Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

On the evening of the first of August I was relieved from the command of the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac, to take command of the Army of the Shenandoah, and, on arriving at Washington on the fourth instant. I received directions from Major-General H. W. Halleck, Chief of the Staff, to proceed without delay to Monocacy Junction, on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and report in person to the Lieutenant-General. At Monocacy the Lieutenant-General turned over to me the instructions which he had previously given to Major-General Hunter, commanding the Department of West Virginia, a copy of which is herewith attached.

The Army of the Shenandoah at this time consisted of the Sixth corps, very much reduced in numbers, one division of the Nineteenth corps, two small infantry divisions under command of General Crook, afterwards designated as the Army of West Virginia, a small division of cavalry under General Averell, which was at that time in pursuit of General McCausland, near Moorefield, McCausland having made a raid into Pennsylvania and burned the town of Chambersburg; there was also one small division of cavalry, then arriving at Washington, from my old corps.

The infantry portion of these troops had been lying in bivouac in the vicinity of Monocacy Junction and Frederick City, but had been ordered to march the day I reported, with directions to concentrate at Halltown, four miles in front of Harper's Ferry. After my interview with the Lieutenant-General, I hastened to Harper's Ferry to make preparations for an immediate advance against the enemy, who then occupied Martinsburg, Williamsport, and Shepardstown, sending occasional raiding parties as far as Hagerstown. The concentration of my command at Halltown alarmed the enemy, and caused him to concentrate at or near Martinsburg, drawing in all his parties from the north side of the Potomac. The indications were that he had intended another raid into Maryland, prompted perhaps by the slight success he had gained over General Crook's command at Kernstown, a short time before. The city of Martinsburg, at which the enemy concentrated, is on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, at the northern terminus of the valley pike, a broad macadamized road running up the valley, through Winchester, and terminating at Staunton. The Shenandoah valley is a continuation of the Cumberland valley, south of the Potomac, and is bounded on the east by the Blue Ridge, and on the west by the eastern slope of the Alleghany mountains, the general direction of these chains being south-west.

The valley at Martinsburg is about sixty miles broad, at Winchester forty to forty-five, and at Strasburg twenty-five to thirty miles, where an isolated chain, called Massanutten mountain, rises up running parallel to the Blue Ridge, and terminates at Harrisonburg; here the valley again opens out fifty or sixty miles broad. This isolated chain divides the valley, for its continuance, into two valleys, the one next the Blue Ridge being called the Luray valley, the one west of it the Strasburg or main valley. The Blue Ridge has many passes through it called gaps, the principal ones and those which have good wagon roads, are Snicker's Ashby's, Manassas, Chester, Thoroughfare, Swift Run, Brown's, Rock-fish, and two or three others from the latter one up to Lynchburg. Many have macadamized roads through them, and, indeed, are not gaps, but small valleys through the main chain. The general bearing of all these roads is towards Gordonsville, and are excellent for troops to move upon from that point into the valley; in fact, the Blue Ridge can be crossed almost anywhere by infantry or cavalry.

The valley itself was rich in grain, cattle, sheep, hogs, and fruit, and was in such a prosperous condition that the rebel army could march down and up it, billeting on the inhabitants. Such, in brief, is the outline, and was the condition of the Shenandoah valley when I entered it August fourth, 1864.

Great exertions were made to get the troops in readiness for an advance, and on the morning of August tenth, General. Torbert's division of cavalry having joined me from Washington, a forward movement was commenced. The enemy, while we were making our preparations, took position at Bunker Hill and vicinity, twelve miles south of Martinsburg, frequently pushing his scouting parties through Smithfield and up to Charlestown. Torbert was ordered to move on the Berryville pike, through Berryville, and go into position near White Post; the Sixth corps moved via the Charleston and Summit Point road to Clifton; the Nineteenth corps moved on the Berryville pike, to the left of the position of the Sixth corps at Clifton; General Crook's command via Kabletown, to the vicinity of Berryville, coming into position on the left of [719] the Nineteenth corps; and Colonel Lowell, with two small regiments of cavalry, was ordered to Summit Point; so that on the night of August tenth, the army occupied a position stretching from Clifton to Berryville, with cavalry at White Post and Summit Point. The enemy moved from vicinity of Bunker Hill, stretching his line from where the Winchester and Potomac railroad crosses Opequan creek, to where the Berryville and Winchester pike crosses the same stream, occupying the west bank. On the morning of August eleventh, the Sixth corps was ordered to move from Clifton across the country to where the Berryville pike crosses Opequan creek, carry the crossing, and hold it; the Nineteenth corps was directed to move through Berryville, on the White Post road, for one mile, file to the right by heads of regiments, at deploying distances, and carry and hold the crossing of Opequan creek at a ford about three-fourths of a mile from the left of the Sixth corps; Crook's command was ordered to move out on the White Post road, one mile and a half beyond Berryville, file to the right and secure the crossing of Opequan creek at a ford about one mile to the left of the Nineteenth corps; Torbert was directed to move with Merritt's division of cavalry up the Millwood pike towards Winchester, attack any force he might find, and, if possible, ascertain the movements of the rebel army. Lowell was ordered to close in from Summit Point on the right of the Sixth corps.

My intention in securing these fords was to march on Winchester, at which point, from all my information on the tenth, I thought the enemy would make a stand. In this I was mistaken, as the results of Torbert's reconnoissance proved. Merritt found the enemy's cavalry covering the Millwood pike west of the Opequan, and, attacking it, drove it in the direction of Kernstown, and discovered the enemy retreating up the valley pike.

As soon as this information was obtained, Torbert was ordered to move quickly, via the toll gate on the Front Royal pike, to Newtown, to strike the enemy's flank, and harass him in his retreat, and Lowell to follow up through Winchester. Crook was turned to the left and ordered to Stony Point, or Nineveh, while Emory and Wright were marched to the left, and went into camp between the Millwood and Front Royal pikes, Crook encamping at Strong Point. Torbert met some of the enemy's cavalry at the toll gate on the Front Royal pike, drove it in the direction of Newtown, and behind Gordon's division of infantry, which had been thrown out from Newtown to cover the flank of the main column in its retreat, and which had put itself behind rail barricades. A portion of Merritt's cavalry attacked this infantry, and drove in its skirmish line, and although unable to dislodge the division, held all the ground gained. The rebel division during the night moved off. Next day Crook moved from Stony Point to Cedar creek, Emory followed; the cavalry moved to the same point, via Newtown and the valley pike, and the Sixth corps followed the cavalry. On the night of the twelfth, Crook was in position at Cedar creek, on the left of the valley pike, Emory on the right of the pike, the Sixth corps on the right of Emory, and the cavalry on the right and left flanks. A heavy skirmish line was thrown to the heights on the south side of Cedar creek, which had brisk skirmishing during the evening with the enemy's pickets; his (the enemy's) main force occupying the heights above and north of Strasburg. On the morning of the thirteenth, the cavalry was ordered on a reconnaissance towards Strasburg, on the middle road, which road is two and a half miles to the west of the main pike.

Reports of a column of the enemy moving up from Culpepper Court-house, and approaching Front Royal through Chester gap, having been received, caused me much anxiety, as any considerable force advanced through Front Royal, and down the F. R. and W. pike toward Winchester, could be thrown in my rear, or, in case of my driving the enemy to Fisher's hill, and taking position in his front, this same force could be moved along the base of Massanutten mountain on the road to Strasburg, with the same result.

As my effective line of battle strength at this time was about eighteen thousand infantry, and thirty-five hundred cavalry, I remained quiet during the day — except the activity on the skirmish line — to await further developments. In the evening the enemy retired with his main force to Fisher's hill. As the rumors of an advancing force from the direction of Culpepper kept increasing, on the morning of the fourteenth I sent a brigade of cavalry to Front Royal, to ascertain definitely, if possible, the truth of such reports, and at the same time crossed the Sixth corps to the south side of Cedar creek and occupied the heights above Strasburg. Considerable picket firing ensued. During the day I received from Colonel Chipman, of the Adjutant-General's office, the following despatch, he having ridden with great haste from Washington through Snicker's gap, escorted by a regiment of cavalry, to deliver the same. It at once explained the movement from Culpepper, and on the morning of the fifteenth, the remaining two brigades of Merritt's division of cavalry were ordered to the crossing of the Shenandoah river near Front Royal, and the Sixth corps withdrawn to the north side of Cedar creek, holding at Strasburg a strong skirmish line.

(By Telegraph, received in Cipher.)

The receipt of this despatch was very important to me, as I possibly would have remained in uncertainty as to the character of the force coming in on my flank and rear, until it attacked the cavalry, as it did on the sixteenth.

I at once looked over the map of the valley for a defensive line (that is, where a smaller number of troops could hold a greater number) and could see but one such. I refer to that at Halltown, in front of Harper's Ferry. Subsequent experience has convinced me that no other really defensive line exists in the Shenandoah valley. I therefore determined to move back to Halltown, carry out my instructions to destroy forage and subsistence, and increase my strength by Grover's division of the Nineteenth corps, and Wilson's division of cavalry, both of which were marching to join me, via Snicker's gap. Emory was ordered to move to Winchester on the night of the fifteenth, and, on the night of the sixteenth, the Sixth corps and Crook's command were ordered to Clifton, via Winchester. In the movement to the rear to Halltown, the following orders were given to the cavalry and were executed:

headquarters Middle military division, Cedar Creek, Va., August 16, 1864.
To Brigadier-General A. T. A. Torbert, Chief of Cavalry, Middle Military Division.

General — In compliance with instructions of the Lieutenant-General commanding, you will make the necessary arrangements and give the necessary orders for the destruction of the wheat and hay south of a line from Millwood to Winchester, and Petticoat gap. You will seize all mules, horses, and cattle that may be useful to our army. Loyal citizens can bring in their claims against the Government for this necessary destruction.

No houses will be burned, and officers in charge of this delicate but necessary duty must inform the people that the object is to make this valley untenable for the raiding parties of the rebel army.

Very respectfully,

P. H. Sheridan, Major-General Commanding.

On the afternoon of the sixteenth I moved my headquarters back to Winchester; while moving back (at Newtown) I heard cannonading at or near Front Royal, and on reaching Winchester, Merritt's couriers brought despatches from him, stating that he had been attacked at the crossing of the Shenandoah by Kershaw's division of Longstreet's corps, and two brigades of rebel cavalry, and that he had handsomely repulsed the attack, capturing two battle flags and three hundred prisoners. During the night of the sixteenth, and early on the morning of the seventeenth, Emory moved from Winchester to Berryville, and, on the morning of the seventeenth, Crook and Wright reached Winchester and resumed the march toward Clifton; Wright, who had the rear guard, getting only as far as the Berryville crossing of the Opequan, where he was ordered to remain; Crook getting to the vicinity of Berryville. Lowell reached Winchester with his two regiments of cavalry on the afternoon of the seventeenth, where he was joined by General Wilson's division of cavalry. Merritt, after his handsome engagement near Front Royal, was ordered back to the vicinity of White Post, and General Grover's division joined Emory at Berryville. The enemy having a signal station on Three-top mountain, almost overhanging Strasburg, and from which every movement made by our troops could be seen, was notified early in the morning of the seventeenth as to this condition of affairs, and without delay followed after us, getting into Winchester about sundown, and driving out General Torbert, who was left there with Wilson and Lowell, and the Jersey brigade of the Sixth corps. Wilson and Lowell fell back to Summit Point, and the Jersey brigade joined its corps at the crossing of the Opequan. Kershaw's division, and two brigades of Fitz Lee's cavalry division, which was the force at Front Royal, joined Early at Winchester, I think, on the evening of the seventeenth.

