573 and another line was advanced to the crest of a gagement. Brigadier-General Wilcox, at Manashill, in support of his first line. Captain Richardson's, Brown's, and Moody's batteries were placed in position to play upon the second line, and both lines were eventually driven back by these batteries. Before it was entirely dark, the hundred thousand men that had been threatening our destruction for twelve hours, had melted away into a few stragglers. sas Plains, on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August, afterward absent sick. Brigadier-General Garnett, at Boonsboro' and Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Evans, on the Plains at Manassas, both on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August, and at Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Kemper, at Manassas Plains, Boonsboro', and Sharpsburg. Brigadier-General Hood, and ColThe battle over, orders were sent around for am-onels Law and Wofford, at Manassas Plains, and munition chests and cartridge boxes to be refilled. on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth of August, Early on the morning of the eighteenth, a few Boonsboro' and at Sharpsburg, on the sixteenth sharpshooters began to exchange shots. I observed that the enemy had massed his artillery on the opposite side of the Antietam, with a view, Our apparently, to meet an attack from us. ranks were too much thinned to warrant a renewal of the conflict, with the chances of being drawn under the fire of this artillery. The effort to make a flank movement by our left, the day previous, developed the fact that the enemy had extended his right, so as to rest it upon the Potomac, and thus envelop our left flank. From our position, it was impossible to make any move except a direct assault upon some portion of the enemy's line. I, therefore, took the liberty to address a note to the commanding General, about two o'clock in the afternoon, suggesting a withdrawal to the south side of the Potomac. Before my note reached him, however, he rode to my bivouac and expressed the same views. Arrangements to move across the Potomac were completed by dark. My command, moving first, crossed about two o'clock in the morning, and part of it was placed in position, in case it should be needed at the ford. The entire army crossed, however, without molestation, and, as directed by the commanding General, I proceeded to form his line. As this was completed, it became evident that the enemy was not pursuing, except with some of his batteries and some small force. The various commands were then marched off to their points of bivouac. The name of every officer, non-commissioned officer, and private, who has shared in the toils and privations of this campaign, should be mentioned. and seventeenth. Colonel G. T. Anderson, com- It is with no common feeling that I recount the loss, at Manassas Plains, of Colonels Gadberry, Eighteenth South Carolina, Means, Seventeenth South Carolina, Moore, Second South Carolina, Glover, First South Carolina, Nelson, Seventh Georgia, and Lieutenant-Colonel Upton, At Boonsboro', Colonel J. B, Fifth Texas. Strange, Nineteenth Virginia volunteers, and In one month, these troops had marched over Lieutenant-Colonel McLemore, Fourth Alabama, two hundred miles, upon little more than half and, at Sharpsburg, Colonel Liddell, Eleventh rations, and fought nine battles and skirmishes, Mississippi. Lieutenant-Colonel Coppens and killed, wounded, and captured nearly as many Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes, Second Georgia volmen as we had in our ranks, besides taking arms unteers. These valuable and gallant officers fell and other munitions of war in large quantities. in the unflinching performance of their duty, I would that I could do justice to all of these bravely and successfully heading their commands gallant officers and men in this report. As that in the thickest of the fight. is impossible, I shall only mention those most To my staff officers, Major G. M. Sorrell, Asprominently distinguished. These were Major-sistant Adjutant-General, who was wounded at General R. H. Anderson, on the Plains of Ma- Sharpsburg, Lieutenant-Colonel P. T. Manning, nassas, at Harper's Ferry, and at Sharpsburg, Chief of Ordnance, Major J. W. Fairfax, Major where he was wounded severely. Brigadier-Gen-Thomas Walton, who was also wounded at eral D. R. Jones, at Thoroughfare Gap, Manassas Sharpsburg, Captain Thomas Goree, and LieutenPlains, Boonsboro', and Sharpsburg. Brigadier- ant R. W. Blackwell, I am under renewed and General R. Toombs, at Manassas Plains, in his lasting obligations. These officers, full of courgallant defence of the bridge at Antietam, and age, intelligence, patience, and experience, were in his vigorous charge against the enemy's flank. able to give directions to commands such as they He was severely wounded at the close of the en-thought proper, which were at once approved, Statement of Losses in the Corps commanded by Major-General J. Longstreet in the Engagements at Thoroughfare Gap, Rappahannock, Freeman's Ford, Manassas, Crampton's Gap, Maryland Heights, Sharpsburg, and South Mountain. and commanded my admiration. LieutenantColonel Blunt volunteered his services to me at Boonsboro', and was, both there and at Sharpsburg, of material service to me. The medical department, in charge of Surgeon Cullen, were active and unremitting in the care of the wounded, and have my thanks for their humane efforts. My party of couriers were zealous, active, and brave. They are justly entitled to praise for the manly fortitude and courageous conduct shown by them in the trying scenes of the campaign. The cavalry escort, commanded by Captain Doby, have my thanks for