his zeal and efficiency. It is due to, my personal staff" to mention, in the very highest terms, for their gallantry and intrepidity, Adjutant James Buragardner and Sergeant-major John M. Carroll ; nor would it be right that I should fail to mention the distinguished conduct of my color-bearer, sergeant Robert H. Fisher, of company I. The casualties of my regiment were : Commiissoned officers killed — Lieutenant J. W. Wilson, company E. Mortally wounded — Lieutenant J. W. Dale, company C. Seriously wounded — Captain George T. Autrine, company H. 51 One non-commissioned oflScer killed ; six wounded. Seven privates killed, forty wounded, four missing. Total killed, wounded and missing sixty-one, of which I herewith return a list. Respectfully, W. H. HARMAN, Colonel Fifth Virgi7iia volunteers. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL GRIGSBY. Headquarters Twenty-seventh Regime'nt Virginia Volunteer?, ) Camp Stone, J a., March 21, 1862. I Captain R. J. Wingate, A. A. G. : In compliance with order No. 43, I make the followinc]; report of the twenty-seventh regiment during the engagement near Kernsfown on Sunday, the 23rd instant. The twenty-seventh regiment was ordered by Major General Jackson to take position in advance of Captain Carpenter's battery, and to support the same. This they did, taking position some distance in advance of the battery, with Captain JShriver's company thrown forward as skirmishers. The position wliere the regiment was first drawn up being untenable, the regiment fell back to the crest of a hill in rear of the first position — ^e enemy ndvancing in heavy force. The enemy v;as repulsed twice before reinforcements reached us, which were promptly sent forward as soon as called for. The position was held until the regiment was ordered to retire, which order was received after the men had fired their last round of cartridges. They retired slowly, from a hard fought fitdd, in the face of an overwhelming force. Colonel Echols fell t;evcrely wounded, whilst gallantly leading his regiment, in the hottest of the fight. I cannot speak in terms of too much praise of the oflicers of the regiment, who acted most gallantly througliout the engagement, constantly exposing themselves to the most galling fire. The non-commissioned corps and privates bore themselves gallantly throughout the engagement, obeying with alacrity all the orders they received. The regiment suffered severely, having lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, fifty-seven ofiicers, non-commissioned officers and privates — viz : Killed, two ; wounded and brought off, fourteen ; wounded nnd missing, six ; miseing, thirty-five ; "total, fifty-seven. Amongst the missing are Captains Ilolloway and Robertson, and Jjieutenant Lady. Respectfully, your obedient servant, A, J. GRIGSBY, Lieut. Colonel comin(i7idin£ iwenty-seventh Virginia volunteers. REPORT OF COLONEL ALLEN. Captain R. J. Wingate, A. A. G. : Captain : In obedience to special order No. 43, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the second regi- ment Virginia volunteers, under my command, on Sunday, M'arch 23rd, 1862: About six, A. M., with seven companies of my regiment — compa- nies D, I, and H having been detached, under Captain Nadenbousch, \yith Colonel Ashby's regiment of cavalry — we lefc camp, this side of Cedar creek, and marched to within five miles of Winchester. Being in front of the brigade, I was directed to the left of the turnpike, into a piece of woods, where the men were allowed to rest for about half an hour, when they were formed in line, and coaipany G thrown for- ward about three hundred yards as skirmishers. Soon afterwards I was directed to advance and support Colonel Fulkerson, whom I over- took some three-quarters of a mile in front, marching in line of battle. At two, 1'. M., I placed my regiment iu double column and followed in his rear — companies D, I, and II, having taken their places in line, looking much wearied by their march and subsequent heavy skirmish, in the early part of the day, with a large force of the enemy's advance guard. At this point company B was deployed as skirmishers on our right, and remained in that position until just before crossing the last ridge, where it joined the regiment. Moving the rest of the command in the rear of Colonel Fulkerson's brigade, in the direction of the enemy's battery to within three hundred yards of the edge of the woods, at which point the fourth regiment was deployed in front of the second, and I received an order frbra General Garnett to support it. Whilst waiting in this position, Major Jones, who had been ordered to report to the Major General commanding, returned with an order for the first brigade to occupy the wooded height to^ our left. In getting to this point we were compelled to cross a large field in full view and direct range of the enemy's batte- ries, which poured in a very heavy fire of shell during the whole passage. On arriving in the wood, I occupied a sheltered position with my command, and went across the ridgo to report to General Garnett. Soon after my return. Major Jones again ordered us for- ward, and, after crossing the ridge, the firing of musketry b.egan on our left and front. When I reached the last woods, I brought my regiment into line by the right flank, and, thus advancing, came into action, in rear of the thirty-third, on my left, and the Irish battalion, on my right, about five, P. M., or soon after. The fire from the enemy was very brisk, but I advanced some paces beyond the line at first occupied. Seeing a wall in front in possession of the enemy, my object was to get possession of it, but owing to the rapid firing of the enemy and thick undergrowth, only the right succeeded in reach- ing it, which they held until the order to retire wa^ given, about six, P. M. Thus the men were exposed to a severe fire for nearly an 64 hour, during which time they did not lose an inch of ground. .1 cannot too highly commend the coolness and bravery of both officers and men, and it would be invidious to draw comparisons. I will, therefore, only confine myself to the field and staff ofliccrs and com- mandants of companies who came especially under my observation. Lieutenant Colonel Bo.tts and Adjutant Hunter, both of whom remained mounted during the day, the first on the left and in front, the latter near me in rear, maintained the position of the line by their coolness and courage. Major Jones I observed frequently during the day, in the most exposed positions, in the discharge of his duties to the Major General. I would also highly commend the action of Captains Rowan, Nadenbousch, Hunter, Butler, Colston, and Moore; the latter, though wounded, went back to the fight. Also, that of Lieutenants Randolph, Burgess, Lewis, and J. L. Davis, who were in command of their respective companies. And especially would I commend the conduct of Lieutenants J. L. Davis, Company K, and R. H. Lee, company G, each of whom, after color sergeant Crest fell dead at his post, in succession advanced and raised my colors, and went forward and cheered on the men until each was shot down, the first struck by a spent ball, the latter badly wounded. 1 would also mention most honorably the conduct of Lieutenant Hoofman, com- pany D, and Orderly Sergeant Colston, company E, who were both badly wounded in the thickest of the fight. My list of killed and ■wounded is herewith appended, which, under the especial providence of God, who protected us in the thickest of the fight and retreat, is much smaller than could have been expected. Not hearing the order to retire, I did not give it, and only left the field when I found most of the men were drawn off on our left, and a heavy force of the enemy were advancing in that direction. Respectfully submitted, J. W. ALLEN, Colonel Second Regiment. •• REPORT OF CAPTAIN CARPENTER. Headquarters Carpenter's Battery, ) March 27, 1862. J General: Iu obedience to order number forty . three, I make the following report of the part taken by my company in the engagement of Sunday, the 23d instant. 