T. F. Brodhead to and Chief of Cavalry, Fifth Corps Arme, April 21, 1862
New Market, Va., April 21, 1862.
» $reg: In accordance with your favor of the 15th instant I have the honor to report that on the 22d of March, 1862, in the afternoon, General Jackson made his appearance before Winchester with two pieces of artillery and some cavalry. There was desultory firing, but of not much moment that day. My party was not out all this day, except two or three officers as lookers-on.
On the 23d cannonading was commenced quite early on both sides, and kept up at intervals during the forenoon. About 2 p. m., seeing
that the enemy was gathering in some force, I went to the sg opin panied by Lieutenants Wicker, Fralick, Larned, Spencer, Harvey, Byram, Miner, Taylor, Briggs, and Halsted, with theirflagmen. I also had two of mine with me. On arriving upon the battle-field we found Colonel Kimball in command. I immediately located a station near Colonel Kimball, placing Lieut. John H. Fralick upon it with his two flagmen. Colonel Sullivan was in command of our left flank, about 14 miles from Colonel Kimball. I ordered Lieutenant Larned to go to Colonel Sullivan with his flagman and locate a station, which he accordingly did. I afterward sent Lieutenant Briggs to assist him. Then, at Colonel Kimball’s request, I established communication between him and General Shields, who was confined to his room with a wound received the day before at Winchester, about 3 miles. I did it at once by sending Lieutenant Miner to General Shields’ headquarters, Lieutenants Wicker and Spencer occupying the station next to Lieutenant Miner ; Lieutenant Harvey the station next to Wicker’s and Spencer’s, he communicating with Lieutenant Fralick.
About 3 o’clock p. m. Colonel Tyler was ordered to advance with five regiments to turn the enemy’sleftand capture a battery which wasplaying upon our center. I dispatched Lieutenant Taylor, with one flagman to accompany him. After proceeding about 15 miles he was met with a heavy force, which poured in upon him volley after volley with deadly effect, but our forces under Colonel Tyler answered it with a will. It was here that Lieutenant Taylor’s flagman was wounded in the arm. The flagman’s horse was shot through the neck, but not killed. Lieutenant Taylor did not succeed in opening communication with Lieutenant Fralick.
I then sent Lieutenant Byram over to our right, so as to get communication with Colonel Tyler, which he did in fine style. The firing lasted until dark, when both sides ceased, the rebels having been routed at all points, wé capturing two guns and three caissons.
Lieutenant Taylor joined Lieutenant Byram about dark, and the two worked the station during the night. Lieutenants Larned and Briggs remained upon their station all night upon the left, Byram and Taylor all night upon our right, Lieutenant Spencer and myself upon the station at the center. At dark, with Colonel Kimball’s consent, I ordered all the other stations to proceed to the quarters, which they did. The stations at the center and upon the left were almost constantly at work, ordering up re-enforcements, &c. All the stations worked well, no mistake occurring and no reports being called for. Lieutenants Fralick, Taylor, Byram, and myself were in the most exposed part of the field; at times it being very much exposed. Some of the time I acted as aide to Colonel Kimball, carrying messages to different portions of the field. During the night our stations were kept pretty busy sending messages.
The names of the flagmen who worked in the exposed portions of the field are as follows: Lieutenant Larned, Flagman Alonzo H. Hurd, Company H, First Minnesota Volunteers; Lieutenant Fralick, Flagman Edward G. Redner, Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers; Lieutenant Taylor, Flagman Oliver S. Temple, Forty-third New York Volunteers; Lieutenant Byram, Flagman S. W. Shirfey, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteers; Lieutenant Rowley, Flagman Peter Spargo, First Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers.
All the officers and men did their duty well and faithfully, and I think all are equally deserving. All could not be in the battle, as some were ordered on stations a little removed. They all did their work
Omar, XXIV.) BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN, VA.
cheerfully and manfully. I inclose you some of the many messages sent upon the battle-field.* There was not time to preserve a copy of all, the stations were kept so constantly working. I also send copy of messages transmitted by the corps while the army was at Strasburg. They are merely specimens of what we are daily doing. I cannot send but a few; if I should undertake to copy all they would fill a volume.
Yours, respectfully, W. W. ROWLEY. Capt. SAMUEL T. OUSHING, Acting Signal Officer.
No. 7. Report of Ool. Thornton F. heaeagte First Michigan Cavalry, Ohief of Cavalry.
HDQES. CHIEF OF CAVALRY, FIFTH CoRPS D’ARMEE, Strasburg, March 27, 1862.
Masog: In compliance with your circular order of the 25th instant, yesterday received, I have the honor to report that at 2 o’clock p. m. on the 22d instant, Major Paldi, of the First Michigan Cavalry, reporte the enemy on the Strasburg road within 2 miles of Winchester. I immediately sent Lieutenant-Colonel Copeland, of that regiment, with the only then available companies, to assume command, and directed Major Chamberlain, of the Virginia Cavalry, to move with his command and report to Lieutenant-Colonel Copeland. These orders given, I joined General Shields and proceeded to the field. Some time before dark General Shields was wounded, and I ordered a portion of the cavalry force to take position some 3 miles on the Strasburg road, where it remained all night, the rest returning to Winchester to await further orders.
On the morning of the 23d we advanced, under the command of Colonel Kimball, at the head of the column, pursuing the enemy until late in the afternoon, when the position of the enemy was stormed by Colonel Tyler, who was efficiently supported by Lieutenant-Colonel Copeland with a cavalry force detailed on the field for that purpose. The attack was successful, and after a severe contest the enemy driven from the field.
On the morning of the 24th I advanced with the cavalry of the corps to Cedar Creek, moving myself with a small party to Strasburg in the evening for the purpose of reconnoitering ; after which the force returned, reporting to General Banks, and by his order encamped in front of the position occupied by our troops. My command on the 23d, actively engaged in the battle, consisted of four companies of the First Michigan Cavalry, two companies of the Ohio Cavalry, two companies Maryland, a squadron of the Ringgold and Washington Cavalry (Pennsylvania), commanded by Uaptain Keys, and six companies of the First Virginia Cavalry, less than 780 men in all. Their position on the march was at all times exposed and at the head of the column, testing well the courage of our gallant men, all of whom, I am proud to say, acquitted themselves nobly. Lieutenant-Colonel Copeland, whose report I have the honor to inclose, gives an accurate statement of the disposition of our forces during the engagement, to which I respectr
” Not found,
fully refer. I also inclose the report of Captains Keys and Greenfield, of the Pennsylvania squadron. These excellent officers were assigned to severe duty, but discharged it well. The loss of the cavalry force was 3 killed and 5 wounded, 1 probably mortally.* I sent to Winches: ter a very large number of prisoners, but reports from the different company commanders have not yet been received to enable me to forward an accurate statement, many being now absent on duty.
I take pleasure in mentioning the prompt and gallant conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Copeland, of the First Michigan, to whose efficient exertions the whole command are much indebted. He was actively supported by Major Chamberlain, of the Virginia regiment, and by Captain Menken, of the Ohio forces, both of whom during the attack, as a portion of the supporting force, were distinguished for soldierlike bearing. Capt. J. B. Park, who was detached from his company, now under the command of Colonel Geary, was severely wounded while acting as a vclunteer in supporting the storming party. This gallant officer deserves high commendation for his gallantry.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Colonel and Chief of Cavalry, Fifth Corps @ Armée.
Maj. H. G. ARMSTRONG,
No. 8.
Report of Lieut. Col. Joseph T. Copeland, First Michigan Cavalry.