No. 7.

Report of Lieut. Col. Jonathan D. Hines, Twelfth Ohio Infantry, of skirmishers at Princeton and New River Bridge, and engagement at Cloyd's Mountain.

HDQRS. TWELFTH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,

Meadow Bluff, W. Va., May 20, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the regiment under my command in the several actions and skirmishes during the late expedition under BrigadierGeneral Crook against the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad:

May 6, Companies B and D, under command of Maj. E. M. Carey, had slight skirmish with the enemy at Princeton, driving them from the place.

May 9, marched with Second Brigade across Cloyd's Mountain, east of the turnpike, to flank enemy's position. Formed regiment. in line to the left of the Fourteenth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, as directed by Colonel White, commanding the brigade, and advanced through a thick wood toward the enemy. The broken nature of the ground and dense underbrush rendered the march very difficult. A fourth to half a mile brought us under fire.. Enemy were strongly posted on a hill-side behind breast-works of rails, from which they opened a sharp fire. Our regiment advanced steadily, driving the enemy from his advance works until we came under an enfilading fire from a position to the left, which had not been observed, owing to the thick woods. Under a severe cross-fire the regiment fell into momentary confusion, but were soon rallied behind the Ninth Virginia and Ninety-first Ohio, and again marched to the field.

Our loss was considerable, 9 killed, 40 wounded severely, and 29 slightly; total, 78. Of the wounded, 12 are reported mortal. Among the wounded was Capt. A. N. Channell (since reported dead), Capt. R. Williams (severe), Lieut. Abram King (severe), Lieut. James H. Palmer (severe), Lieut. John W. White (slight). Besides those killed and wounded, 12 are missing, and Surg. N. F. Graham and 8 others were left in charge of the hospital, on the battle-field. Those reported missing are believed to have straggled from the ranks and remained at the hospital. None were captured. The conduct of all the officers and nearly all the men was so excellent that it seems invidious to particularize. Yet I cannot forbear mentioning the coolness and soldierly bearing of Maj. E. M. Carey, to whose efforts in rallying the regiment we were so much. indebted. Also the gallantry and promptness of Lieut. James H. Palmer, acting adjutant, who was severely, perhaps mortally, wounded by a shot through the left lung.

The limits of this report forbid the mention of any considerable number of our brave non-commissioned officers and privates. Yet the fearless bearing of Sergt. Maj. John A. Snyder and Color Sergt. Lemuel H. McMichael demand especial notice. At some future time I shall ask permission to make honorable mention of many others.

May 10, supported batteries during the heavy shelling at New River bridge, crossed the New River at Pepper's Ferry, and moved two miles up the right bank to the railroad, drove off a few cavalry and burned one bridge of two spans (forty feet each), two bridges

of fifty feet span (each), all the culverts and crossings on four miles of road, one water-tank and pump, from 500 to 1,000 cords of wood, also one large locomotive engine (Henry Davis), and one stationary engine, with wood-saw, &c.

Respectfully submitted.

J. D. HINES.

Lieutenant-Colonel Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Lieut. WILLIAM B. NESBITT,

A. A. A. G., Second Brig., Third Div., Dept. of West Va.

No. 8.

Report of Col. John A. Turley, Ninety-first Ohio Infantry, of engagement on Cloyd's Mountain, and skirmish at New River Bridge.

HDQRS. NINETY-FIRST REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFTY.,
Meadow Bluff, May 20, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor most respectfully to make the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the engagement on the 9th instant near Dublin Depot, on Virginia and Tennessee Railroad:

