HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Oak Hill, October 15, 1863-6.25 p. m. The firing on both sides has ceased. The rear of the train cannot cross for an hour. I think nothing has followed me but cavalry and artillery, and that for the purpose of overhauling the trains. It may have had a support of infantry, but I do not know. I have sent the Third Indiana and a regiment of Gregg's to Wolf Run Shoals, and a strong force of Gregg's to Union Mills. I do not believe the rear of this command can cross before midnight. I will do the utmost to carry out your instructions about picketing. I have sent out scouts by order, but have had no volunteers thus far. rebels have made nothing off of me yet. My loss is trifling. JNO. BUFORD, Brigadier-General. Major-General PLEASONTON. The WOOD YARD FORD, BULL RUN, Everything is across Bull Run except the pontoon train, which started to cross Wolf Run Shoals, and this may be across, for all that I know, but I have heard nothing from it. I will move the First Division, with its artillery, up to Fairview, and complete the picketing as soon as possible. We are all out of forage, and must have it or give up our horses. Nothing followed my rear. JNO. BUFORD, HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, November 14, 1863. COLONEL: On the morning of October 10, while at Stevensburg, I received the following instructions, viz: HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Brigadier-General BUFORD, Commanding First Cavalry Division: GENERAL: You will force a passage at Germanna Ford as soon as possible, pursue the enemy, and endeavor to uncover Morton's Ford, communicating with General Newton, commanding First Corps, who is instructed to force a passage there also. This being effected, you will continue to follow the enemy, reporting your progress frequently. Very respectfully, A. PLEASONTON, Major-General, Commanding. These instructions were handed to me after sunrise, and found the division without a particle of forage. The train was at Culpeper awaiting its supply. It, with every available empty wagon, was ordered to be filled and instructed to cross at Morton's Ford and join the division. At 8.30 a. m. the command, composed of Colonel Chapman's (First) brigade, with Williston's battery, and Colonel Devin's (Second) brigade, with Lieutenant Heaton's battery, with three days' rations, without a particle of grain, was in motion, and reached Germanna Ford about noon, where preparations were made to force a crossing. At 1 p. m. this was most handsomely effected, in the face of a small force of the enemy, by the Eighth New York Cavalry, and followed in haste by the whole division. The command next marched over the rough country near the river until it reached the enemy's intrenchments in rear of Morton's, capturing the different pickets at the fords from Germanna to Morton's, arriving at Morton's after night, and having driven the enemy out of his exterior intrenchments. The command bivouacked for the night, leaving the enemy in considerable force to hold his interior works and the ford. The next morning about 7 a. m. I learned that the First Corps had retired during the night, and that the commandirg general had changed the programme. Being without instructions, and my train having been ordered to recross the Rappahannock, I was at a loss to know what course to pursue. At this point a messenger arrived with instructions, of old date, for me not to cross the Rapidan at all, but to return and recross the Rappahannock at the station or Kelly's. I immediately started to recross the Rapidan at Morton's, driving with ease the enemy from his inner works. He retired toward Raccoon, and finding that he was not followed, and receiving re-enforcements, soon returned to retard my crossing. The ford was bad and had to be repaired, which caused some delay. During this crossing the enemy was very active on my left flank, skirmishing, and in crossing the river above at Raccoon. This latter movement was discovered in time to foil his plan, and Colonel Chapman, with all of his brigade that had crossed, was sent to check him while Devin crossed his command. Colonel Devin was sorely pressed, as his force on the enemy's side decreased, but he, by frequent dashing and telling charges, and the two batteries by their fire from the north side, kept the enemy from closing on his rear. Colonel Devin's command on this occasion was beautifully handled, fought too bravely, and consequently suffered quite severely. Captain Conger, Third [West] Virginia, by his courage and hard fighting won the admiration of all who saw him. While Colonel Devin was doing so well, Colonel Chapman, with his brigade, had made his preparations to meet the force that had crossed at Raccoon, and a very warm reception he gave them. He found a superior force of cavalry formed and ready to charge. He speedily made his dispositions, and as soon as completed, down came this overwhelming force of cavalry upon him, not to stay, however, but to be hurled back dismayed, in confusion, and terribly punished. Shortly after the rout of this cavalry, its support (infantry force) advanced, and Colonel Chapman withdrew from his position directly toward Stevensburg. When near Stevensburg, the Second Brigade connected, each line still followed closely by the enemy. Seeing a number of wagons passing along the road from Culpeper, through Stevensburg toward Kelly's, I determined to make a stand until they were all safe. Here the division fought the enemy's cavalry until its support came up with its long-range muskets. The division then withdrew, making an obstinate resistance at Stevensburg, until everything was safely across that nasty stream, Mountain Run, after which it leisurely retired to Brandy Station without a deal of molestation from the enemy, although closely followed by him. To my surprise, at Brandy I found the rear guard of the Fifth Corps passing through to cross the Rappahannock. I knew nothing up to this time of how extensive this retrograde movement of our army was, and here learned that General Pleasonton, with the Third Division, was still in rear of the Fifth Corps. Arrangements were immediately made to make a stand until the Third Division should arrive. The enemy seeing the Third Division across the open country, and being out of my sight, turned their column in that direction. The Third Division soon made a connection with my right. As soon as this was accomplished, the Sixth New York charged, followed closely by the Ninth New York, and soon regained the advantage that the enemy supposed he had. It was a very severe hand-to-hand fight, Devin's troops using the saber. The enemy pressed my left closely in retiring, and made several feints in my