of twenty men who had joined me I proceeded to Martinsburg, which place we entered that night, while occupied by several hundred Federal troops, and brought off 15 horses and several prisoners.

Returning to my command I learned that Grant had crossed the Rapidan. With about forty men I moved down the north bank of the Rappahannock to assail his communications wherever opened, and sent two other detachments, under Captains Richards and Chapman, to embarrass Sigel as much as possible. Captain Richards had a skirmish near Winchester (then the enemy's rear), in which several of them were killed and wounded. Captain Chapman attacked a wagon train which was heavily guarded near Strasburg, capturing about 30 prisoners with an equal number of horses, &c. Near Belle Plain, in King George, I captured an ambulance train and brought off about 75 horses and mules, 40 prisoners, &c.

A few days after I made a second attempt near the same place, but discovered that my late attack had caused them to detach such a heavy force to guard their trains and line of communications that another successful attack on them was impracticable.

About May 10 I attacked a cavalry outpost in the vicinity of Front Royal, capturing 1 captain and 15 men and 75 horses, and sustained loss.

no

About May 20, with about 150 men, I moved to the vicinity of Strasburg with the view of capturing the wagon trains of General Hunter, who had then moved up the Valley. When the train appeared I discovered that it was guarded by about 600 infantry and 100 cavalry. A slight skirmish ensued between their cavalry and a part of my command, in which their cavalry was routed with a loss of 8 prisoners and horses, besides several killed, but falling back on their infantry my men in turn fell back with a loss of 1 killed. While we did not capture the train, one great object had been accomplished the detachment of a heavy force to guard their communications. After the above affair only one wagon train ever went up to Hunter, which was still more heavily guarded. He then gave up his line of communication.

After the withdrawal of the enemy's forces from Northern Virginia for several weeks but few opportunities were offered for any successful incursions upon them. Many enterprises on a small scale were, however, undertaken by detachments of the command, of which no note has been taken.

About June 20 I moved into Fairfax and routed a body of cavalry near Centreville, killing and wounding 6 or 8 and capturing 31 prisoners, securing their horses, &c.

A few days afterward we took Duffield's Depot, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; secured about 50 prisoners, including 2 lieutenants, and a large amount of stores. The train had passed a few minutes before we reached the place. On my way there I had left Lieutenant Nelson, commanding Company A, at Charlestown for the purpose of intercepting and notifying me of any approach in my rear from Harper's Ferry. As I had anticipated, a body of cavalry, largely superior in numbers to his force, moved out from that point. Lieutenant Nelson gallantly charged and routed them, killing and wounding several and taking 19 prisoners and 27 horses. We sustained no loss on this expedition.

On July 4, hearing of General Early's movement down the Valley, I moved with my command east of the Blue Ridge for the purpose of co-operating with him, and crossed the Potomac at Point of Rocks,

driving out the garrison (250 men, strongly fortified) and securing several prisoners and horses. As I supposed it to be General Early's intention to invest Maryland Heights, I thought the best service I could render would be to sever all communications both by railroad and telegraph between that point and Washington, which I did, keeping it suspended for two days.

As this was the first occasion on which I had used artillery, the magnitude of the invasion was greatly exaggerated by the fears of the enemy, and panic and alarm spread through their territory. I desire especially to bring to the notice of the commanding general the unsurpassed gallantry displayed by Captain Richards, commanding First Squadron. Our crossing was opposed by a body of infantry stationed on the Maryland shore. Dismounting a number of sharpshooters, whom I directed to wade the river above the point held by the enemy, I superintended in person the placing of my piece of artillery in position, at the same time directing Captain Richards, whenever the enemy had been dislodged by the sharpshooters and artillery, to charge across the river in order to effect their capture. The enemy were soon routed and Captain Richards charged over, but before he could overtake them they had retreated across the canal, pulling up the bridge in their rear. My order had not, of course, contemplated their pursuit into their fortifications, but the destruction of the bridge was no obstacle to his impetuous valor, and hastily dismounting and throwing down a few planks on the sills, he charged across under a heavy fire from a redoubt. The enemy fled panic-stricken, leaving in our possession their camps, equipage, &c.. Captain Richards has on this, as well as many other occasions, shown himself worthy to wear the honor bestowed upon him by the Government when, disregarding the rule of seniority, it promoted him for valor and skill to the position whose duties he so ably discharges.

