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[298] of Blenker's division, notorious for months on account of their thefts and dastardly insults to women and children in that part of the State under Federal domination. The order of march of General Fremont was found on a staff-officer left in our hands. It shows seven brigades of infantry, besides numerous cavalry. I had three small brigades during the greater part of the action, and no cavalry at any time. They made no bayonet-charge, nor did they commit any particular ravages with grape or canister, although they state otherwise. Colonel Mercer and the Twenty-first Georgia tried to close with them three times, partly succeeding in overtaking them once. That officer is represented to have handled his regiment with great skill, and, with the Sixteenth Mississippi, Colonel Posey, was the closest engaged. Brigadier-General Trimble, Seventh brigade, had the brunt of the action, and is entitled to most thanks. Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, (First Maryland,) Colonel Carnot Posey, (Sixteenth Mississippi,) Colonel J. T. Mercer, (Twenty-first Georgia,) Captain Courtnay, (of the Courtnay battery,) are officers who were enabled to render highly valuable service. I regret I cannot go more into detail of those lower in rank, whose gallant services are recompensed by the esteem of their comrades and their own self-approval-after all, the highest and most enduring record.

I inclose a copy of General Fremont's order of march on the day of battle, and detailed reports of the killed and wounded-names and regiments of the officers killed and wounded, and tabular statements of killed and wounded according to regiments. Also, the official report of Colonel J. A. Walker, commanding Fourth brigade.

Respectfully, etc.,

R. S. Ewell, Major-General.


Battle of Port Republic, June 9, 1862.

headquarters Third division, Department N. Va., July 8, 1862.
Major R. L. Dabney, A. A.G., V. D.:
Major: I have the honor to report the movements of my division in the battle near Port Republic, on the ninth of June, 1862.

When I received the order to march to Port Republic, to join in the attack on the forces under General Shields, my command included, in addition to my own division, the Second brigade of the army of the Valley District. This brigade, under the command of Colonel J. M. Patton, had been attached to my command during the engagement of the day before. My command had been engaged with General Fremont throughout the day on the eighth of June, and slept upon their arms. The brigades commanded by General Trimble and Colonel Patton, (except one regiment,) and the Seventh Louisiana regiment, Colonel Hayes, had, before night closed in, been advanced within range of the enemy's musketry. Day was breaking on the morning of the ninth June, before these troops commenced their march from this position to the other field at Port Republic, seven (7) miles distant, some of them without food for twenty-four hours. The commands of General Trimble and Colonel Patton were kept in position to hold the enemy, under Fremont, in check and keep him from advancing upon Port Republic, or taking any part in the engagement on that day. The difficulty in effecting the crossing of the south branch of the river at Port Republic, occasioned a delay which separated the forces in my command. When I reached the field, the Eighth Louisiana brigade, commanded by General Taylor, had been sent by Major-General Jackson, under cover of the wood, to attack the enemy in flank and rear. One of the regiments of the Second (2d) brigade of my division was attached to the left, and I placed the Fifty-eighth, Colonel Scott, and the Forty-fourth Virginia, Colonel Letcher, under cover at the woods with the flank toward the enemy. When, after a severe struggle, from the advantage of position and numbers the enemy were driving our front on the left, and the flank of the advancing enemy (at least two brigades) came in front, an advance was ordered. The two regiments, bravely led by Colonel Scott, rushed with a shout upon the enemy, taking him in flank. For the first time that day, the enemy was then driven back in disorder for some thousands of yards. At the same instant, while our artillery was retiring rapidly from the field, one piece was halted and opened fire upon the enemy, showing great quickness and decision in the officers commanding it. These efforts checked the enemy so long that, although Colonel Scott's command was driven back to the woods with severe loss, there was time to rally and lead them to the assistance of the Eighth brigade, General R. Taylor commanding, which was heard engaging the enemy far to their rear. The remnants of the two regiments reached General Taylor at the moment when, as shown in his report, fresh troops of the enemy had driven him from the battery he had captured. His brigade formed and advanced with these two regiments, and the enemy fled a second time from the battery and the field, after exchanging a few shots. The credit of first checking the enemy, and then assisting in his final repulse, and of the capture of the battery, is due to these two regiments. It would be difficult to find another instance of volunteer troops, after a severe check, rallying and again attacking the enemy. To General Taylor and his brigade belongs the honor of deciding two battles — that of Winchester and this one. As soon as his fire was heard in rear and flank, the whole force of the enemy turned to meet this new foe. Colonel Walker, commanding Fourth brigade, ordered by the Major-General commanding, to follow the Eighth brigade, was lost in the mountains, reported to me and joined in the pursuit. General Trimble, commanding Seventh brigade, with part of Colonel Patton's command, was left to hold Fremont in check. The Fifty-second Virginia regiment was detailed, and fought on the left flank with General Winder. Colonel Scott reports: “I ”


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