HEADQUARTERS FIRST
CAVALRY DIVISION,
August 27, 1863.
COLONEL: I have the honor to make the following report of
the operations of the First Cavalry Division, from its crossing the Potomac at
Edwards Ferry, on June 27, to its crossing of the Rappahannock on August 1:
After passing the Potomac on the upper pontoon bridge, the
division marched over almost impassable roads, crossing the Monocacy near its
mouth by a wretched ford, and bivouacked on the east side of the mountains, 3
miles from Jefferson, being halted there by the whole train of General Stahel's
division blockading the road through the mountains.
June 28, the division moved through Jefferson, and went into
camp near Middletown, for the purpose of shoeing and refitting.
June 29, the Reserve Brigade was detached and moved to
Mechanicstown. The First and Second Brigades moved through Boonsborough,
Cavetown, and Monterey Springs, and encamped near Fairfield, within a short
distance of a considerable force of the enemy's infantry. The inhabitants knew
of my arrival and the position of the enemy's camp, yet not one of them gave me
a particle of information, nor even mentioned the fact of the enemy's presence.
The whole community seemed stampeded, and afraid to speak or to act, often
offering as excuses for not showing some little enterprise, “The rebels will
destroy our houses if we tell anything.” Had any one given me timely
information, and acted as guide that night, I could have surprised and captured
or destroyed this force, which proved next day to be two Mississippi regiments
of infantry and two guns.
June 30, the two brigades moved out very early to go to
Gettysburg, via Fairfield. At the latter place my advance ran upon the force
referred to. I determined to feel it and drive it, if possible, but, after a
little skirmishing, found that artillery would have to be necessarily used. Resolved not to disturb them, for fear
cannonading from that quarter might disarrange the plans of the general
commanding. Fairfield was 4 or 5 miles west of the route assigned me, and I did
not wish to bring on an engagement so far from the road I was expected to be
following. I immediately turned my column toward Emmitsburg without serious
molestation, and was soon on my proper road and moving on Gettysburg, where I
had reason to suppose I should find some of General Stahel's [Kilpatrick's]
cavalry. We entered Gettysburg in the afternoon, just in time to meet the enemy
entering the town, and in good season to drive him back before his getting a foothold.
He withdrew toward Cashtown, leaving his pickets about 4½ miles from
Gettysburg.
The night of the 30th was a busy night for the division. No
reliable information of value could be obtained from the inhabitants, and but
for the untiring exertions of many different scouting parties, information of
the enemy's whereabouts and movements could not have been gained in time to
prevent him from getting the town before our army could get up.
By daylight on July 1, I had gained positive information of
the enemy's position and movements, and my arrangements were made for
entertaining him until General Reynolds could reach the scene.
On July 1, between 8 and 9 a.m., reports came in from the
First Brigade (Colonel Gamble's) that the enemy was coming down from toward
Cashtown in force. Colonel Gamble made an admirable line of battle, and moved
off proudly to meet him. The two lines soon became hotly engaged, we having the
advantage of position, he of numbers. The First Brigade held its own for more
than two hours, and had to be literally dragged back a few hundred yards to a
position more secure and better sheltered. Tidball's battery, commanded by
Lieutenant Calef, Second U.S. Artillery, fought on this occasion as is seldom
witnessed. At one time the enemy had a concentric fire upon this battery from
twelve guns, all at short range. Calef held his own gloriously, worked his guns
deliberately with great judgment and skill, and with wonderful effect upon the
enemy. The First Brigade maintained this unequal contest until the leading
division of General Reynolds' corps came up to its assistance, and then most
reluctantly did it give up the front. A portion of the Third Indiana found
horse-holders, borrowed muskets, and fought with the Wisconsin regiment that
came to relieve them. While this left of my line was engaged, Devin's brigade,
on the right, had its hands full. The
enemy advanced upon Devin by four roads, and on each was checked and held until
the leading division of the Eleventh Corps came to his relief.
After the fall of General Reynolds, whose advance troops
partially drove back the enemy and made heavy captures of prisoners, the enemy
brought up fresh troops, and engaged General Doubleday's command, which fought
bravely, but was greatly outnumbered and forced to fall back. Seeing our troops
retiring, and their need of assistance, I immediately rushed Gamble's brigade
to Doubleday's left, and dismounted it in time to render great assistance to
our infantry, and to check and break the enemy's line. My troops at this place
had partial shelter behind a low stone fence, and were in short carbine range.
