Battery K.
1st New York Light Artillwy,
Battery L.
1st New York Light Artillery,
Battery M.
2d New York Light Artillery,
Battery L.
New York Light Artillery, 10th
Battery.
Pennsylvania Light Artillery,
Battery E.
4th U. S. Artillery, Battery IT
1
5
8
18
4
9
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
6
Total artillery
7
2
25
6
~557~
40
No loss reported.
No loss reported.
No IOM reported.
No loss reported.
Total Second Army Corps
THIRD ARMY CORPS.
Maj. Gen. InviN McDowiLL.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. JAMES B. RICKETTS.
First Brigade,
Brig. Gen. ABRAM DUBTEA.
97th New York
23
279
92
1,228
1
37
2,216
_______
1
104th New York
105th New York
1
7
3
8
4
107th Pennsylvania
1
Total First Brigade. . .
1
11
.
1
Un
13
c
Second, Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Z. B. TOWXB.
26th New York . ,
94th New York
88th Pennsylvania
1
1
90th Pennsylvania
Total Second Brigade
1
1
=====
1
CflAP. XXIV.]
CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA.
139
Return of Casualties in the Union forces, Maj. Gen. John Pope commanding, at the battle
of Cedar Mountain, Fa., August 9, 1862 Continued.
Command.
Killed.
"Wounded.
Captured
or missing.
1
Remarks.
|
S
B
1
I
Enlisted men.
Third Brigade.
Brig. Gen. GEORGE L. HARTSUFF.
12th Massachusetts
1
1
C
2
10
No loss reported.
No loss reported.
No loss reported.
No loss reported.
13th Massachusetts
83d New York
1
1
2
5
llth Pennsylvania
3
2
Total Third Brigade
1
1
1
-
1
10
4
"
17
. r ==
1
48
16
5
4
Fourth Brigade.
Col. S. S. CARROLL.
Staff
===
7th Indiana
2
1
41
g
84th Pennsylvania . . .
7
5
3
110th Pennsylvania
1st West Virginia
1
Total Fourth Brigade
4
50
15
==
69
===
2
Artillery.
Maine Light Artillery, 2d Bat
tery (B).
Maine Light Artillery, 5th Bat
tery (E).
1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery,
Battery F.
Pennsylvania Light Artillery,
Battery C.
Total artillery
==-
2
2
74
2
12
23
4
2
Total Second Division
Cavalry Brigade.
Brig. Gen. GEORGE D. BAYARD.
1st Maine
=
1
1
6
20
102
2
1C
34
t
1st New Jersey
1
1
1
4
3
2
2
1st Pennsylvania
4
2
1st Rhode Island
Total Cavalry Brigade
Total Third Army Corps . .
2
3
8
4
41
6
61
9
10
115
26
163
RECAPITULATION.
General Pope s escort
2
2
<*!
Second Army Corps
23
279
92
1 288
37
557
2 216
Third Army Corps
3
9
10
115
26
163
Grand total
26
288
102
1 343
37
585
2. 381
140 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAF. XXIV.
No. 3.
Report of Col. Samuel H. Allen, First Maine Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST MAINE CAVALBY,
Near Cedar Mountain, Va., August 12, 1862.
GENERAL : In compliance with orders from headquarters I have the
honor to report the following part taken by my regiment in the action
of Saturday, the 9th instant :
By your order the regiment was drawn up in line of battle at about
6 o clock a. m., in the field, upon the left of the main road, just beyond
a corn field, and facing very nearly the enemy s center, distant from 1
to 1 miles. About 11 o clock, being charged by yourself with protect
ing the left of our advanced line, I changed the position of my regiment
some 300 yards to the extreme left, posting a strong force as pickets
still a mile farther to the left, and extending quite to the foot of the
mountain.
In this position I remained until 4.30 o clock, when a rebel battery,
posted upon the northern slope of the mountain, commenced shelling
us, and I retired about 150 yards, and again formed my line of battle.
About this time I discovered a force of rebel cavalry and infantry
descending the mountain and moving along with the evident intention
of turning our left. I placed a line of vedettes in that direction, and
sent a force to scour the woods in the vicinity of the enemy and watch
his movements. Again the batteries opened upon us from the mount
ain side, and I changed my position a little to avoid their shells, re
maining there until about 9.30 o clock, keeping a strong force of pickets
and vedettes all along the left flank.
