all the rebels killed and wounded; but among hundred and fifty men, and two mountain howitthe number wounded mortally is a son of George zers. In the afternoon I heard cannon firing in D. Prentice, of Louisville. Captain W. Rogers, of Harrison County, was killed, and a Lieutenant Wilson. The rebels left some of their killed and wounded in our hands, all of whom have been properly cared for. They took our horses, buggies, wagons, and all means of transportation to carry off their dead and wounded. Among the killed on the Union side was Dr. W. Taylor, M. B. Worthington, John B. Story, George Byers, Oliver Stairs, John Eiphart, John Perkins, and William Gregg. the direction of Newtonia. I ordered Lieut.-Col Jacobi, Ninth regiment Wisconsin volunteers, with three cannon of Stockton's battery and two companies of the Ninth regiment Wisconsin velunteers, infantry, to his assistance. Toward evening Col. Lynde returned to camp, reporting that Lieut.-Col. Jacobi had taken a position of observation some nine miles from camp, and wanted reënforcements. I sent two more companies of the Ninth Wisconsin volunteers, infantry, and advised him that Col. Lynde would be with him in the morning. The instructions of Col. Lynde and Lieut.-Col Jacobi were mainly to find out the enemy, but not to risk any thing; to report to me immediately if they would find the enemy in force. The prisoners were all taken from town as rapidly as they could march. Some have been paroled and have returned home. The conduct of the gunboats seemed to us cowardly in the extreme. Just above our town is a large sand-bar, and so soon as the rebels could move across the At about seven A.M., on the thirtieth, I heard bottom, they ran out on this bar, one hundred or heavy firing in the direction of Newtonia. I at one hundred and fifty strong, drew up in line of once ordered the forces here, the First and Secbattle, and fired volley after volley at the Belfast ond brigades of Kansas, to be in readiness, and and Florence Miller, and not one shot was fired ordered Col. Hall, in command of Fourth brigade in return. With one fire of grape, the whole Missouri State militia, to march to Newtonia band of rebels could have been mowed down; The fire continuing, I ordered the Sixth Kansas but the gallant commanders fled-fled, ay-and volunteers, cavalry, and the Third Indian home when they got to Higginsport, actually hoisted guard to proceed to the battle-field in a trot, while their cannon ashore, and moved off up the river I marched with the infantry and artillery in the with their boats. Much of our town is destroyed; same direction. the loss will reach one hundred thousand dollars. The principal sufferers are Thomas Myers, J. B. Ryan, W. H. Diltz, W. P. Taylor, Mrs. Hooker, S. F. Marshall, V. Weldin, J. T. McKibben, and William Barr. Our train was left in charge of some four hundred Indians and two pieces of Major Blair's battery. At about ten A.M., the messenger to Col Hall overtook me on the road, with the message hereto annexed. I despatched Capt. Welch, Second Ohio volunteer cavalry, to keep communica tion between us open. Soon afterward I received the news that our troops, in the attempt to take the town, were defeated, and the infantry cut up. Official reports I have not been able to obtain yet. The confederate forces are a battalion of Morgan's. Colonel Bradford, Colonel Harris, and F. L. Cleveland, Esq., are still in the hands of the 'enemy. On yesterday Colonel Wilson and Colonel Wadsworth, commanding the forces from Maysville and Ripley, pressed on to Brownsville in the effort to overtake the rebels; but were On my arrival at the battle-field, I found the there only in time to fall upon their rear-guard, Fourth Kansas, and the Third Indian home they having retreated in great haste in the direc-guards in line of battle on an elevation north of tion of Falmouth. All of which is respectfully submitted, Doc. 213. BATTLE OF NEWTONIA, MO. GENERAL SALOMON'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, ARMY OF KANSAS, Brigadier-General Schofield, Commanding: Newtonia. I ordered the Sixth Kansas, with two mountain howitzers to the right; the Third Indian regiment of home guards to the left, where a ravine, lined with corn-fields and stone fences, runs into town; the artillery (Captain Allen's battery) to the centre, supported by the First battalion of the Tenth Kansas infantry on their right, and the Ninth regiment Wisconsin infantry on their left; three pieces of Stockton's battery and the Second battalion Tenth Kansas infantry being kept in reserve. The enemy was in strong position, behind stone walls and massive buildings. They were reënforced in the forenoon, and, as prisoners say, one thousand strong. On the twentieth ultimo I sent scouting-parties to Newtonia, Granby, and Neosho. The latter, as per report of Col. Weer, killed two of the enemy in check by my artillery. my's pickets, wounded several, and made one prisoner. Those at Granby reported no enemy there. The scouting-party to Newtonia was commanded by Col. Lynde, and