We killed some 4 or 5 and captured a large number, among them Lieutenant McLean. It is reported to me by some of my officers and men that there were a great many more killed and wounded. Some were in the woods, and the wounded got off in the road. We passed by so rapidly that it is impossible to state accurately the loss of the enemy. We From this time, as you know, there was no more hard fighting. captured as we went along a large number of prisoners. The advance guard, as you know, had barely reached the York River Railroad, when a train was reported in sight. Lieutenant Robins, in command of the advance, tried to turn the switch, but found it locked. He had obstructions placed across the track, and I hurried a squadron forward, dismounted them, and as the train came down fired into it. A great many jumped off when the firing commenced. The conductor was killed or jumped off. The obstructions proved insufficient and the train escaped. There were some killed here and a number captured. I detached a part of two squadrons, Captain Knight and Lieutenant Oliver commanding, and directed them to go to Garlick's Landing and burn the vessels lying there, which they did very successfully, burning two transports laden with sutler's and quartermaster's stores. One escaped. Here they met with a slight resistance from a party of about 100 men, but a few shots soon brought the matter to an end, and they captured almost all of them. The rest you know. It is impossible in such a hurried march to state accurately everything that occurred. I should like to call to your attention [to] the conduct of my adjutant, Lieut. W. T. Robins, who conducted in a very handsome manner the advance of my regiment when it was in front and the rear when in rear. He was also in both of the charges. The officers and men all behaved with the greatest bravery and coolness. Private Ashton, of Company E, and those wounded, I think, deserve special mention. Two squadrons of the Fourth Cavalry, under Captain Wooldridge, were attached to my command. They participated and gallantly dispersed a body of cavalry that formed on Garlick's farm. The enemy did not allow them to get very near. Very respectfully, Brig. Gen. J. E. B. STUART, W. H. F. LEE, Colonel Ninth Virginia Cavalry. Commanding Cavalry Brigade. No. 24. Report of Col. William T. Martin, Jeff. Davis Legion (Cavalry). JEFF. DAVIS LEGION, Camp Ballard, near Richmond, Va., June 17, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the services of the Jeff. Davis Legion, under my command, in the reconnaissance made by the general commanding on the 13th, 14th, and 15th instant through and in rear of the enemy's lines in front of Richmond: My command was composed of 250 picked men. In obedience to the order of the general, on the morning of the 13th, at sunrise, I assumed command of the rear guard, composed of the Legion and a 12-pounder howitzer, and at a later period of the day a rifled piece was added. These guns were under the charge, respectively, of Lieutenants Breathed and McGregor. After the march began toward Hanover Court-House, excepting an occasional halt to give scouting parties an opportunity to reconnoiter, our progress was so rapid and the attack upon the enemy's pickets so vigorous and well pursued, that the rear of our column was not attacked. The impunity with which the movement was made was no doubt owing to the suddenness and boldness of the attack. During the day and late into the night my command was engaged in completing the destruction of the enemy's property commenced by those in advance, in securing prisoners and captured mules and horses, and until sunrise next morning in guarding against surprise and preventing strag gling. The artillery horses, owing to the great heat and rapid marching, failed late in the afternoon, and the rifled piece, so much needed in front of the attack upon Tunstall's Station, could not be carried forward in time, though the officers and men in immediate charge of the gun exerted themselves to the utmost to reach that point before the enemy escaped. The condition of those horses, as well as the condition of the road at and near the station, greatly impeded my progress and subjected the rear guard to great danger of being cut off, the enemy having had eight or ten hours' notice from his pickets of our movement. In the afternoon 25 non-commissioned officers and privates of the Fifth Regular Cavalry, U. S. Army, came in under flag of truce, and surrendered, with horses and arms, to the rear guard, under the impression that they were surrounded. The whole column had passed them nearly a mile. With great difficulty the guns were passed down the difficult road beyond the station. As all the fighting was done in front, the Legion had no opportunity to take part in the series of combats and skirmishers which occurred during the day. For twenty-four hours the march continued until the whole column halted on the banks of the Chickahominy at Jones' Bridge, 25 miles from Richmond. The stream was not fordable, and after much labor