shipping them off that night on board a transport. For this purpose he borrowed ambulances from the medical director of the Second Corps, and by midnight they were all on board of the boat. Our register showed that 80 wounded had been admitted into hospital during the day, 12 of whom were rebels. The regimental reports gave a loss of 15 killed, 81 wounded, 20 missing; total, 116.

On July 29 we remained in same position and there was no fighting, except that toward evening the enemy attacked the pickets of the First Maine, but were soon driven back; we had 3 men wounded. During the night we recrossed the James, bringing with us those last wounded and a few sick, in ambulances, whom we sent to City Point.

On July 30 we marched from the Appomattox to Lee's Mill, on Warwick Swamp. The day was excessively hot, and the men and horses greatly exhausted by want of rest and water and the extreme heat. When we arrived at Lee's Mill we found the enemy posted in a strong position on the opposite side of the stream; after a short time we flanked and dislodged them, but in the skirmishing we had 11 men. wounded. They were taken to Lee's house, a temporary hospital then established, and they were fed, wounds dressed, and the necessary operations performed.*

E. J. MARSH,

No. 228.

Report of Brig. Gen. Henry E. Davies, jr., U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of operations July 26-30.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,

November 21, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward the following report of the operations of my brigade during the movement across the James River in the month of July last and for the month of August. During the whole of the month of August I was absent sick from the brigade, and can only give a brief and incomplete report of the occurrences of that period:

On the 26th day of July my command was in camp near Light-House Point, Va., on the James. In the afternoon of that day I moved from my camp, and after marching during the entire night, crossing the Appomattox River at Point of Rocks, reached the James River, and crossed that near Dutch Gap the following morning.

During the 27th the command lay on the north side of the James, not engaged.

On the 28th the brigade, in advance of the division, moved out toward the Quaker road, passing the First Division, Cavalry Corps. On getting beyond the right flank of the First Division, the column was attacked on the left flank, and before the brigade could be properly brought into position it was hotly engaged with Kershaw's division of the enemy's infantry. The position in which I was obliged to fight was exceedingly disadvantageous for the movements of cavalry, and the roads narrow and wooded on each side. I was obliged to dismount my command to fight, and for some time succeeded in holding the enemy in check. The First Pennsylvania Cavalry, on my right, and the First New Jersey, in the center of my line, behaved with great spirit and bravery, and the other regiments all did their duty admirably and be

*For continuation of report, see Vol. XLII, Part I."

haved as well as men could do. A charge made by the enemy was repelled, and they were driven back to the woods in confusion, but the second charge, made in greater force and with great determination, was successful in driving my men from the field. In falling back Í regret to report that one gun belonging to Lieutenant Dennison's battery was lost, all the horses belonging to the piece were killed, and the support driven off by an overpowering force of the enemy. The gun had been left nearly in rear as my men were retiring for the purpose of protecting the retreat of a number of led horses and of men who were nearly cut off by the enemy's advance, and it answered that purpose well, and without it my loss would have been much greater than it was. No possible blame can attach to Lieutenant Dennison, who behaved with great courage and gallantry, and I can only consider the loss as one of the inevitable casualties of war.

On the 29th the brigade remained under arms all day dismounted, the horses having been sent across the river anticipating an attack. During the night of the 29th and the morning of the 30th the brigade recrossed the James River, and then marched, crossing the Appomattox, to Lee's Mill. During this march I was relieved in command of the brigade by Colonel Stedman, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and went to hospital. On reaching Lee's Mill in the afternoon of the 30th the brigade engaged and drove from 'that point a force of the enemy's cavalry.* Respectfully,

Capt. A. H. BIBBER,

H. E. DAVIES, JR., Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Cavalry Corps.

No. 229.

Report of Col. J. Irvin Gregg, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations July 26-30.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
November 22, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that from the 6th of July (date of last report of operations) till the 26th this command was doing picket duty in the vicinity of Prince George Court-House and Lee's Mill. At that date the command marched from its camp at 4 p. m. and crossed the James River at Jones' Neck early on the morning of the 28th and encamped on Allen's farm, on Curl's Neck.

