William Irvine to George D. Bayard, November 16, 1862

GENERAL:

Sergeant Reynolds, of Captain Peck’s company (H), last sent to Morrisville, to report to Major Harhaus for picket duty, has just come into camp, and reports that Captain Peck, with 14 men, posted at the United States Ford, 12 miles below Morrisville, better known as the “Gold Mines,” was attacked about 1 p.m. to-day by about 100 rebel cavalry from this side the river, who attacked Captain Peck’s party in their rear. Captain Peck rallied his men, after being fired on, and made a stand, fired his carbines, then fell back a few rods, on the rebels advancing, and emptied his revolvers. By that time the party was nearly surrounded, the captain’s horse shot under him, and the party undertook to cut their way through the rebel lines to the rear. Five of the men succeeded in doing so, and brought away 7 horses. Captain Peck escaped into the woods, and, the sergeant thinks, succeeded in escaping. The sergeant and 4 men were chased and fired on for 2 miles toward Morrisville, when the rebels gave up the chase. Nine men are missing, and 7 horses. Two horses were shot, including the captain’s. Whether any men were killed the sergeant cannot tell. He has no idea where the rebels came from, but knows they did not cross at that ford. Captain Peck’s rear guard was but a little way off, and the attack was a surprise.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,