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the emergency. He immediately charged the cavalry and drove them about a mile in the most beautiful manner behind their infantry support, from which they did not show themselves in force again during the day.

Wright, commanding the army (temporarily, and cavalry-over Cedar creek on the right of Major-General Sheridan being temporarily the army. But the gallant Custer was equal to absent), to move my whole cavalry force on the left of the army; this I was opposed to, but proceeded to obey the order; but on my own responsibility I left three regiments to picket the right, and to this fact thousands of our stragglers are indebted for their safety, for these brave men held their position against great odds for five hours.

The First and Third divisions (BrigadierGenerals Merritt and Custer) were ordered to the left of the army. The First division (BrigadierGeneral Merritt) was put in position across the pike, just north of Middletown. The Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) was formed on the left of the First division. The First brigade, Second division (Colonel Moore), was formed on the left of the Third division. The horse batteries "B" and "L," Second Artillery, U. S. A. (Lieutenant Taylor commanding), was left on the right fighting on the infantry line, where it did admirable service, and was the last artillery to leave the front.

Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of this battery, for their coolness and gallantry on this occasion. When the infantry was forced back, and the battery was obliged to retire, it joined its brigade (Second, First division) on the right of the pike, where it immediately went into action. As soon as the cavalry was in position on the left of the army, they attacked the enemy. Colonel Lowell, commanding Reserve brigade, First division, dismounted a part of his little band, and they advanced to a strong position behind a stone wall, from which the enemy's infantry failed to drive them after repeated attempts. The cavalry fought infantry and artillery only on the left of the army.

About twelve o'clock, M., the cavalry was moved to the left about three hundred yards, thus bringing it on the left of the pike. Thus matters stood with cavalry until three o'clock P. M., bolding on to their ground with more than their usual dogged persistence, displaying gallantry which has never been surpassed, while most of the infantry was reforming several miles on their right and rear.

During this time the Second brigade, Second division (Colonel Powell commanding division), fell back slowly (by order) on the Front Royal and Winchester pike, to Stony point, and then to a point near Newtown, followed by the rebel General Lomax's division of cavalry, where they remained during the greater part of the day; Colonel Powell thus prevented the enemy's cavalry from getting on the pike to attack our trains and rear.

About two P. M., Major-General Sheridan arrived upon the ground, and directed me to send one division of cavalry on the right of the army. I immediately ordered the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) to that position, where he arrived just in the nick of time, for the enemy had just succeeded in crossing-infantry

On the left the battle was going well for us; in fact it could not be otherwise, with the cool and invincible Merritt on the ground, supported by such soldiers as Devin and Lowell.

At this time the First brigade, Second division, was temporarily under the orders of Brigadier-General Merritt, who was constantly annoying and attacking the enemy whenever an opportunity presented itself, although his men were completely within range of the enemy's sharpshooters, his shot and shell, and many a horse and rider was made to bite the dust. They held their ground like men of steel-officers and men seemed to know and feel that the safety of the army in no small degree depended upon their holding their position, and they can never receive too much credit for the manner in which they did their duty.

About four o'clock P. M., Colonel Moore, commanding First brigade, Second division, was ordered to join his division at Newtown, and Colonel Powell, commanding the division, directed to shove out a strong force to hold the Front Royal and Winchester pike. About four o'clock, in a charge, the gallant but lamented Lowell received a severe wound in the arm and side, but still kept his saddle.

About 4:15 a general advance of the army was made, and 'twas truly grand to see the manner in which the cavalry did their part. In this general advance, Colonel Lowell, Second Massachusetts cavalry, commanding Reserve brigade, First division, while charging at the head of his brigade, received a second wound, which proved to be mortal; thus the service lost one of the most gallant and accomplished soldiers. He was the beau ideal of a cavalry officer, and his memory will never die in the command.

In the general advance Brigadier-General Custer, commanding Third division, left three regiments to attend to the cavalry in his front, and started with the balance of his division to take part in the advance against the enemy's infantry. Thus the cavalry advanced on both flanks, side by side with the infantry, charging the enemy's lines with an impetuosity which they could not stand.

The rebel army was soon routed and driven across Cedar creek in confusion. The cavalry sweeping on both flanks crossed Cedar Creek about the same time, charged and broke the last line the enemy attempted to form (it was now after dark), and put out at full speed at their artillery and trains.

