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captures. One Lieutenant and ten privates by Ninth Virginia cavalry. Four privates by Thirteenth Virginia cavalry. Sixteen horses and equipments. Referring to the horses captured from my command, I have to say that, owing to the smallness of my force, (two regiments being detached,) my picket at Wellford's Ford was small and when the enemy dashed upon Colonel Lewis they were separated some distance from their horses, and being partially surprised, they had to make their escape without their horses, as they were in great danger of themselves being captured. It is needless to state that the Major-General of cavalry was on the field most of the time, and that his presence gave confidence and stability to the command. I have the honor to remain, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
staff Ninth Virginia. killed. WOUNDED MISSING. Pris'rs. horses. remarks. Officers. Privates. Officers. Privates. Officers. Privates. Officers. Privates. Killed. Wounded. Captured. Staff, 1 A. A. General's horse's leg broken. Ninth Virginia, 1 2 1 12 Private missing, supposed to be a prisoner. Thirteenth Virginia, 1 1 3 1 Second North Carolina, 4 Lieut. Gary, of Thirteenth, slightly wounded. W. H. F. Lee, Brigadier-General, commanding Cavalry Brigade.
Report of Colonel Chambliss.
headquarters Thirteenth Virginia cavalry, April 17, 1863.
Captain: In obedience to instructions, I have the honor to report the operations of my regiment with the enemy, on the fourteenth and fifteenth instants.
On the fourteenth, under the direction of the General commanding brigade, my regiment was posted at Kelley's Ford, supporting sharpshooters in the rifle-pits--Lieutenant Gary, company “D,” having been previously sent to the Rappahannock bridge with twenty sharpshooters, to take position in the rifle-pits.
During the day, he had been driven out of his position, and I called upon him for an explanation.
He stated that the block-house was occupied by a few men of another regiment, posted to prevent the crossing of the bridge, allowed the enemy to come over without firing a shot, and thereby exposed his flank; that he was fired into from that direction, while a body of the enemy's mounted men were attempting to cross the ford; these he gave a volley and retired on account of what has just been stated.
He left the pits with his men, but soon, however, took position in the block-house, under sharp fire of the enemy.
Lieutenant Gary was wounded; no other casualties occurred during the day. On the fifteenth I received orders, and moved with my command towards Wellford's Ford, as the enemy were reported to have crossed in large force.
Owing to heavy details, I had only forty men in camp, and came upon the rear guard of the enemy near Beverly's Ford, where we charged them and drove them pell-mell into the river, capturing fourteen prisoners and drowning several.
The only casualties were one man wounded and one missing. All the men and officers behaved well, and charged under heavy fire through a rocky and swollen stream.
It is useless to say more, as this occurred under the immediate eyes of the General; but I cannot close this report without mentioning the energy and cool bravery displayed by my Adjutant, Lieutenant Nash, on the occasion above alluded to.
I am, Captain, your obedient servant, Report of Colonel Beale.
I submit report of the part taken by this command in the skirmishing on the Rappahannock on the fourteenth and fifteenth instants, together with casualties and captures.
On the fourteenth one company, under command of Captain Stith Bolling, held the ford at Kelley's Mills, and repulsed, with some loss to the enemy, an attempt to cross with a force of two or more regiments.
Another company, under immediate command of Captain John W. Hungerford, under Lieutenant Colonel Lewis, held the ford at Beverly's Mills.
The balance were engaged in watching the enemy at Rappahannock bridge, and reestablishing the pickets driven out in the morning.
On the fifteenth, the enemy having crossed in large force at a ford above, flanked that portion of the command under Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis, and came down upon them by surprise.
The coolness and admirable manoeuvring of Lieutenant-Colonel
