JUNE 28, 1862.--Operations around New Kent Court-House, Va.
Report of Capt. Robert B. Ward, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CAMP, CUMBERLAND, VA.,
June 24, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report the results of my pickets and patrols on
the 23d instant. I had pickets posted on all the roads approaching the
landing. I ordered out Lieutenant Nimmon with 10 men to proceed to scout as
far as Charles City via New Kent Court-House, and Lieutenant Aughenbaugh
with 10 men to patrol as far as Baltimore Cross-Roads. I directed
Lieutenant Nimmon to arrest Richard Cook and send him to this place under
guard. In obedience to my order Richard Cook was arrested and sent in. I
immediately dispatched Corporal Cook with him to White House to report to
you in person. Lieutenant Aughenbaugh returned at 7 o'clock p.m. and
reported all quiet in the direction of Baltimore Cross-Roads. Lieutenant
Nimmon has not returned yet. I am at a loss to conjecture what has detained
him. His instructions were to return last evening. I was informed by a
small boy who has been living with Mr. Toler, but at this time employed by
a sutler, that Mr. Toler's daughter, a young lady, was corresponding with a
young man in Richmond, who is an officer in the rebel service. They say
that the letters are sent to New Kent Court-House by this boy himself and
turned over to a young lady there, who has them sent across the Pamunkey
River about 5 miles below this place, and by the third person taken to
Richmond. I have been informed that the old man, Toler, has protection from
Lieutenant-Colonel Ingalls, but from what I can learn he is a very bad man.
I know him to be unfriendly to our Government from a conversation with him
yesterday. I would state that I have sent out a patrol to guard the river
for 5 miles below this place. I have dispatched Lieutenant Aughenbaugh with
a small party in the direction of Charles City, to ascertain, if possible,
what has or is detaining Lieutenant Nimmon. I will report the result as
soon as he returns.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. B. WARD,
Captain, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.
Col. JOSIAH HARLAN,
Commanding Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.
[Indorsements. ]
Respectfully referred to Lieutenant-Colonel Ingalls. I have directed
Captain Ward to possess himself of a letter of the correspondence mentioned
herein and ascertain the nature of its contents, whether contraband or not.
What had better be done with Toler, who, Ward says, is the father of the
young girl through whom this correspondence takes place, notwithstanding he
has a protection from Lieutenant-Colonel Ingalls?
JOSIAH HARLAN,
Colonel, Commanding Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
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WHITE HOUSE, June 24, 1862.
Respectfully referred to General Seth Williams, Headquarters Army of the
Potomac. Colonel Harlan has shown untiring zeal and excellent judgment in
the performance of his duties here. The service would be benefited greatly
and the colonel much gratified should his entire regiment be assembled
under his immediate control. The forces here are now so posted as to
completely guard the depot.
RUFUS INGALLS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Aide-de-Camp, Commanding.