Second Brigade, commanded by Col. Samuel P. Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.

June 15.--The brigade again advanced upon Petersburg; engaged the enemy, and returned to camp on the 17th. Loss, 1 officer killed, 1 wounded; 4 enlisted men killed, 3 wounded.

June 20 to 30.--On raid under General Wilson; participated in the destruction of Reams' Station, 20 miles of railroad track on the Weldon and Petersburg road; Ford's, Wilson's, Blacks and Whites, and Nottoway Stations, and railroad track on the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railroad a distance of 30 miles; [Burkeville] Junction, Keysville, Meherrin, Drake's Branch, and Roanoke Stations, saw-mills, shops, turnouts, and over 40 miles of track on the Richmond and Danville road. En route, destroyed a large amount of Government stores, 2 locomotives, a number of platform and other cars, and made a most effectual destruction of the railroad. Engaged the enemy at Staunton River railroad bridge, and on returning at Reams' Station, where the brigade suffered very heavily. Loss 19 officers and 670 enlisted men killed, wounded, and missing, 712 horses, and 2 mountain howitzers (12-pounders).

July 1 to 26.--Brigade stationed near Sherman's Landing, on James River.

July 27.--Crossed James River at Strawberry Plains and participated [28th] in cavalry engagement at Deep Bottom under General Sheridan.

July 30.--Recrossed James River and proceeded to camp at Jones' Neck; crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, and arrived at Lee's Mill, seven miles southwest of Petersburg, on the 31st, where the brigade is now doing picket duty.

JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
Reports of Brig. Gen. John B. McIntosh, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of operations June 22-July 2.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the part taken by my brigade in the late movement of the cavalry expedition under Brigadier-General Wilson for the purpose of destroying the South Side and Danville railroads.

We marched from Mount Sinai Church, situated southeast from Prince George Court-House, at 2 a.m. on the morning of the 22d of June, my brigade in the center and behind General Kautz's division. Passing through Reams' Station, on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, we reached Dinwiddie Court-House about 2 p.m. About six miles beyond Dinwiddie Court-House I halted my brigade, in obedience to orders, and formed, Colonel Chapman's brigade being at that time in the rear and somewhat engaged with the enemy. Finding Colonel Chapman was not much retarded, I pushed on and arrived at a point on the South Side Railroad about four miles northeast from Ford's Station. At this point I detailed the Second New York Cavalry to destroy the railroad, which was most effectually done for the space of half a mile, the rails and ties being taken up. The ties were then piled on top of each other and set on fire. The rails were also laid on top of the burning ties, and were so bent that they were useless until rerolled. At every available place where we could strike the railroad, we destroyed it, until we reached Ford's Station. The command was busy destroying the railroad that night until 1 a.m. At 3 a.m. June 23 my brigade moved out, bringing up the rear. I was not molested by the enemy. Keeping up a strong rear guard, 1 continued the destruction of the railroad until we arrived at Blacks and Whites. The First Connecticut and Second Ohio Cavalry Regiments were particularly busy in destroying the railroad this day. Chapman's brigade, in advance, having met the enemy near Nottoway Creek, and just as he was about to cross the railroad, soon became warmly engaged. My brigade was then placed in position on the hills in the rear of Nottoway Creek, guarding the right flank and rear.

