[310]
situation on the ninth was a perplexing and unpleasant one.
I used my best efforts to reach my brigade in time to be of service and to act with it, but for reasons above stated was unable to do so.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
John F. Neff, Colonel Commanding Thirty-third Virginia Infantry.
Report of Colonel C. A. Duncan.
sir: On Sunday morning, the eighth instant, the enemy, under General Shields, appeared in force on the east bank of South-River at Port Republic.
Whereupon, I immediately put my regiment under arms and awaited orders.
In a very little while, I was directed to move my regiment to a position on the McGaheysville road and to throw out a line of skirmishers.
This put me in position on the left, and was the only point from which a flank movement of the enemy was apprehended.
I threw out the skirmishers, and so deployed them as to prevent surprise.
I remained on the alert in this position until about dark, when I was ordered to withdraw and march the regiment to camp, crossing the Shenandoath at Port Republic, and encamping near the village.
I take no note of the engagement of same delay between a portion of the confederate forces and the enemy under General Fremont.
Strength, rank and file, three hundred and ten.
On Monday, the ninth, at half-past 5 A. M., I was ordered to cross the South-River at Port Republic.
After marching down the river a short distance, I suppose it was discovered that the enemy were preparing to give battle.
The Second regiment Colonel Allen, was in front of me. His regiment filed to the right, through an open field.
I was directed to follow and support Colonel Allen; whereupon I filed to the right, following Colonel Allen.
In passing through this open field, the enemy's battery was brought to bear upon the regiment, but fortunately doing no damage.
Arriving at the woods on the right, I formed on the right of the Second in line of battle, threw out skirmishers, and advanced through a very dense wood and laurel thicket.
Arriving at a point in a field, (that I afterward learned was very near the enemy's battery,) two or three of the skirmishers that I had thrown out fired upon the enemy.
This drew a considerable volley from the enemy, who were concealed in the brush, and although at a very close range, no damage was done, the enemy overshooting.
At this moment the enemy began to throw grape and canister into the woods, which they continued for some time, with great violence, from the effects of which four men were wounded, none mortally.
Here Colonel Allen directed me to fall back, which I did. Shortly thereafter he directed me to move forward with his regiment.
After advancing a short distance, the retreat of the enemy commenced and I followed in pursuit.
Officers and men all acted well, and while not actively engaged with the enemy, yet the conduct of all was such as to justify me in saying that the Fourth regiment would have been equal to any emergency.
Strength, rank and file, three hundred and seventeen.
Respectfully,
C. A. Duncan, Colonel Fourth Virginia Volunteers.
P. S.--The following privates were wounded on Monday, the ninth: Edward Haller, L. J. Cox, and J. B. Major, company H. C. A. Duncan, Colonel.
Report of Colonel Grigsby.
Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Twenty-seventh regiment Virginia volunteers, under my command, in the engagements of the eighth and ninth instant, near the town of Port Republic.
The engagement of the eighth was with artillery; the infantry did not participate.
The Twenty-seventh regiment was ordered to support Captain Carpenter's battery, and remained near it during the day. At an early hour Monday morning, the command crossed the South-River, and moved down the road leading to Swift Run Gap.
The command had proceeded about one and a half miles, when the enemy made their appearance and commenced shelling our advanceguard.
Captain Poague's battery was ordered up, and took position in the field to the left of the road.
My regiment (the Twenty-seventh) was ordered to support this battery.
I immediately took position a short distance in rear of it, and remained under a heavy fire of shells for over an hour.
The battery, by order, changed its position; I made a corresponding change, keeping near it. My regiment was afterward ordered to move to the left to support a battery placed near a barn.
Upon reaching the position, the battery was limbered up to move; I was ordered to form in line of battle, move forward and take position on the right of the Seventh Louisiana.
This I promptly did, when both regiments moved forward across an open field under a heavy fire of grape, by which my ranks were considerably thinned.
The Seventh Louisiana took position under cover of a fence.
My regiment advanced some distance further.
Finding myself unsupported, I ordered my command to drop back on a line with the Seventh Louisiana.
We remained under a perfect shower of balls for near an hour.
In this position my horse was shot down, and so disabled that I was compelled to leave him.
My command, though small, maintained its position until two regiments of the enemy came within twenty paces of their line, when they fell back, by my order, amidst a perfect shower of balls.
The whole line giving way about the same time.
The enemy did not retain his advantage long, as they were compelled to fall back,
