vance, and arrived at Washington at three P.M. Acting Adjutant-General Eighteenth Army Corps. Doc. 175. LIEUT. COM. FITCH'S REPORT SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a mained behind, fired a few shots at a transport having on board sick and wounded. I followed on up the bank, throwing shell after them till I thought them out of range, and ceased firing. By this time General Ellet had landed and was pursuing them. Several of the enemy were found dead on the bank, and many more were dragged off in the woods. I should suppose that their loss in killed and wounded is about twenty-five or thirty. I believe General Ellet lost two killed and one Acting Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER, Doc. 176. THE FIGHT AT GREENLAND GAP, VA. GENERAL KELLEY'S DESPATCH. GREENLAND GAP, HARDING COUNTY, VA., April 28, 1868. To Lieutenant-Colonel Cheeseborough, A.A.G. THE affair at this place, on Saturday, was one of the most gallant since the opening of the war. Greenland Gap is a pass through the Knobley mountain, only wide enough for the road and a small mountain stream. This gap was guarded by Captain Wallace (Twenty-third Illinois) with a detachment of company G, Twenty-third Illinois regiment, and a small detachment of company H, Thirteenth Virginia infantry, Captain Smith, in all between seventy and eighty men. Captain Wallace occupied a large church at the west end of and near the mouth of the gap, and Captain Smith held a log-house about a hundred yards distant, both positions commanding the gap. Jones was compelled to capture or dislodge the little band before he could pass. His troops made three gallant charges, but were each time repulsed with great loss, especially of officers. The fight commenced at five P.M., and lasted till after dark. The rebels, availing themselves of the darkness, approached and fired the church, but the gallant Irish boys would not even then surrender till the burning roof fell in. The killed and wounded of the rebels outnumbered our whole force engaged. Five of the officers out of eight commanding the leading battalion which made the first charge, were either killed or wounded, among the latter Colonel Dulany, commanding. Captains Wallace and Smith had only two men killed and four wounded. I counted, to-day, eighteen dead horses within musket-range. I most earnestly request the Major-General Commanding to apply to the Secretary of War to have every officer, non-commissioned officer and med fire also. As private engaged in the fight presented with a the enemy fired aedal, in recognition of the gallantry displayed. ade boats, lim B. F. KELLEY, sharp-sho Brigadier-General Doc. 177. THE MARMADUKE RAID INTO SOUTH-EAST MISSOURI. Editors Missouri Democrat : I WISH to furnish you a brief sketch of the Marmaduke raid into South-East Missouri, and the memorable retreat of his ten thousand confederates from Cape Girardeau into Arkansas, having been an eye-witness of every move made, for and against, from Saturday, April twenty-fifth, to Saturday, May second, when Marmaduke was driven into Arkansas, at Chalk Bluff, on the St. Francois River. I do this to vindicate the "truth of history," that thus far has not received full justice by the reports that have been put in circulation. On Monday, the twentieth of April, General McNeil with one thousand two hundred men and six pieces of artillery, was at Bloomfield, Stoddard County, and found that Missouri had been invaded by Marmaduke, with four brigades, being the First army corps Trans-Mississippi department, C. S. A. prepared his plan of defence, which McNeil, on examination, pronounced unimprovable, and adopted it without alteration; simply furnishing more men to aid in carrying out the plan of the gallant Baumer, and by so doing manifested an abnegation of self that is singularly at variance with the general rule and practice of generals. But McNeil appears to have a holy horror of "red tape," and to be guided by but two rules of actionone, to help the country; the other, to damage the rebels as far as possible; and he has infused those points into every officer and soldier of his little command. Saturday morning the enemy advanced in force on the Cape. The Honorable W. R. Strachan, of Shelby, arrived and assumed position as Chiefof-Staff. Pickets five miles out of town were firing on the advance of the enemy. At eleven o'clock A.M. General McNeil, Colonel HustonSeventh Missouri cavalry, acting as mustering officer-and Col. Strachan made a complete examination of the place. The so-called forts, A, B, C, and D, were earthworks of the most simple form, being so slight in defence that cavalry could ride over and through them without ever pulling reinAt nine o'clock P.M., Monday, he received or- mounting in all ten guns, twenty-four and thirtyders to move from Bloomfield on Frederick-two-pounders. Colonel Huston took command town. Tuesday, twenty-first, at four o'clock of fort B, mounting four guns. Welfley's batA.M., marched, and with his little band camped tery of twelve-pound howitzers was planted on a four miles north of the Cape Girardeau road-ridge commanding the approach via