days, ammunition was getting scarce. I withdrew with the division, carrying off all the wounded whom the ambulances would accommodate, and leaving the others in the hands of the enemy. Our loss in the two days was about 200 in killed, wounded, and prisoners. A cursory examination of the maps will show that the operations just described were of a character to severely test the quality of the troops engaged in them. An impassable stream in rear and a force of rebels twice as large in front, without over half the distance to march that we were from the main army in order to strike us in flank, I returned with my command to Dr. Price' house and bivouacked in our old camp. Early next morning I learned to my surprise from Colonel Morrison, commanding the Third New Jersey Cavalry, whom I had left to patrol between the army and the river, that it had moved to the left in the direction of Cold Harbor. I therefore after waiting for the arrival of Colonel Cesnola's command of detachments, marching from Port Royal to join the army, resumed the march in the same direction, and crossed the Totopotomoy Creek before I could re-establish the connection with the right of the infantry. It was nearly daylight June 3 before my command, worn and jaded from its exhausting labors, bivouacked at Linney's house. At 10 a. m. I received orders from Major-General Humphreys, chief of staff, to cross to the west side of the Totopotomoy, drive the rebel cavalry from Haw's Shop, and then swing to the left again, recross the creek near its source, and attack the left of the rebel infantry line in rear. At 12 o'clock the command marched, struck the enemy's pickets near Haw's Shop, and drove them back to their main force. Parts of both brigades, including the First Vermont, the Fifth New York, and Eighth New York, dismounted and pushed forward, driving the rebel cavalry, also dismounted, over three lines of breastworks in succession. With a small mounted force they were pursued to Mount Carmel Church. The rebels fought stubbornly. The gallant Colonel Preston and Captain Cushman, of the First Vermont, were killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin, of the Eighth New York, painfully wounded through the thigh. As soon as the troops could be assembled, McIntosh's brigade was left to hold the position at Haw's Shop, while Chapman marched by P. Norman's house to the Totopotomoy. On arriving at the creek a section of Ransom's battery was placed in position, and a force of about 400 men dismounted and crossed. The rebel infantry were found posted along the brow of the acclivity rising from the creek bottom in a line of rifle-pits near Mrs. Via's house. The Third Indiana Cavalry, Major Patton, and the Second New York, Colonel Harhaus commanding, charged at double-quick. The section of artillery opened at the same time. The rebels after firing a few shots broke and fled, leaving 10 or 15 prisoners in our hands. It was nearly night, and the enemy, supposing his flank to be turned by a strong force, withdrew his left wing under cover of darkness from its menacing position in front of the Ninth Corps. For its gallant conduct the division received the congratulations of General Meade. The operations were hazardous, and although entirely successful, cost us the lives of quite a number of brave officers and men. The command returned that night to the forks of the roads leading to Haw's Shop and Hanover Court-House, and bivouacked so as to watch the country in all directions. On the 4th the division went into camp near New Castle Ferry, picketing from the right of the infantry to the Pamunkey. On the 6th I sent Chapman's brigade to the neighborhood of Jones' Bridge, on the Chickahominy, with orders to picket from the left of the army along the Chickahominy as far as Windsor Shades. On the 10th the rebels made a dash on the picket-line of McIntosh's brigade, driving it back to the grand guard at Linney's house. The pickets were soon reposted, and on the next day McIntosh, supported by a brigade of colored troops, drove the rebel pickets back to the neighborhood of Bethesda Church. In the movement to the James River, my division was assigned to the duty of covering both front and rear of the army, the balance of our cavalry having been sent toward Gordonsville. On the 12th of June I moved my headquarters from Ruffin's house, near the New Castle Ferry, and joined the Second Brigade, near Long Bridge. Colonel Chapman, to whom I had previously sent instructions, reached the Chickahominy just after dark, expecting to find the bridge ready for him to cross. The officer in charge of the pontoons seemed somewhat timid. General Warren, commanding the Fifth Corps, would give him no assistance. Colonel Chapman was therefore compelled to take the matter in hand. The stream at this place divided into two branches, leaving a small island in the center, and was unfordable. Colonel Chapman dismounted the Twenty-second New York and Third Indiana. The former pushed along the stream to a point about 50 yards above the site of the old bridge, and by the means of fallen trees and overhanging limbs, succeeded in getting across. The Third Indiana, launching a pontoon, pushed across in the face of a sharp fire from the enemy, posted on the south bank of the stream in a line of