They continued the pursuit to the foot of Fisher's Hill, about four miles from Cedar creek, and captured the following property and prisoners, viz. :-Forty-five pieces of artillery,

thirty-two caissons, one hundred and fifty-six sets artillery harness, one hundred and eightyfour horses, one hundred and fifty six mules, one hundred and fifty sets wagon harness, forty-six army wagons, six hundred and seventytwo prisoners of war, five battle flags; also many muskets, sabres, etc., which it took them about all night to bring in. Darkness alone saved the greater part of the rebel army from capture, for there never were men who displayed more fear of cavalry than they did upon this occasion.

The service of the cavalry on this day to the army and the country can never be too highly appreciated. The Horse artillery, Companies K and L, of the First United States, commanded by First Lieutenant Taylor, Companies Band L, Second United States, commanded by First Lieutenant Pierce, Company C, Fifth United States, commanded by First Lieutenant Wier, and Captain Martin's battery of the Sixth New York, rendered invaluable services on this day, as for five or six hours the only artillery used was that of the cavalry, and nobly did they do their duty, having but about two rounds per piece left after the engagement.

For the gallantry and good judgment displayed by Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer, and Brevet Brigadier-General Devin, and Colonel Lowell in this battle, I must again recommend them for promotion, which on several occasions has been justly earned.

I will take this occasion to recommend to the favorable consideration of the proper authorities the following members of my staff as fit recipients of higher honors than lies in my power to bestow, for gallantry and courage displayed on this and several other occasions during the campign. Braver and more efficient staff officers never drew rein or sabre, viz.:

Major William Russell, Assistant AdjutantGeneral; Captain M. A. Reno, First United States cavalry, Chief of Staff; Captain R. Ellis,

Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, Assistant InspectorGeneral: Captain George B. Sandford, First United States cavalry, Assistant Commissary Musters; Captain J. J. Coppinger, Fourteenth Infantry, United States Artillery, Á. A. D. C.; Captain Bailey, First New York Lincoln cavalry, A. A. D. C.; Captain Martindale, First New York Lincoln cavalry, A. A. D. C.; Captain M. Berry, Twentieth Pennsylvania cavalry, A. A. D.C.; First Lieutenant Wallace, Fifth Michigan cavalry, A. A. D. C.; First Lieutenant Ellis, Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, A. A. D. C.; First Lieutenant Slater, First New York dragoons, amb. officer; First Lieutenant H. H. Goldsmith, Fifteenth New Jersey volunteer infantry, A. D. C.

I take pleasure in expressing my sincere thanks to division commanders and their commands for the hearty co-operation given to me and each other. When such feelings exist success must attend our efforts, and yours have been such that all in future can revert with pleasure to the fact that you belonged to the cavalry of the Middle Military division, and participated in the successful campaign of Major-General Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley.

For further particulars I would respectfully refer to division and brigade commanders' reports herewith enclosed.

Annexed is also a report of casualties.

It is also proper to remark in this connection, that as General Averell, in his report, has gone beyond his province to report upon General Merritt (First division cavalry), at the battle of Winchester, September nineteenth, to mention a few facts received from official reports, viz.:

The loss of General Averell's division (Second division). West Virginia cavalry, at this time was aggregate, thirty-two, and not two hundred and fifty as he supposes, and the loss of General Merritt's division (First division cavalry) in the same engagement was three hundred and eleven.

Statement of the Casualties in the Cavalry Middle Military Division, from the 1st of August to the 31st of August, 1864.

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Report of Property Captured and Destroyed from the enemy by the Cavalry Middle Military Division, August 8 to October 31, 1864.

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INDEX.

EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS IN THE INDEX.

D. stands for Diary of Events; Doc. for Documents; and P. for Poetry, Rumors, and Incidents.

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PAGE
Appomattox Court House, Va., opera-
tions near,
Doc. 351
Appomattox River, battle on the,
Doc. 577
ARCHER, MARTIN, Major, report of op-
erations in Wilson's cavalry ex-
pedition,
Doc. 683
Arkansas, portion of held by the reb-
els in 1864,
Doc. 827
Gen. Steele's report of operations
in,
Doc. 403
Army of Northern Virginia. See
Lee's Address to the, Doc. 545
Army of the Potomac, Gen. Burn-
side's report of Nov., 1865, Doc. 1
Gen. Peck's report of his opera-
tions in the,

