Private Hubbard H. Dakin, Private, Co.'s A & F, 1st Michigan Cavalry: Pension Index Card

SOURCE: Civil War Pension Index Cards, Fold3

Leesburg Taken --- More Prisoners Captured

LEESBURG, VA., March 8. – Col. Geary has taken Leesburg and driven Gen. Hill’s army from town and surrounding forts.  The American flag floats over it.  All the rebels thought this one of their greatest strongholds.  We took many prisoners and stores, and possess the bank, post office, and other public buildings. – This brilliant achievement is of vast importance.  A detachment of 1st Michigan cavalry did good service.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

From Winchester

WINCHESTER, Va., March 25.

It is currently reported to-night that Gen. Banks has overtaken and destroyed 200 of Jackson’s wagons.

Latest from Strasburg says that Gens. Banks and Shields are there, and Jackson is in sight.  A battle is expected to-day, and preparations are being made to strengthen our forces.

On Saturday at 2 o’clock p.m. the enemy showed themselves, a mile and a half from Winchester.  The enemy consisted of 500 of Ashby’s cavalry, and two guns.  They drove in our pickets, and then skirmished with the Michigan cavalry and a portion of the Indiana 1^st.

Gen. Shields brought up his forces, and fired a few rounds of shell, driving them back, taking several prisoners.  General Shields was wounded in the army by the first fire of the enemy.

Jackson had been informed by the inhabitants that the town was deserted by the Union troops, and he advanced to retake it.

Gen. Shield’s forces slept on their arms Saturday night.  Sunday morning at sunrise, Jackson being reinforced attacked Gen. Shields near Kearnstown.

The enemy’s forces consisted of 500 of Ashby’s cavalry, 500 infantry, and 9 pieces of artillery, with a reserve of 18 pieces of artillery.  The fight was kept up till noon, when a charge was made by the Ohio infantry.  The 1^st Mich. And 1^st VA cavalry on their right, drove them back half a mile, when the enemy got their guns again in position in a dense wood, flanked by infantry, and drove us back.  A short artillery engagement ensued, when Gen. Shields ordered Col. Tyler to turn their flank which was executed by our troops but with considerable loss, the enemy being protected by the stone ledge.  The 84^th Penn. And the 13^th Ind. charged their centre, and the fight became general.

Col. Murray, of the 84^th Penna., was killed.  The enemy retired slowly, bringing their guns to bear at every opportunity.  Our men rushed forward with yells, when a panic ensued among the enemy.

Our troops followed and drove them till dark, capturing 3 guns, 3 caissons, muskets, equipments, &c., innumerable.  Our troops bivouacked on the field.

Gen. Williams’ 1^st Brigade, Col. Donelly of the 28^th N. Y., commanding, reinforced Gen. Shields.

Gen. Banks, who was on the way to Washington, Sunday returned and assumed command.  Meantime, Gen. Shields’ division pursued the enemy beyond Newton, shelling them the whole way.

Jackson’s men, were perfectly demoralized and beyond control.  They threw overboard the dead and wounded to lighten the wagons.

It is noticeable that nearly all the Confederates wounded were shot in the head or breast, testifying to the superiority of our marksmen.

The losses on our side were chiefly Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana troops.  These who conveyed the false intelligence to Gen. Jackson, causing this disaster to the rebels, have a heavy weight of guilt to shoulder.  It was evidently known to many in the town that Jackson was approaching, from the holiday attire and buoyancy of spirits among men and women here.  Gen. Shields’ command being secreted from observation, on the east side of the town, lead the informants to believe that all our troops were evacuating, and that Jackson could enter unmolested.  Good judges say that the enemy’s loss is over 200 killed and 500 wounded, and 300 prisoners, including an aid to Jackson.  Our loss is about 65 killed and 125 wounded.

On Sunday morning the rebels received reinforcements under Gen. Garrett, amounting to 500 men.  The Union forces did not exceed 1000 men, and with the exception of about 500 were of Gen. Shields’ division exclusively.  At half past one the enemy made a feint on our left, commanded by acting Brig. Gen. Sullivan, opening a heavy fire of artillery, while the real attack was directed against our right, with the object of flanking Gen. Kimball’s command on the right, where the heaviest fighting was done.  The enemy were strongly posted in the woods and behind a stone wall, and the rebel artillery was posted on an eminence on both sides of their left wing.

Our whole artillery force was engaged consisting of four batteries of 24 pieces in all.  The conflict raged furiously till 3 P. M. – The fighting being done chiefly by the artillery and musketry, at a range of not more than 300 or 400 yards, and often much less.

The rebel infantry opposite our right now engaged from the woods and attempted to capture Dowe’s battery by a charge.  The first effort was nearly successful, but the heavy discharge of grape compelled them to retire in confusion.  A second and weaker attempt likewise failed, and the enemy fell back with heavy loss, behind the stone parapet.

