CHAPTER XXIV. REPORTS-March 17-June 25. March SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.* 18, 1862.-Skirmish at Middletown, Va. 19, 1862.-Skirmish at Elk Mountain, W. Va. Skirmish at Strasburg, Va. 20, 1862.-Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Fifth Army Corps. Reconnaissance to Gainesville, Va. 20-21, 1862.-Reconnaissance to Dumfries, Va. 22, 1862.-Skirmish at Kernstown, Va. Middle Military Department constituted, under command of Maj. 23, 1862.-Battle of Kernstown, Va. 25, 1862.-Skirmish at Mount Jackson, Va. 27-31, 1862.-Operations in the vicinity of Middleburg and White Plains, Va. 28-31, 1862.-Operations on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, Va., includ- ing affairs at Bealeton and Rappahannock Stations. 29, 1862.-Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont supersedes Brig. Gen. William S. 1- 2, 1862.—Advance of Union forces from Strasburg to Woodstock and Eden- 2, 1862.-Skirmish at Stony Creek, near Edenburg, Va. Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock River, Va. 3, 1862.-Skirmish at Moorefield, W. Va. 4, 1862.-Departments of the Rappahannock (under Maj. Gen. Irvin Mc- Dowell) and of the Shenandoah (under Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks) ⚫ of some of the minor conflicts noted in this "Summary" no circumstantial reports 1 1 RR-VOL XII Apri 7, 1862.-Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock River, Va. May 12, 1862.-Major-General Banks, U. S. Army, assumes command of the De- Raid from Fairmont to Valley River and Boothsville, Marion Skirmish at Monterey, Va. 15, 1862.-Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock, Va. 16, 1862.-Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock, Va. Reconnaissance to Liberty Church, Va. Skirmish at Columbia Furnace, Va. 17, 1862.-Occupation of Mount Jackson, skirmish at Rude's Hill, and occupation of New Market, Va. Skirmish at Piedmont, Va. 17-19, 1862.-Skirmishes near Falmouth and occupation (18th) of Fredericksburg, Va., by the Union forces. 17-21, 1862.-Expedition from Summerville (Nicholas Court-House) to Addison, W. Va. 18, 1862.-Reconnaissance to the Rappahannock, Va. Skirmish at Chapmanville, W. Va. 19, 1862.—Skirmish on South Fork of Shenandoah, near Luray, Va. 21, 1862.-Skirmish at Monterey, Va. 22, 1862.-Harrisonburg, Va., occupied by Union forces. Occupation of and skirmish near Luray, Va. 23, 1862.-Skirmish at Grass Lick, W. Va. 24, 1862. Skirmish nine miles from Harrisonburg, Va. 26, 1862.-Skirmish at the Gordonsville and Keezletown Cross-Roads, Va 27, 1862.-Skirmish at McGaheysville, Va. 1, 1862.-Skirmish at Clark's Hollow, W. Va. 2, 1862. Skirmish on Camp Creek, in the Stone River Valley, W. Va. Skirmishes at Trevilian's Depot and Louisa Court-House, Va. 5, 1862.-Reconnaissance to Culpeper Court-House, Va. Skirmish at Columbia Bridge, Va. Skirmish at Franklin, W. Va. 6, 1862.-Skirmish at Camp McDonald and Arnoldsburg, W. Va. 7, 1862.-Skirmish at and near Wardensville, W. Va. Action at Somerville Heights, Va. 8, 1862.-Engagement near McDowell (Bull Pasture Mountain), Va. 10, 1862.-Action at Giles Court-House, W. Va. 10-12, 1862.-Skirmishes near Franklin, W. Va. 11, 1862.-Skirmish at Princeton, W. Va. Skirmish on the Bowling Green Road, near Fredericksburg, Va. 12, 1862.-Skirmish at Lewisburg, W. Va. Skirmish at Monterey, Va. 13, 1862.-Affair on Rappahannock River, Va. 14, 1862. Skirmish at Gaines' Cross-Roads, Va. 15, 1862.-Skirmish at Linden, Va. Skirmish at Ravenswood, W. Va. Skirmish at Gaines' Cross-Roads, Rappahannock County, Va. May 15-17, 1862.-Actions at and in the vicinity of Princeton, W. Va. 15-June 17, 1862.- Operatious in the Shenandoah Valley. June 17, 1862.-McDowell ordered to form junction with Army of the Potomac. 25, 1862.-Call made for all Volunteers and Militia in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.* 26, 1862.-Skirmish near Franklin, W. Va. 29, 1862.—Skirmish near Wardensville, W. Va. 30, 1862.-Skirmish at Lewisburg, W. Va. 4, 1862.-Skirmish at Big Bend, W. Va. 7, 1862. Skirmish at Big Bend, W. Va. 8, 1862.—Skirmish at Muddy Creek, W. Va. 9, 1862.-Maj. Gen. John E. Wool, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Middle Military Department. 10, 1862.-Skirmish at mouth of West Fork, W. Va. 17, 1862.-Jackson's forces move from Weyer's Cave for the Peninsula. 18, 1862.-Reserve Army Corps constituted, under command of Brig. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis, U. S. Army. 18-19, 1862.