Campaigns and Battles - S

S:  Sabine Cross-Roads, Louisiana, to Syracuse, Missouri

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


Sabine Cross-Roads, Louisiana, April 8, 1864. Banks' Red River Expedition. On the morning of the 8th the infantry of the expedition moved from its position at Pleasant Hill toward Mansfield and at Sabine crossroads the skirmishers became sharply engaged, the main body of the enemy being posted on a hill on both sides of the road, protected by a heavy growth of timber. The cavalry under General Albert L. Lee was thrown forward to hold the enemy in check until the 19th corps (Franklin) could take position. For some hours the opposing forces were stationary, but at 4:30 p. m. the enemy made a general attack, the heaviest assault being on the Federal right flank. Banks' report states that overwhelming numbers compelled the Union troops to fall back, several attempts to get to the rear being repulsed. At the edge of a strip of timber the 3d division of the 13th corps formed the basis of a new line. This second line was attacked with great impetuosity and the Federals again gave way, 10 pieces of artillery falling into the enemy's possession. The ground was badly obstructed by the supply train of the cavalry division, which rendered the movements of the infantry extremely difficult . Meanwhile Emory's division (1st of the 19th corps) had been pushed forward through the confused and fleeing Union troops to Pleasant Grove, 3 miles from the cross-roads, where the 161st New York was thrown out as skirmishers at the foot of the hill, on the crest of which the rest of the division was deployed, the 1st brigade to the front, the 3d to the left and the 2nd in reserve. The line had scarcely been formed when the skirmishers were driven in and the right of the position was seriously threatened. The 2nd brigade was hurried to its assistance, however, and the enemy was repulsed. This action lasted an hour and a half. During the night after the Federals had been rallied on Emory's line, a desperate attempt was made to turn the left flank, but it was defeated. This engagement marked the turning point of the Red River campaign, Banks' movement from this time on being backward instead of forward. The Union casualties in the affair were 74 killed, 331 wounded and 1,397 captured or missing. The Confederate losses were not definitely reported, but were probably not so heavy.


Sabine Pass, Texas, September 24-25, 1862. For an account of the bombardment of the Confederate works at Sabine pass on this date see operations of the Gulf blockading squadron in the Naval volume.


Sabine Pass, Texas, October 29, 1862. U. S. Steamer Dan. According to Confederate reports the Dan came up through the channel with a schooner in tow, when she was fired upon by a battalion of cavalry, which then withdrew before the vessel could get her guns trained upon the shore. The Dan then shelled the town for awhile, but without doing any material damage. No exact report of casualties was made, but the Confederate captain in command of the cavalry estimated that 25 or 30 on the boat were either killed or wounded by the fire from his carbines. Sabine Pass, Texas, April 18, 1863. Details from Gunboats Cayuga and New London. On the 17th a detail of 7 men from one of the gunboats lying off Sabine pass was landed on the Louisiana shore to make observations about the light-house. That night Lieut.-Colonel Griffin, the Confederate commander at the pass, stationed 30 men of the 21st Texas infantry at the light-house and another house close by to prevent further maneuvers of that character. About 1 1 a. m. on the 18th two small boats, containing 13 men, left the gunboats and landed about 600 yards from Page 764 the light-house. The Confederates immediately attacked and the boat from the Cayuga, with 8 men, was captured, the captain of the boat being mortally wounded. The boat from the New London managed to escape, though every man on board but one was wounded. One of the enemy was known to have been killed. Sabine Pass, Texas , September 8, 1863. Detachment of the 19th Army Corps. The expedition to Sabine Pass was led by Major-General W. B. Franklin, accompanied by the gunboats Clifton, Sachem, Arizona and Granite City. It was intended to surprise the Confederate fort, just inside the pass, but the fleet of transports arrived some time before the gunboats, and the Confederates were thus apprised of the intended attack. After consultation with Captain Crocker, commanding the gunboats, Franklin decided on the following plan of assault: Three of the gunboats were to move up the channel to the point of separation, where the Sachem and Arizona were to take the right hand channel and pass the fort, drawing its fire; the Clifton was to take the left hand channel and move up (lowly until within a half a mile of the fort, when she was to go forward at full speed and engage the enemy at close range with grape and canister; General Weitzel was to keep near the Clifton with a boat carrying 500 infantry, who were to land as soon as the Clifton began to go at full speed and advance upon the enemy's works deployed as skirmishers. The Granite City was held in the rear to support the movements of Weitzel's skirmish line. At 3 p. m. the gunboats moved forward and within 30 minutes were under the fire of the fort. It had been reported that the Confederate battery mounted but 2 guns, but instead of that it carried 6, all of heavy caliber. Early in the action the Sachem received a shot through her boilers, killing and wounding a number of her men, and she hoisted the white flag. The Arizona ran aground and for a time was wholly useless. The Clifton carried out her part of the plan, but had barely turned her broadside to the fort to deliver her fire when she received a shot through her steam-pipe, which disabled her, though the crew fought gallantly for about 10 minutes, when the vessel was compelled to surrender. When Weitzel attempted to land his men the shore was found to be too marshy, and the landing place designated was under the direct fire of the enemy. After the surrender of the Clifton and Sachem the other two vessels withdrew to the outside of the bar. Besides the loss of the two gunboats, General Weitzel reported a loss of 97 men in killed, wounded and missing. Of the 2 officers and 75 men of the 75th New York on board the Clifton as sharpshooters, only 6 escaped, The Confederate loss was not ascertained, but it was comparatively light. Sacramento, Kentucky, December 28, 1861. Detachment of the 3d Kentucky Cavalry. Major Eli H. Murray, with 168 men, was sent out from Calhoun to make a reconnaissance toward South Carrollton and as he was returning he was attacked near Sacramento by 40o or 50o of Forrest's cavalry. The vanguard was driven back and the Confederates pursued for some distance, when Murray rallied his men and engaged the enemy in a hand-to-hand conflict, with a fair prospect of repelling the whole force, until some one unauthorized called out "Retreat to Sacramento !" This threw the men into confusion and they could not again be rallied. Murray lost 8 killed and 13 captured or missing. The enemy took away three wagon loads of dead and wounded. Colonel J. S. Jackson, commanding the regiment, went out with 500 men for the purpose of punishing the Confederates, but they had hastily left the neighborhood.


Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico, August 25, 1864. 1st New Mexico Cavalry. On August 6, Captain Francis McCabe, commanding a detachment of the 1st New Mexico cavalry, with several Navajo Indians as guides and spies, started in pursuit of a band of Apache Indians who had recently committed various murders and robberies. A long and weary march was Page 76 made to the Sacramento mountains, and on the 26th a detachment of 20 men, under Lieut. Gilbert, encountered the Apaches near Rio Milagro. Gilbert was killed, 2 others were mortally, and 3 severely wounded.


Sage Creek, Dakota Territory, April 22, 1865. Detachment of 11th Kansas Cavalry. A party of 35 men under Major Nathaniel A. Adams while in pursuit of a band of marauding Indians, was attacked about 9 p. m. by 75 or 100 Cheyennes and Sioux. After a brisk fight the Indians were repulsed, without loss to the troops. The Indians' casualties were not ascertained.


Sailor's Creek, Virginia, April 6, 1865. 2nd and 6th Army Corps and Cavalry, Army of the Potomac. The battle of Sailor's creek was an incident of the pursuit of the Confederate army under General Lee, after it had evacuated the trenches in front of Richmond and Petersburg. On the evening of the 5th the greater part of the Army of the Potomac encamped at Jetersville and early on the morning of the 6th moved out in the direction of Amelia Court House, where it was believed the Confederate forces were concentrating. After proceeding about 3 miles General Meade learned that Lee was moving toward Farmville. The direction of his march was therefore changed, the 6th corps, under General Wright, was thrown to the left of the army, the 2nd, under General Humphreys, was directed to move toward Deatonsville, and the 5th, under General Griffin, took the Pridesville road to the right of the army. Between 5 and 6 o'clock that morning General Sheridan had ordered Crook's division to move to Deatonsville, General Merritt to follow. Both Crook and Merritt moved parallel to Lee's column, attacking it and the wagon train whenever opportunity presented itself. At the forks of the road near the Atkinson farm, Crook tried to cut out the train, but found it too strongly guarded, after which he moved to Merritt's left and continued to harass the' retreating Confederates. Near Harper's farm, on Sailor's creek, Custer's division routed the train guard and captured over 300 wagons. Custer was soon afterward attacked by two divisions of infantry and a severe fight ensued, in which Custer was several times driven back. Devin's division was sent to Custer's assistance, arriving just as Capehart's brigade, supported by Pennington's, made a brilliant charge, capturing several hundred prisoners on the spot and more in the pursuit which followed. In the running fight the cavalry captured 15 pieces of artillery and 31 battleflags. In the meantime Seymour's division of the 6th corps had driven the enemy from Deatonsville and then, with Wheaton's division on the left, advanced down the road for about 2 miles to Sailor's creek, where Ewell's command was found strongly posted on the opposite bank. Anderson's corps lay across the road in the rear of Ewell, and Pickett occupied the road leading to Rice's station. Wright ordered his artillery into position and while it was coming up Seymour and Wheaton readjusted their lines on the north side of the creek for an assault. Getty's division was coming up at the double-quick, but without waiting for its arrival the other two divisions advanced under cover of a destructive artillery fire, the men wading the marsh and creek, the water in places coming above their waists. When the opposite bank was reached the line was in some disorder, but without waiting to reform the men rushed forward upon the enemy's slight intrenchments. In this advance not a shot was fired by the Union troops until they were within a few yards of the enemy's works. Then they opened a withering fire that caused Ewell's advance to give way, but he massed his troops and made a desperate charge upon the center of Wright's line, which gave way and the head of the Confederate column came pouring through the break. For a moment it looked as though the gallant 6th corps, that had won renown on so Page 766 many victorious fields, was to be cut to pieces. But only for a moment Wright concentrated his artillery fire on the advancing column in the center, which with Getty's division, now in front, checked Ewell's further advance in that direction, while each wing, ignoring the disaster to the center, drove back the enemy in its front, and then wheeling on a pivot toward the center caught the enemy on both flanks. When the sound of Wright's guns was heard at the beginning of the action, Sheridan ordered the cavalry to attack on the right and rear. Stagg's brigade of Devin's division had been operating with the 6th corps and now struck Ewell's right flank, capturing about 300 prisoners. Crook dismounted the brigades of Gregg and Smith and ordered Davies to charge the works. In his report Crook says: "Davies made one of the finest charges of the war, riding over and capturing their works and its defenders." As the lines were closing around Ewell a countercharge was made by the marine brigade, 2,000 strong under command of Commodore Tucker. The Federals were already looking upon the entire Confederate force as prisoners, when Tucker made such a terrific onset that a large part of the 6th corps was driven back across the creek. There was some desperate hand-to-hand fighting and Tucker's men were overpowered, surrendering to Keifer's brigade of Seymour's division. The losses at Sailor's creek are somewhat problematical. In the tabulated statement in the official records of the war the Union losses from March 29 to April 9 are included, no detailed reports of the various engagements of the campaign being made. General Humphreys places the Confederate loss at Sailor's creek at 6,000 in killed, wounded and captured, and states the loss of the 6th corps as 442. Ewell, Kershaw, Custis Lee, DuBose, Barton and Corse, all generals, were among the prisoners, and only about 250 of Kershaw's division escaped. About 9 a. m. Humphreys discovered a column of the enemy's infantry (Gordon's corps) moving westward near Flat creek. General Mott, commanding the 3d division, was directed to send a brigade across the creek to develop the force, and General Miles, commanding the 1st division, brought up some artillery and opened fire. A little later the whole corps was put in pursuit of Gordon, Mott on the left, Miles on the right, and Barlow close in the latter's rear. For 14 miles a running fight was kept up, a number of prisoners being taken from time to time as the enemy attempted to make a stand. A little while before sunset Gordon made his last stand at Sailor's creek, a short distance above its mouth, taking position on a ridge that commanded the crossing of the stream. Miles ordered Scott's brigade to charge the enemy's line, which was admirably done, the Confederates being driven into and across the creek. MacDougall's brigade moved forward on Scott's right, crossed the creek, routed the enemy from his position, and took possession of the ridge. Darkness put an end to further pursuit. During the day the corps took 1,700 prisoners, 13 flags, 4 pieces of artillery, 300 wagons and 70 ambulances, with a total loss of 55 killed, 250 wounded and 85 missing. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was doubtless equal to that of the 2nd corps, so that Gordon lost on this day at least 2,000 men.


Saint Augustine, Florida, March 9, 1863. 7th New Hampshire Infantry.' Some 80 Confederate cavalry, under Captain Dickison, drove in the Union pickets about 2 miles north of town and Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Abbott, with 120 men, started in pursuit. He came within sight of the enemy about 3 miles from the Confederate camp, but was unable to bring them to a stand. A sergeant and 4 men were sent to reconnoiter the house of a man named Carrero, and this party was cut off and captured, which were the only casualties reported.


Saint Augustine, Florida, December 30, 1863. Detachment of 24th Page 767 Massachusetts Infantry. A squad of 20 armed wood cutters and an escort of 30 men were attacked 2 miles outside of the Federal lines by Confederates concealed in the palmetto brush on the front and right flank. The men were being brought into line to face the enemy when a volley was poured into them from their left, wounding the officer in command. This and a movement of the enemy to get to their rear threw the Federals into some confusion and they started to retreat toward Saint Augustine. Before they reached the Union lines they had become well scattered and 24 of them were captured.


Saint Catherine's Creek, Mississippi, July 31, 1863. Detachment of 17th Army Corps. Learning that some 1,500 Confederates were approaching Natchez, Brigadier-General T. E. G. Ransom, commanding the post, doubled his pickets and sent out a cavalry force under Major Asa Worden to reconnoiter. Worden encountered the enemy's pickets near Saint Catherine's creek and continued to drive them slowly until noon, when they made a stand and formed line of battle. Deeming the position too strong to attack, Worden fell back 3 miles, meeting and defeating a detachment that had been sent to his rear. The enemy lost 1 killed, 15 wounded and 45 taken prisoners, while the Federal casualties amounted to 2 wounded.


Saint Charles, Arkansas, June 17, 1862. U. S. Gunboats St. Louis, Conestoga, Lexington and Mound City and 46th Indiana Infantry. As an incident of an expedition up the White river the 46th Indiana, under Colonel G. N. Fitch, was landed below the town and the gunboats moved up the river to silence the batteries. The first battery was silenced by the vessels, but a shot from the second exploded the boiler on the Mound City, compelling the crew to jump into the river to avoid being scalded to death. The Confederates immediately commenced firing upon the men in the water, and Fitch, seeing the treatment being accorded the sailors, stormed and captured the battery. The losses were not definitely ascertained, although 8 or 9 of the enemy's dead were buried by the Federals, and more than half the crew of the Mound City lost their lives.


Saint Charles, Arkansas, September 12, 1862. Detachment of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Southwest. An expedition under Colonel William Vandever came to the bank of the White river a mile above Saint Charles about noon. A party of Confederate soldiers at work unloading a flatboat on the opposite bank of the stream was dispersed by a shell from a howitzer and took refuge in a large mill. A few shells dropped into the mill drove the enemy from it, when 2 soldiers swam the river and destroyed the flatboat. No casualties were reported.


Saint Charles, Arkansas, January 13, 1863. (See White River, Gorman's Expedition.)


Saint Charles, Arkansas, October 22, 1864. 53d U. S. Colored Infantry. While the regiment was proceeding down the White river on board transports it was fired upon near Saint Charles from the south bank of the stream. Three of the men were killed and 17 wounded.


Saint Charles Court House, Louisiana, August 29, 1862. Detachment of the 8th Vermont Infantry and 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry. Colonel Stephen Thomas, with two companies of infantry, one of cavalry and a section of the battery belonging to the 8th Vermont, started from Algiers on the 28th on a reconnaissance. That night he encamped at St. Charles and early the next morning moved out on the road toward Bonnet Carre point, where it was reported there were some 300 to 500 of the enemy. A few miles from the court-house the cavalry advance encountered a small detachment of the enemy, who speedily withdrew out of rifle range. The artillery then threw a few shells and the cavalry charged capturing 5 prisoners. One of the Confederates was known to have been wounded. No casualties on the Union side.


Saint Francis County, Arkansas, April 8, 1863. Detachment of 4th Iowa Cavalry, and some other Troops. Saint Francis Road, Arkansas, December 23, 1862. Outpost Picket of the District of Eastern Arkansas. The Confederate cavalry operating in the vicinity of Helena attacked and ambushed a Federal outpost on the Saint Francis road. Although none of the guard was captured, 2 were killed and 16 wounded.


Saint Francisville, Missouri, February 25, 1862. Reconnaissance from Greenville. Major Clendenning, of the 1st Indiana cavalry, with two companies of his regiment, and two of Missouri volunteers and militia, left Greenville on the 23d. On the 25th, when near St. Francisville, they were surprised by a party of Confederates, variously estimated from 200 to 2,000 men. All the Union troops stampeded except Captain Leeper's company of militia, which dismounted and fought the Confederates until they were compelled to retire, having lost 1 killed, several wounded and 6 captured. Leeper's loss was 1 killed and 2 wounded.


Saint James, Missouri, June 10, 1864. Detachment of 3d Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain George L. Herring and Lieut. James M. Roberts while riding out near their camp at St. James were attacked by 25 Confederates and the captain was mortally wounded. The enemy was pursued and scattered.


Saint John, C S. S., April 18, 1863. Brigadier-General J. H. Trapier, of the Confederate army, stated in a report from Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, on the 19th that the steamer St. John was chased ashore at 6 a. m. the day before at Light House island, where she was abandoned by officers and crew, and was then "taken possession of by the Yankees and towed off at high tide."


Saint John's Bluff, Florida, September 11, 1862. Union Gunboats. According to the reports of Brigadier-General Joseph Finnegan, of the Confederate army, he placed a battery of 6 guns on St. John's bluff, the action not being discovered by the Federals until the battery was completed. On the 11th two gunboats (names not given), shelled the position for over 4 hours. Finnegan says one of the boats was crippled and both were driven off, the Confederate loss being 1 killed and 8 wounded.


Saint John's Bluff, Florida, September 17, 1862. Union Gunboats. On this date, according to the reports of Brigadier-General Finnegan, of the Confederate army, five gunboats shelled the battery on St. John's bluff for 5 hours, when they withdrew. The Confederate loss was 2 killed and 3 wounded.


Saint John's Bluff, Florida, October 3-4, 1862. Expeditionary Forces. After the engagements at St. John's bluff on September 11 and 17, an expedition was sent out from Hilton Head, South Carolina, for the purpose of reducing the Confederate batteries on the bluff. This expedition was commanded by Brigadier-General J. M. Brannan, and consisted of the 7th Connecticut and 47th Pennsylvania infantry, a detachment of the 1st Massachusetts cavalry, and a section of the 1st Connecticut light battery, about 1,600 men in all. On the afternoon of September 30 Brannan embarked his men on transports at Hilton Head, and accompanied by the gunboats Paul Jones, Cimarron, Water Witch, Hale, Uncas and Patroon, under command of Captain Charles Steedman, set sail for the St. John's river. The troops were landed on the night of October 1 at Mayport mills, a short distance above the mouth of the river, and with great difficulty made their way through the 40 miles of swamps to the bluff. On the afternoon of Friday, the 3d, the infantry and artillery were in position about 2 miles from the enemy's works. Three of the gunboats were then sent up the river to feel the enemy, when the batteries were found to be evacuated. The next day Brannan removed all the guns, ammunition and equipage of the abandoned position on board the transports, the gunboats in the meantime moving on up the river, Page 769 dispersing several small detachments of the enemy and capturing the steamer Milton, which was concealed in a creek near the town of Enterprise. The expedition then returned to Hilton Head without having lost a man. Saint Louis, Missouri, May 11, 1861. Some newly organized Union troops, under command of Captain Callender and Lieut. Saxton, were marching through the streets toward the U. S. Arsenal, when they were fired on by a mob and 2 of the soldiers were killed. The fire was returned by the troops, killing and wounding 10 citizens, when the mob dispersed.


Saint Mary's Church, Virginia, June 24, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. While the Army of the Potomac was moving to the James river, Major-General Sheridan, commanding the cavalry corps, ordered General Gregg to move with his division to St. Mary's church and there take position. About a mile from the church Gregg's advance found a small mounted force of the enemy, which was driven away and the lines of the division established, the batteries being placed in commanding positions. Skirmishing was kept up all morning and during the early hours of the afternoon. Between 3 and 4 p. m. the Confederates in great force made an attack on the right of the line, extending it to the left. The two batteries—Randol's and Dennison's—met the enemy's advance with heavy charges of canister, staggering his lines, but without completely repulsing the attack. Again and again they assaulted until every one of Gregg's men was engaged, while the Confederates were constantly receiving reinforcements. After 2 hours of this contest it became evident that the forces were too unequal to continue it longer and Gregg gave the order to withdraw. The wounded, the led horses and the caissons were sent forward on the road to Charles City Court House, followed by the division, the men dismounting from time to time and fighting on foot to repel the attacks on the rear-guard. Gregg reported his loss in killed, wounded and missing at 357. Some of the wounded fell into the hands of the enemy, but a portion of them were afterward recovered. The loss of the enemy was not ascertained, but it must have been much heavier, as he was the attacking party.


Saint Mary's Trestle, Florida, July 26, 1864. 75th Ohio Mounted Infantry.


Saint Peter's Church, Virginia, June 21, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. After the Confederate cavalry under General Wade Hampton had been driven from the White House landing, Brigadier-General Thomas C. Devin was ordered to take three regiments of his brigade and a section of Heaton's battery and move toward St. Peter's church. About a mile from the church Devin met the enemy and immediately engaged him. After a sharp skirmish the Confederates fell back to the church, where they made a stand. Although his supply of ammunition was running low, and the enemy vastly outnumbered his own force, Devin dismounted the 9th and part of the 6th New York and was preparing to attack when he received orders not to advance until directed to do so. While awaiting orders to that effect he learned that the enemy was retiring, when he assumed the responsibility of moving forward. The church and cross-roads were occupied without opposition, and a few shots were fired upon the Confederate rear-guard to accelerate its retreat.


Salem, Arkansas, May 29, 1864. Detachment of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry. Captain B. F. Crocker, with 70 men, was sent out from Rolla, Missouri, to Jacksonport, Arkansas, to escort a train of refugees within the Union lines. At Salem the train was attacked by about 300 guerrillas. The wagons were burned and about 80 of the refugees were killed, no discrimination being made between men and women.


Salem, Mississippi, October 8, 1863. 2nd Cavalry Brigade of 16th Army Corps. At noon Colonel L. F. McCrillis, with his brigade, arrived at Salem by the eastward approach. The enemy was encountered in force, but a battalion of the 6th Tennessee cavalry drove him through the town to the protection of some outbuildings at the farther side, where the howitzer battery of the 9th Illinois cavalry shelled him out, the 6th Tennessee and the 3d Illinois following more than a mile beyond the village. At 1 p. m. McCrillis learned that the Confederates were advancing against him from three directions and he immediately took position on a ridge 600 yards east of Salem. About this time Lieut.-Colonel J. J. Phillips came up with 400 men of the 9th Illinois mounted infantry, increasing the Federal strength to 1,250 men. The enemy opened on McCrillis' front, skirmishing meantime on both flanks. After an hour's fighting Phillips gained possession of the few buildings composing the town, but was immediately compelled to retire by attacks on his flanks. About 4 p. m. the enemy withdrew to long range, and in this position kept up the fight until 5:30, when McCrillis found his ammunition running low and quietly retired, the Confederates not detecting the movement until he was well started. In the first mile of the march the enemy attacked three times, but was each time repulsed. No report of casualties was made by the 9th Illinois infantry, but aside from that regiment the Federals lost 2 mortally wounded, 8 seriously wounded and 1 missing. The enemy's loss was 1 killed and 27 wounded, according to a Confederate report, but McCrillis states that they left 11 dead on the field. The affair was an incident of Chalmers' raid.


Salem, Missouri, December 3, 1861. Detachment of the 1st Missouri Cavalry. Major William D. Bowen, commanding a detachment from the 1st Missouri cavalry, attached to the 13th Illinois infantry, was sent from Rolla to Salem, and under date of December 3 he reported as follows: "I was attacked this morning at 4 o'clock by 300 rebels, under command of Colonels Freeman and Turner. They dismounted some 2 miles from town and by coming through the woods they got inside of my outer pickets. They first commenced firing on Company A's quarters, killing 1 and wounding others. Companies B and C, being quartered some 500 yards from them, rallied on foot to the rescue of Company A. After a hard fight of 20 minutes Company D came up mounted. I ordered Captain Williams to charge on the rebels, who were then retreating, which was promptly done, dispersing them in every direction." The Union loss was 2 killed, 2 mortally, and 8 slightly wounded. Bowen's entire force comprised only 120 men. The Confederate loss was 6 killed, 10 mortally wounded, and 20 slightly wounded. Several guns also were taken. Salem, Missouri, July 6 and August 9, 1862.


Salem, Missouri, July 3, 1863. Detachment of 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The detachment, under Lieut. William C. Bangs, after following a trail for 12 miles, came upon 12 bushwhackers, and in the charge which followed 10 of the outlaws were killed. The affair occurred not far from Salem.


Salem, Missouri, September 13, 1863. Detachment of 5th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. At 3 a. m. the Confederates under Colonel Freeman attacked the pickets at Salem, but were repulsed with a loss of 1 killed and several wounded. At 6 a. m. Lieut. Charles Koch started in pursuit and after a chase of 3 hours came upon the enemy drawn up in line. Charges were made simultaneously on the front and flank and after a fight of 20 minutes the enemy gave way in confusion, having lost 14 killed and a good many wounded. The Federal loss was 3 soldiers and 1 citizen wounded.


Salem, Tennessee, March 21, 1863. This affair was a skirmish between Page 771 a small detachment of Confederate cavalry and the Federal pickets stationed just outside of Salem, in which the pickets were driven in. No casualties were reported. Salem, Tennessee, May 20, 1863. Detachments of 2nd Iowa Cavalry and 6th Iowa Infantry. Two companies from each of the above regiments encountered some 300 Confederates at Salem. In the skirmish which ensued the enemy was able to outrun the Federals and escaped with the loss of a horse. The Union troops sustained no casualties.


Salem, Virginia, November 5, 1862. Salem, Virginia, December 16, 1863. 1st Separate Cavalry Brigade, Department of West Virginia. This place was the objective point of Averell's raid on the Virginia & Tennessee railroad. The advance of the main column reached the town about 10 a. m. and entered without molestation. On learning of the approach of a trainload of Confederates Averell brought his artillery to bear and after firing a few shots drove the train back. When the column arrived parties were sent 4 miles to the eastward and 12 miles to the westward to destroy railroad property, and in 5 hours Averell destroyed 3 depots containing 2,000 barrels of flour, 10,000 bushels of wheat, 100,000 bushels of shelled corn, 50,000 bushels of oats, 2,000 barrels of meat, several cords of leather, 1,000 sacks of salt, 31 boxes clothing, 20 bales cotton, a large amount of harness, shoes and saddles, equipments, tools, oil, tar, and other stores, and 100 wagons. The telegraph wire was cut, coiled and burned for half a mile; the water station, turn-table and 3 cars were burned, and the rails torn up for some distance. Five bridges and several culverts were destroyed and a large quantity of bridge timber and repairing materials were destroyed.


