JUNE 12-18, 1863.-Expedition from Suffolk to the Blackwater, Va.

REPORTS.*

No. 1.-Col. William McEvily, One hundred and fifty-fifth New York Infantry, commanding expedition.

No. 2.-Maj. Gen. Daniel H. Hill, C. S. Army.

No. 1.

Report of Col. William McEvily, One hundred and fifty-fifth New York Infantry, commanding expedition.

SUFFOLK, VA., June 24, 1863.

SIR: In compliance with orders received, I here forward, for the information of the colonel commanding brigade, a detailed account of the part taken by the One hundred and fifty-fifth Regiment, under my command, in the late expedition.

The regiment left camp on the morning of the 12th, reported according to order on the South Quay road at 12 o'clock m., proceeded with the expedition toward Old South Quay, and encamped for the night 2 miles beyond Holland's Corners, making a distance of 16 miles.

On the 13th, the regiment marched within a mile and a half of Old South Quay, formed line of battle, sent out picket skirmishers, and were held there in reserve until 10 o'clock a. m.; and from there we marched to Carrsville, where we encamped for the night. Marched 15 miles that day.

On the 14th, marched to Franklin; formed line of battle on the right of the road at 11 a. m., to support the artillery. About 2 p. m. we marched to Andrews' Corners, where we arrived at 8 p. m., and encamped for the night, having marched about 20 miles.

June 15, we marched to Blackwater Bridge, formed line of battle in the woods, and left there about 1 p. m.; marched back to Andrews' Corners, rested the regiment for supper, left there about 9 p. m., and arrived at Carrsville about midnight. Marched 17 miles.

June 16, the regiment left Carrsville about 10 a. m., marched toward Franklin, and halted at the Four Corners, within 4 miles of Franklin, where the regiment was detached as part of the brigade, in reserve, under my command. We remained there all night, and threw out pickets.

June 17, remained in the same position until 6 p. m., when we fell back half a mile, and bivouacked for the night at

house.

June 18, marched at 5 a. m., and arrived at Carrsville at 7 a. m.; rested half an hour, and marched toward Suffolk; rested for dinner near Deserted House at 11 a. m. Left there at 1 p. m., and arrived in camp near Suffolk about 7 p. m., having marched about 22 miles.

During this period the regiment unfortunately had no opportunity to distinguish itself, although both officers and men showed by their cheerful discharge of every duty their willingness and anxiety to render every possible aid toward the discomfiture of the enemy. I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. McEVILY, Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. J. T. CONNOLLY, Assistant Adjutant-General.

*See Dix_ to Hooker, June 12, and Halleck to Dix, July 14, in Correspondence, etc., Part III.

No. 2.

Report of Maj. Gen. Daniel H. Hill, C. S. Army.

PETERSBURG, Va.,

June 18, 1863.

GENERAL: The Yankees, with ten regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and sixteen pieces, have been feebly attempting to cross the Blackwater for the last five days.

They have been repulsed at all points with ease by the forces of General [M.] Jenkins, Colonel [John A.] Baker, and Colonel [Alfred] Coppens.

Respectfully,

General S. COOPER.

D. H. HILL,
Major-General.

JUNE 17-18, 1863.-Scout from Rocky Run to Dover and Core Creek, N. C. Report of Maj. Ferris Jacobs, jr., Third New York Cavalry.

ROCKY RUN,
June 19, 1863.

COLONEL Pursuant to your orders, I proceeded with 130 men and one piece of Allis' battery to Core Creek Bridge, on the Dover road, arriving there at 2.30 a. m. of the 18th instant.

Contrary to my previous experience, the bridge was in good condition.

Apprehending an attack in rear, or an ambuscade in front, I sent Lieutenant Emmerson and his command of 20 men to make a dash · 2 miles toward Sandy Ridge. This being done, and no enemy found, I advanced the whole command (with the exception of the 50 infantry from the One hundred and thirty-second New York, who were left to guard the bridge) to the first earthwork of the enemy at Sandy Ridge, and sent Lieutenant Jeffries with a platoon beyond Sandy Ridge and the second earthwork, to a point in sight of the outpost picket station, usually thrown out from Gum Swamp intrenchment. There being no signs of an enemy in that entire region, I returned to Core Creek, where the command rested for several hours, after which I returned to camp.