rifle-pits hastily formed, and dashed at the rebels, driving them in confusion from the works. The Twentysecond New York succeeded in working through the swamp, and gave efficient assistance to the Third Indiana. Nothing could have been more steady and dashing than the conduct of these two regiments. The night was very dark, the difficulties to be overcome by no means trifling, and the enemy's strength entirely uncertain. The whole affair did not require over half an hour; the bridge was soon constructed, and by midnight the entire brigade had crossed. As soon as the head of the Fifth Corps made its appearance, I directed Colonel Chapman to begin his advance. The enemy's cavalry pickets were soon encountered, but were driven rapidly back in the direction of White Oak bridge. The brigade arrived at this place by 7 a. m., but finding the enemy with six guns strongly posted in the old works, on the north side of White Oak Swamp, it was not thought advisable to cross. Fitzhugh's battery was placed in position, and opened a heavy fire on the enemy. Crawford's division, of the Fifth Corps, coming up, took position to hold the White Oak crossing, while Chapman pushed on toward Riddle's Shop, in the direction of Richmond. He soon encountered the enemy's cavalry in force, but drove them in confusion beyond Riddle's Shop. Having by this success reached the junction of the various roads leading to Richmond, between Malvern Hill and White Oak Swamp, I directed him to halt and watch closely the enemy's movements. General Lee having discovered the withdrawal of our army from the neighborhood of Cold Harbor by daylight of the 13th, immediately began crossing the Chickahominy by the various bridges in his rear, and marched through the country toward the head of White Oak Swamp and Riddle's Shop. By 2 p. m, this movement became apparent. The rebel cavalry attacked Chapman about 4 p. m., but were repulsed. At 6 p. m. a heavy line of infantry with artillery moved against him, and compelled his troops to give way. The rebels did not press their advantage, and soon after dark Crawford's division retired in the direction of Charles City Court-House to join the main army. About 9 p. m. a few prisoners were brought in from Wilcox's division, from whom I learned that the rebel infantry had been busily engaged after crossing White Oak Swamp in constructing intrenchments to resist the farther approach of the national army toward Richmond. Everything having become quiet at 11 p. m. I directed Colonel Chapman to withdraw in the direction of Saint Mary's Church, on the Charles City Court-House road, and from that point picket the roads toward White Oak Swamp and Richmond. He arrived at Nancy's Shop, near Saint Mary's Church, at 2 a. m., and bivouacked. At daylight the brigade continued the march, by the way of Phillips' house, to Westover Church, where it received supplies. In the afternoon the rebel cavalry made a dash at Chapman's pickets on the road to Saint Mary's Church, but were driven back by the Twenty-second New York. Late in the evening he moved the brigade to Phillips' house, with orders to open communication with the First Brigade, and keep a sharp lookout for the enemy. From the evening of June 12 till 2 a. m. of the 14th McIntosh's brigade covered the rear of the army, crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and on the afternoon of the 14th reached Charles City Court-House. His brigade was immediately ordered to Saint Mary's Church, and returned in that direction, driving the enemy's cavalry before it. On the 15th and 16th both brigades were kept unceasingly active in making demonstrations from Phillips' house and Saint Mary's Church upon the enemy between White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. From prisoners taken it was learned that Lee had also begun crossing his army by Drewry's Bluff and Richmond to the south side of the James.* I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brevet Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. W. FORSYTH, Chief of Staff, Middle Military Division. No. 211. Report of Capt. Louis Siebert, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, GENERAL: Colonel Purington mentioned to me this p. m. your desire to have some data and information of the doings of this division at the commencement of the campaign last spring up to the time of our starting on the great raid. In the absence of any other records I have the honor to send you extracts from my own notebook, as follows: *For continuation of report, see Vol. XL, Part I. On the night of the 3d May, 1864, broke camp at Stevensburg and crossed the Rapidan at Germanna Ford at early dawn. May 4, marched as the advance of the army as far as Parker's Store without opposition; bivouacked for the night. May 5, marched early to Craig's Meeting-House. Came upon the enemy's advance there; heavy engagement during the day; the enemy, re-enforced by infantry, compelled us to fall back to Todd's Tavern, the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Brinton, covering the rear, being at one time cut off from the command by the enemy's cavalry on the Catharpin road, but succeeded in making their way through. A part of the divis ion in conjunction with General Gregg's division were engaged until dark. The Fifth New