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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.
| division. | killed. | wounded. | missing. | aggregate. | |
| Cavalry Headquarters | 1 | | 3 | 4 | First Rhode Island Cavalry |
| First Cavalry Division | 186 | 778 | 594 | 1558 | |
| Second Cavalry Division | 39 | 148 | 112 | 299 | |
| Third Cavalry Division | 67 | 385 | 321 | 773 | |
| Total | 293 | 1311 | 1030 | 2634 | |