1 received orders at twenty minutes past one o'clock, to take two of my pieces without caissons, and follow the infantry across a wood, west 01 the Valley turnpike. After proceeding some half or three- quarters of a mile, we observed to our front and right, some three re- giments of infantry and some cavalry, when we were ordered to open fire upon them. We did so. After firing some ten rouftds, they re- tired to the wood in their rear, when I ceased firing. In a few minutes, I received orders to take my battery further west, on the same ridge upon which the enemy were stationed in strong force. I did so, under a very heavy fire of the enemy's battery, which commanded the whole scope of country over which we had to pass ; but fortunately we lost not a man. I then proceeded some half a mile under the crest of the ridge to an open field. When I discov- ered the position of the enemy, I brought my pieces in position, and opened fire upon them, which was returned by four pieces of artillery, which I had not discovered. I then ordered one of my pieces to fire at the battery. In two or three rounds, the enemy's battery was driven from position. I then directed all my pieces to fire at the infantry and cavalry. They soon retired from view. I then was notified to watch the enemy's movements to our left, and brought my pieces to command the woods to our left, distant some hundred and fifty yards, and ordered my pieces to be loaded with canister. Before the order could be executed, the enemy made his appearnce and opened upon U3 with small arms, when I received orders to move ray pieces from the field. I did so in good order, losiug nothing in our whole operation but one wheel and two horses, which I was compelled to leave. I am greatly indebted to Lieutenants Carpenter and ^IcKendree, for their assistance during the whole engagement, as also to Messrs. Lamlin and Fanerdon, two of my gunners, for their coolness and the accuracy with which they aimed their respective pieces. My men, generally, acted and performed their duty well, and like men. We had forty-eight men engaged. Very respectfully submitted, JOS. CARPENTER, Captain commanding battery. RErORT OF CAPTAIN WATERS. Camp Buchanan, March 28, 1862. AOjutant General R. J. Wingate : I have the honor to submit below report of the part ray company pertained in the engagement with the enemy on Sunday evening, March 23, 1862: Soon after the arrival of our forces upon tire field, I was ordered to proceed with my battery to a high ridge on the left of the Valley turnpike, and running parallel with the one occupieil by the forces of the enemy. In order to reach this position, the battery was compelled to cross a long, low meadow, completely commanded by the enemy's guns, who poured upon us an incessant fire of shell and shot. While cross- ii;g this open valley, one driver and four other privates of the piece were struck and knocked down by fragments of shell, which somewhat retarded the rapid movement of one section of the battery, rioceeding forward as rapidly as the wearied condition of the teams 8.nd nature of the ground would permit, I brought my battery into po- Biticn on the ridge above named, and opened fire upon the enemy. Main- tj'.iuing this position, a heavy cannonading was kept up for nearly three hours, when the enemy under cover of the thick woods and a high atone wall, which skirted our left, advanced his infantry to within a very short distance of our position, (unperceived,) and commenced a rapid discharge of musketry upon the men working the pieces. Owing to their position and the nature of the ground, I found it impossible to do them any damage with artillery, and perceiving them pressing us closely, I deemed it prudent to retire from the position, then evi- dently impossible for me to hold. I regret to have to state here thjj-t just as one piece of my battery was being limbered up and hastening from the field, one of the horses attached to the piece was shot by a musket ball and killed, and the [iece overturned. Sergeant Charles S. Arnall, who had charge of this piece, after making every exertion to bring it off, was compelled to. abandon it, cutting loose the three remaining horses and bring- ing them away, although the enemy had by this time reached the stune fence on our left, not more than fifty paces distant. In retiring from the position on the ridge, a caisson of one of the pieces (already broken, ) became so badly damaged as to be immova- ble, and had to be abandoned. The casualties occuring with my company during the engagement are as follows : Privates Thomas IT. Bryan, wounded in leg by fragment of shell ; Pv, E. Trenary, J.. N. Ryan, .Tames 0. Ilobbs and George W. Swope, struck and knocked down by shell. Sergeant Charles S. Arnall, struck in the side with minnie musket ball. Corporal James W. Bare, shoulder 'dislocated by wheel of piece overturning. Total number wounded seventeen, killed none. 57 While I greatly regret the loss of the one gun and caisson, 1 am pleased to be ablq, to report that the non-commissioned officers and privates of my company, while under heavy fire from the enemy's guns, fired these their first shots with a coolness and precision highly gratifying to rae, and with evident effect and damage to the enemy. 1 was assisted only by one commissioned officer, first Lieutenant J. C. Marquis, who performed his duty with judgment and bravery, sec- ond Lieutenant T. J. Burke being absent as recruiting officer, third Lieutenant William Blackburn absent on sick furlough. I have the honor to remain. General, Very respectfully, your obedient servant. 'JAMES H. WATERS, Captain commanding W. A. A. Officers. Nor.-conimis^d Officers. Privates Total Aggngaf". 2 ' 3 80 88 90 Whole nu&ber engaged, ninety. J. H. WATERS, Captain W. A. A REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL RONALD. Camt Buchanai*, Virginia, Headquarters Fourth Regiment Tirginiu Volunteers. Ciiptain R. J. Wingate, Assistant Adjutant General First Brigade : Sir : The following report of the battle of the Valley, near Kerns- town, on Sunday, the 23r(l instant, bo far as the fourth regiment was connected with it, is respectfully submitted. On Saturday morning, the 22nd, the regiment left camp, near Mount Jackson, and marched to Cedar creek, below Strasburg, a distance of twenty-six miles. The roads were very muddy, which made the march more fatiguing than it otherwise would have been. Rested at Cedar creek all night, and on Sunday nforning, the 23rd instant, took up ihe line of march towards Winchester. "When about one mile below Newtown filed to the left, leaving the turnpike. When about half a mile north of the road, I was directed to form the regiment in line of battle with tlie second. 1 ^vas soon directed to change this position and form on the left of the twenty-seventh, in the meantime advancing gradually towards the right wing of the enemy's line. I was then directed to move the regiment in line of battle across an open field, and to cover as much space as possible. This exposed the regiment to the view of the enemy. I remained in this field about ten minutes, and was ordered to change directions and occupy a position in the woods, and move directly towards Kernstown. Here the regiment remained for some twenty-five or thirty minutes, where it wtis exposed to the shells from the enemy's guns. The firing was so heavy at this point that my horse became un- governable and ran away with me, hurting me very much. Here Major Pendleton assumed command and marched the regiment to the extreme left, where the infantry were engaged. Men never behaved better than did the men of the fourth regiment. Major Pendleton and Adjutant Langhorne acted well their parts. I could mention others, but all acted (officers and men) so nobly that I cannot mention one without bringing myself under obligations to mention all. I mention Major Pendleton and Adjutant Langhorne merely because they were more conspiouous in command of the regiment. CASUALTIES. C. Officers. N. C. Officers. Privates. Total. Killed ■ 5 5 Wounded, present 2 16 18 Wounded, missing 1 4 5 Missing.... .'6 4 38 48 Total 6 7 65 76 59 The following are the names of the missing commissioned officers : Captain Morrison, company I ; Lieutenant Lyle, Company 1 ; Lieu- tenant Barker, company H; Lieutenant Boyd, company C; Adjutant Langhorne, Lieutenant Wade, company G. I take pleasure in bearing testimony to the promptness and effi- ciency of Dr. Black, surgeon, who rendered good service during the engagement. CHARLES A. RONALD, Lieut. Col. commanding Fourth Virginia Regiment. P. S. — The regiment