[
604]
they, together with horses and equipments, falling into our hands.
Colonel Broadhead, First Michigan, died from his wounds next day. He was cut down by
Adjutant Harman, Twelfth Virginia cavalry.
Major Atwood and a number of
Captains and
Lieutenants were among the prisoners.
The further details of this fight will be found in the accompanying reports of
Brigadier-General Robertson and
Colonel T. T. Munford.
The latter, as well as his
Lieutenant-Colonel,
J. W. Watts,
Major Breckenridge, and
Lieutenants Kelso and
Walton, were wounded in the action, conspicuously displaying great gallantry and heroism.
The Second Virginia cavalry suffered most.
Nothing could have equalled the splendor with which
Robertson's regiments swept down upon a force greatly outnumbering them, thus successfully vindicating a claim for courage and discipline equal to any cavalry in the world.
Night soon ensued, and, as the enemy's masses of infantry had not retreated across
Bull Run, I was anxious to cut off their retreat.
Upon the enemy's position, after dark, however, infantry only could move, and I was anxious for
Brigadier-General Armistead to attack from a position he took after dark, on the enemy's flank, and urged it. He, however, doubted the policy of night attack, with his command, especially as there was danger of collision with our own infantry, and I did not feel authorized to order it, particularly as there was time to communicate with the
commanding General, which was promptly done.
The attack was not made.
Before daylight, next morning, the cavalry was in the saddle and after the enemy; but met with nothing but stragglers until we came within range of the guns at
Centreville, where his forces appeared to be in position.
Twenty or thirty ambulances were captured, and sent back with orders to go to work removing our wounded from the battle-field.
I have never heard of those ambulances, except that they were seized as fresh captures by the
Texas brigade.
I think this not improbable, as a large number of prisoners I sent to the rear were fired upon by our infantry near the
Stone Bridge.
At this time,
Colonel T. L. Rosser was sent, with one hundred men and a section of artillery, back to recapture
Manassas, in which he succeeded.
His report of his operations those few days will be found of interest.
At one time, on the thirtieth, I noticed our front lines, near Chinn's house, giving way, and, looking back, I saw the reserve line stationary.
I sent word to the
General commanding (whose name I did not learn) to move up, as he was much needed to support the attack.
That order was carried by
Captain W. D. Farley, volunteer Aid, under circumstances of great personal danger, in which his horse was shot.
Generals Jenkins and
Kemper came under my observation as exhibiting good conduct, bravery, and coolness.
Brigadier-General D. R. Jones was with me part of the time, on the extreme right, during the battle, in which several batteries of his division took part, and I think he left me to bring his infantry into action.
My division surgeon,
Talcott Eliason, besides being an adept in his profession, exhibited on this, as on former occasions, the attributes of a cavalry commander.
First Lieutenant R. Channing Price was of invaluable assistance as Aid-decamp.
Major Von Borcke, A. A. G., and J.
W. T. H. Hairston, C. S. A., and
Lieutenant Chiswell Dabney, A. D. C., rendered important service throughout the period embraced in this report.
My division Quartermaster,
Major Samuel Hardin Hairston, in coming on to join me, was put in command of a detachment of cavalry at
Salem, by the
commanding General, and sent on an important reconnoissance toward
Warrenton, of which his report is appended.
Captain W. W. Blackford, corps of engineers, was quick and indefatigable in his efforts to detect the designs of the enemy, and improve the positions within our reach.
Private Stringfellow displayed great daring and enterprise as a scout.
I append a map of the country embraced in the foregoing operations, drawn by
Captain W. W. Blackford, corps of engineers.
I have to mourn the loss of
Captain J. Hardeman Stuart,
signal officer, the particulars of whose death are given below.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Casualties: number of men killed and wounded in the battle of Groveton Heights, August 30, 1862.
| | Killed. | Wounded. |
| Second Virginia cavalry, | 3 | 39 |
| Twelfth Virginia cavalry, | 0 | 6 |
| Captain Brown's Maryland cavalry, | 0 | 2 |
| Regiment unknown, | 2 | 1 |
| Captain J. Hardeman Stuart, signal officer, | 1 | 0 |
| | | |
| | 6 | 48 |
Names of Officers killed.
Captain J. Hardeman Stuart, signal corps, cavalry division.
List of Officers severely wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Watts, Second Virginia cavalry.
List of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing of the Stuart Horse Artillery, in the Engagements preceding the Battle of Groveton Heights:
| | Killed. | Wounded. |
| 28th August, 1862, | 0 | 4 |
| 29th August, 1862, | 1 | 1 |
| | | |
| Total, | 1 | 5 |
Seven horses killed.
