SERVICE

THIRD DIVISION.


Brigadier General ALEXANDER HAYS.


First Brigade.


Colonel JOSEPH SNIDER.


14th Indiana,* Lieutenant Colonel Elijah H. C. Cavins.

4th Ohio,* Lieutenant Colonel Gordon A. Stewart.

8th Ohio,* Major Albert H. Winslow.

7th West Virginia, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan H. Lockwood.

Numbers 45. Report of Brigadier General Alexander Hays, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division.


AUBURN, FAUQUIER COUNTY, VA.,
October 22, 1863.


SIR: I have the honor, according to instructions, to forward this report of the operations of the Third Division, Second Army Corps, during the day of the 14th:
The division, excepting the first brigade, which had been retained as guard to train, marched from bivouac at daybreak. Crossing the stream at Auburn, it was directed to take the road to Catlett's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Here the march was opposed by the rebels in such force as to render precautions necessary. A light skirmish line was thrown forward, but was soon repulsed by the rebel cavalry. The entire regiment of the One hundred and twenty-sixth New York Volunteers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Bull, was then moved forward, supported by the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers. In a short time our force came in conflict with the rebels. It was short, but very decisive. The rebel cavalry led by Colonel Thomas Ruffin, charged furiously upon the deployed One hundred and twenty-sixth and were most gallantly repulsed, with the loss of their leader, who was mortally wounded.

Our march from this point past Catlett's Station and along the railroad was not interrupted until we arrived at Bristoe Station. It was there announced that the rebels were advancing in line of battle to attack our flank. As soon as possible the successive brigades of the division were put in rapid motion and flanked to meet the rebel line. The contest was for possession of the line of railroad, which afforded a strong defense. We gained it and met the rebels with a withering fire of musketry, while our artillery played upon them from our rear. The results of our victory are marked by 2 stand of colors and the possession of 5 pieces of artillery which the rebels left behind.

General Webb's, the Second Division, occupied our right, while General Caldwell's, the First Division, held the position on our left. Colonel Carroll, commanding the First Brigade of the Third Division, also arrived from the rear, and took position on the extreme left of the line of battle.

After the first repulse of the rebels, the Second Brigade of the Third Division, commanded by Colonel Smyth, advanced through the dense grove of pines in advance of the left of the division, and


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approached the point of attack. In the meantime a line of skirmishers, commanded by Colonel C. D. MacDougall, One hundred and eleventh Regiment New York Volunteers, detailed from regiments, brigades, and divisions, without distinction, advanced to the wood and withdrew the artillery captured. A second attack was attempted, but was repulsed by our artillery, without the aid of infantry.

I respectfully refer to the accompanying reports of my brigade commanders for full particulars, Brigadier General J. T. Owen, commanding Third Brigade; Colonel S. S. Carroll, commanding First Brigade, and Colonel T. A. Smith, commanding Second Brigade. To them and to their subordinate officers and men is due the credit of our almost perfect success.

To my personal staff, Asst. Adjt. General G. P. Corts; aides Lieuts. D. Shields and J. S. Sullivan; Lieutenant W. E. Potter, ordnance officer, and Captain J. C. Lynch, division inspector, I feel deeply indebted for their effective assistance in the attack and on all other occasions.

I inclose herewith the nominal lists of the killed, wounded, and missing, also a general summary of the same, showing the loss of the division to be 1 commissioned officer killed and 11 wounded; 19 enlisted men killed, 133 wounded, and 35 missing; total loss, 199.*
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ALEX. HAYS,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Division.


Lieutenant Colonel FRANCIS A. WALKER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.


Numbers 46. Report of Colonel Samuel S. Carroll, Eighth Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade.


HDQRS. FIRST Brigadier , THIRD DIV., SECOND ARMY CORPS,
October 17, 1863.


SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the brigade which I have the honor to command in the operations of the 14th instant:
At 4.30 a.m. we left camp as guard for the ammunition train. At about 6 the enemy's cavalry attacked our cavalry on our left flank, upon which I immediately threw out flankers and covered the crossing of the train at Cedar Creek. I was then ordered to take up a position on the crest of the hill on the left of the creek, and to hold the same until the train was out of the way, which I did. My crossing after the rear of the corps passed was covered by a brigade of the First Division, which brigade and mine alternately fell back, covering each other until we arrived at the railroad. I then took the advance of the division until I arrived within about 2 miles of Bristoe Station, when I was ordered to hold a hill upon the right until all the infantry had passed. At about 4 p.m. firing commenced upon the right, and I was ordered forward and took up a position on the railroad upon the right of Colonel Brooke's brigade.

I held my position upon the railroad until 10.30 p.m., when the corps having crossed Broad Run, I brought up the rear with my


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*See revised statement, p. 249.


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Page291 CHAP. XLI.] THE BRISTOE, VIRGINIA, CAMPAIGN.


brigade. Our skirmishers were engaged several times, and twice the enemy advanced in front as for a charge, but upon seeing our position, changed his mind and fell back.

The officers and men of the command behaved as they always do.
Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing was as follows: 2 enlisted men wounded, 3 missing, and 3 taken previously.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. S. CARROLL,
Colonel, U. S. Army, Commanding Brigade.


Captain GEORGE P. CORTS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.



Numbers 47. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Elijah H. C. Cavins, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry.


HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
January 18, 1864.


SIR: In obedience to an order just received, I submit the report of the part taken by the Fourteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers in the engagement near Auburn and Bristoe Station, on the 14th day of October, 1863.

The regiment was commanded by Colonel John Coons, and was in the First Brigade, commanded by Colonel S. S. Carroll. At daylight the enemy opened fire on the cavalry skirmishers on our left as the regiment was marching along the road over which the corps was to march. By order of Colonel Carroll, skirmishers were sent out to support the cavalry, and our skirmishers marched on the flank until the regiment arrived on the hill overlooking the ford at Cedar Run, at which place the regiment took position with the brigade to cover the ford while other troops and the trains were passing.

About 10 a.m. the regiment, with the brigade, left the position at Cedar Run by order and marched toward Bristoe. When within 3 miles of Bristoe the regiment, with the brigade, halted for the purpose of covering the rear of the corps. After the corps passed they took up their line of march for Bristoe, arrived there about one hour before sunset, and took position along the railroad, the left of the regiment resting on the right of Colonel Brooke's brigade, of the First Division. The enemy, while concealed in the thickets, fired upon the column as it was marching to Bristoe and while the regiment was taking position, but none was injured thereby, nor did the regiment have any opportunity of engaging the enemy. The regiment remained in position at that place until 10 p.m., when by order it marched with the brigade to Bull Run.

The following-named men were taken prisoners by the enemy early in the morning while on picket: Ed. Dehan, private, Company G, and James Riley, private, Company D.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. H. C. CAVINS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers.


Lieutenant J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.






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[CHAP. XLI.


Numbers 48. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Gordon A. Stewart, Fourth Ohio Infantry.


HEADQUARTERS FOURTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
January 19, 1864.


LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part the Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry took in the action at Bristoe Station, on the 14th of October, 1863:
On the march from Catlett's to Bristoe, the regiment had the left of the brigade. After arriving on the field, I was ordered to take a position to cover the left of our line along the railroad. I threw out three companies as skirmishers, changed the front of the regiment perpendicular to the railroad, the right resting on the road, and remained in this position until about 9 p.m., when I received orders to withdraw and join the brigade. The regiment covered the rear of the column.

The regiment was under but slight fire, and did not suffer any casualties.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. A. STEWART,
Lieutenant Colonel Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Commanding Regiment
Lieutenant J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.



Numbers 49. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Sawyer, Eighth Ohio Infantry.


HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS,
October 18, 1863.


LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteers at and near Bristoe Station, on the evening of October 14:
The regiment occupied the left center of the brigade, and was formed in line with the brigade in support of Colonel Brooke's brigade, between the railroad track and a thick pine wood to the south of the track, soon after our forces were attacked in our advance, which position we maintained until near 10 o'clock in the evening, when, the enemy having been driven back, we withdrew with the brigade. The enemy's advance was near us at times, and though not immediately attacked, we were within his range of fire. My loss was.*
The officers and men behaved well throughout the engagement.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

FRANKLIN SAWYER,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.