-Skirmishes near Winchester, Va. 22-30, 1862.-Scout from Strasburg to Moorefield and New Creek, W. Va., and Winchester, Va. 24, 1862.-Skirmish at Milford, Va. 25, 1862.-Skirmish at Mungo Flats, W. Va. 26, 1862.-The Mountain Department and the Departments of the Rappahannock and of the Shenandoah merged into the Army of Vir ginia, under Maj. Gen. John Pope, U. S. Army. First, Second, and Third Army Corps, Army of Virginia, constituted. GENERAL REPORTS. No. 1.-Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont, U. S. Army, of operations March 29-June 27. No. 2.-Record of the McDowell Court of Inquiry. No. 1. Report of Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont, U. S. Army, of operations March 29-June 27, 1862. NEW YORK, December 30, 1865. SIR: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 4th ultimo requesting a report of operations in the Mountain Department during the period of my command in 1862. Unavoidable engagements have interfered to prevent an earlier compliance with your request, and having been specially ordered shortly after I was relieved to turn over to my successor all books, records, and documents pertaining to the department, I am also without the data necessary to complete and full statements. Under the order of the President, bearing date March 11,† I proceeded to the designated headquarters of my department, Wheeling, *This requisition and resulting correspondence to appear in Series III, Vol. II. + Creating the Mountain Department. See Series I, Vol. V, p. 54. Va., relieving Brigadier-General Rosecrans, and assuming command March 29, 1862. The disposition and numbers of troops upon my ar rival within the department were reported to me as follows: Within the District of the Cumberland, comprising all east of the Alleghanies and west of the Department of the Potomac, three regiments of infantry and one company of cavalry; the district commanded by Brig. Gen. R. C. Schenck. Within the Cheat Mountain District, comprising all west of the Alleghanies, south of the railroad lines, north of the valley of the Gauley, and east of the Weston and Summerville road, six regiments and five companies of infantry, four companies of cavalry, and two batteries of artillery; district under command of Brig. Gen. R. H. Milroy. Within the Railroad District, comprising all north and west of the railroad lines, thirty-four companies of infantry of different regiments, eight companies of cavalry, and three batteries of artillery; Brig. Gen. B. F. Kelley commanding. Within the District of Kanawha, comprising all the valleys of the Kanawha and Guyandotte Rivers and mouth of the Big Sandy, twelve regiments and three companies of infantry, fifteen companies of cavalry, and two batteries of artillery; district commanded by Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox. Within the Districts of Big Sandy Valley and the Gap, commanded respectively by Colonels Garfield and Carter, were troops estimated in the total at a fraction over 9,000 men. The total of troops within the department, as ascertained or estimated-that is to say, of infantry thirty-five and two tenths regiments; of cavalry thirty-six companies, and of artillery nine batteries-stood in figures at 34,271 men. Shortly after assuming command I was informed by the Secretary of War that the troops in Eastern Kentucky and Southwestern Virginia, although included within the limits of my department, would not be subject to my command or control. This deducted, agreeably to the estimates turned over to me, 9,195 men. Adding to these the percentage allowed in estimates as sick, &c., and not available for duty, a further decrease took place of 6,269 men; leaving balance of 18,807 effective force-say, in round numbers, 19,000 men. With these troops it was necessary to guard a frontier of 350 miles, approached by roads more or less at rectangles with lines in occupation, and having few interior cross-communications. They were also employed to guard the depots, bridges, and tunnels on 300 miles of railroad and over 200 miles of water communication. Several partially formed regiments and companies were found waiting at different localities on my arrival at Wheeling, and asked only to be mustered in and furnished with arms to do good and loyal service. Recent orders, however, of the War Department concerning enlistments and the increase of regiments forbade my acceptance of more than a limited