numbered two hundred and three, rank and file, when the engagement commenced. EXHIBIT A. Bfferrcd to in report of Lmitenant Colonel Pat ton. Headquarters Twenty-first Reg't. Ya. Volunteers, March 25, 1862. Lieutenant Colonel John M. Patton, Jr. : Under instructions from hea(l(5[uarter9, the following report of the casualties in the twent^'-first Virginia volunteers, in the battle of the twenty-third of March, is made : Company A. — Two commissioned officers, four non-comraissioned officers, and twenty-four privates engaged. Sergeant J. W. Hamlet, killed ; corporal J. B. Brewer, privates John W. Foster and Robert S. Covington, wounded ; none missing. Company B. — Two officers, six non-commissioned officers, and thir*- teen privates engaged. Private T. Stapelton Carroll, severely woun- ded and left 'on the field, believed mortally; private James Close, se- verely wounded in the leg ; private James GreenwcU, wounded in the l^g ; corporal E. P. Rogers, wounded in the shoulder. Company C. — Two officers, five non-commissioned officers, ;ind twen- ty privates engaged. Lieutenant T. S. Ames, slightly wounded; cor- poral C. P. Coleman, mortally wounded, and left in a house a mile beyond Newtown; T. II. Puryear, J. A. Garner, slightly wounded; private James Cumby, slightly wounded; private J. J. Evans, mor- tally wounded, and left on the field ; private J. F. Cumby, missing. Company ]J. — Three officers, three non-commissioned officers, and twenty-six privates engaged. Lieut. A. C. Page, slightly wounded ; sergeant James C. Shepard, slight flesh wound on the hand ; sergeant Henry Scruggs, severely wounded, and left in Newtown ; corporal Charles N. Flippin, severely wouraded, leg broken, and left on the field ; John C. Ilazlegrove, slightly wounded ; private Lucius S. Dow- dy, severe flesh wound in the leg; private John John G. Dowdy, slight flesh wound in th3 check; private Richard E. Flippin, slight wound on the wrist ; private R. S. Iludgins, severe flesh wound in the leg ; Louis Mahi, severely, and believed mortally wounded, and left on the field ; private Thomas J. Whilton, slight flesh wound on the hand ; Meredith Anderson, missing. . Cofnpany E. — One officer, six non-commissioned officers, and twenty privates engaged. Private James M. Spencer, wounded in leg se- verely, and left in Newtown ; private Wm. S. Iludgins, slightly wounded by shell on.the head ; private Wm. II. Patterson, missing. Company F. — Two officers, five non-commissioned officers, and for- ty-one privates engaged. Sorgeant Randolph, wounded in belly; privates H. V. Danforth, W.^T. Gibson, S. Gray, slightly wounded; privates J. N. Nunnally, wounded in the head ; H. V, Picot, wounded in the back ; G. II. Rennie, in neck ; C.'E. Taylor, slightly wounded ; E.. B Taylor, in back. Company G. — One officer, three noa-comraissioned officers, aud 61 twenty-one privates engaged. Lieut. J. T. Weaver, severe wound in thigh ; sergeant T. J. Earner, slight wound in arm ; private R. H. Pearson, severely wounded in head, left on the field ; privates L. T. Pearson and J. H. Wright, missing. Company H. — Two officers, four non-commissioned officers, and twenty-two privates engaged. Corporal John A. Younger, slightly wounded ; priyatea Wm. S. Adams and James W. Blanks, killed ; privates Alonzo East and John R. Shields, slightly wounded. Company I. — One officer, two non-commissioned officers, and si.x- teen privates engaged. Lieutenant John Witcher, missing ; private George H. Clement, wounded ; privates John B. Gardner, Jas. L. Witcher, wounded, missing; D. W. Hawkins, missing; Jno. Wells, killed. Company K. — Two officers, five non-commissioned officers, and ten men engaged. Sergeant John Burke, corporal Thrograorton, and private John H. Bruff, wounded: W. B. Jeffress, severety wounded, and left in Newtown ; John C. Featherston, slightly wounded. Summary of casualties.-^-Thrce commissioned officers wounded ; one commissioned officer wounded and missin"!- ; one non-commissioned officer killed, and ten wounded ; thirty privates wounded, nine miss- ing, and six killed. Total, sixty killed, wounded, and missing. Lieutenant Robert C. Noonan, of Frederick City, Maryland, who attached himself to company B of this regiment, was killed while gallantly cheering on his men. ^ In the battle of the twenty-third of March, there were twenty-two officers, forty-three non-commissioned officers, and two htindrod and five privates, of the twenty-first regiment of Virginia volunteers, en- gaged. Respectfully submitted. W. n. MORGAN, Adjutant twenty-first reglm,ent Virginia voluntars. STATEMENT OF COLONEL PATTON. Ueadquarters Twenty-first Reu't. Va. Volunteers, April 7, 1862. Colonel Jno. a. Campbell, Commanding second [late third) brigade, Army of the Valley : Colonel: Since my report of the battle of the 23d ultimo was written, I have had a conversation with an officer of Colonel Echols' regiment ; and from the facts stated by him I am led to fear that some seeming, though unintentional, injustice to that regiment may be done by a portion of the. language I use. To prevent the possibility of such a thitig, I beg leave to amend it as in the annexed statement, and request that tlie same may be forwarded, and the report altered in these particulars. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. PATTON, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel commanding twenty-frst regH. Va. vols. . On second page of the report, instead of the words " This occurred very soon," insert : *' Very soon after, a considerable body of our men, whom I took to be Colonel Echols' regiment, or a portion of it, fell back ;^ and on same page, ** Meantime a large portion of Colonel Echols' regiment," insert : ** Meantime the troops who fell back," rallied,^ kc. LIST OF CASUALTIES in Lieutenant Colonel Langhorne's forty- second regiment Virginia voluntters, Colonel Jesse S. Burkes brigade, engaged at Kernstown, near Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862. Colonel Jesse S. Burk, Commanding brigade : Company A. — Lieutenant Burgess commanding. Wounded slightly, Lieutenant John W, Crctz ; private Peter F. Frazier, severely woun- ded ; private Winston Watkins, missing. Company B — Captain Henry Lane, commanding. Corporal James H. Payne and private Otey T. Read, severely wounded and missing; privates Wm. 11. Whiteneck and Ambrose Bryant, severely wounded ; corporal George S. King and private Charles Hall, slightly wounded ; private Jonathan J. Smith, missing. Company C — Captain John Buford commanding. Slightly wound- ed, Captain John Buford, in leg ; Lieutenant David W. Carrett, in breast ; private Thomas Wifiiams, in thigh. Severely wounded, Ben- jamin D. Crouch, in shoulder and jaw; wounded and missing. Color corporal W. T. Jones ; fell on the field and supposed killed, privates Wm. Dooly, Jr., and Wm. H. Vest ; missing, sergeant Robert Wil- liams, privates Paschal N. Grey, Thomas D. Pollard. Company D — Lieutenant Spriggs commanding. Supposed killed, James Field; severely wounded, corporal Samuel W. Ewart and pri- vate T. Wilson; slightly wounded, sergeant T. A, Foster .and private John M. Dooley. Company E — Lieutenant Pursinger commandipg. Wounded in arm, orderly sergeant John M. Evans ; in hand, sergeant Wm. McCauly ; in face, John Airheart and John Shrewsburg ; in hip, J. D, Shrews- burg and J. P. Edington ; in arm, Wm. P. Taylor; in foot, Wm. Smith; in side, supposed mortally, D. M. Worts; missing, privates S. P. Reynolds and M. Hall. Company F — Captain Wingfield commanding. Killed, private John Jenkins ; wounded, Lieutenant Thomas J. King, slightly ; Lieutenant J. H. H. Gravely, severely : corporal Thomas S. Stully, severely ; privates John W. Terry and A, J. Winn, slightly. Company G — Captain W. W. Morriss commanding. Supposed mor- tally wounded and missing. Captain W. W, Morriss and corporal N, Phillpot ; wonnded, orderly sergeant T. S. M.tchell, privates J. T. Ingram and E. K. Harris, slightly. Company H — Captain John E. Renn commanding. Supposed killed, private N. M. Scales ; wounded, Peter M. Dalton, severely ; Wm. H. Hatcher, Israel T. Harriss, and Peter D. Gilly, slightly. Company I — Captain W. B. Rector commanding. Supposed killed, Captain W. B. Rector, orderly Sergeant H. W. Brown, and private M. H. Hendrick ; wounded, corporal R. L. Carson and private Sam. W. Clay, severely ; sergeant J. W. Shearer, elightly ; missing, ser- geant John D. Nowlin, privates B. G. Hubbard and John Read. • Company K — Captain Samuel Hale commanding. Killed, privates 64 T. F. Arthur, G. W. Hill, and S. M. Rctter ; wounded and missing, corporal S. M. Trump; wounded, sergeant A. Ilodgers, privates' ilayncs and corporal M. M. Tell, severely ; privates J. W. Hensely and R. D. Metes, slightly. RePDCctfully submitted. D. A. LANGIIORNE, Lieutenant Colonel commanding regiment. i:»^' 'i:' BATTLE OF MCDOWELL. REPORT OF GENERAL JACKSON. Headquarters Second Corps, A, N. V., ) March 9, 1863. \ Brigadier General R. H. Chilton, A. A. Sf I. G., Headquarters Second Corps, A. N. V. : General : I forward herewith my official report of the battle of McDowell, on the Sth of May, 1862. I am, General, your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON, Lieutenant General. Headquarters Second Corps, A. N. V,, March 7, 1863. ■ Brigadier General R. H, Chilton, A. A. ^ L G., Headquarters Division Northern Virginia : General : I have the honor herewith to submit to you a report of the operations of my command in the battle of McDowell, Highland county, Va., on the Sth of May, 1662 : After the battle of Kernstown, I retreated in the direction of Har- risonburg. My rear guard, comprising Ashby's . cavalry. Captain Chew'^battery, and from time to time other forces, was placed under the direction of Colonel Turner Ashby — an officer whose jud foment, coolness and courage eminently qualified him for the delicate and im- portant task. Although pursued by a greatly superior force, under General Banks, we were enabled to halt for more than a fortnight in the vicinity of Mount Jackson. After reaching Harrisonburg, we turned towards the Blue Ridge, and on the 19th of April crossed the south fork of the 5 66 Shenandoah, and took pasition between that river and Swift run gap, in Elk run valley. General R. S. Ewell, having been directed to join my command, left the vicinity of Gordonsvilie, and on the SOth arrived with his division west of the Blue Ridge. The main body of General Banks' pursuing army did not proceed further south than the vicinity of Ilar- risonburo' ; but a considerable force, under the command of General Milroy, was moving towards Staunton, from the direction of Monte- rev, and, as I satisfactorily learned, part of it had already crossed to the ciTSt of the Shenandoah mountain, and was encamped not far from the Harrisonburg and Warm Spring turnpike. The positions of those two P'ederal armies were now such that, if left unmolested, they could readily form a junction on the roal just named, and move with their united forces against Staunton. At this time, Brigadier General Edward Johnson, with his troops, was near BuflFalo Gap, west of Staunton ; so that, if the enemy was allowed to effect a junction, it would possibly be followed not only by the seizure of a point so important as Staunton, but must compel Gen- eral Johnson to abandon his position, and they might succeed in get- ting between us. To avoid these results, I determined, if practica- ble, after strengthening my own division by a union with Johnson's, first to strike at Milroy, and then to concentrate the forces of Ewell, Johnson, and my own, against Banks. To carry out my design against Milroy, General Ewell Mas directed to march his division to the position which I then occupied, in Elk run valley, with a view to holding Banks in check, whilst I pushed on with my division to Staun- ton- These movements werfe made. At Staunton I found, according to previous arrangements, Major General Smith, of the Virginia Mil- itary Institute, with the corps of cadets, ready to co-operate in the defence of that portion of the Valley. On the morning of the 7th of May, General Johnson, Avhose famil- iarity with that mountain regiom, and whose high qualities as a soldier admirably fitted him for the advance, moved with his command in the direction of the enemy, followed by the brigades of General Talia- ferro, Colonel Campbell, and General Winder, in the order named. Encountering the enemy's advance near the point where the Staunton and Parkershurg turnpike intersects the Harrisonburg and Warm Spring turnpike. General Johnson pressed forward. The Federals rapidly retreated, abandoning their baggage at Rodgers' and other points east of the Shenandoah mountain. After the advance had reached the western base of the Shenandoah mountain, the troops bivouacked for the night. On the following morning the march was resumed, General Johnson's brigade still in ■ front. The head of the column was halted near the top of th? Bull Pasture mountain, and General Johnson, accompanied by a party of thirty men and several oflEicers, with a view to a reconnoisance of the enemy's position, ascended Settlington's hill, an isolated spur of the Bull Pasture mountain, on the left of the turnpike, and commanding a full view of the village of McDowell. From this point the position and, to some extent, the strength of the enemy could be seen. In 67 tke valley in which McDowell is located was observed a considerable force of infantry. To the right, on a height, were two regiments, but too distant for an effective fire lo that point. Almost a mile in front was a battery supported by infantry. The enemy, observing the re- connoitering party, sent out a small body of skirmishers, which was promptly met by the men with General Johnson. Seven regiments were sent to him. The fifty -second Virginia regiment being the first to reach the ground, was posted on the left as skirmishers, and it was not long before they were engaged in a brisk encounter with the enemy's skirmishers, whom they handsomely repulsed. Soon after this three other regiments arrived, and were posted as follows: The twelfth Georgia on the crest of the hill, and forming the centre of our line ; the fifty-eighth Virginia on the left, to support the fifty-second; and the forty-fourth on the right, near a ravine. Milroy having during the day been reinforced by General Schenck,. determined to carry the hill, if possible, by a direct attack. Advan- cing in force along its western slope, protected in his advance by the character of the ground and the wood interposed in our front, and driving our skirmishers before him, he emerged from the wood and poured a galling fire into our right, and an animated contest was kept up for some time, when the two remaining regiments of Johnson's brigade (twenty fifth and thirty-first) coming up, they were posted to the right. The fire was now rapid and well sustained on both sides, and the conflict fierce and sanguinary. In ascending the crest of the hill from the turnpike, the troops had to pass to the left through the- wood by a narrow and rough route. To prevent the possibility of the enemy's advancing along the turnpike, and seizing the point where the troops left the road to ascend the hill, the thirty-first Virginia regiment was posted between that point and the town, and when or-- dered to join its brigade in action, its place was supplied by the twea- ty-first Virginia regiment. The engagement had now not only become general along the whole line, but so intense that I ordered General Taliaferro to the support of General Johnson. Accordingly, the twenty-third and thirty-sev- enth Virginia regiments were advanced to the centz'e of the line, which was then held by the twelfth Georgia with heroic gallantry, and the tenth Virginia was ordered to support the fifty- second Vir- ginia, whioh had already driven the enemy from the left, and had now advanced to make a flank movement on him. At this time the Fede- rals were pressing forward in strong force on our extreme right; with. a view of flanking that position. This movement of the enemy was speedily detected and met by General Taliaferro's brigade and the twelfth Georgia, with great promptitude. Further to check it, por-- tions of the twenty-fifth and thirty-first Virginia regiments were sent: to occupy an elevated piece of woodland on our right and rear, so situated as to fully command the position of the enemy. The brigade commanded by Colonel Campbell coming up about this time, was, to- gether with the tenth Virginia, ordered' down the ridge into the woods- to guard against movements against our right flank, which they, in. connexion with the other force, effectually prevented. 