Plato, which was successfully met and repulsed Over their heads-the hill upon which our batteries were planted partially protecting them flew the rebel missiles, many of them bursting directly over the train. Some wagons were struck, though generally the enemy fired too high. One driver was hit by a shell, which fractured his right leg and disabled two mules. One ammunition wagon had the tail-board knocked out by a shell, which fortunately did not explode. Two wagons laden with oats were disabled, their contents being saved and the wagons burned, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. A horse was left behind, used up and worthless for the time, which I had the "melancholy pleasure" of shooting for the same purWith these exceptions the entire train was got off in safety, having been extricated from an exceedingly unpleasant predicament. pose. The Second brigade, General Ferrero, being nearest the train, had meanwhile been ordered back to its protection. General Getty, of the Third division, followed closely by Gen. Burns, of the First, arrived on the ground about half past nine o'clock, and by ten o'clock, Benjamin's famous battery E, Second United States artillery, took up a commanding position on the hill above the ruined hotel, and opened on the enemy with his six twenty-pound Parrotts, silencing their guns in about half an hour. One of his shells, I am glad to say, entered the house where Carruth had been betrayed, and beside which the rebel battery was planted. It is singular that last August he occupied the same position with his battery and fought the rebels over the same ground. At the last accounts we heard from the Springs, General Burns still occupied them, and there was no enemy in sight. It was a little singular that General Sturgis had not been informed that General Doubleday was at Fayetteville, and, upon our hearing druins in that direction, we marched in some expectation of meeting the enemy in our front. Below are the casualties in the fight of Saturday: KILLED.-Junior First Lieutenant Howard McIlvain, Durell's battery A, One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania artillery. WOUNDED.-Henry Ives, of the same battery, arm badly shattered, amputated on the field; private Amidon, same battery, contusion of face by piece of shell; Charles K. Darling, Sixth New-Hampshire volunteers, wagoner, leg fractured below the knee by a shell. I should have stated earlier in this letter, that the conduct of the drivers in the wagon-train, when exposed to a very hot fire, was most excellent. They were aware of an order to shoot any man who abandoned his saddle or seat. They all kept their places. Doc. 46. SKIRMISH AT RURAL HILLS, TENN. LOUISVILLE "JOURNAL" ACCOUNT. CAMP OF TWENTY-THIRD BRIGADE, FIFTH DIVISION, THE following little affair is probably worth writing you about. On last Monday two hundred men and officers of the Eighth Kentucky regiment, under Lieut. Col. May, were detached to guard a train of supplies to Col. Hawkins's (Fourteenth) brigade, then stationed some seventeen miles to the south-east of Nashville, at a point called Rural Hills, and fortunately reached there without casualty or molestation. It had rained all day, and Col. Hawkins did us the favor to give us the use of an old shed and buildings, constructed for camp-meeting purposes, situated about one hundred and seventy-five yards in front of his right, for our quarters for the night, assuring us that his picket-lines were strong. The night passed, and Tuesday morning dawned with favorable auspices for a rencounter with the rebels-wet and misty. And sure enough, just as we were breakfasting, the crack of several rifles on the lines warned us of an attack. Our men sprang to their guns, and had not time to load before the enemy appeared in one column dashing down an opening leading out from our left front, and in another column protruding from a wood into a field to our right, and stretching along the front of Col. H.'s brigade. A dense cedar thicket extends out from the old camp-ground, the two columns coming in on opposite sides of it, the force in the field to engage the brigade in front, while that before our left was to dash past the camp-ground down a short lane to where a section of artillery lay, and take possession of it, was obviously the programme. The rebels were mounted on magnificent chargersof Kentucky's best breeds, doubtless-and came dashing on like thunderbolts, evidently unsuspecting any thing from the "ancient sanctuary," where we were ensconced. Our boys rushing out at all sides, poured a galling fire into them, mowing down some of the best models of rebel chivalry, and completely