Geo. D. Bayard to Halsted, April 28, 1862
Aquia, April 28, 1862.
I sent up by to-day’s boat 17 prisoners, taken by our troops in their advance on Fredericksburg. They are mostly of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry. Some are from Mississippi and Alabama.
I have ordered McCall and his Second Brigade over from Catlett’s to Fredericksburg.
Major-General. Hon. E. M. Stanton, “
Secretary of War.
Report of Brig. Gen. ph Bislb A psreg ad U. 8. Army, commanding rigade.
OAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, VA., April 18, 1862—12 m. Captain: I have the honor to report the arrival of my command at this point at 7.30 o’clock this morning, but, I am sorry to say, not in
Crap. XXIV.) OCCUPATION OF FREDERICKSBURG, VA. 429 time to save either of the bridges. All accounts agree in representing the bridges as being for several days prepared for burning, by having the cribs filled with light-wood and tar and shavings. These were lighted about half an hour before we came in sight of them, and after the enemy’s forces on this side the Rappahannock had passed over. We could see a light battery, a regiment of cavalry, and one of infantry going to the rear as we arrived.
Our march has not been without incident. We came upon the first of the enemy’s pickets about 18 miles from Catlett’s Station, and were only defeated in capturing it by a little girl from a neighboring house discovering our men creeping through the woods and signaling them to the picket. I at the same time learned from some negroes and others that there was a camp of four companies of their cavalry near the Brick Church, about 5 miles from this place, and that a quantity of forage had just been sent there for their use. Although it would make my march a very long one, I determined, as they would learn from their driven-in pickets that we were on the road, to make an attempt to engage them at their camp, and, if practicable, to follow them immediately to Falmouth and try and save the bridges. I organized the light column as was suggested, and leaving Colonel Sullivan in command of the main body, pushed on. On arriving near their camp I directed the Harris Light Cavalry and one battalion of Bayard’s Pennsylvania cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick, to move rapidly forward and attack. This was handsomely done, and the camp and its forage and a few horses captured.
I regret to have to report that Lieutenant Decker, of the Harris Light Cavalry, was killed in the charge. The enemy’s cavalry fell back about a mile upon a body of infantry. It being now quite dark, and the command very much fatigued by its long march of 26 miles, I determined to halt them some hours.
Some negroes taken in camp reported that an ambuscade had been prepared for us 2 miles in advance. Shortly after a citizen living in the vicinity came into my camp from Falmouth and reported the same thing, and that he had not been permitted to come up the main road, but had reached us by a by-road, on which there were no pickets, and which came into the main road near Falmouth, some 2 miles beyond the point to which they were reported as lying. He said he had left Falmouth just before sunset; that the bridge was prepared, as stated, for burning, and that he would conduct a command by the by-road and enable it to reach and save the bridge, and get in rear of the enemy at same time. I was satisfied from the reports of the negroes and from other evidence that he was a good Union man, and that it was advisable to venture the attempt, as I knew the desire of the general commanding the department to save this bridge.
l intrusted this enterprise to Colonel Bayard, of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, who had one battalion of his regiment and two battalions of Harris Light Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick. He left me at 2 a. m. this morning. Unfortunately the enemy in the mean time changed his point of ambuscade to just beyond where the by-road entered the main road, where the command received a volley of about 200 infantry on the watch for them, and were then charged on by cavalry. The road had been barricaded, too, which prevented their farther advance. They wheeled and charged upon the infantry, killing and wounding several (the exact number not known) and capturing 1 man. Colonel Bayard extricated his command with a loss of 5 killed and 16 wounded and a loss of some 15 horses. Thus disappointed in
my attempt to secure the bridge by surprise, Ladvanced at sunrise with my whole command prepared to fight, but with the exception of a few pickets, saw none of the enemy until my arrival at the river.
I am unable at this time to give you any reliable information on the points suggested in my instructions. I send this by the commandant of the squadron ordered to Aquia Creek per my instructions of yester. day. To-morrow I will send the entire train there with a battalion ot cavalry. 5 ‘
I have no reason to believe Colon] Bayard was intentionally misled by our guide, for there is abundant evidence of his having suffered greatly in consequence of his Union sentiments. i,
I regret to add that our valuable scout (Britton) was severely wounded in the leg. – we :
I am, captain, very respectiu our obedient servan » Captain, very resp YY O. 0. ‘AUGUR, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Capt. R. CHANDLER, A. A. G., Hdgrs. King’s Division, Catlett’s Station, Va.
