lines on the right, but one, however, on the left,)
and skirmishing, as a natural consequence, is of
daily occurrence. McClellan having crossed some
forty regiments into the bottom on Friday eve
ning, May thirtieth, and advanced his vanguard
to within two miles of our position on the Wil
liamsburgh road, a general action was contem-
DOCUMENTS.
103
plated by all. During the night, however, a ter
rific thunder and rain-storm visited both armies,
and it was thought the condition of the roads
would preclude all possibility of movements for
several days. Gen. Johnston did not think so,
however, the pickets having reported that the
enemy had erected earthworks on Barker s farm,
and mounted them, and that the Chickahominy
and swamp in their rear were much swollen by
rains, and impracticable to them
Long-street s and Hill s divisions were on the
move early Sunday morning, and proceeded down
the Williamsburgh road, with bands and ban
ners, but the roads were so inconceivably heavy,
and ponds of water so frequent and deep, that
their progress was slow and irksome. General
(Bethel) Hill s division being nearest to the point
of attack, deployed in the open ground about two
miles from Barker s farm, on the right and left of
the road, dense woods being to the front, in
which the enemy were reported " thick as hops,"
with a line of skirmishers thrown out to feel the
way, (Second Mississippi battalion, Twenty-eighth
Georgia, etc.) They cautiously and slowly pro
gressed through the woods and on the road, a
strong force (Hatton s Tennessee brigade) being
sent up the York River Railroad, running parallel
about one and a half miles, to keep the enemy
from flanking in that direction. The Mississippi-
ans and Georgians had scarcely entered the tim
ber, when the enemy s strong outposts and pick
ets opened a terrible fire upon them, and slowly
fell back to a heavy line of support about one
quarter of a mile to the rear. Advancing upon
these, the skirmishing regiments had reached a
high and strong fence, when instantly the enemy
arose from a crouching posture, and delivered re
peated volle} 7 s, presenting a perfect sheet of flame
across our whole front. The skirmishers fought
splendidly against such odds, but would have
been forced back, but " in the nick of time" An
derson s splendidly-drilled Fourth North-Carolina
regiment advanced along the road at "double-
quick," unobserved, broke our skirmishing line
very unceremoniously, and, flanking the enemy,
poured volley upon volley with such rapidity and
precision that the foe retired in haste, relieved the
skirmishers, and the fight soon became general
for half a mile on each side of the road, but not
extending to the railroad on the left, or more than
five hundred yards to the right.
Finding us to be advancing in force, the enemy
opened their artillery, and shelled the road and
woods with great accuracy and damage, and ow
ing to the impassable state of the roads we had
not a single piece to reply thereto. Yet onward
marched Rhodes s and Reins s brigades, of Hill s
division, through the woods, meeting and routing
the enemy wherever making a stand. Gradually
driving the enemy before him, Gen. Hill found
himself opposed to vastly superior forces, and
when his troops had victoriously passed through
the woods to the open ground of Barker s farm
stretching to the right, left, and front of the road,
and fully commanding every avenue of advance
\Q found the farmhouse and outhouses to the
right and a long wood-pile parallel with the road,
while a very large and heavily-mounted fortifica
tion stood in front, with extra pieces (howitzers)
in full blast. From the breastwork, fortification,
house, wood-pile, and adjacent woods, the enemy
kept up a murderous fire, and the head of a regi
ment could not appear before fearfully assailed
by these combined defences. Nor was this all.
Gen. Casey and other Federal generals, finding
that equal forces could not withstand ours, suc
cessively brought up brigade after brigade, and
gun after gun their roads being passable and
Hill s division was fighting against fearful odds,
when some of Longstreet s division opportunely
arrived, and changed the aspect of things materi
ally, for although always advancing, our troops
now took things at a run, and cheer after cheer
rent the air as regiment after regiment got into
action and closed with the enemy.
Thus from twelve o clock until past two,
Hill had borne the brunt of the fight alone, but
at that hour some wearied troops being withdrawn
and fresher ones put in front instead, the fighting
and firing became fast and furious. Yet no artil
lery was present on our side up to this time.