I should have mentioned, however, that Lieutenant Kromer was sent to capture several spies and guerrillas, supposed to infest the region immediately above Core Creek, and between the Dover and Neuse roads. As he dashed up to a house where two of them were, they dashed out of the back door into the swamp, and, though hotly pursued and fired upon, they managed to make their escape.

Having now a better knowledge of the ground than before, I think I shall be able to take them in a few days.

I am of the opinion that the enemy have no considerable, if any, force at Gum Swamp intrenchment.

I remain, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Col. P. J. CLAASSEN.

F. JACOBS, JR., Major, Commanding Detachment.

[Indorsements.]

HEADQUARTERS OUTPOSTS,

Camp Hoffman, 132d New York Infantry, June 19, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters.

These spies will in a short time be trapped, for which purpose I shall want that Irishman, Donnelly, who knows of their hiding places, &c.

P. J. CLAASSEN, Colonel, Commanding Outposts.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

June 22, 1863.

The provost-marshal will send the man Donnelly, above referred to, to Colonel Claassen.

By command of Maj. Gen. J. G. Foster:

H. T. SCHROEDER,

Lieutenant, and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

JUNE 18, 1863.-Scout on the Peninsula, Va.

Report of Lieut. F. Charles Hume, Thirty-second Battalion Virginia Cavalry.

JUNE 23, 1863.

CAPTAIN: The following is a report of a scout made by Lieut. F. Charles Hume, adjutant Thirty-second Battalion Virginia Cavalry :

I have the honor to submit the following report of my operations since leaving Forge Bridge, 18th instant :

Hearing that a large scout from the Holcombe Legion was on the Telegraph road, I proceeded down the Diascund road to Diascund Bridge, when for the first time on that road I discovered the enemy. His outpost was at the Campbellite Church, near the bridge, and his forces all on the Williamsburg side of the Diascund.

Owing to the exposed nature of the ground, I was unable to effect anything here, so I directed myself toward the Telegraph road. Hearing that a company of infantry was picketing at Roper's Church, I started with my men (18) around Taylor's fence, to surprise and attack the post, but my object was defeated by the enemy's cavalry pickets observing and firing on me.

I next heard that the enemy was picketing with cavalry at Cat Tails, near the York River. After arriving at this point, I divided my little force, sent Corporal Tradewell, of Holcombe Legion, who joined me with 2 men at Barhamsville, with 5 men to occupy the Barhamsville road, and cut off the picket retreat in that direction; left Corporal Wooten with 4 men on same road, next to York River, and, with 4 men, I took position on Mill road.

Corporal Tradewell, in advancing up the Barhamsville road to meet Wooten and myself at Cat Tails, saw the relief picket coming from Barhamsville just behind him, and was compelled to double-quick to Cat Tails, and fire on the picket before the appointed time. The result of his fire was 1 killed, 1 mortally wounded, and 1 prisoner. Tradewell then fell back to our original point of separation, having done hi duty well, and sent those who escaped howling back to Barhamsville.

By this time, at a double-quick, Corporal Wooten, myself with one squad, reached the post, and met the relief picket re-enforced and returning. They discovered us at about 60 yards' distance, and I ordered a surrender. They replied by a shot, and I commanded the men to fire on them. Slot-guns proved insufficient, as far as I could judge, but I am well convinced that none of the 4 escaped unhurt. If it had not been for the above-mentioned circumstance (the relief picket compelling Tradewell to mar my first plan), none could have possibly escaped. I send the prisoners per pickets.

From all I can ascertain by observation and reliable information, the enemy is posted as follows: Two regiments of infantry in woods just beyond Barhamsville Companies A and B, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, encamped at same place, and picketing around Barhamsville; two regiments of infantry and one company of cavalry and three pieces of artillery at Diascund. Captain Faith is command

ing all the cavalry. Nine companies cavalry are encamped at Hickory Neck Academy; one company infantry stationed at Tabernacle Church; one at Saunders' school-house, on York Railroad, between Tabernacle and Drake's. The enemy evidently designed their occupation of the country to be temporary. They have no tents or any camp conveniences. Their camp is still at Fort Magruder.