On the morning of the 29th moved out on the New Market road, passing in rear of the First Cavalry Division, under Brigadier-General Torbert, and formed my command in rear of General Davies' command, who was at the time engaged with the enemy. Heavy skirmishing continued for some time, when the enemy advanced heavy columns of infantry (Kershaw's and Heth's divisions) and General Davies was forced to abandon the field with the loss of one gun. I formed the Second and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in column with the intention of charg ing the enemy, but by order of General Gregg changed the disposition and threw them into line, under cover of which General Davies' command retired. Leaving the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and First Maine on picket my command returned to Curl's Neck and encamped on Allen's farm. On the 29th formed line of battle, dismounted, sent horses to the rear, and remained in that position until dark. Late in the afternoon of the 29th the enemy advanced and drove

*For continuation of report, see Vol. XLII, Part I.

in the First Maine Cavalry pickets on Malvern Hill, but the line was soon re-established, and without loss.

I have to regret the loss of Second Lieut. Lockwood Caughey, wounded, and since died of his wound; a young officer of great promise. I have, as usual, to bear testimony to the coolness and gallantry of the officers and men of my command.

On the 30th marched to Lee's Mill, where the First Brigade had a skirmish. Two regiments of this command (Second and Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry) sent to its support.*

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Capt. A. H. BIBBER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 2d Cavalry Division.

No. 230.

Reports of Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division, of operations June 17-July 30.

GRAVELLY SPRINGS, ALA., February 18, 1865.†

At 5 a. m. June 17 the division began crossing the [James] river, the entire army, except trains, having already crossed, The same evening bivouacked about two miles beyond Prince George Court-House, and the next day went into camp at Mount Sinai Church, on the Blackwater. The services required of my command during this movement were trying in the extreme upon the endurance of the men and horses. For the intelligent and zealous performance of the duties assigned them Colonels McIntosh and Chapman were recommended for and subsequently received their promotion.

On the 20th I received instructions from General Meade to prepare my command for an expedition against the South Side and Danville railroads.

On the 21st Brigadier-General Kautz reported to me with his division of four regiments. I was ordered to strike the railroad as close as practicable to Petersburg and destroy it in the direction of Burkeville and the Roanoke River. The High Bridge on the South Side road and Roanoke bridge on the Danville road were especially to be aimed at. Having broken up these roads as far as possible, I was authorized to cross into North Carolina and make my way either to the coast or to General Sherman in North Georgia. If I could not cross the Roanoke River I was left to my own judgment what route to pursue in returning to the Army of the Potomac or the James River. Foreseeing the probability of having to return northward, I wrote to General Meade the evening before starting that I anticipated no serious difficulty in executing his orders, but unless General Sheridan was required to keep Hampton's cavalry engaged, and our infantry to prevent Lee from making detachments, we should probably experience great difficulty in rejoining the army. In reply to this note General Humphreys, chief of staff, informed me it was intended that the Army of the Potomac should cover the Weldon road the next day, the South Side road the day after, and that Hampton having followed Sheridan toward Gordonsville I need not fear any trouble from him.

*For continuation of report, see Vol. XLII, Part I.

For portion of report (here omitted) covering operations from April 7 to June 16, 1864, see Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p. 875.

Having made all necessary arrangements and left two regiments (the Eighteenth Pennsylvania and Third New Jersey Cavalry) to picket on the left of the army, at 3 a. m. of the 22d the expedition, consisting of about 5,500 cavalry and twelve guns, began the march by the way of Reams' Station and Dinwiddie Court-House. The troops were supplied with five days' light rations, and about 100 rounds of ammunition in wagons. At 2 p. m. the advance, under Colonel Spear, of Kautz's division, struck the South Side road at the Sixteen-Mile Turnout. At Reams' Station Chapman's brigade, covering the rear of the column, was attacked by the enemy's cavalry pursuing; sharp skirmishing was kept up till the rear arrived at the South Side road. But the advance, encountering no opposition, pushed on rapidly to Ford's Station, where it captured two trains of cars with locomotives, burned the depot, water-tanks, and wood piles. The First Brigade of my division was kept employed from the time it reached the road till late at night in tearing up and burning railroad track, and details from the entire command were kept at the work of destruction till a late hour at night.

At 2 a. m. the next day I ordered Kautz's division to push on with the utmost rapidity for Burkeville Junction, and followed with the balance of the command as rapidly as it could march and destroy the road. At Blacks and Whites, following the trail of Kautz's division, we were misled and marched several miles on the direct road to Burkeville. I soon discovered the error and returned to the main road, but the rebel cavalry in pursuit, having kept straight forward, were met at the crossing of the railroad track near Nottoway Court-House. Chapman's brigade, in advance, attacked them with spirit and drove them back some distance. The rebels were re-enforced and in return compelled Chapman to fall back to the railroad. They attacked with great vigor, but were repulsed. Chapman was then re-enforced by the Fifth New York, but it being by that time quite dark, and the troops fatigued by their labor and marching, I determined not to renew the engagement till I could hear from General Kautz. The rebels having been severely handled by Chapman's brigade remained quiet during the evening and night.

