Campaigns and Battles - R

R:  Raccoon Ford, Alabama, to Rutledge, Tennessee

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


Raccoon Ford, Alabama, October 30, 1864. (See Muscle Shoals, same date.) Raccoon Ford, Virginia, August 20, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, 3d Army Corps. This affair was a rather severe skirmish between the cavalry under Brigadier-General George H. Bayard and the Confederate cavalry under General Robertson. Union reconnoitering parties encountered the enemy first , and fell back upon the main column. As the enemy came up Bayard was executing a maneuver, and the Confederates, seizing their advantage, charged the Federals on the flank and routed them. The Union loss for this single engagement is not given, but for this affair and the battle of Cedar mountain on the 9th of the same month Bayard lost 10 killed, 45 wounded and 6 captured or missing. The Confederates suffered to the extent of 3 killed and 13 wounded at Raccoon ford.


Raccoon Ford, Virginia, April 30, 1863. Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. At the start of Stoneman's raid in 1863 it was thought probable by the general commanding that Raccoon ford would be guarded, and accordingly he sent a portion of General Buford's brigade across 6 miles below. This party, under Captain Peter Penn Gaskell, made a dash for the ford, and cleared it of the Confederates guarding it, capturing 7 men. No other casualties were reported.


Raccoon Ford, Virginia, September 15, 1863. Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. In the advance of the army from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan the cavalry division of General Buford was stationed at Raccoon ford. During the day the Confederates increased their force on the opposite bank and shelled Buford's position, compelling him to withdraw to the woods for shelter. No casualties were reported.


Raccoon Ford, Virginia, September 19, 1863. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. While the division was engaged in making a reconnaissance it encountered the enemy at Raccoon ford and some slight skirmishing ensued, but no detailed report of the action was made.


Raccoon Ford, Virginia, October 10, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. As the Army of the Potomac was falling back toward the Rappahannock river in the Bristoe campaign, a considerable body of the enemy's cavalry crossed the Rapidan at Raccoon ford, intending to strike the Union cavalry on the flank. Brigadier-General Pleasonton, Page 723 commanding the cavalry corps, sent Colonel Chapman with his brigade to meet this force. Chapman found the enemy formed and ready to charge. He speedily disposed his men and, although vastly outnumbered, gave the Confederates such a warm reception that they were hurled back in confusion, severely punished. The infantry supports came up just at this time, however, the cavalry was rallied, and Chapman, deeming the odds too great to contend against, withdrew slowly in the direction of Stevensburg. No casualties reported.


Raccoon Ford, Virginia, November 26-27, 1863. (See Mine Run, Virginia, November 26-December 2, 1863.)


Raccourci, Louisiana, November 25, 1864. A Lieut. Thatcher of the U. S. navy and 2 of his men were murdered while ashore at Raccourci, near Williamsport, Louisiana, by a band of guerrillas. Raceland, Louisiana, June 22, 1862. 8th Vermont Volunteers.


Ragland Mills, Kentucky, January 13, 1864. Detachment of 45th Kentucky Infantry. Twelve enlisted men of the 45th Kentucky, under Lieut . Robert H. Wilson, surprised a party of 35 guerrillas encamped at Ragland mills, Bath county, and captured 13 of the number. The Federals lost a horse killed, which was the only casualty on their side.


Raiford's Plantation, Mississippi, February 11, 1864. 3d Cavalry Brigade, Meridian Expedition. This affair was a fight between the pickets of McCrillis' brigade encamped at Raiford's plantation, 4 miles east of Byhalia, and the pickets of the enemy. The Federals lost 2 killed and 2 wounded and captured 4 prisoners.


Raleigh, Tennessee, April 3-9, 1864. Detachment of 1st Cavalry Brigade, 16th Army Corps. Pursuant to orders the 1st brigade under Colonel George E. Waring, Jr., proceeded from Raleigh to reconnoiter on the Somerville road. At Leake's, a few miles out, a Confederate picket was encountered and driven to where a force of 700 or 800 was stationed. This latter command withdrew rather rapidly and when the Federals ascertained that the Confederates were ret1ring on their main body they retired to Raleigh. The Federals lost 1 killed, 3 wounded and 1 missing; the Confederates, by their own account, 2 wounded. On the 9th Captain John C. Febles with 75 men of the 7th Indiana cavalry moved on a reconnaissance toward Raleigh and when 4 miles from the town his command was fired into by some 15 or 20 men, who were at once charged and scattered. Two miles out a picket of 4 men was scattered and Febles charged into the town to find it deserted save for a rearguard of 10 men, 2 of whom were captured. Both these affairs were incidents of Forrest's expedition into West Tennessee and Kentucky.


Rally Hill, Tennessee, November 29, 1864. Detachment of 12th Tennessee Cavalry. Three companies doing picket duty near Rally Hill were attacked by the Confederate General Buford's cavalry division and compelled to fall back. The affair was an incident of the campaign in north Alabama and middle Tennessee. No casualties were reported.


Ramer's Crossing, Mississippi, October 2, 1862. Detachment of 17th Wisconsin Infantry. About 6 p. m. a regiment of Confederate cavalry appeared at the switch of the Mobile & Ohio railroad near Ramer's crossing and commenced tearing up the track. Company A, 17th Wisconsin, stationed at Ramer's crossing, approached stealthily and attacked before the Confederates were aware of their presence. The result of the half-hour’s fight which followed was the complete rout of the enemy with probably 11 killed and 13 wounded (the report of a disinterested c1tizen), while the Federals lost none.


Rancho Las Rinas, Texas, June 25, 1864. U. S. Pickets on the Rio Grande. The Federal pickets, belonging to Major-General F. J. Herron's command, were attacked and driven in at Rancho Las Rinas, 30 miles Page 724 above Brownsville, by Confederates under Colonel John S. Ford. The total Union loss was 2 killed, 5 wounded and 23 captured. Ford reported his casualties at 3 killed and 4 wounded.


Randolph, Alabama, April 1, 1865. (See Ebenezer Church, same date.)


Rankin's Ferry, Tennessee, June 21, 1862. Rapidan Station, Virginia, May 1, 1863. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. Brigadier-General William W. Averell, commanding the 2nd division, received orders at 6:30 p. m., April 30, to push the enemy in the direction of Rapidan Station. The division approached the station between 7:30 and 8 p. m. and was opened upon by artillery. Early the next morning Averell reconnoitered the Confederate position and then attacked, almost turning their left. As it was the enemy lost his position of the night, several killed and wounded, and a number captured.


Rapidan Station, Virginia, September 15, 1863. Detachments of 6th Ohio, 1st Rhode Island and 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. During the Union advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan Colonel Horace B. Sargent was directed to make a reconnaissance in force in the direction of Rapidan Station. With about 600 men he proceeded toward the river, and when the open country was reached a heavy line of skirmishers was established and supported, leaving only the detachment of the 1st Massachusetts in reserve. Dismounted men were pressed forward and some sharp skirmishing ensued, in which the Confederates brought into action 7 pieces of artillery. An hour before sunset the enemy charged twice in rapid succession, but both times was repulsed. At nightfall the 1st Maryland cavalry relieved the 6th Ohio and a strong picket line was established. The Federal casualties were 3 killed, 22 wounded and 4 missing. Three Confederates were captured, but aside from that their loss is not known.


Rappahannock River, Virginia, June 24, 1861. Confederate sources report that a party landed from a Federal steamer, Star of New York, in search of forage and provisions, was driven back to their boats by a company of Lancaster troops. The Star of New York fired about 30 shells into the pursuing Confederate ranks, but without effect, while 4 of the Union party were killed.


Rappahannock River, Virginia, April 2, 1862. 8th Illinois Cavalry. While this regiment was on a reconnaissance its advance came upon 10 mounted Confederate pickets concealed in the brush. Immediately after firing the enemy fled and were pursued for some distance. At least 1 of them was wounded.


Rappahannock River, Virginia, April 16, 1862. Detachment of 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. This affair was an incident of a reconnaissance from Warrenton Junction, a portion of the Union detachment having a rather severe skirmish with the enemy's pickets. No casualties were reported.


Rappahannock River, Virginia, April 18, 1862. Detachments of 12th Massachusetts, 9th New York, 12th Indiana Infantry, and details of cavalry and artillery. As an incident of a reconnaissance to the Rappahannock river from Warrenton Junction, under Lieut.-Colonel Timothy M. Bryan, Jr., the Federals got into position during the night and at daylight opened upon the Confederate camp. The enemy immediately replied and after he had fully developed his force the Federals withdrew, having suffered no loss.


Rappahannock River, Virginia, May 13, 1862. 1st New Jersey and 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry. A sloop under guard of several members of the 1st New Jersey was proceeding up the river to Falmouth, when it was fired upon from the shore and 2 of the men on board were wounded. When an effort was made to remove the wounded men the vessel was fired upon again, but the enemy was repulsed with some loss by a detail of the 1st Pennsylvania which had been hurried to the scene.


Rappahannock River, Virginia, April 1, 1864. Patrol of the 1st Connecticut Cavalry.


Rappahannock Station, Virginia, March 29, 1862. (See Bealeton Station, same date.)


Rappahannock Station, Virginia, August 23, 1862. 2nd Division, 2nd Corps, Army of Virginia. On the 20th Pope's pickets at Rappahannock Station had been driven in and during the next two days Lee made several attempts to cross the river. Pope, in expectations of reinforcements, made his arrangements to cross on the morning of the 23d and fling his whole force upon Lee's rear. Early on the morning of the 23d the Confederates, possibly in anticipation of such a movement on the part of Pope, occupied a hill overlooking Beverly ford and station with six 3-inch rifles and 4 Napoleons of the First company of the Washington artillery under Captain C. W. Squires, supported by Evans' brigade. A heavy fire was opened on the Union batteries across the river, which was vigorously returned, and after a day of cannonading, in which the loss on both sides was slight, the positions of both armies were changed.


Rappahannock Station, Virginia, November 7-8, 1862. Battery C, 3d U. S. Artillery. In the operations preliminary to the battle of Fredericksburg Battery C arrived with the 1st Pennsylvania cavalry at Rappahannock Station on night of November 7, and immediately opened upon the Confederate camp at the opposite end of the bridge. The enemy, leaving everything, withdrew in haste. Next morning 3 or 4 Confederate guns opened on the Union artillery, which replied, and firing was kept up for 2 hours without doing any material damage on either side.


Rappahannock Station, Virginia, August 1, 1863. (See Brandy Station, same date.)


Rappahannock Station, Virginia, November 7, 1863. Right Column of the Army of the Potomac. While the Army of the Potomac was attempting to force a passage of the Rappahannock river the position assigned to the right of the column, then under command of Major-General John Sedgwick, was at Rappahannock Station. Sedgwick was ordered to push the Confederates across the river before dark if possible, while another portion of the army was attempting a passage at Kelly's ford. The 5th corps (Sykes) and Sedgwick's own (the 6th), then commanded by Brigadier General Wright, took positions on the right and left of the railroad and by 3 p. m. had pushed forward their skirmishers and driven the Confederates to their rifle-pits. The enemy's works were two redoubts, both on the left of the railroad, connected by a double line of rifle-pits, extending 1,000 yards along the river. All afternoon the Federal artillery kept up a vigorous fire upon the works, but apparently without effect, as the Confederates replied just as vigorously. Just at dusk Sedgwick ordered an assault. Brigadier-General David A. Russell with two brigades of his division executed the movement under a galling fire, the works were captured and the whole garrison cut off and taken prisoners. The assault was acknowledged to be one of the most gallant in history. The Federal loss in the affair was 83 killed, 330 wounded and 6 missing; the Confederates lost 6 killed, 39 wounded and 1,629 captured, besides 8 colors, a battery, 2,000 stands of small arms and a pontoon train.


Ratliff's Landing, Louisiana, June 15, 1864. U. S. Gunboat No. 53. Colonel John S. Scott of the 1st Louisiana Confederate cavalry reports that during the night of the 14th he moved two 12-pounder howitzers and a 3-inch gun to Ratliff's landing and at daylight opened on gunboat No. 53, a tinclad, which was so badly injured as to necessitate her being run ashore to prevent sinking. No casualties were reported.


Rawhide, Tennessee, December 1, 1863. Detachment of 9th Illinois Cavalry. Lieut. John W. Barnes, acting assistant adjutant-general to Brigadier-General Page 726 Grenville M. Dodge, reporting from Pulaski, says: "Lieut . Roberts has returned from Eastport. Had a fight with some guerrillas at Rawhide. Brought in 20 prisoners." This is the only official mention of the affair.


Rawle's Mill, N. C., November 2, 1862. (See Little Creek, same date.)


Rawlingson, Alabama, September 5, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland. This incident was the destruction of the salt works. The Confederate guard, finding itself too small to cope with the brigade, retired as the Union troops came up, and the works were destroyed without opposition.


Raymond, Mississippi, May 12-13, 1863. 17th Army Corps. While Grant was maneuver1ng for position around Vicksburg he sent Major-General James B. McPherson with the 17th corps in the direction of Raymond. About 3 miles west of the town the advance of Logan's division encountered the enemy at 11 a. m. on the 12th. Brigadier-General John E. Smith's division was deployed as skirmishers and held the Confederates in check until the rest of the corps could be formed for action. After 3 hours of sharp and determined fighting, during which the Confederates made several desperate assaults, McPherson ordered Stevenson's brigade to charge. This movement was executed with vigor, the brigade picking up the skirmishers as it advanced and driving the enemy into and through Raymond. The nature of the country prevented anything like an orderly pursuit, so that the Confederates were enabled to get away easily. McPherson lost 66 killed, 339 wounded and 37 missing, and the enemy 73 killed, 251 wounded and 190 captured or missing. On the following morning Boomer's brigade of Crocker's division was ordered to clear the road north of Raymond. The 5th and 10th la. were deployed as skirmishers, and the 93d Illinois and 26th Missouri were placed in reserve. The Confederate force was found to be nothing more than a heavy line of skirmishers, which was easily driven back. No casualties were reported in this latter affair, which was part of the operations just preceding the battle of Champion's Hill.


Raymond, Mississippi, May 24, 1863. Convalescents of Grant's Army. Brigadier-General P. J. Osterhaus, commanding the 9th division, 13th army corps, during the Vicksburg campaign, reports that the town of Raymond, where a number of Federal sick and wounded were being cared for, was captured by two Confederate regiments. The sick, wounded and nurses were paroled. This is the only official mention of the affair. Raytown, Missouri, June 23, 1862. Detachment of 7th Missouri Cavalry. Thirty men under Captain James Breckenridge, in search of guerrillas, fired upon a man near the edge of a strip of timber on Lowe's farm. The fire was returned with vigor from the timber, and the Federals retired after losing 1 man. Breckenridge thought he killed 2 of the Confederates.


Readsville, Missouri, May 8, 1865. Missouri Militia. A band of bushwhackers, dressed in Federal uniform and passing themselves off as Union militia, fell in with 5 Union soldiers under Corp. Gentry and after proceeding with them some distance turned and fired upon them, killing 2, and wounding all the others but one, who was captured and obliged to act as guide for some distance, but finally managed to make his escape.


Readyville, Tennessee, June 7, 1862. 7th Pennsylvania and 4th Kentucky Cavalry. Colonel J. W. Starnes of the 3d Tennessee cavalry reported overtaking some Federal cavalry at Readyville, killing 8, wounding a number and capturing 68. He stated that the force was composed of portions of 7th Pennsylvania and 4th Kentucky regiments.


Readyville, Tennessee, October 5, 1863. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. Brigadier-General George Crook, while in pursuit of Wheeler and Roddey in their raid, crossed over to the Liberty pike at Readyville and Page 727 by that move drove the Confederates in the direction of Shelbyville. He makes no mention of casualties.


Readyville, Tennessee, September 6, 1864. Detachment of both Pennsylvania Cavalry. Colonel Thomas J. Jordan, with 550 men, started from Murfreesboro to ascertain the whereabouts of a Confederate detachment under Dibrell. About daylight the enemy was discovered encamped at Readyville, and as soon as it was sufficiently light a charge was made. In 10 minutes Dibrell's whole force was flying in confusion. Jordan lost 1 killed, 6 wounded and 5 missing. The Confederate casualties amounted to 2 killed, 2 seriously wounded and 130 captured or missing. Some 200 horses and as many saddles were captured by Jordan's men.


