About 11.30 I received an intimation from the general commanding to press the enemy, to mask an attack on their left. The enemy had a line of rifle-pits, extending from the river to our right and about 400 yards in front of us, strongly barricaded and strongly manned. Under the fire of a battery of artillery I moved two pieces of artillery forward and to the left unseen by the enemy, and ordered them to enfilade the rifle-pits and shell them vigorously for twenty minutes, at the end of which time, which was 12.15 p. m., the One hundred and twenty-eighth New York, supported by the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York, of the Second Division, and the One hundred and sixteenth New York and a part of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, of the First Division, deployed out of sight of the enemy as skirmishers, and were ordered to rush upon the rifle-pits and seize them. The shelling of the artillery was perfect and the charge of the infantry made in fine style, and the pits were carried, with but little loss. Immediately two other regiments were thrown forward, with spade and pick, to reverse the enemy's lines. One or two attempts were made by the enemy to drive them away, but they were repulsed by the brave regiments just noted, and in a short time we had a continuous line of rifle-pits within 500 yards of the enemy's lines (on the left), which defied his artillery. Between this line and the enemy's line on my front it was impassable, except by the narrow pike, which was commanded by the enemy's artillery and riflepits. I heard nothing from the right until near 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when the cannonade there announced to me that the attack was commenced, and at the same time I received an order from the general commanding to press the enemy all I could. I was at that time myself near the first line. I ordered them forward and immediately ordered up in person my second line, which I had ordered to remain where it was until they received orders from me. The Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel Macauley, Eleventh Indiana, followed by Molineux's brigade, pressed forward as well as the nature of the ground would permit. The skirmishers of the Third Brigade managed to get into the work, however, nearly at the same time with the troops moving on the level ground on our right, and the company of the One hundred and seventy-sixth New York, under Captain Entwistle, captured four pieces of artillery. The mass of my column were compelled to move to the left and take to the pike, owing to the impassable nature of the ground. Without halting a moment, the whole force was immediately ordered in pursuit, the Nineteenth Corps leading, and Brigadier-General Grover, commanding Second Division, leading the head of the column of the Nineteenth Corps. Night had now come on and it was intensely dark. After marching about five miles we reached a creek, commanded on the opposite side by a high bank and a dense woods, where the enemy opened on us with artillery and infantry. This necessarily produced some confusion, and some of the troops in the rear fired upon our skirmishers; but two lines were immediately formed across the road, one by General Grover, who I had intrusted with the advance, and one by myself, and skirmishers were formed on the right and left of the column as well as the rugged nature of the ground would permit. The advance was then resumed with a loss of but twenty men, and we reached Woodstock about 3 a. m., where the column was halted, and the cavalry took up the pursuit. A considerable number of prisoners were picked up from time to time and sent to the rear. It is proper to say, both in regard to this battle and Winchester, that the artillery and small-arms captured by us were left upon the ground where they were taken, and I have no doubt passed into the hands of those who remained behind. My corps was moved forward immediately after each battle. Our loss in the battle was only 99 killed and wounded. Lieut. Col. C. KINGSBURY, Jr., W. H. EMORY, Brevet Major-General, Commanding. Assistant Adjutant-General, Middle Military Division. HDQRS. DETACHMENT NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Cedar Creek, Va., October 25, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to present the following report of the part taken by my command in the battle fought near Middletown, Va., on the 19th of October, 1864: On the evening of the 18th I received orders to send a division to the front on the following morning as soon as it should be light enough to distinguish objects, and make a reconnaissance of the enemy's position. I selected the Second Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, for this duty, and gave General Grover directions to move at early dawn. At that hour, on the morning of the 19th, not only the Second Division but my whole command was under arms, in accordance with a standing order from these headquarters. My staff was up and saddled, and I was in the act of saddling, when I heard firing to the left in the direction of General Crook's camp, followed by prolonged cheers, as if the enemy were making an assault. By the time I reached my advanced line the musketry had become very heavy, and seemed to be coming down the pike against my front as well as approaching rapidly from the extreme left of the army. The fog was so dense that it was impossible to see the position of the enemy or the direction of his advance; but, guided by the firing, I ordered the Second