and delay, that was unavoidable, an impromptu bridge was constructed for artillery, the horses swimming the stream, and by 12 m. the whole column was on this side of the river. The Legion was then intrusted with the custody of the prisoners, some 150 in number, and guarded them until midday of the 15th, when they were delivered to a guard detailed to carry them to Richmond. We returned to camp late in the afternoon of the 15th. I would take occasion to mention the energy displayed by Lieutenant Breathed in overcoming the difficulties encountered in moving his piece of artillery, and the promptness shown in preparing for action on several occasions when there was reason to believe that the enemy were about to attack. I have to report that my column remained during the whole march well closed up. There was no straggling from it and no plundering. Officers and men bore the fatigue with patience, and for twenty-four hours were ready on the instant to repel attack. Under all the temptations presented, with so many bad examples set, it affords me great satisfaction to say that my ranks were never broken. In the report above I include the Boykin Rangers, Lieutenant Chestnut commanding, temporarily attached to the Legion. That company rendered efficient service during the march from Hanover Court-House to the Chickahominy, it being the rear company. All of which is respectfully submitted. WILL. T. MARTIN, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Jeff. Davis Legion. Capt. J. T. W. HAIRSTON, A. A. G., Hdqrs. Cavalry Brigade. JUNE 15, 1862.-Reconnaissance to vicinity of New Market, Va. Report of Brig. Gen. Silas Casey, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, Fourth Corps. HEADQUARTERS CASEY'S DIVISION, June 16, 1862. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that yesterday a cavalry detachment ordered by me on a reconnaissance encountered near New Market a rebel picket of about 12 mounted men. They succeeded in capturing 1 of their horses and 2 carbines. They also brought in a man named Nathan Doughty, who has been engaged in collecting negroes to work on the fortifications near Richmond. I would respectfully call attention to the insecurity of this part of the line. My general officers of the day report a number of fording places not heretofore known to us. In fact, in dry weather the places across the swamp that cannot be easily forded are exceptions. A sufficient force of cavalry should be kept here, that the borders of the swamp from the Chickahominy may be constantly watched. I also request that an officer of engineers may be sent to make an examination of the swamp. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SILAS CASEY, Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding Division. Capt. C. O. SUYDAM, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fourth Corps. JUNE 15, 1862.-Skirmish near Seven Pines, Va. REPORTS. No. 1.-Brig. Gen. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, Third Corps. No. 2.-Brig. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade. No. 3.-Maj. John D. Moriarty, Seventy-third New York Infantry. No. 4.-Col. Robert Nugent, Sixty-ninth New York Infantry. No. 5.-Brig. Gen. Roswell S. Ripley, C. S. Army, commanding Fifth Brigade, D. H. Hill's division. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, Third Corps. HEADQUARTERS HOOKER'S DIVISION, THIRD CORPS, Camp, near Fair Oaks Station, Va., June 16, 1862. CAPTAIN: As the affair between the pickets yesterday appears to have been much more disastrous than was reported to me last night, I beg leave to call your attention to the inclosed report of BrigadierGeneral Sickles, commanding the advance on yesterday, and also to the report of Major Moriarty, in command of the picket. Notwithstanding I had given positive instructions to have every movement of the enemy in front communicated to me, I had no knowledge of what had been going on there until a few minutes before 9 o'clock p. m. I had visited the picket during the day, and was very much dissatisfied with the manner in which that duty was performed under Major Moriarty, and so reported to his brigade commander. I deem him an unsuitable person to command a picket anywhere. His report concerning the shelling of the redoubt is full of errors. The enemy threw yesterday morning five or six shots at a man in a tree from a single field piece, not one of them going in or near the redoubt. Similar exaggerations will be found in the report that a division of troops advanced on our picket. From more reliable information I have reason to believe their number did not exceed 200 infantry and a few cavalry. No explanation is furnished for the number reported as missing. I conclude they were taken prisoners from gross neglect. There was an unusual number of cases of drunkenness among the men in the brigade on duty yesterday, and to this I ascribe in a great measure this catastrophe. I request that orders may be given for the issue of no whisky in this division except on requisitions approved by myself. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. Capt. CHAUNCEY MCKEEVER, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Corps. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade. HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, June 15-8.55 p. m. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that my command relieved the First Brigade yesterday at 4 p. m. The pickets were relieved by a detail of 300 men, under Major Holt, and were posted by him in company with Colonel Cowdin, field officer in command of the pickets of the First Brigade. The night passed with only an occasional shot in front, and these from the enemy, who had a strong picket in the house on the Williamsburg road, where it crosses the swamp. This morning at 4 o'clock I inspected the position of the pickets from right to left, and ascended the oak tree in front, which is used as a lookout. Nothing was reported to me of the enemy as seen by myself this side of the clearing, on the left of which their field work and tents have been heretofore observed. 1 directed Major Holt, before he was relieved, to advance his line of pickets in front so as to extend them to this side of the clearing, and if to do this it became necessary to drive the enemy from the house at the edge of the swamp on the road, to do 80. This was done. What remained of the house was burned 6 a. m., Major Moriarty relieving Major Holt with 300 of the Fourth Regiment. During the morning the enemy opened fire upon us from what appeared to be some 12-pounder field guns in front, I should say about 1,200 yards. They had the range of our position. The first three shots were evidently aimed at the oak tree, where we kept a man posted. The tree was struck and some branches torn away. Several shells burst within our defenses, wounding 3 of our men. This afternoon, when the storm began, the enemy were reported advancing on the left and in front. On the Williamsburg road a strong body of cavalry pushed through our line of pickets, and at the same time heavy volleys of musketry disclosed infantry in some force on the right and in front of the new redoubt. The working party stampeded the pickets on the right, Sumner's gave way, and Lieutenant Stewart, commanding my pickets on the right of the road, retired under cover, after returning a few shots. The enemy's musketry swept the field from the right diag. onally, the shot reaching the grove of oaks behind the redoubt. On the left there was some firing, but inconsiderable. I sent Lieutenant Palmer with several orderlies to communicate with the pickets and bring me reliable information of the movements and force of the enemy. He had proceeded on the right up the road only a short distance beyond the building in front of the new redoubt when he was killed and two of the orderlies wounded. As soon as I could bring in his body and the wounded dragoons I directed the pickets on the right and left of the road to unmask the guns in the redoubt, so that I might shell the woods and road in front and on the right. Before I could open fire General Sumner threw out four companies on his left up to the Williamsburg road, and my pickets in front reported the enemy moving to the left. I sent information of the demonstration on the left to General Berry, and directed Major Moriarty to hold the stockade on the road leading to our left and to keep his reserve well in hand to support the re-enforcements thrown into the stockade. In the mean time I sent word to Colonel Carr to be in readiness to cooperate with General Berry or myself if necessary. General Grover came to the front to ascertain the state of things, and informed me he would hold his brigade in readiness. No further demonstration was made by the enemy. After waiting until near 6 o'clock, Colonel Carr having meanwhile reported to relieve me, I withdrew my regiments when relieved. When I left the front my regiments had all gone to their camps except the Fourth [Seventy-third New York], which was being relieved on picket. Major Moriarty reports to me to-night that our pickets on the left were exposed to a heavy fire just before they were relieved; that himself and 7 or 8 men are wounded, and Captain McCauley is missing and 1 man killed. Major Moriarty reports verbally that except along a portion of the front and right, where our pickets were driven in by greatly superior force, their position was the same as was held during the day and yesterday. Major Moriarty also reports that at least a division of the enemy moved to the left about the time of the advance on the Williamsburg road and the firing on our right, and that the last movement of the enemy which was observed from the oak tree was to the right in force. He also expresses the opinion that the enemy occupy the woods on the left and in front in considerable force. Major Moriarty will report in writing to-morrow morning unless his wound should prove to be too painful. I am, captain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Capt. Jos. DICKINSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. |