Their fire was perfectly terrific, causing the enemy to break and rally on
their second line, which made no farther advance toward my position.
Shortly after this, I placed my command on our extreme left,
to watch and fight the enemy should he make another attack, and went to
Cemetery Hill for observation. While there, General Hancock arrived, and in a
few moments he made superb disposition to resist any attack that might be made.
My division bivouacked that night on the left of our
position, with pickets extending almost to Fairfield.
The zeal, bravery, and good behavior of the officers and men
on the night of June 30, and during July 1, was commendable in the extreme. A
heavy task was before us; we were equal to it, and shall all remember with
pride that at Gettysburg we did our country much service.
July 2, the division became engaged with the enemy's sharpshooters
on our left, and held its own until relieved by General Sickles' corps, after
which it moved to Taneytown, and bivouacked for the night.
The next day, July 3, it moved to Westminster, to guard the
trains of the army at that point.
July 4, the division marched toward Frederick, en route
to Williamsport.
July 5, reached Frederick, drew supplies, and remained all
night.
July 6, the whole division (the Reserve Brigade having
joined the night before) marched at 4 a.m. toward Williamsport, to destroy the
enemy's trains, which were reported to be crossing the Potomac into Virginia.
At about 5 p.m., when near Saint James' College, the enemy's
pickets were discovered, driven in, and preparations made to capture the town.
The enemy was driven handsomely to within half a mile of his trains, at the
town, when he came out strong enough to prevent our farther progress. General
Merritt's brigade, with Graham's battery, was on the right, Colonel Gamble's
(First) brigade on the left, and Colonel Devin's (Second) brigade on the left
rear as reserves. The enemy made an attack upon Gamble, who had posted his men
under shelter, and who held his fire until the rebel line came within short
carbine range, when he opened upon it, doing terrible execution, and driving it
back into its stronghold. This was repeated with similar success. In Merritt's
front the enemy made no direct attack, but were so obstinate that General
Merritt could not dislodge them without too much sacrifice. The enemy, however,
attempted to turn our right with a brigade of infantry. This attempt was most
admirably foiled by General Merritt.
While our hottest contest was in progress, General
Kilpatrick's guns were heard in the direction of Hagerstown, and as they grew
nearer, I sent word to him to connect with my right for mutual support. The
connection was made, but was of no consequence to either of us. Just before
dark, Kilpatrick's troops gave way, passing to my rear by the right, and were
closely followed by the enemy.
It now being dark, outnumbered, and the First and Reserve
Brigades being out of ammunition, Devin was ordered to relieve Gamble and a
portion of Merritt's troops. This being done, I ordered the command to fall
back, Devin to hold his ground until the entire road to the Antietam was clear.
Devin handsomely carried out his instructions, and the division bivouacked on
the road to Boonsborough.
The expedition had for its object the destruction of the
enemy's trains, supposed to be at Williamsport. This, I regret to say, was not
accomplished. The enemy was too strong for me, but he was severely punished for
his obstinacy. His casualties were more than quadruple mine.
Colonel Chapman, with his regiment, dashed off to the road
leading from Falling Waters to Williamsport, and destroyed a small train of
grain, and returned with about 40 mules and their harness.
At Williamsport, Captain Graham fought his battery with
marked ability, and to the admiration of all witnesses. The officers and men
behaved with their usual courage, displaying great unwillingness to fall back,
and requiring repeated orders before they did so.
July 7, the division moved to Boonsborough, the Reserve
Brigade camping well in advance on the Hagerstown road, after having a
successful cavalry brush with the enemy's advance, of which I have as yet
received no report.
July 8, the enemy attacked at 5 a.m., and the fighting
lasted until about 5 p.m. He was driven back about 4 miles, when the division
then bivouacked for the night.
July 9, attacked the enemy at 4 p.m. and drove him
handsomely about 2 miles.
July 10, attacked the enemy at 8 a.m. and drove him through
Funkstown to his intrenchments beyond Antietam, when he came out with a heavy
force of infantry and artillery and gave battle. The division held the crest on
our side of the town like veterans until its ammunition was exhausted. Howe's
division, of the Sixth Corps, was in easy supporting distance, but had no
orders to aid me. At 3 p.m. I could no longer reply with carbines, for want of
cartridges, and consequently ordered the division to fall back. A brigade of
the Sixth Corps then began to advance, but did not occupy the position that I
held when I left the field.
