BURLINGTON WV

Posted on December 19, 2011 by ajmorris

Burlington, W. VA.,
Nov. 16, 1863.

Detachment of the 14th West Virginia and the 2nd Maryland Infantry.

On the 15th a train of 80 wagons, loaded with quartermaster and commissary stores, intended for Gen. Averell’s command at Petersburg, left New Creek Station on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. The train was in charge of Capt. Clinton Jeffers, of the 14th W. Va., his guard consisting of a lieutenant and 50 men of his own regiment, and a lieutenant and 40 men of the 2nd MD. That evening they encamped near Burlington.

About 9 o’clock the next morning, as the train was making a short turn in the road some 4 miles south of Burlington, the advance was fired upon by a party of Confederates concealed in the woods. Lieut. George H. Hardman, commanding the advance, was instantly killed and his men thrown into confusion. They were rallied, however, by a sergeant, fell back from the road a short distance, at the same time skirmishing with the enemy, who now charged in considerable strength.

Jeffers, who was near the center of the train, started to bring up the rear guard, when the center was fired upon from an old house opposite. About the same time a body of cavalry attacked the rear guard, which fell back and took a position in the edge of the Woods. The Confederates now interested themselves in unhitching the horses and getting away with them, at the same time setting fire to the wagons. The advance guard had in the meantime taken shelter behind a fence, from which position they kept up a telling fire, so that the attempt to burn the wagons was abandoned only 5 being destroyed and 2 others injured.

The Union loss was 2 killed, 12 wounded, 5 missing, 245 horses captured, and the 7 wagons already mentioned. The loss of the enemy was not learned, but it must have been considerable. The Confederates were part of Imboden’s cavalry, commanded by Capt. John H. McNeill.

Their Number was estimated all the way from 250 to 500, though Gen. Imboden says in his report of the affair that there were but 100 of them.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 5 p. 197; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1863-Nov, West Virginia | Comments Off

FALLING WATERS WV

Posted on November 30, 2011 by ajmorris

Falling Waters, W VA.
July 2, 1861

Falling Waters, W. VA., July 2, I861. Abercrombie’s Brigade. CO. B. 1st Wis. infantry, while en route to Martinsburg was deployed as advance skirmishers for the brigade. At Falling Waters the enemy opened fire on the company and McMullin’s rangers, also doing skirmish duty. The fire was returned by these companies until reinforced by CO. A of the Wisconsin regiment, but the Union troops were obliged to fall back upon their reserves, the 11th Pa infantry and a section of artillery. The Confederate attack was finally repulsed and the Union forces followed the enemy back through Haynesville. The Union loss was 2 killed, 13 wounded, 1 missing; the Confederate loss (estimated) was 60 killed and a large number wounded. This affair is called Hoke’s Run in the Confederate reports.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 6; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1861-Jul, West Virginia | Comments Off

ROVER, TENN

Posted on November 23, 2011 by ajmorris

Rover, Tenn.,
June 23, 1863.

1st Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland.

This affair was an incident of the Middle Tennessee Campaign. The cavalry Under Brig.-Gen. Robert B. Mitchell Struck the enemy’s pickets first near Eagleville, forcing them back upon their reserves, which were rapidly concentrating.

The Federal troopers continued to drive the Confederates until their encampment at Rover was reached. There a brief stand was made, but the enemy was easily driven from his encampment and the town and a few stores were burned. From Rover the Confederates fell back to a strong elevated position, the advanced picket line of the force at Unionville, and opened on the Union advance with artillery.

By some unknown way they were enabled to bring 2 pieces to bear on the Federal right. The 4th Ky., with the aid of the 1st East Tenn. and the 1st Wis., repulsed the attack, and the enemy was driven to his reserves at Unionville.

The casualties were not reported.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 6, p. 758; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1863-Jun, Tennessee | Comments Off

TALLAHATCHIE RIVER, MISS

Posted on November 19, 2011 by ajmorris

Tallahatchie River, Miss.,
Aug. 8-9, 1864.

1st Cavalry Division, Army of West Tennessee.

At daylight on the 8th Brig.-Gen. Edward Hatch moved out from camp toward the Tallahatchie river, where the enemy was found in some force to dispute the passage. The 35th IA. opened on the Confederate sharpshooters and Winslow’s brigade was ordered to charge on the railroad bridge under cover of the fire of the 2 guns of the 10th Mo.

At the same time the 35th IA. crossed the river, supported by a dismounted brigade of cavalry, the enemy was driven back and a bridge constructed by Mower’s engineers. Next morning the enemy occupied the heights beyond the river, when Hatch advanced a regiment on each flank, opened with artillery and drove him from his position along the Banks of the stream, a running fight continuing for 8 Miles until the Confederates again made a stand on the farther side of Hurricane creek.

Winslow’s brigade charged this position and another running fight was made as far as Oxford, where the enemy got his artillery in position. Hatch sent two regiments to gain the rear, and after waiting a sufficient length of time for them to get to the position the 2nd brigade charged into the town.