Reams' Station, Virginia, June 22-29, 1864. (See Wilson's Raid, Petersburg, Virginia)


Reams' Station, Virginia, August 22-25, 1864. 2nd Army Corps, Gregg's and Kautz's Cavalry. The battle of Reams' station was a part of the operations about Petersburg during the siege. After General Warren's expedition against the Weldon railroad on August 18-21, the Federal intrenchments were extended from the Jerusalem plank road to connect with Warren's new position on the railroad. This railroad was the chief line of supply for the Confederate army, and although Warren held it at Globe tavern, it was still open on his left, so that supplies could be transported by wagon in a day's time to Petersburg. General Grant therefore determined to destroy the track as far as Rowanty creek, about 20 miles south of Petersburg, which would force the enemy to haul his supplies from Stony Creek station by way of Dinwiddie Court House, a much greater distance. Major-General W. S. Hancock, with the 1st and 2nd divisions of the 2nd corps, Gregg's cavalry division and Spear's brigade of Kautz's cavalry, was charged with the work and received his orders to that effect on the morning of the 21st, just after his command had returned from Deep Bottom. He at once took up the march toward Reams' station, Spear's cavalry having the advance and engaging in a slight skirmish with the enemy on the Vaughan road. The cavalry covered the roads leading to the railroad and by the evening of the 24th the railroad was destroyed to Malone's crossing, 3 miles south of Reams' station. About 11 o'clock that night Hancock received a despatch from headquarters notifying him that a Confederate force, estimated at from 8,000 to 10,000 men, was moving from the intrenchments by the Vaughan and Halifax roads. This was General A. P. Hill's corps, part of Longstreet's command and Hampton's cavalry, all under the command of Hill. Slight intrenchments had been thrown up at Reams' station during Wilson's raid in June. These were now occupied by Hancock, Gibbon's division on the left and Miles' (Barlow's) on the right, the cavalry being sent out on a reconnaissance to locate the enemy and develop his strength. About noon on the 25th Miles' pickets on the Dinwiddie road were driven in and at 2 p. m. two spirited attacks were made in quick succession on his front, but both were repulsed, some of the Confederates falling within a few yards of the works. In the meantime General Meade had ordered General Mott to send all of his available force down the plank road to the assistance of Hancock, and about 2:30 directed Willcox's division of the 9th corps to follow Mott. These reinforcements did not reach Hancock in time to be of any material service. At 5 p. m. Hill opened a heavy fire of artillery, taking part of the Union line in reverse. After about 15 minutes of this cannonade an assault was made on Miles' front. The attack was bravely met and the enemy thrown into some confusion, when the 7th, 39th and 52nd New York, composed chiefly of new recruits, broke in disorder. A small brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Rugg, which had been stationed in reserve, was ordered up to fill the gap in the line, but Hancock Page 728
says in his report: "the brigade could neither be made to go forward nor fire." McKnight's battery was then ordered to direct its fire 1nto the opening, but the enemy, by advancing along the rifle-pits, gained possession of the battery and turned one of the guns on the Union troops. Gibbon was ordered forward with his division to recapture the guns, but the men seemed to be panic-stricken, "falling back to their breastworks on receiving a slight fire from the enemy." Gibbon was now exposed to an attack in reverse and on the flank, forcing his men to occupy the outside of their works, and for a moment it looked as though the gallant 2nd corps, that had proved its valor on so many battlefields, was doomed to utter annihilation. In this critical moment Miles rallied a small force, formed a line at right angles to the intrenchments, swept off the enemy and recaptured the battery. Had Gibbon's officers been able to rally the men at this juncture, the story of Reams' station might have been differently told. But while the effort was being made to bring up the division an attack was made upon it by the enemy's dismounted cavalry and the whole command was driven from the breastworks. Elated by this success the Confederates advanced with the "rebel yell" against Miles, when they were met by a severe fire from the dismounted cavalry on the extreme left and their advance summarily checked. Gibbon had finally succeeded in forming a new line a short distance in the rear of the rifle-pits, and to this line Gregg and Spear now retired, Woerner's battery covering the movement and dealing havoc in the enemy's ranks by its well-directed fire. This battery and the troops under Miles held the road leading to the plank road until dark, when the order was issued to withdraw. Willcox's division was then within a mile and a half of the field, where it was formed in line of battle, and after Hancock's men had passed became the rear-guard. In his report Hancock says: "Had my troops behaved as well as heretofore, I would have been able to defeat the enemy on this occasion. * * * I attribute the bad conduct of some of my troops to their great fatigue, owing to the heavy labor exacted of them and to their enormous losses during the campaign, especially in officers." This was doubtless true. There is a limit to human endurance and the men of Gibbon's division had reached the limit. Marching all night of the 20th and all day on the 22nd, tearing up railroad track through the day and standing picket at night from that time until they were engaged on the 25th, the men were so completely worn out that they had lost both ambition and patriotism. The Union loss was 140 killed, 529 wounded and 2,073 missing. Hill reported his total loss at 720, and claimed to have captured 2,150 prisoners, 9 cannon, 12 colors and over 3,000 stands of small arms.


Rectortown, Virginia, January 1, 1864. Major John S. Mosby (Confederate) states in a report that a portion of his command under Captain William R. Smith attacked and routed 78 Federals, killing, wounding or capturing 57 of the number. As this is the only official mention of the affair, there is no way of ascertaining what Federal troops were thus defeated.


Red Bank Creek, South Carolina, February 15, 1865. 3d Division, 20th Army Corps. The corps was moving toward Columbia on the Lexington road, with the 3d division, commanded by Major-General John W. Geary, in advance. Upon reaching Red Bank creek the enemy was found engaged in the destruction of the bridge. Pardee's brigade was moved forward and opened such a vigorous fire on the Confederates that they were compelled to abandon the bridge before the work of destruction was complete. The bridge was quickly repaired and the whole corps continued its march on Columbia. No casualties reported.


Red Bone, Mississippi, April 21, 1864. 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry.


Red Clay, Georgia, May 3, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army Page 729 of the Cumberland. Colonel H. P. Lamson, commanding the brigade, reported that as the command was about to go into camp at Red Clay, while on its march from Cleveland, a scout of the 1st Wisconsin cavalry was killed by a shot from a small party in ambush, being at the time a short distance in advance with a few of his comrades.


Red Hill, Alabama, January 14, 1865. 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry.


Red Mound, Arkansas, April 17, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


Red Mound, Tennessee, December 31, 1862. (See Forrest's Expedition into West Tennessee.)


Red Mountain, California, March 17 to 28, 1864. Detachment 2nd California Infantry. Captain Hull, with a scouting party, routed a band of Indians at Red mountain, a few miles southwest of Blue Rock Station, on the 17th, pursued them to Eel river, where they were overtaken on the evening of the 19th. In the skirmish which ensued 2 braves were killed and 2 squaws captured. On the 22nd at Bald Spring Canon, they killed 2 more braves. Continuing the pursuit until the morning of the 27th, Sergt. Maguire with a corporal and 3 privates reached and attacked a large encampment of Indians, killing 5 braves and capturing 3 women and 2 children. On the 28th, Hull with the main body of his detachment, came upon a considerable party of Indians on Eel river, killed 16 men and captured 2 women.


Red Oak, Georgia, August 19, 1864. (See Lovejoy's Station, Kilpatrick's Raid.)


Red River, Louisiana, October 14, 1863. Detachment of 46th Illinois Infantry. Twenty men under Captain Ramsey crossed the Red river during an expedition from Natchez and Fort Adams, Mississippi, and captured 15 Confederate soldiers and 2 transports.


Red River, Louisiana, April 26, 1864. (See De Loach's Bluff, same date.)


Red River, New Mexico, December 1, 1864 . 1st New Mexico Cavalry. This affair was a slight skirmish between a band of Indians and a body of soldiers under Major E. W. Eaton. The Indians managed to get away into the timber before the troops got very close, but in the pursuit 1 was killed. No soldiers were injured.


Redwood, Minnesota, August 18, 1862. One company 5th Minnesota Volunteers massacred by Indians. Redwood Bayou, Louisiana, May 3, 1864. U. S. forces under Colonel L. A. Sheldon. Brigadier-General Henry W. Birge, reporting from Baton Rouge under date of May 3, says: "Colonel Sheldon came upon the enemy about 6:30 this morning between Bayous Redwood and Olive Branch, he thinks about 1,500 strong; at 1 1 a. m. had driven them to within 5 miles of Clinton. Sheldon's loss thus far, 2 men." Redwood Creek, California, September 8, 1862. Detachment of 2nd California Infantry. This was an affair between a detachment of the 2nd California and a band of Indians. The soldiers, under Lieut. William H. Noyes, were climbing a steep hillside when they were fired upon from the brush and compelled to fall back to cover of the woods. Here Noyes awaited an attack, but finding that the red men were attempting to flank him, he ordered a retreat and withdrew to Camp Anderson. One soldier was wounded.


Redwood Creek, California, July 9, 1863. California Mountaineers. This affair was an attack by a band of Indians upon the escort of a supply train. The result was the repulse of the Indians, after 10 of the 18 men constituting the escort had been wounded. The fight lasted 8 hours.


Redwood Creek, California, February 29, 1864. Detachment of 1st Battalion, California Mountaineers. At 5:30 a. m. a detail of troops under Lieut. Knyphausen Geer attacked the Indians in their camp at Redwood creek. Three Indians were killed, several badly wounded and 5 women and children were taken prisoners. One of the attacking party was wounded.


Reed's Bridge, Arkansas, August 27, 1863. (See Bayou Meto, same date.)


Reed's Ferry, Virginia, May 3. 1863. (See Suffolk, Siege of.)


Reed's Mountain, Arkansas, December 6, 1862. 2nd Kansas Cavalry and 11th Kansas Infantry. As an incident of the operations about Cane Hill, Arkansas, the picket guard of the cavalry was attacked by some Confederate cavalry. The remainder of the Federals drew up in line at the foot of the bluff and when the pickets had retired to that point a charge was ordered and the lost ground regained. The enemy then assaulted three times, but each time unsuccessfully. Later, when the Confederates had executed a flank movement, the Federals were compelled to change their position. The Union reports, the only mention of the affair, state that the Confederate loss was 25 killed, and that the Union troops only suffered to the extent of 4 wounded.


Reedy Creek, West Virginia, May 13, 1862. Troops under Brigadier-General B. F. Kelley. Major-General J. C. Fremont, reporting to the secretary of war, says: "General Kelley, commanding the Railroad District, reports * * * that he was attacked in a narrow pass at Reedy creek day before yesterday by guerrillas, who fired upon him from the mountain-top. His men dismounted and charged up the mountain, but were unable to kill any of the rebels. Kelley suffered no loss."


Reeves' Mill, Arkansas, November 19, 1864. Missouri Militia. This affair was one of a number in an expedition from Cape Girardeau to Patterson. At Reeves' mill a notorious guerrilla named Ely Garbert was killed.


Reliance, U. S. Gunboat, August 22-September 2, 1863. The gunboat Reliance was captured by the Confederates on the night of August 22, and was destroyed by the Union forces under General Kilpatrick on September 2. (See Port Conway, Virginia)


Remount Camp, Arkansas, August S, 1864. Detachment of 3d Michigan Cavalry. Captain Frederick C. Adamson, a corporal and a private of a herd guard of 80 men, having become separated from the remainder of the guard, were attacked by 5 guerrillas. The captain and the corporal were both wounded and the private was taken prisoner.


Renick, Missouri, November 1, 1861.


Redrock, Arizona, March 24, 1865. 1st New Mexico Cavalry.


Resaca, Georgia, May 8-15, 1864. Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio. Resaca is located at the point where the Western & Atlantic railroad crosses the Oostanaula river and is about 15 miles south of Dalton. It is on the west side of a peninsula formed by a bend in the Oostanaula and the Connesauga river, and across this peninsula the Confederates had constructed a line of rifle-pits with strong earthworks near the town. The movement against this place was commenced on the 8th by McPherson's demonstration via Snake Creek gap. (See Rocky Face Ridge.) On the 11th and 12th Sherman moved the main body of his army west of Rocky Face ridge through Snake Creek gap and on Friday, the 13th, a general advance was ordered. McPherson occupied the right, his line extending from the Oostanaula to the Sugar Valley road; Hooker's corps moved forward on that road preceded by Kilpatrick's cavalry; Palmer's corps took a position on Hooker's left with orders to proceed in a course parallel to the road as far as the railroad, and Schofield, with the Army of the Ohio, formed the left. Howard's corps and McCook's cavalry had been left to keep up the demonstration against Dalton and Rocky Face ridge. At Smith's cross-roads, about 2 miles from Resaca, Kilpatrick encountered a considerable force of the enemy's cavalry and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which Kilpatrick was severely wounded, the command of the division devolving on Colonel E. H. Murray. On reaching the neighborhood of the railroad Palmer's skirmishers encountered those of the enemy and kept up a sharp skirmish until dark. Page 731 Johnston learned on the 12th of Sherman's movement and that night withdrew all his troops from the vicinity of Dalton toward Resaca. Although Sherman had a whole day's start Johnston's shorter line of march enabled him to reach Resaca with his entire force before the Federal lines could be drawn around the town. As the Confederates retreated from Dalton they were pursued along the railroad by Howard, who succeeded in capturing a number of prisoners. During the night of the 13th the enemy strengthened his works and the morning of the 14th found him in position with Hardee on the right, Hood in the center and Polk on the left. About noon Schofield and Palmer advanced against the hills bordering on the railroad, but met with a stubborn resistance. Cox's division on the left carried and held the intrenchments in its front. Judah's division was compelled to advance over uneven ground and being subjected to an enfilading fire from the right was compelled to fall back with considerable loss. Palmer endeavored to drive the enemy from an elevated position in his front. In order to do this, he had to descend a hill within point-blank range of several Confederate batteries, ford Camp creek, the banks of which were thickly bordered with bushes and vines, and then ascend the uneven surface of the opposite hill in the face of a murderous fire of both artillery and infantry. The troops charged down the hill and crossed the creek, where they became entangled in the dense mass of shrubbery, lost their formation and were in the end repulsed with heavy loss. The enemy now attempted to turn Schofield's left, but Thomas sent Newton's division, which had just arrived from Dalton, to Cox's support. The other divisions of Howard's corps took position on the left of Schofield as fast as they came upon the field and the Confederates in front of this portion of the line were finally forced to retire within their works. That night the Union lines were so readjusted that at daylight on the 15th Palmer's corps joined McPherson's left, then came Schofield, Howard and Hooker in the order named, with McCook's cavalry on the extreme left. Sweeny's division of the 16th corps was ordered to cross the Oostanaula at Lay's ferry on a pontoon bridge and threaten Calhoun. Garrard was instructed to move with his cavalry division from Villanow toward Rome, cross the Oostanaula at some convenient point and break the railroad between Calhoun and Kingston. About 1 1 a. m. on the 15th Hooker attacked and carried some hills occupied by the enemy on the eastern road from Resaca to Tilton, drove the Confederates back about a mile and a half, captured a 4-gun battery and about 200 prisoners. McPherson crossed Camp creek near its mouth and secured a position where his artillery commanded the railroad bridge. About 3 p. m. Hood made a determined effort to recover the guns taken by Hooker, but was repulsed. Hood was again ordered to advance, but the order was countermanded when Johnston learned that the Federals had crossed the Oostanaula in his rear, and that night the whole Confederate army retreated toward Calhoun. Resaca, Georgia, October 12, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3d Division, 15th Army Corps. In the course of his northward march Hood appeared with his army before Resaca and after throwing out a strong skirmish line sent in a demand for a surrender. Colonel Clark R. Wever, commanding the garrison of 700 men, refused to accede and the fighting began. About 5 p. m. 500 cavalry arrived to reinforce the garrison. The Confederates made no attempt to assault, but after dark, leaving the skirmish line to keep up the fire on the garrison, the main body moved off toward Tilton, where at daylight next morning the garrison was overpowered and the railroad cut. The casualties were not reported.


Resolute, U. S. S., October 11, 1864. (See Clarendon, Arkansas, same date.)


Resolute, C. S. S., Capture of, December 11, 1864. (See Savannah, Siege of.)


Reynoldsburg, Tennessee, March 21, 1864. Detachment of Major Hardy's Battalion. Major Hardy and 50 men of his battalion, stationed at Reynoldsburg, were attacked by a party of from 100 to 150 Confederates and were probably all captured. There is no official designation for these troops. Reynolds' Plantation, Georgia, November 28, 1864. Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division . After the defeat of the Confederates at Buck creek, Wheeler crossed that stream at another place and followed Kilpatrick. The latter had halted at Reynolds' place to feed, when information reached him that Wheeler was advancing with his entire force. Kilpatrick determined to give the enemy a decisive repulse and stop the annoyance to which he had been subjected for several days. He accordingly took up a strong position behind a long barricade of rails, with his flanks thrown well to the rear, placed his artillery and deployed a portion of his command as skirmishers about 400 yards in advance of his position. These arrangements were barely completed when the enemy came in sight and immediately charged. The first assault was repulsed by the skirmish line, which slowly retired to the barricade. Wheeler then charged directly on the center, but was met by the murderous fire of 6 pieces of artillery, double shotted with canister and a steady fire from the carbines of the dismounted cavalry. Failing to break the center, Wheeler next charged against Atkins' brigade on the right of the road. Here he was met by the 9th Michigan, dismounted, and the 10th Ohio, and again his line was hurled back. He now turned his attention to the left flank, where Murray's veterans met the onset with such a galling fire that the Confederates broke in confusion, many of them seeking shelter in the woods close by. This ended the fight and Kilpatrick moved on to Louisville without further molestation. No detailed statement of the Union loss was made, but it was slight. Wheeler confessed a loss of "about 70," though it was probably much greater.