frustrating them in their well-concerted movements. They faltered for a moment, then discovering our position, opened a sharp cross-fire upon us, and made the bullets whiz above our heads for a minute, and then commenced a stampede in their regular style. Meanwhile the section of artillery opened upon them, their main force being discovered about one and a quarter miles to our front under cover of the edge of the woods, which was responded to briskly by two or three pieces, throwing their missiles very scatteringly, and without effect. This was continued for half an hour, when the rebels withdrew, leaving from twelve to sixteen men and a horse or two dead, and the usual articles, such as guns, hats, old clothes, etc. side not a drop of blood was spilled. On our OMELET. OCCUPATION OF FALMOUTH, VA. FALMOUTH, VA., November 18, 1862. THE Federal army, under the immediate command of Gen. Sumner, arrived within a mile of this place about noon yesterday, having made the march from Warrenton, some forty miles, in two days and a half. This may be set down as very good marching, as the corps was encumbered with a very heavy train of baggage-wagons. Shortly after the army got in motion yesterday morning, cannonading was heard some four miles in our advance. No one seemed to understand it, as we had no forces in the direction of the sound. Parties were sent ahead to ascertain what it meant, when it was ascertained that a body of the enemy had crossed the Rappahannock as a reconnoitring party, and while marching down towards Falmouth, the rebels opened on them, causing some considerable consternation in their ranks. About a dozen rounds were fired before it was ascertained that they were firing "on our own troops." The fact of the rebels firing on their own troops proved to us that they had one or more batteries planted on the opposite shore, for the purpose of sweeping the road as we advanced. Gens. Sumner and Couch soon came to a conclusion that these batteries must be at once silenced, so that we might have free access along the river road. The Fifty-seventh New-York, Lieut.-Col. Chapman commanding, and the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, Col. Brooks, advanced as skirmishers along the Falmouth road, until within a mile of the town. These two regiments were followed by the remainder of the brigade to which they belong, consisting of the Second Delaware, Col. Bailey; Sixty-sixth New-York, Colonel Pinkney, and the Fifty-second New-York, Col. Frank-the whole brigade commanded by Col. Zook, of the Fiftyseventh New-York. Capt. Pettit's battery, the First New-York artillery, and Owens's and Tompkins's two Rhode Island batteries followed. Instead of taking the main road, as the enemy thought the Federals would, that they might have a chance to pepper them, the commanding officer ordered them to make a detour around some high wooded hills into a valley, where a branch runs into the river; across this, and up on a very high and commanding elevation, directly in the rear of Falmouth. Captain Pettit's battery was at once placed in position on the brow of this high hill, with Zook's brigade directly in the rear, completely secured by the natural position of the hill. ~ At about halfpast three the first gun was sighted and brought to bear upon the enemy, which at once brought on a rejoinder. The first shot from the rebels burst directly over our battery. The firing from our battery became very rapid and precise, which had the effect of driving the rebels from their guns, thus completely silencing them. Once in a while one more bold than the rest would attempt to drag a gun away, when a shot from our guns would drive him away. What firing the enemy did do was first-class-every shot being a line shot-yet too high to do the slightest damage, as not a man was injured on our part. Owens's battery also opened and fired a few rounds. Just after the rebel guns were silenced, two trains of cars were observed leaving Fredericksburgh; our batteries opened on them, hurrying them away under a full head of steam. Col. Zook's brigade belongs to Gen. Hancock's division, and they seemed very anxious to distinguish themselves. Last evening they took a position at the ford opposite Fredericksburgh, to check the enemy attempting to cross over to Falmouth. Our cannonading was immense; the enemy could not stand its precision. Every shot fired went directly over the houses in this town, frightening the residents very much, as it came so unexpectedly. They had no idea of a "Yankee" army ever coming down here again. They presumed that if we attempted to go to Richmond it would be by the way of Gordonsville. This movement