consisted of the Ninth Kansas volunteers, cavalry, about one I awaited anxiously for the arrival of Col. Ha on the right flank of the enemy, keeping the ene An attempt to force our left flank was nobly rejected by Colonel Phillips's Third Indian home guards, supported by our reserve. My intention was to advance upon the enemy with the whole force at the arrival of Col. Hall, but when he had not arrived toward sunset, I ordered the retreat. Shortly afterward I was informed that Col. Hall was two miles in my rear in the timber. It became now dark. Gen. Rains was reported to be arriving, and I fell back on my defence at this place. Why Colonel Hall did not come in time, and on the road he reported he would come, is a mystery to me, and can be explained, perhaps, only by him. There is no doubt but that we could have annihilated the enemy if he had appeared in time, and on the proper road. Our loss in the afternoon was very small; that of the enemy must be heavy, since our artillery fired from an elevated ground into their thick masses. intentions. I did not know whether he intended to advance with his forces from Sarcoxie toward Newtonia. I was entirely without information of the intentions of Gen. Salomon. I desired him to send me a messenger. He neither sent me a messenger or a line, nor did he communicate with me in any way until I had reached the battlefield. I immediately, upon receipt of the above order from Gen. Salomon, ordered the different regiments, battalions, and companies of the brigade to march. We marched toward Newtonia by the way of Jollification. I marched about eight miles. I had not heard any firing since we started. I had not received any communication from Gen. Salomon; I was ignorant of his movements or intentions. I had no means of know It give me pleasure to say that our troops being the result of the morning's engagement, but haved nobly. Col. Weer, commanding Second brigade, is entitled to my thanks for his conduct before, during, and after the battle. I have the honor to be, General, your obedient F. SALOMON, Brigadier-General, Commanding First Brigade Kansas Vols. servant, COLONEL HALL'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, M. S. M., CAMP NEAR CENTRE CREEK, SIX MILES EAST OF SARCOXIE, Mo., October 1, 1862. Brigadier-General E. B. Brown, Commanding Brigade: GENERAL: Being left in command of your brigade during your temporary absence at Springfield, Mo., I beg leave to submit the following report: At about eight o'clock A.M. of the thirtieth ultimo, firing from artillery was heard in the distance, supposed to be at or near Newtonia, Mo. The firing was continued until about ten o'clock A.M., of said day, when it ceased. I had seen Brig.-Gen. Schofield's letter of instructions to the different commanders in this division, directing them not, on any account, to risk a defeat. I had seen Gen. Salomon's estimate of the number of the enemy's troops at Newtonia, Mo., which was eight thousand; also Colonel Weer's estimate, which was about eleven thousand. I was also aware of the fact that the forces of Gen. Salomon, of Col. Weer, and your brigade did not number near eight thousand. General Salomon never, by word or letter, intimated to me that he intended attacking the enemy at Newtonia. I was, therefore, lost in conjecture as to who were engaged in firing the artillery we heard in the morning. About ten o'clock A.M., of said thirtieth ultimo, I received the following order: Colonel Hall, Commanding Fourth Brigade, souri State Militia: Advance immediately toward Newtonia. Heavy firing in our advance. A. BLOCK, A.A.G. Send answer by bearer when you will strike Newtonia road. had good reason to believe that the enemy had maintained their position. By marching to Newtonia, by the way of Jollification, the whole force of the enemy would be directly between my command and the troops of Gen. Salomon, whether they were at Sarcoxie or advancing from Sarcoxie to Newtonia. I therefore, upon consultation with the principal officers of your brigade, determined to march west till I struck the road leading from Sarcoxie to Newtonia, or until I could learn something about Gen. Salomon's movements or intentions. We reached the road leading from Sarcoxie to Newtonia at about eight miles distant from Newtonia, about four o'clock P.M., of said thirtieth ultimo. Here we came upon some stragglers belonging to Salomon's command. From these men I learned that Gen. Salomon and Col. Weer, with their brigades, had marched toward Newtonia-that about four hundred men belonging to Salomon's command had made the attack in the morning on the enemy's forces, about eight thousand strong, at Newtonia, and Gen. Salomon and Col. Weer had marched down to their relief. At the time we reached the road from Sarcoxie to Newtonia, firing by artillery was heard by me again at or near Newtonia, which told me that Gen. Salomon had, with his forces, reached Newtonia. It was about as far from our camp to where we struck the Sarcoxie road as from Sarcoxie to Newtonia. We marched from the lastmentioned place, where we came into the Sarcoxie road to Newtonia with all possible despatch; we reached the battle-field about sunset. Gen. General Salomon, on the battle-field, requested me to cover his retreat with my brigade. Salomon's troops were retreating in great confusion. The enemy in full force were advancing to Mis-attack the rear of his column, which must have been captured or destroyed, but for the timely in line of battle in front of the enemy, and bearrival of your brigade. I drew up your brigade tween the enemy and the retreating forces of Brig.