Bloomfield; thirty miles march-crossing one swamp, in which his train was stuck for the night. Part of the command, First Wisconsin, was sent on to occupy Dallas, and make reconnoissance in three different directions, under Colonel La Grange, Major Torrey, and Captain Paine. Wednesday succeeded in getting train through the swamp, and reached Dallas Wednesday night; found that Captain Paine had encountered a vidette of the enemy; rode over them and captured seven prisoners. Major Torrey had captured the SergeantMajor of Colonel Jeffries's regiment. By separate examination of these prisoners it was clearly established that the enemy in force had taken possession of Fredericktown and were preparing for additional offensive operations. Becoming apprehensive that if he advanced on Fredericktown it would be to find the enemy gone and on their way to seize the important post of Cape Girardeau, General McNeil instantly turned his column toward the Cape, resolving to beat the rebels in reaching the town. Subsequent events demonstrated that the General's judgment was singularly correct. Thursday, marched to Jackson, twenty-three miles, and the General pushed to the Cape that night, twelve miles further. On Friday he established communications with St. Louis via Jonesboro, Illinois, and brought the whole force into town. The garrison now stood this battery was supported by two companies of the First Nebraska and the First Wisconsin cayalry-a portion of whom afterward did valuable service as sharp-shooters. The section of mountain howitzers attached to the Second regiment M. S. M. was to the right of Welfley on a ridge still further out of town and commanding the approach by way of Jackson-this section under Captain McClanahan did admirable service, dismounting one of the enemy's pieces and doing fearful execution to his ranks. A section of rifled cannon, long twelves, under charge of Lieutenant Stauber, were on the right of fort B, forming the right of the line of defence, while fort D was the extreme left, commanding approach to the town from the south; this was the weak point of the line, but fortunately was never attacked by the enemy. In the afternoon it became evident that Marmaduke with his whole force of ten thousand men, divided into four brigades under Colonels Carter, Burbage, Shelby, and Green, had masked their forces for an attempt to storm the place. The continuous fire kept up by our artillery, which had been advanced to within four hundred yards of their line, and which was most admirably served by Lieutenants Jacoby, Stauber, and Captain Callahan, excellently supported as they were by the First Nebraska, First Wisconsin, and a battalion of the Thirty-second Iowa as as follows: A part of First Nebraska infantry sharp-shooters, held the enemy in check-their under Lieutenant-Colonel Baumer, Commandant officers could plainly be seen urging their men of the post; a few men of the Second Missouri to the onset, but they could not be forced to artillery, under Captain Meisner-in all five hun- face the music. Their loss in officers was sedred men, which, with McNeil's force, brought vere. Major Blackwell, of Lafayette, wounded, the total up to one thousand seven hundred men. and a prisoner in the hospital, informed me that Colonel Baumer, expecting an attack, had already his regiment alone, (Colonel Colton Green's,) lost VOL. VI.-Doc. 36 five field and line-officers alone. The enemy retired at two o'clock and thirty minutes, simultaneously with the arrival of reënforcements, who doubtless were seen by them descending the river. General McNeil having determined to maintain the post to the last extremity, and fearing that the overwhelming force of the rebels might force him to his last resort, that is, retiring his whole force into Fort C, and battering the town down about their ears, the several steamboats arriving were seized and the large amount of public stores, teams, wagons, etc., were carried over to Illinois, so that if the town fell, its loss should be as harmless to the Government as possible. The women and children were also removed, and the little garrison then seemed as one man, resolved to do or die. All that caused any apprehension in the minds of the leading officers for the result, was the weakness of our left, and many a fervent prayer went up for the arrival of a gunboat to strengthen that point. At ten o'clock Saturday night, our pickets reported the arrival at their post of a flag of truce. General McNeil despatched Colonel William R. Strachan with instructions to act for him in the premises. Accompanying the flag of truce were Colonel Watson, three majors and two captains, with an escort. They were not allowed to come nearer town than three miles, and were the bearers of the following letter: HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, To the Officer Commanding U. S. Forces in and around Cape Girardeau: SIR By order Major-General Sterling Price, commanding, I formally demand of you the immediate surrender, unconditionally, of the troops in Cape Girardeau and the adjoining forts, together with all the ammunition, stores and other property, belonging to the United States, in the same. If the surrender is made, I pledge myself to treat the troops as prisoners of war, and to parole and exchange them as soon as practicable. I shall scrupulously protect private property; no difference will be made in this particular between parties, whether Union or Southern sentiment. One half-hour is allowed for your decision. Colonel Watson, commanding Second Texas cavalry brigade, who bears the flag of truce, will present this demand and wait for your reply. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient serG. W. CARTER, Colonel Commanding Fourth Division, First Army Corps, Trans the post of Cape Girardeau. He thinks himself able to maintain its possession. I have the honor to be, etc., WILLIAM R. STRACHAN, Colonel and Chief of Staf That night the little garrison lay on their arms, and the next morning, Sunday, twenty-sixth April, the enemy opened fire from two batteries, one posted on the Jackson road, the other near the Bloomfield road, at ten o'clock and fifteen minutes. Shortly after the engagement had commenced, another flag of truce was announced, and the following was brought in: HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES FORCES, DISTRICT OF SOUTH-EAST MISSOURI, April 26, 1865. GENERAL: I have this moment arrived and learn that Colonel Carter has demanded the sur render of the forces in Cape Girardeau-the fortifications and Government property, which de mand you have declined. With my combined forces now surrounding Cape Girardeau, I deem it an easy task to storm and capture the town, and I therefore reiterate the demand, that you immediately surrender to me unconditionally your command. In case the demand is not immediately complied with, I request that you will inform all noncombatants in the town to provide for their safety, as I will immediately proceed to attack your posi tion and storm the works. Major Henry Ewing Adjutant-General, is intrusted as the bearer of this flag of truce. I am, General, very respectfully, Brigadier-General MCNEIL, Commanding U. S. Forces in Cape Girardeau. the first answer, simply informed the rebel GenGeneral McNeil, to this insulting demand after eral that he had taken the precaution to remove the women and children, and so far from surren dering the place, he should defend it to the last extremity. continued, the General being determined that the Pending this flag of truce the firing was not disrebels should not, under the palpable hypocrisy of a flag of truce, steal a march on him. Major not being allowed to see the preparations for Sir Henry Ewing appeared somewhat disconcerted at Marmaduke's reception, and remonstrated against the non-cessation of hostilities, pending the recep tion of his contemptible mission. The General coolly told him he was not engaged just then in exchanging compliments or cultivating the ameni ties of war. The rebels had his answer last night and further discussion was superfluous. So the rebel Major had perforce to retire to his command amid the thunder of artillery and the sharp rattle of musketry. At two o'clock and thirty minutes Marmaduke realized the empty arrogance of his boast of taking the town by storm, ceased firing and withdrew his troops with heavy loss. ud day it was for the brave and deter Neil. The gratitude of hundreds of s freely poured out; they recognized a mile and a half of the main force of the retreating foe, having driven their rear-guard in upon their column. We got within three miles of the Castor a little after dark. Here Lieuteuant Bast, son of G. Y. Bast, was taking supper at a farmer's. The farmer said that about five minutes before a squadron galloped by, hailed the Lieutenant, told him the Yankees had rebuilt the bridge and were close at hand. The Lieutenant could not believe them, and went back to supper; but Lieutenant Poole, with some five of our boys from the advance, charged by, Lieutenant Poole killing two of the Texans as he passed, and returning took the Lieutenant in, who was so be to make his escape. The same farmer informed us the enemy were at the Castor, and could not cross, the river being up. Guns were pushed on, and position taken to sweep the Castor Bottom so soon as day should dawn; but alas! the enemy succeeded in crossing during the night, and their that against heavy odds he had saved their houses from pillage, their homes from desolation, and their town from destruction. The reënforcements that arrived never fired a gun, the gunboats never discharged a shot, but to General McNeil and his little band of one thousand seven hundred heroes belong exclusively the honors of the day. Amongst those officers particularly active were Colonel Huston, of the Seventh Missouri volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Baumer, of the First Nebraska, Captain Meisner, of the artillery. Adjutants Poole and Cramer were at all points of attack, and displayed a zeal and courage that aided much toward the good fortunes of the day. Colonel Strachan was constantly employed in carry-wildered that he had not presence of mind enough ing orders and bringing up supports to the points