Salem, Virginia, June 21, 1864. Army of West Virginia. While Major-General David Hunter was retiring from before Lynchburg in the campaign against that place he reached Salem about sunrise of the 21st and at 9 a. m. the Confederates made a demonstration against his rear-guard. While the Union troops were engaged in repelling the enemy at that point some Confederate cavalry fell upon the artillery, which had inadvertently been sent off without a proper escort, and two batteries were captured and the guns spiked before the Federal cavalry succeeded in driving the enemy off, with a loss of 30 in killed, wounded and missing. The Union casualties were not reported.


Salem, Virginia, October 4, 1864 . The only mention of this affair in the official records of the war is in a report by Confederate General R. E. Lee, who states that Mosby attacked about 1,000 Federals, "capturing 50 prisoners, all their baggage, camp equipage, stores, &c., and killed and wounded a considerable number. His loss 2 wounded."


Salem Cemetery, Tennessee, December 19, 1862. (See Jackson.)


Salem Church, Virginia, May 3, 1863. (See Chancellorsville.)


Salem Church, Virginia, May 27, 1864. The engagement at Salem Church was an incident of the operations of the Army of the Potomac along the North Anna and Pamunkey rivers in the advance upon Richmond. No detailed report of the affair was made, so it is impossible to tell what troops were engaged or give any statement of casualties.


Salem Pike, Tennessee, March 21, 1863. 3d Tennessee Cavalry.


Saline Bottom, Arkansas, April 29, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


Saline Company, Missouri, July 29-August 2, 1863. Detachment of the 6th Missouri Cavalry, Enrolled Militia. Captain George W. Murphy, commanding the detachment, received orders on July 29, to scour the country along the Blackwater, in Saline county, which he promptly proceeded to do. His command routed several bands of guerillas, took several prisoners and effectually covered the territory from the Blackwater to Marshall Rock and along the Missouri river bottom as far as Waverly.


Salineville, Ohio, July 26, 1863. Morgan's Raid. Salineville is a little town in the southern part of Columbiana county, about 10 miles south of New Lisbon. It was near this place that Morgan's famous raid ended. Major W. B. Way, of the 9th Michigan cavalry, reported as follows from Salineville: "I engaged Morgan at about 8 o'clock this morning, about one and a half miles from this town, and, after a severe fight, routed him, killing 20 or 30, wounding about 50, taking 200 prisoners, 150 horses, and 150 stands of small arms. Have delivered the prisoners and horses to Colonel Gallagher, 54th Pennsylvania infantry." Later in the day Major G. W. Rue, of the 9th Kentucky cavalry, telegraphed from Salineville to General Burnside: "I captured John H. Morgan today at 2 p. m., taking 336 prisoners, 400 horses, and arms. Morgan presented me his fine sorrel mare."


Salisbury, North Carolina, April 12, 1865. (See Grant's creek, same date.)


Salkehatchie River, South Carolina, February 1-4, 1865. 15th and 17th Army Corps. Major-General Oliver O. Howard, commanding the right wing of Sherman's army in the campaign of the Carolinas, moved his forces forward to break the enemy's line along the Salkehatchie river. The 17th corps, commanded by General F. P. Blair, was ordered to carry Rivers' bridge, and the 15th corps, under General C. R. Woods, was sent against the Confederate position at Buford's bridge. At daylight on February 2, the 1st and 4th divisions of the 17th corps moved up the river road from Whippy swamp, driving the enemy before them to Broxton's bridge, where a reconnaissance developed a long skirmish line, a battery of artillery and breastworks. The 13th la. and 53d Indiana were left to keep up a demonstration of crossing, while the rest of the 4th division, led by General Giles A. Smith in person, moved up to a point about half-way to Rivers' bridge, where the river was forded, the men wading in water from 2 to 4 feet deep across a swamp about a mile and a half in extent. Upon gaining the opposite side of the river the enemy's skirmishers were soon driven in and the fighting was continued until dark. During the night the Confederates evacuated their position and Smith turned his attention to Rivers' bridge, where the 1st division, under General Mower, had moved the preceding day. In the meantime the 3d division, with the 9th Illinois mounted infantry in advance, moved up the west side of Whippy swamp to Angley's post office and thence to Rivers' bridge. On the way it was joined by Mower's division, and the enemy was driven slowly back to a cross-road, one road leading to Rivers' and the other to Buford's bridge. Colonel Tillson, with two regiments of infantry and a detachment of cavalry, was left at the cross-road, with instructions to drive the Confederates a mile up the Buford road and hold the position until relieved. Mower then ordered the 25th Wisconsin forward as skirmishers, closely followed by the remainder of the division, and drove the enemy so rapidly that he had no time to destroy the bridges (16 in number) along the causeway. The Confederates then took a position where their artillery commanded the road and the swamp on either side of it, and Mower, finding this position too formidable to carry by assault, withdrew all his command except a strong skirmish line, placing his main body to work constructing a road through the swamp with a view to crossing the river above the bridge. By noon on the 4th this road was completed and Tillson's brigade was sent over to assault the enemy's works, the brigades of Fuller and Montgomery being pushed up close to bridge ready for any emergency. The 43rd Ohio made a dash for Rivers' bridge, and although unable to effect a crossing the diversion caused the enemy to concentrate the greater part of his force behind the earthworks at the bridge. This gave Fuller an opportunity to cross the river and gain the enemy's rear, and after one Page 773 volley the Confederates evacuated their works, thus placing the Salkehatchie in possession of the Federal troops. Salt Lick Bridge, West Virginia, October 14, 1863. Detachment of the 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of West Virginia. The detachment, with its complement of cavalry and infantry, proceeded from Bulltown to Salt Lick, where slight skirmishing ensued and where reinforcements were received. The enemy retreated without noteworthy casualties on either side.


Saltville, Virginia, October 2, 1864. U. S. Troops, District of Kentucky. Bvt. Major-General S. G. Burbridge with the troops of his district, after driving the enemy from Clinch mountain and Laurel gap, met him three miles and a half from Saltville and forced him back into his intrenchments around the salt works. Burbridge then deployed and attacked, driving the Confederates from their works on their right and center and checking them on their left. A destructive artillery fire finally compelled the enemy to fall back to his main works, but the artillery ammunition had about given out by evening and during the night Burbridge withdrew, having suffered a loss of 54 killed, 190 wounded and 104 missing. The Confederate casualties, although not definitely ascertained, were undoubtedly as heavy. The engagement was an incident of a raid into southwestern Virginia. Saltville, Virginia, December 20, 1864. Stoneman's Expedition. In his raid from east Tennessee into southwestern Virginia Major-General George Stoneman, with the joint forces of Bvt. Major-General S. G. Burbridge and Brigadier General Alvan C. Gillem, ordered a movement on Saltville. Burbridge was sent on the direct road and Gillem took the road via Abingdon and Glade Springs, a distance of 13 miles. About 2 p. m. the pickets in front of the saltworks were driven in by Gillem, who found the works defended by a redoubt and rifle-pits on a high rugged hill to the right of the road. The 9th Tennessee cavalry was dismounted and sent to occupy the hill on the left of the road and the artillery was brought to bear against the redoubt. Soon afterward a battalion of the 8th Tennessee cavalry was sent to dislodge the enemy annoying the Federal artillerists from a wooded ravine, and after this was accomplished a battalion of the 13th Tennessee occupied a hill immediately to the right of the enemy's redoubt. Communication had by this time been opened with Burbridge, who reported that within half an hour he would assault the Confederate redoubt in his front. Lieut. Colonel Stacy with two battalions of the 13th Tennessee was ordered to proceed by the main road around the base of the hill in Gillem's front and attack the redoubt in the rear, while Major Wagner, commanding the detachment on the hill at the right of the enemy's position, should attack in front. After dark Stacy dismounted his men and led his horses to within 100 yards of the Confederate work, where the men remounted and charged over the redoubt, capturing all its defenders who did not escape in the darkness. Burbridge failed to carry the work assigned him, but when the saltworks had been fired the Confederates evacuated and Stacy took possession. During the night and the next day the wells were put out of commission and the entire equipment of the place destroyed. Besides the prisoners taken 9 pieces of artillery were captured. The casualties for this single engagement were not reported. Salyersville, Kentucky, November 30, 1863. 14th and 39th Kentucky Infantry. Colonel George W. Gallup, commanding the Department of Eastern Kentucky, reports under above date as follows: "My outposts were attacked at Salyersville this morning and badly scattered. Their despatch to me is very indefinite. I have sent forward reinforcements."


Samaria Church, Virginia, June 15, 1864. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac.


Samaria Church, Virginia, June 24, 1864. 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions, Army of the Potomac.


Sam Gaty, Steamer, Attack on, March 28, 1863. (See Sibley's Landing, Missouri)


San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, January 26, 1864. Detachment of 5th California Infantry. An abstract from the record of events of the Department of New Mexico for January, 1864, reads: "January 26.—Lieut. Thomas A. Young, 5th California volunteer infantry, with a detachment of 12 men, left Fort Craig, New Mexico, in pursuit of a party of Indians who had run off some stock belonging to the post. He overtook the Indians in the San Andres mountains, and was attacked by them during the night. In the morning the lieutenant was compelled to retreat, owing to the great number of Indians against him. The following is the result of the scout: Four men of the command wounded; Indian loss, 7 killed and several wounded."


San Carlos River, California, May 27, 1864. Company K, 5th California Infantry.


Sand Creek, Colorado Territory, November 29, 1864. Detachment of 1st and 3rd Colorado Cavalry. The detachment, under Colonel John M. Chivington of the 1st cavalry, surprised the camp of a band of Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians at Sand creek 40 miles from Fort Lyon. A charge separated the Indians from their herd and drove them out of their village, which was subsequently destroyed. The Indians rallied across the creek, but were attacked when they gave way and were pursued for a distance of 5 miles. Between 500 and 600 were left dead on the field. The troops had 8 men killed and 40 wounded, of whom 2 afterward died. Sandersville, Georgia, November 26, 1864. Troops of the 14th and 20th Army Corps. In the march to the sea the two corps advanced on Sandersville by different roads. Carman's brigade, Jackson's division, 20th corps, began skirmishing with the enemy about 2 miles from the town, where the Confederates were found posted behind a small stream and the road obstructed by fallen trees. The 9th Illinois mounted infantry, under Colonel T. S. Hughes, was deployed and the enemy quickly dislodged. Hughes continued the pursuit to Sandersville, where the enemy made a stand and checked the regiment until the main body of Carman's brigade arrived. About the same time the advance of the 14th corps entered the town by a road farther to the left and the Confederates beat a hasty and disorderly retreat. No casualties reported on either side.


Sand Mountain, Alabama, April 30, 1863. (See Streight's Raid.)


Sandtown, Georgia, August 15, 1864. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. The division, commanded by Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick, was posted at Sandtown and threw out pickets toward Camp creek. A small force of the enemy was developed and a slight skirmish ensued, but without serious loss on either side. Sandtown Road, Georgia, July 4, 1864. 16th Army Corps. In the pursuit of the Confederates from Kennesaw mountain McPherson's Army of the Tennessee was moved to the extreme right. On the 4th the 16th corps, commanded by Major-General Grenville M. Dodge, was advanced on the Sandtown road, and with the rest of his command McPherson connected his line with that of Thomas near the Western & Atlantic railroad. Dodge found himself confronted by a strong line of rifle-pits, manned by Hood's corps, but after a fierce contest, in which the Union loss was heavy, he succeeded in driving the Confederates from their position. This brought Sherman's right flank closer to Atlanta than Johnston, and forced the latter to fall back to the Chattahoochee river for the purpose of guarding the various fords and ferries along the stream.


Sandy Creek, Missouri, September 18, 1862. Detachment ot Enrolled Missouri Militia. Captain George H. Nettleton while on a scout with about 80 men came on a mounted Confederate picket 2 miles from the farm of Caleb Hurd on Sandy creek. The militia fired and alarmed the camp, and when the attacking column charged up the hill the enemy broke and fled. Two prisoners were taken by the militia. Sandy Hook, Maryland, August 18, 1861, and July 8, 1864. Sandy River, West Virginia, October 27, 1863. The only definite information that can be gathered from the official records concerning this action is that it occurred near' Elizabeth.


Sangster's Station, Virginia, March 9, 1862. Lieut.-Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, of the 1st Maryland Infantry (Confederate), mentions a skirmish with some Federal cavalry at Sangster's station, in which he lost 13 men. Union reports say nothing of the affair.


Sangster's Station, Virginia, November 25, 1863. Detachment of Corcoran's Brigade. About 9 a. m. some Confederates attacked a detail engaged in cutting and hauling wood near Sangster's station, and captured 23 teamsters and woodcutters and 50 mules. General Corcoran sent out two companies of cavalry from Fairfax to intercept the enemy, but they made their escape.


Sangster's Station, Virginia, December 17, 1863. Detachment of Corcoran's Brigade. About 7 p. m. some 800 of Rosser's Confederate cavalry attacked the guard of 50 men at Sangster's station. The Union men put up a gallant fight, repulsing four attacks, and only retreated when the enemy got on their flank and set fire to the tents. Three ambulances were sent to the rear filled with Confederate dead and wounded. The Union loss was 3 or 4 men in all. Corcoran sent out Lieut.-Colonel DeLacy, with the 164th New York infantry and some cavalry to punish the enemy. About 2 miles from Centerville he came up with the Confederates, but his cavalry fled at the first fire and the infantry could not overtake the enemy, who retreated somewhat precipitately in the direction of Aldie.


Santa Fe, Missouri, July 24, 25, 1862. 3d Iowa Cavalry. Santa Rosa, Island, Florida, October 9, 1861. Night attack on Fort Pickens. Santa Rosa is a long narrow island lying in front of Pensacola bay. At the western end stood Fort Pickens, which in the fall of 1861 was garrisoned by parts of the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th U. S. artillery and the 3d U. S. infantry, under command of Colonel Harvey Brown, of the 5th artillery. The 6th New York volunteer infantry, commanded by Colonel William Wilson, was encamped outside of and a short distance east of the fort. On the night of the 8th some 1,200 or 1,500 Confederates, commanded by Brigadier-General R. H. Anderson, landed about 3 or 4 miles above the fort and marched down the island in three columns, the object being to surprise and capture the garrison. About 3:30 a. m. on the 9th the pickets were suddenly attacked and driven in, and a terrific fire was opened on the camp of the 6th New York Colonel Wilson tried to rally his men, but the sudden and unexpected assault threw them into a panic and only a few answered the call. These, however, bravely stood their ground until reinforced by Major Arnold, of the 1st artillery, with a detachment of regulars from the fort, when the Confederates were driven back to their landing place, closely pressed by about one-fifth their number, who kept up the fire until the boats were out of range. The Union loss was 14 killed, 29 wounded and 24 captured or missing. General Bragg, commanding the Confederate forces at Pensacola, reported their loss as "30 or 40 killed and wounded," but a Confederate newspaper, found by Lieut. Seeley a few days after the occurrence, gave the total casualties as 175. Major Vodges, of the 1st artillery, was captured, and on the Confederate side General Anderson was severely wounded. The camp of the 6th New York was partially destroyed.


Sappony Church, Virginia, June 28-29, 1864. (See Wilson's Raid, Petersburg, Virginia) Saratoga, Kentucky, October 26, 1861. Detachment of 9th Illinois Infantry. Three companies of the 9th Illinois under Major J. J. Phillips proceeded up the Cumberland river to Eddyville to attack a Confederate camp. The gunboat Conestoga accompanied the expedition, the troops landed below Eddyville and after a march of 12 miles' partially surprised the camp of 160 Confederates at Saratoga. A volley was fired and Phillips ordered his men to charge with the bayonet, which resulted in the dispersal of the enemy. The Federals had 3 men wounded, and reported 7 of the enemy left dead on the field. The Confederate report of the affair as sent to Major-General Polk, stated that but 4 men were killed.


Satartia, Mississippi, June 4, 1863. (See Mechanicsburg.) Satartia, Mississippi, June 5, 1863. Kimball's Division and Gunboats. Brigadier General Nathan Kimball, commanding the provisional division in Blair's expedition from Haynes' bluff, reported that on this date some 500 Confederate cavalry planted 2 pieces of artillery on the left of his encampment and dropped a few shells among the transports, but that the enemy was driven away by the fire of the gunboats. Satartia, Mississippi, February 7, 1864. Detachments of 11th Illinois Infantry and 8th Louisiana Colored Infantry. As an incident of a side expedition up the Yazoo river from the Meridian expedition Colonel James H. Coates landed his force a short distance below Satartia. The 8th Louisiana was deployed as skirmishers and with the Illinois men in reserve soon engaged the enemy, who rallied and moved by the left flank to the main Confederate body at Liverpool. No casualties reported.


Satellite, U. S. Gunboat, August 22-September 2, 1863. The Satellite was captured by some of the Confederate gunboats, under command of Lieut. Wood, on the night of August 22, and was destroyed on September 2 by the Union forces commanded by General Kilpatrick. (See Port Conway, Virginia) Saulsbury, Mississippi, July 2, 1864. 3d Iowa Cavalry.


Saulsbury, Tennessee, August 1t, 1862. Detachment of the 11th Illinois Cavalry. On this date a detachment of the 11th Illinois attacked and dispersed a. guerrilla band organized at Saulsbury. The guerrilla captain was taken prisoner and a number of horses and mules were secured, together with equipments.


Saulsbury, Tennessee, December 2, 1863. Detachment of the 16th Army Corps. Major-General S. A. Hurlbut, commanding the corps, reported from Memphis on the 3d: "The enemy under Lee, Forrest and Ferguson, broke into Saulsbury yesterday. We had no troops there. They destroyed track and bent rails. It will take 24 hours to repair." Brigadier-General J. M. Turtle moved with his command toward Saulsbury, and Colonel Geddes was ordered west by rail from Pocahontas to join him. The latter reported the next day that the Confederate force had been dispersed and was retreating southward. No detailed account of any action is to be found in the official records of the war.


Savage Station, Virginia, June 29, 1862. The action at Savage Station was an attack by the Confederates under General Magruder on McClellan's rear during the change of base to the James river, and was one of the Seven Days' battles, (q. v.)


Savannah, Georgia, December 10-21, 1864. 14th, 15th, 17th and 20th Army Corps and Kilpatrick's Cavalry. In the campaign of 1864 it fell to the lot of Major-General William T. Sherman to lead the hosts that were to sever the Confederacy. The plan was to capture or defeat the Confederate army under General J. E. Johnston (later under General J. B. Hood), after which Sherman was to press forward to some available point on the seacoast, establish a base of supplies, then move northward, unite his army Page 777 with that of Grant and overcome Lee at Richmond. As soon as Hood was compelled to evacuate Atlanta he started his army northward in the hope of carrying the war back into Tennessee, or at least drawing Sherman after him and thus save the Confederacy from being cut in twain. Sherman did follow until after Hood had passed Decatur, Alabama, and then turned back to execute his original plan, leaving General Thomas to look after Hood. Early in November Sherman assembled his forces at Atlanta and organized his army into the right and left wings. The former, commanded by Major-General Oliver O. Howard, consisted of the 15th and 17th army corps, and the latter, under command of Major-General Henry W. Slocum, was composed of the 14th and 20th corps. The 15th corps was commanded by Major-General P. J. Osterhaus and was made up of four divisions, commanded by Brigadier-Generals C. R. Woods, William B. Hazen, J. E. Smith and J. M. Corse. The 17th corps, commanded by Major-General Frank P. Blair, was composed of three divisions, respectively commanded by Major General John A. Mower, Brigadier-General M. D. Leggett and Brigadier-General Giles A. Smith. In the left wing the 14th corps was under the command of Bvt. Major-General Jefferson C. Davis and was composed of three divisions, commanded by Brigadier-Generals William P. Carlin, J. D. Morgan and Absalom Baird. The 20th corps, under Brigadier-General Alpheus S. Williams, also included three divisions, commanded by Brigadier-Generals New Jersey Jackson, John W. Geary and William T. Ward. In addition to these infantry commands there were 16 light batteries and the cavalry division of Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick, composed of the two brigades commanded by Colonel E. H. Murray and Colonel S. D. Atkins, and numbering about 5,500 men. Sherman's whole army numbered about 62,000 men of all arms. Howard's wing retained the old name of the Army of the Tennessee, and Slocum's wing took the name of the Army of Georgia. On November 12, Sherman sent a telegram to Thomas at Nashville, cut the wires immediately afterward, and stood isolated in the heart of the enemy's country. Two days later the "March to the Sea" was begun, the different commands moving on parallel roads, but all under orders to reach Savannah without delay. Each division was accompanied by a train of supplies to be used in case of emergency, but the general instructions were to subsist by foraging to the greatest possible extent. Numerous skirmishes occurred on the march, each of which is herein treated under its proper title. On December 10 Sherman drew his lines about Savannah, which was at that time occupied by General Hardee, with a force of some 18,000 men. Slocum struck the Charleston railroad at the Savannah river, the 20th corps extending from the river to the Central railroad, where the 14th corps joined and extended the line some distance beyond the Ogeechee canal. From there the 17th and 15th corps (Howard's wing) completed the line to King's bridge on the Ogeechee river. While the army was on the march from Atlanta Major-General J. G. Foster had collected at Port Royal, South Carolina, 20 miles up the coast, a large store of supplies for Sherman's use when he reached the coast. The first problem was to open communications with Foster and get the supplies, as foraging near Savannah yielded but meager results, and some of the commands were already on short rations. Rear-Admiral Dahlgren's blockading squadron lay off the coast opposite the mouths of the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers, but in order to reach the fleet it was necessary to pass Fort McAllister, which commanded the Ogeechee river. The Confederates had destroyed King's bridge, a structure 1,000 feet long, but it was rebuilt under the direction of Howard's chief engineer, Captain Reese, and on the 13th was ready for use. Hazen's division was sent over and captured the fort. (See Fort McAllister.) This opened the river so that vessels could reach the right of Sherman's army, and the question of a base of supplies on the sea-coast was settled. Page 778 Sherman's object was to capture Hardee's entire army. To this end the railroads running into the city were destroyed, cutting off this means of retreat, as well as Hardee's sources of supplies. One avenue of escape was still open to the Confederates, however, and that was to cross the Savannah river, and by means of the Union causeway reach the Charleston railroad, which was still in operation to Hardeeville, about 15 miles from Savannah. Foster had made an effort to cut this road near Grahamville, South Carolina, but it had met with failure, though he still held a position near the Coosawhatchie river where his guns commanded the road, compelling all trains to run at night. In the Savannah river, directly in front of the city, is Hutchinson's island and immediately above it is Argyle island. Part of Hutchinson's island was occupied by the enemy, but it was deemed feasible to throw a force across the river and gain the causeway. Sherman had sent to Hilton Head for some heavy ordnance, intending to carry the enemy's works by assault as soon as the causeway was in his possession. On the night of the 11th and the morning of the 12th Williams sent over the 3d Wisconsin infantry, under Colonel Hawley, to occupy Argyle Island, while Winegar's New York battery, supported by the 22nd Wisconsin, were moved up to the bank of the river to cover the channel between the island and the main land. Later in the day these troops drove back two gunboats that were coming down the river, and captured the armed steamer Resolute, which had been acting as tender, and which had been disabled during the action. This affair demonstrated that it was impracticable to move any considerable body of men across the river, as the enemy's gunboats could destroy the pontoons across the main channel and cut off any detachment on the island or the Caroline shore. Sherman now determined to reach the causeway via Port Royal. On the 17th several 30-pounder Parrott guns arrived at King's bridge, and the same day a formal demand was made for the surrender of the place. Upon receiving Hardee's refusal to surrender Sherman directed Slocum to get the siege guns in position and make all the preparations necessary for an assault, while he went in person to Port Royal to make arrangements to reinforce Hatch's division on the Coosawhatchie, carry the railroad and then move toward Savannah until the causeway was occupied. While these movements were under way Hardee forestalled Sherman's plans by evacuating the city on the night of the 20th, moving his army and light artillery over the river and gaining the causeway before the Union troops had time to reach it. At daybreak on the 21st Geary's division of the 20th corps occupied the town. About 250 heavy siege guns, 31,000 bales of cotton, large stores of ammunition, cotton, rice, etc., a number of locomotives and cars, 4 steamboats, and other valuable property fall into the hands of the Federal armies, though the escape of Hardee's army was a disappointment to Sherman, who felt confident of its capture or destruction. Notwithstanding skirmishing had been daily carried on during the ten days of investment, the Union losses were slight, the most serious being incurred in the capture of Fort McAllister.


Savannah Creek, South Carolina, February 15, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps. The division broke camp in the morning at Sandy run and moved toward Columbia on the Orangeburg and Columbia road, with the 2nd brigade, commanded by Colonel R. F. Catterson, in advance. About a mile from the camp the enemy was encountered and the skirmishing commenced. Catterson deployed four companies as skirmishers and drove the enemy back to Savannah creek, where he made a stand, making it necessary to send four more companies to the front. Again the Confederates were forced back, but they made another stand at Congaree creek, where a considerable force was found behind a barricade and supplied Page 779 with artillery. All of the 2nd and 3d brigades were now called into action. (See Bates' Ferry). Catterson reported a loss of 5 killed and 10 wounded in the action at Savannah creek.


Searcy Creek, West Virginia, July 17, 1861. U. S. Troops under J. D. Cox. Meager reports mention an affair at Scarey creek in the Kanawha valley, in which the Federal participants were defeated. Confederate accounts state that 6 Union officers and from 10 to 20 privates were captured, and some 30 men killed, their own loss being 1 killed and 2 wounded.


Scatterville, Arkansas, July 10, 1862. Detachment of 1st Wisconsin Cavalry.


Scott's, Virginia, December 19, 1863. 1st Separate Cavalry Brigade, Department of West Virginia. As General Averell was returning from Salem, where the object of the raid on the Virginia & Tennessee railroad had been accomplished, he drove in the Confederate pickets from Scott's, on Barber's creek, and followed them to the top of Middle mountain. No casualties reported. The only mention of the affair in the official records is contained in Confederate reports.


Scottsboro, Alabama, January 8, 1865. 54 men of the 101st U. S. Colored Infantry.


Scott's Cross Roads, Virginia, April 2, 1865. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac . Early in the morning the division, commanded by Brigadier General T. C. Devin, left its camp on the White Oak road and marched to the South Side railroad, striking it between Ford's and Sutherland's stations. Here W. H. F. Lee's division of Confederate cavalry was encountered, but a few rounds from Miller's battery were sufficient to cause the enemy to retire somewhat precipitately. Devin pursued, driving Lee from one barricade to another until Scott's cross-roads, 5 miles north of the railroad, was reached. Here a force of infantry, consisting of Pickett's and Bushrod Johnson's divisions, was found intrenched. The enemy opened with artillery and made several attempts to charge Devin's line, but Miller's battery, supported by Gibbs' brigade, repulsed every charge with considerable loss to the Confederates. At dark the division was drawn back about half a mile and encamped. During the night the enemy moved out several times and felt the line, but no real attack was made. By morning communication was opened with the 5th corps and the rest of the cavalry, but at daybreak on the 3d it was found that the enemy had retired. No casualties reported.


Scott's Mills Road, Tennessee January 27, 1864. 13th Kentucky and 23d Michigan Infantry.


Scottsville, Alabama, April 2, 1865. (See Centerville, same date.) Scottsville, Kentucky, June 11, 1863. 11th Kentucky Infantry. The 11th Kentucky attacked Scottsville early on the morning of the 11th. They were repulsed, but with what loss is not stated.


