J. J. Abercrombir to George B. McClellan, December 30, 1862

GENERAL:

I have the honor to report that, according to a telegram received from you, I started with my whole available force toward Dumfries at 1 p. m., the 28th instant. On arriving at Union Mills, I found that the enemy had crossed the Occoquan at Snyder’s Ford, and were marching in the direction of Fairfax Station.

I immediately proceeded to Farmwell with my command, expecting to meet them there. I then halted and sent patrols in all directions to find the whereabouts of the enemy, and it was pot until morning that I learned they had crossed the railroad at Burke’s Station. Expecting to find them somewhere on the Aldie pike, I marched through Fairfax Court-House, and came up with the enemy this side of Chantilly about 10 a. m., the 29th instant. I pressed them closely as far as Saunders’ toll-gate, skirmishing with them, when I obliged them to deploy their force, and found them to number over 3,000 men. I was, therefore, obliged to be careful, as my force did not exceed 500. My advance, however, followed them as far as Pleasant Valley. I placed my pickets as usual, and returned to my old camp at Chantilly, sending all the information to Brigadier-General Stoughton, at Fairfax Court-House.

Very fortunately, while at Union Mills, I foresaw this event, and ordered all my teams, camp equipage, &c., back to Fairfax Court-House, or they would have been captured. I am happy to report that the enemy ‘captured nothing from my command. I have always upheld the importance of Chantilly as a cavalry post, and, had there been a large force here, we could have captured or driven back the enemy. I have also often mentioned the presence of this cavalry force of the enemy at Stafford Springs, with « view to this raid, but, not being in my frort, T have never made an official report of it.

Major-General HEINTZELMAN, __ Oommanding Defenses of Washington.

No. 5. Reportof Brig. Gen. John J. Abercrombie, U. 8. Army, commanding division.

HEADQUARTERS, Arlington, Va., December 30, 1862.

GENERAL: In obedience to instructions from your headquarters, I detached six regiments of my command and two light batteries to occupy the position, viz: Three regiments and a battery of six pieces, under the immediate command of Colonel Gurney, to Annandale, and three regiments and a battery of four pieces from Minor’s Hill, under the immediate command of General Cowdin, to a point half way between Falls Church and Fairfax Court-House. These commands arrived at their points of destination, respectively, about two hours before day.

I proceeded with five companies of Colonel Swain’s cavalry, under Major Wilkeson, from Arlington, and arrived about the same hour with the troops. I found a small detachment of cavalry under Captain Urquhart, an intelligent officer, who occupied Annandale as a picket station, and from whom I received important information and assistance in the way of guides, &c. Having made the best disposition I could to guard against surprise or an attack early in the morning, I prepared mounted detachments to proceed at dawn of day in every direction where it would be practicable for the enemy to move, with a view of ascertaining, with some degree of certainty, the movements and position of the rebels. Previous to my arrival, Captain Urquhart sent a small party, at about 11 p. m., up the Little River turnpike, which came in contact with a heavy force of General Stuart’s cavalry rapidly moving along a wooded road in the direction of Vienna. The officer commanding the party was, no doubt, taken prisoner, as his horse returned without him. Owing to the darkness, the men escaped, some without their horses, and from this party I learned the enemy were moving rapidly in the direction of Vienna. As soon as the intelligence was received, I dispatched a squadron of cavalry, under Captain Mix, of Scott’s Nine Hundred, to follow up in the direction the rebels were pursuing, with a view of gaining further information. A part of the squadron returned in a few hours with guns, sabers, and 5 of the Fifteenth Virginia Cavalry, picked up in the woods by a part of Captain Urquhart’s party. Between 3 and 4p. m. the squadron had all got back, having followed the enemy up to within half a mile of Vienna, where it was ascertained they arrived about 2 a. m., and from 800 to 1,000 strong. During the day the other parties came in, one from Burke’s Station, and another from Pohican, reporting no enemy or the slightest evidence of one to be seen.

At 4 p. m., in obedience to orders, Defenses of Washington, I dispatched all my cavalry in pursuit of the rebels toward Hunter’s Mills. At about 6 o’clock Major Taggart joined me with three companies of cavalry. He had been stationed at Dranesville, and, in attempting to reach Annandale, had met Stuart’s cavalry at Frying Pan. I ordered him to join Major Wilkeson, with Swain’s cavalry, at Vienna, whither they had gone in pursuit of the enemy. No report has been received from them as yet, and I suppose they are still in pursuit of the enemy.

During the evening I returned with my infantry and artillery to their positions at Minor’s and Upton’s Hills. If, as reported, 6,000 men with cavalry crossed at Wolf Run Shoals, I do not think they all retired by way of Vienna. That party appeared to be about 1,000 strong.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,