Gen. Taylor now ordered his brigade to charge the enemy’s batteries on the left, and a most deadly encounter followed, twice our men reeled under the storm, but in the third effort they routed the rebels with tremendous slaughter.

Our loss in these struggles was heavy. – Out of 300 men in the 84^th Penn., 26 were killed and 83 wounded.  Many officers were killed and wounded.  The 5^th and 8^th Ohio shared the glory and the losses with the 84^th Penn.

The enemy’s killed and wounded strewed the ground in profusion, and their left wing was totally broken, and their center wavering.  On their side the 4^th and 5^th Va. Regiments suffered most; the former was terribly decimated.

Attempts to rally the right wing failed, and to add to the confusion, the Irish battalion of 150 men, when brought forward and ordered to fire upon the Union troops refused, and a rebel regiment immediately drove this gallant little band forward, but could not compel them to fire upon us. – Forty corpses of the 150 afterwards strewed the field.

Meanwhile, the rebels gave way on the left and center, with a loss of 70 killed and wounded, and 236 prisoners.  Besides these, about 160 muskets were taken and many other valuable trophies.  Our loss does not exceed 100 killed and 300 wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 27, 1862, p. 2

Leesburg Taken

LEESBURG, Va., March 8.

Col. Geary has taken Leesburg and driven Gen. Hills away from the town and surrounding forts.  The American flag floats over all the rebel entrenchments to-night.  This is one of their greatest strongholds.

We took many prisoners, stores, the bank, post office and other public buildings.

This brilliant achievement is of the utmost importance.  A detachment of the 1^st Michigan Cavalry did good service.

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 9.

The occupation of Leesburg by our forces is officially confirmed.  The enemy evacuated the town on Friday morning, taking all the supplies and baggage to Middleburg.  It is not known that the rebels have gone to Winchester.

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 9.

Hundreds of contrabands are arriving from the country.  The course adopted in regard to them, if they have been employed by secession authorities, is to turn them over to the division quartermaster, to be employed by the Federal government; but if proven otherwise, they are returned to their owners.

On Friday Capt. Cols, Co. F, Maryland cavalry, 40 in number, came upon about 140 of the rebel cavalry, between Bunker Hill and Winchester.  A skirmish ensued, lasting one hour, resulting in the killing of six of Ashley’s men and wounding five.  Capt. Cole had three men wounded.  A section of Mathews’ battery came up to Capt. Cole’s support, when Adj. Wilkins, of Gen. Williams’ staff had his horse shot under him.  It is believed at Bunker Hill that the force at Winchester has been greatly reduced, leaving not over 3,000 to 6,000 men there.  Others say that Gen. Jackson’s force has been strengthened by the regiments from Leesburg.

Capt. Cole’s scouts last night reached a point only four miles from Winchester, but encountered no resistance, except form a small cavalry picket.

It is stated that but 400 of the 19^th Miss. Regiment remained at Leesburg at the time of the evacuation.  These retreated in the direction of Manassas Gap.

This morning secession scouts attacked Gen. Hamilton’s pickets, near Smith’s Mills, killing one and wounding another of the 27^th Ind.  They were pursued by the 3d Wisconsin, who had not returned at last account.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

From Gen. Banks’ Division

NEW YORK, March 6.

The Herald prints the following:

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 5.

Last might a squadron of the 1^st Michigan cavalry advanced as far as Perryville, on the Winchester turnpike, and ambushed and surprised a party of rebel cavalry, dismounting three and routing the lot.

The Michigan party returned with nine rebel cavalry horses fully equipped, as trophies, among them the celebrated stallion rode by Col. Ashley, without the loss of a man.

The amount of forage and provisions captured by our right wing since the advance into Virginia, is estimated to be worth $20,000.  This includes $4,000 pounds of rebel bacon, steaked, for the use of the rebel army.

Leetown and Lovetsville are among the places held for the Union, up to this time.

The success of the movement on the Upper Potomac has been complete.

Gen. Shields passed through Charleston on his way West.

Advices from the Lower Potomac state that the rebels are undoubtedly concentrating a large force in that direction, opposite to the position of Gen. Hooker’s division.  There is reason to believe, also, that the rebel army of the Potomac has been greatly augmented since the recent Union victories in the west.  They have here their strongest defensive works and the flower of their army.  The defeat here will close up the rebellion, and leave nothing to be done by the Union forces except to move forward and occupy the seceded States and afford protection to the Union men there until they can organize new governments under the auspices of loyalty.

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 6.

Reliable intelligence states that the rebels are in full force at Winchester.  They have completed formidable earthworks on this side, mounted with sixty guns including field batteries.

