Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[350] the body of General Pettigrew was left in our hands, although I would not communicate that fact until an officer from the field reported to me that he had seen the body.

It is now ascertained from the Richmond papers that General Pettigrew, though mortally wounded in the affair, was taken to Winchester, where he subsequently died. The three battle-flags captured on this occasion and sent to Washington belonged to the Forty-fifth, Forty-seventh, and Fifty-fifth Virginia regiments of infantry. General Lee will surely acknowledge that these were not left in the hands of “stragglers asleep in barns.”

Respectfully yours,

Colonel: In compliance with a letter just received from the headquarters of the cavalry corps of the army of the Potomac, directing me to give the facts connected with my fight at Falling Waters, I have the honor to state that at three o'clock, on the morning of the fourteenth ultimo, I learned that the enemy's pickets were retiring in my froot.

Having been previously ordered to attack at seven A. M., I was ready to move at once. At daylight I had reached the crest of hills occupied by the enemy an hour before, and at a few moments before six o'clock General Custer drove the rear-guard of the enemy into the river at Williamsport.

Learning from citizens that a portion of the enemy had retreated in the direction of Falling Waters, I at once moved rapidly for that point, and came up with the rear-guard of the enemy at half-past 7 A. M., at a point two miles distant from Falling Waters.

We pressed on, driving the enemy before us, capturing many prisoners and one gun. When within a mile and a half from Falling Waters the enemy was found in large force, drawn up in line of battle on the crest of a hill, commanding the road on which I was advancing. His left was protected by earthworks, and his right extended to the woods far on my left.

The enemy was, when first seen, in two lines of battle, with arms stacked. Within less than one thousand yards of this large force a second piece of artillery, with its support,, consisting of infantry, was captured white attempting to get into position. The gun was taken to the rear.

A portion of the Sixth Michigan cavalry, seeing only that portion of the enemy behind the earthworks, charged. This charge, led by Major Weber, was the most gallant ever made. At a trot he pressed up the hill, received the fire from the whole line, and the next moment rode through and over the earthworks, passed to the right, sabring the rebels along the entire line, and returned with a loss of thirty killed, wounded, and missing, including the gallant Major Weber killed.

I directed General Custer to send forward one regiment as skirmishers. They were repulsed before support could be sent them, and driven back, closely followed by the rebels, until checked by the First Michigan and a squadron of the Eighth New-York.

The Second brigade having come up, it was quickly thrown into position, and after a fight of two hours and thirty minutes, we routed the enemy at all points, and drove him toward the river.

When within a short distance of the bridge General Buford's command came up and took the advance. We lost twenty-nine killed, thirty-six wounded, and forty missing.

We found upon the field one hundred and twenty-five doad rebels, and brought away after-ward fifty wounded. A large number of the enemy's wounded were left upon the field in charge of their own surgeons.

We captured two guns, three battle-flags, and upward of one thousand five hundred prisoners.

To General Custer and his brigade, Lieutenant Pennington and his battery, and one squadron of the Eighth New-York cavalry, of General Buford's command, all praise is due.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,