Scullyville, Indian Territory, August 30-31, 1863. 2nd Kansas Cavalry. The only official mention of this action is in the report of Brigadier-General W. L Cabell, of the Confederate army, who says: "On the 30th my scouts encountered the advance guard of General Blunt, 2 miles west of the San Bois, and skirmished with them until within 12 miles of Scullyville (and 20 miles of my camp), where they encamped, within 4 miles of my pickets. About 2 a. m. on the 31st, General Blunt's advance, under Colonel Cloud, attacked my pickets, and, after a brisk engagement (in which I lost 1 man killed and several wounded), drove them back to the main body, under Colonel Thomson, near Scullyville." Seabrook's Point, South Carolina, June 1, 1862.


Searcy, Arkansas, May 18, 1864. 22nd Ohio Infantry. Colonel O. Wood of the 22nd Ohio reports that his regiment while on a scout was attacked by 250 Confederates near Searcy. The enemy was easily repulsed and scattered.


Searcy, Arkansas, July 4, 1864. Detachment of the 3d Arkansas Cavalry. A detachment of 55 men from this regiment made a raid into


Searcy, Arkansas, killed 7 Confederates, wounded 4, and captured 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and S3 men, who were organized for General Shelby's command. They also captured a number of horses and mules, 15 stands of arms, and 1 stand of colors. Searcy Arkansas, (Note.) In addition to the engagements above noted, mention is made in the official records of skirmishes on June 3, August 13 and 27, and September 6 and 13, 1864.


Searcy Landing, Arkansas, May 19, 1862. Detachments of 4th Missouri Cavalry, 3d, 12th and 17th Missouri Infantry, and Battery B, 1st Missouri Light Artillery. In this spirited skirmish, near Searcy Landing, on the Little Red river, the 17th Missouri infantry did most of the fighting and suffered the greatest losses. The protecting forces at Searcy Landing were rather light, and Colonel Osterhaus, commanding the 3d division, had ordered his men forward from Camp Lyon to that point, as he had information of a contemplated attack by the Confederates south of the river. Before the arrival of Osterhaus, however, a severe and bloody fight had taken place. About 200 men, from the 17th Missouri infantry and 4th Missouri cavalry started on a foraging expedition on the south side of the Little Red river, and a few miles from the camp they encountered a large force of the enemy. The latter at once opened fire, and the Union infantry— parts of two companies—stood their ground, though completely enveloped by the enemy's line. Colonel Hassendeubel, who had command of the camp at Searcy Landing, heard the firing and immediately sent as reinforcements all the available companies of the 17th Missouri, who arrived in time to save their comrades. The enemy was soon afterward driven from the field, but, as a natural sequence of the conditions, the Federal loss was large in comparison. The force engaged did not exceed 300 men, while the enemy numbered between 700 and 1,200. The fight was at very close quarters and the wounds were consequently of unusual severity. The casualties in Cos. A, F, G, and H, 17th Missouri, were 14 killed, 31 wounded, 2 missing. The 4th Missouri cavalry had 1 killed and 1 wounded. After the first encounter the ambulances were sent out for the wounded, but the enemy did not forbear to fire upon those assigned to this humane duty and the surgeon of the 3d Missouri was taken prisoner. Osterhaus, immediately after his arrival, sent the available cavalry in pursuit of the retreating foe, and with his other forces followed, but they did not again encounter the enemy. Sears' Farm, Missouri, July 11, 1862. (See Pleasant Hill.) Sears' Ford, Missouri, August 9, 1862. Detachments of the 1st and 5th Missouri Militia Cavalry. Colonel James McFerran, commanding the detachments in pursuit of the Confederates under Porter, reported that about 4 p. m. they came up with the enemy's rear-guard at Sears' ford on the Chariton river and in the engagement that ensued the Union loss was 1 killed and 20 wounded. The Confederate casualties were not learned. Secessionville, South Carolina, June 16, 1862. U. S. Force under General Benham. After the Federals had taken a position on James island in the Stono river, it was decided to postpone for a time the attack on Charleston, of which this advance was only an incident. Accordingly Brigadier-General H. W. Benham with about 9,000 men was left on the island with direct orders not to attack the enemy or approach and nearer Charleston. Notwithstanding, on the 14th and 15th, fire was opened on the fort (Johnson) and the floating battery, the latter being silenced. Encouraged by this success Benham decided to attempt the taking of the fort on the 16th. His division commanders, Generals Wright, Stevens and Williams were very much opposed to the plan, but Benham was obdurate. At 2 a. m. Page 781 of the 16th Stevens' division, consisting of about 3,500 men and 4 guns of Rockwell's battery, moved forward. The Confederate advance picket was captured and by 5 a. m. Stevens was immediately in front of the fort. A charge was ordered, which was led by the 8th Michigan and the 77th New York, closely supported by the 28th Massachusetts and the 7th Connecticut, and the whole force rushed upon the parapet. A galling fire was poured upon the charging troops by the Confederate infantry from behind hedges and dikes, and after holding the position for 20 minutes the command was given to retire in order to reform the line, and the troops withdrew in good order. Wright's division in the meantime had supported Stevens' left and prevented his flank from being turned. Stevens' division came back into line of battle after reforming. Protracted firing was kept up until 9 a. m., when the Federals retired to their camp, having suffered a loss of 107 killed, 487 wounded, and 89 captured or missing. The Confederate casualties were not reported. Benham's commission as brigadier general was revoked by President Lincoln for his part in the affair.


Secessionville, South Carolina, July 2 and 16, 1863. Incidents during the siege of Fort Wagner.


Second Creek, West Virginia, November 8, 1863. 34th Ohio Mounted Infantry. Brigadier-General A. N. Duffie, in a report of an expedition to Lewisburg, says: "The 34th Ohio, being in advance, struck the rebel pickets at Second -creek, 8 miles from Union, capturing a few prisoners."


Sedalia, Missouri, June 5, 1862. Detachment of the 1st Missouri Cavalry. Lieut. G. W. Nash, with 78 men, left Sedalia about noon in pursuit of some guerrillas who had attacked a wagon train the day before. Later in the day he came up with 12 of them, killed 2 and the rest escaped in the brush. Nash recaptured 18 horses, 3 mules, a wagon, and some other property, without casualty.


Sedalia, Missouri, October 15, 1864. Detachment of 7th Missouri Militia Cavalry. During Price's Missouri expedition Captain Oscar B. Queen, of the 7th Missouri militia cavalry, was sent out with 33 men from Company M, to meet and guard an ammunition train from Georgetown back to the command. 16 miles distant from that place. On reaching Georgetown Queen could find nothing of the train, but learned that Shelby was within 2 miles of the town and was advancing to attack Sedalia, to which point Queen at once hurried with his little company. He found the city well intrenched and garrisoned by some 600 or 800 men, under command of Colonel J. D. Crawford, who requested him to place his men in the trenches and aid in defending the town. Queen's men dismounted and had scarcely been stationed at a suitable point when the enemy appeared and began bombarding the town. A general stampede of citizens and home guards took place and Queen held an advancing column at a respectable distance until the enemy's remaining forces had taken possession of the town. They charged in Queen's rear and he was compelled to surrender his little squad. Of the 33 men 10, who had been left to guard horses, escaped. Queen and his remaining men were paroled.


Sedalia Road, Missouri, June 26, 1864. Detachment of 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain Joseph Parke with Company E, 4th Missouri, came -upon 7 bushwhackers on the road leading from Sedalia to Marshall. The outlaws were immediately attacked, 3 of them killed and 2 wounded. One of Parke's men received a slight wound.


Seivers' Ford, Virginia, September 15, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. The only mention in the official records of the war concerning this affair is in the itinerary of the division, where it is stated: "Engaged and drove the enemy across Opequan creek at Seivers' ford, capturing a number of prisoners." Selecman's Ford, Virginia, March 22, 1863. Part of 2nd Pennsylvania Page 782 Cavalry. The outpost at the Violett farm was surprised and attacked by dismounted Confederate cavalry at 3 a. m., with the result that 3 of the 25 Union men were wounded. The enemy then retreated in the direction of Selecman's ford on the Occoquan, pursued by two companies of Captain Brinton, but could not be overtaken. Several men of the outpost were captured.


Selma, Alabama, April 2, 1865. Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. During Wilson's raid his command encamped on the night of the 1st at Plantersville and at daylight marched for Selma on the Summerfield road, Long's division in advance. By 3 p. m. the Confederate pickets had been driven in and the Federals closed in on the defenses. A reconnaissance showed the Confederate position well intrenched and Upton's division was sent through an almost impassable swamp to attack the enemy in an exposed position. Before Upton could attack, however, Chalmers attacked Long's pickets. The latter, without waiting for the signal to advance, turned and with two dismounted regiments (1,160 men) charged the Confederates over an open field of 500 yards, tore up and destroyed the stockade in front of the works, rushed over the parapet and drove Armstrong's brigade, 1,500 strong, back into the inner line of works. The 4th U. S. cavalry under Lieut. O'Connell then made a gallant charge on the inner works but could not penetrate them until the 17th Indiana, 4th Ohio and a battery had come to its assistance. By that time it was dark and a large part of the Confederate garrison managed to escape, although 2,700 were taken prisoners. The armament captured consisted of 26 field guns, a 30-pounder Parrott, 70 heavy guns and a large quantity of military stores in the arsenal. The Federal casualties amounted to 46 killed and 200 wounded. The Confederate losses were not reported.


Senatobia, Mississippi, May 23, 1863. McCrillis' Cavalry Brigade. At noon of the 23d Colonel L. F. McCrillis, commanding the 2nd brigade of a cavalry expedition from La Grange to Senatobia, struck the Confederates under General Chalmers, 1,500 strong, on Basket creek, 2 miles from Senatobia. After 3 hours' fighting Chalmers was beaten and driven back into Panola. McCrillis suffered no loss while the enemy had 11 killed and 15 wounded. Senatobia, Mississippi, June 20, 1863. Cavalry of the Left Wing of the 16th Army Corps. The advance of a Federal detachment operating in northwestern Mississippi encountered Confederate skirmishers 3 miles out of Senatobia and drove them toward the Coldwater river. At Matthews' ferry the enemy was found in considerable force, and after a brief contest the Federals succeeded in silencing their opponents' fire. The casualties were not reported.


Senatobia, Mississippi, February 10, 1864. Meridian Expedition. Confederate reports state that 1,500 Federal infantry and 300 cavalry advanced as far as Senatobia, but were driven back by McCulloch. No mention is made of the affair in the Union reports.


Seneca, Maryland, June 28, 1863. 6th Michigan Cavalry.


Seneca Creek Maryland, September 16-17, 1861. Detachment of the 34th New York Infantry. Colonel La Dew, with part of his regiment, crossed the Potomac at the mouth of Seneca creek, where he encountered a Confederate force superior to his own, and in the skirmish that ensued the Union loss was 2 or 3 men. The next morning artillery was brought up and a few shells drove the Confederates from their position.


Seneca Station, Indiana Territory, September 14, 1863. 1st Arkansas Infantry. Seneca Trace Crossing, West Virginia, September 25, 1863. 2nd West Virginia Infantry. Brigadier-General William W. Averell reported under above date as follows: "On the Seneca road's picket of the 2nd (West) Virginia infantry was Page 783 attacked and captured this morning about daylight by about too rebels. The officer in command of the picket had disregarded his orders. Our loss was about 30." This engagement occurred where the Seneca trace or road crosses Cheat river.


Seven Days' Battles, Virginia, June 25—July 1, 1862. Army of the Potomac . Just at the close of the battle of Fair Oaks on June 1, 1862, General Robert E. Lee rode upon the field, accompanied by Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, and assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia. At that time the Federal Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major-General George B. McClellan, was stationed along both sides of the Chickahominy river, the advance being within 6 miles of Richmond. McClellan had been promised reinforcements, and this, with the almost impassable condition of the roads and the high stage of the water in the Chickahominy, which had destroyed nearly all the bridges, caused a delay in getting his army together on the south side of the river for an offensive movement. Lee promptly took advantage of this delay to put his army in condition to withstand an attack, or to assume the offensive if opportunity offered. By June 20 the flood had abated, new bridges had been constructed, the roads had improved and a portion of the promised reinforcements had arrived. The Army of the Potomac was then organized for the final advance on the Confederate capital as follows: The 2nd corps, commanded by Brigadier-General E. V. Sumner, consisted of two divisions, respectively commanded by Brigadier-Generals I. B. Richardson and John Sedgwick; the 3d corps, under command of Brigadier-General S. P. Heintzelman, included the divisions of Brigadier-Generals Joseph Hooker and Philip Kearny; the 4th corps, commanded by Brigadier-General E. D. Keyes, consisted of the two divisions under command of Brigadier-Generals Darius N. Couch and J. J. Peck; the 5th corps, Brigadier-General F. J. Porter commanding, embraced three divisions under Brigadier-Generals G. W. Morell, George Sykes and G. A. McCall; the 6th corps, commanded by Brigadier-General William B. Franklin, included two divisions, commanded by Brig.-Generals Henry W. Slocum and W. F. Smith. In addition to this infantry force there were the artillery reserve of five brigades, under the command of Colonel Henry J. Hunt, the cavalry reserve of two brigades, under Brigadier-General P. St . George Cooke, the volunteer engineer brigade of Brigadier-General D. P. Woodbury, and the headquarters guard and escort. Casey's division of Keyes' corps was on detached duty at the White House, guarding stores and preparing for the change of base to the James river. Lee's army was composed of the following commands: Jackson's corps, Major-General Thomas J. Jackson commanding, including the divisions of Whiting, Jackson and Ewell; D. H. Hill's division; Magruder's corps, including the divisions of D. R Jones, McLaws and Magruder; Longstreet's division; Huger's division; A. P. Hill's division; Holmes' division the reserve artillery under Brigadier-General W. N. Pendleton, and the cavalry under Brigadier-General J. E. B. Stuart. Various estimates have been made as to the relative strength of the two armies. General A. S. Webb, who served with McClellan in the Peninsular campaign, fixes it at 92,500 men of all arms for the Federal forces and 80,762 for the Confederates. From Richmond several road led to the Chickahominy river. Running nearly due north was the Meadow bridge road, which crossed the river near the Virginia Central railroad. Next was the Mechanicsville pike; then the Creighton, New Bridge and Williamsburg roads, the last named running almost due east and crossing the river at Bottom's bridge. Between the New Bridge and Williamsburg roads ran the Richmond & York River railroad. Leading toward the southeast were the Charles City and Darbytown roads, and the Osborne turnpike ran down the bank of the James river toward the south. Over the region Page 784 traversed by these roads between the James and Chickahominy rivers and along the north bank of the latter stream were fought the Seven Days' battles. On the 25th Heintzelman, who occupied the line of works at Fair Oaks and Seven Pines, was ordered to drive the Confederate pickets from the woods in his front, preparatory to a general forward movement the next day. At 8 a. m. Hooker's division advanced with Sickles' brigade in the center on the Williamsburg road, Grover's on the left and Carr's in reserve. At the same time Kearny on the left and Richardson on the right were ordered to push forward their pickets. Hooker found himself confronted by a superior force and sent back for reinforcements. Heintzelman ordered Birney's brigade of Kearny's division to the front, but just as Birney reached the field orders were received from General Marcy, McClellan's chief of staff, directing Hooker to fall back. About 1 p. m. McClellan came to the front and ordered a renewal of the attack. Again Hooker advanced, this time supported by Palmer's brigade of Couch's division. De Russy's battery was run forward and opened with canister to the right and left of the road, forcing the enemy to retire from the woods and across an open field to another piece of timber some distance in the rear of his former position, closely pressed by the infantry who kept up a steady fire as they advanced. A strong picket line was then placed in the woods evacuated by the Confederates, but as it was almost dark further operations were postponed until the next morning. Hooker reported his loss as 28 killed, 262 wounded and 19 missing. This affair is known as the battle of Oak Grove, King's school-house or the Orchards. By a singular coincidence Lee had fixed on the same date as McClellan—June 26—for an aggressive movement. On the 16th he sent orders to Jackson to mask his withdrawal from the Shenandoah valley, move with all possible speed toward Richmond and strike the Federal right, then on the north bank of the Chickahominy in the vicinity of Mechanicsville. In support of this movement A. P. Hill was to cross the river at Meadow bridge, when it was known that Jackson's advance had passed that point, and move directly on Mechanicsville. As soon as the bridge on the Mechanicsville pike should be uncovered Longstreet and D. H. Hill were to cross there, after which the four commands were to sweep .down the north bank driving everything before them. Stuart's cavalry was thrown on the left to guard Jackson's flank. Huger and Magruder, with the artillery reserve, were left to guard Richmond, but under orders to follow McClellan if he should retreat. On the 19th McClellan had sent McCall's division, with five batteries of artillery, to the right to watch the bridges over the Chickahominy. On the morning of the 26th McCall occupied a position with his front along the east side of Beaver Dam creek, his left resting on the Chickahominy and his right extending to the woods north of the road running from Mechanicsville to Bethesda church, Reynolds' brigade on the right, Seymour's on the left, and Meade's, with Kern's and Easton's batteries, in reserve. His position was a strong one as the creek in his front was over waist deep in most places, bordered by swamps, and on the west side of it was an open plain, about half a mile in extent, over which the enemy must advance to the attack. The creek could be crossed by artillery at only two points—the bridge on the Bethesda road and the one at Ellison's mill about a mile below. These bridges were covered by the guns of Cooper's and Smead's batteries, while De Hart's battery was stationed a short distance below the upper bridge in a position to enfilade any line that might attempt to cross the plain in front. Jackson reached Ashland, 12 miles from Richmond, on the evening of the 25th, and received orders from Lee to move at 3 a. m. on the 26th Page 785 and turn McCall's right. The march was longer than either he or Lee had anticipated and his progress was delayed by the Union skirmishers. A. P. Hill waited until noon, by which time he supposed that Jackson was in position, and then started to carry out his part of the program. When the head of his column approached Mechanicsville McCall recalled his infantry and artillery in front of the town, and ordered Meade to move his brigade forward in closer support. At 3 p. m. Hill became impatient, fearing the whole plan would fall to the ground, and ordered his division forward. Two of his brigades were sent to the left to flank a battery, while the other four came into line in front,-but they were met by a murderous fire from the Federal batteries that forced the Confederates back with heavy loss. After a time a heavy column was pressed forward on the road to Ellison's mill and a determined attack was made at that point. Again the advancing ranks of the enemy were met by that withering fire of artillery and musketry and again they recoiled. Fearing that an attempt would be made to turn his left flank, McCall sent Colonel Harvey, with the 7th Pennsylvania reserves to the extreme left of the line. About sunset Griffin's brigade of Morell's division, with Edwards' battery, arrived on the field and took position on the right, while Martindale's brigade of the same division was sent to the rear and right to guard against any approach of the enemy over the road from Hanover Court-House. Here he learned of Jackson's attempted flank movement and skirmished with his advanced guard until ordered by Porter to retire. The fight lasted until 9 p. m., when Hill, finding that the position could not be carried Dy direct assault, withdrew his forces from the field, and McCall was ordered to fall back to Gaines' mill. The Union loss at Mechanicsville was 49 killed, 207 wounded and 105 missing. The enemy's loss was included in the reports of the seven days' fighting, but it was estimated at 2,000, mostly in killed and wounded, as very few prisoners were taken during the engagement. Swinton quotes Longstreet as saying the aggregate loss was "between three and four thousand." At the time McCall took his position at Mechanicsville on the 19th, all the army except Porter's corps was moved to the south side of the Chickahominy. The affair at Oak Grove on the 25th developed the enemy's position and Franklin, supported by Sumner and Heintzelman, -was to attack the Confederate force at Old Tavern, about two miles northwest of Fair Oaks, on the 26th. Before that order could be carried out McClellan learned, late on the afternoon of the 25th, that Jackson was moving to join Lee and would probably attack Porter the next day. This anticipation was realized in the battle of Mechanicsville and caused McClellan to hurry forward his plan of changing his base to the James river. During the night of the 26th Porter's wagon trains and heavy ordnance were taken to the south side of the Chickahominy and he was ordered to fall back nearer the bridges to hold in check the Confederates on the north side of the river until the preparations for the removal could be completed. Porter's new position was similar to that of McCall at Mechanicsville. His line of battle was semi-circular in form. Morell's division was on the left, behind a small stream, with Butterfield's brigade on the left, Martindale's in the center and Griffin's on the right. Sykes' division was on the right, Warren's brigade connecting with Griffin's right near the road to New Cold Harbor, Lovell's in the center and Buchanan's on the right near the McGehee house, east of the Old Cold Harbor road. Reynolds' brigade of McCall's division was sent to Barker's mill, further down the river, to guard the road leading to the Grapevine bridge, while Meade's and Seymour's brigades were held in reserve. Between Morell's left and the river was an almost impassable morass known as Boatswain's swamp, and the right of the Page 786 line was protected to some extent by Elder swamp. Sykes occupied an elevation known as Turkey hill, the crest of which was about 60 feet higher than the plain in front, over which the enemy must advance for about a quarter of a mile after emerging from the dense woods along the creek. The siege guns that had been taken across the river were placed in position opposite Morell's left, where, protected by Smith's division of Sumner's corps, they were used to enfilade the enemy's lines that moved against Morell. Jackson's delay on the 26th was occasioned by the destruction of the bridge over Totopotomy creek, which he was compelled to rebuild before he could get his artillery across the stream. That night he bivouacked at Hundley's corner and at daylight the next morning resumed his march with Ewell's division in the lead. Through a mistake of the guide Ewell took the road leading to Walnut Grove Church, to the west of Gaines' mill, instead of the direct road to Old Cold Harbor. At the church Ewell met A. P. Hill's advance coming up from Mechanicsville on the road that crossed Beaver Dam creek at Ellison's mill. Jackson then inclined to the left toward Cold Harbor, but the confusion in the movement of troops resulted in a delay of several hours before the attack could be commenced. Longstreet followed A. P. Hill nearly to Gaines' mill, where he took the road leading to Duane's bridge over the Chickahominy and formed on the extreme right of the Confederate line. D. H. Hill marched from Mechanicsville via the Bethesda road, passed Jackson's rear, and formed on the Confederate left in front of Buchanan's brigade. When A. P. Hill reached Powhite creek at Gaines' Mill, about a mile from Porter's main line, he found the 9th Massachusetts under Colonel Thomas Cass, drawn up to dispute the passage of the stream. For some time Cass held the Confederates on the west bank, and even after they had succeeded in crossing he kept up such an obstinate resistance as he fell back through New Cold Harbor that Hill was compelled to employ a large part of his div1sion to force back a single regiment. This affair gave the name of Gaines' Mill to the whole battle which followed. About 2:30 p. m. the Confederate skirmishers began feeling for the weak point in the Federal position and soon afterward the entire line moved forward to the attack. Porter's force was out-numbered three to one, but his men were determined and his small, compact line withstood the shock. Twenty batteries belched forth their showers of canister upon the advancing foe, strewing the ground with dead and wounded. Still on they came until within musket range, when a deadly fire was opened along the whole Union front that drove the enemy back to the cover of the woods. Again they rallied and renewed the attack, the supporting columns in the rear forcing their way through the disorder of the front lines as they fell back before that terrific fire. On the right D. H. Hill was particularly aggressive. As he advanced on the east of the Old Cold Harbor road one of the Federal batteries began to enfilade his line. Garland made a desperate charge with his brigade, captured the battery and held it for 10 minutes, when he was driven away from the guns with a loss of 70 killed and 202 wounded. At the beginning of the fight Porter sent back to McClellan for reinforcements. Slocum's division was ordered to cross the Chickahominy at Alexander's bridge and hasten to Porter's assistance. He arrived on the field a little after 4 p. m. and his division was divided, different brigades and even different regiments being sent to strengthen the weak places along the line. The arrival of these troops turned the tide of battle for a time in favor of the Federal arms and the hope was entertained that, if the enemy could not be driven back he could at least be held in check until nightfall, by which time the army on the opposite side of the Chickahominy would be safe. For over four Page 787 hours the Union line held fast against all attempts to break it, but the persistent hammering of the enemy, who was constantly bringing up fresh troops, began to tell on the endurance of Porter's men. About 7 o'clock the Confederates advanced in deployed lines and battalions closed in mass, one directly behind the other, each line discharging its fire as soon as it was unmasked by the line in its front. The center of the attack was directed against Martindale's brigade, at a point where Porter thought his line was the strongest, as Martindale was well supported by part of McCall's and Slocum's divisions. Shortly after sunset the line broke, the Confederates pressed forward into the breach and two regiments were captured. The confusion was augmented by a charge of Rush's cavalry and for a moment it looked like an utter rout. But the regulars and zouaves held their ground and brought up the rear in good order. Just at this critical moment the brigades of French and Meagher, of Richardson's division, arrived on the field and were greeted with cheers. With steady front these two brigades advanced against the enemy, while behind them the line was reformed to resist further assaults should any be attempted. The Confederate generals, under the impression that heavy reinforcements had reached Porter, withdrew from the field. Had French and Meagher arrived a few minutes sooner the result might have been different. During the night all the troops on the north side of the Chickahominy were withdrawn across the river, the 4th U. S. infantry crossing at Woodbury's bridge a little after daylight on the morning of the 28th, after which the bridges were all destroyed. The Union loss in the battle of Gaines' mill was 894 killed, 3,107 wounded and 2,836 missing. No report of losses was made by either Longstreet or A. P. Hill. In the remainder of the Confederate army the casualties amounted to 589 killed, 2,671 wounded and 24 missing, according to the reports of the division commanders. As A. P. Hill's division was in the severest part of the fight it is probable that it sustained the heaviest losses, and the casualties in his and Longstreet's commands would doubtless bring the aggregate above that of Porter's. This engagement is also known as Cold Harbor and the Chickahominy. While the battle was in progress Magruder made a number of feints against various portions of the Union line south of the river, but the only serious result produced by his demonstrations was to prevent reinforcements being sent to Porter. By McClellan's holding the north side of the Chickahominy as long as he did Lee came to the conclusion that the Federal commander was solicitous about his line of supplies via the White House on the Pamunkey river, and that all of his efforts would be directed to regain the old depots. As a matter of fact the reverse was true, for General Casey had received orders on the 25th to defend the White House to the last moment, when he was to destroy such stores as could not be removed, embark his troops on the transports, drop down the York river and ascend the James to the new base. Earlier in the month the topographical engineers had mapped the country between White Oak swamp and the James, and on the 18th a number of transports, with supplies of all kinds, were ordered to be sent up the James under protection of the gunboats. On the night of the 27th, after the battle of Gaines' mill, McClellan called his corps commanders to his headquarters, explained his plans and gave them their orders. Keyes was directed to move his command at once across White Oak swamp and take position to cover the movement of the rest of the army. By noon on the 28th he was on the south side of the swamp, covering all the roads by which a flank attack was likely to be made. That morning Franklin's corps was subjected to a severe cannonade from the enemy's guns across the river and from a battery that had been established during Page 788 the night at Garnett's farm. To get out of range he withdrew his command to the edge of the wood on Golding's farm, where his left division connected with Sumner's line. Soon afterward he was charged by two Georgia regiments, but the attack was repulsed with a loss of several killed and wounded and about 25 captured. During the day a detachment of Cobb's Georgia legion had a skirmish with the pickets of the 8th Illinois cavalry at Despatch Station, on the Richmond & York River railroad. At 8 o'clock that evening McCall was ordered to cross the swamp and join Keyes. Franklin, Sumner and Heintzelman were directed to evacuate the intrenchments at Fair Oaks and fall back to a position near Savage Station, where Slocum's division was already in reserve, hold that line until dark on the evening of the 29th to cover the withdrawal of trains, and then relieve Keyes and McCall, who would move to a new position in advance. Early on the morning of the 29th Magruder discovered that the works at Fair Oaks were abandoned and immediately moved forward to attack. About 9 o'clock he came up with Sumner's rear-guard at Allen's farm, 2 miles west of Savage Station, and opened fire with both artillery and musketry. Sumner threw Kirby's, Pettit's and Hazzard's batteries into position in a few minutes to return the fire, which they did with such good effect that in a short time the enemy's guns were silenced. The fight lasted for two hours, during which time Magruder made three desperate charges, but each time he was repulsed with heavy loss. Sumner reached Savage Station at noon and soon afterward learned that the enemy was advancing against him in force. He sent Heintzelman to hold the Williamsburg road and a skirt of timber between it and the railroad, and then formed his own and Franklin's corps in line of battle, with Smith's division on the right to hold the railroad. At 4 p. m. the Confederates advanced on the Williamsburg road, where they met with no resistance, as Heintzelman, through some misunderstanding of orders, had withdrawn his command and was then on his way across White Oak swamp by the Brackett's Ford road. The assault was met by Burns' brigade of Sedgwick's division, reinforced by two lines in reserve and the 69th N. Yv, the famous Irish regiment. A little while before sunset the enemy made an assault along the whole lines. Hazzard's, Tompkins', Pettif’s, Kirby's, Osborn's and Bramhall's batteries met the rush with a murderous fire of canister, followed by a steady and continuous roar of musketry for half an hour, when the Federals made several charges in quick succession that forced Magruder to give way, leaving the road to the swamp open. No detailed report of the loss at Savage Station was made. The Confederates admitted a loss of 4,000, and claimed that Sumner lost 3,000. That night Sumner and Franklin crossed the swamp and destroyed the bridge about 5 a. m. on the 30th. Lee's uncertainty as to McClellan's movements and the destruction of the bridges over the Chickahominy caused the Confederates to remain inactive for 24 hours. But on the morning of the 29th, when it became certain that the Federals were moving toward the James, Longstreet and A. P. Hill crossed the Chickahominy at New bridge, passed within sight of Richmond, and that night went into bivouac within striking distance of the center of the retreating column. The next morning Jackson crossed farther down and followed directly upon McClellan's rear. Magruder moved down from Savage Station between the swamp and the Chickahominy to effect a junction with Jackson, and Huger was sent along the Charles City road. Holmes, who was stationed at Fort Darling on the south side of the James, was ordered to cross over with his 'division to the north bank, where he was joined by Wise's command and proceeded down the Osborne pike to strike the line of retreat at Page 789 Malvern hill. Thus the entire Confederate force about Richmond was bent upon the capture or annihilation of McClellan's army. About 10 a. m. on the 30th the enemy appeared at Brackett's ford and tried to rebuild the bridge, but he was repulsed by Slocum's division and part of Hexamer's battery. At noon Jackson's advance reached White Oak bridge, which he found destroyed and the approaches guarded by Smith's division with several pieces of artillery, under the command of Capt. Ayers. An attempt was made to repair the bridge, but the severe fire drove the workmen away. Jackson then placed 31 guns in position and opened a terrific cannonade, forcing Smith to fall back a short distance and form a new line. D. H. Hill then sent over Munford's cavalry and some skirmishers, but they were driven back across the stream by the fire of Ayers' guns, which had been placed under cover of a wood. The enemy continued his artillery firing until after dark, but made no further effort to cross the creek. In his report Jackson says: "A heavy cannonading in front announced the engagement of General Longstreet at Frazier's farm and made me eager to press forward; but the marshy character of the, soil, the destruction of the bridge, and the strong position of the enemy for defending the passage prevented my advancing until the following morning." South of the White Oak swamp, at a place called Glendale, several roads came together, the junction being known as Charles City or New Market cross-roads. The Long bridge road ran nearly east, the Charles City road northwest toward Richmond, the New Market road southwest and the Quaker road south toward Malvern hill. It was at this point that Lee hoped to strike a telling blow on McClellan's right flank. McClellan realized the danger that threatened him there and disposed his forces to guard against an attack or to meet it if it came. Franklin, with the divisions of Smith and Richardson and Naglee's brigade of Peck's division, was charged with the defense of the roads leading to White Oak bridge; Slocum held the ground between Franklin and the Charles City road; Kearny's division was placed between the Charles City and New Market roads; McCall's division was on the left and front of Kearny; Hooker, with Thompson's and Kirby's batteries, was in the rear of McCall, his left extending to the Quaker road; Sedgwick's division was stationed at Nelson's farm in the rear of Kearny and McCall; Porter was at Malvern hill, and Keyes at Turkey bridge. About noon Huger, Mahone's brigade in advance, drove in the Federal pickets on the Charles City road, and about 2:30 p. m. Mahone's advance appeared in the edge of the timber across Brackett's field from Slocum. Seeing that Slocum's line was well protected by fallen trees with the open field in front, Mahone wisely deemed the position too strong to attack and ordered up Moorman's battery to open the engagement. Battery K, 4th U. S., and Battery E, 1st Rhode Island, responded with such spirit that Mahone withdrew his infantry to the shelter of the woods, but continued the artillery fire until late in the evening. This was the beginning of the battle of Glendale— also called Frazier’s farm, Nelson's farm, White Oak swamp, Charles City Cross-roads and New Market Cross-roads. When Longstreet, over on the New Market road, heard the sound of Huger's artillery he supposed it to be the signal for the general attack and ordered his own batteries to open fire. A little later his infantry advanced in heavy columns and fell upon Seymour's brigade of McCall's division. McCall hurried reinforcements to Seymour in time to prevent his left flank from being turned, but six companies of the 12th Pennsylvania, under the command of Colonel Taggart, posted some distance in advance of the main line, were cut off and to avoid capture the men fell back in some confusion on Hooker's line, where they were rallied by Taggart and Page 790 served on Hooker's right, reporting to Hooker for orders. Two German batteries (Diedrich's and Knierim's) were also forced back, and as the disorganized medley of men and horses rushed back upon Hooker it looked for a little while as though the Federal line would break. But Hooker's men stood firm and as the victorious Confederates rushed forward in pursuit they were greeted by a well-directed fire in front and on either flank that sent them flying back to the woods. As they gave way General Grover, with the 1st Massachusetts, followed and at the same time Colonel Owen, with the 69th Pennsylvania, advanced into the open field on Longstreet's flank. Grover was met by a heavy fire from the enemy's reserves, but he was quickly reinforced by the 26th Pennsylvania and 2nd New Hampshire, and the attack on the left was effectively repulsed. The fight was now transferred to Kearny's front and McCall's right. The enemy, heavily reinforced, made a determined charge upon Randol's battery near the New Market road, and although the heavy charges of canister tore great gaps in the advancing line the Confederates came on with a momentum that was irresistible. The 4th Pennsylvania, which was supporting the battery, gave way—all except Company B—and before the battery could be withdrawn it was overrun by an overwhelming force, the horses killed and the guns overturned. Around the one company that had stood its ground men of other commands rallied and a fierce hand-to-hand encounter ensued, in which bayonets and clubbed muskets were the principal weapons. But the gallant company and its meager support were swept to the rear, followed by a horde of yelling Confederates. McCall's right was now broken and his entire line borne back, with a loss of several pieces of artillery. It was now nearly sunset and since 4 p. m. Kearney had repulsed three attacks on his position. He now formed two lines in the woods on the right of the road and threw Taylor's brigade into the gap caused by McCall's defeat. While engaged in this work he met McCall and asked him to form another line to cooperate with Kearny's men in stopping the rushes of the enemy. There was a slight lull in the battle just then and McCall rode forward to gather some of his men for the new line suggested by Kearny, when in the gathering dusk he fell into the lines of the 47th Virginia and was captured. The arrival of Taylor's brigade proved sufficient, however, to hold the enemy in check, and as it was now too dark for another assault the battle ended. Lee's object in bringing on this engagement was to cut McClellan's army in two at the Charles City road and destroy it in detail. Had Slocum not been strong enough to hold back Huger at this point, or if Jackson had been able to force a crossing at White Oak bridge and attack the rear of the retreating column, the result would have been disastrous. Lee had figured confidently on both these possibilities becoming certainties, but both failed and the Army of the Potomac was thereby saved from destruction. About the time that the battle of Glendale was at its height an attempt was made by Holmes and Wise to turn the Federal rear at Malvern hill. In his report Holmes says: "About 4 o'clock Major Meade, of the engineers, rode up and reported that the enemy was retreating in considerable confusion along the road leading over Malvern hill. * * * I accordingly at once directed my chief of artillery, Colonel Deshler, to proceed to the point indicated, some 2 miles down the river road, with three sections, of 2 rifled guns each, selected from the different batteries, and dispatched the 30th Virginia regiment, Colonel Harrison commanding, of Walker's brigade, as a supporting force. Soon afterward, feeling solicitous for the safety of this detachment, I put the remainder of the division in motion for the same point and proceeded to reconnoiter the ground in person." On his way to the position selected Holmes met Page 791 Lee, who approved of the movement, and as the forces of Holmes and Wise numbered about 7,000 men, he directed that the batteries at once open fire on the Federal position. Sykes' division had reached Malvern hill about 11 a. m. and had taken a position to guard the approaches in front. Part of Buchanan's brigade occupied a grove of pines on the right, the remainder of it supporting Weed's battery; Lovell's brigade prolonged the line to the left, covering the guns of Edwards', Smead's, Carlisle's and Voegelee's batteries; Warren's brigade was in the valley to the left of Lovell, to watch the river road. It was against this line that Holmes opened fire, but before he could get his artillery fairly at work the Union batteries were playing on his guns, while a gunboat in the river began dropping huge shells among his infantry. Sykes reports that "The concentrated fire of our artillery smashed his batteries to pieces, compelled him to leave two guns and six caissons on the ground, and drove his infantry and cavalry ignominiously in retreat. He was not again heard from in that direction." During the night following the battle of Glendale McClellan concentrated his forces at Malvern hill, near the north bank of the James river about 15 miles below Richmond. This hill rises some 60 feet above the surrounding plain and on the summit is a plateau of sufficient extent to allow the maneuvering of an army of considerable size. It was on this plateau that McClellan marshalled his army for the last of the Seven Days' battles, with his line fronting toward the north, where the hill rises somewhat abruptly; his right protected by a small stream called Western run, along which was a thick undergrowth; his left covered by forests and swamps, difficult for the passage of cavalry or artillery; and in the rear was Turkey Island creek and the lowland between the hill and the James river, fully covered by the fire of the Union gunboats. Up the northern slope ran the Quaker road, which forked near the base of the hill, not far from the Crew house, the left hand or western branch running to the Darbytown road and the other to Willis Church, about 2 miles distant. East of this road was a heavy growth of timber, broken only by a clearing on the Poindexter farm along the left bank of Western run. Two roads led from the plateau to Harrison's landing on the James. McClellan's line was arranged in the form of a semi-circle, Morell on the left with his headquarters at the Crew house; Couch's division joined Morell's right and extended nearly to the West house, east of the Quaker road, the right resting on a ravine; Heintzelman's corps was to the right and rear of Couch, with Kearny's division on the left and Hooker's on the right, and in the rear of Heintzelman was Sumner. Warren's brigade of Sykes' division was sent to guard the river road south of the hill, and the other two—Buchanan's and Lovell's—were formed in the rear of Morell. Keyes, with Peck's division, was assigned to the duty of guarding the bridge at Carter's mill and the trains at Haxall. Franklin's corps was posted along Turkey creek on the right, within easy supporting distance of Sumner, and McCall's division, now commanded by Seymour, was stationed in front of the Malvern house, near the southern border of the plateau, where Porter had his headquarters. Berdan's sharpshooters were thrown forward across the Quaker road as skirmishers. Lee formed his line with D. H. Hill and Whiting east of the Willis Church road on the left; then two brigades of Huger's division, the rest of this division and Magruder's command being on the right across the road leading to the Darbytown road. The rest of Jackson's corps was in reserve behind D. H. Hill and Whiting; A. P. Hill was in reserve behind Magruder; Longstreet was further to the rear along the New Market road, and Holmes occupied his position of the day previous. Page 792When the line was formed the following order was sent to the various commanders in the front line: "Batteries have been established to rake the enemy's line. If it is broken, as is probable, Armistead, who can witness the effect of the fire, has been ordered to charge with a yell. Do the same." At 1 p. m. the Confederate batteries opened and about the same time Whiting and D. H. Hill were seen advancing across the open field on the Poindexter farm, where they were exposed to a galling fire from Couch's batteries until they forded the creek and gained the shelter of the woods, when they halted to wait for Armistead's yell. Armistead had formed his brigade in a ravine at the edge of the woods directly in front of the Crew house, and when the artillery fire commenced he sent forward Colonel Edmonds with the 38th Virginia to make a reconnaissance. Edmonds reported the Federals in force at the Crew house and Armistead asked that artillery be placed on the hill in his front before he attempted to advance. Grimes' and Pegram's batteries were sent to him, but their guns were silenced by those On Morell's front. A little after 3 o'clock Armistead ordered forward three regiments to drive back the Federal skirmish line. To quote his report: "In their ardor they went too far, but fortunately gained some protection by a wave of the ground between our position and that of the enemy." Here they were compelled to lie until after dark before they could be withdrawn. Artillery seemed to be in demand at all points along the enemy's line. Magruder asked for 30 rifled guns, but none came. D. H. Hill in his report says: "Instead of ordering up 100 or 200 pieces of artillery to play on the Yankees, a single battery (Moorman's) was ordered up and knocked to pieces in a few minutes. One or two others shared the same fate of being beaten in detail." Hill sent to Jackson for more cannon and received in reply a repetition of the order to advance upon hearing Armistead's signal. About 5:30 Hill heard shouting on his right and, believing this to be the signal, ordered his men to advance. Concerning this movement he says: "We advanced alone; neither Whiting, on the left, nor Magruder nor Huger, on the right, moved forward an inch. The division fought heroically and well, but fought in vain." Garland and Gordon, the latter in command of Rodes' brigade, made gallant charges, but their ranks were literally mowed down by the charges of shrapnel, grape and canister of the Union batteries, and they were forced to retire in disorder. In his report Hill states that the "front line of the Yankees was twice broken and in full retreat, when fresh troops came to its support." No other officer mentions anything of such an occurrence, and what he thought was a break in the line was probably some of Sedgwick's men changing places with Couch's to give the latter an opportunity to replenish their cartridge boxes. He is also in error about none of the other Confederate commands engaging the Federal troops, for about the time he made his advance Magruder made a desperate charge against the Union position at the Crew house, where the heavy siege guns were planted, and where a line of rifle-pits, which Kearny had dug in front of his division, commanded the salient points. Magruder sent forward in quick succession the brigades of Wright, Mahone, Cobb, Ransom and Barksdale, his plan being to charge with 15,000 men, to be followed up by fresh troops, and if repulsed to hold a position as far to the front as possible until another assault could be organized. His troops met the same fate as those of Hill. The converging fire of the artillery near the Crew house checked his advance and the line showed signs of going to pieces, when it was rallied and reinforced by McLaws' division, which was ordered by Lee to attack on the right, and again advanced. Once more the Federal cannon sent their deadly rain of canister into the lines of the Confederates, causing Page 793 them to retreat in confusion. Magruder then gave his attention to securing a position somewhat in advance of his former one, and as darkness was at hand no further attempts were made to carry McClellan's position on the hill. That night the Federal army withdrew to Harrison's landing, where reinforcements and supplies could be received by way of the James. The losses of the Union army during the entire Seven Days' fighting were 1,734 killed, 8,062 wounded and 6,053 missing. The Confederates lost 3,286 killed, 15,909 wounded and 940 missing.


