their proper officers. The killed and wounded are principally from Lane's brigade, which was engaged with the enemy's cavalry and artillery on the 8th. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Col. R. H. CHILTON, Major-General, Commanding, &c. Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General. NOVEMBER 9-10, 1863.-Expedition from Williamsburg toward New Kent Court-House, Va. Report of Lieut. F. Charles Hume, C. S. Army, commanding Peninsula Scouts. HEADQUARTERS PENINSULA SCOUTS, November 10, 1863-6.40 p. m. LIEUTENANT: The enemy has returned to Williamsburg with his wagons (thirty) filled with corn, gathered from the fields of Mr. George Hawkins, Mr. Martin, and Allen Richardson. I will as briefly as possible explain why so little injury (1 man mortally wounded and 1 horse killed) was inflicted on the enemy by my party. On the morning of the 9th, I sent my men on the telegraph road with standing instructions to ambush and fight the enemy should he appear. Contrary to my custom, I had just ridden to the Centreville road to make some disposition of my men who had been posted on that road, when one of them galloped up with the information that the enemy was up in force, and that I would find all my men at a certain point near the telegraph road, where they had agreed to await my coming. Arrived there, I found only 8 men, the rest having become alarmed at the extensive line of skirmishers thrown out to trap them, and took refuge in the woods; and with this party I have been unable to meet until this evening, after the enemy had passed down the road. Thus left with so small a party (Sergeant Hughes having 9 men on the Centreville road), I went up to the vicinity of the enemy's camp and remained quite near him all night, his position in the open field, with his pickets very near the camp, rendering it impossible for me to effect any surprise. At daylight I came through the woods to a point near the Burnt Ordinary, and fired a single shot twice at intervals at his mounted pickets, but found it impossible to provoke the squad to a skirmish. Leaving this open country, I came down toward the Six-Mile Ordinary, where I had agreed to meet the men, now very hungry, as early as they could get rations and follow me. While they were thus dispersed the Yankees moved toward Williamsburg. Aware of their return, I collected 3 men-all I could get together-and ambushed the roads at Pettit's. Two cavalrymen passing I shot one from his horse, mortally wounding him; the other was fired on, but I fear escaped without injury. The enemy at once deployed his infantry skirmishers on both sides the road, and swept the timber for hundreds of yards. We escaped them. I regret very much the little service rendered where so much was expected, but the above are the true circumstances, and I will be satisfied with the inference you may draw from them. This they promised will not be their last visit, but they intend robbing every farm on the Peninsula before stopping. I think it quite likely. They throw out infantry skirmishers on both sides of the road when they approach timber, thus rendering ambushing anything but an easy matter. I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. S. W. WARDLAW, Adjutant Holcombe Legion. NOVEMBER 11, 1863.-Raid on Suffolk, Va. Report of Lieut. Col. Arthur Herbert, Seventeenth Virginia In fantry. IVOR, November 11, 1863. SIR: I left here with my regiment and three pieces of artillery Monday evening; encamped 4 miles the other side of Blackwater that night, and on Tuesday morning marched to the other side of Windsor, where I was joined by Colonel Taliaferro and his regiment. My intention was to march the whole force to about 6 miles of Suffolk that evening and make an attack at daybreak next morning. All hopes of making any successful attack in their rear I had given up since the capture of Lieutenant Roy, they having destroyed every boat, and having been picketing the river very closely ever since. Knowing you wished a demonstration made at once, I gave up that scheme and thought I would try their front, but on arriving below Windsor we met a man named Phelps, just from the other side of the Nansemond, below Suffolk, who informed Taliaferro and myself that it would be impossible even to surprise their first picket at the bridge beyond Suffolk, as they had lately placed pickets this side and so arranged the flooring of the bridge that at two or three minutes' notice they could drop it in the creek below. I then requested Colonel Taliaferro to send out a good company to Suffolk to pick up anything that might be around. He sent Captain Philips and 40 men, who dashed in town and captured 1 wagon, 8 fine horses, and 7 prisoners. I remained near Windsor until this morning, thinking they might follow Captain Philips and party up and give us a chance at them that way, but they only came out about 6 or 7 miles and then returned. I am sorry not to have a better report to make you, but it was about all that could be done. I am much pleased with Colonel Taliaferro and his regiment, and think they will do good service. Respectfully, yours, &c., A. HERBERT, Lieut. Col., and Provost-Marshal Blackwater Line. NOVEMBER 14-15, 1863.-Affairs on Eastern Shore of Virginia. Reports of Brig Gen. Henry H. Lockwood, U. S. Army, and congratulatory letter from Maj. Gen. Robert C. Schenck, U. S. Army. Col. J. C. KELTON, BALTIMORE, Md., November 15, 1863- 9.15 p. m. Assistant Adjutant-General · DRUMMONDTOWN, VA., A small party of raiders landed on the Chesapeake shore yesterday, but before they could get into the interior they were met by an equal number of my coast guard, by whom they were all captured, after the firing of one or two volleys. They are a part of a larger party, under Captain Beall, of the rebel navy, who are doubtless hovering about the coast somewhere; but my pickets and coast guard are on the alert, and will come up with them, should they attempt a landing. HENRY H. LOCKWOOD, Since the above was written one of my coasting vessels fell in with the notorious Captain Beall himself, in command of another party, and succeeded in capturing him with his whole party, numbering 3 commissioned officers and 6 men. I think this will put an end to these depredations. HENRY H. LOCKWOOD, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, Drummondtown, Va., November 16, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to forward the inclosed reports of the capture of John Y. Beall, master in the rebel navy, and his crew of 14 men, by Lieut. John W. Conner and Sergt. Robert R. Christopher, of Company B, First Eastern Shore Maryland Volunteers, each of these officers commanding separate detachments, on the 14th and 15th of November. This is a highly important capture. The officer in charge of the party is