at ion, McIntosh's brigade in advance, moved by the Berryville and Winchester pike, crossed the Opequon, drove in the enemy's pickets, and attacked Ramseur's division of infantry, found in the same position occupied by the rebel infantry on the 13th. It was not yet dawn, but General McIntosh posted Peirce's battery, Second U. S. Artillery, supported by General Chapman, attacked at once with his entire brigade, mounted and dismounted, and after a most gallant and determined effort drove the enemy from their strong position. Knowing the ground they had lost was of the greatest importance to them, they returned at once to the attack with both infantry and cavalry, but were gallantly met and repulsed. I then disposed of my forces on the right and left of the road so as to hold all they had gained till the infantry could reach and relieve them. Sharp skirmishing continued till 8 a. m., which time the Sixth Corps had all arrived and occupied the position we had gained. I was then directed to move to the left and watch for an opportunity to attack the enemy again. About eighty prisoners were taken during the morning. Lieutenant-Colonel Brinton, in charging the enemy, got so entangled with them as to fall into their hands as a prisoner. Our loss was quite severe in killed and wounded. General McIntosh displayed the highest qualities of a cavalry officer in this morning's work. The pike runs all the way from the Opequon through a deep ravine heavily wooded on both flanks; at a point about two miles and a half from Winchester crosses a commanding ridge. The enemy was strongly posted along the ridge, in the woods and hastily constructed breast-works commanding the road and the open fields on both sides of it. This position, the most commanding one on the entire field, securely in our possession, the infantry were enabled to form at leisure and to deliver battle with every prospect of success. Having moved well round toward the Millwood pike, numerous demonstrations were made upon the enemy's right during the day, in one of which General McIntosh was severely wounded through the leg by a musket-ball. He was compelled to leave the field, and that night had his leg amputated below the knee. General Chapman was also struck and partially disabled for several hours. Peirce's battery was posted well to the front, and from the commanding position it occupied did excellent service in enfilading the rebel infantry line. About 3 p. m., seeing that the enemy were giving way, I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Purington, Second Ohio Cavalry, then commanding General McIntosh's brigade, to march at once toward Kernstown, on the Valley pike, followed as closely as practicable by Chapman's brigade. The Second New York Cavalry, Captain Hull commanding, in advance, had not proceeded far before it found Bradley Johnson's brigade of rebel cavalry posted upon the Millwood pike to cover the enemy's flank. Captain Hull formed his regiment by platoon, at a trot, and with sabers drawn dashed gallantly forward, riding through and scattering the rebels in all directions. Their flight was accelerated by a simultaneous charge upon their right flank and rear by Captain Boice, Fifth New York, commanding a squadron of scouts. The march across the country, although impeded by stone fences and rough ground, was made with rapidity. The Third New Jersey and the Second Ohio Cavalry continued the pursuit till 10 p. m., repeatedly charging the enemy's infantry during the night. The command bivouacked 10 p. m. at Kernstown. Early next morning the pursuit was renewed, but at Middletown I turned toward Front Royal and drove the rebel cavalry on that road to the south side of the Shenandoah. When near Cedarville Captain Russell, assistant inspector-general of the division, was severely wounded in the knee, from the effects of which he died a few days after. At daybreak of the 21st the division crossed the Shenandoah and attacked the rebels at Front Royal, while the First Vermont and the First New Hampshire, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wells, First Vermont, marched up the south fork and crossed it at Kendrick's Ford. The rebels were driven with confusion up the Luray Valley and closely followed to Gooney Run that night. The valley at this place is a mere gorge, impracticable for any kind of troops, except on the pike. The position was turned the next day by Custer's brigade, of the First Division, and the march continued through Luray, Massanutten Gap, and New Market, to Harrisonburg, where we joined the army September 25. The enemy by occupying the numerous advantageous positions which the valley afforded him, had been enabled to delay us long enough to prevent any damage to the army under General Early. September 26, marched to Staunton with Lowell's brigade, of First Division, General Torbert in command of the whole, where we captured a number of convalescent and wounded men, a large quantity of hard bread, flour, tobacco, saddles, bridles, clothing, and camp equipage. After supplying the wants of the command the balance was destroyed. On the 27th moved to Waynesborough and bivouacked. The next day the command was engaged in destroying the track and bridges of the Gordonsville and Staunton railroad. On the 29th, at 5 p. m., the enemy drove our pickets back to the village and advanced to attack our main force about a mile west of them, with a strong force of cavalry, infantry, and artillery. Heavy skirmishing continued till dark, but General Torbert, having heard from General Sheridan, and the balance of the cavalry in the neighborhood of Port Republic, thought best to retire without delivering battle. The withdrawal had already begun, with nearly all the command on the march, when a small force of the enemy succeeded in getting to the pike on the