Some of the Lynchburgh (Latham s) battery now
arrived on the scene, together with one or two
pieces of Carter s battery ; and although horses
were goaded almost to death, it was found almost
impossible to move them. Unhitching their
teams, for breathing time, the men jumped up to
the middle in mud, and with shoulders to the
wheel, after superhuman endeavors, pushed their
guns along, little by little, until they entered
upon the open ground, and finding the enemy in
full play, opened upon them at short range, at
tracting all the fire upon themselves and suffering
severely. Artillery never behaved more gallantly
than ours, considering all things, for their guns
were worked almost muzzle-deep in mud and
water.
The fight now (about three P.M.) was terrific.
Our forces being about equal, the men were per
fectly wild, and shouted, and whooped, and hal
loed like very demons, firing and charging in
wood and "open," to the right and left of the
enemy s works, while scores were falling at every
moment. The Fourth North-Carolina charged a
field-work, and although under a murderous fire,
took it gallantly, the flag being carried by the
Major all the color - bearers being killed or
wounded. Assailing the work with great ardor,
the enemy remained too long in possession, and
in their hurried exit met the wings of the Fourth
and other regiments, and the havoc made among
them was awful. Hundreds fell at the first fire,
as they issued from. the work, and with uncom
mon speed dispersed through their yet standing
camps in the rear. Yet in the distance the ser
ried and unbroken columns of the enemy were
seen advancing to retrieve the fortunes of the da} r ,
and retake the guns and camp which had fallen
into our hands. Yet while this was going on in
open ground, the enemy threw heavy masses of
troops to the right and left, in orde- to flank our
wings, and t^e fighting to tht rigut and left was
104
REBELLION RECORD, 1SG2.
constant and terrific, yet never being for a mo
ment doubtful, as the repeated shouts of our men
plainly told.
Opposed to vastly superior numbers reenforced
by much artillery, the captured earthwork be
came too hot to hold, and the Fourth North-
Carolina and other regiments in support fell back
in good order, waiting new dispositions and ad
ditional force. These were at hand, and the fight
opened in front with terrific violence. Latham s
and Carter s few pieces opened upon them, and
belched forth grape and canister, scattering death
in every direction, ploughing up the ground and
cutting down the timber like so many twigs ; so
with banners flying and loud shouts along the
line, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia,
Louisiana, South and North-Carolina regiments
advanced to the charge, and drove the invaders
like sheep before them, not stopping to breathe
until three miles beyond the enemy s camps. In
fall possession of Barker s farm, and all the en
emy s works, camps, stores, guns, etc., etc., it
was thought the fight was over, (now about six
P.M. ;) but attempting to flank us on the left, and
regain all they had lost, the enemy made a final
and desperate effort to force the position held by
Gen. Hatton and the Tennessee brigade.
Advancing through the woods, and on a road
running parallel with and equidistant to the York
River Railroad and the Williamsburgh road, they
opened with artillery in much force, their retreat
and rear being protected by several earthworks,
as at Barker s farm. Several pieces of our artil
lery being in support, vigorously replied to the
enemy, and the loud, wild shouts of Hatton s
brigade told plainly that the fight had opened.
Indeed these troops had been howling and shout
ing in the woods all day while the fight was
going on to their right, but now that the order
to advance was given by Gen. Whiting, the noise
and shouting were unearthly. But soon the en
emy were found, and quickly volley after volley
resounded through the timber, and shout
after shout. Though near dark, still Hatton
advanced, long sheets of flame being visible
from the rifles of his trusty and gallant men,
which for an instant seemed to light up the scene.
Regiments upon regiments of the enemy were
thrown against this brigade and their supports ;
but brave Hatton led on the advance, and drove
everything before them.
Falling back discomfited, and with very heavy
loss, the enemy retired to their field-works and
fortifications ; but even these did not deter the
Tennesseeans, for shouting and firing, they waded
up to the middle in water, assailed the fortifica
tions under a fearful fire of rifles and artillery, but
took the work at the bayonet s point, captured
the guns, and butchered the enemy without mer
cy, driving them towards the Chickahominy, as
had been done by others an hour before on the
right.
Penetrating the woods, and finding no enemy
near, Hatton s men held the ground for several
hours, and carried off innumerable spoils, guns,
nns, stores, clothing, etc., as was the case at
Barker s farm the enemy being abundantly sup.
plied as usual with everything money could buy.
