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'failure to keep the troops properly dressed and to the fact that the Third Division moved forward too rapidly and in advance of the troops upon its right I mainly attribute the failure to succeed in this advance. The troops upon my left also temporarily gave way. The division lost very heavily in this attack. Not to exceed five minutes elapsed before the troops had been halted and were again charged forward. The enemy this time gave way and were forced back several hundred yards, when he again took up a position behind a stone fence upon the lace of a hill sloping toward my troops. The division charged forward to a stone fence which was parallel to the enemy's position and about 250 yards distant therefrom. An open field lay between the opposing troops. A stone wall extended at right angles from the right of my line to the left of the enemy's: A sharp and fierce musketry fire was kept up between the contending forces for about three-quarters of an hour. Orders were received from Major-General Wright in person to charge the enemy's position. Preparatory to giving the order for the division to charge I ordered Colonel Emerson to send a competent staff officer with volunteer soldiers along and under cover of the stone wall upon the right of the line, with orders to throw themselves upon the enemy's left and open an enfilading fire upon him. This order was immediately carried out and had the desired effect. Capt. H. W. Day, One hundred and sixth New York Volunteers, and brigade inspector of the First Brigade, was charged with the execution of the order. His gallant conduct on that occasion was highly meritorious, and for which he deserves promotion. Lieut. Col. M. M. Granger, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio Volunteers, volunteered to assist in this strategic movement. As soon as troops could reach the flank of the enemy the troops of the division poured a destructive fire upon the enemy and at once charged across the open ground, driving him in utter rout from his position. A considerable number of prisoners were taken in this charge, also small-arms and two battle-flags. Leander McClurg, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, captured the battle-flag of what he supposed to have been the Forty-fourth (rebel) Virginia Regiment, which he was forced to give up to a staff officer, not since recognized by him. Corpl. Daniel P. Reigle, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, captured a battle-flag from a color bearer of the enemy. The enemy retreated precipitately, throwing away guns, accouterments, &c., in their flight. He was closely pursued by the infantry to and across Cedar Creek. His columns were completely routed, disorganized, and demoralized. Troops of this division were the first to plant colors upon the works along Cedar Creek, which had been abandoned by the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps in the morning. The cavalry of the army was hurled upon the broken and flying troops of the enemy after he had crossed Cedar Creek. Night came on and the infantry gave up the pursuit. The abandoned and disabled guns and caissons of the corps were retaken upon the ground upon which they had been left in the morning.

*

The cavalry, in its pursuit of the enemy, captured many of the substantial fruits of the great victory which had been so richly earned by the hard fighting of the infantry soldiers. The loss in killed and wounded of the cavalry, compared to that in the infantry, was light, which of itself proves upon whom the burden of the battle rested and was borne.

At dark the troops, under orders, went into their respective camps, from which they had been called up in the morning. Many officers and

Awarded a Medal of Honor.

soldiers spent the night in ministering to their wounded and dying comrades. Instances were not a few where the miscreaut enemy had stripped the persons of our wounded of clothing, and left them without covering upon the ground. The bodies of the dead were generally robbed of all clothing and effects. It may be said, however, that many of the bodies of the enemy's dead had been robbed and stripped by their own troops. A rebel officer was killed, upon whose body was found clothing and other private effects of Capt. E. M. Ruhl, Eightyseventh Pennsylvania, who was mortally wounded in the morning. Considering the unfortunate circumstances under which the battle commenced in the morning, and its long and sanguinary character, too much praise cannot be given to officers and soldiers. Col. William H. Ball, commanding Second Brigade, showed superior judgment, coolness, skill, and gallantry. Col. William W. Henry, Teuth Vermont, Lieut. Cols. M. M. Granger, One hundred and twenty-second, and Otho H. Binkley, One hundred and tenth Ohio, James W. Suyder, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and Majs. William D. Ferguson, One hundred and eighty-fourth New York, Charles Burgess, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, Charles M. Cornyn, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, and Aaron Spangler, One hundred and tenth Ohio, together with many others, were particularly efficient in the discharge of their impor

tant duties.

It is impossible to mention names of the many who displayed acts of distinguished gallantry. The Ninth New York Heavy Artillery and a battalion of the One hundred and eighty-fourth New York Volunteers, commanded, respectively, by Maj. (now Lieut. Col.) James W. Snyder and Maj. W. D. Ferguson, for their noble behavior deserve to be specially mentioned. The former regiment had several hundred recraits and conscripts who had just entered the service. The battalion of the One hundred and eighty-fourth New York had never before been

engaged.