A force of rebel cavalry now came up, driving in our pickets, firing
and charging upon a portion of Company F, Captain Boothby, wound
ing 2 men and killing 1 horse. I dispatched two squadrons to his
assistance, and the enemy was driven back and held in check until a
rebel battery, planted upon a slight knoll at the entrance to the wood,
opened upon us at point-blank range, when ascertaining that our forces
had all retired, and being entirely without support of artillery or in
fantry, and in easy range of the enemy s muskets at the edge of the
woods, I fell back to the cover of the woods a short distance in rear,
and remained until the following morning, with pickets covering our
entire flank.
With much regard, I am. general, your obedient servant,
S. H. ALLEN,
Colonel, Commanding.
No. 4.
Report of Maj. Richard I. Falls, First Pennsylvania Cavalry.
HDQRS. FIRST BAT. FIRST PENNSYLVANIA RES. CAV.,
In the Field, August 13, 1862.
SIR : According to your instructions I beg leave to offer the following
report of a charge made by the First Battalion of your regiment, under
my immediate command, at the battle of Cedar Mountain on the 9th
instant:
At about 5 o clock p. m. I was directed by Brigadier-General Bayard
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 141
to charge through the enemy s lines at a point where they were sup
posed to be forming for a charge on our batteries, my command con
sisting of Companies A, B, C, and D, Companies A and B forming the
first squadron, commanded by Capt. William Litzenberg, of Company
B ; Companies C and D composing the second squadron, commanded
by Capt. John P. Taylor, of Company C ; Company A, of the first squad
ron, being commanded for the time being by First Lieut. William T.
McIJwen, of Company C (Captain Frow being absent sick and First
Lieut. W. H. Patterson having been detached as aide to Brigadier-
General Bayard during the early part of the engagement); Company B
was commanded by Second Lieut. B. S. Lawsha, Captain Litzenberg
being in command of the squadron and First Lieutenant Busby absent
sick; Company C, of the second squadron, was commanded by Second
Lieut. E. J. MclSitt, Captain Taylor being in command of the squadron
and Lieutenant McEwen detached in command of Company A, of the
first squadron ; Company D was commanded by Capt. H. A. McDonald,
First Lieut. W. L. Holbrook, and Second Lieut. William F. Butcher
until the former was severely wounded and the latter killed, when the
command devolved entirely on Lieutenant Holbrook.
After getting in front of the point designated, and being in column
of fours, I immediately formed squadron, my command being already
under fire. I moved forward at a rapid gait until within 50 yards of
the enemy s lines, which I found in great force and three in number,
when I gave the command, "Charge," when, with loud and terrific
cheering, my command charged through the enemy s lines, cutting and
running down and scattering them in every direction, causing sad
havoc and discomfiture in their ranks (as a view of the field and pris
oners taken testify). After charging back and reforming, I found my
command reduced from 164, rank and file, to that of 71, the remainder
having been killed, wounded, or otherwise placed hors du combat by
their horses falling over other killed or wounded, our little band thus
proving themselves true sons of the old Keystone State.
When each and all, from the highest to the lowest, vie with each
other in displaying unsurpassed gallantry, indomitable courage, and
cool determination it would not only seem hard, but unjust, to discrim
inate by particularizing individuals; however, on the principle of re
warding merit wherever found, I cannot refrain from calling the colonel
commanding s favorable attention to Orderly Sergt. Hiram McClenahen,
of Company C, and Private Henry Heiidricks, of Company D, for their
gallant and meritorious conduct throughout the engagement on the 9th
instant, and especially in the charge made by the First Battalion, and
I would respectfully but earnestly recommend their promotion at the
first opportunity.
I would here take occasion to tender my sincere thanks to Lieut. C.
L. Buffington, my adjutant, for his valuable assistance throughout the
day and praiseworthy example in the charge. My warmest thanks are
also due to Captains Taylor and Litzenberg for the able and gallant
manner in which they handled their commands, the former having had
his horse shot under him in the charge; and as company commanders
the highest praise and commendation are also due Oapt. Hugh A. Mc
Donald, who was severely wounded, First Lieuts. William T. McEwen,
W. L. Holbrook, and Second Lieuts. William F. Butcher, James E.
Kelly, Eobert J. McNitt, and E. S. Lawsha, for the brave and gallant
manner in which they commanded and led their respective companies.
