Unknown to Joseph E. Johnston, May 16, 1862

Giles Oourt-House, Va., May 16, 1862.

GENERAL:

I have the honor to submit the following report of the battle of Giles Court-House, fought on the 10th instant:

The Forty-fifth Virginia Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Peters commanding, stationed at The Narrows of New River, in Giles County, was directed to retire from its position at that point on April 30 by Colonel Jenifer, for reasons which he gives in the inclosed document, marked A.*

This regiment fell back as far as the base of Cloyd’s Mountain, 10 miles from Dublin Depot, Virginia and Tennessee Rail oad. When this occurred I was at the White SulphurSprings, preparing to withdraw the forces on the James River and Kanawha turnpike to some point at or near the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, which was rendered necessary in consequence of the abandonment of the Virginia Central Railroad by the withdrawal of all the rolling stock on that road west of Staunton, thus cutting off my source of supplies. At that time I did not know whether my force on the James River and Kanawha turnpike could render better service by re-enforcing General Jackson or strengthening the force defending the approaches to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. I wrote and telegraphed General Lee on this subject. On receiving his telegram of the 5th instant I proceeded with all dispatch to strengthen my force covering the approach to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad at Dublin Depot. As soon as the forces were united I determined to attack the enemy at Giles Court-House and try and retake The Narrows of New River.

On the night of the 9th instant orders were issued to this effect: I divided the command into two brigades and a reserve, the first consisting of the Forty-fifth Virginia Regiment (Lieutenant-Colonel Peters), Otey’s battery, and one company of the Eighth Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel Jenifer, and the second composed of the Twenty-second Virginia Regiment (Colonel Patton), Chapman’s battery, and one company of the Highth Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel McCausland, the reserve consisting of fragments of three companies and two mountain howitzers, under Captain Vawter.

We marched at 10 p. m., and discovered the enemy’s mounted pickets about 24 miles from the Court-House. The pickets were driven in and hotly pursued. On reaching a point within 1 mile of Giles Court-House we found the enemy occupying a ridge running from the main road to the mountain (a strong position), sheltered by a fence.

Colonels Jenifer and McCausland, as previously ordered, deployed their commands, the first to the right of the main approach to the Court-House and the second to the left. This was done in handsome style. The battle then commenced by Otey’s, Chapman’s, and Lowry’s artillery opening upon the enemy, the infantry steadily advancing under a line of skirmishers. When within a few hundred yards of the enemy’s position, with a determined shout, the force simultaneously charged, driving the enemy before them. The enemy retreated beyond the town of Pearisburg (Giles Court-House), when he made a second stand, but was soon dislodged. Hedisputed with usa series of hills in rear of Giles CourtHouse, but was driven from hill to hill until his retreat became a rout. On reaching The Narrows of New River, the great point to be gained, he made his last stand. I ordered two pieces of artillery, under Major King, chief of ordnance, supported by a company of infantry, to cross New River and occupy a commanding position on the right bank. As soon as our artillery opened, which was admirably served (the enemy losing 4 men by the explosion of a single shell from a mountain howitzer), he retreated, leaving in our possession the key to his approach to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad by way of Giles Court-House.

The force under my command was composed chiefly of the recent levies ; they, as all others, acted like veterans. I never witnessed better or more determined fighting. It is with some hesitation, where all did so well, that I mention names. To Colonels Jenifer and McCausland, commanding brigades, my special thanks are due, and they deserve the approbation of the department.

Car. XXIV.) ACTION AT GILES C. Hi. 493

The gallant Colonel Patton fell while leading his regiment and carry ing the last and probably most determined stand made by the enemy. I take pleasure in saying his wound is not serious.

Lieutenant-Colonel Peters (commanding Forty-fifth Virginia Regiment) displayed much coolness and gallantry, leading his men in the thickest of the fight. Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzhugh (Eighth Virginia Cavalry) also displayed great coolness and bravery during the engagement. I recommend Colonel Patton (Twenty-second Virginia Regiment) and Lieutenant-Colonels Peters (Iorty-fifth Virginia Regiment) and Fitzhugh (Eighth Virginia Cavalry) to your notice.

Captains Otey, Chapman, and Lowry, commanding batteries, all behaved well and did excellent service. The mountain howitzer is found to be exceedingly useful.

To Lieutenant King (elected major of the artillery battalion) I take this occasion of returning my thanks for the energy displayed by him in procuring artillery for my command and for the excellent service performed by him in driving the enemy from The Narrows.

My command was much exhausted when it went into the engagement, a portion of it having lost three nights’ sleep. The enemy was pursued 6 or 7 miles, and this at a run.

Our loss was, providentially, small, only 2 killed and 4 wounded. That of the enemy is known to have been comparatively very large, , but not accurately ascertained, from the fact that they succeeded in carrying off most of their dead and wounded by the assistance of their cavalry. From the best information I can obtain their Joss amounted to about 20 killed and 50 wounded. We captured a considerable amount of quartermaster’s and subsistence stores, including a number of horses and a few prisoners.

My special thanks are due to my personal staff—Captain Finney, assistant adjutant-general; Captain Heth, aide-de-camp, and Captain Swann, volunteer aide; also to Mr. Albert Gibboney—for their energy and activity in communicating orders. Captain Selden, aide-de-camp was absent assisting Lieutenant-Colonel Finney in bringing forward troops and supplies.

I respectfully refer you to the reports of the colonels commanding brigades for additional ae her :

I am, very respectfu our obedient servan » Very respectiuly, y’ W. HETH, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General 8. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

No. 2. Report of Ool. Walter H. Jenifer, commanding First Brigade.