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Conrad's Ferry with ninety-three men about one hour by sun; arrived at Poolesville about eight P. M. Before entering the town I learned that about one half of their force had gone on a scout; and that the remainder were quartered in the town hall.
Divided my force and charged it in two directions.
Upon surrounding the hall and demanding its surrender, was answered with a volley from door and windows; we returned the fire with good effect, killing a lieutenant and the orderly sergeant, and wounding eight, including the lieutenant commanding.
The hall was then surrendered; we captured twenty-one prisoners, all of whom we paroled.
Our loss was one man killed.
Some of the enemy were scattered around the town, and when they heard the firing, made good their escape.
We also captured forty-three horses, and destroyed all the stores, consisting of clothing of various kinds, blankets, Enfield rifles and muskets, also a large lot of commissary stores, together with wagons, &c. Remained in the town for several hours, and recrossed the Potomac at White's Ford.
Whilst camped at the Trap, I sent a scout to Leesburg on the twentieth; they captured eight prisoners and paroled them.
I send you a list of names of all prisoners captured and paroled during my scout.
Elijah V. White, Major, commanding Battalion.
Report of Captain Latimer.
Major: In obedience to orders, I would most respectfully beg leave to submit the following report of the operations of the batteries of Ewell's division in the enagements with the enemy near Fredericksburg, on the thirteenth and fourteenth of the present month:
Early on the morning of the thirteenth, I was ordered by General Early to take command of the batteries of the division, as acting chief of artillery, and I immediatly reported to Colonel Crutchfield, chief of artillery second corps, for instructions.
He ordered me to park the batteries in a sheltered spot, behind a range of hills, about half a mile behind our line of battle, and there await orders.
He shortly after returned, and directed me to take my own battery, under command of Lieutenant Tanner, and Captain Brown's, under cammand of Lieutenant Plater, to the relief of some batteries occupying a position near the extreme left of the line formed by the second corps, and to report to Brigadier-General Pender, whose brigade then occupied this position.
Only five guns were required, and, by direction of General Pender, I relieved five of the guns at that point by the two rifles belonging to my battery and the three rifles composing Captain Brown's. The position on which these guns were posted was not a very advantageous one, but the best that could be selected.
It was a small rising in an open field, with a wood to the right, in which a portion of General A. P. Hill's division was posted, and on the left was a ditch and bank running parallel with the railroad, behind which a portion of General Hood's division was posted.
In front, at the distance of about a mile, were four of the enemy's batteries, with lines of skirmishers considerably advanced in front of said batteries.
We were exposed to quite a heavy fire from these batteries, but gained the position without loss.
My orders were to fire only at infantry unless the batteries advanced, which orders I obeyed, firing only once at them, and then only to cover the advance of General McLaws's brigade, which was made late in the day. I was kept constantly engaged at this point from eleven A. M., when I gained it, until night, repelling repeated advances of the enemy by the use of canister.
I relieved these batteries that night by Captain Carrington's battery, which engaged the enemy next morning, upon the advance of their skirmishers, successfully driving them back.
Shortly after moving to the left with the batteries spoken of above, Captain D'Aquin's and the Staunton artillery, Lieutenant Garber, were ordered by Colonel Crutchfield to the right of our lines, to report to Major Pelham, where they were engaged most of the day. Not having personally superintended their movements during the day, I am unable to describe them minutely.
Captain Dement's battery was ordered to the front on the fourteenth, where it remained in battery until we marched to this point, without, however, becoming engaged at any time.
We have to lament the loss of Captain L. E. D'Aquin, of the Louisiana Guard artillery.
A more gallant officer or more worthy man never fell upon the field of battle.
Also, Lieutenant Grayson, Captain Brown's battery.
He fell, nobly, at his post.
The losses in the different batteries are as follows:
Louisiana Guard artillery, Captain D'Aquin--Captain D'Aquin, killed; one private wounded; two horses disabled; one gun disabled.
Captain Brown's battery, Lieutenant Plater--Lieutenant Grayson and one private killed; nine wounded; sixteen horses disabled; also, one gun and one caisson.
Staunton artillery, Lieutenant Garber--none killed or wounded; one horse disabled and one gun carriage, afterwards repaired.
Courtney artillery, Lieutenant Tanner--one private killed; Lieutenant Tanner and six privates wounded; eight horses disabled.
Captain Carrington's battery--four men wounded; seven horses disabled.
Captain Dement's battery — none killed or wounded; four horses disabled.
I am pleased to be able to say that all the officers and men under my command acted in a highly creditable manner, promptly and cheerfully obeying all orders, and standing to their posts.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
