them without their firing a gun, and set about obstructing the railroad, but before it could be thoroughly done, and just as the head of our column reached it, a train of cars came thundering down from the Grand Army. It had troops on board and we prepared to attack it. The train swept off the obstructions without being thrown from the track, but our fire, delivered at only a few rods' distance, either killed or caused to feign death every one on board, the engineer being one of the first victims from the unerring fire of Captain Farley. It is fair to presume that a serious collision took place on its arrival at the White House, for it made extraordinary speed in that direction. The railroad bridge over Black Creek was fired under the direction of Lieutenant Burke, and it being now dark, the burning of the immense wagon train and the extricating of the teams involved much labor and delay and illuminated the country for miles. The roads at this point were far worse than ours, and the artillery had much difficulty in passing. Our march was finally continued by bright moonlight to Talleysville, where we halted 3 hours for the column to close up. At this point we passed a large hospital of 150 patients. I deemed it proper not to molest the surgeons and attendants in charge. At 12 o'clock at night the march was continued without incident under the most favorable auspices to Forge Bridge (8 miles), over the Chickahominy, where we arrived just at daylight. Lee, of the Ninth, by personal experiment having found the stream not fordable, axes were sent for and every means taken to overcome the difficulties by improvised bridges and swimming. I immediately dispatched to you information of my situation and asked for the diversion already referred to. The progress in crossing was very slow at the point chosen, just above Forge Bridge, and learning that at the bridge proper enough of the debris of the old bridge remained to facilitate the construction of another, material for which was afforded by a large warehouse adjacent, I moved to that point at once. Lieut. Redmond Burke, who in every sphere has rendered most valuable service and deserves the highest consideration at the hands of the Government, set to work with a party to construct the bridge. A foot-bridge was soon improvised, and the horses were crossed over as rapidly as possible by swimming. Burke's work proceeded like magic; in three hours it was ready to bear artillery and cavalry, and as half of the latter had not yet crossed, the bridge enabled the whole to reach the other bank by 1 p. m. branch of the Chickahominy still farther on was with some difficulty forded, and the march was continued without interruption toward Richmond. Having passed the point of danger, I left the column with Colonel Lee, of the First. I rode on to report in person to you, reach. ing your headquarters at daylight next morning. Another Returning to my command soon after, the prisoners, 165 in number, were transferred to the proper authority; 260 horses and mules captured, with more or less harness, were transferred to the quartermaster's departments of the different regiments, and the commands were sent to their respective camps. The number of captured arms has not been as yet accurately ascertained. A pole was broken, which obliged us to abandon a limber this side of the Chickahominy. The success attending this expedition will no doubt cause 10,000 or 15,000 men to be detached from the enemy's main body to guard his communication, besides accomplishing the destruction of millions' worth of property and the interruption for a time of his railroad communica tion. The three commanders (the two Lees and Martin) exhibited the characteristics of skillful commanders, keeping their commands well in hand and managing them with skill and good judgment, which proved them worthy of a higher trust. Their brave men behaved with coolness and intrepidity in danger, unswerving resolution before difficulties, and stood unappalled before the rushing torrent of the Chickahominy, with the probability of an enemy at their heels armed with the fury of a tigress robbed of her whelps. The perfect order and systematic disposition for crossing maintained throughout the passage insured its success and rendered it the crowning feature of a successful expedition. I hope, general, that your sense of delicacy, so manifest on former occasions, will not prompt you to award to the two Lees (your son and nephew) less than their full measure of praise. Embalmed in the hearts and affections of their regiments; tried on many occasions requiring coolness, decision, and bravery; everywhere present to animate, direct, and control, they held their regiments in their grasp and proved themselves brilliant cavalry leaders. The discipline maintained by Lieutenant-Colonel Martin in his command and referred to in his report is especially worthy of notice, as also his reference to the energy displayed by First Lieut. James Breathed, of the Stuart Horse Artillery. I am most of all indebted to First Lieut. D. A. Timberlake, Corpl. Turner