meritorious conduct and valuable aid. Captain Doby, Lieutenants Bonny and Matthieson, Sergeants Lee and Haile, and Corporals Whitaker and Salmond, were distinguished in the active and fearless performance of their arduous duties. Groveton, on the twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth of August as was fought by the troops under my command: On the fifteenth of August, in obedience to instructions from the commanding General, I left my encampment near Gordonsville, and, passing Orange Court-House, encamped in the evening near Mount Pisgah Church, where I remained until the twentieth, when, in accordance with my instructions, whilst General Longstreet was crossing at Raccoon Ford, I crossed the same river at Somerville Ford. The command encamped for the night near Stevensburg. My command at this time comprised Ewell's, A. P. Hill's, and Jackson's divisions. Ewell's was composed of the brigades of Generals Lawton, Early, Hays (Colonel Forno commanding,) and Trimble, with the batteries of Brown, Dement, Latimer, Balthis, and D'Aquin. A. P. Hill's division was comI am indebted to Colonel R. H. Chilton, Col-posed of the brigades of Generals Branch, Gregg, onel Long, Majors Taylor, Marshall, Venable, Field, Pender, Archer, and Colonel Thomas, with and Talcott, and Captains Mason and Johnson, the batteries of Braxton, Latham, Crenshaw, of the staff of the commanding General, for great McIntosh, Davidson, and Pegram. Jackson's courtesy and kindness in assisting me on the dif- division, commanded by Brigadier-General Wilferent battle-fields. liam B. Taliaferro, was composed of Winder's brigade, (Colonel Baylor commanding,) Colonel Campbell's brigade, (Major John Seddon commanding,) Brigadier-General William B. Taliaferro's brigade, (Colonel A. G. Taliaferro commanding,) and Starke's brigade, with the batteries of Brockenbrough, Wooding, Poague, Carpenter, Caskie, and Raines. Major-General Stuart, with his cavalry, coöperated during the expedition, and I shall more than once have to acknowledge my obligations for the valuable and efficient aid which he rendered. I respectfully ask the attention of the commanding General to the reports of division, brigade, and other commanders, and approve their high encomiums of their officers and men. Reports of killed, wounded, and missing already been forwarded. I remain, sir, with respect, Your obedient servant, have J. LONGSTREET, REPORT OF GENERAL JACKSON OF OPERA- COTTAGE HOUSE, N. C., May 22, 1863. Colonel R. H. Chilton, A. A. and I. General; Department N. V.: Early on the morning of the twenty-first, the command left its encampment and moved in the direction of Beverly's Ford, on the Rappahannock, General Taliaferro's command in the lead. On approaching the ford, the enemy was seen on COLONEL: On opening General Jackson's trunk the opposite bank. Batteries of that division, in Lexington, Virginia, we found in it the accom- of artillery, were placed in position, which, after under the direction of Major Shumaker, chief panying report of the operations of his command, from the fifteenth of August to fifth of Septem-ferro,) silenced the enemy's guns, and dispersed a short resistance, (as reported by General Taliaber, 1862. Also an unfinished report embracing operations of his command from fifth of Septem- his infantry. Major-General Stuart had crossed ber to the end of the Maryland campaign. The with a portion of his cavalry, supported by some unfinished report Lieutenant Smith, A. D. C., has. He intends giving it to Colonel Faulkner to finish; it will then be forwarded. I am, Colonel, very respectfully, J. E. MORRISON, pieces of artillery, and, after skirmishing with the enemy a few hours, taking some prisoners and arms, returned with the information that the Federal forces were moving in strength upon his position, and were close at hand. The enemy soon appeared on the opposite bank, and an animated firing was opened, and, to a considerable extent, kept up across the river for the rest of the day, between the Federal artillery and the batteries of Taliaferro's command. HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, A. N. V., April 27, 1863. Brigadier-General R. H. Chilton, A. A. A. Gen- On the following morning, (twenty-second,) the eral, Headquarters Department A. N. V.: three divisions continued their march up the bank GENERAL: I have the honor herewith to sub- of the Rappahannock, General Ewell in the admit to you a report of the operations of my com- vance, and crossed Hazel River, one of its tribumand from the fifteenth of August to the fifth taries, at Wellford's Mill; near which General day of September, 1862, embracing the several Trimble was left with his brigade to protect the engagements of Manassas Junction, Bristoe Sta-flank of our wagon train from the enemy, who tion, Ox Hill, and so much of the battle of was moving up the north side of the Rappahan nock, simultaneously with the advance of our troops on the south side. About twelve M. a small party surprised part of the train, and captured some ambulances and mules, which were, however, soon recovered, and some prisoners taken, who gave information that a more considerable Federal force had crossed the river. About four P. M. General Trimble, supported by General Hood, (who was the advance of Longstreet's command,) had a sharp engagement with this force, in which, after gallantly charging and taking a number of prisoners, they drove the residue, with severe loss, across the river, under the protection of the guns of the main body of the Federal army, on the opposite side. In the mean time the command passed Freeman's Ford, which it found strongly guarded, and moved on to a point opposite the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, where