HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, SIR: This afternoon the enemy made an advance, with a strong force of cavalry (say, 2,000) and six guns, for the purpose of seeing what we were about. He drove my picket line back about 1,500 yards, when the division came up, and in turn drove him nearly 2 miles. My picket line to-night is 800 yards in advance of where it was yesterday. The enemy's reconnaissance was an utter failure. My casualties are trifling, say 5 to 10. The First and Reserve Brigades behaved like heroes. I send a report from Devin. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. BUFORD, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. Colonel ALEXANDER, Chief of Staff, Hdqrs. Cav. Corps, Army of the Potomac. [Inclosure.] HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Capt. T. C. BACON, Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Cavalry Division: CAPTAIN: This morning I sent cut two parties to observe the roads leading toward Stevensburg. The party on the main road (leading from Kelly's Ford toward Stevensburg), on arriving at Mountain Run, found the ford strongly picketed, with at least a squadron drawn up in line, besides the pickets and reserve. As they have not been instructed to go farther, they are now watching that approach. The party on the river road found no picket at the run, but captured 1 furloughed soldier, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, who states that he was in Culpeper on Saturday, while we were fighting. Hill's corps was there; Longstreet's corps was behind Pony Mountain; Ewell was near Madison Court-House; Robertson's brigade was in Stevensburg; Fitzhugh Lee's brigade left Brandy Station on Friday. Did not hear where General Lee's headquarters were. It was reported at the quartermaster's department in Culpeper that Lee's army was to have fallen back on Sunday morning. I purpose feeling across Barnett's Ford to discover the enemy's line in that vicinity. As near as I can ascertain now, their outposts extend from Brandy Station across Mountain Run and the Culpeper road to Germanna Ford, and perhaps to Ely's. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, THOS. C. DEVIN, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. AUGUST 4–7, 1863.-Army and Naval Reconnaissance on James River, Va., and Engagement (6th). REPORTS.* No. 1.-Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, U. S. Army, commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolina. No. 2.-Maj. Gen. Arnold Elzey, C. S. Army, commanding Department of Rich mond. No. 3.-Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise, C. S. Army. No. 4.-Col. Powhatan R. Page, Twenty-sixth Virginia Infantry, commanding brigade. No. 5.-Lieut. Col. J. Calvin Councill, Twenty-sixth Virginia Infantry. No. 1. Report of Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, U. S. Army, commanding Department of Virginia and North Carolinia. FORT MONROE, VA., August 7, 1863-11.30 a. m. (Received 5.15 p. m.) GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I have returned from a reconnaissance toward Fort Darling. In company with Commodore Gansevoort I left here on Tuesday morning, taking the iron-clad Sangamon, gunboat Barney, and tug Chassett. We proceeded as far as Trent Reach, about 14 miles this side of Fort Darling, when, owing to the shallowness of the water, the iron-clad was unable to go farther. Wishing to carry out my original intention, we moved on board of the Commodore Barney, and proceeded to within about 4 miles of the fort. Here 3 torpedoes were exploded under the Barney, temporarily disabling her and forcing us to return. The reconnaissance was perfectly successful, and valuable information was obtained. I have the honor, general, to be your obedient servant, Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. No. 2. Report of Maj. Gen. Arnold Elzey, C. S. Army, commanding Department of Richmond. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF RICHMOND, August 12, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to forward the accompanying reports of an engagement of a portion of my command with the enemy's gunboats on the James River. I beg leave to commend to the notice and favorable consideration of the Government the conduct of Col. P. R. Page. Lieut. Col. J. C. Councill, and Maj. A. W. Stark, on that occasion. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ARNOLD ELZEY, Major-General, Commanding Department of Richmond. General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General. *For report of Capt. Guert Gansevoort, U.S. Navy, see Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, December 7, 1863. No. 3. Report of Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise, C. S. Army. GENERAL: The official reports of the attacks, by a portion of my brigade, on the enemy's gunboats at Deep Bottom and Turkey Island, have been forwarded to you, and, in connection therewith, I beg leave to call the attention of the Department to one or two matters of much importance. The Blakely guns were found, as I anticipated, not to have been duly inspected. One of the two fired only ten rounds before its ball clogged and jammed in loading. So that it could not be used more, and has been sent to Richmond to extract its load, which could not be rammed home. Both seemed to have some obstruction in or about the middle of the bore. The new friction primers were found very inferior to the old, and failed badly. I have ordered Major Stark to report, in detail, upon these matters, and the report will be forwarded soon. Had the artillery been of heavier pieces, several of the enemy's gunboats would have been sunk, I have not a doubt. We now have but two Blakely guns and one 12-pounder to rely on, for any serious damage to wooden gunboats even. There are two "long Toms" at Chaffin's Bluff. They are on carriages, but have not the necessary equipments for rapid movement. Colonel Maury says I can have them. I ask that they be transferred from the navy to my command, and that they be allowed a proper outfit of horses, harness, and equipments in all respects. These, with the two heavy pieces which you have already mounted in Richmond, and which you promised to send to this post-where they ought to be kept, and where, in