JUNE 18-19, 1863.-Scout from Camp Piatt, on the Big and Little Coal Rivers, W. Va.

Report of Col. William H. Powell, Second West Virginia Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS SECOND VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,

Camp Piatt, June 19, 1863.

SIR: In obedience to your order of the 18th, I left Camp Piatt with the remaining portion of my command, numbering 103, including officers, at 2 p. m. of said date; crossed over to Big Coal River; up said river to Thompson's Ford, finding the balance of my command, including the two companies sent out on the 17th and the one on the morning of the 18th, which had been up to Pack's farm and returned to Thompson's Ford, having found no enemy at that point. I crossed Big Coal River; proceeded up Laurel Creek to Pond Fork of Little Coal River, on which creek the rebel cavalry had camped on the night of the 17th, having left Pack's farm on Big Coal River on the morning of the 17th. I reached a point within 14 miles of where the rebel cavalry had camped, at 1 a. m. 19th, having marched my command from 9 p. m. of the 18th until 1 a. m. 19th, by candle-light (in consequence of the extreme darkness of the night), in order that I might attack the enemy at daylight.

I learned, however, at the point where I halted, that the enemy had disappeared from their camp on Pond Fork at 10 a. m. of the 18th, and had gone in the direction of Raleigh Court-House.

I scouted, however, 10 miles up Pond Fork this morning, 7 miles beyond where they had been in camp. Could learn nothing definite of their whereabouts or direction. At 7 a. m., 19th, I started en route for camp; arrived at Thompson's Ford at 12 m., where I learned that 100 rebel cavalry had been at 4 a. m., who, upon hearing of my force being up on Pond Fork of Little Coal River, retreated in great haste up Big Coal River, in the direction of Wyoming Court-House. I am inclined to the opinion, from all I could learn, that there is no other force between Wyoming Court-House and this point other than the force referred to in this report, and presume they are beyond that point ere this.

Rebel reports on Pond Fork say nine regiments between Newbern

Station and Raleigh Court-House. An attack to be made on Fayette

soon.

I arrived at Camp Piatt with my command at 6 p. m. Trusting all will prove satisfactory, I am, captain, your obedient servant,

W. H. POWELL, Colonel, Commanding Second Virginia Cavalry.

Capt. J. L. BOTSFORD, A. A. G., Charleston, W. Va.

JUNE 23-28, 1863.-Expedition from Yorktown to the South Anna Bridge, Va., and skirmish.

REPORTS.*.

No. 1.-Maj. Gen. John A. Dix, U. S. Army, commanding Department of Virginia. No. 2.-Col. Samuel P. Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding expedition.

No. 3.—Col. T. C. Singeltary, Forty-fourth North Carolina Infantry.

No. 4.-Col. D. J. Godwin, commanding cavalry.

No. 5.-Col. William P. Shingler, Holcombe Legion.

No. 1.

Reports of Maj. Gen. John A. Dix, U. S. Army, commanding Department of Virginia.

YORKTOWN VA., June 25, 1863-4 p. m. SIR: For want of transportation, I could not land at White House, as I hoped, last evening or this morning. I sent up a cavalry force, which probably landed and moved on immediately. I am waiting for the return transports, to send the infantry. Keyes' column will reach White House by land to-morrow, with Getty's artillery, and I expect to be there with my whole force to-morrow night. Í shall I Occupy West Point to-day, and hold it with a small force.

My advices are that Pickett's division, 8,000 strong, is at the Junction, between the North and South Anna. I fear the bridges over the latter are strongly guarded, and that my cavalry cannot get at them. They have some howitzers, and will do all that is practicable. The force in Richmond is small, but if Pickett gets down, they can collect enough from the Blackwater, Petersburg, and other points, including laborers and mechanics in their large workshops, who have all been organized, to make their whole force nearly, if not quite, equal to mine. I shall make a rapid movement. I have not men enough for a siege, and take no heavy artillery.

JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General.

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

P. S.-Dispatch just received from White House. Cavalry landed. The enemy, with two companies of cavalry and small infantry force, burned a store-house, and fled. They were surprised.

*For report of Capt. Pierce Crosby, U. S. Navy, see Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy, of December 7, 1863.