68 The battle lasted about four hours, from half-past four o'clock in the afternoon until half-past eight. Erery attempt by front or flank movement to attain thee rest of the hill, where our line -was for.med, va.s signally and effectually repulsed. Finally, after dark, their force ceased firing and the enemy retired. The enemy's artillery, posted on a hill in our front, was active in throwing shot and shell up to the period when the infantry fight commenced, but in consequence • of the great angle of elevation at which they fired and our sheltered position, they inflicted no loss upon our troops. Our own artillery was not brought up, there beiog no road to the rear by which our guns could be withdrawn in event of disaster, and the prospect of suc- cessfully using them did not compensate for the risk. General Johnson, to whom I had entrusted the management of the troops engaged, proved himself eminently worthy of the confidence reposed in him, by the skill, gallantry, and presence of mind, which he displayed on the occasion. Having received a wound near the close of the engagement, which compelled him to leave the field, he turned over the command to General Taliaferro. During the night the Federals made a hurried retreat towards Franklin, in Pendleton county, leaving their dead upon the field. Before doing so, however, they succeeded in destroying most of their ammunition, camp equip- age, and commissary stores, which they could not remove. OQjcial reports show n loss in this action of seventy-one (71) killed and three hundred and ninety (^90) wounded, making a total loss of four hundred and sixty-one. Among the killed was Colonel Gibbons, of the tenth Virginia regiment. Colonel Ilarraan, fifty-second ; Colo- nel Smith and Major Iligginbotham, of the twenty-fifth, and Major • Campbell, of the forty-second Virginia, were among the wounded. To prevent Banks from reinforcing Milroy, Mr, J. Hotchkiss, who was on topographical duty with the army, proceeded with a party to blockade the roads through North river and Dry river gaps, whilst a detachment of cavalry obstructed the road through Brock's gap. As the Federals continued to fight until night and retreated before morn- ing, but few of their number were captured. Besides quartermaster and commissary stores, some arras and other ordnance stores fell into our hands. Dr. Hunter McGuire, my medical director, managed his department admirably. Lieutenant Hugh W. Lee, chief of ordnance, rendered valuable assistance in seeing my instructions respecting the manner in which the troops should go into action, faithfully carried out, I regret to say that during the action he was so seriously wounded as to render it necessary for him to leave the field. First Lieutenant A S, Pendleton, A. D. C. ; First Lieutenant J, K, Boswell, chief engineer, and Second Lieutenant R. K. Meade, assistant chief of ord- nance, were actively engaged in transmitting orders. Previous to ithe battle the enemy had such complete control of the pass through ^hich our artillery would have to pass, if it continued to advance on the direct road to McDowell, that 1 determined to postpone the attack until the morning of the 9th. Owing to the action having been brought on by Milroy's advancing to the attack on the 8th, Major R. 69 S. Dabney, A, A. General, was not with me during the engagement. Major J. A. Harman, chief quartermaster, and Major ^Y. J. Hawks, chief commissary, had their departments in good condition. Leaving Lieutenant Colonel J. T. S. Preston, witl^a detachment of cadets and a small body of cavalry, in charge of the prisoners and public prop- erty, the main body of the army, preceded by Captain George Sheets, with his cavalry, pursued the retreating Federals to the vicinity of Franklin, but succeeded in capturing only a few prisoners and stores along the lin-e of march. The junction between Banks and Milroy iiaving been prevented, and becoming satisfied of the impracticability of capturing the defeated enemy, owing to the mountainous charac- ter of the country being favorable for a retreating army to make its escape, I determined, as the enemy had made another stand at Frank- lin, with a prospect of being soon reinforced, that I would not attempt to press farther, but return to the open country of the Shenandoaji valley, hoping, through the blessing of Providence, to defeat Banks before he should receive reinforcements. On Thursday, the loth, the army, after divine service, for the purpose of rendering thanks to God for the victory with which He had blessed us and to Implore His continued favor, began to retrace its course. Great praise is due to the officers and men for their conduct in action and on the march. Though Colonel Crutchfield, chief of artil- lery, did not have an opportunity of bringing his command into action on the 8th, it Avas used with effect on occasions during the expedition. My special thanks are due Major General F. H. Smith for his cor- dial and patriotic co-operation during the expedition. Colonel T, H. Williamson, of the engineers, rendered valuable service. For further information respecting the engagement and those who distinguished themselves, I respectfully refer you to the accompanying reports of brigade and other commanders, I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, T. J. JACKSON, Lieutenant General. REPORT OF BRIGADIER GE^"ERAL EDWARD JOHNSON. Staunton, May 17, 1SG2. Major R. L. Dabney, A. A. G. : Major : I have the honor to submit the folloAving report of the bat- tle of McDowell, which took place between the forces of General Mil- roy, on the part of the Federals, and a portion of General Jackson's forces, under my immediate command, ou the afternoon of the 8th day of May, 1862: Early in the day, being in advance with ray brigade, I reached Sett- lington hill, fronting McDowell, and to the left of the pike nbout one and a half or two miles distant^. The troops having been halted upon the top of the Bull Pasture mountain about two miles back, with a party of thirty men and several officers, I rcconnoitered the enemy's position in the valley of McDowell, and also in my immediate viciYiity, and found one or two regiments posted on the right on a high hill, and commanding the position on which I was, but at very long distance. I saw the enemy in McDowell posted in various positions, but such as could be commanded by artillery. The enemy soon threw out small skirmishing parties, which were en- gaged by our men and driven in. I then sent back for reinforcements, or some portion of my brigade. The fifty-second Virginia regirpent first came- up, and I posted it on the extreme left of the hill, as skir- mishers, and it was not long before they entered upon a brisk skirmish with the enemy, repelling them and driving them oft" handsomely. Soon after the forty-fourth Virginia, fifty-eighth Virginia, and twelfth Georgia regimontscame up, and were posted as follows, viz : the twelfth Georgia on the crest of the hill fronting the main body of the enemy ; the fifty- eighth and fifty-second on the left, and the forty-fourth on the right near a ravine, A very heavy fire was opened on the right between half-past four and five o'clock, P. M., at which time I was making a reconnoissance on the hill, on the right of the position of theforty-fourtli. I immediately repaired to the field, and a very sharp •fight continued for some' time, when the tAventy-fifih and thirty-first Virginia regiments coming up, I posted them on the right, when the iight became very terrific, my men holjing the line upon the crest of the hill and driving Imck the enemy with great loss. At this time, Gencri;l Taliaferrro's brigade came up, the twenty-third and thirty- seventh Virginia regiments were advanced to support the centre of our line, which was occupied by the twelfth Georgia- regiment, with the most heroic gallantry ; the tenth Virginia regiment was ordered to fiupp(irt the fifty-second, which having driven the enemy from the left, T\-as advanced to make a flank movement upon him. At this time the en- emy advanced a strong column on the extreme right, Avith a view of flank- ing our position. General Taliaferro's brigade, with the twelfth Georgia regiment, met this movement of the enemy principally. To defeat it, however, I ordered several companies of. the twenty-fifth and thirty- tSrst regiments