Chas. H. Tompkins to First Vermont Cavalry, May 28, 1862

Williamsport, Md., May 28, 1862.

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment on the 24th and 25th days of the present month : May 24, having received orders through your office, at 12.30 o’clock on the morning of the 24th instant, to send my baggage and regimental and company property to the rear and to hold my regiment in readiness to march at a moment’s notice with one day’s rations, orders were immediately given to carry out these instructions. Between the hours

of 4 and 5 o’clock a. m. my wagons were sent to the rear as far as Cedar Creek, with instructions to await the further orders of the brigade com mander.

At 5 o’clock a. m. I was directed by Brigadier-General Hatch, commanding cavalry, to proceed with my regiment to the town of Woodstock, with instructions to reconnoiter the position of the enemy, if there, as well as to hold them in check, to further the advance of the division.

Arriving within half a mile of the town, I directed one squadron (Companies B and D) to precede the regiment as an advance, with instructions to pass through the town and reconnoiter the suburbs beond.

y Upon the return of the squadron, and ascertaining to my entire satisfaction that the enemy had not occupied the town in any considerable force for some time, I counter-marched my regiment, and returned to my camp near Strasburg, arriving there at 9 o’clock a. m.

At 10 o’clock three companies (Companies F, C, and E), under command of Captain Hall, squadron captain, were ordered to report to Major-General Banks for immediate service.

At 12 o’clock m. one squadron, Companies A and G, under command of Senior Major Collins, were ordered to report to Brigadier-General Hatch. At the same time I received instructions to bring up the rear of the army and to destroy all public property after the army had advanced beyond Strasburg.

At 3 o’clock p. m. I mounted my command and left camp to carry out these instructions. Arriving at Strasburg, my instructions were countermanded, and I was to join General Hatch immediately with the remaining five companies of my regiment. Pursuant to this order I proceeded as far as the suburbs of Middletown, where I found the enemy in force. Their line of infantry was very extensive, and was well supported by cavalry and artillery. My regiment was formed in column of squadrons, in readiness to charge. The only troops in the field, independent of my five companies, consisted of a New York battery of 10-pounder Parrott guns and one company of zouaves. These latter were being driven in upon my arrival by the advance skirmishers of the enemy. Perceiving the enemy were advancing in too strong force for a successful opposition to be made, I deemed it advisable to retreat in order, abandon the wagons, and make an attempt to join General Hatch by making a detour to the left of the enemy’s right flank, and signifying my intention to Captain Hampton, of the New York battery, immediately commenced the movement, and was so far successful as to join Brigadier-General Hatch at Winchester at 11.30 p.m. of the same day, bringing in with me six pieces of artillery and a portion of the Fifth New York Cavalry. The entire baggage train of the regiment was abandoned and fired, and rendered entirely worthless and useless to the enemy.

My horses were foraged, but the men were without food, and were completely exhausted from the fatigues of the day, but bore their arduous duty with the courage and steadiness of old and well-tried soldiers, and behaved through the day in a manner to surprise and excite the admiration of their commander.

Captains Preston and Conger, and Lieutenants Huntoon, Beman, and Adams, and Private C. P. Stone, of Company F, acting as chief wagoner, are particularly deserving of attention, and I would respectfully recommend them to the attention of the brigadier-general com. manding. I must also speak in terms of the highest praise of the

efficient and valuable services rendered by Adjt. E. Petkin and Quartermaster A.S. Dewey. To these gentlemen I am particularly indebted, owing to the absence of the lieutenant-colonel, who had availed himself of a sick leave, and of the detachment of my senior major.

In summing up the occurrences of to-day I regret to have to report an accident befalling Major Sawyer, occasioned by the falling of his horse, seriously injuring his ankle joint and rendering him unfit for duty, and thus depriving me of the services of a valuable officer.

The casualties of the day, as soon as correctly ascertained, will be appended to this report.

May 25. My regiment this day being under the immediate eye of the brigadier-general commanding, I deem a lengthened report of its operations unnecessary, and close my report by appending the list of casualties for this and the preceding day.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel First Vermont Cavalry.
Capt. Joon A. JUDSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
No. 21.
Report of Maj. William D. Oollins, First Vermont Cavalry, of operations
May 24-30.
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 4, 1862.