Rhea's Mills, Arkansas, November 7, 1862. 3d Arkansas Home Guard.


Rheatown, Tennessee, October 11, 1863. (See Henderson's Mill.)


Rheatown, Tennessee, September 28, 1864. (See Carter's Station. September' 30.)


Richards' Ford, Virginia, September 26, 1863. Detachment of 1st Vermont Cavalry. The picket post at Richards' ford was attacked by Confederates at 4 a. m. of the 26th. One of the Federals was killed, and the lieutenant commanding and 13 men were captured, only 2 of the post escaping.


Richfield, Missouri, May 19, 1863. Detachment of Missouri Militia. Five men of the Missouri militia were decoyed into ambush by guerrillas near Richfield, in Clay county, and one killed and another wounded at the first fire. Another surrendered and was murdered after his arms had been taken from him. The other 2 escaped.


Richland Creek, Arkansas, April 13-14, 1864. Detachment of 6th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain Samuel E. Turner, with a portion of the regiment, attacked the camp of 63 Confederates on the 13th and routed them completely, killing 5, wounding several and capturing 1. The next day a joint party of Love's and Cordelle's guerrillas was attacked and again Turner was victorious, killing 1 and wounding 2. No casualties were reported on the Union side.


Richland Creek, Arkansas, May 3-5, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Arkansas Cavalry. While escorting a wagon train 100 men of the 2nd Arkansas were suddenly assailed by mounted guerrillas near the mouth of Richland creek. The advance guard of the escort was cut off and surrounded and then the main body of the escort was cut off from the rear-guard Page 733 and the train. The result was the killing of 37 Union men, the wounding of 11 and the capture and destruction of the train. The following day Colonel John E. Phelps started in pursuit of the guerrillas and on the 5th came upon their camp. It was immediately charged and the enemy routed after he had twice attempted to make a stand. Phelps had 7 men wounded in the affair. The Confederate casualties, if any, were not reported.


Richland Creek, Arkansas, August 16, 1864. 6th Missouri and 1st Arkansas Cavalry. A detachment of these regiments, under Captain Hughes, attacked a party of 125 guerrillas, commanded by a Lieut. Smith, on Richland creek, completely routed them, killing 4 and wounding 9, with a loss of 1 man slightly wounded. Fifty horses and equipments were captured.


Richland Creek, Tennessee, September 26, 1864. (See Pulaski, same date.)


Richland Creek, Tennessee, December 24-25, 1864. Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. In the pursuit of the Confederates under Hood, Croxton's brigade of McCook's division, came up with the rear-guard late on the afternoon of the 24th and drove the enemy across the creek, capturing a few prisoners and a battle flag. Coon's brigade of Hatch's division was sent to the left to get in the rear, but struck the creek where it could not be forded. Dismounting his men he engaged the enemy across the stream, keeping up the fight for about half an hour. In this action Confederate General Buford was wounded. The next day Harrison's brigade of Johnson's division struck the enemy near Pulaski. A charge was made by the 5th la., saving the bridge across Richland creek, which the enemy was trying to destroy. Harrison placed 2 guns in position and deployed a force along the creek, compelling the Confederates to withdraw. He then pursued for about 7 miles when the enemy made a stand on a hill behind a barricade. The 7th Ohio, 16th Illinois, and 5th la. were deployed, dismounted, and moved upon the enemy's position, when he opened fire from a masked battery, at the same time charging over the works in force. The three regiments were compelled to fall back about half a mile, when Harrison's supports coming up, the Confederates were driven from their position. In the charge made by the enemy he captured 1 gun of the 4th U. S. artillery, which had to be abandoned in the retreat. Harrison reported a loss of 6 killed, 21 wounded and 5 missing, and captured about 200 prisoners during the day.


Richland Plantation, Louisiana, January 30, 1865. Detachment of 80th U. S. Colored Infantry. Major William A. Hatch, with a portion of the 80th colored infantry, while on a scout from Bayou Goula came upon a party of 20 or more guerrillas at the Richland plantation and drove them into the dense swamp surrounding, where pursuit was futile. Hatch encamped at the plantation and during the night the guerrillas attempted to break through the picket lines, but were unsuccessful. No casualties were reported.


Richland Station, Tennessee, March 19, 1863. Detachment of 129th Illinois Infantry. A band of 60 or 75 guerrillas derailed a passenger train on the Louisville & Nashville railroad and then proceeded to rifle the mail and express cars and rob the passengers. Just as they were about to parole a number of officers that were on the train a detachment of troops from the 29th Illinois appeared on the scene and after a brief skirmish completely routed the outlaws, 1 of whom was killed, 18 wounded and 4 captured, besides a number of horses and guns. Most of the stolen property was recovered.


Richmond, Kentucky, August 29-30, 1862. 1st and 2nd Brigades, Army of Kentucky. The battle of Richmond was one of the incidents of Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. When it was known that Bragg was moving Page 734 northward a force of men had been hurriedly collected at Louisville and organized into the Army of Kentucky, under the command of Major-General William Nelson. The Union forces at Richmond consisted of the 1st and 2nd brigades of this army, respectively commanded by Brigadier-General M. D. Manson and Brigadier-General Charles Cruft. Manson's brigade was composed of the 16th, 55th, 69th and 71st Indiana infantry, and Lanphere's battery. Cruft's was made up of the 12th and 66th Indiana, 18th Kentucky and 95th Ohio infantry and Andrews' battery. Many of the men were new recruits, unused to army discipline and unskilled in the arts of war. In the absence of General Nelson the command of the two brigades devolved on Manson, who had established his headquarters about 2 miles from the town of Richmond. Here he received word at 11 a. m. on the 29th that Munday's cavalry had encountered the enemy, some 5,000 strong, in the vicinity of Kingston. Manson sent word to Munday to hold the Confederates in check as long as possible, and ordered his whole brigade under arms. Reinforcements were sent out to the pickets, but about 2 p. m. the entire picket line was compelled to fall back toward the main body. South of Manson's camp were some high hills that completely commanded his position, and he determined to move out and occupy these, to prevent their falling into possession of the enemy. When he had advanced about three-fourths of a mile a heavy column of Confederate cavalry was discovered some distance east of the road. Lieut. Lanphere was directed to open fire with the artillery, and a few well directed shots scattered the enemy in all directions. The brigade then moved forward and took up a position where the artillery commanded the road as far south as Rogersville, and awaited the appearance of the enemy. Again the battery opened fire and after a skirmish of about an hour the Confederates were forced to retire from the field, with a loss of a number of captured, together with several horses and a piece of artillery. Manson then moved his command to Rogersville, where the men bivouacked for the night, with orders to sleep on their arms. Colonel Metcalfe, with his cavalry, was sent out to pursue the retreating enemy. After following them for some 6 miles he encountered a cavalry picket, who after a slight skirmish retired. Metcalfe lost 2 men killed and 2 wounded. That evening General Kirby Smith, commanding the Confederates, was reinforced by the arrival of Churchill's division, and decided to move to Richmond the next day, "even at the cost of a battle with the whole force of the enemy." Manson had sent word to maintain a strong picket on the Lancaster road, and to hold his command in readiness to move at a moment's notice. At 6 o'clock a. m. on the 30th he found that the Confederates were advancing. He at once sent an order to Cruft to bring up his command as soon as possible, and placing himself at the head of the 55th Indiana, moved out with his brigade to meet the Confederate column. About half a mile beyond Rogersville, near Mt. Zion church, the enemy's advance was encountered and after a sharp skirmish was driven back. Manson then took possession of some woods and high ground on the left of the road and formed a line of battle. Skirmishers were thrown to the front and the enemy was held in check over an hour, when it was discovered that a movement was under way to turn the left of the skirmish line. This was McCray's brigade of Churchill's division, which had almost gained a position on the flank before its presence there was discovered. At this juncture Cruft's brigade came on the field and Manson ordered him to send the 95th Ohio to the support of the skirmishers, while the 69th Ohio was sent against a battery that the enemy was trying to plant on a hill a short distance to the front and right. In attempting to take the hill the regiment was subjected to an Page 735 enfilading fire that threw it into some confusion, and the enemy, prompt to take advantage of this circumstance, pressed forward with a heavy force, driving the right of the line from the field. At the same time the left was turned and for a short time it looked as if the Union troops were hopelessly defeated. But Manson, who was a veteran of the Mexican war, inspired confidence in his men by his heroic example, and after falling back for about a mile a new line of battle was formed on, White's farm, with Cruft's brigade on a ridge to the right of the road, the 1st brigade being formed some distance to the rear on the left of the road, with its battery in front. The first attack on this position was made against Cruft's left, but it was repulsed by the 95th Ohio and 66th Indiana, which formed that part of the line. The enemy now moved up through the woods and attacked the right of the brigade. Here the 18th Kentucky and 12th Indiana, who had not been engaged in the first fight, stood their ground for some time, but finally yielded to overpowering numbers and fell back in disorder. The 1st brigade had already been driven from the field, and in a short time the whole army was flying toward Richmond. Manson and Cruft both rode to the front and tried to rally the men, but in vain. At Richmond General Nelson was met and he assumed command. Most of the men had fled through the town, but about 2,500 were rallied and a third line formed, the left resting on the state road near the tollgate, occupying the cemetery and thence running back into the woods on the right. The line was scarcely formed when the Confederates, elated by their first victory, again advanced to the attack. For a time the enemy was held in check by the skirmishers, but in a little while the attack became general and the Union lines broke and fled in confusion. It was now a case of "every fellow for himself." Before the attack was made at the cemetery the Confederate cavalry had gained a position in the Federal rear and as the fugitives rushed back into this enemy they were either killed or captured in large numbers. General Cruft in his report says: "The account of the whole battle may be summed up in a few words. It was an attack by at least 15,000 well disciplined troops, under experienced officers, upon 6,250 citizens, ignorant of war, without officers of experience. The wonder is that the latter fought so well for a whole day, could be twice rallied after being panic-stricken, and that any escaped slaughter or capture." The Union loss at Richmond was 206 killed, 844 wounded and 4,303 captured or missing. General Manson himself was among the captured, and all the artillery fell into the hands of the enemy. Kirby Smith reported his losses as being 98 killed, 492 wounded and 12 missing.


Richmond, Kentucky, July 28, 1863. Detachments of 10th Kentucky Cavalry and 112th Illinois and 2nd and 7th Ohio Mounted Infantry. After skirmishing heavily on the 27th with the Federals at Rogersville, 5 miles from Richmond, Colonel John S. Scott in his raid in eastern Kentucky approached Richmond on the 28th. At daylight Colonel W. P. Sanders, commanding the garrison at Richmond, moved out to meet the enemy and after skirmishing for 3 hours he found that he was about to be surrounded by a superior force. Accordingly an orderly retreat was started and continued through the town of Richmond. Just as the rear-guard was leaving the place it was thrown into confusion by an attack of the enemy and rushed back upon the main column, creating confusion there. The retreat then became a rout, the efforts of Sanders and his officers to rally the men proving unavailing. It was not until the command arrived at Clay ferry that it was momentarily rallied, and then only long enough to be crossed in order. Sanders says he had 4 or 5 men killed, several wounded and 75 taken prisoners and paroled. Scott had 3 killed and 10 wounded in the Rogersville and Richmond encounters.


Richmond, Louisiana, March 31, 1863. 69th Indiana Infantry and detachment of 2nd Illinois Cavalry. Colonel Thomas W. Bennett with his own regiment and a detachment of the 2nd Illinois was sent out to examine the practicability of a road between New Carthage and Richmond. At 2 p. m. his column arrived at Roundaway bayou opposite Richmond and discovered the enemy's pickets in town. While the infantry maintained a steady fire on them the cavalry crossed the bayou in skiffs and boldly attacked the Confederates, compelling them to beat a hasty retreat. The casualties were 9 of the enemy wounded; the Federals sustained no losses. Richmond, Louisiana, June 6, 1863. Louisiana African Brigade. Colonel Herman Lieb with the African brigade advanced to the railroad within 3 miles of Richmond on the 6th and easily drove in the outer pickets. Fearing a return of the enemy in force he did not press his advantage but retired to Milliken's bend. No casualties are mentioned.


Richmond, Louisiana, June 15, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3d Division, 15th Army Corps and Marine Brigade. The brigade of Brigadier-General Joseph A. Mower met the marine brigade under Brigadier-General Alfred W. Ellet and together they proceeded toward Richmond. At the junction of the Duckport and Milliken's Bend roads the Confederate pickets were encountered, but were driven back with little trouble. Two miles from Richmond the enemy was found in position. The advance regiment, the 5th Minnesota, was deployed as skirmishers, the artillery was brought into action, and in a short time the Confederates were driven from their first and second positions and Mower advanced his line to the willow hedge and ditch, where it remained for an hour during a desultory artillery duel . He then made a flank movement and reached a position three-quarters of a mile west of Richmond, only to find that the enemy had burned the bridge and evacuated the town. The cavalry forded the bayou and pursued 6 miles, capturing 25 men. Mower's casualties were 1 killed and 8 wounded; the enemy's loss was not ascertained.


Richmond, Missouri, July 8, 1864. Detachment of Enrolled Missouri Militia. Lieut. John D. Page with a portion of a company fell in with a party of guerrillas near Richmond and immediately ordered a charge, but a volley from the enemy, which killed Page, checked the Federal advance for the moment. The men were rallied by Sergt. Good and finally succeeded in dispersing the guerrillas. Three Union men were wounded. The Confederate casualties were not reported.