emergency, they can always be speedily forwarded to Richmond-would enable me to efficiently mount two positions on the river below, so as not to be compelled to follow the enemy so far, as the men had to double-quick, the other day, in order to command two positions, which they did with effect, but at great inconvenience. A more important matter is the torpedoes in the river. Colonel Page attacked the enemy on the morning of the 6th instant. The day before one or more torpedoes were exploded in their front prematurely and without much damage. I have never been officially informed in whose charge these torpedoes are placed. They are, I am told, now under command of Captain Davidson, of the navy. He was sick on the 5th and 6th, and I presume, from what is reported, that no competent person was left in charge of them. Colonel Page states to me, that, on the evening of the 5th instant, about sundown, young Aiken, a youth of about eighteen years of age, came up and reported that he had exploded one of the torpedoes. He was in great excitement and trepidation, and could give no clear account of the effect. Doubtless, had a competent person been at the batteries, the explosions would have destroyed one or more of the enemy's boats. Certain it is, that, heretofore, the submarine batteries and works have not at times been guarded at all. I beg that attention may be called to this, and that more certainty of effect may be relied on in future. There ought, assuredly, to be a competent guard, superintended by a competent and skillful officer. With great respect, your obedient servant, Maj. Gen. ARNOLD ELZEY, HENRY A. WISE, Commanding, &c. No. 4. Report of Col. Powhatan R. Page, Twenty-sixth Virginia Infantry, commanding brigade. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Chaffin's Farm, August 6, 1863. MAJOR: I have the honor to report that the artillery and infantry sent to Deep Bottom were put in position there last night about 1 o'clock. The gunboats passed down about 5 o'clock this morning, and were completely surprised, when they were opened on. One of the gunboats was badly crippled at that point, and, it is supposed, many of the crew killed and wounded. After passing Deep Bottom, the artillery and infantry moved rapidly down to Turkey Island, and were in position there when the boats passed. They were fired on as long as they were in range, and struck repeatedly. One of the gunboats was so seriously damaged that she had to be towed from Deep Bottom. They were greatly in hopes of stopping her at Turkey Island, but the guns were not of sufficiently heavy caliber. Three of the artillery men were wounded, 1, I am afraid, seriously. None of the infantry hurt. I will forward official reports as soon as handed in by Colonel Councill and Major Stark. The artillery and infantry have been ordered back to camp and will be in this evening. If the general still desires to see me, I can report to him on Saturday morning. I would name Friday, but it is the day of my brigade drill, and, if not important, I would prefer Saturday. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. R. PAGE, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. No. 5. Report of Lieut. Col. J. Calvin Councill, Twenty-sixth Virginia Infantry. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Chaffin's Farm, August 8, 1863. Maj. T. O. CHESTNEY, Assistant Adjutant-General : MAJOR: I have the honor to inclose herewith the official reports of an attack made on the enemy's gunboats, on the 6th instant, by Lieu tenant-Colonel Councill, with eight companies of the Twenty-sixth Virginia Regiment, and Major Stark, with four pieces of light artillery. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. R. PAGE, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. BURTON'S FARM, August 8, 1863. COLONEL: At 8 o'clock on Wednesday evening, August 5, I was ordered by you to proceed immediately to Deep Bottom, on James River, with two sections of artillery commanded by Maj. A. W. Stark, and eight companies of the Twenty-sixth Virginia Infantry, under the command of Maj. J. L. Garrett, and there to make such a disposition of the forces as, in my judgment, would enable it to inflict the greatest damage to the gunboats of the enemy that had ascended the river in the evening and would probably return in the morning. The command reached Deep Bottom about midnight, and the troops were immediately placed in position, and every arrangement completed for an early attack in the morning. At 5 o'clock Thursday morning, the enemy's fleet, consisting of one monitor, a large side-wheel steamer, and a tug, was discovered coming down the river. They approached our position without shelling, as they had done the evening before, which satisfied me that our presence was entirely unknown to them. The attack was not made until the fleet was fully abreast of Deep Bottom. The action was begun by the artillery and followed immediately by the infantry. The enemy replied immediately, but only for a short while, being driven from their guns by our small-arms. The side-wheel steamer was sadly disabled, and had to be towed off by the other boats. I had no means of ascertaining the loss the enemy sustained in killed and wounded, but I feel satisfied it was not inconsiderable. The fleet passing beyond the range of our guns, the command was promptly moved to Turkey Island, a point on James River about 10 miles below Deep Bottom, with a view of renewing the attack. The boats passed Turkey Island at 9 o'clock, and the attack was renewed by artillery and infantry, with equally as disastrous a result to the enemy as at Deep Bottom. With heavier guns, there is not a shadow of doubt that the two wooden boats would have been sunk at Deep Bottom. Unfortunately, our pieces were too light to effect it. I herewith send Major Stark's report. The only casualties occurred in his command, amounting to 3 wounded, 2 slightly and 1 seriously. I cannot conclude without commending in the highest degree the zeal and alacrity manifested by the officers and men of the entire command in the discharge of their duties. The heat of the day was excessive; yet they bore their trying march without murmur or complaint. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. P. R. PAGE, Commanding Brigade. |