Gen. Hatton was killed and Gen. Pettigrew also,
in charging on the left. Gen. Joe Johnston 13
slightly wounded by a fragment of a shell, but is
doing well. But the list of officers is very long,
and for the most part wounded. Our loss on
Saturday was probably fifteen hundred killed and
wounded ; that of the enemy I know was three
thousand or more, for I was in the fight, on foot,
from beginning to end, and afterwards over all
the ground at different times.
On Sunday morning early, the enemy made a
bold endeavor to retake the lost ground, and as
sailed Pry or s brigade down the Williamsburgh
road, and Mahone s on the York River Railroad.
The fighting was severe for more than an hour,
but our men were withdrawn, as we did not desire
to conquer any more ground in that direction, so
fell back about a mile. We are sorry to say
that Col. Lomax, Third Alabama, a very promis
ing and much-beloved officer, lost his life on the
left, (Mahone s ;) but his men deeply avenged his
fall, and many a score of Yankees had to pay
tribute to their vengeance.
In brief, we captured twenty -five pieces, fifteen
hundred stand of arms, some stands of colors,
the camps, the equipments, etc., of three bri
gades, six hundred prisoners, killed Gen. Casey
and two others, besides strewing the ground for
miles with killed and wounded.
Doc. 18.
BATTLE OF CROSS KEYS, VA.
GEN. FREMONT S DESPATCHES.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD, j
CAMP NEAR PORT REPUBLIC, June 8, 9 P.M. J
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War :
THE army left Harrisonburgh at six o clock
this morning, and at half-past eight my advance
engaged the rebels about seven miles from that
place, near Union Church.
The enemy was very advantageously posted in
the timber, having chosen his own position,
forming a smaller circle than our own, and with
his troops formed in masses. It consisted un
doubtedly of Jackson s entire force.
The battle began with heavy firing at eleven
o clock, and lasted with great obstinacy and vio
lence until four in the afternoon, some skirmish
ing and artillery firing continuing from that time
until dark.
Our troops fought occasionally under the mur
derous fire of greatly superior numbers the hot
test of the small-arm fire being on the left wing,
which was held by Stahl s brigade, consisting of
five regiments. The bayonet and canister-shot
were used freely and with great effect by our
men.
The loss on both sides is very great. Ours ia
very heavy among the officers. A full report of
those who distinguished themselves will be made
DOCUMENTS.
105
without partiality. I desire to say that both of
ficers and men behaved with splendid gallantry,
and that the service of the artillery was especial
ly admirable.
We are encamped on ths field of battle, which
may be renewed at any moment.
J. C. FREMONT,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, }
HARRZSONUUKGH, VA., June 9. )
Hon. E. N. Stanton, Secretary of War :
In my despatch of yesterday I omitted to state
that Col. Cluseret s brigade, consisting of the
Sixtieth Ohio and Eighth Virginia, afterward sup
ported by the Garibaldi Guard, formed our ad
vance, and commenced the battle of Cross Keys,
by sharp skirmishing, at nine o clock in the morn
ing. During the day they obtained possession
of the enemy s ground, which was disputed foot
by foot, and only withdrew at evening when
ordered to retire to a suitable position for the
night.
The skill and gallantry displayed by Cluseret
on this and frequent former occasions during the
pursuit in which we have been engaged deserve
high praise. Respectfully,
J. C. TBEMONT,
Major-General.
GENERAL SCHENCK S REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS SCHENCK S BRIGADE, MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, j
CAMP AT MT. JACKSON, VA., June 12. f
Col Albert Tracy, A. A. G. :
I have the honor to report the part taken by
the Ohio brigade, in the engagement at Cross
Keys, on the eighth instant.
It was about one o clock P.M. when I arrived
near the point of the road leading to Port Repub
lic, where the advance-guard had already come
upon the enemy. A staff-officer, after indicating
the position where my cavalry was to be left in
reserve, informed me that I was to pass into the
field and take position on the right, forming my
line of battle and placing my batteries so as to
support Brig.-Gen. Milroy, whose brigade, pre
ceded mine in the march, was already getting
into line. I was entirely without knowledge of
the ground, but immediately proceeded to find
the best position I could, according to these in
structions, in the direction indicated. I turned
my artillery (De Beck s and Rigby s batteries)
into and across the fields, supported by infantry,
throwing the body of my infantry into line of
battle, and extending it in the rear of Milroy s
brigade. As I advanced, however, upon the
open ridge first pointed out as probably the best
on which to establish my batteries, about one
fourth of a mile from the main road by which
our column arrived, I discovered that I was
brought into the rear of a line of woods, through
which Milroy was passing also to the right.
