On the morning of the 1st, I sent the Harriet A. Weed, having on board about 25 men from the One hundred and fifteenth New York Volunteers, under command of Capt. S. P. Smith, of that regiment (and provost-marshal at this place), up the Saint John's River for the purpose of capturing a rebel picket which I had learned was stationed at or near Fort Gates, some 32 miles distant. The expedition returned at dark the same evening, bringing with them a sergeant and 9 men from the Fifth Georgia Cavalry and 13 horses, with the arms, trappings, and accouterments belonging to the party, all without firing a shot. Captain Smith deserves the greatest credit for the skill with which he managed this little affair. In order to bring away the horses he was obliged to swim them over the Saint John's River (two at a time), force them through a swamp previously regarded as impassable for 1 miles, and rode them to Welaka, the only place in the vicinity where they could be taken on board the steamer. All this was accomplished in about nineteen hours, which included the time occupied in traveling 64 miles. The reserve was first captured, our men mounted on their horses, and went out to the men on post, whom they approached without exciting suspicion and easily secured. The prisoners are sent by the Houghton to Jacksonville. As an offset to this I would state a sergeant and 3 men belonging to the Massachusetts cavalry were captured on the night of the 1st, while on the outpost picket. They were on a post deemed quite secure, at least from accidents of this sort. I trust that I shall not be obliged to record any more of these annoying occurrences, as I have rearranged the whole system of picket. Yet, with the large force of cavalry in our front and their perfect knowledge of the country, it is extremely difficult to guard entirely against such accidents. My scouts still bring me reports as to the increase of the infantry and artillery of the enemy in this vicinity. I also hear constantly of their purpose to build heavy batteries to command the river, and I am endeavoring to obtain some definite information as to the place proposed for their erection. It is of the last importance that at least fifteen days' supply should be constantly on hand here. I would respectfully call the attention of the commanding general to requisitions for shell for my 10-pounder, sent by this mail to Captain Langdon, chief of artillery, and would request that measures be taken to forward the supply called for at once. My only anxiety is in regard to supplies, particularly ammunition. I am confident in regard to my ability to repel any attack that the enemy can make so long as they hold out. I shall husband them carefully. I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. P. R. CHADWICK, Assistant Adjutant-General. ADDEND A. No. 19. W. B. BARTON, GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Jacksonville, Fla., April 3, 1864. I. The brigadier-general commanding desires to make known to his command the successful accomplishment of a daring and difficult expedition by a detachment of 25 men of the One hundred and fifteenth New York Volunteers, commanded by Capt. S. P. Smith, of the same regiment. This little party, sent from Palatka to a point 32 miles from the post, surprised and captured a picket of the enemy consisting of 1 sergeant and 9 men, with their arms, and 13 horses and equipments complete. To bring off the horses it was necessary to swim them across the Saint John's River and force them for 12 miles through a swamp previously considered impracticable. The energy, intrepidity, and skill with which this expedition was conducted demands the praise of the commander of this district, and the imitation of troops hereafter detached on similar expeditions. II. The brigadier-general commanding announces that the marine battery, which was so promptly and cheerfully placed on the line of our intrenchments when they were first thrown up in the vicinity of Jacksonville, and at a time when it was much needed, has been ordered on board the sloop of war Mahaska. He takes this opportunity to return his thanks to Capt. G. B. Balch, commanding U. S. naval forces on the Saint John's River, for his kindness, and to Ensign Augustus E. French, and the petty officers and men under him, for their valuable services, very good conduct, and exhibition of excellent discipline throughout their intercourse with the troops. of this command. III. First Lieut. Peter S. Michie, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, is relieved from duty in the District of Florida, and will report at the headquarters Department of the South. IV. First Lieut. Charles R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, having been assigned to duty in this district, is hereby announced as chief engineer. V. First Lieut. E. N. K. Talcott, First New York Volunteer Engineers, having been assigned to duty in charge of the engineer depot at Jacksonville, is relieved from duty as aide-de-camp. VI. First Lieut. Edgar B. Van Winkle, One hundred and third New York Volunteers, is hereby announced as aide-de-camp to the commanding general. By order of Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch: R. M. HALL, First Lieut., First U. S. Artillery, A. A. A. G. APRIL 2, 1864.