They had marched 10 miles up to Aylett's, in King William; had burned there the foundry, the warehouse, four granaries, two large store-houses, a tailor shop, the machine-shops, and two private residences. Below Aylett's, Aylett's mill, Dr. [D. H.] Gregg's two barns, containing 3,000 bushels of wheat and corn; James Roane's two barns and two corn-houses, all his grain and outhouses, and 1,000 pounds of bacon; Dr. [A. H.] Perkins' very fine barn and every outhouse, all of the best kind, and all his grain; Warner Edwards' large barn and all his fodder; Hill King's barn and all his machinery, implements, and corn. In King and Queen they burned a saw-mill. Of slaves, they took off, it is supposed, 300; 131 were counted up by my informants, and they were confident of twice that number.

In the loss of slaves, Dr. Gregg, Mrs. [ Clarissa] Robbins, Mr. Edwards, Dr. [W. V.] Croxton, and Mr. [John] Cooke were the chief sufferers. A number are reported taken from King and Queen also. Why particular persons were singled out and made to suffer most damage can be accounted for by the accompanying paper* from an intelligent and respectable citizen, Mr. [A. T.] Mooklar. The damage amounts to at least $300,000 to $500,000.

It was a daring and destructive raid, and can be perpetrated again unless General Pettigrew can be ordered to picket and hold the upper ferries of the Mattapony, and unless I be allowed (at discretion) to cross the Pamunkey as emergency may require.

At present, I respectfully recommend that Colonel Goode be not ordered to return to Chaffin's farm, but that I be permitted to hold the Fourth here for a time, at least. I will order Colonels [R. T. W.] Duke and [W. B.] Tabb to hold the bluffs below, on the Pamunkey, and also the Diascund Bridge. Please send there some heavier pieces of artillery.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

Major-General ELZEY,

HENRY A. WISE,
Brigadier-General.

Commanding, &c.

JUNE 5-7, 1863.-Reconnaissance through Gates County, N. C. and down

the Chowan River.

Report of Maj. Franklin A. Stratton, commanding Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.

CAMP SUFFOLK, VA.,
June 7, 1863.

GENERAL: Pursuant to orders, I left camp on Friday, the 5th instant, at 1 p. m., in command of five companies of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry and a section of mountain howitzers, for the purpose of making a reconnaissance through Gates County, North Carolina.

I proceeded through Somerton and Buckland to a point 1 mile beyond the latter place, where I encamped about 10 o'clock at night. Early in the morning, moving rapidly into Gatesville, I surprised and captured Major [William J.J Hill, Fifth North Carolina In

*Not found.

fantry, who was in Gatesville on leave, one W. H. Davis, who, as his papers show, is a mail-carrier and an agent of the rebel Quartermaster's Department, and another man, driver of the vehicle which conveyed the mail agent.

I examined the letters and papers captured, but found no information to aid my movements in that vicinity.

Being unable to obtain any intelligence of the enemy there, I then proceeded down the Chowan River toward Mintonsville, keeping in view the principal object of the expedition. Seven miles beyond Gatesville, I captured a two-horse wagon and two carts loaded with salt; two of the drivers of the vehicles escaped into the swamp, but one man was captured who appears by his papers to have been engaged in carrying negroes across the lines and in other speculations. From this point I moved over to the Hertford road, and encamped for the night near Sandy Cross. A march of 30 miles to-day, on the direct road, brought the command into this camp at 5 p. m.

My examinations render it certain that no troops have crossed the Chowan lately, unless, perhaps, some guerrillas may have crossed the lower part of the river, below Rockahock Creek, in small boats, but even of such movements I could gain no information.

The horses, wagons, salt, &c., captured have been turned over to proper officers.

the

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANKLIN A. STRATTON, Major Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Commanding.

Maj. Gen. JOHN J. PECK,

Commanding U. S. Forces, Suffolk, Va.

JUNE 7-8, 1863.-Expedition from Gainesville, Va.

Report of Maj. Melvin Brewer, First Michigan Cavalry.

WINCHESTER, June 8, 1863-6.05 a. m.

SIR: Yesterday I left Gainesville, and visited New Baltimore, Warrenton, Waterloo, Orleans, Barbee's, Chester Gap, and Front Royal, where I crossed the Shenandoah River; found 150 of the enemy's cavalry at Waterloo; skirmished, and drove them away, and passed, killing and wounding several, and taking 1 prisoner; found a squad at Barbee's; captured 1; found 300 at Front Royal; charged and routed their guard at the ford, and captured 1.

Captain Hanson's detachment, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, left me at Barbee's; went toward Markham at 5 a. m. There is a force of the enemy's infantry and cavalry at Strasburg. June 6, General Ewell, with a corps, was encamped 1 mile this side Culpeper. Stuart, with a large force of cavalry, is between Culpeper and Front Royal. All the fords on the river are guarded with a strong force of cavalry. All fords on the Shenandoah, including and above Berry's, are strongly guarded.

Mosby has lately been re-enforced by about 150 men. I need two days for resting and shoeing horses.

M. BREWER,

Major, Commanding First Michigan Cavalry.

Major-General STAHEL.

50 R R-VOL XXVII, PT II

JUNE 8, 1863.-Scout from Suffolk, Va., to South Mills, N. C.

Report of Maj. Gen. John J. Peck, U. S. Army.

SUFFOLK, June 8, 1863.

SIR: It gives me pleasure to advise you that Major [James N.] Wheelan made a movement before daylight upon a guerrilla party near South Mills. He captured 2 large Confederate flags, 97 cartridge-boxes, 13 belts, 1 limber chest, and lesser articles. One prisoner taken.