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Doc. 50

"Alabama," action of the Chinese

Government in reference to, Doc. 587
"Alabama Scouts," The, noticed,

Doc. 76
Doc. 327
Doc. 330
Doc. 334

tions near,
AMMEN, DANIEL, Com. See Fort Fisher,
Doc. 607
AMMEN, JACOB, Gen. See Tennessee,
Doc. 67, 345
Amnesty to Insurgent Enemies, war
order in reference to,
Doc. 149
"A National Motto," account of Car-
ter's,
Doc. 586
ANDERSON, -, the guerilla, under
orders of Gen. Price,
Doc. 511
ANDERSON, JAMES, 81st Ohio, death
of,
Doc. 204
ANDERSON, N. L., Col., report of the
battle of Murfreesboro, Doc. 71
at Chickamauga,
Doc. 73
Anderson Cavalry. See Palmer's Re-
port,
Doc. 103

Doc. 93
"Albemarle," Confederate account
of the fight with the, Doc. 586
ALDEN, JAMES, Capt. See Fort Fisher,
Doc. 606
ALEXANDER, A. J., Gen., report of
operations of the 24 cavalry
brigade, during Wilson's expedi-
tion in the South, Doc. 650, 694
ALEXANDER, F. W., Capt., report of
the battle of Monocacy, Md.,
Doc. 622
Alexandria, La., Banks' retreat to,
Doc. 341
account of Banks' retreat from,
Doc. 481
AMES, A., Gen., report of the cap-
ture of Fort Fisher,
Doc. 431
See Operations of Gen. Butler, Doc. 495
Amherst Court House, Va., opera-
Doc. 351

9

ATKINS,

Meade in command of,
crosses the Rapidan,
crosses James River,

Gen. Meade's address to the, Doc. 544
Army of the Tennessee, Gen. Logan

succeeds to the command of, Doc. 340
Ashland Station, Va., destroyed by
Sheridan,
Doc. 331
ASHLEY, W., Lieut., diary of the in-
vasion of Maryland in July-Sept.,
1864,
Doc. 153
"Ashville Vidette," the, account of
the,.
Doc. 191
ASPINWALL, LLOYD, Col., noticed, Doc.
Athens, Tenn., the attack on, Doc. 342
Athens, Ala.,
Doc. 359
Col. 93d Illinois,
Doc. 34
Atlanta, Ga., account of Sherman's
campaign to,
Doc. 203
account of the siege of, Doc. 268, 269
capture of,
Doc. 279, 284, 300
petition of the Mayor and citizens

BAILEY, JOSEPH, Lieut. -Col., account of
his dam on Red River, Doc. 11, 341
resolution of thanks to, by Con-
gress, for his services on the Red
River,
Doc. 519
BAIRD, ABSALOM, Gen., at Resacca,
Doc. 35,49
BAKER, C. W., Capt. 14th U. S. C. I.,
Doc. 99
BAKER, J. H., Col. 10th Minnesota,
Doc. 19
BAKER, LIZZIE M., noticed, Doc. 19
BALDWIN, —, Lieut. 77th Pa., notic-
ed,
Doc. 118
BANKS, N. P., Gen. See Red River,

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to Gen. Sherman,

the battles at,

the occupation of,

address to the ladies of St. Philip's
parish,

ANDRESS, J. F., Lieut. -Col., report of
the part taken by the 7th Penn-
sylvania cavalry in Wilson's cav-
alry expedition,
Doc. 687
Antietam, Md., Gen. Pleasonton's ac-
count of the campaign of, Doc. 390
Apaches, report of a fight with the,
Doc. 518

movements of the inhabitants of,
on the approach of Sherman,
Doc, 526, 527
Atlanta and Montgomery Railroad,
destruction of the,
Doc. 194
Gen Rousseau's raid upon, Doc. 340
destroyed by Gen. Wilson, Doc. 714
AUDENRIED, J. C. See Sherman's
Atlanta Campaign,
Doc. 314
AVERELL, W. W., Gen., noticed, Doc. 15
See Gov. Curtin's message, Aug. 9,
1864,
Doc. 144
operations of, in West Virginia,
Doc. 333
defeats the rebels at Winchester,
Va.,
Doc. 336
captures Confederate Navy rec-
ords,
Doc. 528
account of his expedition from
Charleston, West Virginia, Doc. 639
See Sheridan's Valley Campaign,
Doc. 741
Averysboro, N. C., fight at, Doc. 349