Those woods at the same time concealed the
en<;my and the character of the ground he was
occupying, while they afforded no eligible posi
tion for placing my guns so as to reach him. I
became satisfied, too, from the character of the
ground beyond, as it now opened to us, that the
enemy would seek to extend the line of his forces
on his left, so as, if possible, to outflank us. I
hastened, therefore, to press forward to the right
to anticipate any such movement, and to occupy
an extended ridge of higher grounds, half a mile
further to the south, which I found gave me a
more commanding range, and advanced me fur
ther to the point, while it enabled me also to
cover an easy pass leading up from the enemy s
position in front, between the two ridges, and all
the open ground sloping away to the valley at
the foot of the mountain, by one of which ap
proaches the rebels were to be expected to ad
vance on that side. This position placed my
brigade on the extreme right wing, which I occu
pied for the rest of the day. To reach this point
of advantage I had to cross a road in front of my
first position, and passing through the skirt of
the wood in which Gen. Milroy had advanced,
went over some wheat-fields, along the edge of
another wood. This I accomplished without loss,
though exposed to a pretty severe fire of shell
from the enemy, marching my line, composed of
the Seventy-third, Fifty-fifth, and Eighty-second
regiments of Ohio volunteer infantry, directed by
the flank, detaching the Seventy-fifth and Thirty-
second Ohio to cover the artillery moving by a
more circuitous route. While effecting this, I
was ordered by a message from the General com
manding to detach Rigby s battery, and send it
to the relief of Gen. Milroy. This was immedi
ately done. Reaching the further position which
I had selected, I found the line of woods extend
ed still to the right, and shutting in our front.
An examination of these woods by companies of
the Seventy-third and Thirty-second, immediately
thrown forward as skirmishers, discovered the
enemy concealed there in force, and still en
deavoring to extend himself to the left, with the
evident object of turning our right, as I had ex
pected. A few shells thrown into the woods on
that side by De Beck s battery, checked this
movement and drove back the rebel infantry fur
ther to our left. The whole of the Seventy-third,
Eighty-second, and Fifty-fifth regiments, being
then deployed in the woods on my left-front,
formed in line of battle, and slowly advanced,
feeling the enemy s position and gradually bring
ing the concealed line of the rebels to close quar
ters. The firing of small arms at once became
brisk, especially with the Seventy-third, which
seems to have been brought nearest the enemy s
line, and at this time had several men killed and
wounded by the fire. It was at this point of
time, too, that Dr. Cantwell, surgeon of the
Eighty-second, fell, severely wounded by a shot
through the thigh, received while he was passing
along the line of his regiment, carefully instruct
ing the men detailed from each "company to at
tend to conveying the wounded to the ambu
lances.
I believed that the moment for attacking and
pressing the rebels successfully on this wing had
now arrived, and I brought forward the Thirty-
second to advance also in the woods and form on,
106
REBELLION RECORD, 1862.
the Seventy-third, extending thus the line to the
right, and intending to order a, charge which
should sweep around the enemy s left iiank and
press him back towards our sustaining forces on
the left. Never were troops in better temper for
such work. But just as the Thirty-second was
marching to the front for this purpose, leaving
only the Seventy-fifth in the rear to cover the
battery, I received the order of the General Com
manding to withdraw slowly and in good order
from my position and go to the relief of the left
wing, composed of the brigades of Blenker s divi
sion. I felt reluctant to obey, because I was
satisfied that the advantageous and promising
position and condition of my brigade could not
have been known at headquarters. I held my
place, therefore, and sent back instantly to ascer
tain whether the emergency was such as to re
quire me with all haste to retire. The order
came back repeated. To prevent my being fol
lowed and harassed by the rebels while falling
back, I then began to withdraw my infantry,
moving them carefully by the flank towards the
left, until I could uftcover the enemy s line suffi
ciently to enable my battery to throw shot and
shell into the woods. This done, I returned the
Thirty-second to the support of the battery, and
commenced drawing off the whole of my force to
the left along the same lines in which I had ad
vanced them. Here again, however, I was met
by a messenger from the General Commanding,
informing me that if I thought I could hold my
ground I might remain, but stating that Milroy s
brigade, my supporting force on the left, had also
been directed to retire. I stopped, and threw the
artillery again into battery, at a point a few rods
in the rear of the place which it had at first oc
cupied, and ordered a number of rounds of quick,
sharp firing into the woods occupied by the rebels.