On the morning of July 6, while still encamped near the Potomac, information was received that a considerable force of cavalry was at Leesburg. I immediately hastened to meet them. At Leesburg I learned that they had gone toward Aldie, and I accordingly moved on the road to Ball's Mill in order to intercept them returning to their camp in Fairfax, which I succeeded in doing, meeting them at Mount Zion Church and completely routing them, with a loss of about 80 of their officers and men left dead and severely wounded on the field, besides 57 prisoners. Their loss includes a captain and lieutenant killed, and 1 lieutenant severely wounded; the major commanding and 2 lieutenants prisoners. We also secured all their horses, arms, &c.

My loss was 1 killed and 6 wounded-none dangerously.

After this affair the enemy never ventured in two months after the experiment of another raid through that portion of our district.

A few days afterward I again crossed the Potomac, in co-operation with General Early, and moved through Poolesville, Md., for the purpose of capturing a body of cavalry encamped near Seneca. They retreated, however, before we reached there, leaving all their camp equipage and a considerable amount of stores. We also captured 30 head of beef-cattle.

When General Early fell back from before Washington I recrossed the Potomac near Seneca, moving thence to the Little River pike in order to protect him from any movement up the south side of the river. The enemy moved through Leesburg in pursuit of General

Early and occupied Ashby's and Snicker's Gaps. I distributed my command so as most effectually to protect the country. These detachments-under Captains Richards and Chapman and Lieutenants Glascock, Nelson, and Hatcher-while they kept the enemy confined to the main thoroughfares and restrained their ravages, killed and captured about 300, securing their horses, &c. My own attention was principally directed to ascertaining the numbers and movements of the enemy and forwarding the information to General Early, who was then in the Valley.

At the time of the second invasion of Maryland by General Early I moved my command to the Potomac, crossed over three companies at Cheek's and Noland's Fords, while the remaining portion was kept in reserve on this side with the artillery, which was posted on the south bank to keep open the fords, keeping one company (B), under Lieutenant Williams, near the ford on the north bank. Two were sent under Lieutenant Nelson to Adamstown, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, for the purpose of intercepting the train from Baltimore, destroying their communications, &c. Apprehending a movement up the river from a considerable body of cavalry which I knew to be stationed below, I remained with a portion of the command guarding the fords. Lieutenant Nelson reached the road a few minutes too late to capture the train, but destroyed two telegraph lines. On his return he met a force of the enemy's cavalry near Monocacy, which was charged and routed by the gallant Lieutenant Hatcher, who took about 15 men and horses, besides killing and wounding several.

We recrossed the river in the evening, bringing about 75 horses and between 20 and 30 prisoners.

Our loss, 2 missing."

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. S. MOSBY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. Col. W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Itinerary of general operations in the Department of West Vir ginia, for May, June, and July, 1864. †

DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.‡

MAY.

During the month the two divisions under General Sigel moved up the Shenandoah Valley without opposition as far as New Market. May 15 was fought the battle of New Market, resulting in the defeat of our forces and their immediate retreat to the north bank of Cedar Creek. The loss in the battle was about 1,000 men killed, wounded, and captured, and 7 or 8 pieces of artillery captured.

In the mean time the forces under General Crook, proceeding by way of Fayetteville, Raleigh and Princeton, fought the battle and gained the brilliant victory of Cloyd's Mountain on the 9th. On the 10th burned the important railroad bridge spanning New River, and

*For portion of report here omitted, see Vol. XLIII, Part I.

+From monthly returns of the commands indicated. See also itineraries arranged with reports of distinct operations. +Commanded by Maj. Gens. Franz Sigel and David Hunter.

then returned to Meadow Bluff for supplies, where he was joined by Brigadier-General Averell with the cavalay that had been previously detached and sent in the direction of Wytheville, at which place they encountered the enemy.

May 21.-Major-General Hunter, having arrived at Martinsburg, in obedience to orders from the War Department, assumed command of the department, relieving Major-General Sigel, who was assigned to the command of the troops along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, comprising the Reserve Division.

May 26.-Major-General Hunter, having joined the troops at Cedar Creek and completed his preparations, moved up the Valley.

May 30.-The troops with Brigadier-General Crook at Meadow Bluff, having been supplied, moved from that place toward Staunton, Va.

Second Separate Brigade, commanded by Col. Nathan Wilkinson, Sixth West Virginia Infantry.

SIXTH WEST VIRGINIA INFANTRY.

May 1.-Companies A and G arrived at New Creek by rail from Clarksburg, a distance of 100 miles.

