W. M. B. Taliaferro to R. L. Dabney, June 13, 1862

MaAJog: I have the honor to make a brief report of the operations of my brigade on the 8th and 9th instant:

On the morning of the 8th my camp on the north side of the Shenandoah was disturbed by the sound of artillery close under the hills below us, and apparently in the town of Port Republic. I immediately ordered the brigade to be formed, and as it was about to be formed for inspection the regiments were speedily in line. I received orders to move the regiments as they were formed down to the bridge, which was done. On reaching the crest of the hill overlooking the town and river I perceived that a party of the enemy, consisting of some cavalry and two field pieces, had penetrated the town, and that a piece was planted at the mouth of the bridge, commanding its entrance and the whole distance through it. I found Major-General Jackson on the hill, in person directing the fire of some of our pieces, and he ordered me to charge across the bridge, capture the piece, and occupy the town. We were exposed to considerable fire from the enemy’s guns in crossing the hill, and the Thirty-seventh Regiment lost 3 men, but that regiment, Colonel Fulkerson, with the utmost gallantry, after delivering a fire, charged across the bridge, captured the piece, and chased the enemy from the village, killing and capturing several of them. Had I known the topography we could have captured most of the enemy, but we made at first for the lower ford, which I supposed was the only one leading into the town.

Lieutenant Duncan, of the Thirty-seventh, perceiving the enemy crossing at an upper ford, promptly detached a part of the regiment and fired upon the retreating enemy at that point, but not in time to cut them off. I threw the Tenth, Colonel Warren, into the town, and occupied with that and the Thirty-seventh the fords near the town, placed a battery (Carrington’s) on the hill on the west side, which commanded the upper fords, and sent the Twenty-third Regiment to protect the ford near Weyer’s Cave. In the mean time the enemy’s infantry, which had advanced toward the town, were driven back by the artillery in great confusion. Captain Wooding’s battery, of my brigade, did beautiful service from its position, the precision and accuracy of its fire, and the terrible execution it effected, eliciting the admiration of all who witnessed it.

In obedience to the orders of the commanding general I occupied the town during the night with part of my command, and was ordered at dawn of the 9th to reoccupy the position I had held on the 8th, so as to co-operate with General Trimble’s and Colonel Patton’s brigades, which were to remain on the north side of the river. The other brigades of the army then passed me to attack Shields’ troops down the valley.

‘After the fight had lasted some time I was ordered to move to the scene of action, which was accomplished by my men with wonderful celerity. I came up with the enemy at Lewis’ house, and found them posted in the orchard and under the crest of a hill. General Taylor’s Louisiana brigade occupied the hills on the right of the road, from which, with extraordinary gallantry, they had driven the enemy, capturing a full battery.

At this point I could perceive that the enemy were leaving the orchard and slowly retreating down the flat. I hurried up my. command as rapidly as possible, fired upon the enemy, who, after delivering two volleys at us from an entire regiment, became demoralized, broke, and precipitately retreated. We pursued them 7 miles with the infantry, and captured between 300 and 400. I donotestimate the number taken by other troops.

Captain Wooding’s battery had during this time been rendering most effective service, and the effect of his shot was remarkable. By direction of Major-General Jackson two pieces of his battery were pushed forward and pursued the enemy, with the cavalry, for many miles beyond the infantry, rendering, under the eye of the commanding general, the most effective service.

In conclusion I have to state that my brigade had the opportunity to take but little part in the glorious victory achieved by our troops on this day. They reached the battle-field only just before the enemy retreated, were under fire for a very short time, and only had the satisfaction of securing the fruits of the gallantry of others. Nevertheless I trust I shall be pardoned for referring to the rapidity with which they pressed forward to the fight and the zeal and gallantry manifested by officers and men.

The Thirty-seventh Regiment, Colonel Fulkerson, was in front, and captured most of the prisoners. Captain Wood and Lieutenant Duncan of that regiment rendered remarkable service, and Sergt. Samuel L. Gray, Company D (Thirty-seventh), actually captured at one time a Federal captain and 11 of his men, all armed, and although fired upon by them, seized the captain’s sword and made the men throw down their arms.

I am under obligations to the officers of my staff, Captain Pendleton, assistant adjutant-general, Lieutenant Taliaferro, aide-de-camp, and Major Stanard, brigade commissary, for their services and gallant conduct. Colonel Fulkerson, in the advance, managed his command admirably, and Colonel Warren, Tenth Virginia, and Lieutenant-Colonel Curtis, Twenty-third, kept their commands closed up and well in hand for action.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,