Richmond, Virginia (Kilpatrick's Expedition), February 28-March 4, 1864. Detachments of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. Ascertaining that Richmond was very poorly garrisoned and that it might be taken by a bold movement, Major-General George G. Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, ordered Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick, commanding the 3d cavalry division, to increase his force to 4,000 effective men by additions from the other divisions, move on Richmond and liberate the Union prisoners there. The president, also, was anxious that his amnesty proclamation be distributed within the Confederate lines and thought this a good way to have it done. Accordingly at 7 p. m. of Sunday, February 28, Kilpatrick moved out southwest from Stevensburg with 3,582 cavalry and Ransom's 6-gun battery. At 11 p. m. his advance under Colonel Ulric Dahlgren crossed the Rappahannock river at Ely's ford, surprised and captured the Confederate picket of an officer and 14 men. From this point Dahlgren, with 500 men, comprising detachments of the 1st Maine, 1st Vermont, 5th Midi., and 5th and 2nd New York cavalry, pushed on rapidly to Spottsylvania Court House, thence to Frederick's Hall Station and from there to a point above Goochland on the James river. His orders were to cross that stream and be ready to seize at 10 a. m. on Tuesday, March 1, the Page 737 main bridge on the road that led to Richmond. Kilpatrick at the same time despatched Captain Boice of the 5th New York with a portion of that regiment to strike the Fredericksburg railroad below Guiney's station and destroy it. The main column passed through Spottsylvania Court House at daylight on the 29th on the way to Beaver Dam Station, arriving at the latter place after dark. A small force of Confederates appeared as the advance was coming up, but their resistance was not strong enough to effectually hinder the Federal movement. The encampment of Kilpatrick on Monday night was 9 miles from Ground Squirrel bridge over the South Anna river and at 1 a. m. Tuesday the column was on the move. Through ignorance the guide led the expedition in the direction of Ashland and Kilpatrick, learning that a force of 2,000 infantry with 6 pieces of artillery garrisoned the town, directed Major William P. Hall with 450 men of the 1st division to make a demonstration toward the town, drive in the enemy's pickets and attack. The idea was to cover the movement of the main body, which struck across the country and at daylight crossed the South Anna river 3 miles above Ashland. Hall's attack was entirely successful, the Confederates sending all their available forces in the vicinity to protect the bridge across the South Anna river at Ashland. At 10 a. m. Kilpatrick reached the Brook pike 5 miles from Richmond, where he surprised and captured the picket and a small detachment of infantry in some rifle-pits. Reinforcements came out from the city to oppose Kilpatrick's advance, but they were driven back to within a mile of their starting place, where a considerable force of artillery and infantry effectually checked the Federals at 1 p. m. (See Brook Turnpike.) Reinforcements were again brought to the Confederates, and Kilpatrick, feeling almost confident that Dahlgren had failed to cross the river, withdrew at dark across the Chickahominy and went into camp near Mechanicsville. At 10 p. m. he decided to make another attempt to enter the Confederate capital by way of the Mechanicsville road, having learned from spies and scouts that the better part of the garrison was still concentrated on the Brook pike. Majors Preston of the 1st Vermont and Taylor of the 1st Maine with 500 men each were ordered to lead two separate detachments. Just as they were about to move Kilpatrick heard that his rear was being attacked and it became necessary to use all the troops to repel the assault. The 7th Michigan was forced back in confusion and it was some time before the men could be rallied sufficiently to move out on the Hanover Court House road, where, after considerable hard fighting in the dark, they succeeded in driving off the enemy. At 8 a. m. of the 2nd the column moved east to Old Church, where it awaited Dahlgren until 1 p. m., when the rear-guard was attacked, but the Confederates were repulsed and pursued by the 1st Maine, who captured a large number of prisoners. At Tunstall's station the command went into camp on Wednesday night and there Captain J. F. B. Mitchell with the remnant of Dahlgren's command joined the main column. He reported that either through the ignorance or maliciousness of their guide they had been unable to cross the James river, but had pushed on down the canal, destroying Confederate property as they went along. They reached the vicinity of Richmond at 4 p. m., when they attacked, the fighting continuing until dark, when the enemy received reinforcements and Dahlgren retired. In the retrograde movement Dahlgren himself and 100 of his men became separated from the rest of the detachment and Mitchell, being the senior officer, assumed command and hastened to join Kilpatrick, skirmishing practically all the way, the strongest opposition he received being at Atlee's station. Dahlgren also started to join Kilpatrick, crossing the Pamunkey at Hanovertown and the Mattapony at Aylett's, skirmishing Page 738 at the latter place. When within 3 miles of King and Queen Court House the party was fired upon from ambush, Dahlgren being killed by the first volley and the rest of his men (except 22 who escaped on foot to Gloucester Point) being captured. At New Court House Kilpatrick met reinforcements sent out from Fort Magruder by Major General B. F. Butler, and moved to King and Queen county to punish the slayers of Dahlgren, after which the expedition returned to Stevensburg by transport. Kilpatrick's loss in killed, wounded and missing was 430. The killed and wounded numbered about 150. The Confederate casualties, although not reported for the expedition, were probably fully as heavy. At the time of the start of the expedition General George A. Custer was sent out to make a demonstration in Albermarle county and cover the movement of the raiding party. (See Albermarle County, Custer's Raid.)


Rich Mountain, Virginia, July 11, 1861, U. S. Volunteers commanded by Brigadier-General W. S. Rosecrans. General Rosecrans, with the 8th, 9th and 13th Indiana and 19th Ohio infantry, and Burdsal's cavalry, moved against the Confederate position on Rich mountain, the skirmishes of the 10th Indiana being the first to encounter the enemy's pickets. Owing to the dense thickets it was sometime before Rosecrans could properly deploy his troops. While he was forming his men in an open space the enemy opened a vigorous fire of both artillery and musketry, but as soon as the line was formed the Federals advanced steadily, causing the Confederates to show signs of wavering, when a charge put them to flight, leaving several of the dead and wounded on the field. The Union loss was 11 killed and 35 wounded. The enemy's casualties were not learned.


Richwoods, Missouri, October 4, 1864. Detachment of 6th Missouri Cavalry. A scouting party from this regiment, under Captain Russell, came upon 3 Confederates in a house near Richwoods and killed 2 and captured 1. Later another band of 80 was encountered, and a charge made, which resulted in the rout of the enemy with a loss of 10 killed, several more wounded, 3 captured, and the remainder pursued 3 miles beyond Richwoods. No casualties were reported on the Union side. Riddell's Shop, Virginia, June 13, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. The cavalry division was first engaged on this date at White Oak swamp, and after it was relieved there by Crawford's division of the 5th corps the 2nd brigade, Colonel George H. Chapman commanding, moved out on the main road to Richmond. When he had proceeded about a mile Chapman came upon the enemy strongly posted in a belt of timber in front of Riddell's shop. A brigade of Confederate cavalry, dismounted and armed with rifled muskets, held the position and showed a disposition to contest it with great obstinacy. Chapman dismounted the 3d Indiana and 8th New York, formed them in line of battle and gave the order to charge on the works at the double-quick. The enemy did not wait to receive the charge, but decamped, leaving a number of dead and wounded on the field. Riddell's shop was an important point as it was at the junction of the Quaker, Charles City and Long Bridge roads. By holding his position here Chapman could cover the Quaker road, over which the army was moving to the James river. He therefore formed the 1st Vermont, 3d Indiana and 8th New York in line of battle, supported by the 1st New Hampshire, 22nd New York and Fitzhugh's battery. About 6 p. m. the enemy advanced in strong line of battle and heavy column down the bridge road, and in a short time Chapman's whole line was engaged. In the fighting earlier in the day Chapman's men had nearly exhausted their supply of ammunit10n and the first line was slowly Page 739 drawn back to the position occupied by the second, where the brigade was reinforced by three regiments of infantry, which were brought up and disposed without Chapman's directions. About dark the Confederates made an attack on the right of the line and one of the infantry regiments gave way with but slight resistance, throwing that part of the line in confusion. The left held firm, however, and the battery was brought off in a walk. Some confusion occurred in getting through a line of battle in the rear, consisting of Crawford's division of the 5th corps, which had come up and formed there during the engagement. The cavalry finally succeeded in passing to the rear of Crawford's line, and the enemy retired toward Richmond. No detailed report of losses was made by either side.


Riddle's Point, Missouri, March 17, 1862. (See New Madrid.)


Ridgely, Missouri, June 11, 1864. Detachment of Missouri State Militia. A band of guerrillas attacked a detachment of militia at Ridgely and a rather severe skirmish ensued, but the Confederates were repulsed with the loss of their leader killed, the second in command wounded and taken prisoner and subsequently shot. 'The Federals had 1 man killed and 4 wounded.


Ridgely, Missouri, October 16, 1864. The only official mention of this affair, a despatch from Lieut. A. J. Harding, an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Rosecrans, contains the following. "Ridgely, Platte county, Missouri, was captured and plundered by guerrillas on the night of the 16th."


Rienzi, Mississippi, June 2, 1862. Detachment of 42nd Illinois Infantry. Thirty men of the 42nd Illinois were sent out from the Federal camp for the purpose of reconnoitering and encamped within one mile of Rienzi. At 10 p. m. they were attacked by Confederate infantry, who, after firing 2 volleys, charged and captured most of the party, the remainder scattering in all directions.


Rienzi, Mississippi, August 26, 1862. 2nd Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Mississippi. At 2 p. m. a Confederate cavalry command drove in the Federal pickets on the Ripley road. Colonel Edward Hatch with the 2nd la., supported by Colonel A. L. Lee with the 7th Kansas attacked and drove the enemy for several miles, the latter part of the pursuit being a rout. Six Federals were wounded and 5 were missing. Aside from the 11 captured the Confederate loss was not ascertained.


Rigging’s Hill, Tennessee, September 7, 1862. (See Clarkesville, same date.)


Ringgold, Georgia, September 11, 1863. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps, and 3d Division, 21st Corps. During the Chickamauga campaign the brigade of mounted infantry under Colonel John T. Wilder of the 17th Indiana started forward at daylight and when 2 miles from Ringgold Scott's brigade of Confederate cavalry was encountered. The 92nd Illinois being in the advance dismounted, formed line, and attacked, the 17th Indiana being sent to the right to flank the enemy, who soon gave way, leaving 13 dead on the field. Pursuit was immediately started, but before the -retreat through the gap could be cut off Van Cleve's division of the 21st corps coming up from Rossville drove the enemy in confusion through the gap. Wilder again took the lead and 3 miles beyond Ringgold the Confederates made another stand in a strong position. but a flanking movement again succeeded in dislodging them. At Tunnel hill the next stand was made, the Confederates having been reinforced meantime by Armstrong's brigade. After routing them at this point Wilder pursued to within 4 miles of Dalton and then went into camp at Tunnel hill.


Ringgold, Georgia, March 20, 1865. U. S. Forces under Achilles Chiniquy. A despatch to Brigadier-General H. M. Judah from Chiniquy at Ringgold contains the following: "My pickets have been attacked. Guerrillas have withdrawn; expect an attack before daylight in the morning."


Ringgold Gap, Georgia, November 27, 1863. Detachments of 12th and 15th Army Corps. During the pursuit of the Confederates up the Chickamauga valley the troops under General Hooker drove the enemy from the bridge and ford over the east fork of the Chickamauga river and entered Ringgold. Back of the village is a gap in Taylor's ridge through which the river flowed and the railroad and the pike passed. It was through this gap that Bragg's army had to move to get out of the valley. A strong position was taken on the ridge and in the gap by the Confederates. Osterhaus' division, which had the Federal advance, threw out skirmishers who immediately became engaged with those of the enemy. Woods' brigade was deployed under cover of the railroad embankment and the 13th Illinois was advanced to a house from which they could pick off the Confederate artillerists. Apprehensive for their artillery the Confederates advanced on this house in greatly superior numbers and the Illinois men were compelled to fall back. Williamson sent four regiments of his brigade to turn the enemy's right, but on finding that the Confederate line extended beyond where Williamson was advancing. Hooker ordered Geary to throw Creighton's brigade still farther to the left. Both brigades proceeded up the slope under a most harassing and murderous fire, and two regiments of each brigade actually reached the crest of the ridge and the enemy's position, when the superior forces thrown against them compelled them to withdraw—Geary to the shelter of a depression in the side of the ridge and Williamson behind the railroad embankment. Woods' brigade was then made the objective point of an attack by the Confederates, but with the assistance of Ireland's brigade of Geary's division, which was hurried up as a reinforcement, the attack was repulsed. About noon the artillery, which had been delayed in the passage of Chickamauga creek, came up and was deployed in position to sweep the gap, the Confederate batteries playing on Hooker's left, and the force massed in front of Geary. It was not long before this cannonade had the desired effect and the Confederates withdrew, followed over the ridge by Williamson and through the gap by the skirmishers of the 60th and 102nd New York infantry. The Federal losses in this fight were 65 killed, 424 wounded and 20 captured or missing. The Confederate casualties were not reported.


Ringgold Gap, Georgia, May 2, 1864. Kilpatrick's Cavalry. During a reconnaissance from his camp at Ringgold General Kilpatrick came up with a detachment of the enemy near Stone Church and drove them from one stand to another in the direction of Tunnel Hill. One of these slight skirmishes occurred near Ringgold gap.


Rio Bonito, New Mexico, March 27, 1863. (See Bonito Rio.)


Rio Hondo, New Mexico, July 18, 1863. One company of the 1st New Mexico Cavalry; Indian fight.


Ripley, Mississippi, June 7, 1863. Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps. As an incident of an expedition into Mississippi the cavalry under Brigadier-General Benjamin H. Grierson encountered a small party of Confederates at Ripley. They were easily driven back some 3 miles on the New Albany road to their reserve, which consisted of a brigade strongly posted. Portions of the two Federal brigades were deployed and for about 2 hours the skirmishing was brisk. The troops under Grierson succeeded in driving the enemy until night came on. when they fell back in a southerly direction. One Union man was killed and 3 were wounded, while the Confederates suffered to the extent of 6 killed and 15 wounded.


Ripley, Mississippi, June 11, 1863. Infantry Division, Sturgis' Expedition Page 741 As the command of Colonel W. L. McMillen was moving out of Ripley, the day after its disastrous defeat at Brice's cross-roads, the Confederates under Forrest made a furious attack upon the place, gaining possession of the road on which the Federals were moving and cutting the division in two. The troops cut off were finally overpowered by superior numbers and obliged to move out on a road leading north from Ripley, making their way thence to Memphis. The casualties in the affair were not reported.


Ripley, Mississippi, December 1, 1863. 1st Cavalry Brigade, 16th Army Corps. Colonel J. K. Mizner, commanding the brigade, reported that while his command was scouting on the New Albany road the 3rd Illinois struck the enemy's advance at 10 a. m. 5 miles south of Ripley, and was obliged to fall back to where Mizner had disposed the remainder of his forces on three roads. This position the Confederates struck with overwhelming force, advancing in three columns, one dismounted, rendering it almost impossible for the dismounted Union troops to regain their horses. Pursuit was soon given up by the enemy on all but the Pocahontas road, on which the 3rd Michigan was driven until a last desperate and successful stand was made at Ruckersville at sunset. The casualties were not reported.


Ripley, Mississippi, July 7, 1864. 2nd Iowa Cavalry. The advance regiment of Smith's expedition to Tupelo encountered the Confederates near Ripley, posted in a strong position on a hill covered with thick underbrush. The regiment was dismounted and after a few minutes of sharp firing a charge was ordered, which was made across an open field and up a steep hill, carrying the enemy's position and driving him from the field. The Confederates left 10 dead on the ground, but carried off their wounded. The Iowa regiment had 4 men slightly wounded.


Ripley, Mississippi, October 7, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Mississippi. During the pursuit of the Confederates after the battle of Corinth, the advance under Colonel Albert L. Lee encountered and fought the enemy's pickets at Ripley at 11 p. m. The enemy retired after a short resistance. The casualties, if any, were not reported


Ripley, Tennessee, January 8, 1863. 2nd Illinois Cavalry.


Rising Sun, Tennessee, June 30, 1862. 57th Ohio Infantry. The wagon train of General Sherman's division, consisting of 67 wagons and guarded by the 57th Ohio under Colonel William Munger, was attacked at Rising Sun between 5 and 6 p. m. The Confederates were driven off after a spirited skirmish, during which 6 wagons were lost by the mules becoming frightened and running away. The Union casualties amounted to 3 men wounded and 8 teamsters and a wagon master captured. The Confederate loss was not accurately ascertained Munger reported it as being 9 killed and 18 wounded, but a citizen reported that 21 dead were found on the field the next day. Munger killed or disabled 6 of the enemy's horses and captured 5 more.


Rivers' Bridge, South Carolina, February 3-4, 1865. (See Salkehatchie River.)


Rixeyville Ford, Virginia, August 5, 1863. Detachments of 1st Massachusetts, 1st Pennsylvania and 1st New Jersey Cavalry. Under an order to scout over the Aestham river in the direction of Culpeper, Colonel H. B. Sargent took 300 men and moved from camp near Amissville. About dark his advance reached the fork of Gourd Vine creek and the Hazel river, when it became engaged with the enemy's pickets, and later he encountered a small Confederate cavalry picket 3 miles south of Rixeyville ford. Rather than run the chance of engaging a large reserve Sargent withdrew. One Confederate was reported killed.


Rixeyville Ford, Virginia, September 2, 1863. Pickets of 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. Colonel J. Irwin Gregg in reporting cavalry operations in Virginia, stated that his pickets at or near Rixeyville ford were attacked by some 200 Confederates. The pickets were all captured, but the reserve, which was also attacked, succeeded in repulsing the enemy.


Roanoke, Missouri, September 6, 1862. Detachment of Enrolled Missouri Militia. Brigadier-General Lewis Merrill reported from Hudson, Missouri as follows: "Captain J. W. Baird, with a few of Merrill's horse and some Enrolled militia attacked guerrilla camp south of Roanoke yesterday, dispersing them, killing 4, wounding several, capturing 3 prisoners, some horses, arms, etc. Our loss is Captain Baird, Merrill's horse, mortally wounded, since dead. No other casualties."


Roanoke, Missouri, September 10, 1864. Detachment of 6th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Major Austin A. King, Jr., commanding the detachment, came upon Holtzclaw's command east of Roanoke. The guerrillas, who numbered about 60, were soon put to flight and in the running fight of 5 miles which followed 6 of them were killed and a number of their horses captured. The militia detachment had 2 men wounded.