Just before daylight of the 24th, having heard of Kautz's success at Burkeville through Captain Whitaker, of my staff, whom I sent to communicate with him, I withdrew from the position near Nottoway Court-House, and by a rapid march through Hungarytown struck the Danville railroad near Meherrin Station. Kautz having burned the depot and stores at the Junction, and destroyed the tracks for several miles in all directions, had just passed Price's Station when I arrived ́ there. I sent an order to him to halt his division and tear up the railroad track till the command could be united. After working with great perseverance the whole command bivouacked that night in the vicinity of Keysville.

Early the next morning the march was resumed, heavy details. engaged in destroying the railroad. About 2 p. m. the advance arrived at Roanoke Station, near the Roanoke or Staunton River. The bridge was found well defended-500 or 600 men and a battery of six guns strongly posted in earth-works on the south side of the river. The day was very hot, and the approach to the head of the bridge through a bottom field of growing grain. I posted the batteries on the hills, nearly three-quarters of a mile from the bridge, and directed General Kautz to dismount his division and endeavor to push close enough to the end of the bridge to set fire to it. After a most gallant and exhausting effort he was compelled to give up the task. Many of the men fainted from exhaustion, thirst, and heat. They had been hard at

work from daybreak in the heat of the sun, made more hot by the burning railroads and buildings, and were in no condition to overcome the natural defenses of the bridge, under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. But while General Kautz's men were doing their utmost to reach the bridge, the rebel cavalry unsuccessfully attacked Chapman's brigade, near the crossing of Little Roanoke. He had been directed to look out for the rear, in anticipation that they would endeavor to strike us while operating against the bridge. Having found, from careful inquiry, there were no means of crossing the river without allowing the rebels on the north side to cross by the railroad bridge, and thus unite all the forces in that section, and having convinced myself by personal inspection of the great difficulty and loss we should necessarily experience in again endeavoring to carry the bridge, I determined to withdraw to the eastward and march back to the James River. The objects of the expedition had in the main been accomplished. Every railroad station, depot, water-tank, wood pile, bridge, trestle-work, tool-house, and sawmill, from fifteen miles of Petersburg to the Roanoke River, had been burned. Most of the track of the South Side road north of Burkeville and all of the Danville road from the Junction to the Roanoke bridge were destroyed. The temporary interposition of Lee's division of cavalry between different parts of our column prevented General Kautz from moving against the High Bridge near Farmville, on the upper Appomattox. The Danville road from Burkeville to the Roanoke having been constructed by laying flat iron rails upon tramways of pitch pine, was completely destroyed, with great ease, by piling fence-rails along both sides of the track and setting them on fire.

Having thus completed the work assigned me, under cover of the night I withdrew my command to Wylliesburg and halted about daylight, fed, and rested. The enemy no longer pressing upon us, the column returned to the northeast by easy marches; passing through Christianville and Greensborough, crossed the Meherrin at Saffold's Bridge, and thence through Smoky Ordinary and Poplar Hill, to the Nottoway at the Double Bridges on the direct road to Prince George Court-House. The whole command arrived at this place by the middle of the afternoon of June 28. From all the information I could gather I was led to believe that Hampton's cavalry had not yet made its appearance in that vicinity, and that the only force barring the march of my command was a battalion of infantry and a remnant of W. H. F. Lee's division of cavalry, stationed at Stony Creek Depot, in all not to exceed 1,000 men. The road to Prince George Court-House passed two miles and a half to the west of the depot, and a picket of fifty men was reported to be stationed at Sappony Church, where the main road crossed the road from the depot to Dinwiddie Court-House. I determined, there fore, to lose no time, but push on with rapidity to that place, drive the pickets back to the Stony Creek Depot, and under cover of darkness march the whole command as rapidly as possible toward Prince George Court-House. The advance guard, under the direction of Captain Whitaker, of my staff, found the picket posted as I expected at the church, and by a spirited dash drove it toward the depot. This success had scarcely been reported before the enemy received re-enforcements and in turn drove back the advance guard to the head of the column. Colonel McIntosh hastily dismounted his brigade and attacked the rebels with great spirit, driving them rapidly back to Sappony Church, where they had constructed a rail breast-work. A few prisoners were captured, from whom I learned that Hampton's and Fitzhugh Lee's divisions of cavalry had just arrived. Knowing from the character of