to a position in the elevated wood in the right and rear 71 of our position, but commanding the position of the enemy. Colonel Campbell's brigade coming up about this time, were, together with the tenth Virginia regiment, ordered down the ridge in the woods, t3 prevent a flank movement of the enemy, which they effectually did. The battle raged with terrific violence from about half-past four to half-past eight o'clock, P. M., the enemy all the time playing upon us with their artillery. In all the iattempts of the enemy to advance up the hill they were repulsed by the gallantry of our men, with very great slaughter. After dark the fire somewhat ceased. The enemy withdrew from the field in haste, leaving their dead unburied, burnt his stores at Mc- Dowell, destroyed large quantities of ammunition, camp equipage, kc, and precipitately retreated in the direction of Franklin. ■ In consequence of a wound received by me in the leg, I had no part in- the affair after eight o'clock, P. M. Our victory was com- plete. From information received, the loss of the enemy was between five hundred and one thousand killed and wounded. Large numbers of their dead were piled in various places, some in churches and other houses, and some are reported to have been burnt up in the house which contained their commissary stores. Being compelled to leave the field in consequence of my wound, and not havine; received brigade and regimental reports, I have no certain data of my loss, but, I do not believe it to exceed sixty killed, and two hundred wounded. The brigade commanders, and the regiments generally, behaved with remarkable coolness and couiage. The follovi'ing named officers, commanding brigade and regiments, I would mention as behaved gallantly, viz : General Taliaferro, Colonel Conner, twelfth Georgia "regiment ; Colonel Scott, forty-fourth Virginia regiment; Colonel Campbell, forty-eighth Virginia regiment; Colonel Ilarman, fifty- second Vir- ginia regiment; Lieutenant Colonel Boon, fifty-eighth Virginia regi- ment. Major Hawking, twelfth Georgia regiment; Colonel Smith, twenty-fifth Virginia regiment; Lieutenant Colonel Jackson, thirty- first Virginia regiment; Colonel Taliaferro, twenty-third Virginia regiment ; Colonel Fulkersori, thirty-seventh Virginia regiment ; Colonel Gibbons, tenth Virginia regiment, and Colonel Hoffman, thirty-first Virginia regiment, who, though sick, repaired to the field during the engagement and assum.ed the command of his regimejjt. Colonel Gibbons of the tenth Virginia regiment, fell whilst leading his regiment into the fight. Colonel Harman, of the fifty-second Virginia regiment, was wounded early in the engagement, but did not leave the field.. Colonel Smith and Major Higginbothara, of the twenty-fifth Vir- ginia regiment, were wounded. To^my medical staff I am greatly indebted for the efficiency they displayed, particularly to surgeon R. W. Lunday, the medical director of my forces, for his zeal and activity in making preparations for the removal of the wounded from the field, and attention to them after- wards, and to assistant surgeons Opie and Etheridge, "whose coolness and efficiency on the field attracted my attention, and the latter of whom was severely Nvounded. Lieutenant Colonel Abner Smead, my Assistant Adjutant General, and Colonel W. II. ITarman, my aid-de-camp, behaved most gallantly throughout the action, affording me great assistance in rallying the men and conveying orders. Lieutenant Edward Willis, one of my aids, I had placed in charge of my artillery on that day, and he was consequently not in the en- gagement. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWARD JOHNSON, Brigadier General. REPORT OF GENERAL TALIAFERRO. Headquarters Third Brigade, V. D,, ) May 16, 1862. 5 To Major R. L. Dabney, A. A. G. ; Major : I have the honor, in obedieijce to the instructions of the Major General commanding, to make the following report of the ope- rations of the troops under my command, during the engagement with the enemy near McDowell, on the 8th instant. My brigade constituted the advance of the army of the Valley, and was held in supporting distance of General Johnson's division, (army of the ^Northwest,) which formed the advance of the combined forces under Major General Jackson. On the evening of the 8th, learning that the advance was skirmishing with the enemy, I moved my brigade up to the rear of General Johnson's command, and shortly afterwards received an order from the Major General commanding, to move rapidly to the front to tho support of that command, which was by that time hotly engaged with the enemy. My men were under a desultory fire of the enemy from the time they turned the summit of the Bull Pasture mountain until they reached the field of battle, but pressed forAvard with enthusiasm and in the best order that the rocky trail through the woods and up a precipitous hill would admit of. On reaching the field, I discovered that the enemy were engaging our forces ( who occupied an extensive hill'or mountain spur overlooking the village of McDowell,) on the left of our position and. in front ; that the twelfth Georgia regiment ■was contesting with heroic gallantry tho position on the left, well ad- vanced towards the front; that the twenty-fifth Virginia was holding the front, and I learned that the thirty-first Virginia was holding a wooded hill across the valley to our right, which was menaced by a large force of the enemy. I at once ordered the twenty-third Virginia, Colonel Taliaferro, to reinforce and support the twenty-fifth, which regiment had expended most of its ammunition, and directed Colonel Fulkerson, with his, the thirty-seventh Virginia, to move across to the wooded hill on the right, to prevent the enemy from turning our flank, and to drive him from his position on the hill. As soon as the tenth Virginia, Colonel 'Gibbons, which was the rear reghnent, came up, I ordered four com- panies to support the twelfth Georgia, the remainder to the right of the twenty-third, which position they maintained with great gallantry until I ordered them under the hill as a reserve to reinforce any posi- tion which might require support. The twenty-third was immediately thrown forward and opened a heavy fire upon the enemy in front and on a spur of a hill to the right, and maintained the position handsomely under a terrible fire of mus- ketry and artillery, which latter played upon my whole command from a hill beyond the turnpike out of musket range. Colonel Fulkerson moved across, as directed, to the hill on the right, "RJth a jfirt of his regiment which had pas>?ed ahead of the rest in thoir anxiety to get into the fight, interposed it hctween our troops and the eliemj who were advancing up the slope of the hill, charged them and drove them precipitately before him to the base, and then returned with his command to the main field, when I directed him with his regiment to hold the position occupied by the twenty-third, which I sent to the support of the CJeorgians. At this time I moved the tenth Virginia further to our right, to prevent any attempt of an ad- vance of the enemy up the valley between tlie two hills occupied by our troops, which the night, which was rapidly approaching, might render practicable. The troops of my command maintained their position until the close of the fight, which was protracted until after nine o'clock at night, when the enemy's fire entirely ceased. Knowing that General Johnson, who was near me, had been wounded, I at once, as senior (ifficer in the front, made dispositions for holding the hill during the night and restiitg our troops. I stationed the several regiments under cover of the declivities and ravines, threw out pickets and skirmishers, and gave orders for the removal of our dead and such of the wounded as had not been carried off the field,, and bad the arms of our dead and. wounded and those that the enemy had left on the field, collected. Soon after this the enemy kin/iled exttusive camp fires beyond the river, and their artillery was hea'd moving oif towards their rear. At eleven o'clock, General Jackson ordered mc to march my command back to the wagons for rest and refreshments. I have confined myself in this report to the operations of my own command, and referred to no other except that part of General John- son's which I