proportion of these troops, and this proportion only as a remainder upon previous quotas of the State. By special permission two howitzer batteries were afterward organized, but at a date so late as to compel a detail from troops already in service to make up the rank and file, thus failing to increase the total of enlisted men within the department. The enemy, beginning already to gain strength by re-enforcements opposite the whole extent of my lines, was not hesitative in his demonstrations. Early in April General Milroy, within the Cheat Mountain District, was attacked near Monterey by a force of over 1,000 rebels with cavalry and artillery. After a short engagement the enemy were put to rout, and driven with heavy loss beyond the Shenandoah Mountains. At this point pursuit was restrained, partly owing to absence of supports, but mainly because of the want of horses to get forward artillery. Guerrillas also began to be active, and later in the month a small body of infantry sent out by General Schenck from Romney was attacked on Grass Lick near Lost River. The skirmish was severe, our men losing several killed and wounded. A re-enforcement of cavalry coming up, however, under Lieutenant-Colonel Downey, of the Potomac Home Brigade, the rebels were driven and pursued, with the loss of their leader and others killed, besides a number wounded and 20 captured. Still later in April an expedition of infantry and cavalry was sent out from Weston by Colonel Harris, of the Tenth Virginia, against guerrillas infesting Webster County. The cavalry, under Lieutenant Lawson, being attacked near Addison, after killing 5 of the enemy fell back upon the infantry under Captain Darnall. A running fight then ensued, in which the guerrillas were assailed in their own style. The skirmish continued for several hours, at the end of which time the bushwhackers were routed, with a further loss of 12 killed, several wounded, and 4 or 5 captured. The village of Addison being deserted by its original inhabitants, and found to be a rendezvous for the enemy, was burned. Some cattle and horses were also captured. The loss of Captain Darnall's command was but 3 wounded in all. The lesson inflicted upon the guerrillas in this instance was severe, and induced their leader to send in a letter offering terms of compromise. Other affairs and skirmishes took place between detached parties of our troops and the guerrillas up to and within the month of June. It was ascertained that, under expectation of entire immunity by virtue of commissions issued at this time broadcast by Governor Letcher, these irregular bands were drawing together in considerable strength, and waited only for the coming of the leaves to harass with robbery and murder our lines from right to left. As a preventive measure certain of their class were, after full and fair trial by military commission, promptly executed by hanging. The effect was to correct a mistaken belief in immunity for their crimes, and to render more secure interior points and roads, as well as loyal inhabitants of the military districts. In connection with the irregular but often prolonged and severe contests with guerrillas, it is just to name Colonels Harris and Rathbone, of Virginia troops; Lieutenant-Colonel Downey, of the Potomac Home Brigade; Captain Latham, of Ohio Infantry, and Captain Fish, of Connecticut Cavalry, as specially active and successful. The troops of my command, however, though equal to the maintenance, for the time being, of lines established, were, owing to their necessarily scattered condition, unavailable in any large proportion to form active or movable columns or for operations of a general character against the enemy. In view of this fact, as also of a plan submitted for movements in the direction of Knoxville and the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, the President had, prior to my leaving Washington in March, promised me ample re-enforcements. The number of these re-enforcements, as determined and urged by the Secretary of War, was 17,000. They were to consist of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and to have attached a pontoon train complete. On the 1st of April a dispatch from the Secretary of War informed me that the division of Brigadier-General Blenker had been detached from the Army of the Potomac and put en route for my department. The order as originally issued to this division directed it to proceed by way of Harper's |