of General Burnside has completely taken them by surprise. As we stated in a previous despatch, our forces passed through Warrenton in three columns, Gen. Hancock on the right, General French the centre, and Gen. Howard on the left. This constitutes General Couch's corps. The Ninth army corps, commanded by General --, and Couch's corps, are under the command of General Sumner. The troops took the direct road to Warrenton Junction, early on Saturday morning, and encamped on the evening of that day in the vicinity of the Junction, and again started early on Sunday morning, making the next camp near the Spotted Tavern, in Stafford County, Fauquier being the county we had been passing through. Nothing of any great moment occurred during the march, except that it was conducted with great order—few or no stragglers to be seen— and such was the rapidity of the march that the citizens of the very few houses to be found were taken by surprise, not dreaming of an advance of our forces. The countenances of all whom we came across, plainly told of their astonishment. The first place of any name, after leaving the Junction, was Elk Run, a village consisting of two or three houses, with the usual outbuildings. A great majority of the dwellings in this county are built of logs, and are very uncomfortable within, invariably being heated by fires on the hearthnot the large fire-places where a quarter of a cord of wood can be used at once, but miserable little fire-places, narrow and contracted, of just sufficient size to freeze one to death at the opposite side of the room, away from the fire. The inhabitants of this region are indeed a "shiftless" set. The Spotted Tavern is about fifteen miles from Fredericksburgh, and consists of one house with a large barn. The original tavern was burned some time ago. Just previous to reaching this place, where the troops encamped, the marks of a former invading army can easily be traced, by fences being down, roads through ploughed fields, no signs of husbandry, no shocks of corn fodder standing-all is gone. First came our forces, then came the confederates; away they go, and then our forces again. All these troops must be fed, and the consequence is, the whole country is skinned completely out. As most of the other armies passed in the summer, very little fire was used by the troops, consequently very few rail fences were destroyed. Now it is quite different; the cold snap has made a fire very agreeable; and as the rails make a quick and hot fire, they are used by thousands, much to the chagrin and discomfiture of the secesh farmers. Last night bright lights could be seen for miles, looking not unlike to a large city with all the street-lamps and stores lit up. The day opened on Sunday morning with a dull and heavy sky, giving evidence that a storm was brewing. By noon it cleared up somewhat, and the sun came out, warming the chilled atmosphere. Late in the afternoon it again clouded up, the weather becoming quite cold and raw. The weather all day yesterday was threatening, and quite cool. In the morning a very heavy fog impeded observation, and drops of it fell like rain. Once or twice during the morning it attempted to rain, but did not succeed. Late in the afternoon, the sun partially made his appearance. We all hope there will be no rain until the whole army is en route for its destination. Up to today the roads have been very good for the passage of an army, but one severe rain of a day or two will make them impassable. The soil is clayey in some places, while in many others it is very sandy and gravelly. The road here and from the Junction runs on a ridge, and is almost a desert, so far as water is concerned. What few streams there are running seem to be nothing but muddy pools. Water is very scarce, and the troops, after the long march, were suffering for the want of it. At the headquarters of Gen. Sumner there is a well of good water. The advance-guard placed a sentry over this well, ordering him to allow no one to get water from it except an officer from headquarters. When Gen. Sumner heard of this order he went to the sentry at the well, in person, and gave him instructions to let all get water who wanted it, at the same time stating that he would rather go without water himself than to let his men go thirsty. Some of the inhabitants of this almost deserted region have been in mortal fear of the "Yankees" for some time past, as they had been told our troops kill women and children, and burn all dwellings. A female at the house used as headquarters, near the Spotted Tavern, implored us not to kill her or the children, and was most agreeably surprised when she learned