- WM. F. Smith to Brigadier- General, September 14, 1861

Washington, September 14, 1861.

General WILLIAM F. SMITH, Chain Bridge:

The colors of the New York Seventy-ninth will be sent to you tomorrow. Please return them to the regiment, with the remark that they have shown by their conduct in the reconnaissance of the 11th instant that they are worthy to carry the banner into action, and the commanding general is confident they will always in future sustain and confirm him in the favorable opinion he has formed of them.*

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, Major-General, Commanding.

E No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. William F. Smith, U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS CAMP ADVANCE, September 13, 1861.

CAPTAIN: I inclose herewith the report of Colonel Stevens, commanding the escort of Lieutenant Poe (also the latter’s report and sketch), during the reconnaissance of the 11th instant. I heard the firing from camp, and proceeded to take command, after leaving verbal instructions for such troops as could be spared from here to follow me. On the way out I met Captain Mott, with a section of his battery, practicing his horses on the road, and gave him an order to follow, which he and his men obeyed with alacrity. On arriving on the field – I found the command retreating in good order, the men in good spirits, and professing themselves ‘ready for anything. After I arrived Captain Griffin had two sections of his battery in use for a tittle while, but his firé was not replied to. Captain Mott used his section in two positions for a few rounds. The dead and wounded were all brought in, but a lieutenant and 2 men of the Nineteenth Indiana had wandered from their proper places and were captured.

A man who has come in through the lines informs me that he heard the Contederate troops say they lost 4 men killed and several horses. I give the report for what it is worth. Ido not doubt but that strong forces had been brought from Flint Hill and Falls Church, and that a hope existed of causing our troops to attack. A fair opportunity was given them to attack us even while retreating, which was done without hurry and with great deliberation, but their artillery firing was stopped, and only glimpses were caught of their cavalry and infantry, and no disposition was evinced to come within range of our guns.

The infantry of our command bore the artillery fire of the enemy. without a chance to reply, and but three or four muskets were fired from our side.

Colonel Stevens’ report will show you that great confidence may be placed in the troops who were with him, and that neither my presence nor that of the re-enforcements 1 ordered were necessary to bring to a successful termination the objects of the expedition.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

– WM. F. SMITH,

Brigadier- General.

Capt. A. V. COLBURN, Asst. Adjt. Germ, Washington.

No. 3.

Report of Col. Isaac T. Stevens, Seventy-ninth New York Infantry, commanding expedition.

CAMP ADVANCE, VA., September 13, 1861.

SIR: In command of a force consisting of-the Seventy-ninth Regiment New York State Militia; four companies of the First Regiment

U. S. Chasseurs, Lieutenant-Colonel Shaler commanding; two companies of the Third Vermont Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Stannard ;