Seven Mile Creek, Dakota Territory, June 24-30, 1865. Detachment of the 1st Colorado Cavalry. Captain Luther Wilson, commanding the post at Fort Collins, Colonel, received information on the 24th that the Indians were committing depredations some 20 miles north of the fort, and immediately started for the scene of the trouble. Upon arriving at Stonewall Station he heard of an attempt of the Indians to run off the stock at Rock Creek Station and pushed forward to that place, to find that the savages had been defeated by the guard at the station, commanded by Corporal Ashley. From this point he followed the Indians to Seven-mile creek, about 7 miles north of the Little Laramie river, where he overtook them and after a sharp skirmish recaptured a herd of stock that they had taken from a train a short time before. The Indians were well mounted and made their escape without severe punishment. The place where this affair occurred is about 20 miles northwest of Laramie City, in what is now the State of Wyoming. Wilson returned to Fort Collins on the 30th.


Seven Pines, Virginia, May 24, 1862. Reconnaissance of the 4th Army Corps. The reconnaissances by Colonels Gregg, Russell and Neill on the 23d discovered the enemy in force on the Williamsburg road, and Brigadier General E. D. Keyes, commanding the 4th corps, ordered General Casey, commanding the 3d division, to send five regiments of infantry, two batteries and the 8th Pennsylvania cavalry to develop the enemy's strength and position. Pursuant to this order the 52nd and 104th Pennsylvania of the 1st brigade; the 85th Pennsylvania of the 2nd; the 85th and 98th New York of the 3d, with Regan's and Spratt's batteries, all under the command of Brigadier-General H. H. Naglee, left camp near Bottom's bridge about 9 a. m. and moved out on the Williamsburg road toward Savage Station. Just beyond the station the enemy was found posted in the edge of a wood on the left of the road. Regan's battery was placed in the edge of the timber on the other side of the road and shelled the enemy's position at a range of about 600 yards. Under cover of this fire the 52nd Pennsylvania was deployed toward the woods on the left, advancing until it reached the protection of some buildings and a fence, when it opened fire at a range of 300 yards. The 104th Pennsylvania was then pushed forward in front, driving the Confederates from the woods and back beyond the cross-roads at Seven Pines, where the enemy was discovered in line of battle. Naglee was preparing to attack when he received orders from Keyes to stop the pursuit for fear of bringing on a general engagement. He was ordered to hold the crossroads, however, and Casey sent five regiments to reinforce him at that point. Naglee's loss was 1 man killed and several wounded; that of the enemy was not learned. Some skirmishing occurred in the vicinity on the 25th and 26th, but without important results to either side.


Seven Pines, Virginia, May 31-June 1, 1862. (See Fair Oaks.)


Seven Pines, Virginia, June 15, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 3d Army Corps. During the morning several shells were thrown toward the Union works, most of them being directed against a tree that was used as a lookout, and the 73d New York, under Major Moriarty, was sent forward to reinforce the pickets. Toward noon a body of Confederate Page 794 cavalry advanced against the pickets on the Williamsburg road and at the same time a considerable force of the enemy's infantry appeared on the right and front of a new redoubt that was under construction. The working party gave way and the pickets retired under cover. Four companies were then moved to the Williamsburg road on the left, and the enemy fell back without making any further demonstration. The Federal loss was 1 killed, 8 wounded and 1 missing. General Ripley reported the Confederate loss as being 3 killed, 4 wounded and 8 missing.


Sevierville, Tennessee, January 13-14, 1864. Detachment of the 15th Pennsylvania and 10th Ohio Cavalry. On the 13th a Confederate force under General Vance made a raid toward Sevierville, where they captured a forage train of 23 wagons. Colonel Palmer, with portions of the 9th Ohio and 15th Pennsylvania, gave prompt pursuit and overtook the enemy on the 14th after a march of 30 miles. Palmer charged and completely routed the Confederates, recapturing the train, together with 52 prisoners, including Vance,, 150 horses and saddles, an ambulance filled with medical stores, a quantity of provisions and 100 stands of arms. The Union force did not suffer any casualty.


Sewell's Point, Virginia, May 18-19, 1861. U. S. S. Monticello. Confederate reports state that the steamer Monticello opened fire upon the unfinished batteries at Sewell's point, and that General Gwynn hurried 5 pieces of artillery down from Norfolk, placed them in position and returned the fire on the 19th, when the vessel was disabled and withdrew.


Sewell's Point, Virginia, May 8, 1862. Union Gunboats. A Confederate account states that on this date the Union gunboats, including the monitor, attacked the batteries on Sewell's point, and that the Merrimac, upon hearing the guns, proceeded with all possible speed from the navy yard, when the Federal vessels took refuge under the guns of Fortress Monroe.


Shadna Church, Georgia, October 2, 1864. (See Fairburn, same date.)


Shady Grove, Georgia, December 1, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, General Sherman's Army. As the army was marching from Atlanta to the sea the brigade, commanded by Colonel E. H. Murray, was moving from Louisville to Waynesboro, and about 10:30 a. m. found two brigades of Confederate infantry drawn up at Shady grove. The 5th Kentucky opened the fight and was being hard pressed, when Colonel Jones, of the 8th Indiana, threw a battalion of his regiment on each flank of the Kentuckians and pushed the third one forward into line. The Confederates soon gave way and were pursued for 3 miles. No casualties reported. (Also called Millen's grove.)


Shady Springs, West Virginia, August 28, 1862. 2nd West Virginia Cavalry.


Shady Springs, West Virginia, July 14, 1863. 2nd West Virginia Cavalry.


Shallow Ford, North Carolina, April 11, 1865. Cavalry Division, Stoneman's Expedition. Brigadier-General Alvan C. Gillem, commanding the cavalry operating with Stoneman in his expedition into southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina, reports that he arrived at Shallow ford of the Yadkin river at daylight and surprised the guard stationed there. The Confederates made but a weak resistance, and then fled, leaving 100 new muskets in Gillem's hands. The casualties, if any, were not reported.


Shallow Ford, Gap, Tennessee, September 22, 1863. (See Missionary Ridge, same date.)


Shanghai, Missouri, September 27, and December 1, 1861. Shanghai, Missouri, May 27, 1864. Citizen Guards. Colonel James McFerran, of the 1st Missouri state militia cavalry, in a despatch to Brigadier-General Egbert B. Brown, says: "Citizen guards and bushwhackers had a skirmish this evening near Shanghai. The most of the citizen guards were absent at the time. The bushwhackers captured the place, and it is reported burned it."


Shannon's Cross Roads, Virginia, May 4, 1863. Detachment of the 5th United States Cavalry. As an incident of the Stoneman raid, the detachment, commanded by Captain J. E. Harrison, took possession of the cross-roads about 2:30 a. m. Shortly after 6 o'clock the rear pickets were attacked by some of Hampton's cavalry. Harrison sent Lieut . Hastings, with 14 men, to reinforce the pickets and drew up the remainder of his command to receive an attack. Hastings charged the advance and drove it back upon the main body, which then came forward in column, yelling like demons. Upon seeing Harrison's line ready to receive them they slackened their speed and Harrison gave the command to charge. Although his force was outnumbered ten to one, the impetuosity of the charge somewhat disconcerted the enemy, and before they could rally Harrison wheeled about and retreated on the road to Yanceyville. The Union loss was 1 killed, 3 wounded and 32 captured; Confederate loss not reported. Sharon, Mississippi, February 27, 1864. According to the report of Confederate General W. H. Jackson, his cavalry reached Sharon on this date, and detached regiments engaged in skirmishing with Union foraging parties of 30 to 50 men each during the day. In these brushes a number of the Federals were killed and wounded, some taken prisoners, and several wagons captured. He does not state his own losses. The affairs were incidents of Sherman's Meridian expedition.


Sharpsburg, Kentucky, December 31, 1864. Detachment of 121st U. S. Colored Infantry. Major W. R. Gerhart, commanding the post at Sharpsburg, reported that he was attacked on the morning of the 31st by a force which came from the direction of Owingsville. The Union casualties were 1 man killed and 1 wounded. The Confederates retired very slowly, but for lack of horses Gerhart was unable to pursue them.


Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 17, 1862. (See Antietam.)


Shaver Mountain, Virginia, September 20, 1863. Brigadier-General W. W. Averell reported from Beverly on the 21st, as follows: "Pickets on Seneca road encountered a party of rebels yesterday on Shaver mountain; killed 1, wounded another, and captured 2 others."


Shaver's River, West Virginia, May 30, 1862. A report of Major-General John C. Fremont, commanding the Mountain Department, says: "Col . Latham, with a detachment of the 2nd Virginia, and a company of Connecticut cavalry under Captain Fish, who were sent to Shaver's river, surprised and routed a gang of guerrillas at that place, killing their captain and 3 men, wounding several others, and capturing and destroying more than 30 guns."


Shawneetown, Kansas, June 6, 1863.


Shawsheen, U. S. Gunboat, Capture of, May 7, 1864. (See Turkey Island.) Shelbina, Missouri, September 4, 1861. Detachment of 3d Iowa and 2nd Kansas Infantry. During the operations of the Federal army in northeastern Missouri a detachment returning from an expedition to Paris was fired upon as it was entering Shelbina and 1 man was killed. Next day (4th) the Confederates appeared in force before the town with 2 pieces of artillery and commenced .shelling it. After receiving about 40 shots from the enemy's guns the Federal infantry boarded the trains in waiting and left the town.


Shelbina, Missouri, July 26, 1864. Brigadier-General Clinton B. Fisk, commanding the district of North Missouri, reported from St. Joseph, that some 800 Confederates entered Shelbina, tore up the railroad track, burned two trains of cars and destroyed some other property. No mention of any fighting.


Shelburne, Missouri, September 15, 1862. Missouri Militia.


Shelby Depot, Tennessee, October 22, 1862. 6th Illinois Cavalry. While on a scout from Memphis the regiment, commanded by Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson, approached the bridge over the Loosahatchee river north of Shelby and found it in flames. The advance was fired upon by some of Burrow's guerrillas, who were secreted on the opposite side of the stream. Grierson dismounted one battalion, which soon drove the enemy from his covert, when a portion of the command was crossed over on foot, while the rest turned their attention to saving the bridge. Seeing that they were about to be defeated the Confederates mounted their horses and scattered. As soon as the horses could be brought over, Grierson mounted his men and pursued the largest party, which had gone up the river. They were soon overtaken and scattered in all directions, several being killed and wounded and some taken prisoners. No casualties on the Union side.


Shelbyville, Tennessee, June 27, 1863. Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland. At 6 a. m. Major-General Gordon Granger received an order from Major-General W. S. Rosecrans to feel the Confederates at Guy's gap and accordingly the corps was advanced from its camp near Christiana. Mitchell's cavalry division moved with the corps, Stanley's brigade, with Baird's infantry division supporting, having the advance. Two miles north of Guy's gap the enemy's skirmishers were met in the open fields and for more than 2 hours sharp skirmishing was kept up, when the enemy fell back to the gap. Stanley with his cavalry cleared the gap with little trouble, the Confederates retreating hastily and in some confusion toward Shelbyville. Portions of the cavalry followed in an exciting chase of 7 miles to where the enemy's rifle-pits intersected the road 3 miles north of Shelbyville. Although Granger's orders did not contemplate an advance beyond the gap, when it was learned that the Confederates were retreating he determined to strike their rear and ordered Stanley to start the attack. With little resistance the cavalry and the advance infantry charged over the rifle-pits, turning the point where the enemy had planted 2 guns and causing the Confederates to retreat hastily toward the town. Three-quarters of a mile from the center of the village the enemy made another stand with 3 guns in position, checking for a time Granger's advance. The Union column was closed up, Stanley again effectually cleared the field and in 30 minutes Granger's men were in full possession of the place. Three brass pieces were captured and a fourth which the enemy attempted to carry away broke through the bridge over Duck river, thereby hindering and obstructing the Confederate retreat, which by this time had become a rout, many of the troops in their attempt to swim the stream being drowned. The total loss of the enemy (estimated by Granger) was between 200 and 250 killed, drowned or wounded and more than 700 captured. The Federal casualties were about 50 in killed and wounded.