-Gen. Salomon. The enemy, seeing my disposition, drew up in line of battle and commenced firing their artillery at my line. I ordered Lieut. Marr, in command of Captain Murphy's company of First Missouri artillery, to open fire upon the enemy, which was obeyed in a prompt and effi This was the only communication ever received by me from Gen. Salomon concerning the movement of troops under my command at that time. It left me in utter ignorance of Gen. Salomon's cient manner. The troops of your brigade acted with great coolness and courage on the field, and during the retreat, about dark, the enemy withdrew their force from the field. posted; the other passed on to Martinsburgh, and in obedience to my orders I moved on it. Two miles of travel brought me to the Opequon Creek, on the opposite bank of which, and some three Having secured the retreat of the forces of Gen. miles down, I observed a battery of artillery in Salomon, I drew off the men under my command. position, which soon opened on me. I paid no Our only casualty was one man badly wounded attention to this, and the rebels themselves sar by the bursting of the shell. General Salomon's their absurdity, and stopped firing. I continued troops were scattered from near the battle-field to my movement to Martinsburgh, and easily drove Sarcoxie. I saw them all safely back to Sar- several squadrons in my front into the town, my coxie. I there on this morning met Gen. Salo-advance arriving at the edge of the town by two mon. He declined renewing the attack upon the o'clock in the day. enemy. It therefore became my duty to march the brigade back to Centre Creek to protect the train. It was soon discovered that Hampton's brigade of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery were drawa up in the centre of the town, and that two bridges between my forces and theirs had been destroyed by these boastful soldiers, who represented they were so anxious to get at my command. With three squadrons of cavalry and one piece of artillery, Hampton's command was soon driven from Martinsburgh, and I leisurely entered the town with this force, and executed all the orders I had received in regard to it. On entering the town I found the bridges had been replaced, and I was informed that the ladies of the place had turned out and built them up for my men to cross. The mention of this incident speaks for itself, as an affecting exhibition of loyalty and devotion in the present great struggle for national existence. me. To Major-General T. C. Hindman: GENERAL: Colonels Cooper and Shelby repulsed the enemy, four to five thousand strong, at Newtonia, on the thirtieth September, killing one hundred and fifty; captured one hundred and fifteen prisoners; number of wounded not known. I remained at Martinsburgh until five o'clock The enemy, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Salomon, fell back to Sarcoxie, a distance of fifteen miles, in the afternoon, some time after I had finished which place they now occupy in considerable force, my business, to see if the rebels would attack having been reenforced from Kansas. The entire They did not, so in obedience to my orders, command at Sarcoxie is from Kansas. The prison-I commenced to return toward Shepherdstown, ers taken are of the Wisconsin Ninth, Salomon's by the same road I had gone out, and that the brag regiment. rebels might follow me if they felt so inclined, I left the bridges intact that they had destroyed in the morning. After crossing the Opequon Creek a section of artillery, with suitable force, remained in rear, to cover the march, which was leisurely conducted at a walk. The enemy perceiving that my movement was a retreat, came at a headlong gallop toward my rear, when some six or eight well-directed shells scattered his force in confusion over the hills, and he did not rally until my rear had passed over nearly two miles of the dis The enemy still occupy Springfield and Mount Doc. 214. GENERAL PLEASANTON'S RECONNOIS-tance, when he brought up fresh troops from the SANCE. GENERAL PLEASANTON'S REPORT. road leading toward Bunker Hill. My command cared so little for the enemy's attacks that they moved on at a walk, and the rear section of arti ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 8, 1862. lery was, in consequence, quite near the rebels I CROSSED the Potomac on the morning of the on the road. When apprised of this, I immedifirst instant, with seven hundred men, consisting ately placed a section of artillery in