the same who commanded the attack against the gunboats on the Rappahannock River, which resulted in their capture, and admits that he was in charge of the party by whom the lighthouses on this shore were destroyed and the government transports captured on the Atlantic coast. He further admits that the object of this raid was the capture of a steamer. The conduct of the officers before referred to is highly commendable. The party of rebels were captured in two detachments, one by Lieutenant Conner, the other by Sergeant Christopher; and each detachment, although much better armed than ours, was captured by an equal number of our men, which never could have been effected but by the bravery and determination of these officers. I would therefore recommend that the major-general commanding recognize the intrepidity and valuable service manifested and rendered by these officers on this occasion by letter. I would further call the attention of the major-general commanding to the status of these prisoners. They are unable to show anything which, in my judgment, would entitle them to be considered or treated as prisoners of war. They are without orders and many of them without uniform. It appears by the shipping articles (of which I have obtained possession, and which are herewith forwarded) that they are but partisans, receiving no pay from the so-called Confederate States, and trusting entirely for remuneration for their services to the possession of such property, public or private, as they may chance to capture. If, after deliberation, the major-general commanding shall agree with me that these parties are not entitled to be considered and treated as prisoners of war, I would respectfully suggest that they be tried either by military commission or that they be sent back here for trial by the civil authorities of Accomack and Northampton Counties, where the depredations have been committed, as is provided for in the Virginia Code, 1860. I am rather inclined to think the latter course would be the preferable one, inasmuch as some of the citizens seem to be considerably incensed against these raiders, and I think twelve men at least, in the county of Accomack, can be procured who will be disposed to deal with these fellows as their outrages deserve. Further than this, a trial and conviction of these offenders by the civil authorities would have a great effect upon the political status of these counties, inasmuch as it would inflame the rebel authorities against them, and by that means a counter-inaction would be produced. As this is understood to be but one of three or four bands of outlaws of the same character, it is highly important that a precedent in regard to them should be determined upon. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c., HENRY H. LOCKWOOD, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Lieut. Col. W. H. CHESEBROUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General. ADDENDA. HDQRS. MIDDLE DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, Brig. Gen. H. H. LOCKWOOD, Comdg. First Separate Brigade, Drummondtown, Va.: GENERAL: Your report, with inclosed papers relating to the capture of John Y. Beall and his crew of 14 men, has been received. The general commanding appreciates highly the bravery and sagacity of Lieut. John W. Conner and Sergt. Robert R. Christopher, of the First Regiment Eastern Shore Maryland Volunteers, who commanded the detachments that captured these prisoners, and of the men under their respective commands, and he directs that you commend those officers and men in general orders for their good conduct on that occasion. As to the prisoners themselves, they will be held for the present, not as prisoners of war, but as pirates or marauding robbers, until the further pleasure of the Secretary of War, to whom the matter will be submitted, shall be known. Not being protected by commissions or any orders produced from the pretended rebel Government, they will probably be tried as pirates or as robbers, either in the United States court or the local court, unless ordered to trial by military commission. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. H. CHESEBROUGH, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Assistant Adjutant General, NOVEMBER 14-18, 1863.-Scout from Martinsburg, W. Va. Report of Col. Robert S. Rodgers, Second Maryland (Eastern Shore) Infantry. MARTINSBURG, W. Va., November 18, 1863. CAPTAIN: Lieutenant Wyckoff left on a scout on the 14th, and has just returned. Went to Pughtown, thence up to the head of Cedar Creek, at Van Buren Furnace. At the cove about 4 miles above he saw picket fires, which indicated some force of the enemy. Having only 30 men he did not think it prudent to attack them, and returned nearly the same way, but on opposite side of the valley. Near Van Buren Furnace, he captured prisoners and 4 horses of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. One of them escaped on foot from the guard at night. One of these prisoners is believed to be an officer, but denies it. One other soldier belonging to Captain Pierce's company was also taken; and 1 citizen arrested named Richards, at a point 10 miles this side of Van Buren, being charged with taking horses from United States teams about a year ago, which he confesses doing, but says he was drunk. His neighbors offer to come in and pay the damages and go his security. Lieutenant Wyckoff reports that he got on the track of 10 men, who had been to Hampshire County after horses. They had 12. They were dressed in our uniforms. Many stragglers are said to be in the mountains from the rebel army, and Lieutenant Wyckoff saw a number who escaped in the mountains. They are either single or in very small parties. He got 6 of them here. He thinks this neighborhood now is a rendezvous for horse-thieves, who operate chiefly in Hampshire County. I have, in obedience to your instructions, ordered Lieutenant Wyckoff to report to his regimental commander. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. WILLIAM M. BOONE, A. A. G. NOVEMBER 15-18, 1863.-Expedition from Charlestown, W. Va., to near New Market, Va., and Skirmishes (16th) at Woodstock, Edenburg, and Mount Jackson, Va. REPORTS. No. 1.-Col. William H. Boyd, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding expedition. No. 2.-Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden, C. S. Army, including attack on supply train at Burlington, W. Va. No. 1. Report of Col. William H. Boyd, Twenty-first Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding expedition. CHARLESTOWN, W. Va., November 19, 1863. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report for the information of the general commanding: In obedience to instructions from division headquarters, I left this 41 R R-VOL XXIX, PT I |