At daylight on the morning of the 24th ultimo my brigade was withdrawn after Chapman's had passed through and beyond it, Chapman marching by way of Hungarytown toward Meherrin Station for the purpose of effecting a junction with General Kautz's division, which had been separated from us the day before; my brigade followed. I was not molested that day. I did not strike the Danville railroad that day until we crossed it at Meherrin Station about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I then detailed one regiment and directed Lieutenant-Colonel Brinton, of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, who was acting on my staff, to take charge of the Second New York Cavalry and thoroughly destroy the railroad from Meherrin Station to Keysville, distant eight miles. The work was most effectually done, the Second Ohio Cavalry covering the working parties. The brigade went into camp near Keysville at 11 p.m. I then received an order to turn out the command to work all night and to completely destroy the railroad up to Keysville Depot. I detailed the First Connecticut Cavalry, although the men were completely worn out and exhausted by their continued marching and labors. Late in the evening of the 24th of June I received an order to assume command of the Third Division, Cavalry Corps, on the morning of the 25th, until further orders, without, however, relinquishing supervising command of the First Brigade. The Third Division moved from Keys-ville at 4.30 a.m. 25th, behind General Kautz's division, Colonel Chapman's brigade in rear. I ordered two regiments of the First and two regiments of the Second Brigade to be constantly engaged in tearing up and burning the railroad as far down as Drake's Branch, requiring Chapman to cover the movement with two regiments. The day was excessively hot, and the men were completely exhausted by their continued hard work on the railroad. I was obliged to halt the division at Drake's Branch for three or four hours in order to let the working parties come in and rejoin us. Fortunately, during all this time, we were not molested by the enemy. Gathering the command together we pushed forward for Roanoke Station and when opposite Mossing Ford Branch I detailed the Fifth New York and one regiment from Chapman's brigade (the First Vermont) to complete the destruction of the railroad down to Roanoke Station, where we arrived about 6 p.m. In the mean time I received word from Chapman that the enemy had appeared in his rear. I immediately sent word to Chapman to have the wagon train parked on the north side of what I supposed was Horsepen Creek, and to form his command on the heights above and hold the enemy in check, should he make an attack. Subsequently, I ordered the train to be crossed to the south side, and to be parked near the First Brigade, then lying about three-quarters of a mile from Roanoke Station. Chapman was but feebly attacked, and held his position. A chance shot from one of the enemy's guns struck one of Maynadier's brass pieces, under command of Lieutenant Egan, and disabled it. It was brought along with the command. At 11 a.m. I received orders to have the Third Division prepared to move at once. I immediately gave orders to that effect, and sent Chapman word to withdraw his command at once, leaving one regiment on the skirmish line, which should be withdrawn at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 26th instant. The division commenced moving about 12 midnight, taking the advance and passing by a flank march close under the enemy's guns in a redoubt on the north side of the Roanoke River, thence bearing east reached Wylliesburg about 4 a.m. on the 26th of June. Here the command halted about two hours, when we resumed the march, the Third Division in the advance, and reached Christianville about 3 p.m. of the same day. The command continued its march that afternoon and bivouacked that night on Buckhorn Creek. In obedience to orders I sent the First Connecticut Cavalry to the Meherrin River to hold and occupy Saffold's Bridge during the night.