The regiment, composing a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Department of West Virginia, left Fayetteville, W. Va., May 3, 1864, and after six days' march encamped at Poplar Hill, ten miles north of Dublin Depot, on the evening of the 8th of May. On the morning of the 9th instant the regiment marched over Cloyd's Mountain to the left of the road, to get a position on the right and rear of the enemy's works. After arriving at the foot of the mountain and crossing a small creek, I received your order to form column of division in mass, in rear of the Twelfth Ohio, which order I obeyed, marching by the flanks of divisions through dense woods a short distance to a small piece of open ground, at which point heavy firing was heard immediately in our front, the Twelfth Ohio having engaged the enemy not 300 yards distant. I immediately changed direction by the flank and deployed my regiment so as to form a second line in rear of that regiment; moving forward to the top of the hill I met that regiment falling back under a murderous fire grape and canister and musketry. I gave the order to lie down and await the enemy, who were pushing forward with a yell. When at short range the regiment commenced firing and drove the enemy back in disorder to their temporary works. The regiment was then moved by me on double-quick down to the foot of the hill, at which point I ordered the regiment to fix bayonets, and charging up the hill, the enemy hastily left their works and fled across the field to another work in front of the Ninth Virginia Infantry. Changing the direction to the right, so as to bring the regiment on the brow of the hill, I had a cross-fire upon them in rear of the work, in front of the Ninth Virginia on my right. This work was gallantly cleared by the Ninth Virginia, and the enemy were soon running in disorder. I again changed direction to the left and kept steadily moving forward, capturing prisoners and occasionally firing at the retreating foe. The men being very much exhausted from their long and tedious march, were unable to overtake the

of

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main force of the enemy, the day being very warm. We moved as hastily as possible in the direction of Dublin Depot, it being the point to which the enemy was retreating, and arriving on the hill, one-half a mile distant, we discovered the enemy hastily leaving in the direction of the railroad bridge across New River. By your order the brigade encamped at Dublin that night.

Next morning we moved to the bridge, from which the enemy were driven by our artillery, and the bridge destroyed, from which point we marched to this place by way of Blacksburg, Union, Salt [Sulphur Springs], and Blue Sulphur Springs, arriving here on the 19th instant, the command much exhausted from hard marching and short rations, but in good spirits.

In the fight at Cloyd's Mountain allow me to say that I believe every officer and soldier of the Ninety-first Ohio did his whole duty nobly and gallantly.

To Lieutenant-Colonel Coates, Major Cadot, Adjutant Findley, and Lieutenant Crossland, regimental quartermaster, as also my sergeantmajor, J. H. Moore, and orderly, William Falwell, who rendered me much aid, I must express my thanks for their hearty co-operation and gallant bearing on the field.

In the engagement of the 9th and 10th the regiment lost 1 captain and 1 corporal killed, 25 wounded, and 2 missing. Before entering the fight Companies B and K were detached by you to act as a guard to prevent straggling, &c.

I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. TURLEY,
Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. W. B. NESBITT,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 9.

Report of Col. Isaac H. Duval, Ninth West Virginia Infantry, of engagement at Cloyd's Mountain.

HDQRS. NINTH REGT. VIRGINIA VOL. INFANTRY,

Meadow Bluff, May 20, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the Ninth Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry in the action of Cloyd's Mountain on the 9th instant:

In compliance with an order from the colonel commanding brigade, my position was the right of the second line of battle, in rear of the Fourteenth Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and after waiting a reasonable length of time for the Fourteenth Regiment to get in position, I filed in and took my position, my right resting near the open ground on my right. The woods being very dense, I threw forward my skirmishers, who soon engaged those of the enemy, driving them before us. I soon became convinced that the Fourteenth Regiment was not in my front, and also that I was separated from the brigade. Halted and sent officer to communicate with colonel commanding. The Fourteenth Virginia Regiment soon came up in my rear, passed to the front, and engaged the enemy, my regiment supporting some seventy-five yards in rear. The enemy, being strongly posted and well pro

1

tected by barricades made of rails, poured a murderous fire into the Fourteenth Regiment and compelled them to retire. I then received the order to forward, and, being convinced that nothing short of a desperate charge would carry the works, I ordered my officers to the front and moved forward under a very destructive and murderous fire. Had to advance thus for about 150 yards, and when within a few yards of the works ordered a charge and carried the works. Many of my men were bayoneted in crossing over. We clubbed muskets, and soon dislodged and drove them from their stronghold. We captured 2 pieces of artillery, many prisoners, and 1 flag. Having exhausted my ammunition, halted for the purpose of collecting ammunition from the dead and wounded, the enemy being then in full retreat. Spending but a few minutes in collecting ammunition, joined our brigade and pursued the retreating enemy to Dublin Depot, where we halted for the night. Next morning moved with the command to the railroad bridge across New River, which was soon destroyed by our forces, the artillery only being engaged. I am proud to add that the officers and men of my regiment behaved with great coolness and bravery, and deserve great praise, for their gallant conduct. I am truly sorry to add my losses are very great, being 45 killed, 126 wounded, and 15 missing; total,

186.

