Thos. S. Flournoy to Thomas J. Jackson, August 1, 1862

August 1, 1862.

In obedience to orders from headquarters, to report the engagement of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry with the enemy from Front Royal to Winchester, I make the following report:

On the morning of May 23 the Sixth and Second Regiments, then under my command, were ordered to proceed at once to the Manassas Gap Railroad, at a point between Front Royal and Strasburg, to tear up the track and cut the telegraph wire, which was accomplished by 2 o’clock. The command then proceeded to the neighborhood of Front Royal, and remained on the hills opposite during the progress of the battle of Front Royal until the enemy retreated across the river and up the turnpike leading to Winchester. The cavalry was then ordered in pursuit. The enemy had fired the bridge across North River, which delayed the pursuit. Four companies of the Sixth crossed the river in time to overtake the enemy at Cedarville, about 3 miles up the pike, where they had formed to receive the charge. Company EH, Capt. C. E. Flournoy, was ordered in front and on the left; Company K, Captain Baxter, and Company A, Captain Dulany, to the right, and Company B, Captain Grimsley, directly up the turnpike.

Company B was first upon the enemy, and charged most gallantly right through their lines, breaking them and throwing them into confusion. This company was supported by Company E from the left, and Companies K and A on the right. The enemy was driven from his position, but soon reformed in an orchard on the right of the turnpike, where these companies again charged and put them to complete rout.

The force of the enemy consisted of two companies of cavalry, two pieces of artillery, one regiment of infantry (the First Maryland), and two companies of Pennsylvania Infantry. When the charge was commenced their cavalry took to flight. The two pieces of artillery were abandoned and taken and nearly the entire infantry force taken prisoners.

The enemy lost in killed 15 and 20 wounded. Our loss was, in Company B, 9 killed and 14 wounded; in Company A, 1 killed and 1 wounded; in Company K, Captain Baxter was killed while leading his company most gallantly to the charge; making our loss in killed and wounded 26.

Company D, Captain Richards, and Company I, Captain Row, came up in time to engage in the pursuit of the enemy. The other companies of the Sixth and the Second Regiments were prevented from coming up in time to take part on account of the difficulty in crossing the bridge, which alone prevented their taking the most active part in the fight.

The officers and men engaged acted with the greatest intrepidity and courage, executing every order with promptness, and gained a complete victory over the enemy.

On the morning of the 24th the Sixth and Second Regiments, under command of General G. H. Steuart proceeded to Newtown, on the turnpike leading from Strasburg to Winchester, to harass the enemy and intercept the wagon train.

During the day a number of prisoners (some 250) were taken, and several wagons and ambulances with stores and medicines.

In the evening the command was ordered to move toward Winchester with General Ewell’s division, to be in readiness to take part in the battle of Winchester, which took place on the morning of May 25, at about 8 o’clock. Banks’ army was in full retreat. The cavalry was ordered in pursuit, which was continued to Martinsburg, and on the morning of the 26th to the Potomac River. In this pursuit many stragglers were captured and a large amount of stores taken at Martinsburg.

Most

respectfully submitted by your obedient servant