Erastus B. Tyler to James Shields, June 12, 1862
Sir: In compliance with your order to proceed to Waynesborough I left Columbia Bridge on the 7th instant, reaching Naked Creek the same day, going into camp under orders to march at 4 o’clock a. m. next day, that we might reach Port Republic at the time you indicated to me.
When within about 6 miles of the town I learned Acting BrigadierGeneral Carroll with the Fourth Brigade had engaged the enemy at or near the town. I immediately halted my train, clearing the road for the troops and artillery, and pressed forward to his support as rapidly as possible, reaching the position occupied by him—some 2 miles north of the town—at 2 o’clock p. m. 8th instant. The position was selected by Colonel Daum, I understood, as the only tenable one in that vicinity. From that officer I learned the enemy had eighteen pieces of artillery planted so as to completely command all the approaches to the town, and from the engagement with General Carroll that morning had obtained the range of the different points.
Immediately on the arrival of my command Colonel Daum urged an attack with the combined forces of infantry and artillery, to which I so far consented as to order the infantry into position under cover of a thick wood which skirted the road, and commenced observing the ‘enemy’s position myself, which appeared to me one to defy an army of 50,000 men. I at once sent for Colonel Carroll, Lieutenant-Colonel Shriber, Captains Clark and Robinson, who had been over the ground, they all agreeing in the opinion that an attack would result in the destruction of our little force.
About this time your order to commandant of post at Port Republic
ae * Nominal list omitted.
was handed me. Upon it and the opinion of these officers I ordered the infantry back.to bivouac for the night. A heavy picket was kept well to the front to observe any movement of the enemy, and at 4 a. m. General Carroll and myself went to the outer vedettes, who reported that there had been no movement of the enemy across the bridge during the night. Their pickets only appearing, which we were able to discover ourselves, we returned to camp.
A few moments after your order of June 8, 7.15 p. m., from Columbia Bridge, reached me, and while writing a reply, was informed that the enemy were advancing upon us, or rather into the woods opposite their position, evidently with a view of outflanking us upon the left. Captains Clark and Robinson opened their batteries upon them with effect. Captain Huntington’s guns were soon doing the same good work. Two companies of skirmishers and two regiments of infantry were ordered into the woods to counteract this movement of the enemy. The fire of our skirmishers was soon heard, and I ordered two more regiments to their support. A sharp fire was kept up in the woods for a few moments only, when the enemy retired, and was seen coming out of the woods, crossing to join a column moving upon our right.