Irvin Modowell to Nathaniel P. Banks, April 17, 1862

To you and to the forces under your command the Department returns thanks for the brilliant and successful operations of this day. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Major-General BANKS, Mount Jackson.

Abstract from “‘ Record of Events” in Oavalry Brigade, Department of the Shenandoah.*

On the 15th instant this squadron [First Squadron Pennsylvania Cavalry], under command of the junior captain, Greenfield, assisted by detachments of infantry from the Fourteenth Indiana, Fifth Connecticut, Twenty-eighth New York, and Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, made a dash upon a company of the enemy’s cavalry quartered in a church near Columbia Furnace, and succeeded in capturing the entire force of 3 officers and about 50 men, with all their horses, arms, and baggage.

APRIL 17-19, 1862.—Skirmishes near Falmouth and occupation of Fredericksburg, Va., by the Union forces.

No. 1.—Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell, U. 8. Army, commanding Department of the Rappahannock.

No, 2.—Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Augur, U. 8. Army, commanding brigade.

No. 3.—Col. George D. Bayard, First Pennsylvania Cavalry.

No. 4.—Lieut. Col. Judson Kilpatrick, Second New York Cavalry.

No. 5.—Brig. Gen. Charles W. Field, C. 8. Army, with instructions from General Lee.

No. 6.—Lieut. Col. W. H. F. Lee, Ninth Virginia Cavalry.

Reports of Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell, U. 8S. Army, commanding Department of the Rappahannock.

HpDQRSs. DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK, Railroad between Fredericksburg and Aquia, April 18, 1862.

We occupied the suburbs of the town of Fredericksburg, the left bank of the Rappahannock, this morning at 7 o’clock.

The troops, under the immediate command of Brigadier-General Augur, left Catlett’s Station yesterday and made a forced march across the country of 26 miles.

The advance, under Lieutenant-Oolonel Kilpatrick, Second Regiment (Harris) Cavalry drove in the enemy’s outposts, charged and captured one of his camps. Lieutenant Decker, Second New York Cavalry, was killed by the enemy in the charge. The troops pushed on the next day

*From return for the month of April, 1862.

at 2 o’clock in the morning. The advance, under Lieutenant-Colonel Bayard, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, was attacked by a body of infantry and cavalry and had a hot skirmish, in which we lost 5 men and 15 horses killed and had 16 men wounded. Several of the enemy were killed and wounded in the charge made on them by Colonel Bayard ; the number not reported. The colonel, who it seems is always to have some mark of having been in the thickest of every fight in which he is engaged, had his horse shot four times. The command then drove the enemy’s forces, which fell back without further resistance, and which consisted of aregiment of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of light artillery, across the Rappahannock, but were unable to save the bridges, which were prepared for burning by having tar, shavings, and lightwood in the crib work, and which were fired as soon as the enemy crossed.

As Fredericksburg is a position of manifest importance to us and to the enemy, whatever course the war may take, I have ordered forward the India-rubber bridge train for temporary use, and beg, if the naval force in the Rappahannock can protect their transit, that enough canalboats to make a substantial bridge, with the necessary lumber for the purpose, be sent up the Rappahannock. I have ordered forward another brigade of King’s division and an additional regiment of cavalry (Sir Percy Wyndham’s), and, as the railroad cannot be used at present, I need more wagons to supply the force I now have on the Rappahannock, and beg 100 may be sent to me at Aquia.

As the readiest means of having communication with the right bank of the river, I would like one of the steam ferry-boats in the Potomac, with lumber for temporary wharf, maybe sent around.

: pee order telegraph established between Fredericksburg and Washington.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,