Campaigns and Battles - F

F:  Fairfax, Virginia, to Funkstown, Maryland

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


Fairfax, Virginia, July 13, 1862. 1st Maryland Cavalry. Fairfax Court-House, Virginia, June 1, 1861. Company B, 2nd U. S. Cavalry. A detachment of this company, consisting of 50 men under Lieutenant Charles H. Tompkins, started out on the evening of May 31 to reconnoiter the country in the vicinity of Fairfax Court House. As Tompkins neared the town between 2 and 3 a. m. of the 1st, the Confederate advanced picket was surprised and captured, but the news of the attack had reached the main body and the Union force was fired on by a company of mounted rifles, which were charged and driven from the town. Two regiments now came to the aid of the Confederates and Tompkins retreated in good order, taking with him 5 prisoners and 2 horses. The Union loss was 2 wounded, while the Confederates lost 1 killed and as many wounded. Tompkins was reprimanded for going farther than his orders directed, thereby frustrating a larger movement.


Fairfax Court House, Virginia, November 18, 1861. 84th New York Infantry. The pickets of this regiment on the Falls Church road were attacked by some of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry and driven back some distance into the woods, where they were reinforced and the attack repulsed. The Confederates scattered in different directions, taking a vehicle from a farm house to carry away their dead and wounded. The Federal casualties were 2 killed, 1 wounded and 10 missing. Lee reported his loss as 1 killed and 2 slightly wounded, but Colonel Fowler, commanding the New York regiment, says that 3 dead men (1 an officer) were carried away in the cart, and several wounded men were seen borne to the rear by their comrades.


Fairfax Court House, Virginia, November 27, 1861. Detachment of 1st New York Cavalry. Captains Boyd and Bennett, with their two companies, made a reconnaissance toward Fairfax. When within about three-quarters of a mile from the town the advance was suddenly fired on from a line of rifle-pits running diagonally across the pike. The main body of the detachment, under Captain Bennett, was concealed from view, while Boyd advanced with a small party, hoping to draw the enemy out of his trenches. The scheme failed, but there was some sharp firing, in which a few of the Confederate cavalry were seen to fall from their horses, and were supposed to be either killed or wounded. Boyd reported no casualties. As the detachment fell back toward camp the enemy followed, but kept at a safe distance, and soon gave up the pursuit entirely. Boyd and his men were congratulated by General McClellan for their coolness and bravery.


Fairfax Court House, Virginia, September 2, 1862. 9th New York Cavalry. While the regiment was engaged in covering the rear of General Sigel’s corps the advanced skirmishers were attacked by a superior force of the enemy, and in the fight that ensued 2 Union men were killed and 1 was wounded. The Confederate casualties were not learned.


Fairfax Court House, Virginia, January 26-27, 1863. 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Colonel Percy Wyndham, commanding the regiment, reported on the 27th as follows: "Last night my pickets were driven in by some of Stuart's cavalry, wounding 1 and capturing 9. I then started with some 200 men in pursuit. Some 27 miles beyond my pickets, at Middleburg. I came up with them, and after a short skirmish, captured 24 of them. I have just returned."


Fairfax Court House, Virginia, March 9. 1863. Detachment 2nd Brigade, Casey's Division. Early in the morning of March 9. Confederate Captain John S. Mosby with 29 men, captured the main outposts and pickets about Fairfax Court House and entered the town about 2 o'clock. The headquarters of Colonel Percy Wyndham, Lieut-Colonel Johnstone and Brigadier-General E. H. Stoughton were surrounded and Page 383 Stoughton was captured. Johnstone managed to escape and Wyndham was in Washington. After taking 33 prisoners, including Stoughton and 2 captains, and ransacking the barns where 58 horses were taken, the troop left about 4 o'clock. A quantity of arms and ammunition was also taken. Johnstone set off in pursuit, but failed to come up with Mosby. The Confederates sustained no loss. The affair occurred 10 miles within the Union lines.


Fairfax Station, Virginia, July 17, 1861. Two Brigades of McDowell's Army. As McDowell was advancing toward Manassas Junction Willcox's brigade of Heintzelman's division and Davis' brigade of Miles' division moved upon Fairfax Court House by different roads. On the old Braddock road, south of the turnpike, Davis found the way badly obstructed by fallen trees and some distance from Fairfax Station the enemy's advance pickets were encountered behind a barricade across the road. Davis ordered a charge and the barricade was carried, a running fight then being kept up to within a mile of the court-house. The Union loss was 3 men wounded. Several of the enemy were seen to fall, but the exact casualties were not ascertained. Willcox reached Fairfax Station in the afternoon and drove out some 2,000 Confederates, who retreated precipitately without firing a shot. His brigade suffered no casualties and captured 11 prisoners. Large quantities of stores, a number of stands of arms and a flag were also captured.


Fairfax Station, Virginia, June 27, 1863. 11th New York Cavalry. Major-General J. E. B. Stuart (Confederate) reports that on this date an advance regiment of General Hampton's brigade arriving at Fairfax Station had a spirited encounter with "and chase after a detachment of Federal cavalry denominated Scott's Nine Hundred" (11th New York cavalry), "killing, wounding and capturing the greater portion, among them several officers; also horses, arms, and equipments." The Confederate loss was 1 killed. Federal reports make no mention of the encounter.


Fairfax Station, Virginia, August 8, 1864. Detachment of the 13th and 16th New York Cavalry. A party of some 60 men belonging to the two regiments was attacked by a considerable force of Mosby's men about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Captain J. H. Fleming, commanding the Union detachment, and 5 of his men were killed at the first fire, and a majority of the others were either afterward killed or captured.


Fairfax Station, Virginia, September 17, 1864. 13th and 16th New York Cavalry. Fairfield, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863. Detachment 6th U. S. Cavalry. While the battle of Gettysburg was in progress this regiment was ordered to Fairfield to intercept a train of wagons of the enemy, supposed to be in that direction. On arriving at Millerstown the regiment was separated, one squadron commanded by Captain G. C. Cram being sent toward Fairfield, where he charged the enemy's right to offset a charge of Confederate cavalry on the remainder of the regiment at Millerstown. Owing to the superior force of the enemy, the squadron was forced to fall back to Mechanicstown where the other portion of the regiment had been driven. The Union loss in two engagements (Fairfield and Millerstown) was about 300 men and 290 horses.


Fairfield, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1863. 6th Army Corps. On the morning of the 5th this corps, led by the 1st division, Brigadier-General H. G. Wright in command, crossed the valley at Fairfield and occupied the position held by the enemy the day before. The artillery opened fire on a body of Confederates on the right of the division, but the enemy Page 384 failed to reply and moved to the rear in retreat. This was the last firing by either army immediately following the battle of Gettysburg.


Fairfield, Tennessee, June 27, 1863. Portion of the 14th Army Corps. After General Thomas had occupied Manchester in the Middle Tennessee campaign he sent Brannan's and Rousseau's divisions in pursuit of the retreating enemy. The two divisions followed to Fairfield, skirmishing with the Confederate rear-guard all the way. No casualties were reported.


Fair Garden, Tennessee, January 27, 1864. 1st and 2nd Brigades, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. On the morning of the 27th Brigadier-General S. D. Sturgis. in command of the operations about Dandridge, ordered an attack on the Confederate force which had come from the direction of Fair Garden the afternoon before, driving back the Union forces to within 2 miles of Sevierville. The two brigades mentioned, after driving the enemy all day, charged with sabers about 4 o'clock and completely routed him, capturing 100 prisoners and 2 pieces of artillery. The Confederate loss in the charge alone was 50 killed. The Union loss was not reported.


Fairmont, West Virginia, April 29, 1863. Detachments of the 106th New York, 13th Pennsylvania, 6th West Virginia, and West Virginia Militia. As an incident of Confederate General W. E. Jones' raid on the Northwestern railroad in West Virginia, some 275 men of the regiments mentioned were posted at the bridge across the Monongahela river at Fairmont. This force was attacked by about 3,000 Confederates and after a brief fight the entire Union command was captured. A detachment sent from Grafton to reinforce the Fairmont detachment arrived just after the surrender, and after some desultory firing was forced to retire to Grafton. The bridge at Fairmont was wholly destroyed and the track torn up for some distance. The Union losses, besides the prisoners, were 12 killed and a number wounded. The Confederate loss was 3 wounded. The enemy also captured 1 piece of artillery, 300 small-arms and several fresh horses.


Fair Oaks, Virginia, May 31-June 1, 1862. Army of the Potomac. Fair Oaks was a small station on the Richmond & York River railroad, about 6 miles east of Richmond. Three miles farther east was Savage Station, and a mile southeast, on the Williamsburg stage road, about half-way between Richmond and Bottom's bridge over the Chickahominy river, was Seven Pines. North of the railroad and nearly parallel with it ran the New Bridge road, which at Old Tavern was intersected by another highway called the Nine-mile road. From Old Tavern this road ran southeast, crossing the railroad at Fair Oaks and forming a junction with the Williamsburg road at Seven Pines. Three miles from Richmond the Charles City road left the Williamsburg road to the right and ran southeast toward White Oak swamp. After the reconnaissance of General Naglee to Seven Pines (q. v.) on the 24th the 4th corps, under command of Brigadier-General E. D. Keyes, was ordered to fortify a position there. A strong line of rifle-pits, protected in front by an abatis, was constructed a little east of the junction of the Nine-mile and Williamsburg roads. Fronting the Williamsburg road were two houses, exactly alike, called the "Twin Houses, near which a small pentangular redoubt was thrown up and manned by a battery of 6 guns. The 3d corps. Brigadier-General S. P. Heintzelman commanding, was ordered to cross the Chickahominy at Bottom's bridge and take position near White Oak swamp to guard the left and rear of the army. On the 30th the troops on the south side of the Chickahominy were stationed as follows: Casey's division of the 4th corps on the Page 385 right of the Williamsburg road at right angles to it, the center being at Fair Oaks; Couch's division of the same corps at Seven Pines; Kearny's division of the 3d corps along the railroad from Savage Station to the Chickahominy, and Hooker's division of the 3d corps at White Oak Swamp. The corps of Porter, Franklin and Sumner had not yet crossed the Chickahominy. On the morning of May 30 General D. H. Hill (Confederate) sent Garland's brigade out on a reconnaissance on the Williamsburg road and the rifle-pits of the 4th corps at Seven Pines were discovered. About noon on the same day Hill reported to General J. E. Johnston, commanding the Confederate forces about Richmond, that the Federals were in force on the south side of the Chickahominy. Johnston had already learned that McDowell's corps, some 40,000 strong, was on the way to join the Army of the Potomac, and now determined to strike McCLellan before McDowell could come up. In his official report of the engagement of Fair Oaks he gives the following plan of battle, which was explained to his different commanders that afternoon: "General Hill, supported by the division of General Longstreet (who had the direction of operations on the right), was to advance by the Williamsburg road to attack the enemy in front. General Huger, with his division, was to move down the Charles City road in order to attack in flank the troops who might be engaged with Hill and Longstreet, unless he found in his front force enough to occupy his division. General Smith was to march to the junction of the New Bridge road and Nine-mile road, to be in readiness either to fall on Keyes' right flank or to cover Longstreet's left. They were to move at daybreak." The attack was expected by the Federals, as the cars had been heard running nearly all night, indicating a movement of troops to the front, and their suspicions were strengthened by the capture of one of Johnston's aides near the Union lines on the morning of the 31st. The Union generals had therefore exercised increased vigilance to prevent anything like a surprise. Keyes formed his men in two lines of battle, Casey's division moving to the left and taking a position in front of the abatis, Palmer's brigade on the left, Wessells' in the center and Naglee's on the right, with two regiments north of the railroad. Couch's division constituted the second line, which was formed across the Williamsburg road and along the Nine-mile road, Peck's brigade on the left, Deven's in the center and Abercrombie's on the right, two regiments of his brigade and Brady's battery being beyond the railroad at Fair Oaks. Casey's pickets were about 1,000 yards in advance of the first line. Owing to a severe storm on the night of the 30th, with some confusion in moving the troops to their positions the next morning, the Confederates did not begin the attack until 1 p. m. About noon a mounted vedette rode back to Casey's headquarters with the report that the enemy was approaching in force on the Williamsburg road. Casey ordered the 103d Pennsylvania to move forward to the support of the pickets and the regiment was hardly in position when two shells were thrown into the Union lines. The whole division was then ordered under arms and Spratt's battery moved to the front about a quarter of a mile to shell the enemy as soon as the pickets and their supports could be withdrawn. Bates', Regan's and Fitch's batteries were also placed in position, with instructions to open on the enemy as soon as he debouched from the woods. They had not long to wait, for in five minutes the pickets and their supports were forced back by the over-whelming force of the enemy. General Webb says of this part of the action: "The pickets, reinforced by the 103d Pennsylvania, soon broke and, joined by a large number of sick, camp followers and skulkers, Page 386 flowed in a steady stream to the rear, thus giving the impression that Casey's division had broken in a panic, and left the field without making any firm or prolonged resistance." Such, however, was not the case. When the pickets fell back the Confederates advanced and soon the "rebel yell" resounded on all sides. They were met by a steady fire of canister that thinned their ranks, but failed to check their advance. Seeing himself greatly out-numbered, Casey sent back to Keyes for reinforcements. In response to his request the 55th New York, under Lieutenant-Colonel Thourot, was sent forward into the rifle-pits to support the center; the 23d and 61st Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonels Neill and Rippey, were ordered to the right; and General Pack, with two regiments of his brigade—the 93d and 102nd Pennsylvania—was sent to the left. In order to save his artillery Casey ordered a bayonet charge against the center. This charge was made by part of Naglee's brigade and the enemy driven back, giving the batteries an opportunity to withdraw from their exposed positions. On the right Neill and Rippey repulsed one attack, but the Confederates rallied and were reinforced, when they again assaulted and the two regiments were forced back, though they brought 35 prisoners with them. In trying to reinforce them the 7th Massachusetts and 62nd New York, commanded by Couch in person, to avoid being cut off, joined Abercrombie at Fair Oaks and fought with his brigade during the remainder of the day. Peck, on the left, held his position for over two hours, when the heavy force massed against him compelled him to retire, which he did in good order. Hill then began moving troops to the right and left "to take the Yankee works in reverse," and Casey again sent back for reinforcements, but as the second line had already been weakened to support the first, Keyes deemed it inadvisable to send any more troops to the front. Casey then fell back to Couch's line, after having maintained his position for over three hours against a vastly superior force. Here he rallied part of his division, and reinforced by part of Kearny's division, which was just then coming up, tried to recapture his works, but the enemy was too strong and the attempt was abandoned. Up to this time Hill's division had been the only portion of the Confederate forces actively engaged. Johnston, who was with Smith on the left, gave the order at 4 p. m. for that wing to move forward. About the same time Longstreet sent in the brigades of Anderson, Wilcox and Kemper on the Williamsburg road, and those of Colston, and Pryor on the right, and with the addition of these fresh troops a general attack was made all along the line. Although Berry's and Jameson's brigades of Kearny's division arrived on the field in time to reinforce the Union troops before this general assault was commenced, the weight of superior numbers was with the enemy, and after a stubborn resistance of more than an hour the Federals fell back slowly to a narrow strip of woods across the Williamsburg road. Here Heintzelman succeeded in rallying a sufficient force to hold the enemy in check until a new line of battle could be formed in the rear of the wood. In the formation of this third line Keyes noticed that the key to the position was at the left of the wood, where the ground sloped to the rear, and determined to occupy it. Concerning this action he says in his report: "I hastened to the 10th Massachusetts, Colonel Briggs, which regiment I had myself once before moved, now in the rifle-pits on the right of the Williamsburg road, and ordered them to follow me across the field. Colonel Briggs led them on in gallant style, moving quickly across an open space of 700 or 800 yards under a scorching fire, and forming his men with perfect regularity. * * * Had the 10th Massachusetts been two minutes Page 387 later they would have been too late to occupy that fine position, and it would have been impossible to have formed the next and last line of battle of the 31st, which stemmed the tide of defeat and turned it toward victory." In forming the new line it was impossible to pay attention to brigade organizations. Regiments and fragments of regiments were thrown into position at the most convenient points, and none too soon; for scarcely had the line been formed when the Confederates bore down upon it, elated with success and confident of again driving the Union forces from their position. But they never entered the wood. When they came within range they were met by a deadly fire that checked their advance. Another volley caused them to fall back in some disorder, and as it was now after 6 o'clock they did not make another attempt to carry the position. About 2:30 p. m. the sound of firing was heard at McClellan's headquarters on the north side of the Chickahominy, and Sumner was ordered to move his two divisions across the river to the support of Heintzelman and Keyes. The troops were already in marching order, so that no time was lost in getting started. Sedgwick's division moved in advance on the road directly to Fair Oaks, the head of his column coming up just in time to join Couch, as that officer, with four regiments and Brady's battery, was holding in check Smith's entire division. Colonel Sully, with the 1st Minnesota, was the first of Sedgwick's command to reach the field, and without waiting for orders he swung his regiment into line on Couch's right, charged across a field and took position with his right resting on a farm house and his left on the edge of the woods. Gorman quickly followed with the rest of his brigade, moving to Couch's left, where Kirby's battery was planted in a position to command the road. It was immediately charged by the enemy in an attempt to capture the guns, but Gorman threw three regiments on their flank and this was followed by a bayonet charge that drove the Confederates from the field. This closed the battle on the Federal right for the day. Richardson's division arrived just as the enemy were retiring, but too late to take part in the engagement. At 2 o'clock on the morning of June 1 a council of war was held at Sumner's headquarters, at which it .was decided to attack the enemy as soon as the different commands could be properly disposed. Richardson's division was posted along the railroad east of Fair Oaks, French's brigade in the first line, Howard's in the second and Meagher's in the third. On the left of Richardson was Birney's brigade of Kearny's division, Berry's and Jameson's brigades being at the cross-roads east of Seven Pines, where the Union forces made their last stand in the first day's battle. Here were also the rest of Keyes' corps and Hooker's division of Heintzelman's, which had come up from White Oak swamp about dark on the 31st. General Johnston was severely wounded by a shell near the close of the first day's fight, and in the battle of June 1 the movements of the Confederate forces were directed by General G. W. Smith, second in rank. About 5 a. m. the enemy's skirmishers and a small body of cavalry appeared in front of Richardson, but a few shells from Pettit's battery dispersed them. Soon afterward a large force of Confederates debouched from the woods and opened a heavy musketry fire at short range. French's division returned the fire for some time, when, the enemy being heavily reinforced, Howard was ordered to French's assistance. One regiment of Howard's brigade— the 81st Pennsylvania—had been sent to close a gap in the line between Richardson and Kearny, but with the rest of his command Howard moved promptly forward on French's left, as the enemy was trying to turn Page 388 that flank, and forced the Confederates back through, the woods beyond Casey's old camp at Seven Pines. In this action Howard received a wound that resulted in the loss of his right arm, and turned over the command of the brigade to Colonel Cross, of the 5th New Hampshire As soon as Hooker heard the firing he advanced with the 5th and 6th New Jersey, of Patterson's brigade, with Sickles' brigade in support, to attack the Confederates in the rear. Skirmishers were thrown forward and the two New Jersey regiments were soon engaged. Sickles had been ordered to the left by Heintzelman, but Bifney's brigade, now under command of Colonel J. H. Ward, happened to be in a convenient position, and it was ordered to Hooker's support. As the line had to move through a swamp the advance was slow, but Hooker says in his report: "Our lines were well preserved, the fire brisk and unerring, and our troops reliant—all omens of success. After an interchange of musketry of this character for more than an hour directions were given to advance with the bayonet, when the enemy were thrown into wild confusion, throwing away their arms, hats, and coats, and broke through the forest in the direction of Richmond. At this moment chivalry and rebellion presented a deplorable picture. Pursuit was hopeless." When Sickles was withdrawn from Hooker's support his brigade was moved to the left of the Williamsburg road. The ground here was too boggy to permit the use of artillery, but Sickles pushed forward the 71st and 73d New York, under Colonel Hall and Major Moriarty, supported by the rest of the brigade, and his victory here was no less brilliant than that of his division commander. After firing one or two volleys Hall charged and started the enemy in retreat, when the whole brigade pressed forward to take advantage of the situation, and the Confederates were forced back until Sickles occupied the field of the previous day. Concerning this part of the fight Sickles' report says: "The fields were strewn with Enfield rifles, marked 'Tower, 1862,' and muskets marked 'Virginia,' thrown away by the enemy in his hurried retreat. In the camp occupied by General Casey and General Couch on Saturday, before the battle of Seven Pines, were found rebel caissons filled with ammunition, a large number of small arms, and several baggage wagons, besides two barns filled with subsistence and forage.' Thus the Confederate army that had marched out so proudly on the morning of May 31 to drive McClellan's left wing into the Chickahominy and cut the Federal line of supplies, returned to Richmond the next day defeated, panic-stricken and disorganized. The Union losses at the battle of Fair Oaks amounted to 790 killed, 3,594 wounded and 647 missing. The Confederates lost 080 killed, 4,749 wounded and 405 missing.


Fair Oaks, Virginia, June 18, 1862. Detachment of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 3d Army Corps. Brigadier-General C. S. Grover, commanding the brigade, was ordered to make a reconnaissance of the wooded tract lying between the Williamsburg road and the Richmond & York River railroad. Grover sent Colonel Wyman. with the 16th Massachusetts and a section of Bramhall's battery to perform the duty. Wyman threw forward a strong line of skirmishers, which was met by a heavy fire from a line of rifle-pits and from a battery on the right. Lieutenant Martin, commanding the section of the battery, moved his guns to a position where he could enfilade the Williamsburg road and soon silenced the enemy's artillery. After developing the Confederate position Wyman retired, the object of the reconnaissance having been accomplished. The Union loss was 16 killed, 28 wounded Page 389 and iS missing, several of whom afterward came into camp. The enemy's loss was not definitely learned, but 39 dead were counted in front of the rifle-pits and 4 were captured.


Fair Oaks, Virginia, October 27-28, 1864. 10th and 18th Army Corps and West's Cavalry Division. The demonstration by General Butler's troops on this date was in support of the movement on the Federal left, the object being to prevent General Lee from withdrawing men from the trenches north of the James river to strengthen his line on the Boydton road southwest of Petersburg. (See Hatcher's run.) General Terry, with part of the 10th corps, was to make a demonstration on the Charles City and Darbytown roads, while General Weitzel with part of the 18th corps, was to cross White Oak swamp, move up the Williamsburg road to the Confederate works, and if possible turn Lee's left. Terry's troops were in position by 7 a. m., drove in the Confederate pickets, and kept close to the works all day, but made no determined assault. This portion of the movement was a success, as it was sufficiently vigorous to keep the Confederates from weakening the force in Terry's front to reinforce other points. Weitzel, preceded by Spear's cavalry brigade, crossed the Charles City road at White's tavern, passed through the swamp by a cross-road, and struck the Williamsburg road at the old line of works thrown up by General Heintzelman in the Peninsular campaign two years before. At this point he detached Holman's brigade to cross the York River railroad and endeavor to find the left of Lee's line, while the main body moved up the Williamsburg road toward Richmond. In the meantime Longstreet had discovered the movement, and believing the prolonged firing on the Darbytown and Charles City roads was merely a feint, ordered the divisions of Field and Hoke to move to the left along the works, leaving only a heavy skirmish line to hold the trenches, while Gary was pushed forward to the left to hold the works on the Nine-mile road. Weitzel had advanced about a mile and a half, when his skirmishers came upon Field's column just as it was crossing the Williamsburg road, though this fact was unknown to Weitzel until after the attack commenced. Cullen's brigade of Marston's division was formed in line of battle on the right of the road, and Fairchild's brigade of Heckman's division on the left. At 3:30 p. m. these two brigades preceded by skirmishers and supported by the remainder of the force, advanced against the enemy's works, but instead of the scattering fire expected the attack was met with a heavy volley of musketry, with some artillery. Although the Union lines got close to the works the attack was repulsed by Field's superior force with considerable loss. Holman found what he took to be the extreme left of the Confederate line across the New Bridge road. As the works were thinly manned he determined to attack. The position was carried with little resistance and 2 pieces of artillery were captured, but the advantage was gained too late in the day to be of any material service and Weitzel sent him orders to return to the main body on the Williamsburg road. Soon after dark Weitzel commenced to retire to the Charles City road and by 7 o'clock the next morning he had effected a connection with Terry's line. Colonel Spear made a reconnaissance toward the Williamsburg road, bringing in everything that had been left in the darkness of the night march, and about 10 a. m. on the 28th the entire force was directed to return to their camps. The Union loss during the demonstrations was 118 killed, 787 wounded and 698 missing. Field reported his loss on the Williamsburg road as being 10 killed, 44 wounded and 10 missing. These were the only Confederate casualties reported.


Fair Play, Capture of, August 18, 1862. U. S. Gunboat Benton. The Fair Play was a Confederate steamer used for transporting supplies to the various posts along the Mississippi river and its tributaries. On the evening of the 17th she left Vicksburg with a cargo of arms and ammunition, destined for the Confederate forces under General Hindman, and about 2:30 a. m. of the 18th she tied up at Milliken's bend, near the camp of a Confederate regiment on the shore. On the 16th General Curtis, commanding the Army of the Southwest, started an expedition from Helena, Arkansas, down the Mississippi river. It consisted of 3 gunboats, 4 rams, and the transports Rocket and McDowell, on board of which were the 58th and 76th Ohio infantry and Bowen's battalion of Missouri cavalry, all under command of Colonel Charles R. Woods. About an hour after the Fair Play tied up she was sighted by the Benton. All on board the Confederate vessel were asleep except the watchman, and before he could give the alarm the Benton was upon her. The Fair Play was speedily abandoned and the vessel, with her cargo of 5,000 stands of arms and a large amount of ammunition, fell a prize to the Benton. Troops were quickly landed and the infantry camp on shore was attacked, but the Confederates fled precipitately. leaving a large amount of camp equipage, wagons, etc., to fall into the hands ot Woods' men. The cavalry pursued for some distance and took about 40 prisoners.


Falck's Mills, Maryland, August 1, 1864. (See Cumberland, same date.)


Falling Creek, North Carolina, March 20, 1865. 12th Wisconsin Battery. The only mention in the official records of the war of an engagement at Falling creek on this date is in the itinerary of the 15th Army corps, where the 12th Wisconsin battery is reported as having "skirmished with the enemy" at this point. Falling Waters, Maryland, July 14, 1863. 1st and 3d Cavalry Divisions, Army of the Potomac. While in pursuit of the Confederates after the battle of Gettysburg. Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick. commanding the 3d cavalry division, learned that the enemy was moving toward Falling Waters and immediately started in that direction. At 7:30 a. m. on the 14th his advance came up with the Confederate rear-guard about 2 miles from Falling Waters and the skirmishing commenced. Half a mile farther on Heth's division was discovered drawn up in line of battle on a hill commanding the road on which Kilpatrick was advancing. Heth's left was protected by earthworks and his right extended into a piece of woods. The 6th Michigan, seeing only that portion of the enemy behind the works, made a gallant charge under the leadership of Major P. A. Weber and although met by a heavy fire passed up to and over the works, then turned to right and returned to the main column, bringing in a piece of artillery, which was captured while the enemy was trying to get it in position in advance of his works. In this charge the regiment lost 30 in killed, wounded and missing, Weber being one of the killed. General Custer next threw forward a regiment as skirmishers, but it was driven back, followed by the enemy until checked by the 1st Michigan and part of the 8th New York Kilpatrick now formed the entire division and pressed the enemy at all points gradually forcing him back toward the river. While the 3d division was thus engaged with the Confederates in front, the 1st division, Brigadier-General John Buford commanding, made a detour and attacked them on the flank and rear, throwing them into confusion and scattering them through the woods and hills. In this flank attack Buford captured a 10-pounder Parrott gun, a caisson, 300 muskets and over 500 prisoners. As soon as the enemy's line broke under Buford's assault, Kilpatrick Page 391 pressed his advantage and the Confederates were completely routed. This was the last stand made by Lee's army on the north side of the Potomac. The Union loss was 29 killed, 36 wounded and 40 missing. The Confederate loss was 150 killed, a large number wounded and 1,500 captured. Brigadier-General Pettigrew, commanding part of the Confederate forces, was mortally wounded early in the action. In addition to the prisoners captured the Federals brought off 2 pieces of artillery, 2 caissons, several hundred stands of small-arms and 3 battle flags.


Falling Waters, West Virginia, July 2, 1861. Abercrombie's Brigade. Company B, 1st Wisconsin infantry, while en route to Martinsburg was deployed as advance skirmishers for the brigade. At Falling Waters the enemy opened fire on the company and McMullin's rangers, also doing skirmish duty. The fire was returned by these companies until reinforced by Company A of the Wisconsin regiment, but the Union troops were obliged to fall back upon their reserves, the 11th Pennsylvania infantry and a section of artillery. The Confederate attack was finally repulsed and the Union forces followed the enemy back through Haynesville. The Union loss was 2 killed, 13 wounded, 1 missing; the Confederate loss (estimated) was 60 killed and a large number wounded. This affair is called Hoke's Run in the Confederate reports.


Falls Church, Virginia, June 23-24, 1864. Lowell's Cavalry Brigade. On the evening of the 23d a patrol of the 16th New York cavalry was fired upon and 2 men taken prisoners. A detail of 40 men under Lieutenant Tuck was sent out to search for the attacking party. While feeding next day at 11 o'clock about a mile and a half from Centerville Tuck's party was attacked by a squad of men belonging to Mosby's Confederate command, and 19 men and 27 horses captured. Three Union soldiers were wounded. The Confederate force sustained no loss.


Falmouth, Kentucky, September 17. 1862. Kentucky Home Guards. Captain G. W. Berry's company was attacked by a party of Confederate cavalry near Falmouth and a fight of 40 minutes' duration ensued, in which the enemy lost a number in killed and wounded, and Berry had one man wounded. Five Confederates were left dead on the field. Berry's men fought from the cover of a house. After the engagement, owing to the fact that his ammunition was about exhausted, he fell back to his camp, 5 miles from Falmouth.


Falmouth, Virginia, April 18, 1862. Detachments of the 2nd New York and 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry. During the operations around Fredericksburg, Colonel George D. Bayard, with seven companies of the 2nd New York and four of the 1st Pennsylvania, left camp at 2 a. m. on the 18th to surprise the guard at and secure possession of the bridge over the Rappahannock river at Falmouth. Some distance from the bridge Bayard's advance came upon the enemy's pickets and a few shots were fired. Seeing that a surprise was now out of the question, Bayard ordered the whole command forward at a gallop, and upon reaching the top of a hill was met by a heavy fire from barricades on either side of the road. The Union line was thrown into confusion and began a disorderly retreat. Bayard then sent forward the 2nd battalion of the New York regiment, which forced its way to within 25 yards of the barricades, but was compelled to fall back. Finding the enemy too strong to be overcome, Bayard withdrew and returned to camp with a loss of 7 killed and 16 wounded.


Fanny, U. S. Transport, Capture of, October 1. 1861. (See Chicamironjico. North Carolina)


Farmer's Bridge, Georgia, May 15, 1864. (See Armuchee Creek.)


Farmington, Mississippi, May 3, 1862. Detachment 1st Division, Army of the Mississippi. During the march upon Corinth this division left its camp about 10 a. m. on May 3 and took the road to Farmington. After advancing some 3 miles a detachment was sent towards Nichols' ford, and the balance of the division descended into the swamp on either side of the direct road to Farmington, Yates' sharpshooters being deployed as skirmishers. A force of the enemy was soon discovered by the sharpshooters, who with the aid of four companies sent to reinforce them, succeeded in driving the Confederates across Seven-mile creek. After 2 hours spent in reconstructing the bridge, which the enemy had destroyed, an advance was ordered, the enemy was soon discovered in front and after an artillery duel of 2 hours, in which a section of Houghtaling's battery did good service, the infantry charged, driving the Confederates in disorder for 2 miles. The Confederate loss amounted to some 40 killed and many wounded, while the Union loss was 16 wounded. The division also captured 15 prisoners, and a quantity of arms, etc.


Farmington, Mississippi, May 9, 1862. Two Brigades of the Army of the Mississippi. During the siege of Corinth, the 1st demi-brigade, 2nd division, Army of the Mississippi, marched to Farmington on the 8th. Four companies, under Major J. W. Jefferson, were left there as an advance guard, while the remainder of the brigade bivouacked in front of a creek in the rear of the town. Early the next morning the enemy began firing on Jefferson's command, which held its position until about 9 o'clock, when it was forced to retire. General Palmer's brigade, in the meantime, had come up and taken the front, leaving the 1st brigade, under command of Colonel J. M. Loomis, to act as a reserve. After several hours of fighting, the Federals were obliged to retire across the creek, leaving the Confederates in possession of Farmington and the Union camping ground of the night before. The bridge across the creek was burned by the enemy. The Confederate loss was 9 killed and wounded, while the Federal forces lost more heavily, the casualties being 16 killed, 148 wounded and 14 captured or missing.


Farmington, Tennessee, Oct 7, 1863. Crook's Cavalry Division. During the pursuit of the Confederate cavalry under Wheeler and Roddey, in their raid on Rosecrans' communications, Brigadier-General George Crook was ordered to march with his division to Farmington. About 9 a. m. on the 7th he suddenly came up with Davidson's Confederate division, just as it was breaking camp on the bank of Duck river, about 3 miles from Shelbyville. The enemy was immediately charged by Wilder's mounted infantry and driven back toward Farmington. He attempted to make a stand in a cedar thicket, but was again driven by a saber charge of Long's brigade. When within about three-fourths of a mile from Farmington, Davidson met reinforcements and took up a position in a dense thicket of cedars, opening on the Union advance with his artillery. Crook dismounted Wilder's brigade and pushed it forward, but the men were met by such a heavy fire from the enemy's cannon that Stokes' battery was ordered into position to silence the enemy's guns. Owing to the nature of the ground only one gun could be brought to bear, and this was in plain view of the enemy, less than 400 yards distant. It succeeded in drawing the fire in that direction, however, giving Wilder an opportunity to charge, when the Confederates were forced from their position with a loss of 4 guns, several wagons and some prisoners. Long promptly followed up the advantage gained by Wilder, and made another of his dashing saber charges that completely routed the enemy and drove him in confusion from the field. The Page 393 Union loss was not reported. Of the enemy 86 were left dead on the field, a number were known to have been wounded, and 270 were captured. Farmville, Virginia, April 7, 1865. 2nd Army Corps and Crook's Cavalry. During the night of the 6th the Confederate army under General Lee crossed to the north bank of the Appomattox river, General Longstreet's corps crossing at Farmville, the cavalry at a ford a short distance above that place, and Gordon and Mahone at High bridge, about 5 miles below. At Farmville the army halted long enough to distribute rations, of which the men stood sorely in need, and then pushed on toward Lynchburg, via Appomattox Court House. General Ord, with the 24th corps, commanded by General Gibbon, came up with Longstreet strongly intrenched at Rice's station late on the 6th, and disposed his forces for an attack at daylight the following morning, but finding that the enemy had withdrawn during the night, pressed on to Farmville, where he was joined by General Wright with the 6th corps, and directed to continue the direct pursuit as long as there was any probability of overtaking the enemy. General Humphreys, who, with the 2nd corps, had followed Gordon from Sailor's creek, came up to High bridge just as the enemy had fired the railroad bridge and was trying to set fire to the wagon bridge. General Barlow, whose division was in advance, promptly drove back the enemy from the bridge and extinguished the flames. Mahone's division was formed on the high ground north of the river, a strong skirmish line was thrown back to drive Barlow's men away from the bridge, but upon seeing the 2nd corps already coming up in force he quickly withdrew, abandoning 18 pieces of artillery and 500 Enfield rifles, and followed Gordon toward Farmville. Humphreys now sent the divisions of Miles and De Trobriand on a road, running northwest to intercept Lee on the Lynchburg stage road about 4 miles from Farmville, and ordered Barlow to follow Gordon and Mahone up the railroad. When Barlow reached Farmville he found the bridges there destroyed and a strong force guarding a wagon train moving toward Lynchburg. He immediately attacked, but the enemy was evidently not in fighting humor, as he set fire to 130 of his wagons and hurriedly evacuated the town. In this affair Brigadier-General T. A. Smyth, commanding Barlow's 3d brigade, was mortally wounded. About 1 p. m. Miles and De Trobriand reached the stage road and found the enemy in position behind breastworks. Both divisions were formed in line of battle and Miles ordered Scott's brigade to charge the left of the Confederate works. The charge was gallantly made but failed of success, chiefly on account of the difficult nature of the ground over which it had to be made. As Scott fell back the enemy made a countercharge, which in turn was repulsed. It was soon developed that the main body of Lee's army was concentrated near the junction of the roads, and Barlow's division was brought up, taking position on the right. It was now almost dark and further operations were postponed until the next morning, the corps going into bivouac after throwing out a strong picket line close up to the enemy's intrenchments. The destruction of the bridges at Farmville kept the Federal infantry on the south side of the river and prevented Wright and Gibbon from joining Humphreys, but General Crook forded the river with his cavalry division and pushed forward on the plank road in pursuit. Gregg's brigade, which was in advance, soon came up with the Confederate rear-guard and was attacked by Munford's and Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry in front and Rosser's on the flank, the enemy's cavalry being supported by Heth's Page 394 division of infantry. Seeing himself greatly outnumbered, Gregg gave the order to withdraw, when the enemy made a dash, capturing him and a number of his command. Crook was then recalled to Farmville and ordered to move to Prospect Station on the Lynchburg railroad, where he arrived about midnight. The loss of the 2nd corps for the day was 671 in killed, wounded and missing. Crook's loss, as well as that of the enemy, was not stated.


Farrar's Plantation, Mississippi, September 22, 1864. Detachments of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, 28th and 29th Illinois, and 71st U. S. Colored Infantry, and the 6th U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery. A few days before a foraging expedition had brought in good results from a visit to this section and this was a second expedition ordered by Brigadier-General Brayman. At Farrar's place 51 wagons were loaded with corn, 47 bales of cotton taken, and 143 head of cattle collected, after which the expedition started to return to Natchez. Soon after leaving the plantation a party of Confederates attacked the rear and skirmishing was kept up for about 6 miles. One of the enemy was seen to fall from his horse and it was thought he was killed. Fair's Mills, Arkansas, July 14, 1864. A Battalion of the 4th Arkansas Cavalry.


Fawn, Steamer (Capture of), September 9, 1864. (See Currituck Bridge.) Fayette, Missouri, September 24, 1864. Detachment 9th Missouri Militia Cavalry. During General Price's Missouri expedition, the guerrilla cavalry of his command concentrated upon Fayette and charged into the town at 10:30 a. m. Their advance guard were clad in Federal uniforms, and were not recognized until they began firing. After a sharp encounter, during which the Confederates were repulsed in three attempts to dislodge the Union troops, they withdrew, leaving 13 dead on the field, their wounded numbering 30. The Union loss was 1 killed and 2 wounded.


Fayetteville, Arkansas, July 15, 1862. Miller's Expedition. Pursuant to orders of Brigadier-General E. B. Brown, commanding the post at Springfield, Missouri, Major William H. Miller of the 2nd Wisconsin cavalry, with a section of Davidson's battery, 550 mounted riflemen, and detachments from the 2nd Wisconsin, 3d Missouri State militia, and 10th Illinois cavalry, led an expedition against a Confederate force of 1,600 at Fayetteville. The enemy was attacked at sunrise, and completely routed, Miller following for 12 miles. The casualties were not reported. The success of the expedition was due to two night marches of 75 miles, the enemy being unaware of the proximity of the Union troops until the attack was commenced. Fayetteville, Arkansas, December 7, 1862. (See Prairie Grove.)


Fayetteville, Arkansas, April 18, 1863. 1st Arkansas Volunteers and 1st Arkansas Cavalry. About 5 a. m. of this date, Brigadier-General W. L. Cabell with a force of 900 Confederates, attacked Fayetteville after having surprised the outposts and pickets. Colonel M. La Rue Harrison, commanding the post, drew up his men in line of battle before the camp of the 1st Arkansas cavalry, met the assault with his full force, and by 8 o'clock the enemy was driven to the outskirts of the town. In a last rally Colonel J. C. Monroe led a desperate charge of the enemy's cavalry, but the odds were against him and the troop was repulsed with heavy loss. By noon the Confederate force was in full retreat toward the Boston mountains, whence it had come. The Union loss was 7 killed, 23 wounded and 51 captured or missing. The enemy's loss was 20 killed and 50 wounded.


Fayetteville, Arkansas, August 23, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Kansas Cavalry. A detachment of this regiment under Lieutenant Edgar A. Page 395 Barker was surprised by about 150 Confederates. The ensuing skirmish lasted 15 or 20 minutes during which time Barker and 5 of his men were captured. No other casualties were mentioned.


Fayetteville, Arkansas, May 19, 1864. 6th Kansas Cavalry.


Fayetteville, Arkansas, June 24, 1864. Detachment of 1st Arkansas Cavalry. A Confederate force of 200 men made a dash on the mule herd of the 1st Arkansas cavalry and after scattering the guard, of whom 2 were killed and 1 captured, got away with 240 mules. Pursuit was made but it was futile.


Fayetteville, Arkansas, October 28, 1864. 1st Arkansas Cavalry. At sunrise of this date Fayetteville was attacked by a force of Confederates, who had posted themselves in the bluffs of East mountain, 1,000 yards east of town. Colonel M. La Rue Harrison, commanding the post, sent out Captains D. C. Hopkins and E. B. Harrison with a force of 100 men to act as skirmishers and as soon as the exact location of the enemy was ascertained, began shelling the position. When within 200 yards of the top of the bluff the skirmishers engaged the enemy, and on the third attempt carried the position. The Confederates on the east side of town had no sooner been driven back than another body was seen approaching from the southwest. This withdrew, however, as soon as fired upon by the battery. The enemy's loss was 12 killed, and Harrison had 7 men wounded.


Fayetteville, Georgia, August 19, 1864. (See Lovejoy's Station, Kilpatrick's Raid.) Fayetteville, North Carolina, March 11-13, 1865. 4th Division, 17th Army Corps, and 3d Division, 14th Corps. At Fayetteville the two wings of Sherman's army were drawing near together. General Howard, commanding the right wing, sent forward a company of scouts, commanded by Captain Duncan, to secure the bridge oyer Little Rockfish creek on the 10th, and the next morning directed him to scout toward Fayetteville. Duncan encountered the Confederate pickets, and in the skirmish which ensued was captured, but managed to make his escape. When General Giles A. Smith reached the Little Rockfish he sent forward his escort 2nd a company of mounted foragers, to the assistance of the scouts. These forces gained possession of Arsenal hill and undertook to save the bridge over the Cape Fear river, but it had been previously prepared for firing and the flames could not be extinguished. Potts' brigade of G. A. Smith's division entered the town and about the same time Baird's division of the 14th corps entered it from the northwest. The mayor formally surrendered the town to Lieutenant-Colonel W. E. Strong, of Howard's staff, after which the forces of the right wing withdrew and went into camp just outside of the city limits. General Baird was ordered to destroy all property, public and private, which could be used to an enemy's advantage, but to protect all harmless private property. Under this order 2 large foundries, 4 factories, and a considerable quantity of railroad property were destroyed to the entire satisfaction of the general commanding. The old United States arsenal was found to contain a number of cannon and small arms, some of which were taken for the use of the army and the remainder, as well as the building, were completely destroyed. While the destruction of the property was going on two pontoons were thrown across the Cape Fear river, and on the 13th the army was ordered to take up the march to Goldsboro, the 14th corps in advance. It was soon discovered that a small body of Confederates had barricaded the road, and the 60th TU. was sent forward to dislodge them. The enemy fell back slowly to a strong position behind a swamp, when General Vandever ordered forward the 10th Michigan and the 16th Illinois to the assistance of the regiment already Page 396 engaged. In a short time the three regiments completely routed the enemy and opened the way for the main body of the corps to proceed. The only casualty reported on the Union side was that of 1 man slightly wounded.


Fayetteville, Tennessee, Nov 1, 1863. 4th Indiana Cavalry. While this regiment was on a scout between Winchester and Fayetteville, the pickets thrown out toward Elk river were approached by a body of about 20 men. When challenged they replied that they had come to relieve the picket, and on being ordered to advance fired on the pickets, killing Captain Mason, and ordered the rest to surrender. This demand was refused and the guerrillas passed on to the vedettes, wounding 1 and taking 1 prisoner.


Fayetteville, Virginia, November 15, 1862. Unofficial accounts tell of engagements at Fayetteville, Little Washington and White Sulphur springs, during the operations of the Federal forces in Loudoun and Rappahannock counties. According to these accounts the Union troops participating were the 1st and 2nd brigades of Sturgis' division, 9th army corps, and the cavalry under Brigadier-General Alfred Pleasonton. The reports of these officers for the above date do not give any particulars of such an action. (See Warrenton, same date.)


Fayetteville, West Virginia, September 10, 1862. (See Kanawha Valley Campaign.)


Fayetteville, West Virginia, May 18-20, 1863. 12th Ohio Infantry, Detachment 2nd West Virginia Cavalry and 1st Ohio Battery. In order to put an end to the continued menacing of Union pickets in this vicinity, Colonel J. D. Hines, commanding the post, on the morning of May 18 sent Captain Robert Wilson with four companies to drive the enemy from the Raleigh road. Posting his infantry on the Blake farm, Wilson with his cavalry drove the Confederates 6 miles farther, where he found a larger force awaiting him. After drawing their fire he returned to Blake's farm. Early the following morning the enemy attacked Wilson's position at Blake's from both front and rear. The Union detachment retreated by a flank movement into the woods, and reached the camp at Fayetteville. The Confederates then opened fire from the Raleigh road and a sharp artillery duel was kept up until dark. At 3:30 a. m. on the 20th the enemy again opened fire on the Federal position. The fighting was sharp until noon, when the Confederates withdrew. The Union loss in the 3 skirmishes was 2 killed, 7 wounded and 9 missing. The Confederate loss was not reported.


Fike's Ferry, Alabama, April 7, 1865. Wilson's Raid. On the return from Selma Captain McKee of the 3d and Lieutenant Reynolds of the 4th la. cavalry were sent with about 100 men to reconnoiter toward the Cahawba river. At Fike's ferry they found about 300 of the enemy in the act of crossing. A platoon was dismounted and an attack ordered. The Confederates were driven back across the river, with a loss of 3 men killed and probably some wounded. In their haste to get out of range of the fire they left 24 horses and equipments, which were brought into camp by the scouting party. The only casualty on the Union side was 1 man wounded.


Fish Bayou, Arkansas, June 6, 1864. (See Old River Lake.)


Fishburn's Plantation, South Carolina, February 6, 1865. (See Lane's Bridge.) Fisher's Hill, Virginia, April 22, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps. Brigadier-General W. L. Elliott, commanding the division, with the 116th and 123d Ohio infantry, the 12th and 13th Pennsylvania cavalry, and a section of Battery D, 1st West Virginia artillery, made a reconnaissance up the Shenandoah Valley. At Fisher's hill the 7th Virginia (Confederate) cavalry was found stationed as a picket, and a Page 397 sharp skirmish ensued, in which the enemy was completely routed with a loss of 1 killed, 2 wounded and 13 captured. Elliott then proceeded to Strasburg, where the infantry halted, and the cavalry pushed on to Woodstock. Elliott returned to camp the next day with his prisoners and a considerable amount of captured property, his command having met with no casualties.


Fisher's Hill, Virginia, April 28, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps. Brigadier-General Elliott returned to Winchester on the 29th, from a reconnaissance up the Shenandoah Valley, and reported a skirmish with the enemy at Fisher's hill, in which the Union loss was 8 killed and 6 wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was not ascertained, but Elliott brought in 20 prisoners.


Fisher's Hill, Virginia, September 22, 1864. 6th, 8th and 19th Corps and Cavalry; Army of the Shenandoah. After the battle of Winchester on the 19th the Confederate forces under General Jubal A. Early retreated to Fisher's hill, a precipitous bluff on the south bank of a little stream called Tumbling run, a short distance south of Strasburg. Here Early took a position that was almost impregnable to direct assault, and which he considered himself able to hold against the superior force under General P. H. Sheridan. So confident was he that he at once commenced intrenching across the Shenandoah Valley, which at this point is only a little over 3 miles in width, and removed the ammunition boxes from the caissons, placing them for convenience immediately behind the breastworks. Sheridan's army closely pursued the retreating enemy from Winchester and the heights of Strasburg, with the cavalry to the right and rear. The 8th corps, commanded by Major-General George Crook, was on the north bank of Cedar creek and during the night was moved, unperceived by the enemy, to a position in the woods on Little North mountain on Early's left. On the morning of the 21st Captain E. D. Taft, chief of artillery, directed the batteries placed to the rear and left of Strasburg to open fire on the enemy's works and under cover of this fire the 6th corps, Major-General H. G. Wright commanding, and the 19th corps, under Major-General W. H. Emory, were moved into position opposite the right center of the Confederate line. The 128th New York, supported by the 22nd la., charged and carried a line of rifle-pits and then threw forward a strong skirmish line about 200 yards farther in advance, which position was held until the general attack on the 22nd. On the night of the 21st Crook was sent farther toward the enemy's rear and Ricketts' division of the 6th corps was placed opposite Early's left center. Averell's cavalry division was pushed forward on the morning of the 22nd to drive in the Confederate pickets in front of Ricketts' position. Averell dismounted a portion of his command, and in connection with the 6th Maryland, which was thrown forward by Ricketts, gradually pressed back the enemy's skirmishers until noon. Then Ricketts moved his position rapidly to the right, Keifer's brigade in the first line, closely supported by Emerson's, and drove the enemy from two hills which he held in considerable force. Of this movement Ricketts says in his report: "So rapid was their flight that they abandoned shelter tents, blankets, and a considerable amount of infantry ammunition." The division continued the pursuit until within long rifle range of the main works on Fisher's hill, where it was formed in line behind a ridge out of range of the artillery. The Confederate signal station on Three-top mountain mistook the movement of Ricketts for the main turning column and so notified Early, who took steps to meet it. About 4 p. m. Crook engaged the enemy's skirmishers and thus his presence in the rear evening of the 20th found encamped on the Page 398 was discovered. The part taken by his command from this moment is best told by his report: "The intervening ground between us and the open country was covered with rocks, underbrush, and almost impenetrable cedar thickets, and intersected and broken by numerous ravines, so that by the time we arrived at the foot of the mountain and emerged from the woods our lines were completely broken, but, without halting to reform, with cheer upon cheer the charge was continued for a distance of four miles, up hill and down hill, across fields and through woods, after the disordered and rapidly retreating foe." In this charge and pursuit Ricketts' division joined, capturing 4 pieces of artillery and over 200 prisoners. Several guns were captured by Crook, though in his report he says: "'I did not permit any of my men to remain with the artillery, from which we had driven the enemy in our advance, so as to get credit for its capture, as I needed every man at the front to make the rout of the enemy as total and complete as possible, and not at the rear to guard captured guns." While Crook and Ricketts were getting into position for their grand charge, a heavy cannonade was kept up on the left, and as soon as the Confederate line broke the remainder of the 6th and all of the 19th' corps dashed across Tumbling run, scaled the bluff that Early thought was unassailable, driving everything before them. An attempt was made to make a stand about a mile from the original position, but the Confederates were so badly panic-stricken that only a few could be rallied and they were soon forced to abandon their position. The Union loss at Fisher's hill was 52 killed, 457 wounded and 19 missing. Early reported his infantry loss as 30 killed, 210 wounded and 995 missing. As Crook's first charge fell on Lomax's cavalry, and as Sheridan reported 1,100 prisoners, the total Confederate loss was probably not far from 1,400.


Fisher's Hill, Virginia, October 6, 1864. This engagement occurred at Brock's gap, and an account of it is given under that head. Fisher's Hill, Virginia, October 20, 1864. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Shenandoah. Pursuant to orders, General Devin at daylight sent the pth New York and part of the 1st New York dragoons to Fisher s hill, with instructions to find out if any of the Confederate force remained in that vicinity. Soon afterward the entire division was ordered to march to Fisher's hill, where the rear guard of the enemy was encountered and pursued to Tom's brook. No report of casualties.


Fisher's Hill, Virginia, March 21, 1865. 4th New York Cavalry. As the regiment, commanded by Captain W. H. Oliver, was returning to Winchester from a scout toward Edenburg, the advance was fired upon by a small detachment of Confederate cavalry near Fisher's hill. The enemy was quickly routed. The lieutenant commanding the advance guard had his horse shot from under him, which was the only casualty reported.


Fishing Creek, Kentucky, January 19, 1862. (See Mill Springs.)


Fishing Creek, Kentucky, May 25, 1863. Organizations not given.


Fish Lake, Missouri, August 20, 1861. Detachment of 1st Illinois Cavalry. Captain R. D. Noleman with 50 men surrounded and surprised the camp of 33 Confederates at Fish Lake just at daybreak. After some 40 shots had been fired the Confederates surrendered. Neither side sustained any loss in killed or wounded.


Fish Lake Bridge, Mississippi, February 23, 1863. (See Deer Creek, same date.)


Fish Springs, Tennessee, January 23, 1863.


Fitzhugh Crossing, Virginia, April 29-May 2, 1863. 1st Army Corps. While Hooker and Lee were maneuvering for position just prior to Page 399 the battle of Chancellorsville the 1st corps under Major-General John F. Reynolds moved from camp at Belle Plain to Fitzhugh's crossing of the Rappahannock near the mouth of White Oak run, or Pollock's Mill creek, arriving at the river about dark. It was Reynolds' intention to throw a pontoon bridge across the stream under cover of darkness, but owing to the condition of the roads the boats did not get up in time and at daylight the Confederate pickets in the rifle-pits on the south bank drove the working party away. General Wadsworth with the 6th Wisconsin'-and 24th Michigan then took a number of the boats below the enemy's intrenchments, crossed over, charged up the bank and drove off the Confederates, capturing about 90 of them. The remaining regiments of the 4th brigade were then crossed in boats and by 10:30 a. m. a pontoon bridge had been completed. The whole of Wadsworth's division was then thrown across to guard the bridge head, while the other two divisions were placed along the north bank. For the next two days the positions remained unchanged, constant artillery and musketry firing being kept up. About noon of May 2 Reynolds ordered the ist division to recross to the north bank and when it had done so the whole corps moved by way of United States ford to participate in the Chancellorsville fight. The Federal casualties in this affair were 19 killed. 144 wounded and 9 captured or missing. The Confederate losses are included in the battle of Chancellorsville.


Fitzhugh's Woods, Arkansas, April 1, 1864. Andrews' Expedition. At 7 p. m. Wednesday, March 30, Colonel C. C. Andrews with 186 men of the 3d Minnesota infantry left Little Rock and proceeded to Devall's Bluff by rail. Here he was joined by a detachment of 45 men of the 8th Missouri cavalry, and proceeded up the White river by transport. After one or two fruitless excursions into the surrounding country, the command arrived at Augusta early on Friday morning. Upon learning that Brigadier-General McRae was concentrating his forces within 7 miles of the village, Andrews immediately started after him and came up with a small detachment about 2 miles out of town. The enemy did not wait to fight, but after firing one volley turned and fled. The same thing occurred twice more, and Andrews, thinking that he was being drawn into an ambuscade, reversed his march after having gone 12 miles. While resting at Fitzhugh's woods about 1 p. m. Andrews was suddenly charged by a considerable body of Confederates under McRae. The attack was repulsed, but desultory firing was continued for nearly 3 hours. Seeing that it was useless to attempt to dislodge the Union troops from the position they had taken after the first attack, the enemy withdrew and Andrews led his men back to Augusta, with a loss of 8 killed, 16 wounded and 5 missing. The Confederate loss in killed and wounded was not reported, but was considerably larger than the Union; 13 were captured.


Five Forks, Virginia, April 1, 1865. 5th Army Corps and Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. Five Forks was about 12 miles in a south-westerly direction from Petersburg, some 4 miles north of west from Dinwiddie Court House, and was so called because roads ran in five different directions; the Ford road, running north and south, crossed the White Oak road, running east and west, the fifth road running southeast to Dinwiddie Court House. Toward the close of March General Grant grew apprehensive that Lee might any night abandon his intrenchments about Richmond and Petersburg, gain the Danville or Lynchburg railroad, and endeavor to form a junction with General J. E. Johnston, whose forces were then opposing General Sherman's army in North Carolina. To prevent any maneuver of this character Page 400 Grant resolved upon a movement against Lee's right, the objective points being the South Side and Danville railroads, the destruction of which would hold Lee's army at Richmond and ultimately force it to surrender. Orders were issued on the 24th, the movement to begin on the 29th. Major-General Ord, commanding the Army of the James, left the north side of the James river on the night of the 27th, taking with him General Gibbon, with Foster's and Turner's divisions of the 24th corps, Birney's colored division of the 25th, and Mackenzie's cavalry and moved to the left of the Army of the Potomac, relieving the 2nd corps on the evening of the 28th. This movement was made with such secrecy that the enemy did not discover it until April 2. As soon as Ord was in position on the left Grant ordered Sheridan to move out with his cavalry early on the following morning, cross Hatcher's run at Monk's Neck bridge, pass through Dinwiddie Court House and gain Lee's right flank. In support of this movement the 2nd and 5th corps, respectively commanded by Major-General A. A. Humphreys and Major-General G. K. Warren, were to take position on the Vaughan road, extending the line to Dinwiddie. If the Confederates refused to come out and attack, Sheridan was to move against the railroads without delay. The movement began at 3 a. m. on the 29th and that evening the Union army held an unbroken line from the Appomattox river east of Petersburg to Dinwiddie Court House. A heavy rain during the night of the 29th precluded active operations the next day, though Sheridan pushed out Devin's division, which encountered a small force of the enemy and forced it back toward Five Forks. Major Morris, with 150 men of the 5th and 6th U. S. cavalry, pursued this force to within less than a mile from Five Forks, when he was suddenly surrounded by overwhelming numbers and forced to cut his way out. Reinforcements were ordered to him and a second attempt made to occupy the junction of the roads, but the enemy's force was too large. During the day Warren advanced his left across the Boydton road toward Five Forks and also found the Confederates in force in his front, though he was directed to fortify and hold his new position. Humphreys drove the enemy behind his main line on Hatcher's run near Burgess' mill and also along the White Oak road, and extended his line of battle as close to these works as he could without bringing on an engagement. Lee discovered the movement to his right almost as soon as it was commenced, and hurried General Anderson with Bushrod Johnson's division to the right of the Confederate works on the White Oak road. It was this force that Warren met on the afternoon of the 29th. Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry division was moved to Five Forks early on the morning of the 30th and advanced from there toward Dinwiddie Court House. About dark that evening he was joined by the cavalry under Rosser and W. H. F. Lee. Pickett's division of Longstreet's corps was also sent to the right and late on the afternoon of the 30th took position at Five Forks, where it was joined by Ransom's and Wallace's brigades of Johnson's division. Altogether the Confederate general had massed about 18,000 troops on his right against Sheridan. His plan was to sweep the Union cavalry out of the way, get on Warren's left flank, and roll up the Federal line, the troops inside the intrenchments to join the attack in order as the flanking force came in front of their positions. On the morning of the 31st Warren reported that it was possible for him to get possession of the White Oak road, and he was directed to do so. At 9 a. m. Devin was reinforced by Davies' brigade of General Crook's cavalry division, General Merritt assumed command, and the Page 401 cavalry advanced against Five Forks, while Warren moved against the enemy on the White Oak road. Merritt's advance gained possession of Five Forks, but Warren, instead of advancing with his entire command, sent forward Ayres' division only, which met a heavy resistance and was forced back on Crawford's division. This division also fell back until Griffin's line was reached, when the whole corps was rallied and the enemy repulsed. The Confederates now turned their attention to the cavalry at Five Forks. Merritt's advance was driven back and the enemy advanced by the roads west of Chamberlain's creek against Sheridan at Dinwiddie Court House. In the meantime Crook, with Gregg's and Smith's brigades, had moved to the left. Smith was stationed at one of the fords on Chamberlain's creek and Gregg was sent to a position on the right. Smith dismounted two regiments and sent a battalion of the 1st Maine across the creek to reconnoiter. This battalion was quickly driven back by an overwhelming force, the enemy pursuing in hot haste and forcing a passage of the stream. The two dismounted regiments retired in some confusion, but they were soon rallied, when the whole brigade charged and drove the Confederates back across the creek. They then crossed higher up, struck Davies' brigade, which was forced back on Devin's division. Sheridan sent orders to Merritt to cross over to the Boydton road, come down that road and take place in the line of battle at Dinwiddie Court House. As the enemy followed Merritt his rear was presented to Sheridan, and when the lines were nearly parallel Gibbs' and Gregg's brigades made a gallant attack, forcing the Confederates to abandon their movement, leaving a number of wounded in the hands of the Union troops. In changing front to meet this attack the enemy gave Merritt his opportunity to join Sheridan, and then followed an obstinate and fiercely contested battle for the possession of Dinwiddie Court House. Two divisions of Confederate infantry and practically all their cavalry were unable to force five brigades of Federal cavalry from their position behind some slight breastworks on the open plain in front of Dinwiddie Court House, and shortly after dark the firing ceased, the enemy lying on his arms that night not more than 100 yards in front of Sheridan's position. On the afternoon of the 31st Warren advanced with Griffin's division, supported by portions of Ayres' and Crawford's, with Miles' division of the 2nd corps on the right, and regained the ground lost by Ayres in the morning, after which Griffin attacked with Chamberlain's brigade and drove the enemy from the White Oak road. About 5 p. m. the sound of Sheridan's engagement reached Warren, who immediately ordered Bartlett's brigade to Sheridan's support, with instructions to attack the enemy on the flank. When the position of the Confederate force in front of Sheridan was learned at headquarters, Grant determined to make an effort to cut it off from the main body, and at 9 o'clock that evening Warren was ordered to report to Sheridan and to send Griffin's division at once down the Boydton road to Dinwiddie. Mackenzie's cavalry was also ordered to Sheridan's support. At the time Warren was ordered to report to Sheridan it was expected that his troops would reach Dinwiddie by midnight or a little later. Several messages passed between him and headquarters, in which he was urged to be prompt and move at once, but for some inexplicable reason Griffin did not receive his orders to move until 5 o'clock on the morning of April 1. Sheridan was advised at 10 p. m., on the 31st, of the dispositions of troops to aid him and at 3 a. m. sent the following despatch to Warren: "I am holding in front of Dinwiddie Court House, on the road leading to Five Forks, for three-quarters of a mile, with General Custer's division. Page 402 The enemy are in his immediate front, lying so as to cover the road just this side of A. Adams' house, which leads out across Chamberlain's bed or run. I understand you have a division at J. Boisseau's; if so, you are in rear of the enemy's line and almost on his flanks. I will hold on here. Possibly they may attack Custer at daylight; if so, attack instantly and in full force. Attack at daylight anyhow, and I will make an effort to get the road this side of Adams' house, and if I do you can capture the whole of them. Any force moving down the road I am holding, or on the White Oak road, will be in the enemy's rear, and in all probability get any force that may escape you by a flank attack. Do not fear my leaving here. If the enemy remains I shall fight at daylight." Had Warren reached his assigned position in time to attack simultaneously with Sheridan, there would have been but little chance of escape for the Confederate force at Dinwiddie. Sheridan made his attack at daylight, according to his despatch, thinking that the 5th corps was near enough to strike the enemy in the rear. The Confederate officers had learned that Warren was coming up, and, as soon as Sheridan began his attack, fell back across Chamberlain's creek, not halting until they were behind their works along the White Oak road at Five Forks, where Pickett formed his forces with Corse's brigade on the right, three-fourths of a mile west of Five Forks, then the brigades of Terry, Steuart, Ransom and Wallace in the order named, Wallace's left being refused for about 100 yards to meet any attack coming from the east along the White Oak road. On Corse's right were 3 guns of Pegram's artillery battalion; 3 more were placed at Five Forks between Terry and Steuart, and McGregor's battery of 4 guns was placed on the left. W. H. F. Lee's cavalry division covered the right flank and Munford's, dismounted, was posted on Wallace's left. Sheridan decided to attack the enemy in his intrenchments. His plan was to make a feint of turning Pickett's right flank with Custer's and Devin's cavalry, while Warren was to move up with his entire corps and attack the left flank, the cavalry feint to be made a real attack as soon as Warren became engaged. The divisions of Griffin and Ayres were ordered to halt near the Boisseau house until Crawford could come up, when the corps was to be formed with two divisions in front and one in reserve, and be ready to advance when required to do so. Sheridan's object was either to crush Pickett or cut him off and drive him westward, thus isolating him from the Confederate army at Petersburg. It was a repetition of the maneuver that he had so successfully employed at Fisher's hill, when Early's army was almost completely destroyed. Custer was pushed well out on the western road, Devin advanced on the road running from Dinwiddie to Five Forks, and by noon the enemy's skirmish line had been driven into the trenches. About 1 p. m. Sheridan sent orders to Warren to bring up his infantry, but it was 4 o'clock before his corps was in position to begin the attack. While Warren was getting ready to open the battle Sheridan learned that the left of the 2nd corps had been swung back parallel to and fronting the Boydton road, thus opening a way for the enemy to march down the White Oak road and attack his right and rear. Mackenzie, who had been held near Dinwiddie Court House, was therefore ordered to move up the Crump road, gain the White Oak road, drive back any force he might find there, and then join Sheridan in front of Five Forks. Mackenzie encountered a force on the White Oak road and drove it back toward Petersburg, then countermarched and came up on Warren's right just as that officer was beginning his advance. He then moved to the right of the infantry and gained a Page 403 position on the Ford road near Hatcher's run, from which he attacked the Confederate flank and rear, capturing a number of prisoners. A little after 4 o'clock Ayres' division of Warren's corps advanced obliquely toward the White Oak road, receiving only a light fire in front, but soon after crossing the road a heavy fire was poured on the left from the short line of intrenchments where Wallace's left was refused. In moving forward the corps had not kept far enough to the left, throwing Ayres in front of the return, where it was intended for Crawford to strike the enemy's line. It was therefore necessary for Ayres to change front to the left. While executing this movement, which was done under fire and in a piece of woods, Crawford lost the connection and Ayres' right flank was thrown in the air. As a result Gwyn's brigade, which occupied the right, became somewhat unsteady. Part of the line gave way and one or two regiments began to retire in disorder, when Sheridan, with some of his staff, rode up to reassure the men and the line was soon reestablished. Concerning the battle at this juncture, Badeau, in his Military History of U. S. Grant, says: "Meantime the fire of Ayres' division was heard by Merritt, and the cavalry promptly responded to the signal for their assault. They had the brunt of the battle to bear, for their attack was directly in front, on the main Five Forks road, and the angle where Ayres joined the cavalry right was the key of the entire position. If this could be gained, Ayres would completely enfilade the enemy's line on the White Oak road, and render the direct assault comparatively easy; while if the rebels held the 5th corps in check, they could probably repulse the cavalry with heavy loss, for their works were strong and difficult to approach in front, and, sheltered by these, they could pour out a deadly fire. It was therefore vital that the rebel flank should be promptly attacked and broken. The burden of this now fell upon Ayres, for Crawford, on the right, had deflected so far from the line pointed out by Sheridan that he was of no use at all at this juncture. After crossing the White Oak road, he failed to wheel to the left, as ordered, and pushed straight for Hatcher's run, leaving, as we have seen, a gap between himself and Ayres. This deflection was occasioned by Crawford's obliquing his line to avoid the fire of the enemy, instead of pushing directly upon the rebel work. Griffin, who was in reserve on the right, naturally followed Crawford for awhile, so that Ayres was left to contend alone with the enemy." Warren was on the right with Crawford, and Sheridan remained with Ayres during the greater part of the battle. Winthrop's brigade was double-quicked to the left of Ayres' line to connect with Devin, and Coulter's brigade—the reserve of Crawford's division— was hurried into the gap on the right. Every one of Warren's staff officers and several of Sheridan's were sent to bring Griffin and Crawford against Pickett's rear. The direction of the two divisions was finally changed to the left, but they did not come up in time to join in the assault until after Ayres had carried the angle. Griffin attacked Ransom's brigade and part of Wallace's, that had formed a new line, behind slight breastworks and at right angles to the old one. After a half an hour of stubborn fighting Gwyn's and Coulter's brigades were sent to Griffin's assistance, the line was carried and the Confederate left was doubled up in confusion. When the battle began Pickett was on the north side of Hatcher's run. He reached the field about the time his left gave way and threw Terry's brigade, commanded by Colonel Mayo, back to the Ford road to check the attack from the rear. Finding that Mayo was unable to maintain his position, Pickett next ordered Corse to form a new line at right Page 404 angles to the main line of intrenchments to cover the retreat. Mayo began to fall back to this line, but about the time he passed the battery at the junction of the roads some of Merritt's cavalry charged the works there, captured the 3 guns and turned them on the panic-stricken Confederates. Then dashing down the White Oak road the Federal cavalry completely demoralized the enemy and drove him from the field. Pickett himself was almost surrounded while vainly striving to stem the tide. As he galloped away the remnant of what had once been the flower of the Army of Northern Virginia fled in disorder, hotly pursued for 6 miles by Merritt and Mackenzie, a number of the enemy being captured during the chase. The official records of the war give no detailed statement of the casualties at Five Forks. Sheridan's loss was estimated at 700, and Warren reported a total loss of 634 in the 5th corps. The Confederate loss, according to Lee's adjutant-general, was 7,000, most of whom were captured.


Flat Creek, Georgia, October 11-14, 1864. Foraging Party from 20th Army Corps. This party, commanded by Brigadier-General John W. Geary, and consisting of portions of the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 2nd and 3d brigades, 2nd division, a battery of four 4-inch rifled guns and 700 cavalry, left Atlanta early on the morning of the 11th and arrived at Flat creek about dark. After disposition had been made next day to protect the wagons detachments were sent out in different directions to gather forage and provisions. About noon the Confederates attacked one of the outposts guarding the train, and were repulsed after a sharp fight in which the outpost (part of the cavalry) had 2 men wounded. At dusk another attack was made on the outposts but it was again repulsed, and the enemy pursued a mile and a half to the main body. In this last action the Confederates had 2 killed. At daylight on the 14th the command moved back toward Atlanta, reaching there about dark without anything of note having occurred except the dispersion of a small Confederate scouting party.


Flat Creek, Tennessee, November 17, 1864. (See Strawberry Plains, same date.)


Flat Creek Road, Tennessee, January 26, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Ohio. This division, Colonel Frank Wolford commanding, was attacked on the afternoon of the 26th by Armstrong's Confederate cavalry while posted on the Flat Creek road and was forced to fall back before evening some 3 miles. The losses were not reported.


Flat Lick Fords, Kentucky, February 14, 1862. 49th Indiana Volunteers, and 6th Kentucky Cavalry. Flat Rock, Georgia, October 2, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry of 23d Army Corps. At 1 p. m. a cavalry detachment reported to Brigadier-General Joseph A. Cooper, commanding the 2nd division of the 23d army corps at Decatur, and was sent out a mile in advance of the pickets below Flat rock. While feeding at a church 7 miles from Decatur, where the McDonough road crosses the Flat rock, they were attacked by 200 Confederate cavalry and lost 10 horses and men. How many of the Union cavalry were killed or wounded was not known as the rest of the force immediately retired behind the infantry supports. Flatrock Bridge, Georgia, July 28, 1864. (See Stoneman's Raid to Macon.)


Fleetwood, Virginia, June 9, 1863. (See Brandy Station, same date.)


Fleetwood, Virginia, October 12, 1863. The only official mention of this action is in the report of Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart, whose cavalry had been defeated by General Buford at Brandy Station on the day previous. During the night Stuart had concentrated his forces, and in his report he says: "The two columns having joined, pushed Page 405 down upon the enemy at Fleetwood Heights. Lomax's brigade extended well round through the woods to the right, so as to bring a cross-fire of terrible effect on the enemy this side of Fleetwood. Thus caught between two fires, the enemy in my front fought desperately for self-preservation. The woods near Brandy Station were speedily occupied by the sharpshooters of Lomax and Chambliss to resist the force moving from Fleetwood to the relief of the other column and an engagement ensued of the most obstinate and determined character. * *" * The enemy, having been driven from the woods around Brandy, took position with artillery and infantry supports along Fleetwood ridge, where it was deemed impracticable to attack them."


Flint Creek, Arkansas, March 6, 1864. 14th Kansas Cavalry.


Flint Hill, Virginia, March 7, 1865. Patrol of the 16th New York Cavalry. A party of 20 privates and a sergeant, under the command of Lieutenant O. K. Gault, was engaged in patrolling the road from Vienna to Flint Hill. When near the latter place they were attacked by about 50 Confederate cavalry and in the skirmish 1 man was killed and 2 wounded. Gault's party then broke in confusion and returned to camp, where 4 men were reported as missing. The enemy's loss was not learned.


Flint River Bridge, Georgia, August 19, 1864. (See Kilpatrick's Raid.)


Florence, Alabama, April 23, 1863. (See Courtland, Expedition to.)


Florence, Alabama, May 27, 1863. Cornyn's Expedition. Colonel Florence M. Cornyn left Corinth, on May 26 with a brigade consisting of the 10th Missouri, 7th Kas. and 15th Illinois cavalry regiments and the 9th Illinois mounted infantry, for an attack on Florence. After leaving Hamburg the following morning the force was divided, a portion under Captain Carmichael being sent toward Waynesboro. When 2 miles from Florence the main body came upon the enemy's pickets and drove them in. The Kas. regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and when within 800 yards of the town discovered a battery of the enemy, which was soon silenced and forced to retire, Cornyn pursuing through the town. Every house was searched for contraband goods, 7 cotton mills in the vicinity were burned, and 200,000 bushels of corn destroyed. The Federals took 69 prisoners and 200 head of horses and mules. Their total casualties were 8 wounded and 10 missing.


Florence, Alabama, January 26, 1864. Troops commanded by Colonel A. O. Miller, 72nd Indiana Volunteers.


Florence, Alabama, April 13, 1864. Detachment of 9th Ohio Cavalry. During the night of April 12-13 detachments of the 27th and 35th Alabama infantry regiments crossed the Tennessee river and attacked Company G, 9th Ohio cavalry, at its camp near Florence. The Confederates killed 3 men and carried off 41 as prisoners, sustaining no loss themselves. A goodly number of horses and mules were also captured.


Florence, Alabama, October 6, 1864. 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps. On the morning of this date the cavalry of the division started for Florence from Shoal creek, where they had camped over night. On reaching Mrs. Huff's house they were driven back. The 60th Illinois infantry was deployed as skirmishers, and with the support of the 1st and 3d brigades drove the enemy back through Florence. No casualties were reported on either side.


Florence, Kentucky, September 17, 1862. Detachment of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry.


Florence, South Carolina, March 5, 1865. Williams' Expedition. For the purpose of destroying the railroad and station at Florence, Colonel Reuben Williams with 546 men, consisting of detachments of the 7th Page 406 and 9th Illinois and 29th Missouri mounted infantry, and the 15th army corps foragers, left the main column on the 4th and proceeded to within 7 miles of Darlington, where he went into camp. On the following morning the depot and trestle work in and around Darlington were destroyed and Williams proceeded on toward Florence. When within 2 miles of the latter town skirmishing was begun with the enemy, and the Union troops charged. The depot was taken in the assault, but before it could be fired the Confederates brought up reinforcements and recaptured it. A train with 400 artillerymen pulled into Florence about an hour later, and Williams was forced to retire to Darlington, the enemy pursuing, and while preparing to go into .camp he was informed that two Confederate brigades were moving to cut him off from the main column. He immediately got his command under way and regained the camp. The Union casualties were 7 wounded and 8 missing. Thirty-one Confederate prisoners were taken.


Florida, Missouri, May 22, 1862. Detachment of the 3d Iowa Cavalry.


Florida, Missouri, July 22, 1862. Detachment of the 3d Iowa Cavalry. At daylight some 300 Confederates under Porter attacked Florida, where 50 men of the 3d la. were stationed. After a fight of about an hour the Union troops retired to Paris, fighting as they went. Major Caldwell, in command at Paris, started at once for Florida with 100 men. but the enemy had abandoned the town before he arrived. He reported the loss in the Iowa detachment as 26 in killed, wounded and missing, and estimated that of the enemy as considerably heavier.


Flowing Spring, West Virginia, August 21, 1864. (See Welch's Spring.)


Floyd's Ford, Kentucky, October 1, 1862. 4th Indiana Cavalry, 34th Illinois, and 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers, of the Army of the Ohio.


Folk's Bridge, North Carolina, April 11. 1865. (See Beulah.)


Fordoche Bridge, Louisiana, May 31, 1864. (See Atchafalaya River, Expedition to.)


Forest Hill, Virginia, September 24, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Shenandoah. On this date the division, commanded by Brigadier- General W. H. Powell, who succeeded General Averell, encountered a force of Confederate cavalry belonging to the commands of Imboden, McCausland and Bradley Johnson a mile north of Forest Hill. After retreating through the village the Confederates formed in line of battle, which was soon broken and the enemy pursued to within 4 miles of Harrisonburg. Powell had 1 man slightly wounded and the enemy's casualties were 15 killed, several wounded, and 18 captured, with 14 wagons and a large amount of ammunition.


Forked Deer River, Tennessee, December 20, 1862. (See Forrest's Expedition into West Tennessee.)


Forked Deer River, Tennessee, July 13, 1863. Detachments of 3d Michigan, 2nd Iowa and 1st West Tennessee Cavalry and 9th Illinois Infantry. During an expedition under Colonel Edward Hatch the Federals encountered the enemy first at the bridges over Forked Deer river and the adjacent sloughs. Two companies of the 3d Michigan gained control of 13 of the 16 bridges by some sharp skirmishing, but the Confederates were able to hold them in check until two more companies had crossed the stream on the enemy's left and the 9th Illinois had flanked them on the right. A charge then put the bridges in control of the Union troops and the enemy retreated into Jackson, where he held a strong position in two forts with a curtain between. As the 9th Illinois advanced the enemy poured a heavy fire upon it, but before they could reload the Illinois men charged and drove them in confusion. Scarcely had Colonel Phillips reformed and rallied his men when a large Confederate force attacked from the northwest Page 407 side of the town and by constantly outflanking Phillips compelled him to fall back. Hatch formed his men and after a sharp fight lasting an hour or more drove the enemy from the town with severe loss. Hatch estimated the enemy's casualties at 38 killed and not less than 150 wounded, while his own losses amounted to 1 killed, 10 wounded and 3 missing.


Forrest's Expedition into West Tennessee, December 15, 1862-January 3, 1863. Pursuant to orders from Major-General Braxton Bragg, Brigadier-General N. B. Forrest moved from Columbia, Tennessee, on December 11, 1862. On the 13th he arrived at Clifton on the Tennessee river and in two days had his force, 2,500 cavalry, on the opposite bank. His plan was to fall upon Grant's line of communication with Columbus and thereby obstruct and delay the first move on Vicksburg. Rosecrans had received information of the move and warned all post commanders "to be on the lookout for Forrest." Brigadier-General J. C. Sullivan, commanding the district of Jackson, on learning of the crossing of the Tennessee, dispatched Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll with 200 men of the 11th Illinois cavalry and a battery of artillery to reconnoiter in the direction of Lexington. Ingersoll reached Lexington on the morning of the 17th. His force had been augmented by the addition of 272 men of the 2nd West Tennessee and 200 of the 5th Ohio cavalry, making in all about 700 men. In the afternoon of the same day he sent out a detachment to Beech creek to ascertain the strength of the enemy. This detachment returned at dark, reporting about 1,000 of the enemy's cavalry in the immediate vicinity, and a detachment was sent out to destroy the bridges on the roads leading from Lexington, the main body in the meantime retiring to within half a mile of Lexington. Next morning Major Funke with a battalion of the 11th Illinois advanced on the old Stage (or upper) road toward Beech creek. He had not gone far when he encountered the enemy's pickets, drove them back to their main line, and then retired. The Confederates pursued until within range of the 2 guns Ingersoll had posted in the road, when they were easily dispersed. Simultaneously with Funke's reconnaissance Colonel Hawkins moved out on the lower road, his orders being to guard the crossing of the river. Through some neglect the bridge across the creek at the lower road had not been destroyed the night before and the enemy was pouring in toward the town from that direction. Hawkins' troops withdrew and fled in confusion toward Lexington, breaking the line of the reserves in their efforts to get away from the pursuing Confederates, who were only checked by a charge of a portion of the 11th Illinois Three times the enemy charged the position held by the 2 pieces of the artillery, and the third time their greatly superior numbers succeeded in taking it. The Union cavalry then fled in the direction of Jackson, the enemy pursuing. The engagement resulted in the capture of 124 Union men, including Ingersoll, the killing of 11, and the wounding of 13 more. Some of the prisoners were taken in the retreat after the guns had been' captured. After his success at Lexington Forrest turned toward Jackson. In the meantime Grant had ordered Sullivan to attack Forrest in front, and Dodge, at Corinth. was to move out and strike him in flank. Sullivan, however, was able to bring only two regiments to Jackson before Forrest arrived in the vicinity on the 19th. (See Jackson.) On the same day a train bearing reinforcements was fired into while passing Carroll Station, the place having just been captured by a portion of Forrest's troops under Colonel G. C. Dibrell. From Jackson Forrest moved on Trenton and Humboldt. Practically all of the available force at Trenton had been hurried to the Page 408 defense of Jackson and only about 130 convalescents were left to guard the place. The Confederate cavalry dashed into the town but were unable to dislodge the convalescents, who were posted behind a barricade of cotton, until their artillery was brought to bear, when the garrison surrendered. A side expedition under Colonel James W. Starnes of Forrest's staff captured Humboldt with little trouble, but another force under Dibrell, sent to capture the garrison and destroy the railroad bridge at the railroad crossing of Forked Deer river, failed to carry out its commission, being driven back by the Federals at that point. Forrest remained at Trenton until the morning of the 21st, destroying all stores and provisions not needed by his command. His report states that at Rutherford Station, on the way to Union City, two companies of Federals were captured. Union City was guarded by about 100 men. chiefly of the 54th Illinois infantry, who acceded at once to Forrest's summons to surrender, and the Confederates remained there for some time. On Christmas day they departed on the Northwestern railroad. The 27th, 29th and 30th saw skirmishing at and around Huntingdon. On reaching Parker's cross-roads, on the 31st, Forrest came up with the skirmishers of Colonel Cyrus L. Dunham's (3d) brigade, 8th division, 16th army corps. A spirited engagement ensued, during which the Confederates drove back Dunham's skirmishers and were having by far the better of the encounter, when Fuller's (1st) brigade suddenly arrived on the scene and attacked the Confederate rear. The result was a complete rout of the enemy, leaving 300 of their dismounted force as prisoners in the hands of the Federals. Six guns, 350 horses, a quantity of arms and ammunition and a number of wagons were also captured. Forrest retreated hastily to Clifton to recross the Tennessee river, but his progress was checked (January 1, 1863,) by a portion of Dodge's command sent from Corinth. Forrest, however, succeeded in getting all his troops across on the 2nd and the next day Fuller's brigade reached the Tennessee at Clifton. Forrest opened with his artillery from the opposite shore, the Union guns replied, and the skirmishers of both sides were busy all day. The swollen condition of the river put a stop to further pursuit. The total casualties of the expedition are not given. Before the battle of Parker's cross-roads Forrest states in a report that his losses had been 8 killed, 12 wounded and 2 missing, and later estimates the casualties of his force in the Parker's cross-roads engagement as 60 killed and 100 wounded. The Federal losses in the Lexington and Parker's cross-roads affairs aggregated 38 killed, 153 wounded and 191 captured or missing. There are no reports of losses in the other engagements.


Forsyth, Missouri, July 22, 1861. Sweeny's Expedition. On July 20 Brigadier-General T. W. Sweeny, commanding the post of Springfield, left that place for the purpose of capturing the town of Forsyth. The Confederates there had been notified of Sweeny's approach and when the latter's cavalry neared the town at 6 p. m. of the 22nd it was met by a small force which retired to the hills after firing one volley. From the brush and timber on the hills a desultory fire was kept up on the Federals for an hour or more, but a few rounds of canister soon dislodged the enemy. The Confederate casualties were 10 killed and as many more wounded; the Union loss was but 2 wounded. Five prisoners were taken by Sweeny's command.


Forsyth, Missouri, August 4, 1862. (See White River, same date.)


Fort Abercrombie, Dakota September 3 to 6, 1862. Fight with Indians.


Fort Adams, Mississippi, October 5-6. 186.;. Expeditionary Forces. Major- Page 409 General Canby, commanding the Military Division of West Mississippi, sent Colonels Kent and Osband on expeditions to Fort Adams and Woodville, respectively. Kent occupied Fort Adams without opposition. Osband, early on the morning of the 6th, learned that a force of some 250 Confederates, with a battery of 3 guns, was encamped about 2 miles from him and decided to attack the camp. The surprise was complete, the camp was surrounded, 40 Confederates were killed and 54, with the artillery and the commanding officer, Captain Holmes, were captured. The prisoners were taken to Fort Adams and turned over to Kent.


Fort Anderson, California, April 6, 1862. Detachment of the 2nd California Infantry. About 5 a. m. some Indians fired on the sentries at the fort. Two parties, one under Captain Douglas and the other under Lieutenant Johnson, immediately started in pursuit. Douglas soon met some freighters, who told him that the Indians had captured and were burning their wagons, and offered to guide the soldiers to the place. Upon reaching the camp Douglas gave the order to fire and l Indian fell dead and 2 or 3 others were wounded. The rest escaped into the woods.


Fort Anderson, California, July 28, 1862. (See Whitney's Ranch.) Fort Anderson, Kentucky, March 25, 1864. (See Paducah.) Fort Anderson, North Carolina, March 14, 1863. 92nd New York Infantry. As an incident of the Confederate expedition against New Berne, led by Brigadier-General John J. Pettigrew, an attack was made at daylight on the 14th on a small breastwork on the north side of the Neuse river, held by the 92nd New York under Lieutenant-Colonel Hiram Anderson and called Fort Anderson. Pettigrew called upon Anderson to surrender, and when the latter refused the Confederate artillery opened on him. The firing continued all day, the enemy suffering chiefly from the shelling of the gunboats in the river. At night the Confederate force was withdrawn. The Federal casualties were 2 killed and 4 wounded; the enemy lost 2 killed and 21 wounded, 7 of the latter being injured by the explosion of one of their Parrott guns.


Fort Anderson, North Carolina, February 17-19, 1865. 3d Division, 23d Army Corps, and 1st Division, 10th Army Corps. In the military operations about the mouth of the Cape Fear river, the 3d division of the 23d corps, commanded by Major-General J. D. Cox, was landed at Smithville on the 16th and at 8 o'clock the next morning began the advance on Fort Anderson, located about 10 miles above on the west bank of the river and garrisoned by a force of 2,000 Confederates under the command of Brigadier-General Hagood. About 3 miles from Smithville the enemy's cavalry outposts were encountered and slowly driven back to Governor's creek, where they made a stand, but were quickly dislodged by the Federal skirmishers. Cox then divided his forces to cover both roads leading to the fort, and opened signal communications with General Schofield, who was on one of Admiral Porter's vessels in the river, after which the command went into camp under orders to advance at 7 o'clock the next morning. As Cox moved forward on the morning of the 18th his advance became engaged with a line of Confederate pickets about half a mile in advance of the works, and after a sharp skirmish succeeded in driving the enemy back to a line of works extending from the fort to the foot of Orton pond, a distance of some 800 yards. The ground in front of this line was open and covered by abatis and after a reconnaissance Schofield ordered two brigades to intrench on the edge of the open ground, while Cox, with the rest of the division, made a detour around Orton and Terrapin ponds to gain the rear of the fort. Near the head of Orton pond Cox was joined by Ames' division of Page 410 the 10th corps, and a considerable detachment of the enemy was found occupying trenches on the farther side of a creek, in position commanding the road. The advance guard was deployed to the right and left through the marsh, a detachment of the 104th Ohio, under Lieutenant Reed, moved forward near the road and after a skirmish of half an hour succeeded in forcing a passage. In this action Reed lost 1 killed and 4 wounded, himself being among the latter. The enemy had destroyed the causeway and this caused a delay of several hours, as it had to be rebuilt before the artillery could be taken over the swamp. On the morning of the 19th the whole command moved down the left side of Orton pond, being guided by a negro, and upon reaching the foot of the pond learned that the fort had been evacuated during the night. Ames then recrossed the river and rejoined Terry's command, while Cox, pursuant to Schofield's orders, pushed on in pursuit of Hagood. The rear-guard was overtaken about 3 miles from the fort and the skirmishing continued until the enemy reached Town creek, about 5 miles farther up on the Wilmington road. Here a line of fortifications had been previously prepared and the Confederates made a stand, planting their 3 pieces of artillery in a position to command the approach to the bridge. This checked Cox's march but that night he succeeded in crossing two brigades in an old flatboat about a mile below the bridge and flanked the enemy from his works, the pursuit continuing toward Wilmington. Cox reported casualties amounting to 5 killed and 61 wounded in the various engagements from Smithville to Town creek, and General Bragg in his report says that Hagood lost 350 of his command before he reached Wilmington.


Fort Barrancas, Florida, January 1-2, 1862. A small steamer was imprudently run to the wharf at the navy yard within range of the Federal guns at Fort Pickens. In retaliation for the Confederates having fired on a small yard-boat sometime before, Colonel Brown, commanding the Department of Florida, ordered the craft attacked and 3 shots were fired into it as it lay at the wharf and was leaving it. This fire was returned from Fort Barrancas and McRee, by order of Brigadier-General Anderson, in temporary command of the Confederate forces there, and a brisk cannonade was kept up on both sides until dark, then an intermittent one was maintained until 9 p. m. and there was occasional mortar firing until 2 a. m. by the Federals and until 4 a. m. by the Confederates. A large and valuable storehouse, with considerable property, in the navy yard, was burned by Federal shells.


Fort Beaulieu, Georgia, December 14, 1864. Union gunboats, siege of Savannah. In the early years of the war the Confederates constructed Fort Beaulieu, at the summer resort of that name, on the Vernon river, and Fort Rosedew, on the Ogeechee river, to guard against any attack on Savannah from the direction of the seacoast. On December 14, after Sherman had drawn his lines about Savannah, Rear-Adm. Dahlgren moved part of his fleet up the two rivers and began the bombardment of the forts, continuing it until the garrisons were driven back to the main intrenchments of Savannah. The casualties of the action, if any were not reported. Dahlgren's vessels remained in position, throwing an occasional shell to prevent the reoccupation of the works, until the evacuation of Savannah on the 21st. (See Savannah.)


Fort Beauregard, Louisiana, May 10, 1863. Commodore Woodworth's Fleet. Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Logan, of the Confederate army, commanding at Fort Beauregard, on the Ouachita river near Harrisonburg, reported that 4 Federal gunboats came up at 2 a. m. and sent Page 411 in a flag of truce, demanding the surrender of the fort. When the request was refused they gave him an hour to remove the women and children from the town, and at the end of that time 3 of the vessels began shelling. About 150 shots were fired, part of the parapet and one house were destroyed, after which the shelling continued with less vigor until 6 p. m., when the gunboats retired. This is the only official mention of the affair.


Fort Beauregard, South Carolina, November 7, 1861. (See Port Royal.)


Fort Bisland, Louisiana, April 12-13, 1863. Detachment of 10th Army . Corps. General N. P. Banks, with Emory's division and Weitzel's brigade of the 19th corps, crossed Berwick bay on the 9th, 10th and 11th of April and on the 12th started for Fort Bisland on Bayou Teche, where a Confederate force of about.5,000, including three batteries and some cavalry, was located. Late on the afternoon of the 12th the Confederate outer line of defense was driven, enabling Banks to take up a position favorable for reconnoitering the main works. The attack was resumed early the next morning and a heavy artillery fire was kept up by the Federal guns to prepare the way for an assault. The gunboat Diana, which had been captured by the Confederates on March 28, was disabled by a shell and obliged to drop down the river. When night fell Banks was within 400 yards of the works and orders were issued for an assault at daylight the following morning. During the night the fort was evacuated and the Federal troops marched in about 7 a. m. on the 14th. The casualties in Banks' command were 40 killed and 184 wounded. The Confederate losses were not reported.


Fort Blakely, Alabama, April 2-9, 1865. (See Spanish Fort.)


Fort Bowie, Arizona Territory, April 25, 1863. Detachment of 5th California Infantry. Upon receiving a report that a large party of Apache Indians was close to the fort on the morning of the 25th, Captain B. F. Harrover. with about 30 men, started out to locate them. They were soon discovered and fired upon, a running fight being kept up for about 4 miles. One of Harrover's men was wounded and several of the Indians were killed. Fort Bowie, Arizona Territory, August 27, 1863. Detachment of 1st California Cavalry. On the date mentioned some 25 or 30 Indians swooped down on the horses of the detail stationed at Fort Bowie, and stampeded the whole herd down the canon. The sentry fired at the Indians, wounding one of the number.


Fort Brady, Virginia, Jan 24. 1865. 1st Connecticut Artillery. On the night of January 23 three Confederate rams, the wooden gun-boat Drewry and a small steam torpedo-boat passed Fort Brady on the James river under cover of darkness. About 25 shots were fired at them from the fort, whose armament was two 100-pounder Parrotts and three 30-pounder Parrotts. The fleet, however, reached the shelter of the Howlett battery, which immediately opened upon the fort and succeeded in putting out of commission one of the 100-pounders. About 10 p. m. one of the rams was sent to break the obstructions across the river, but received a heavy fire from the Union batteries below the fort, and at daylight next morning two of the rams and the Drewry were seen to be aground about 1,500 yards above. The third shot from the Union batteries exploded the Drewry magazine, completely destroying her. The rams managed to get out of range about noon. About 3 a. m. the next morning the rest of the fleet escaped up the river in the darkness, receiving about 25 rounds from the fort. The Union loss was 3 killed. The enemy's casualties were not reported.


Fort Brooke, Florida, October 16, 1863. According to the report of Captain Page 412 John Westcott, commanding the Confederate garrison at Fort Brooke, two Union gunboats moved up on the morning of the 16th and shelled the fort all day. About 1 1 o'clock that night a force of some 140 men landed at Ballast point and advanced through the woods upon the fort. The attack was repulsed and the assailants driven back to their boats with severe loss. Federal reports do not mention the affair.


Fort Brooke, Florida, December 25, 1863. U. S. Gunboat Tahoma. Captain Westcott, commanding at Fort Brooke, reported that the gunboat opened fire about 9 a. m. and continued the bombardment for about 2 hours, keeping out of range of the guns of the fort. At 11 o'clock the vessel withdrew.


Fort Buchanan, Arizona Territory, February 17, 1865. 1st Colorado Cavalry. About 9:45 a. m. of this date 100 Apache Indians attacked a vedette station of 6 men at Fort Buchanan. After the Indians had fired the roof of the station the men forced their way through the circle and succeeded in reaching the hills, with a loss of 1 missing and 1 wounded. The Indians captured 6 horses and equipments, carbines, subsistence, etc.


Fort Butler, Louisiana, June 28. 1863. (See Donaldsonville, same date.)


Fort Caswell, North Carolina, February 23, 1863.


Fort Clifton, Virginia, May 9, 1864. 3d Division, 18th Army Corps, and Graham's Gunboats. Fort Clinton was a Confederate work on the north bank of the Appomattox river, about a mile and a half below Petersburg. On the 9th General Graham moved up the river to aid General Hinks, commanding the 3d division, in a reconnaissance on the Petersburg works. When the fleet arrived within range of the fort the enemy opened fire with artillery, which was promptly responded to by Graham and the duel was kept up from 11 a. m. until 2 p. m., when the gunboats withdrew. Hinks could give. Graham no assistance as the fort was on the opposite side of the river, and the road leading to it was covered by Confederate batteries. One of the gunboats was disabled and burned to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy.


Fort Cobb, Indian Territory, October 21, 1862. Loyal Indians.


Fort Cottonwood, Nebraska, September 20, 1864. Detachment of 7th Iowa Cavalry. Eight soldiers of this regiment were sent out from Fort Cottonwood on September 20 to gather plums for the sick in the hospital. While on this duty they were attacked by a party of about 70 Indians, and 4 of the soldiers killed.


Fort Cottonwood, Nevada Territory, August 28, 1864. 7th Iowa Cavalry; fight with Indians.


Fort Craig, New Mexico, February 21, 1862. (See Valverde.)


Fort Craig, New Mexico, May 23, 1862. 3d United States Cavalry. A Federal picket was attacked 8 miles below Fort Craig by a superior number of the enemy on May 23. The attack was repulsed without loss on the Union side, while the Confederates lost 4 men killed or wounded. Fort Crook, California, September 21, 1862. Detachment of 2nd California Infantry. On the evening of the 21st word was brought to Fort Crook that a band of Indians had attacked a train on the Yreka road. Lieutenant Williams was sent out to render assistance, but on coming up with the train he found that the emigrants had succeeded in driving off the Indians, killing one of their number.


Fort Darling, Virginia—For engagements at Fort Darling on May 15, 1862, and May 12-16, 1864, see Drewry Bluff.


Fort Davidson, Missouri, September 26-27, 1864. Twelve days before the first of these engagements, General Price with a large force, crossed White Page 413 river at Salina, Arkansas, and the following week entered Missouri from the southeast. On the 23d his advance occupied Bloomfield. which the Federals had evacuated on the night of the 21st. Price next marched upon Pilot Knob, but Brigadier-General Thomas Ewing arrived there before him, with four companies of the 14th la. The force there with this addition numbered about 1,100 men. Major-General Rosecrans had instructed Ewing to have Major Wilson, of the 3d Missouri militia cavalry, try to hold Pilot Knob against any detachment of the enemy, but to evacuate if Price's main army should move against it. Fort Davidson was indefensible against any large army having serviceable artillery, although it had been strengthened and the approach to it had been rendered difficult by obstructing roads and cutting timber on the near sides of the hills. It was about 300 yards from the base of the knob, 1,000 from the gap, and 1,200 from the farthest summit of the hill visible from it. All parts of the hills facing it, except the west end of Shepherd's mountain, were within musket range. The village of Pilot Knob, then railway terminus and supply depot of the lower Federal outposts, lies in a 1,000 acre plain, walled in by Cedar and Rock mountains on the north, Pilot knob on the east and Shepherd's mountain on the south and west. Each hill rises abruptly from the valley 500 to 600 feet, and the near sides of all of them were covered with rocks, gnarled oaks and undergrowth. Over the southern and western slopes of Shepherd's mountain roads led to coal diggings on its summit. Along the base of the mountain and through a gap between it and Pilot knob, Stout's creek flows into a larger hill-encircled valley, in the north part of which, about a mile from Pilot knob, is Ironton. Through this gap runs the road from Pilot Knob to Fredericktown, passing out of the larger valley by Shut-in gap, 4 miles southeast of Pilot Knob. The two valleys are called Arcadia. Ewing reached Pilot Knob at noon on September 26, sent two companies to reconnoiter toward Fredericktown and a scouting party under Captain Powers to cross the roads from that point southward and learn as much as possible of the Confederates. Both commands met Price's advance in Arcadia valley, near Shut-in gap. and were forced back to Ironton, where with Captain Dinger's company of the 47th Missouri they made a stand. Ewing reinforced them with his detachment of the 14th la., a section of Montgomery's battery and all his available cavalry, giving the command to Wilson and instructing him, if possible, to drive the enemy through Shut-in gap. Wilson drove the Confederates to the gap, but was unable to hold them there, and was being gradually forced back, when fighting was stopped by darkness and a rainstorm. During the night there was watching and planning on both sides. Ewing was not certain that Price's main army was there, but Tie knew that Confederates were coming into the valley in large force. He decided to delay, at any cost, the Confederate advance north for two or three days sending up the railroad all the stores not needed in the fort, and started the quartermaster's wagons empty. He made Lieutenant Murphy of the 47th Missouri his aide-de-camp, gave him general control of the artillery and under his directions the artillery defenses of the fort were improved. Ewing maintained communication with Major-General Smith at DeSoto and Mineral Point, until 11 a. m. on the 27th, when the telegraph line went down. At daylight that day the enemy forced Wilson back through Arcadia valley to the gap between Pilot knob and Shepherd's mountain. Ewing ordered the detachment of the 14th la. to a position on the east end of Shepherd's mountain and Wilson to fall back with his cavalry along the side of Pilot knob, thus commanding the gap from Page 414 both sides and opening a clear range from the fort. Soon the Confederates displayed a flag of truce, but suspecting trickery, Ewing ordered hostilities to proceed. The Confederates could pass the gap only by fighting their way through. In a prolonged and obstinate struggle they lost heavily. Then came an hour's lull, in which they threw a force around Shepherd's mountain and approached from the west, but they were sent back by Federal artillery and skirmishers. Another hour and the Federals had been summarily ejected from points commanding the gap and were being pursued along the hill-sides. Then, when the Confederates had advanced within range the Federals opened on them with all their guns, driving them back in disorder, with much bloodshed, and retook the gap. Again they were forced from it and again with their artillery they cleared the hills of all able-bodied Confederates. The enemy next got 2 pieces of artillery in position on the west end of Shepherd's mountain, commanding a part of the side of Pilot knob, but the guns from the fort also covered this position and it became neutral ground. Federal skirmishers still held the sides of Shepherd's mountain, except 'next to the gap, and the side of Pilot knob not raked by Confederate artillery. After about an hour of comparative quiet, lines of Confederates came exposed down from the summits of two hills and almost before the Federals could fire on them another white flag was raised on Shepherd's mountain, where Confederate officers were in council. A brisk fire was directed to the group and the flag was hauled down. Ewing tried to get into the fort the section of artillery that had been operating outside, but the horses stampeded and almost until nightfall the guns remained outside, covered by his fire. The enemy opened on the fort with 2 guns, from the summit of Shepherd's mountain, at about 8oo yards, and 2 nearer on the mountain side, all so well protected it was impossible to silence them. Marmaduke's division moved rapidly down the side of Shepherd's mountain to the assault. His line was broken by the steep and rough descent and by the Federal fire. On reaching the plain most of his men sought cover in the creek, from which they kept up an incessant fire. As Marmaduke came down the mountain, Fagan in stronger force came over the top of Pilot knob, sweeping back or cutting off the Federals that had held the town and part of the mountain sides. About 100 of Marmaduke's men ventured on to the assault but fell or were repulsed before they reached the ditch. Fagan's line was broken by obstructions at the outskirts of the town, but was quickly reformed by General Cabell, who led the assault. The Federals opened upon it at 6oo yards with musketry from the ramparts of the fort and from a long line of rifle-pits to the north. and with canister from y pieces of artillery. The Confederates came on gallantly until their advance reached the ditch, then broken, confused, swept down by the resistless fire, the attacking forces fled in dismay, leaving apparently almost half their comrades dead or wounded on the plain. Meanwhile the enemy had thrown a large cavalry force around the west end of Shepherd's mountain to occupy the road to Mineral Point. As they moved along the base of Cedar mountain, just after the repulse of the last assault, a sortie was made from the north ditch by which they were routed with considerable loss. Ineffective musket and artillery firing continued half an hour longer, till the approach of night ended the engagement. At 3 o'clock next morning, Ewing, convinced that Price's army was assailing him in full force, evacuated the post, blew up the magazine and retreated Page 415 toward Rolla. Federal loss about 150 killed and wounded, 50 captured and paroled; Confederate loss more than 1,500.


Fort Davis, Arkansas, December — , 1862. Troops under Colonel William A. Phillips. In a dispatch to Brigadier-General Blunt, Colonel William A. Phillips tells of having crossed the Arkansas river at the Frozen Rock ford; "took and burned Fort Davis, reducing all the barrack and commissary buildings and the whole establishment to ashes." This is the only mention of the affair found in the official reports.


Fort De Russy, Louisiana, May 4, 1863. (See Naval Volume.)


Fort De Russy, Louisiana, March 14, 1864. Detachments of the 16th and 17th Army Corps. After the fall of Vicksburg and the other Confederate positions in the vicinity, the attention of the government was directed to the conquest of Texas. The first effort in that direction was the ill-fated Sabine Pass expedition in September, 1863. In March, 1864, a joint movement was started up the Red river, having in view the capture of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a junction at that point or in the vicinity with the troops of General Steele from Arkansas. The effective force of the expedition, all under Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks, consisting of a detachment of the 13th army corps (Brigadier-General Thomas E. G. Ransom, the two divisions (3d and 4th) present being commanded by Brigadier-General Robert A. Cameron and Colonel William J. Landram. Major-General William B. Franklin's corps (the 19th) furnished two divisions, the 1st and 2nd, commanded respectively by Brigadier-General William H. Emory and Brigadier-General Cuvier Grover. The cavalry division was under Brigadier-General Albert L. Lee, and there was some artillery and colored infantry, all the above belonging to the Department of the Gulf. General W. T. Sherman furnished from the Army of the Tennessee detachments from the 16th and 17th army corps, under Brigadier-Generals Andrew J. Smith and T. Kilby Smith. These troops were taken to the mouth of the Red river in transports, where the fleet of Adm. Porter was in waiting to cooperate in the movement, and were landed at Simsport. The troops of the Department of the Gulf moved by way of Bayou Teche under orders to unite with the other forces at Alexandria. On the 14th the detachments of the 16th and 17th army corps marched toward Fort De Russy, on the left bank of the Red river, near the little town of Marksville. This fort was discovered to be occupied by a garrison of about 350 men. The 1st and 2nd brigades, 3d division, 16th corps, advanced in line of battle, followed by the 3d brigade. The enemy's artillery opened on the line as soon as it came within sight, but the guns were soon silenced by the skirmishers. About 6:30 p. m. a charge was made and the parapet scaled, when the garrison surrendered. The Union loss was 3 killed and 35 wounded; the Confederate casualties were not reported. The prisoners numbered 319. This affair was the first engagement of the Red river campaign.


Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 14-16, 1862. U. S. Troops under General U. S. Grant, and Commodore Foote's Gunboats. Fort Donelson was located on the left bank of the Cumberland river, about a mile and a half below the little town of Dover, and was built about the same time as Fort Henry (q. v.). It was a bastioned earthwork, on a bluff about 100 feet above the water and commanded the river for several miles down stream. On either side of this bluff streams flowed into the Cumberland, Hickman creek on the lower side and Indian creek on the upper, and along the ridge below Indian creek ran the road to Wynn's ferry. On the lower side of the fort two water-batteries had been set in the side of the bluff about 30 feet above the water. The lower battery had nine 32-pounder guns and a 10-inch columbiad, and the upper mounted a rifled gun carrying Page 416 a 128 pound conical shot and two 32-pounder carronades, while the armament of the fort proper consisted of 8 guns of heavy caliber. In the rear of the fort a line of rifle-pits extended from Hickman creek to below the town of Dover, and along this line were 8 field batteries, numbering probably 40 guns. After the fall of Fort Henry on February 6 Grant prepared to move at once on Fort Donelson. But the rivers were rising, the road for 2 miles was under water, and the troops were kept busy in saving the camp equipage, etc., from the flood. A detachment of cavalry, however, went to the fort on the 7th and skirmished awhile with the pickets and outlying works, merely to develop the enemy's strength and position. Knowing that the fort would be speedily reinforced as soon as the news of the surrender of Fort Henry reached Confederate headquarters, Grant at first contemplated making the attack with infantry and cavalry alone, but after the delay caused by the high waters he concluded to wait for the arrival of the gunboats, which had left Fort Henry immediately after the surrender, to move down the Tennessee and Mississippi and ascend the Cumberland to assist in the assault on Fort Donelson. Foote left Cairo on the 11th with the 4 ironclads, St. Louis, Carondelet, Louisville and Pittsburg, and the two wooden gunboats, Tyler and Conestoga, expecting to form a junction with Grant on the 13th at the farthest. In the meantime Halleck was busily engaged in forwarding supplies and reinforcements to Grant, so that when the attack was made the Union army numbered about 27,000 men, 5,000 of whom were engaged in guarding trains. The organization was as follows: 1st division, Brigadier-General John A. McClernand, consisting of the brigades of Richard J. Oglesby, W. H. L. Wallace and William R. Morrison, and four batteries; 2nd division, Brig-General Charles E. Smith, consisting of the brigades of John McArthur, John Cook, Jacob G. Laum?n and George F. McGinnis, and three batteries: 3d division, Brigadier-General Lewis Wallace, consisting of the brigades of Charles Cruft and John M. Thayer, with two batteries. In Wallace's division the 2nd and 3d brigades were united under the command of Thayer. All the brigade commanders held the rank of colonel, though they subsequently attained higher rank. The Confederates had also been heavily reinforced during the time Grant was waiting for the waters to subside and for the arrival of the fleet. In addition to the original garrison and the 3,000 men that went with Heiman from Fort Henry on the 6th, Bushrod Johnson arrived with about 6,000 on the 8th; Pillow came down from Clarksville on the 9th with 2,000 more; Brown's brigade came in about the same time; Floyd and Buckner arrived from Russellville with 8,000 on the 11th and 12th, and Polk sent about 1,800 from Columbus. On the morning of the 13th the Confederate strength numbered not far from 20,000 men, and was divided into the following commands: Buckner's division, including the brigades of Colonels W. E. Baldwin and J. C. Brown; Johnson's left wing, consisting of the brigades of Colonels A. Heiman, T. J. Davidson and John Dralce; Floyd's division, consisting of the brigades of Colonels G. C. Wharton and John McCausland: the regular garrison, embracing the 30th, 49th and 50th Tennessee, and commanded by Colonel J. W. Head; and Forrest's cavalry. On the morning of the 12th Grant left Lew Wallace with about 2,500 men at Fort Henry and moved with 15.000 by two roads toward Fort Donelson. McClernand's division, preceded by cavalry, had the advance on both roads. About noon the head of the column commenced skirmishing with the enemy's pickets, the rest of the day being passed in feeling the Confederate position and in learning the Page 417 nature of the ground, which was full of ravines and ridges and thickly wooded. By nightfall Smith's division was in front of Buckner's next to Hickman creek, while McClernand had crossed Indian creek and taken position on the Wynn's ferry road. All of the 13th was spent in maneuvering for position and making demonstrations to draw the fire of the enemy's batteries, with a view of locating the weak points in the line of defenses. The Carondelet arrived that morning and fired a few shots at long range, disabling one of the 32-pounders in the lower battery, but a shot from the rifled gun in the upper battery entered a port-hole in the vessel, damaging her machinery and causing her to withdraw out of range. Toward evening the fleet arrived, bringing transports laden with reinforcements and, what was more welcome, supplies, as the men had left Fort Henry in light marching order with but one day's rations in their haversacks. Wallace, who had been ordered up from Fort Henry, arrived on the 14th and was assigned to a position between Smith and McClernand, most of the reinforcements being added to his division. Skirmishers exchanged shots at intervals during the day and from time to time the gunners in the batteries fired a few rounds to try the range of the guns. At 3 p. m. the 4 ironclad gunboats took position under fire and steamed slowly up the river firing as they came. When within less than 400 yards of the fort a solid shot plowed its way through the wheel house of the St. Louis, and almost at the same instant the tiller ropes of the Louisville were cut away. The two boats became unmanageable and drifted down the river, greeted by the exultant yells of the Confederate gunners. The Pittsburg and Carondelet covered the disabled boats as well as possible and the whole fleet fell back beyond the range of the guns that had wrought the disaster. This repulse of the gunboats made it plain that the fort, if it was taken at all, must be taken by the land forces, and preparations were at once commenced for an attack on the following morning. Other transports had arrived during the day with additional troops, which were assigned to positions in the line; McArthur was ordered to the right to support Oglesby, as it was feared the enemy might attempt to cut his way out at that point; batteries were brought up and placed in the most advantageous positions; rations and ammunition were issued to the men, and when night came the men bivouacked without fires, resting on their arms so as to begin the assault as soon as the command might be given. Buckner says it was decided at a council on the morning of the 14th to cut a way out that day and that preparations were made for such a movement, but the order was countermanded by Floyd. That night another council was held, at which it was agreed to make a sortie at daybreak on the 15th, and if it was successful to retreat to Charlotte by the Wynn's ferry road. Pillow was to begin the attack on McClernand's right, and this was to be followed by Buckner in an assault on the center of the division, driving it back on Lew Wallace and opening the way to the road, after which Buckner was to cover the retreat. Accordingly at 6 a. m. Baldwin's brigade moved out and was soon engaged with Oglesby. McArthur hurried up and formed his command on Oglesby's right, gradually widening the distance between his regiments and prolonging his right into a skirmish line. Oglesby moved the 18th Illinois to the right to strengthen the line and brought up Schwartz' battery, which opened a destructive fire on the enemy's advancing column. Pillow sent the 20th Miss, to Baldwin's support, but it was quickly forced to retire behind a ridge for shelter. Johnson's brigade next moved forward through a depression in the ground and succeeded in Page 418 turning McClernand's right. McClernand sent to Lew Wallace for assistance and Cruft's brigade was ordered to the right, where it managed to check the enemy and for a time held its position. Deeming that the time had come for him to act, Buckner advanced a part of his division against W. H. L. Wallace's brigade. McClernand sent Taylor's and McAllister's batteries to Wallace's support and Buckner failed to break the line, his troops retiring before the destructive fire of the artillery. Fresh regiments were now hurled against Oglesby, whose ammunition was exhausted, and his men began to fall back. The enemy swept around his flank and appeared in the rear, isolating Cruft's brigade, which also retired. One regiment of Oglesby's command—the 31st Illinois, commanded by Colonel John A. Logan—held on after the others retreated and continued the fight until every cartridge box was empty. Logan was wounded in the thigh, but still kept his post. When his regiment was finally compelled to fall back for want of ammunition, he had his wound dressed and again went to the front. As the 31st retired the 11th Illinois, under Lieutenant-Colonel Ransom, wheeled into the position and held it until charged by Forrest's cavalry, when it, too, retreated. Up to this point the sortie had been successful. Pillow had opened the way for the Confederates to escape, but the escape was not made. This was due to Pillow's erroneous notion of the victory he had won. When he saw the broken ranks of the Union right wing falling back in confusion before him he believed Grant's entire army was in full retreat, and so telegraphed to Johnston. Buckner was in position to protect the withdrawal of the troops, but Pillow ordered him to move out on a road running up a gorge toward Lew Wallace's position in pursuit of the flying Federals. Buckner protested against such a move, suggesting that the objects of the sortie had been gained, and that the proper thing to do was to evacuate the fort at once. Pillow, however, was flushed with success and allowed his vanity to get the better of his judgment. He would listen to no remonstrance and again ordered Buckner to take up the pursuit. About the time that Buckner started up the gorge road an officer rode back past Lew Wallace shouting: "All's lost! Save yourselves!" Instead of joining the retreating troops Wallace ordered Thayer's brigade forward to meet the enemy. Thayer moved his command at the double-quick up the ridge, formed a new line of battle at right angles to the old one, and behind this line McClernand's brigades rallied and refilled their cartridge boxes. Wood's battery was brought up and placed where it could sweep the road. These preparations were barely completed when the Confederates came swarming up the road and through the woods on both sides of it. The battery and the 1st Nebraska, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel McCord, were the principal points of the attack. In his report Wallace says: "They met the storm, no man flinching, and their fire was terrible. To say that they did well is not enough. Their conduct was splendid. They alone repelled the charge. * * * That was the last sally from Fort Donelson." In the meantime C. F. Smith on the left had not been idle. With this command were Birge's sharpshooters, armed with long range Henry-rifles, and every man a skilled marksman. All day on the 14th this band of intrepid Missourians kept up from behind rocks and trees a continual fire, making it unsafe for a Confederate to show his head above the works. On the morning of the 15th Grant went to the flagship to hold an interview with Foote, who had been wounded during the action of the gunboats, and knew nothing of Pillow's sortie until about 1 p. m. He ordered C. F. Smith to storm Page 419 the works in his front and then rode over to the right to take steps to recover the lost ground. Lew Wallace placed M. L. Smith's brigade, consisting of the 11th Indiana and 8th Missouri, in the advance; Cruft's brigade in the second line; Morrison's brigade—the 17th and 49th Illinois—and the 46th, 57th and 58th Illinois in support. At 2 o'clock C. F. Smith led Lauman's brigade through the abatis in the best order possible, reformed his line and charged up the slope. The Confederates in the rifle-pits fled precipitately and the four regiments of the brigade, the 25th Indiana, the 2nd, 7th and 14th Louisiana, rushed in and planted the national colors over the works. This occurred while Buckner was engaged in trying to carry out Pillow's order to pursue the retreating Federals. Later he came back and vainly tried to dislodge Smith, but the latter was there to stay. When Lew Wallace heard the sound of Smith's attack he ordered his line to advance against the ridge held by Drake's brigade and the 20th Mississippi The 11th Indiana had been drilled in Zouave tactics, which now came in good play. Falling to the ground when the enemy's fire was hottest, then springing to their feet and running forward when it slackened, all the time keeping up a well directed fire, they gradually forced the Confederates back toward their works on the summit of the ridge. When near the ridge the Unionists commenced loading and firing as they advanced. Unused to this style of warfare the enemy gave way. The supporting column hurried up at this juncture, pressed the advantage gained and drove the Confederates within their works. The road to Charlotte was closed and the opportunity to escape had passed. That night the Confederate generals held another council of war. The session was somewhat stormy, the criminations and recriminations between Buckner and Pillow growing at times especially bitter. Scouts were sent out to ascertain the position of the Federals and came back with the information that the Union lines occupied the same position as before the sortie. Some of the generals doubted the correctness of this statement and other scouts were sent out, who came back with the report that every foot of ground from which the Federals had been driven in the morning had been reoccupied. Pillow still clung to the notion that they could cut their way out. After canvassing the situation in all of its aspects the command was turned over to Buckner, who immediately announced his determination to surrender the fort. Floyd and Pillow declared they would never surrender, and Buckner agreed to their cutting their way out, or escaping as they could, provided it was done before an agreement was reached with the Federal commander as to the terms of capitulation. Pillow started out to make arrangements for his escape, at the same time giving Forrest directions to cut his way out. Calling his command together about 3 o'clock on Sunday morning of the 16th, Forrest went up the river road through the backwater, which in places came up to the saddle-skirts, and reached Nashville the following Tuesday. About 200 of his men refused to go and were surrendered. Pillow and his staff crossed the river in a small flatboat and walked to Clarksville. About daylight two steamboats, which had been sent up the river with prisoners and wounded Confederates, returned to the fort. Floyd took possession of the boats, embarked four Virginia regiments and steamed off up the river, leaving the 20th Miss, of his brigade behind. Shortly after daybreak the notes of a bugle were heard in the direction of the fort, announcing the' approach of an officer with a communication from Buckner, asking for an armistice until noon and the appointment of commissioners to agree on the terms of capitulation. Page 420 Then it was that Grant sent his famous message, viz: "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works." Having no alternative Buckner was forced to comply, and the Union forces marched in and took possession. The Union loss at Fort Donelson was 500 killed, 2,108 wounded and 224 missing. No accurate report of the Confederate casualties was made. Floyd estimated it at "about 1,500;" Pillow thought it was "about 2,000," and the Confederate Military History places it at "about 1.420." The same is true of the total strength of the Confederate army and the number of prisoners surrendered. McClernand, in his report, says: "Our trophies corresponded with the magnitude of the victory; 13,300 prisoners, 20,000 stands of small arms, 60 pieces of cannon, and corresponding proportions of animals, wagons, ordnance, commissary and quartermaster's stores fell into our hands." But the most important result of the fall of Fort Donelson was the opening of the Cumberland river to the passage of the Union gunboats and transports and the breaking of Johnston's line of defense.


Fort Donelson, Tennessee, August 25, 1862. Detachment of 71st Ohio Infantry. About 1:30 p. m. on August 25 a Confederate force under Colonel Woodward approached Fort Donelson and, under a flag of truce, demanded a surrender. When the demand was refused their cavalry charged and were repulsed with a loss of 6 or 8 killed and wounded. After half an hour's fighting the enemy withdrew. The Union forces sustained no loss.


Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 3, 1863. Detachments of 5th Iowa Cavalry, 83d Illinois Infantry, and 2nd Illinois Artillery. About noon this post was approached by the Confederate cavalry forces under Generals Wheeler, Forrest and Wharton. A demand was made to surrender, which Colonel Abner C. Harding, commanding the post, immediately refused. Meantime the enemy had placed three batteries on the ridges to the east, south and southwest and were pouring a heavy fire into the fort. A charge from the direction of the river was repulsed, and then another assault, led by Forrest himself, was started. The attacking party moved down the river and turned southward, filling the space between the river and the north line of rifle-pits with mounted men. At the crest of the ridge directly in front of the rifle-pits the enemy was met by a volley from 300 Springfield rifles, followed by a bayonet charge, and the ground was soon cleared. From this time until sunset a heavy musketry fire was kept up. when another demand was made for the surrender of the fort. This was refused and shortly after dark the enemy withdrew. The Union loss was 13 killed, 51 wounded and 46 captured. The Confederate casualties were about 100 killed and wounded.


Fort Donelson, Tennessee, July 29, 1863. Detachment of 13th Wisconsin Infantry. A party of some 30 or 40 mounted infantry proceeding from Clarksville to Fort Donelson was attacked by a Confederate ambush near the latter place and scattered, about 20 coming into Fort Donelson.


Fort Donelson, Tennessee, October 11, 1864. Detachment of 4th U. S. Colored Artillery. On the morning of this date Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas R. Weaver, with a detachment of 85 men, started from Pine Bluff on a recruiting trip. When within 5 miles of Fort Donelson the advance came up with three regiments of Confederate cavalry under Colonel Chenoweth. The Union troops were formed in line of battle on an elevated position, occupied by the house and outbuildings of a farmer, where an attack was repulsed and Weaver, seeing that he was being surrounded, took possession of the buildings. After another Page 421 fruitless attempt to drive the Federals from the hill, Chenoweth withdrew, having suffered a loss of 20 men killed and wounded. The Union loss was 4 killed and 9 wounded.


Fort Esperanza, Texas, November 27-29, 1863. Detachments of 1st and 2nd divisions, 13th Army Corps. By midnight of November 25, Major-General C. C. Washburn, commanding the expedition, had ferried his force to the southern end of Matagorda island and commenced his march on Fort Esperanza. The night of the 26th was spent within 10 miles of the fort and by noon the next day the Union command was within range of the enemy's guns. Owing to the severity of the weather and the fact that the gunboats which were to aid in the attack on the fort had not come up, little besides reconnoitering the enemy's position was done on the 28th. During the night, however, a rifle pit 210 yards in length, and sufficiently large to hold a regiment, was dug parallel with the enemy's works. Early in the morning the Union advance drove in the enemy's pickets and took a portion of the works without trouble. This enabled Washburn to bring up 2 pieces of the 7th Michigan battery where they could drop shells into the fort. The infantry was moved forward whenever opportunity offered, so that by evening four companies of the 8th Indiana and 5 of the 33d Illinois were in the sandhills within 275 yards of the fort. About midnight an explosion of gunpowder notified Washburn that the Confederates were evacuating the fort, and a rush was made for it to save as much property as possible. Six of the enemy's rear guard were captured. The ferry rope had been cut so that the pursuing troops were not able to follow. The Union loss was 1 killed and 4 wounded. The Confederate loss was not reported.


Fort Fillmore, New Mexico, July 27, 1861. Detachments of 7th U. S. Infantry and Mounted Rifles. After the unsuccessful attempt on the 25th to dislodge from Mesilla the Texas troops under Lieutenant-Colonel John R. Baylor, Major Isaac Lynde returned to Fort Fillmore with his command. The next day word was brought to Lynde that an artillery reinforcement was being sent the enemy, and if he attempted to intercept it the fort would be attacked in his absence; if he allowed the reinforcement to proceed without molesting it the joint command would attack the fort. Believing himself unable to cope with any considerable force, Lynde ordered the post evacuated, and at 1 a. m. took up the line of march for Fort Stanton. His idea was to reach St. Augustine springs the first day and there make camp. When within 6 miles of the springs a goodly portion of his men and horses gave out for lack of water, and Lynde and a part of his staff rode forward to the springs to bring back enough to enable the command to move on. On returning to the troops Lynde was joined by Captain Alfred Gibbs with 35 men, who had been sent from Albuquerque with beef cattle for the Fort Fillmore command. In the meantime the Confederate troops had come upon the Union rearguard and captured it without a struggle. Thinking it useless to resist Lynde sent an officer under a flag of truce offering to surrender his whole command under certain conditions. These the Confederates accepted and the Union force of nearly 500 men became prisoners of war. Lynde's name was dropped from the roll of the army because of his cowardly performance.


Fort Fillmore, New Mexico, August 7, 1862. California troops, commanded by General Canby.


Fort Fisher, North Carolina, December 7-27, 1864. 2nd Division, 24th Army Corps, 1st Division, 25th Corps, and Porter's Fleet. While the siege of Petersburg and Richmond was in progress, General Grant Page 422 determined on an expedition to reduce Fort Fisher and close the port of Wilmington, through which the Confederate army was receiving supplies. On December 8 Ames' division of the 24th corps and Paine's of the 25th, under command of Major-General Godfrey Weitzel and accompanied by General Butler, dropped down the James river on transports to Fortress Monroe. On the 18th the expedition effected a junction with Adm. Porter's fleet, but owing to rough weather did not reach the vicinity of the fort until the 24th, the gunboats already being in position and bombarding the fort. By noon of the 25th the Half-moon and Flag Pond hill batteries—2 miles up the coast from Fort Fisher—were silenced, and part of the troops landed. Curtis' brigade of Ames' division captured the Half-moon battery and advanced a skirmish line to within 75 yards of the fort, the gunboats keeping up an incessant fire that held the Confederates in their bomb-proofs. In the meantime General Lee had hurried Hoke's division from Richmond to the relief of the fort and two brigades close on the rear of the Union troops that had landed. A rough sea made it difficult to land more troops; Weitzel reported to Butler that it was impracticable to assault with the force then on shore; the troops were reembarked, and on the 27th the expedition returned to Fortress Monroe. Weitzel reported his loss as 1 man drowned while reembarking and 15 wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was not ascertained, but 300 were captured, with 2 heavy rifled guns, 2 light guns, 6 caissons and a battle flag. (See Fort Fisher January 13-17. 1865.)


Fort Fisher, North Carolina, January 13-17, 1865. Expedition under General Terry, and North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Pursuant to orders from General Grant, Major-General Alfred H. Terry on January 2 selected 1,400 men from the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 24th corps, under Colonel J. C. Abbott; 3.300 from the 2nd division of the same corps under Brigadier- General Adelbert Ames; 3,300 from the 3d division of the 25th corps, under command of Brigadier-General Charles J. Paine; 4 guns of the 16th New York independent battery, and Battery E, 3d U. S. artillery, for an expedition against Fort Fisher. The troops were embarked on transports at Bermuda landing on the 4th and joined the North Atlantic Squadron, under Adm. Porter, 25 miles off Beaufort, North Carolina. Owing to stormy weather the fleet did not reach the vicinity of Fort Fisher until late on the afternoon of the 12th and landing was postponed until next morning. Fort Fisher was located on the narrow peninsula known as Federal point, between the Cape Fear river and the Atlantic ocean, and was garrisoned by a Confederate force of some 1,200 men with 47 pieces of heavy ordnance. When the enemy learned of Terry's approach General Whiting reinforced the garrison with 600 men and General Hoke, with his division of 6,000 infantry and cavalry took a position on the peninsula north of the fort to prevent the Federals from landing. About midnight of the 12th the gunboats began shelling the fort and at 4 a. m. on the 13th the transports moved close to the shore and the work of disembarking was commenced. By 3 p. m. 8,000 men were on shore, each with 3 days' rations in his haversack and 40 rounds of ammunition in his cartridge-box. Terry's advance soon encountered Hoke's outposts and exchanged shots with them, the Confederates gradually retiring. During the night Terry threw a line of intrenchments across the peninsula to guard against any attack from the rear, and early on the morning of the 14th the artillery was brought ashore and placed in the works. Curtis' brigade of Ames' division moved toward the fort and gained possession of. a small unfinished work facing the west end of the land front of the fort. As a result of the Page 423 reconnaissance Terry determined to attempt an assault the next day and sent word to Porter, who at once moved his gunboats nearer the fort for the purpose of cooperating with the land forces. At 8 a. m. on the 15th, according to Terry's report, "all of the vessels, except a division left to aid in the defense of our northern line, moved into position, and a fire, magnificent alike for its power, was opened." At 2 p. m. 60 sharpshooters from the 13th Indiana, armed with Spencer repeating rifles, and 40 men from Curtis' brigade, advanced on a run to within 17S yards of the fort. They were provided with shovels, and in the sandy soil each man soon had a pit to shelter him while he directed his fire to the parapet. As soon as the sharpshooters had gained their position Curtis moved up to a slight ridge about 50 yards in their rear, Pennypacker's brigade occupied the outwork just vacated by Curtis, and Bell's brigade was placed about 200 yards in the rear of Pennypacker. At 3:25 p. m. the signal to advance was given. Curtis' men sprang from their cover and dashed toward the fort; Pennypacker occupied the position along the little ridge, and Bell moved up to the outwork. With Curtis were a number of axmen who did good service in making openings in the palisades, through which Curtis' line swept like a tornado and gained the parapet. At the same time a column of sailors and marines, commanded by Captain K. R. Breese, advanced up the beach and attacked the northeastern bastion, but were met by a murderous fire and compelled to retire to the boats. As soon as Curtis had gained a firm foothold on the parapet Pennypacker was moved up to his support and in a few minutes drove the enemy from the palisades extending toward the river, after which he took a position on Curtis' right on the north face of the fort. Bell's brigade was now moved between the fort and the river. On this side there was no parapet, but the enemy found shelter in the holes from which the sand had been taken to construct the fort, and here some desperate hand to hand fighting occurred, the enemy falling back from one to another of the traverses of the land face of the fort and using these traverses for breastworks, from which they fired on the advancing Unionists at short range. The contest for the possession of the traverses was continued until about 9 p. m., when Abbott's brigade drove the enemy from his last stand and Fort Fisher was in the hands of the Federal troops. Several prisoners were captured by Pennypacker in his first assault on the palisades and the rest of the garrison surrendered. About 4 p. m. Hoke attempted a diversion by threatening an attack on Terry's line of intrenchments across the peninsula, but after a slight skirmish with the Union pickets abandoned his intention. Terry's loss at Fort Fisher was 11o killed, 535 wounded and 13 missing. General Bragg, commanding the Confederate forces, reported his loss as about 500 in killed and wounded and 2,083 captured. With the prisoners all the stores, cannon, etc., fell into the hands of the Union forces. Besides the 47 heavy guns in position there were 122 pieces of artillery in the fort, 2.000 stand of small arms, full supplies of ammunition and a large quantity of commissary stores. Brigadier-General N. M. Curtis, Colonel Galusha Pennypacker and First Lieutenant John Wainwright, of the 97th Pennsylvania, and Private Z. C. Neahr, of the 142nd New York, were awarded medals of honor by Congress for distinguished bravery at Fort Fisher. On the 16th the enemy blew up Fort Caswell and Fort Campbell, and abandoned them, as well as their works at Smithville and at Reeves' point. Fort Fisher, Virginia, March 25, 1865. 2nd and 6th Army Corps. Fort Fisher was one of the redoubts in front of Petersburg. The assault Page 424 by the 2nd and 6th corps was made immediately after the repulse of the Confederate attack on Fort Stedman. (See Petersburg.)


Fort Gaines, Alabama, August 8, 1864. Fort Gaines was one of the Confederate defenses of Mobile bay. For an account of its reduction on the above date, see naval volume, operations of Farragut's fleet about Mobile.


Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, May 20, 1863. U. S. Troops under Colonel William A. Phillips. Because an Indian picket failed to do his duty, five regiments of Confederate troops were able to make a descent on the stock of Fort Gibson, within 5 miles of the fort, and carry off practically all the horses. Colonel William A. Phillips, commanding the post, sent out Majors Foreman, Wright and Pomeroy in pursuit, but the enemy being strongly posted were able to drive back the Federal troops. On the arrival of Phillips with artillery reinforcements the Confederates were dislodged and pushed over the mountain to Webber's falls, where they crossed the Arkansas river. In the mean-time Phillips received word that another force was crossing the river 2 miles below Fort Gibson, and leaving the cavalry to follow the original attacking force he took his infantry and artillery to the river, where he found a body of Confederates making a feint, so as to draw him from the other party. This force withdrew after firing one volley. The Union loss was 26 killed, wounded and missing. The enemy's loss, though not reported, was much larger.


Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, May 28, 1863. Indian Home Guards. A train, under escort of a portion of Colonel William A. Phillips' Indian regiment, was attacked by a considerable force of Confederates near Fort Gibson on the 28th. The enemy was repulsed, but not until after Phillips had lost 5 killed and several wounded. The Union report of the affair says 35 of the enemy were buried by the home guards. Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, December 16, 1863. An abstract from the "Record of Events" of the district of the frontier reads: "December 16, the rebels, under Colonels Stand Watie, Adair and Quantrill, moved to attack Fort Gibson, but fell back as troops moved out of the post. Federal loss, 2 men killed and 2 wounded. Rebel loss, killed and wounded, 5."


Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, September 16, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Kansas Cavalry and 79th U. S. Colored Infantry. While guarding a hay party on the prairie 15 miles west of Fort Gibson, Captain Edgar A. Barker, with 125 men, received word of the advance of a Confederate force in the direction of his camp. Drawing his infantry up in line of battle, he moved out with a squad of cavalry and came up with the enemy about 2 miles away. He immediately fell back, thwarting several attempts of the Confederates to cut him off from his main column. The enemy then surrounded the camp and attacked from all sides, their cavalry charging three times, but each time being repulsed. Finding himself about to be overwhelmed, Barker with his cavalry made a dash for liberty, leaving the infantry to fight it out. The Confederates immediately closed in, captured all the white soldiers and killed all the colored troops. Only 15 men in the cavalry division succeeded in getting through, as the Confederates numbered 1,500. The total Federal loss was 40 killed and 66 wounded, missing or captured. The enemy's loss was not reported. All of the equipment of the hay party was taken or destroyed by the enemy.


Fort Gilmer, Virginia, September 29-30, 1864. (See Fort Harrison.)


Fort Halleck, Dakota, February 20, 1863. 9th Kansas Cavalry. On the 19th a band of Ute Indians broke up the stage line station at Pass creek and on the following day a detachment was sent in pursuit Page 425 from Fort Halleck. An encounter occurred during which some of the Indians were killed and others wounded. One of the soldiers was wounded.


Fort Harrison, Virginia, September 29-30, 1864. 10th and 18th Army Corps, and Kautz's Cavalry Division. Fort Harrison was a redoubt on the Confederate line of defenses north of the James river, and about a mile directly east of Chaffin's bluff. A short distance north was another redoubt known as Fort Gilmer, both forts being connected with the works at Chaffin's bluff by lines of intrenchments, while an advanced line, held by the enemy's pickets, extended northeast from Fort Harrison. On September 28 Major-General David B. Birney, commanding the 10th corps, was directed to cross the James river at the upper pontoon bridge at Deep Bottom (q. v.) and advance upon Richmond by the Newmarket and Darbytown roads. Kautz, with his cavalry division, was to move on the latter road in support of Birney's movement, and as a diversion Major-General E. O. C. Ord, with the 18th corps, was directed to cross the river by a pontoon 2 miles below Dutch gap and move up the Varina road against the Confederate works about Chaffin's bluff. The movement was made secretly, and by daylight on the 29th both corps were north of the James. The Confederate pickets and skirmishers were driven in and about 7:30 the head of Ord's column reached the open fields of the Chaffin farm in front of Fort Harrison, when the enemy immediately opened fire with artillery from the fort and the adjacent trenches. Ord reconnoitered the ground and made dispositions to attack. Stannard's division was directed to push forward on the left of the road, advance at quick time across the open ground, and at the double-quick upon arriving at the foot of the hill in front of the fort, while Heckman's division was to move to the right of the road and attack in front. Heckman went too far into the woods and when the time came for him to assault his brigades were scattered and could not be brought up in time to be of service. Stannard's men, Burnham's brigade in the lead, advanced across the open ground in the face of a severe fire, swept over the parapet, and after a sharp encounter carried the fort, capturing 16 guns and a number of prisoners. The guns were turned on the works to the right and left of the fort and two lunettes, about 600 yards apart, with 6 more pieces of artillery, fell into the hands of the Federals. Ord then tried to form his men to swing round inside the trenches toward Fort Gilmer, but in the excitement and confusion, and owing to the heavy loss in brigade and regimental commanders, the attempt did not succeed. Burnham had been killed early in the assault and two other officers that succeeded him in command of the brigade were wounded in quick succession. While trying to rally his men Ord was severely wounded and the command of the corps devolved on General Heckman, who was just about to attack Fort Gilmer. Ord had been instructed to occupy such works as he took, after which he was to push on with any spare force he had, and attack the works toward Richmond. These instructions were imparted to Heckman when he assumed command, and he afterward made an attack on Fort Gilmer, but as that work had been strongly reinforced the assault was repulsed with considerable loss. The 10th corps, Foster's division in advance, moved forward on the Kingsland road from Deep Bottom about 6 a. m. and shortly after 9 o'clock met the enemy s pickets along the line of works at the junction of the Mill and New Market roads. Part of the 142nd New York, under Lieutenant-Colonel Barney, was deployed as skirmishers, and closely followed by the remainder of the 1st brigade, charged the Page 426 works, driving the enemy in some confusion back to Laurel Hill Church, where the Confederates had a battery of 12-pounders in position. This battery was quickly dislodged and Foster formed his command along the New Market road, his right resting at the church, where he remained until about the middle of the afternoon, when the corps was ordered to make an assault on Fort Gilmer and the main line of works as far as New Market road. In this assault the only Union troops that reached the fort were those belonging to the colored brigade. They jumped into the ditch and endeavored to scale the parapet by climbing upon each other's shoulders, but their determined efforts were finally defeated and the brigade driven back with severe loss. The corps then fell back to Laurel hill, where it intrenched. During the night of the 29th and the forenoon of the 30th large parties of Stannard's division worked arduously to made Fort Harrison an enclosed work in anticipation of an attempt to recapture it. General Ewell, who was in command of the Confederate forces on the north side of the James, was joined by General Lee soon after Stannard's successful assault on the fort, and steps were at once taken to recover the lost position. Troops were hurried over from the south side of the river and by daylight on the 30th ten brigades were concentrated near Fort Gilmer ready for an attack on Stannard. About 2 p. m. the enemy opened fire with 12 pieces of artillery on Stannard's center and left and Anderson, now in command of Longstreet's corps, advanced on the right with the brigades of Law, Anderson, Bratton, Colquitt and Clingman. Stannard ordered his men to reserve their fire until the Confederates came out of the chaparral, when the whole line opened a most effective fire, which drove the enemy back to the cover of the underbrush. At this unfortunate juncture it was discovered that the Federal supply of artillery ammunition was exhausted and Stannard ordered the guns to be removed by hand. Two subsequent attacks were repulsed in like manner and the day closed with the Union troops still in possession of the fort. The Federal loss during the several engagements about Fort Harrison, Fort Gilmer, New Market Heights, Laurel Hill Church, etc., was 383 killed, 2,299 wounded and 645 missing. The "Medical and Surgical History of the War" gives the total number of Confederates killed and wounded at 2,000. In addition to this list of casualties about 300 were captured, together with 22 pieces of artillery and a large quantity of ammunition, camp equipage, etc. Although the expedition was not entirely a success its principal object—that of preventing Lee from sending reinforcements to Early in the Shenandoah valley—was accomplished. Had it not been for Heckman's unfortunate error in taking position and the destructive fire of the Confederate gunboats in the river just at the time Ord was trying to rally his men for an attack on Fort Gilmer, that work would have undoubtedly fallen into the hands of the Union forces, thus opening the way for an entry into Richmond.


Fort Hatteras, North Carolina, August 28-29, 1861. (See Naval Volume.) Fort Heiman, Kentucky, October 28-30, I864. Gunboat Undine. The Confederate cavalry under Forrest made its appearance on the left bank of the Tennessee river on the 28th and captured the steam-boat Mazeppa and a barge, both laden with quartermaster's supplies for the depot at Johnsonville. The supplies were taken off in wagons and the vessels were burned. Two days later the Federal gunboat Undine and the steamboats Cheeseman and Venus, bound from Johnsonville down the river, got between the batteries which the Confederates had placed at Fort Heiman and Paris Landing, 4 miles above, Page 427 and after 6 hours' fighting the Undine was abandoned, after having had 2 of her crew killed and 8 wounded. The crew of the other vessels were captured. Fort Henry, Tennessee, February 6, 1862. U. S. forces under General Grant and Commodore Foote's Fleet of Gunboats. When General Albert Sidney Johnston was placed in command of the Confederate Department of the West, in the fall of 1861, he established a line of defenses from Columbus, Kentucky, to the Cumberland mountains, with Bowling Green as the center. Two forts were built on this line— Fort Henry on the Tennessee river, near the Kentucky state line, and Fort Donelson, 12 miles east on the Cumberland. Fort Henry stood on the right bank of the river, in a slight bend, commanding a straight stretch of the river for several miles in either direction. It was on a slight elevation, but little above high water mark, and was commanded by higher hills on both sides of the river. Should these fall into the hands of the Federals it would be impossible for the fort to hold out, so a secondary fortification, called Fort Heiman, was commenced on the bluff opposite Fort Henry, but was not completed in time to be of any service when the attack came. Back of the fort was a second line of earthworks, in front of which the timber had been felled to form an abatis, and below the fort a line of rifle-pits extended from the river bank to the second line of works. The garrison consisted of about 3,200 men, under the command of General Lloyd Tilghman, and the armament included 20 guns, mostly of heavy caliber. During the months of December, 1861, and January, 1862, Generals Grant and Sherman and Commodore Foote all urged the importance of taking these forts, thus breaking Johnston's line in the center and opening the two rivers to the passage of Union vessels, the Tennessee to Florence, Alabama, and the Cumberland to Nashville, but it was not until February 1 that Grant received orders from General Halleck, at St. Louis, to proceed against them. The next day Grant left Cairo with 17,000 men on transports, under the convoy of Foote with 7 gun-boats, viz: the Cincinnati (flagship), Essex, Carondelet, St. Louis, Conestoga, Tyler and Lexington, the first four being ironclads. About 8 miles below the fort McClernand's division was landed for the purpose of making a reconnaissance to ascertain the range of the enemy's guns, after which the troops were reembarked on the transports and moved up the river about 5 miles to Bailey's ferry, where the whole force was landed on the 5th. That night Smith's division was sent to capture Fort Heiman, but found it evacuated. About 11 a. m. on the 6th McClernand was ordered to move to the rear of the fort and secure the roads leading to Dover and Fort Donelson, in order to cut off the line of retreat, while Smith was to hold Fort Heiman. Owing to a storm the night before the roads were almost impassable, so that McClernand's progress was slow. Tilghman had anticipated a move of this character and early that morning had sent Colonel Heiman with the infantry to Fort Donelson, while he remained with barely enough men to work the guns. At 12:30 the first shot was fired from the flagship at a distance of 1,700 yards. This was quickly followed by others from the Carondelet and Essex, the vessels gradually ascending the stream until within less than 600 yards of the fort, the fire, both from the fort and the gunboats, increasing in rapidity and accuracy of range. A shot penetrated one of the boilers on the Essex, scalding 29 men, among whom was Captain W. D. Porter, commander of the vessel. In the fort an 80-pound shell disabled every man at one of the guns, a premature explosion of a 42-pounder killed 3 men and wounded several others, while 4 of the guns were dismounted by shots from the fleet. Page 428 At 1:45 Tilghman ordered the Confederate flag to be lowered and Foote sent two of his officers to take possession of the fort and raise the Stars and Stripes. Tilghman then went on board the flagship and formally surrendered the fort with its equipment and about 70 men as prisoners of war. The Union casualties, including the men scalded on the Essex, was 44 in killed and wounded. The Confederate loss was reported as being 5 killed, 11 wounded and 5 missing. The Tennessee river was now open and it only remained to reduce Fort Donelson to open the Cumberland.


Fort Hindman, Arkansas, January 11, 1863. (See Arkansas Post.)


Fort Holly, Virginia, December 10, 1864. Kautz's Cavalry Division. Fort Holly was a Federal earthwork between the Darbytown and New Market roads, a short distance west of Fussell's mill. Early on the morning of the loth the pickets were driven in and reported a large Confederate force advancing down the Darbytown road from the direction of Richmond. This force proved to be Field's and Hoke's divisions, supported by Kershaw's, and by 2 p. m. the Union troops had all been driven inside their works. The enemy then attempted 311 assault, but finding the works too strong to be carried by that method retired to the woods, from which a desultory fire was kept up until dark. Late in the afternoon an effort was made to turn Kautz's right, but the movement was repulsed with some loss. About 8 p. m. the Confederates withdrew and were pursued for some distance, several stragglers being captured. Kautz reported his loss at 7 killed, 23 wounded and 22 missing. The enemy's loss was not learned.


Fort Jackson, Louisiana, April 18-28, 1862. Fort Jackson was one of the Confederate defenses of New Orleans. For its reduction see account in the naval volume of the capture of New Orleans by the fleet under Adm. D. G. Farragut.


Fort Johnson, South Carolina, June 16, 1862. (See Secessionville.) Fort Johnson, South Carolina, July 3, 1864. Hoyt's Expedition. On the evening of July 2 this expedition, consisting of the 52nd Pennsylvania infantry, detachments of the 127th New York infantry and the 3d Rhode Island artillery, commanded by Colonel Henry M. Hoyt, left Morris island for James island. The plan was to land between Fort Johnson and Battery Simkins and carry both works. Through a mistake on the part of the guide, the passage of the channel was lost and some delay was occasioned in getting to the landing. Meanwhile the enemy had discovered the approach of the boats and opened fire. Hoyt and about 135 of the command had landed about daybreak when the others became panic-stricken and returned to Morris island. A water battery was easily taken and Hoyt pushed on toward Fort Johnson. His attack was repulsed and he was obliged to surrender after losing 7 killed and 16 wounded. The Confederate loss was not reported.


Fort Jones, Kentucky, February 18, 1865. Detachment of 12th U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery. While on their way from Fort Jones to Colesburg to draw rations 3 members of this troop were attacked and killed by Magruder's band of guerrillas. Sue Mundy's force meanwhile had ridden to within 200 yards of the fort, drawing the fire of the garrison. This skirmish was an incident of the raid of guerrilla bands in the vicinity.


Fort Kelly, West Virginia, November 28, 1864. (See New Creek.) Fort Lamed, Kansas, January 20, 1865. Detachments of the 1st and 2nd Colorado Cavalry. These troops, 31 in number, while acting as escort for a sutler's train, were attacked by a band of Indians three days after they left Fort Lamed. The fight resulted in the killing Page 429 of 1 soldier and the wounding of 2 others, while the Indians had 3 killed and as many wounded. The train was compelled to return to Fort Larned.


Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, October 20-26, 1864. Troops not given.


Fort McAllister, Georgia, February-March, 1863. Naval Bombardments. Fort McAllister was located on Genesis point, on the Ogeechee river, about 15 miles from Savannah. On the morning of February 1 the Montauk engaged the fort at a distance of 1,400 yards, the shoal water making it impossible for her to get any closer. Slight damage was done to the parapets of the fort, the guns of which replied and in the cannonade the vessel was struck 46 times, but was not materially damaged. By the last of the month several ironclads had reached the vicinity and Adm. Dupont ordered a concentrated attack on the fort. On March 3 the Passaic, Patapsco and Nahant moved up toward the fort. The first named was brought up to within 1,000 yards and remained there until her ammunition was expended. The other vessels were unable to approach so near, but continued the fire at longer range for the greater part of the day. But little damage was done to the fort and the Passaic, which was struck 34 times, was the only one of the gunboats injured in the least. She was taken to Port Royal and soon repaired. (See the following article.)


Fort McAllister, Georgia, Dec 13, 1864. 2nd Division, 15th Corps, Sherman's Army. Incidental to the taking of Savannah by Sherman's army, the 2nd division of the 15th corps, under Brig-General W. B. Hazen, moved down the right bank of the Ogeechee river to take Fort McAllister, garrisoned by a force of 250 men under Major G. W. Anderson. Hazen reached the vicinity about 11 a. m. About a mile from the fort a picket was captured, who revealed the whereabouts of a line of torpedoes in the road. Some time was lost in removing them, and leaving eight regiments at that point as a reserve, Hazen pushed on with the other nine to within about 600 yards of the works. Here the troops were deployed, the skirmishers keeping the attention of the Confederate gunners. At 4:45 p. m. a charge was ordered and at precisely 5 o'clock the fort was carried, after 15 minutes of desperate fighting which drove the Confederates to their bomb-proofs. Just outside the works a line of torpedoes had been placed, many of which were exploded by the tread of the men, and worked havoc in some parts of the Union line. The Federal casualties amounted to 24 killed and 110 wounded. The enemy's loss was 48 in killed and wounded, and the rest of the garrison captured, together with 24 cannon, 40 tons of ammunition, all the small arms, horses and equipments of the garrison, a month's supply of provisions and a large amount of private stores which had been sent to the fort for safe-keeping.


Fort McCook, Tennessee, August 27, 1862. (See Battle Creek, same date.)


Fort McRee, Florida, January 1-2, 1862. (See Fort Barrancas.)


Fort Macon, North Carolina, March 23-April 26, 1862. 3d Division, Department of North Carolina and Gunboats. Fort Macon was located at the east end of a long narrow island opposite the town of Beaufort, and has been described as an "old style, strong, casemated work, mounting about 50 guns." In the spring of 1862 it was garrisoned by four companies of the 10th North Carolina artillery (Confederate) under command of Colonel M. J. White. Toward the latter part of March General Burnside, commanding the department of North Carolina, ordered Brigadier-General John G. Parke to move against the fort with his division and attempted its reduction. Parke arrived in front of the fort on March 23, and sent in a demand for a surrender. Page 430 This was refused and some time was spent in bringing up artillery and constructing batteries. On April 25 Parke opened fire at 5 a. m. with four batteries of mortars and Parrott guns, and by 4 p. m. over 1,100 shells and solid shot had been thrown at the fort, about one-half of which took effect, dismounting over half the guns in the Confederate works. About 7:30 a. m. the gunboats Daylight, Georgia and Chippewa, and the bark Gemsbok, came into action and kept up a bombardment on the water side of the fort until the high winds made the sea so rough that they were compelled to withdraw. At 4:30 p. m. a white flag was displayed above the ramparts of the fort and the firing ceased. The next morning at 9:30 the fort was formally surrendered, 54 guns, 400 prisoners, a large amount of ammunition, commissary and quartermaster's stores, 40 horses with their equipments, 500 stands of small arms and a considerable quantity of clothing, etc., fell into Federal hands. The Union loss was reported as 1 killed and 2 wounded; that of the enemy as 7 killed and 18 wounded.


Fort Morgan, Alabama, January 20, 1862. Capture of a British Schooner. The British schooner Andracita, formerly the J. W. Wilder, had been run aground at the mouth of a lagoon, near Fort Morgan, Alabama, and Camp Bragg, in order to save her cargo. Two Federal steamers sought to remove the schooner from any possibility of falling into the hands of the Confederates, but they were resisted by two companies from Fort Morgan and Camp Bragg. Under a galling fire the Federals got a hawser on the schooner, and as the tide rose dragged her out to sea. It appears that in bringing about this affair, a British consul conspired with the Confederates to compromise the United States, but it is not recorded that it resulted in international complications. (For the reduction of this fort in August, 1864. see naval volume, operations of Farragut's fleet about Mobile.)


Fort Morgan, Alabama, June 30, 1862. Capture of a Blockade Runner. On the night of the 29th, the English steamer Ann, passed the Federal blockade and sought the assistance of the Confederate garrison at Fort Morgan in discharging a valuable cargo. Assistance was provided early the following morning, but under the menace of a Federal gunboat was timorous and inefficient. The steamer was then scuttled, but being constructed in water-tight compartments, she did not sink, and with her cargo was towed off by the Federal squadron. Forts Morton and Sedgwick, Virginia, October 27, 1864. Detachments of the 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps. Fort Morton was a redoubt on the Federal lines in front of Petersburg, near the point where Burnside sprung his mine, and Fort Sedgwick was another redoubt about a mile farther south. From signal stations, General Miles, commanding the division, learned that the Confederates had but a small force in front of the two forts, and planned a reconnaissance to determine the enemy's strength. Shortly after dark on the 27th Captain J. Z. Brown, with 100 men of the 148th Pennsylvania, left Fort Morton, cut away the abatis in front of the enemy's works, and captured 17 prisoners, the remainder of the Confederates hurriedly evacuating their position under the impression that the movement was an assault in force. About the same time Colonel D. F. Burke, with 130 men of the 88th New York, made a similar movement in front of Fort Sedgwick, capturing about 200 yards of the line and 8 prisoners. The Union loss was 4 killed, 25 wounded and 38 missing.


Fort Myers, Florida, February 20, 1865. Garrison under Captain James Doyle. About 400 Confederates approached Fort Myers a little after noon, after having captured the picket of 4 men. A demand Page 431 for a surrender was sent in, but it was at once refused and at 1:10 p. m. the enemy opened with his artillery. An artillery duel was kept up all afternoon and the 2nd Kla. cavalry thrown out as skirmishers. Soon after dark the Confederates withdrew. The only Federal loss was a few men taken prisoners. Fort Pemberton, Mississippi, March 1 1 to April 5, 1863. (See Vicksburg, Siege of.)


Fort Pickens, Florida, October 9, 1861. (See Santa Rosa Island.)


Fort Pillow, Tennessee, April 14, 1862. Bombardment by U. S. Gunboats.


Fort Pillow, Tennessee, Evacuation of, June 4, 1862. Fitch's Brigade and the Mississippi Flotilla. The abandonment of Corinth, on May 30, made it inexpedient for the Confederates to attempt to hold the Upper Mississippi any longer. On June 5, Colonel Graham N. Fitch, commanding the land forces then in front of Fort Pillow, sent the following despatch to General Pope: "Arrangements were completed for a general assault on the fort at 7 a. m. at a weak and accessible point, but the works were abandoned last night, and the guns and commissary stores destroyed. We are in possession, but propose proceeding today toward Memphis."


Fort Pillow, Tennessee, March 16, 1864. Troops not stated.


Fort Pillow, Tennessee, April 12, 1864. Detachments of 6th U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery, 13th Tennessee Cavalry and 2nd U. S. Colored Light Artillery. As an incident of Forrest's raid into Tennessee his force marched on the morning of the 12th to attack the garrison at Fort Pillow. The pickets were driven in with little trouble, but the Confederates found the Union troops ready in the rifle-pits. After repulsing three cavalry attacks of the enemy, the Federals withdrew into the fort. A demand for surrender was sent in by Forrest and upon its being refused an attack was made, but without success. Another demand for surrender was made and refused and about 4 p. m. the fort was stormed and carried by the Confederates. No quarter was given and the colored troops were indiscriminately slaughtered. Of the original garrison of 500 over 350 were killed, the majority after the fort had been carried. The enemy's losses were not reported.


Fort Powhatan, Virginia, May 21, 1864. 22nd U. S. Colored Troops, and 3d Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. At noon of the 21st a detachment of Confederate cavalry made a demonstration in front of Fort Powhatan, on the south bank of the James river, 25 miles below Richmond. Reinforcements were hurried from City Point but before they arrived the enemy had been dispersed by a few well directed shots of the artillery.


Fort Pulaski, Georgia, January 3, 1861. There was no engagement at Fort Pulaski on this date, the stronghold being seized by Georgia state troops under command of Colonel A. R. Lawton, by order of Gov. Brown, in anticipation of the early secession of the state.


Fort Pulaski, Georgia, April 10-11, 1862. U. S. Troops under Major- General Hunter. After the capture of the forts at Port Royal the Confederates abandoned all the seaboard cities south of Charleston except Savannah, which was guarded by Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the Savannah river. In December, 1861, operations were begun for the reduction of this fort. Captain Q. A. Gilmore, of the U. S. engineer corps, had direct charge of this work. Eleven batteries were placed on Tybee island, adjacent to Cockspur island, upon which Fort Pulaski was located, and other works were erected on the islands surrounding. The Union force on April 10 consisted of the 46th and 48th New York infantry, the 1st New York engineers, the 6th and 7th Connecticut, Page 432 the 8th Maine, and the 8th Michigan infantry, the 3d Rhode Island artillery and a detachment of U. S. engineers. A company of seamen from the U. S. S. Wabash also manned one of the batteries. Early on the morning of the 10th Major-General David Hunter demanded the surrender of the fort. The demand was refused and at 8 a. m. the bombardment was begun, and was continued without interruption until 2 p. m. of the 11th, when the Confederates surrendered. The Union loss was 1 killed; the enemy had 3 wounded. The whole armament of the fort, 47 guns, a large supply of fixed ammunition, 40,000 pound's of powder, and a large quantity of commissary stores, came into the hands of the Federals. Some 360 Confederates were surrendered as prisoners. Fort Randolph, Tennessee, October 27, 1864. Attack on Steamer Belle Saint Louis. Six government paymasters, who had been engaged in paying off the Union troops in and around Memphis, took passage on the Belle St. Louis for St. Louis. About midnight the boat landed at Fort Randolph, 60 miles above Memphis, for the purpose of taking on some cotton. As soon as the deck-hands went ashore about 100 armed guerrillas suddenly appeared on the bank and rushed for the boat. Captain Zeigler immediately gave orders for the vessel to back into the stream, and this was done so promptly that only 8 or 10 of the guerrillas succeeded in getting on board. Some of these threatened the engineers with instant death if they did not run the boat to shore, while others hurried to the cabin and commenced robbing the passengers. On board was Colonel Loren Kent, of the 29th Illinois infantry, who assumed command and organized the passengers into a defensive force. Through his influence the engineers were slow in running the boat to shore, despite the threats of the enemy, and in a short time the passengers, armed only with pistols, had those on board at their mercy. In the melee Majors Smith and Beeler, two of the paymasters, were mortally wounded. When the boat had almost touched the bank the engineers again commenced backing her out with all the power of the engines, the guerrillas on board jumped into the river and swam to shore, while those on the bank contented themselves with firing a volley of musketry at the Belle as she backed out to a place of safety. Leaving the crew behind, the boat then proceeded on to Cairo without further molestation.


Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, September 11-30, 1864. U. S. Troops under Captain Daniel J. Dill. An expedition left the post to relieve the emigrant train of one Captain Fisk. The command numbered 850, of which 350 were cavalry, and a section of artillery. Captain Daniel J. Dill, of the 30th Wisconsin infantry, commanded. On the tenth day out, after marching 180 miles, the detachment reached the fortified corral oi the emigrant train, and the following morning the emigrants all returned to Fort Rice with the relief expedition. No Indians were seen until within 40 miles of the fort, when a band of them managed to stampede the horses of the expedition and capture 15 of them.


Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, April 26. 1865. Detachment of 1st U. S. Volunteer Infantry. Seven men guarding the herd of horses belonging to the regiment were attacked by some Cheyenne:; or Platte river Indians, who made several desperate attempts to take the herd but were each time repulsed, with a loss of 8 killed and wounded. The soldiers had 1 man wounded and 2 horses and 2 mules captured.


Fort Ridgely, Minnesota, August 20-22, 1862. Detachment of 5th Minnesota Infantry and Renville Rangers. A large force of Sioux Indians attacked Fort Ridgely on the 20th. The garrison consisted of detachments of two companies of the 5th Minnesota and a newly  Page 433 organized militia company called the Renville Rangers, all under command of Lieutenant Timothy J. Sheehan. The attack was repulsed by the free use of the artillery and at night the Indians withdrew. On the 22nd they again appeared in greater numbers and made a more determined attack. Some outbuildings which afforded them protection were fired by the rangers. An attempt to storm was frustrated by the artillery and by evening the Indians again retired. The casualties in the garrison were 3 killed and 13 wounded.


Fort Rosedew, Georgia, December 14, 1864. (See Fort Beaulieu.) Fort Saint Philip, Louisiana, April 18-28, 1862. The engagement at Fort St. Philip between these dates was part of the operations of Farragut's fleet in the capture of New Orleans and the opening of the Mississippi river. (See Naval Volume.)


Fort Sanders, Tennessee, November 29, 1863. (See Knoxville, Siege of.)


Fort Scott, Kansas, Sept 2, 1861. Kansas Brigade. This action really occurred about 12 miles east of Fort Scott, on Dry Wood creek, Missouri, where the Confederates under Price were fortifying a position. (See Dry Wood, Missouri)


Fort Sedgwick, Virginia, October 27, 1864. (See Forts Morton and Sedgwick.) Fort Smith, Arkansas, September 1, 1863. (See Devil's Back Bone.)


Fort Smith, Arkansas, July 27, 1864. 6th Kansas Cavalry. While a detachment of about 200 men of this regiment, commanded by Captain Mefford. was doing outpost duty, guarding the horses of the post on Mazzard's prairie, it was attacked by some 600 Confederates under General Gano. Sharp fighting was continued for about an hour, but the Federals were finally overpowered, Mefford and 82 of his men being taken prisoners. The enemy retired before reinforcements from the fort reached the scene. The Confederate loss was 12 killed and 20 wounded, left on the field; the Union casualties, besides those captured were 10 killed and 15 wounded.


Fort Smith, Arkansas, August 24, 1864. 16th U. S. Colored Troops.


Fort Stedman, Virginia, March 25, 1865. (See Petersburg.)


Fort Stevens, D. C, July 11-12, 1864. U. S. Troops under Lieutenant- Colonel John N. Frazee. The garrison at Fort Stevens consisted of detachments of the 150th Ohio infantry, 13th Michigan artillery and 52 convalescent soldiers of different commands. At 11 a. m. of the 11th the Confederates attacked the picket line on the front of the fort, driving it back slowly until they came within 150 yards of the fort in front and 50 yards on the right. The artillery of the post then opened upon them and drove them back. During the day the enemy advanced several times, but each time was driven from the positions he took. The same tactics were pursued on the 12th, until about 4 p. m., when the Confederates saw the futility of their efforts and retired. The Federal losses were 2 killed and 1 wounded. The Confederate loss was not reported.


Fort Sumner, New Mexico, January 4, 1864. Company B, 2nd California. Apaches, and citizens; fight with the Navajo Indians.


Fort Sumter, South Carolina, April 12-14, 1861. Detachments of the 1st U. S. Artillery. Fort Sumter stood upon a small artificial island at the entrance to Charleston harbor, and was the strongest of the defenses about the city. It was a five-sided structure, with walls 8 feet thick and 40 feet high, provided with two tiers of casemates and enclosing a space about 300 by 350 feet. Quarters were provided for a garrison of 650 men, with an armament of 140 guns, though in the early winter of 1860 it was garrisoned by a storekeeper and 14 men. About a mile distant, on Sullivan's island, was Fort Moultrie, garrisoned by 78 officers and men of the 1st U. S. artillery  Page 434 under command of Major Robert Anderson, who was also in command of all the harbor defenses. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina passed the ordinance of secession, Anderson soon became convinced that it was the intention of the state authorities to seize Fort Moultrie, and decided to remove the garrison and stores to Fort Sumter, which was better equipped for defense. The change niuJc on the night of December 26, and was regarded as an act of hostility by the secessionists, who were already organizing and drilling troops about Charleston. They immediately took possession of Fort Moultrie and commenced the construction of two sand batteries at the entrance to the harbor. Early in January the Federal government decided to send reinforcements and supplies to Anderson, and on the night of the 5th the merchant vessel Star of the 1st left New York with a large stock of provisions and 250 men on board. On the morning of the 9th she entered Charleston harbor, where she was immediately fired upon by the guns of the newly constructed batteries and compelled to put back to sea. This incident resulted in some spirited correspondence between Anderson and Gov. Pickens, in which the latter demanded the formal surrender of Fort Sumter. The matter was "referred to Washington," but nothing further was done until April 8, when a messenger from President Lincoln arrived in Charleston to notify Gov. Pickens that an attempt would be made to reinforce the garrison. In the meantime the Confederates had organized and equipped a considerable force, which was placed under the command of General Beauregard. Lincoln's message was delivered to Pickens and Beauregard on the evening of the 8th, and the next morning the relieving expedition left New York. It consisted of the transport Baltic, with the provisions and reinforcements, the war steamers Pawnee, Harriet Lane and Pocahontas, the steam tugs Uncle Ben, Freeborn and Yankee, all under command of Captain G. V. Fox. As soon as the Confederates saw that the government was determined to reinforce the fort they assumed the offensive. On the 10th Beauregard was instructed to demand the surrender of the fort, and in case of refusal to reduce it. Several messages were exchanged and at 3:20 a. m. on the 12th Beauregard notified Anderson that he would open fire upon the fort within an hour. At 4:30 the first shot of the Civil war, after an open declaration of such an intention had been made, went crashing against the solid walls of Fort Sumter. It was fired by Edmund Ruffin, an old white-haired Virginian, who had been a personal and political friend of John C. Calhoun, and who was at the time the oldest member of the Palmetto Guard of South Carolina. This first shot came from the battery near old Fort Johnson. The guns of the other batteries promptly responded to the signal and within an hour Fort Sumter was the center of a general bombardment. At 7 o'clock the first gun from the fort was fired by Captain Abner Doubleday, and was directed against the battery on Cummings' point. In a short time all the guns in the casemates were sending back a spirited reply, but owing to the accuracy of the enemy s aim no attempt was made to work the guns on the barbette, where the men would be too much exposed. By noon it became evident that the stock of ammunition was not sufficient to keep up the fire at the rate it was then being conducted and for the remainder of the day only 6 guns were kept in action. During the night bombs were thrown at intervals of 10 or 15 minutes by the Confederate batteries and on the morning of the 13th the bombardment was renewed with increased vigor and greater accuracy of aim. The Page 435 barracks were several times set on fire by hot shot on the 12th, and the enemy now sent in a greater number of this class of missiles. About 9 o'clock the barracks were once more in blaze and the men turned their attention to removing the powder from the magazine. The flames made headway, in spite of the efforts of the garrison to extinguish them, and when, about 1 p. m., the flagstaff of the fort was shot away, the Confederates concluded that Anderson was ready to surrender. The flag was soon raised again on a jury-mast on the parapet, but the smoke prevented its being seen by the enemy, and about J:30 Anderson was notified that a flag of truce was outside, the bearer of which wished to see him. After some negotiations, Anderson agreed to evacuate the fort, provided he was permitted to take with him all arms, private and company property, etc.; to salute the United States flag as it was lowered; and to be conveyed, with his command, to some northern port. These terms were acceded to by Beauregard and at noon on Sunday, the 14th, Stars and Stripes were lowered to a salute of 50 guns, the garrison marched out with music and flying colors, and on the 17th reached New York. During the bombardment 5 men in the fort were wounded, and while saluting the flag 1 was killed and four wounded by the premature discharge of a gun and the explosion of a pile of cartridges. These were the only casualties on either side.


Fort Sumter, South Carolina, April 7, 1863. South Atlantic Squadron. (See Naval Volume.)


Fort Sumter, South Carolina, September 8, 1863. This was a night attack by marines under command of Commodore Stevens. For a full account see naval volume. Fort Tyler, Georgia, April 16, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Wilson's Raid. Fort Tyler was a Confederate fortification near West Point. It was 35 yards square, surrounded by a ditch, situated on an eminence commanding the Chattahoochee river, and was supplied with 4 pieces of artillery. On the above date it was garrisoned by 265 men, under General Robert C. Tyler. About 10 a. m. the 2nd and 4th Indiana began the attack from sheltered positions, keeping up a steady fire until 1:30 p. m., when the rest of the brigade, commanded by Colonel O. H. La Grange, arrived. Three regiments were dismounted, a battery placed in position and the fort was assaulted from three sides. Bridges were hurriedly thrown across the ditch and the Union troops rushed into the fort. Tyler and 17 of his men were killed, 28 wounded, and 218 surrendered as prisoners of war. AH the arms, ammunition and stores fell into the hands of the Federals, whose loss was 7 killed and 29 wounded. The latter were left in the hands of 16 of the prisoners, who were paroled for that purpose, and the stores turned over to the mayor of West Point to be used for both parties.


Fort Wagner, South Carolina, July 10-11, 1863. Troops under Major-General Q. A. Gillmore, Department of the South. In this attack on the Confederate fortifications about Charleston Harbor the capture of Charleston was the ultimate object in view. A complete blockade of the harbor was important. The capture of Morris island, thereby enabling blockading vessels to lie inside the bar, even without occupying the waters of the inner harbor, would secure that end. In the opinion of the naval authorities at Washington, Fort Sumter was the key to the position. The barbette fire of Sumter was dreaded because of the comparative vulnerability of the monitors' decks to falling missiles. The stronghold demolished or its efficiency destroyed, monitors and ironclads could remove channel obstructions, gain control of the harbor and reach the city. It was Page 436 therefore determined to attempt the destruction of Fort Sumter unless it should be necessary to detach troops from the Atlantic coast to reinforce Banks at Port Hudson. Briefly stated, the plan of attack was as follows: (i) To capture the south end of Morris island; (2) to lay siege to and secure Fort Wagner, a heavily armed earthwork of strong plan and relief, near the north end of the island, 2,600 yards from Fort Sumter; Cummings point would fall with Fort Wagner. (3) From the position thus secured, to demolish Fort Sumter and with a strong artillery fire to cooperate with the fleet whenever it should be ready to move in. (4) The monitors and ironclads to enter, remove the channel obstructions, pass the batteries on James and Sullivan's islands and reach the city. The plan for occupying the south end of Morris island comprised three distinct operations: (1) A real attack from Folly island to be made a surprise if possible. (2) A demonstration in force on James island by way of the Stono river to prevent reinforcement of the enemy on Morris island from that quarter and, if possible, to draw a portion of the Morris island garrison in that direction. (3) The cutting of the Charleston & Savannah railroad at Jacksboro by ascending the South Edisto river, in order to delay reinforcements from Savannah, should the real attack be postponed or prematurely divulged. The attempt to cut the railroad was entrusted to Colonel Higginson, of the 1st South Carolina colored infantry, who with 250 officers and men of his regiment and a section of the 1st Conn, battery under Lieutenant Clinton, was sent on July 9 from General Saxton's command at Beaufort for that purpose. He was accompanied by the armed steamer John Adams, the transport Enoch Dean and the tug Governor Milton. This movement signally failed, with a Federal loss of 3 killed and 2, including Higginson, wounded. Two field pieces were lost and the Governor Milton was burned to prevent its capture by the Confederates. On the afternoon of the 8th Brigadier-General Terry's command of about 3,800 men proceeded up the Stono river and confronted the enemy on James island. The immediate effect of this demonstration was to draw off a portion of the Confederate force on Morris island. Folly island had been occupied by the Federals under General Vogdes since early in April. Batteries had been constructed on the north end of the island, where 32 rifled guns and 15 mortars had been placed in position with skill and secrecy. This artillery was in command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Jackson. The south end of Morris island was protected by a number of batteries, most of which had only 1 gun each, but that was of heavy caliber. These batteries were covered in the rear by an extensive series of rifle-pits. Under instructions given him by General Gillmore July 9, General Strong that night embarked all his infantry except six companies of the 48th New York, in row boats, near the southwestern extremity of Folly island. Convoyed by 4 howitzer boats, he proceeded, at 1 a. m. on the 10th, up Folly river and Folly Island creek and thence to a point in Light House inlet a mile northwest of the Federal masked batteries at the northern extremity of Folly island, arriving there just before daybreak. The boats kept close to the east side of the creek and were screened by marsh grass from the enemy on Morris island. The Federal batteries opened fire shortly after daylight. The crushing effect of a concentrated and well directed fire of artillery has seldom been better illustrated than in this action. At the beginning the Confederates were so bewildered that they were unable to serve their guns effectively. The incessant rain of shot and shell drove their artillerists from their posts, killing and wounding Page 437 many. The Confederate infantry were prevented from taking position in the rifle-pits about 800 yards in advance of the Federal batteries and did not attempt to occupy them until Federal troops were disembarked on Morris island. Soon after the first fire from the batteries, Lieutenant Bunce opened fire from the howitzer boats on the nearest works of the enemy. About 6 o'clock a line of skirmishers approached from the Federal rear in the direction of Secessionville. The flotilla dropped down the inlet and was assailed by the Morris island batteries with no loss except that of one launch. At 7 a. m. Strong was signaled by Gillmore to land and assault the enemy's works. Four companies of the 7th Connecticut, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Rodman, immediately landed at the extremity of the Confederates' extensive series of rifle-pits opposite the left of the Federal batteries. They were followed by four companies of the 48th New York under Lieutenant-Colonel Green; the 9th Maine under Colonel Emery; trie 3d New Hampshire under Colonel Jackson and the 76th Pennsylvania under Colonel Strawbridge. This main column drove the enemy's infantry out of the rifle-pits, while the 6th Conn, under Colonel Chatfield having passed along the entire front of the enemy's line and effected a landing, was forming on the southeastern point of the island, constituting alone the Federal right column of assault. Under a lively discharge of shell, grape and canister, the two columns now moved forward, converging toward the works nearest the southern extremity of the island. They marched along the ridge and eastern coast of the island, capturing successively the eight batteries of 1 heavy gun each occupying the commanding point of that ridge and the two batteries which together mounted three 10-inch sea coast mortars. All of this ordnance was fit for service. The head of the column was halted within musket range of Fort Wagner, to which the enemy had retreated. Meanwhile, as soon as the troops had disembarked, the boats were sent across the inlet to the northern point of Folly island and had brought thence, the 7th New Hampshire, the remainder of the 48th, and all of the 100th New York The promptness of this reinforcement was remarkable. Including 11 commissioned officers, 150 prisoners, and 5 stands of colors, were taken, with much ammunition, camp equipage and several horses and mules. Owing to the excessive heat and the fatigue of the men an assault on Fort Wagner was not ordered that day. On the morning of the 11th a column of assault was formed, consisting of companies A, B, I and K of the 7th Connecticut, the 76th Pennsylvania, and the 9th Maine, the 3d and 7th New Hampshire being held in reserve. The assault was made at daybreak. The four companies of the 7th Conn, deployed in advance, supported by the Pennsylvania, and Maine regiments, each in close columns of divisions, The Connecticut men were ordered to move steadily forward until the pickets fired, then to follow them close and rush for the works. They were not more than 500 yards from the works when they started and had not gone far when the pickets fired. Then they made the rush, but before they reached the outer work, they received a murderous fire from protected riflemen, though encouraged by their officers, they reached the outer work and Lieutenant-Colonel Rodman led his men to the top of the parapet, where under a heavy fire of both artillery and musketry some of them bayoneted two of the enemy's gunners. But just at this time the enemy opened simultaneously along his whole line at a range of some 200 yards which caused the 76th Pennsylvania to halt and lie down on the ground. Though they remained in that position but a few moments and afterward moved gallantly forward, some of them even to the ditch, that halt cost the Federals the battle, for the interval was lost and the remnant of the Page 438 four Connecticut companies was driven from the parapet. The whole column, including the 9th Maine, which had reached the ditch on the left, gave way and retreated from the field. The Federal loss in the attack on Morris island July 9 was 106 killed, wounded and missing; in the assault on Fort Wagner, 339. Only 88 of the 191 officers and men of companies A, B, I and K, 7th Connecticut, remained. The Confederate loss in the two engagements was 303 (See also Naval Volume.)


Fort Walker, South Carolina, November 7, 1861. (See Port Royal.)


Forty Hills, Mississippi, May 3, 1863. Fort Zarah, Kansas, December 4, 1864. Detachment of 7th Iowa Cavalry. About dusk of this day, while 4 men of the 7th la. were guarding an ammunition train for Fort Zarah, they were attacked by a band of Indians, when on Cow creek 15 miles from their destination. One of the teamsters of the train was killed.


Fosterville, Tennessee, June 25, 1863. Detachments of 5th Iowa and 4th Michigan Cavalry. During the Middle Tennessee campaign Major-General Gordon Granger ordered Lieutenant-Colonel M. T. Patrick to proceed with his own regiment and the 4th Michigan in the direction of Fosterville and feel the enemy. Patrick drove the Confederates through Fosterville to where they made a stand and opened upon him with artillery. Granger's orders having been executed, the Federals withdrew. The casualties were not reported.


Fouche Springs, Tennessee, November 23. 1864. (See Henryville, same date.)


Fourteen-mile Creek, Mississippi, May 12, 1863. 12th Division, 13th Army Corps. As an incident of the siege of Vicksburg, this division under Brigadier-General Alvin P. Hovey came upon the enemy at Edward's station. A sharp skirmish ensued and after some hours the enemy was driven beyond Fourteen-mile creek, where they had made a last stand. The casualties were not reported.


Fox Creek, Missouri, March 7, 1862. Company E, 4th Missouri Cavalry. A patrol of cavalry under Captain Ludlow was attacked at daybreak at their camp on Fox creek by a band of guerrillas, concealed in the bushes. The cavalry managed to form under fire, and charged the enemy, driving them into the woods. One Federal soldier was killed and 4 wounded.


Fox's Gap, Maryland, September 14, 1862. (See South Mountain.)


Frampton's Plantation, South Carolina, October 22, 1862. (See Brannan's Expedition from Hilton Head.)


Frankfort, Kentucky, June 10. 1864. Kentucky Militia. As an incident of Morgan's raid into Kentucky he attacked one of the fortifications at Frankfort about 10 p. m. A guard of citizens had garrisoned this stockade and stationed a detachment with 2 guns in its front. The guns were captured by the Confederates and then abandoned. No direct assault was made on the fortification. The Union casualties amounted to 2 wounded.


Frankfort, West Virginia, June 26, 1861. (See Patterson's creek, same date.) Franklin, Louisiana, May 25, 1863. 41st Massachusetts Infantry and several other regiments, commanded by Colonel Chickering.


Franklin, Mississippi, January 2. 1865. Detachments of the 4th Illinois and 3d U. S. Colored Cavalry. As an incident of the expedition from Memphis to destroy the Mobile & Ohio railroad, Colonel E. D. Osband, commanding the 3d brigade, on learning that a force of Confederates was at Goodman Station, started in that direction. When about half a mile out of Franklin his advance guard of the 3d U. S. was attacked, but the charge was repulsed and the Confederates driven back to a stretch of timber surrounding Page 439 a church. After a determined resistance they were forced to abandon this position, cross a small stream and fall back upon the main body, under General Wirt Adams. The colored troops followed but were driven back across the bridge in confusion. The arrival of the Illinois regiment just at this moment prevented the enemy making a flank movement and cutting off the advance guard from the rest of the detachment. After some desultory firing both parties withdrew. The Union casualties amounted to 4 killed, 7 wounded and 2 missing. The Confederate loss was not reported but the report of the Union commander estimated it at 50. Osband captured 7 prisoners.


Franklin, Missouri, October 1, 1864. 52nd Indiana and Detachments of 49th and 117th Illinois Infantry. While Price was making his raid into Missouri, a Union force consisting of the above mentioned detachments was sent in the direction of Franklin to dislodge the enemy there. The Federals were disembarked about a mile and a half from the town and moved forward, the Indiana regiment leading. Skirmishers met the enemy's pickets a mile from the village and drove them back without difficulty. As the Union command approached, the Confederates, drawn up in line of battle, opened with their artillery, but were slowly driven back and through the village. The Federal loss was 7 men wounded. The Confederate casualties were not reported. Franklin, Tennessee, December 12, 1862. Detachment, Cavalry Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. During the reconnaissance of Brigadier-General D. S. Stanley from Nashville he approached the town of Franklin about daylight. The bank of the river was lined and the houses and buildings were filled with Confederates, but under the determined attack of the 4th Michigan and the 7th Pennsylvania they soon fled. All the machinery in the flour mill was destroyed. The Union loss was 1 man mortally wounded. The enemy lost 4 killed and 9 wounded. Stanley's men took 11 prisoners.


Franklin, Tennessee, December 26, 1862. 2nd Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Cumberland. In the advance on Murfreesboro the brigade, Colonel Lewis Zahm commanding, encountered the enemy's pickets about 2 miles from Franklin and drove them back toward the town, skirmishing all the way. At Franklin the Confederates made a stand and showed fight. Zahm dismounted six companies as skirmishers and sent a party of mounted men to both the right and left flanks of the enemy, completely routing them and driving them about 2 miles beyond the town, killing and wounding several and capturing 10 prisoners, one of whom was a lieutenant on General Bragg's escort.


Franklin, Tennessee, February 1, 1863. Detachment of 3d Division, 3d Army Corps. The advance of this detachment, two companies of the 1st East Tennessee cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Brownlow, reached Franklin at 9 p. m., and Brownlow learned that the Confederates had gone in the direction of Harpeth Shoals. One man of his command was killed by the rear-guard of the enemy.


Franklin, Tennessee, March 4, 1863. (See Thompson's Station, same date.) Franklin, Tennessee, March 9, 1863. 125th Ohio Volunteers. Franklin, Tennessee, March 31, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry from the Army of the Cumberland. Major-General Gordon Granger, commanding at Franklin, reported as follows: "Our cavalry moved out on the Lewisburg and Columbia pike today, encountering the rebels some 7 miles out, and, skirmishing for several hours, took 5 prisoners from them."


Franklin, Tennessee, April 10, 1863. Baird's and Gilbert's Divisions Page 440 and Stanley's Cavalry, Army of Kentucky. About noon General Van Dorn with about 6,000 Confederates approached Franklin over the Columbia pike from the south. Owing to the condition of the weather the Union forces, camped at the foot of the bluff across the Harpeth river from Franklin, were not apprised of the proximity of the enemy until the 40th Ohio, doing picket duty in the village, commenced skirmishing. At 2 p. m. the Ohio troops were forced to fall back to the river. Soon after a general attack was made on the Union fortification, but with little success. Major-General D. S. Stanley had been stationed with his cavalry on the Murfreesboro road to the east of the town. A heavy mist veiled the actions of the contending forces in the village, but judging from the continuous firing, Stanley thought an attack in force must be in progress on the front and determined to attack the enemy on the flank. Accordingly he crossed the river at Hughes' ford and made a counter charge on the Confederate right. Van Dorn, fearing that his whole force would be cut off, immediately withdrew his command from Granger in front and attacked Stanley, who was slowly driven back to and across the river. The Federal loss was 10 killed, 23 wounded and 51 taken prisoners. The Confederate casualties were 5 killed, 32 wounded and 33 captured or missing.


Franklin, Tennessee, April 27, 1863. Cavalry commanded by Colonel Watkins.


Franklin, Tennessee, June 4, 1863. U. S. Troops under Colonel J. P. Baird. The Confederates in considerable force under General N. B. Forrest attacked the Union post, Colonel Baird commanding, at Franklin at 3 p. m. coming from the south. By the aid of the siege guns in the fortification Baird was able to hold them at bay until reinforcements sent from Triune came up and drove them off. The Union loss was 3 killed and 4 wounded. The Confederates lost 15 killed or wounded, and 15 taken prisoners.


Franklin, Tennessee, September 2, 1864. Rousseau in pursuit of Wheeler.


Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. 4th and 23d Army Corps. After General Hood, commanding the Confederate forces at Atlanta, was compelled to evacuate that city he started northward with the main body of his army, in the hope that by cutting General Sherman's line of communications he could draw that officer after him and thus transfer the war to Tennessee. Sherman did follow until everything was in readiness for the march to the sea, when he suddenly changed front and started for Savannah, having previously divided his army and sent Major-General George H. Thomas to Nashville with a sufficient force to take pare of Hood. During the first half of November Hood confined himself to operations around Florence, Alabama, where he was joined by about 10,000 cavalry under Forrest, giving him a compact army of from 50,000 to 60,000 men of all arms. Thomas had a movable army of 22,000 infantry and 4.300 cavalry, in addition to which he had the garrisons at Chattanooga, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and some other points. On October 29 General A. J. Smith was ordered to report to Thomas at Nashville with three divisions of the 16th corps, then operating in Missouri, and Thomas hoped for the arrival of these troops in time to give Hood battle south of the Duck river. To delay the Confederate advance he sent Hatch's cavalry to obstruct the roads crossing Shoal creek and send rafts down the Tennessee river to break Hood's pontoon bridges. He also ordered General Schofield, with about 20,000 men, to Pulaski to hold Hood in check until Smith could join the army at Nashville. On November 20 General Beauregard telegraphed Hood from West Page 441 Point, Mississippi, to "push an active offensive immediately." Pursuant to this order Hood placed his army in motion, defeated the Union troops at Pulaski, Lawrenceburg and in some minor engagements, and on the 29th forced Schofield to evacuate the line of Duck river and fall back to Franklin, which place the head of the column reached about daylight on the morning of the 30th. Franklin is located on the south side and in a big bend of the Harpeth river. Thomas had ordered Schofield to fall back behind the river, but when the latter arrived at Franklin he found no wagon bridge across the river and the fords in such bad condition that it would be impossible to get his train across before Hood's forces would be upon him. The railroad bridge was quickly floored for the passage of the trains and a foot bridge constructed, which also proved available for wagons. Three turnpikes—the Lewisburg, Columbia and Carter's creek—entered the town from the south, and as fast as the troops came up they were placed in position to cover these roads. Cox's division of the 23d corps formed on the left, extending from the river above the town across the Lewisburg road; Ruger's division of the same corps joined Cox on the right, extending the line to the Carter's creek pike and Kimball's division of the 4th corps was formed facing west, completing the line from the Carter's creek pike to the river below the town. Opdyke's brigade of Wagner's division (23d corps) was placed in reserve west of the Columbia road, and the other two brigades (Lane's and Conrad's) occupied a barricade across that road about 800 yards in advance of the main line. On the north side of the river, opposite the upper end of the town, stood Fort Granger, which had been erected about a year before. Part of the artillery of the 23d corps was placed here, so as to command the railroad and the Lewisburg pike on the other side of the river. Wood's division of the 4th corps was stationed on the north bank of the river as a reserve and a guard for the trains after they had crossed. At 1 p. m. heavy columns of Confederate infantry were reported advancing on the Columbia road. Croxton, with his cavalry brigade, held back the enemy's infantry until 2 o'clock, when he learned that Forrest was crossing the river above, and fell back to the north side, where he joined General Wilson's cavalry on Wood's left, to operate against Forrest. By 3 p. m. the trains were all on the north side of the Harpeth and Schofield gave orders for the army to cross at 6 o'clock, unless attacked sooner by the enemy. About 3.30 Hood's main line of battle advanced against Conrad and Lane in the outer barricade. Wagner had been directed to check the enemy without bringing on a general engagement, but he had in turn ordered Lane and Conrad to hold their positions just as long as possible. As soon as the Confederate advance came within range the two brigades opened fire. The enemy in front was checked for a moment, then sweeping round on either flank drove Wagner's men back to the main line in disorder. In the race for the parapets they were so closely pursued by the yelling Confederates that it was impossible for those in the trenches to fire on the enemy for fear of killing some of their own comrades. Lane's men succeeded in gaining the trenches without disturbing the lines behind the works, but Conrad's brigade came over the parapet to the right of the Columbia road with such impetuosity that the troops at that point were carried back by the fugitives, leaving about 300 yards without any protection whatever. Toward this gap Hood's heavy lines now commenced to converge and for a brief time it looked as though Schofield's army was doomed to annihilation. But Colonel White, Page 442 commanding Reilly's second line, and Colonel Opdycke, whose brigade it will be remembered was stationed in reserve, were equal to the emergency. Without waiting for orders they hurled their commands into the breach and not only checked but repulsed the mad rush of the enemy. Opdycke's men recaptured 8 pieces of artillery that had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and with the guns took 400 prisoners and 10 battle flags. Behind Opdycke and White Wagner's disorganized brigades were formed, Strickland's brigade rallying with them, and the Confederates were driven back at all points. While rallying the men General Stanley was severely wounded in the neck and compelled to leave the field. This attack in the center was made by Cleburne's and Brown's divisions of Cheatham's corps. Cleburne was killed within a few yards of the Federal works as he followed Conrad's men on their retreat. Although the first attack in the center was the most determined, and the fighting there resulted in heavy losses to both sides, the battle was not all there. Cox's line on the left was heavily assaulted by Loring and Walthall's divisions. Cox's men were partly screened by a hedge of Osage orange, behind which they waited until the enemy was within easy range, and then opened a fire that fairly mowed down the advancing lines. The brunt of the attack fell on Casement's brigade, but his men were well seasoned veterans who had learned to "fire low." They held their ground against superior numbers and repulsed every attack. It was here that Confederate Generals Adams, Scott and Quarles were killed, the first named mounting the parapet, where his horse was killed and he fell mortally wounded inside the works. The carnage among the Confederate officers was so great at this point that Walthall says in his report: "So heavy were the losses in his (Quarles') command that when the battle ended its highest officer in rank was a captain." The batteries of the 4th corps, stationed on an eminence near the railroad rendered effective service in driving back Loring and Walthall by enfilading their lines with a murderous fire of canister. To the west of the Columbia pike Brown's division gained and held the outside of the Federal parapet, but the troops inside threw up a barricade within 25 yards of their old works, and across this narrow space the battle raged fiercely until a late hour, the men firing at the flash of each other's guns after darkness fell. In this division Generals Strahl and Gist were killed, Gordon was captured, and Manigault wounded and left on the field. Still further to the west Ruger's right and Kimball's left were assaulted by Bate's division, but the attack was neither so fierce nor so persistent as in the center" or on the Federal left. Firing continued at various places along the lines until nearly midnight, Hood's object being to prevent, or at least to embarrass the withdrawal of the Union troops from the field. While this infantry battle was going on on the south side of the river the cavalry was not idle. Forrest had crossed the Harpeth above Franklin and made a desperate effort to get at Schofield's trains. Hatch, Croxton and Wilson united their forces to resist the movement,, and the result was Forrest was driven back across the river. During the night Schofield drew off his forces and retired to Brentwood in obedience to orders from Thomas. The Union losses in the battle of Franklin were r8o killed. 1,033 wounded, and 1.104 missing. In his history of the Army of the Cumberland Van Home says: "General Hood buried 1,750 men on the field. He had 3,800 so disabled as to be placed in hospitals, and lost 702 captured—an aggregate of 6,252, exclusive of those slightly wounded."


Page 443


Franklin, Tennessee, December 17, 1864. Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. As the cavalry was in pursuit of Hood's army after the battle of Nashville, the enemy's rear-guard was encountered at Franklin. Hatch's division made several charges, capturing 3 pieces of artillery, and Johnson's struck the enemy on the flank, driving him back into the town, where the military hospital was captured, containing about 1,800 Confederates and 200 Union men who were wounded in the battle of Franklin on November 30. Johnson also captured about 17,000 rations. Three miles south of town Coon's brigade charged the retreating enemy, the 2nd la. becoming engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, which resulted in the capture of several prisoners and battle flags.


Franklin, Virginia, October 3, 1862. (See Blackwater River, same date.)


Franklin, Virginia, October 31, 1862. U. S. Troops commanded by Major- General John J. Peck. General Peck reported under date of November 2: "On Friday night. October 31, we surprised the enemy at Franklin about 4 a. m., and shelled him with 75 projectiles before he opened." This is the only mention of the affair.


Franklin, Virginia, December 2. 1862. Expedition under Colonel Spear. On the morning of the 1st information was brought by contrabands to Major-General John J. Peck that the Confederates were throwing up works near the railroad about 4 miles from Franklin. Peck ordered Colonel S. P. Spear, of the 11th Pennsylvania cavalry, to take part of his regiment, parts of the 39th Pennsylvania, 39th Illinois. 62nd Ohio, 6th Massachusetts. 103d Pennsylvania, and 130th New York; two sections of Davis' Massachusetts light battery and a section of Howard's battery of the 4th U. S. artillery—3,100 men in all— and move out to put a stop to the work if the information brought by the negroes proved to be correct. While Spear's men were breakfasting near the Blackwater river on the morning of the 2nd his pickets were driven in and immediately after a charge was made by about 500 Confederates with one section of a battery. The men of the 11th were soon in their saddles and not only checked the charge but threw the enemy into confusion, following and driving him over the floating bridge at Franklin, which was withdrawn as soon as the retreating party reached the other side of the river. Spear captured the famous Petersburg Rocket battery, 14 horses, 7 saddles, 42 rifles, 70 rockets and 20 prisoners. The Confederates lost in killed and wounded about 20 men. while the Union loss was comparatively nothing. The enemy succeeded in tearing up some 8 or 10 miles of railroad, which made pursuit difficult. After shelling the town of Franklin for awhile, Spear retired to Fort Monroe.


Franklin Creek, Mississippi, December 21-22. 1864. U. S. Troops under Colonel Henry Bertram. On the night of the 21st Colonel Bertram, commanding the Union forces, sent Colonel Abraham Bassford with a detachment of cavalry around the head of Franklin creek to strike the Mobile road in the enemy's rear. A superior force of the enemy was met and Bassford was obliged to fall back. Next morning Bertram moved out and cooperated with Bassford, and together they attacked the Confederates, who were taken by surprise and fled in confusion. The Union casualties were 8 wounded and 5 missing; the Confederate loss aggregated 20 killed and wounded, and 9 were taken prisoners. Franklin's Crossing, Virginia, June 5, 186r Detachment of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps. About noon the detachment left camp about 5 miles from the Rappahannock river for the purpose of crossing and reconnoitering the enemy's position. On arriving at Franklin's crossing near the mouth of Deep run a Page 444 Confederate force of considerable strength was found in the rifle pits on the opposite bank. The Federal artillery was placed in position and opened on them, but with no effect except to keep reinforcements from the enemy. A galling musketry fire was kept up on the engineers attempting to bridge the stream, so an attack was ordered. The 5th Vermont and the 26th New Jersey rushed down the bank, into the pontoons and rowed across. A line of battle was formed, the two regiments charged up the bank and took the rifle pits, the enemy fleeing in confusion. The Union casualties were 7 men wounded. About 50 Confederates were taken prisoners.


Frazier's Farm, Virginia, June 30, 1862. For a full account of the battle of Frazier's farm or Glendale see Seven Days' Battles. Frederick City, Maryland, September 12. 1862. Detachment of Right Wing of the Army of the Potomac. On the afternoon of the 12th this detachment, acting as the advance of the army, moved on Frederick City, arriving at Monocacy bridge about 4 o'clock. A small force of the enemy put up a slight resistance, but the bridge was carried with little loss. The Federals then pressed forward and charged the rear-guard of the enemy as it was retired. A countercharge of the enemy drove back the first line of the assailants in some confusion, capturing 10 Union men after which they retired slowly from the city. Besides the 10 captured the Union loss was 2 killed; the Confederate casualties were not reported.


Fredericksburg, Missouri, July 17, 1864. Detachment of Ford's Brigade. Captain Thomas Moses, with 47 men, came upon about 300 Confederates under a Colonel Thornton, not far from Fredericksburg. After a severe fight Moses and his men were driven to the brush, where they exhausted their ammunition and then scattered. The Union loss was 6 killed, 4 wounded and 2 missing; that of the enemy was 16 killed and 21 wounded.


Fredericksburg, Virginia, November 9, 1862. 1st Indiana Cavalry.


Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. Army of the Potomac. After the battle of Antietam, on September 17, both the Union and Confederate armies remained inactive for nearly two months. Lee retired to Bunker Hill and Winchester, Virginia, where he undertook the work of recruiting and reorganizing his shattered army. McClellan was engaged during this time in guarding the line of the Potomac, to prevent another attempt on the part of the Confederates to move northward, and in reorganizing and equipping his forces. On November he was relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac and Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside appointed to succeed him. One of the first acts of the new commander was to organize the army into three grand divisions. The Right grand division, commanded by Major-General Edwin V. Sumner, consisted of the 2nd and 9th corps, the former commanded by Major-General Darius N. Couch and the latter by Brigadier-General Orlando B. Willcox, and the cavalry division of two brigades, under the command of Brigadier-General Alfred Pleasonton. The Center grand division was commanded by Major-General Joseph Hooker and was made up of the 3d and 5th corps and the cavalry division of Brigadier-General W. W. Averell. The 3d corps was commanded by Brigadier-General George Stoneman and the 5th by Brigadier-General Daniel Butterfield. The Left grand division, commanded by Major-General William B. Franklin, consisted of the 1st corps, commanded by Major-General John F. Reynolds, the 6th corps, Major-General William F. Smith, and the cavalry division commanded by Brigadier-General George D. Bayard. With the army were about 70 field batteries, the entire army numbering, according to Burnside's report for December 10, 116.683 men. Lee's army now numbered about 78,500 men and was divided into Page 445 two corps. The 1st, commanded by Lieutenant-General James Longstreet, was composed of the divisions of McLaws, Anderson, Pickett, Hood and Ransom, and the 2nd corps, under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas J. Jackson, consisted of the divisions of D. H. and A. P. Hill, Ewell, and Jackson's old division, now commanded by General W. B. Taliaferro. Burnside's plan was to establish a base of supplies on the Potomac, at or near Acquia creek, and then move against Richmond by the way of Fredericksburg. In telegraphing the president's acceptance of this plan General Halleck added: "He thinks it will succeed if you move rapidly; otherwise not." This telegram was received by Burnside at his headquarters at Warrenton, Virginia, a little while before noon on November 14. The war department promised to send a sufficient number of pontoons to Fredericksburg to enable the army to cross the Rappahannock, and early on the 15th the army was put in motion for Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, Sumner's command forming the advance. Sumner reached Falmouth on the 17th and the rest of the army two days later. At that time there was only a small Confederate force at Fredericksburg, and the intention was that Sumner should cross the river and take possession of the heights back of the town before Lee could reinforce the garrison. But the promised pontoons had not arrived, the river could not be forded by a large army, and the railroad and turnpike bridges had been destroyed by the enemy. There was nothing to do but wait. Hooker and Sumner both wanted to cross the river at some point above or below the town, but Burnside deemed it inexpedient to hazard such a movement, until the entire army was ready. The pontoons did not arrive until the 25th and several days more elapsed before they could be placed in position. Any one familiar with the military character of Lee can readily imagine that he was not idle during this period. The day that Sumner reached Falmouth the Federal plan was made apparent to the Confederate commander, who immediately ordered McLaws' and Ransom's divisions to Fredericksburg. On the 19th the rest of Longstreet's corps was ordered up and on the 26th Jackson, whose command was then in the vicinity of Orange Court House, was directed to join Longstreet. The river for some distance above and below the town was guarded by cavalry, D. H. Hill was sent to Port Royal, a few miles further down, to prevent the Federal gunboats from landing supplies there, and by the time that Burnside was ready to cross Lee's whole force was intrenched on the heights in the rear of Fredericksburg, his lines extending from about a mile and a half above the town to the Richmond railroad below. In his report Burnside says: "By this time (November 25) the enemy had concentrated a large force on the opposite side of the river, so that it became necessary to make arrangements to cross in the face of a vigilant and formidable foe. These arrangements were not completed until about December 10." Fredericksburg lies on the right bank of the Rappahannock, in a bend, the general course of the river at this point being southeast. The heights on the Fredericksburg side approach near the river at Beck's island, a short distance above Falmouth, and extend in a semicircular form to the Massaponax river, about 6 miles below the town. On the opposite bank are the Stafford heights, running almost parallel with the stream, and at no great distance from it. About a mile below Fredericksburg a little creek called Deep run flows into the Rappahannock from the southwest, the widest part of the valley being along this stream. Burnside had laid his plans to cross the Rappahannock at a place called Skinker's neck, some 12 miles below Page 446 the town, but Lee became aware of his intentions and concentrated a strong force in that neighborhood, thus forcing the Union general to change his designs, almost at the beginning of the campaign. His reasons for this change are best told in the language of his official report: "I discovered that the enemy had thrown a large portion of his force down the river and elsewhere, thus weakening his defenses in front; and I thought I also discovered that he did not anticipate the crossing of our whole force at Fredericksburg; and I hoped, by rapidly throwing the whole command over at that place, to separate, by a vigorous attack, the forces of the enemy on the river below from the forces behind and on the crests in the rear of the town, in which case we should fight him with great advantages in our favor." To carry out this plan it was determined to throw two pontoon bridges across the river near the Lacy house, at the upper end of the town, one a short distance below the railroad bridge, and one or two about a mile further down. On the night of December 10 the pontoons were taken to the designated places, and 147 pieces of artillery ranged along Stafford heights to cover the crossing. About 4 a. m. on the 11th work was commenced on the bridges near the town and everything proceeded well until dawn, when the pontoniers were driven from their work by a brisk fire from a body of Confederate sharpshooters sheltered by a line of rifle-pits and concealed in the houses along the river bank. About 6 o'clock work was resumed, but again the men were forced to retire before the fire of the sharpshooters. As early as November 21 General Sumner had notified the mayor of Fredericksburg that the town would be shelled if the Confederates were permitted to occupy it for military purposes, and after the second repulse of the pontoniers the artillery was directed to open fire on the town. Several batteries accordingly began shelling the houses that sheltered the riflemen, and at the same time the 7th Michigan and 19th Massachusetts were sent over in pontoons. Under cover of the artillery they charged up the bank and chased the sharpshooters from their hiding places. The bridges were then finished without further interruption and before dark Sumner's grand division and part of Hooker's had crossed. Franklin met with no opposition at the lower bridges and that evening the greater part of his grand division was on the south side of the Rappahannock. On the 12th all the army was crossed over, with the exception of Stoneman's and Butterfield's corps, which were held in a position to reinforce any part of the line that might require assistance and to keep open the line of retreat in case it became necessary to retire. From official reports and published accounts it would seem that no definite plan of battle had been decided on until after the troops were over the river. Burnside says: "By the night of the 12th the troops were all in position, and I visited the different commands with a view to determining as to future movements." Near the south end of the ridge, on which the enemy was intrenched, a road led from the old Richmond stage road and crossed the railroad at a place known as Hamilton's crossing. From Fredericksburg the plank road ran in a southwesterly direction to Orange Court House. Near the foot of the heights the Telegraph road left the plank road and crossed the ridge farther south. The Confederates had opened a road in the rear of the crest, running from the Telegraph road to Hamilton's crossing, and further north the canal ran along the foot of the ridge. The plan finally adopted was for Franklin on the left to march down the Richmond road and seize the heights near Hamilton's crossing; Sumner was to move out on Page 447 the plank road to the intersection of the Telegraph road, there divide his forces "with a view to seizing the heights in the rear of the town;" Hooker was ordered to place Butterfield's corps and Whipple's division of Stoneman's in position to cross at the three upper bridges to support Sumner, and the remaining divisions of Stoneman's corps at the lower bridge to cross over and support Franklin. At daylight on Saturday morning, December 13, a dense fog hung in the valley, completely concealing the movements of the two armies from each other. Toward 10 o'clock this fog lifted and Franklin began his advance. Smith's corps formed the right, with Brooks' division on the right, Howe's on the left and Newton's in reserve. Gibbon's division of Reynolds' corps touched Howe's left. Meade's was formed at almost right angles to the main line of battle and facing to the left. Confronting this part of the Union line were the divisions of Ewell, (now commanded by Brigadier-General Jubal A. Early) D. H. and A. P. Hill and Taliaferro, occupying the wooded slopes of the hill, and Hood's division stretched across the Deep run valley west of the railroad. D. H. Hill's division overlapped the Union left, and as soon as Meade began to move against the Confederate lines he was met by an artillery fire in front and on the left flank, compelling him to fall back. Doubleday's division was thrown against the batteries on the flank and gained some ground, but the artillery was well supported and could not be dislodged. Three batteries were then ordered to Doubleday's support and after a terrific fire of nearly an hour the Confederate guns were silenced. Meade then opened a fierce artillery fire on the woods in his front, and as this met with no response he pushed his line forward. It happened that his advance struck a piece of boggy ground, which the enemy had deemed impassable, and had caused a gap to be left in the line. Into this opening the Union column now forced its way, sweeping back the enemy on the right and left, and gaining the military road in the rear of the crest. Here part of the second Confederate line was thrown into confusion, but part of Gregg's brigade of A. P. Hill's division withstood the shock and held the Federals in check until Early could come up with reinforcements. When Meade made his rush he expected to be supported by Gibbon, but the latter was delayed and Meade found himself almost surrounded by a force outnumbering his own two to one. Hood hurried part of his command to that part of the field, checking Gibbon as he came up. Pursuant to Burnside's order Franklin had held the greater part of his grand division "in position for a rapid advance down the Richmond road," so that the main body of his forces was too far away to render assistance to those engaged. Finding themselves unsupported Meade's men broke and fled in disorder, leaving a large number of dead and wounded on the field and several hundred prisoners in the hands of the enemy. Stoneman's corps had crossed the river, however, and Birney's, division was drawn up in the rear of Meade. The Confederates, so intent upon the death or capture of the retreating Unionists, failed to perceive this line and dashed up to within 50 yards of Birney's guns. Four batteries opened with heavy charges of canister, fairly sweeping the pursuers from their feet and causing their decimated ranks to beat a rapid and disorderly retreat to the woods. This ended the operations on the left. In the meantime a fiercer conflict was being waged on the Union right, between Sumner and Longstreet. Shortly after 8 a. m. Willcox's corps was ordered to the left to connect with Franklin's line, and to Couch was committed the work of carrying the Confederate position at Marye's hill, located between the plank and Page 448 roads and so called from the name of the owner, who lived on the summit. Some idea of the strength of the enemy's position here may be gained from the following extract from Confederate General Kershaw's report: "Marye's hill, covered with our batteries, falls off abruptly toward Fredericksburg to a stone wall, which forms a terrace on the side of the hill and the outer margin of the Telegraph road, which winds along the foot of the hill. The road is about 25 feet wide, and is faced by a stone wall about 4 feet high on the city side. The road having been cut out of the side of the hill, this last wall in many places is not visible above the surface of the ground. * * * I found, on my arrival, that Cobb's brigade, Colonel McMillan commanding, occupied our entire front, and my troops could only get into position by doubling on them. This was accordingly done, and the formation along most of the line during the engagement was consequently four deep." Against this strongly fortified line, "four deep,' the Union troops were compelled to march nearly a mile across open ground, every foot of which, except a narrow strip along the canal or mill race, could be swept by the Confederate batteries on Marye's hill and the ridges to the right and left. To make matters worse the canal could be crossed only at two bridges, on one of which the floor had been torn up, so that the men were compelled to cross in single file on the stringers. In the face of these obstacles the attack on the hill was commenced about noon, French's division forming the advance in columns by brigades, covered by a strong line of skirmishers, and closely supported by Hancock. After crossing the canal the lines were formed under shelter of the bank, on the strip of §round referred to, and steadily moved forward until Kimball's Brigade came within short musket range of the wall, the enemy having been driven to cover by the skirmishers. Hancock pushed forward Zook's brigade, which joined Kimball's in the assault on the wall, but both were driven back with severe losses, Kimball being wounded while leading the charge. Hancock then sent in Meagher's and Caldwell's brigades, but with no better success. In the forks of the road, about 150 yards from the wall, was a cluster of houses, which formed a rallying point for the Union troops. About 1 p. m. Couch ordered French and Hancock to carry the works by storm. Then, in company with General Howard, he climbed the tower of the court-house, from which he could obtain a clear view of the field. Seeing that the works could not be carried by direct assault, he ordered Howard to move his division to the right of the Telegraph road in an effort to turn the enemy's flank. Before the order could be carried out French and Hancock called for reinforcements. Howard was recalled and sent to their assistance. Willcox also sent Sturgis' division to the left of Hancock, and about 2 p. m. Butterfield's whole corps came on the field. Shortly after this Hooker was ordered to "put in everything." Couch at the same time being directed to "hold on until he comes in." By this time the ammunition of several regiments of the 2nd corps was exhausted, the men relying wholly upon the bayonet. About 4 o'clock word came that the Confederates were retreating from the Marye house on the top of the hill, and Humphrey's division was ordered in. Twice in quick succession he charged against that impregnable stone wall, but each time was repulsed. Getty's division of the 9th corps was next ordered to endeavor to break the enemy's line on the left, near the unfinished railroad, but was met by a heavy fire. Hazard's and Frank's batteries were ordered to his support, and while they succeeded in checking the fire they were unable, even Page 449 by a vigorous shelling, to break the line. In fact, of all the assaults made during the day none approached as near to the Confederate lines as did Kimball and Zook in the first charge. Thus the battle was waged, first at one point and then another, until dark, when the men were withdrawn and that night the main part of the army bivouacked in the streets of Fredericksburg. On Sunday morning, the 14th, the men began digging trenches along the edge of the town in anticipation of an assault, but with the exception of some desultory firing at various points along the line there were no hostile demonstrations. On Monday Jackson and Franklin agreed upon a formal truce for the removal of the wounded and the burial of the dead. Late that afternoon Burnside issued orders for the whole army to recross the Rappahannock. Under cover of darkness, in the midst of a cold rain storm, the defeated and dispirited army crossed the river and the pontoons were withdrawn. The first battle of Burnside's campaign had been fought, and lost. The Union losses at Fredericksburg were 1,284 killed, 9,600 wounded, and 1,769 missing. The Confederate losses were reported as being 608 killed, 4,116 wounded and 653 missing. Many of the Federal dead were stripped of their clothing by the enemy, the naked bodies being left exposed to the cold wintry winds and rain. A woman who lived in one of the houses near the stone wall said afterward: "The morning after the battle the field was blue; but the morning after the Federals withdrew the field was white."


Fredericksburg Road, Virginia, May 16-20, 1864. Tyler's Division, 5th Corps. Army of the Potomac.


Fredericktown, Missouri, October 21, 1861. U. S. Troops under Colonel J. B. Plummer. On October 17 Colonel Plummer left Cape Girardeau with about 1,500 men to attack Confederate General Thompson at Farmington. Soon after starting he learned that the enemy was at Fredericktown instead of Farmington and changed his line of march so as to reach the former place from the south in order to cut off the Confederate retreat. Plummer arrived in Fredericktown about noon of the 21 st, only to find that Colonel Carlin with 3,000 men from Pilot Knob had occupied the town since 8 a. m. The enemy had retired on the Greenville road the evening before. Taking part of Carlin's command, Plummer started in pursuit. His force now consisted of the 17th, 20th, 21st. and 23d Illinois and 11th Missouri infantry, a detachment of the 1st Indiana cavalry, two companies of Illinois cavalry and one section each of Taylor's and Schofield's batteries. About a mile out of the village the enemy was found drawn up in line of battle in a strong position, but after a fight of about 3 hours the Confederates began to retreat. The Indiana cavalry was ordered to charge, and did so only to fall into an ambuscade, where a few of their men and officers were killed or wounded. The remainder of the Federal force pursued the enemy 10 miles. The Union losses were 6 killed and 60 wounded. There is a large discrepancy in the different reports as to the Confederate losses; the Confederate reports give them as 20 killed, 27 wounded and 15 taken prisoners, while Plummer says that his men before leaving the scene of action buried 158 of the enemy's dead.


Free Bridge, North Carolina, July 6, 1863. 23d Massachusetts and 9th New Jersey Infantry. This affair was an incident of a raid on the Wilmington & Weldon railroad. Colonel Chambers with the 23d Massachusetts took position at the bridge near Trenton and had started to reconnoiter when the Confederates opened fire with artillery. Part of Belger's battery and the 9th New Jersey were hurried to the scene and it Page 450 was not long before the Federal pieces silenced the enemy's guns. Three of the Union soldiers were wounded.


Freeman's Ford, Virginia, August 22, 1862. 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, 3d Army Corps. On this date the Union army was moving up the north bank of the Rappahannock river, while Stonewall Jackson's Confederate corps was moving up the river on the south side. At Freeman's ford Jackson left Trimble's brigade to protect the flank of the wagon train. Major-General Irvin McDowell, commanding the 3d corps, fearing the Confederates might get possession of a hill near the bridge, threw over Hartsuff's brigade of Rickett's division, with Thompson's and Matthews' batteries, to hold the hill until the forces of McDowell, Reno and Reynolds could be concentrated for a general attack on Jackson's column. Animated firing was kept up by the artillery on both sides during the greater part of the day and about 4 p. m. General Hood arrived with Longstreet's advance, with orders to relieve Trimble. In the meantime the river had risen so rapidly that the bridge constructed by the engineer corps was swept away and the general attack had to be abandoned. Hartsuff was therefore ordered to withdraw to the north side of the river, and this emboldened the enemy to move forward and seize the hill. Some sharp fighting occurred, but the well directed and rapid fire of Thompson's, Matthews' and Leppien's batteries checked the Confederates and enabled Hartsuff to cross the river without serious loss. Hood says in his report that from 200 to 300 Federal soldiers were killed and wounded, but the reports of the Union generals do not bear out the statement.


Fremont's Orchard, Colonel, April 12, i864. Detachment of 1st Colorado Cavalry. Word was received at Camp Sanborn that a band of Indians had been making depredations on the ranchmen in the vicinity, and Lieutenant Clark Dunn with two companies of cavalry was sent out in pursuit. About 3 miles from Fremont's orchard the force came up with the Indians, who began firing at the troops and driving the stolen stock up into the mountain. The troops followed until dark, but were unable to come up with the Indians. Two members of the troop were mortally and 2 slightly wounded.


Frog Bayou, Arkansas, March 19. 1863. Reconnaissance under Captain John Whiteford. A reconnoitering party consisting of Whiteford and 9 men was attacked at Young's place on Frog bayou by 20 Confederates. The result was the repulse of the enemy with a loss of 10 killed and wounded. The Union casualties, if any, were not reported.


Front Royal, Virginia, May 23. 1862. U. S. Troops under Colonel John R. Kenly. The Federal force at Front Royal, consisted of detachments of the 1st Maryland and 29th Pennsylvania infantry, Knap's Pennsylvania battery, 5th New York cavalry and Captain Mapes' pioneer corps, a total of 1.063 men, under command of Colonel Kenly. An attack was made by about 8,000 Confederates on the afternoon of the 23d, but Kenly deployed his men so as to make the appearance of greater strength than he really had. The Union left was driven back and Kenly received word that a body of Confederate cavalry was gaining his rear on the farther side of the river. He immediately withdrew from his position and started for Meadowville, burning the bridges after crossing. Knap managed to keep the enemy at bay for a while with his battery, but the Confederate cavalry had little trouble in crossing and soon gained Kenly's flank. At the same time the rear-guard was attacked and a fearful fight ensued, resulting in the capture of the larger part of the Federal force. The Confederate loss was 26 killed and wounded. The Union casualties Page 451 were never reported, but a week later only about 150 of the 1,000 men engaged had reported.


Front Royal, Virginia, May 30, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Department of the Rappahannock. Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball with this brigade left Rectortown at 6 p. m. of the 29th and approached Front Royal at 11:30 a. m. the next day. The brigade was divided, a portion of it occupying the hills to the south and southwest and two regiments the hills to the north and northeast. While the troops were taking these positions they were discovered by the enemy in the town, who immediately set fire to the railroad depot buildings and several cars of grain and left the place on the Winchester road. A small body of New Hampshire cavalry was sent in pursuit and the enemy was overtaken 2 miles from the village, where the cavalry charged with good results. The Federal loss was 8 killed and 7 wounded, all in the New Hampshire cavalry. The Confederate loss in killed and wounded was not reported, but 155 were taken prisoners.


Front Royal, Virginia, August 16, 1864. (See Cedarville.)


Front Royal, Virginia, September 21, 1864. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Shenandoah. At daybreak the main body of the division, commanded by Brigadier-General James H. Wilson, crossed the Shenandoah and attacked the Confederates at Front Royal. At the same time two regiments,—the 1st Vermont and 1st New Hampshire—moved up the south fork, crossed at Kendrick's ford and came in on the flank. The enemy was driven up the Luray valley in confusion to Gooney run, where the pursuit was taken up by Custer's brigade of the 1st division the next morning. No casualties reported.


Frying Pan, Virginia, June 4, 1863. Detachment of 5th Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Captain Gray.


Fulton, Missouri, July 17, 1861. 3d Missouri Reserves (400 men). Funkstown, Maryland, July 7, 1863. 6th United States Cavalry. After the battle of Gettysburg this regiment was ordered to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Funkstown. The enemy's pickets just outside the town were driven in, and the Federals proceeded into the town, where the Confederate cavalry attacked the regiment in force, and drove it slowly back to Mechanicstown, keeping up a running fight of about 5 miles. The Union loss was 59 men killed, wounded and missing. The Confederate casualties were not reported.


Funkstown, Maryland, July 10, 1863. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. After having driven the enemy along the Hagerstown road from Beaver creek on the 9th, this division, commanded by Brigadier-General John Buford, advanced again on the morning of the 10th. The reserve brigade was on the right, the 1st brigade in the center and the 2nd brigade on the left. The Confederates retreated into Funkstown, where Longstreet had posted his reserve. Buford took possession of the hills overlooking the town, the bridges on the roads leading into it and the 1st brigade held a suburb. An attempt of the enemy to dislodge Gamble's brigade was repulsed with loss. Toward evening the ammunition gave out and the division retired, leaving a detachment of the 6th corps guarding the bridges. The Union losses here and at Boonsboro were 12 killed, 54 wounded and 34 missing. The Confederate losses were not reported. Fussell's Mill, Virginia—For engagements at Fussell's mill on July 28, and August 18, 1864, see the articles on Deep Bottom.