Nothing of special importance transpired yesterday.  The work on the Balt. & Ohio RR. Progresses rapidly, and every point is strongly protected from the Cumberland to Harper’s Ferry, and every facility is being offered to the company.  A large force is employed on the bridge and iron trestle work at the ferry.  The work has been found in better condition than was at first supposed by the engineer, and ten days is fixed as the time at which through connection can be made.

All the commands of this division are in the best condition, and anxious for an attack by the enemy.

Bunker’s Hill was occupied by our forces yesterday as the extreme outpost on the West.  There is some movement of troops to-day.

A scouting party of cavalry reports that Ashley’s rebel cavalry last night attempted to cut them off when near Berryville, but were foiled in the attempt.

Four regiments with a four gun battery attempted on the 3d inst. to flank Col. Geary near Lovetsville, but were driven off without a battle.  Yesterday several deserters were brought into town by the cavalry.  Among them was Lieut. Marshal of the 5^th Va. Volunteers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 7, 1862, p. 1

From The 2d Iowa Cavalry

BENTON BARRACKS, Mo., Feb. 11^th, 1862.

FRIEND SANDERS: Benton Barracks is yet or “abiding place,” and though some with little faith may suppose from the past that it may long continue to be, yet I think the time of our departure is near at hand.  Among the vast multitude of soldiers that are now taking their appointed places in the grand “forward” which has commenced, the 2d Iowa Cavalry will soon be “counted in.”  The regiment received last week over four hundred revolvers and are expecting the balance daily.  As soon as received they will be ready.

On the 5^th the regiment took an airing to and through the city.  Yesterday, by order of Gen. Halleck, it marched to the city and was reviewed by him.  The St. Louis Democrat says: “They appeared without exception, to be in the finest possible condition and moved with the precision and confidence of veteran troops.”  The streets were thronged with “lookers on.”  The column passed through several of the principal streets.  A close observer by following the column could make out a very correct “check roll” of loyal citizens, and of those who scorn the banner that ever has and now is securing to them all the blessings of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  As the column moved through Main street the majority of the business men looked hard at us.  “Secesh” when looking at sights of this kind are no doubt impressed with an idea that fearful realities are very soon to be experienced from similar movements.

Through the streets which the column moved many ladies and all the children thronged the doors and windows, and most of the ladies, and all of the little ones were for the Stars and Stripes.  Hundreds of flags were flung to the breeze, and waving of signals by the hands of many fair ladies, gave the cheering proof, that they are for “Union.”  In many cases the schools on the streets through which we passed, had intermission, and at one place, on Washington Avenue, the young misses ranged themselves on the walk, and sung as we passed, the “Red, White, and Blue.”  It was an inspiring scene.  May this be the last time they may ever be called to witness the force of arms as necessary to enforce obedience to and uphold the supremacy of the “Constitution and the Laws.”

The people who have been so anxiously waiting until they had almost began to think patience no longer a virtue, can, no doubt, now begin to see that in his own good time McClellan is ready.  The grand advance has begun.  The “Anaconda” from his head on the Potomac, along his heavy folds down the Atlantic coast to the Gulf, and throughout his extensive coils to the Kansas border, is beginning to enclose within his mighty embrace the “hell” of Secessiondom.  His colossal proportions are now beginning to writhe with powerful contortions, and as one after another of his massive folds overlapping each other crowd its resistless sway with deadly effect into the vitals of rebellion, the arch-traitors themselves, as they hear the reverberating shouts of victory resounding in thunder tones throughout the loyal States, and witness it re-echoed from thousands of loyal hearts within the borders of their fair land they would consign to infamy and despotism, will themselves begin to recoil from his terrible embrace; and as the “beginning of the end” begins to loom up before their astonished gaze, they will cry out for the mountains and the rocks to fall and cover them from the wrath of “Abraham.”

Gen. Curtis is after Price with something worse than a “sharp stick;” a victory awaits us there, and not only there, but very soon everywhere.

There are now but three full regiments here – the 2d Iowa Cavalry, the 1^st and 2d Michigan Cavalry, with their batteries.  The first battalion of the Iowa 1^st Cavalry is also here.  From present indications, I think we will go direct to Tennessee, and very probably with Gen. Halleck himself.  He will no doubt soon take the field in person.  When the “Sunny South” greets our vision, I will let you know the result of my observations.  That such may very speedily be the case is the earnest desire of every one in the 2d cavalry.

The regiment, under the daily, thorough instruction if its efficient officers, has become very proficient in drill.  Its health is rapidly improving, and but few are now in the hospital.  Forty three have died since we have been in this camp, but the regiment now seems to be acclimated.

The weather is fine, feeling for the past two days very spring like.  As I write, the doors are wide open.  It is quite muddy, but a few days will cause it to dry up.

As I have written twice as much as I intended, and perhaps twice as much as you wish, I come to a “halt.”

DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 2