I cannot speak too highly of the gallant conduct of both men and officers on the field when actively engaged and under fire, nor can I fail to compliment them for the determined and resolute spirit with which they endured the fatigue of the march.

I have the honor to be, captain, with much respect, your obedient servant,

Capt. D. P. HALSEY,

WILLIAM S. DAVIS, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 97.

Report of Brig. Gen. Armistead L. Long, C. S. Army, Chief of

Artillery.

HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY, SECOND CORPS,

January 30, 1864.

GENERAL: In compliance with your letter of November 30, 1863, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the artillery under my command, from its leaving the line of the Rapidan, October 8, 1863, to its return to that position:

Under instructions from Lieutenant-General Ewell, on the 8th of [October], I commenced the movement of the artillery of the Second Corps from its position on the Rapidan by advancing Brown's battalion, under Major Hardaway, to Orange Court-House, and Carter's and Nelson's battalions to Pisgah Church. On the 9th, a general advance of the Second Corps (Ewell's) was commenced in the direction of Orange Court-House. The whole of the artillery of this corps was put in motion with the infantry; Carter's battalion following Rodes', Andrews' following Johnson's, and Jones' following Early's division. The reserve artillery (Nelson's and Hardaway's battalions) moved in rear of the last division of the column. Passing through Orange Court-House, the mass of the artillery crossed the Rapidan at Barnett's Ford, proceeded in the direction of Madison Court-House, and encamped near Jack's Shop for the night. Jones' battalion, following Early, crossed the Rapidan at Peyton's Ford, also moving toward Madison Court-House.

On the 10th, the whole corps united near that place, and proceeded by a circuitous route in the direction of Culpeper Court-House, where General Meade's army was lying in force. It was thought we would soon bring General Meade to an engagement, but on the morning of the 11th, when the head of our column reached Stone-House Mountain, it was discovered that the enemy had retreated toward Washington City, on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. On the 12th, we were pushed forward to Warrenton Springs. The enemy's cavalry was found in some force at Jeffersonton, on the south side of the Rappahannock, but were soon forced to retire across that stream on Warrenton Springs, where our passage was opposed by a force of cavalry and a battery of artillery. Carter's battalion was put in position on the heights opposite, and soon forced the enemy to retire, leaving the ford and bridge unobstructed. Rodes then crossed with his infantry, and Carter's battalion followed and 27 R R-VOL XXIX, PT I

went into camp. Johnson's division also crossed about dark and took up a position for the night. Andrews' and Jones' battalions were posted on the south side of the Rappahannock so as to cover the bridge and ford. The Reserve Artillery was closed up, so as to be in readiness for action if the enemy should renew his opposition to our advance in the morning. The enemy not appearing, we continued our advance to the town of Warrenton.

Early on the morning of the 14th, a portion of the enemy's forces was discovered to be in position near Auburn, occupying a commanding ridge extending on both sides of the road passing through that place. His batteries were so placed as to command all the direct approaches. After an examination of the position, Carter's battalion was directed to a position on the right and ordered to occupy it, being supported by Rodes' division. Jones' battalion, in conjunction with Early's division, made a flank movement to the left to gain the enemy's rear. Andrews' battalion was ordered to occupy the center, and to operate with Johnson's division. Hardaway's and Nelson's battalions, under the command of Colonel Brown, were held in reserve to be applied at the most favorable points as soon as the forces should become engaged. It was soon discovered that the enemy's infantry was retreating, the artillery and cavalry remaining in position to cover it. The long-range guns of Andrews' battalion were ordered up and opened upon the enemy's batteries. Carter also came into action, and after a sharp cannonade forced them to retire. Jones' battalion reaching its position just as the enemy's guns retired, opened with two batteries upon the enemy's cavalry, which soon retreated beyond the range of his guns. In this affair the loss on either side was small. Andrews had 1 noncommissioned officer and 1 private wounded.