left and rear of the force covering the movement. I ordered Colonel Lowell to charge through with his command and sent word to Colonel Wells, commanding the rear guard, to follow him. The former went through handsomely by following the road, and Colonel Wells inclined to the left avoiding the rebels entirely. The march was continued through Staunton to Spring Hill, where we bivouacked and fed at daylight. The same day we marched to Bridgewater, seven miles from Harrisonburg. In pursuance of instructions from Lieutenant-General Grant, I was relieved from command of the division September 30, and directed to proceed without delay to Atlanta, Ga., and report to Major-General Sherman, as chief of cavalry of the Military Division of the Mississippi. In closing this report I have the honor to commend the zeal, gallantry, and soldierly conduct of both officers and men of the division throughout the entire périod they remained under my command. Generals McIntosh and Chapman performed every duty assigned them with the utmost promptitude and fidelity, and are entitled to promotion for distinguished and meritorous services. Col. John Hammond, Fifth New York, and Lieut. Col. W. P. Brinton, Eighteenth Pennsylvania; Col. W. Wells and Lieutenant-Colonel Bennett, First Vermont; Colonel Benjamin, Lieutenant-Colonel Pope, and Maj. Caleb Moore, Eighth New York; Maj. Samuel McIrvin and Capfain Hull, Second New York; Lieutenant-Colonel Suydam, Third New Jersey; Major Patton, Third Indiana, were always conspicuous for the zealous and intelligent performance of their duties in the field, and in the care of their men in camp. They are worthy the special confidence and care of the War Department. To my assistant adjutant-general, Capt. Louis Siebert, and to my aides, Capts. E. B. Beaumont, J. N. Andrews, Eighth U. S. Infantry; Lieut. Henry E. Noyes, Second U. S. Cavalry; Captain Lee, Third Indiana Cavalry, provost-marshal; Capt. E. W. Whitaker, First Connecticut Cavalry, always prompt and gallant in the discharge of their duties, I am greatly indebted for the valuable assistance they have rendered me. From the 4th of May till the 1st of October the division marched 1,350 miles and participated in over twenty fights and skirmishes. For details of these operations I respectfully refer to the reports of Generals McIntosh and Chapman, herewith transmitted. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brevet Major-General, U. S. Volunteers. Lieut. Col. J. W. FORSYTH, No. 157.. Reports of Bot. Maj. Gen. George A. Custer, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of operations October 9 and 19. HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, October 13, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this division in the engagement of the 9th instant: At a late hour on the night of the 8th instant I received a brief note from the chief of cavalry, directing me at an early hour the following morning to move my command up the Back road toward Columbia Furnace, and to attack and whip the enemy. In obedience to that order this division moved at 6 o'clock on the morning of the 9th, Pennington's brigade taking the advance, followed by Peirce's battery of horse artillery, the Second Brigade, Colonel Wells.commanding, moving in rear. The advance guard of Pennington's brigade, consisting of one battalion of the Fifth New York, encountered the enemy's pickets near Mount Olive, and drove them back upon their reserves at a trot. After considerable skirmishing the enemy's advance line was forced back to the position chosen for his main force. This position was well adapted for defense, being a high and abrupt ridge of hills running along the south bank of Tom's Run. Near the base of this ridge the enemy had posted a strong force of dismounted cavalry behind stone fences and barricades of rails, logs, &c., while running along near the summit was a second and stronger line of barricades, also defended by dismounted cavalry. On the crest of the ridge the enemy had six guns in position, strongly supported by columns of cavalry. Peirce's battery was at once placed in position on an eminence just north of Tom's Run, and opened a brisk fire upon the enemy. Owing to the extreme defectiveness of the ammunition used but little execution was done, except to create considerable confusion among the led horses of the enemy and to compel a change in their position. Colonel Pennington then threw forward a strong line of mounted skirmishers, composed of the Fifth New York, Second Ohio, and Third New Jersey, with orders to press the enemy. At the same time Peirce's battery was moved forward to a position near the enemy's line, the Second New York supporting the battery, while the Eighteenth Pennsylvania supported the skirmishers in front. The Second Brigade at this time was massed in reserve near the position just occupied by Peirce's battery. The enemy from his commanding position was able to witness all these dispositions, and began using his artillery with telling effect. Peirce's battery replied with spirit, but a glance sufficed to show the immense advantage the enemy had in position; vesides his numerical superiority in guns, his ammunition, unlike ours, was not defective. Peirce's battery was exposed to a well-directed plunging fire. One shot from the enemy's guns killed or disabled all the cannoneers of one piece; yet, notwithstanding these disadvantages, our battery maintained its position and firing until the enemy, after having one gun disabled, was compelled to withdraw his battery. Seeing the stubborn resistance met by Pennington's line in front, I ordered the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, supported by the Eighth New York and Twenty-second New York, to move forward on our extreme right, with a view to turning the enemy's left flank; at