position, and of the Eighth Illinois cavalry, three squadrons opened on the enemy, over the heads of my men, from each of the Eighth Pennsylvania and Third and the other section coming up, their fire did Indiana cavalry and Pennington's battery of ar- such execution that the enemy neither troubled tillery. I drove the enemy's pickets out of Shep-us nor was heard of any more that night. herdstown, and followed the Ninth Virginia cavalry on the Martinsburgh road so rapidly that they fled, leaving one of their dead in the road. This dead body was still in the road on my return in the evening, showing that I had possession of it the whole day. Five miles from Shepherdstown the road forks, one branch going in the direction of Bunker's Hill, and it was on this road that Lee's brigade was Sereral of my squadrons engaged the enemy at shortrange, and always maintained their position until they were directed to move. The last affair occurred over four miles beyond Shepherdstown, and in it we captured nine prisoners and ten horses and equipments; and I have since heard, from good authority, that the rebels buried sixty-six dead, as the result of that fight. My loss was only twelve men slightly wounded, they being able to ride to camp, and three men taken prisoners by their horses falling with them. Their horses were not captured. I brought off from Martinsburgh twenty-four citizens anxious to leave, and nine boys belonging to Frederick, who had been impressed into the rebel service, but had run away. REBEL REPORTS AND NARRATIVES. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Į of artillery, under command of General Palmer, sent via Murfreesboro road. At the same time one thousand eight hundred infantry, under Col. Miller, marched by a circuitous route to the south of La Vergne. The enemy's pickets and vedettes were in considerable force on the roads, and skirmished with our advance ten miles, enabling the main force, consisting of one regiment, the Thirty-second Alabama infantry, with one steel rifled cannon, and three thousand cavalry, to assume a position, forming their lines in anticipation of our entire force advancing on the Murfreesboro General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector- Gen-road, which was part of our object. The enemy eral, C.S.A., Richmond, Va. : GENERAL: The enemy's cavalry, under General Pleasanton, with six pieces of artillery, drove back our pickets yesterday in front of Shepherdstown. The Ninth Virginia cavalry, which was on picket, repulsed the enemy several times by vigorous charges, disputing the ground step by step, back to the main body. By the time his artillery reached him, Col. W. F. H. Lee, who was in command of the brigade, was obliged to place it on the west bank of the Opequon, on the flank of the enemy, as he approached Martinsburgh. Gen. Hampton's brigade had retired through Martinsburgh, on the Tuscarora road, when Gen. Stuart arrived and made dispositions to attack. Lee's brigade was advanced immediately, and Hampton's ordered forward. The enemy retired at the approach of Lee along the Shepherdstown road, and was driven across the Potomac by the cavalry, with a severe loss, and darkness alone prevented it from being a signal victory. His rear was overtaken and put to flight, our cavalry charging in gallant style under a severe fire of artillery, driving squadron after squadron, killing a number, wounding more, and capturing several. He was driven through Shepherdstown, and crossed the river after dark, in no case standing a hand-to-hand conflict, but relying upon his artillery and carbines at long-range for protection. I regret to add that we lost one lieutenant and several privates. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General Commanding. commenced the action by opening fire with three pieces of artillery at a distance of three hundred yards. This was soon silenced by a shell from one of our guns exploding their ammunition chest, at the moment the enemy were directing their movements against the right flank of Gen. Palmer's force. Col. Willis's infantry arrived, advancing in splendid line of battle, delivering a well-directed fire into the enemy's ranks, which was followed by a skilful deployment of the right and left, to cut off their retreat. The confederates held their ground for thirty minutes, and then fled in the wildest disorder, leaving one hundred and seventy-five prisoners in our hands, among whom were two lieutenants, two lieutenant-colonels, and a number of line-officers; three pieces of artillery, ordnance and quartermaster's stores, a large amount of provisions, camp equipage, personal effects, stand of regimental colors, and three railroad cars, which we destroyed. Their defeat was complete. Their loss in killed and wounded was about eighty. The conduct of our officers and men was highly meritorious, with numerous instances of individual bravery and efficiency. A report in detail will be forwarded by the first opportunity. Our loss is five killed, nine wounded, four Colonel J. B. FRY, A.A.G. and Chief of Staff. Doc. 215. BATTLE AT LA VERGNE, TENN. GENERAL NEGLEY'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, Doc. 216. FIGHT AT LAWRENCEBURGH, KY. COLONEL PARROTT'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT O. V. I., CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the skirmish had with the enemy this morning, by the troops under my command, at Dogwalk. SIR: Major-Gen. J. R. Anderson, Brig.