The road being cleared, we advanced to Bristoe Station. On arriving at that point the forces of Lieut. Gen. A. P. Hill were found engaged with the rear guard of the enemy. Finding that artillery was needed at one point on Hill's line, one battery of Jones' battalion (Tanner's) was brought into action with fine effect, causing a battery of the enemy to retire with loss. Captain Tanner, while gallantly fighting his battery, was seriously wounded in the knee. There were no other casualties in this battery. Night being near at hand, it was not deemed necessary to put in any more artillery. During the night the enemy retired from Bristoe. After remaining a day at Bristoe, the greater portion of the artillery was ordered back to the Rappahannock. The whole army soon followed, and crossed the river on the 18th.

The Reserve Artillery and Jones' battalion were ordered into camp near Brandy Station, where they remained till the 4th of November. Andrews' and Carter's battalions were encamped near the railroad bridge till all the artillery of the Second Corps was withdrawn to the neighborhood of Cedar Mountain (November 4).

During the occupation of the line of the Rappahannock, three batteries were kept on picket at the railroad bridge and one battery on picket at Kelly's Ford.

On the 26th of October, Captain Reese's battery (of Carter's battalion) engaged in a skirmish with the enemy's cavalry at Bealeton, in which the captain and 1 private were wounded.

On the 7th of November, the enemy advanced in large force, at tacked our picket at Rappahannock bridge, captured a part of Hays and Hoke's brigades and one battery (Green's, of Jones' battalion).

The report of this affair shows that the battery was gallantly fought till the infantry was overwhelmed. It was then forced to surrender. At the same time Kelly's Ford was attacked and Captain Massie's battery, on picket at that point, was forced to retire after a gallant resistance. (See Captain Massie's report. )*

The enemy having forced the passage of the Rappahannock, our forces retired, and on the 9th of November recrossed the Rapidan and re-occupied our former positions. For further details of these operations I would respectfully call attention to the accompanying reports.

Before closing my report, I am particularly desirous of expressing my gratification at the soldierly qualities displayed by the officers and men of my command. I ever found them obedient, active, and energetic, and enthusiastically anxious to meet the enemy. Í am particularly indebted to Colonel Brown, Lieutenant-Colonels Andrews, Jones, Carter, and Nelson, and Majors Hardaway and Braxton, for their cordial co-operation, and for the skillful and energetic management of their commands. I am also desirous of calling attention to my staff, Capt. W. E. Cutshaw, acting assistant inspectorgeneral; First Lieut. S. V. Southall, acting assistant adjutantgeneral; Capt. F. P. Turner, assistant quartermaster; Capt. William J. Armstrong, commissary subsistence; Chief Surg. J. A. Straith, and Capt. Gregory, Ordnance Department. These officers were constantly with me, and were noted for activity and zeal in the performance of the duties of their respective departments. Capt. S. Cooper joined me at Bristoe, and Capt. W. A. Percy, assistant adjutantgeneral, joined at Rappahannock Station, and have rendered good service since joining.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. L. LONG,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Artillery, Second Corps.

Brig. Gen. WILLIAM N. PENDLETON,

Chief of Artillery.

[Inclosure.]

List of officers and men killed and wounded in the artillery of the Second Corps in the various engagements, October 8-November 9.

No. 98.

Report of Lieut. Col. William Nelson, C. S. Army, commanding Artillery Battalion.

HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY BATTALION,

January 19, 1864.

GENERAL: In accordance with orders from headquarters artillery Second Corps, I have the honor to make the following "report of the operations of my command during the last fall, from the time of its leaving the line of the Rapidan River to its return to the same:" We left Raccoon Ford, where we had been on picket, about 7 p. m. on the 8th of October, 1863, and reached camp near Pisgah Church about 2 a. m. On the 9th, we marched in the direction of Madison Court-House, via Orange Court-House, crossing the Rapidan at Barnett's Ford, distant about 3 miles from Orange Court-House, and camped in the vicinity of Jack's Shop, in Madison County. On the 10th, we marched, via Madison Court-House, in the direction of Culpeper Court-House. On the 11th, we reached the Sperryville turnpike at Hazel River bridge, about 8 miles northwest of Culpeper Court-House, and camped for the night. On the 12th, we marched toward Culpeper Court-House for some miles, and then bearing to the left we crossed Hazel River and encamped near the village of Jeffersonton.