supported, viz : the brigade commanded by Colonel Conner. In conclusion, I desire to bear testimony to the gallantry of the officers and men of my brigade They fought well under a most severe fire. To colonel Fulkerson, thirty-seventh. Colonel Taliaferro, twenty- third, (who had his horse shot under him,) Lieutenant Colonel Warren, commanding the tenth, Lieutenant Colonel Curtis, twenty-third, Major Williams, thirty-seventh, and Major Walker, tenth, my thanks are due for the gallantry they displayed imd the coolness with which they, directed the movements and fire of their men. I refer to the reports of the colonels for particular notice of the conduct of the officers and men of their respective regiments, aipd I desire particularly to notic6 the efficient services rendered me on the field by my adjutant general, W. B. Pendleton, and my aid-de-camp, First Lieutenant Philip A, Taliaferro, both P. A. C. S. It pains me to add that some of my best officers -were killed and wounded. Colonel Gibbons of the tenth, fell early in the action, whilst leading and gloriously cheering his men to the fight. No braver or better soldier, or nobler or more christian gentleman, has off'ered up his life a sacrifice to our holy cause during this struggle for our liber- ties. Lieutenants Gregory, twenty-third, and Dye and Fletcher, 7d thirty-seventh, paid the last tribute of the loftiest and holiest patriot- ism by yielding up their lives, in the bloom of manhood, ^pon their invaded country's battle field. Captain Terry, thirty-seVenth was especially noticed for his gallantry; Captains Saunders an^ Williams twenty-third, Lieutenants Crawford and Myers, tenth, Southall, Payne and Garland of the twenty-third, Wilhelm and Key, of the thirty- seventh J. were wounded, and deserve especial notice for their good conduct, ° I enclose an official list of the killed and wounded of this bric-ade amounting in the aggregate to one hundred and seven officers°and men. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. B. TALIAFERRO, Brigadier General, commanding Brigade, llErORT OF COLONEL SCOTT. Camp near Gordonsville, August 2, 1862. Major R. L. Dabnev, Assistant Adjutant General Army Valley District: •. Major : As I have not heretofore made any report in regard to the battle of McDowell, I will now supply the omission : The army of the Northwest, commanded by Brig -dier General Edward Johnson, was divided by him into two brigades, one of which was commanded by me as senior colonel, and the other commanded by Colonel Connor, of the twelfth Georgia regiment. See appendix. I need say nothing of the junction of this little army with (General T. J. Jackson's, of the driving in of the enemy's pickets at ^Mason's shanties, of the stampede of the enemy at Shenandoah mountain and at Shaw's fork, and of the final stand made by them on their main body at McDowell. The turnpike road, as it approaches McDowell fr<5m the east, runs through a narrow gorge of the mountains, about a mile before it reaches that town. On the Sth day of May last, our army arrived within about a mile and a half or two miles from that town, and halted in the turnpike road. General Johnson's two brigades maic)iing as brigades in the advance. General Jackson and General Johnson went forward to reconnoitre. In the afternoon General Johnson's two brigades (and perhaps others) were ordered forward. After proceeding along the turnpike a few hundred yards, we were led to the left, through a skirt of woods half a mile in widths to an open 'field on a high hill, which overlooked the town of McDowell. I un- derstood that we were to hold that hill until next morning, and that, in the meantime, we would cut a road through the wood by which we would carry artillery on the -hill, with which we were to attack the enemy's camp and defences. On the top of that hill there was a crest or ridge running from north to south, except about midway, where the ground was not above the ordinary level of the hill. On this crest General Johnson placed the brigade commanded by me, consist- ing of the fifty-eighth, the forty-fourth, and fifty-second Virginia regimeniis, facing it west. As the enemy were firing shells at us, he placed the men of this brigade in pairs, with intervals between the pairs of about five paces, and caused the men to lie down. In conse- quence of their disposition, my men occupied the whole length, or nearly the whole length, of the crest of the hill in the open field, including the depressed part in Ihe middle From the right of this crest the ground abruptly descended, and this abrupt descent extended in a line nearly at right angles to the crest or ridge from its northern termination back to the woods, some hundred yards to our rear. The fifty-eighth regiment occupied the northern portion of the crest • and constituted my right flank, the forty-fourth occupied the depressed ■ ground and constituted my^ centre, and the fifty-second occupied the left of the ridge and constituted my left Han't. Shortly after my men were placed in. position in pairs as aforesaid, a regiment of the* 77 enemy appeared opposite my left flank, but, after remaining there a short time, retired to a wood which faced my centre and right flank. After remaining in the woods a short time, one or two regiments, emerged from them and approached a bluff which extended from my right flank to the front, about hundred yards, with the evident intention of shielding themselves behind that bluff. I immediately endeavored to close my regiments to the right. The enemy sent for- ward a company of skirmishers, and I sent forward two to meet them, but on the first fire our skirmishers returned to their regiments. The fire on my right flank (consisting mainly of the fifty-eighth regiment) and on a part of my centre (the forty-fourth) then became fast and furious, and was leturned by us with equal spirit. I then withdrew the forty-fourth regiment from its position on the level or depressed ground in the centre, anvl placed it some thirty paces in rear of the fifty-eighth, and caused its men to lie down where they could not be hurt. My reasons for doing this were the following : First, owing to the depressed nature of the ground they occupied, the enemy could do them great damage, while they could do the enemy but little ; and, second, because I wanted them as a reserve in case the fifty-eighlh should give way. But,« after the battle became very animated, and my attention was otherwise directed, a large number of the forty- fourth quit their position and, rushing forward, joined the fifty-eighth and engaged in the fight, while the balance of the regiment joined some other brigade. In firing, the front rank of my right flank after delivering its fire, would retire some three or four paces to the rear and lie down and load, and, as they were shielded from danger while loading, I allowed this system to continue. And I think it was owing to this cause, principally, that my brigade suffered less than Coloniel Connor's. But observing that some men retired further to the rear than necessary, and were lying on their faces and taking no part in the battle, I attempted to rouse them by words, but, finding that neither harsh words nor threat? were of any avail, I commenced * riding over them, which soon made them join the line of battle. After the battle had continued for some time, and night was approach- ing, a body of the enemy (the number I do not know) crept up a dark bottom, and their flag was suddenly hoisted within fifty yards of our line of battle. Our men, so soon as they discovered the flag and enemy, received a deadly fire and simultaneously returned it, and then, .with the exception of some fifteen or twenty, broke and ran back. Standing on or near the line of battle, I used all my exer- tions to rally them, principally by appeals to their State pride, and after they had run back some twenty or*thirty yards I succeeded in bringing them to a halt, and, after loading, they returned to the line of battle with great animation, and poured so deadly a fire into the enemy that they broke and fled. I then proposed three cheers for Old Virginia, which were given with greaj; spirit. Major Casey, of the fifty-eighth, discovering the enemy's flag on the ground, a short distance off, went down the hill and brought it up. The flag-staff had been shot in two, and the flag-bearer killed. I suppose that the enemy broke at the same time that our men did, as they were further off 78 ^N'tien our men returned to the line of battle than when they left it, which, I presume, is the reason why every man who remained on the line of battle was not killed. The enemy, however, soon resumod their attack, and the battle continued with great animation until between eight and nine o'clock, when it was terminated by the dark- ness. After some time had elapsed from the commencement of the battle, the cneiry sent some regiments to turn my right flank, or to ascend the hill on ray right and to my rear, but Colonel Connor's brigade was then placed in position to meet them. Ilis line of battle was then at right angles to mine, and his left flank united with my right. In this battle the officers of the brigade commandetl by me (with very few exceptions among the inferior ofllcer.