Roanoke Island, North Carolina, February 8, 1862. Part of General Burnside's Army and Goldsborough's Fleet. Roanoke island is bounded by the four sounds, Albemarle on the north, Roanoke on the east, Pamlico on the south and Croatan on the west, the last named separating it from the mainland. In the early part of 1862 it was held by the Confederates, who had erected three forts on the western side of the island to guard Croatan sound. Near the north end, at Weir's point, was Fort Huger, mounting 12 guns; about 2 miles below on Pork point was Fort Bartow mounting 9 guns; some 1,200 yards south of Fort Huger was Fort Blanchard with 4 guns. All the guns were 32pounders, except one 68-pounder at Fort Bartow and 2 of the same caliber at Huger. At Ballast point, on the east side of the island was a 2-gun battery, known as Fort Ellis, to prevent the landing of troops in the vicinity of Shallowbag bay, and near the center of the island was a 3-gun battery, stationed across the road, facing southward and flanked by earthworks for a quarter of a mile on each side. At Redstone point, on the mainland opposite Fort Huger, was another fortification called Fort Forrest, which mounted seven 24-pounders. A post report, made ten days before the attack, stated that the defense of the island was forty 32-pounders, 7 rifled guns, and five days' ammunition. According to Confederate reports the effective force on the island numbered 1,434 men of the 8th, 17th and 31st North Carolina and 46th and 59th Virginia, under command of Colonel H. M. Shaw. Brigadier-General Ambrose E. Burnside, commanding the Department of North Carolina, selected for the expedition against the island his 1st, 2nd and 3d brigades, respectively commanded by Brigadier-Generals John G. Foster, Jesse L. Reno and John G. Parke. This force, with the 1st New York marine artillery and Company B, 99th New York, was embarked on transports at Hatteras inlet on the morning of the 5th and started for the island. The transports were accompanied by the gunboats Picket, Huzzar, Pioneer, Vidette, Ranger, Lancer and Chasseur, and were preceded by the fleet under Flag-Officer L. M. Goldsborough, consist1ng of the gunboats Stars and Stripes, Louisiana, Hetzel, Underwriter, Delaware, Commodore Perry, Valley City, Commodore Barney, Hunchback, Southfield, Morse, Whitehead, Lockwood, Brincker, Seymour, Ceres, Putman, Shawsheen and Granite. At the south end of Croatan sound is a group of small islands known as the Marshes. Page 743 This point was reached on the forenoon of the 6th, but owing to a heavy fog the attempt to pass through the narrow channel was postponed until the next morning. At 9 a. m. on the 7th the fleet got under way and passed through the channel, closely followed by the transports and army gunboats. An hour and a half later the foremost of the vessels came within sight of 8 Confederate gunboats drawn up in line behind a double row of piles and sunken vessels stretching across the main channel of the sound on a line running from Fort Forrest toward Fort Bartow, and by 11 o'clock the leading gunboats, the Confederate fleet and the guns of Fort Bartow were engaged in a spirited bombardment. This continued until after 4 p. m., when 5 of the enemy's vessels, apparently seriously injured, withdrew behind Fort Huger, where the troops on board of them were landed. About 5 o'clock the Confederate batteries and boats again opened fire, but in a short time the gun boats were forced to retire, one of them, the Forrest, in a disabled condition, taking refuge under the guns at Redstone point. At the beginning of the action the transports anchored some 3 miles in the rear of the fleet and preparations were made for landing. Ashby's landing, the place which had been selected, was found to be in possession of a detachment of the enemy, and General Foster, who had charge of this part of the operations, directed his course toward the Hammond house. Here some of his men were put ashore and moved against the enemy at Ashby's. At the same time the Delaware drew up and sent a few 11inch shrapnel into the Confederates at that point, causing them to withdraw in some haste. By 10 p. m. the greater portion of the 12,000 land forces were on the island, bivouacked about a mile and a half from the 3-gun battery, which was to be the first point of attack. Early on the morning of the 8th the troops moved forward in three columns—Foster in the center, with the 23d, 25th and 27th Massachusetts and 10th Connecticut; Reno on the left, with the 51st New York, 9th New Jersey and 51st Pennsylvania, and Parke on the right with the 4th and 5th Rhode Island and 9th New York In front of the battery the road was a narrow causeway through an almost impassable swamp, the trees having been cut down for a distance of 700 yards to give a clear sweep to the guns. Foster's advance, the 25th Massachusetts, drove in the enemy's pickets and followed them on the run to the edge of the clearing. Foster then deployed his brigade in line of battle and brought up 6 light Dahlgren howitzers to reply to the guns of the battery. As soon as these dispositions were made the brigade advanced directly upon the enemy's works. Simultaneously Reno worked his way through the swamp and the mass of fallen trees on the left until he reached a point where he could take the enemy in flank, Parke executing a similar movement on the right of the road. Here the obstacles were so great as to cause serious delay, and seeing that the enemy was beginning to waver under Reno's attack, the order was given for the 9th New York to turn to the left and charge directly up the road. "Fix bayonets and charge!" rang out the voice of Colonel Rush C. Hawkins as soon as he received the order, and with a yell the regiment rushed up the road directly in the face of the enemy's fire. But the Confederates did not wait for the charge. Before the New Yorkers could reach the intrenchments they abandoned everything and fled in confusion toward the north end of the island. Just at this juncture the 24th Massachusetts arrived fresh on the field and took up the pursuit. The 4th Rhode Island and 10th Connecticut were sent to attack Fort Bartow on the rear, but it was found evacuated, the garrison having joined in the retreat. Fort Huger was also abandoned and the entire Confederate force was concentrated in two camps near the north end of the island, where, after a Page 744 slight resistance, it surrendered. Burnside reported the number of prisoners as 159 officers and over 2,500 men. In addition to these Shaw reported a loss of 23 killed, 58 wounded and 62 missing. During the action reinforcements came to the enemy, arriving just in time to become prisoners of war. The Union loss in the land forces was 37 killed, 214 wounded and 12 missing; in the navy, 6 killed, 17 wounded and 2 missing. Winter quarters for 4,000 men, 42 pieces of artillery, a large amount of ammunition for the same, 3,000 stands of small arms, and a large quantity of lumber, utensils, etc., fell into Federal hands. But the greatest advantage gained by the capture of Roanoke island was its strategic importance as a coaling station and a base from which to operate against the rest of the coast.


Roanoke Station, Virginia, June 25, 1864. (See Wilson's Raid, Petersburg, Virginia)


Roan's Tan-Yard, Missouri, January 8, 1862. Detachment of the 1st Iowa, 1st and 2nd Missouri and 4th Ohio Cavalry. The detachment, numbering about 500 men and commanded by Major Torrence of the 1st la., was engaged in scouting in the vicinity of Silver creek. Learning that a Confederate recruiting camp had been established at Roan's tan-yard by Colonel Poindexter, Torrence determined to break it up. The camp was in a strong position, protected by ravines and thick underbrush. When within 4 miles of the tan-yard the following dispositions were made: Major Hubbard, with his battalion of the 2nd Missouri and Captain Foster's company of the 4th Ohio, was to lead the attack and draw the enemy's fire, when the 1st la. and part of the 1st Missouri were to charge the camp, mounted if possible, and if not, on foot with the revolver and saber. At the same time Major Hunt, with three companies of the 2nd Missouri armed with carbines, was to attack from another direction. The plan worked successfully, the pickets were rapidly driven in and after a fight of 40 minutes the enemy was completely routed and driven from his camp, with a loss in killed and wounded estimated by Torrence at 80 to 100, and 28 captured. The Union loss was 4 killed. In the camp were captured 60 wagons. 160 horses, 105 tents, 200 stands of arms, 80 kegs of powder, and a large quantity of clothing, blankets, etc. The strength of Poindexter's force was estimated at from 900 to 1,000 men. Roberts' Ford, Louisiana, May 2, 1863. (See Grierson's Raid.)


Robertson's Ford, Virginia, September 15, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. This affair was an incident of the Federal advance from the Rapidan to the Rappahannock. The pickets of Colonel H. E. Davies' brigade were driven back at Robertson's ford and the Confederates succeeded in making a crossing. Reinforcements were brought up and the enemy was compelled to retire across the stream. No casualties were reported. Robertson's Ford, Virginia, September 23. 1863. 1st and 5th Michigan Cavalry. While Buford's cavalry division was returning from a, reconnaissance to the south side of the Rapidan river, the 1st Michigan under Lieut.-Colonel Peter Stagg acted as rear-guard, skirmishing with the enemy all the way from Culpeper Court House until the division halted at Robertson's ford, when Stagg, who was some distance behind the main body, was subjected to several sharp attacks in quick succession. Each direct attack was repulsed and the enemy then tried a flank movement, when Stagg was informed that the column had moved and started to follow. He had scarcely put his men in motion when the enemy charged out of the woods on his right. The 1st and 2nd squadrons formed in line on the right of the road and checked the assault, but the rear-guard, consisting of a lieutenant and 13 men, was cut off and captured. The two squadrons then fell Page 745 back slowly, skirmishing with the enemy through the woods until within sight of the ford, when part of the 5th Michigan came to Stagg's support and the artillery began shelling the woods, which caused the Confederates to retire. The enemy's loss was not learned. Besides the 14 men captured Stagg had 3 men wounded. Robertson's River, Virginia, October 1, 1863. A Confederate report tells of an attack by 44 men under a lieutenant upon a camp of a Federal picket, in which 1 of the 10 Union soldiers was killed, 1 wounded and 1 captured, besides 8 horses, 9 saddles and bridles, 4 sabers and 4 pistols. Federal reports make no mention of the affair.


Robertson's Tavern, Virginia, November 27, 1863. (See Mine .Run, Virginia, November 26-December 2, 1863.)


Robertsville, South Carolina, January 29, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 20th Army Corps. During the march through the Carolinas the 20th corps approached Robertsville on this date to find the place occupied by a considerable body of Confederate cavalry. Jackson's division was in advance, and General Hawley, commanding the 2nd brigade, was ordered to dislodge the enemy. Hawley deployed the 3d Wisconsin infantry as skirmishers and after a sharp skirmish succeeded in driving the Confederates back to and through the town. The Wisconsin reg1ment had 3 men wounded. The enemy's casualties were not learned.


Robinson's Mills, Mississippi, October 17, 1863. Part of the 15th and 17th Army Corps. After the Confederates had been driven from Bogue Chitto creek, in General McPherson's expedition from Messinger's ferry on the Big Black river toward Canton, Colonel E. F. Winslow pursued them on the Vernon road with his cavalry. At Robinson's mills the enemy was encountered in force, with 2 pieces of artillery in position. McPherson hurried Leggett's brigade to the assistance of Winslow, the enemy was driven back and the mills destroyed. (See Livingston Road.)


Rocheport, Missouri, June 1, 1863. 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Two companies of this regiment, under Captain Reeves Leonard, came upon a band of guerrillas posted in a pasture on the farm of one Jones 3 miles northeast of Rocheport. Leonard attacked and in 20 minutes had routed and driven the enemy, who had 2 men killed and a number wounded. Rocheport, Missouri, June 18, 1863. Detachment of 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. This affair was a skirmish between 100 guerrillas under Jackman and Rucker and 40 men of the 9th Missouri The Federals were victorious, killing and wounding several of the enemy and routing the remainder.


Rocheport, Missouri, August 28, 1864. Detachment of 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain Joseph Parke, with 44 men, crossed the river at Boonville in an expedition against the outlaw Holtzclaw and his men. Four miles from Rocheport 2 of the guerrillas were met, 1 of whom was wounded, and a mile farther on Parke was attacked in the rear by 100 guerrillas. After a fight of 15 minutes the Federals, were compelled to withdraw, leaving 7 dead on the field. In addition to those killed 2 were wounded and 3 missing. Of the killed 4 were scalped and 1 was hanged and scalped. The outlaws had 6 killed and 2 wounded.


Rocheport, Missouri, September 3, 1864. Missouri State Militia. Brigadier-General Clinton B. Fisk, commanding the District of North Missouri, reporting from Glasgow under date of September 4, says: "Twelve of the 3d cavalry, Missouri state militia, were surprised and killed near Rocheport yesterday. Major Leonard killed 6 of Anderson's gang, taking from their dead bodies 30 revolvers and capturing 7 horses. Another party killed 4 of the same gang and captured 25 horses."


Rocheport, Missouri, September 23-24, 1864. 3d Missouri State Militia. One hundred men of the 3d Missouri were attacked 8 miles north of Rocheport by 300 Confederates, under the guerrilla leader Anderson, and 12 Union men were killed after they had surrendered. The enemy captured all the camp and garrison equipage, quartermaster's supplies, etc.


Rockcastle Hills, Kentucky October 21, 1861. Brigadier-General A. Schoepfs Brigade, Department of the Cumberland. On the morning of the 21st 7,000 Confederates, under Brigadier-General F. K. Zollicoffer, attacked Schoepfs brigade at Camp Wildcat, on Rockcastle hills. The fight was severe for a time, but the enemy was finally repulsed after having sustained a loss of 11 in killed and missing and 42 wounded. The Federal loss was 4 killed and 20 wounded.


Rock Creek Ford, Tennessee, July 2, 1863. (See Elk River, same date.)


Rock Creek Station, Dakota Territory, June 24-30. 1864. (See Seven Mile Creek.)


Rock Cut, Alabama, April 22, 1863. (See Courtland, Expedition to.)


Rockfish Gap, Virginia, September 28, 1864. 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Shenandoah. The brigade, commanded by Colonel Charles R. Lowell, was on picket duty from Rockfish gap to New Hope. At 5 p. m. the line was attacked at both points with infantry, cavalry and artillery. Finding himself outnumbered, Lowell fell back in good order to Waynesboro, where he joined the main body of the division. No casualties reported.


Rock House, West Virginia, February 12, 1864. 14th Kentucky Infantry.


Rockingham, North Carolina, March 7, 1865. Foragers of the 14th and 24th Army Corps and Kilpatrick's Cavalry. As the foraging parties approached Rockingham they became engaged with Butler division of Hampton's cavalry. While the action was in progress Kilpatrick's advance arrived on the scene, and a portion of the 2nd Kentucky and 9th Pennsylvania cavalry, under Captain Boyle, joined the infantry, driving the Confederates from the town, which was occupied by the Union forces about 10 a. m. No losses reported.


Rockport, Arkansas, March 25, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


Rockville, Maryland, June 28, 1863. Wagon train of the Army of the Potomac. As an incident of the Gettysburg campaign Fitzhugh Lee captured a Federal train of 150 wagons at Rockville. Two brigades of Federal cavalry were immediately sent in pursuit, but without result.


Rockville, Maryland, September 22, 1863. 11th New York Cavalry. Rockville, Maryland, July 10, 1864. Detachments of 16th Pennsylvania and 8th Illinois Cavalry. Some 500 men of these two regiments, under Major William H. Fry, passed through Rockville at 11 a. m. Three miles from Rockville, at a small village called Gerrardsville, the Federal advance came upon the Confederate skirmishers and firing commenced at once. Seeing a long line of Confederate cavalry approaching, Fry slowly withdrew through Rockville to a hill a mile beyond _ the town, where he formed a skirmish line and held the enemy in check until they brought a battery to bear, when he was again compelled to withdraw. The casualties were not reported. The affair was an incident of operations in the Shenandoah valley.


Rockville, Maryland, July 13, 1864. Cavalry of Hardin's Division, 22nd Army Corps. A little after noon the Confederate rear-guard passed through Rockville with the Union cavalry under Colonel C. R. Lowell in close pursuit. The 2nd Massachusetts charged the town. but was overpowered and driven back. Lowell, then established a strong dismounted skirmish line and checked a fierce charge of the Confederates, holding them until they were reinforced, when he fell back Page 747 about 2 miles from Rockville, where he took up a strong position and held it until the next day when the pursuit was renewed. No casualties reported.


Rockville, Ohio, July 23, 1863. A despatch from Gov. David Tod, of Ohio, to General Burnside, during Morgan's Ohio raid, contains the following extract from a despatch from the military committee at Zanesville: "Our forces have been fighting Morgan at Rockville, in this county, and since 2 o'clock, with success."


Rocky Bluff, Missouri, August 7, 1862. Detached Troops, Department of Kansas. Late on the 3d Lieut.-Colonel John T. Burris left Leavenworth, with two companies of the 8th Kansas infantry, part of the 3d Wisconsin cavalry and two sections of the post battery, for a reconnaissance into Platte county, Missouri When near Platte City on the evening of the 6th he learned of a guerrilla camp at Rocky bluff, 5 miles above on the south side of the Platte river. At 11 o'clock that night he sent the cavalry up the north side of the river to seize the bridge and thus cut off retreat, while at 3 a. m. on the 7th the infantry and battery moved up the south side. The camp was attacked at sunrise and was a complete surprise to the guerrillas, who fled in all directions after firing a few desultory shots. Two Union men were wounded, and the enemy lost 3 or more killed, several wounded and 6 captured. Burris then burned three houses in the vicinity, together with all the equipage of the camp, and returned to Leavenworth.


Rocky Creek, Mississippi, June 26, 1863. Detachment of 5th Illinois Cavalry. Confederate reports tell of a raid on Brookhaven by the Federals and the pursuit by a party of 35 Confederates under Lieut. W. M. Wilson. The latter managed to get in advance of the Union raiders near Ellisville and waited to receive them. When they were within a few paces the Confederates opened fire and 4 were instantly killed and 5 wounded. The rest scattered, but later returned and surrendered. There were 37 men in the Federal command. Union reports do not mention the affair.