The Confederates broke and fled, pursued for some distance south of Oxford. The affairs were incidents of an expedition from La Grange, Tenn., to Oxford, Miss.

The casualties were not reported.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 6, p. 866; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1864-Aug, Mississippi | Comments Off

FAYETTEVILLE NC

Posted on November 9, 2011 by ajmorris

Fayetteville, N. C.,
March 11-13, 1865.

4th Division, 17th Army Corps, and 3d Division, 14th Corps.

At Fayetteville the two wings of Sherman’s army were drawing near together. Gen. Howard, commanding the right wing, sent forward a company of scouts, commanded by Capt. Duncan, to secure the bridge over Little Rockfish creek on the 10th and the next morning directed him to scout toward Fayetteville.

Duncan encountered the Confederate pickets, and in the skirmish which ensued was captured, but managed to make his escape. When Gen. Giles A. Smith reached the Little Rockfish he sent forward his escort and a company of mounted foragers, to the assistance of the scouts.

These forces gained possession of Arsenal Hill and undertook to save the bridge over the Cape Fear river, but it had been previously prepared for firing and the flames could not be extinguished. Potts’ brigade of G. A. Smith’s division entered the town and about the same time Baird’s division of the 14th corps entered it from the northwest.

The mayor formally surrendered the town to Lieut.-Col. W. E. Strong, of Howard’s Staff, After which the forces of the right wing withdrew and went into camp just outside of the city limits. Gen. Baird was ordered to destroy all property, public and private, which could be used to an enemy’s advantage, but to protect all harmless private property.

Under this order 2 large foundries, 4 factories, and a considerable quantity of railroad property were destroyed to the entire satisfaction of the general commanding. The old United States arsenal was found to contain A Number of cannon and small arms, some of which were taken for the use of the army and the remainder, as well as the building, were completely destroyed.

While the destruction of the property was going on two pontoons were thrown across the Cape Fear river, and on the 13th the army was ordered to take up the march to Goldsboro, the 14th corps in advance. It was soon discovered that a small body of Confederates had barricaded the road, and the 60th Ill. was sent forward to dislodge them.

The enemy fell back slowly to a strong position behind a swamp, when Gen. Vandever ordered forward the 10th Mich. and the 16th Ill. to the assistance of the regiment already engaged. In a short time the three regiments completely routed the enemy and opened the way for the main body of the corps to proceed.

The only casualty reported on the Union side was that of one man slightly wounded.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 5, p. 395; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1865-Mar, North Carolina | Comments Off

FRANKLIN TN

Posted on November 6, 2011 by ajmorris

Franklin, Tenn.
Dec. 17, 1864.

Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland.

As the cavalry was in pursuit of Hood’s army after the battle of Nashville, the enemy’s rear-guard was encountered at Franklin. Hatch’s division made several charges, capturing 3 pieces of artillery, and Johnson’s Struck the enemy on the flank, driving him back into the town, where the military hospital was captured, containing about 1,800 Confederates and 200 Union men who were wounded in the battle of Franklin on Nov. 30.

Johnson also captured about 17,000 rations. Three Miles South of Town Coon’s brigade charged the retreating enemy, the 2nd IA becoming engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, which resulted in the capture of several prisoners and battle flags.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 5, p.443; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1864-Dec, Tennessee | Comments Off

STONER BRIDGE KY

Posted on November 6, 2011 by ajmorris

Stoner Bridge, KY
Feb. 24, 1862.

Part of Runkle’s Brigade.

In the campaign to drive the Confederates Under Col. Cluke from the State of Kentucky, the latter posted about 200 men at the bridge, intending to ambush Runkle’s Command. They were discovered and fired upon by the 10th Ky cavalry, which was in advance, the enemy promptly returning the fire, but in the darkness but little damage was done to either side.

The Confederates then advanced to attack, but the 10th Ky held them in check until the arrival of the 44th Ohio infantry, when they broke and fled. One man of the 10th Ky was severely wounded.

The enemy’s loss was not fully ascertained, but 1 dead man and 1 wounded were left on the field.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 6, p. 846; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1862-Feb, Kentucky | Comments Off

BERRY’S FORD, VA

Posted on October 5, 2011 by ajmorris

Berry’s Ford, VA.
July 19, 1864

1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac.

The division, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Alfred N. Duffie, reached Ashby’s gap about 10 a. m. and drove out a small force of the enemy, after which Duffie pushed on to Berry’s Ford on the Shenandoah river.

Part of the division was crossed, when the enemy opened fire with 2 pieces of artillery and also a heavy musketry fire from behind a stone wall. Middleton’s brigade gave way in some confusion in trying to get out of range of the Confederate cannon, leaving Maj. Anderson, with part of the 20th Pa. cavalry, to contend with a vastly superior force.