front, but by 8 p. m. the division was across the Rappahannock. Ďuring the night we found our forage and went to sleep. The next day, the 12th, I received the following instructions, viz: ORDERS,] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, October 12, 1863-10.30 a. m. Major-General Sedgwick will, in addition to his own corps, take command of the Fifth Corps and Buford's division of cavalry, and advance immediately to Brandy Station and take position at the heights there, driving the enemy and holding the position. He will report his progress to the commanding general, and also the force, position, and movements of the enemy. By command of Major-General Meade: S. WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Official copy furnished for General Buford's information. C. C. SUYDAM, Assistant Adjutant-General. At 12 m. the division was across the river again and in motion. After advancing about 2 miles, the enemy's pickets were driven in, and the advance commenced skirmishing with the enemy. Finding his force insignificant, a general advance was ordered, and he was driven to within 14 miles of Culpeper. The object of the expedition being accomplished, the division returned and bivouacked on the left of the infantry near Brandy. Every man of the command seemed gratified at having again passed over their old fighting ground, because they were enabled to recover the bodies of some of their comrades who had fallen the day before, and to administer to and remove several wounded men who had been neglected and who would undoubtedly have perished but for their timely assistance. It was truly gratifying to be able to recover these wounded men, and to bury the men that had been stripped and abandoned by the enemy. At 12 that night, the infantry withdrew beyond the Rappahannock, my division bringing up the rear, and recrossed by daylight on the 13th. On the 13th, the following instructions were received, viz: HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, October 13, 1863-11 p. m. Brigadier-General BUFORD, Commanding First Cavalry Division : GENERAL: You will cover the rear and flank of the trains of the army to-morrow on their march to Centreville by the way of Brentsville. Headquarters tomorrow night will be at Centreville. Send an officer to report your position to morrow night. Very respectfully, A. PLEASONTON, Major-General, Commanding. The division remained in camp watching the river and resting until the trains were well under way, and then moved to camp near Warrenton Junction, the trains being near Catlett's and Weaverville. On the 14th, the rear of the trains was delayed in getting under way, and it was several hours before the division was in motion.. At Brentsville the trains were found parked, and little disposition to move was displayed by the few quartermasters that I could find, until toward night, when General Warren's firing was seen. The division stood to horse, and during the whole night every effort was made to keep the wagons in motion. Shortly after General Warren's firing had ceased, my pickets were fired into, but no further molestation was offered. During the night General Gregg, with his division, came to my assistance, and remained until it was thought prudent for him to continue his march. After daylight on the 15th, when the fog had risen and the rear wagon was safely across Broad Run, the division started and marched to the crossing of Cedar Run, followed by a small cavalry force, which was kept at a respectable distance. After the last of the pontoon train was reported safely across Cedar Run I felt greatly relieved, but judge of my surprise when I found that the whole of the wagons, after a circuitous route, had recrossed to the enemy's side of Cedar Run. In this position the enemy's cavalry made a brisk advance and fortunately struck me, instead of the flank of the trains, which I believe to have been his design. division immediately gave battle, and held him off until the report came that the last wagon was across Bull Run, and that General Gregg was there also. The day's work was well done and over, and our anxiety at an end. The When the enemy advanced upon me the last time, I supposed he would come with a heavier force than mine and come to have some of the wagons. Every man of the command had made up his mind that there should be no child's play on his part, so when he did appear, with a determined will we went at him and before long drove him back. The Seventeenth Pennsylvania struck him in flank, making him give away, which allowed us to get a strong position, which we held until after night, and until the last wagon was well on the way toward Fairfax Station. Not a single wagon that I could hear of was either destroyed or captured. to The division thus marched on across Bull Run until closed up the trains, halted in the road, and, in an exhausted state, fell asleep by the roadside till morning, when it moved on and encamped at Brimstone Hill. I am proud to testify to the good behavior of the division, both officers and men. Throughout the entire movement, they displayed great zeal and bravery, and were ever cheerful amid the hardships endured. The delicate and difficult task of protecting the trains was accomplished with credit, but in doing it, many brave spirits were taken to another world. Our loss was considerable (a recapitulation of which is appended), and if it is any satisfaction to know that the enemy's was greater, we certainly have nothing to complain of. Between so many officers who behaved well, I cannot make any marked distinction. Williston's and Heaton's battery were in several trying places, and nobly did they stand the test. At Morton's Ford the division destroyed a large number of en trenching tools, and in the engagement at Germanna, Morton's, Brandy, and Oak Hill, captured 3 commissioned officers and 60 prisoners of war. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding. Lieut. Col. C. Ross SMITH, Chief of Staff. Command. Return of Casualties in the First Cavalry Division during the engagements October 9-19, 1868. Reports of Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt, U. S. Army, commanding Reserve Brigade. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY RESERVE BRIGADE, Manassas Junction, Va., October 17, 1863—1 p. m. COLONEL: Parties have been sent out on roads to Bristoe Station and Thoroughfare Gap, and they report strong forces in their front with artillery. I have ordered out re-enforcements and go myself, and will push them as far as possible. The impression is that the enemy is moving round toward our right (to Chantilly). A prisoner has just been captured who belongs to the Second Vir *Capt. John Peirce, so reported, was killed in action. Aggregate. |