Rocky Creek Bridge, Georgia, April 20, 1865. (See Spring Hill.)


Rocky Creek Church, Georgia, December 2, 1864. 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, and Kilpatrick's Cavalry. The infantry division, commanded by Brigadier-General Absalom Baird and preceded by the cavalry, moved on the Waynesboro road, the object being to cover the movements of the Union troops then marching in several columns on Millen. Rocky creek was reached about 10 a. m. and the enemy found posted in considerable force behind barricades on the opposite side of the stream. Kilpatrick halted until Baird came up, when a charge of the 74th Indiana infantry and the 3d Kentucky and 5th Ohio cavalry routed the enemy, driving him toward Waynesboro. The cavalry kept up the pursuit for some distance. No losses reported.


Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, February 24-26, 1864. (See Dalton, same date.)


Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, May 8-11, 1864. Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio. Rocky Face ridge is an elevation running north and south about 2 miles west of Dalton. Northwest of the town is a break in the ridge known as Buzzard Roost or Mill Creek gap, through which runs the Western & Atlantic railroad. Near the south end of the ridge is Dug gap, so called from the excavations made in the construction of the Lafayette and Dalton road. South of Rocky Face, running in the same general direction, is Chattoogata mountain, and between a western spur of this range and Horn mountain is a long, narrow valley known as Snake Creek gap, the southern end of which is almost west of Resaca. After the Federal occupation of Tunnel Hill Sherman decided it was impracticable to strike Dalton in front, as it was covered by Rocky Face, where Johnston Page 748 had a force strongly intrenched in Buzzard Roost gap and Hood's corps occupied the crest. Sherman therefore ordered McPherson to move rapidly from his position at Lee & Gordon's mills via Ship's gap and Villanow through Snake Creek gap on Resaca, or some point on the railroad below Dalton. After breaking the railroad he was to take a strong defensive position at Snake Creek gap and be ready to strike the enemy on the flank as he retreated. To cover this movement Geary was ordered to make a demonstration against Dug gap and Thomas was ordered to threaten the enemy in front. Accordingly Howard and Palmer were directed to make a demonstration against the Confederate works in Mill Creek gap and at the same time endeavor to put a force on the ridge. Early on the morning of the 8th Newton sent Harker's brigade up the north end of Rocky Face, forcing back the enemy about three-fourths of a mile during the day, and establishing a signal station. Stanley's division of the 4th corps advanced in line of battle on the west side of the ridge to within 500 yards of it, but was seriously annoyed by a flank fire from the enemy's intrenchments on some hills at the entrance to Buzzard Roost gap. In the afternoon Davis' division of the 14th corps joined with Stanley to attack these works, and under cover of a well-directed fire from Simonson's batteries charged the hills, driving the enemy back to his main line of intrenchments. In the meantime Wood had pushed a strong skirmish line, well supported, as far as possible up the western slope and kept up his demonstration there until noon of the 12th, but failed to drive the enemy from his position on the crest. Geary reached the valley west of Dug gap and placed McGill's battery of 3-inch Rodman guns in a position to command the crest, left three regiments in support, and formed the rest of his command for the advance. The 119th New York was deployed as skirmishers, Buschbeck's brigade occupied the right and Candy's the left, each in two lines of battle, and at 3 p. m. the lines moved forward. The ascent would have been difficult under the most favorable circumstances. Now Confederate skirmishers were thickly posted behind rocks and trees on the steep slope and kept up an incessant and destructive fire on the advancing Federals. Geary's lines pressed steadily forward until the foot of the palisades was reached, where a halt of a few minutes was made to give the men opportunity to regain their breath, and then charged up to the summit. Here they were met by a galling fire from a second line of works, which had hitherto been invisible, and to save themselves fell back out of range of the guns. Another assault was made, but with no better success. Geary then ordered McGill to move his battery to a cleared knoll near the base of the ridge and keep up a steady fire on the enemy's position. Under cover of this fire the 33d New Jersey was ordered to ascend the ridge about half a mile to the right and strike the enemy on the flank. The attempt was gallantly made, but owing to the precipitous formation the regiment was forced to move obliquely to the left, where a few crevices were found that would admit two or three men abreast, and through these the advance managed to reach the summit. Their loud cheers were the signal for another assault, but so few could gain the crest at a time that they were easily overwhelmed and driven back. McPherson reached Snake Creek gap, where he surprised a brigade of cavalry, then moved on to with1n a mile of Resaca, which place he found too strong to be carried by direct assault, and fell back to the gap. News of this reached Geary just after his last assault. It was then dusk and, as the object of the demonstration had been Page 749 gained, Geary withdrew to a safe position in the valley and intrenched. He reported his losses in this action as being 49 killed, 257 wounded and 51 missing. During the night of the 8th Newton sent one gun of Battery M, 1st Illinois artillery, to the top of the ridge and pushed the remainder of his command to the crest to reinforce Harker. The summit was so narrow, however, that the men could never move more than four abreast, often in single file, and the way was so obstructed by bowlders, etc., that the advance was necessarily slow. At daybreak Harker opened fire with his piece of artillery and followed this by a charge, driving back the enemy about a mile to his main line of intrenchments. In the meantime Schofield had arrived on the ground and on the 9th made a strong demonstration against Johnston's right as a diversion in favor of the operations at Snake Creek gap. Schofield's line was formed with Judah on the right, Cox on the left, and Hovey in reserve covering Cox. In this order the corps moved steadily forward, forced back the Confederate skirmish lines, captured several lines of barricades and finally drove the enemy into his main intrenchments. To assist this movement Newton sent Wagner's brigade to attack the enemy's position on the eastern slope of the ridge. Wagner advanced until he found himself confronted by an impassable chasm, on the opposite side of which was a strong line of fortifications, from which a galling fire was poured into his lines, compelling him to fall back. In the afternoon McCook's cavalry division became hotly engaged on Schofield's left and Hovey was sent to his support, routing the Confederates and ending all danger from that quarter. Heavy skirmishing was kept up all day on the west side of the ridge, in which a number of men were wounded, but few were killed. On the 10th Thomas sent Hooker's corps and Kilpatrick's cavalry to the support of McPherson at Snake Creek gap. Skirmishing was continued at all points during the day, but with less vigor than on the day previous. Sherman now decided to move his main body to the rear of Johnston. Leaving Howard's corps and some cavalry to watch Dalton the remainder of the army took up its march on the 11th via Snake Creek gap on Resaca (q.v.). The custom of the different commanders of Sherman's army of making returns of their casualties for a given time renders returns of losses at Rocky Face ridge unavailable.


Rocky Ford, Mississippi, June 20, 1863. (See Mud Creek Bottom, same date.)


Rocky Gap, West Virginia, August 26-27, 1863. 4th Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps. This affair was the last and the most sanguinary of the engagements incident to the raid of Brigadier-General William W. Averell in West Virginia. On the morning of the 26th the column advanced on White Sulphur Springs with four companies, two each of the 2nd and 8th West Virginia mounted infantry, under Captain von Koenig, in advance and the 14th Pennsylvania cavalry and the 3d West Virginia mounted infantry in the rear. It was necessary for the column to proceed through a narrow pass which debouched into a valley a mile long, on each side of which were rugged bluffs. When the opening of the pass was reached the enemy's artillery opened upon the head of the column. A portion of the 8th West Virginia was thrown to the left and a part of the 2nd to the right, both dismounted, and Ewing's battery was placed in position. The enemy advanced upon the battery, which, supported only by the advance guard, repulsed the attack and actually moved forward to obtain better position. When the fight commenced the rear was 4 miles back, but it was hurried up, the 14th Pennsylvania was deployed to the right and 3d West Virginia to the left . The Page 750 Confederates then gave way and attempted to assume another position half a mile to the rear, with their right resting upon a rugged prominence and the center and left protected by a hastily constructed barricade of fence rails. Ewing lost one of his guns through its bursting, but the other five were brought to within 600 yards of the barricade and Averell advanced his whole line. Gibson's battalion was thrown into a house and the surrounding enclosures, in order to rake the enemy's center, but a regiment advancing upon the place compelled them to abandon it, setting fire to it so that it could not afford further protection. The Confederates clung like grim death to the hill on the Federal right and it was only by the hardest kind of fighting that any advance at all could be made. The fight developed into a sharpshooters' battle at 100 yards. About 4 p. m. Averell resolved to make another attempt to dislodge the enemy and sent word to both wings to advance when a charge should be made in the center. Captain Bird, with a detachment of the 14th Pennsylvania, made the charge, advancing in gallant style until he came to the barricade, but for some reason the order had been misunderstood and only 100 men advanced on the right and none came up on the left. The result was the ultimate repulse of those who did go in, though the assault on the right drove the enemy from that part of the barricade. Ammunition had run low by this time and darkness was coming on, but Averell was expecting Scammon to reinforce him from the west and was reluctant to withdraw. The lines remained the same all night, but in the morning it was apparent that the Confederates had been reinforced, and as Scammon had not yet arrived, Averell immediately began his preparations to withdraw. By 10:30 a. m. everything was in readiness, the command to retire was given and within three-quarters of an hour the column was moving off in good order, the rear-guard at the barricades erected during the night repulsing two attempts of the enemy to pursue. Averell's loss in this affair was 26 killed, 125 wounded and 67 captured or missing. Fifty-seven of the wounded were captured. The Confederate casualties amounted to 20 killed, 129 wounded and 13 missing. The affair is called White Sulphur Springs in the Confederate reports.


Rocky Hock Creek, North Carolina, March 24, 1863. (See Winfield, March 23)


Rocky Mount, North Carolina, July 18-24, 1863. Potter's Expedition. Brigadier General Edward E. Potter commanded the expedition, in the initial portion of which he had cooperation on the part of the brigade of Colonel James Jourdan, who had command of the 25th and 27th Massachusetts and 158th New York infantry. New Berne was the base of the expedition and Jourdan crossed the Neuse with orders to proceed to Swift creek. The following morning Potter crossed with his forces, consisting of the 3d New York cavalry, three companies of the 12th New York cavalry, one company of North Carolina cavalry, two companies of Mix's new regiment, and two sections of mountain howitzers. Jourdan was overtaken at Swift creek, and when Potter moved with the cavalry of Greenville, at daybreak of July 19, Jourdan was instructed to return to New Berne after making a feint of an advance on Kinston. Within 12 miles of Greenville Potter captured a picket post of 15 men, whose tents and stores were destroyed. Upon arriving at Greenville the bridge across Tar river was destroyed. A detachment under Major Ferris Jacobs, Jr., was sent forward, July 20, to Rocky Mount, where he captured and burned a locomotive and train, destroyed the railroad bridge and trestlework. the county bridge, a large cotton mill, a government flour mill, 4 stores, a machine shop Page 751 filled with ordnance stores, 2 trains of government wagons and various other supplies and stores. The main column in the meanwhile moved on to Tarboro and charged into the town about 8 a. m., July 20. Here were destroyed a substantial iron-clad which was in process of construction, 2 steamboats, some railroad cars, and a considerable amount of stores of varied order. In the meanwhile Major Floyd Clarkson had made a charge down the road to Hamilton and received a volley from the enemy posted in the wood. He returned with a loss of about 35 in killed, wounded and missing. At 5 p. m. the bridge over the Tar river was burned, and the entire column commenced the return by the same road, as the enemy was in considerable force on the opposite side of the river. From Sparta onward for a distance of about 4 miles a running skirmish was kept up, and a detour was made at Tyson's creek, where the enemy had secured a stronghold whose dislodgment would occasion great delay. At dusk on the 21st the command charged into Scupperton, where a dozen prisoners were captured. Street's ferry was reached at noon of the 22d, and here the outposts were repeatedly attacked by the enemy during the afternoon and evening. Potter made requisition to New Berne for pontoons and light-draught steamers, shortly after the arrival of which the bridge was completed, enabling the command to cross the river and proceed to the respective camps. The prisoners and captured property were taken down the river by the steamers. In the expedition the total casualties were 2 killed, 19 wounded, and 43 missing.


Rocky Mount, South Carolina, February 28, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps. The brigade, commanded by Bvt. Brigadier-General H. C. Hobart, reached Rocky Mount, on the Catawba river, on the 26th, but was compelled to wait for several days for the swollen waters to subside before a crossing could be effected During this time Butler's Confederate cavalry in considerable force was constantly scouting about the camp, cutting off foraging parties, etc. On the 28th a sharp attack was made on the Union pickets, just as the command commenced crossing the river. Hobart threw the 94th Ohio and 104th Illinois to the rear to cover the crossing, and these two regiments held the enemy in check until ordered to withdraw and join the main body of the brigade on the opposite bank. No casualties reported.


Rocky Run, North Carolina, November 4, 1863. Detachment of 12th New York Cavalry. A lieutenant and 3 men returning from a picket post near Rocky run were ordered to halt by a band of about 20 Confederates. The Federals made a dash, and cut their way through the enemy's line and escaped, the lieutenant being wounded in the breast . Parties sent out in pursuit of the Confederates were unable to locate them.


Rodgers' Crossing, Arkansas, September 14, 1864. Detachment of 1st Arkansas Cavalry. A detail of 99 men under Captain John I, Worthington was sent as escort to a mail train. On the 14th they left the train at Sugar creek and marched to Rodgers' crossing of the White river, where the Confederates were concentrating to attack the train. Worthington charged and dispersed the enemy, killing 5, wounding several and capturing a lieutenant.


Rodgers' Plantation, Arkansas, April 25, 1865. Detachment of 13th Illinois Cavalry. This affair was a slight skirmish between 26 men of the 13th Illinois and a Confederate squad under Lieut. Dixon. It resulted in the capture of 2 Confederates, the serious wounding of another and the dispersal of the remainder of the party.


Rodney, Mississippi, December 17 and 24, 1863. 1st Mississippi Marine Brigade, Cavalry and Infantry.


Rodney, Mississippi, March 4, 1864. Cavalry and Infantry, Mississippi Marine Brigade.


Rodmans’ Point, North Carolina, April 1-5, 1863. Union Gunboats. 'The bombardment of the Confederate batteries on Rodman's point on these dates was part of the operations during the siege of Washington. (See Washington.)


Rogers' Gap, Tennessee, June 10, 1862. 7th Division. Army of the Ohio. Brigadier-General George W. Morgan, commanding the division, reported from Parrott's, Tennessee, as follows: "My advance guard occupies Rogers' gap, and will probably descend into the valley tomorrow. Today our pickets had two skirmishes with those of the enemy, in which he sustained some loss in killed and wounded. On our side there were no casualties."


Rogers' Gap, Tennessee, August 31, 1862. Detachment of the 1st Tennessee Infantry. Captain Myers and Lieut. Rogers, with 60 picked men, left the Federal works at Cumberland gap on the 29th, under orders to harass the enemy and if possible intercept despatches. At daylight on the morning of the 31st the detachment struck Captain Rhodes' company of Confederate cavalry on the south side of Rogers' gap, killed 6, wounded 6, and captured 19, together with 30 horses and equipments and a number of carbines. After this exploit the command returned to Cumberland gap, where it arrived that evening without the loss of a man.


Rogers' Gap, Tennessee, September 10, 1862. (See Big Creek Gap, same date.)


Rogersville, Alabama, May 13, 1862. Expedition under Brigadier-General James S. Negley. The expedition, consisting of the 79th and detachments of the 78th Pennsylvania, the 1st Wisconsin, the 35th and 38th Indiana infantry, and the 7th Pennsylvania, 5th Kentucky and Major Owsley's battalion of cavalry, together with some artillery, left Pulaski on the 12th. On the afternoon of the 13th the enemy's pickets at Rogersville were driven in and gave the alarm to the Confederates in the town. The Federal cavalry followed to the river, where the enemy was crossing at Lamb's ferry, and fired upon a boat load of cavalry. The enemy on the opposite bank responded, keeping up a fire from some log buildings until a section of artillery drove them from their position. Negley had 1 man wounded, and, while the enemy's loss was not reported, it was undoubtedly heavier.


Rogersville, Kentucky, August 29, 1862. (See Richmond.)


Rogersville, Kentucky, July 27, 1863. (See Richmond, Kentucky, July 28.)