As for myself 1 have nothing to say further than that the only casu
alty I met with was having my horse shot under me in the charge, and
142 OPERATIONS IN N VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
if the officers and men of the battalion are half as well satisfied with
the manner in which I performed my duty as 1 am with the manner in
which they performed theirs we are all well pleased.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
R. I. FALLS,
Major, Comdg. First Bat. First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry.
Col. OWEN JONES,
Commanding First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry.
Ko. 5.
Report of Brig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy, U. S. Army, commanding Inde
pendent Brigade, First Corps, of operations August 8-13.
HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENT BRIGADE,
Near Fort Etlian Allen, Va., September 12, 1862.
I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of
mv command since the departure from Woodville, Va., on August 8,
1862:
At 9 o clock p. m. my brigade, taking the advance of the corps,
started in the direction of Culpeper, arriving* at the place about 5 next
morning. At 5 p. m. of same day received orders to march immedi
ately in direction of Cedar Mountain, from which direction heavy firing
had been heard all the afternoon. I again took the advance. Having
inarched some 3 miles, and finding the road blocked up by ambulances
and stragglers from the battle-field, I started ahead with my cavalry
detachment (three companies of the First Virginia) leaving my infantry
and artillery to make the best of their way toward the front. Arriving
about 8 p. m. at the front, and finding everything in confusion, I ordered
my cavalry into line under the protection of the woods nearest the
enemy, and advanced alone to reconnoiter. Fifteen minutes had
scarcely elapsed when a battery of the enemy suddenly opened with
great precision upon the remnant of General Banks corps posted on
my right. The enemy s fire had been directed by several large fires
burning brilliantly among Banks batteries. The result was a general
stampede, artillery, cavalry, and infantry retreating in the greatest
disorder. I endeavored to rally them, at first without success, but
finally succeeded in arresting a battery or two and some cavalry,
which I brought back to their old position on the road, at the same
time throwing my cavalry across on the same side. Shortly after, one
of Banks batteries, having retreated to a safe position, commenced, to
the left of the road and behind us, responding to the enemy s guns,
the firing ceasing in about fifteen minutes.
Meau while, fearing that my brigade, two regiments of which had
been thrown across the road to stop the terrified mass in their head
long retreat, might be delayed too long, I dispatched one of my aides
to hurry it forward to push before them all of the retreating column
possible. They immediately proceeded forward, and after much labor
I succeeded m encamping them, near 2 a. m., in the position first
selected in the evening. Having posted pickets at a suitable distance
on our front I allowed the men to rest on their arms.
Sunday, Wth. Still holding position in advance of the corps 1 threw
forward a line of skirmishers, with a sufficient support, along my whole
front. They found the enemy s skirmishers, supported by their whole
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 143
force, strongly posted in the woods about 2,000 yards in Rxfetof us.
Here they skirmished until about noon, the enemy occasionally firing
upon them by companies. Whenever this occurred I would send a few
shells among them, causing their sudden withdrawal. During the
afternoon my skirmishers drove the enemy from the woods, following
them same three-fourths of a mile. About 4 p. m. sent out my cavalry
to reconnoiter, and, if possible, to allow the ambulances to bring off
some of our wounded. In this they were quite successful, bringing off
about 100. The cavalry had in the meanwhile approached within 300
yards of the enemy s lines without drawing their fire, and having
ascertained their position withdrew to our lines.
On the morning of the llth, it being determined to take the dead
and wounded from off the field, I was ordered to advance my brigade
and cover the ambulances and working parties. I accordingly sent
forward my three companies of cavalry, followed by my infantry. The
cavalry, upon arriving at the outskirts of the wood halted, finding ahead
of them a strong cavalry force under the direction of General Bayard.
I then rode forward, followed by several ambulances, which I sent
back loaded with wounded. About an hour had thus elapsed, when I
was informed a flag of truce had been sent in by the enemy, and at the
same time received a request from General Bayard to attend a confer
ence with the rebel general Stuart relative to a cessation of hostilities
for the purpose of attending to the dead and wounded of both parties.
An armistice until 2 o clock p. m. was finally agreed upon, but was
afterward, by mutual consent, extended to the evening.
A reconnaissance on the morning of the 12th found the enemy had
withdrawn during the night in the direction of the Rapidan Eiver. I
followed as rapidly as possible as soon as this was ascertained, but only
succeeded in discovering the rear guard of their cavalry in full flight.
