Geo. W. Wooding to S. V. Fulkerson, May 28, 1862

CapTAINn: In making my official report of the part acted by the Thirty-seventh Virginia Regiment, commanded by myself, during the days of the 23d, 24th, and 25th (owing to my position in the column), I am forced to say that I had no opportunity of entering into the skirmishing which took place near Front Royal on the 23d; also the skirmish near Middletown on the 24th.

I marched on the road to Middletown, and my men up to the latter place kept up and marched in very good order, and seemed to endure the fatigue with surprising fortitude. They seemed loath to vacate their position; but loss of sleep and fatigue from the long and continued march forced many of those who would have been proud to have mingled with their companions in the dangers of the battle of the 25th to leave their places, and in consequence of this fact daylight the next morning found me with 300 men ready for action.

At this time I received orders from Col. 8. V. Fulkerson, commanding brigade, to load and prepare to march immediately after Colonel Laliaferro’s regiment. I followed, as I had been directed, to the field where Colonel Fulkerson had drawn up in line. Colonel Taliaferro’s regiment not being where [ could receive information at what point Colonel Fulkerson wished me to form, I came to the conclusion that he wished me to form line and move on in supporting distance of the regiment which attracted his attention at that time. I had just drawn my men up in line, when the enemy’s battery to our.front seemed to get the direction of the right flank of our line, and threw shell with great precision into the ranks of Company A, commanded by Lieutenant Taylor. And here allow me to add that both officers and men remained at their post and gallantly maintained their position, though each shell told with terrible effect in their ranks. As soon as I found that the enemy had my direction I ordered Lieutenant Taylor to take his company to the rear and center, and about the time this was completed I received orders from Colonel Fulkerson to take the regiment to the extreme left flank, as the enemy was making an effort to flank our line in that direction. In marching to that position the regiment was subjected to a heavy fire both from cannon and rifle, and I could not, with justice to officers and men, discriminate which acted most gallantly; suffice it to say that each one performed his duty and acted nobly. After arriving at my position, and having formed line of battle, I threw out skirmishers in front, and remained in that position until Colonel Fulkerson ordered me to advance. And here I would notice the gallantry of Capt. John A. Preston, who was so eager to pursue that I was forced to restrain him while advancing. We continued to advance; but when we arrived on the hill we found a routed enemy in rapid retreat. We pursued along the Martinsburg road 4 miles beyond Winchester. At this point, completely exhausted, we gave up farther pursuit.

Before closing I take great pleasure in noticing the prompt and efficient attention of Surg. Casper C. Henkle and Asst. Surg. M. M. Butler. I am also under obligations to Adjutant Wood for prompt attention.

The following is the number of casualties: Aggregate—Killed, 1;

wounded, 19. T. V. WILLIAMS, Major, Thirty-seventh Virginia Regiment. Captain PENDLETON.

Report of Capt. George W. Wooding, Virginia (Danville) Artillery, of operations May 23-25.

Camp OF DANVILLE ARTILLERY, Near Winchester, Va., May 27, 1862,

COLONEL: In compliance with instructions received from yourself I hereby transmit you a brief report of the operations of my command (the Danville Artillery) during the engagements of May 23, 24, and 25:

On the evening of the 23d I received an order from Colonel Fulkerson to take my rifled piece to the front. I accordingly left the rear of the brigade with my rifled piece, and moved rapidly on toward Front Royal. On reaching that place, about night-fall, I learned that the enemy had been routed and many of them captured by the advance of our army. Seeing no officer at Front Royal to whom I could report, I moved on some 3 miles beyond the town, when, seeing some pieces of artillery which were in advance of mine returning toward Front Royal, I halted my men upon the road-side and ordered them to encamp during the night, while Ireturned to the rest of my command, which I found encamped, with your brigade, near where I left you in the evening.

On the morning of the 24th I received an order from Colonel Crutchfield, chief of artillery, to join my rifled piece with the rest of my bat. tery. I accordingly sent forward to have it halted until we came up to it, and during the whole of this day my wearied men and jaded horses marched immediately in rear of your brigade until 2 or 3 o’clock on the morning of the 25th, when we halted until dawn in the road, our horses standing hitched to the pieces and the men lying down upon the roadside.

At dawn, in the same order of march as on the previous day, we marched toward Winchester. When within a short distance of that place, and in distinct hearing of the enemy’s artillery and musketry, which had opened upon our advancing column, I received orders to remain in the road until ordered forward. I had been there but a few minutes when an aide to General Jackson ordered me to move forward. He carried my battery to within a short distance of the enemy’s, who kept up an incessant fire from our right toward our forces posted on our left, some of their shells passing over us and bursting very near to us. This aide to General Jackson informed me that an officer had been sent to choose a position for my battery to the right of the road. I remained there some thirty minutes, when I saw the enemy commence a swift retreat toward Winchester, and, believing it useless to remain in that position any longer, I, with my battery, joined in the pursuit, which was followed up to this encampment, when we were ordered te halt.

None of my men or horses were injured by the enemy’s fire, and the only injury sustained by my command was the natural consequence of weariness and fatigue resulting from long and incessant marching.

Very respectfully, &c.,