May 25.-Company L, detachments at Great Cacapon and Rockwell's Run were relieved by the One hundred and fifty-third Ohio National Guards and ordered to Rowlesburg for duty; 121 miles. Company O, detachments at Little Cacapon and South Branch were relieved by the One hundred and fifty-third Ohio National Guards and ordered to proceed to Fort Pendleton, Md., about twelve miles off the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Oakland, Md., distant about seventy-six miles from the other stations.

May 26.-Company K, detachments stationed at Sir John's Run and Alpine Station, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, were relieved by the One hundred and fifty-third Ohio National Guards and moved thence by rail to New Creek, about seventy-one miles; twelve men of the company stationed at Youghiogheny bridge, near Oakland, Md.

May 27.-Company B moved by rail from Paw Paw, W. Va., and No. 12 Water Station, to Clarksburg, about 150 miles, having been relieved by the One hundred and fifty-third Ohio National Guards. May 28.-Fourteen men of Company O were ordered to relieve the detachment of Company K stationed at Youghiogheny bridge; squad of Company K to join company at New Creek, W. Va.

May 31.-Company K ordered to move by rail from New Creek to Altamont, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a distance of twentytwo miles. Company D, detachments in five block-houses near Bridgeport, Clarksburg, and Cherry Camp, on the Northwestern Virginia Railroad; headquarters at Clarksburg. Company H, detachments in eleven block-houses situated near Cornwallis, TollGate, West Union, and Smithton, on the Northwestern Virginia Railroad; headquarters at Cornwallis. Company E at Cumberland; Company Fat Rowlesburg; Company N at Grafton, and Company P at Wheeling, W. Va., guarding the military prison.

TENTH WEST VIRGINIA INFANTRY.

The regiment has been very actively engaged in scouting through the counties of Randolph, Tucker, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Braxton, Highland, Pendleton, and Webster, W. Va.; is now in an efficient condition for service.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THIRD OHIO NATIONAL GUARDS

May 15.-Arrived and reported for duty at Paw Paw. May 23.-Col. I. Stough, commanding regiment, was ordered to relieve the detachments of the Sixth West Virginia Infantry, stationed on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, east of Cumberland, Md., by placing one company at Hancock, Md.; one company at Sir John's Run; one company at Great Cacapon; onethird company at Rockwell's Run; one-third company at No. 12 Water Station; one-third company at Little Cacapon; one company at South Branch; the remaining companies at Paw Paw, W. Va.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOURTH OHIO NATIONAL GUARDS.

May 27.-Company H was ordered from New Creek to Youghiogheny bridge, near Oakland, Md., to relieve Company D, Second Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade.

DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.*

JUNE.

June 5.-The forces under Major-General Hunter met the rebels under General W. E. Jones at Piedmont, defeating them, killing their commander, and capturing about 1,500 prisoners.

June 6.-The forces under General Hunter entered Staunton without opposition, and were there joined by General Crook on the 7th or 8th. After destroying the railroads in the vicinity, supplies for the rebel army, and all the manufacturing establishments in the place, the united forces advanced on Lexington, at which place was destroyed the Military Institute, with considerable quantities of arms and ammunition; proceeded toward Lynchburg, arriving in the vicinity of that place on the 17th, and immediately engaged the enemy, capturing artillery from him.

June 18.-An engagement took place in front of Lynchburg, but it being ascertained from prisoners captured that Early had arrived from Richmond with re-enforcements, our forces commenced their retreat on the evening of the same day, harassed by the enemy a considerable part of the way, and after eleven days' hard marching reached Gauley Bridge, Kanawha Valley, on the 29th.

JULY.

After the return of our forces from Lynchburg, General Early, having pursued a considerable distance, turned about and advanced down the Shenandoah Valley, arriving at Winchester on the evening of the 2d. General Sigel, commanding the Reserve Division, headquarters at Martinsburg, being apprised of the fact, made preparations to evacuate the place and fall back to the strong defensive position of Maryland Heights.

July 3.-The evacuation commenced and by 2 p. m. the main body of his troops, with the wagon train, was on its way to the Potomac River. That night the troops, with the train, crossed into Maryland, taking up position on the north bank of the Potomac River to prevent the crossing of the enemy.

July 4.-The whole force moved by way of Pleasant Valley to Maryland Heights, arriving there the same night. General Sigel's

*Commanded by Maj. Gen. David Hunter.