On the eighteenth the Sixth corps moved, via Clifton, to Flowing Spring, two miles and a half west of Charlestown, on the Smithfield pike; Emory about two miles and a half south of Charlestown, on the Berryville pike; Merritt came back to Berryville; Wilson remained at Summit Point, covering the crossing of Opequan creek as far north as the bridge at Smithfield; Merritt covering the crossing of the Berryville pike; Crook remained near Clifton, and the next day moved to the left of Emory. This position was maintained until the twenty-first, when the enemy moved a heavy force across the Opequan at the bridge at Smithfield, driving in the cavalry pickets which fell back to Summit Point, and advanced rapidly on the position of the Sixth corps, near Flowing Springs, when a very sharp and obstinate skirmish took place with the heavy picket line of that corps, resulting very much in its favor. The enemy appeared to have thought that I had taken position near Summit Point, and that by moving around rapidly through Smithfield he would get into my rear. In this, however, he was mistaken. During the day Merritt (who had been attacked and held his ground) was recalled from Berryville. Wilson had also been attacked [721] by infantry, and had also held his ground until ordered in. During the night of the twenty-first the army moved back to Halltown without inconvenience or loss; the cavalry, excepting Lowell's command, which formed on the left, moving early on the morning of the twenty-second, and going into position on the right of the line.

On the morning of the twenty-second the enemy moved up to Charlestown and pushed well up to my position at Halltown, skirmishing with the cavalry videttes.

The despatches received from the Lieutenant-General commanding. from Captain G. K. Leet, A. A. G., at Washington, and information derived from my scouts, and from prisoners captured, was of so conflicting and contradictory a nature, that I determined to ascertain if possible, while on this defensive line, what reinforcements had actually been received by the enemy. This could only be done by frequent reconnoissances, and their results convinced me that but one division of infantry, Kershaw's, and one division of cavalry, Fitz Lee's, had joined him.

On the twenty-third I ordered a reconnoissance by Crook, who was on the left, resulting in a small capture, and a number of casualties to the enemy.

On the twenty-fourth another reconnoissance was made, capturing a number of prisoners, our own loss being about thirty men. On the twenty-fifth there was sharp picket firing during the day on part of the infantry line. The cavalry was ordered to attack the enemy's cavalry at Kearneysville. This attack was handsomely made, but, instead of finding the enemy's cavalry, his infantry was encountered, and for a time doubled up and thrown into the utmost confusion. It was marching towards Shepardstown. This engagement was somewhat of a mutual surprise-our cavalry expecting to meet the enemy's cavalry, and his infantry expecting no opposition whatever. General Torbert, who was in command, finding a large force of the rebel infantry in his front, came back to our left, and the enemy believing his (the enemy's) movements had been discovered, and that the force left by him in my front at Halltown would be attacked, returned in great haste, but, before doing so, isolated Custer's brigade, which had to cross to the north side of the Potomac, at Shepardstown, and join me via Harper's Ferry.

For my own part I believed Early meditated a crossing of his cavalry into Maryland, at Williamsport, and I sent Wilson's division around by Harper's Ferry to watch its movements. Averell in the mean time had taken post at Williamsport, on the north side of the Potomac, and held the crossing against a force of rebel cavalry which made the attempt to cross. On the night of the twenty-sixth the enemy silently left my front, moving over Opequan creek, at the Smithfield and Summit Point crossings, and concentrating his force at Brucetown and Bunker Hill,leaving his cavalry at Leetown and Smithfield.

On the twenty-eighth I moved in front of Charlestown with the infantry, and directed Merritt to attack the enemy's cavalry at Leetown, which he did, defeating it, and pursuing it through Smithfield. Wilson recrossed the Potomac at Shepardstown, and joined the infantry in front of Charlestown.

On the twenty-ninth Averell crossed at Williamsport and advanced to Martinsburg. On the same day two divisions of the enemy's infantry, and a small force of cavalry, attacked Merritt at the Smithfield bridge, and, after a hard fight, drove him through Smithfield and back towards Charlestown, the cavalry fighting with great obstinacy until I could reinforce it with Rickett's division of the Sixth corps, when in turn the enemy was driven back through Smithfield, and over the Opequan, the cavalry again taking post at the Smithfield bridge.

On the thirtieth Torbert was directed to move Merritt and Wilson to Berryville, leaving Lowell to guard the Smithfield bridge and occupy the town.

On the thirty-first Averell was driven back from Martinsburg to Falling Waters.

From the first to the third of September nothing of importance occurred.

On the third, Averell, who had returned to Martinsburg, advanced on Bunker Hill, attacked McCausland's cavalry, defeated it, capturing wagons and prisoners, and destroying a good deal of property. The infantry moved into position stretching from Clifton to Berryville, Wright moving by Summit Point, Crook and Emory by the Berryville pike; Torbert had been ordered to White Post early in the day, and the enemy, supposing he could cut him off, pushed across the Opequan towards Berryville with Kershaw's division in advance, but this division not expecting infantry, blundered on to Crook's lines about dark, and was vigorously attacked and driven with heavy loss back towards the Opequan. This engagement, which was after nightfall, was very spirited, and our own and the enemy's casualties severe.

From this time until the nineteenth of September I occupied the line from Clifton to Berryville, transferring Cook to Summit Point on the eighth, to use him as a movable column to protect my right flank and line to Harper's Ferry, while the cavalry threatened the enemy's right flank and his line of communications up the valley.

The difference of strength between the two opposing forces at this time was but little.

As I had learned, beyond doubt, from my scouts, that Kershaw's division, which consisted of four brigades, was to be ordered back to Richmond, I had for two weeks patiently waited its withdrawal before attacking, believing the condition of affairs throughout the country required great prudence on my part, that a defeat of the forces of my command could be ill-afforded, [722] and knowing that no interests in the valley, save those of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, were suffering by the delay. In this view I was coinciding with the Lieutenant-General commanding.

Although the main force remained without change of position from September third to nineteenth, still the cavalry was employed every day in harassing the enemy, its opponents being principally infantry. In these skirmishes the cavalry was becoming educated to attack infantry lines.

On the thirteenth, one of these handsome dashes was made by General McIntosh, of Wilson's division, capturing the Eighth South Carolina regiment at Abram's creek; on the same day Getty's division of the Sixth corps made a reconnoissance to the Opequan, developing a heavy force of the enemy at Edwards' Crossing.

The position which I had taken at Clifton was six miles from Opequan creek, on the west bank of which the enemy was in position. This distance of six miles I determined to hold as my territory by scouting parties, and in holding it in this way, without pushing up the main force, I expected to be able to move on the enemy at the proper time, without his obtaining the information which he would immediately get from his pickets, if I was in close proximity.

On the night of the fifteenth I received reliable information that Kershaw's division was moving through Winchester, and in the direction of Front Royal. Then our time had come, and I almost made up my mind that I would fight at Newtown, on the valley pike, give up my line to the rear, and take that of the enemy. From my position at Clifton I could throw my force into Newtown before Early could get information and move to that point I was a little timid about this movement until the arrival of General Grant at Charlestown, who endorsed it, and the order for the movement was made out, but, in consequence of a report from General Averell, on the afternoon of the eighteenth of September, that Early had moved two divisions to Martinsburg, I changed this programme, and determined to first catch the two divisions remaining in vicinity of Stevenson's depot, and then the two sent to Martinsburg, in detail. This information was the cause of the battle of Opequan, instead of the battle of Newtown.

At three o'clock on the morning of the nineteenth September the army moved to the attack. Torbert was directed to advance with Merritt's division of cavalry from Summit Point, carry the crossings of Opequan creek, and form a junction at some point near Stevenson's depot with Averell, who moved from Darksville. Wilson was ordered to move rapidly up the Berryville pike from Berryville, carry its crossing of the Opequan, and charge through the gorge or cañon, the attack to be supported by the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, both of which moved across the country to the same crossing of the Opequan. Crook moved across country to be in reserve at the same point.

Wilson, with McIntosh's brigade leading, made a gallant charge through the long canon, and meeting the advance of Ramseur's rebel infantry division, drove it back and captured the earthwork at the mouth of the cation; this movement was immediately followed up by the Sixth corps. The Nineteenth corps was directed, for convenience of movement, to report to General Wright on its arrival at Opequan creek. I followed up the cavalry attack, and selected the ground for the formation of the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, which went into line under a heavy artillery fire.

A good deal of time was lost in this movement through the cañon, and it was not till perhaps nine o'clock A. M., that the order for the advance in line was given. I had, from early in the morning, become apprised that I would have to engage Early's entire army, instead of two divisions, and determined to attack with the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, holding Crook's command as a turning column to use only when the crisis of the battle occurred, and that I would put him in on my left, and still get the valley pike. The attack was therefore made by the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, in very handsome style, and under a heavy fire from the enemy, who held a line which gave him the cover of slight brushwood and cornfields.

The resistance during this attack was obstinate, and, as there were no earthworks to protect, deadly to both sides.

The enemy, after the contest had been going on for some time, made a counter charge, striking the right of the Sixth corps and left of the Nineteenth, driving back the centre of my line.

It was at this juncture that I ordered a brigade of Russell's division of the Sixth corps to wait till the enemy's attacking column presented its flank, then to strike it with vigor. This was handsomely done, the brigade being led by General Russell, and its commander. Upton, in person; the enemy in turn was driven back, our line re-established, and most of the two or three thousand men who had gone to the rear brought back.

I still would not order Crook in, but placed him directly in rear of the line of battle; as the reports, however, that the enemy were attempting to turn my right kept continually increasing, I was obliged to put him in on that flank instead of on the left, as was originally intended. He was directed to act as a turning column, to find the left of the enemy's line, strike it in flank or rear, break it up, and that I would order a left half wheel of the line of battle to support him. In this attack the enemy was driven in confusion from his position, and simultaneous with it Merritt and Averell, under Torbert, could be distinctly seen sweeping up the Martinsburg pike, driving the enemy's cavalry before them in a confused mass [723] through the broken infantry. I then rode along the line of the Nineteenth and Sixth corps, ordered their advance, and directed Wilson, who was on the left flank, to push on and gain the valley pike south of Winchester; after which I returned to the right, where the enemy was still fighting with obstinacy in the open ground in front of Winchester, and ordered Torbert to collect his cavalry and charge, which was done simultaneously with the infantry advance, and the enemy routed,

At daylight on morning of the twentieth of September the army moved rapidly up the valley pike in pursuit of the enemy, who had continued his retreat during the night to Fisher's hill, south of Strasburg.

Fisher's hill is the bluff immediately south of and over a little stream called Tumbling river, and is a position which was almost impregnable to a direct assault, and as the valley is but about three and a half miles wide at this point, the enemy considered himself secure on reaching it, and commenced erecting breast-works across the valley from Fisher's hill to North mountain; so secure, in fact, did he consider himself, that the ammunition boxes were taken from the caissons and placed for convenience behind the breastworks.