Shelbyville, Tennessee, October 7, 1863. Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. In the pursuit of the Confederates under Wheeler and Roddey, during their raid in east Tennessee, the enemy was overtaken at Sims' farm, a short distance west of Shelbyville. Colonel Long, commanding the 2nd1 brigade, 2nd division, charged, and at the same time Colonel Miller, commanding Wilder's brigade of mounted infantry, came up on another road and also charged with the 17th Indiana and 98th Illinois, dismounted. The Confederates resisted for a little while, when they gave way and fled, closely pursued. As they were passing through a narrow lane, closely massed, the 17th Indiana poured in a galling fire that threw them into confusion and the retreat became a rout. The pursuit was continued for 3 or 4 miles. (See Farmington.) The Union loss was not definitely stated. Long reported 10 wounded, 2 mortally, and Miller says his Page 797 loss in killed and wounded was nearly 100. Of the enemy 86 were left dead on the field and nearly 300 were captured, together with 4 pieces of artillery.


Shelbyville, Tennessee, November 28, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 5th Cavalry Division, Military Division of the Mississippi. About 2 p. m. the enemy opened fire on the pickets on the Shelbyville road, and through a glass the Confederates could be seen in force about 2 miles distant. This was the cavalry of Cobb and Ross, and Colonel Coon, commanding the brigade, fearing an attack, sent a battalion of the 2nd la. under Captain Foster to the support of the pickets, after which he commenced removing his trains to Huey's cross-roads. As soon as the trains were well under way he withdrew his command and fell back to the cross-roads, where he went into bivouac for the night.


Shelbyville Pike, Tennessee, January 5, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. After the retreat of Bragg's army from Murfreesboro Colonel Lewis Zahm, commanding the 2nd cavalry brigade, was ordered to make a reconnaissance on the Shelbyville pike. Very little actual fighting occurred, but a number of Confederate stragglers were captured and brought into camp.


Shelbyville Pike, Tennessee, June 6, 1863. Davis' Division, Army of the Cumberland. Brigadier-General Jefferson C. Davis in a report of June 6 states that his division advanced as far as Colonel Lytle's house, and encountered a Confederate battery. The Federal artillery was brought up and after a brisk skirmish the enemy was compelled to retire. Davis had 1 man killed and several wounded.


Shelbyville Pike, Tennessee, October 7, 1863. (See Farmington, same date.)


Sheldon's Place, Indian Territory, December 18, 1863. Detachments of 1st, 2nd and 3d Indian Home Guards. Captain A. C. Spilman, commanding the detachment of Indians, came upon a Confederate force drawn up in line of battle three-quarters of a mile beyond Sheldon's, on Barren fork. Spilman's howitzers opened fire upon the enemy and soon drove him to the top of the hill, when the Cherokee Indians, under Lieut. Parsons, charged and drove him a quarter of a mile farther. Spilman then got his command together again and started to get better position when the enemy attacked. For more than 2 hours the fighting lasted at this point, when the Federals by a trick managed to dislodge the Confederates. The Union casualties were only 2 wounded. Spilman's report places the enemy's loss at 12 killed and 25 wounded.


Shellmound, Tennessee, August 21, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps. The itinerary of the brigade contains the following statement for this date: "Ordered to break the enemy's railroad communications by the Chattanooga & Nashville railroad with Bridgeport at Shellmound. Moved the 75th Indiana infantry and a section of the 19th Indiana battery to Tennessee river, opposite Shellmound. Shelled the enemy out after dark. Crossed a small party in a canoe and burned Nickajack Bridge and captured the ferryboat." Shellmound, Tennessee, August 28, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 14th Army Corps. Colonel Edward A. King, commanding the brigade, with 200 of the 101st, four companies of the 75th Indiana infantry, and a few mounted men of the 19th Indiana battery, crossed the Tennessee river at Shellmound for the purpose of making a reconnaissance and breaking up a Confederate camp at the Narrows. The mounted men went up the Running Water to a cross-road, while the infantry pushed on—the last half-mile at the double-quick—to the enemy's camp. The Confederates hurriedly evacuated and scattered through the timber, the darkness making it impossible to pursue. Six prisoners, 11 horses, 7 saddles, 12 muskets and some other property fell into King's hands. His detachment sustained no loss whatever.


Army Shelter Cove, California, May 9, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd California Infantry. On April 30 a government pack train was ambushed and captured by Indians about 13 miles from Fort Gaston. Captain Hull, with 20 men of Company D, started in pursuit from Fort Bragg on May 3. On the 9th he overtook the Indians at Shelter Cove, k1lled 4 wounded 3 and brought in a boy and 5 squaws as prisoners.


Shepherdstown Ford, Virginia, September 19, 1862. (See Blackford's Ford.)


Shepherdstown, West Virginia, October 1, 1862. 8th Illinois, 8th Pennsylvania, and 3d Indiana Cavalry, and Pennington's Battery.


Shepherdstown, West Virginia, October 16-17, 1862. 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. In a reconnaissance from Sharpsburg, Maryland, to Smithfield, Virginia, the regiment encountered the enemy's pickets about a mile from Shepherdstown on the 16th and drove them back toward Kearneysville. The Martinsburg road from Shepherdstown was held by a detachment of 150 men, under Captain Crowninshield, who advanced under orders to a cross-road connecting the Martinsburg and Smithfield pikes, where he met the enemy's pickets and drove them back until checked by a heavy force of Confederate cavalry with 2 pieces of artillery. At sunrise on the 17th the command advanced, occupied Leetown and a detachment reconnoitered toward Smithfield, which place was found to be occupied by the enemy's cavalry. The regiment then returned to Shepherdstown, the Confederates following and shelling the rear, but without doing any serious damage. No casualties reported.


Shepherdstown, West Virginia, July 16, 1863. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. In the pursuit of the Confederates from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Brigadier-General D. McM. Gregg, commanding the division, occupied Shepherdstown with the 1st and 3d brigades on the 15th and halted for the 2nd brigade to come up. About noon on the 16th firing was heard on the Winchester road, announcing that the pickets had been attacked, and a little later a large force of the enemy made an effort to get in Gregg's rear. The 3d brigade, Colonel J. I. Gregg, was quickly thrown into position to meet the movement, and in a short time the engagement became general, the Confederates bringing 6 pieces of artillery to the assistance of their dismounted cavalry. The 4th and 16th Pennsylvania and 1st Maine met the attack in front, and the 10th New York was thrown to the right to cover the Martinsburg road, while Mcintosh's brigade (1st) was placed on the south side of the town to hold the roads leading to Harper's Ferry and Charlestown, with instructions to take position so as to move to the assistance of the 3d brigade if necessary. Subsequently the 1st Pennsylvania and Randol's battery were sent to the aid of Gregg and the fighting was kept up until after dark. At 7 p. m. Huels brigade (2nd) arrived, having been delayed by skirmishing with the enemy oh the Harper's Ferry road, and orders were given to retire to Harper's Ferry early the next morning. Gregg's loss was 8 killed, 72 wounded and 24 captured or missing. The enemy's loss was not ascertained.


Shepherdstown, West Virginia, July 30, 1864. Colonel William L. Jackson, commanding a brigade of Confederate cavalry, reported from the Martinsburg road about 2 miles from Shepherdstown, as follows: "By maneuvering more than fighting, the enemy's infantry and cavalry (about 1,500, so far as I can learn) compelled me to fall back to this point, and they are now in possession of Shepherdstown and still moving to flank me." This is the only official mention of the affair.


Shepherdstown, West Virginia, August 25, 1864. (See Kearneysville.) Shepherdsville, Kentucky, September 7, 1862. Detachment of the 54th Indiana Infantry. The detachment, commanded by Captain Tinker, was engaged in guarding the bridge over Salt river, when a Confederate force commanded by Colonel Hutcheson appeared before the stockade and demanded Page 799 an unconditional surrender. As the enemy outnumbered Tinker's force more than three to one, and were armed with artillery, his men were surrendered and paroled. One man was killed by a shell which was thrown into the Federal stockade during the parley.


Shepherdsville, Kentucky, September 21, 1862. Colonel Granger's command.


Shepherdsville, Kentucky, October 1, 1862. (See Bardstown Pike.)


Shepherdsville, Kentucky, October 3, 1862. (See Cedar Church.)


Sheridan's Virginia Raid, February 27-March 25, 1865. (See Petersburg, same date.) Sherwood, Missouri, March 9, 1863. 6th Kansas Cavalry. Captain David Mefford, during the course of a scout, encountered a few Confederate pickets near Sherwood and drove them back. Later in the day his advance came upon some of Livingston's guerrillas and was repulsed, but when the Confederates came to the main body they were charged and were driven in turn. Mefford had 1 man wounded.


Sherwood, Missouri, May 5-9, 1863. 2nd Kansas Cavalry and 1st Kansas Colored Infantry. Adjt. M. M. Ehle with detachments of the two regiments, numbering about 200 men, attacked and broke up a guerrilla camp on Center creek near Sherwood. Subsequently he surprised another outlaw band near the town and captured some prisoners. No casualties were reported.


Sherwood, Missouri, May 18, 1863. Detachments of 1st Kansas Colored Infantry and 2nd Kansas Battery. A foraging party of about 60 men was attacked by Livingston's guerrillas in the vicinity of Sherwood and 3 Union men were killed. The Confederates sustained no loss.


Shilling's Bridge, South Carolina, February 11-12, 1865. 15th Army Corps. In the Carolina campaign this corps, commanded by Major-General John A. Logan, moved to Shilling's bridge over the North Edisto river on the 12th, and there found the Confederates intrenched to resist a crossing. J. E. Smith's division crossed on pontoons about dark and Hazen's division crossed at three points on fallen trees. Once across the river the two divisions turned the enemy's position, completely routing him with a loss of 3 killed, several wounded and 80 captured, together with 200 stands of arms which the Confederates abandoned in their hasty retreat. Logan reported a loss of 1 killed and 5 wounded.


Shiloh, Missouri, April 11, 1862. Detachments of the 1st Iowa Cavalry and 26th Indiana Infantry. Lieut.-Colonel C. E. Moss, with 130 men, moved from Osceola to break up a Confederate camp at Shiloh. When within 2 miles of the camp the Confederate captain and 30 of his men were found in a house and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which the enemy was defeated with a loss of 6 killed, 4 wounded and 7 captured, with a number of mules and horses, etc. The camp was found evacuated. Not a man was injured on the Union side. Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6-7, 1862. Army of the Tennessee; Army of the Ohio; Gunboats Tyler and Lexington. Immediately after the fall of Fort Donelson, General A. S. Johnston, commanding the Confederate armies in the west, began the work of establishing a new line farther south. He evacuated Nashville on February 23 and fell back to Murfreesboro, where he was joined by the troops from Bowling Green, those who had escaped from Fort Donelson, and General Crittenden's command, giving him about 17,000 men. With this force he moved to Corinth, Mississippi, where he was joined by General Bragg with 10,000 seasoned troops from Pensacola; Ruggles' brigade from New Orleans; General Polk, with Cheatham's division from Columbus, Kentucky; the troops that had left Island No. 10 with McCown on March 17; General Van Dorn's command from Missouri, and several small outlying garrisons. New recruits also came in from different states, so that by April 1 he had an army of some 40,000 Page 800 men. Beauregard's forces were stationed at Island No. 10, Forts Pillow and Randolph, Memphis, and at various points in Mississippi. As Johnston was falling back from Nashville to Corinth Major-General Henry W. Halleck, commanding the department, conceived the idea of breaking the railroad connections to prevent Beauregard from forming a junction with Johnston. A base of operations was then to be established on the Tennessee river, from which the army would move on Corinth. Florence, Alabama, was originally selected, but owing to the failure of the expedition to destroy the railroad bridge at' Eastport, Mississippi, and the rapid mobilization of Johnston's forces at Corinth and Humboldt, it was deemed advisable to establish a depot lower down. The selection of a place was left to Major-General Charles F. Smith, who commanded the advance division. He decided in favor of Savannah, on the right bank of the river, 120 miles from Nashville and 23 from Corinth, and designated Pittsburg Landing, 9 miles above Savannah, as the point for assembling the army. In anticipation of a movement of this sort, Beauregard, in the latter part of February, sent a battery, supported by two regiments of infantry, to occupy the bluff overlooking Pittsburg Landing. This force was driven away by the two Federal gunboats, Tyler and Lexington, on March 1, and on the 5th the first of the steamboats bringing troops and supplies landed at Savannah. The Tennessee river at Pittsburg Landing runs almost due north, the landing being on the left or western bank. A little more than 2 miles above the landing Lick creek flows into the river, and Snake creek about a mile below. The principal tributary of the latter is Owl creek, the course of which is almost parallel to that of Lick creek. Some 2 miles from the river are Oak creek and Locust Grove creek, near together, the former flowing into Owl creek and the latter into Lick creek. The ground enclosed by these several streams is a rolling plateau, broken in places by ravines, and from 80 to 100 feet above the river. Its form is that of an irregular triangle, approximately 4 miles on each side, and it was on this plateau that the battle of Shiloh was fought. Several roads crossed the field in different directions, the principal ones being the eastern Corinth, or Bark road; the western Corinth road, on which stood Shiloh church, about 2 miles from the landing; the Purdy road, which crossed the Corinth road a short distance north of the church; the Hamburg road, running up the river bank to Hamburg and from there to Corinth, and the river-road to Crump's landing, which crossed Snake creek a little way below the mouth of Owl creek. Almost parallel with the road, and a little west of it, ran Tillman's creek. By March 18 this field was occupied by the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major-General U. S. Grant, and organized as follows: 1st division, Major-General John A. McClernand, including the brigades of Colonels A. M. Hare, C. C. Marsh and Julius Raith; 2nd division, Brigadier-General W. H. L. Wallace, consisting of the brigades of Colonel James M. Tuttle, Brigadier General John McArthur, and Colonel T. W. Sweeny; 3d division, Major-General Lewis Wallace, including the brigades of Colonels M. L. Smith, J. M. Thayer and Charles Whittlesey; 4th division, Brigadier-General Stephen A. Hurlbut, consisting of the brigades of Colonels N. G. Williams and J. C. Veatch, and Brigadier-General J. G. Lauman: 5th division, Brigadier-General William T. Sherman, embracing the divisions of Colonels J. A. McDowell, David Stuart, Jesse Hildebrand and R. P. Buckland; 6th division, Brigadier-General B. M. Prentiss, including the brigades of Colonels Everett Peabody and Madison Miller. The artillery and cavalry were distributed among the several divisions, and two regiments of infantry and five batteries were unassigned. According to the field returns on April 4-5, just before the battle, the total present for duty numbered 44,895 officers and men, with 62 pieces of artillery. Page 801 Major-General Don Carlos Buell, with the Army of Ohio, had occupied Nashville immediately upon its evacuation by the Confederates, and early in March he tendered his aid to Halleck, who urged him to join Grant at Savannah. On the l0th Buell telegraphed: "I can join you almost, if not quite as soon, by water, in better condition and with greater security to your .operations and mine. * * * I shall advance in a very few days, as soon as our transportation is ready." The next day the Department of the Mississippi was created by the president's War Order No. 3, giving Halleck authority over the Army of the Ohio, and he at once sent orders to Buell to march his army to Savannah. On the 15th Buell began his march with four divisions, viz.: The 2nd, under Brigadier-General Alexander McD. McCook, was composed of three brigades commanded by Brigadier-General L. H. Rousseau, Colonel E. N. Kirk and Colonel W. H. Gibson; the 4th division, Brigadier-General William Nelson, included the brigades of Colonels Jacob Ammen, William B. Hazen and S. D. Bruce; the 5th division Boyle and Colonel William S. Smith; the 6th division, Brigadier-General T. J. Wood, consisted of the brigades of Brigadier-General James A. Garfield and Colonel George D. Wagner. The four divisions numbered about 25,000 men. With the command were three batteries of artillery and two regiments of cavalry, the latter going in advance of the main column to secure the bridges. The bridge over the Duck river at Columbia was found in flames and the water at flood stage. This occasioned a delay of several days while a new bridge was being constructed. Nelson's division crossed on the 29th and the rest of the army the next day, when the march was resumed with all possible speed toward Pittsburg Landing. Nelson's division, which was in advance, reached Savannah on April 5, Crittenden's camped within a few miles of the place that night, and Buell himself reached the town late in the evening. Johnston's army, the Army of the Mississippi, with Beauregard second in command, was divided into four corps. The 1st, under Major-General Leonidas Polk, was composed of the divisions of Clark and Cheatham; the 2nd, Major-General Braxton Bragg, included the divisions of Ruggles and Withers; the 3d, Major-General William J. Hardee, consisted of three brigades under Hindman, Cleburne and S. A. M. Wood; the reserve corps, Brigadier-General John C. Breckenridge, embraced the brigades of Trabue, Bowen and Statham. Altogether the army contained 72 regiments and 10 battalions, numbering, according to Confederate reports, 35,953 infantry and artillery and 4,382 cavalry. Each brigade was accompanied by at least one battery, and several had two. On March 26 Lee wrote to Johnston: "I need not urge you, when your army is united, to deal a blow at the enemy in your front, if possible, before his rear gets up from Nashville. You have him divided, and keep him so, if you can." Pursuant to these instructions Johnston hastened forward his arrangements for an attack on Grant before Buell could come up, and when, on the night of April 2, he learned that Buell had passed Columbia, he immediately issued orders for the troops to be held ready to move at a minute's notice, each man to be provided with 5 days' rations and 100 rounds of ammunition. The arrangements were completed in a few hours and on the afternoon of the 3d the advance against Grant was commenced, Hardee's corps in advance, the intention being to have the troops in line by 7 o'clock on the morning of the 5th, and the attack to begin an hour later. As usual in the movement of large bodies of troops, unavoidable delays occurred, so that the attack was not made until 24 hours behind the schedule time. Notwithstanding the enemy had been encountered at various places by reconnoitering parties on Friday and Saturday, the 4th and 5th, it Page 802 seems that no general attack was anticipated by the Union commander, as on Saturday Grant telegraphed Halleck that "The main force of the enemy is at Corinth, with troops at different points east." In another despatch the same day, announcing the arrival of Buell's advance division at Savannah, he said: "It is my present intention to send them to Hamburg, some four miles above Pittsburg, when they all get here. From that point to Corinth the road is good, and a junction can be formed with the troops from Pittsburg at almost any point." The same day he sent Colonel McPherson to examine the ground about Hamburg, with instructions to mark out the position of a camp there, if it should be decided to occupy that place. In a visit to Nelson's camp at Savannah, Grant said to that officer: "There will be no fighting at Pittsburg Landing; we will have to go to Corinth, where the rebels are fortified." Holding these views it is not surprising that no defensive works were thrown up at Pittsburg Landing, and that only ordinary pickets were thrown out short distances from the camp. The positions of the different commands on Saturday evening, April 5, were as follows: Stuart's brigade of Sherman's division was at the junction of the Hamburg and Bark roads; the rest of the division was on the right of the line, the left resting on Shiloh church, the camp extending westward; McClernand's left was near the crossing of the Corinth and Purdy roads, his line extending northwest; Prentiss lay between Sherman and Stuart, near the headwaters of Oak creek; Hurlbut and W. H. L. Wallace were farther in the rear to the east of Tillman creek; Lewis Wallace was down the river, about half way between Pittsburg Landing and Savannah, his 1st brigade being at Crump's Landing, the 2nd at a place called Stony Lonesome, about 2 miles from the river on the Purdy road, and his 3d at Adamsville, some 2 miles farther on the same road. About 3 o'clock on Sunday morning Prentiss sent Colonel Moore, of the 21st Missouri, with five companies, to the front on a reconnaissance. Just at daybreak the advance pickets were driven in, when Moore moved forward and was soon engaged with Hardee's column advancing to the attack. Moore sent back for reinforcements and the remainder of his regiment was sent forward to his assistance. Peabody's brigade was formed in line and advanced well to the front. About 6 o'clock Moore was severely wounded, the regiment fell back, closely pressed by the enemy, and soon the entire division was under fire. This was the beginning of the battle of Shiloh. It was the intention of the Confederates to surprise the Federals, and probably the only thing that prevented the surprise was the action of Prentiss in sending out a reconnaissance at such an early hour. Hardee's line continued to advance, widening the space between the brigades as they came forward until Cleburne was in front of Sherman's division, driving the advance guard back on the main body. The brigades of McDowell and Hildebrand formed on their color lines, Taylor's battery was posted near the church and Waterhouse's on a ridge to the left, between the 53d and 57th Ohio, the former, under Colonel Appler, forming the left of the line. Sherman sent to McClernand, asking him to support Appler, and McClernand formed his division so that Raith's brigade connected with Sherman's left. The Confederates opened with a battery in the woods, to which Taylor and Waterhouse promptly responded. After a short artillery duel the enemy's infantry advanced and the battle became general. Raith ordered a charge, which drove the enemy from the front, though he fell mortally wounded while leading his brigade, which was thrown into some confusion, but Lieut.-Colonel Engelmann assumed command and righted the line, changing his two flank regiments to repulse attacks by Polk and Bragg, who had come up on his right and left. About  Page 803 3 a. m. the 53d Ohio broke in disorder, soon followed by the 57th, but Engelmann held on until his flanks were again threatened, when he was ordered to fall back and form a new line in front of division headquarters. During this action 3 guns of Waterhouse's battery were captured. When the new line was formed McClernand brought up Burrows' battery in the center, Schwartz's was sent to the right in support of Sherman, and McAllister's to the left to command the approach across a field. All opened a spirited fire and in a few minutes Schwartz succeeded in silencing the guns in his front, but the enemy charged in force and he was compelled to retire with the loss of a caisson. Nearly all the horses belonging to Burrows' battery were killed and the guns had to be abandoned. They were recaptured, however, the next day. McAllister kept up the fire until almost surrounded, when he withdrew three of his guns, one being left behind for want of horses to bring it off. This gun was also recovered the next day. Each of the battery commanders was wounded during the action. Hildebrand's brigade had practically disappeared from the field by 10 a. m. and Sherman ordered McDowell and Buckland to fall back to the Purdy and Hamburg road, where they were to form a new line to connect with McClernand's. Half an hour later the Confederates made a furious assault on McClernand, and McDowell was sent against the enemy's left flank, driving him back some distance, after which McDowell took position in a wooded valley to his right, where, under cover of rocks, logs and trees, his men held on until about the middle of the afternoon. All through the day Sherman and McClernand acted in concert. Five times they were compelled to retire before the determined assaults of the enemy. About 4 p. m. the sixth line was established to cover the bridge and road over which Lew Wallace's division was expected to come from Crump's landing. This line was in the skirts of a wood, on the east side of a field, McClernand's division in the center, the remnant of Sherman's division on the right, two regiments of Veatch's brigade on the left, McAllister's battery near the middle of the line and the 7th Illinois formed as a reserve. A lull of half an hour occurred, during which time the men replenished their cartridge boxes and seized the opportunity to enjoy a brief but much needed rest. Then the enemy's cavalry were seen advancing across the field to a charge. When they were within 30 yards of the Union line McAllister's guns belched forth from their brazen throats a shower of canister, followed immediately by a well directed volley of musketry that threw the Confederates into confusion and caused them to beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind a large number of dead and wounded. After several attempts to turn the flanks of this position the enemy advanced in heavy columns, the Louisiana Zouaves in the lead, against the center. Again the Federals waited in silence until the enemy was at close range, when fire was opened with destructive effect . The artillery, double shotted with canister, literally mowed down the column, while the coolness of the infantry made every shot tell. All attempts to rally the line were futile, and after a few moments the whole body fled in disorder. This ended the fighting on that part of the field for the day. Shortly after Prentiss became engaged in the morning, the second line of Confederates swept around to his right flank, forcing him back to his color line, where he held on until about 9 o'clock, when a fresh body of troops was brought up against him and he was driven back to the position held by Hurlbut and W. H. L. Wallace. The three divisions now formed a new line, with Prentiss in the center, Hurlbut on the left and Wallace on the right. Prentiss occupied an old, washed out road running along the top of a ridge about half a mile to the eastward Page 804 of the church, with Hickenlooper's battery in position to the right of the Corinth road. Many of Prentiss' men had become panic-stricken and fled toward the river. Wallace sent the 8th la., under Colonel Geddes, to his assistance, and Colonel Tindall came up with the 23d Missouri, which had just disembarked from a transport, thus strengthening the new line. This formation had hardly been completed when Gladden's brigade of Withers' division made a terrific assault on the center. Prentiss' men, lying down in the old sunken road, waited until the enemy was within close range, when they poured in a murderous volley that drove him back out of range. A. P. Stewart's brigade of Clark's division next essayed to drive Prentiss from his position, but was twice repulsed with heavy slaughter. Bragg then ordered Gibson's brigade of Ruggles' division to carry the ridge. Gibson made one of the most gallant charges of the day, but in the meantime a battery had been so placed as to enfilade the slope, and this cross-fire, with the deadly line of infantry in the old roadway, quickly drove him back. Gibson asked for artillery to silence the battery, but none was at hand and another charge' was ordered. Four regimental commanders tried to persuade Bragg that the position was invulnerable without artillery. To one of these he replied somewhat petulantly, "I want no faltering now," and again a desperate dash was made up the slope, only to be met by that relentless fire. Four times Gibson charged, but each time the Federal line held firm. Hindman's command, flushed with the success it had won against Sherman and McClernand, next confidently advanced against the ridge, but it was shattered into fragments by the battery and the musketry fire from the steadfast line of Wallace and Prentiss. To this fatal slope the Confederates gave the name of the "Hornets' Nest." While these events were transpiring on the right and center of the Union line, the left had not been permitted to remain idle. About 7:30 a. m. Stuart's pickets brought in word that the enemy was advancing in force on the Bark road. Stuart communicated this information to Hurlbut, who sent forward Mann's battery, supported by the 41st Illinois Stuart then formed his line to the left of the battery, and facing toward the west and south, in the expectation that Hurlbut would extend his line to connect with the battery on the right. Four companies were thrown forward as skirmishers and were soon engaged with a force of the enemy which was trying to plant a battery on the opposite side of the ravine. The skirmishers were forced to retire and the Confederate battery commenced shelling Stuart's position, their infantry at the same time advancing. Stuart went to the battery to order it to change its position, but found it and the supporting regiment had been withdrawn to connect with Williams' brigade, to which they belonged. This left a wide gap in the line, and Stuart, seeing that he was about to be outflanked by an overwhelming force, hurried back to his brigade, which was already engaged, the 71st Ohio having retreated from the field to return no more that day. The gap in the line was filled by McArthur, with two regiments of his brigade, and as soon as possible Stuart extricated his command, after which he withdrew to a hill some distance in the rear. Here he repulsed an attack by Chalmers' brigade of Withers' division and held the enemy in check until Clanton's cavalry gained his left flank, when he again fell back to another hill, reformed his line and held this position until his men had exhausted their ammunition. Stuart was wounded and went to the landing, turning over the command to Colonel Smith, of the 54th Ohio. Smith and Colonel Malmborg, of the 55th HI., succeeded in rallying about 3,000 of the retreating troops and held on until about 3 p. m., when the whole brigade retired gradually toward the landing. Page 805 When Hurlbut withdrew Mann's battery from Stuart he placed it at the corner of a field, along the southern side of which was Williams' brigade, Lauman continuing the line at an obtuse angle to the right of the battery to connect with Prentiss left. Ross' battery was placed about the middle of Williams' line and Myers' was with Lauman. This position was held until the withdrawal of Stuart's command made it necessary for Hurlbut to send Lauman's' brigade to the left to prevent a flank movement, and during this period of five hours several heavy attacks were repulsed. Gladden's brigade, after its effort to force Prentiss from the old roadway, reformed and commanded by Colonel Adams, moved against Lauman. When within about 400 yards Mann's and Ross' batteries opened, while the 17th and 25th Kentucky were thrown forward to strike the advancing column on the flank. Under this cross-fire the enemy broke and sought the cover of the wood. Three times Adams rallied his men and led them to the attack, but with no better success, Mann's battery being particularly effective in repelling the assaults. Meantime Jackson's brigade of Withers' division assailed McArthur, but was unable to withstand the steady fire. A second attack, in which Jackson was well supported by artillery, proved more successful, and after a severe struggle McArthur withdrew his two regiments in good order to a new position. Soon after Hardee had opened the fight against Sherman and McClernand, Johnston rode to the right of the Confederate line and ordered Breckenridge to send Trabue's brigade to Beauregard, who was then near the church. Then, seeing the difficulty that Withers was having in trying to carry the Federal position in the "Hornet's Nest," he ordered Breckenridge's other two brigades to be put in. Bowen was first engaged and driven back, after which Statham deployed under cover of a ridge and marched up the slope directly in front of the 32nd and 41st Illinois which formed the left of Hurlbut's line. This time the Confederates succeeded in reaching the summit, where they were met by a withering fire at close range. Statham's line broke and fled down the hill in disorder, the 45th Tennessee refusing to again make the attempt until Johnston rode forward and offered to lead the charge in person. The line was again formed and with the Confederate general at the head charged up the slope with such impetuosity that the Illinois troops were forced to give way. They retired slowly, however, halting now and then to fire, thus checking pursuit. On one of these occasions a bullet struck General Johnston in the thigh, cutting an artery, and in a few minutes he bled to death, as no surgeon was near to attend to the wound. The news of his death spread quickly through the Confederate ranks, and caused a lull in the battle. Then Bragg assumed command of the Confederate right. He assembled what was left of Withers' and Cheatham's divisions and Breckenridge's two brigades and prepared for a general advance. Hurlbut saw the movement forming and took steps to meet the assault when it came. Cartridge boxes were replenished, Willard's battery was brought forward and posted near the Hamburg road, 2 of Cavender's 20-pounders were brought up and placed in position with Williams' brigade, and the line strengthened wherever it was possible. About 4 p. m. Bragg moved forward. Willard opened with telling effect on two Texas regiments which were moving to the left, and this was followed by a charge by Lauman that drove the Texans back some distance. Bragg now commenced to move a heavy force between Hurlbut and the river with a view to cutting off the retreat, but Hurlbut gave the order to fall back in time to prevent its success, and his command retired steadily to Webster's battery of siege guns near the river, where a new line was formed behind the artillery. Here the fight continued until almost dark, Page 806 Bragg making a desperate but vain effort to capture the guns. Hurlbut's withdrawal left Prentiss in an exposed position, where he soon found himself surrounded by an overwhelming force. He held on, however, until about 5:30, when he surrendered himself and 2,20o men as prisoners of war. About 5 o'clock Beauregard gave the order to retire and go into bivouac. Some delay occurred in the transmission of the order to the different commands, Jackson and Chalmers continuing the fight after all the others had retired. The fortunes of the day were with the Confederates. The Federals held possession of the camps of W. H. L. Wallace's and Hurlbut's divisions of the preceding night, but Sherman's, Prentiss' and McClernand’s were in the hands of the enemy. Many of the Union troops were here subjected to actual fire for the first time, with the result that they became panic-stricken and crowded to the river bank, all efforts to rally them having proved of no avail. Darkness found them a hungry, disorganized mob in the vicinity of the landing, where they were not only useless, but also in the way of those who were willing to fight. When the battle began in the morning Grant was seated at breakfast in Savannah. Hearing the firing he sent an order to Nelson to march his division up the river to a point opposite Pittsburg Landing, after which he hurried to the despatch boat and was soon on his way to the scene of action. At Crump's landing he found Lew Wallace waiting to see him and halted long enough to order Wallace to have his troops in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Wallace immediately ordered his division to concentrate at the camp of the 2nd brigade. Upon arriving on the field Grant soon learned the condition of affairs and sent an order to Wallace to move his division and take position on the right of the army. This order was received by Wallace about 11:30 a. m. He marched his command out on the road that crossed the Purdy road a little west of Owl creek, but before he reached his destination he was met by Captain Rowley, of Grant's staff, who brought the information that the Union right had been beaten back toward the landing, and that the road upon which the division was then moving led to the rear of the Confederate position. This necessitated a countermarch to the river road, in order to form a junction with the right of the line as then established, and this so delayed the movement that it was dark before Wallace reached the field. A similar delay occurred in the case of Nelson's division. It was past 1 p. m. when he started from Savannah. The roads had been overflowed and in some places were almost impassable. Although the men were eager to join in the combat the march was necessarily slow and the command did not reach the field in time to take part in the first day's engagement. Crittenden's division arrived about 9 p. m. and the boats were sent back to Savannah to bring up McCook's division, which arrived at the landing at 5 o'clock on Monday morning. The early part of the night was spent by the Federal generals in collecting their stragglers and forming their lines for the next day's battle. The fresh troops of Nelson and Crittenden were formed near the landing, in a line perpendicular to the river and extending to the Corinth road. Across the road were Hurlbut, McClernand and Sherman, in the order named, and among whom had been apportioned the remnant of Prentiss' division. On the extreme right was the division of Lew Wallace, near Snake creek. Toward midnight a heavy rain began to fall, but the men maintained their places in the line, many lying on the bare ground without shelter. On the Confederate side conditions were no better, and possibly worse. Those who occupied the captured camps availed themselves of the shelter of the tents, but by far the greater part of the army passed the night in the open air. Although Page 807 they were the victors in Sundays action they had suffered severely. Jackson's brigade was completely disintegrated in Bragg' s last attack; Hindman's was also broken to pieces; Gladden's, or what was left of it, bivouacked near the Hamburg road; Trabue's occupied McDowell's camp; the other two brigades of Breckenridge's command lay between the church and the river; part of Clark's division was between Breckenridge and the church, in which Beauregard had established his headquarters; Hardee, with Cleburne's brigade occupied Prentiss' camp; Wood's siept in McClernand's, while Cheatham's division and one regiment of Clark's left the field under command of Polk and returned to their camp of the preceding night. All through the night the two Union gunboats threw shells at intervals of 10 or 15 minutes into the enemy's lines, making it impossible for the exhausted men to get the sleep they so sorely needed, and in some instances driving them from the captured camps. The arrival of Wallace's division and the Army of the Ohio gave great excitement to the Union troops, and the army now assumed the offensive. On Monday morning the attack was begun as soon as it was light enough to see and commenced on both flanks almost simultaneously. On the left Nelson moved out on the river road in line of battle, Ammen on the left, Bruce in the center and Hazen on the right, followed by Crittenden's division in column. About 5:20 the enemy was encountered and Nelson halted until Crittenden could come into line on his right. McCook's division, just then arriving from Savannah, was pushed forward and formed on the right of Crittenden. Thus formed the line advanced and soon forced back the Confederates until the position abandoned by Hurlbut and Wallace at 4 p. m. the day before was regained. The "Hornets' Nest" was in front of Crittenden's left and the place where Johnston fell was directly in front of Nelson. Here a larger force of the enemy appeared, before which Nelson was forced to retire, as he had no artillery. Buell ordered Mendenhall's battery to his assistance, the enemy's guns were quickly silenced, after which Hazen's brigade made a dashing charge, capturing the guns and driving the supporting infantry from the field. But Bowen's brigade, which was moving to the support of the battery, charged Hazen in front, while two batteries, one on each flank, sent an enfilading fire into his lines. In a few minutes the brigade lost 90 killed and 558 wounded, and the rest fell back in confusion, leaving a gap in the line that exposed Bruce to the danger of a flank movement. At the same time Ammen's brigade was heavily engaged to prevent an effort to turn the left of the line. Terrill's battery was brought up and held the enemy tack until part of McDowell's brigade moved around to Ammen's left, when the Confederates fell back to their original position in the woods. This ended the fighting on Nelson's front. Crittenden's skirmishers were forced to retire, while a battery on a ridge opposite his front did considerable damage to his line. Bartlett's battery responded with an accurate fire, forcing the enemy's battery to change its position several times, and finally to withdraw. The skirmishers were again ordered forward, but just then it was seen that the enemy was forming line in the timber, as if preparing for a charge. Bartlett turned his guns and poured a shower of shrapnell and canister into the timber, throwing the Confederates into some confusion, and this advantage was promptly followed up by Boyle's brigade, which charged through the brush, driving the enemy from cover and back across a field in their rear. Further to the right McCook deployed Rousseau's brigade facing toward the church, with Kirk's brigade so disposed as to protect Rousseau's right. Skirmishers were thrown forward, but they soon encountered part of Trabue's brigade and were forced back. Rousseau then advanced his line, Page 808 firing as he went, and drove Trabue back to an open field, where he received reinforcements and made a furious charge. Rousseau's line received the shock without a quiver and after a desperate struggle of half an hour Trabue gave way, leaving the Federals in possession of 2 pieces of artillery and McClernand's old headquarters. In executing this movement Rousseau drew away from Crittenden, leaving a break in the line. McCook sent Colonel Willich, with the 32nd Indiana, into this gap to support Rousseau's left. Willich charged with the bayonet and drove the enemy back into the timber. He then deployed his men in line of battle and opened fire, but unfortunately the regiment was so placed that its skirmishers received the fire of friend and foe alike. As they beat a hasty retreat from their exposed position Willich rallied them, withdrew his command into a ravine, where he exercised his men for a few moments in the manual of arms to overcome their nervousness, then formed again in double column to the center and by a gallant charge drove the Confederates from his front. Kirk now relieved Rousseau, whose ammunition was gone, and about this time Gibson's brigade arrived and took position on the left of Kirk. When Rousseau's brigade had received a new supply of ammunition it was again ordered into line, and the whole division advanced, McCook connecting with the forces, on his right . On the right Lew Wallace at daybreak discovered a battery on the bluff across Tillman's (or Brier) creek. This was Ketchum's Alabama battery, supported by Pond's brigade of Ruggles' division. Wallace ordered Thompson's 9th Indiana battery to open fire, which was promptly answered by Ketchum. The presence of Wallace was unknown to Pond until the artillery was brought into action. As he was nearly a mile from his nearest support, he retired after a brief engagement, leaving Wharton's Texas rangers to support the battery. A spirited artillery duel ensued between Thompson and Ketchum until Wallace ordered Thurber's Missouri battery into position to assist Thompson by a cross-fire. This had the desired effect, and the Confederates withdrew from the bluff. Wallace's whole command then pushed across the creek in pursuit. When the enemy was thus driven from the bluff it left his flank exposed and Wallace changed front by a left half wheel to turn the Confederate left. While the movement was in course of execution Wallace discovered a heavy column moving rapidly to reinforce Pond, who was still falling back. Thompson opened on this column with his battery, but was shortly afterward compelled to turn his guns on a battery planted in a field on his right. His ammunition soon gave out and Thurber was ordered up to take his place, the change being made without any cessation in the fire. An attempt was made to charge the battery, but it was handsomely repulsed by Morgan L. Smith's brigade. Grant's orders were for Sherman's right to connect with Wallace's left, but the former was slow in getting into position, so that it was 100'clock before the line of battle was complete and the general advance commenced. From that time until noon the battle around Shiloh church was equally as furious as any part of Sunday's engagement. McCook had driven back the forces on the Corinth road, where Beauregard in person was in command, and after effecting a junction with McClernand the whole Union army formed a curved line, concentrating their fire upon the force composed of Cheatham's, Ruggles' and part of Clark's divisions, Wood's and Trabue's brigades and several batteries, and for two hours hammered the Confederates back. As one brigade would exhaust its ammunition and fall back for a new supply another would take its place in the line and the fight went on without cessation. Shortly afternoon Beauregard saw that his men were beginning to Page 809 flag. The work of the previous day and a sleepless night were beginning to tell upon their constitutions, and the knowledge that they were confronted by about 25,000 fresh troops added to the strain. Whole regiments dropped out of line, completely worn out, and all efforts to rally them met with failure. Under these circumstances Beauregard gave the order to retreat and sent word to his right to retire the troops in alternate lines, while the left continued the fight to secure the withdrawal of the army. About 500 yards east of the church was a grove of water oaks, filled with a dense undergrowth, in and behind which the enemy made his last stand. One battery near the church and another on the Hamburg road were so placed as to pour a deadly fire on any column that might try to advance against that piece of timber. Nevertheless Willich's regiment moved forward and succeeded in entering the timber, but after a sharp fight of about 20 minutes was compelled to retire. Two 24-pounders belonging to McAllister's battery and 3 guns of Wood's battery were brought up and after a heavy cannonade silenced the enemy's guns. Rousseau's brigade then advanced, deployed, and entered the woods. Sherman sent forward T. K. Smith's and Buckland's brigades to Rousseau's support. Rousseau swept everything before him, and by 4 p. m. the Union army had recovered every inch of ground that had been lost the day before. The charge of Rousseau was the last straw. Of the retreat which followed immediately after this charge, Lew Wallace says in his report: "About 4 o'clock the enemy to my front broke into rout and ran through the camps occupied by General Sherman on Sunday morning. Their own camp had been established about 2 miles beyond. There, without halting, they fired tents, stores, &c. Throwing out the wounded, they filled their wagons full of arms (Springfield muskets and Enfield rifles) ingloriously thrown away by some of our troops the day before, and hurried on. After following them until nearly nightfall I brought my division back to Owl creek and bivouacked it."  The Union loss at Shiloh was 1,754 killed, 8,408 wounded and 2,885 captured or missing. Most of the captured belong to Prentiss' division. On the Confederate side the loss was reported as being 1,728 killed, 8,o12 wounded and 959 missing. The effect of the battle is well summed up by General M. F. Force in his "From Fort Henry to Corinth," wherein he says: "The battle sobered both armies. The force at Pittsburg Landing saw rudely dashed aside the expectation of a speedy entry into Corinth. The force at Corinth, that marched out to drive Grant into the river, to scatter Buell's force in detail, and return in triumph to Nashville, was back in the old quarters, foiled, disheartened."


