We occupied a position on the right of the road leading to Kernstown, and at the commencement of the engagement I was ordered with the Fifteenth West Virginia Volunteers forward, the two regiments being detached from the brigade. We advanced, skirmishing, to a stone fence, about a quarter of a mile beyond Kernstown, where we remained, constantly exchanging fire with the enemy, until ordered by Lieutenant King, acting aide-de-camp, to retire, when we did so, rallying behind a second line of stone fence, where we remained a short time and were again ordered to retire to near Kernstown, which we did. We remained here but a short time, when the whole line retiring and the enemy appearing on our flank we fell back to the point north of Winchester near the fortifications. The retreat having become general, the command became somewhat scattered and retreated in some confusion to Bunker Hill, where the most of the command was collected and encamped for the night. The next day we marched to Martinsburg. The fact that this command was detached from the brigade in the early part of the engagement, thus leaving us without knowledge of a point on which to rally, I consider a reason for the confusion arising. Some of the officers and men were cut off from the command and did not join it until its arrival at Martinsburg.

On the arrival of the regiment at Williamsport, 25th July, it was halted and moved by way of Sharpsburg to Harper's Ferry.

I have the honor herewith to forward a list of casualties* in my command.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES W. MYERS,

Capt., Comdg. Battalion Eleventh W. Va. Infty. Vols.

Lieut. C. W. KIRBY,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 65.

Report of Maj. Milton Wells, Fifteenth West Virginia Infantry, of engagement at Kernstown.

HDQRS. FIFTEENTH WEST VIRGINIA VOL. INFANTRY,

Camp near Sandy Hook, Md., August 7, 1864.

SIR: In accordance with circular from headquarters just received, I forward the following report of the part taken by our regiment in the late engagement at Winchester on the 24th ultimo, as reported to me by Adjt. J. W. Holliday, who was present during the time the regiment was engaged, I myself being absent in hospital, and the commandant of the regiment now being absent:

On or about 9 o'clock on the 24th ultimo the regiment was ordered under arms and moved to a position on the Winchester and Staunton turupike near Kernstown, where we remained until about 11 o'clock, when we were ordered to the front. Company K being thrown out as skirmishers, the line advanced to an orchard near the town, where we first met the fire of the enemy; from thence we advanced to a stone fence in our front, where we kept up a hot fire until the enemy began to flank us on the left and give us an enfilading fire. We then changed front to meet them in that direction,

*Embodied in table, p. 289.

which position we maintained until the lines began to break on our right and left, when Captain McCaskey took command and ordered the regiment to fall back, which was done in good order for some distance, but the enemy bringing their batteries to bear on our retreating column, caused the command to break and fall back in confusion. They were, however, rallied before reaching the old forts built by General Milroy, where they were again brought into line of battle and ordered to hold our position until our cavalry should form in our rear, which we did. The enemy again opened on us with artillery, and after firing several rounds the regiment again retreated, not in the best of order, which was the last position taken by it in line of battle during the retreat.

The list of casualties during the engagement were as follows: 4 killed, 7 wounded, and 14 missing, of the latter several are now with the regiment at this date.

Yours, &c.,

MILTON WELLS,

Major, Comdg. Fifteenth Regt. W. Va., Infty. Vols.

Lieut. C. W. KIRBY,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 66.

Report of Col. Isaac H. Duval, Ninth West Virginia Infantry, commanding Second Infantry Division, of operations July 23-25.

HDQRS. 2D INFANTRY DIV., ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,

Summit Point, Va., September 13, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to make the following report of the part taken by the Second Infantry Division, Army of West Virginia, in the actions of July 23 and 24 at Winchester, Va., and July 25, 1864, at Martinsburg, Va. :

On the morning of July 23, the enemy having made his appearance on the Valley pike near Kernstown, driving in our cavalry, I received orders from the general commanding to get my command under arms and move one brigade out on the road and form it on the left of Colonel Mulligan's division. I, therefore, ordered the First Brigade (consisting of the Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia, Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio Regiments, commanded by Col. R. B. Hayes, Twenty-third Ohio), which took position as directed. With the Second Brigade (Ninth and Fourteenth Virginia, Thirty-fourth and Ninety-first Ohio Regiments, Col. D. D. Johnson, Fourteenth Virginia, commanding), I was ordered to proceed on the Romney pike to guard that (the right) flank, where I remained until ordered by the general commanding to withdraw and go into camp near the town of Winchester, which I did, throwing out a strong picket on the roads approaching the town from the west. Colonel Hayes having received orders direct from the general commanding, went into camp with the main body of troops near Springtown Mills, one and a half miles south of Winchester, the enemy having retired without giving battle.