-i) did their duty nobly, I derived considerable assistance from Major Ross, of the f.fty-second, who acted with great gallantry. I must also commend for great gallantr}"- my adjutaiit, Lieutenant Charles T, Steptoe, and my sergeant major, William TI. Clare. They were with me during the whole action, except when sent off on some errand. They never attempted, to shield themselves from danger by lying down, or by any other means, and it is singular that neither o^ them were wounded, though Adjutant Steptoe's clothes were shot through. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W, C. SCOTT, Colonel Fort 1/ -fourth Regiment Virginia Volunteers, Commanding Sxond Brigade, Army of the Northwest, at McDowell. APPENDIX. The first written order dividing General Edward Johnson's army of the Northwest into two brigades h in the following words and figurefs — to-wit : Headquarters Sf.cond Brigade, } Camp at Valley Mills, April 21, 1862. S Orders, No. . I. The troops of this command will be dividel into two brigades ; the one on the right, Colonel Porterfieid commanding, to consist of the twelfth Georgia, twenty-fifth and thirty-first Virginia regiments, Hansbrough's battalion, and the Star battery ; the one on the left. Colonel Baldwin commanding, to consist of the forty-fourth, fifty- second, and fifty-eighth Virginia regiments. Miller's and the Lee battery. II. All official communications will be sent through the headquar- ters of the respective brigades. Commandants of brigades will sign all provision returns, requisitions, &c., and' will send to this office, every morning, consolidated reports of their respective brigades. By order of General Johnson. A. SMEAD, Lieutenant Colonel [^Circular .'\ Headquarters Second Brigade, Camp at Valley Mills, April 22, 1863. Commandants of brigades will cause all company officers of the regiments and corps of their command to quarter wiih their compa- nies, and field and staff officers with their regiments. By order of General E. Johnson. A. SMEAD, Lieut. Col. and A. A. G. Headquarters Army of the Northwest, Camp at Valley Mills, May 2, 1862. Colonel : You being the senior officer present with your brigade, you will assume command of it, and will sign all requisitions, provi- sion returns, &c., and will hand in consolidated morning reports of your brigade by twelve, M., every day. You will also, as soon as possible, send a consolidated return of the brigade. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. SMEAD, Lieut. Col. and A. A. G. This last was directed and sent to me the morning after I rejoined my regiment, after a sick leave of absence. None of the foregoing orders were ever ranked by General Johnson; on the contrary, I have a great number of others recognizing the two brigades. I will only insert one issued just before we commenced onr march to McDowell : [Circxdar.'l Headquarters Army of the Northwest, ) ' Camp at Valley Mills, May 5, 1862. ] Brigade commanders will cause the different regiments and inde- pendent companies of their respective commands to have cooked and bU put in haversacks the provisions they will draw to-morrow, and be in readiness to march at any moment. By order of General Johnson. A. SMEAD, Lieut. Col. and A. A. G. According to the order of march, we marched by brigades, each brigade followed by its wagons. It is a fact that at the battle of McDowell 1 commanded the second brigade, and that Major Cobb commanded the forty-fourth regiment. W. C. SCOTT, Colonel Forty-fourth Regiment Virginia Volunteers. REPORT OF COLONEL HARMAN. General Edavako Johnson, Commanding the army of the Narthtaest : Sir : I have the honor of submitting to you the following report: At the battle of McDowell, on the 8th of May, my officers and men behaved with great courage, but it is not necessary to particularize them by name, as they fought under you own eye. The total loss of my regiment is .^s follows : Officers — Compavy B — Captain William Long, mortally wounded, since dead. As a brave and faithful officer he is a great loss to my re- giment. Company D — Lieutenant Carson, killed. Companies C and T — Captains Dabney and Humphreys, wounded, one in the arm and the other in the mouth, whilst gallantly leading their companies. The loss in privates in each company is as follows : Company B — Fifteen wounded. Company C — Four wounded — one died since battle. Company T) — Two killed and three wounded. ihmpnny E — One killed and six wounded. Company F — One killed and four wounded. Company I — Five wounded. Company G — Five wounded. Company K — One killed and one wounded. Early in the action I received a severe and painful wound in my right arm, and with great difficulty remained on the field until the battle was over. To a merciful Providence and your successful lead- ership and personal bravery, we owe our victory on that hotly con- tested field. Respectfully, M. G. HARMAN, Colonel commanding fifty -second regiment. Report of the killed, wounded and missing of the fifty -second regiment Vir- ginia volunteers, in the battle near McDowell. Company B — Cap^^ain William Long, mortally wounded in the head ; sergeant William W. Burns, severely wounded in the thigh ; corporal Joseph E. Patterson, slightly wounded in the arm ; corporal Marion Coiner, slightly wounded in the arm. Privates L. H. Bush, severely wounded in the thigh ; Henry Fisher, slightly wounded in hand and thigh ; J. C. .Tone?, slightly wounded in both thighs ; B. F. Johnston, slightly wounded in the arm; 0. Kirby, slightly wounded in arm and aide; B. F. Miller, slightly wounded in the hand; John Pannell, slightly wounded in the thigh ; David Wheeler, slightly wounded in 6 82 the tlii^ih ; William Par.nell, wounde 1 in the thigh ; N. Fry, badly wonnded in arm and breast; James Way, badly wounded in thigh ; Dillard Coiner, slightly wounded in thigh. Company C — Captain E. M, Delney, wounded in arm. Corporal William H. Fry, mortally wounded in breast. Privates Samuel Pal- more, wounded in fihoulder; John II. Fauber, wounded in the arm ; Granville Loyd, wounded in shoulder. Company D — Lieutenant John A. Carsou, killed. Sergeant J. M. Samuels wounded in groin ; corporal F. Crepp, wounded in the head ; corporal G. W. Harman, wounded in thigh. Privates John Harman, killed; William II. IStoutamoir, killed. Company E — Privates Alfred E. Shepardson, killed ; Henry Woody, wounded in leg ; John A. Jenkins, wounded in hip; James Glenn, wounded in arm ; Martin L Paxton, wounded in arm ; William Hicks, wounded in ankle; William A. Hall, wounded in thigh. Company F — Privates Samuel Whitmore, killed ; Harvey Fry, wounded in thigh ; Patrick Loyd, wounded in leg ; J. Pt. Crann, Avounded in hip; William J. Crepps, wounded in arm. Company 1 — Captain John M. Humphreys, wounded in mouth. Corporal J. Zimmerman, wounded in hand and side. Privates Jno Buchanan, wounded in abdomen ; James M. McKee, wounded in thigh; Cyrus Mayse, wounded in hand and side ; William McCutcbin, wounded in abdomen. Company G — Privates William Reid, wounded in arm ; James Frell- wider, wounded in thigh ; 'Robert VVaskey, wounded in thigh; John Painter, wounded in arm ; David Hunkle, wounded in mouth. Company II — James Moreton, killed ; John A. Weaver, in heel and hip. Respectfully submitted by JOHN W. LEWIS, Adjutant fifty-second Virginia regiment ^ To Colonel M. G. Harsian. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL CUNNINGHAM. HeadqUx\rtkrs Tvvemv-mrm Virginia RE