Ship Island, Mississippi, January 20, 1861. Lieut. F. E. Prime, of the U. S. corps of engineers, reported on the 30th that a body of armed men "took forcible possession of the works and engineer property at Ship island." This was in line with the action of the state governments in seizing United States posts, arsenals, etc., prior to passing an ordinance of secession. Ship Island, Mississippi, July 9, 1861. Lieut. Warley, of the Confederate navy, commanding at Ship island, reported that on the morning of the 9th a "two-masted steam propeller, supposed to be the Massachusetts," was discovered lying at anchor off the island. A shot from an 8-inch gun caused her to run up the Stars and Stripes and stand in for the Confederate batteries, opening fire with her bow gun and later delivering a broadside, but without doing any damage. The Confederate batteries fired 17 shots, most of which fell short, and the vessel withdrew.


Ship's Gap, Georgia, October 16, 1864. Army of the Tennessee. In an attempt to cut off Hood's retreat by moving directly toward La Fayette, General Howard's corps came up with the Confederates intrenched at Page 810 Ship's gap. The advance division (Woods) carried the outposts, making the two companies composing the garrison prisoners. The remainder of the enemy managed to escape to the main body near La Fayette. The casualties were not reported.


Shirley, Virginia, July 31—August 1, 1862. Army of the Potomac. While General McClellan's army lay encamped at Shirley and Harrison's landing, after the battle of Malvern hill, the Confederates planted a battery at Coggins' point, on the opposite side of the James river, under cover of darkness, and opened fire on the camp, killing 10 and wounding about 15 of the Union soldiers. The next day McClellan sent a detachment across the river, destroyed the Cole house and cut down the timber to prevent a repetition of the maneuver. (See Coggins' Point.)


Shirley's Ford, Missouri, September 20, 1862. 2nd Kansas Indian Home Guard. The pickets of the home guard camp under Colonel John Richie were attacked by the enemy in superior force about 8 a. m., causing a stampede of the women and children into the camp. The Indian infantry rushed to the aid of the pickets, who were closely pursued, and a terrific firing ensued, resulting in the rout of the enemy. Richie was soon afterward informed that he was about to be surrounded and immediately threw out companies to avoid this. He then started for the field of action, after ordering a force to pass around and gain the enemy's rear if possible. The infantry was concealed in a ravine and Richie then took about 100 cavalry near enough to draw out the enemy. In this movement he was ably seconded by Major Wright, in charge of the detachment sent to the rear of the enemy, who were thus effectually routed. Their flag-bearer was killed, the colors captured, and about 20 others were killed, including 2 officers. Richie reported his casualties as from 12 to 20 killed. Two negro teamsters and a 6-mule team were captured by the enemy.


Shoal Creek, Alabama, October 31, 1864. U. S. Troops, Department of the Cumberland. The day following General John T. Croxton's futile attempt to prevent General S. D. Lee (Confederate) from crossing the Tennessee at Raccoon ford, Lee turned on Croxton and compelled him to cross to the east bank of Shoal creek. No casualties were reported. The affair was part of the campaign in north Alabama and middle Tennessee.


Shoal Creek, Alabama, November 5-9, 1864. Cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi. The skirmishes along Shoal creek were incidents of Hood's advance into Tennessee. On the 5th a reconnoitering party of Croxton's brigade was driven back by some Confederate infantry of Johnston's division. At 10 a. m. the enemy attacked Croxton at Shoal creek, but failing to drive him away sent two brigades across at a ford lower down and flanked him from his position. The next day a junction was formed with Hatch's (5th) division, the enemy checked and the lines reestablished along the creek (For the action of the 9th see Bough's Ford.)


Shoal Creek, Alabama, November 16-20, 1864. 5th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. The division, commanded by Brigadier General Edward Hatch, was stationed along Shoal creek to watch the movements of the Confederate army under General Hood. On the 14th Hatch received information that the enemy was preparing to move northward and immediately set his command to work felling timber across the roads to impede Hood's march. On the 19th Coon's brigade crossed the creek at Cowpen ford, drove in the enemy's pickets on the Butler creek road, and soon became engaged with Chalmers' and Buford's divisions of Forrest's cavalry. The 2nd la. and part of the 9th Illinois held the enemy in check until Major Whitsit, with the 6th Illinois, conducted the train and artillery to the rear and prepared a crossing place over the creek. The Page 811 two regiments then fell back alternately and recrossed the creek. Captain Mock, who was patrolling the Waynesboro road with a detachment of the 9th Illinois, was cut off and 30 of his men were captured. A few prisoners were taken from the enemy and the trains of Buford's and Chalmers' divisions were captured. The Union loss was not reported.


Shoal Creek, Tennessee, December 12, 1863. Detachment 7th Illinois Mounted Infantry. This regiment, Colonel Richard Rowett commanding, started from Pulaski on the morning of the 11th, in the direction of Lamb's ferry, Alabama En route he detached one squadron for special duty and moved onward with the remainder. At Rogersville, Alabama, his command was augmented by 100 home guards. On Shoal creek, 3 miles from Wayland springs, Rowett encountered Moreland's battalion and 100 of the 4th Alabama cavalry, 350 in all. Through a mistake of the guide Rowett passed the enemy's camp, and this brought about an attack in his rear. The rear-guard held the enemy in check until the regiment was dismounted and after a fight lasting about 45 minutes the enemy was driven from the field, leaving 8 dead and 22 prisoners. The Federal casualties were confined to the wounding of 1 man and 3 horses killed.


Short Mountain Cross-Roads, August 29, 1862. Detachment of 18th Ohio and 9th Michigan Infantry. While this detachment was eating dinner in a grove 100 yards distant from a newly erected stockade it was attacked by the enemy, estimated by the Federal commander, Captain Henry R. Miller, as being 1,500 strong. A rush was made for the stockade, the Federals succeeding in gaining it first. The Confederates then approached on three sides, but the rapid and well directed fire of the garrison finally caused their withdrawal with a loss of 12 killed and 41 wounded, all left on the field. The Union loss was 9 wounded.


Shut in Gap, Missouri, September 26-27, 1864. (See Fort Davidson.)


Sibley, Missouri, October 6, 1862. 5th Missouri Militia Cavalry. Captain D. H. David, with four companies of the regiment, while scouring the country in search of bushwhackers, reached Sibley on the 6th and learned that some of Quantrill's and Childs' guerrillas were in the vicinity. David started to take position on an eminence known as Big hill, about a mile and a half from town, and await reinforcements. Before reaching the hill his command was fired upon by the guerrillas, who immediately fled to the brush, according to their custom. David dismounted his men and pursued and a fight of 40 minutes at close quarters ensued, in which the enemy was driven from the field. The Union loss was 1 killed, 1 mortally and 1 slightly wounded, and 12 horses disabled or captured. The Confederate loss in killed and wounded was not learned definitely, though it was afterward reported by citizens that Quantrill pressed several vehicles into service to remove his dead and disabled. A number of the guerrillas were captured, among them Colonel Childs, who was severely wounded.


Sibley, Missouri, June 23, 1863. Detachment of 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. On entering Sibley the advance of this detachment was fired upon by a number of bushwhackers. The fire was vigorously returned and when the main body came up the enemy retreated precipitately, leaving 2 dead and 4 wounded. The town was burned by the Federals before they withdrew.


Sibley's Landing, Missouri, March 28, 1863. Detachment of the Missouri Militia. The steamer Sam Gaty was attacked by guerrillas near Sibley's landing and 2 soldiers and 20 negroes were killed.


Sidney, Missouri, September 16, 1862. Missouri State Militia. Detachments from several companies of militia stationed at Hannibal, under command of Colonel J. T. K. Hayward. started on a scout through Ralls county, Missouri Near Sidney Hayward was captured by the enemy and the Page 812 command of the expedition devolved upon Captain George H. Nettleton, who at once put the column in motion, with a view of pursuing the Confederates, about 80 men, that had captured Hayward. Two miles east of Sidney Nettleton was joined by two companies of London militia under Captain Johnson, who assumed command. About an hour before the meeting of the two commands Johnson had been attacked by the same troops that captured Hayward and the enemy had 1 man killed and 2 wounded. One of Johnson's men was wounded. The Confederates fled to the brush and made their escape.


Sierra Bonito, New Mexico, April 7, 1864. Detachments of 1st California Infantry and 1st California Cavalry. This command under Captain James H. Whitlock overtook a band of Indians at the foot of the Sierra Bonito and immediately attacked. The affair resulted in the killing of 21 Apaches and the capture of 45 head of stock, with no casualties among the troops. Signal, U. S. S., May 5, 1864. (See Alexandria, Louisiana)


Sikeston, Missouri, March 1, 1862. (See New Madrid, same date.) Sikeston, Missouri, June 7, 1864. Detachment of 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Lieut. J. A. Rice with a small detail of men encountered a band of guerrillas at Sikeston. In the skirmish 3 of the outlaws were killed and 2 were taken prisoners, 1 of whom was later killed while trying to escape.


Sikeston, Missouri, September 22, 1864. Detachment of the 2nd Missouri Militia Cavalry. While General Price was on his Missouri expedition some of his forces several times attacked a detachment of the 2nd Missouri, commanded by Captain Sells, in the vicinity of Sikeston. In the last attack Sells formed his men in line and opened fire with his howitzers. This checked the enemy, but the Confederate commander sent back for reinforcements and Sells retired toward Benton, being compelled to burn his train in order to save it from capture. His loss was 3 killed, 7 wounded and 10 missing. The enemy's loss was estimated at 20 killed and a number wounded.


Sikeston, Missouri, November 6, 1864. Detachment of the 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. After the attack on Charlestown by guerrillas the preceding day, Lieut. Rathbun, with 30 men started in pursuit. Near Sikeston he came up with the bushwhackers, killed 15 and captured 5. No casualties reported on the Federal side.


Silver Run, North Carolina, March 14, 1865. 20th Connecticut Infantry. In a reconnaissance on the Raleigh road the regiment met the Confederate pickets about 3 miles from Silver run. Colonel Buckingham deployed five companies as skirmishers, supporting his skirmish line with the rest of the regiment, and the Confederates were gradually forced back to the creek, where an intrenched position was encountered, manned by at least a brigade, with artillery. Deeming this force too strong for assault , and having accomplished the object for which he was sent out, Buckingham withdrew his command and returned to camp.


Simmons' Bluff, South Carolina, June 21, 1862. Confederate reports mention a bombardment of their batteries at Simmons' bluff by some of the Union gunboats, but the reports are so meager that it is impossible to tell what vessels were engaged or give the results of the action. Simmons' Ranch, California, October 21, 1862. (See Hydesville.)


Simpson's Creek, West Virginia, April 30, 1863. 3d West Virginia Cavalry. Part of the regiment was moving toward Shinnston, when the advance discovered some 300 Confederate cavalry near the ford at the mouth of Simpson's creek. The charge was immediately sounded and a volley poured in at short range, which threw the enemy into confusion, driving about 100 of them across the creek and cutting off their rear-guard. Page 813 The rest of the Federal command came up about this time and the rearguard was hotly pursued for some 3 miles. The Union loss was 1 killed and 2 wounded. Several of the enemy were killed or wounded in the first charge, and 9 were captured during the chase.


Simpsonville, Kentucky, January 25, 1865. Detachment of Negro Soldiers, 2nd Division, District of Kentucky. The cattle guard at Simpsonville, composed of negro soldiers, was attacked and overwhelmed by a superior force of Confederates. Several were killed and 17 wounded.


Sims' Cove, Missouri, October 5, 1862. Detachment of the 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Colonel Odon Guitar, with 60 men, left Columbia at midnight of the 4th to break up a guerrilla camp at Sims' cove. About a mile from the camp the men were dismounted and attacked on foot at daylight. Only 7 men were found in the camp and of these 2 were severely wounded. All the horses, equipments, arms, blankets, etc., belonging to the entire party were captured and later in the morning 2 of those who had escaped came in and surrendered. Union loss, nothing.


Sims' Farm, Tennessee, October 7, 1863. (See Shelbyville, same date.)


Sims' Plantation, Tennessee, June 16, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Iowa Cavalry. On the night of June 16 a patrol of this regiment came upon a company of the enemy, by whose fire 2 men in the patrol were wounded.


Simsport, Louisiana, June 8, 1864. Confederate reports tell of a cannonade between their shore batteries at Simsport and three Federal gunboats. A detachment from one of the boats landed and captured a 30pounder Parrott gun and a number of muskets. The Confederate loss was 1 killed, 1 wounded and 1 missing.


Sinking Creek, West Virginia, November 26, 1862. (See Cold Knob Mountain.)


Sipsey Creek, Alabama, April 6, 1865. (See Lanier's Mills.)


Sister's Ferry, Georgia, December 7, 1864. (See Ebenezer Creek.)


Six Mile Creek, Alabama, March 31, 1865. (See Montevallo, same date.)