On the evening of September twentieth, Wright and Emory went into position on the heights of Strasburg, Crook north of Cedar creek, the cavalry to the right and rear of Wright, and Emory extending to the back road. This night I resolved to use a turning column again, and that I would move Crook, unperceived, if possible, over on to the face of Little North mountain, and let him strike the left and rear of the enemy's line, and then, if successful, make a left half wheel of the whole line of battle to his support. To do this required much secresy, as the enemy had a signal station on Threetop mountain, from which he could see every movement made by our troops; therefore, during the night of the twentieth, I concealed Crook in the timber north of Cedar creek, where he remained during the twenty-first. On the same day I moved Wright and Emory up in the front of the rebel line, getting into proper position after a severe engagement between a portion of Rickett's and Getty's divisions of the Sixth corps, and a strong force of the enemy. Torbert, with Wilson's and Merritt's cavalry, was ordered down the Luray valley in pursuit of the enemy's cavalry, and, after defeating or driving it, to cross over Luray pike to New Market, and intercept the enemy's infantry should I drive it from the position at Fisher's hill.

On the night of the twenty-first, Crook was moved to, and concentrated in, the timber near Strasburg, and at daylight on the twenty-second marched to, and massed in, the timber near Little North mountain. I did not attempt to cover the long front presented by the enemy, but massed the Sixth and Nineteenth corps opposite the right centre of his line. After Crook had gotten into the position last named, I took out Rickett's division of the Sixth corps and placed it opposite the enemy's left centre, and directed Averell with his cavalry to go up on Rickett's front and right, and drive in the enemy's skirmish line, if possible. This was done, and the enemy's signal officer on Threetop mountain, mistaking Rickett's division for my turning column, so notified the enemy, and he made his arrangements accordingly, whilst Crook, without being observed, moved on the side of Little North mountain, and struck the enemy's left and rear so suddenly and unexpectedly, that he (the enemy) supposing he must have come across the mountains, broke; Crook swinging down behind the line, Rickett's swinging in and joining Crook, and so on the balance of the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, the rout of the enemy being complete.

Unfortunately the cavalry which I had sent down the Luray valley to cross over to New Market was unsuccessful, and only reached so far as Millford, a point at which the Luray valley contracts to a gorge, and which was taken possession of by the enemy's cavalry in some force. Had General Torbert driven this cavalry, or turned the defile and reached New Market, I have no doubt but that we would have captured the entire rebel army. I feel certain that its rout from Fisher's hill was such that there was scarcely a company organization held together. New Market being at a converging point in the valley they came together again, and to some extent reorganized. I did not wait to see the results of this victory, but pushed on during the night of the twenty-second to Woodstock, although the darkness and consequent confusion made the pursuit slow.

On the morning of September twenty-third, General Devins, with his small brigade of cavalry, moved to a point directly north of Mount Jackson, driving the enemy in his front, and there awaited the arrival of General Averell's division, which for some unaccountable reason went into camp immediately after the battle. General Averell reached Devins' command at three o'clock P. M., and, in the evening, returned with all the advance cavalry of which he was in command, to a creek one half mile north of Hawkinsburg, and there remained until the arrival of the head of the column, which had halted between Edinburg and Woodstock for wagons, in order to issue the necessary rations.

Early on the morning of the twenty-fourth the entire army reached Mount Jackson, a small town on the north bank of the north fork of the Shenandoah. The enemy had in the mean time reorganized, and taken position on the bluff, south of the river, but had commenced this same morning his retreat toward Harrisonburg; still, he held a long and strong line with the troops that were to cover his rear, in a temporary line of rifle-pits on the bluff commanding the plateau.

To dislodge him from his strong position, [724] Devins' brigade of cavalry was directed to cross the Shenandoah, work around the base of the Massanutten range, and drive in the cavalry which covered his (the enemy's) right flank; and Powell, who had succeeded Averell, was ordered to move around his left flank via Simberville, whilst the infantry was rushed across the river by the bridge.

The enemy did not wait the full execution of these movements, but withdrew in haste, the cavalry under Devins coming up with him at Newmarket, and made a bold attempt to hold him until I could push up our infantry, but was unable to do so as the open, smooth country allowed him (the enemy) to retreat with great rapidity in line of battle, and the three or four hundred cavalry under Devins was unable to break this line. Our infantry was pushed by heads of columns very hard to overtake, and bring on an engagement, but could not succeed, and encamped about six miles south of Newmarket for the night.

Powell meantime had pushed on through Simberville, and gained the valley pike near Lacy's springs, capturing some prisoners and wagons.

This movement of Powell's probably forced the enemy to abandon the road via Harrisonburg, and move over the Keezeltown road to Port Republic, to which point the retreat was continued through the night of the twenty-fourth, and from thence to Brown's gap in the Blue Ridge.

On the twenth-fifth, the Sixth and Nineteenth corps reached Harrisonburg. Crook was ordered to remain at the junction of the Keezeltown road with the Valley pike until the movements of the enemy were definitely ascertained.

On this day Torbert reached Harrisonburg, having encountered the enemy's cavalry at Luray, defeating it and joining me via Newmarket, and Powell had proceeded to Mount Crawford.

On the twenty-sixth Merritt's division of cavalry was ordered to Port Republic, and Torbert to Staunton and Waynesboro to destroy the bridge at the latter place, and, in retiring, to burn all forage, drive off all cattle, destroy all mills, &c., which would cripple the rebel army or confederacy.

Torbert had with him Wilson's division of cavalry and Lowell's brigade of regulars.

On the twenty-seventh while Torbert was making his advance on Waynesboro, I ordered Merritt to make a demonstration on Brown's gap to cover the movement. This brought out the enemy (who had been re-enforced by Kershaw's division which came through Swift Run gap), against the small force of cavalry employed in this demonstration, which he followed up to Port Republic, and I believe crossed in some force. Merritt's instructions from me were to resist an attack, but, if pressed, to fall back to Cross Keys, in which event I intended to attack with the main force which was at Harrisonburg, and could be rapidly moved to Cross Keys. The enemy, however, advanced with his main force only to Port Republic, after which he fell back. Torbert this day took possession of Waynesboro, and partially destroyed the railroad bridge, but about dark on the twenty-eighth was attacked by infantry and cavalry, returned to Staunton and from thence to Bridgewater via Springhill, executing the order for the destruction of subsistence, forage, &c.

On the morning of the twenty-eighth Merritt was ordered to Port Republic to open communication with General Torbert, but on the same night was directed to leave small forces at Port Republic and Swift-run gap, and proceed with the balance of his command (his own and Custer divisions) to Piedmont, swing around from that point to near Stanton, burning forage, mills, and such other property as might be serviceable to the rebel army or confederacy, and, on his return, to go into camp on the left of the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, which were ordered to proceed on the twenty-ninth to Mount Crawford, in support of this and Torbert's movements.

September twenty-ninth, Torbert reached Bridgewater, and Merritt Mt. Crawford.

On the first of October Merritt reoccupied Port Republic, and the Sixth and Nineteenth corps were moved back to Harrisonburg.

The question that now presented itself was, whether or not I should follow the enemy to Brown's gap, where he still held fast, drive him out and advance on Charlottesville and Gordonsville. This movement on Gordonsville I was opposed to for many reasons, the most important of which was, that it would necessitate the opening of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad from Alexandria, and to protect this road against the numerous guerilla bands, would have required a corps of infantry; besides, I would have been obliged to leave a small force in the valley to give security to the line of the Potomac. This would probably occupy the whole of Crook's command, leaving me but a small number of fighting men. Then there was the additional reason of the uncertainty as to whether the army in front of Petersburg could hold the entire force of General Lee there, and, in case it could not, a sufficient number might be detached and move rapidly by rail and overwhelm me, quickly returning. I was also confident that my transportation could not supply me further than Harrisonburg, and therefore advised that the valley campaign should terminate at Harrisonburg, and that I return, carrying out my original instructions for the destruction of forage, grain, &c., give up the majority of the Army I commanded, and order it to the Petersburg line, a line which I thought the Lieutenant-General believed if a successful movement could be made on, would involve the capture of the Army of Northern Virginia.

I therefore, on the morning of the sixth of October, commenced moving back, stretching the cavalry across the valley from the Blue Ridge to the eastern slope of the Alleghanies, [725] with directions to burn all forage and drive off all stock, &c., as they moved to the rear, fully coinciding in the views and instructions of the Lieutenant-General that the valley should be made a barren waste. The most positive orders were given, however, not to burn dwellings.

In this movement the enemy's cavalry followed at a respectful distance until in the vicinity of Woodstock, when they attacked Custer's division and harassed it as far as Louis brook, a short distance south of Fisher's Hill.

On the night of the eighth, I ordered General Torbert to engage the enemy's cavalry at daylight, and notified him that I would halt the army until he had defeated it.

In compliance with these instructions, Torbert advanced at daylight on the ninth of October, with Custer's division on the back road, and Merritt's division on the Valley pike.

At Louis brook the heads of the opposing columns came in contact and deployed, and after a short but decisive engagement the enemy was defeated, with the loss of all his artillery excepting one piece, and everything else which was carried on wheels. The rout was complete, and was followed up to Mount Jackson, a distance of some twenty-six miles.

On October tenth the enemy crossed to the north side of Cedar creek, the Sixth corps continuing its march to Front Royal; this was the first day's march of this corps to rejoin Lieutenant-General Grant at Petersburg. It was the intention that it should proceed through Manassas gap to Piedmont east of the Blue Ridge — to which point the Manassas Gap railroad had been completed, and from thence to Alexandria by rail; but on my recommendation that it would be much better to march it, as it was in fine condition, through Ashby's gap, and thence to Washington, the former route was abandoned, and on the twelfth the corps moved to the Ashby gap crossing of the Shenandoah river; but, on the same day, in consequence of the advance of the enemy to Fisher's Hill, it was recalled to await the development of the enemy's new intentions.

The question now again arose in reference to the advance on Gordonsville, as suggested in the following despatch:

[Cipher.]

Washington, October 12, 1864, 12 M.
Major-General Sheridan:

Lieutenant-General Grant wishes a position taken far enough south to serve as a base for further operations upon Gordonsville and Charlottesville. It must be strongly fortified and provisioned.

Some point in the vicinity of Manassas gap would seem best suited for all purposes.

Colonel Alexander, of the engineers, will be sent to consult with you as soon as you connect with General Augur.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General.

This plan I would not endorse, but, in order to settle it definitely, I was called to Washington by the following telegram:

Washington, October 13, 1864.
Major-General Sheridan: through General Augur.

If you can come here, a consultation on several points is extremely desirable. I propose to visit General Grant, and would like to see you first.

E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

On the evening of the fifteenth I determined to go, believing that the enemy at Fisher's Hill could not accomplish much; and as I had concluded not to attack him at present, I ordered the whole of the cavalry force under General Torbert to accompany me to Front Royal, from whence I intended to push it through Chester gap to the Virginia Central railroad at Charlottesville, while I passed through Manassas gap to Piedmont, thence by rail to Washington. Upon my arrival with the cavalry at Front Royal, on the night of the sixteenth, I received the following despatch from General Wright, who was left at Cedar Creek in command of the army:

headquarters,Middle military division, October 16, 1864.
Major-General P. H. Sheridan, commanding Middle Military Division.

General — I enclose you despatch which explains itself (see copy following):

If the enemy should be strongly reinforced in cavalry, he might, by turning our right, give us a great deal of trouble. I shall hold on here until the enemy's movements are developed, and shall only fear an attack on my right, which I shall make every preparation for guarding against and resisting.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. G. Wright, Major-General Commanding.

This message was taken off the rebel signal flag, on Three Top mountain. My first thought was that it was a ruse, but, on reflection, deemed it best to abandon the cavalry raid, and give to General Wright the entire strength of the army. 1 therefore ordered the cavalry to return and report to him, and addressed the following note on the subject:

Front Royal, October 16, 1864.
Major-General H. G. Wright, commanding Sixth Army Corps:

General — The cavalry is all ordered back to you; make your position strong. If Longstreet's [726] despatch is true, he is under the impression that we have largely detached. I will go over to Augur, and may get additional news.

