No. 6. Report of Maj. Alexander W. Stark, C. S. Artillery. TAYLOR'S FARM, NEAR RICHMOND, Va., August 7, 1863. SIR: In obedience to instructions from Col. P. R. Page, commanding brigade, on the night of the 5th instant, in company with the Twenty-sixth Regiment Virginia Infantry, under your command, I proceeded to Blake's farm, near Deep Bottom, on James River, with a section of French's battery, commanded by Captain French, and a section of Armistead's battery, under the command of First Lieutenant Stoakes, and with these four pieces opened fire upon three Federal gunboats (one being an iron-clad) passing down the river. The fire was principally directed against a large side-wheel steamer, the engine of which vessel soon became disabled and the hull greatly damaged. After the vessels moved beyond the range of our guns, the command was promptly marched to Pickett's farm, at Turkey Island, and, as the steamers passed that point, they were again attacked, nearly every shot taking good effect. I have to report the following casualties in the section of French's battery, viz: Private Eustace Gibson, mortally wounded in abdomen; Private Boston Bailey, slightly wounded in arm, and Private Henley Clyburn, slightly wounded in back. I am, colonel, respectfully, yours, Lieutenant-Colonel COUNCILL: A. W. STARK, Major, Commanding Artillery. AUGUST 5, 1863.-Skirmish at Muddy Run, Va. REPORTS. No. 1.—Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, Cavalry Corps. No. 2.-Col. John B. McIntosh, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding First Brigade. No. 3.-Col. John P. Taylor, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. No. 1. Report of Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, Cavalry Corps. HDQRS. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, August 5, 1863. (Received 1 a. m.) COLONEL: The force sent this a. m. toward Culpeper went on the Rixeyville road. At the bridge at the Muddy Run found a considerable force of the enemy. After a brisk skirmish of an hour, a strong line of skirmishers was advanced to the right and rear of the command, withdrew, and was followed, by about 300 of the enemy, within a piece of woods. If there is to be no change, it would be much to the advantage of this division to change its locality from this, in order to get grass and water. A position on the river near the woolen factory would enable me to observe closely the same lines as at present, and would also make it the more practicable to get supplies. Can the change be made? D. MCM. GREGG, Report of Col. John B. McIntosh, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding First Brigade. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, August 5, 1863. CAPTAIN Colonel Taylor, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, crossed the Aestham River this morning early, and, taking the right-hand road toward Culpeper, passed up that road about 1 mile, driving in some 30 of the enemy's pickets, and then passed to the left, striking the Rixeyville and Culpeper road. Leaving a squadron at Rixeyville to guard his rear, proceeded on the Rixeyville and Culpeper road until he came to the bridge crossing Muddy Run, meeting a number of the enemy's vedettes all along the road. At the bridge he found a considerable force. After a skirmish of an hour's duration, failing to dislodge them, and finding a line of skirmishers thrown out to his right and rear, he fell back across the river, the enemy following him up with some 300 men and one piece of artillery. The official report of Colonel Taylor will be forwarded immediately it is received. The picket force at Jefferson has been sent to Oak Shade to strengthen the force at that point. Respectfully, JNO. B. MCINTOSH, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. No. 3. Report of Col. John P. Taylor, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. HDQRS. FIRST PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE CAVALRY, CAPTAIN: According to orders received by me at 1 o'clock a. m., "to move with my command at 3 a. m. precisely, for the purpose of making reconnaissance in the direction of Culpeper Court-House," I have the honor to report, that I moved precisely at the appointed time. Reached the river at break of day, crossed at Hill's Mill, learned the enemy's pickets had been withdrawn about 6 p. m. yesterday. I immediately advanced on the Culpeper Court-House road, via Rixeyville, drove in their outpost pickets, half a mile from the mill. Before advancing farther on the Rixeyville road, I sent one squadron on the road leading to the right. After driving the enemy's pickets before them for 2 miles, the squadron returned, and I advanced toward Rixeyville, 1 miles distant. Upon arriving at Rixeyville, I learned the enemy had a regular line of skirmishers close upon my rear. Leaving one squadron at Rixeyville to guard my right and rear, I proceeded toward Culpeper Court-House. Midway between Rixeyville and Muddy Run, I found a road leading to the right, and 4 pickets stationed thereat. Here I also left pickets, and drove their pickets before me to Muddy Run, where we found the enemy-consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery-strongly posted in ambush on the opposite side. Finding them being strongly re-enforced, after one hour's severe skirmishing, during which time the enemy fired by volleys, I found it expedient to retire, which I did, rapidly and in good order, closely followed by a superior force of the enemy, with cavalry and artillery, to the river bank at Rixey's Ford, where I recrossed at 1 p. m. I would also beg leave to state that I learned from a citizen and a negro that, on account of the heavy firing yesterday, Jones' (rebel) brigade fell back 2 miles beyond Muddy Run, where he has his headquarters at a church, and that the Eleventh Virginia [Cavalry] Regiment was encamped a short distance beyond Muddy Run. In conclusion, I would say my command consisted of less than 300 men, and, am happy to state, have returned without any loss. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. A. WRIGHT, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. J. P. TAYLOR, Commanding. AUGUST 5-12, 1863.-Expedition from Kempsville, Va., into Currituck and Camden Counties, N. C. Reports of Capt. W. Dewees Roberts, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. COWELL GUM, CURRITUCK COUNTY, N. C., August 6, 1863. SIR: In accordance with orders received from you, I left Kempsville yesterday morning and proceeded to Great Bridge. Left one company, Lieut. J. S. Nimmon commanding, at that place. With the remaining three companies I moved on, and last night encamped near Northwest Bridge. To-day I reached this point, 6 miles from Currituck Court-House, 5 from Indiantown, and 10 from Camden Court-House. I have been unable, so far, to find any guerrillas, and hear from sources that seem to be reliable, there are but few, either in Norfolk or Currituck Counties. In Camden County there is one company, in all about 50 men. To-morrow I will move forward to Camden Court-House, where I will be able to co-operate with our troops reported to be at Eliza'beth City. I most respectfully request that fuller instructions be sent me as to my special duties-whether I am at liberty to destroy all the boats on the Pasquotank above Elizabeth City. With no means of crossing this river, nothing can be seen across the lines below the bridge at South Mills, which point I will have properly guarded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. DEWEES ROBERTS, Captain, 11th Pa. Vol. Cav., Comdg. Detachment. Capt. GEORGE H. JOHNSTON. Assistant Adjutant-General. [P. S.]-Any dispatch sent to me, after to-day, will reach me much sooner by the bearer taking the Dismal Swamp Canal road to South Mills, at which point at least a portion of my force will be. SOUTH MILLS, N. C., SIR: I have the honor to report, that yesterday I reached Camden Court-House, across the river from Elizabeth City and 3 miles distant, and, in obedience to your orders, I crossed to that place. I found none of our troops there, although a gunboat was there, and left on the 6th. I crossed the river from Camden Court-House in a boat with 8 men, and, for the purpose of ascertaining all about it, I left my boat and went up into the town. Here I surrounded a house, and captured 1 officer and 3 enlisted men. Deeming it prudent to leave immediately, I did so, and scarcely had my boats pushed out when about 20 guerrillas commenced firing upon me. I immediately pushed for the opposite shore and landed in a swamp. After remaining all night in this swamp, I succeeded in getting to Camden Court-House this morning with my prisoners. I marched from there to this point this afternoon. From all I can learn, there seems to be four companies of guerrillas in this vicinity: one company in Camden county; one in Pasquotank, with headquarters in a swamp near Elizabeth City; one in Perquimans, and the fourth near Edenton. They seem, or profess, to have regular organizations, and belong to the Sixty-sixth North Carolina Regiment. The blockade running seems to be done principally near Elizabeth City, where numbers of boats are concealed, and, at this point, over the bridge, and thence through the turnpike. I have captured 3 men, "blockade runners," and will send them, together with the prisoners, to the provost-marshal at Norfolk to morrow. I am, &c., your obedient servant, W. DEWEES ROBERTS, Captain, 11th Pa. Vol. Cav., Comdg. Detachment. Capt. GEORGE H. JOHNSTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS, South Mills, N. C., August 12, 1863. SIR: Your communications of the 10th and 11th were both received to-day. I shall send a patrol to communicate daily with Major Wheelan's pickets at the feeder. I have destroyed all communication across the river at this point, and I am guarding it at the bridge and patrolling along the canal. Nothing can cross the river at this point. To prevent any communication across the river at this point, or near Camden Court-House, all the boats on the river should be destroyed. When stationed here in May last, under command of Major Stratton, I destroyed all the boats on the river at or near Elizabeth City. Some, however, have since accumulated. They are hid up the small creeks and swamps, and it would require a boat party, strongly supported on each side of the river, to destroy all the boats, and thus prevent all communication. I have information from Elizabeth City; no United States troops are there. I would respectfully suggest that the Dismal Swamp Canal Company be required to repair the canal. The boat loaded with supplies for my command that left Norfolk two days since, has not yet arrived, owing to the condition of the canal. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. DEWEES ROBERTS, Captain, 11th Pa. Vol. Cav., Comdg. South Mills, Ń. C. Capt. GEORGE H. JOHNSTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. Aug. AUGUST 5-31, 1863.-Averell's Raid in West Virginia. SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS. 5, 1863.-Averell's command sets out from Winchester, Va. 6, 1863.-Skirmish at Moorefield, W. Va. 19, 1863.-Destruction of saltpeter-works near Franklin, W. Va. 22, 1863. Skirmish at Huntersville, W. Va. 24, 1863.-Skirmish near Warm Springs, Va. 25, 1863.-Reconnaissance to Covington and destruction of saltpeter-works on Jackson's River, Va. 26-27, 1863.-Engagement at Rocky Gap, near White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. 27-31, 1863.-Averell's command retreats to Beverly, W. Va. REPORTS.* No. 1.-Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, U. S. Army, commanding expedition, of operations August 5-31. No. 2.-Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Rocky Gap. No. 3.-Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, C. S. Army, commanding Department of Western Virginia, of operations August 20-27, with congratulatory orders. * Of engagement at Rocky Gap when not otherwise indicated. |