menaced. The First Nebraska infantry proved that officers and men could be fully relied on in any emergency, and no one who witnessed or participated in the attempted storming of Cape Girardeau but will cheerfully award to them the highest praise. On Monday, at two o'clock P.M., Gen-sharp-shooters were posted in the woods on the eral McNeil, without taking any rest-for Sunday night all hands were kept on the alert, expecting a night attack-started in pursuit of the retreat ing foe. That afternoon his wearied men marched sixteen miles to Whitewater, found the bridge destroyed, that General Vendever had made eight miles that day, engaged the enemy, and that part of one company of the Third Iowa had been gobbled up by them. The column from Cape Girardeau was not allowed to push on, prudential reasons ruling the order of advance next morning. General McNeil, with the invaluable assistance of the First Wisconsin, under Colonel La Grange, rebuilt the bridge in three hours, and the column pressed on. Colonel Benjamin of the Second M. S. M., having the advance, they rushed on some ten miles, when orders were received from General Vandever to stop the advance. They had captured two of the enemy who were finishing the destruction of a bridge, and who told them if they had come up ten minutes sooner they could have had the rear-guard of some fifty men, who destroyed the bridge, and had just disappeared. The advance under Benjamin pushed on until we were within a mile of the enemy, who were in force, when up rides an orderly from General Vandever, some ten miles in our rear, calling on them to halt. Orders were obeyed, although it gave the enemy additional time to shove ahead and rest their jaded animals. opposite bank to dispute our crossing, while the main column should have time to get out of our way. A sharp skirmish ensued, the First Wisconsin succeeded in driving them, aided by artillery, and we had undisputed control of the fords, when, instead of crossing, it was understood that orders had been received from General Vandever abandoning the crossing and giving up further pursuit. So waited we for several hours, when General Vandever changed his mind and allowed us to move on once more. The delay prevented our getting over in time to occupy Bloomfield that night. We shoved on to Bloomfield next day, having sharp skirmishing in front, which at one time seemed like advancing toward a general engagement. But falling back was the ruling order among the rebels. On arriving in Bloomfield, several citizens informed us that we were but two hours behind. Again did joy illuminate the faces of the brave and resolute men of McNeil's column, but alas! its fitful flash soon died away, we remaining in town to give the enemy a good start again, when it was well known that forty miles would land him in Arkansas, across the St. Francis, and he could then laugh at us with impunity. Finally General Vandever gave to General McNeil two brigades, first under command of Colonel J. M. Glover, Third Missouri volunteer cavalry, and Finally, the column was allowed to push on- second under Colonel La Grange, First Wisconsin got within three miles of the Castor, captured cavalry. Vandever asked McNeil when he could Lieutenant Bast and a few others, who admitted move. "In half an hour," replied McNeil. "I they had no knowledge of the rapidity of our will march at four in the morning," said Vandemarch, and supposed the Whitewater had effect- ver. General McNeil marched all night without ually stopped us. On the east side of the Cas-rations or feed, the men never murmuring, so anxtor was Carter's division, numbering over three ious were they to make up the criminal delay thousand effective men; also Shelby's division. Both brigades should have been captured at the Castor. Prisoners have frankly admitted that they expected they would be forced to surrender. Four times had McNeil's column been halted by General Vandever, who was several miles in the rear, and that several times when we were within at the Castor and Bloomfield. At five o'clock A.M., Colonel Glover became engaged with the enemy, forced them from their position, (although it was a strong one,) and backed by their artillery. About four miles further the enemy made another stand. The artillery was hurried up, skirmishers went to work, and soon Colonel Glover forced them again to retire. Here a few of us fell heir to an ample breakfast that had been prepared for the officers of the retreating rebel column. It suffered not by passing down loyal instead of disloyal throats. General McNeil, desirous of seizing their batteries, which were annoying us, constantly proposed to Colonel Glover that he should order a charge from a battalion of his regiment, at the next stand made by the foe. In a few minutes the time arrived, the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Carrick with several companies of the chivalrous Third Missouri cavalry, and led by Colonel Glover himself, made a dashing charge. The First Iowa had been ordered to hurry up and sustain the Third Missouri, but they from misapprehension or some other cause went haltingly on and