Close in Colonel Powell, who will be at this point. If the enemy should make an advance, I know you will defeat him. Look well to your ground, and be well prepared. Get up everything that can be spared. I will bring up all I can, and will be up on Tuesday, if not sooner.

P. H. Sheridan, Major-General

After sending this note I continued through Manassas gap and on to Piedmont, and from thence by rail to Washington, arriving on the morning of the seventeenth. At twelve o'clock M. I returned by special train to Martinsburg, arriving on the morning of the eighteenth at Winchester, in company with Colonels Thorn and Alexander, of the Engineer corps, sent with me by General Halleck. During my absence the enemy had gathered all his strength, and, in the night of the eighteenth, and early on the nineteenth, moved silently from Fisher's Hill, through Strasburg, pushed a heavy turning column across the Shenandoah, on the road from Strasburg to Front Royal, and again recrossed the river at Bowman's ford, striking Crook, who held the left of our line, in flank and rear, so unexpectedly and forcibly as to drive in his outposts, invade his camp, and turn his position. This surprise was owing, probably, to not closing in Powell, or that the cavalry divisions of Merritt and Custer were placed on the right of our line, where it had always occurred to me there was but little danger of attack.

This was followed by a direct attack upon our front, and the result was that the whole army was driven back in confusion, to a point about one and a half miles north of Middletown, a very large portion of the infantry not even preserving a company organization.

At about seven o'clock on the morning of the nineteenth October, an officer on picket at Winchester reported artillery firing, but, supposing it resulted from a reconnoissance which had been ordered for this morning, I paid no attention to it, and was unconscious of the true condition of affairs until about nine o'clock, when, having ridden through the town of Winchester, the sound of the artillery made a battle unmistakable, and on reaching Mill creek, one half a mile south of Winchester, the head of the fugitives appeared in sight, trains and men coming to the rear with appalling rapidity.

I immediately gave direction to halt and pack the trains at Mill creek and ordered the brigade at Winchester to stretch across the country and stop all stragglers. Taking twenty men from my escort, I pushed on to the front, leaving the balance, under General Forsyth and Colonels Thorn and Alexander, to do what they could in stemming the torrent of fugitives.

I am happy to say that hundreds of the men, who on reflection found they had not done themselves justice, came back with cheers.

On arriving at the front, I found Merritt's and Custer's divisions of cavalry, under Torbert, and General Getty's division of the Sixth corps, opposing the enemy. I suggested to General Wright that we would fight on Getty's line, and to transfer Custer to the right at once, as he (Custer) and Merritt, from being on the right in the morning, had been transferred to the left; that the remaining two divisions of the Sixth corps, which were to the right and rear of Getty about two miles, should be ordered up, and also that the Nineteenth corps, which was on the right and rear of these two divisions, should be hastened up before the enemy attacked Getty.

I then started out all my staff officers to bring up these troops, and was so convinced that we would soon be attacked, that I went back myself to urge them on.

Immediately after I returned and assumed command, General Wright returning to his corps, Getty to his division, and the line of battle was formed on the prolongation of General Getty's line, and a temporary breastwork of rails, logs, &c., thrown up hastily.

Shortly after this was done the enemy advanced, and from a point on the left of our line of battle I could see his columns moving to the attack, and at once notified corps commanders to be prepared.

This assault fell principally on the Nineteenth corps, and was repulsed.

I am pleased to be able to state that the strength of the Sixth and Nineteenth corps, and Crook's command, was now being rapidly augmented by the return of those who had gone to the rear early in the day. Reports coming in from the Front Royal pike, on which Powell's division of cavalry was posted, to the effect that a heavy column of infantry was moving on that pike in the direction of Winchester, and that he (Powell) was retiring and would come in at Newtown, caused me great anxiety for the time; and although I could not fully believe that such a movement would be undertaken, still it delayed my general attack.

At four P. M. I ordered the advance. This attack was brilliantly made, and, as the enemy was protected by rail breastworks, and in some portions of his line by stone fences, his resistance was very determined. His line of battle overlapped the right of mine, and by turning with this portion of it on the flank of the Nineteenth corps, caused a slight momentary confusion. This movement was checked, however, by a counter-charge of General McMillans' brigade upon the re-entering angle thus formed by the enemy, and his flanking party cut off.

It was at this stage of the battle that Custer was ordered to charge with his entire division, but, although the order was promptly obeyed, it was not in time to capture the whole of the force thus cut off, and many escaped across Cedar creek.

Simultaneous with this charge, a combined movement of the whole line drove the enemy in [727] confusion to the creek, where, owing to the difficulties of crossing, his army became routed.

Custer finding a ford on Cedar creek west of the pike, and Devins, of Merritt's division, one to the east of it, they each made the crossing just after dark, and pursued the routed mass of the enemy to Fisher's Hill, where this strong position gave him some protection against our cavalry; but the most of his transportation had been captured, the road from Cedar creek to Fisher's Hill, a distance of over three miles, being literally blocked by wagons, ambulances, artillery, caissons, &c.

The enemy did not halt his main force at Fisher's Hill, but continued the retreat during the night to Newmarket, where his army had, on a similar previous occasion, come together by means of the numerous roads that converge to this point.

This battle practically ended the campaign in the Shenandoah valley. When it opened we found our enemy boastful and confidant, unwilling to acknowledge that the soldiers of the Union were their equal in courage and manliness; when it closed with Cedar creek, this impression had been removed from his mind, and gave place to good sense and a strong desire to quit fighting.

The very best troops of the Confederacy had not only been defeated, but had been routed in successive engagements, until their spirit and esprit were destroyed; in obtaining these results, however, our loss in officers and men was severe. Practically all territory north of the James' river now belonged to me, and the holding of the lines about Petersburg and Richmond, by the enemy, must have been embarrassing, and invited the question of good military judgment.

On entering the valley it was not my object, by flank movements, to make the enemy change his base, nor to move as far up as the James' river, and thus give him the opportunity of making me change my base, thereby converting it into a race-course, as heretofore, but to destroy, to the best of my ability, that which was truly the Confederacy — its armies; in doing this, so far as the opposing army was concerned, our success was such that there was no one connected with the army of the Shenandoah who did not so fully realize it as to render the issuing of congratulatory orders unnecessary; every officer and man was made to understand that, when a victory was gained, it was not more than their duty, nor less than their country expected from her gallant sons.

At Winchester, for a moment the contest was uncertain, but the gallant attack of General Upton's brigade of the Sixth corps restored the line of battle, until the turning column of Crook's and Merritt's and Averell's divisions of cavalry, under Torbert, “sent the enemy whirling through Winchester.”

In thus particularizing commands and commanders, I only speak in the sense that they were so fortunate as to be available at these important moments.

In the above-mentioned attack by Upton's brigade, the lamented Russell fell. He had been previously wounded, but refused to leave the field. His death brought sadness to every heart in the army.

It was during a reconnoissance to Fisher's Hill, made on the thirteenth of October, 1864, that Colonel George D. Wells, commanding a brigade in Crook's corps, was killed while gallantly leading his men.

At Fisher's Hill it was again the good fortune of General Crook's command to start the enemy, and of General Ricketts' division of the Sixth corps to first gallantly swing in and more fully initiate the rout.

At Cedar creek, Getty's division of the Sixth corps, and Merritt's and Custer's divisions of cavalry, under Torbert, confronted the enemy from the first attack in the morning until the battle was decided, still none behaved more gallantly, or exhibited greater courage than those who returned from the rear, determined to reoccupy their lost camp.

In this engagement, early in the morning, the gallant Colonel Lowell, of the Regular brigade, was wounded while in the advance en echelon of Getty's division, but would not leave his command, remaining until the final attack on the enemy was made, in which he was killed.

Generals Bidwell of the Sixth corps, and Thoburn of Crook's command, were also killed in the morning, while behaving with conspicuous gallantry.

I submit the following list of the corps, division, and brigade commanders, who were wounded in the campaign, the killed having already been especially noticed, regretting that the scope of this report will not admit of my specifying by name all the many gallant men who were killed and wounded in the numerous engagements in the Shenandoah valley, and most respectfully call attention to the accompanying sub-reports for such particulars as will, I trust, do full justice to all.

Generals H. G. Wright, J. B. Ricketts, Grover, Duval, E. Upton, R. S. McKenzie, Kitchen (since died of wounds), J. B. McIntosh, G. H. Chapman, Thomas C. Devins, Penrose, Colonels D. D. Johnson, Daniel McAuley, Jacob Sharpe.

From the seventh of August, the Middle Department, Department of Washington, Department of the Susquehanna, and Department of West Virginia, were under my command, and I desire to express my gratitude to their respective commanders, Major-Generals Lew Wallace, C. C. Augur, Couch, and Cadwallader, and to Major-Generals Hunter and Crook, who at separate times commanded the latter Department for the assistance given me.

General Augur operated very effectively with a small force under his command, the reports of which were forwarded direct to the War Department. [728]

After the battle of Cedar Creek nothing of importance occurred in the valley up to February twenty-seventh, 1865, the day on which the cavalry moved from Winchester to Petersburg.

On the night of November eleventh, 1864, General Early moved some of his shattered forces to the north of Cedar creek for the purpose of bluster, I suppose, as on the night of the following day he hastily retired. In consequence of contradictory information received from scouts and captured cavalry prisoners, I was unconvinced of any rebel infantry being in my vicinity until it was too late to overtake it in its galloping retreat, a retreat which was continued until in the vicinity of Lacy's springs near Harrisonburg. Powell engaged the rebel cavalry co-operating on the Front Royal pike with this force, and drove it through Front Royal to Milford, capturing two pieces of artillery.

During this campaign I was at times annoyed by guerilla bands, the most formidable of which was under a partisan chief named Mosby, who made his headquarters east of the Blue Ridge in the section of country about Upperville. I had constantly refused to operate against these bands, believing them to be substantially a benefit to me, as they prevented straggling, and kept my trains well closed up, and discharged such other duties as would have required a provost guard of at least two regiments of cavalry. In retaliation for the assistance and sympathy given them, however, by the inhabitants of Loudon valley, General Merritt, with two brigades of cavalry, was directed to proceed on the twenty-eighth of November, 1864, to that valley, under the following instructions:

headquarters Middle military division November 27, 1864.
Brevet Major-General Wesley Merritt, commanding First Cavalry Division.

General — You are hereby directed to proceed to-morrow morning at seven o'clock with the two brigades of your division now in camp to the east side of the Blue Ridge, via Ashby's gap, and operate against the guerillas in the district of country bounded on the south by the line of the Manassas Gap railroad as far east as White Plains, on the east by the Bull Run range, on the west by the Shenandoah river, and on the north by the Potomac.

This section has been the hot-bed of lawless bands, who have from time to time depredated upon small parties on the line of army communications, on safeguards left at houses, and on troops. Their real object is plunder and highway robbery.

To clear the country of these parties that are bringing destruction upon the innocent, as well as their guilty supporters, by their cowardly acts, you will consume and destroy all forage and subsistence, burn all barns and mills and their contents, and drive off all stock in the region, the boundaries of which are above described. This order must be literally executed, bearing in mind, however, that no dwellings are to be burned, and that no personal violence be offered the citizens.

The ultimate results of the guerilla system of warfare is the total destruction of all private rights in the country occupied by such parties. This destruction may as well commence at once, and the responsibility of it must rest upon the authorities at Richmond, who have acknowledged the legitimacy of guerilla bands.