I herewith send complete list of my casualties.*
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I. H. DUVAL,
Colonel Ninth Regiment Virginia Vol. Infantry.

Lieut. W. B. NESBITT,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade.

No. 10.

Report of Col. Daniel D. Johnson. Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry, of engagement at Cloyd's Mountain.

HDQRS. FOURTEENTH WEST VIRGINIA VOL. INFTY.,

Meadow Bluff, May 20, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Fourteenth Virginia Volunteer Infantry in the battle of Cloyd's Mountain on the 9th instant:

I

Early on the morning of the 9th the entire division moved from its encampment of the previous night, the Second Brigade in the advance and the Fourteenth Virginia at the head of the column. We had advanced about a mile when the column was halted. here received orders to turn to the left, proceed up a hollow about a mile, turn to the right, and ascend the mountain. I arrived on the top of the mountain with the regiment at about 8.30 a. m. and was halted until the entire brigade came up. I was then ordered to descend the eastern slope of the mountain. Companies A and F, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Taggart, were pushed forward as an advance guard. Arriving at the foot of the mountain I was again halted, while Lieutenant-Colonel Taggart [advanced] with the two companies deployed as skirmishers to ascertain the position of

*Embodied in table, p. 14.

the enemy. We again moved cautiously forward, crossing Back Creek, turned to the right, and proceeded along a low ridge some 250 yards, filed to the right, and formed line of battle. I then changed front forward on third company and halted in a deep ravine, the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry forming upon my left and the Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry forming in the rear of the Twelfth. I then received orders to advance and moved forward through a dense wood and thick underbrush, crossed a fence and a road, both running parallel to our line of battle. I pushed forward about 200 yards, and halted about thirty yards in the rear of the Ninth Virginia Infantry, and communicated with Colonel Duval and learned that I must pass him. I at once ordered an advance past the Ninth, and held the crest of the hill, where Companies A and F were deployed as skirmishers and hotly en-.. gaging the enemy. As we reached the crest of the hill the entire regiment discharged a volley at the rebels, who were stationed behind a rail fence in the ravine before us. The regiment slightly wavered here, but was promptly rallied by its officers. I here received orders to push forward and engage the enemy with the assurance that I would be promptly supported. I at once ordered the regiment forward. The rebels, unable to withstand our fire, fell back rapidly to their main work of defense, which was a line of breast-works constructed of logs and fence rails and situated on the crest of the hill about 175 yards in front of our line and commanded the entire space between the two lines. The regiment advanced steadily to within twenty yards of the rebel position, where it halted and discharged a continuous and steady fire upon the works which secreted the foe. I could distinctly see a sheet of flames issuing from the rebel works, but could not see a single rebel, so completely were they protected by their defenses. I repeatedly gave the order to charge upon the works but the roar of musketry was so loud that I could not be heard, and being completely exhausted myself by excessive exertions, the major being wounded and the lieutenant-colonel exhausted and so hoarse that he could scarcely speak, from his extreme exertions with the line of skirmishers, I could not communicate my orders along the line. The regiment fought bravely and determinedly in this position for half an hour, when the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry gave way upon our left and the rebels advancing exposed my left to an enfilading fire, compelling me to give the order to retire, which I did very reluctantly. But before I gave this order I looked over the entire field in our rear to see if any efforts were being made to supply the place of the Twelfth or to communicate with me as to what should be done. I saw none and deeply regretted that I was compelled to exercise my own judgment at this critical moment, especially as I was entirely ignorant of the position and strength of the enemy, except immediately in my front, and also ignorant of the results of the engagement at other points upon the field. I dreaded a retrograde movement as the regiment was under fire for the first time. I feared it would retire too precipitately. I gave the order, and as I anticipated the regiment retired rather hastily, falling back behind the crest of the hill where the fighting first began. The officers and men being completely exhausted and very thirsty, it was with considerable difficulty that I succeeded in reforming the regiment, when I again moved forward. The rebels had been completely routed and were in full retreat toward Dublin. Re-enforcements reaching the