BARRY, W F., Gen. See Sherman's
Atlanta Campaign,
Doc. 314
report of operations of artillery in
the Carolina campaign, Doc. 384
BARTLESON, - Col. 100th Illinois,
death of,
Doc. 223
RATES, MATILDA, Miss, noticed, Doc. 20
Baton Rouge, La., expedition from,
Doc. 344
Battery Huger, Va., capture of the,
Doc. 122
BAYARD,, Gen., noticed, Doc. 1
BAYLISS, ALBERT, of Shelby, Ky. See
Frankfort,
Doc. 177
BAYLOR, T. G., Capt. See Sherman's
Atlanta Campaign,
Doc. 314
Baylor's Farm, Va., the fight at, Doc. 570
Bear Creek, fight on,
Doc. 372

Depot,

BEARD, JOHN, Capt. See Duffield's
Doc. 639

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Doc. 317
Doc. 340
Doc. 340

Doc. 233

Doc. 526

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Gen. Butler arrives at,

siege at,

lanta Campaign,

BELL, L, Col., noticed,

BENJAMIN, J. P.

Belmont, Mo., Gen. Grant's official
report of the battle of, Doc 395
See Gilmore and
Jaquess visit to Richmond, Dcc.
explanation in reference to the
visit of Jaquess and Gilmore to
Richmond,
BENTON, E, Col. 59th U. S. C. I., Doc. 163
Bermuda Hundreds, Va., occupied by

Gen. Kautz,

operations at,

Gen. Butler's army in a state of

BEMAN, HENRY, Capt., noticed,
Bethsada Church, Va., fight
the,
BEVERIDGE,, Lieut.-Col. 17th IL
cavalry,
Doc. 139
BIFFLES, Col., rebel, noticed,
Doc. 102
Big Blue, Mo., the battle on the, Doc. 342
BIGELOW, ISAAC, noticed,
Doc. 71
Big Shanty, Ga., fight near the, Doc. 209
BINGHAM, FRANK, Capt., noticed, Doc. 118
Birge's Sharpshooters, at Dallas, Ga.,
Doc. 203
BIRNEY, D. B., Gen., noticed, Doc. 7
at the battle of Chapin's Farm, Va.,
Doc. 339
at the battle of Jericho's Ford,
Doc. 550
See Cold Harbor, Va., Doc. 558, 559
noticed,
BLACKMAN, A. M., Brig.-Gen., noticed,

Doc. 314

Col. Waring's account,

Doc. 171

Buzzard Roost, Ga., Sherman's army

Doc. 432

National accounts,

Doc. 171

BRICKENNER,, Maj., killed at Fort

at,
"Buzzards," definition of,

Doc. 29

Doc. 47

Powhatan,

79

BROOKS, W. T. H., Gen., noticed, Doc.
See operations of Gen. Butler, Doc. 495
See Cold Harbor,
Doc. 558
BROUGH, FRANK, noticed,

Doc. 504
8

C.

Doc. 150

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Doc. 71
BROWN, B. GRATZ. See Rosecrans Re-
port,
Doc. 512
BROWN, CHARLES J., Capt. See Mon-
ocacy, Md.,
Doc. 626
Lieut.-Col. 63d Ohio,
wounded,
Doc. 258
BROWN, YODER, Lieut. See Frankfort,
Ky.,
Doc. 179
Brown's Creek, Tenn., skirmish at,
Doc. 365
BROWNLOW, JM, his East Tennes-
seans,
Doc. 245
Brydges' Illinois Battery, noticed,
Doc. 28
BUCKINGHAM,
Gen., noticed,
Doc. 1
BUCKNER,
Col. 79th Illinois,
wounded,
Doc. 28
BUELL, DON CARLOS, Gen. See Pitts-
burg Landing,
Doc. 67
BUELL, ——, Col. 58th Ind., noticed,
Doc, 246

Doc. 413
CANBY, ED. R. S., Gen., summary of
operations in the department of
the West Mississippi,

CABELL, G. L, Gen., rebel, at Pilot
Knob,
Doc. 137
CALHOUN, J. M., Mayor of Atlanta,
petition to Gen. Sherman, Doc. 318
Camden, Ark., Gen. Steele occupies,
Doc. 341
Camden Court House, capture of, Doc, 122
CAMERON,, Col. See Kenesaw, Doc. 214
Campaign of the Peninsula, Gen, Piea-
sonton's account of the, Doc. 388
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM J., Capt., at Pilot
Knob, noticed,
Doc. 139, 142
CAMPBELL, WILLIAM, 20th Ind.,_no
ticed,
Doc. 104
Camp Douglas, Ill., report of a con-
spiracy to release the prisoners
at,