The injury done this army by them is very slight. The injury they have inflicted upon the people, and upon the rebel army, may be counted by millions.

The reserve brigade of your division will move to Snickersville on the twenty-ninth. Snickersville should be your point of concentration, and the point from which you should operate in destroying towards the Potomac.

Four days subsistance will be taken by the command. Forage can be gathered from the country through which you pass.

You will return to your present camp at Snickersville on the fifth day.

By command of Major-General P. H. Sheridan.

James W. Forsyth. Lieutenant-Colonel and Chief of Staff.

On December nineteenth General Torbert, with Merritt and Powell's division, was pushed through Chester gap to strike the Virginia Central railroad at Charlottesville or Gordonsville. An engagement took place, in which two pieces of artillery were captured, but failing to gain Gordonsville, or strike the railroad, he returned to Winchester, via Warrenton.

Custer, with his division, was at the same time pushed up the valley to make a diversion in favor of Torbert; but encountering the enemy near Harrisonburg, who attacked his camp at daylight on the ensuing day, he was obliged, in consequence of superior force, to retire.

The weather was so intensely cold during these raids that horses and men suffered most severely, and many of the latter were badly frost-bitten.

On the fifth of February, Harry Gilmore, who appeared to be the last link between Maryland and the Confederacy, and whose person I desired in order that this link might be severed, was made prisoner near Moorfield, his capture being very skilfully made by Colonel Young, my chief of scouts, and a party under Lieutenant Colonel Whittaker, First Connecticut cavalry, sent to support him.

Gilmore and Mosby carried on the same style of warfare, running trains off railways, robbing the passengers, &c.

In closing this report, it gives me great pleasure to speak of the skill, energy, and gallantry displayed by my corps and division commanders, and I take this opportunity of acknowledging the assistance given me by them at all times. [729]

To the members of my staff, who so cheerfully on all occasions gave me their valuable assistance, who so industriously labored to execute every duty promptly, and who always behaved with gallantry, I return my sincere thanks. They all joined with me in the deep grief felt at the loss sustained by the army, and the friendly ties broken by the death of their fellow staff officers, Colonel Tolles, Chief Quartermaster, and Assistant Surgeon Ohlenschlaeger, Medical Inspector, who were killed while on their way from Martinsburg to Cedar creek, in October, 1864, and in that of the death of the gallant Lieutenant Meigs, my Chief Engineer, who was killed while examining and mapping the country near Bridgewater just above Harrisonburg. This young officer was endeared to me on account of his invaluable knowledge of the country, his rapid sketching, his great intelligence, and his manly and soldierly qualities.

I would also here especially mention the loss of two of my most efficient staff officers, Lieutenant-Colonels Kellogg and O'Keefe, both of whom died, after having passed through the dangers and privations of years of warfare; the former of fever consequent upon excessive labor during the campaign from Petersburg to Appomattox, the latter from wounds received at the battle of Five Forks.

The report of the march from Winchester to Petersburg, to engage in the final campaign, has heretofore been furnished, but I consider it, in fact, a sequel to this.

I attach hereto a abstract of ordnance and ordnance stores captured from the enemy during the campaign (the one hundred and one pieces of artillery being exclusive of the twenty-four pieces recaptured in the afternoon at Cedar creek), also a detailed report of my casualties, which are in aggregate as follows:

Killed, 1,938; wounded, 11,893; missing, 3,121; total, 16,952.

The records of the Provost Marshal, Middle Military Division, show about thirteen thousand prisoners (as per annexed certificate) to have been received by him, and receipts are among the records of the Assistant Adjutant-General, Middle Military Division, for forty-nine battle flags, forwarded to the Honorable the Secretary of War.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Use in this concentration the railroad, if by so doing time can be saved. From Harper's Ferry, if it is found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in great force, push north following and attacking him wherever found; following him, if driven south of the Potomac, as long as it is safe to do so. If it is ascertained the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main force, detailing, under a competent commander, a sufficient force to look after the raiders, and drive them to their homes.

In detailing such a force, the brigade of cavalry now en route from Washington via Rocksville may be taken into account.

There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of the best cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horses. These will be instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south side of the Potomac. One brigade will probably start tomorrow.

In pushing up the Shenandoah valley, as it is expected you will have to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage, and stock wanted for the use of your command. Such as cannot be consumed, destroy. It is not desirable that buildings should be destroyed, they should rather be protected, but the people should be informed that so long as an enemy can subsist among them, recurrences of these raids must be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards.

Bear in mind the object is to drive the enemy south, and to do this you want to keep him always in sight. Be guided in your course by the course he takes. Make your own arrangements for supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as may be taken from loyal citizens.

Very respectfully,

Respectfully submitted,

[731]

The division moved according to orders, and commenced to embark on the night of the thirty-first. It was concentrated at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, by the night of the ninth of August following.

On my arrival at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, on the afternoon of the eighth of August, I reported in person at once to Major-General Sheridan, who was then commanding the Middle Military Division, and was appointed Chief of Cavalry for that division, which command consisted (organized troops for the field) of the First division of cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, General Merritt commanding; Second division West Virginia cavalry, General Averell commanding; and First division West Virginia cavalry, Brigadier-General Duffie commanding.

Brigadier-General Averell's division was then at Cumberland, Maryland, and Brigadier-General Duffie's at Hancock, Maryland. Both of these divisions were ordered to join the army by the shortest practicable route.

At this time a brigade was formed, consisting of the Second Massachusetts, Twenty-second Pennsylvania, Cole's cavalry, and a detachment of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, and placed under command of Colonel Lowell, Second Massachusetts cavalry, and assigned to the First division as the Third brigade.

I left Harper's Ferry, Virginia, August tenth, with the First division cavalry (General Merritt commanding) on the advance.

Arriving at Charleston, Virginia, the Reserve First and Second brigades took the direct road to Berryville, Virginia; the Third brigade was sent to Summit Point, Virginia, thus placing it on the right of the army, and the Reserve First and Second brigades on the left.

Arriving at Berryville, a reconnoissance was sent in the direction of Winchester, as far as the Opequan creek, driving the enemy's pickets across the creek. The main body took the Berryville and Millwood pike as far as the Stone Chapel, about three miles, and turned to the right to go over to the Millwood and Winchester pike. About half a mile from the latter pike the enemy's cavalry was met in pretty strong force; they were immediately engaged and driven from the field. The command then went into camp in the neighborhood for the night.

At daylight the next day (eleventh), the Reserve First and Second brigades moved on the Millwood and Winchester pike to the Opequan creek. From this point the First brigade (Brigadier-General Custer) was sent in the direction of Winchester, driving the enemy's cavalry about three miles, and within two miles of the town, on their infantry lines, and remained in that position until the arrival of our infantry at the Millwood and Winchester pike, near the Opequan creek.

In the mean time the Reserve and Second brigades (Brigadier-General Merritt) moved round still further to the left, to get possession of the Front Royal and Winchester pike. About a mile from the pike they met the enemy's cavalry in force, with artillery. Brigadier-General Merritt immediately engaged them, and, after a severe fight, he drove them across the pike and three miles back in the direction of Newton, Virginia, on the Valley pike. In the mean time the First brigade (Brigadier-General Custer) was brought up, and the whole division was advanced in the direction of Newton. Advancing about a mile and a half, they were opposed by a strong force; not being able to tell whether they were dismounted cavalry or infantry, an attack was ordered, the attacking party being dismounted.

After a very severe fight, the enemy was driven from his first position.

By prisoners being captured we learned that it was Gordon's division of infantry, the rearguard of Major-General Early's army. The attack was immediately suspended, and our force fell back about a mile and a half and went into camp, it being now after dark.

About this time the Third brigade (Colonel Lowell), with the exception of one regiment, joined us from the right of the army.

On the next morning (twelfth) the cavalry moved in the direction of Newton, the Third brigade (Colonel Lowell) in advance.

Arriving at Newton, on the Strasburg and Winchester pike, the Third, First, and Reserve brigades moved in the direction of Strasburg.

The Second brigade (Brevet Brigadier-General Devin) moved west, in the direction of Fawcet's gap, and then toward Cedar creek, on the back road, about three or four miles from the main pike.

These columns moved steadily along toward Cedar creek, Virginia, skirmishing slightly with the enemy. Arriving at Cedar creek, on the Valley pike, the Third brigade (Colonel Lowell) drove the enemy's skirmishers across, and advanced to the other side, and held this position until relieved by our infantry during the same afternoon. The command then went into position as follows for the night: the First brigade (Brigadier-General Custer) on the left of the pike. picketing the Shenandoah river and watching the left; the Third and Reserve brigades on the right of the pike, picketing Cedar creek and watching the right.

Just after dark the Second brigade (Brevet Brigadier-General Devin arrived from the back road and went into camp on the left of the Valley pike, in rear of the First brigade.

On the thirteenth the First, Second, Third, and Reserve brigades moved to the right, [733] crossing Cedar creek about a mile from the Valley pike, and moved in the direction of Strasburg, in two columns.

After remaining in front of Strasburg, in rear of the infantry skirmish line, a short time, the command recrossed Cedar creek and went into its former position.

At daylight on the fourteenth the Second brigade moved off to the left on to the Front Royal and Winchester pike, at Cedarville, about seven miles, and two miles from the Shenandoah river, for the, purpose of watching the Luray valley.

The same day the Third brigade (Colonel Lowell) moved off to the right, on the back road, where it crossed Cedar creek.

On the fifteenth Brigadier-General Duffie reported to me with his division, about nine hundred strong, and was ordered to Berryville.

Brigadier-General Averell also reported the arrival of his division at Martinsburg, and was ordered to remain there until further orders.

On the morning of the fifteenth Brigadier-General Merritt, with the First and Reserve brigades, moved over to the Front Royal and Winchester pike, posting the Reserve brigade at Stony Point, about three miles north of Cedarville, and the First brigade at Cedarville. One regiment of the Third brigade was left at the crossing of Cedar creek, on the Valley pike.

On the afternoon of the fifteenth the pickets of the First and Second brigades were attacked near the Shenandoah river, by two brigades of infantry of Kershaw's division and Wickham's brigade of cavalry, supported by three pieces of artillery.

Brigadier-General Merritt moved out with the First and Second brigades to meet the attack, and after a severe engagement totally routed the enemy and drove them back across the Shenandoah river, killing and wounding about three hundred men, capturing nearly three hundred prisoners and two infantry battle-flags, with a loss on our side of but sixty men.

Too much praise cannot be given to Brigadier-General's Merritt, Custer, and Brevet Brigadier-General Devin for their good judgment and gallantry displayed on this occasion — for with two brigades of cavalry they defeated two brigades of infantry and one of cavalry, with a loss on our side of but sixty men.

Orders were issued this day for the cavalry to fall back the next morning (the sixteenth) in the direction of Winchester and Berryville, with directions to drive off all stock and destroy all forage they were not able to use, up as far as the Millwood and Winchester pike.

On the morning of the sixteenth the First division of cavalry (Brigadier-General Merritt) fell back, moving in five separate columns, the First reserve and Second brigades concentrating at Berryville, the Third brigade at Winchester.

About eleven A. M. this day, the sixteenth, Brigadier-General Wilson, with the Third division of cavalry from the Army of the Potomac, reported to me at Winchester, having been ordered from the Army of the Potomac via Washington and Ashby's gap.