—Skirmish on Cedar Creek, Fla. REPORTS. No. 1. Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch, U. S. Army, commanding District of Florida. No. 2. Col. Guy V. Henry, Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, command. ing Light Brigade. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch, U. S. Army, commanding District of Florida. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Jacksonville, Fla., April 3, 1864. GENERAL: There is no change in the situation here. The enemy occupy the same position as when General Gillmore was last in the district. A reconnaissance made yesterday by Colonel Henry with his cavalry, supported by two regiments of infantry, developed a strong line at Cedar Creek, probably two regiments of cavalry and two of infantry. A young man named Margroum came through the lines yesterday; he is intelligent, although uneducated. To-day a captain of the Sixty-fourth Georgia Infantry, accompanied by 1 private of his company, came in. I send all three to your headquarters. They have taken the oath of allegiance, and desire to go North. Ten deserters, banded together for their protection, crossed the river yesterday, and were to-day sent in by the boat battalion. All tell about the same story. The enemy in our front is about 10,000 strong; about 12,000 rations are issued. The force in front of Palatka is about two regiments. The Georgia captain had been for some time in arrest, charged with making false muster. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. J. W. TURNER, JNO. P. HATCH, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Chief of Staff. The casualties yesterday were 8 wounded; the enemy reported to have suffered severely. No. 2. Report of Col. Guy V. Henry, Fortieth Massachusetts Mounted Infantry, commanding Light Brigade. HEADQUARTERS LIGHT BRIGADE, April 2, 1864. LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with instructions from the general commanding, I made a reconnaissance this afternoon. My force consisted of three squadrons of cavalry, four pieces of artillery, and two regiments of infantry, Seventy-fifth Ohio and One hundred and sixty-ninth New York. One squadron of cavalry I sent out on the King's road, supported by five companies of infantry, and one company of infantry along the plank road. This force was to attract the enemy's attention, while with the main force I attacked their right. I drove in the pickets of the enemy with my cavalry, but they fell back to Cedar Creek. The Seventyfifth Ohio was then thrown forward as skirmishers. The enemy was posted in the woods at the creek, in a very strong position. To drive them from it it was necessary to cross an open country, which would have resulted in some loss of life, without any reason, as we would have been obliged to retire and be exposed to fire both ways. The enemy seemed to have a front of about 1,200, deployed as skirmishers, on their left. They gave way after some skirmishing, and proceeded toward Camp Finegan. All the passes across Cedar Creek seemed to be barricaded. We lost none killed, but 8 wounded. We captured 25 head of cattle and 1 horse. The rebel loss must have been some 20 or 30, as a number were seen to fall. The men behaved well, particularly the Seventy-fifth Ohio, who skirmished very finely. I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GUY V. HENRY, Col. 40th Mass. Mounted Infy., Comdg. Light Brig. Lieut. R. M. HALL, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. APRIL 2, 1864.-Skirmish at Cow Ford Creek, near Pensacola, Fla. REPORTS. No. 1.-Brig. Gen. Alexander Asboth, U. S. Army. No. 2.