that that was not our line of business. She had heard we had been burning and destroying all within our reach. A number of our troops, while overhauling a wheelwright shop, some miles from the tavern, found an Alabama ambulance, and some twenty five shot-guns, with patterns for gun-stocks, etc. The guns were rather roughly handled, and the remnants left as mementoes of the past. It is said upon good authority that there are five Mississippi regiments and Major Crutch's rebel cavalry brigade in Fredericksburgh to dispute our crossing. The Thirtieth Virginia, Col. Carey, is also supposed to be there, or ready to come, as houses have been cleared to be used as barracks for them. This regiment has lost a great many men by desertion, as the mass of them are conscripts, who invariably leave at the first opportunity-preferring to live in the bush rather than be soldiers. The mass of the Virginia troops say they will not go out of Virginia to go into winter quarters. Falmouth is a very old town, some of the houses dating as far back as 1717, and some claim a greater antiquity. A portion of the town has a neat air about it, while the mass of the houses are old and ill-shaped. There is not a public house in the whole town, or any place for strangers to stop. The best houses are white frames, while the old antiquities are the old-fashioned bricks, with heavy garret-windows. Very few men are to be seen, but there are an abundance of women and children. During the silencing of the batteries across the river the utmost consternation prevailed among the inhabitants. The children seemed very much frightened." During the early part of yesterday morning a ferry-scow, belonging to Mr. Fichler of Falmouth, was destroyed by the rebels to prevent our crossing. The river is fordable in many places, and this will have very little effect in keeping back the troops of Gen. Hancock's division, and the remainder of the column. This morning has opened again threatening rain, but our army is safe, the mass of it having got over the roads; in fact, the roads have been first-rate for the artillery and teams. During the march to this point our troops were in the very best spirits; their merry, echoing voices rang through the forests, raising the spirits of the weary ones in the rear, all hurrying on toward this point. The "Philadelphia brigade," known as Burns's, now commanded by Colonel Josh. Owens, of the gallant Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania, were in the left column during the march. They are in General Howard's division. Col. Baxter's regiment of Fire Zouaves have been consolidated, and now have ten companies instead of fifteen, as formerly. Yesterday morning one of the teams belonging to one of our batteries was out foraging for fodder, and got within a hundred yards of the enemy's cavalry pickets, they not observing the rebels. The teamster drove into a corn-field, the enemy not interfering in the least. The only reason we can give why they did not capture the whole party is, they feared it was a trap set to catch them. Our army has made a very sudden change of base. But the other day Harper's Ferry was the centre of attraction, then Warrenton, and now Fredericksburgh. In one of our letters we dated "Head-waters of the Rappahannock "- -now we are within a short distance of its mouth. What a transition-from the Blue Ridge mountains almost to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, and in so short a time. The enemy succeeded, last night, in getting their battery away. About dusk they brought a limber over a bridge that spans a branch stream, and our battery gave them a parting shot just as night came on. The Harris Light cavalry arrived in town this morning, and it is presumed they will cross over the river and examine the country. The First New-Jersey cavalry is also on the scout in this neighborhood. No sign of an enemy is visible on the opposite shore. with one hundred and sixty of the First SouthCarolina volunteers, (colored regiment,) in quest of lumber and other articles needed for the department. The steamer Ben Deford, ordered by you to report to me at Doboy Sound, did not, owThe two trains of cars that were observed leaving to heavy fogs and adverse winds, reach that ing Fredericksburgh last evening carried away point until the seventeenth instant. On the with them, no doubt, many a guilty head whose eighteenth, accompanied by the United States cowardly consciences feared to let them meet the gunboat Madgic, I proceeded to the mills located Union forces. Each discharge of our battery at on Doboy River, Georgia. On reaching the mill, I them, as they hurried away, must have