Lieutenant J. G. REID,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.



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*Nominal list (omitted) shows 2 wounded and 3 missing.


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Page293 CHAP. XLI.] THE BRISTOE, VIRGINIA, CAMPAIGN.

Numbers 50. Report of Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan H. Lockwood, Seventh West Virginia Infantry.


HDQRS. SEVENTH [WEST] VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS,
January 19, 1864.


SIR: In obedience to orders I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh [West] Virginia Volunteers on the 14th of October, 1863, in the engagement at Bristoe Station:
The command marched from camp on the Warrenton road at day-light on the morning of the 14th of October. While crossing Turkey Creek the enemy opened on the column with artillery. An order was received from Brigadier-General Hays, commanding the division, to deploy skirmishers on the right and left flanks of the column. I accordingly deployed five companies of the First Delaware Volunteers, under the command of Major Woodall, and the One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Powers, the First Delaware on the left and the One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers on the right. The Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers was formed in line of battle with the right resting on the road, and as the enemy commenced a fire of musketry farther to the left, the First Delaware skirmishers were extended by the left flank, and the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers were formed in line of battle, facing to the left with the right resting on the left of the Fourteenth Connecticut. Receiving an order from General Hays to advance by a flank on the road and throw flankers on the right, the column then moved on.







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About 3 p.m., as the column was marching by a flank from a wood toward the railroad near Bristoe Station, the enemy suddenly attacked the column with artillery. General Hays ordered me to form line of battle to the left, and advance as the brigade debouched from the wood. I marched it by the left flank, owing to the right of the brigade marching in line, while the left was obliged to move forward into line as it came out of the wood. Some little disorder was occasioned which was, however, soon rectified, and the brigade was formed into line of battle along the railroad. A column of the enemy appeared on a hill in our front and a little to our right, and opened a fire of musketry. An order was received from General Hays to move forward through the wood and charge that column of the enemy on their right flank. I ordered my command to fix bayonets and advance through the woods. The line was formed of the following regiments in succession to the left: The Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers, Twelfth New Jersey, and One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers.

A regiment of the Second Division, the Seventh Michigan, came to the front at this point. They had been deployed as flankers. As there was an interval between the Twelfth New Jersey and the One hundred and eighth New York, I placed the Seventh Michigan there to complete the connection, thinking that more service could be obtained by forming it in the line than here by permitting it in the emergency to fall back to seek its brigade. This regiment was commanded by Major S. W. Curtis, who seemed anxious to perform his share in the action wherever circumstances might place him. His regiment fought well.

Colonel C. J. Powers, One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers, reported a force of the enemy moving toward our left, and several musket shots were fired into the One hundred and eighth New York, wounding 1 or 2 men. I reported this to General Hays, who directed me to make such disposition as would meet the enemy. I then ordered the One hundred and eighth New York Volunteers, Seventh Michigan, and two companies of the Twelfth New Jersey to file to the left. Finding that skirmishers from the First Division were deployed in our front, I cautioned the command against firing unless they were sure they saw the enemy.

About this time the skirmishers of the Third Brigade were advancing to capture one of the enemy's batteries. In order to prevent the enemy in our front from moving to the rescue of the battery, my line was advanced to the open space on the side of the wood toward the enemy. A rebel line then made its appearance about 400 yards from my line, their line of battle moving a little diagonally to mine, their right being closer to us than their left, at which my command opened a severe fire of musketry upon them, and arrested their progress. Receiving an order from General Hays to halt my command and hold the position, I did so.

Soon after I received an order from General Hays to fall back and take position along the railroad. This was accordingly executed, the brigade retiring to its new position in good order. About dark the enemy opened upon us with a battery, which did but little injury, however, before it was silenced. About 8 p.m. an order was received to prepare to resume the march, following the Third Brigade. At 10.30 the march commenced quietly and in perfect order, and the command continued to Bull Run, where it bivouacked at 3 a.m. on the morning of the 15th.

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