At 5 a.m. of the 27th of June the Third Division moved out, Chapman's brigade in advance, crossing Crooked Creek and traveling due east; bivouacked that night on the Boydton plank road about north of Lawrenceville. At 3.30 a.m. of the 28th of June I moved with my command, the First Brigade in advance; passed through Smoky Ordinary, and crossed the Nottoway River at Double Bridges, and moved toward Stony Creek. At the junction of the roads near Stony Creek the Third Indiana Cavalry, which I had sent ahead, struck the enemy's pickets and drove them in rapidly, but the enemy being re-enforced, in turn drove back the Third Indiana. I then immediately brought up the First Brigade, drove the enemy back, and as soon as we reached the open field deployed a strong line, supporting it with the First Vermont Cavalry, of the Second Brigade. I immediately ordered an advance and drove the enemy back into a wood upon their main supports. Here they constructed breast-works, and under cover of the wood made a determined stand. In order to get at them it became necessary for me to advance over an open field, and although I had advanced half way across the field I soon became convinced that it would be impossible for me to carry their position, which I at once reported to Brigadier-General Wilson. In the mean time my artillery was most efficiently served by Lieutenant Fitzhugh. One light 12-pounder was brought up under cover of some houses and the darkness and opened upon the enemy's position at a distance of about 350 yards. This gun was most efficiently served by Lieutenant Fuger, and must have done immense execution, as the enemy's fire at that point was almost silenced. The fight continued to rage until about 10 p.m., when it subsided into petty skirmishing. At 12 o'clock at night the enemy made a determined assault upon my lines, but was handsomely repulsed. The attack was very severe. After it was over I withdrew my line about 200 yards and made breastworks behind a fence, and distant about 400 yards from their position. This position I held until I received orders to withdraw, about 2.30 o'clock on morning of the 29th of June. Chapman's brigade was formed behind breast-works made of rails, about 600 yards in rear of the First Brigade, and the First Brigade was then retired behind Chapman's. As soon as the enemy discovered our retiring they followed up sharply, making a severe attack. The First Brigade was then mounted and retired down the road to the left, making for Reams' Station. I ordered Chapman as soon as the First Brigade was retired to retire his line to the edge of the woods, and hold that position until I sent him word to retire. As soon as I found the road was clear for Chapman to retire upon I sent Captain Mitchell to communicate with him and order him to retire his line. Captain Mitchell soon came back and reported that he was unable to communicate with Colonel Chapman on account of the enemy having gotten between the First and Second Brigades. I immediately sent him back to communicate with Colonel Chapman and see him, if it was a possible thing. Captain Mitchell having met Major Wells, of the First Vermont Cavalry, who had succeeded in getting through with a part of his command, informed him that it was impossible for him to get through, and although he made every exertion possible, he was unable to communicate with Colonel Chapman. Chapman, finding that the enemy had turned his left flank and was on the road in his rear, pushed to the right with that part of his brigade which he could collect together and by a circuitous route rejoined the command with a large part of his brigade near Reams' Station. In order to get through it was necessary for Chapman to pass through dense woods. Fortunately, his artillery had all been retired in advance of the First Brigade. When we arrived in front of Reams' Station we found ourselves confronted by a heavy infantry force, which turned out to be Mahone's division, with artillery in position; the force at Stony Creek still being on our right and rear; a portion of the enemy's cavalry was also in our front. I was ordered to take the First Brigade and force the enemy's lines, but, after surveying them, came to the conclusion that it could not be done with the least safety to the command, and so reported it. That plan was then abandoned, and the only resource which was left open to us was to retire upon the road we had advanced upon and recross the Nottoway at the Two Bridges and go around by Jarratt's Station, which was finally done, after destroying our train and parking the ambulances near a stream, where they were left under charge of surgeons to fall into the hands of the enemy. In the mean time I heard the enemy were moving around upon my left, and I deployed two regiments (the First Connecticut and Second New York Cavalry) to protect that flank. The Fifth New York and Second Ohio Cavalry were deployed in front, with Fitzhugh's battery on a knoll covering their position. The enemy succeeded in passing their infantry through a wood around the left of the Second. Ohio Cavalry and attacked them in their rear, causing them to face about and retire by the right. At the same time they pushed forward their lines and drove back the Fifth New York Cavalry. Fitzhugh then placed his battery in echelon and opened a destructive fire with canister upon the enemy, who were temporarily forced back. It then became necessary for him to retire his battery by the right and rear, which he did, falling back on General Kautz's division. I immediately sent Lieutenant-Colonel Brinton, of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, to communicate with Lieutenant Fitzhugh and bring his battery on the road in advance of the First Connecticut and Second New York Cavalry. As soon as the battery was withdrawn the enemy pressed in upon my rear. A detachment of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, which had been separated from General Kautz's division, was then in the rear of my two regiments. At the first onset of the enemy that portion of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry broke and ran in wild disorder upon the First Connecticut and Second New York Cavalry, throwing them into confusion. The enemy pressing very closely, I was unable to form my line in time to let the battery get ahead of me. Lieutenant Fitzhugh, seeing that his battery must be lost, spiked his guns and came off with fifty or sixty of his cannoneers and drivers; some twenty-five of them joined my command. After great exertion I managed to get a line formed and came off in good order, the enemy pressing my rear continually and opening upon me with artillery. The march was continued all that night until we crossed the Two Bridges, over the Nottoway, and pushing past Jarratt's Station at daylight on the 30th of June, crossed the Nottoway River again at Peters' Bridge by fording the stream. The command was then rested for two hours, and pushed on toward Waverly, and crossed the Blackwater at Blunt's Bridge on the morning of the 1st of July. The command pushed on to a stream a mile beyond Cabin Point, and halted till 3 a.m. of the 2d instant, and so came to our present encampment. My list of casualties will be rendered hereafter.