caused found it necessary to reconnoitre the land adjacent their cheeks to blanch at the prospect of receiv- thereto. To do this it was needful to cross a narrow ing a shell in the trains. causeway leading from the mill through a swamp to the main land-a distance of about four hundred and fifty yards. This high land was heavily wooded, except on the summit, which was cleared and occupied with houses. My men-thirty-four in number- had no sooner passed across the causeway, and through the woods to the clearing beyond, than they were fired on by the enemy, who were posted in the thicket in front and on both sides. On the first fire one man was dangerously wounded, and a momentary panic seized the men, but it was only momentary. They speedily rallied and opened a brisk fire on the places occupied by the concealed enemy. This fire they kept up with great regularity and coolness until ordered by me to retire to the end of the causeway. They retired, firing as they went, with a slowness and deliberateness that could not have been surpassed by veteran troops. Three others were severely wounded while they were retiring. When my men reached the end of the causeway, I had the bow-gun of the Darlington directed on the woods, after which the fire of the enemy ceased, though numbers of them were seen through the days and nights we remained. I succeeded in loading the steamers Ben Deford and Darlington with from two hundred thousand to three hundred thousand feet of superior boards and planks, besides securing a number of circular and other saws, belting, corn-mills, and other property, which I was directed by you to obtain for the use of your department. Gen. Lee telegraphed to the citizens of Fredericksburgh, yesterday, that we were coming in two columns. He was mistaken, as we came in three, with the artillery on the road, making the fourth. Doc. 48. EXPEDITION TO DOBOY RIVER, S. C. REPORT OF GENERAL SAXTON. BEAUFORT, S. C., November 25, 1862. Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War: SIR: I have the honor to inclose for your in formation the report of the expedition to Doboy River, Ga. The expedition was composed of three companies First South-Carolina volunteers, (colored,) under command of Lieut.-Col. Oliver T. Beard, Forty-eighth New-York volunteers, and was in every respect a success. It gives me pleasure to bear witness to the good conduct of the negro troops. They fought with most determined bravery. Although scarcely one month since the organization of this regiment was commenced, in this short period these untrained, lowly soldiers have captured from the enemy an amount of property equal in value to the cost of the regiment for a year. They have driven back equal numbers of rebel troops, and have destroyed the saltworks along the whole line of this coast. Great credit is due to Lieut.-Col. Beard for his energy and skill in the management of this expedition. I am, Sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, RUFUS SAXTON, Brigadier-General and Military Governor. On When it is remembered that these men never had arms in their hands until four days before they started for the expedition, I think you cannot fail to give them great praise for standing a galling fire from a concealed enemy so bravely; for holding the causeways referred to during the two days and nights required for loading two large steamers, with valuable property, in the face of an enemy. To do this, my men worked day and night without intermission; and though short of provisions, I heard not a murmur. the last expedition the fact was developed that colored men would fight behind barricades; this time they have proved by their heroism that they will fight in the open field. Captain Trowbridge aided me greatly. Captain Crandell, of the Darlington, I found a trifling, childish pest. Capt. Meriam, of the Madgie, rendered me valuable as GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, assistance. I cannot forbear to make honorable directed by you, I proceeded, on the thirteenth mention of Capt. Hallet, of the steamer Ben Deinstant, on the United States steamer Darlington, ford. With a man of less nerve and less capacity COLONEL BEARD'S REPORT. BEAUFORT, S. C., November 22, 1862. Lieut.-Colonel Forty-eighth New-York State Volunteers. Brig. Gen. RUFUS SAXTON, been in service fifteen months, and were located at that point to guard the mountain pass, and to organize the Fourteenth Virginia cavalry, to be commanded by Major Bailey, and constituted a part of A. G. Jenkins's brigade. Our success was complete. We never lost a drop of blood. After securing prisoners and horses, destroy U. S. Volunteers, Military Governor Department of the South, ing camp, etc., we marched at four P.M. on the Doc. 49. EXPEDITION TO COLD KNOB, VA. COLONEL PAXTON'S REPORT. CAMP PIATT, December 2, 1862. HEADQUARTERS SECOND VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, Captain R. P. Kennedy, Asst. Adjt.