Doswell, and Private J. A. Timberlake, Fourth Virginia Cavalry; Second Lieut. Jones R. Christian and Private R. E. Frayser, Third Virginia Cavalry, who were ever in advance, and without whose thorough knowledge of the country and valuable assistance rendered I could have effected nothing. Asst. Surg. J. B. Fontaine, Fourth Virginia Cavalry (the enemy giving him little to do in his profession), was bold and indefatigable in reconnaissance, and was particularly active in his effort to complete the bridge. Capt. Heros von Borcke, a Prussian cavalry officer, who lately ran the blockade, assigned me by the honorable Secretary of War, joined in the charge of the First Squadron in gallant style, and subsequently, by his energy, skill, and activity, won the praise and admiration of all. To my staff present my thanks are especially due for the diligent performance of the duties assigned them; they were as follows: First Lieut. John Esten Cooke, ordnance officer, my principal staff officer for the occasion; First Lieut. C. Dabney, aide-de-camp. Rev. Mr. Landstreet, Captains Farley, Towles, Fitzhugh, and Mosby rendered conspicuous and gallant service during the whole expedition. My escort, under Corporal Hagan, are entitled individually to my thanks for their zeal and devotion to duty, particularly Privates Carson, of the Jeff. Davis Legion, and Pierson, of the Fourth Virginia Cavalry. Herewith are submitted the reports of subordinate commanders, marked A, B, and C, and a map, D,† showing my route, and papers, E, containing recommendations for promotion, and F, containing congratulatory orders published to the command upon its return. I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant, General R. E. LEE, Commanding Department Northern Virginia. *Nos. 22, 23, and 24. + To appear in Atlas, [Inclosure E.] General R. E. LEE, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, Commanding Department of Northern Virginia: June 17, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to append to my report of the Pamunkey expedition the following recommendations, which were suggested more particularly by the distinguished service rendered there: 1. Col. Fitzhugh Lee, First Virginia Cavalry, for promotion as brigadier-general of cavalry. In my estimation no one in the Confederacy possesses more of the elements of what a brigadier of cavalry ought to be than he. 2. Col. W. H. F. Lee, rivaling his cousin in the daring exploits of this expedition, established a like claim to promotion to the same grade. 3. Lieut. Col. W. T. Martin to have Shannon's and two other companies added to the Legion, so as to be colonel; a grade which he has fairly won. 4. Assist. Surg. J. B. Fontaine to be surgeon of his regiment (Fourth Virginia Cavalry), now without one. Dr. Fontaine is a man of signal military merit and an adept in his profession. 5. M. Heros von Borcke, a Prussian cavalry officer, has shown himself a thorough soldier and a splendid officer. I hope the Department will confer as high a commission as possible on this deserving man, who has cast his lot with us in the trying hour. 6. First Lieut. Redmond Burke to be captain, for the important service rendered by him on this occasion. 7. Capts. W. D. Farley and J. S. Mosby, without commission, have established a claim for position which a grateful country will not, I trust, disregard. Their distinguished services run far back toward the beginning of the war, and present a shining record of daring and usefulness. 8. First Lieut. W. T. Robins, adjutant Ninth Virginia Cavalry, would be a valuable addition to the Regular Army. I have the honor to be, general, your most obedient servant, GENERAL ORDERS, [Inclosure F.] HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE, The general of cavalry, profoundly grateful to Divine Providence for the signal success attending the late expedition to the enemy's rear, takes pleasure in announcing in orders his high appreciation of the bravery and cheerful endurance of the command. History will record in imperishable characters and a grateful country will remember with gratitude that portion of the First, Fourth, and Ninth Virginia Cavalry, the Jeff. Davis Legion, and the section of the Stuart Horse Artillery engaged in the expedition. What was accomplished is known to you, to the public, and to the enemy, but the passage of the Chickahominy under existing difficulties furnishes a separate chapter of praise for the whole command. The general will certainly despair of no enterprise when he can hold such guarantees of success as Cols. Fitzhugh Lee, W. H. F. Lee, and Martin, and their brave and devoted commands. 66 R R Vol XI The loss of the gallant and heroic Captain Latane, leading his squad. ron in a brilliant and successful charge, was a severe blow to us, but the enemy routed and fleeing before him will bear witness to a heart intrepid and a spirit invincible, whose influence will not be lost after death, while his regiment will want no better battle-cry for victory than "Avenge Latane!" Proud of his command, the general trusts. that it will never lose sight of what is at stake in this struggle-the reputation now its province to maintain. By command of Brigadier-General J. E. B. Stuart: GENERAL ORDERS, J. T. W. HAIRSTON, HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, The general commanding announces_with_great satisfaction to the Army the brilliant exploit of Brig. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart with part of the troops under his command. This gallant officer, with portions of the First, Fourth, and Ninth Virginia Cavalry, a part of the Jeff. Davis Legion, with whom were the Boykin Rangers and a section of the Stuart Horse Artillery, on June 13, 14, and 15, made a reconnaissance between the Pamunkey and Chickahominy Rivers, and succeeded in passing around the rear of the whole Federal army, routing the enemy in a series of skirmishes, taking a number of prisoners, and destroying and capturing stores to a large amount. Having most successfully accomplished its object, the expedition recrossed the Chickahominy almost in the presence of the enemy with the same coolness and address that marked every step of its progress, and with the loss of but one man, the lamented Captain Latane, of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry, who fell bravely leading a successful charge against a superior force of the enemy. In announcing this signal success to the Army the general commanding takes great pleasure in expressing his admiration of the courage and skill so conspicuously exhibited throughout by the general and the officers and men under his command. In addition to the officers honorably mentioned in the report of the expedition, the conduct of the following privates has received the special commendation of their respective commanders: Privates Thomas P. Clapp, Company D, First Virginia Cavalry, and J. S. Mosby, serving with the same regiment; Privates Ashton, Brent, R. Herring, F. S. Herring, and H. F. Coleman, Company E, Ninth Virginia Cavalry. By command of General Lee: R. H. CHILTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 22. Report of Col. Fitz. Lee, First Virginia Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS FIRST VIRGINIA CAVALRY, SIR: I have the honor to report that the First Virginia Cavalry and four companies of Fourth Virginia Cavalry, under Captain Utterbach, constituted my command and a part of General J. E. B. Stuart's, performing the entire circuit of the enemy's army, on the 12th [13th], 13th [14th], and 14th [15th] of the present month. During the trip my command captured 62 horses, 7 mules, and assisted in securing 100 others, 39 cavalry saddles, 40 pistols, bridles, and quantities of minor stores; destroyed and assisted in destroying a large number of wagons and commissary and quartermaster's property of all kinds-one company alone destroying 800 bushels of corn and oats, 5,000 pounds of long forage, 4,000 pounds [of] bacon, 15 gallons [of] whisky, 200 pounds [of] sugar, 50 pounds [of] coffee, and 50 pounds of rice; charged and drove from their camp (I am happy to say) a part of my old regiment of cavalry, and burned all their tents, baggage, and stores of every description; captured a large number of prisoners-one company alone capturing 28, besides killing some of the enemy. And in this connection I would call the attention of the general com. manding to Private Thomas P. Clapp, of Captain Litchfield's company (D), who, riding up to a Federal officer who was in advance of his men, engaged him in personal combat and killed him after being wounded himself; a deed well worthy of emulation. I have no one killed; 1 wounded, 1 missing. I cannot conclude this brief report without certifying to the highly creditable manner in which both officers and men bore the danger and fatigue of a trip which has yet to be excelled-a noble band of circuitriders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FITZ. LEE, Colonel, First Virginia Cavalry, Commanding. ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Cavalry Brigade. No. 23. Report of Col. W. H. F. Lee, Ninth Virginia Cavalry. HDQRS. NINTH REGIMENT VIRGINIA CAVALRY, Camp Lee, Va., June 17, 1862. GENERAL: I have the honor to forward a report of the part taken by my regiment in the late reconnaissance around the enemy's lines made by the cavalry brigade under your command on the 13th, 14th, and 15th instant: [The] Second Squadron, Captain Swann commanding, made the first charge uear Hawes' Shop, completely routing the enemy and pursuing him about a mile. The second charge was made by the Fifth Squadron, Captain Latane commanding, about a mile from Old Church (Hanover), up a hill, through a narrow road, with thick woods on both sides. The enemy here was strongly posted, his force consisting of two squadrons. It was here that Captain Latane was killed while gallantly leading his squadron, charging some 30 yards ahead of it. It was here that they had a hand-to-hand conflict, and my officers and men behaved with the greatest daring and bravery. In this encounter my loss consisted of Captain Latane, killed, and |