-Capt. Adolph Schmidt, Fourteenth New York Cavalry. No. 1. Reports of Brig. Gen. Alexander Asboth, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS PENSACOLA, COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, having been informed on the 2d instant at noon that several mounted rebels had approached our picket line, I immediately sent out Captain Schmidt, Company M, Fourteenth New York Cavalry, with 30 of his men. The captain, on passing the light-house, came upon tracks of horses in the sand, and after following them around the head of the Bayou Grand several miles, suddenly came up with them drawn up in line of battle, in a well-chosen position across the Cow Ford Creek, on the Pensacola road. The rebels opened a vigorous fire upon our men, who, although outnumbered two to one, gallantly charged them and succeeded, after a sharp hand-to-hand fight, in capturing 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, and 8 men, and taking 6 horses, 21 muskets, and 4 sabers. It is the opinion of Captain Schmidt that the rebels lost from 10 to 15 killed and wounded, in addition to the prisoners. The casualties on our side are: First Lieut. B. von Lengercke, Sergeant von Rosenfels, and Private Endres, wounded (the latter dangerously), 4 horses killed and 5 wounded. The prisoners will proceed under guard on the steamer Northerner to New Orleans, to be reported there to the provost-marshalgeneral of the department. I beg to inclose Captain Schmidt's report and the roll of the prisoners of war captured by him. Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. ASBOTH, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA, GENERAL: I have the honor to submit, in connection with my report of March 8, No. 138, the following additional information in regard to the affairs in my neighborhood, received from refugees and deserters: The rebels have concentrated a considerable force at Pollard, Ala., estimated at from 8,000 to 10,000 men, principally re-enforcements sent, during General Sherman's raid, from Johnston's army to Mobile. They are also concentrating a force about 2,000 strong, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, in Walton County, Fla., with 25 R R-VOL XXXV, PT I headquarters at McDade's Pond, between Yellow and Pea Rivers, scouting down the Boggy Bayou, opposite East Pass, and upward on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay to the Four-Mile Landing. The Perdido is also more closely guarded at present and an additional cavalry force stationed at Camp Pond, above Camp Withers, with a view to prevent deserters from entering our lines and to intercept the Union soldiers who made their escape from the prison at Cahawba, Ala. Since our reverse in East Florida the rebels have become more enterprising in their movements and more bitter in their persecutions of all who show any sympathy for the Union. They take from them everything of any use to the army and wantonly destroy the rest; they take the lives of all who attempt to escape from their lines or who assist others to do so. Mr. Alfred Holly came in yesterday, reporting that while leaving Boggy Bayou for East Pass in a skiff, with 5 others (all members of the Bass family, residing there), the rebels fired upon them, killing 3 and wounding 2, who are now in our hospital. I have, as already reported, a recruiting officer at East Pass, with a squad of 10 men, but I have no force to send against those robbers and no steamer for transportation. To prevent the entire ruin of those unfortunate Union families and secure us the control over West Florida, it would be desirable that at the next advance of the Federal forces in East Florida a combined movement be made also in West Florida, by adequate forces from Barrancas, Boggy Bayou, opposite East Pass, Washington Point, the head of Choctawhatchee Bay, and Saint Mark's, the terminus of the Tallahassee railroad. In conclusion, I beg to report that Captain Schmidt, Company M, Fourteenth New York Cavalry, with 30 of his company, had a very successful engagement on the 2d instant with a scouting party of rebel cavalry on the Pensacola road, 4 miles from Bayou Grand, resulting in the capture of 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, and 8 privates of the Seventh Alabama Cavalry, with 6 horses with equipments, 21 muskets, and 4 sabers. In addition to this the enemy lost about 15 killed and wounded. On our side First Lieut. B. von Lengercke and 2 men were wounded, and 4 horses killed and 5 wounded. The particulars of the engagement will accompany the report of the officer in command of the party. I am, very respectfully, general, your obedient servant, ASBOTH, Brigadier-General. No. 2. Report of Capt. Adolph Schmidt, Fourteenth New York Cavalry. CAMP ASBOTH, BARRANCAS, FLA., April 3, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report the result of a scout made yesterday, pursuant to orders from General Asboth, with 30 men of Company M, Fourteenth New York Volunteer Cavalry. Leaving Camp Asboth, Barrancas, at 12.30 p. m., and passing the light-house picket, I discovered the tracks of 4 horses on the main |