I cannot close this report without bearing witness to the noble heroism of both men and officers of my command. They marched by day and night with but little rest and little to eat, worked under a broiling hot sun in destroying railroads, and yet no murmurings were heard. They certainly deserve the thanks of their country, and it is my pleasing duty to bear witness to the devotion manifested for their country's cause. In their noble bearing Hammond, Purington, Harhaus, and Marcy, with all their officers, did nobly. The Second New York lost the services of their two majors, McIrvin and Grinton, wounded at Stony Creek. It is useless, however, for me to mention names where every officer and man did their duty so nobly. I must tender my warmest thanks to my staff officers, who were at all times ready for any duty, and who so signally assisted me in my labors.

Lieutenant-Colonel Brinton, of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, whose regiment was left behind, volunteered and desired to come with me on the expedition. He was most invaluable to me, and I desire here to acknowledge my thanks to him for his readiness to do any and every duty, and for the great assistance he rendered me.

I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

J. B. McINTOSH,
Colonel, Comdg. First Brigade, Third Division, Cavalry Corps.

Capt. L. SIEBERT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
Reports of Brig. Gen. August V. Kautz, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations June 15-30.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to submit my report of the operations of the division under my command in the expedition to destroy the Richmond and Danville Railroad.

I reported to General Wilson, in obedience to orders of the lieutenant-general, on the 21st ultimo, with my command, composed of the First and Second Brigades, under Colonels West and Spear, composed of the Fifth Pennsylvania and Third New York Cavalry and the Eleventh Pennsylvania and First District of Columbia Cavalry, respectively, in all 2,414 officers and men. Lieutenant Leahy, commanding Elder's battery, First U.S. Artillery, was also attached to my command.

At 2 a.m. on the morning of the 22d my command took the advance and marched to Reams' Station, on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, having driven the enemy's pickets from near the Jerusalem plank road, a distance of five miles. I learned from captured pickets that two brigades of cavalry, under W. H. F. Lee, were stationed at the Six Mile House guarding the railroad. In order to place this force in our rear, I directed the head of the column south, crossing the railroad to the Boydton pike, along which we marched for four or five miles, and then turning westward reached Dinwiddie Court. House about noon. At Reams' Station we burned the depot and a train of platform cars. From the court-house we marched north, striking the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railroad, about half way between Sutherland's and Ford's Depots. We marched along the railroad, the advance reaching Ford's Depot about 6 p.m. Here we captured and destroyed two trains and engines. The command was engaged until late in the night burning the railroad track.

Between 1 and 2 a.m. on the 23d the command marched and continued steadily on the road, reaching the junction near Burkeville at 3 p.m. without opposition. Here we proceeded at once to the destruction of the roads leading toward Richmond and toward Lynchburg. The brigade commanders charged with the duty report several miles thoroughly destroyed in every direction. During the night Captain Whitaker, of General Wilson's staff, reached me and reported the enemy in between our commands, opposing his advance. At 3 a.m. I marched for Meherrin Station, on the Danville road, detaching parties at intervals to destroy the railroad, which was readily done by piling fence rails on the track lengthwise with the rail, which burned the string pieces and cross-ties so as to require the road to be newly relaid wherever it was destroyed. The advance halted early in the afternoon at Keysville, and continued the destruction of the road until late at night. The command was here joined by the Third Division.

