J. L. Moss to L. D. H. CURRIE, Assistant Adjutant- General, February 8, 1862

Camp Grifin, Va., February 8, 1862.

SIR:

I have the honor to submit for the consideration of the commanding general of the division the following report’ of the operations of the Cameron Dragoons on the 7th instant:

At 4 o’clock on the morning of the 7th the Cameron Dragoons left their camp in pursuance of Special Orders, No. 147, of that date, and proceeded as far as Freedom Hill, when our regiment was divided off in the following manner:

Captain Wilson, commanding Company F, and Capt. J. O’Fartell, commanding Company I, forming one squadron, under the command of Captain Currie, assistant adjutant-general, proceeded on the road through Vienna towards Flint Hill for the purpose of driving in the enemy’s pickets. When arriving there the squadron was divided, Captain Wilson’s company being ordered to charge to the left and Captain O’Farrell to the right, for the purpose of getting in the rear of the enemy’s pickets; but before they succeeded in doing this they were discovered by the pickets, who immediately fled in the direction of Germantown, hotly pursued by Captain Wilson’s company to within 14 miles of the town. Not overtaking them they returned to Flint Hill, and, pursuant to orders, set fire to an old barn which has for a long time afforded the pickets protection, and then taking the road to the left, leading to Hunter’s Mill, they soon discovered a portion of the enemy’s reserve secreted in Mrs. Peck’s house. The order was then immediately given by Captain Currie to charge upon the house and surround it, but when within 50 yards of it the enemy opened a brisk fire from within with Colt’s repeating rifles as well as from the neighboring hills and woods. Notwithstanding this the men boldly charged to the doors and windows of the house, Captain Wilson at their head (who in doing this received a seriə ous and very painful wound from a rifle-ball, which entered the ear, glanced around the skull bone, and came out at the back of the head), dismounted, entered the house, killing 1 man and succeeded in capturing 4 prisoners (of the First North Carolina Cavalry), 3 horses, and 5

. Ome. XIV] FLINT HILL AND HUNTER’S MILL, VÀ. —— 507

revolving rifles. A number of the company, with their prisoners, were then ordered to fall back to Freedom Hill. T _ In the mean time Capt. J. O’Farrell, having discovered another portion of the reserve in an old log house, immediately charged upon and surrounded it, the enemy, as before, opening a brisk fire upon them from within, which lasted for several minutes. On reaching the house Capt. J.O’Farrell with a few men immediately dismounted and captured 6 prisoners, with horse equipments and arms. The prisoners were then sent back to Freedom Hill under charge of a guard. In doing this Sergeant Moore, who acted through the whole affair in the most determined – and courageous manner, received a fatal wound, which terminated his «life at 10.30 in the evening. Major Boteler, in command of the fifth squadron, was ordered to proceed to Vienna, with instructions that in case he heard firing to immediately advance in the direction of it. Upon hearing the firing he immediately started in the direction of Flint Hill, but when reaching this point the pickets had been driven in and the prisoners captured. He then with his command, together with the balance of Capt. J. O’Farrell’s company, proceeded on the road to the right, leading to Hunter’s Mill, for the purpose of joining my command, which consisted of Companies D and € and H anda small detachment of Company A. This command left Freedom Hill simultaneously with that of Captain ‘Currie and took the road to the right, leading directly to Hunter’s Mill. Here we succeeded in driving back the enemy’s pickets some 2 or 3 miles, but in consequence of the ruggedness of the country in this direction and the pickets having discovered us whilst approaching we did not succeed in capturing them. We then halted at Mrs. Brooks’, pursuant to previous arrangements, until Major Boteler with his command had joined us; after which the whole command returned to Flint Hill, and from there started in the direction of Fairfax Court-House. When within a mile of this place the pickets to the number of 15 or 20 again made their appearance about a half mile in our advance. Immediately upon seeing them I ordered Captain Brown with 10 or 15 men in one direc- – tion, and Lieutenant Cromelien with the same number of men in another, – to capture them if possible. They pursued them to within a mile of Germantown, wounding 2 and capturing 3 of them, together with a valuable four-horse team, which was used for hauling forage to the rebel troops.

Th the mean time I ordered Lieutenant Hart with 20 men to make a charge through Fairfax Court-House, having first reconnoitered to the right and left of the village and satisfied myself that there were but few, if any, troops there. I then advanced with the whole force into . the village; remained there about half an hour, and took the road to

the left, leading through Falls Church, thinking I might still get in the rear of their pickets; but they had all fled, leaving their fires burning, leading me to suppose they had left in hot haste for parts unknown.

The village of Fairfax appears to have been (with one or two exceptions) entirely deserted, and has a very dilapidated look. I did not think it expedient to have the houses searched, as the enemy could in a very short time get a strong force down the pike from the neighborhood of Centreville. The enemy have dug 3 or 4 extensive rifle-pits to the right of the road leading from Flint Hill to the Court-House and immediately in front of the same. ;

I take much pleasure in expressing my general satisfaction at the good conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men during

the day. Itisimpossible to particularize any one, as they all conducted themselves in a most creditable manner. lam, sir, with respect,

your obedient servant,

Major, Commanding Cameron Dragoons.
Capt. L. D. H. CURRIE, Assistant Adjutant- General.
No. 3. ;
Report of Capt. John O’Farrell, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
CAMP GRIFFIN, February 7, 1862.
SIR: I have the honor to report that, according to orders received’
from you at Freedom Hill, I left the main body of the regiment and .