Official Report: Scout from Centreville to Aldie, Va., August 16-19, 1863: Report of Col. Charles R. Lowell, Jr., Second Massachusetts Cavalry.

Report of Col. Charles R. Lowell, jr., Second Massachusetts Cavalry.

CENTREVILLE, VA.,

August 20, 1863.

COLONEL: Returned last night. Could not get a fight out of White. Started on Saturday, 15th, with 200 men. On Sunday explored country around Dranesville and south of Goose Creek. Could not learn that he had been in that neighborhood with more than 40 men. Found that he had passed west by Ball's Mills with that number on Saturday. Accordingly went to Aldie, scouting all the country south of Goose Creek. Found that testimony was in favor of his main camp still being near Leesburg. Sent unshod horses to Centreville, and ordered up about 50 more men to meet me at Ball's Mills. Through misunderstanding was joined by over 300 more.

Hearing of your dispatch about reported camp near Lewinsville, sent 100 men (Sixteenth New York Cavalry) again through that country. They returned last night, reporting no force there. Saw no traces of more than 2 or 3 together anywhere. Dividing my remaining 400 men, went by various routes through Leesburg, Waterford, and Hughesville, rendezvousing at Mount Gilead at 9 p.m., and passing south through Coe's Mill to Mountville.

Learned during the night that White's battalion was encamped about 2 miles north of Middleburg, on Goose Creek. Started at 2.30 a.m., hoping to surprise them, but he had word of my approach from Mount Gilead, and had changed camp during the night. I sent out small scouting parties, who found about 100 of his men still in the immediate neighborhood, but they were on the alert, and ran when a company was sent to engage them. Lost several hours trying to get near them, but the country is very open there and they were determined to keep out of the way. Gave up the attempt; sent a party down across Bull Run Mountains, and another back by Carter's Mills, and passed through Aldie myself. Found nowhere any force Returned to camp with 10 prisoners – White's and Mosby's.

White himself is very rarely with his battalion. He passes about the country with an escort of from 30 to 40 men. The battalion generally numbers about 250 strong, being left under the command of Major Ferneyhough. White is looking up-recruits and deserters, many of his men having been at home since the army went into Maryland. He has now six companies, with over 700 men on his rolls, and prisoners say that he expects to take that number with him when he leaves the country.

 C. R. LOWELL, JR.,

 Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Forces.

Col. J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Staff.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 29, Part 1 (Serial No. 48), p. 74-5

Major General Andrew A. Humphreys to Colonel Charles R. Lowell, September 3, 1863 – 12:15 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 3, 1863 – 12.15 p.m.

Colonel LOWELL,

Commanding, &c. Centreville:

Colonel Devin, commanding the cavalry brigade sent to Leesburg, has returned. He reached Leesburg Monday [August 31]. White, with about 300 men, had been there a day or two before, but had retired to Upperville. Imboden had not been there, nor any other force than White's. A Richmond paper of the 1st of September states that Mosby received two serious wounds in the fight near Fairfax Court-House, and has been taken to his father's residence at Amherst.

A. A. HUMPHREYS,

Major-General, and Chief of Staff.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 29, Part 2 (Serial No. 49), p. 152

Brigadier-General Thomas J. Jackson to Margaret Junkin Preston, October 23, 1861

Centreville, Oct. 23d, 1861.

My Dear Maggie, — I am much obliged for your kind letter of the 19th, and for the arrangement respecting Amy and Emma¹. Please have the kindness to go to Winny Buck's occasionally, and see that Amy is well cared for, and that not only she, but also Emma, is well clothed. I am under special obligations for the religious instruction that you have given Amy, and hope that it may be in your power to continue it. Remember me to her very kindly, on the first opportunity, and say that I hope she has rich heavenly consolation. This evening I expect our own pastor and Dr. McFarland. I will send some money by Dr. White for you to use as occasion may require for Amy and Emma, and I will so manage as to keep a supply in the Rockbridge Bank, or elsewhere, subject to your order.

I have this day received a letter from your dear husband at Craney Island. The letter has reference to his coming here, and I am anxiously expecting him, though am apprehensive that he will not reach here for a week or so yet.

I heard from A. a few days since; she was at her father's, and doing well. Give my kindest regards to Mrs. Cocke.

My oft-repeated prayer is for a speedy termination of the war, by an honorable and lasting peace. God has given us another glorious victory near Leesburg.

My prayer for you is that your path may be that of the just, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Who would not be a Christian!

Your affectionate friend,

T. J. Jackson.

_______________

¹ Slaves owned by Jackson

SOURCE: Elizabeth Preston Allan, The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston, p. 129-30

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 9, 1862

CAMP PIERPONT, VA., March 9, 1862.

I am very much afraid there is a great deal of truth in what told you, and that the President is at length yielding to the immense pressure that has been brought to bear to influence him to remove McClellan. McClellan, I understand, continues firm and undaunted. He says they may supersede him whenever they please, but so long as he is responsible, he intends to do what he thinks right, and not what others dictate.

This morning's paper announces the evacuation of Leesburg and its occupation by a part of Banks' force. I never expected they would attempt to hold either Winchester or Leesburg after we were ready to move in force.

I hear we are to be divided into four corps d' armee, to be commanded respectively by Sumner, McDowell, Heintzelman and Keyes. Into which of these commands McCall's Division will be incorporated is not yet decided. I don't think there is much choice between them. The selection of these men, by virtue of the seniority of their commissions, was, I understand, opposed by McClellan, who, finding he could not designate his commanders, objected to corps d' armee, and said he only wanted divisions and their commanders. He has been overruled, and these officers selected in opposition to his openly expressed views. All this is confidential, though it is a matter of absolute fact. Public opinion in this country is so wayward and so whimsical that I should not be surprised to see the same people who the other day called McClellan a demi-god, to-morrow applauding his removal.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 250-1

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, October 18, 1861

CAMP PIERPONT, VA., October 18, 1861.

I had just seated myself to write you a nice long letter, when orders came to march to-morrow, requiring me to stir about and give the requisite directions. The enemy, it is understood, have fallen back to their old lines at Bull Run. They have had a force above us at Leesburg, which it is believed they are withdrawing. The object of our expedition is to advance some twelve or fifteen miles to the front, to reconnoitre the country, and also with the hope of cutting off some of their troops coming down from Leesburg. We go with the whole division, some twelve thousand strong, with three batteries of artillery, and if we encounter any of their troops, will have a very pretty chance for a nice little fight of our own. It is very late, and I have to be in the saddle very early. I am quite well.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 224

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

A Reconnoisance at Leesburg

LEESBURG, March 11. – Col. Geary made a personal reconnoissance yesterday as far as Carlton Mills.  The enemy has completely fallen back.  His path was blocked up with ruins of hay, grain, stacks, &c.  Geary and officers went to the battle-field and buried whatever bodies they found there.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

The War News

Naval Engagement near Fortress Monroe.

FULL PARTICULARS.

The Merrimac Repulsed.

Terrible Battle in Southwest Missouri.

THE VICTORY OURS.

Loss Very Severe on both Sides.

OUR FORCES TAKE LEESBURG

Centerville and Winchester Evacuated.

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

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