Soon after daylight on the morning of the 25th the march was continued and the road destroyed to Roanoke Station. The depots at Drake's Station and Mossing Ford, and the large steam saw-mill at the latter place, as well as two other small saw-mills, were burned. A number of culverts and small bridges, the largest across the Little Roanoke River, were destroyed. At the Staunton River we found the enemy holding the large bridge on the opposite bank, strongly fortified with artillery. General Wilson directed me to make the attempt to burn the bridge. About 6 p.m. the First Brigade advanced on the right of the embankment leading toward the bridge, and the Second Brigade on the left. The attack was maintained for two or three hours, but failed, with a loss of about 60 killed and wounded, among them a large proportion of officers. The bridge was strongly defended by a force quite as large as the assaulting party, with a river between them, a line of rifle-pits on the river-bank at the base of the bluff, another line below the crest of the bluff, and a line of redoubts on the summit of the bluff. Our forces had to advance on a double bottom land, commanded at every point by the enemy, and no shelter for our men. The heat was intense; a number of officers and men fell from sunstroke; the burning of the bridge was, therefore, reluctantly abandoned. My division held the position during the night, whilst the Third Division took the advance, moving eastward through Wylliesburg and Christian-ville. Roanoke Depot was destroyed by the rear guard. The enemy shelled the column after daylight without effect.

During the 26th, 27th, and 28th the division was in rear, and was not molested seriously by the enemy, although small parties appeared and fired upon the rear of the column. About 1 o'clock on the morning of the 29th the division again took the advance, marching direct for Reams' Station, and when within a short distance of the station the advance was confronted by infantry and artillery, and farther progress stopped. Disposition was immediately made to resist the enemy until communication could be had with the Army of the Potomac. Captain Whitaker, of General Wilson's staff, volunteered to go through the enemy's lines with a company of cavalry, and other scouts were started to go into our lines. Whilst making disposition of the different regiments of my command, the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was in the advance, was thrown into momentary confusion by an attack in flank by a regiment of Alabama troops, but several companies rallied immediately and charged the enemy, routing them, and capturing about 50 prisoners. Considering the enemy too strong to assault, there seemed no other course left except to intrench and hold on to our position until relieved by the Army of the Potomac. I accordingly ordered such defenses to be made as our means afforded. Two small breast-works were hastily thrown up, rails were piled up and trees felled to protect sharpshooters, which had the effect of keeping the enemy at bay in my front, and my command was not again molested. General Wilson having come up with his division, and finding the enemy advancing from the direction of Petersburg, on the stage road, in strong force, it was decided to destroy the trains, abandon the wounded, and try and save the men and horses by retreating. I was directed to bring up the rear, but before the retreat could be effected the enemy forced our lines between my command and the Third Division, several regiments of the later falling back into my lines, creating some confusion. Finding that I could not get to the stage road, I immediately determined to turn the enemy's left flank and thus seek to reach our lines. This was done without opposition. We crossed the railroad between Reams' Station and Rowanty bridge and reached our lines soon after dark, and bivouacked. As we pursued no road, but marched by compass, passing most of the way through timber and heavy undergrowth, the artillery could not be brought through. It was hauled off the field and finally abandoned in a swamp, where the carriages mired, and could not be extricated. The officers in command of the batteries report that they spiked the pieces before leaving them. Nearly all the efficient men of my division came through in this way, also portions of the Second Ohio, Fifth New York, and fragments of other regiments of the Third Division--perhaps 1,000 men in all. The provost guard, stragglers, men sent to the rear with wounded, for ammunition, and other purposes (perhaps 500 in all of my division) were separated with the Third Division, the greater portion of which followed the route taken by that division and came in with it. The loss in the division will not be ascertained correctly for some time yet, as the men continue to come in, most of them dismounted, and many are reported still behind, although within our lines.

The condition of the command was such that it was impossible to assault or oppose, with any hope of success, the great superiority of fresh troops marched out of Petersburg to oppose us. For nine days the men had been constantly in the saddle, or engaged at night in destroying railroads. Our provisions were exhausted and no adequate supply could be obtained from the country through which we marched. The men were so much fatigued that every exertion of the officers was necessary to keep the men awake, even under the fire of the enemy. Many men were captured in consequence of falling asleep by the roadside. The unusual proportion of officers killed and wounded in my command attest their gallantry.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

AUGUST V. KAUTZ,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Chief of Cavalry.

