sylvania Volunteers, with a small party, had a collision with the enemy near Hill's Point, with a result very creditable to the Union arms. Lieutenant Taylor and 5 of Whitford's regiment were taken prisoners. Captain Stanton, of the Twenty-first Connecticut Volunteers, is favorably mentioned for his good conduct in this affair. By command of Maj. Gen. John J. Peck: J. A. JUDSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. APRIL 8, 1864.—Skirmish at Winchester, Va. Report of Maj. Hanson W. Hunter, Sixth West Virginia Cavalry. HDQRS. SIXTH REGIMENT WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY, Martinsburg, Va., April 9, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have to report that, in obedience to instructions received from headquarters Cavalry Division, Department of West Virginia, on the 7th instant, I proceeded to the picket-line and collected 107 of the Sixth and Seventh West Virginia Cavalry, just relieved from picket duty, and 44 of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. I left Gerrardstown at 2.30 p. m., and went via Pughtown, coming on the Romney pike, 9 miles west of Winchester; thence by Romney pike to the road leading out on Timber Ridge. I I went out on Timber Ridge 8 miles, to Shiloh Church, and learned from citizens that there were no rebels near there; that there were some (about two companies) around and about Capon Springs and Wardensville. Capon River was reported to be too high to be forded. I then started on my return by Romney pike; thence to Winchester. When within 4 miles of Winchester I learned that about 100 rebels had crossed the Romney pike about a mile west of Winchester, going in the direction of Martinsburg. I afterwards found that they had come round and were in town feeding. charged into town as they were leaving, my advance following and skirmishing with them for a mile south of town. I found out there were more rebels out on the Strasburg road. I brought my command back through town, leaving the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Captain Crawford, to watch the movements of the rebels at the south end of town. In a half an hour I ordered Captain Crawford to retire and bring all the men out of town. He sent me notice that he thought they were endeavoring to flank us. When Captain Crawford's rear guard was about the center of town I discovered the rebels following him in strong force. I commenced to move my command out to take position; at the same time ordered Captain Crawford to hold the rebel advance in check, but the advance of the rebels was so rapid and spirited that his men could not check them, and his men were forced onto the main body of my command before I could form them. The rebels continued to follow close for about 3 miles. I succeeded in forming my men about 5 miles this side of Winchester, and remained there a short time. had some apprehensions that they were again trying to flank us. I then fell back slowly. I brought my command into camp about 9 p. m. of the 8th instant. I The casualties are as follows: Seventh Regiment West Virginia Cavalry, 4 taken prisoners; Sixth Regiment West Virginia Cavalry, 18 men and 1 officer-Lieutenant Medera. The Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry were left on the picket post. I have not received a list of men missing in that detachment. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HUNTER, Major Sixth Regt. West Virginia Cav., Comdg. Detachment. Capt. WILL RUMSEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [First indorsement.] HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Martinsburg, April 10, 1864. Respectfully forwarded, with inclosed Special Orders, No. 23, and orders to Major Hunter, which will explain the matter fully. I request that Maj. H. W. Hunter be dishonorably dismissed the service. WM. W. AVERELL. [Second indorsement.] HDQRS. CAVALRY, DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, Cumberland, April 14, 1864. Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters. The inclosed report of Captain Martindale, being made up from what he heard other people say and not from what he actually knew, does not seem sufficient to warrant the dishonorable dismissal of Major Hunter. It is recommended that charges be preferred, and he (Major Hunter) be brought before general court-martial for trial. JUL. STAHEL, Major-General, Chief of Cavalry. [Third indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA, Cumberland, Md., April 20, 1864. Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army. Brigadier-General Averell has been instructed to cause charges to be preferred against Major Hunter, preparatory to his trial by general court-martial. * F. SIGEL, [Inclosure No. 1.] SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 23. HDQRS. CAV. Div., DEPT. OF W. Va., On the 7th instant 107 men of the Sixth and Seventh West Virginia Cavalry and 44 men of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in all 151 men, were sent out under the command of Major Hunter, Sixth West Virginia Cavalry, to capture or destroy two companies of rebels, which were prowling about our lines and supposed to be about 100 strong. After a short scout the force under Major Hunter came upon the rebels in the town of Winchester, on the 8th instant, feeding their horses and in promising condition to be surprised. The rebels, how * Major Hunter was discharged upon expiration of service, August 18, 1864. ever, escaped, and were followed a mile beyond the town, when the attack was abandoned and our men brought back to the north side of the town, when the commanding officer left them to enter a house, where he remained for some time, without having taken any precaution against surprise, except leaving the detachment of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry as a rear guard. The enemy, availing himself of the carelessness and utter want of common sense displayed by the commander of our force, charged upon the rear guard and threw it upon the main body, which, already in disorder, was quickly thrown into confusion, and 27 men were lost in the disgraceful and dastardly flight of 151 men before less than 100 rebels. The numbers of the enemy, it has been ascertained from various persons who counted them, were less than 100. The Union women who witnessed the affair wept for shame. The brigadier-general commanding entertains the impression that the men who were sent out on the expedition would have done better without a commanding officer. It is very seldom that so fine an opportunity is offered to our troops to distinguish themselves, but instead