Having advanced some 6 miles, as far as Crooked Creek, and finding
it impassable on account of previous heavy rains, encamped my brigade
upon its banks and awaited orders.
On the morning of the 13th, finding Crooked Creek and Robertson s
River fordable for my cavalry and artillery, I crossed my infantry on
slight bridges hastily constructed. When about 800 yards south of
Robertson s River 1 was obliged to halt my brigade, with the exception
of cavalry, on the banks of a narrow and deep creek emptying into Rob
ertson s River. The bottom of this creek, where it crossed the road,
was composed of mud worn into deep holes, thus rendering it impassa
ble for my artillery. In the course of two hours I had thrown across
it a bridge strong enough to sustain my heaviest guns. A party of my
cavalry had in the mean time reconuoitered as far as Rapidan River,
some 5 miles beyond us, reporting a small party of the enemy on the
opposite shore. Having crossed the bridge I proceeded about a quarter
of a mile to where I was ordered to halt for the day.
About 4 p. m., when I was about to post my pickets for the night,
I received orders to fall back on my original position left in the morn
ing. I accordingly withdrew my brigade, with the exception of my
cavalry and a section of my battery, which I left in a favorable posi
tion.*
#*****#
E. H. MILROY,
Brig. G&i., Comdg. Ind t Brig., First Corps, Army of Va.
Maj. T. A. MEYSENBEEG,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
Portion here omitted is printed on pp. 315-323.
144 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
ISO. 6.
Report of Lieut. William W. Rowley, Twenty -eighth New York Infantry,
Acting Signal Officer, Second Corps.
HDQBS. SIGNAL CAMP, SECOND COKPS, ARMY OF VA.,
Fairfax, August 16, 1862.
SIR : I have the honor to report that on Friday, the 8th day of Au
gust, 1862, the Second Corps, Army of Virginia, was encamped at Hazel
River, 7 miles from Fairfax [Culpeper Court-House], on the Sperry ville
road. At this time we held communication with Thoroughfare Mount
ain and Culpeper, General Pope being at the latter place. About
1 p. m. a message was sent to General Banks through our lines from
General Pope for him to start immediately with his command for Cul
peper. A great many orders were transmitted through the line to and
from General Pope to Generals Banks and Sigel, it being the only
mode used to transmit orders. Lieutenants Pierce and Harvey were
upon station at Culpeper, Lieutenant Halsted upon Butler Mountain,
Lieutenant Fralick upon station at Hazel Eiver, and Lieutenant Spencer
upon Thoroughfare Mountain.
In compliance with orders, General Banks whole command, except
Lieutenants Halsted and Fralick, started for Culpeper, Lieutenants
Halsted and Fralick remaining upon their respective stations. Our
whole force encamped at Culpeper.
On Saturday morning I was ordered by General Banks to accompany
him, with all the signal officers not on duty, to the front, which was
aboift 5 or 6 miles from Culpeper. Accordingly, in company with
Lieutenants Harvey, Fortescue, and Miner, I went to the front with
General Banks, Lieutenant Spencer being still upon Thoroughfare
Mountain, Lieutenant Briggs being with General Buford, who had
occupied Madison Court-House. keeping communication with Lieuten
ant Spencer.
As we were leaving Culpeper for the front I received a message from
Lieutenant Spencer that the mountain was surrounded by a regiment
of the enemy s cavalry, and that he would be obliged to abandon his
position. General Banks, by order of General Pope, immediately
ordered the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania to proceed to the mountain,
retake it, and protect the signal officer. Not knowing the safety of
Lieutenant Spencer, I dispatched Lieutenant Harvey and men with the
Twenty-eighth Regiment to occupy the mountain, and open communi
cation with us at Culpeper and also at the front near Cedar Run Mount
ain. This left me but two signal officers, Lieutenants Fortescue and
Miner. Early in the morning I had sent Lieutenant Fortescue to the
front with instructions to open communication with Lieutenant Spencer.
He did not succeed, as Lieutenant Spencer had been compelled to
abandon his position. Lieutenant Spencer succeeded in regaining his
position upon the mountain top in advance of Lieutenant Harvey, but
was soon joined by Lieutenant Harvey with the regiment of infantry,
and have since held the position.
General Banks arrived upon the ground occupied by our advance
about 11 a. m. There was no position upon which we could get so as
to command the field of battle, and as our troops were massed, there
was nothing to be done in the way of signaling until Lieutenants Spen
cer and Harvey arrived upon the top of the mountain. Lieutenants
Fortescue and Miner volunteered their services to General Banks as
aides upon the battle-field.