Rogersville, Tennessee, November 6, 1863. Detachments of 7th Ohio Cavalry, 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry and 2nd Illinois Battery. The garrison of Rogersville was attacked about sunrise of the 6th, an advance picket having been previously routed by the approaching Confederates, so that Colonel Israel Garrard knew of their proximity and had made preparations to withdraw, but before he could do so the enemy surrounded him. After fighting for some time the larger part of the garrison was captured. Union reports are rather indefinite as to numbers, but Major-General E. Ransom, Jr., commanding the Confederates, states that he took 850 prisoners, 4 pieces of artillery, 2 stands of colors, 60 wagons and about 1,000 animals, and had 2 men killed and 6 or 8 wounded.


Rogersville, Tennessee, August 21, 1864. 13th Tennessee Cavalry. Colonel William H. Ingerton, with his regiment, surprised a Confederate detachment at Rogersville at daylight, and the result of the fight which ensued was the killing of 23 of the enemy and the capture of 35.


Rogersville, Tennessee, October 8, 1864. A report of Brigadier-General J. C. Page 753 Vaughn, of the Confederate army, states that a portion of his command met a Federal detachment at Rogersville, killed 10 of them and wounded several. Union reports do not mention the affair.


Rogersville, Tennessee, December 21, 1864. (See Big Creek.)


Rolla, Missouri, August 1, 1864. 5th Missouri Militia Cavalry.


Rolla, Missouri, March 24, 1865. Detachment of 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Seven men of the 5th Missouri were detailed as an escort for a government train from Waynesville to Rolla. When 7 miles west of the latter place 3 of them went into a house for some purpose and the other 4 were surprised and compelled to surrender. The 3 in the house put up a stiff resistance when called upon to give themselves up and finally compelled the enemy to fly, releasing the 4 prisoners, 2 of whom were wounded in getting away.


Rolling Fork, Mississippi, September 22-23, 1864. Detachment of 3d U. S. Colored Cavalry. Major J. B. Cook with 330 men of the 3d U. S. colored cavalry, on the 22nd attacked the Confederate commands of Bradford and Montgomery, about 150 strong, near Rolling fork. The enemy was routed and pursued 15 miles to where they crossed the Sunflower river. Next day Cook met Captain Sutton, a Confederate commissary, with 12 men driving 300 head of cattle. Eight of the escort were killed and Sutton and the other 4 captured. Two hundred of the cattle were brought into the Federal camp. Both affairs are incidents of an expedition from Vicksburg to Deer creek.


Rolling Fork, Mississippi, November 22, 1864. 3d U. S. or 1st Mississippi Colored Cavalry.


Rolling Prairie, Arkansas, January 23, 1864. Detachment of 11th Missouri Cavalry. Orderly Sergt. Isaac T. Jones and 24 men while carrying despatches were suddenly attacked on Rolling prairie by 60 guerrillas. Jones and 6 men were killed, 5 captured, who were afterward shot, and the balance escaped.


Rolling Prairie, Arkansas, February 4, 1864. 8th Missouri Militia Cavalry. Rome, Georgia, May 15, 1864. (See Armuchee Creek.)


Rome, Georgia, May 17, 1864. 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps. When it was discovered on the morning of the 16th that the Confederates had evacuated Resaca, General Sherman ordered Brigadier-General J. C. Davis to move with his division down the west bank of the Oostanaula to the mouth of Armuchee creek and cooperate with the cavalry in that vicinity. Davis reached the mouth of the creek, but finding no bridge across the river at that point, as had been supposed, decided to push on to Rome and try to secure the bridge there. Notifying General Thomas of his intention, he moved toward Rome early on the 17th. French's division had arrived in Rome on the 16th. and when he learned of Davis' approach sent Ector's brigade across the river, part of the command being placed in the works and the remainder thrown forward as skirmishers. Davis parked his trains about 8 miles from the town, left two regiments as a guard and with the rest of the division pressed on in the hope of getting possession of the bridge. Mitchell's brigade, which was in the advance, drove in the enemy's cavalry until within range of the cannon on De Soto hill on the west side of the river. Davis made preparations for driving in the outposts in order to reconnoiter the enemy's works, but before his disposition of troops was fully made the enemy opened with a battery and at the same time a brigade of infantry advanced to attack. Dan McCook was ordered to move his brigade to the front and occupy a ridge to the left of Resaca road. Just in front of this was another ridge, offering advantages for a better and more extended line of battle, and McCook was ordered to advance and take possession of it. This movement was executed just in time Page 754 to meet the enemy in about equal force ascending the opposite slope. Mitchell's brigade was promptly deployed on the right of the road, in supporting distance of McCook, and Morgan's was moved to the right to head off a flank movement. Morgan moved promptly, drove back the Confederate skirmishers and formed his line along the Alabama road, close to the enemy's works. McCook and Mitchell soon repulsed the attack on their fronts and at dark the enemy was compelled to seek the shelter of his intrenchments. Davis now established his line with his right resting on the Coosa r1ver and the left on the Oostanaula, to prevent either flank from being turned, and waited for daylight to renew the contest. During the night the Confederates withdrew toward Cassville. The next morning Davis occupied the town, captured a large amount of commissary and quartermaster stores, hospital supplies, etc., and all sorts of ammunition— enough to last his command for two weeks. The Union loss at Rome was about 150 in killed and wounded. French reported his casualties as being about 100.


Rome, Georgia, October 10-11, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. During Hood's march northward he feinted on Rome and then turned to cross the Coosa river 11 miles below the town, on the 10th. On the 11th Brigadier-General Kenner Garrard with his cavalry division was hurried by Sherman across the Oostanaula to threaten Hood's flanks as he passed north. Garrard drove a Confederate cavalry brigade into and beyond the Narrows leading into the Chattooga valley, capturing 2 field pieces and taking some prisoners. No other casualties were reported.


Rome Cross Roads, Georgia, May 16, 1864. 16th Army Corps. Pursuant to orders from Brigadier-General Dodge, commanding the corps, the 2nd division moved from Lay's ferry toward Calhoun on the morning of the 16th, the 3d brigade in advance, the 2nd in the center and the 1st in the rear, each brigade being equipped with a battery. When near the Rome cross-roads the skirmishers of the advanced brigade came upon the enemy in some force and, although they were compelled to fall back in the face of superior numbers, they succeeded in holding the enemy in check until the troops were placed in line with the 3d brigade on the right, the 2nd in the center (holding the road), and the 1st on the left. A strong skirmish line was then pushed forward, supported by one regiment from each brigade, and took possession of a hill commanding the cross-roads, upon which a section of Battery B, 1st Michigan, and Battery I, 1st Missouri, were placed and opened fire on the enemy's skirmishers. Captain Taylor was sent forward on the left with four companies of the 66th Illinois, with orders to move cautiously to the Rome road, which he was to seize and hold, if possible. He reached the road without opposition, but, either through misunderstanding his orders or his impetuosity, charged beyond it. where he unmasked a considerable force of the enemy and was driven back across the road. The remainder of the 66th Illinois and the 81st Ohio were hurried forward to his support and the Confederates repulsed. The position was then held until 4 p. m. when the division was ordered to fall back a short distance and take position on the left of the 4th division, which had come up in the meantime, and here the corps remained until the following day, when it was ordered to move toward Adairsville.


Romney, West Virginia, June 13, 1861. 11th Indiana Infantry. Colonel Lew Wallace, commanding the regiment, entered report under date of June 14, from Camp McGinnis, stating that he had learned of the impressing of Union men and other oppression of loyal citizens by several hundred rebel troops quartered at Romney. To disperse Page 755 these troops he left Cumberland on the night of the 12th, with eight companies, about 500 men in all, and from New Creek Station marched over a fatiguing mountain route, arriving in the vicinity of Romney about 8 a. m. on the 13th. The chief obstacle in effecting entrance to the town was the crossing of a bridge over the south branch of the Potomac. The advance guard crossed the bridge on a run and was assaulted from a large house. The firing continued several minutes, when Wallace led a second company over the bridge and soon drove the enemy from the house mentioned. A battery stationed on a hill near fled when the Union troops appeared, and the town was entirely deserted by its inhabitants, except a "legion of negroes." A number of tents, some surgical stores, etc., were secured and Major Isaac Vandever was captured. After thoroughly searching the town Wallace returned to Cumberland. He says of this action: "My return was forced, owing to the fact that there was not a mile on the road that did not offer half a dozen positions for the ruin or rout of my regiment by a much smaller force."


Romney, West Virginia, September 23-25, 1861. Confederate reports make mention of a Federal descent upon Romney commencing about 11 p. m. of the 23d, with demonstrations at both Hanging Rock pass and Mechanicsburg gap, 6 miles apart. Hanging Rock pass was forced on the 24th and the Union troops approached with1n a mile and a half of Romney. The Confederates retired to Hanging Rock and the Federals started in the direction of the enemy's train. At 8 a. m. of the 25th it was learned that they had occupied Romney and a Confederate force was immediately sent to drive them out. The movement was successfully executed and the Federals were followed for some distance. Confederate losses amounted to 5 men wounded, and their opponents to 50 or 80 killed and wounded. Union reports make no mention of the affair.


Romney, West Virginia, October 26, 1861. Federal Troops under Brigadier-General B. F. Kelley. General Kelley reported to Lieut.-General Winfield Scott, under date_ of October 28, from Camp Keys, Romney, stating that he had forthwith followed instructions to concentrate the available forces of his command on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at New Creek Station, 26 miles from Romney. This force consisted of a portion of the 7th, one company each of the 3d and 4th Virginia infantry, nine companies of the 8th Ohio, and Ordnance Sergt. Nixon and 10 men, who had volunteered for the occasion, with a 6-pounder gun. This detachment left New Creek Station at midnight of Friday, the 25th, and were joined by nine companies of the 4th Ohio infantry, with a detachment of infantry, who had volunteered to man 2 guns, the whole being concentrated near the junction of the New Creek and Northwestern roads on the morning of the 29th and thence moved toward Romney along the latter road. Colonel Johns' regiment of the Maryland brigade was ordered to move from the mouth of Patterson's creek, by way of Frankfort and Springfield, and to occupy the Winchester road at 3 p. m., the hour at which Kelley with the main body was to attack in front, cutting the enemy off from retreat to Winchester. Johns, however, was repulsed at Wire bridge and was thus unable to get into position. At 2:15 p. m., when Kelley was within 6 miles of Romney, the enemy opened fire upon the head of the column, and the artillery was ordered forward to reply. Further movements are thus described in Kelley's report: "We then continued our march, with the artillery in front, to the mouth of Mechanicsburg gap, distant 3 miles from Romney, a position the natural strength of which is unsurpassed by any other in the country. Skirmishers having been thrown out on the right and left, the column Page 756 was moved through the gap, without, however, receiving a shot. When the head of the column emerged from the pass it was found that the artillery of the enemy was strongly posted on the east side of the river, in a cemetery lot, on an eminence commanding the entire western approaches to the town, and the infantry and dismounted cavalry occupied intrenchments on the heights, commanding the bridge and the ford. Our artillery was then ordered to open fire upon them, which was promptly replied to by the rebels, and for about an hour a severe cannonade took place between the artillery." Kelley found that the enemy's guns could not be silenced and gave orders for the whole column of infantry to move forward, charge through the bridge and attack the Confederates in their intrenchments. At the same time the cavalry was ordered to charge through the ford and under the bridge. Both movements were brilliantly executed and the enemy fled, after firing a few shots, the infantry throwing down their arms and dispersing in the woods and mountains. The cavalry and artillery were pursued by the Federal cavalry through the town and toward Winchester. They attempted to make a rally, but failed and were pursued along the Winchester road until all their artillery and baggage trains were captured. They were unable to even discharge or spike their pieces, which fell into the hands of their pursuers. The spoils of this raid included about 300 stands of small arms, a large quantity of ammunition, camp equipage, the entire baggage train and about 100 horses and mules. The Federal loss was 1 killed and about 20 wounded.


Romney, West Virginia, February 16, 1863. 116th Ohio Infantry. Colonel James Washburn, commanding the regiment, under date of February 17, sent a despatch to Brigadier-General Benjamin F. Kelley, in which he made the following statement: "Through the negligence and carelessness of the officer in command, we had a forage train and guard captured yesterday by a body of rebel cavalry. I have officially reported to General Milroy."


Rosedale, Louisiana, September 15, 1864. Detachment of 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry. This affair was an incident of an expedition from Morganza to the Fausse river under Lieut.-Colonel Asa L. Gurney. Sixty Confederates were encountered at Rosedale. and after a short skirmish they fled to the woods to escape a Federal charge. No casualties were reported.


Roseville, Arkansas, November 12, 1863. Two companies 2nd Kansas Cavalry.


Roseville, Arkansas, March 29 to April 5, 1864. Troops of the District of the Frontier. These engagements were a series of skirmishes with guerrillas. On March 29, a body of Confederate cavalry attacked the small guard at Roseville, but were repulsed after a sharp fight, though they succeeded in burning 133 bales of government cotton. On Sunday, April 3, about 800 Confederates, under Colonel Battle, approached the town, and on the morning of the 4th about half of the force made an attack on the detachment guarding the cotton. Again they were driven off. The garrison at Roseville numbered 120 men, but Colonel W. R. Judson, commanding the district, sent 25 cavalry to reinforce the post, and another attack was repulsed on the morning of the 5th. In these actions the Union loss was 4 killed and 10 wounded. The known loss of the enemy was 16 killed and'35 wounded, but it was thought to be heavier.


Ross Landing, Arkansas, February 14, 1864. 51st U. S. Colored Infantry.


Rossville, Georgia, September 21, 1864. Detachments of 14th Army Corps and Cavalry of Army of the Cumberland. After the battle of Chickamauga Thomas' army fell back to Rossville, on Missionary ridge, Page 757 and on the night of the 20th the 1st and 2nd divisions of the 14th corps, under Baird and Negley, respectively, were posted to' guard the main approaches to the position. McCook's cavalry division, in Dry Valley, connected with Thomas' right and dur1ng the 21st, although many times hard pressed, succeeded in repulsing every attack of the enemy. Minty's brigade of Crook's division found itself at daylight directly in front of Thomas' line of battle and for 2 hours sk1rmished with the enemy while the disposition of the troops was being completed. Then Minty retired to Rossville, and the Confederates following found Baird and Negley too strongly posted to be dislodged. Later in the day an attempt to dislodge them by the use of artillery proved futile, and at dark the enemy withdrew. The total casualties were not reported, though Baird reported 5 of his men killed and Minty lost 10 killed and 14 wounded.


Roswell, Georgia, July 5-9, 1864. (See Chattahoochee River.)


Rottenwood Creek, Georgia, July 4, 1864. (See Ruff's Station.)


Rough and Ready, Georgia, August 31, 1864. (See Jonesboro, same date.)


Rough and Ready, Georgia, November 15, 1864. (See Stockbridge.)


Round Away Bayou, Louisiana, March 31, 1863. (See Richmond.)


Round Hill, Arkansas, July 7, 1862. (See Hill's Plantation.)


Round Mountain, Tennessee, August 27, 1862. 10th Brigade, 2nd Army Corps. The brigade, commanded by Colonel William Grose, was engaged in escorting a tram toward Murfreesboro. About 4 p. m. on the 27th the rear-guard was attacked by Forrest's cavalry at Round mountain, near Woodbury. Forrest's object was to capture the train, but instead he struck the 23d Kentucky, under Colonel Mundy, and was handsomely repulsed. Mundy, with his regiment, part of the 36th Indiana, and Mendenhall's battery, pursued Forrest for about 2 miles and scattered his command in all directions, killing and wounding several, though the exact number was not learned. The Federal loss was 5 men wounded. Round Ponds, Missouri, August 1, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. A train of 30 wagons with an escort of 20 men was surprised at Round Ponds, near Castor river, on the night of the 1st. Ten of the guard were killed outright and others were mortally wounded. The horses were all lost, but the mules were recovered after the guerrillas had burned the train and left.


Rousseau's Raid, July 10-22, 1864. Detached Troops, Army of the Cumberland. In the Atlanta campaign General Sherman ordered Major-General Lovell H. Rousseau to undertake the destruction of the West Point & Montgomery railroad, which was one of the principal lines of Confederate supply. Rousseau selected parts of the 8th Indiana, 5th la., 9th Ohio, 2nd Kentucky, and 4th Tennessee cavalry, and Battery E, 1st Michigan artillery, for the expedition, and started on his mission on July 10th. During the movements skirmishes occurred at Auburn, Alabama, Chehaw Station, Jackson's ford on the Coosa river, and at Ten Island ford, each of which is described under the appropriate head.


Rover, Tennessee, January 31, 1863. 1st Cavalry Brigade, 20th Army Corps. The cavalry advance of an expedition from Murfreesboro to Franklin encountered Confederate pickets about a mile and a half from Rover. They were driven in by a portion of the 3d Kentucky for over a mile, when the enemy was discovered in force drawn up in line of battle. The 7th Pennsylvania cavalry was ordered to charge and led by Captain W. H. Jennings, it executed the movement in fine order, driving the Confederates a mile beyond the town to Unionville. Six officers and 43 men were captured, and 49 wounded by the saber in the charge. No casualties were sustained by the Union participants.