the same time Colonel Wells, commanding the Second Brigade, was ordered to forward on the road to within supporting distance of the advance line. These arrangements completed, the entire line was ordered forward, and when sufficiently near the enemy the charge was sounded. The enemy seeing his flank turned and his retreat cut off broke in the utmost confusion and sought safety in headlong flight. The pursuit was kept up at a gallop by the entire command for a distance of nearly two miles, where a brigade of the enemy was formed to check our farther advance. Their battery opened a brisk fire upon the road, and for a moment caused the column to falter. Taking advantage of this hesitation in our ranks the enemy charged with about two brigades and succeeded in forcing our advance back about half a mile. Peirce's battery, coming into position at a gallop, opened upon the enemy a destructive fire. The enemy, defeated in his attempt to break my line, contented himself by occupying a strong position, supporting his battery, which still continued his fire. Colonel Wells, commanding Second Brigade, and Colonel Pennington, commanding First Brigade, hastily formed their commands for a general advance upon the enemy's position. Everything worked admirably, and the movements of the brigades were well timed. The whole line moved forward at the charge. Before this irresistible advance the enemy found it impossible to stand. Once more he was compelled to trust his safety to the fleetness of his steed rather than the metal of his saber. His retreat soon became a demoralized rout. Vainly did the most gallant of this affrighted herd endeavor to rally a few supports around their standards and stay the advance of their eager and exulting pursuers, who, in one overwhelming current, were bearing down everything before them. Never since the opening of this war had there been witnessed such a complete and decisive overthrow of the enemy's cavalry. The pursuit was kept up vigorously for nearly twenty miles, and only relinquished then from the complete exhaustion of our horses and the dispersion of our panic-stricken enemies. Among the evidences of our victory were six pieces of artillery, the entire ordnance and ambulance train of the enemy, including the headquarters wagons, desks, and papers of the rebel General Rosser and of his brigade commanders; also a large number of prisoners. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon both officers and men of this command. Not a single instance of misbehavior fell under the eye of the division commander. All seemed eager to perform their entire duty; if any fell behind in the advance and pursuit it was because of the unparalleled rapidity with which our boastful enemy gave way. There were many instances of personal heroism and bravery displayed by both men and officers, but to enumerate them would not only be impossible but would apparently cause injustice to be done in many instances which have not been brought to the notice of the division commander. To Colonel Wells, commanding Second Brigade; Colonel Pennington, commanding First Brigade; Captain Peirce, commanding Batteries B and L, Horse Artillery, and to the officers and men of their commands, should all praise be given for their heroic conduct and untiring efforts in achieving this brilliant success over an enemy whose numbers were more than double their own, who were superior in artillery, allowed to choose their positions, a favorite leader, but were deficient in confidence, courage, and a just cause. To the members of my staff I can only offer my grateful thanks for their zeal and energy in transmitting my orders, as well as for the personal gallantry displayed by each throughout the entire engagement. Respectfully submitted. Maj. WILLIAM RUSSELL, Jr., G. A. CUSTER, Brevet Major-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry, Middle Military Division. HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, October 22, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the engagement of the 19th instant: About 4 o'clock in the morning the pickets of the First Division, posted on Cedar Creek near Cupp's Mill, were suddenly and strongly attacked by a heavy force of infantry. My camp being within hearing of the musketry, I caused "to horse" to be sounded and my command got in readiness to move. The enemy having obtained possession of the ford at Cupp's Mill, seemed content, and for the time made no further disposition except to command the ford with artillery. Soon after daylight Captain Coppinger, aide to the chief of cavalry, informed me of the disaster which had befallen the extreme left of our line; at the same time gave me an order from the chief of cavalry to move, place my command in position on the right of the infantry, and endeavor to check the farther advance of the enemy against our right flank. Executing this order as rapidly as possible, my command was soon in line of battle and my artillery playing upon the guns of the enemy, which were posted to the right of the pike and near the crossing of Cedar Creek. I also deployed a portion of my command in order to collect and reform the large number of our infantry, which were now falling back in disorder and without any sufficient or apparent cause. I was successful in accomplishing both of these objects. The enemy, seeing so large a body of troops formed in good order as if ready either to make or receive an attack, did not seem disposed to advance farther in that direction, but contented himself with using his artillery upon exposed columns. While the effect upon our broken masses of infantry was equally gratifying, they rallied and were soon engaged throwing up a breast-work of rails, from behind which a good defense could be offered. No sooner had this been accomplished than an order |