Brigade, First Division, to cross the pike and occupy a wooded ridge in order to support General Crook. This was done in the most gallant style under my own eye. Immediately afterward both General Wright and General Crook joined me, and the former directed me to send two more brigades across the pike. By this time we could see the troops on the left of my corps in full retreat; indeed, I had observed stragglers from them going to the rear while I rode to the front. I believed that it was too late to execute General Wright's order, for the ground occupied by the Sixth Corps on my left both commanded my position and took it in reverse; but I nevertheless hurried forward the two required brigades. The Second Brigade, First Division, soon became fiercely engaged and checked the progress of the enemy until the troops on its left were pushed back by overwhelming masses, when it was flanked and forced from its position. Believing still that we should be supported by our reserves in time to hold the camps I gave Colonel Macauley orders to stand fast, and directed Colonel Molineux, Second Brigade, Second Division, to put his men on the reverse side of his rifle-pits. General McMillan, commanding the First Division, promptly placed his First Brigade in the same position, and with excellent judgment, as it was now evident that the enemy's force was coming in upon our left and rear in overwhelming numbers. Even here it was impossible to make a permanent stand in consequence of the steady flanking movement effected by the enemy's powerful right. I therefore ordered my command to fall back and establish a new line of resistance. Near the house of Doctor Shipley I directed Taft's Fifth New York Battery and Chase's First Rhode Island Battery* into position, and formed a line of battle, with the left extending toward Middletown, but the continued lack of support on the left soon forced me to retire from this point to another, about 1,000 yards in rear of it. My command was now pretty well in line, the First Division on the right and the Second Division on the left, and able to hold the enemy's left in check. I was myself on my own left attempting to establish a connection with the Sixth Corps, when I saw my whole line moving to the rear, orders to that effect having been communicated directly to my two division commanders. About 1,500 yards behind the position thus quitted was a commanding crest which overlooked the whole open country in its front. Here I found General Sheridan's staff collecting stragglers, and here I ordered the Nineteenth Corps to halt and form in two lines of battle. My first line was already in position, when I was directed to retire, inclining to the left and connecting with the Sixth Corps. I, however, ordered my skirmishers to hold the crest until they should receive instructions from me to abandon it. Losing sight of the Sixth Corps shortly afterward, in consequence of a sudden change of direction in the line of march, I ordered the Nineteenth back to the vicinity of the crest, and sent aides-de-camp to find the right of the Sixth. I also extended my line over a portion of the unoccupied interval on my left in order to check a turning movement of the enemy, who were deploying in that direction. While thus engaged I received a message from General Sheridan directing me to close up to the Sixth Corps, and adding that my right would be covered by General Custer's cavalry. Immediately afterward General Custer came up with the head of his column, enabling me to make the flank movement without anxiety. Pushing to the left about three-quarters of a mile I joined the Sixth Corps, and formed my line within the cover of a dense wood. About 1 o'clock I received information from the general commanding that the enemy were advancing on me in force. Within an hour they charged my line, striking it near the center of the Second Division, but were promptly driven back, this being, as I believe, the first permanent repulse which they received during the day. About 3.30 in the afternoon our whole force was ordered to advance. My night, consisting of the First Division, was instructed to flank the enemy by inclining to the left, thus doubling up his line and driving him upon the pike. Both divisions, regardless of the fatigue and losses of this already prolonged struggle, charged with conspicuous gallantry, forcing their antagonists from two naturally strong positions supported by dense thickets and hastily constructed rifle-pits, following them with such rapidity that they had no time to form another line of resistance, and chasing them in confusion through our recovered camps up to Cedar Creek. After about two hours' rest the First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, was ordered to Strasburg to relieve the cavalry and cover the removal of the immense amount of public property which the enemy had abandoned in his flight. I have to lament the number of brave officers and men killed or wounded in this day's battle. Their names will be forwarded in the subordinate reports, excepting those of my staff, whom it is my especial duty to mention. Major Sizer, my acting inspector-general, and * Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery. Captain Wilkinson, judge-advocate, both of whom I have so often had occasion to commend for distinguished courage, were wounded, the former slightly, the latter seriously. Inclosed is a topographical sketch which will illustrate what I have written above.