The infantry having left Winchester that morning, and being ordered to cover the rear, I placed Brigadier-General Wilson's division (the Third) in position for that purpose in the hills south of Winchester, also one brigade of infantry (seven hundred muskets), the First brigade of the First division, Sixth corps, commanded by Colonel William H. Penrose, Fifteenth New Jersey volunteers, which had been ordered to report to me that morning. Late in the afternoon of the same day, the enemy having followed up, attacked the pickets of the Third brigade. First division (Colonel Lowell), which was concentrating at Winchester; that brigade was then drawn in and placed on the left, to cover the Berryville and Winchester pike. Skirmishing soon became general, the enemy apparently in strong force; it was some time before it could be definitely determined whether the enemy had cavalry only, or both cavalry and infantry.

The engagement became pretty general, and I learned I was fighting Breckenridge's corps — the advance of the rebel army. It was now about dark and I immediately made dispositions to withdraw, ordering the Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), to fall back to the Opequan creek, on the Winchester and Berryville pike.

The Second brigade, Third division (Brigadier-General Chapman), was ordered to move through the town and take position on the opposite side; just as the infantry and the First brigade, Third division (Brigadier-General Mc-Intosh) was about to withdraw, the enemy made a charge on the whole line, and succeeded in capturing about two hundred of the infantry and fifty of the cavalry. The artillery, which was admirably served, and up to the last moment with a plentiful use of canister, checked the enemy's advance, and gave us time to withdraw in good order. The whole command was withdrawn to the opposite side of Winchester, and formed to await a further advance of the enemy and for our trains to get to the rear.

About nine P. M. we commenced to fall back to Summit Point. At this time orders were sent to Brigadier-General Averell to move in the direction of Charlestown. Orders were afterterwards sent him by Major-General Sheridan to move in the direction of Shepherdstown and cover the fords across the Potomac.

On the morning of the eighteenth the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) arrived at Summit Point and took position on the right of the infantry, and watching the country well to his front, and connecting with Brigadier-General Averell on his right in the vicinity of Smithfield. The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was in the vicinity of Berryville, covering the country from the Opequan creek to Snicker's gap. [734]

The First division West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie) was ordered to Charlestown.

On the nineteenth and twentieth the main body of the cavalry remained in the same position as that of the eighteenth.

On the twenty-first the rebel army advanced in three columns by Smithfield, Summit Point, and Berryville on our army, concentrated about Charlestown, Virginia.

The First division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie) was ordered out across the Charlestown and Leetown road on the right of the infantry.

The First and Third divisions of cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) were ordered to fall back slowly as the enemy's infantry columns advanced, and pass to the right of the army, where they were massed, except the Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), which was posted on the left and front. The army fell back to Halltown, Virginia, that night (the twenty-first), and the cavalry was ordered to fall back the next morning.

Early on the morning of the twenty-second the enemy advanced rapidly with strong infantry skirmishers, and were held in check by the First division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie), the Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), and part ot the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson), until the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) could withdraw in the direction of Shepherdstown, and the trains withdraw to the rear. The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) marched direct to Shepherdstown, the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) fell back to Halltown, Virginia, taking position, on the right of the infantry. The First division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Duffie), moved to Point of Rocks, Maryland, crossing the Potomac via Harper's Ferry, Virginia. The Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), fell back to Halltown and took position on the left of the infantry.

The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Averell), was now across the Potomac river, his main force in the vicinity of Fair Play, Maryland, and watching the fords on the upper Potomac.

On the twenty-third and twenty-fourth the cavalry remained in the same position as on the twenty-second.

On the morning of the twenty-fifth I marched the First and Third divisions of cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) to Kearneysville by two routes, making the junction half a mile from Kearneysville — from there proceeded in the direction of Leetown in two columns. The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) on the right, and the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) on the left. About a mile from Leetown a small cavalry force was met in a heavy woods, and from all the information that could be obtained, went to show that nothing but cavalry was in our front, and disposition was immediately made to attack. A brigade was sent on each flank, two to attack in front, and one held in reserve. Soon after the attack was commenced it was found that we were fighting infantry (a division of Breckenridge's corps), while on the march in the direction of Shepherdstown, Virginia.

The attack was so sudden and vigorous the division was thrown in complete confusion and back three-fourths of a mile.

The enemy lost about two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, together with one brigade commander.

I then concluded to fall back,which was done in good order — the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) taking the road from Kearneysville, via Duffield station, to the right of the army, the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) taking the direct road to Shepherdstown, Virginia, the enemy following up the latter column with infantry and artillery. Near Shepherdstown the First brigade (Brigadier-General Custer) was sent to the relief of a regiment of the Reserve brigade which was the rear guard, and which was about to be cut off from the main body. Soon after this brigade was cut off from the main force and they quietly withdrew to the other side of the Potomac river, via Shepherdstown ford, and covered that and the Antietam ford; the balance of the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) fell back and took position on the right of the army.

On the night of the same day (twenty-fifth) the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) was sent across the Potomac river, via Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and took position in the vicinity of Boonsboro, Maryland.

On the twenty-sixth the cavalry remained in the same position as on that of the twenty-fifth instant.

On the twenty-seventh, the First New York Lincoln cavalry was ordered from Brigadier-General Duffie's division to Brigadier-General Averell's division, and the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry in the same division was ordered to report, temporarily, to Brigadier-General Stephenson, at Harper's Ferry, Virginia; the balance of Brigadier-General Duffie's division was dismounted and ordered to Cumberland, Maryland, to remount, their horses being turned over to other commanders.

On the morning of the twenty-seventh, the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) was ordered to Sharpsburg, Maryland; the same day I went to Hagerstown, Maryland, to visit the Second division, West Virginia cavalry, Brigadier-General Averell.

The next day (twenty-eighth), Brigadier-General Averell's division was ordered to cross the Potomac river at Williamsport ford, and move on Martinsburg, Virginia, the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) to cross at Shepherdstown ford, and the First brigade, First division (Brigadier-General Custer), to cross at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.

The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) [735] moved out in the direction of Leetown, Virginia, where it met the enemy's cavalry in force, and gallantly drove them with the sabre through Smithfield and across the Opequan creek, a distance of five miles. The Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) moved from Shepherdstown to Charlestown, Virginia, where it took position on the left of the army.

On the twenty-ninth the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was attacked by the enemy in strong force and driven back about a mile, when they were relieved by the Third division, Sixth corps, who turned and drove the enemy across the Opequan creek. The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) then went into camp on the Smithfield and Charlestown pike.

On this day I had to regret the loss of Surgeon Rulison, my Medical Director, who was killed by my side by being shot by a minnie-ball.

On the thirtieth the First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) concentrated at Berryville, Virginia. The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) moving across country to the Summit Point and Berryville pike. The Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) moving down the Winchester and Berryville pike.

On the thirty-first August and first of September, the cavalry remained in the same position in the vicinity of Berryville as on the thirtieth of August.

On the morning of the second of September the cavalry moved back to Charlestown, Virginia, in two columns; the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) via the Charlestown and Berryville pike, and the Third Division (Brigadier-General Wilson) via Kabletown.

At 5 P. M., same day the First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) moved to Berryville by the Winchester and Berryville pike.

The next morning (the third) at daylight, both divisions moved via Millwood and White Post to the Front Royal pike, with the expectation of drawing the enemy's cavalry from their infantry lines by threatening their communications in the Valley pike; no opposition was made to this advance.

On the fourth the cavalry was ordered back to Berryville, moving back in two columns. Arriving near Berryville the advance of the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was opposed by the enemy's cavalry; they were immediately driven back, when the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) changed front on the Berryville and Snikersville pike, thus making connection with the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) which was marching on our right, and also connecting with the left of the army.

On the same afternoon, the First brigade, First division (Brigadier-General Custer), was moved to the right of the army, joining the Third brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), in the vicinity of Summit Point.

On the fifth the balance of the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was moved to the right of the army. The cavalry remained in the following position from the fifth September to the nineteenth September:

The Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) covering the country from Snicker's gap to the Opequan creek on the Winchester and Berryville pike.

The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) covering the country from the latter point to Smithfield, Virginia.

The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Averell), covering the country from Smithfield in the direction of Martinsburg, and the vicinity of the Potomac river.

During this time the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was reorganized in three brigades — the First brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Custer, the Second brigade by Brevet Brigadier-General Devin, and the Reserve brigade by Colonel Lowell of the Second Massachusetts cavalry.

While the army lay in this position the cavalry was constantly active, annoying the enemy by forced reconnoissances and otherwise.

On the thirteenth, the Second brigade, Third division (Brigadier-General McIntosh), moved up the Berryville and Winchester pike in the direction of Winchester, drove the enemy's cavalry before them three miles, and within two miles of Winchester came upon a regiment of infantry (the Eighth South Carolina), and by a sudden dash of the Third New Jersey and Second Ohio regiments, this regiment was broken and completely surrounded, and the whole regiment entire, officers, men, and colors, marched into camp. Too much praise cannot be given Brigadier-General McIntosh for his quick decision and gallantry on the occasion.

Orders were issued for the army to move on the nineteenth September.

The Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) moved on the Berryville and Winchester pike, in the direction of Winchester, in advance of the infantry.

The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) moved on the right to cross the Opequan creek at Sevres and Locke's fords.

The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Brigadier-General Averell), was ordered to cross the Opequan creek and move on the Winchester and Martinsburg pike, in the direction of Winchester.

I remained on the right in command of these two divisions. Early in the morning the crossing of the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was opposed by rebel infantry, but the cavalry gallantly charged across the creek and drove them from their first position back to their second, about a mile and a half from the creek, where the infantry held the cavalry in check for some time, they being posted behind stone walls and rail breastworks; in the mean time Brigadier-General Averell was steadily driving the enemy's cavalry before him in the direction of Winchester. Brigadier-General Averell getting well in rear of the infantry force in front of the First [736] division (Brigadier-General Merritt), they commenced to fall back, when the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) advanced rapidly and made a junction on the Valley pike with Brigadier-General Averell in the vicinity of Stephenson's depot. Both divisions immediately formed to advance on Winchester, Brigadier-General Averell on the right and Brigadier-General Merritt on the left of the Valley pike. We were now about four miles from Winchester; both divisions advanced rapidly, driving the enemy's cavalry pell-mell before them, on and behind their infantry, near Winchester. We came square upon the left flank of the rebel army, now hotly engaged with the Federal forces, their infantry lines were at once charged by brigades, which lines were broken and a great many prisoners and battle flags captured.

This day the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) alone captured seven hundred and seventy-five prisoners, about seventy officers, seven battle-flags, and two pieces of artillery.

The rebel army being driven through Winchester, after dark the pursuit was stopped, and the First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Wilson) bivouacked on the Winchester and Strasburg pike, and Brigadier-General Averell's division on the Moorfield pike, about three miles from Winchester.

During the day the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) fought gallantly, doing wonders, driving a division of rebel infantry from different positions, and clearing the way for our infantry to form.

On this occasion Brigadier-General McIntosh, commanding Second brigade, Third division, suffered the loss of a leg, and Brigadier-General Chapman, commanding First brigade of same division, was slightly wounded.

No one could have acted with more coolness and gallantry than did Brigadier-Generals Merritt, Wilson, Custer, McIntosh, Chapman, and Brevet Brigadier-General Devin and Colonel Lowell. Too much praise cannot be given the cavalry for the active part they played on this memorable occasion.

At daylight on the twentieth the army started in pursuit of the rebel army, Brigadier-General Averell's division of cavalry moving on the back road to Cedar creek, Brigadier-General Merritt's on the valley pike to Cedar creek, and Brigadier-General Wilson's via Stephensburg and Cedarville on the Front Royal pike.