There was splendid fighting on the part of the division on
the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th. There was no faltering or hesitation. Each man
went to work determined to carry anything in reason. For the particulars I
refer you to the reports of the brigade commanders.
July 11, the First and Second Brigades moved in the
afternoon to the vicinity of Bakersville. The Reserve Brigade was detached.
July 12 and 13, remained at Bakersville, and pushed pickets
to within 800 yards of the enemy's intrenchments at Downsville.
July 14, at 7 a.m., the division was ordered to advance, and
at 7.30 o'clock it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated during the
night. The few remaining scouts were run into the rear guard of Lee's army,
which was soon seen in front of Kilpatrick, who had advanced from the north.
Kilpatrick was engaged. I sent word to him that I would put my whole force in
on the enemy's rear and flank, and get possession of the road and bridge in
their rear. The division succeeded in getting the road, and attacked the enemy
in flank and rear, doing him great damage, and scattering him in confusion
through the woods and ravines. Our spoils on this occasion were one 10-pounder
Parrott gun, one caisson, over 500 prisoners, and about 300 muskets. General
Merritt came up in time to take the advance before the enemy had entirely
crossed, and made many captures. The enemy's bridge was protected by over a
dozen guns in position and sharpshooters on the Virginia side. As our troops
neared the bridge, the enemy cut the Maryland side loose, and the bridge swung
to the Virginia side.
July 15, the division moved to Berlin.
July 16, moved camp to Petersville.
July 17, remained at Petersville.
July 18, crossed during the afternoon, and encamped near
Purcellville.
July 19, marched through Philomont, and encamped on Goose
Creek, near Rector's Cross-Roads.
July 20, marched to Rectortown. Detached General Merritt
with his brigade to hold Manassas Gap, Gamble to hold Chester Gap, and Devin,
with all the train, moved to Salem.
July 21, Merritt in Manassas, Gamble near Chester Gap,
finding it already in possession of a superior force of the enemy. General
Merritt and Colonel Gamble each had a fight and made captures, for particulars
of which see their reports.
July 22, wagon train sent to Warrenton in charge of Sixth
New York Cavalry. Devin moved toward Barbee's Cross-Roads.
July 23, whole division concentrated at Barbee's
Cross-Roads, and remained until the 26th, when the division took
position at Warrenton and Fayetteville, picketing the Rappahannock River from
Sulphur Springs to Kelly's Ford.
During the whole campaign, from June 27 to July 31, there
has been no shirking or hesitation, no tiring on the part of a single man so
far as I have seen; the brigade commanders report none.
To General Merritt and Colonels Gamble and Devin, brigade
commanders, I give my heartfelt thanks for their zeal and hearty support.
Neither of them ever doubted the feasibility of an order, but on its reception
obeyed its dictates to the letter.
My staff – Captains [Charles E.] Norris, Keogh, [Craig W.]
Wadsworth, and Bacon, and Lieutenants Mix, P. Penn Gaskill, Dean, [Albert P.]
Morrow, [Malcomb H.] Wing, and [George M.] Gilchrist – were always on hand, and
gave me much valuable information from where the fire was hottest, and were of
immense assistance in conveying orders on the field of battle, and seeing that
they were obeyed. During the campaign they were all under heavy fire on
different occasions, and for coolness and gallantry cannot be excelled in this
army.
Lieutenant [Aaron B.] Jerome, signal corps, was ever on the
alert, and through his intrepidity and fine glasses on more than one occasion
kept me advised of the enemy's movements when no other means were available.
Surgeon Hard, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, surgeon-in-chief to the division,
deserve great credit for his zealous and untiring attention and labors with the
sick and wounded. Through his exertions their sufferings have been greatly
alleviated, their wants supplied, and many lives saved. Many wounded soldiers
are indebted to him for his timely aid on the battle-field, who, but for his
energy, would have shared the fate of many poor fellows who had less attentive
surgeons.
I transmit with this the reports of the brigade commanders.
The First Brigade captured 854 head of beef-cattle and 602
sheep at Chester Gap, which were turned over to the subsistence department at
Markham, July 24.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. BUFORD,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.
Lieut. Col. C. Ross SMITH,
Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps.
SOURCE: The
War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 1 (Serial No. 43), p. 926-30
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