Skull Creek, South Carolina, September 24, 1862. Detachments of the 48th New York Infantry and 3d Rhode Island Artillery. Colonel W. B. Barton, commanding the detachment, embarked on the steamer Planter and proceeded through Calibogue sound to Skull creek, for the purpose of dislodging a body of Confederate cavalry at that point. As the steamer approached the guns on board commenced shelling the enemy, who speedily decamped. The shelling was kept up until the enemy was out of range, when Lieut. Miller landed with a few men and took possession of the camp, capturing a number of saddles, a large quantity of clothing, ammunition, rations, etc., and brought the property on board the steamer. No casualties reported on either side.


Slash Church, Virginia, May 27, 1862. (See Hanover Court House, same date.)


Slate Creek, Kentucky, March 3, 1863. Runkle's Brigade. Upon approaching Mt . Sterling, Colonel Runkle sent forward Major Norton, with a detachment of the 7th Ohio cavalry, who drove the Confederates out of the town and supported by Major Brown, with part of the 10th Kentucky cavalry, pursued them for 6 miles, when they made a stand on Slate creek. Runkle came up with the infantry and artillery and directed Captain Marsh to shell the enemy's position. A few shells sufficed to send them flying in all direction, and as Runkle's men were badly in need of rest he returned to Mt. Sterling. No casualties reported.


Slatersville, Virginia, May 9, 1862. Reports of this affair are very meager. Captain James M. Robertson, commanding Batteries B and L, 2nd U. S. artillery, reported that while his command was doing duty with General Stoneman's advance brigade of the Army of the Potomac the enemy opened fire about 1 p. m. from a concealed battery. When the Federal guns were brought to bear they soon silenced those of the Confederates. This affair is also known as that of New Kent Court House.


Slatersville, Virginia, August 28, 1863. Detachment of 1st New York Mounted Rifles and 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The rear-guard of an expedition to Bottom's bridge from Williamsburg was attacked while resting at Slatersville or New Kent Court House. A charge by one battalion routed the enemy. The Federals lost 1 killed and 2 wounded; the Confederates 3 killed and 8 wounded.


Slaughter's House, Virginia, August 8, 1862. Cavalry Brigade, 3d Army Corps. For several days just prior to the battle of Cedar mountain there was almost constant skirmishing in the vicinity. On the 8th Brigadier General George B. Bayard, commanding the cavalry of the 3d corps, sent Lieut.-Colonel Karge with part of the 1st New Jersey to gain the rear of a Confederate detachment near the Slaughter house and cut of their retreat, while the main body of the brigade was to advance and attack in front . Before the movement could be executed Bayard learned that Ewell’s entire division of Confederate infantry had crossed the Rapidan and was advancing upon him. Orders were therefore sent to Karge to rejoin the command, which then fell back slowly across Robertson's river. During the operations Karge captured about 25 prisoners and had 2 men wounded, which were the only casualties reported. Slaughter's Mountain, Virginia, August 9, 1862. (See Cedar Mountain.)


Slaughterville, Kentucky, September 3, 1862. Lieut.-Colonel Foster's Cavalry.


Smithfield, Kentucky, January 5, 1865. 6th U. S. Colored Infantry. Smithfield, North Carolina, April 11, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps. At 5:30 a. m. the corps broke camp on Moccasin creek and began the advance on Raleigh, with Colonel P. H. Jones' brigade of Geary's division in advance. Small parties of the enemy's cavalry appeared at various places along the road, sometimes behind rail barricades, and the skirmishing was kept up until Smithfield was reached about 3 p. m. Here a junction was effected with the 14th corps and the two commands went into camp. No losses were incurred by the Union troops during the day.


Smithfield, Virginia, August 23, 1862. Cole's Battalion, Maryland Cavalry. Lieut. Milling, with 20 men, was sent to Smithfield on the 4th, with orders to picket the roads and arrest all Confederate soldiers found about their homes. On the evening of the 23d the detachment was surprised by some of Baylor's Confederate cavalry and 17 of the 20 men were captured.


Smithfield, Virginia, January 29—February 1, 1864. For the actions at Smithfield on these dates, as well as April 13-15, 1864. see Isle of Wight county, expeditions of General C. K Graham.


Smithfield, Virginia, April 14, 1864. (See Isle of Wight County.)


Smithfield, West Virginia, October 16-17, 1862. (See Shepherdstown, same date.)


Smithfield, West Virginia, February 12, 1863. (See Charlestown.)


Smithfield, West Virginia, September 15, 1863. Detachment of 1st New York Cavalry. The "Record of Events" of the U. S. forces at Martinsburg contains the following: "September 15, Captain Jones, of the 1st New York cavalry, with 100 men, attacked a party of rebels, 70 strong, at Smithfield, and captured 11 prisoners, with horses and full equipments. Captain Jones was slightly wounded in the hand. No other injury was sustained on our part."


Smithfield, West Virginia, August 25, 1864. (See Kearneysville.)


Smithfield, West Virginia, August 29, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia, and 3d Division, 6th Army Corps. On the 28th the cavalry division, commanded by Bvt. Major-General Wesley Merritt, drove the Page 815 enemy across the Opequan creek and back to Bunker Hill, after which it returned to Smithfield and encamped for the night. The next morning Merritt started on a reconnaissance toward Bunker Hill, but had not proceeded far until he met two divisions of infantry and fell back to the right bank of the Opequan. A section of Williston's battery was planted on each side of the road, supported by a part of the 6th Pennsylvania, dismounted and stationed behind a barricade of rails. The rest of that regiment, the 1st and 2nd U. S. and the 1st New York dragoons were also dismounted and took a position in the woods along the ridge bordering the stream. About 11:30 a. m. the Confederates opened fire with artillery and an hour later a strong infantry force crossed the creek above and another below the bridge with a view to attacking Merritt on both flanks simultaneously. The Union cavalry then fell back slowly, contesting every inch of the ground, until within about 3 miles of Charlestown, when Ricketts' division of the 6th corps came to Merritt's assistance and the enemy was driven back across the Opequan with heavy losses. The casualties were not reported.


Smithsburg, Maryland, July 5, 1863. (See Monterey Gap, same date.)


Smith's Creek, North Carolina, February 22, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 10th Army Corps. In the occupation of Wilmington on this date the brigade, commanded by Bvt. Brigadier-General J. C. Abbott, was in the advance. Abbott marched through the town in pursuit of the retreating Confederates and came up with the rear-guard engaged in the destruction of the bridge over Smith's creek, on the road to Northeast ferry. After a sharp skirmish the enemy was driven off and the pursuit continued to a small creek about a mile and a half from Northeast ferry, where a skirmish commenced at the bridge and was kept up to the ferry. Here Abbott abandoned he pursuit and fortified a position which was held until the 2nd of March.


Smith's Cross Roads, Georgia, May 13, 1864. (See Resaca.) Smith's Ford, Tennessee, April 3, 1863. (See Snow Hill.)


Smith's Mills, Kentucky, August 19, 1864. Hovey's Expedition. Bvt. Major-General Alvin P. Hovey, in reporting an expedition from Mt. Vernon, Indiana, into Union and Henderson counties, Kentucky, says: "I started on the 19th for Henderson, by way of Smith's mills, at which point the advance met a small body of the enemy, whom they charged, taking a few prisoners, including 1 commissioned officer, Captain Bates, assistant adjutant-general to Colonel Sypert. Here I lost 1 man severely wounded."


Smith's Plantation, Louisiana, May 16, 1864. (See Mansura.)


Smith's Shoals, Kentucky, August 1, 1863. U. S. Mounted Forces under Colonel W. P. Sanders. During his pursuit of Scott in the h1tter's raid in eastern Kentucky Sanders came up with the enemy while he was crossing the Cumberland at Smith's shoals. The Confederates succeeded in getting all their artillery across and in position on the opposite bank, but were compelled to abandon a portion of their train to Sanders. This was the last affair of the raid, as the pursuit stopped at this point. No casualties were reported.


Smith's Station, Nebraska, May 12, 1864. Battalion, 1st Nebraska Cavalry.


Smith's Store, Virginia, June 15, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. At daybreak the brigade broke camp at St. Mary's Church and took up the march toward the James river. The Confederates were encountered at Nancy's mill and forced back to the forks of the road at Smith's store, where they made a stand. The 18th Pennsylvania, which was in advance, soon became hotly engaged and commenced to fall back, when the 2nd Ohio was hurried forward to its support. The Ohio regiment was dismounted, two battalions forming on the right of the road and two on the left, in which position the regiment fought for Page 816 some time, when Colonel Purington was ordered to fall back. Major Nettleton mounted his battalion and held the enemy in check until the remainder of the regiment could be withdrawn. Later in the day the pickets under Captain Ulrey of the 2nd Ohio were attacked and driven back upon the main body of the brigade, then stationed at St. Mary's Church. No detailed report of losses.


Smithville, Arkansas, June 17, 1862. Detachment of 5th Illinois Cavalry. A force of 15 men under Lieut. Wilson, sent out from Smithville for beef cattle, was attacked near the residence of one McKinney. The fight continued until reinforcements from the town charged the Confederates, capturing the leader and 11 others, besides killing 1 and wounding 2. The Federals had 1 man killed, 2 mortally and 5 slightly wounded.


Smithville, North Carolina, February 17, 1865. (See Fort Anderson.)


Smithville, Tennessee, June 5, 1863. Part of 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. The "Record of Events" for the month of June contains the following statement for this date. "Colonel Paramore moved with his brigade and two regiments of mounted infantry toward Smithville, 12 miles from Liberty. Just below Liberty, encountered rebel skirmishers. Met no heavy resistance until reaching Smithville, where Harrison's brigade of rebel cavalry was encountered and fought for some hours. Drove them back a mile, when they again formed in the woods and resisted stoutly, but were again defeated and fell back in confusion. Colonel Paramore lost 2 men of the 3d Ohio, wounded. Rebel loss unknown, they carrying off their wounded."


Smoky Hill Crossing, Kansas, August 16, 1864. Detail of 7th Iowa Cavalry. Six men of Company H left Salina for Smoky Hill crossing and about 4 p. m., when near Elm creek, a few miles from their destination, they were attacked by from 100 to 300 Indians. Four of the men were killed. The other two managed to escape and returned to Salina.


Smyrna, Florida, March 23, 1862. U. S. Gunboats Penguin and Henry Andrew. Colonel W. S. Dilworth, commanding the Confederate forces in Florida, reported that the Federals attempted to land troops from the gunboats. The Confederates opened fire on the launches, causing the Union command to retreat hastily, abandoning the five launches. Seven of the landing party were killed, 30 wounded and 3 captured. There is no official Federal report of the affair.


Smyrna, Georgia, July 4, 1864. (See Ruff's Station. Snake Creek, Arkansas, April 23, 1865. Scouting party of the 3d Division, 7th Army Corps. A small Confederate detachment attempting to push through to Benton county, Arkansas, was met by a scouting party from Fort Gibson and after a sharp fight was driven back in the direction from which it came. The enemy left 3 dead on the field, and had several others wounded. No Federal casualties were reported.


Snake Creek Gap, Georgia, May 8 and 13, 1864. (See Resaca.) Snake Creek Gap, Georgia, October 15, 1864. Army of the Tennessee and 4th Army Corps. While Sherman was following Hood in the tatter's northward movement from Atlanta, the 15th found the Confederates occupying the old line of Federal rifle-pits at Snake Creek gap. The Army of the Tennessee skirmished heavily while General David S. Stanley, with the 4th corps, made an attempt to get in the enemy's rear. A movement in flank was sufficient, however, to make the Confederates withdraw hastily. The casualties were not reported,


Sneedville, Tennessee, October 21, 1864. (See Clinch Valley.)


Sni Hills, Missouri, April 29 and May 21, 1864. 2nd Colorado Cavalry.


Snicker's Ferry, Virginia, July 18, 1864. 1st Division and 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, Department of West Virginia. In the operations in the Shenandoah valley Colonel Joseph Thoburn with his own division and a brigade Page 817 of the 2nd division was ordered to proceed 2 miles down the river from Snicker's ferry and dislodge a force of the enemy holding a ford. As Thoburn was crossing the ford a sharp musketry fire was opened by the Confederates. Two companies deployed as skirmishers, while the remainder of the command was moved down the stream and crossed at a shallow place. The 1st brigade under Colonel George D. Wells was the first across and easily drove the enemy from his position, capturing some prisoners from whom it was learned that Early's whole force was opposing the Federal crossing at Snicker's ferry. Thoburn, in pursuance of orders, did not move back to the ferry, but posted his men in position near the river bank and awaited the arrival of a portion of the 6th corps which had been ordered to assist him. The Federals were in two lines of battle, the first behind and under cover of a bluff parallel to and 75 yards distant from the river and the second line was in an old road along the river bank behind a low stone fence. After about an hour the enemy advanced a heavy skirmish line, at the same time moving a strong force forward upon the right flank at nearly right angles to the Federal line. It was necessary to change front to the right to meet this attack and in making the move the 2nd brigade gave way, the whole first line going back with it to the second line of battle. The right of the latter, principally composed of dismounted cavalry, became panic-stricken and in spite of the efforts of its commanding officer broke and fled across the river. When the 2nd brigade started to give way the 3d, under Colonel Frost was ordered to oblique its line to the right and face the advancing Confederates, but Frost fell mortally wounded and his command fell back in confusion, carrying with it a portion of the 5th New York heavy artillery on the right of the first line. When the enemy came within range of the second line he was effectually checked and driven back beyond the bluffs out of sight. Two more assaults were made on the Federal right, but both were repulsed. Thoburn was then ordered to recross the river, but the enemy opened fire on the ford from a battery on an adjacent hill, which caused many of the wounded to be left on the field. The Union losses were 65 killed, 301 wounded and 56 missing or captured. The Confederate casualties were not definitely ascertained, but were estimated by the Union participants to be 600 in killed and wounded. The engagement is sometimes called Parker's ford.


Snicker's Gap, Virginia, November 3, 1862. Detachment of 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, 6th, 7th and 14th U. S. Infantry. The detachment, under Lieut. Colonel H. B. Sargent, was sent out from Snickersville to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Snicker's gap. About a mile out of town about 100 of the enemy's cavalry were encountered and driven back across the Shenandoah river. When Sargent's advance reached the river bank a heavy musketry fire was opened from the windows of the houses across the stream, causing Sargent to withdraw his cavalry and advance his infantry. Through some misunderstanding the 14th U. S. charged to the river, suffering heavily, but the movement developed the strength of the Confederates, which was the object of the reconnaissance, and Sargent withdrew. The losses were not definitely ascertained, but were rather heavy on the Federal side.


Snicker's Gap, Virginia, July 17, 1863. 5th Michigan Cavalry. The itinerary of the regiment for this date, says: "After sharp skirmishing with the enemy, drove them from Snicker's gap, and occupied the same, capturing several prisoners."


Snicker's Gap, Virginia, August 13, 1864. 144th and 149th Ohio Infantry; guarding a supply train.


Snicker's Gap, Virginia, September 16-17, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. Brigadier-General George H. Chapman, Page 818 commanding the brigade, with about 400 men, started for a reconnaissance in the direction of Ashby's and Snicker's gaps. After crossing the Shenandoah he sent 55 men under Captain Compson up the east side of the ridge into Ashby's gap, while the main body moved to Snicker's gap. Near Paris Chapman's rear-guard was charged by a detachment of Confederate cavalry but the attack was easily repulsed. Compson crossed the ridge and reached Snicker's gap before Chapman. While his men were dismounted and some of them asleep they were suddenly charged upon by a force of the enemy that had crossed the mountain by a route unknown to the Federals. The attack was a complete surprise and before the men could be rallied several were killed, wounded or captured.


Snicker's Gap, Virginia, October 28-29, 1864Detachment of the 8th Illinois Cavalry. General Augur sent out a party of the 8th Illinois cavalry from Rectortown to arrest one of Mosby's boarding house keepers near Snicker's gap. This man and several others were taken prisoners and the detachment started on its return. The next day they fell in with some of Mosby's command near Upperville, killed 7 or 8 and captured 9 men, 17 horses with their equipments, and a number of revolvers. No casualties reported on the Federal side.


Snicker's Gap Pike, Virginia, August 19, 1864. Detachment of the 5th Michigan Cavalry; prisoners and wounded put to death by Mosby's guerrillas.


Snickersville, Virginia, November 8, 1862. Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Fillebrown, commanding the 10th Maine infantry reported as follows on the 9th: "Lieut. C. R. Denning, commanding one section each of Thompson's and Matthews' batteries, attached to General Hooker's command, also 1 wagon of General Ricketts' headquarters, 3 wagons connected with the batteries, r ambulance, about 60 horses, and 40 men, was yesterday attacked by the enemy near Snickersville, and, being without cannoneers, was obliged to retire, firing only one gun, and is now on this side of the river."


Snickersville, Virginia, March 6, 1864. Detachment of the 1st New York Cavalry. Orderly Sergt. A. H. Cain, with 21 men, was sent out under instructions to go to Purcellville and picket the town. By mistake the party took the wrong road and went to Snickersville, where a considerable force of the enemy was encountered and a sk1rmish ensued, in which 4 of Cain's men were killed, 2 wounded and 10 captured. The Confederate casualties were not reported.


Snow Hill, Tennessee, April 3, 1863. Cavalry Detachment, Department of the Cumberland. During a reconnaissance to Auburn, Tennessee, the 2nd brigade effectually turned the enemy's flank at Smith's ford and the rest of the detachment following closely caused them to retreat to the base of Snow hill, where the 7th Pennsylvania was just getting into position to charge the enemy's line when they fired one volley and turned and fled to their stronghold on the hill. Infantry was then ordered up and a little before dark the Confederates were driven from the hill. Casualties were not reported


Snow Hill, Tennessee, June 4, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, and Wilder's Brigade of Mounted Infantry. The Record of Events of the 2nd brigade, 2nd cavalry division, Army of the Cumberland, contains the following: "June 4, Colonel Paramore, with 3d, 4th, and 10th Ohio regiments, went on a scout, accompanying Colonel Wilder's brigade of mounted infantry. Skirmished with rebel cavalry at Snow hill, 25 miles from Murfreesboro. Drove them from their position and encamped near Liberty."


Snow's Pond Kentucky, September 25, 1862. U. S. Forces under General Q. A. Gillmore. About 11 a. m. some 500 Confederate cavalry, with a field Page 819 piece, made an attack on Gillmore's lines at Snow's pond. They made a sudden dash on the pickets and captured several small outposts, as Gillmore reported 50 men missing. Snyder's Bluff, Mississippi, March 30, 1864. The only official mention of this affair is in the report of Brigadier-General Ross, of the Confederate army, who states that he sent Colonel Jones, with two regiments to attack the outpost at Snyder's bluff. The result was the capture of 100 mules, a few negro soldiers, and the destruction of the Federal quarters. Jones reported 30 Union men killed, but did not give his own losses.


Snyder's Ford, Virginia, December 19, 1862. (See Occoquan, same date.)


Snyder's Mill, Mississippi, April 30-May 1, 1863. Detachment of 15th Army Corps and Gunboats. General Sherman with some of the gunboats proceeded up the river on the 30th and while the vessels engaged the batteries on Haynes' and Drumgould's bluffs, near Snyder's mill, the infantry was landed from the transports and made disposition as for attack, which drew a heavy fire from the Confederates. On the 1st another cannonade was opened by the gunboats while the infantry felt the roads back from the river. No casualties were sustained by the Federals, and the Confederates had but 3 men wounded.


Solomon's Gap, Maryland, July 5-7, 1864. 8th Illinois Cavalry, 3d Maryland Potomac Home Brigade, and Alexander's Baltimore Battery. Somerset, Kentucky, March 30, 1863. (See Dutton's Hill.)


Somerton Road, Virginia, April 12-13, 1863This is one of the roads over which the Confederates under General Longstreet advanced to the siege of Suffolk, (q. v.)


Somerville, Tennessee, November 26, 1862. Detachment of the 7th Illinois Cavalry. Lieut.-Colonel Prince, with 300 men, while on a reconnaissance, encountered the Confederate pickets at Cannon's mill and drove them rapidly for over 2 miles, when a larger force, dismounted, was found drawn up in front. Company A. was detached to protect the rear; Company H. was thrown well to the right; and the rest of the detachment formed under a heavy fire, dismounted and charged the enemy in front. At the same time Company H. attacked their left flank, when the Confederates fled in disorder, throwing away arms, blankets, etc. Prince reported 4 men of his command wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was not definitely ascertained, but 37 prisoners were taken, including 2 captains and a lieutenant.


Somerville, Tennessee, March 28, 1863. Detachment of 6th Illinois Cavalry. Lieut.-Colonel Reuben Loomis, reporting an expedition from La Grange, says: "I proceeded at once to Somerville, there killing 1 and capturing 15 suspicious characters and soldiers."


Somerville, Tennessee, December 26, 1863. 7th Illinois Cavalry. During the operations of Brigadier-General Grierson in north Mississippi and west Tennessee, he sent Colonel Edward Prince, with the 7th Illinois, to cover the crossings of the Hatchie river. Learning that General Forrest had succeeded in crossing the river with his whole force, Prince fell back to Somerville on the 25th, to prevent being flanked. The next day he started to New Castle and met the enemy a short distance from Somerville. He engaged the force in his front, but another detachment gained his rear and by a vigorous attack threw his men into confusion. He then gave the order to retire to Lagrange, where he arrived in the afternoon and was reinforced by Major Burgh with the 9th Illinois cavalry. Forrest, in his report, says that at Somerville he "killed and wounded 8 or 10 and captured about 35 prisoners." This is the only report of casualties on either side.


Somerville, Virginia, February 9, 1863. Detachment of the 4th and 9th New York Cavalry. The detachment, under command of Captain Dickson, was Page 820 sent out at daybreak to reconnoiter in the direction of Morrisville and return by way of Somerville. When near the latter place the advance was fired upon by a party of Confederates concealed in a thick wood. Dickson ordered a charge, and the enemy gave way, the New Yorkers following and scattering them in all directions. The Union loss was 2 men wounded; that of the enemy was much greater.


Somerville Ford, Virginia, September 14, 1863. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. In the advance of the Union forces from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan river, the division, commanded by Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick, was moved to Somerville ford, where the enemy's infantry was found in force, occupying a line of rifle-pits on the farther side. Fuller's battery was placed in position and commenced shelling the enemy, while the 6th Michigan was dismounted and thrown forward to protect the ford, the remainder of Davies' brigade supporting the dismounted regiment ,and the battery. The artillery was finally forced to retire, but the 6th Michigan held its position until the evening of the 15th. Loss reported, 2 killed and 5 wounded.


Somerville Heights, Virginia, May 7, 1862. Detachments of 1st Vermont cavalry and 13th Indiana Infantry. After the enemy had driven in the Federal pickets at Columbia bridge Colonel R. S. Foster took six companies of the 13th Indiana, with four in reserve, and found the enemy's advance posted two and a half miles beyond Honeyville. The Confederates—two companies of infantry and two of cavalry, with a piece of artillery—were driven from their position through Somerville and Dogtown. Two and a half miles from Dogtown a company of Vermont cavalry reported to Foster and when he started to withdraw he ordered this company to cover the rear. Instead of doing so it proceeded up the river and became surrounded. Foster started to its aid and after a severe fight was compelled to retire, the cavalry meantime escaping by crossing the Shenandoah river. The Federal loss was 3 killed, 5 wounded and 21 captured or missing.


Somerville Road, Alabama, August 6, 1864. Detachment of Mounted Men, Post of Decatur. The report of the operations about the post of Decatur contains the following: "August 6, a scouting party of 50 mounted men, commanded by Lieut. Lebow, of the 3d Tennessee cavalry, was attacked by a party of rebels, under Captain Patterson, 9 miles from this post, on the Somerville road. The enemy were routed, Captain Patterson wounded, 1 lieutenant mortally wounded, 1 man killed, and 1 taken prisoner; no loss on our side."


South Anna River, Virginia, Expedition to, June 23-28, 1863. Detachment 7th Army Corps. In obedience to special orders from headquarters of the corps, dated June 23, 1863, Colonel Spear of the 11th Penn. cavalry with 1,050 men made a reconnaissance to South Anna bridge. He proceeded from White House to Tunstall's station, where he found 12 Confederate cavalry on picket duty, one of whom he captured, cut telegraph wires, burned a sutler's store and other Confederate buildings. At Hanover Court House he found an extensive Confederate quartermaster department, 35 wagons with 6-mule teams and equipments, 300 sets of harness, stables, blacksmith and wheelwright shops, an office, books, papers, etc. A large safe supposed to contain papers of importance to the Confederacy, baffled his attempt to open it. He next proceeded to the South Anna crossing of the Virginia Central railroad, where he forded the river and attacked a detachment of the 44th North Carolina under Lieut.-Colonel Hargrove. The enemy held the bridge for more than an hour and at times the fighting was hand-to-hand. The Confederates lost 9 killed and many were so badly wounded that Spear paroled them on the spot. The Federals fired the bridge and watched it burn until Page 821 it fell into the river. Avoiding the bridge of the Richmond & Fredericksburg railroad, which was guarded by reinforcements sent to Hargrove from Hanover Junction, Spear countermarched, evading interception by General Wise by crossing the river and removing the planks of the bridge after his troops. Among his prisoners were several officers of conspicuous rank, including Brigadier-General W. H. F. Lee, Lieut.-Colonel Hargrove and Acting Master Lewis Hudgins of the Confederate Navy. On his way back to White House, Spear captured an agent of the Richmond government, taking from him $15,000 in Confederate bonds, with which he had been instructed to pay for purchased stores.


South Anna River, Virginia, July 4, 1863. Expeditionary Forces. In an expedition from White House to the South Anna, commanded by Major General George W. Getty, Brigadier-General R. S. Foster, with his own and Colonel Wardrop's brigades of infantry, and the 11th Pennsylvania cavalry, was ordered to proceed to the Richmond & Fredericksburg railroad bridge over the South Anna and destroy it. The cavalry, under Colonel S. P. Spear, took the advance and skirmished with the enemy's pickets for several miles, driving them back upon the main body at the bridge, where Foster arrived about 7:30 p. m. Wardrop detached two regiments and sent them to feel the enemy at the bridge. They were met by a sharp artillery fire and the skirmishing continued until 11 p. m., when reinforcements were sent forward. The enemy was soon developed in strong force and at 3 a. m. of the 5th Foster gave the order to retire. The Union loss was 2 killed, 10 wounded and 4 missing. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was not learned, but 12 were captured.


South Anna River, Virginia, March 14, 1865. (See Petersburg, Sheridan's Expedition.)


South Branch Bridge, West Virginia, October 26, 1861. 2nd Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade. The regiment was sent to create a diversion in favor of General Kelley's attack on Romney. At the bridge over the south branch of the Potomac a regiment of Confederate infantry was found strongly posted on the opposite bank and part of the flooring of the bridge removed. Colonel Johns tried to cross the bridge, but his men received such a galling fire that they were forced back. They then stationed themselves behind the parapets of the bridge and kept up the fight until satisfied the object of the movement had been gained, when the regiment was withdrawn. The Union loss was 1 killed and 6 wounded.


South Branch Bridge, Virginia, July 4, 1864. Detachment of the 153d Ohio National Guard, and 6th West Virginia Infantry. The itinerary of the reserve division, Department of West Virginia, contains the following statement regarding this engagement: "About 800 of the enemy, with three pieces of artillery, attacked the garrison at South Branch bridge, consisting of one company of the 153d Ohio National Guard, in the blockhouse, and a detachment of the 6th West Virginia infantry, in ironclad cars. After six hours' fighting they were repulsed with loss of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, and 6 men killed, and 1 lieutenant and 14 men wounded. The loss sustained by the garrison consisted of 2 men wounded slightly and 2 captured."