On the 13th, we marched, via Warrenton Springs, where we crossed the Rappahannock River, toward Warrenton, camping within 3 miles of that place. On the 14th, we marched through Warrenton in the direction of Bristoe Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. We remained in camp near Bristoe Station until the 16th, when we moved along the railroad to Warrenton Junction. On the 17th, we moved to within 4 miles of the Rappahannock River. On the 18th, we reached the river, which we crossed at daylight on the 19th near the railroad bridge, and moved thence to Culpeper Court-House. Receiving orders to camp near this place, we did so, and on the 21st moved to camp near Stevensburg, which we occupied until November 4, Capt. J. L. Massie's battery being on picket at Kelly's Ford. On the 4th of November, we moved back to the vicinity of Slaughter's Mountain, leaving the above-mentioned battery at Kelly's Ford. On the 7th, the enemy having effected a crossing, with a considerable force, at Kelly's Ford, Captain Massie, after a brisk skirmish, retired his battery about 1 mile. A copy of his report, addressed to myself, you will please find herewith inclosed. An official report of the engagement was also forwarded by Maj. Thomas Jefferson Page, jr., commanding the artillery at Kelly's Ford, to Col. J. Thompson Brown, acting chief of artillery, Second Corps.

The remainder of the battalion marched to Stevensburg on the night of the 7th, and encamped near that place, but received orders during the night to move to the foot of Pony Mountain, on the northwest side, and await orders. Reaching this point about daylight on the 8th, Captain Massie's battery having rejoined the battalion, we received orders about 2 p. m. to take the position occupied by Lieutenant-Colonel Carter's battalion, about half a mile northeast of Pony Mountain, during the morning. We remained in the position

*Not found.

mentioned until about 7 p. m., when we moved to Rapidan_Station, and, recrossing the river at that point, moved to Raccoon Ford and reoccupied our position there.

Respectfully submitted.

W. NELSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Artillery Battalion.

Brig. Gen. A. L. LONG.

No. 99.

Report of Lieut. Col. Hilary P. Jones, C. S. Army, commanding Artillery Battalion.

HEADQUARTERS ARTILLERY BATTALION,

January 29, 1864.

GENERAL: On the night of the 8th of October, 1863, we moved, by order from Somerville Ford, on the Rapidan, in the direction of Orange Court-House. We crossed the Rapidan the next day at Peyton's Ford and continued our march, following in rear of General Early's division, through the counties of Madison and Culpeper, crossing the Rappahannock at Warrenton Springs. We halted for the day at Warrenton, and moved out of camp at daybreak on the morning of the 14th. We came up with the enemy at Auburn early on the morning of the same day. In conjunction with General Early's division, we made a movement to gain the flank of the enemy. We did not reach the position sought for until the enemy had withdrawn nearly his entire force. I put two batteries (Garber's and Tanner's) in position, and fired a few shots at the enemy's cavalry as they withdrew.

We then moved rapidly from this point in the direction of Bristoe Station. Here we again came upon the enemy about 4 p. m. of the same day. We found General A. P. Hill's force actively engaging the enemy. Only one of my batteries was up, it having marched with the front of General Early's column. There being great need of additional artillery on General Hill's front, by order of General Long, I placed this battery (Captain Tanner's) in position on General Hill's right front. Captain Tanner engaged a battery of the enemy and succeeded in driving it off, receiving a disabling wound himself. When we were approaching the position selected for Tanner's battery, and we were in a narrow road, a portion of General Hill's line gave way in confusion, and the enemy's advancing forces came so near to this battery, that it was necessary to reverse and withdraw it to prevent its capture. The nature of the ground and the fire of the enemy's skirmishers rendered this very difficult to do with celerity. I must express my gratification at the coolness and promptness of action shown both by the officers and men of this battery. Especially distinguished for coolness and presence of mind were Captain Tanner and Corporal Orange of the aforesaid battery. Captain Tanner was removed to Warrenton, and, owing to the nature of his wound, could not be removed when the army withdrew. I regret to say that he fell into the hands of the enemy.

The enemy withdrew during the night. After remaining a short time in camp near Bristoe Station, we crossed into Culpeper County