On the morning of July 24 the enemy again appeared in force. My command took the same position as on the previous day. Colonel Hayes' (First) brigade on the left of Colonel Mulligan's division, where it continued to act until our forces were compelled to fall

back, being largely outnumbered and flanked by the enemy, when it was ordered to retire on the east side of the Martinsburg pike covering the rear of our forces on that side of the road, no enemy having appeared in front of the Second Brigade on the west side of the town until about the time our main line began to retire, when he made a rapid movement in force on right flank (the position held by the Second Brigade), with evident intentions of cutting off our retreat and, if possible, capturing our trains. I received orders from the general commanding to check and hold him until other dispositions of our forces (which were then being driven back on the main road, the enemy pressing heavily with his infantry, cavalry, and artillery) could be made. I succeeded in checking his first line and holding him until I received orders from the general commanding to fall back on the west side of the Martinsburg pike, and to cover the rear of our forces, then retreating in the direction of Martinsburg. Here the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw, commanding Thirty-fourth Ohio, was mortally wounded. He was brought off the field and died during the night. I fell back very gradually, maintaining my line of battle for six miles, being closely pressed the entire distance by cavalry and artillery. I attempted to gain the main road just before dark, but the enemy having pushed a large force up the road and keeping possession of it compelled me to continue my retreat through the country. I, however, was at no time more than three-fourths of a mile from the road. I halted about daylight one mile from Martinsburg, where I remained until about 10 a. m. July 25, when I received orders from the general com-. manding to take position with my division in front of Martinsburg, forming the extreme left of our lines, where we remained skirmishing with the enemy until about 3 p. m., when we retired through and beyond the town, taking position near the cavalry, which was formed a short distance out on the Williamsport road. The rebel cavalry having followed us closely and taking the place as we retired, our cavalry charged and drove the enemy through and beyond the town, my division supporting. We held the place until about 6 p. m., when we retired to and with the main force on the Williamsport pike; arrived at the Potomac River at 2 a. m. on the 26th of July. I was with the Second Brigade, Col. D. D. Johnson commanding, during the engagement at and retreat from Winchester, and can cheerfully bear testimony as to its gallantry, and have good reasons to be proud of the First Brigade and of the efficient manner in which it was maneuvered by its brave and gallant commander, Col R. B. Hayes. For particulars, I refer you to the accompanying reports of brigade commanders.

I am much indebted to my staff-Capt. G. W. Hicks, acting assistant inspector-general, Lieut. C. B. Hayslip, acting assistant adjutantgeneral, Lieut. J. W. Overturf, aide-de-camp, Lieut. A.F. Kendall, acting commissary of subsistence, Lieut. J. C. Merrill, acting assistant quartermaster-for efficient services rendered during the engagements.

The casualties are: Killed, 45; wounded, 285; missing, 183; total, 513.

I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,

[Capt. P. G. BIER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.]

I. H. DUVAL, Colonel, Commanding.

No. 67.

Report of Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations July 23-25.

HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 2D INFTY. DIV., DEPT. OF W. VA.,
Pleasant Valley, Md., August 8, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In accordance with directions this day received from division headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the troops under my command in the actions of July 23, 24, and 25, 1864, in the Shenandoah Valley:

On the 23d the First Brigade was camped on the Staunton pike, about one mile south of Winchester. About 9 a. m. I was ordered to march the brigade toward and, if the enemy was not in too great force, through Kernstown, and to push the enemy far enough to ascertain his force. A line of battle was formed north of Kernstown, covered by a strong line of skirmishers, and moved forward from one to two miles beyond Kernstown, meeting but feeble resistance. From what was seen of the enemy, as well as what could be learned from citizens, it was believed that the rebel force consisted of, perhaps, 1,000 cavalry and two or three pieces of artillery. This was reported to Major-General Crook, and soon after the brigade was ordered to return to camp.