CHAP. XXIV.] CEDAR MOUNTAIN, VA. 145
The enemy opened with artillery about 2 p. m. and continued until
about 4 p. m., when the infantry was brought into action. We were
kept busy carrying orders from the general from 2 p. in. until 9 p. m.,
when the battle for the day was terminated. We were so much ex
hausted that no attempt was made to get Lieutenant Spencer that
night, but early the next morning Lieutenant Miner succeeded in open
ing communication with him. Lieutenants Fralick and Halsted were
ordered in on Saturday, and joined me about midnight. General
Buford was compelled to leave Madison, Lieutenant Briggs going with
him. Lieutenant Briggs joiued me on Monday all right. Lieutenant
Pierce remained at Oulpeper, by orders of General Banks, to receive
communications via the mountain.
Too much cannot be said of the conduct of officers and men of the
signal corps. Those who were not in the battle were upon duty else
where by orders of General Banks. Lieutenants Spencer and Harvey
were of very great benefit to General Pope. Their reports were cor
rect, simple, and lucid, giving exactly the position and strength of the
enemy, by which General Pope acknowledged to me he was greatly in
debted. Lieutenants Fortescue and Miner acted with great coolness
upon the battle field, carrying messages from the general commanding
in the thickest of the fight. My horse was killed by a shot while riding
him. None of our flagmen were in the battle.
1 cannot discriminate between the officers, as all were on duty and
did their duty fully and satisfactorily. Lieutenant Spencer, by his care
ful observations and watchfulness from the mountain, which" was very
much exposed, being at times inside the enemy s lines, and the exact
ness of his reports, is deserving of the highest commendation.
I am, yours, respectfully,
W. W. ROWLEY.
Capt. SAMUEL T. GUSHING,
Assistant Signal Officer.
No. 7.
Report of Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams, U. 8. Army, commanding First
Division, Second Corps.
HDQRS. FIRST Div., SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF VIRGINIA,
Near Cedar Run, Va., August 16, 1862.
MAJOR : 1 have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of the division under my command in the action at this
place on the 9th instant :
My division, since the transfer of Geary s brigade, is composed of
the brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Crawford (Twenty-eighth
Xew York, Colonel Donnelly ; Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, Colonel Knipe;
Tenth Maine, Colonel Beal, and Fifth Connecticut, Colonel Chapman),
and of the Third Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Gordon
(Third Wisconsin, Colonel linger; Second Massachusetts, Colonel An
drews, and Twenty-seventh Indiana, Colonel Colgrove), The Twenty-
ninth Pennsylvania, nominally attached to this brigade, has been on de
tached service some months. A battery of artillery is attached to each
brigade, and on this occasion Crawford s brigade, which had been some
10 R R VOL XII, PT II
146 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.
time in advance at Culpeper, had, in addition, four pieces (Parrott s) of
Knap s Pennsylvania battery.
With Gordon s brigade I reached Culpeper about midnight on the
8th instant, and on the following morning received orders to move to
the front without trains, and unite my division in the position taken
up by General Crawford the previous evening. I arrived on the ground
about 12 m., at the moment that the enemy opened with his artillery,
which was speedily silenced by the fire of Knap s battery. I dispatched
a messenger at once to the major-general commanding the corps, with
a brief account of the condition of affairs and of the nature of the posi
tion held. From this time to 3 o clock p. m. there was very little
demonstration on the part of the enemy, except some cavalry move
ments toward his right and an occasional interchange of shots with the
cavalry under Brigadier- General Bayard.
In tiie mean time Gordon s brigade had arrived with Cothran s New
York battery, and taken a strong, elevated position on our extreme
right, from which, through the open field, any movement of the enemy
in that direction could be observed and checked. The major-general
commanding the corps also came up and assumed command. The
arrival of General Augur s division, taking up position on the left of
the main road, relieved two regiments of Crawford s brigade, support
ing batteries, and they were transferred to the right.
At this time (soon after the enemy had renewed his artillery firing)
my division occupied nearly a continuous line along the battom-land
of Cedar Kun, from the road to the elevated ground spoken of as the
position of Gordon s brigade, a distance of from 800 to 1,000 yards. A
densely wooded ridge in front masked the whole line from observation,