The enemy were overtaken posted in a strong position at Fisher's Hill, above Strasburg, Virginia. The infantry coming up relieved the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) in front of the enemy, and this division was then placed on the right of the infantry, near Strasburg.

Brigadier-General Averell's division was moved across Cedar creek, and placed on the right of Brigadier-General Merritt's division on the back road.

The next day (the twenty-first) Brigadier-General Wilson, commanding Third division, drove Wickham's division of rebel cavalry from Front Royal back toward Luray, six miles. On the same day Brigadier-General Merritt's division, with the exception of Brevet Brigadier-General Devin's brigade, which was left at Cedar creek (in rear of the main army), marched across the north fork of the Shenandoah river, at Buckton's ford, through Front Royal, and encamped about a mile and a half beyond. Brigadier-General Wilson was now about six miles in advance, the enemy having halted in a very strong position on the south side of Gooney Run.

At two A. M. the next day (twenty-second) the First brigade, First division (Brigadier-General Custer), moved across the ford over the South fork of the Shenandoah river, near Front Royal, with orders to move up and recross the Shenandoah at McCoy's ford, two miles in rear of the enemy's position; the enemy fearing, or knowing this move, commenced to evacuate at about ten P. M. the previous night.

At daylight, the twenty-second, the balance of the command moved up the valley. About eleven A. M. that day the advance came upon the enemy posted in a still stronger position on the south bank of Millford creek, their left resting on the Shenandoah, which runs so close under the mountain it was impossible to turn it, and their right rested against a high mountain; the length of their line was very short and the banks of the creek so precipitous it was impossible for the men to get across in order to make a direct attack; in addition to their naturally strong position, they were posted behind loophole breastworks, which extended clear across the valley. Not knowing that the army had made an attack at Fisher's Hill, and thinking that the sacrifice would be too great to attack without that knowledge, I concluded to withdraw to a point opposite McCoy's ferry.

The next day, the twenty-third, Brigadier-General Wilson's division moved across at McCoy's ford and proceeded to Buckton's ford, on the north side of the Shenandoah. Brigadier-General Merritt's division went through Front Royal, crossing the Shenandoah, and stopping at Cedarville; in the mean time having a skirmish with Mosby's guerillas at Front Royal, killing two officers and nine men. About four P. M. that day news was received of the victory at Fisher's Hill, and directions to make up the Luray valley.

The Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) was ordered to proceed immediately to McCoy's ford on the Shenandoah river, and the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) to move up the Luray valley through Front Royal. Both divisions bivouacked near daylight at Millford creek, the enemy having evacuated that position.

The next morning at daylight (the twenty-fourth) both divisions moved up the valley, the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) in advance. The advance came upon the enemy in position about three miles from Luray; they [737] were immediately engaged, and by a gallant charge of the First brigade, First division, led by Brigadier-General Custer, were driven about eight miles in the direction of New Market, capturing some seventy prisoners. The command passed through Luray, on the pike leading to New Market, crossed the Shenandoah river and bivouacked at the foot of the pass, the enemy having taken the mountain road leading out of the valley.

The next day (twenty-fifth) at daylight passed over the mountain and joined the army at New Market, issued forage and rations, and marched to Harrisonburg that day. In the mean time Brevet Major-General Averell had been relieved from the command of the Second division, West Virginia cavalry, and Colonel Powell, First Virginia cavalry, placed in command. On arriving at Harrisonburg, Virginia, I found this division on the Valley pike about eight miles from Harrisonburg, on the North river. The Second brigade, First division (Brevet Brigadier-General Devin), was in the direction of Keselton and Port Republic.

The next day (twenty-sixth) the Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), was ordered to move in the direction of Staunton. Brigadier-General Merritt with the First brigade, First division, was ordered to move in the direction of Port Republic and join Brevet Brigadier-General Devin's brigade.

I moved with the Third division, Brigadier-General Wilson, and Reserve brigade, First division (Colonel Lowell), in the direction of Staunton. Brigadier-General Custer having been assigned to the command of the Second division, West Virginia cavalry, he moved with me in order to join his division; Colonel Powell moving in the Valley pike turned off to the left from that road, in the direction of Piedmont, following the enemy.

I moved direct to Staunton, capturing in and about that place the following articles, viz.:

Three hundred muskets; seventy-five sabres; fifty cartridge boxes; seventy sets horse equipments, complete; sixty rounds field ammunition; two hundred sets harness; three hundred saddle-trees; two hundred tents; sixty-five head beef cattle; twenty-five wagons; five tons salt; one hundred barrels flour; five hundred bales hay; one thousand bushels wheat; one hundred and twenty-five barrels hard bread; fifty boxes tobacco; fifty horses; medical stores, &c.; fifty-seven prisoners.

On the twenty-seventh started a regiment with Brigadier-General Custer to join his command at Piedmont. At the same time a reconnoissance in force to Waynesboro and Rock Fish gap, but heard nothing from the reconnoissance until the whole party returned. I immediately started the whole force to Waynesboro, which place we reached, a distance of twelve miles, just after dark, and bivouacked for the night.

On the next morning (the twenty-eighth) proceeded to destroy the railroad bridge across the south fork of the Shenandoah river, and burnt the depot and government buildings. Late in the afternoon the enemy attacked us in strong force with infantry, cavalry, and artillery. They were held in check until after dark, when on the return of the regiment sent with Brigadier-General Custer, notifying me of an attempt by the enemy to cut me off from the main army, which was then twenty-five or thirty miles distant, I fell back to Spring Hill, on Middle river, on the back road from Staunton to Harrisonburg.

On the morning of the twenty-ninth marched to Bridgewater, on the North river. Left the Third division (Brigadier-General Wilson) in position there, and sent the Reserve brigade Colonel Lowell), of the First division, to join its division in the neighborhood of Cross Keys, In the mean time the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) and the Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), were operating in the vicinity of Brown's gap and Piedmont.

On the thirtieth the Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), was withdrawn from the front and sent back to Harrisonburg, Virginia. One brigade of the Third division was ordered on the Valley pike, crossing the North river. On the same day Brigadier-General Wilson was relieved from the command of the Third division, and ordered to report for duty to Major-General Sherman. Brigadier-General Custer was relieved from the command of the Second division, West Virginia cavalry, and placed in command of the Third division; Colonel Powell (First Virginia cavalry) being placed in command of the Second division, West Virginia cavalry.

On the next day (October first) the Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), was ordered down the Luray valley to take position at Luray, and watch the country in that vicinity,

On October second the First and Third divisions of cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) were disposed on the line of the North river, about seven miles in front of the army. About two P. M. the enemy made a reconnoissance in force, with infantry, artillery, and cavalry, and attempted to cross the river, but were prevented from doing so by the cavalry alone.

October third, fourth, and fifth.--The cavalry remained somewhat in the same position, sending reconnoissances to Swift run and Brown's gap, and all the time skirmishing with the enemy.

October fifth.--Three hundred men of the Second division, West Virginia cavalry, under command of Major Farabee (First Virginia cavalry), were sent from Luray to destroy the railroad bridge over the Rapidan river, to proceed from thence to Culpepper, and thence by Sperryville to Luray.

He completely destroyed the bridge. Much credit is due to the officer in command for the [738] prompt and energetic manner in which he carried out his instructions.

October sixth.--The First and Third divisions of cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) followed the army down the valley, the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) taking the middle road, and stopping at Timberville, the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) taking the back road and camping for the night in the neighborhood of Turleytown and Brock's gap. The enemy made an attack at this point, but were handsomely repulsed.

One brigade of Second division, West Virginia cavalry, came from Luray through New Market gap, and returned same night to Luray.

October seventh.--The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) continued its march on the middle road, and came into the valley at Edinburgh, and camped for the night about two miles south of Woodstock.

The Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) continued its march on the back road, and camped in the vicinity of Columbia Furnace for the night. The rear guard of this column was fighting all day. The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), marched from Luray down Luray valley to Millford creek.

October eighth.--The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) continued its march on the Valley pike, and stopped on Brook creek. The Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) continued its march on the back road, and camped for the night on Tumbling run. The rear guard of this division was fighting or skirmishing during the whole march. About four P. M. this day Brigadier-General Merritt, commanding First division, sent one brigade back on the pike to make the enemy develop the force which had been following him during the day, and at the same time he sent two brigades to attack the enemy's column, which had been following the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer), and stopped their further advance, and at dark the first division was drawn in, and camped near Brook creek, three miles south of Strasburg.

The Second division West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), moved from Millford creek to Front Royal, holding Chester and Manassas gaps.

The next day (the ninth) I had received orders from Major-General Sheridan to start out at daylight and whip the rebel cavalry, or get whipped myself. My command was disposed as follows:

Brigadier-General Merritt, commanding First division, was in the Valley pike at Brook creek, at the foot of Round Top mountain.

Brigadier-General Custer, commanding Third division, was on the back road at Tumbling run. These two roads, as a general thing, are parallel, and from two and a half to three miles apart. Brigadier-General Custer being about six miles from Brook creek, was ordered to move at daylight back on the back road and attack as soon as met. Brigadier-General Merritt being near Brook creek and the enemy, was directed to move about seven A. M. one brigade in the pike, and two brigades between the roads, and connect with Brigadier-General Custer and the brigade in the pike.

The enemy's force was as follows: On the back road under General Rosser three brigades, from three thousand to thirty-five hundred men; on the pike, under Generals Lomax and Bradley Johnson, one thousand to fifteen hundred men.

Brigadier-General Custer's guns were heard early in the morning on Brook creek, and Brigadier-General Merritt moved to the attack, and to make a connection with Brigadier-General Custer.

Colonel Lowell, commanding Reserve brigade, First division, moved on the pike and attacked Lomax and Johnson; the First brigade, First division, moved on the right to connect with Brigadier-General Custer, and to attack the enemy on the right flank; the Second brigades First division, moved in the centre. After a spirited engagement for about two hours, the enemy seeing that they were being flanked and severely pressed in front, gave way in great confusion, which was immediately taken advantage of by both division commanders. The enemy endeavored to rally several times, but were unable to stand the desperate charges made by my men, and they were driven in a perfect rout for twenty miles ; the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) on the pike pursuing them beyond Mount Jackson; the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) in the back road, pursuing them beyond Columbia furnaces.

The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) captured five pieces of artillery (all they had on the road except one), their ordnance, ambulance, and wagon trains, and sixty prisoners.

The Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) captured six pieces of artillery (all they had on the back road), all of their headquarter wagons, ordnance, ambulance, and wagon trains. There could have hardly been a more complete victory and rout. The cavalry totally covered themselves with glory, and added to their long list of victories the most brilliant one of them all, and the most decisive the country has ever witnessed.

Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer, and Colonels Lowell and Pennington, commanding brigades, particularly distinguished themselves; in fact no men could have rendered more valuable services and deserve higher honors from the hands of the Government.

My losses in this engagement will not exceed sixty killed and wounded, which is astonishing when compared with the results.

The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) returned as far as Woodstock, and camped for the night.

The Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) returned about six miles and camped for the night.

October tenth, the First and Third divisions [739] cavalry (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer), remained in camp, and the captured property, sent to the rear.

The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), was ordered from Front Royal, through Chester gap in the Blue Ridge to Sperryville, and obtained important information.

October eleventh.--The First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) moved back to the north side of Cedar creek, taking position as follows: The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) on the left of the army, and the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) on the right of the army. The Second division, West Virginia cavalry (Colonel Powell), marched to Arnisville.

October twelfth.--I sent reconnoissauces from the First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) up the Valley pike and the back road for ten or twelve miles, but could find no signs of the enemy.

