Colonel W. C. Wickham's report of an engagement near Aldie, 17th of June, 1863.
Captain,--I submit the following report of the part taken by the troops under my command in the engagement near Aldie on the 17th instant.
I was ordered to take my own regiment, the First and Fifth, and Breathed's battery through Middleburg to Aldie, and go into camp there, where I would find the rest of the brigade.
On reaching Dover Mills, I ordered Colonel Rosser to go on to Aldie and select a camp, and whilst the other regiments were watering, received a dispatch from him to the effect that a regiment of the enemy's cavalry was in his front, between him and Aldie, and that he was about to attack them.
I at once placed the Fourth regiment in position to cover my left flank on the road from the Snickersville pike, and with the First regiment and two of Breathed's guns went forward to the support of Colonel Rosser, who, I found, had driven the enemy back, but been in turn compelled to give way a little, before a very large force.
A few well directed shot from Breathed's guns checked the advance of the enemy upon this road, but not in time to save the gallant sharpshooters of the Fifth, who had, unfortunately, been pushed rather too far forward on ground where it was impossible for cavalry to aid them.
The enemy, finding themselves foiled in their attempt on this line,
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turned their attention to our left, where Colonel Munford, commanding the brigade, met them with the Second and Third regiments, reinforced by the Fourth, and later by the Fifth.
For the rest of the evening I held my position with the First and Breathed's guns, driving back their skirmishers whenever they attempted to advance.
Captain Litchfield's sharp-shooters were, as they always are, most efficient.
Two much praise cannot be awarded to Captain Breathed and his brave men, who handled their guns with the utmost coolness, while their comrades were falling dead under the point-blank range of the enemy's carbines.
This position I held until ordered to retire, bringing off all my killed and wounded.
For the part borne by my own regiment, under the command of Captain Newton, who always “acts well his part,” I refer to his report.
Suffice it to say, that its conduct gave me entire satisfaction.
Its loss was one killed, seven wounded, and nine missing.
Your obedient servant,
Wm. C. Wickham, Colonel Fourth Virginia Cavalry.
List of casualties.
Casualties in the First Virginia cavalry:
| Company F-- | Thomas Lemer, killed. |
| Company D-- | David A. Fields, wounded. |
| R. C. Williams, captured. | |
| Company K-- | J. Rench, wounded in hand. |
| Lieutenant George Freamer, very slightly in thigh. |
George Freamer, Adjutant, First Virginia Cavalry.
Casualties in Captain Breathed's Battery:
Killed — W. H. Greenwell, J. W. Parker.
Wounded — E. Russell, John Key — G. Terry, slightly.
(Signed), James Breathed, Captain S. H. A.
