Colonel: In compliance with the orders of the
commanding General, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command from the twenty-sixth of June to the tenth of July, 1862, embracing the series of battles with the
Federal forces before
Richmond:
The part assigned to my command is set forth in general orders No. 75 (confidential) of June twenty-sixth, 1862; and I beg leave to congratulate the
commanding General upon the signal fulfilment by our army of what was planned in that order of battle, so much so, that the order affords a very correct history of the battle.
My command, on the morning of the twenty-sixth ultimo, consisted of--
A squadron of Hampton Legion cavalry,
Captain Scrivener, (attached to Fifth Virginia.)
The Third Virginia cavalry was directed to observe the
Charles City road, the Fifth Virginia and detachment of First North Carolina cavalry to watch the enemy's movements toward
James River, and notify the commander nearest to hand of any attempt of the enemy to move across from
White Oak Swamp to the
James, and to harass and delay him
en route, till our forces could fall upon him. The Tenth Virginia cavalry was put in reserve on theNine-mile road.
With the remainder of my command, including the horse artillery, I marched, late on the twenty-fifth, without baggage, equipped in light marching order, and three days rations in haversacks, and crossing
Jackson's line of march, after he had encamped, so as not to interrupt his progress, placed myself on his left flank, near
Ashland.
It is proper to remark here that the
commanding General had, on the occasion of my late expedition to the
Pamunky, imparted his design of bringing
Jackson down upon the enemy's right flank and rear, and directed that I should examine the country with reference to its practicability for such a move.
I, therefore, had studied the features of the country very thoroughly, and knew exactly how to conform my movements to
Jackson's route.
As that part of my former mission was confidential, I made no mention of it in my former report; but it is not, I presume, out of place to remark here, that the information obtained then, and reported to him verbally, convinced the
commanding General that the enemy had no defensive works with reference to attack from that direction, the right bank of the Tottopotomy being unoccupied, that his forces were not disposed so as successfully to meet such an attack, and that the natural features of the country were favorable to such a descent.
General Jackson was placed in possession of all these facts.
Having bivouacked near
Ashland for the night, on the morning of the twenty-sixth the
Jeff Davis legion and Fourth Virginia cavalry having joined me here from an advanced position of observation on the
South Anna, which effectually screened
Jackson's movements from the enemy, my command swept down upon
Jackson's left, extending its observation as far as the
Pamunky River road, passing Taliaferro's Mill, where the enemy had a strong picket, which fled at our approach.
I reached
General Jackson's line of march at the cross-roads, at
Dr. Shelton's, in advance of his column.
From Taliaferro's Mill to this point there was constant skirmishing between the enemy's pickets and my advance guard--
Colonel Lee's company D, (sharpshooters,) First Virginia cavalry, displaying the same courage and address which have already distinguished it on so many occasions, killing and wounding several of the enemy without suffering any loss.
At
Dr. Shelton's I awaited the arrival of
General Jackson, sending a squadron in advance (
Captain Irving, First Virginia cavalry) to seize and hold the bridge at the Tottopotomy.
The enemy, anticipating us, had torn up the bridge, and held the opposite bank, and obstructed the road — without, however, making any determined stand.
Captain W. W. Blackford, corps of engineers, assigned to duty with my command, set about repairing the bridge, and in half an hour, with the details furnished him, the bridge was ready.
Passing Pale Green Church,
General Jackson's march led him directly toward the crossing of
Beaver Dam Creek, opposite
Richardson's. Reaching that point, he bivouacked for the night, and I disposed my command on both his flanks and rear, with five squadrons on picket, looking well toward Cold Harbor and Old Church.
About sundown the enemy made his appearance, near
Jackson's flank on the Old Church road; but a few rounds of shell put him to flight, and my pickets on that road were not disturbed during the night.
The next morning
General Jackson moved directly across
Beaver Dam.
I took a circuitous route to turn that stream, turning down first the Old Church road, (both aiming for
Old Cold Harbor,) and directing my march so as to cover his left flank, he having formed, at
Beaver Dam, a junction with the divisions which marched by the way of
Mechanicsville.
All day we were skirmishing with, killing and