October thirteenth.--All quiet during the day until about two P. M., when the enemy advanced a strong infantry force in the Valley pike and commenced an attack on the pickets, at the same time they appeared in strong cavalry force on our right, opposite the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer). They succeeded in driving part of the cavalry pickets across Cedar creek, and advanced about a mile. Brigadier-General Custer moved out promptly and drove the enemy back across the creek and held that line. When the attack commenced, Brigadier-General Merritt put his division (First) in the saddle, and late in the afternoon the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was moved on the right of the army and to the left of the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer).

October fourteenth.--The First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) were in camp on the right of the army, covering the country for five or six miles to the right of the infantry. Brigadier-General Custer sent reconnoissances out on the back road and found the enemy had retired to the line of Fisher's Hill.

October fifteenth.--Remained in camp. All quiet. The Second division (Colonel Powell) was still near Front Royal, covering the line of the Shenandoah from the left of the infantry to beyond Front Royal. After dark the First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was ordered to move to Front Royal. The Second division (Colonel Powell) was ordered to concentrate at the same point. Both of these divisions being designed for a raid on Charlottesville and Gordonsville, I moved to the Shenandoah near Front Royal in the afternoon to go in command of the expedition, which was to start on the morning of the sixteenth. During the night of the fifteenth I received orders suspending the expedition.

October sixteenth.--The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was ordered back to the army, and took position on the right of the infantry. The Second division (Colonel Powell) was ordered to resume its old position, and I returned to the army on Cedar creek. Brigadier-General Custer made a reconnoissance in his front, but could find no enemy outside of their lines on Fisher's Hill.

October seventeenth.--Just before daylight the rebel General Rosser, with one brigade of infantry and three brigades of cavalry, the infantry riding behind the cavalry, attacked Brigadier-General Custer's extreme right picket from the rear, and succeeded in capturing the right reserve of a major and twenty-five men, and then fell back rapidly, evidently frightened from his original designs, whatever they may have been, as he had made a circuit of thirty-two miles in the night to get in rear of our picket line. The same day one brigade of Second division (Colonel Powell) was moved nearer the infantry and posted at Buckton ford on the Shenandoah river, connecting their pickets with the left of the infantry.

October eighteenth.--All quiet, and cavalry in same position. Reconnoissances showed no enemy in their immediate front. While the Second division (Colonel Powell) was at Front Royal, the rebel General Lomax with his division was at Millford creek, up Luray valley, about fourteen miles distant, and did not come out.

October nineteenth.--Before daylight the enemy made a vigorous attack, having surprised and turned the left of the army. The cavalry was immediately put in the saddle, and the First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) put in position on the right of the infantry. The, trains were then sent to the rear. The First brigade, Second division (Colonel Moore commanding), being at Benton's ford on the Shenandoah, was by this move cut off from the main army, and Colonel Moore (Second Ohio) immediately passed around the enemy's right, and came up on the left of our army at Middletown, on the valley pike, having previously sent his trains to Winchester. This brigade immediately attacked the enemy and held them in check on the pike until they could be reinforced. At daylight in the morning the enemy made his appearance in front of Brigadier-General Custer's pickets, on the extreme right, but the gallant men of the Third division prevented their further advance.

A great portion of the army, being badly broken, was going to the rear by thousands; to check this stream of stragglers I deployed my escort (First Rhode Island cavalry), as did Brigadier-General Merritt his (Fifth United States cavalry). After an hour or two's work it proved to be a fruitless effort. The escorts were drawn in, and officers sent further to the rear to form the men. By this time the enemy had come near enough for the cavalry batteries to open upon them, which they did.

The enemy did not bring their lines in the open country between them and the cavalry, but kept under cover of the woods. Between nine and ten o'clock I was ordered by General [740] Wright, commanding the army (temporarily, Major-General Sheridan being temporarily absent), to move my whole cavalry force on the left of the army; this I was opposed to, but proceeded to obey the order; but on my own responsibility I left three regiments to picket the right, and to this fact thousands of our stragglers are indebted for their safety, for these brave men held their position against great odds for five hours.

The First and Third divisions (Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer) were ordered to the left of the army. The First division (Brigadier-General Merritt) was put in position across the pike, just north of Middletown. The Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) was formed on the left of the First division. The First brigade, Second division (Colonel Moore), was formed on the left of the Third division. The horse batteries “B” and “L,” Second Artillery, U. S. A. (Lieutenant Taylor commanding), was left on the right fighting on the infantry line, where it did admirable service, and was the last artillery to leave the front.

Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of this battery, for their coolness and gallantry on this occasion. When the infantry was forced back, and the battery was obliged to retire, it joined its brigade (Second, First division) on the right of the pike, where it immediately went into action. As soon as the cavalry was in position on the left of the army, they attacked the enemy. Colonel Lowell, commanding Reserve brigade, First division, dismounted a part of his little band, and they advanced to a strong position behind a stone wall, from which the enemy's infantry failed to drive them after repeated attempts. The cavalry fought infantry and artillery only on the left of the army.

About twelve o'clock, M., the cavalry was moved to the left about three hundred yards, thus bringing it on the left of the pike. Thus matters stood with cavalry until three o'clock P. M., holding on to their ground with more than their usual dogged persistence, displaying gallantry which has never been surpassed, while most of the infantry was reforming several miles on their right and rear.

During this time the Second brigade, Second division (Colonel Powell commanding division), fell back slowly (by order) on the Front Royal and Winchester pike, to Stony point, and then to a point near Newtown, followed by the rebel General Lomax's division of cavalry, where they remained during the greater part of the day; Colonel Powell thus prevented the enemy's cavalry from getting on the pike to attack our trains and rear.

About two P. M., Major-General Sheridan arrived upon the ground, and directed me to send one division of cavalry on the right of the army. I immediately ordered the Third division (Brigadier-General Custer) to that position, where he arrived just in the nick of time, for the enemy had just succeeded in crossing — infantry and cavalry — over Cedar creek on the right of the army. But the gallant Custer was equal to the emergency. He immediately charged the cavalry and drove them about a mile in the most beautiful manner behind their infantry support, from which they did not show themselves in force again during the day.

On the left the battle was going well for us; in fact it could not be otherwise, with the cool and invincible Merritt on the ground, supported by such soldiers as Devin and Lowell.

At this time the First brigade, Second division, was temporarily under the orders of Brigadier-General Merritt, who was constantly annoying and attacking the enemy whenever an opportunity presented itself, although his men were completely within range of the enemy's sharpshooters, his shot and shell, and many a horse and rider was made to bite the dust. They held their ground like men of steel-officers and men seemed to know and feel that the safety of the army in no small degree depended upon their holding their position, and they can never receive too much credit for the manner in which they did their duty.

About four o'clock P. M., Colonel Moore, commanding First brigade, Second division, was ordered to join his division at Newtown, and Colonel Powell, commanding the division, directed to shove out a strong force to hold the Front Royal and Winchester pike. About four o'clock, in a charge, the gallant but lamented Lowell received a severe wound in the arm and side, but still kept his saddle.

About 4:15 a general advance of the army was made, and 'twas truly grand to see the manner in which the cavalry did their part. In this general advance, Colonel Lowell, Second Massachusetts cavalry, commanding Reserve brigade, First division, while charging at the head of his brigade, received a second wound, which proved to be mortal; thus the service lost one of the most gallant and accomplished soldiers. He was the beau ideal of a cavalry officer, and his memory will never die in the command.

In the general advance Brigadier-General Custer, commanding Third division, left three regiments to attend to the cavalry in his front, and started with the balance of his division to take part in the advance against the enemy's infantry. Thus the cavalry advanced on both flanks, side by side with the infantry, charging the enemy's lines with an impetuosity which they could not stand.

The rebel army was soon routed and driven across Cedar creek in confusion. The cavalry sweeping on both flanks crossed Cedar Creek about the same time, charged and broke the last line the enemy attempted to form (it was now after dark), and put out at full speed at their artillery and trains.

They continued the pursuit to the foot of Fisher's Hill, about four miles from Cedar creek, and captured the following property and prisoners, viz.:--Forty-five pieces of artillery, [741] thirty-two caissons, one hundred and fifty-six sets artillery harness, one hundred and eighty-four horses, one hundred and fifty six mules, one hundred and fifty sets wagon harness, forty-six army wagons, six hundred and seventy-two prisoners of war, five battle flags; also many muskets, sabres, etc., which it took them about all night to bring in. Darkness alone saved the greater part of the rebel army from capture, for there never were men who displayed more fear of cavalry than they did upon this occasion.

The service of the cavalry on this day to the army and the country can never be too highly appreciated. The Horse artillery, Companies K and L, of the First United States, commanded by First Lieutenant Taylor, Companies B and L, Second United States, commanded by First Lieutenant Pierce, Company C, Fifth United States, commanded by First Lieutenant Wier, and Captain Martin's battery of the Sixth New York, rendered invaluable services on this day, as for five or six hours the only artillery used was that of the cavalry, and nobly did they do their duty, having but about two rounds per piece left after the engagement.

For the gallantry and good judgment displayed by Brigadier-Generals Merritt and Custer, and Brevet Brigadier-General Devin, and Colonel Lowell in this battle, I must again recommend them for promotion, which on several occasions has been justly earned.

I will take this occasion to recommend to the favorable consideration of the proper authorities the following members of my staff as fit recipients of higher honors than lies in my power to bestow, for gallantry and courage displayed on this and several other occasions during the campign. Braver and more efficient staff officers never drew rein or sabre, viz.:

Major William Russell, Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain M. A. Reno, First United States cavalry, Chief of Staff; Captain R. Ellis, Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, Assistant Inspector-General; Captain George B. Sandford, First United States cavalry, Assistant Commissary Musters; Captain J. J. Coppinger, Fourteenth Infantry, United States Artillery, A. A. D. C.; Captain Bailey, First New York Lincoln cavalry, A. A. D. C.; Captain Martindale, First New York Lincoln cavalry, A. A. D. C.; Captain M. Berry, Twentieth Pennsylvania cavalry, A. A. D. C.; First Lieutenant Wallace, Fifth Michigan cavalry, A. A. D. C.; First Lieutenant Ellis, Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, A. A. D. C.; First Lieutenant Slater, First New York dragoons, amb. officer; First Lieutenant H. H. Goldsmith, Fifteenth New Jersey volunteer infantry, A. D. C.

I take pleasure in expressing my sincere thanks to division commanders and their commands for the hearty co-operation given to me and each other. When such feelings exist success must attend our efforts, and yours have been such that all in future can revert with pleasure to the fact that you belonged to the cavalry of the Middle Military division, and participated in the successful campaign of Major-General Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley.

For further particulars I would respectfully refer to division and brigade commanders' reports herewith enclosed.

Annexed is also a report of casualties.

It is also proper to remark in this connection, that as General Averell, in his report, has gone beyond his province to report upon General Merritt (First division cavalry), at the battle of Winchester, September nineteenth, to mention a few facts received from official reports, viz.:

The loss of General Averell's division (Second division), West Virginia cavalry, at this time was: aggregate, thirty-two, and not two hundred and fifty as he supposes, and the loss of General Merritt's division (First division cavalry) in the same engagement was three hundred and eleven.

Statement of the Casualties in the Cavalry Middle Military Division, from the 1st of August to the 31st of August, 1864.

[742]

Report of Property Captured and Detroyed from the enemy by the Cavalry Middle Military Division, August 8 to October 31, 1864.

property captured.

property destroyed.

Respectfully submitted,