-General Forrest, and Gen. Harris, have been rapidly concentrating a large rebel force at La Vergne, fifteen As my regiment left camp, the General Commiles east, with the avowed intention of assault-manding apprised me that our rear was threating Nashville. Deeming it a favorable opportunity to check this project by a sudden blow, a concerted movement was made on the night of the sixth instant, by a force of four hundred infantry and four hundred cavalry, and four pieces ened by the enemy, and ordered me to march back on the road until I overtook the Nineteenth United States infantry, previously sent out. About half a mile from camp I came up with our troops, on the road to Lawrenceburgh. Major King, Fifteenth United States infantry, attack, as the firing was not resumed until our had his battalion drawn up in open field, where troops had again taken up the march toward he commanded the road; Major Carpenter, Nine-Maxville. teenth United States infantry, was to his left, and in the road, which at that point makes an abrupt turn. Being the ranking officer present, I posted the First Ohio behind the crest of a ridge in the skirt of woods to the rear of the open ground, and ordered the battalions of regulars to fall back across the field, and form on the same line, and to the right of the First Ohio. In the mean time Lieut. Guenther had come up with a section of battery H, Fifth United States artillery. Just as our line was formed the enemy appeared, marching by the flank up the hill, in front of where I had found Major King's command. Lieut. Guenther, having got one of his pieces in position, opened with such effect as to check the progress of the enemy, and cause him to fall back under cover of the hill. From this position the enemy advanced a strong line of skirmishers. To oppose these I deployed forward a company from each battalion of the regulars, company C, Capt. Thruston, and part of company B, Lieut. Kuhlmann, First Ohio. The skirmishers became engaged at once, and very warmly. Major Drake at this time reported to me with the Forty-ninth Ohio volunteers, and was sent to a position on the right, and deflected at nearly a right angle to Major King, and was ordered to cover his front and right flank with skirmishers. I have no report from him, but believe there was no firing on his part of the line. The guns of Lieut. Guenther commanded the road in front of our centre, so as to check any advance along it, and the enemy's main attack was directed against our left. The skirmish-line in front of the First Ohio was strongly attacked, and at one time driven a short distance from the hill on which it was posted, but being reënforced, rallied and in turn drove he enemy back. For near four hours the firing here was strong and steady, and when the enemy had been driven from here he appears to have fallen back altogether, and to have given up the The section of Lieut. Guenther's battery was handled with the usual vigor and skill of that accomplished officer, and was very effective in checking the advance of the enemy, and in driv ing him from a dwelling-house, under cover of which he was making the most severe fire on our line of skirmishers. I must particularly commend Captain Thruston and Lieut. Kuhlmann, of the First Ohio, who bore the brunt of the enemy's attack. The firing began a little after eight A.M., and the enemy was finally repulsed about one P.M. I did not attempt to do more than hold our position and keep the enemy at bay, because I had been ordered to act strictly on the defensive. The attacking force, I have learned, from citizens and others, who saw the enemy marching up, was about two thousand five hundred to three thousand strong, mixed infantry and cavalry, with two howitzers, which latter were not used on us. Eleven of his dead, and two mortally wounded, were found on the field; but many other bodies were seen to be carried off by him. We got from him three Springfield muskets and one Harper's Ferry rifle. Appended is a list of killed and wounded. A.A.G. Second Division. KILLED.-Jos. A. Matthias, First Sergeant, Ca C, First Ohio; G. W. Ennis, private, do.. da; Henry Wolfstetter, do., do., do.; William Burghartt, do., Co. B, do.; J. W. Barnes, do., Co. Č, Nineteenth U. S. infantry; Robert Putnam, Co. A, Fifteenth U. S. infantry. WOUNDED.-A. Kuhlmann, Second Lieutenant, Co. B, First Ohio; Jos. Leiber, Corporal, do, do. ; John Hook, do., do., do., A. Snyder, private, Co. C, do.; I. P. Iddings, do, do, do; H. Brelsford, Corporal, do., do.; Geo. King, private, Co. B, Nineteenth infantry; Mat. Preston, do., Co. E, do. Killed, six; wounded, eight-total, fourteen. |