It is painful to mention the bad conduct of Lieut. Col. Charles G. Chandler, Tenth Vermont, Maj. G. W. Voorhes, One hundred and twenty-sixth Ohio, and Gilbert H. Bargar, One hundred and twentysecond Ohio Volunteers. These officers shamefully deserted their comrades in arms, and went to the rear without authority or good cause. Captain Bargar had just received a leave of absence. He abandoned his leave of absence attempted to shield himself from shame and dishis company while it was in actual combat with the enemy, and under

grace.

has since died.

their duties. Lieuts. John A. Gump, acting assistant adjutant-general, Staff officers of brigades were very efficient in the performance of J. T. Rorer (now Capt.), brigade inspector, R. W. Wiley, acting aidede-camp, Second Brigade, and Capts. Charles II. Leonard, assistant adjuthe most conspicuous. Lieutenant Gump was immortally wounded and tant-general, H. W. Day, brigade inspector, First Brigade, are among Tenth Vermont, and Orson Howard, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery; Capts. Edgar M.Ruhl, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania, L. D. Thompson, also Lients, W. B. Ross, Fourteenth New Jersey, Augustus Phillips, One hundred and eighty-fourth New York, Orrin B. Carpenter and burn, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, were killed while valJohn Oldswager, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and Thomas Kiliantly discharging their duties. Capt. Wesley Devenney, One hundred and tenth Ohio, and others of the division, have since died of their

Wounds.

TH

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Lieut. R. W. Wiley, acting aide-de-camp on Second Brigade staff, was the only officer captured in the division; he, mistaking the location of troops, rode into the enemy's lines.

Of the good conduct of the division staff I cannot speak in too high terms. Capt. Andrew J. Smith, acting assistant adjutant-general, throughout the whole action displayed great bravery, skill, and judgment: Capt. Osgood V. Tracy, division inspector, Capt. George B. Damon, judge-advocate of division, and Capt. Anson S. Wood, chief of pioneers, each carried orders faithfully and gallantly in the thickest of the battle. Each member of the division staff was especially efficient and active in preserving lines, keeping up and urging on the troops. Capt. George J. Oakes, acting ordnance officer of the division, deserves much credit for his energy and efficiency in supplying the troops with ammunition.

Robert Barr, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, chief surgeon of division, W. A. Child, Tenth Vermont, and William M. Houston, One hundred and twenty-second Ohio, chief surgeons of brigades, with the other medical officers of the division, deserve high commendation for their great skill and energy in taking care of and ministering to the many wounded.

Forty-three officers and 632 enlisted men were killed and wounded in the division.

A summary of casualties by brigades is hereto appended.

Copies of brigade and regimental reports are herewith transmitted. I am, major, with high esteem, your most obedient and humble servant,

J. WARREN KEIFER,

Colonel 110th Ohio Volunteers, Bot. Brigadier-General, Comdg. Maj. C. A. WHITTIER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Sixth Army Corps.

Summary of casualties by brigades in Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., on the 19th day of October, 1864.

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Reports of Col. William Emerson, One hundred and fifty-first New York Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations September 19-22 and October 19.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS,

Harrisonburg, September 26, 1864. CAPTAIN: In accordance with orders from division headquarters, I have the honor to report the following officers as having distinguished themselves at Winchester and Fisher's Hill: Col. John W. Schall,

* But see revised table, p. 132.

Aggregate.

Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania-in being mustered out with his regiment the Government has lost a valuable and efficient officer; First Lieut. John A. Hicks, Tenth Vermont, acting aide-de-camp; First Lieut. Edward E. Russell, One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers; First Lieut. William B. Ross, Fourteenth New Jersey. All the officers lid so well that it is difficult to pick out officers who distinguished themselves.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. EMERSON,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Capt. A. J. SMITH,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., SIXTH ARMY CORPS,
September 27, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to forward a report of the operations of this command during the recent engagements from September 19 to date, inclusive:

On the 19th instant, at 2.30 a. m., this command broke camp near Clifton, Va., with orders to proceed across the country in the direction of the Opequon River. The river was crossed at about 8.30 a. m., and after marching a mile and a half the enemy's skirmishers were met, when a line of battle was immediately formed. This brigade was formed on the right of the Second Division, and on the left of this division in two lines-the Fourteenth New Jersey. Volunteers and One hundred and sixth New York Volunteers in first line, the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers and Tenth Vermont Volunteers in second line. The One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers were thrown forward inmediately as skirmishers for the purpose of driving the enemy's skirmishers back that a battery might be placed in our immediate front. This being accomplished, the fighting was confined to the skirmish line and the artillery until 11.40 a. m. with inconsiderable loss on our side. At this hour we were ordered by Captain Smith, acting assistant adjutant-general, to make an assault upon the enemy's posi tion in our front, this brigade being the directing brigade, with orders not to halt until we received orders. Precisely at the appointed moment our column gallantly advanced, and was infmediately exposed to a terrific fire from the enemy's guns. Major Vredenburgh, commanding Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteers, who was charged with the direction of the line, and while bravely urging his troops forward, was struck by a shell and instantly killed, his last words being, "Guide on me, boys; I will do the best I can." The brigade moved quickly forward for about a mile, passing a house on the right of the pike and capturing almost all the enemy in our immediate front. Two pieces of artillery, which had worked considerable damage to our troops, were then discovered and a charge was made to secure possession of them. At this moment it was discovered that our right flank was not protected by the Nineteenth Corps, and that a heavy force of the enemy had been placed in position for the purpose of cutting us off. These guns would have been taken by our troops had our flanks been properly protected. The order was given for our men to fall back on the second line, but the enemy advancing at the same time in force, threw us temporarily into confusion. The line was soon reformed, and the enemy again driven from the house above mentioned, and our line formed

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about 100 yards in advance, the men protecting themselves with rails, &c. Heavy firing on both sides was kept up until about 4 p. m Whilst holding this line the enemy charged twice, but was repulsed, with heavy loss, both times. The brigade was again moved forward, in conjunction with the whole line, driving the enemy before them in the greatest confusion. Without any further check we passed through Winchester and had the honor of placing our flags first on the heights beyond Winchester. The brigade captured many prisoners, who were sent under guard to the rear.

In this connection I cannot bestow too much praise upon all the members of my staff, they being untiring in their efforts to rally the men under heavy fire, and by their actions inspiring the men with courage. I mention with pleasure the following-named officers, all of whom distinguished themselves by their gallantry: Capt. Charles H. Leonard, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Hiram W. Day, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. Charles M. Bartruff, acting aide-decamp; Lieut. John A. Hicks, acting aide-de-camp; Lieut. Benjamin F. Miller, acting aide-de-camp. I would also mention Sergt. Maj. Nathan F. Peck, One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers, who came under my immediate observation and was conspicuous in reforming the men. Among others, the brigade mourns the loss of the gallant Major Dillingham, of the Tenth Vermont Volunteers. The loss in both officers and men was severe. A list of casualties has been forwarded.* About dark we were ordered to fall back to Winchester and camp for the night on the right of General Getty's division.

September 20 received orders to move forward at 5 a. m. in the direction of Strasburg. When within a mile of Strasburg went into camp and remained all night, the enemy occupying Fisher's Hill. On Wednesday, September 21, at 12.30 p. m., moved by the right flank around Strasburg about two miles; threw up earth-works and remained all night. Thursday, September 22, in the morning about 11 o'clock, received orders to move out with the Second Brigade and take a certain hill in our front. This was successfully done, this brigade forming the second line. About 4 p. m., General Crook having turned the enemy's left, we were ordered by Captain Smith, acting assistant adjutant-general, to move forward, connecting with General Crook's left. The command moved steadily forward under a heavy artillery fire, obliquing to the right until we passed a piece of woods in our front, when the command made a rush into the works on the right of the Second Brigade and captured three brass pieces and one steel piece. The credit of capturing these pieces belongs to the Tenth Vermont Volunteers and One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers. The One hundred and sixth New York Volunteers claims to have captured one Parrott gun. The enemy fell back in great confusion and many prisoners were captured, who were sent to the rear. All officers and men did their duty. I take pleasure in mentioning two instances of personal bravery brought to my notice, viz: First Lieut. E. E. Russell, of the One hundred and fifty first New York Volunteers, who drove a rebel lieutenant from a gun with his saber as he was putting in a fuse to fire it. Private David Robinson, Company B, One hundred and fifty-first New York Volunteers, fought desperately hand to hand with the enemy over a gun, being knocked down with the butt of a musket. He, however, succeeded in killing his opponent. First Sergt. Julius Ambruster, Company E, One hundred and fiftyfirst New York Volunteers, is also very highly spoken of by the com

*Embodied in table, p. 113,

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