-Gen., First Division Kanawha, George Cook, Brig.-General Commanding: SIR: In obedience to your orders, I marched my command, consisting of companies G, I, F, A, K, D, E, and H, Second Virginia volunteer cavalry, in all four hundred and seventy-five men rank and file, in good order, on the morning of the twenty-fourth of November, for Summerville, arriving there at ten P.M. the same day; distance fiftythree miles. Left Summerville next morning at seven o'clock, and arrived at the "Hinkle Farm" at four P.M.-thirty-five miles-and being able to obtain some hay there, remained until four o'clock A.M., twenty-sixth, when we took up the line of march, in a blinding snow-storm, for Greenbrier, via Cold Knob Mountain, where we arrived at ten o'clock A.M., same day-distance twenty miles. Met Col. Lane's Eleventh O. V. I., who was to assist us in breaking up a camp of rebels at the foot of the mountain, but on account of the severity of the weather and hard marching, he wished to return to his camp at Summerville. I asked him to take the advance until we met the enemy's pickets, which he did, and in about one mile exchanged shots with the enemy's scouts, wounding one. Colonel Lane at once opened his ranks and gave us the road. We pushed rapidly into the enemy's camp, a distance of some miles, effecting a complete surprise at twelve o'clock M., the enemy scattering in all directions. We killed two, wounded two, paroled one, captured two commissioned officers, (one captain and one second lieutenant,) one hundred and eleven noncommissioned officers and privates, one hundred and six horses, five mules, burned and destroyed by fire about two hundred Enfield and Mississippi rifles, fifty sabres, with other accoutrements, tive wagons, also, blankets, clothing, harness, saddles, bridles, and other stores and supplies, and their camp-tents, etc. I had two horses killed in the attack on the enemy's camp, and lost ten on the march, from fatigue and exhaustion. The enemy was found three miles from the foot of Cold Knob Mountain, on Sinking Creek, Greenbrier County, Va., at Levis's Mill, and consisted of a part of five companies of cavalry, namely, Rockbridge cavalry, Braxton dragoons, Churchville cavalry, and Nighthawk Rangers. They were men who had twenty-sixth for Summerville, where we arrived on the twenty-seventh, at noon, making one hundred and twenty miles for men and horses, without food or rest, except one feed of hay for the horses, over the most mountainous and rugged part of Western Virginia. We remained in SumPiatt, and arrived in camp on the thirtieth, at merville until the twenty-ninth; left for Camp noon. My men suffered severely from frost. I left two men in hospital at Summerville, whose boots were cut from their feet; other were more or less frozen. My horses were very much cut down. I cannot close this report without deservedly complimenting officers and men; but where all behaved so gallantly it is impossible to particularize. But all honor is due Major Powell, who led the charge, and company G, Capt. McMahon, who led the column. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Doc. 50. GENERAL STAHEL'S RECONNOISSANCE. GENERAL SIGEL'S DESPATCH. CHANTILLY, VA., November 30, 7 o'clock P.M. BRIGADIER-GENERAL STAHEL has just returned. He attacked the enemy at Snicker's Ferry, and followed them, with three hundred cavalry, into their camps on the other side of the river, and near to Berryville. Our men charged splendidly whenever they met the enemy. White's cavalry was driven in all directions. Nearly all their officers were captured and their colors taken. White himself fled and hid himself at a house in Berryville. The Third, Seventh, and Twelfth Virginia cavalry were also attacked and routed. Forty of their men, with horses, were taken prisoners, fifty killed and wounded, and two colors taken. One wagon-load of pistols and carbines was picked up on the road, having been thrown away by the flying enemy. Eighty cattle and eighty horses were also brought in. Our loss in killed and wounded is about fifteen. Gen. Stahel reports that his officers and men behaved excellently, and used only their swords, no fire-arms being brought into use. He also reports that there is a brigade, under Gen. Jones, at Winchester; but that Jackson's main force was at New-Market last Wednesday, as reported previously. F. SIGEL, Major-General Commanding. |