we found the bridge destroyed, and other evidence that the enemy was in close proximity. In the afternoon of the twenty-second, the Thirteenth Georgia, Colonel Douglas, Brown's and Dement's batteries of four guns each, and Early's brigade, crossing over, took possession of the Springs and adjacent heights, and taking some prisoners and incurring some risk from the rain and sudden rise of the water, which for a few hours cut off communication with the main body. In this critical situation, the skill and presence of mind of General Early was favorably displayed. It was deemed advisable not to attempt a passage at that point, but to proceed higher up the river. By dawn, on the morning of the twenty-fourth, General Early, by means of a temporary bridge, which had been constructed for his relief, had his troops and artillery safely on the southern side. On the twenty-fourth, there was a fierce cannonade between General Hill's artillery and that of the enemy across the river. In the mean time, General Stuart, who had preceded me, crossed the Rappahannock, striking the enemy in his rear, making his brilliant night attack upon his camp at Catlett's Station, capturing many prisoners, personal baggage of General Pope, and his despatch book, containing information of value to us in this expedition. In the evening, we moved near Jeffersonton. Pursuing the instructions of the commanding General, I left Jeffersonton on the morning of the twenty-fifth, to throw my command between Washington City and the army of General Pope, and to break up his railroad communication with the Federal capital. Taking the route by Amissville, crossing Hedgeman River, one of the tributaries of the Rappahannock, at Henson's Mill, and moving via Orlean, we reached the vicinity of Salem, after a severe day's march, and bivouacked there for the night. On the next day, (twenty-sixth,) the march was continued, diverging to the right at Salem, crossing the Bull Run Mountain through Thoroughfare Gap, and, passing Gainesville, we reached Bristoe Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad after sunset. At Gainesville, I was joined by General Stuart, who, after leaving the vicinity of Waterloo Bridge, about two o'clock A. M., had, by a rapid march, come up in time to render all useful assistance. He kept upon my right flank during the residue of the day. My command was now in rear of General Pope's army, separating it from the Federal capital and its base of supply. As we ap proached Bristoe Station, the sound of cars coming from the direction of Warrenton Junction was heard, and General Ewell divitled his force so as to take simultaneous possession of the two points of the railroad. Colonel Munford, with the Second Virginia cavalry, coöperated in this movement. Two trains of cars and some prisoners were captured, the largest portion of the small Federal force at that point making its escape. Learning that the enemy had collected at Manassas Junction, a station about seven miles distant, stores of great value, I deemed it important that no time should be lost in securing them. Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, and the fatiguing march, which would, since dawn, be over thirty miles, before reaching the Junction, Brigadier-General Trimble volunteered to proceed there forthwith, with the Twenty-first North Carolina, (Lieutenant-Colonel Fulton commanding,) and the Twenty-first Georgia, (Major Glover commanding.) in all about five hundred men, and capture the place. I accepted the gallant offer, and gave him orders to move without delay. In order to increase the prospect of success, MajorGeneral Stuart, with a portion of his cavalry, was subsequently directed to move forward, and, as the ranking officer, to take command of the expedition. The duty was cheerfully undertaken by all who were assigned to it, and most promptly and successfully executed. Notwithstanding the Federal fire of musketry and artillery, our infantry dispersed the troops placed there for the defence of the place, and captured eight guns, with seventy-two horses, equipments and ammunition complete, immense supplies of commissary and quartermaster stores, upward of two hundred new tents; and General Trimble also reports the capture of over three hundred prisoners, and one hundred and seventy-five horses, exclusive of those belonging to the artillery, besides recovering over two hundred negroes. The next morning, the divisions under command of Generals Hill and Taliaferro moved to Manassas Junction, the division of General Ewell ramaining at Bristoe Station. About a mile before reaching the Junction, Colonel Baylor encountered and dispersed a regiment of Federal cavalry. Soon after the advance of the troops from Bristoe Station reached the Junction, they were fired upon by a distant battery of the enemy posted in the direction of the battle-field of Manassas. This artillery was soon driven.off, and retreated in the direction of Centreville. Soon after, a considerable body of Federal infantry, under BrigadierGeneral Taylor, of New Jersey, came in sight, having, it is believed, that morning left Alexandria in the cars, and boldly pushed forward to recover the position and stores which had been lost the previous night. The advance was made with great spirit and determination, and under a leader worthy of a better cause. Assailed by the batteries of Poague and Carpenter, and some of General Hill's division, and apparently seeing that there was danger of its retreat being cut off by our other troops if it continued to move forward, it soon commenced retreating, and, being subjected to a heavy fire from our batteries, was soon routed, leaving its killed and wounded upon the field. Several