The severe effect of this firing was discovered the
next day, by the number of rebels found lying
on that part of the battle-field. But while thus
engaged, Captain Piatt, my Assistant Adjutant-
General, ascertained for me that Gen. Milroy,
under the order he had received, was rapidly
withdrawing his brigade, passing towards the left ;
and so I had to follow him- or be left separated
from all the rest of the forces.
I returned, however, only to the ridge half a
mile to the left, which I had at first occupied, and
there remained, in pursuance of orders, encamped
for the night.
My other battery, (Rigby s,) which I under
stood had been very effectively engaged during
the action, on the left, was here returned home.
It was now, perhaps, half-past five or six o clock.
Late in the evening, the enemy from the opposite
point opened a brisk fire upon our camp and upon
Hyman s battery, occupying the point of a hill
at our left, with what seemed to be a battery of
two six-pounders. This was probably a cover to
his retreat. But he was replied to with so quick
and hot a return by Hyman, Iligby and De Beck,
that his fire was very soon silenced, and as after
wards ascertained, both his guns dismounted.
Subsequently, a company of skirmishers from the
Seventy-third had an encounter with skirmishers
of the rebels, in the woods immediately in front
of us, in which we had one man killed and an
other man wounded ; but otherwise we rested un
disturbed, until called to march in pursuit of the
enemy again in the morning.
I regret to have to state that in the night a
party detailed from the battalion of Connecticut
cavalry, Sergeant Morehous.e and four men of
company D, being sent to ascertain the position
of Col. Cluseret, commanding the advance bri
gade, lost their way, and were captured, as is
supposed, by the enemy s pickets.
The whole number of effective men of my bri
gade that I was enabled to take into action was
as follows :
Men.
Thirty-second Ohio, 500
Fifty-fifth Ohio, 525
Seventy-Third Ohio, 2t>3
Seventy-fifth Ohio, 4-14
Eighty-second Ohio, 374
Total Infantry, 21.33
Men. Guns.
DeBeck s battery, 5)4 6
Rigby s battery, !M 5
Connecticut cavalry, 113
The casualties were, altogether, but four killed,
seven wounded, and four missing. I a; pend in
a separate report the names and corps of the kill
ed and wounded.
I cannot close this report without expressing
my satisfaction with the officers and men gener
ally of my command. Although worn down, and
reduced in numbers by days and weeks of con
stant fatigue and privation, under long marches,
with insufficient supplies, which they have neces
sarily had to undergo, they were actively and
cheerfully eager to meet the rebel forces, and only
regretted that it could not be their fortune to en
counter them for their share in more obstinate
and decisive battle.
To the officers commanding my several regi
ments and detached companies who had any op
portunity to be in the engagement, my acknow
ledgments are especially due Lieut. - Colonel
Swinney, of the Thirty-second ; Col. .McLean, of
the Seventy-fifth ; Col. Smith, of the Fifty third ;
Col. Lee, of the Fifty-fifth ; Col. Cantwell, of the
Eighty-second ; Capt. De Beck, of the First Ohio
artillery, and Capt. Blakeslee, of company A,
Connecticut cavalry, commanding my guard.
To the officers of my Staff also Capt. Don
Piatt, A. A. G. ; Capt. Margcdant, of Engineers;
Capt. Crane, C.S., and my two Aids-de-Camp,
Lieuts. Chesbrough and Este 1 am greatly in
debted for their constant energy and activity in
conveying orders and attending to other duties
during the day.
I am, very respectfully, your ob t servant,
ROBERT C. SCHKNCK,
Brigadier-G eneral,
CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY op FREMONT, >
TOUT REPUBLIC, VA., June 5). f
You have received telegraphic intelligence of a
severe battle having been fought on yesterday,
and no doubt all your readers are anxious for de-
DOCUMENTS.
107
tnils of the engagement. Yesterday we expected
would be a more severe struggle than ever. Many
thought the rebels to be in force in their old posi
tion, while others were of the opinion that they
would make a final stand at or near this place.
This, in connection with a desire to present you
a list of Ohio and Indiana killed and wounded,
has induced me to delay writing till to-day.
Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful.