Campaigns and Battles - D

D:  Dabney's Ferry, Virginia to Dyersburg, Tennessee

Source: The Union Army, Vol. V. Madison, Wisconsin: Federal Publishing Company, 1908.


Dabney's Ferry, Virginia, March 27, 1864. 1st Brigade. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. In the campaign from the Rapidan to the James the brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General George A. Custer, reached Dabney's ferry on the Pamunkey at midnight on the 26th. The ferry was held by Butler's Confederate cavalry, but at daylight on the 27th Lieutenant-Colonel Stagg, with the 1st Michigan, was sent over the river and after a sharp fight succeeded in dislodging the enemy. A pontoon bridge was then laid and the whole division crossed, with Custer's brigade in advance, and drove the enemy toward Hanovertown.


Dabney's Mill, Virginia, February 5-7, 1865. (See Hatcher's Run, same date.)


Dade County, Missouri, July 24, 1863. Scouts of the Missouri Militia. A band of guerrillas which had just captured 15 negroes was attacked by a band of scouts. The affair resulted in the killing of 1 Confederate, the wounding of 3, the release of the negroes, and the capture of 10 horses, 5 saddles and 2 Colt's navy revolvers. One of the Federal scouts was wounded.


Daley's Ferry, California, June 7, 1862. Guard from 2nd California Infantry. A war party of about 30 Indians fired from the brush on Daley's house or hotel at the ferry about 4 p. m. Daley abandoned his place, leaving the two soldiers on guard to conduct his family to the boat, which was safely done only after both soldiers were wounded. The Indians fired upon the boat, killing the mother of Mrs. Daly. After getting back to the shore one of the party man. aged to get to Areata whence help was sent. Dallas, Arkansas, January 28, 1864.


Dallas, Georgia, May 24, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Page 337 Cumberland. On this date the division, commanded by Brigadier-General Kenner Garrard, was encamped on Pumpkin Vine creek, about 3 miles from Dallas. In a reconnaissance toward the town he was attacked by Bate's division of Hardee's corps, but after a sharp skirmish succeeded in driving the Confederates back toward Dallas. No casualties reported.


Dallas, Georgia, May 25 to June 5, 1864. Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio. On May 24 General Sherman learned through a captured despatch that General Johnston was forming his line along the south side of Pumpkin Vine creek from Dallas to Allatoona, and at once began the disposition of his forces to either give Johnston battle or force him from his position. Johnston's line covered the roads leading from Dallas to Acworth, Marietta and Atlanta, his center being near New Hope Church, 4 miles northeast of Dallas. It occupied the wooded summits of a number of ridges, with open valleys in front, over which the Union forces would have to advance to attack. The natural position was one capable of easy defense and every available minute was spent in strengthening it by formidable intrenchments. Sherman began his advance on the morning of the 25th. On the right was General McPherson's Army of the Tennessee near Van Wert, 16 miles northwest of Dallas, and moving against that place by the Rome road. In the center was the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas, advancing on several roads from Burnt Hickory, some 5 or 6 miles northeast of Dallas. It consisted of the 4th, 14th and 20th army corps, respectively commanded by Generals Howard, Palmer and Hooker. Butterfield's division of Hooker's corps, preceded by McCook's cavalry, moved on the road leading to Golgotha; Geary's division advanced on the direct road to Dallas, and Williams' on the right. Palmer's and Howard's corps made a detour to the right to strike the Van Wert road 3 or 4 miles from Dallas, thus forming a junction with McPherson. General Schofield, with the Army of the Ohio, was ordered to remain near Burnt Hickory during the day, the only activity on that part of the line being reconnaissances by Stoneman's cavalry on the roads to the left and front. Geary's division reached Pumpkin Vine creek at Owen's mill to find the bridge on fire. While the men were extinguishing the flames they were fired on from the hill in front. Part of Hooker's cavalry escort forded the creek, deployed and drove off an outpost of some 25 cavalrymen. The bridge was then soon repaired, the division crossed over and moved in the direction of New Hope Church, the 7th Ohio being deployed as skirmishers. About a mile and a half from the bridge this regiment encountered the enemy in force. Candy's brigade, which was in advance, was deployed in line of battle, advanced at the double-quick and the enemy was forced back for some distance. The skirmish line was then strengthened and extended by the addition of the 28th Pennsylvania, and the rest of the division pressed forward in close support, again forcing the Confederates ack for about half a mile and capturing a few prisoners. From these it was learned that the force in front was Hood's entire corps, and that Hardee was not far off in the direction of Dallas. As the division was several miles from the nearest supporting troops. Hooker ordered Geary to take position on a ridge and throw up barricades for defense. Hooker had already sent orders to the other two divisions of the corps to move to Geary's support. They arrived about 4 p. m. and massed their troops, with Williams on the right and Butterfield on the left and rear of Geary. An attack was now ordered to be made in columns by brigades, Williams leading, Page 338 next, and Geary, who had already been engaged for over four hours was held as a reserve. Hooker's columns thus arranged assaulted Hood's position repeatedly and endeavored to gain possession of the roads at New Hope Church. Confederate reinforcements were pouring in, however, and although Hood was forced back to the church his intrenchments there proved too strong to be carried. In the midst of a terrific thunderstorm the fight raged until dark, when the dead and wounded were gathered up and Hooker's forces retired to the ridge in their rear. When Sherman heard the firing, soon after Geary crossed the creek at Owen's mill, he rode to the front and upon learning the situation ordered Howard to bring up his corps to the support of Hooker. Newton's division arrived about 6 o'clock and took position on the left of Butterfield. By morning the whole corps, with the exception of Baird's division, which had been left at Burnt Hickory to guard the trains, was on the field and extended the line still farther to the left. At 5 o'clock that afternoon Schofield received orders to proceed to the front. Leaving Hovey's division to guard the trains the other two divisions moved forward via Burnt Hickory and Owen's mill. While riding forward in the darkness to learn the position of troops already on the field and to receive further orders, Schofield was severely hurt by his horse falling into a ditch and the command of the corps was transferred to Brigadier-General J. D. Cox. The corps reached the field at daybreak and went into position on the extreme left, covering the Dallas and Allatoona road. In the meantime McPherson had pushed forward with commendable vigor direct on Dallas and the morning of the 26th found him confronting Hardee. Logan's (15th) corps formed the right, extending across the Atlanta road; Dodge, with the 16th corps, was on Logan's left; and on the left of Dodge was Davis' division of Palmer's corps, which was on the way from Rome to join its command. Beyond Logan's right the country was picketed by Garrard's division of cavalry, thus guarding against the flank being turned by the enemy. Sharp skirmishing was kept up along the whole line during the 26th, the hottest part of it being in the neighborhood of the church. Each man on the skirmish line protected himself as he could by a shallow pit, a few fence rails or a friendly log, knowing that he could not be relieved until after dark, and the sharpshooters on both sides were constantly on the alert for opportunities to pick off some mounted officer who might happen to expose himself imprudently. During the day McCook's cavalry, which was operating on the left, had a skirmish with part of Wheeler's, in which McCook captured about 50 prisoners. This skirmish, with the information gleaned from some of the prisoners, led Sherman to believe that Wheeler's was the only force holding the region east of Johnston's right. The skirmishing along the lines had developed the fact that the Federals were superior in numbers and Sherman decided to withdraw part of his forces from the intrenchments for the purposes of turning the Confederate right. The Army of the Ohio was in possession of the road to Allatoona and by extending his line along that route Sherman hoped to reestablish communications with the railroad, while at the same time he could gain a position from which he could operate on Johnston's flank. Accordingly Thomas was ordered to withdraw Wood's division of Howard's corps, unite it with Johnson's division of Palmer's, which had been in reserve, and with these two divisions and a brigade from the Army of the Ohio make the flank movement. The movement was placed in charge of Howard, who made a reconnaissance at the place designated by Sherman and found the enemy Page 339 was in a position to bring a cross-fire of both infantry and artillery upon the approaches to it. The troops were then moved farther to the left and massed in a field concealed from the Confederates by the intervening woods. At 1 1 a. m. on the 27th Wood moved about a mile farther to the left, when Howard thought the enemy's flank was reached, and the command wheeled to the right, McLean's brigade of the Army of the Ohio being deployed on Wood's right. McLean pushed forward his skirmishers and developed a considerable force of the enemy intrenched in front. The skirmishers were withdrawn and again Howard moved a mile to the left. About 5 p. m. another effort was made to turn the flank. The entire command moved forward, drove in the enemy's skirmishers and vigorously assaulted the main line. Colonel Scribner, commanding Johnson's advance brigade, was fired into from across the creek near Pickett's mill, and halted long enough to throw a detachment across the stream to protect his flank. This delay came at an inopportune moment, as it gave the enemy an opportunity to push forward his reserves on Wood's left, forcing it back and bringing his line into position where an enfilading fire could be brought to bear upon it. Wood withdrew under this fire and formed his troops on a ridge farther to the right, Johnson forming his to the left and rear. In this affair, known as the battle of Pickett's mill, the Union loss in killed, wounded and missing was about 1,400. That of the enemy was not ascertained. Although the flank movement had failed, ;i position was secured near Pickett's mill that afterwards proved to be of great importance. During the attempt to turn the enemy's flank the divisions of Newton and Stanley kept up a strong demonstration in their fronts by way of a diversion, and repulsed one assault on their lines with heavy loss to the Confederates. Skirmishing was kept up along the lines, but there was no more hard fighting until the afternoon of the 28th, when McPherson was ordered to close to the left on Thomas in front of New Hope Church, and allow Davis to join his command, Sherman's object being to extend his line still more to the left. Johnston suspected that Sherman was withdrawing his right from in front of Dallas and ordered Hardee to threaten McPherson's lines to see if they held. Hardee sent forward Bate's division, which made a sudden and daring attack in front of the town. McPherson's men had erected good breastworks and Bate met with a bloody and decisive repulse. About the same time Armstrong's brigade of Confederate cavalry tried to pass through the space between Logan and McPherson, but was met with such a withering fire of artillery and musketry that he was forced to give up the attempt and retreat with heavy loss. The two armies now lay in front of each other without any important action on either side until June 1, when Sherman succeeded in moving his whole line to the left about 5 miles, occupying the roads to Allatoona and Acworth. Stoneman's cavalry was then moved rapidly into Allatoona at the east end of the pass and Garrard's cavalry around by the rear to the west end. These movements were made without opposition and on the 4th the entire Union army was withdrawn to the railroad near Acworth, leaving Johnston in his intrenched position at New Hope Church. The Confederate commander did not remain there long, however, for on the night of the 4th he fell back to a new line across the railroad before Marietta and Kennesaw mountain.


Dallas, Georgia, October 7, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. The cavalry division received orders on this day to gain the cross-roads at New Hope Church to obtain information of Page 340 the enemy. When within 2 miles of the church Armstrong's Confederate brigade was encountered and driven to within one mile of Dallas. A Confederate brigadier-general and a colonel were captured. No other casualties were reported.


Dallas, Missouri, September 2, 186r. 11th Missouri Volunteers.


Dallas, Missouri, August 24, 1862. (See Crooked Creek, same date.) Dallas, North Carolina, April 19, 1865. Stoneman's Raid.


Dalton, Georgia, January 22, 1864. 28th Kentucky Mounted Infantry and 4th Michigan Cavalry. During a scout from Rossville Colonel William P. Boone, with 431 men and 15 officers of these two regiments, attacked the camp of 300 Confederate home guards near Dalton. The enemy was routed and fled in the direction of Dalton, where a considerable Confederate force was posted. The camp and equipage was destroyed. No casualties were reported.


Dalton, Georgia, February 23-26, 1864. Demonstration by Major-General John M. Palmer. About the middle of February Major-General George H. Thomas, commanding the Department of the Cumberland, received information that General J. E. Johnston had weakened his forces in the vicinity of Dalton to send reinforcements to Polk and Longstreet. On Sunday, the 21st, in order to determine the truth of these reports, he directed General Palmer to take his corps (the 14th) and Cruft's division of the 4th corps and make a demonstration towards Dalton, develop the enemy's strength and gain possession of the town if possible. Enyart's brigade of Cruft's division was left to cover the roads about Red Clay and Matthies' brigade of the 15th corps, Colonel W. A. Dickerman commanding, was assigned to Cruft instead. His command then consisted of Dickerman's, Champion's and Grose's infantry brigades and detachments of the 4th Michigan and 4th Ohio cavalry, respectively commanded by Captains W. West Van Antwerp and P. H. Warner. Palmer's three divisions were commanded by Brigadier- Generals R. W. Johnson, J. C. Davis and Absalom Baird. The 2nd brigade, 2nd cavalry division, under Colonel Eli Long, and three regiments of unassigned cavalry were with the 14th corps and five light batteries accompanied the expedition. On the 22nd the enemy's cavalry pickets were driven from the roads about Varnell's station and 3 prisoners captured by Grose and Van Antwerp, and the next day Long attacked a Confederate camp less than 4 miles from Dalton, capturing 12 prisoners. On the morning of the 24th Baird's division was south of Taylor's ridge, near Ringgold; Johnson and Davis were in advance toward Tunnel Hill; Long, supported by Grose's brigade, was at Varnell's station, and the remainder of Cruft's division was at Lee's house, on the road leading from Red Clay to Tunnel Hill. The advance was made in three columns. After the right and left had moved out some distance the center column pushed forward, but was soon met by an accurate, long-range fire from a battery of Parrott guns and held in check until the right and left columns flanked the battery and forced it to retire. Davis then threw Morgan's brigade to a hill about half a mile north of the tunnel, from which the enemy's skirmishers were driven down the ridge towards Buzzard Roost. By the time this had been done Davis rode forward and ordered his skirmishers to occupy a range of hills in front. The Confederates were quickly driven from these hills, after which the skirmish line was pushed forward toward Buzzard Roost gap, where the enemy was found strongly posted and the skirmishers were checked by a sharp fire of both musketry and artillery. Johnson's division now came to Davis' support, but the day was so far advanced that further operations were postponed until the next morning and the two Page 341 commands went into bivouac. About noon Grose left Lee's house, crossed over to the east side of Rocky Face ridge and then turned south towards Dalton. At 2:30 he came up with Long's cavalry at the junction of the Dalton road and the road leading to Buzzard Roost gap, and the two commands moved forward to feel the enemy. Near Glaize's house, about 3 miles from Dalton, Long encountered a strong force of Confederate infantry in position on the railroad below the gap and after a spirited skirmish, in which Grose's men joined, the enemy was driven to the cover of his rifle-pits. This part of the reconnaissance developed the fact that the enemy was prepared to make a vigorous resistance to the occupancy of Dalton. At 3 a. m. on the 25th Baird left Tunnel Hill, and at the same hour Cruft left Lee's house, both under instructions to join Grose and Long on the Dalton road and then move down the eastern side of Rocky Face ridge in an endeavor to force the enemy out of his position in the gap by threatening his right and rear, while Davis and Johnson attacked him in front. Notwithstanding a heavy mist, which obscured the sight, Davis began skirmishing with the enemy at an early hour, and the firing was kept up with considerable vigor all the forenoon. On the east side of the ridge Palmer arrived about 8 a. m. and took command. Baird's division was thrown to the right of the line of attack; Cruft formed his division with Grose on the right, Champion on the left and Dickerman in the center, the cavalry being thrown out to cover the left flank. During the formation of the line the artillery was brought into action to develop the enemy's position, and shortly after 11 o'clock Palmer ordered an advance. The line moved forward for about a mile, when the enemy was found strongly posted on a wooded ridge. This position was carried by Grose and Champion in a brisk fight, the Confederates falling back to another ridge. The artillery was then planted on the first ridge and opened on the enemy, who replied vigorously, but Cruft held his position there for the remainder of the day. About 3 p. m. Champion made an assault on the Confederate right, but it was not wholly successful. The enemy threatened all the afternoon, but did not make any attack, the fighting being confined to skirmishing and artillery firing on both sides. When Davis heard the sound of Baird's and Cruft's artillery in the morning he directed Morgan and McCook, commanding his 1st and 3d brigades, to push forward a heavy line of skirmishers to keep the Confederates from massing against the Union troops east of the ridge. At 3 p. m., the time that Champion made his attack, he heard the increased firing, which led him to believe that only a strong skirmish line was in his front, while the main body had been concentrated against Baird and Cruft. To ascertain the real situation the skirmish lines were strengthened and advanced, while the batteries of Harris and Hotchkiss opened fire on the rifle-pits. For some time the enemy did not deign to reply, but the steady and well directed fire of the batteries and the advance of the skirmish line finally brought a response that completely disclosed his position. In this part of the action Morgan's brigade suffered by being exposed to an enfilading artillery fire and a direct fire of infantry in front. Johnson's division had been held in reserve during the day, but toward evening the brigades of King and Hambright relieved Davis' skirmishers, and the close of the day was marked by a well matched contest between the sharpshooters on both sides, which continued until after dark. By this time it had been effectually demonstrated that Johnston had not weakened his force and the order was given for the Union troops to retire to their former positions. Some Page 342 slight skirmishing occurred on the 26th as Palmer withdrew, but it was not attended by any important results. The Federal loss during the entire reconnaissance was 43 killed, 267 wounded and 35 missing. Impartial returns give Confederate casualties amounting to 167 in killed and wounded, but as only two commands reported, the total loss was doubtless much heavier. (This action is also called Crow's Valley.) Dalton, Georgia, May 13, 1864. 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. During the advance on Atlanta the 3d brigade was given the lead when it was learned that the enemy had retreated from the Union front. Three miles out of Dalton it came up with the Confederate rear-guard, and skirmishing commenced. The enemy was driven to and through Dalton and about 3 miles south of the town, on the Resaca road, made a stand upon a high wooded hill. As the pursuing column approached the Confederates opened with artillery. A Union battery was placed in position and an artillery duel was kept up for some time across a large open farm with a low valley between the opposing forces. The 9th and 36th Indiana were then ordered into line, and, supported by the 84th Illinois advanced across the valley at the double-quick and drove the enemy from his barricades. The casualties were slight.


Dalton, Georgia, August 14-15, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Missouri Infantry, Convalescents and 7th Kentucky Cavalry. About 4 p. m. of Sunday, August 14, General Joseph Wheeler with 5,000 of his force approached Dalton and demanded a surrender. Colonel Bernard Laiboldt, commanding the post, immediately refused and firing was at once commenced by the Confederate artillery. After 2 hours the Union skirmishers were driven back to the earthworks erected on a hill east of the railroad depot and commanding the town. A charge on this barricade was repulsed and the skirmishers again thrown out. An artillery fire was kept up all night, without much effect, the skirmishing in the meantime being lively, and about daylight the head of the enemy's column was seen to move toward Tunnel Hill, whence firing was heard in a short time. The garrison then charged and drove the remainder of the enemy out of sight. The loss of the Federal force was 15 killed, 12 wounded and 23 missing; the Confederate casualties were not reported.


Dalton, Georgia, October 13, 1864. 44th U. S. Colored Infantry, and Detachments of 57th Illinois Infantry, 7th Kentucky Cavalry and 20th Ohio Battery. The garrison at Dalton. comprising about 750 men, was attacked by a force of 10,000 men under Major-General J. B. Hood. When the Confederates approached the city they sent a summons to surrender, which was refused. Hood then began skirmishing while he posted his artillery of 30 pieces and deployed his troops to surround the town. Colonel Lewis Johnson, commanding the post, then sent 3 officers under flag of truce to Hood and arranged terms of surrender. Nine of the enemy were killed and 20 wounded in the skirmishing.


Dalton, Georgia, November 30, 1864. U. S. Troops under Colonel J. B. Culver. The pickets on the Spring Place road were attacked by a force of 200 Confederates. After the enemy had captured 1 scout they were repulsed. No losses were reported. Dalton, Georgia, December 5, 1864. Colonel J. B. Culver of the 13th Michigan infantry, commanding the post at Dalton, reported that a squad of guerrillas attacked the water-tank not far from that place at 1 a. m., the guard of 9 men running away. The Confederates then went to the railroad bridge, captured the 30 men guarding it, cut the telegraph wire and left.


Dalton, Georgia, March 13-14, 1865. Colonel H. F. Sickles, commanding the post at Dalton, reported on the 13th: "About 4 this p. m. the guerrillas captured 5 railroad hands one mile from my line on the Cleveland road. I mounted all the mules and horses I had and sent them after the guerrillas. Killed 2 of the cusses, captured 1. I am sorry they did not kill him also. What shall I do with him?" The next day Sickles sent out a small detachment of the 147th Illinois infantry under Major Bush, which met 70 mounted Confederates and engaged them, killing and wounding several, capturing 1 and scattering the rest. One man on the Union side was slightly wounded.


Dam No. 1, Virginia, April 16, 1862. (See Lee's Mill, same date.) Dam No. 4, Virginia, December 11, 1861. 12th Indiana Volunteers. In the operations on the Upper Potomac the pickets of this regiment exchanged shots with those of the enemy. No detailed report of the affair was made, nor no casualties given. Dam No. 5, Virginia, December 8, 1861. Major-General N. P. Banks, reporting from Frederick, Maryland, says: "The firing Saturday was at Dam No. 5, near Clear Spring. No damage done. Rebels driven back with loss of some men." Dandridge, Tennessee, December 23, 1863. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. A company of the 15th Pennsylvania attacked the advance guard of a Confederate force moving from Morristown to Dandridge and captured 4 men. The Union force was in turn attacked by the Confederate reserve and driven back to camp near the foot of Flat gap, skirmishing with the enemy all the way. No losses were reported. The affair was an incident of the Knoxville campaign.


Dandridge, Tennessee, December 24, 1863. (See Hay's Ferry.)


Dandridge, Tennessee, January 1, 14, and May 19, 1864. Dandridge, Tennessee, January 16-17, 1864. 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions, Army of the Cumberland, and 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Ohio. On the 16th. the enemy being in close proximity to Dandridge, Colonel Wolford's division of the Army of the Ohio was ordered to make a reconnaissance on the Bend of Chucky road while the other two divisions advanced on the Bull's Gap road to Kimbrough's cross-roads, 9 miles from Dandridge. The whole Confederate force of cavalry had massed on the Bend of Chucky road and pressed Wolford heavily, Garrard's division being checked at the same time by a division of infantry at the cross-roads. Garrard was ordered to return after dark and his division was placed in position on the Bull's Gap road, with Wolford's division on the right and McCook's on the left. At 4 p. m. the next day the Confederates drove in one regiment of infantry, picketing on the extreme right, and attacked McCook with great fury. Garrard was at the time engaging the entire force of the enemy's cavalry and three brigades of his infantry. The fighting was desperate along the entire Union line. The Federals charged repeatedly and drove the enemy from several positions, not falling back to the line held in the afternoon until after dark. Later the whole command took up the march for Strawberry plains. The Federal losses were 8 killed, 58 wounded and 17 missing; the Confederate casualties amounted to about 150 killed, wounded and missing.


Dandridge's Mill, Tennessee, December 13, 1863. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The pickets of this regiment were attacked at Dandridge's mill at 11 a. m. by a small scouting party of Confederates sent out from their cargo near Bull's gap. The Federal reserve pursued the enemy and captured 6, belonging to Armstrong's division, with their horses and arms. No casualties were reported.


Daniel E. Miller, C. S. S., May 19, 1862. (See Hornersville, Missouri)


Dannelly's Mills, Alabama, March 23-24, 1864. and Brigade, 1st Division, Page 344 16th Army Corps. On both these days the Union pickets were attacked by the enemy, but each time the latter was repulsed. One man on the Federal side was wounded. The Confederate casualties were not learned.


Dannelly's Mills, Alabama, March 24, 1865. 1st Division, 13th Army Corps. The rear-guard of the 1st division, while working the train over a bad piece of road, was attacked by a band of guerrillas, and 8 teamsters were captured by the Confederates.


Dan Smith's Ranch, Texas, May 13, 1865. Twenty or 30 Indians attempted to run off the stock at this place on the morning of May 13, 1865. The troops fought them all morning. No casualties were reported.


Danville, Arkansas, March 28, 1864. 2nd Kansas Cavalry.


Danville, Kentucky, August 26, 1862. Harrodsburg and Danville Home Guards.


Danville, Kentucky, October 11, 1862. 19th Brigade, Army of the Ohio. In a movement to reconnoiter the position of the enemy at Danville a general engagement ensued in which the artillery and cavalry were both used. The Confederates were driven from their position at the fair grounds and back through the town, the Federals pursuing for about 2 miles. The casualties of the Union force, which was commanded by Col William B. Hazen, were 4 slightly wounded.


Danville, Kentucky, March 24-26, 1863. 1st and 9th Kentucky Cavalry. A Confederate force took Danville at 4 p. m. on the 24th. Colonel Frank Wolford with the 1st Kentucky cavalry made a gallant stand but was driven back by greatly superior numbers. On the evening of the 26th 80 men of the 9th Kentucky cavalry made a dash into the town, driving in the enemy's pickets and capturing their guns. There is no report of casualties. Danville, Kentucky, March 28, 1863. Detachment of 9th Kentucky Cavalry. Brigadier-General Mahlon D. Manson, in a despatch to Brigadier- General J. T. Boyle, states that 100 men of the 9th Kentucky cavalry took Danville in the evening, killing 1 man and wounding 15. Danville, Kentucky, January 29, 1865. Captain William L. Gross, assistant superintendent of military telegraph, reported from Danville under date of January 29: "Thirty-five guerrillas, under Captain Clarke, all dressed in Federal uniform, entered Danville this morning. They robbed some of the citizens and one boot store and left on the Perryville pike at 11:15 a. m. They claimed at first to be Federal troops, Fourth Missouri cavalry, but there is no doubt they are guerrillas in disguise.


Danville, Mississippi, November 14-15, 1863. Danville, Missouri, October 14, 1864. This affair was the attack of a band of bushwhackers. They burned the business part of the town, killed 5 citizens and wounded 1.


Danville Cross Roads, Kentucky, October 9-10, 1862. 19th Brigade, Army of the Ohio. Confederate General Wheeler, in reporting the operations of his cavalry during the pursuit of the Confederates from Perryville to London, says: "On the morning of the 9th I received orders to hold the enemy in check until our army had withdrawn from the field and then follow on toward Danville, retarding the enemy as much as possible. In complying with this order we frequently engaged the enemy that day and the day following." One of the skirmishes occurred at the point known as Danville Cross-roads, and, although no Federal report can be found of such an action, it is highly probable that the Union troops there engaged was Hazen's brigade, as that command followed the Danville road in the pursuit.


Danville Road, Alabama, July 28, 1864. Cavalry Scouting from U. S. Forces at Decatur. A small party of Federal cavalry surprised a detachment of Confederate cavalry on the Danville road 4 miles from Decatur. The result was the capture of 4 men, with their guns and Page 345 horses, and the wounding of 2 more of the enemy. The Federal loss was 1 man slightly wounded.


Darbytown, Virginia, July 27, 1864. (See Deep Bottom, same date.)


Darbytown Road, Virginia, October 7, 1864. 10th Army Corps and Kautz's Cavalry Division. After the capture of Fort Harrison on September 29, the 10th corps, Major-General David B. Birney commanding, intrenched at Laurel Hill church on the New Market road, while Brigadier-General A. V. Kautz, with 1,700 cavalry and two batteries, held the Darbytown road at the old line of the enemy's works on the Johnson farm. Kautz's position was such that he could at any time threaten Richmond, and the Confederate general accordingly took steps to dislodge him. During the night of October 6 the greater part of Field's and Hoke's divisions was massed on the Darbytown road, and at daylight on the 7th the brigades of Anderson and Bratton attacked Kautz in front, while Gary's cavalry, supported by Lane's brigade, moved down the Charles City road to attack him on the right. Gary's rear attack was a partial success, though Kautz managed to extricate his command with the loss of 8 guns and crossed over to the New Market road, where he rallied his men under the protection of the 10th corps, which was just moving out to his assistance. About 8 o'clock Bratton's brigade emerged from the woods and attacked Terry's division, which was on Birney's right, the object evidently being to turn the flank. Battery D, 1st U. S. artillery, opened a terrific fire on the assailants and drove them back to the cover of the timber. Anticipating another assault from the same direction, Lieutenant- Colonel Jackson, chief of artillery of the corps, placed two other batteries in position to meet it. After an hour or so the Union pickets were driven in and the Confederates again appeared, opening fire with a battery of 12-pounders and soon afterwards with 6 rifled guns. The Union batteries replied with such deadly effect that Hoke's division was kept from moving forward to participate in the assault, and by quickly changing the position of some of his guns Jackson succeeded in silencing the Confederate artillery. By this time Terry had his division in position to act on the offensive and easily repulsed the attack, inflicting a heavy loss on the enemy. Kautz reported his loss 18 killed, 54 wounded and 202 missing. Birney's loss was comparatively slight. On the Confederate side General Gregg, commanding the celebrated Texas brigade, was killed and Gen Bratton was severely wounded. No detailed report of the Confederate loss can be found.


Darbytown Road, Virginia, October 13, 1864. 10th Army Corps and Kautz's Cavalry. At 4 a. m. the 10th corps, Major-General A. H. Terry commanding, moved from camp by the road leading to Johnson's farm on the Darbytown road, while the cavalry and artillery took the road leading from the Four-mile Church toward the same point. By sunrise the infantry was in position, Ames' division on the right of the road and Birney's on the left. Kautz formed his cavalry on the right of Ames, extending the line to the Charles City road. Thus formed skirmishers were thrown forward and the whole force advanced until it encountered the enemy behind a line of works, with abatis along the greater part of the front. The heavy skirmish line made no perceptible impression on the enemy's position. About 2 p. m. Pond's brigade made a daring though unsuccessful assault at a point where there was no abatis, and shortly afterward the entire Union force was withdrawn. The Federal loss was 36 killed, 358 wounded and 43 missing. The Confederate loss was not learned.


Dardanelle, Arkansas, September 9, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Kansas Cavalry and 2nd Indiana Battery. Colonel William F. Cloud with 200 men of the 2nd Kas. cavalry and a section of artillery attacked a brigade Page 346 of Confederates under Colonel Stirman at Dardanelle. After 2 or 3 hours' fighting the enemy retreated in confusion down the river, many of them being drowned in attempting to swim across. The Confederate total loss was 10 or 15 drowned and 21 taken prisoners. Some 200 head of cattle, several hundred bushels of wheat and a quantity of flour were also taken by the Union troops.


Dardanelle, Arkansas, January 14, 1864. Detachment of Dismounted Men of Cavalry Division, 7th Army Corps. Major James D. Jenks occupied Dardanelle with his command about 10 a. m. At 2 p. m. a Confederate force under Colonels Brooks, Stirman and Newton attacked the place, compelling Jenks to withdraw to the stockade. After 4 hours of hard fighting the Confederates retired, completely whipped. The Federal loss was 1 killed, 15 wounded, and 2 missing; the enemy's casualties were about 80 killed and wounded. Jenks' force consisted of 276 men.


Dardanelle, Arkansas, May 10, 1864. 6th Kansas Cavalry. A Confederate account states that General J. O. Shelby made a dash on Dardanelle on this date, captured the garrison and a large amount of stores. The official records of the war contain no reference to the affair.


Dardanelle, Arkansas, May 17, 1864. During the operations north of the Arkansas river, Brigadier-General J. O. Shelby commanding the Confederate forces, started on the night of the 16th to invest Dardanelle, his plan being to surprise the town at daylight. The scheme was frustrated by his advance encountering the Federal vedettes. The latter were driven back into the town, which was at once charged by the enemy. The garrison offered no resistance, but fled, many being drowned in their attempt to swim the river. The only report of the affair is that of Shelby, from which it is impossible to learn what Union forces participated. Dardanelle, Arkansas, August 30 1864. Detachment of 3d Arkansas Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel Irving W. Fuller, in a despatch from Lewisburg on August 31, says: "Lieutenant King, 3d Arkansas cavalry, with 40 men, attacked Captain Franc's rebel force from Dardanelle yesterday, and captured 30 stand small-arms and 30 horses and saddles, killing 1 man and wounding several others."


Dardanelle, Arkansas, November 29, 1864. Steamer Alamo and Detachment of the 40th Iowa Infantry. The steamer, guarded by 43 men of the 40th Louisiana, under command of Lieutenant Fry, was ascending the Arkansas river to Fort Smith. When about 2 miles above Dardanelle some 300 of General Newton's Confederate cavalry suddenly appeared on the high ground on the south side of the river, dismounted and commenced firing. They followed the vessel for 6 miles, keeping up an incessant fire, but the Iowa men. protected by sacks of grain, returned the fire with coolness and deliberation. Upon reaching a bar that was difficult to cross. Fry ordered the boat to be landed on the north shore. The Confederates now demanded a surrender, but it was refused and the firing continued for about an hour, when it ceased. The enemy camped opposite the boat for the night, but early the next morning withdrew. Although the boat was riddled with bullets no one was hurt. The Confederates lost 2 killed. Darien, Georgia, June 11, 1863. According to Confederate reports, two Federal gunboats ascended the Altamaha river and shelled the town of Darien on this date, after which they landed about 200 negro troops, under white officers, and set fire to the town, totally destroying it except a church and two or three small buildings. They then captured a pilot-boat with about 60 bales of cotton on board, and dropped back down the river. Union reports do not mention the incident.


Darkesville, West Virginia, September 7, 1862. 12th Illinois Cavalry, 65th Illinois Infantry, 2nd Illinois Artillery. The vedettes at the Federal outposts near Martinsburg were driven in early in the morning and a squad of 17 men under Lieutenant Logan was sent out to reconnoiter the enemy's position and strength. This squad was surrounded but succeeded in cutting its way out. When the news of the encounter reached the Federal camp, Colonel Arno Voss, commanding the post at Martinsburg, sent out reinforcements from the 65th Illinois infantry, the 12th Illinois cavalry and the Battery M, 2nd Illinois When this column arrived near the scene of action it formed in line of battle and charged. The Confederates fired one volley and then retreated in confusion through Darkesville and Bunker Hill, the Federal cavalry pursuing. The enemy's losses were 25 killed and 41 captured, while the Union force lost 13 killed and wounded and 1 captured.


Darkesville, West Virginia, December 11, 1862. Detachment of 1st New York Cavalry. Four miles from Martinsburg the Confederate advance picket was met by about 30 men of the 1st New York cavalry, under Lieutenant R. G. Prendergast, and forced back upon their reserve, which was charged and routed by the Federal cavalry, 13 prisoners being taken. Pursuit was made by Prendergast through Darkesville and beyond, where the enemy rallied and formed, but were again charged and dispersed. Prendergast followed to Bunker Hill, where a larger force of the enemy was drawn up, and the pursuit was then abandoned. No casualties were suffered by Prendergast's command.


Darkesville, West Virginia, July 3, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry and Reserve Division. Army of West Virginia. This was a skirmish between the cavalry of the opposing forces during the operations in the Shenandoah Valley. It was simultaneous with a Confederate attack on Leetown. The result of the Darkesville engagement was the falling back of the Union force to Martinsburg. The casualties were not reported.


Darkesville, West Virginia, July 19, 1864. Portion of the Army of West Virginia.


Davenport Church, Virginia, December 4, 1864. 2nd Division Cavalry Corps. A picket reserve near Davenport Church was attacked at 2 a. m. by a dismounted force of 30 Confederates. Of the 25 men comprising the Federal reserve 1 was killed, 9 wounded and 5 captured. Some 12 horses were taken by the attacking party.


Davenport Ford, Virginia, May 10, 1864. 5th U. S. Cavalry. While the main body of the Army of the Potomac was operating in the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House, General Sheridan's cavalry was sent to threaten Lee's communications with Richmond. On the morning of the 10th the 5th regular cavalry under Captain A. K. Arnold, was sent to hold Davenport ford (or bridge) on the North Anna river, in order to prevent the enemy from attacking the flank of Merritt's reserve brigade, and then join the rear of the brigade. The Confederates crossed the river at some blind fords and cut Arnold off from the main body, but he succeeded in cutting his way through with slight loss in killed and wounded and only a few of his men captured. Arnold was commended for his skill and bravery in extricating his regiment from an extremely precarious situation.


David's Ferry, Louisiana, May 1, 1864. U. S. Transport Emma. While passing David's ferry with a few troops on board, the Emma was attacked by a portion of Major's cavalry. After a chase of 2 miles she was boarded and captured by the Confederates, the crew were sent to the rear as prisoners and the vessel was burned.


David's Ferry, Louisiana, May 4-5, 1864. (See Alexandria, Louisiana, April 26 to May 13.)


Davidson's Ferry, Tennessee, November 2-3, 1864. (See Johnsonville.)


Davis' Bend, Louisiana, June 29, 1864. Davisboro, Georgia, November 28, 1864, 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps. While the troops of the 2nd division were engaged in destroying a portion of the railroad track near Davisboro, they were attacked by a portion of Ferguson's brigade of Confederate cavalry. The enemy kept up a desultory fire for an hour and a half, but were finally driven off by the skirmishers of the division. The casualties on the Union side were 1 wounded and 4 captured; on the Confederate, 3 killed and a number wounded.


Davis' Bridge, Tennessee, September 25, 1862. 11th Illinois and Detachment of Captain Ford's Cavalry. A scouting party, comprising 200 men of 11th Illinois cavalry and 70 of Ford's company, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel John McDermott, was surprised by 200 guerrillas at Davis' bridge on the Hatchie river between Pocahontas and Chevvalla. The Federals had just unsaddled and were preparing to bivouac when the attack was made. After fighting stubbornly for some time about 100 of the men managed to cut their way out, leaving a number dead and wounded. Davis' Bridge, Tennessee, October 1, 1862.


Davis' Bridge, Tennessee, October 5, 1862. (See Hatchie Bridge.)


Davis Cross-Roads, Georgia, September 11, 1863. 14th Army Corps. General Negley, commanding the corps, placed 10 pieces of artillery on the ridge behind Davis' house to check the advance of Buckner, who was moving northward on the Chattanooga road, and then began moving his supply train back to Bailey's cross-roads. Part of Baird's division was deployed as skirmishers and two companies of the 19th Illinois infantry took a position behind a stone fence, from which they were able to temporarily check the Confederate advance. Buckner then took a position on the south side of Chickamauga creek and opened fire with his artillery at a distance of 400 yards, driving the Federals from the ridge. Negley ordered his men to fall back to Bailey's cross-roads and during the night Buckner retired in the direction of Dug gap.


Davis' Gap, Alabama, July 12, 1862. 1st Ohio Cavalry. While Company I, 1st Ohio cavalry, under Captain South Carolina Writer, was awaiting the arrival of a body of infantry at Davis' gap, the pickets were fired upon by a combined force of guerrillas and Confederate infantry. The Federal troops fell back to the cover of some log outbuildings and for some time checked the advance of the enemy. Finding that he was being surrounded, Writer ordered a retreat. By following a by-road he joined the infantry, his command being fired upon several times on the way by guerrillas. One Federal soldier was wounded and 5 were missing. The enemy lost 2 killed and 2 wounded.


Davis' Gap, Alabama, September 1, 1863.


Davis' House, Georgia, September 11, 1863. (See Davis' Cross-roads.)


Davis' House, Virginia, August 31, 1864. Pickets of 5th Army Corps. About 10 a. m. the enemy drove in the Federal outlying pickets at the signal station in the vicinity of Davis' house, capturing 8 men, wounding 3 and killing 1. The Confederate force, numbering 150, then retired.


Davis Mill, Mississippi, December 21, 1862. Detachments of 25th Indiana Infantry and 5th Ohio cavalry. About noon of Sunday, December 21, a Confederate cavalry force under Van Dorn attacked the command of Colonel William H. Morgan, consisting of two companies of cavalry and six of infantry, at Davis' mill. The Federal troops were all drawn up in line of battle behind an earthwork commanding the approach from the bridge. Three times the enemy attempted to cross the bridge, but were each time repulsed with loss. Finding themselves unable to dislodge the Union Page 349 troops, the Confederates attempted to fire the bridge, but the effort was frustrated. About 2 p. m. the enemy withdrew, leaving 22 dead, 30 wounded and 20 prisoners in the hands of the Federals, whose loss was but 3 wounded.


Davis' Mill, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. 1st Brigade, Infantry Division, Expedition into Mississippi. While repairing the bridge at Davis' mill, which had been partially destroyed by the Confederates, the brigade was fired upon by the enemy and 3 men were wounded. Soon after another attack in front was repulsed, the negro troops in the rear meantime dispersing a party of 150 of Buford's cavalry. When the column again advanced it was fired into, but no execution was done.


Davis' Mill, Tennessee, March 14, 1863.


Davis' Mill, Tennessee, March 24, 1863. Detachments of 2nd Iowa and 6th Illinois Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel Reuben Loomis of the 6th Illinois cavalry, reporting from LaGrange under date of March 24, says: "This evening I was informed that the 2nd Iowa pickets, standing on the road running southeast from this place, had been attacked by a party of guerrillas, and 2 of them were captured. I instantly took about 50 men and went in pursuit. We traveled about 15 miles double-quick, came upon them, killed 3, recaptured our men, and took 3 prisoners."


Davis' Mill, Tennessee, April 5, 1863. Major-General Gordon Granger, reporting from Franklin, Tennessee, says: "The rebels attempted to surround a company on picket at Davis' Mill at daylight this morning. All escaped and have got in except 8."


Davis' Plantation, Mississippi, February 5, 1864. Sherman's Meridian Expedition. General William T. Sherman began his march toward Meridian on the 3d, moving to the Big Black river in two columns. General Hurlbut's column crossed the river at Messinger's ferry and met the enemy on the 5th at Joe Davis' plantation. The skirmishing lasted all day, with slight loss on both sides, the Confederates being gradually forced back, and Hurlbut moved on toward Jackson.


Day's Gap., Alabama, April 29, 1863. (See Streight's Raid.) Dayton, Missouri, December 23, 1861, and April 27, 1864. Dayton, Missouri, August 10, 1863. 1st Missouri State Militia Cavalry. In the advance of this regiment on a march to Harrisonville, Company H had a brisk skirmish with bushwhackers at Dayton, in which 2 of the enemy were killed and 1 wounded.


Dead Buffalo Lake, Dakota, Territory, July 26, 1863. 1st Minnesota Mounted Rangers, 3d Minnesota Battery, 6th and 7th Minnesota Infantry. During the expedition against the Sioux Indians the command went into camp on the shore of Dead Buffalo lake. Very soon afterward bands of Indians made their appearance, threatening an attack. An engagement at long range ensued, the Indians being driven off by the artillery. Meanwhile another force of the red men attempted a flank movement on the left of the camp, but the effort was frustrated. Farther to the left were herded the mules of the expedition. Having been foiled in the other two attempts the Indians made a dash upon the corral. A rapid movement on the part of the Rangers resulted in the driving back of the enemy, who fled in precipitation, leaving a number dead upon the prairie.


Dead Man's Fork, Dakota Territory, June 17, 1865. Detachments of 11th, Indiana 16th Kansas, 11th Ohio and 2nd California Cavalry. While this command was in pursuit of a band of outlaw Indians it was attacked by a large number of red men. The soldiers were at their breakfast at Dead Man's fork when the alarm was given and had no time to saddle and mount. The attack was repulsed with little difficulty, but the horses in the meantime had become frightened and broken away in the direction of the Indians, who surrounded about 100 of them and drove them into Page 350 the mountains. The casualties in the fight were 2 soldiers wounded and 4 Indians killed.


Deatonsville, Virginia, April 6, 1865. (See Sailor's Creek.) Decatur, Alabama, August 7, 1862. Convalescent Soldiers. This affair was an attack by 250 Confederate cavalry on the convalescent train between Decatur and Tuscumbia. Of the 200 Federals in the train 125 were captured, 2 were killed and 2 wounded.


Decatur, Alabama, March 7, 1864 . Troops of the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by General Dodge.


Decatur, Alabama, April 13, 1864. Scouts from 9th Illinois Infantry. Captain Samuel T. Hughes with two companies of mounted infantry drove back into the mountains a company of Confederate scouts and pickets. No casualties were reported by either side.


Decatur, Alabama, April 18, 1864. Detachment of 4th Division, 16th Army Corps. Major Fairfield encountered a Confederate picket on the Courtland road, just out of Decatur, and pushed them until they showed a force too strong for him to successfully engage. Major Kuhn went out with reinforcements and with Fairfield pursued the enemy 5 miles. No casualties were reported.


Decatur, Alabama, April 24, 1864. Scouts of 4th Division, 16th Army Corps. About 100 Confederates drove in the scouts to Decatur about sunset, but were in turn driven back to their own line. One of the Federal scouts was severely wounded. Decatur, Alabama, April 30, 1864. Detachment of the Army of the Tennessee. Major-General James B. McPherson in his report to General Sherman says: "The enemy appeared before Decatur this morning with quite a force, and opened on the place with four pieces of artillery. A brigade went out and drove them off. Colonel Phillips is following them. We lost a few men killed and wounded."


Decatur, Alabama, May 8, 1864. 7th Illinois Infantry. Colonel Richard Rowett with the 7th Illinois infantry met Roddey's Confederate force, 5,000 strong, near Decatur, and after a 2 hours' fight was compelled to fall back to Florence. No casualties were reported.


Decatur, Alabama, May 26-27, 1864. 1st, 3d and 4th Ohio Cavalry, and 3d Brigade, 4th Division, 16th Corps.


Decatur, Alabama, August 6, 1864. (See Somerville Road.)


Decatur, Alabama, August 18, 1864. This affair was an incident of an expedition from Decatur to Moulton. The skirmish really occurred at Antioch Church, a few miles out from Decatur on the Somerville and Moulton road. (See Antioch Church.)


Decatur, Alabama, October 26-29, U. S. Troops of the District of Northern Alabama. About noon of the 26th the advance of Hood's Confederate force then operating in Georgia and north Alabama appeared in front of Decatur, after driving in a Federal scouting party. Late in the afternoon an attack was made on the garrison, but without effect. The 27th was spent by the enemy in intrenching his position. Brisk skirmishing was carried on by the opposing forces all day but no artillery was used. That night under cover of darkness the Confederates in strong force drove in the Union pickets and established a line of rifle-pits within 500 yards of the town. At daylight it was evident that the enemy must be dislodged from that position, as he could cover the guns in the Federal works and render them useless. Accordingly Captain William C. Moore, with detachments of the 18th Michigan, the 102nd Ohio and the 13th Wisconsin infantry, moved out on the extreme right, deployed his men under cover of the river bank, moved quietly up to the open ground and then with a yell charged the flank and rear of the rifle-pits. The Confederates became panic-stricken and fled, only to be met by a galling fire of musketry and artillery from the Union lines. Moore pursued Page 351 closely until near the Confederate main line, where he halted and commenced retreating, his force having been reduced one-half to guard prisoners. The enemy failed to follow him. While the rifle-pits were being dug on the front during the night the Confederates had posted :i battery of 8 guns on their right. When the fog lifted in the morning Brigadier-General R. S. Granger, commanding the Union forces, sent a section of the ist Tennessee battery to the other side of the river with instructions to enfilade this battery. After the successful sortie of Captain Moore the 14th U. S. colored infantry under Colonel Doolittle charged the battery under cover of the firing of the ist Tennessee and the gunboat Stone River. The result was the capture of 14 prisoners and the spiking of 2 guns. The enemy returned in force and Doolittle was compelled to retire, which he did in good order. During the 28th heavy firing occurred all along the line, but neither force assaulted. The Stone River ran the Confederate battery and took a position above where it could play upon the enemy with its long-range guns. On the morning of the 29th it was apparent that the Confederate force was retreating and the 14th U. S. colored infantry was sent out to reconnoiter. On their return they reported a strong rear-guard the only part of the enemy's force left. At 4 p. m. Granger ordered an attack on the last line of rifle-pits, which resulted in the withdrawal of the last of the Confederates. The Federal loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was 113; that of the enemy in killed, wounded and prisoners was much heavier, probably about 1,000.


Decatur, Alabama, December 27-28, 1864 . Troops of Provisional Detachment, Department of the Etowah. This command, under Brigadier-General James B. Steedman, was landed 3 miles above Decatur and immediately pushed out in the direction of that place. A party of Confederates attempted to check the crossing of the troops at a lagoon, but was driven off by the Federal advance. Next day the cavalry, comprising the 15th Pennsylvania and detachments of the 2nd Tennessee, 10th, 12th and 13th Indiana, about 650 men, encountered the enemy 6 miles from the river, attacked and routed him. capturing a section of 6-pounder brass guns. The casualties of these two affairs were not reported.


Decatur, Alabama, March 3, 1865.


Decatur, Georgia, July 22, 1864. (See Atlanta.) Decatur, Georgia, September 28, 1864. Detachment of Army of the Ohio. Brigadier-General Jacob D. Cox, reporting to Major-General Sherman, says: "An escort for a train had a skirmish yesterday with about 200 rebel cavalry five miles out on the Covington road. The rebels were driven off, losing 3 killed and a few wounded. We had 1 killed and 3 wounded."


Decatur, Tennessee, July 15, 1862. Detachment of ist Ohio Cavalry.


Decatur, Mississippi, February 12, 1864. 3d Division, 16th Army Corps, and 25th Indiana Infantry. As an incident of the Meridian expedition the Confederate cavalry attacked the train of Smith's division. The 25th Indiana infantry was called to reinforce the guard and repulsed the enemy without loss.


Decatur County, Tennessee, June 21, 1864. Decherd, Tennessee, June 29. 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps. During the middle Tennessee campaign the ist brigade approached Decherd about 8 p. m. and attacked the garrison stationed in a stockade. A stiff resistance was offered for a time, but the enemy, numbering 80 men, was soon dislodged from his position and forced to take shelter in a strip of1 timber. The Federal howitzers again drove the Confederates out and the Union command was able to proceed with its work of destroying the railroad. Later in the evening six regiments of Confederate infantry approached, and after skirmishing with their advance pickets the Union force withdrew. The casualties were not reported.


Deep Bottom, Virginia, July 27-29, 1864. 2nd Army Corps, 1st Division of the 10th Corps, 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions, Army of the Potomac, and Kautz's Cavalry, Army of the James. Deep Bottom is a lowland on the north side of the James river, about 12 miles below Richmond, and is directly opposite Jones' neck, the most northerly point of the Bermuda Hundred peninsula. Near the center of the lowland Four-mile creek flows into the James from the north. A short distance from the mouth this stream receives the waters of Bailey's run, which was crossed by the New Market, Long Bridge and Darbytown roads. On July 25 General Grant conceived the idea of sending Hancock, with the 2nd corps, and Sheridan, with Torbert's and Gregg's cavalry divisions, to Deep Bottom, where Sheridan was to be joined by Kautz. The movement was to be made secretly and, after crossing the James, Hancock was to move up to Chaffin's bluff to support the cavalry, which was to make a dash on Richmond and enter the city if the prospects were favorable, otherwise Sheridan was to direct his attention to the destruction of the railroads entering Richmond. Grant hoped by this movement to reduce the Confederate strength at Petersburg so that the lines there could be carried upon the springing of Burnside's mine. (See Petersburg.) Two pontoon bridges had been thrown across the James, one a short distance above the mouth of Four-mile creek and the other about the same distance below. These bridges were held by Foster's division of the 10th corps. Opposite the upper bridge a considerable force of the enemy was intrenched, and Hancock therefore decided to cross at the lower bridge, with a view of turning the flank of this force, while Foster engaged the Confederates in front. About 4 p. m. on the 26th Hancock withdrew his command from the intrenchments in front of Petersburg, moved well to the rear to avoid being seen by the enemy, and by daylight on the 27th the whole corps was on the north side of the James, massed behind a belt of timber along the east side of Four-mile creek. The command then began its march toward Chaffin's bluff, some 5 miles up the river, Barlow's division having the advance. A small Confederate force was encountered on the cast side of Bailey's run, but it was quickly driven back by Miles' brigade and a battery of four 20-pounder Parrott guns was captured. Upon arriving at the bridge over Bailey's creek on the New Market road the Confederates were found posted on the opposite bank in well constructed works, with several pieces of artillery in position to command the crossing. This force consisted of the divisions of Wilcox and Kershaw, which had been brought over from Petersburg before Grant determined upon the movement to the north side of the James, and whose presence there was unknown to the Federal commander. Meantime the cavalry had crossed the James immediately behind the 2nd corps and had moved by way of Strawberry plains to the Darbytown road. When it was discovered that the enemy held the west side of Bailey's run in force, Gibbon's division was assigned to the duty of holding the advanced position on the New Market road, while Barlow and Mott were pushed forward up the creek to the Long Bridge road, forming a junction with the cavalry near the forks of the Central or Darbytown road. A reconnaissance of the Confederate position failed to discover the flank, as the line extended to Fussell's mill, where the Darbytown road crossed Bailey's creek, and where the enemy's left was refused. Sheridan, by a spirited charge, had driven the enemy from a ridge near the Central road, which position he held until the following day. During the day the Confederates were reinforced by Heth's division. About the middle of the afternoon Grant visited Hancock's line and found the situation very different from what he had expected. He stated that he did not "see much that can be done," but suggested that it might be Page 353 well to try to "roll up the enemy's left toward Chaffin's bluff, and thus release our cavalry." Accordingly Foster was directed to make a vigorous demonstration in his immediate front early on the morning of the 28th, in order to attract as large a force of the enemy as possible to that point, and other preparations were made to carry out Grant's suggestion. Before these preparations were complete it was noticed that the enemy was moving toward the Federal right, and about 10 a. m. Kershaw made a desperate effort to dislodge Sheridan. The skirmish line was forced back to the crest of the ridge, behind which lay the main body of the cavalry, dismounted and armed with repeating carbines. When Kershaw's men arrived within easy range the whole line arose and opened fire with such vigor that the Confederates were thrown into confusion. Then the cry of "Charge!" "Charge!" was heard along the Union lines and without waiting for the word of command the men rushed forward, firing as they advanced, turning a momentary defeat into a complete rout. About 250 prisoners and 2 stands of colors were captured and Kershaw's shattered line retired behind the works. Hancock heard the firing when the attack on Sheridan commenced and sent Gibbon to the support of the cavalry, but Kershaw had been repulsed before Gibbon reached the scene of action. Gibbon then held the approaches to the Long Bridge road while the cavalry was withdrawn to the New Market road. In withdrawing Gregg's division had a sharp fight with a detachment of the enemy's infantry and lost 1 piece of artillery. Learning that the Confederates were moving toward Malvern Hill, Hancock disposed his forces to prevent the enemy from cutting him off from the pontoons and held his new line until after dark on the 29th, when he was ordered to return to the south side of the James. The Union loss during the movement was about 300 in killed and wounded. That of the enemy was much heavier.


Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 1, 1864. Detachment of 10th Connecticut Infantry. About 5 p. m. the Confederates advanced a strong line against part of the picket line held by three companies of the l0th Connecticut. The attack resulted in the driving back of the vedettes upon the main picket line, which was then deployed as skirmishers and checked the enemy's advance. Twice the Confederates attempted to break the Federal line, but the picket reserve had in the meantime come up, and both charges were repulsed. The Union loss was 1 killed and 2 wounded; the enemy's casualties, although not reported, were undoubtedly heavier.


Deep Bottom, Virginia, August 13-20, 1864. 2nd and 10th Army Corps and Gregg's Cavalry Division. Early in August General Grant received information from various sources that led him to believe Lee had sent three divisions of infantry and one of cavalry to reinforce General Early in the Shenandoah valley, leaving, according to General Butler's estimate, only 8,500 men to hold the intrenchments north of the James. At noon on the 12th Grant ordered Major-General W. S. Hancock to move with his own corps, the 2nd, the 10th corps, Major-General D. B. Birney commanding, and Gregg's cavalry to the north side of the James at Deep Bottom and threaten Richmond. The movement was almost identical with that of the latter part of July (see preceding article), except Hancock was to embark his corps on steamers at City Point and move up the river to the lower pontoon bridge during the night of the 13th, Birney's corps crossed at the upper bridge and the cavalry at the lower. It was intended to have all the troops on the north side of the James and ready for an advance by daylight on the 14th, but owing to delay in disembarking it was well toward noon when the advance was commenced. The plan was for Birney to attack the enemy on the west side of Four-mile creek at daybreak, and if successful he was to move over the Page 354 roads leading to Chaffin's bluff and Richmond. Mott's division, as soon as it was disembarked, was to move up the New Market road, drive the enemy into his intrenchments on the west side of Bailey's creek, and farther if practicable. Barlow was to move to the right of Mott and attack the enemy's works near Fussell's mill, and Gregg's cavalry was to cover the right flank. If Barlow succeeded in carrying the lines in his front he was to move to the left and uncover Mott's front, after which the two divisions were to advance on the New Market road and form a junction with Birney. The object of these combined movements was to turn the Confederate position and gain possession of Chaffin's bluff, which would be an important step toward opening the James river to the Federal gunboats. Barlow carried one line, held by dismounted cavalry, and about 4 p. m. assaulted the works near Fussell's mill, but the attack was made with only one brigade and was not a success. His advance was so threatening, however, that the enemy weakened his right to strengthen the line near the mill, and Birney, taking advantage of this, carried a part of the line west of Four-mile creek, capturing 4 guns and a few prisoners. Gregg advanced up the Charles City road and carried a line of rifle-pits, and at night a strong picket line was established along the entire front. During the night the troops were disposed for an attack on the next morning. Birney's command was massed in the rear of Barlow, with instructions to find and turn the Confederate left. The dense woods made a reconnaissance difficult, and the operations of the 15th were begun without knowing just how the enemy was located. Slight skirmishing occurred at several points during the day, but Birney did not come upon the Confederate line until nearly 7 p. m., and as the ground was not favorable for a night attack further operations were postponed until the next day. Early on the morning of the 16th Gregg moved out on the Charles City road and drove the enemy before him across Deep creek, nearly to White's tavern. In a skirmish near Deep creek Confederate General Chambliss was killed. About 10 a. m. Terry's division of Birney's corps carried the works above Fussell's mill, capturing about 300 prisoners. Craig's brigade and the colored troops under Brig-General William Birney made an assault 0n the right and captured the intrenchments, but were unable to hold them. In this action Colonel Craig was killed. About 5 p. m. Gregg was driven from his position on the Charles City road and forced back across Deep creek. When night closed the Federals held only the advanced rifle-pits of the enemy. During the night of the 16th a fleet of steamers came up from City Point to Deep Bottom to convey the impression that the Union forces were withdrawing, in the hope that the enemy would come out of his works and attack, but the ruse was not successful. Nothing was done on the 17th, but about 5 p. m. on the 18th the Confederates sallied out of their works above Fussell's mill and attacked Birney. While the fight was going on Miles, now in command of Barlow's division, struck the enemy on the left flank, driving him in confusion and with considerable loss. The 19th was spent in looking for a weak point in the Confederate line, but none could be found. Grant's information, regarding the number of troops sent to Early, was erroneous, only Kershaw's division having left Richmond, and as soon as Hancock crossed the James, Mahone's division and Hampton's cavalry were sent over from Petersburg to reinforce the lines on the north side of the river. Finding the position there too strong to be carried, Grant ordered Hancock and Birney back to their original positions on the Petersburg lines, and immediately after dark on the 20th the troops were withdrawn, Birney covering the movement. The Union loss in the operations about Deep Bottom was 328 killed, 1,802 wounded and 721 missing. The Confederate loss was not ascertained, Page 355 but it was probably somewhat less, as they fought most of the time behind breastworks. Among their killed were Generals Chambliss and Girardy, both of whom fell on the 16th.


Deep Creek, Virginia, February 29, 1864. (See Ballahock.)


Deep Creek, Virginia, August 16, 1864. (See Deep Bottom, same date.)


Deep Gully, North Carolina, March 31, 1862.


Deep Gully, North Carolina, May 2, 1862. 1st Rhode Island Artillery. This was an attack on the pickets of Battery F, on the Trenton road, about a mile from Deep Gully, by 40 Confederate infantry. One of the pickets was killed and another severely wounded.


Deep Gully, North Carolina, March 30, 1863. Pickets of 2nd Brigade, 5th Division, 18th Army Corps. An extract from the "Records of Events" of 2nd brigade, 5th division, 18th army corps, says: "Five companies of this brigade picketed that portion of our lines running from red house to Trent river, in the vicinity of Deep Gully, at which place, on March 30, a slight skirmish with the enemy's pickets occurred." The Federal casualties were slight, 1 man being wounded and captured.


Deep Gully, North Carolina, March 13-14, 1863. 5th, 25th and 46th Massachusetts Infantry. On the 13th the Confederates under General D. H. Hill drove in the Federal pickets, crossed Deep Gully and intrenched their position. The same night the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 18th corps, comprising three Massachusetts regiments, moved out to the Gully from New Berne and bivouacked. At daylight a movement was begun to drive the enemy from his position, but the skirmishers had no sooner gone into action than the 5th and 46th regiments were recalled to New Berne, leaving the 25th with 2 pieces of artillery to hold the enemy in check. At 6 p. m. the 46th was sent to relieve the 25th. Next day the enemy withdrew. The Federal loss was 1 wounded and 1 missing. The Confederate reports do not mention any loss on their side.


Deep River Bridge, North Carolina, April 4, 1865. Stoneman's raid. Deep Run, Virginia, June 5-13, 1863. (See Franklin's Crossing.)


Deep Water, Missouri, June 11, 1862. 1st Iowa Cavalry. Lieutenant Benjamin Raney, with 30 men, succeeded in dispersing a band of 132 Confederates after following them for 2 days and nights. The enemy lost 3 killed, 5 wounded and 5 captured; the only casualty in the Federal command was 1 man wounded.


Deepwater Township, Missouri, March 27, 1864. Detachment of 1st Missouri State Militia. Sergt. John W. Barkley with a squad of men, having been sent to break up a marauding band operating in Henry county, came upon 3 of the band, 1 of whom was wounded, in the house of a Mr. Dunn. After keeping them surrounded all night, Barkley demanded a surrender, to which the guerrillas acceded. They were taken to Germantown and after a trial were executed.


Deer Creek, Dakota Territory, May 20, 1865. 11th Kansas Cavalry. Lieutenant William B. Godfrey, of the 11th Kansas cavalry, reporting from camp on Deer creek, Dakota Territory, says: "On the 20th instant myself with 3 men were attacked by 25 Indians three miles above our camp, on Deer creek, Dakota Territory After a brisk fight of two hours I succeeded in repulsing the Indians, killing 2 and, as near as I could ascertain, wounding 4. Simultaneous with the attack upon myself Sergt. Smythe, Company L, nth Kansas cavalry, with 6 men, was attacked in camp by 50 Indians. After two hours and a half fighting the Indians abandoned the attack, with the loss of 3 killed and 5 wounded, 2 horses wounded and 1 killed."


Deer Creek, Mississippi, February 23, 1863. Cavalry of Expedition to Greenville. As an incident of the expedition, the Confederate artillery opened on the 83d Ohio infantry from the opposite side of Fish lake as soon as a bridge had been completed to allow the Federal force to cross. The cavalry was sent forward in an effort to cut off the battery's retreat, Page 356 but the Confederate pickets received warning of the movement in time to forestall it . The opposing forces met, however, at a bend of Deer creek, the Confederate cavalry being routed and separated from the artillery. The Federal cavalry then captured the guard at another bridge of the creek some distance below the scene of the first encounter. The Federal loss was 1 killed and 2 captured; the Confederate casualties, though not reported, were estimated at 30 killed and wounded.


Deer Creek, Mississippi, March 21-22, 1863. Portion of 15th Army Corps. As an incident of the Steele's Bayou expedition the gunboats had proceeded up Deer creek to the mouth of the Rolling fork on the 20th. From there Admiral Porter sent word to Major-General William T. Sherman that he must have troops to guard his working parties and Sherman immediately sent the 1st brigade of the 2nd division under Colonel Giles A. Smith. The vicinity of the fleet was reached by 4 p. m. of the 21st, the advance of the brigade being fired into by the sharpshooters which were annoying the men on the decks of the vessels. The sharpshooters were driven off and the remainder of the brigade was distributed along the creek to prevent the enemy from further obstructing it. Next morning the fleet began its movement back through the creek and proceeded about 6 miles without molestation. Then it was discovered that the enemy was taking position about a mile ahead of the Federal advance and soon opened upon the gunboats from die batteries concealed behind the infantry and cavalry. The pieces on board the boats replied and soon silenced the Confederate guns. Three companies of the 6th and 8th Missouri had the previous night been posted beyond the point reached by the enemy, and fearful that they would be cut off Smith sent four companies of the 6th Missouri to their aid. These latter found that Sherman had hurried up the rest of the brigade and with the 2nd had driven off the enemy. The Federal casualties amounted to 1 man killed and 3 wounded in the land forces. The other losses were not ascertained.


Deer Creek, Mississippi, April 7-10, 1863. (See Black Bayou Expedition.)


Deer Creek, Missouri, October 16, 1863. 1st Arkansas Cavalry. Captain DeWitt C. Hopkins, while on a scout with a company of the 1st Arkansas cavalry, met the enemy at Deer creek. He repulsed an attack of the Confederates, but finding himself being surrounded, withdrew in good order to North Prairie, 12 miles from the scene of his encounter. His loss was 5 men.


Deer Creek Station, Dakota Territory, May 20, 1865. Detachment of Company K, 11th Kansas Cavalry. Two hundred Indians attacked part of Company K under Lieutenant-Colonel Plumb at Deer Creek Station and were repulsed with a loss of 7 killed and several wounded. Plumb pursued, killing and wounding several more. One soldier was killed. The red men succeeded in stampeding a herd of 22 horses.


Deer Park Road, Alabama, March 25, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps. This brigade, having the advance of the corps in the Mobile campaign, moved out on the Deer Park road. A small party of Confederates was soon encountered and the skirmishing at once commenced, four companies of the 9th Minnesota comprising the skirmish line. The road was cleared for the column to pass. No casualties were reported.


Deloach's Bluff, Louisiana, April 26, 1864. Ironclads Eastport, Cricket, Hindman and Juliet. The Eastport had been sunk in the Red river by a torpedo on the 15th and the other vessels had raised her and were bringing her to Alexandria when she grounded at Deloach's bluff. A portion of Liddell's Confederate force opened fire upon her and it became necessary to fire her in order to prevent the enemy's taking possession. Ten miles below the other gunboats were obliged to run a battery, during which the Cricket had 25 killed and 13 wounded of her crew of 50; 15 were killed and wounded in the Juliet and 2 were killed in the Hindman. Confederate reports state their loss at 2 killed and 4 wounded.


Delta, U. S. Steamer, January 6, 1864. (See Gaines' Landing.) Denkins' Mill, South Carolina, April 19, 1865. U. S. Forces under Brigadier-General E. E. Potter. As an incident of an expedition to destroy the rollingstock on the railroad between Sumterville and Camden, South Carolina, the provisional division under General Potter encountered the enemy's skirmishers and drove them back on their main line, strongly intrenched at Denkins' mill. Here the 1st brigade halted and kept up a skirmish fire, while the 2nd brigade executed a flank movement and dislodged the Confederates from their position. The losses were not reported. Denmark, Tennessee, July 29, 1862. (See Hatchie Bottom.) Denmark, Tennessee, September 1, 1862. (See Britton's Lane.) Denmark, Tennessee, August 3, 1863. Detachment of 6th Division, 16th Army Corps. Five companies of cavalry and three companies of mounted infantry scouting from Fort Pillow encountered a Confederate force near Denmark and dispersed it, killing 2 and capturing 6. The Federal loss was 1 man slightly wounded and 2 missing.


Des Allemands, Louisiana, September 29, 1862. 21st Indiana and 4th Wisconsin Infantry. Des Allemands, Louisiana, July 18, 1863.


Des Arc, Arkansas, January 17, 1863. (See White River, Gorman's Expedition.)


Des Arc, Arkansas, July 26, 1864. 11th Missouri Cavalry.


Deserted House, Virginia, January 30, 1863. Special Expedition under Brigadier-General Corcoran. On the 29th Major-General John J. Peck, commanding the Union forces at Suffolk, received information that Brigadier-General Roger A. Pryor, with some 3,000 men, was in the vicinity of Holland's corners, and sent Captain Ward with a small detachment of the 11th Pennsylvania cavalry, to learn the truth of the report. Ward reported that Pryor had gone in the direction of the Deserted house, or Kelly's store, and a special force, consisting of the 6th Massachusetts, 13th Indiana, 69th, 130th, 155th, 164th New York, 165th and 167th Pennsylvania infantry, 11 Pennsylvania cavalry, 2 mountain howitzers, Battery D (Folletr's), 4th U. S. artillery and the 7th (Davis') Massachusetts battery, about 4,800 men in all, was organized to capture or destroy Pryor's command. This force, under command of Brigadier-General Michael Corcoran, left Suffolk at 1 a. m. on the 30th and about two hours later the cavalry encountered the enemy's pickets and drove them back on the main body, which was encamped near the Deserted house. The intention had been to surprise the enemy's camp, but the skirmish with the pickets rendered that impossible and Corcoran immediately disposed his men for an engagement. Follett's battery, supported by the 13th Indiana, and Davis' battery, supported by the 130th New York, were pushed forward and opened fire on the Confederate camp, the gunners taking aim by the light of the camp fires. The enemy replied with 12 pieces of artillery and the duel continued until 5:30 a. m., when Corcoran placed his cannon on the road and ordered the whole line to advance. In a short time the enemy began to falter and finally fell back some 2 miles to a thick wood and marsh, where he took up a strong position. Corcoran now halted his men for breakfast, while the cavalry was sent forward to reconnoiter. About this time Colonel R S. Foster joined Corcoran with the 112th New York infantry and a part of the 2nd Wisconsin battery, and the Union troops immediately assumed the offensive. Pryor hurriedly evacuated his position and was pursued on the road to Carrsville. At Pecosin creek the 13th Indiana had a sharp skirmish with the rear-guard, but the main body could not be brought to a stand. At this point the infantry and artillery were halted, but Colonel Spear, with the cavalry, pursued the enemy 2 miles beyond Carrsville. The Union loss was 23 killed, 108 wounded and 12 missing. Pryor reported a loss of 8 killed and 31 wounded, and 13 were captured.


Deserted Station, Louisiana, December 10, 1862.


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, July 6, 1862. 24th Indiana Infantry. In an expedition up White river, Colonel G. N., Fitch. with 2,000 men, made a reconnaissance on this date toward Devall's Bluff. About 9 a. m. his advance, the 24th Indiana, came up with and routed some 400 Confederate cavalry. In the action the enemy lost 84 in killed and wounded. A flag of truce was sent to Fitch, asking permission to bury the dead, but the request was refused. Thirty minutes were given them, however, to remove the dead and wounded from the field, at the end of which time Fitch moved on in pursuit of those who had fled, taking 6 prisoners, 1 of whom was a lieutenant. The Union loss was 1 killed and 21 wounded.


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, January 17, 1863. (See White River, Gorman's Expedition.)


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, December 1, 1863. U. S. Troops from post at Devall's Bluff. Major William J. Teed and Captain L. J. Matthews of the 8th Missouri cavalry while hunting for some lost article on the parade grounds, a mile from Devall's Bluff, were attacked by 9 guerrillas in Federal uniforms. The officers refused to surrender, and although wounded, made their escape. A party was at once sent out from the post and killed 3 and wounded 3 of the guerrillas. A Union corporal was wounded in the leg.


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, December 12, 1863. 8th Missouri Cavalry.


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, May 22, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel Ezra M. Beardsley, of the 126th Illinois infantry, in a despatch to General E. A. Carr, says: "About 20 rebels surprised and captured 3 men and between 100 and 200 horses and mules on the prairie, foraging, belonging to the Remount Camp. I have sent 75 cavalry from the Ninth Iowa in pursuit. They went toward Des Arc." Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, August 24, 1864. Detachments of 8th and 11th Missouri and gth Iowa Cavalry. Colonel W. F. Geiger, commanding a brigade of cavalry, moved out from Devall's Bluff to assist a force at Ashley's hay station which was being attacked by a large Confederate force. When near Jones' hay station the enemy's cavalry, 2,000 strong, was encountered. The 11th Missouri moved on the Confederate left flank while the 8th Missouri attacked in front, the 9th Louisiana, being kept in reserve. The fighting continued for about 2 hours, during which time the Union line steadily advanced and the enemy as steadily retired, though in good order. Several times the Confederates charged, attempting to turn the Federal left, but were each time repulsed. Night coming on, Geiger withdrew his forces to Devall's Bluff, fearing that the enemy might get between him and that place before morning. The Federals lost 9 killed, 43 wounded and 1 missing. The Confederate casualties, although not reported, were undoubtedly much heavier. The garrisons at Ashley's and Jones' stations surrendered to the enemy.


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, November 2, 1864. (See Hazen's Farm, same date.)


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, December 13, 1864. Independent Picket of 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps. Brigadier-General C. C. Andrews in a despatch from Devall's Bluff under date of December 14, says: "An independent picket, which I had placed 3 miles east of here, captured 2 enlisted men of Dobbin's command last evening."


Devall's Bluff, Arkansas, February 9-19, 1865. 13th Illinois Cavalry. During the return of a scouting party to Pine Bluff from Devall's Bluff guerrilla bands were encountered several times. The skirmishes resulted in the killing of 3 of the enemy, and the wounding of several more.


Deveaux Neck, South Carolina, December 6-9, 1864. Unofficial accounts mention engagements on these dates at Deveaux's neck, on the Tillafinney river, at Mason's bridge and Gregory's farm, in which the 26th. 33d, 34th and 102nd U. S. colored troops; 54th and 55th Massachusetts colored infantry; the 56th and 155th New York and 25th and 107th Ohio infantry; the 3d R. I. Page 359 artillery, and a naval brigade were engaged. The official reports of the war contain no information regarding the affair.


Devil's Backbone, Arkansas, September 1, 1863. Cloud's Brigade, Army of the Frontier. On his return from the pursuit of Cooper and Steele, Major-General Blunt learned that Cabell with a Confederate force of 2,500 was strongly posted on the bank of the Poteau river, 12 miles from its mouth. Colonel William F. Cloud, with the 2nd Kas., the 6th Missouri cavalry and two sections of the 2nd Indiana artillery, was immediately sent in pursuit, the enemy having fallen back toward Fort Smith. At Backbone mountain Cloud's advance guard, consisting of Captain Lines' company of the 2nd Kas., fell into an ambuscade of the Confederate rear-guard. The whole brigade was then dismounted and formed in line of battle with the artillery in the center. The enemy was steadily driven up the mountain side, finally making a stand upon the summit of the peak. For 3 hours an engagement was raged around this point. During a lull in the firing the Confederates suddenly withdrew, leaving between 15 and 20 killed and wounded on the field. The Federal casualties were 14 killed and wounded.


Devil's Gap, Tennessee, December 25, 1864. (See King's Hill, same date.)


Diamond Grove, Missouri, April 14, 1862. 6th Kansas Cavalry. Diamond Grove, Missouri, August 21, 1864.


Diamond Grove Prairie, Missouri, August 1, 1864. Detachment of 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The only mention of this affair in the official records is in the itinerary of the District of Southwest Missouri, which states that Captain Ruark, 8th Missouri state militia cavalry, killed Lieutenant Goode of the Confederate army in the vicinity of Diamond Grove prairie, near Carthage.


Diamond Hill, Virginia, June 17, 1864. Averell's Cavalry and Crook's Infantry, Army of West Virginia. During the advance on Lynchburg Averell's command moved by the old road toward the city. The enemy resisted every foot but showed no determination to stand until within 4 miles of Lynchburg, where he was strongly intrenched on Diamond hill. The Federals were deployed and advanced with little skirmishing, but as the attack approached the crest of the hill the Confederate infantry and artillery both opened a galling fire upon the advancing column. Schoonmaker's and Oley's brigades dismounted and charged to the front; the artillery hastened up and opened fire, and after a short but sharp contest the Confederates were driven a mile toward Lynchburg, where they received reinforcements, turned and charged. The Union cavalry had a hard time holding the line until two brigades of infantry arrived, but the combined force easily drove the Confederates back. The casualties were not reported.


Diana, U. S. Gunboat, March 28, 1863. (See Pattersonville, Louisiana)


Diascund Bridge, Virginia, June 11-20, 1863. Dick's Ford, Kentucky, October 12. 1862.


Dickson Station, Alabama, April 19 and 23, 1863. (See Courtland, Expedition to.)


Dickson Station, Alabama, October 20, 1863. (See Barton's and Dickson's Stations.)


Dillingham's Cross-Roads, South Carolina, February 3, 1865. (See Duck Creek.)


Dingle's Mill, South Carolina, April 9, 1865. U. S. Forces under Brigadier-General E. E. Potter. As an incident of an expedition to destroy all the rolling stock between Sumterville and Camden, General Potter's command reached the pond of Dingle's mill on the afternoon of the 9th, where the Confederates immediately opened with artillery. Learning that the swamp could be crossed on the enemy's right. Colonel J. C. Marmichael, with the 157th and a detachment of the 156th New York, took the road through the swamp, attacked the enemy's rear and completely routed him. The 2nd Page 360 brigade, meantime, had met a body of Confederate cavalry and dispersed it. The Federal casualties in this engagement were 3 killed and 15 wounded. The Confederate losses were not reported. Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia, March 31, 1865. The action at Dinwiddie Court House on this date was a part of the movement against Lee's right that culminated in the battle of Five Forks and caused the Confederate army to evacuate Richmond and Petersburg. A detailed account of the battle at the Court House will be found under the head of Five Forks.


Dinwiddie Road, Virginia, August 23, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division. Upon being informed that Kautz's cavalry had been engaged with the enemy, Major-General David McMGregg, commanding the 2nd division, left Reams' station to ascertain the Confederate strength. When a mile and a half out on the Dinwiddie road a dismounted cavalry division was discovered deploying to the right and left of the road and advancing. At 5 p. m. the action was well under way. The Confederates concentrated their force at different points and vainly tried to break the Federal line. At 8:30 the enemy withdrew. The Federal loss in this engagement was about 40 killed and wounded; the Confederate casualties were not reported. The affair was an incident of the Petersburg and Richmond campaign.


Dirt Town, Georgia, September 12, 1863.


Disputanta Station, Virginia, January 9, 1865. 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. While foraging half a mile south of Disputanta Station the regiment was fired into by guerrillas, and 2 men were killed and 3 wounded. The affair was an incident of the Richmond campaign.


Ditch Bayou, Arkansas, June 6, 1864. (See Old River Lake, same date.)


Dixon's and James Islands, South Carolina, May 25, 1862. (See Naval Volume.)


Dixon's Island, South Carolina, June 21, 1863. Twelve Federal pickets landed on Dixon's island at 6 p. m. and Were fired into by the Confederate cavalry pickets. The Union men retired without replying. The only mention of the affair is a Confederate report, so there is no way of ascertaining who the Federal participants were.


Dixon's Springs, Tennessee, June 20, 1863. Dobbins' Ferry, Tennessee, December 9, 1862. U. S. Forces under Colonel Stanley Matthews. While out on a reconnaissance in the vicinity of LaVergne Matthews' command was attacked at Dobbins' ferry by six regiments of cavalry under General Wheeler. The losses on both sides were rather heavy, but the reports of the affair are very meager and give no definite information as to the engagement. The wagon train sent out with Matthews returned safely.


Doboy River, Georgia, November 18, 1862. 1st South Carolina Volunteers. Colonel O. T. Beard of the 48th New York infantry, with 160 South Carolina colored troops, accompanied by the steamers Darlington and Ben DeFord and the Federal gunboat Madgie, made an expedition up this river to some sawmills guarded by a small force of Confederates. He landed 34 men to reconnoiter. As they were crossing the swamp on a narrow causeway the guard fired on them and 1 man was severely wounded. The remainder retreated to the boats, when the artillery of the Darlington commenced shelling the woods where the Confederates were stationed, compelling them to retire. The Federals then carried off about 300,000 feet of lumber and a great part of the machinery of the mills. No casualties were reported on the Confederate side. Dog Walk, Kentucky, October 9, 1862. 32nd Indiana, 1st Ohio, 15th and 19th U. S. Infantry, and a section of Battery H, 5th U. S. Artillery. When a portion of the 2nd division, 1st army corps, was moving out from Lawrenceburg it came upon a body of the enemy about half a mile from Page 361 camp. Colonel Edwin A. Parrott had no more than deployed his men when the enemy charged up a hill, upon which was posted the ist Ohio. The fire of the battery, however, checked his advance and compelled him to fall back to cover. From this latter position the Confederates advanced a heavy line of skirmishers which drove in the skirmishers of the ist Ohio, but which in turn was driven back, and after 4 hours' fighting the Confederates withdrew. The Federal loss was 5 killed and 8 wounded, while the enemy, though not reporting his loss, left 11 dead and 2 mortally wounded on the field. (Also called Dry Ridge and Chesser's Store.)


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, September 21-25, 1862. Expedition under Colonel James W. McMillan. It being late Sunday night when the expedition arrived opposite Donaldsonville with its escort of 3 gunboats, McMillan waited until daylight before landing his force. Confederate pickets were driven out of the town and back 4 miles to their camp, whence the main force fled on the approach of the Federals. On Wednesday morning McMillan marched out from the town and was met by the Confederates about a mile and a half from the river. They were driven back to their fortifications where their artillery was posted. While making preparations to charge McMillan discovered a party of Confederate cavalry attempting to get in his rear, and immediately withdrew to the river, skirmishing with cavalry detachments all the way. The Federals then returned to Camp Carrollton, having suffered a loss of 1 missing and 1 wounded. The Confederate casualties were between 30 and 40 killed and wounded.


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, June 28, 1863. Detachment of 28th Maine Infantry and Convalescents. At 1:30 a. m. a Confederate force of 800 men made a desperate assault upon the stockade, called Fort Butler, at Donaldsonville. Infantry and artillery were both used. The enemy succeeded in getting over the stockade but encountered a ditch of which they had no knowledge and had no way of crossing. They were thus brought under the fire of the Federal gunboats in the river and were obliged to retire with a loss of 260 in killed and wounded. The garrison of 180 suffered a loss of 8 killed and 13 wounded, while 1 was killed and 2 wounded on board one of the gunboats.


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, July 12-13, 1863. (See La Fourche, same date.)


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, September 23, 1863. 14th New York Cavalry. Two or three hundred Confederate cavalry made a descent on Captain Metcalf's company of the 14th New York cavalry, at 1 a. m. The command was stationed opposite Donaldsonville and was completely surprised. Metcalf and 10 of his men were taken prisoners.


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, February 8, 1864. 4th Wisconsin Cavalry.


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, July 31, 1864. (See Orange Grove.)


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, August 5, 1864. 11th New York Cavalry.


Donaldsonville, Louisiana, September 4, 1864. U. S. Troops of the District of La Fourche. Brigadier-General Robert A. Cameron, commanding the district of La Fourche, reported on this date: "About 25 rebels attacked the couriers coming from Plaquemine to Donaldsonville this morning about 9 miles above Donaldsonville." No casualties mentioned.


Doniphan, Missouri, April 1. 1862. The only mention of this affair is the report of Brigadier-General Frederick Steele, which states that Colonel W. P. Carlin's advance guard had a skirmish with Confederates while fording the river at Doniphan. The Federals killed a lieutenant and wounded others of the opposing force, besides capturing supplies for forage, provisions, etc.


Doniphan, Missouri, March 21, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Lieutenant Frederick R. Poole, commanding a Page 362 detachment of the 2nd Missouri, surprised a picket of 5 Confederates at the junction of Pitman's Ferry and Doniphan roads, capturing 3 and killing the other 2. Doniphan, Missouri, June 1, 1863. 13th Illinois Cavalry and 3d Missouri State Militia Cavalry. While 73 men of these two regiments, under Major Lothar Lippert, were encamped the enemy opened fire on the militia, who immediately broke and fled. The 13th Illinois detachment returned the fire with vigor and after a short engagement the Confederates were silenced. The loss in the Union command was 4 wounded. Twenty-three horses belonging to the militia were captured by the enemy.


Doniphan, Missouri, September 19, 1864. Brigadier-General J. O. Shelby, of the Confederate army, reports that his advance during Price's Missouri expedition was pressed back from Doniphan by 100 Federals. Before he could get reinforcements forward the Union troops had fled, after burning the town. There is no way of ascertaining what Union forces participated. Doolan's Farm, Virginia, November 16, 1861. 30th New York Infantry. Captain Warren L. Laning, commanding a detachment of 50 men and 6 wagons of the 30th New York infantry, was sent on a foraging expedition from Upton's. While the command was at dinner at Doolan's farm it was surrounded and attacked by 100 Confederate cavalry, with the result that 4 of the Federals were killed, a number wounded, and 30, with the wagons arid provisions, captured. The attacking party suffered no casualties.


Double Bridge, Tennessee, November 18, 1862.


Double Bridges, Georgia, April 18, 1865. 4th Michigan and 3d Ohio Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel B. D. Pritchard with two regiments of cavalry surprised the guard of 50 men at the Double Bridges over the Flint river. Two Confederates were killed. 3 wounded, 49 captured, together with a number of wagons and 150 head of horses and .mules. There were no casualties on the Federal side. The affair was an incident of Wilson's raid.


Doubtful Canon, New Mexico, May 4, 1864. Company T, 5th California Infantry. The record of events for the District of Arizona for May, 1864, contains the following: "May 4.—Lieutenant (H. H.) Stevens, with Company I, 5th California infantry, while en route from Fort Cummings to Fort Bowie were attacked in Doubtful canon, Steen's peak, by a band of Apache Indians. The fight lasted about an hour, when the Indians fled. Loss on Stevens' side, 1 man missing and 5 wounded; Indians, 10 killed and 20 wounded."


Douglas' Plantation, Arkansas, February 22, 1865. Detachment of 13th Illinois Cavalry. While on a scout from Pine Bluff, Captain G. W. Davis with 50 men encamped on the night of the 21st under a shed on the plantation of a Mr. Douglas. About 1 a. m. the pickets were driven in and a volley fired into the shed. The Confederates charged and were repulsed, but a second charge drove the men out of the shed and away from their horses. Davis rallied his men and by a desperate effort regained his first position and the horses. Four Union men were wounded and 3 missing. The Confederate casualties were not reported. Dover, Arkansas, March 25. 1864. Dover, Missouri, September 10, 1864.


Dover, Missouri, October 20. 1864. 2nd Arkansas Cavalry and 6th Cavalry Missouri State Militia. During Price's raid into Missouri, Colonel John E. Phelps with 300 Federal cavalry was sent on a reconnaissance toward Brownsville and shortly after sunrise of the 20th he charged through Dover, completely routing the Confederate forces Page 363 stationed there, with a loss of 7 killed, a number wounded and 15 captured. No Federal loss was reported.


Dover, North Carolina, March 7, 1863. Detachments of 25th Massachusetts Infantry and 3d New York Cavalry. As an incident of a demonstration on Kinston, North Carolina, Captain Denny left his bivouac with two companies of cavalry and three of infantry and proceeded toward Kinston. At a distance of 4 miles from camp, and when near Dover, the Confederate pickets fired into the Federal advance, severely wounding 2 men. Ascertaining that the enemy's camp was alarmed Denny advanced his infantry as skirmishers and when within a few rods of the intrenchments opened fire. After a short but sharp skirmish the Confederates were routed. The Union force captured 5 scouts.


Dover, Tennessee, February 14-16, 1862. (See Fort Donelson.')


Dover, Virginia, June 22, 1863. Downer's Bridge, Virginia, May 20. 1864. 5th New York Cavalry.


Downsville, Maryland, July 7, 1863.


Doyal's Plantation, Louisiana, August 5. 1864. 11th New York Cavalry. Major S. Pierre Remington, with a detachment of the 11th New York cavalry was surrounded by some 600 or 700 Confederates and called upon to surrender. He refused, formed his men in line of battle, charged and cut his way out. He was obliged to abandon his camp equipage, etc., and some 50 sick men. The enemy also captured 37 of his men and 130 horses. Returning with 100 more men and a gunboat, Remington drove the enemy off before he was able to do much damage to the camp. The Confederate loss was 4 killed and several wounded. An officer and 2 privates of the Federal force were wounded.


Doyal's Plantation, Louisiana, November 29. 1864. 3d Rhode Island Cavalry. Lieutenant William E. Tefft with 13 men and a surgeon of the 3d Rhode Island cavalry, while in pursuit of a band of guerrillas pillaging near New river, was surrounded and attacked by 20 Confederates, and after the surgeon and another man were wounded, compelled to surrender. The enemy lost 1 killed and 2 wounded. Dragon, U. S. S., February 21, 1863. (See Ware's Point. Virginia)


Drake's Creek, Tennessee, August 20, 1862. (See Louisville & Nashville R. R.)


Dranesville, Virginia, November 26, 1861. 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry. The 1st Pennsylvania cavalry, Colonel George D. Bayard commanding, reached Dranesville from Camp Pierpont at 5 a. m. and 2 Confederate cavalrymen, acting as pickets, were captured. Upon the return march the head of the column was fired into bv a band of the enemy hidden in the woods and 2 members of the Federal party were wounded. The strip of timber was at once surrounded, and 2 of the enemy were killed and 4 captured.


Dranesville, Virginia. December 20, 1861. Ord's Brigade, Battery A, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery, and 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry. While an expedition under Brigadier-General E. O. C. Ord was moving in the vicinity of Dranesville in search of forage, it was attacked by four regiments of Confederate infantry and a battery. The attack occurred on the Leesburg pike, just outside of the town of Dranesville, where the Federal column had halted to rest. Using the village as his right, Ord deployed his forces and placed his battery so as to sweep the road. About 3:30 p. m., after the battle had been in progress some 3 hours, Ord ordered an advance and at the point of the bayonet the Confederates were driven from their position. Pursuit was given for some 4 or 5 miles and a battery captured. The Federal loss in the engagement was 7 killed and 61 wounded. The Confederate casualties were heavier, 43 killed, 143 wounded and 8 missing. Page 364 The greater part of the enemy's loss came in the first charge on the Federal position. Reynolds' brigade had been ordered to Ord's aid, but before it arrived the enemy had fallen back. Brigadier-General J. E. B. Stuart commanded the enemy's forces.


Dranesville, Virginia, February 6-13, 1863. Dranesville, Virginia, February 22, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Massachusetts and 16th New York Cavalry. This engagement was the ambuscade of 150 men under Captain J. S. Reed by 200 of Mosby's men. The Federal command was about 2 miles from Dranesville on the Leesburg pike when attacked by the Confederates. The Union troops put up a stiff resistance, but were finally obliged to retreat toward the Potomac, losing 10 killed, among them Reed, 7 wounded, and about 65 or 70 captured. Mosby lost 1 man killed and 4 wounded.


Dranesville, Virginia, March 18, 1865. Detachment, 13th New York Cavalry. Learning that a party of Confederates had crossed the front of the Union line, Colonel Henry S. Gansevoort with 30 cavalrymen started after them. He overtook the enemy between Dranesville and the Potomac river and a skirmish ensued, the result of which was the routing of the Confederate force after several were wounded and 1 captured. Only 1 member of the Union command was wounded.


Dresden, Tennessee, May 5, 1862. (See Lockridge's Mills.)


Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, May 15, 1862. U. S. S. Galena, Port Royal, Naugatuck, Monitor, and Aristook.  Drewry's Bluff is on the south side of the James river, about 8 miles below Richmond. When the Union vessels reached this point they encountered obstructions in the river that prevented their further progress. The batteries at Fort Darling began shelling the fleet with heavy ordnance, but the fire was returned with spirit and the engagement lasted for about 4 hours, when the gunboats having almost expended their ammunition fell back down the river. The Union loss was 12 killed and 13 wounded. The Galena received 18 shots through her sides and deck, and was the only one of the vessels injured.


Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, May 12-16, 1864. Army of the James. Simultaneously with the movement of the Army of the Potomac from the Rapidan river on the north, the Army of the James, commanded by Major-General B. F. Butler, moved up the James river to invest Richmond on the south. On May 6 Butler landed his forces on the peninsula known as Bermuda Hundred and immediately began intrenching a line across the isthmus from the James river to the Appomattox. (For the organization of Butler's army see Petersburg.) On the right bank of the James, about 5 miles above Bermuda Hundred, the Confederates had a fortified work called Fort Darling. From this fort a line of intrenchments extended southwest to the Proctor's creek bridge on the Richmond & Petersburg railroad. Back of this was a second line, which enclosed both the railroad and the turnpike. At the time Butler landed on Bermuda Hundred the trenches on the south side of the James were held by a meager force (estimated by General Humphreys at not exceeding 6,000) under General Beauregard, but reinforcements were constantly arriving. Humphreys thinks that: "General Butler's true policy upon landing at the mouth of the Appomattox would have been to disregard Richmond for a time and turn his attention to attacking Beauregard's forces in detail as they arrived from the south, first taking Petersburg, which was then nearly defenceless." Instead of adopting this course, however, he contented himself with intrenching his position and with sending Kautz's cavalry on a raid against the Weldon railroad. When he did begin his movement on Drewry's bluff, Beauregard had about 30,000 men to oppose him. Page 365 Shortly after daylight on the 12th Kautz began his second raid on the railroads, and at the same time Smith, with the 18th corps and Turner's division of the 10th, moved along the pike toward Richmond to cover Kautz's movement and develop the enemy's strength at Drewry's bluff. Weitzel's division soon began skirmishing with the enemy and gradually pressed him back across Red House creek, where the Confederates opened fire with 2 pieces of artillery stationed on the pike. The guns were quickly dislodged, after which Weitzel formed his command in line of battle across the pike on the north side of the creek, six regiments of Brooks' division were deployed on the left, Turner's division was brought up on the right, and the whole line advanced. Brooks had to force his way through a marsh and a dense thicket, but Weitzel and Turner, having more open country in their front, drove the enemy back across Proctor's creek. Late in the day General Gillmore, with part of the 10th corps and a battery, came up and took position on the left. On the morning of the 13th Gillmore advanced against the right of the enemy's intrenchments on Proctor's creek. The extreme right the Confederate line rested on Wooldridge hill, about half a mile west of the railroad. General Terry attempted to storm the hill, but his attack was repulsed. Soon after this the enemy evacuated his position on the hill and passed down the line of intrenchments toward Fort Darling, closely pressed by Gillmore's men, and early the next morning the pressure was renewed until over 2 miles of the advanced line of works were in the hands of the Federals. Gillmore then formed a junction with Turner's division, which had been moved to the left of the 18th corps, and during the 14th the Confederates were driven back to the second line of works at all points. The 15th was spent in making reconnaissances and skirmishing. About the only movement of consequence on this day was made on Smith's right, when Heckman's brigade was thrown back to cover a road leading to Bermuda Hundred. This weakened the line of battle and three regiments of Ames' division, posted at the Half-way house on the pike near Proctor's creek, were obliged to act as a reserve. Beauregard learned on the 15th that Ransom's division would join him that evening, and he therefore decided to assume the offensive. Accordingly he issued his instructions for an assault at daybreak on the 16th, his object being to cut off the Union army from its base of operations and either capture or destroy it. Ransom was to attack the Federal right; Hoke, who was on the right of Ransom, was to engage the forces in his front to prevent Smith from reinforcing against Ransom, and if the Union line showed signs of giving way he was to "push on the whole of his command and clear his entire front with rapidity and vigor." During the night both divisions were formed in two lines outside the works, supported by artillery, and Colquitt's division, except two regiments, was posted in reserve. The two remaining regiments were to join with Whiting's command and move from Petersburg to strike the left and rear of the Union line. During the 15th Weitzel constructed a rude breastwork of logs along his entire front. At Smith's suggestion telegraph wire was taken from the line along the pike and stretched in front of Brooks' and Weitzel's divisions, the wire being wound tightly around the stumps. About 5 a. m. on the 16th Ransom advanced in a dense fog, drove in the skirmishers in front of Heckman's brigade, and though Heckman made a stubborn resistance he was overpowered after an hour's hard fighting, his works were carried by the enemy's superior force and he, several hundred of his men and 5 stands of colors, were Page 366 captured. By this time the fog had lifted to some extent and Hoke began his attack on Gillmore. Terry repulsed three determined assaults, when it was learned that Heckman had been defeated and the whole line was moving to the right. At this moment Gillmore received the following message from Butler: "Move by your right flank so as to join on to General Smith's left, as the enemy are fighting us at Ware Bottom church." Just before this Gillmore had been ordered to assault, but had not done so because Terry was too seriously engaged on the defensive. He now determined to attack the flank of the enemy's column that was forcing back Smith's right. Orders to that effect were sent to Terry and Turner and they were moving to execute the order when Gillmore received notice that Smith and Weitzel were both falling back. Gillmore then formed a new line covering the road leading to his rear and held this position until ordered to move to the pike in order to cover Smith's left. In the meantime Weitzel had been actively engaged in repelling the assaults on his breastworks. Here the telegraph wire evidently proved a formidable barrier, as in his report Weitzel says: "The four regiments of Heckman's brigade were crushed by the attack, but there was no surprise on account of the fog as the whole line was in line of battle and prepared for the shock. * * * The other seven regiments of my line did not move until (after they had thrice repulsed the enemy with terrible slaughter, he being piled in heaps over the telegraph wire) they were ordered to fall back.-' Ransom suffered heavy loss in his attack on Heckman, his troops became scattered in the fog, and at 6:30 he called for reinforcements. Colquitt was sent to his assistance, reaching the field about the time Weitzel repulsed Hoke's first assault, in which part of Hagood's brigade advanced too far and was ordered back by Hoke. This movement led Ransom to believe that Hoke's left was in danger and he sent Lewis' brigade to strengthen that flank. This was not in conformity with Beauregard's plan of battle and resulted in some confusion. Ransom then reestablished his line in front of the works he had captured from Heckman and was directed to halt there for further orders. Between 9 and 10 o'clock Beauregard sent orders to Whiting to press forward, but that officer had been checked by Ames at Walthall Junction and had fallen back to Swift creek. Toward noon Butler gave orders for the whole army to retire to the intrenchments, and on the morning of the 17th the Confederates moved up to a position close to the Federal lines and intrenched, thus "bottling up" Butler on Bermuda Hundred, where the Army of the James remained inactive until Grant crossed the James. Beauregard reported his casualties on the 16th as being 364 killed, 1,610 wounded and 220 missing. The Union reports are incomplete, but Badeau gives the loss at Drewry's bluff as 390 killed, 1,721 wounded and 1,300 captured or missing. The Federals lost 5 pieces of artillery and 5 stands of colors, which were captured by Hagood's brigade in one of the assaults near the turnpike. Dripping Spring, Missouri, August 15, 1864. Detachment of the 17th Illinois Cavalry. At 11 p. m. of the 14th the sentinels of a detachment of the 17th Illinois cavalry were attacked by a party of Confederates and 2 were severely wounded. Early next morning the attack was renewed, and although the affair continued for several hours, there were no casualties in the Union force.


Dripping Springs, Arkansas, December 28, 1862. (See Van Buren, same date.)


Droop Mountain, West Virginia, November 6, 1863. Averell's Expedition. On the 1st, Brigadier-General W. W. Averell left Beverly for Lewisburg, where he expected to form a junction with General Duffle's forces from Charleston, Page 367  His command consisted of the 10th West Virginia and 28th Ohio infantry; the 2nd, 3d and 8th West Virginia mounted infantry; the 14th Pennsylvania cavalry; Gibson's battalion and Batteries B and G, 1st West Virginia light artillery. The main road to Lewisburg ran over Droop mountain and when this point was reached on the morning of the 6th a large Confederate force, estimated at 4,000 men, with 7 pieces of artillery, under command of Generals Echols and Jenkins, was found posted to resist Averell's further progress. Three companies were thrown forward as skirmishers and in a short time the enemy's position was defined. Deeming a direct attack as too hazardous. Averell sent Colonel Augustus Moor with the infantry and one company of cavalry to attack the left and rear. To cover this movement the 14th Pennsylvania and Keeper's battery made a successful demonstration against the Confederate right. Moor made a detour of 9 miles over the mountain and through the woods and did not gain his position until nearly 2 p. m. Concerning his attack he says in his report: "Prevented by trees and thick undergrowth from seeing more than 25 or 30 yards ahead, they allowed my line to approach within that distance. Now rising and yelling like Indians, they poured a tremendous fire into the 28th, advancing rapidly at the same time. This was the critical moment of the day. I ordered the 28th regiment to lie down and lire by file. The sudden disappearance of the regiment and the increasing fire through the underbrush had an almost stunning effect upon the enemy. They hesitated. Colonel Harris, who had great difficulty to extricate his 10th West Virginia regiment through cavalry horses and other obstacles, now came up, just in the nick of time. * * * Detailing one company of each regiment to march in the rear as a small reserve and to guard the flanks, I ordered the charge, and with cheers completely drowning the hideous yells of the enemy, my infantry pressed forward continuously until my left reached the cleared hill, where the rebel artillery was." In the meantime Averell had dismounted the three West Virginia regiments and held them in readiness to advance as soon as Moor began his attack. By keeping up a constant skirmish fire they moved obliquely up the mountain, and as soon as Moor's firing was heard in sufficient volume to indicate that the real attack had commenced, the three regiments rushed forward, the right of their line connecting with Moor's left just as it reached the Confederate guns as mentioned in his report. In vain the Confederate officers tried to rally the men, and in a few minutes the disorderly mass of men, horses, caissons and cannon melted away down the pike or scattered through the woods. Gibson's battalion and Ewing's battery were sent in pursuit, while many of the infantry, without waiting for orders from their officers, joined in the chase. The enemy's loss was about 250 in killed and wounded. A stand of colors and 1 cannon were captured, and 2 other pieces of artillery were secreted by the wayside and abandoned. The Union loss was 30 killed, 88 wounded and 1 missing.


Drumgould's Bluff, Mississippi, April 30-May 1, 1863. (See Snyder's Mill, same dates.)


Dry Creek, Dakota Territory, June 3, 1865. Detachments of 11th Kansas and 11th Ohio Cavalry. While pursuing a band of marauding Indians. Colonel P. B. Plumb, with 40 men, came within shooting distance of their rear-guard at Dry creek. Eight men, whose horses were in better condition than those of the other troopers, had the advance and had just charged into a ravine when fire was opened upon them by 30 Indians and 2 of the men were killed. On the arrival of the rest of the command the Indians fled. One Indian was known to be killed and 5 or 6 were wounded.


Dry Fork, Missouri, July 5, 1861. (See Carthage.)


Dry Fork, Cheat River, West Virginia, January 8, 1862. One Company of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry.


Dry Ridge, Kentucky, October 9, 1862. (See Dog Walk, same date.)


Dry Run, Virginia, October 23, 1864. Detachments of 1st and 2nd Brigades, 2nd Division Cavalry, Army of West Virginia. Three hundred men under Major Thomas Gibson of the 14th Pennsylvania cavalry, while on a reconnaissance, were fired into after dark by a Confederate vedette at Dry run. Lights from the fires of a camp were discerned to the left, and Gibson, moving toward them encountered three or four barricades, around which he was obliged to make detours in order to get to the camp. The whole camp was aroused and in line of battle by the time the Federal command approached, but a brilliant charge by Gibson drove the enemy back across the creek, whence a heavy fire from another party checked his advance. He then ordered another charge on the force across the creek, but it proved unavailing because of the darkness and the roughness of the ground. Heavy skirmishing was continued until 2 a. m., when Gibson withdrew. No casualties were reported.


Dry Valley, Georgia, September 21, 1863. (See Rossville.)


Dry Wood, Missouri, September 2, 1861. Lane's Kansas Brigade. Brigadier-General J. H. Lane on learning of the approach of Major-General Sterling Price's advance on Fort Scott deployed his forces in a strip of timber bordering on Dry Wood creek. When the Confederates came up they were immediately engaged and a fight lasting 2 hours ensued. The superior numbers of the enemy compelled Lane to withdraw his forces to Fort Scott, leaving only his cavalry to annoy and check Price's advance. The Confederate loss in this action was 4 killed and 16 wounded; the casualties of the Union command are not mentioned in the reports, but Price states that his men buried 3 Federal dead.


Dry Wood, Missouri, November 9, 1862.


Dry Wood, Missouri, July 7, 1863. Detachment of 3d Wisconsin Cavalry. Three companies of the 3d Wisconsin under Captain Alexander M. Pratt attacked a guerrilla camp near Dry Wood, at the junction of the Marmiton and Osage rivers, at 10 a. m. The engagement lasted an hour and a half, the enemy finally being obliged to flee. Pratt divided his command into three columns and pursued until dark. The guerrillas lost 5 killed and 3 severely wounded, and 1 man of the attacking party was killed.


Dry Wood, Missouri, May 16, 1864. U. S. Troops of the Department of Kansas. Three members of the 3d Wisconsin cavalry surprised a party of guerrillas plundering the house of a Mr. Ury, and after a spirited attack succeeded in releasing the prisoners the bushwhackers had taken and dispersing the band. Colonel Charles W. Blair, commanding the brigade, immediately sent out 200 men in search of the outlaws, and after a chase of 50 miles they killed 5 and wounded several more. One Union man was wounded in the skirmish at the Ury house.


Duck Branch, South Carolina, February 2, 1865. (See Loper's Cross-Roads.)


Duck Creek, South Carolina, February 3, 1865. 2nd and 3d Divisions, 15th Army Corps. The 2nd division, commanded by Maj .-General W. B. Hazen, arrived at Duck creek, where a force of Confederates was found drawn up to dispute the passage of the stream. General Oliver, commanding the advance brigade, threw forward a strong skirmish line, with 1 gun of De Gress' battery, and sent a detachment of the 48th Illinois infantry to turn the enemy's flank. The movement was successful, the enemy being driven from his camp and pursued 3 miles to Dillingham's cross-roads. Oliver reported a loss of 1 killed and 1 wounded. About the same time the 3d division, Bvt. Major-General J. E. Smith, which had left camp at Anderson's cross-roads at 7 a. m., had a sharp skirmish with a small force of the enemy for possession of a mill on the banks of Duck creek. The mill, together with a quantity of corn meal, was finally captured without casualty. Duckett's Plantation, Alabama, November 19, 1864. U. S. Troops under Colonel Page 369 J. W. Hall. As an incident of the campaign in north Alabama and middle Tennessee, Colonel Hall came up with the Confederate force under Russell at Duckett's plantation, near Paint Rock river. The enemy made a stubborn resistance but fled before the Federals came within short range, abandoning his camp, forage, several horses, bridles, saddles, etc. No casualties were reported.


Duck River, Tennessee, April 22, 1864.


Duck River, Tennessee, November 28, 1864. (See Columbia, same date.) Duck River, Tennessee, December 22, 1864. 51st Indiana. At 7 a. m. the skirmishers of the 4th army corps opened fire on the Confederate pickets across Duck river. After considerable firing the 51st Indiana infantry crossed the river in pontoon boats and captured the pickets. One Federal soldier was killed and 7 or 8 were wounded while crossing. The affair was an incident of the campaign in north Alabama and middle Tennessee.


Duck River Island, Tennessee, April 26, 1863. (See Little Rock Landing, same date.)


Ducktown Road, Georgia, April 3, 1864. Duffield's Station, West Virginia, June 29, 1864. (See Charlestown.)


Duffield's Station, West Virginia, August 27, and October 1, 1864. Dug Ford, Missouri, October 12, 1863. 1st and 7th Missouri Militia Cavalry. In the pursuit of Shelby during the Confederate raid in Arkansas and Missouri, the advance of a Federal force, comprising the better part of the 1st Missouri state militia cavalry and a detachment of the 7th Missouri state militia cavalry, came up with the Confederate rear-guard a few miles out of Boonville. A running fight was kept up for several miles, the enemy showing no disposition to make a stand until he arrived at Dug ford, near Jonesboro. There a guard of between 200 and 300 men were posted, but a charge of one company was all that was necessary to disperse them. Two members of the attacking force were killed and 5 wounded.


Dug Gap, Georgia, September 11, 1863. (See Davis' Cross-Roads.)


Dug Gap, Georgia, May 8, 1864. (See Rocky Face Ridge.)


Dug Springs, Missouri, July 25, 1861.


Dug Springs, Missouri, August 2, 1861. U. S. Troops under Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon. Learning that the Confederates were advancing on Springfield General Lyon started out to meet them. In the morning the enemy's rear-guard was dispersed, but hovered on the Federal front all day. When Lyon stopped at Dug springs the Confederate cavalry became emboldened and attacked the Union advance. The attack was repulsed, and the Federal cavalry charged with good results, but lost 4 men killed and 5 wounded. Later in the evening the Confederate cavalry again advanced, but a few shells from Totten's battery drove it back.


Duguidsville, Virginia, March 8, 1865. (See Petersburg, Sheridan's Expedition to.)


Dukedom, Kentucky, February 28, 1864. 7th Tennessee Cavalry. Brigadier-General H. T. Reid, commanding the U. S. forces at Cairo, telegraphed under date of March 1: "Colonel (Isaac R.) Hawkins telegraphs me that, hearing of a guerrilla party on the Paducah railroad, he sent out a detachment on Saturday (27th) last, which, just before daylight Sunday morning, found a squad of rebels at Dukedom and dispersed them, capturing 1 prisoner, 4 horses, 4 loaded revolvers, 1 carbine, and the hats of perhaps the entire party."


Dumfries, Virginia, December 2, 1862. Detachment of 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Lieutenant Jacob H. Hoffman with a picket outpost of 14 men was surprised about 6 p. m. by a party of drunken Confederate cavalry. Six of the men and Hoffman were captured, besides 16 horses, 15 sabres, 14 pistols and 13 carbines.


Dumfries, Virginia, December 12, 1862. Brigadier-General Wade Hampton with 520 Confederate cavalry surprised and captured the garrison at Dumfries after a slight resistance. Only a few shots were fired before the Federals learned that they were surrounded, and they laid down their arms. The reports of the affair do not tell who the Union participants were.


Dumfries, Virginia, December 27, 1862. Detachment of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps. About 1 p. m. a report was brought to Colonel Charles Candy, commanding the post at Dumfries, that a Confederate cavalry force had attacked a Federal patrol 3 miles from Dumfries on the Telegraph road. A party of the 1st Maryland cavalry was sent out to ascertain the enemy's strength. Half an hour later the infantry pickets on the same road were driven in and some of them captured. At the same time the Confederates opened on the town with shell. A section of the 6th Maine battery was placed in position and replied shot for shot, while the 7th Ohio was deployed as skirmishers. At 3 p. m. the enemy brought a portion of his force against the Union right, but finding it was unable to do anything mounted, it was dismounted and again advanced, but was repulsed by the 66th Ohio infantry and the 12th Illinois cavalry, dismounted. The Confederates withdrew at dark. No casualties were reported.


Dumfries, Virginia, March 15, 1863. Detachment of 8th Illinois Cavalry. A patrol consisting of a corporal and 6 men was captured at night between Dumfries and Occoquan. The capture occurred about 3 miles from Dumfries.


Dumfries, Virginia, March 29, 1863. Detachment of 8th New York Cavalry. A patrol of a lieutenant and 17 men of the 8th New York cavalry were attacked by a party of 100 Confederate horsemen on the Telegraph road, just outside of Dumfries. Nine of the Union party escaped and the rest were supposed to have been captured. Dumfries, Virginia, May 17, 1863. Detachment of 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry. A party of Confederates attacked a Union force near Dumfries, killing 2, wounding 3 and capturing 3. The Confederate loss was not known, but was supposed to be somewhat heavier. The reports of the affair are very meager. Dunbar's Plantation, Louisiana, April 7, 1863. Portion of 9th Division, 13th Army Corps. For several days the enemy had been threatening the flank of the cavalry force stationed at Dunbar's plantation. On the morning of the 7th the howitzers of the 6th Missouri cavalry were brought to Dunbar's and shelled the enemy effectually for a time. No casualties were reported. Dunbar's Plantation, Louisiana, April 15, 1863. Portion of 9th Division, 13th Army Corps. At 4 a. m. a Confederate regiment waded Mill bayou, a few miles west of Dunbar's, and attacked the outpost stationed at the plantation. These had to fall back on their reserves and it was necessary to send further reinforcements, which successfully repulsed the enemy beyond the same bayou. The Federals had 1 man killed and 1 wounded; the Confederates had a man captured, but aside from that their loss was not ascertained.


Duncansville, South Carolina, February 5, 1865. 15th Army Corps. In the campaign of the Carolinas the corps, commanded by Major-General John A. Logan, reached Duncansville to find the bridge over the Little Salkehatchie river destroyed and the enemy stationed in some force to dispute the further progress of the Federals. The Confederates were soon dislodged, after which the bridge was rebuilt and the command proceeded on its march. In the skirmish the casualties on each side were comparatively light.


Dunksburg, Missouri, December 4, 1864 . This was a brush between the citizens and a band of guerrillas. No account of the affair is to be found in the official records of the war, and no Federal troops were engaged.


Dunksburg, Missouri, June 27-28, 1864. Detachment of 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. A band of guerrillas (lashed into Dunksburg on the 27th and killed 2 Union citizens. A detail from the 7th Missouri was immediately sent out in pursuit and came upon the enemy about 3 p. m. the following day. After a sharp fight the Confederates were routed. The Federals lost 1 man killed on the 28th.


Dunn's Bayou, Louisiana, May 5, 1864. The action at Dunn's bayou on this date was an incident of the Red River Campaign. The steamers City Belle and Emma and the transport John Warner were destroyed by the Confederates. The 56th Ohio infantry was on board the Warner. The armed steamer Covington and the gunboat Signal participated in the operations, for full account of which see naval volume. Dunn's Lake, Florida, February 5, 1865. Detachment of the 17th Connecticut Infantry.


Durham Station, North Carolina, April 26, 1865. Surrender of the Confederate forces under General J. E. Johnston. While the main body of General Sherman's army was in the vicinity of Smithfield, on April 11, 1865, the news of Lee's surrender was received. Concerning this Sherman says in his report: "We there heard of the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House. Virginia, which was announced to the armies in orders, and created universal joy. Not an officer or soldier of my armies but expressed a pride and satisfaction that it fell to the lot of the Armies of the Potomac and James so gloriously to overwhelm and capture the entire army that had held them so long in check, and their success gave new impulse to finish up our task. Without a moment's hesitation we dropped our trains and marched rapidly in pursuit to and through Raleigh, reaching that place at 7:30 a. m. of the 13th, in a heavy rain." The next day the cavalry moved to Durham Station, the 15th corps to Morrisville, and the 17th to Jones' station. Acting on the assumption that Johnston would continue to follow the line of railroad, Sherman moved the other columns toward Ashboro to cut off the retreat. Besides the encouragement given by the news of Lee's surrender, Sherman's forces had been rested, reclothed and recruited at Goldsboro, and a sufficient supply of forage and the munitions of war had been collected to prosecute vigorously the pursuit of the Confederate army. Johnston's men enjoyed none of these advantages, Broken and dispirited by the downfall of the Confederate army in Virginia, they no longer moved with that dash and confidence that had characterized them in the earlier years of the war. Realizing that it was only a question of time when the Confederacy must fall, and finding himself practically hemmed in by a superior force, Johnston wrote to Sherman, under date of April 14, asking for a temporary suspension of active operations, with a view of taking steps to end the war. Up to this time there had been almost continuous skirmishing around Morrisville, and at other points, but Sherman now ordered a cessation of hostilities until after he and Johnston had concluded their negotiations or failed to come to an agreement. At noon on the 17th the two commanders met at a point between the lines to discuss the terms of surrender. Of this meeting Sherman says: "Our interview was frank and soldier-like, and he gave me to understand that further war on the part of the Confederate troops was folly, that the cause was lost, and that every life sacrificed after the surrender of Lee's army was the 'highest possible crime.'" Nothing definite was accomplished at the first meting, and the two generals separated to meet again the next day. In the meantime Sherman consulted his general officers, all of whom urged the Page 372 conclusion of terms that would bring the war to an end. On the 18th a memorandum or basis of agreement was made between Sherman and Johnston and a copy forwarded at once to Washington, where it was disapproved by the war department. The secretary of war then ordered General Grant to "proceed immediately to the headquarters of General Sherman and direct operations against the enemy." Pursuant to these instructions Grant hurried to Raleigh, but did not assume command, permitting Sherman to finish the work he had commenced. Sherman had already notified Johnston that the agreement between them had been disapproved, and announced that the truce would end in forty-eight hours, in accordance with the terms of their temporary protocol Grant urged Sherman to meet Johnston again, as the latter had requested, and make another effort to end the war without again resorting to force of arms. At that meeting the Confederate commander agreed to and signed the following agreement: "Terms of a Military Convention entered into this twenty-sixth day af April, 1865, at Bennett's House, near Durham Station, North Carolina, between General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate Army, and Major-General W. T. Sherman, commanding the United States Army in North Carolina. "All acts of war on the part of the troops under General Johnston's command to cease from this date. All arms and public property to be deposited at Greensboro, and delivered to an ordnance officer of the United States Army. Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be retained by the commander of the troops, and the other to be given to an officer to be designated by General Sherman. Each officer and man to give his individual obligation in writing not to take up arms against the Government of the United States until released from this obligation. The side-arms of officers and their private horses and baggage to be retained by them. This being done, all the officers and men will be permitted to return to their homes not to be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as they observe their obligation and the laws in force where they may reside." This agreement was signed by Sherman and Johnston and approved by General Grant, and the next day Sherman issued his "Special Field Orders No. 65," declaring the war ended in the territory east of the Chattahoochee river.


Dutch Gap, Virginia, August 5, 1863. U. S. Gunboats Commodore Barney and Cohasset. (See Naval Volume.)


Dutch Gap, Virginia, September 7, 1864. 4th U. S. Colored Troops.


Dutch Hollow, Missouri, October 13, 1861. (See Wet Glaize, same date.)


Dutch Mills, Arkansas, April 14, 1864. (See Camden, Ark., Expedition to.)


Dutton's Hill, Kentucky, March 30, 1863. 1st Kentucky and 7th Ohio Cavalry, 45th Ohio and Detachment of 44th Ohio Mounted Infantry. While in pursuit of Pegram in his expedition into Kentucky, Brigadier- General Q. A. Gillmore developed a Confederate force strongly posted on Dutton's hill, 3 miles north of Somerset. A section of Rodman rifled guns and 4 mountain howitzers were placed in the center, the rest of the force being deployed on the right and left. The fight opened with artillery firing at 12:30 p. m., a column of mounted Confederates at the same time moving out to attack the Union right. The 45th and a portion of the 7th Ohio then stormed the hill, carried the enemy's position there, and as soon as this height was taken the detachment of the 7th Ohio swept around and attacked in the rear the mounted force which was pressing the Union right. The result was a complete route, the enemy fleeing in confusion down two Page 373 roads towards the fords of the Cumberland river. The Federal loss did not exceed 30 in killed, wounded and missing. The Confederate loss was heavier, especially in prisoners. Duvall's Ford, Tennessee, September 30, 1864. Detachment of 16th Kentucky Cavalry. A battalion under Major George F. Barnes found Confederate pickets strongly posted at Duvall's ford on the Watauga river and skirmished with them until ordered to fall back to Carter's station. As the command was moving off it was attacked in front and rear. Barnes cut his way through the force in his rear and formed his men in line of battle in an open field, whence he charged upon the enemy and drove them back to the scene of the first attack. There the Confederates were too strong for him and he retired his command in good order. The losses in the action were 1 wounded and 12 missing.


Dyersburg, Tennessee, January 30, 1863. Detachment of the 11th Illinois Cavalry and 3d Michigan Cavalry. A force of Confederates, strongly posted at the west end of the bridge over the Forked Deer river, skirmished all day with a detachment of the 3d Michigan to keep it from crossing the bridge. About midnight a reinforcement, consisting of l00 men of the 11th Illinois under Captain Moffit. arrived and charged the enemy's position. The Confederates were completely routed, losing 2 killed, 4 wounded and 17 captured. Moffitt was wounded in the thigh while leading the charge and a lieutenant of the 3d Michigan was wounded earlier in the day. These were the only casualties on the Union side.