Stephen G. Champlin to Israel B. Richardson, August 30, 1861

I have the honor to report that this morning, while reconnoitering from the top of Mrs. Hunter’s house, the enemy was observed to send off from the top of the hill lying north of Bailey’s Corners two com- :

. panies of infantry, who numbered about 200 men, who were marched in the direction of our pickets, stationed northeast of Bailey’s Corners and on the right of Captain Dillmaws position. I started immediately for Bailey’s Corners, to inform Captain Dillman and take steps for defense. I found that Captain Dillman was acquainted with the movement of the enemy. i

A. few moments after my arrival about 100 of the enemy attacked

our pickets on the right side of the road, and oceupying the Bailey outhouses and premises adjoining. An attack was also made on our line

. of pickets, extending as far as the first house on the direct road from Arlington Mill to Bailey’s Corners. The pickets returned the fire and retreated back on Captain Dillman’s command and upon the reserve stationed half way from Arlington Mill to Bailey’s Corners. I directed Captain Dillman to march one company of his men on the table-land to his right to a point opposite the enemy in the woods and deploy them as skirmishers, advance them aeross the road, and engage the enemy on their flank, while I brought up and engaged the enemy’s front with the reserve stationed half way to the mill, under command of Lieutenant Morris, and also with a portion of Captain Judd’s command, stationed near Arlington Mill. The order was executed, and the enemy retreated before the skirmishers, and would not and did not wait an engagement. Our pickets were re-established, and the forces of both sides are again in the same position they respectively occupied this morning. Our loss none [killed]; wounded, 1 or 2 slightly. The enemy were observed to carry off 3 of their own men, who were either killed or wounded.

Throughout the whole of this affair both officers and men behaved with great coolness and bravery, and I think the retreat was timely

f D j for the enemy, for had they waited the advance, they must have been repulsed with considerable loss.

I have the honor to be, &c., your obedient servant,