Doc. 51.-a ten days cavalry scout.
Report of Colonel Richard rush.
headquarters Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, New-Bridge, Va., May 31, 1862.
I have the honor to report to you, as the Military Agent of the State of Pennsylvania, the active duty my regiment has been doing, knowing you would like to know what all your Pennsylvania regiments in the Army of the Potomac are doing in the way of active service.
We were detached from the reserve brigade of cavalry, on the twenty-second May, by the order of General McClellan, to make a reconnoissance around and about the Pamunkey River, from Piping Tree Ferry to Hanover Town Ferry.
We had three squadrons on picket at these ferries, and the balance of the regiment was used for scouting.
We found on the twenty-third instant, the enemy were very strong at Hanover Court-House, and instantly sent word to Gen. Porter.
Upon which information Gen. Porter ordered us to destroy all the ferries and bridges along the Pamunkey, which the squadrons that were picketed along the ferries instantly did.
On the evening of the twenty-fourth, the squadron that were on picket were ordered to move toward Hanover Court-House and feel the enemy, which we did at daybreak, and found the first
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picket about five miles from Hanover Court-House, which our advance drove in, as well as all their other pickets, to within three miles of Hanover Court-House, where they found the enemy were in such strong numbers that they halted, and returned to the regiment.
This was reported to Gen. Porter, who concluded to send a force up, and capture them if possible.
On the morning of the twenty-seventh, we moved toward Hanover Court — House, on the right, to attract the enemy's attention, while Gen. Porter moved his force upon the left and rear, the success of which you of course know.
The regiment was under fire here, and all the officers and men behaved most gallantly.
They followed up the retreat of the enemy, and captured eighty men and two commissioned officers, and also burned the bridge on the Pamunkey, to the rear of Hanover Court-House.
On the morning of the thirtieth, we were ordered to send three squadrons to make a reconnoissance toward Ashland, and burn the bridge over the railroad at that place, if the enemy were not too strong.
We found several of their cavalry pickets, which we drove in before us. We captured eight men and horses belonging to the Fourth, and entered Ashland without any resistance, the enemy having left for Richmond the night before.
We burned the bridge here, as directed, and returned to our camp, where we found orders to move to New-Bridge, and join the reserve brigade of cavalry.
The ten days scout was a very hard one, during which time we had killed and maimed thirty-four horses.
We did not lose any men.
Yours, most respectfully, Richard H. Rush, Colonel Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Lancers.