Rover, Tennessee, February 13, 1863. 1st Cavalry Brigade, 20th Army Page 758 Corps. On the return of an expedition from Murfreesboro to Franklin Colonel Robert H. G. Minty learned that some 500 Confederate cavalry were encamped near Rover. He pressed forward to within 3 miles of the town and then sent the 3d Kentucky to get to the rear, but, the movement taking more time than anticipated, Minty had attacked and driven the enemy before the Kentucky regiment had reached its position. The casualties were not reported. Rover, Tennessee, February 19, 1863. The only official mention of this affair is a communication from Brigadier-General E. C. Walthall, of the Confederate army, which states that Lieut.-Colonel Prather had a skirmish late in the afternoon with two or three regiments, with artillery, and had sent back for reinforcements. No casualties were mentioned, but from the tone of the despatch it is evident that the Confederates got the worst of the engagement.


Rover, Tennessee, March 4, 1863. Cavalry Detachment, Army of the Cumberland. Colonel Robert H. G. Minty during an expedition from Murfreesboro toward Columbia was ordered to drive the enemy from Rover. A mile and a half from the town the pickets were met and driven in to where 400 more were posted, apparently determined to make a stand. The 4th Michigan cavalry was detached and ordered to gain the Shelbyville pike in order to shut off the Confederate retreat, but the enemy anticipating the movement had started to retire, when they were charged by the 7th Pennsylvania and the 4th U. S. cavalry and completely routed.


Rover, Tennessee, March 13, 1863. Brigadier-General John A. Wharton (Confederate) reports that Federal cavalry engaged his pickets near Rover on the 13th, and while the pickets were engaged in front another Confederate force attacked on the flank, completely routing the Federals. Wharton's report is the only official mention of the affair, so there is no way of knowing what Union troops participated.


Rover, Tennessee, May 5, 1863. Detachment of 1st Tennessee Cavalry. Brigadier-General J. M. Schofield sent the following despatch from Triune on May 6: "Lieut.-Colonel Brownlow, while on a reconnaissance yesterday, charged through a rebel cavalry camp at Rover; lost 2 men and captured 4." Rover, Tennessee, June 23, 1863. 1st Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland. This affair was an incident of the Middle Tennessee campaign. The cavalry under Brigadier-General Robert B. Mitchell struck the enemy's pickets first near Eagleville, forcing them back upon their reserves, which were rapidly concentrating. The Federal troopers continued to drive the Confederates until their encampment at Rover was reached. There a brief stand was made, but the enemy was easily driven from his encampment and the town and a few stores were burned. From Rover the Confederates fell back to a strong elevated position, the advanced picket line of the force at Unionville, and opened on the Union advance with artillery. By some unknown way they were enabled to bring 2 pieces to bear on the Federal right. The 4th Kentucky, with the aid of the 1st East Tennessee and the 1st Wisconsin, repulsed the attack, and the enemy was driven to his reserves at Unionville. The casualties were not reported.


Rowanty Creek, Virginia, March 29, 1865. (See Quaker Road.)


Rowe's Station, South Carolina, February 12. 1865. (See Orangeburg.) Rowlesburg, West Virginia, April 26, 1863. The Confederate reports of Jones' raid on the Northwestern railroad mention an attack made by Jones on the Federal garrison of 300 at Rowlesburg after the pickets had been driven in. The attack was. repulsed. No casualties were reported.


Rowlett's Station, Kentucky, December 17, 1861. 32nd Indiana Infantry. At noon of the 17th skirmishers began to annoy four companies of the 32nd Indiana doing outpost duty at Rowlett's station, or Woodsonville, near Munfordville. Company B was sent out and drove them off, discovering while doing so the approach of a considerable body of Confederate infantry. Company C, out reconnoitering in a southerly direction, ran upon a company of Texas Rangers, and drove it back. The alarm was sounded in the camp, and the whole regiment placed in position. Three times the enemy charged unsuccessfully, the conflict becoming a hand-to-hand fight before they withdrew, believing that reinforcements had come to the Union command, and the Indianians also withdrew, fearing that they would be unable to hold their position against another charge. The Union loss was 11 killed, 22 wounded and 5 missing, while the enemy suffered to the extent of 4 killed and 9 wounded.


Ruckersville, Mississippi, October 1, 1862. Cavalry Detachment of the Army of the Mississippi. In a despatch to General Grant on October 2, Major-General William S. Rosecrans says: "The cavalry took 50 privates, 1 captain, and chaplain prisoners at Ruckersville yesterday, after killing 1 and wounding several. Captured an ambulance and mules with sick officer. A rebel picket was killed at Duncan's mill."


Ruckersville, Mississippi, October 7, 1862. McPherson's Provisional Division. During the pursuit of the Confederates after the battle of Corinth the advance of the division came up with the enemy, mostly cavalry, well posted, about a mile and a half north of Ruckersville. For a time an effectual check was put to the Federal skirmishers, but a few shells from Powell's battery routed the Confederates and the town was entered without further molestation. No casualties were reported.


Rude's Hill, Virginia, May 14, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry Division of Army of West Virginia. Major Timothy Quinn, with some 450 cavalry, while on a reconnaissance came upon the Confederates posted on Rude's hill. Quinn masked his main force behind a hill and sent out two parties of 50 and 60 men, respectively, which both succeeded in dislodging the enemy. About 1 p. m. the Confederates charged, but they were repulsed and driven until after 5 p. m., the pursuit continuing through New Market. The Union command had 1 man killed and 3 wounded. Rude's Hill, Virginia, September 24, 1864. (See Mount Jackson, same date.)


Rude's Hill, Virginia, November 22, 1864. 2nd and 3d Cavalry Divisions, Army of the Shenandoah. Major-General A. T. A. Torbert, commanding the cavalry corps, was ordered to make a reconnaissance up the valley, and proceeded with the two divisions as far as Rude's hill, where he encountered and drove back the Confederate cavalry some distance, when a large force of infantry and artillery was developed in line of battle. Torbert directed General Powell to form the 2nd division to attack the enemy, and supported him with Pennington's brigade of Custer's division, but finding the Confederates too strong to assault, Pennington was ordered to take three regiments of his command back to Mount Jackson and form a new line to cover the retreat of the main body. Through this line Torbert retired with the command, Pennington bringing up the rear and repelling several attacks of the enemy, who pursued as far as Edenburg. The Union loss was about 40 in killed, wounded and missing. The Confederate loss was not learned.


Ruff's Station, Georgia, July 3-4, 1864. Army of the Cumberland. When it was discovered on the morning of July 3 that the Confederates had evacuated their works on Kennesaw mountain, Sherman Page 760 ordered an immediate pursuit by different routes. The Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major-General George H. Thomas, moved from Marietta about 9 a. m., with Palmer's corps in the center, on the main road to Atlanta, Hooker's on the right and Howard's on the left. About 4 miles from Marietta the enemy's rear-guard was overtaken and skirmishing continued until the main body of Confederates was encountered in the works previously constructed at Ruff's (or Neal Dow) station. This line of Confederate works extended from Rottenwood creek east of the railroad to Nickajack creek on the west. When the enemy made his stand here Howard was brought in front of the extreme right of the Confederate position, extending from Ruff's station to Rottenwood creek. Stanley's division was deployed with the right resting on the railroad and the other two divisions were massed in reserve. The main line of works near the railroad was a little south of the station, at a place called Smyrna camp-ground. Early on the morning of the 4th Newton's and Wood's divisions were moved up into line with Stanley's and about 9 o'clock Stanley was ordered to assault the enemy's skirmish line, which was an unusually strong one, intrenched in rifle pits. At the same time Newton and Wood were directed to move forward with Stanley. In the face of heavy fire of artillery and musketry the line advanced. Stanley forced the skirmishers to retire within the main works, while Wood and Newton in the direction of Rottenwood creek bent back the Confederate line toward the railroad. That night the enemy evacuated his works and fell back toward the Chattahoochee river.


Rural Hill, Tennessee, November 18, 1862. 8th Kentucky Cavalry.


Rural Hill, Tennessee, December 20, 1862. Detachment of 4th Michigan Cavalry. Colonel Robert H. G. Minty, with his regiment, while on a reconnaissance to Rural hill, encountered a small squad of Confederate cavalry, who fired and retreated at a gallop. No casualties were reported. Rush Creek, Nebraska, February 8-9, 1865. Detachments of nth Ohio and 7th Iowa Cavalry. As an incident of the operations against the Indians on the North Platte river, a detachment under Lieut.-Colonel William O. Collins was attacked by about 2,000 warriors. The Indians charged furiously at first, but were repulsed, and then began their fighting from behind hillocks and ravines. This continued all day. At one time it became necessary to dislodge a group of Indians near enough to effectually annoy the men. Fifteen men under Lieut. Patton performed the task, losing 2 men killed. By dark the red men had withdrawn out of range. Next morning they returned, but after some futile skirmishing withdrew into the bluffs. Besides the 2 men killed the white men lost 9 wounded. Russell's Ford, Virginia, October 10, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. During the Bristoe campaign the Confederate cavalry in force crossed Robertson's river at Russell's ford on the morning of the 10th and attacked the 5th New York cavalry picketing that place. The pickets fell back slowly toward James City, fighting all the way. Brigadier-General Henry E. Davies, Jr., commanding the brigade, formed a line of battle near the town and threw out a strong skirmish line. The Confederates advanced in heavy column until they reached a point commanded by Davies' artillery, when they were compelled to fall back. Their skirmishers, however, kept up a spirited fire all day and at one time they brought a battery into position, but it was soon driven off by Elder's guns. The casualties were not reported.


Russell's House, Mississippi, May 17, 1862. 1st Brigade, 5th Division, Page 761 Army of the Tennessee. As part of the siege of Corinth, General Sherman ordered Morgan L. Smith's brigade to occupy a position at Russell's house. On reaching the causeway before the house Smith halted and deployed his skirmishers, one company of the 8th Missouri on each side of the road. As they advanced they were fired on from the flanks and other troops were sent to deploy and extend the line until ten companies, eight of the 8th Missouri and two of the 55th Illinois, were engaged. As soon as opportunity offered a battery was brought to bear and in a short time the Confederates began to retreat, though contesting every foot of the ground. Thirteen of their dead were left on the field. Smith had 10 men killed and 31 wounded.


Russellville, Alabama, July 3, 1862. Detachment, 1st Ohio Cavalry. Companies B and G were sent out on a scouting expedition toward Russellville. About 3 a. m. on the 3d their camp was attacked by Roddey's Confederate cavalry, estimated at 250. Captain Emery of Company B was severely wounded and 4 men were killed. The enemy lost 4 killed and 1 captured.


Russellville, Alabama, December 31, 1864. Detachment of Steedman's Cavalry. The detachment, consisting of the 15th Pennsylvania, parts of the 10th, 12th and 13th Indiana and 2nd Tennessee, commanded by Colonel W. J. Palmer, was in pursuit of Roddey's cavalry. Palmer reached Leighton, 13 miles west of Courtland about 1 p. m. on the 30th, having skirmished with Roddey all the way from Town creek. While at Leighton Palmer learned that Hood's pontoon train, guarded by a detachment of Armstrong's cavalry, had passed through that town the day before and was then encamped at La Grange. He decided to follow and capture the train. Starting before daylight on the 31st he took a road that would enable him to avoid Armstrong's men, but upon reaching La Grange he encountered part of Roddey's command, and learned that the train had gone on toward Russellville. After driving the Confederates out of La Grange, Palmer hastened on to Russellville, where he met another party of Roddey's cavalry that had just arrived from Tuscumbia and engaged them, driving them from the town and capturing a few prisoners. He then pushed on after the train, which was overtaken late in the day about 10 miles from Russellville. The pontoniers cut loose part of the mules, mounted them and made their escape, leaving^ the rest of the animals hitched to the wagons. The train. consisting of 200 wagons, 78 pontoon boats, engineering instruments, several mules and oxen, and a few prisoners, were captured without the loss of a man.


Russellville, Kentucky, July 29, 1862. 26th Kentucky Infantry. An attack was made upon the camp of the 26th Kentucky by a body of guerrillas and Lieut. Burgher was killed and Captain Morrow badly wounded. Russellville, Kentucky, September 30, 1862. Detachments of the 70th Indiana and 8th Kentucky Infantry. Colonel Sanders D. Bruce, of the 20th Kentucky infantry, reported from Bowling Green on October r, as follows: "Rebels burnt bridge at Black Lick, near Auburn, Monday night. I sent 70th Indiana and part of 8th Kentucky down, rebuilt the bridge, surprised the enemy at Russellville, and routed them completely, killing and wounding 50, taking 15 prisoners and 40 horses and saddles. Also routed a party at Glasgow yesterday, taking 10 prisoners: among them Lieut. Crews. Captain J. M. Brown and Lieut. Thomas." Russellville, Kentucky, June 28. 1863. Detachment of 3d Kentucky Cavalry. A portion of the regiment in pursuit of a band of guerrillas thought to be aiming for the railroad near Russellville attacked and defeated them, several of the enemy being wounded and some captured. A Union sergeant was wounded, which was the only casualty on that side.


Russellville, Missouri, October 9, 1864. Detachment of the Cavalry Corps, Department of Missouri. During the pursuit of Price in his Missouri expedition the Federal advance had such heavy skirmishing with his rear-guard that it was twice necessary near Russellville to bring the artillery into action before further progress could be made. No casualties were reported.


Russellville, Tennessee, July 1, 1862. 1st Ohio Cavalry.


Russellville, Tennessee, December 10, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio. While in pursuit of Longstreet, after his retirement from before Knoxville, a detachment of Shackelford's cavalry under Colonel Pennebaker came upon the enemy's pickets beyond Morristown on the Russellville road and drove them in. No casualties were reported.


Russellville, Tennessee, October 28, 1864. The report of Confederate Colonel John B. Palmer of the operations in Tennessee states that his command effectually checked some Federal cavalry which was driving Vaughn's cavalry through Russellville. This is the only official mention of the affair and contains no report of casualties.


Russellville, Tennessee, November 11, 1864. A despatch from Major Sam Tool to Brigadier-General J. C. Vaughn (Confederate), dated at Warrensburg, Virginia, on the 12th, contains the following: "I struck the Yankees at Russellville, 210 strong, at 10 o'clock last night. Drove them toward the gap." Union reports make no mention of this affair.


Russellville, Tennessee, November 14, 1864. (See Bull's Gap, November 11-13, 1864.) Rutherford Creek, Tennessee, March 10-11, 1863. Detachment of Cavalry Division of the Army of the Cumberland. The cavalry under Colonel Robert H. G. Minty in an expedition from Murfreesboro toward Columbia came to Rutherford creek on the 10th. The bridge had been destroyed and an order was received to try the ford a mile and a half above. While examining the place the detachment was under a heavy fire from the Confederates posted behind a stone fence on the opposite bank of the creek, 2 Federals being killed and 3 severely wounded. Next morning Forrest appeared on the opposite bank of the stream, but a sharp artillery and musketry fire was opened upon him and he was compelled to retire. Minty then crossed, and while forming on the south bank a dismounted detachment of the enemy advanced toward him. The Union troops were deployed so as to get to the Confederate rear, and the enemy upon seeing this movement immediately remounted and fled. The casualties on the 11th, if any, were not reported. Rutherford Creek, Tennessee, December 19, 1864. Detachment of Cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland. In the pursuit of Hood from Nashville Wilson's cavalry came to Rutherford's creek on the 19th and found it too high to ford. Hazen managed to get 2 regiments over on the remains of the railroad bridge, and after some skirmishing retired at dark across the stream. No casualties were reported.


Rutherford's Station, Tennessee, December 21, 1862. (See Forrest's Expedition into West Tennessee.)


Rutledge, Missouri, August 4, 1864. Detachment of 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The itinerary of the district of southwest Missouri contains the following for August 4: "Lieut. Hunter, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, in command of 60 men, same regiment, on a scout in the direction of McDonald county, Missouri, encountered the enemy 300 strong near Rutledge; had a sharp skirmish, in which he lost 3 men killed and 1 man wounded: the enemy's loss. 3 killed and several wounded."


Rutledge, Tennessee, December 7, 1863. Cavalry of the Army of the Ohio. Page 763 Brigadier-General J. M. Shackleford, with a cavalry detachment, while in pursuit of Longstreet after the latter had raised the siege of Knoxville, skirmished with the enemy on the Rutledge road. No casualties were reported.


Rutledge, Tennessee, December 16, 1863. (See Bean's Station.)