Timothy Quinn to Charles G. Halpine, May 13, 1864

Colonel Boyd, of the First New York Cavalry, with detachments from the Fifteenth New York and Cole’s (Maryland) battalion, came upon me from Luray about sunset. We pitched into him, cut him oft from the roads, and drove him into the Massanutten Mountain. Numbers have been captured, together with about half of all their horses. They are wandering in the mountain to-night cut off. When day breaks IJ think I will get nearly all of theirs. Colonel Boyd was wounded. We have his horse, and he is in the brush.

J. D. IMBODEN, Brigadier-General. Maj. Gen. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, Harrisonburg, Va

MAY 14, 1864.—Skirmishes at Rude’s Hill and New Market, Va. Report of Maj. Timothy Quinn, First New York Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS First NEw YORK CAVALRY, Camp in the Field, near Strasburg, Va., May 17, 1864. Str : I have the honor to report for the information of the general commanding that,in obedience to orders, I proceeded from Woodstock to Mount Jackson on the 13th instant, in command of fifty men. I was informed at the headquarters of Colonel Taylor, then in command of the cavalry division, that an additional force of 250 men, who had already gone in that direction, would report to me there. When I arrived at Mount Jackson it was nearly dark, and the force mentioned as having gone to the place indicated was not there, having returned by another route. ee ;

On approaching Mount Jackson, and when within two miles of the place, I heard the report of guns to the left of New Market. I went about two and a half miles beyond Mount Jackson with my fifty men, and as I could not accomplish the object for which I was sent (to communicate with Colonel Boyd), I returned, in accordance with orders from General Stahel, to Edenburg. On my way back I met the force who were to report to me at Mount Jackson, and we encamped for the night.»

On the morning of the 14th an additional force of 300 cavalry was sent me, with the accompanying written instructions. After organizing them properly I proceeded again in the direction of Moun’ Jackson, leaving sufficient guards at the bridges and culverts in my rear and on my right flank, my left being protected by the river. I advanced from Mount Jackson toward New Market. When I arrived at the bridge over the Shenandoah beyond Mount Jackson I found the planks torn up and removed to the other side. I also saw a force of the enemy at Rude’s Hill, in sight of said bridge. I masked my main force behind the hill in rear of the bridge, and after repairing it sent a party of fifty men, under the command of Lieutenant Cameron, of the Fifteenth .New York Cavalry, toward Rude’s Hill. The enemy showed a force of at least that number on the top of the hill, and, supposing that the whole of General Imboden’s command was posted behind the hill (with artillery), I directed the lieutenant to move cautiously, throwing out skirmishers on the left of the road of nearly half his force. This was to prevent the enemy from getting his guns to bear on the whole force on the road. The lieutenant’s party moved up steadily, driving in the enemy’s picket, who was posted a half mile north of the hill. I then ordered another party of sixty men, under the command of Captain Whitley, of the First New York Veterans, to the assistance of Lieutenant Cameron, with instructions that, should both succeed in forcing back the enemy from the hill, they should occupy it until I came up with the balance of my command. This they did very handsomely. I then moved up the balance of my command and formed them in columns of squadrons on each side of the road, this side of Rude’s Hill, and again pushed forward my advance and deployed skirmishers on each side of the road. After moving up, say 800 yards, the enemy with a force of about 100 cavalry, charged upon my advance. When I saw them commence the charge I pallied my skirmishers on their reserve, and with the support of Captain Dolles’ party, which I held in hand close by, I met their charging line and drove them nearly two miles, until they fell in with heavy supports. I then made proper disposition of my men. In the mean time I did not show the balance of my command, but kept them masked as stated. I began again to press them until I forced them from point to point into New Market, where thev opened on my advance with artillery which was planted at the entrance to the north end of the town. I still forced them back and through the town. At 5p. m. Colonel Wynkoop, of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, who had just come up, sent an officer, I think, and directed me to fall back on the cavalry, infantry, and artillery, which were then close behind. I then withdrew my command slowly and in good order until I met the colonel’s party, and he assumed command. The charge mentioned as made by the enemy took place at 1 p. m., and I kept driving them steadily until 5 p. m.

The number of cavalry under my command was said to be 550, but I left at least 100 of those who had jaded horses along the road to guard the bridges and secure my retreat.

“General I®boden, with his whole command, consisting, as I am informed, of about 2,000 men, cavalry and infantry, with six pieces of artillery, was opposed to my less than 450 green and jaded cavalry.

I desire to make special mention of the gallantry and skill displayed by Captain Martindale, of my regiment, and of Capt. F. Dolles, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Lieutenant Cameron, of the Fifteenth New York Cavalry. I have also to recur with pleasure to the undaunted bravery of Dr. Douglass, of the First New York Cavalry, who, by request and permission, led and urged on the troops. The men, too, behaved splendidly and cannot be praised too highly.

In the charge I captured 3 prisoners. The casualties in my command were 1 man of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry killed, and 3 of the Fifteenth New York Cavalry slightly wounded. The casualties on the side of the enemy I cannot state, as they had an opportunity of sending their dead and wounded to the rear, but several were seen to fall from their horses.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,