No. 3. Report of Col. George D. Bayard, First Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG, VA., April 19, 1862.
Sir: According to instructions from the general commanding, at 2 a. m. yesterday morning I started from camp for the purpose of getting in rear of the infantry which was reported in our front and of securing the possession of the bridge over the river from Falmouth. I took with me for that purpose seven companies of the Harris Light Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick commanding, and four companies of my own regiment. Pursuant to directions from the general I pushed forward as rapidly as possible and soon reached the vicinity of the enemy. To Lieut. Col. Owen Jones, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, with four companies—F, E, K, and M—of the same regiment, I assigned the duty of seizing the bridge, rushing across it, cutting down the heavy gates which were reported on the opposite side, and throwing out pickets in advance, purposing to cross myself with the Second Battalion of the Harris Light Cavalry, leaving to Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick, with the remaining battalion of his regiment, the duty of holding Falmouth. As soon as I learned that we had come upon the pickets of the enemy { ordered Colonel Jones forward at full gallop. He went up the hill in front rapidly, and when he reached the top was met with a heavy fire of infantry from all sides. The night was dark and the hill on both sides of the road covered with brush, yet the colonel pushed on under this fire until he found barricades across the road. The enemy still kept pouring in their fire until the companies became disorganized and confused and finally broke. Companies K and E—the first commanded by Captain Williams and the latter by Captain French—fled back to camp without having either horse or man injured. Capt. M. L. French, though deserted by his company, still remained on the field, with Sergt. Jesse Fry, of his company, and behaved as became an officer.
The greater portion of Companies F and M were rallied in rear by Colonel Jones.
Determined if possible to have the hill, I led forward the Second Battalion of the Harris Light Cavalry, with Captain McIrwin’s company in advance. We charged up the hill within 25 yards of the barricades, when they poured upon my column.a galling fire, when the companies retreated. I finally rallied them, but as 1 knew nothing of the enemy’s force, except that both infantry and cavalry were in my front, stationed behind the impediments placed in the road, and as from the heaviness of the fire it appeared to be quite a heavy force, I decided to withdraw my command. To Lieutenant-Colonel Kilpatrick, with his battalion, I gave the post of rear guard, with orders to cover my retreat, and to his coolness and good judgment I am much indebted, and he speaks in the peehott terms of Major Davies, commanding that battalion, for his good conduct.
I dispatched Lieutenant Thomas, my adjutant, to the general at once to inform him of what had taken place. The enemy made no pursuit, and I withdrew the companies into an open field beyond a pine forest and awaited further orders. When orders came for me to watch the enemy I threw out a squadron of the Harris Light Cavalry for that purpose, who shortly reported the advance of our skirmishers, when I pushed forward as rapidly as possible and soon joined the column.
I inclose the reports of the adjutant of the Harris Light Cavalry and my own surgeon of the casualties among the men; and that our loss has been so small we must attribute to the inaccuracy of their fire. Colonel ‘ Jones’ loss is 3 killed and 9 wounded, and Colonel Kilpatrick’s 4 killed and 7 wounded. My loss in horses has been heavy, the battalion of my own regiment having 11 horses killed and 6 disabled, while the battalion of the Harris Horse which I led in the fire probably lost as many, but I have no report of that. My own horse was badly injured by two or three bullets.
To Lieutenant-Colonels Kilpatrick and Jones I must return my thanks for their coolness and valuable aid throughout the affair.
Capt. A. Davidson, of Company F, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, was taken prisoner by the enemy, but succeeded in capturing his guard and bringing him into camp in turn. He led his company dashingly into the trap which had been laid for us, and I would call the attention of the general to his gallant behavior.
Captain Richards, of Company M, of same regiment, behaved throughout most gallantly.
Both Lieutenants Leaf and Sample, of his company, were hurt, and the Jatter’s horse killed in the mélée.
I regret, sir, my failure to secure the bridge, but there was too strong a force of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, as I have since learned, for me ever to have succeeded with cavalry alone.
very respectfully, your obedient servant
Oolonel First Pennsylwania Cavalry, Commanding.
Captain HALSTED,
Assistant Adjutant-General, General Augur’s Brigade.
(Indorsement. }
OamMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA.,
April 20,
Respectfully forwarded.