The party would have been secured had not his approach been signaled by a woman. He has just taken command, and deserves credit for his energetic conduct. JOHN J. PECK, Major-General.

Major-General Dix.

JUNE 10, 1863.-Capture of the steamer Maple Leaf, off Cape Henry, Va. Report of Maj. Gen. John A. Dix, U. S. Army.

FORT MONROE, VA., June 11, 1863-4 p. m. SIR: I have just returned from Williamsburg, where I went at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. At 1.30 the Maple Leaf left for Fort Delaware, with 97 rebel officers. They rose on the guard, overpowered it, took possession of the steamer, and landed below Cape Henry. Thirty of the officers refused to participate in the transaction, remained on board, and are here. Our cavalry is in pursuit of the others.

The officer in charge of the guard was grossly negligent, and should be dismissed the service.

Lieutenant-Colonel [B. C.] Ludlow will make a detailed report, which I will forward to-morrow.

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

JUNE 10, 1863.-Skirmish at Seneca Mills, Md.

REPORTS.

No. 1.-Col. Albert B. Jewett, Tenth Vermont Infantry, commanding brigade. No. 2.-Maj. John S. Mosby, Virginia Partisan Rangers.

No. 1.

Report of Col. Albert B. Jewett, Tenth Vermont Infantry, commanding brigade.

CAMP HEINTZELMAN, June 20, 1863. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on the 10th instant about 250 of the enemy's cavalry crossed the Potomac River, Muddy Branch, at daybreak.

The enemy dashed rapidly up the canal, driving in the patrols, and attacked Captain Deane's company, I, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, on duty at Seneca locks.

Captain Deane fell back toward Poolesville, forming line three times, and only retreating when nearly surrounded.

The enemy followed to within 3 miles of Poolesville, when he rap idly retired, destroying the camp of Captain Deane, and recrossing the river at the point where he had crossed.

Our loss is 4 men killed, 1 man wounded, and 16 men missing. The men above reported "missing" are men who were absent from Captain Deane's camp, doing patrol duty along the canal, along a line extending to Muddy Branch, more than 13 miles from my headquarters, and were not reported by me in my telegraphic dispatches because they were not then considered to be properly "missing," in the absence of any information to that effect.

The enemy left killed on the field their commanding officer, Captain [W. G. Brawner, and his second lieutenant. A statement of our loss in detail is inclosed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieut. Col. J. H. TAYLOR,

A. B. JEWETT, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Chief of Staff.

No. 2.

Report of Maj. John S. Mosby, Virginia Partisan Rangers.

MIDDLEBURG, VA.,
June 10, 1863.

GENERAL: I left our point of rendezvous yesterday for the purpose of making a night attack on two cavalry companies of the enemy on the Maryland shore.

Had I succeeded in crossing the river at night, as I expected, I would have had no difficulty in capturing them; but, unfortunately, my guide mistook the road, and, instead of crossing by 11 o'clock at night, I did not get over until after daylight.

The enemy (between 80 and 100 strong), being apprised of my movement, were formed to receive me.

A charge was ordered, the shock of which the enemy could not resist, and they were driven several miles in confusion, with the loss of 7 killed, a considerable number wounded, and 17 prisoners; also 20 odd horses or more. We burned their tents, stores, camp equipage, &c.

I regret the loss of 2 brave officers killed-Captain Brawner and Lieutenant [George H.] Whitescarver. I also had 1 man wounded.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. B. STUART.
Major-General.

JNO. S. MOSBY, Major of Partisan Rangers.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
June 16, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded.

In consideration of his brilliant services, I hope the President will promote Major Mosby.

J. E. B. STUART,

Major-General.

JUNE 11, 1863.—Skirmish near Suffolk, Va.

Report of Maj. Franklin A. Stratton, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cav

alry.

CAMP SUFFOLK, VA.,

June 11, 1863.

MAJOR: I have honor to transmit herewith a copy of the report of Lieutenant Blake,* of this regiment, in regard to his operations against the small detachments of infantry which the enemy has been sending out lately for the purpose of attacking our pickets and small parties.

He intercepted what was probably the only party the enemy had out during his scout. The rebels were about 15 in number, 2 of whom were killed, and nearly all the rest were probably wounded, but the thick undergrowth and heavy foliage enabled them to escape.

Two rifled muskets were captured, together with a saber and belt, evidently the property of an officer, who must have been wounded, as the scabbard showed bullet marks, and the belt had been unclasped and taken off.

The enemy were evidently expert woodsmen and disciplined soldiers, as, although surprised by our party, each man immediately took to his tree, without confusion among them, and prepared for a fight in backwoods style. But their plans were completely foiled by the prompt action of Lieutenant Blake, who, as previously instructed by me, instantly charged with his men, revolver in hand, at close quarters, and, before the enemy could reload, forced them to fly, with a loss of 1 killed and several wounded. Sergeant [Henry] Jenkins and party met them immediately, and completed their discomfiture by killing 1 and wounding several more.

Altogether, it was quite a brilliant little affair, and does great credit to Lieutenant Blake and his men. An accidental shot, which prematurely alarmed the rebels, probably prevented the complete destruction of their party, as I had given directions to give no quarter in action.

Lieutenant Blake, who has had considerable similar experience on our northwestern frontier, has managed the whole expedition admirably. He is a very intelligent and promising officer, and no better one could be found for such an expedition.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANKLIN A. STRATTON, Major Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Comdg. Regiment. Maj. B. B. FOSTER.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

*Not found.