failed to give the support that would have made the charge a complete success. The Third Missouri went through and through the enemy, strewing the points and the road with rebel dead. Colonel Glover was unhorsed; Lieutenant-Colonel Carrick wounded in the shoulder. The brave Captain Mitchell received a serious wound, and other noble and daring spirits were killed and wounded. After cutting their way through the enemy for a mile and a half, the main force of Texas cavalry came at them and forced them back-no support arriving, General McNeil making frantic but vain efforts to hurry the artillery up. We lost the advantages that would have resulted from this most brilliant charge. For twenty miles the enemy were driven with loss, and every one rejoiced at the supposed prospect of cutting them off at the St. Francis, but again delayed, the enemy made good their escape. Next morning a sharp engagement ensued between McNeil on this side and the rebels on the other side, in which General McNeil and his aid Lieutenant Ankony, volunteer, both had their horses shot from under them. A terrific artillery fire served as a de joie for the final safety of the rebel force. The First Nebraska infantry again clothed themselves with immortal honor-leaving the Cape some twelve hours behind the Thirtyseventh Illinois-then passed them and marched eighty miles in two days; made the night march from Bloomfield and participated in the twenty miles fight, as though not a man was fatigued. In obedience to orders, General McNeil fell back on Bloomfield, and resumed march to Cape Girardeau, followed by a host of movers, who dared not remain at home after the Federal forces had been withdrawn. Thus closed the Sir Marmaduke raid into South-East Missouri. The enemy defeated at every point-demoralized yet allowed to carry off their fourteen pieces of artillery, with full as many prisoners as graced our columns, and the balance of killed and wounded being largely in our favor. Too much praise cannot be given Captain Dawson and his company A, of Second M. S. M., for their invaluable services in crossing the Castor, and making a floating bridge on which artillery and wagons were successfully Doc. 178. BATTLE OF FAIRMONT, VIRGINIA. FAIRMONT, VIRGINIA, May 4, 1863. THE rebel raid into West-Virginia has come and gone. The smoke of battle has drifted away, and the thousand rumors have given place to well-determined facts. I propose to describe briefly what I understand to be the route taken by the raiders after entering our lines until they escaped beyond them; and, with as much detail as time will permit, the engagement at this place. It appears that on Friday and Saturday, the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth ultimo, the rebels, having driven our small forces from Beverly and Philippi back to Grafton, crossed the railroad at several points between Grafton and Rowlesburgh, and went to Kingwood, in Preston County, thence to Morgantown, which place they reached on Monday, at two P.M. Tuesday morning they left Morgantown, and came up on the east bank of the river to within seven or eight miles of this place, where they were met by another body, which crossed the railroad subsequently. The whole force then returned to Morgantown, crossed the river, spread out over the country, taking every good horse they could find, and concentrat ed here on Wednesday morning. They crossed Buffalo Creek - which flows from the west and enters the river a mile below town-at Barracksville, and approached town on the Mannington pike. The first positive information of their number and whereabouts, was received from Morgantown on Monday evening. Their number was estimated by a gentleman who witnessed their entree, at five thousand. Before this news came, and while all was vague rumor and perplexing uncertainty, many of our fighting men whom we relied upon as certain to die in "the last ditch,” if die they must, performed "a grand strategical movement," and "fell back" to a new "base of operations" at Cameron, Moundsville, Wheeling, and various other points in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Those whose lips retained the crimson hue of natural life, and whose knees did not quake like Cæsar's with the ague in Spain, remained and busied themselves in hunting up arms, and in making every effort to defend the place against the impending assault. A delegation went to Mannington, and returned on Tuesday morning with two companies of militia and as many guns as were fit for use. The whole defensive force consisted of only three hundred men, made up of companies D and F, One Hundred and Sixth New-York volunteers - one hundred and five men; two companies of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Virginia militia - one hundred and seventeen men; thirty-eight men of company A, Sixth Virginia; a few of company B, Sixth Virginia, and about forty citizen soldiers. The rebel army was commanded by General William E. Jones, and consisted, according to his statement, of seven regiments of cavalry, one regiment of mounted infantry, and three hundred mounted sharp-shooters, in all six thousand men, |