* I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Lieut. Col. C. KINGSBURY, Jr., Assistant Adjutant-General, Middle Military Division. No. 80. Report of Capt. Elijah D. Taft, Fifth New York Battery, Chief of Artillery, of operations September 19-22. HDQRS. DETACHMENT NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, OFFICE CHIEF OF ARTILLERY, Near Harrisonburg, Va., September 26, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the two batteries in reserve, viz, Seventeenth Indiana and D, First Rhode Island Artillery: About 10 a. m. on the 19th instant, in compliance with orders from Major-General Emory, I directed Captain Miner, Seventeenth Indiana Battery, to place one section of his battery in position on the left of the Nineteenth Army Corps, and open fire on the enemy in front, which was done with apparent good effect. Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery, by my direction, took position in a skirt of woods on the right of the Nineteenth Army Corps, and immediately opened fire on one of the enemy's batteries, then enfilading our lines on the right, when the enemy opened fire from two guns in the wood with canister, about 200 yards distant and in rear of our line of infantry. The battery soon silenced these two guns, and then renewed the fire on the battery enfilading our line, silencing it for a short period, but the infantry falling back for want of ammunition rendered the position unsafe for artillery. The battery had whilst in this position, although under a severe fire front and left oblique, been gallantly fought. The support having retired, and the battery having lost four men and six horses and one wheel broken, I ordered it to withdraw, which was done in good order. This closed the operations of these batteries for the day. On the 20th marched to near Strasburg. On the 21st Battery D, First Rhode Island, took position to the left and rear of the town of Strasburg, and opened fire on the enemy on the left of the pike, with good effect, firing a barn near which the enemy had troops and a battle-flag. One section of the Seventeenth Indiana Battery, in compliance with my instructions, took position south of the town near the brick church and opened fire on the enemy, causing them to change the position of some of their troops and trains. On the morning of the 22d Battery D, First Rhode Island Artillery, took position on the line of the Second Division in front of a skirt of woods and opened fire on the enemy, and after the hill in front of their position had been occupied by the troops of the Second Division, Lieutenant Grant moved forward with one section (two guns) of the Fifth New York Battery to the skirmish line, and firing a few well-directed rounds of canister and case-shot soon drove the enemy's sharpshooters from the wood in a ravine near the railroad, and then shelled the enemy's works, driving them from their works in front of the First Division. About 4.30 p. m. one section of D, First Rhode Island, took position on the left of Lieutenant Grant's section and shelled the enemy's guns on our immediate front. About 11 a. m. Captain Miner, Seventeenth Indiana Battery, in compliance with instructions, took position with his battery in the earth-works in the rear of the town, and at intervals during the afternoon shelled the enemy with good effect. This closed the operations incident to the battles of Winchester and Strasburg. For reports of casualties* and ammunition expended by the batteries mentioned above,. please see inclosures. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. D. S. WALKER, Assistant Adjutant-General, Nineteenth Army Corps. No. 81. Report of Brig. Gen. William Dwight, commanding First Division, of operations September 19-23. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, NINETEENTH CORPS, Harrisonburg, Va., September -, 1864. SIR: In obedience to instructions from the headquarters Detachment Nineteenth Army Corps, I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by this division in the battles of the 19th and 22d of September, near Winchester and at Fisher's Hill, Va.: In compliance with orders the division moved from its camp near Berryville, Va., at 2 a. m. of the 19th. It was directed to follow the Second Division of this corps, but one brigade of that division not having moved at the hour directed, this division was ordered by the brevet major-general commanding the corps to move without reference to that division on the Berryville and Winchester pike to its crossing of Opequon Creek. The division marched in the direction ordered for some distance, when the road was found to be filled with other troops, both infantry and cavalry, and by direction of the brevet major-general commanding the corps the division was halted to take its place in the line of march. It again moved forward a short distance, when it was again halted by command of the brevet major-general commanding the corps, and remained halted until something after 7 a. m. At about this hour, or soon after it, an order came from the brevet major-general commanding the corps for the division to move forward rapidly on the right of the pike, while the Second Division moved on the left. A moment later an aide-de-camp of the major-general commanding the army delivered a direct order for the division to move forward and cross Opequon Creek as rapidly as possible, without reference to other troops. The division moved directly to the Opequon, across it, through the wooded defile beyond the stream, without any delay beyond that occasioned by a crowded road. It debouched beyond the defile upon |