Capt. L. SIEBERT,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division, Cavalry Corps.

JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
Reports of Col. Samuel D. Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania. Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations June 15-30.

Pursuant to orders from the general commanding division, my brigade left camp on the morning of the 21st of June, crossed the pontoon bridge at 4.30, marched out to Mount Sinai Church, reaching there at 10.30, bivouacked until 2 a.m. 22d, took line of march (my brigade in advance) toward Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, reaching Reams' Station at 7.30 a.m., driving in enemy's pickets. At the station we destroyed railroad buildings, a portion of the track, and thirteen dirt cars; marched on to Dinwiddie Court-House, halted near one hour, and marched toward Ford's Depot, on the South Side Railroad, reaching there about 5.30 p.m.; found two locomotives and eighteen platform and other cars, all of which were destroyed, with a great quantity of track. The men were kept at work destroying the railroad until near 12 o'clock at night, then bivouacked until morning of the 23d. At 1.30 line of march was again taken up, my brigade in the advance; marched along the South Side Railroad, passing Wilson's at 4 a.m., Blacks and Whites at 6.30 (there destroyed one car and water-tank); reached Nottoway Court-House at 10.30; halted a short time, and then marched on to junction of South Side, Lynchburg and Richmond and Danville Railroads, reaching there at 3 p.m. Immediately put my brigade (pursuant to instructions from the general commanding division) to work destroying the Lynchburg railroad above the Junction, which was done effectually for nearly five miles, men working until midnight, then bivouacked until 4 a.m. morning of the 24th, when the general commanding division ordered my brigade to remain and destroy the Junction, which was done effectually, taking me over an hour to do it. I then marched in rear of First Brigade along the Danville railroad, reaching Price's Station at 7.30, where the First Brigade was halted and at work destroying the road above the station. I destroyed it below the station for two miles, marched on up the road, reaching Meherrin Station at 9 a.m., destroying the road effectually along the route nearly all the way and at the station. Marched to Keysville Station, reaching there at 1.30, destroying the track between the two stations on our way. At Keysville bivouacked for the night. Men were at work on the road until near midnight.