of distinction this occasion furnished disgrace and disaster. The brigadier-general commanding firmly believes that the 27 men who were lost to the enemy, had they been properly led by a cool and intrepid officer, could have beaten the enemy. He can find no words to express his shame and mortification. The commanding officer seemed to forget the object of his expedition at the very moment he could have attained it, and then was incompetent to return without additional disgrace. Major Hunter is hereby placed in arrest, and will be recommended for dishonorable dismissal from the service. By command of Brig. Gen. W. W. Averell: WILL RUMSEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 2.] HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA, Maj. H. W. HUNTER, Sixth West Virginia Cavalry: MAJOR: The general commanding desires you to take 150 men from those at the picket-line and proceed up the Back Creek Valley, striking the Romney road at a point west of the junction with the road which runs down Capon Springs. You will endeavor to surprise and capture or disperse a body of the enemy said to be lying near Concord Church, on Timber Ridge. Having accomplished this object you will return down the Romney pike to Winchester, and thence to this place. Any important information you may get will be sent in at once by couriers. You are at liberty to take 50 of your 150 men from the picket which went out this morning. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. S.-You will return to-morrow. WILL RUMSEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. WILL RUMSEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure No. 3.] [Capt. WILL RUMSEY:] MARTINSBURG, April 10, 1864. CAPTAIN: According to orders from General Averell, bearing date of April 8, instant, I left Martinsburg about 10 o'clock in the evening, moved leisurely in the direction of Winchester, arriving there about daylight. Sent my advance guards through the town briskly. Finding no enemy, I moved in the direction of Newtown. On the way to Newtown I met a lady from Strasburg; she told me that a party of rebel soldiers, numbering from 90 to 100 men, were encamped one-half mile this side of Middletown; had come from Winchester, fetching with them 27 Federal prisoners. They left Middletown about 5.30 o'clock the next morning. They left Middletown about the time I arrived in Winchester. After arriving at Newtown found all the reports that I had previously heard to be true, and that the enemy had about two and a half hours the start of me. The creeks were so swollen that I could not cross without much trouble, so I returned to Winchester and fed my horses. While in Winchester the Union people were rehearsing the skirmish that took place the day before. A respectable party of Winchester told me that they heard the rebel commander say that he "did not intend to fight Major Hunter's command; only intended to annoy his rear." Several ladies and gentlemen told me that when the enemy were driving Captain Crawford through the streets of Winchester that Major Hunter was talking with some ladies and his command was straggling and lying about-some mounted and dismounted men, as twenty responsible parties informed me; that the rebel party that attacked Major Hunter did not exceed 100 men. After feeding my horses I returned to Martinsburg, bringing back all men and horses that I started with. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. F. G. MARTINDALE, Captain, First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. APRIL 11, 1864.-Affair near Greenwich, Va. REPORTS. No. 1.-Capt. James W. Long, Second U. S. Infantry. No. 1. Report of Capt. James W. Long, Second U. S. Infantry. HEADQUARTERS SECOND INFANTRY, U. S. ARMY, Catlett's Station, Va., April 12, 1864. SIR: In obedience to orders from regimental headquarters, I started last evening in command of a detachment composed of Companies C, H. and K, Second Infantry, U. S. Army, to search after Captain McKee, Second Infantry, who had been reported severely wounded by guerrillas. I first proceeded to Greenwich, 7 miles from camp, where I learned that a fight had occurred between Captain McKee, Lieutenants Lacey, Byrne, and Butler, Second Infantry, and some guerrillas in ambush. Not learning anything of the whereabouts of these officers, I then proceeded with my command to the house of the reverend Mr. Balch. There I learned that the fight had taken place in the woods near the house, but could not learn positively the whereabouts of any of the officers missing. From there I went to Mr. Marsteller's, where I found the body of Captain McKee, who had been killed in the fray. The thieves who killed him had taken his boots, hat, and some papers, besides rifling his pockets of everything they contained. The family had seen two officers, whom I recognized from their description as Lieutenants Byrne and Butler, as prisoners, being run off in the direction of the mountains by their captors. Lieutenant Lacey, I understand, escaped. After getting the body of Captain McKee, I returned home. The place where Captain McKee was killed was in a country road, between the houses of Mr. Balch and Mr. Marsteller, the thick pines on each side of the road serving admirably for an ambush. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES W. LONG, Capt. Second Infantry, U. S. Army, Comdg. Detachment. [Capt. J. S. CONRAD, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.] [First indorsement.] HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS, Respectfully forwarded. April 12, 1864. These officers absented themselves from camp in violation of orders. R. B. AYRES, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Second indorsement.] HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS, April 12, 1864. Respectfully forwarded. Attention directed to General Ayres' indorsement. JOS. J. BARTLETT, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. [Third indorsement.] HDQRS. FIFTH ARMY CORPS, April 14, 1864. Respectfully forwarded. If such lessons are necessary to convince officers of the necessity of obeying orders they can scarcely be regretted. From my experience with the people of Virginia in the region we have been so long in possession of I think them entitled to no consideration, and believe our interests imperatively demand a complete clearing out of all the residents for a space of 15 to 20 miles on each side of the railroad by compelling them to move to another location, all people who have taken the oath of allegiance being compensated for their losses. G. K. WARREN, Major-General of Volunteers. |