He managed to extricate his command however, and recrossed the river some distance below the ford. One regiment of Tibbitts’ brigade was dismounted and deployed along the bank of the river as skirmishers, but they were unable to dislodge the

Confederate riflemen behind the stone fence. Keeper’s Battery was then brought up and the wall was vigorously shelled, compelling the enemy to change the position of his artillery. The firing was kept up until 5 p.m., when Duffie ordered the 21st N. Y. to charge across the ford and endeavor to dislodge the Confederates.

The charge was gallantly made, but the regiment was met by a destructive fire and forced to fall back, losing a number in killed and wounded. Six regiments of infantry and 4 pieces of artillery now came up to reinforce the enemy, though he made no attempt to cross the river.

Duffie then placed a strong guard at the ford and the main body of the division fell back to Ashby’s Gap, where it went into bivouac. The Union loss at the ford was 12 killed, 44 wounded and 68 missing; that of the enemy was about 100.

During the night a squadron of the 20th PA., under Capt. Montgomery, engaged in picketing the rear of the gap, was cut off by some of Mosby’s men, 52 men and 55 horses being captured by the enemy.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 5, p. 116; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1864-Jul, Virginia | Comments Off

YAZOO EXPEDITION MS

Posted on September 27, 2011 by ajmorris

Yazoo City, Mississippi
March 5, 1864.

Early on Saturday Morning the Confederates Under Ross and Richardson began a vigorous attack on the Federal picket on the Benton Road just outside of Yazoo City. The Union troops were collected in two redoubts, commanded respectively by Maj. McKee, with the 11th Ill. infantry, and Lieut.-Col. Peebles, with part of the 8th La. colored infantry, and in the city, where Col. James H. Coates, leader of the expedition, was in command. By 10 a. m. the whole Federal line had become engaged, Coates saw an attempt was being made to outflank him, and before the four companies of the 8th La. colored infantry which he hurried to the support of the detachment of the 1st Miss. colored cavalry at that point could reach their destination Richardson’s whole command was in the city, between McKee and Coates’ headquarters. Several times McKee was called on to surrender, but each time refused, even after he had been entirely surrounded. Coates posted his men in doorways and buildings and opened a telling fire upon the enemy in the streets. Subsequently he brought up a piece of artillery from one of the gunboats and under cover of its fire a charge was made at 2 p. m. The result was the driving out of the Confederates in the town and the force surrounding McKee, on seeing their comrades giving way, fell back in disorder. During the night the Confederates withdrew and the next day transports conveyed the expedition back to Vicksburg. The Federal loss in the expedition, which was a part of the Meridian campaign, was 31 killed, 121 wounded and 31 captured or missing, the larger part of whom fell at Yazoo City. Coates reported the Confederate loss on the 5th as 40 killed, but their own reports Place it at 6 killed and 51 wounded.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 6; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1864-Mar, Mississippi | Comments Off

FORT De RUSSY LA

Posted on September 25, 2011 by ajmorris

Fort De Russy, La., March 14, 1864.
Detachments of the 16th and 17th Army Corps.

After the fall of Vicksburg and the other Confederate positions in the vicinity, the attention of the government was directed to the conquest of Texas. The first effort in that direction was the ill-fated Sabine Pass expedition in Sept., 1863. In March, 1864, a joint movement was started up the Red river, having in view the capture of Shreveport, La., and a junction at that point or in the vicinity with the troops of Gen. Steele from Arkansas. The effective force of the expedition, all Under Maj.-Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, consisting of a detachment of the 13th army Corps Brig.-Gen. Thomas E. G. Ransom, the two divisions (3rd and 4th) present being commanded by Brig.-Gen. Robert A. Cameron and Col. William J. Landram. Maj.-Gen. William B. Franklin’s corps (the 19th) furnished two divisions, the 1st and 2nd, commanded respectively by Brig.-Gen. William H. Emory and Brig.-Gen. Cuvier Grover. The cavalry division was under Brig.-Gen. Albert L. Lee, and there was some artillery and colored infantry, all the above belonging to the Department of the Gulf. Gen. W. T. Sherman furnished from the Army of the Tennessee detachments from the 16th and 17th army corps, Under Brig.-Gens. Andrew J. Smith and T. Kilby Smith. These troops were taken to the mouth of the Red river in transports where the fleet of Adm. Porter was in waiting to cooperate in the movement, and were landed at Simsport. The troops of the Department of the Gulf moved by way of Bayou Teche under orders to unite with the other forces at Alexandria. On the 14th the detachments of the 16th and 17th army corps marched toward Fort De Russy, on the left bank of the Red river, near the little town of Marksville. This fort was discovered to be occupied by a garrison of about 350 men. The 1st and 2nd brigades, 3rd division, 16th corps advanced in line of battle, followed by the 3rd brigade. The enemy’s artillery opened on the line as soon as it came within sight, but the guns were soon silenced by the skirmishers. About 6:30 p.m. a charge was made and the parapet scaled, when the garrison surrendered. The Union loss was 3 killed and 35 wounded, the Confederate casualties were not reported. The prisoners numbered 319. This affair was the first engagement of the Red river campaign.

Source: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65, vol. 5; Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

Posted in 1864-Mar, Louisiana | Comments Off