Saturday, 25th, marched on up the railroad, reaching Drake's Branch Station at 9 a.m., destroying the road as on previous days; halted for two hours, then marched on toward Roanoke Station, on the Staunton River, reaching it at 5 p.m., when the enemy immediately opened upon us with artillery from an earth-work on the opposite side of the riverbank, also from the bridge with heavy musketry. I immediately dismounted Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of my command and deployed them as skirmishers to the left of the railroad, and advanced under heavy fire of musketry and artillery to within good rifle-range, when I halted and opened upon the enemy. I held my position until compelled to fall back by the superior force of enemy and their being protected by earth-works, while my men were exposed to all their fire. I fell back about 200 yards and then held my position until the men were nearly out of ammunition, when I fell back to the depot. After getting ammunition and resting the men, I was again sent out to the same positions, to hold it during the night, which I did until all of General Wilson's division and the First Brigade of General Kautz's division had been withdrawn, when I withdrew to the depot, destroying the same and railroad, and marched away in good order at 5 a.m. June 26; passed Christianville at 7.30 p.m. The rear of my brigade (First District of Columbia Cavalry) were attacked by small parties of rebels about 5 p.m., but were successfully repulsed. Halted at 2 o'clock morning of 27th, and bivouacked until 6.30, when we again marched, making several halts during the day. Crossed Meherrin River at 8.45 and reached Price's farm at 10.30 p.m., where we bivouacked all night. 28th, marched at 5.30 a.m., passing Liberty Church at 9.45 a.m., Smoky Ordinary at 10, reaching and crossing the Nottoway bridge at 4 p.m.; halted for a short time, moved on toward Stony Creek Station; General Wilson's division attacked by enemy at the last-named station. My brigade (Kautz's division) sent in advance toward Reams' Station; marched all night, reaching a position within half a mile of Reams' on the morning of the 29th about 6 o'clock. Enemy immediately opened upon the advance with artillery, driving them back to the main column. I at once ordered the advance regiment(Eleventh Pennsylvania) to form in a field a little to the rear and left of the main road, and the carbineers, about twenty to a company, to dismount and advance as skirmishers, while the mounted portion of the regiment was kept in position ready for a charge upon the enemy should they advance. The First District of Columbia Cavalry, being all armed with rifles, were all dismounted, with the exception of No. 4, to hold the horses, and advanced as skirmishers. Just as the First District of Columbia got into position the Alabama Brigade (rebel), Colonel Sanders commanding, charged upon my skirmish line, when the mounted portion of Eleventh [Pennsylvania] and First District of Columbia, dismounted, charged them, driving them back under cover of the woods. In the charge the Eleventh captured a large number of prisoners belonging to several different Alabama regiments. I held my first position for about two hours and until forced back to a new line by the enemy trying to turn the left flank. The command was so much exhausted that it was almost an impossibility to keep them from falling asleep while on the skirmish line. They were compelled to fall back until near the artillery, but still nobly fought the foe. By this time the order had been given by General Wilson to cut loose from everything and save, if possible, the men and horses. The general commanding division held his position until a large portion of General Wilson's division, who were in our rear, were driven in upon us by General Hampton's Cavalry Legion; we then being surrounded on our front, rear, and left by overwhelming forces of rebel infantry, cavalry, and artillery. I then received the order to take the advance and cut my way through to the plank road, which was accomplished by taking a southeasterly course through an almost impenetrable woods and swamp, passing the enemy on either flank, enforcing a passage. I reached the plank [road] at Proctor's Tavern about 5.30 p.m. I then marched toward our lines, passing our pickets, and reaching the headquarters of Captain Crowninshield at 11.30 p.m., where we bivouacked until 5.30 June 30, then marched to our old camp on the James River.

Inclosed please find a list of casualties(*) of my command, which is very heavy. Up to this hour, 6 p.m., men supposed to have been killed or captured are constantly coming in.

In closing my report it gives me great pleasure to state that my acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieut. J. Frank Cummings, of the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, performed his duty nobly, gallantly; and ever ready at all times, and with but six hours' sleep in seventy-two consecutive hours, he never faltered. My orders were conveyed with promptness and dispatch, which all proves that this young and faithful officer is fully worthy and fully competent for a better and higher position than he now occupies.

I deeply deplore the loss of the brave and gallant officers and men who fell in the struggle on the 29th, and whilst I feel their loss is irreparable, it is a consolation to know that they died at their post firmly, willingly, and unflinchingly, carrying out each and every order received by them. Their many virtues will be regarded in another field brighter and fairer than their last on earth. Requiescat in pace.

I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL P. SPEAR,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Capt. M. J. ASCH,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General

JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
No. 285.--Reports of Maj. J. Stannard Baker, First District of Columbia Cavalry, of operations June 15-30.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report to you herewith the proceedings of the First Regiment District of Columbia Cavalry during the operations of the command under Gen. A. V. Kautz, commanding Cavalry Division, on the recent raid into the enemy's country:

In accordance with orders received from brigade headquarters on the 20th ultimo, the regiment was prepared to leave, which it did on the 21st, at 4 a.m. Marching was continued on the morning of Tuesday, the 21st, until about 10 o'clock, when the command was halted by the appearance of rebel pickets and a small force at Reams' Station, on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. Company E, of the First Regiment District of Columbia Cavalry, with a portion of the Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, deployed as skirmishers, drove all force away and the march was continued. Nothing prevented the onward movement, and Dinwiddie Court-House was reached at 1 o'clock, where a rest was made of about one hour and a half, when the march was again commenced. The South Side Railroad was crossed at about 4 o'clock, and Ford's Station reached at 6, where no resistance was offered by the enemy. The night was spent in the destruction of the railroad and railroad property. At 1 a.m. the movement was again commenced, and continued without any interruption, except for necessary halts and for the destruction of railroad and railroad property, until Saturday, the 25th. Depots were destroyed all along the route of the Danville railroad, which was reached on Thursday, the 23d, at 4 p.m. Destruction of the track was successfully effected for many miles. On Friday nothing occurred to deter the movement of the command, and everything went on unruffled by the appearance of the enemy. Saturday, the 25th, the advance started about 5 a.m., and until 5 p.m. all was quiet. At that time the enemy was found in force at the railroad bridge over Staunton River. It was protected by earth-works and a large force was apparently in possession of them. The regiment was deployed on the skirmish line and remained there until the morning of the 26th. Our loss here was 4 killed, 22 wounded, and 30 missing. About 5 o'clock the line was drawn in and the regiment remained near the depot, to cover the crossing of the command at the creek. After the crossing was completed the regiment was placed in the rear of the command, and alternated with the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry in acting as rear guard of the column until we reached camp. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday were passed with only an occasional skirmish with small parties of rebel cavalry in the rear until about 5 p.m. on the latter day, when the advance was attacked at Stony Creek and quite a fight ensued, in which the regiment took no active part. After the firing lessened we were sent to the advance and marched without trouble until 7 o'clock the next morning. Here, a short distance from Reams' Station, the enemy was discovered in large force and severe skirmishing and fighting took place all through the day. Our loss here was 4 killed, 57 wounded, and 130 missing. At 3 o'clock orders came to march through and get into our lines, and falling into the column the regiment did so, through woods and by-roads, reaching the Union lines at 8 p.m. Encamping here for the night, the morning of the 30th found us again on the move toward camp, which we reached at 4 p.m.

I have the honor to be, colonel, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. STANNARD BAKER,

Major, Comdg. First Regiment District of Columbia Cavalry.

Colonel SPEAR,

Comdg. 2d Brig., 1st Cav. Div., 18th A. C.

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, FROM JULY 5, 1864, TO JULY 31, 1864.

Maj. R. S. DAVIS,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina:

MAJOR: I have the honor to call the attention of the major-general commanding to the accompanying report of men and arms in this division. It will be observed that in addition to the great variety of arms and caliber that there is a great deficiency of the proper arms for cavalry. Repeated requisitions for carbines have been made, but have not been filled. The best carbines for cavalry are breech-loading repeaters, with metallic percussion cartridges. Of this kind Spencer's carbine is preferred, next the Henry rifle or carbine.

Sharps carbine is a favorite arm, but the ammunition in a few days' marching deteriorates so much as to be a serious objection, as ammunition trains can seldom be taken on cavalry expeditions, and therefore only a limited supply can be carried by the men. The same objection exists against all paper cartridges. The issue of Merrill's carbine, made in this command just before commencing the campaign, seems to have been a very defective arm in the manufacture. The Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry started on the 1st of May with 280 carbines; they are now reduced to 117, and this reduction is due almost entirely to defects in the arm itself. The officers report that many burst in the barrel, and other parts give way.

I propose to make such transfer of arms as will give the least variety of calibers in the same regiment; but in order to do this I should first like to know whether any carbines can be obtained to replace the infantry arms that were issued only for temporary use to the dismounted men in the intrenchments, and which it is proposed to turn in. It is also necessary to know what kinds and in what numbers carbines, if any, can be obtained ; otherwise the difficulty of variety in caliber may still exist. It will prove the most economical in the end to arm cavalry with the best weapons for its peculiar service. Without a serviceable carbine cavalry is almost useless in the wooded country in which it is required to operate, where the enemy take up positions from which they can only be driven by dismounted men. I trust that something may be done to improve the equipment of this division.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

AUGUST V. KAUTZ,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Cavalry.