brigades of General Hill's division pressed forward in pursuit. In this conflict, the Federal commander, General Taylor, was mortally wounded. July, 1861. Ewell's and Hill's divisions joined Jackson's on the twenty-eighth. My command had hardly concentrated north of the turnpike before the enemy's advance reached the vicinity of Groveton from the direction of Warrenton. General Stuart kept me advised of the general movements of the enemy, whilst Colonel Rosser, of the cavalry, with his command, and Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, commanding Campbell's brigade, remained in front of the Federals, and operated against their advance. Dispositions were promptly made to attack the enemy, based upon the idea that he would continue to press forOur loss was small. In the afternoon of the ward upon the turnpike toward Alexandria. same day, heavy columns of the enemy were But as he did not appear to advance in force, and seen approaching Bristoe Station from the direc- there was reason to believe his main body was tion of Warrenton Junction, and on the right of leaving the road, and inclining toward Manassas the railroad. General Ewell promptly made dis- Junction, my command was advanced through positions to meet them. So soon as the enemy the woods, leaving Groveton on the left, until it came within range, the batteries of his, division reached a commanding position near Brawner's opened upon them from their several positions, house. By this time it was near sunset, but his as did also the Sixth and Eighth Louisiana and column appeared to be moving by with its flank Sixtieth Georgia regiments. By this combined exposed. I determined to attack at once, which fire, two columns of the enemy, of not less than a was vigorously done by the divisions of Taliaferro brigade each, were driven back. But fresh col- and Ewell. The batteries of Wooding, Poague, umns soon supplied their places, and it was obvi- and Carpenter were placed in position in front ous that the enemy was advancing in heavy force. of Starke's brigade, and above the village of General Ewell's instructions were, if hard pressed, Groveton, and firing over the heads of our skirto fall back and join the main command at Ma-mishers, poured a heavy fire of shot and shell nassas Junction, and orders were accordingly upon the enemy. This was responded to by a given for the withdrawal of his forces north of very heavy fire from the enemy, forcing our batBroad Run. At the moment of issuing this order, teries to select another position. By this time,. a portion of the troops were actively engaged, Taliaferro's command, with Lawton's and Trimand the enemy advancing, and yet the withdrawal ble's brigades on his left, were advanced from of the infantry and artillery was conducted with the woods to the open field, and were now movperfect order, General Early closing up the ing in gallant style until they reached an orchard rear. The Federals halted near Bristoe Station, on the right of our line, and were less than a and General Ewell moved without further moles- hundred yards from a large force of the enemy. tation, Colonel Munford, of the Second, and Col- The conflict here was fierce and sanguinary. Alonel Rosser, of the Fifth Virginia cavalry, bring- though largely reënforced, the Federals did not ing up his rear to Manassas. The destruction of attempt to advance, but maintained their ground the railroad bridge across Broad Run was in- with obstinate determination. Both lines stood trusted to Lieutenant (now Captain) Boswell, of exposed to the discharge of musketry and artilthe engineer corps, under whose superintendence lery, until about nine o'clock, when the enemy the duty was promptly and efficiently executed. slowly fell back, yielding the field to our troops. Orders were given to supply the troops with ra- The loss on both sides was heavy, and among our tions and other articles which they could proper- wounded were Major-General Ewell and Brigaly make subservient to their use from the cap-dier-General Taliaferro: the latter, after a few tured property. It was vast in quantity and of great value, comprising fifty thousand pounds of bacon, one thousand barrels of corn-beef, two thousand barrels of salt pork, two thousand barrels of flour, quartermasters', ordnance, and sutler's stores, deposited in buildings and filling two trains of cars. Having appropriated all that we could use, and unwilling that the residue should again fall into the hands of the enemy, who took possession of the place the following day, orders were given to destroy all that remained after supplying the immediate wants of the army. This was done during the night. General Taliaferro moved his division that night across to the Warrenton and Alexandria turnpike, pursuing the road to Sudley Mill, and crossing the turnpike in the vicinity of Groveton, halted near the battle-field on the twenty-first of VOL. IX.- Doc. 37 months, was able to assume his duties; the former, I regret to say, is still disabled by his wound, and the army thus deprived of his valuable services. This obstinate resistance of the enemy appears to have been for the purpose of protecting the flank of his column until it should pass the position occupied by our troops. Owing to the difficulty of getting artillery through the woods, I did not have so much of that arm as I desired at the opening of the engagement; but this want was met by Major Pelham, with the Stuart horse artillery, who dashed forward on my right, and opened upon the enemy at a moment when his services were much needed. Although the enemy moved off under cover of the night, and left us in quiet possession of the field, he did not long permit us to remain inactive, or in doubt as to |