Doc 520

See Richard Taylor,

Doc. $55

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BOUTON, EDWARD, Col. 59th U. S. L
See Guntown, Miss.,
BOWEN, SAYLES J., wife of, noticed,
Doc. 20
BOWEN, -, Maj. 8th Va. cavalry,
rebel,
Doc. 543
BOWERS, H., A. A. Gen., noticed,
Doc. 3
Bowling Green, Va., occupied_by
Hancock,
Doc. 548
BOYD,, Maj. 84th Indiana, Doc. 28
Boydtown Plank Road, Va., the fight
Doc. 339, 354
BOYLE, JOHN, Gen., Adjutant-General
Kentucky, noticed,
Doc. 175
BRACKETT, A. B., Maj., report of the
battle of Tah-hah-o-kuty Moun-
tain,
Doc. 423

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Doc. 594
Doc. 345
BURDICK, A. A., Lieut., killed, Doc. 201
BURLINGAME, ANSON. See Chinese, Doc. 587
BURNSIDE, AMBROSE E., Gen., report
of the operations of the Army
of the Potomac,

at the Rappahannock River,
assigned to the Army of the

BURRUS, JOHN L., Col., report of New
Madrid expedition,
BUSCHEECK,-, Col., noticed, Doc. 27, 30
Bush Mountain, Ga., occupied by
Gen. Blair,
Doc. 217
BUTLER, BENJ. F. See Iron-Clads, the
cause of disaster in North Caro-
lina,
Doc. 131, 134
correspondence with C m. Ould in
relation to the exchange of pris
oners,
Doc. 159
Gen. Grant's instructions to, Doc. 328
"hermetically sealed" at Bermu-
da Hundreds,
Doc. 332
his operations before Petersburg,
Va..
Doc. 334
effects at lodgement at Deep Bot-
tom,
Doc. 335
Doc. 339
Doc. 346
Doc. 348
Doc. 437
Doc. 490
Doc. 493
Doc. 602

his reconnoissance of Oct. 13th de-

feated,

See Fort Fisher,

Doc. 213

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Fisher,

at Newmarket, Va.,

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See Cold Harbor,

Doc. 558

Brentwood, Tenn., fight near,

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BRAMLETTE, THOMAS E, Gov., letter
on the siege of Kentucky, Doc. 175
BRECKENRIDGE, J. C., Gen., enters

arrival of Gen. Sheridan, and the
defeat of the rebels,

noticed,

CHAMBERS, -, Mr., speech in the
Confederate Congress, relative to
arming slaves,

Chambersburg, Pa., the burning of.

See Gov. Curtin's message, Aug.
9, 1864,

CHAMBERLAIN, JAMES, Lieut.-Col., no-
ticed,
Doc. 147
Chancellorsville, Va., Gen. Long-
street not at the battle of, Doc. 127
See Pleasonton's narrative, Doc. 390
Chapin's Farm, Va., battles near,
Doc. 339, 496
CHAPMAN, , Col., in the fight at
Nottoway Court House, Va., Doc. 521
CHAPMAN,
Lieut., Confederate
States navy,
Doc. 613
Charleston, S. C., account of "Fed-

eral Generals under fire at," Doc. 591
Charleston, W. Va., Averell's expedi
tion from,
Doc. 639
Chattanooga, Tenn., Sherman's army
at,
Doc. 29
CHEATHAM, B. F., Gen., noticed, Doc. 47
his appearance at Kenesaw, Doc. 241
operations of, in Tennessee, Dec. 365
Chehaw Station, Ala., fight at, Doc. 194
Cherry Creek, Miss., fight at, Doc. 199
Chesterfield Court House, Va., pris-
oners liberated at,
Doc. 468
CHESTNEY, T. O., A. A. G. See Sheri-
dan's Valley Campaign, Doc. 637

cavalry fight at,

Doc. 65

Doc. 592

Catoosa Springs, Ga.,

Sherman's

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Cedar Creek, Va., defeat of the na-
tionals at,

Doc, 338

Doc. 338

Doc. 724

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the burning of,

Doc. 149

attack on,

noticed,

Doc. 475

Doc. 143

Doc. 337, 537

Doc. 489

Doc. 718

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