York Cavalry having been left on picket at Parker's Store received the first shock of the enemy's infantry, then advancing in force on the plank road; they fought successfully for five hours, losing many killed and wounded, and were finally relieved by our infantry under Brigadier-General Getty. May 6 and 7, on extreme left of the army, watching the enemy's movements. May 8, started on a reconnaissance to Spotsylvania Court-House, drove the rebel cavalry through the place, capturing many prisoners; came upon Longstreet's men, attacked them, but toward dark withdrew and bivouacked near Alsop's. May 9, marched with the Cavalry Corps to North Anna and bivouacked, &c. If the above should be of service to you, general, it will give me much pleasure. I have the honor to be, general, very truly, your obedient servant, L. SIEBERT, Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieut. Col. JAMES W. FORSYTH, Chief of Staff, Hdqrs. Army of the Shenandoah. No. 212. Reports of Col. John B. McIntosh, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding First Brigade, including operations May 5-June 22. ON THE PLANK ROAD, ABOUT 3 MILES FROM PARKER'S STORE, May 5, 1864-11 a. m. GENERAL: I met this morning a picket force of about 400 cavalry stationed at Parker's Store. They had orders to remain and hold the place until the infantry came up. After a gallant resistance, and when all their ammunition was expended, they were forced back by heavily superior numbers. I have remained with them. We are now formed at the junction of the Parker's Store road and the Chancellorsville road without ammunition. We want a strong infantry force, and I understand General Crawford is on my right. As yet he has given no help. He should extend his line at once across the Parker's Store road. General WILLIAMS. J. B. MCINTOSH, Colonel. HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, July 24, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade from the 5th [6th] of. May, the day I joined the brigade, until the morning of the 22d of June, when we commenced the raid on the South Side and Danville railroads, of which last operation a full report has been made: It is proper for me here to state that I proceeded from Major-General Sheridan's headquarters on the morning of the 4th [5th] instant [May] to join this brigade, to which I had been assigned that morning. That about 7 or 8 o'clock I met the Fifth New York Cavalry on picket at Parker's Store, under command of Lieut. Col. John Hammond, having been left there with orders to remain until_relieved by the infantry, which was expected up that morning. The Fifth New York was engaged skirmishing with the enemy when I arrived on the ground. Finding it impossible to join my brigade, which had gone on toward Craig's Meeting-House, I remained with the Fifth New York Cavalry, and exercised a general supervision over its movements. After being on the ground some time, I ascertained that the force we were engaging was an infantry force, and of such strength that it was useless to attempt anything against them with a mounted force, as the country was densely wooded and only roads running through it. I therefore advised Colonel Hammond to dismount his whole regiment and send his horses to the rear. In order to prevent being outflanked in the woods it became necessary to put the whole regiment in on the skirmish line. In this manner they skirmished, keeping the enemy back for three hours, until, overcome by vastly superior numbers, they were forced back to nearly the Brock road. Information had in the mean time been sent to Major-General Meade of the state of affairs, when General Getty's division, of the Sixth Corps, came up and relieved the Fifth New York, who in turn soon became warmly engaged. The report of the casualties of the Fifth New York in this affair has already been sent up. The regiment did itself great credit and sustained its high reputation. During the day of the 5th [6th] of May the brigade went into camp near Chancellorsville, and I there joined it, relieving Colonel Bryan, of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and the same day marched to Piney Branch Church via Alrich's, where we remained picketing the roads and country until relieved by the Second Brigade, of the Second Cavalry Division, when the brigade was marched back to Chancellorsville and bivouacked for the night. Early on the morning of the 6th [7th] instant I was ordered with my brigade to the right of the army and on the right of the Sixth Corps, to determine whether the enemy held the Germanna plank road toward Germanna Ford. Finding the road clear and in our possession to the ford, I reported the fact to Major-General Meade, when I was relieved and ordered to join the division on the left of the army. On the morning of the 7th [8th] the brigade moved from Tabernaole Church, on the Fredericksburg road, and uniting with the Second Brigade, near Alsop's, moved to Spotsylvania Court-House, where we met the enemy and drove him from the town, which we held for two hours, capturing some 60 prisoners and bringing off 42; the balance being wounded, were left in the hospital. The most of the prisoners belonged to Longstreet's corps. While this brigade was actively pursuing the foe and capturing prisoners every moment, |