John C. Frémont to Edwin M. Stanton, June 9, 1862

(Received June 12, 8 a. m.)

There was no collision with the enemy after dark last night. This morning we resumed the march against him, entering the woods in battle order, his cavalry appearing on flanks.

General Blenker had the left, General Milroy the right, and General Schenck the center, with a reserve of General Stahel’s brigade and General Bayard’s. The enemy was found to be in full retreat on Port Republic, and our advance found his rear guard barely across the river and the bridge in flames. Our advance came in so suddenly that some of his officers remaining on this side escaped with the loss of their horses. A cannonading during the forenoon apprised us of an engagement, and I am informed here that General Jackson attacked General Shields this morning, and after a severe engagement drove him down the river and is now in pursuit. I have sent an officer with a detachment of cavalry to open communication with General Shields, and in mean time preparing to bridge the river, having no pontoon.

This morning detachments were occupied in searching the grounds covered by yesterday’s action at Cross Keys for our remaining dead and wounded. I am not fully informed, but think 125 will cover our loss in killed and 500 in wounded. The enemy’s loss we cannot clearly ascertain. He was engaged during the night in carrying off his dead and wounded in wagons. This morning upon our march upward of 200 of his dead were counted in one field, the greater part badly mutilated by cannon-shot. Many of his dead were also scattered through the woods, and many had been already buried. A number of prisoners had been taken during the pursuit.

I regret to have lost many good officers. General Stahel’s brigade was in the hottest part of the field, which was the left, wing from the beginning of the fight. The brigade lost in officers 5 killed and 17 wounded, and one of his regiments alone—the Eighth New York—has buried 65. The Garibaldi Guards, next after, suffered most severely, and following this regiment the Forty-fifth New York, the Bucktail Rifles of General Bayard’s, and General Milroy’s brigade. One of the Bucktail companies has lost all its officers, commissioned and noncommissioned. The loss in General Schenck’s brigade was less, although he inflicted severe loss on the enemy, principally by artillery fire. Of my staff I lost a good officer killed, Capt. Nicolai Dunka. Many horses were killed in our batteries, which the enemy repeatedly attempted to take, but were repulsed by canister fire.

Generally I feel myself permitted to say that all our troops, by their endurance of this severe march and their splendid conduct in the battle, are entitled to the President’s commendation. The officers throughout behaved with a gallantry and efliciency which require that I should make particular mention of them, and which I trust will receive the particular notice of the President. As soon as possible I will send a full report, but in this respect I am unable to make any more particular distinction than that pointed out in the description of the battle.

Respectfully,