On the 24th at 12 m. I was directed to form the brigade in line of battle on the left of Colonel Mulligan's brigade, and to advance against the enemy, the movements of my brigade to correspond with those of Colonel Mulligan. I found Colonel Mulligan's brigade beyond Kernstown, and proceeded to form on his left. This placed my brigade in the valley left of the pike, with a ridge of hilis perpendicular to my line, and within easy rifle range of it. On the ridge there was a body of Union cavalry, who it was supposed was placed there to protect that flank of our forces. The troops of my brigade were formed, beginning on the right next to Colonel Mulligan, in the following order, viz: Thirteenth Virginia Volunteers, Colonel Brown; Fifth Virginia Volunteers, Colonel Tomlinson; Twenty-third Ohio Veteran Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Comly; and Thirty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, Colonel Devol. As soon as the formation of the line was completed I was directed to advance in line with Colonel Mulligan and charge the enemy, gradually wheeling to the right as we advanced, so as to take the enemy, who were believed to be passing around our right, on the flank. About this time indications were observed of a force of the enemy on our left. I reported this to Lieutenant Moore, aide-decamp to Major-General Crook, and also to Colonel Mulligan, but was told to advance promptly as before directed. The movement was made rapidly and in good order, but had not proceeded far before the enemy in large force, in at least two lines of battle, preceded by a strong line of skirmishers, moved rapidly over the ridge of hills on our left and opened fire on our flank and rear. An effort was made to change front to meet this attack, but the fire was so heavy and destructive that the left was doubled back in confusion on the right of brigade. A new line was soon formed, however, in rear of a stone fence, perpendicular to the original direction, the right resting near the point reached by the right of the brigade at the time the enemy attacked us on the left. A fire was opened on the enemy and his course checked long enough to enable a great part of the wounded

to be got to the rear. It was now discovered that the enemy, with his greatly superior force, enveloped the troops on our right, and that they had been driven back. The First Brigade moved back up the hill, when I was ordered by Major-General Crook in person to hold the enemy in check long enough to enable one of our batteries, which was very much exposed, to withdraw, and then to fall back slowly, bearing to the right of Winchester going north, and protect the line of retreat on the Martinsburg road. From this time until we reached Bunker Hill the First Brigade covered the retreat on the right of the road going north. The enemy frequently pushed forward his cavalry, making strong efforts to reach the road. Their attempts were steadily repulsed, so that our trains and artillery were given ample time to withdraw. Two pieces of artillery, abandoned for some cause, supposed to belong to our cavalry, were hauled off by hand by two companies of the Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and saved. Throughout the action and retreat the number of stragglers from my brigade was small, and the conduct of men and officers generally was conspicuously good.

The Thirteenth Virginia Volunteers, Colonel Brown, was never in a general engagement before. The officers and men of this regiment, under the circumstances, I deem worthy of special commendation.

On the 25th the First Brigade again acted as rear guard until the command reached Martinsburg. A short distance south of Martinsburg a line of battle was formed, the First Brigade holding the left, facing south. Some light skirmishing and artillery firing occurred here. The enemy were easily held in check until Government property was removed from Martinsburg. The whole command was then moved through Martinsburg to the Williamsport road. Soon after the rebels occupied Martinsburg, when we were ordered to return and support the cavalry in retaking the town. The First Brigade was formed in line of battle in advance of the infantry command, and, supporting the cavalry charge, in conjunction with the other infantry of the command, reoccupied Martinsburg without serious opposition. After holding the town perhaps two hours our retreat was continued on the Williamsport road, the First Brigade being relieved as rear guard by other troops. The chief loss of the brigade was sustained early in the battle of Winchester on the 24th. The loss was as follows:

Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Killed, 6; wounded, 58; left on battle-field, 72; total loss, 136.

Thirty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry: Killed, 9; wounded, 103; left on battle-field, 24.

Fifth Virginia Volunteers: Killed, 4; wounded, 30; left on battlefield, 11.

Thirteenth Virginia Volunteers: Killed, 14; wounded, 50; left on battle-field, 15.

Total: Killed, 33; wounded, 241;. left on battle-field, 122.

Of those left on the battle-field the greater part were killed or wounded. Total loss, 396.

Among the killed were many excellent officers and men.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. B. HAYES, Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. C. B. HAYSLIP,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Div., Army of West Va.