Oliver O. Howard to J. H. Taylor, March 29, 1862

COLONEL: Having received orders from the headquarters of this Army Corps, dated March 28, 1862, to take command of a reconnoitering force, composed of three regiments of my brigade and one of General Meagher’s, and all of the cavalry here present, I have the honor to report that I marched from camp at the appointed time yesterday morning. I organized my force with a large advance guard ; thoroughly covered my front and flank by skirmishers. At about 2 miles’ distance from this place the scouts of the enemy appeared a mile ahead. As we pressed on they discharged their carbines at my scouts and retired. My scouts and skirmishers returned the fire. Being beyond effective range no harm was done on either side. As soon as the Parrott guns under Lieutenant Rundell reached a fair position I had him open fire on about a company of the enemy just in the edge of some woods. They fled toward our left. This operation was repeated constantly during the march. Sometimes one squadron and sometimes as many as three squadrons appeared and disappeared on our front and flanks. We constantly pressed forward toward the Rappahannock, driving the cavalry before us till within 3 miles of that river. Here a force of infantry was reported advancing at double-quick. I formed in order of battle; ordered the advance guard forward into a good position. I soon ascertained that the remnant of the enemy’s infantry on this side of the river was running for a train of cars nearer to me than themselves. As soon as possible Lieutenant Rundell fired in the direction of the train.

As soon as this train had passed the Rappahannock bridge I heard a heavy explosion, much like the blasting of stone. My command was brought forward as fast as possible to a point half a mile this side the river. I then discovered quite a large force on a high ridge. Immediately the Parrott guns were brought into action on a high plat of ground near the railroad. Then the enemy opened upon me with two or three Parrott guns. I moved the battery to a better position and closer range toward my right and front, supporting it by cavalry, and at the same time took possession, by the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment, of a field work which the enemy had left a short time before. I had now ascertained that the entire force opposed was across the river, a battery and apparently infantry on the heights to the left of the railroad, a body of cavalry and a large body of infantry to the right of the railroad. I then ordered up Captain Hazzard’s battery to a position near the field works before mentioned. The captain brought it up at a trot, instantly came into action as each piece got upon the ground, and fired in rapid succession upon the cavalry force to our front. He continued firing there till the enemy’s cavalry had entirely disappeared in the woods pdeyond their position. I then sent his battery, supported by the Fifth New Hampshire, to a new position, to shell out some infantry still farther to the right. He fired a few rounds and the enemy disappeared.

to Mr. Bowen, who has taken the oath of allegiance. He claims about 60 head. For these and some forage I receipted to him. The enemy burned what culverts he could and depots and store-houses and the stacks of forage on our route. I found the Rappahannock bridge a burning mass when I reached it. I think the enemy fired about twentyfive rounds from his battery. Lieutenant Rundell fired fifty-one rounds from his section of Parrott guns and Captain Hazzard forty-three rounds. I inclose a report of Lieutenant Rundell. Three prisoners were taken and have been turned over to the provost-marshal, The Fifth New Hampshire Regiment, the Sixty-first New York Regiment, the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and the artillery were the only portion of my command much.exposed to the enemy’s fire. One man of Lieutenant Rundell’s command was thrown down by a shell striking at his feet, but was unhurt. All without exception behaved well.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,