South Mills, North Carolina, April 19, 1862. U. S. Troops under Brigadier-General Jesse L. Reno. Pursuant to orders from Major-General A. E. Burnside, commanding the Department of North Carolina, General Reno proceeded to Elizabeth City with the 6th New Hampshire, 21st Massachusetts, 9th and 89th New York and 51st Pennsylvania infantry and a detachment of the 1st New York marine artillery, for the purpose of making a demonstration upon Norfolk. Hawkins' brigade in advance lost its way and when the 2nd brigade came up Hawkins took the rear. When Reno was within a mile and a half of South Mills Page 822 the enemy opened fire with artillery upon the head of the column. Upon reconnoitering Reno deployed his forces and ordered the 51st Paand 21st Massachusetts to turn the enemy's left. As soon as this had been done the oth New York, too eager to get into the fight, charged the battery, but the charge was premature and the regiment was forced back upon the 89th. The charge had the effect, however, of causing the Confederates to withdraw, and the 6th New Hampshire, which had steadily advanced in line on the left of the road, poured in a volley which hastened the movement. The Union loss in this affair was 13 killed, 101 wounded and 13 captured or missing, and the enemy's, according to their own reports, was 6 killed, 19 wounded and 3 captured.


South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862. 1st, 6th and 9th Army Corps. The battle of South mountain was a preliminary engagement to the greater battle of Antietam. About noon on the 13th the Union army reached Frederick City. The 12th corps stacked arms on the same ground occupied by Confederate General D. H. Hill the preceding evening. Soon after halting, some of the soldiers found a paper which proved to be an order from General Lee to Hill, directing the movements of his division. The lost despatch—"Special Orders, No. 191"—was taken to General McClellan, who learned from it the intentions of the Confederate commander and the position of his forces. At that time Lee's army was west of South mountain and was stretched out over a distance of 25 miles. The greater part of Jackson's corps was in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry; McLaws was at Maryland heights; Walker was on the Virginia side of the Potomac; D. H. Hill's division was at Boonsboro, and the remainder of Longstreet's command was at Hagerstown. The order directed Longstreet to proceed to Boonsboro, where he and Hill were to be joined by Jackson, as soon as the capture of Harper's Ferry was effected. Soon after the lost despatch fell into McClellan's hands orders were issued for a movement having for its object the piercing of the Confederate center, before Lee's orders could be carried out, and the destruction of the army in detail. South mountain lies along the western side of the Catoctin valley, and from Middletown, in the valley, it is easily crossed at four different places. Crampton's gap, the southernmost pass, is on the road leading from Jefferson to Keedysville; six miles north is Turner's gap, on the Middletown and Boonsboro road; a little way south of Turner's is Fox's gap, on the road that runs to Sharpsburg, while north of Turner's gap is the Braddock pass, on the road leading to Hagerstown. The 6th corps, commanded by Major-General W. B. Franklin, was directed to seize and hold Crampton's gap, while the remainder of the army was to direct its attention to Turner's and Fox's gaps, but especially the former. Franklin moved at an early hour on the 14th and upon arriving at the pass found the enemy strongly posted on each side of the road, at a point where it ran through a narrow defile, giving them superior advantages in position. The advance was near the base of the mountain, drawn up behind a stone wall, with open fields in front, and 8 guns were stationed on an elevation to the left of the road. General Slocum's division was pushed forward through the little village of Burkittsville to attack the right of the enemy; the 1st Maryland battery was placed in position in the rear and to the left of the village; Smith's division was drawn up in reserve east of the village, from where he could support Slocum or protect the batteries as the occasion might require. Slocum advanced steadily with Bartlett's brigade in front, closely supported by Newton's and Torbert's. As soon as the enemy's position was determined the skirmishers were withdrawn and Bartlett's whole line became engaged. Two regiments of Newton's command were then thrown to Bartlett's right and the rest of Page 823  the supporting force to his left, and a charge was ordered. Meantime -Ayres' battery had been planted to the left of the reserves, and the two batteries kept up an uninterrupted fire until the enemy was driven from his position. As soon as Slocum ordered the charge Franklin directed Brooks' brigade of Smith's division to advance upon the left of the road, and dislodge the Confederates in the woods on Slocum's flank. The movement was admirably executed, after which Brooks moved forward in line with Slocum to the very crest of the mountain. Crampton's gap was in possession of the Union forces. The enemy was completely routed, abandoning 1 piece of artillery and throwing away haversacks, blankets and arms in the flight . Prisoners to the number of 400 were taken and 3 stands of colors were captured. At Turner's gap the fighting was more severe. On the afternoon of the 13th Lee learned that the Federals were moving by that route and D. H. Hill was instructed to hold the gap. In obedience to this order Hill first sent the brigades of Garland and Colquitt to guard the pass, but after an examination of the ground he concluded that a larger force would be necessary and ordered up the rest of his division from Boonsboro. At the same time Longstreet was directed to march from Hagerstown to Hill's support . The action on the morning of the 14th was commenced by a reconnaissance of Pleasonton's cavalry, supported by Cox's and Willcox's divisions of the 9th corps and Benjamin's and Gibson's batteries. Turner's gap is so narrow that a small force with artillery could hold it against an army. Fortunately for the Union forces a road ran along the crest on either side of the pass, and it was to these roads the Federal commanders turned their attention as a means of gaining the enemy's flanks. Cox's division took the old Sharpsburg road to the left, with Scammon's brigade in advance, the 2nd brigade keeping in close supporting distance. About half a mile from the summit, at Fox's gap, the enemy opened on Scammon with artillery, forcing him to leave the road and turn further to the left . The 23d Ohio, commanded by Colonel R. B. Hayes, was sent through the woods to the left -of the road to gain the crest and attack the enemy on the flank. The movement was successful and Hayes gained a strong position, to drive him from which all efforts of the Confederates were futile. At the same time the 30th Ohio, Colonel Hugh Ewing, moved up to a position on the right of Hayes in the face of a galling fire from a Confederate Battery. The 12th Ohio, Colonel C. D. White's regiment, drove in the enemy’s skirmishers and charged up the slope in the center, driving the enemy from behind a stone fence at the point of the bayonet. Willcox's division was first ordered by General Pleasonton to move to the right of the main pike, with a view of turning the Confederate left, but before the movement could be executed the order was recalled by General Burnside, and Willcox took up a position near Cox. Toward noon there was a lull in the fighting, and during this temporary cessation of hostilities, which lasted about two hours, Meade's division of the 1st corps was steadily working its way up the road to the right of the gap, where a solitary peak completely commanded the Confederate position. Hill dis-covered this movement and brought all his available artillery to bear on Meade, but with little effect. Meade brought forward Cooper's battery and placed it on a ridge where it could reply to the Confederate guns, while the main body of the division pressed on toward the summit, Seymour's brigade leading the advance. Seeing that his efforts to check Meade with artillery were vain, Hill sent three brigades of infantry to seize and hold the peak. The lines met near the crest and a fierce combat ensued, each side taking all possible advantage of such natural defenses as the slope of the mountain afforded. Seymour finally drove in the Page 824 Confederate left and gained the crest, while the other two brigades of the division, under Magilton and Gallagher, made a courageous advance and the enemy was driven from the mountain. When darkness fell the Union troops held the gap and every position commanding it. Longstreet arrived upon the field about 4 p. m., but too late to turn the tide of battle. Nothing was left for the Confederates but to retreat, which was done during the night. At Crampton's pass the Federal loss was 113 killed, 418 wounded and 2 missing. The Confederate loss was reported as being 62 killed, 208 wounded and 479 missing, tout General Franklin, who was in command of the Union forces, reported that his men buried 150 of the enemy's dead and took charge of over 300 wounded who had been left on the field The Union loss at Turner's gap was 325 killed, 1,403 wounded and 85 missing. The estimated loss of the enemy was about 2,000 killed and wounded and 1,500 prisoners. Many of the prisoners, however, were among the wounded. General Jesse L. Reno was killed and Colonel Thomas F. Gallagher, who commanded a brigade in Meade's attack on the right, was severely wounded. The Confederates lost General Samuel Garland.


South Quay, Virginia, January 2, 1865. Detachment of the 3d New York Cavalry. Captain George F. Dern, with about 100 men and a section of artillery, made a reconnaissance from Benvard's mills to South Quay and made an attempt to seize the ferryboat, but failed. He then shelled the opposite shore with such vigor as to cause the enemy to develop his strength, and finding the force too large to attack returned to Benvard's, having captured a few bales of cotton and 3 horses without loss.


South Quay, Virginia, March 10, 1865. Expedition from Suffolk to Murfree's Depot. The expedition, under the command of Colonel G. W. Lewis, consisted of 225 men from the 3d New York cavalry, 225 from the 13th New York heavy artillery, and a section of the 8th New York battery. Lewis sent three companies of cavalry to capture the ferryboat at South Quay, but upon arriving at the river they found the boat on the opposite side, where a small force of the enemy was securely intrenched. About 3 p. m. the main column came up and Lewis immediately commenced crossing his commands in small boats some distance from the ferry. This slow process was continued until after dark, when a small party was sent over directly in front of the ferry to capture the boat. This was accomplished in the face of a severe fire, and the Confederates, seeing that the boat was in possession of the Federals, beat a hasty retreat. Lewis lost 1 killed, 1 wounded and 1 missing. South Quay Bridge, Virginia, May 1, 1863. 99th New York Infantry. This was an incident of the siege of Suffolk. General Terry ordered the regiment, commanded by Colonel D. W. Wardrop, to reconnoiter the enemy's rifle-pits and a sharp skirmish ensued, in which the Union loss was 4 killed and 42 wounded. Of the wounded 9 afterward died. The enemy's loss was not ascertained.


South Quay Road, Virginia, April 11, 1864. Detachment of troops of Department of Virginia. This skirmish was at the beginning of the siege of Suffolk. Hood's division, moving on the town from the Blackwater river, drove in the Federal pickets and captured an outpost or two. (See Suffolk.) South River, North Carolina, March 15, 1865. 4th Division, 15th Army Corps. In the advance on Goldsboro this division, commanded by Bvt. Major-General John M. Corse, reached South river on the afternoon of the 15th to find the flooring of the bridge removed and some Confederate cavalry, with a few pieces of artillery, in a strong position on the opposite bank. Corse threw forward a heavy skirmish line to hold the enemy in his works, and then moved a portion of his command some distance to the left, where Page 825 the men waded about 200 yards through a swamp and crossed the river on a line of boats floated down from above and made fast for that purpose. Before a sufficient number of men could be crossed to assault the enemy's position, darkness came on and put a stop to further operations. During the night the Confederates abandoned their trenches. No casualties reported.


South Tunnel, Tennessee, October 10, 1864. Detachment of 40th U. S. Colored Infantry. A squad of negro soldiers guarding the south tunnel, near Gallatin, was attacked by a band of outlaws under command of one Harper and all but 2 were killed. The 2 survivors brought word to Gallatin and a cavalry force sent out in pursuit drove the enemy from the tunnel.


South Union, Kentucky, May 13, 1863. (See Woodburn, same date)


Southwest Creek, North Carolina, December 13, 1862. (See Foster's Expedition to Goldsboro.)


Southwest Creek, North Carolina, June 21-22, 1864. Part of the 132nd New York Infantry. In an expedition from Batchelder's creek toward Kinston, Captain T. B. Green, with three companies of the 132nd New York, was sent to flank the enemy's position on Southwest creek; Lieut.-Colonel Hitchcock, with part of the 132nd New York, and part of the 15th Connecticut, moved up the Neuse road to Mosely creek; and the balance of the expedition advanced up the Dover road to Dover Depot. All were to advance on the Confederate works at 10 p. m. of the 21st. When the advance guard of the main body reached the mill dam on Southwest creek it was found that Green had captured the intrenchments and 45 prisoners, among them 5 commissioned officers, including Colonel Folk, the commanding officer at Kinston. Some 20 or 25 of the enemy were killed or wounded, Green's loss being 1 killed and 1 wounded. The next morning the entire command advanced toward Kinston, but the roads were all found to be strongly guarded and covered by artillery. Colonel Claassen, commanding the expedition, therefore gave the order to return to Batchelder's creek.


Southwest Creek, North Carolina, March 7, 1865. 1st Division, District of Beaufort. Pursuant to orders from Major-General J. D. Cox, commanding the District of Beaufort, the brigades of Harland and Boughton left camp at 9 a. m. to establish a line on which to operate against the enemy along Southwest creek. Harland encountered the Confederate pickets near the British road, but a strong skirmish line was thrown forward and a little while after noon the enemy was driven across the creek. About 2 p. m. Colonel Claassen, commanding the 2nd brigade, was ordered to make a reconnaissance toward the creek to develop the enemy's position. Claassen pushed forward detachments of the 12th New York cavalry, the 132nd New York infantry, and a section of a battery, all under command of Major Clarkson. Near the intersection of the British and Dover roads the reconnaissance was checked by the fire of a Confederate battery and on the other side of the creek, but the skirmishing continued until it was seen that the enemy was in force and that all the bridges had been destroyed. Cox then ordered Carter to advance his whole division to Wise's Forks, and directed Palmer to send a regiment to the support of the cavalry on the Neuse road. By sunset the skirmish lines were advanced close to the creek and parties were sent out to find crossing places. The action was continued the next day as the Union forces advanced on Kinston.


Spangler's Mill, Alabama, July 26, 1862. Detachment of the 3d Michigan Cavalry. Major Gilbert Moyers, with 89 men, was sent out to attack the Confederate cavalry that burned the bridge near Courtland. Learning that a Confederate picket was at Spangler's mill, Moyers sent a part of his command under Lieut. McEntee to capture the outpost, halting the remainder near a school-house. Here he was attacked by some 200 or 300 cavalry and a hot fight of 10 minutes followed. Moyers then withdrew Page 826 his men to the farther side of a ravine and about the same time McEntee's party returned from the mill and attacked the Confederates on the road. McEntee was flanked and pursued for about 4 miles, and Movers withdrew his part of the force by a by-road. The Union loss was 11 men missing and 20 horses. That of the enemy was somewhat greater.


Spanish Fork Canon, Utah Territory, April 4-15, 1863. 2nd California Cavalry. The affair on the 4th was between a detachment of the 2nd California and 40 or 50 Indians, in which the latter were driven up the canon until darkness intervened. As the troops were returning from the pursuit the red men followed, annoying the rear-guard considerably, but no casualties were sustained. The engagement on the 15th was between a larger force on each side. The Indians had taken refuge in the canon and Colonel George S. Evans with a detachment moved after them. When about a mile within the cation the Indians opened fire from well-chosen positions on both flanks and in front. A howitzer was run up on a mountain spur and dropped shells into the place where the enemy's fire was the heaviest, while the troops in front moved up to the brink of the ravine where the Indians were stationed and opened a revolver fire which drove them out. . Pursuit continued for 14 miles. The casualties were not definitely ascertained.


Spanish Fort, Alabama, Siege of, March 27-April 9, 1865. Army of West Mississippi. On March 27, during the Mobile campaign, Garrard's division of the 16th corps was established in an intrenched camp to cover the right and rear of Canby's army as it moved to invest Spanish fort . The dispositions made during the day were as follows: the 3d division of the 16th corps, under Brigadier-General Eugene A. Carr, occupied the extreme right, with its right resting on Bay Minette; then came McArthur's division of the 16th, then Benton's and Veatch's divisions and Bertram's brigade of the 13th corps, the latter with its left resting on the impassable swamp bordering on Olive creek. Five miles below Spanish fort a Federal supply depot was established. On the 28th and 29th batteries were planted on the bluff of Bay Minette to counteract the effect of the firing of the Confederate gunboats and batteries Tracy and Huger. Meanwhile Steele's column had moved from Pensacola to cooperate with Canby and on April 1 had attacked and driven in a Confederate force at Fort Blakely. On the 2nd the Confederates made a desperate attempt to retake the positions which Steele's column held, but were repulsed by the colored troops. Steele then set about investing Fort Blakely and on the 4th, after a bridge had been completed over Bayou Minette, Spanish fort and Fort Blakely were included in the same general line of investment. The same day a bombardment of Spanish fort was commenced, and although it continued from 5 a. m. to 7 p. m. it did not have much effect, as the enfilading batteries were not yet in position. Canby had expected that the navy would complete the investment of Spanish fort, but low water in the Blakely river prevented a near approach of the boats, and consequently the treadway leading from the rear of Spanish fort to Battery Tracy was not destroyed as had been planned. By the afternoon of the 8th there were in position against Spanish fort 53 siege guns and 37 field pieces. At 5:30 p. m. that day a bombardment was ordered and under cover of it two companies of the 8th la., supported by the remainder of the regiment and other regiments of Geddes' brigade, effected the capture of a position on the Confederate works from which a musketry fire could sweep 200 yards of the intrenchments. This position was soon taken and with it some 200 prisoners. Although it was now dark the work of pushing forward the engagement both within and without the works was carried on by Major-General Page 827 A. J. Smith's corps within and Granger's division from the outside. By midnight the whole fort was in possession of the Federals with all its armament, supplies, etc., and 600 prisoners. The larger part of the garrison, however, had escaped over the treadway to Battery Tracy, and thence to Mobile. From the 6th to the 9th the Union works in front of Fort Blakely had been pushed forward in earnest, and immediately after Spanish fort had fallen portions of Canby's command were sent to aid Steele. By 5:30 p. m. of the 9th his line, then 4 miles in length, moved forward simultaneously and after a gallant advance under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery had by 5 :50 p. m. carried the works in every part. The net result of this capture was 3,700 men, besides all the armament, supplies, etc. The Union casualties in the 2 actions were 61 killed, 639 wounded and 32 captured or missing. The enemy's losses in killed and wounded were never reported.


Sparta, Tennessee, August 5, 1862. Detachments of the 4th Kentucky and 7th Indiana Cavalry. Sparta, Tennessee, August 9, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. Colonel Robert H. G. Minty with his brigade started in pursuit of some Confederates said to be in the vicinity of Sparta. At daybreak on the 9th the enemy's pickets were encountered 4 miles south of the town and were easily driven through the place. It was learned that the enemy under Dibrell was encamped 4 miles north of Sparta on the banks of the Calfkiller creek and Minty immediately proceeded to that point. The 4th Michigan, in advance, dislodged the enemy before the main column got up and Dibrell fell back across the creek, where he took a strong position on a hill commanding the bridge. Minty made preparations to gain his flank and rear, but before the move could be executed the Confederates had retreated in haste. Fourteen Confederates were killed and 10 captured, the Union reports state, although Dibrell says he had but 4 wounded and 8 captured. The loss in the 1st brigade was 5 wounded.


Sparta, Tennessee, August 17, 1863. (See Calfkiller Creek.) Sparta, Tennessee, November 24-26, 1863. 1st Tennessee Cavalry. Lieut.-Colonel James P. Brownlow of the 1st Tennessee reports from Sparta under date of November 25: "I entered this place yesterday on three different roads, and had a skirmish on each road. I whipped Colonel Murray's force, killing 1, wounding 2, and capturing 10 men." Again on the 27th he reported: "My scouts had a skirmish with the rebels yesterday within 2 miles of their camp, capturing 4 and killing 2. I have had 2 men slightly wounded."


Spavinaw, Arkansas, May 13, 1864. Detachment of 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Major Milton Burch with a detail of men attacked the camp of 30 Confederates at 11 p. m. Two of the enemy were killed and several more were wounded. The capture of the camp included the taking of 22 head of horses, 10 stands of arms, a quantity of saddles, clothing, etc. No Union casualties reported.


Spencer Court House, West Virginia, September 2, 1862. 11th Virginia Infantry. In Jenkins' expedition into West Virginia and Ohio the Confederates approached Spencer Court House, where Colonel J. C. Rathbone was stationed with 300 men. Jenkins sent in a summons to surrender, and after due deliberation Rathbone turned over his command. Two thirds of the men, however, on learning that they were to be surrendered, left the place by the rear and escaped. The president afterward dismissed Rathbone and Major G. C. Trimble from the service of the United States.


Spencer's Ranch, New Mexico, April 15, 1864. Detachment of 1st California Cavalry. Captain Albert H. French with 25 men of Company A, 1st California cavalry, surprised a Texas spy and scouting party at Spencer's ranch opposite Presidio del Norte, and after a sharp engagement routed the Page 828 enemy, killing 3 (the spy among them), wounding 2 and capturing 4. French suffered no casualties. Sperryville, Virginia, July 5, 1862. 1st Maine Cavalry.


Sperryville, Virginia, January 10, 1864. Detachment of Merritt's Cavalry. A party was sent out by General Merritt to locate and break up a camp of guerrillas. The detachment went as far as Sperryville and succeeded in capturing 6 of the enemy, including a lieutenant . The scouting party sustained no casualties.


Sperryville, Virginia, March 17-18, 1864. Detachment of the 6th and 9th New York Cavalry. Colonel Thomas C. Devin, commanding the 2nd brigade, 1st cavalry division, was ordered to reconnoiter the front, and sent out 25 men under command of Captain M. P. Goodrich, who was instructed to go as far as Woodville. The party left camp at 10 p. m. on the 17th and reached Woodville at 3 a. m. Learning that a Major Swindler, of the 7th Virginia infantry (Confederate) was in the neighborhood of Sperryville, Goodrich pushed on, reached the place about daylight, surrounded the house and captured the major and 2 men. On the return the party was continually harassed by Confederate cavalry and some skirmishing occurred, but without any damage to either side.


Spirit Lake, Minnesota, May 16, 1864. Brigadier-General Henry H. Sibley, commanding the District of Minnesota, reports that on the 16th a party of Indians attacked 2 men belonging to General Sully's post at Spirit lake and were beaten off with a loss of 3 men killed.


Sporting Hill, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1863. 22nd and 37th New York Militia and Landis' Battery. After the cavalry with the 1st division, Department of the Susquehanna, had found the Confederates occupying Sporting hill, the New York militia under Brigadier-General John Ewen was sent with Landis' battery to drive them from their position. The affair opened at 4 p. m. and by a little after 5 the enemy's fire had been silenced. No casualties were reported.


Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, April 30, 1863. 6th New York Cavalry. Just prior to the battle of Chancellorsville, while the two armies were maneuvering for position, the 6th New York cavalry was sent down the road to feel the enemy in the vicinity of Spottsylvania Court House. Owing to the nature of the ground the regiment went too far and the Confederates got in its rear. Lieut.-Colonel McVicar changed front and ordered a charge, which scattered the Confederates in every direction. Pursuit was made until another force, posted at the forks of the road, poured a heavy volley into the Federal column and effectually checked it . The head of the column made another charge and succeeded in crossing the ford over Louisa run, but the rear-guard, stopping to take care of the wounded officers and the dead body of McVicar, was again attacked and forced to abandon the killed and wounded, reaching the rest of the command by a circuitous route. The casualties were not definitely reported, but were heavy on both sides.


Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 8-18, 1864. Army of the Potomac. At 3 p. m. on May 7, while the Army of the Potomac was still on the battle-field of the Wilderness, a messenger arrived at Grant's headquarters with the information that General Butler, with the Army of the James, had landed at City Point, completely surprising the Confederates there, and was ready to advance on Richmond. Lee had retired behind his works, leaving open the road to Richmond round his right flank, and as soon as the intelligence of Butler's successful beginning was received Grant issued orders for a night march of the whole army toward Spottsylvania Court House. (For the organization of the Army of the Potomac at this time see Wilderness.) From the Wilderness a road ran east to Chancellorsville, where it was intersected by Page 829 another that ran southeast to Piney Branch Church. The Brock road ran in a southeasterly direction to Spottsylvania and about 3 miles south of it, and nearly parallel to it, ran the Shady Grove road. The former was in possession of the Federals as far as Todd's tavern and the latter was in the hands of the enemy. Beyond Todd's tavern the Brock road was held by the Confederate cavalry under Stuart. From the tavern the Catharpin road ran southwest and intersected the southern road at Shady Grove Church. General Warren, commanding the 5th corps was to move by the Brock road and was to be followed by General Hancock with the 2nd corps, while the 6th and 9th corps, respectively commanded by General Sedgwick and General Burnside, were directed to move by way of Chancellorsville and Piney Branch Church. General Sheridan, commanding the cavalry, was ordered to "have a sufficient force on the approaches from the right to keep the corps commanders advised in time of the approach of the enemy." The trains and reserve artillery were moved to Chancellorsville in the afternoon, from which point they were to follow the army. Nearly parallel to the course of the army ran the Po river on the south. The Catharpin road crossed this river at Corbin's bridge; the Shady Grove road at what was known as the Block House bridge, and the road running from Spottsylvania to Richmond crossed it at Snell's bridge about 2 miles south of the Court House. Some controversy and criticism have been indulged in as to why these bridges were not taken possession of by the Federal forces. Badeau, in his Military History of Grant, says: "These bridges were of first importance, for they commanded Lee's only approaches to Spottsylvan1a, and Sheridan, who had been ordered to keep a good look-out toward the enemy, disposed his force so as to secure all three positions. * * * Had these orders (Sheridan's) been carried out, every avenue to Spottsylvania would have been closed to the rebel army." Sheridan's corps consisted of the three divisions commanded by Gregg, Merritt and Wilson. His instructions to Gregg, issued at 1 a. m. on the 8th, show the disposition of his forces with regard to the bridges. They were as follows: "Move with your command at 5 a. m., on the Catharpin road, crossing at Corbin's bridge, and taking position at Shady Grove Church. General Merritt will follow you, and at Shady Grove Church will take the left hand, or Block House road, moving forward and taking up position at that point (viz., Block House). Immediately after he has passed, you will move forward with your division, on the same road, to the crossing of the Po river, where you will take up position supporting General Merritt. General Wilson with his division will march from Alsop's by way of Spottsylvania Court House and the Gate to Snell's bridge, where he will take up position." Before the hour fixed for the cavalry to move, Corbin's bridge and the Block House bridge were both in the hands of the enemy. Snell's bridge was not used by the Confederates, nor was any attempt made to use it, because it was too far out of the way. When Lee learned, on the afternoon of the 7th, of the movement of the Federal trains, his first impression was that Grant was falling back to Fredericksburg and determined to interpose a force between him and Richmond. He therefore ordered Longstreet's corps, now commanded by General R. H. Anderson, Longstreet having been wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, to move to Spottsylvania that night, to be followed by Ewell's corps at daylight the next morning. Anderson moved at 11 p. m. and at daylight his advance had reached the Block House bridge. Had Gregg and Merritt undertaken to carry out Sheridan's order, they would have encountered this entire corps as it was marching along the Shady Grove road.  In fact they would have met the enemy before reaching that Page 830 road, as Hampton was on the Catharpin road between Corbin's bridge and Todd's tavern. Wilson did move forward to Spottsylvania, where he found Wickham's brigade of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, which he drove from the town and held the place for two hours, when he was recalled by Sheridan just as Wofford's and Bryan's brigades of Anderson's command were moving to attack him. It was not the failure to carry out Sheridan's order regarding the bridges, but the presence of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry on the Brock road, that prevented the Federals from gaining possession of Spottsylvania Court House. Warren moved at 8:30p. m. and was expected to reach the Court House by daylight on the 8th. At Todd's tavern he was delayed for more than an hour by the headquarters escort and 2 miles farther on he encountered the enemy's cavalry. Merritt was directed to move forward and clear the road for the infantry. The Confederates were forced back slowly, leaving the road obstructed by fallen trees, so that Warren's progress was necessarily slow. At 6 o'clock in the morning Merritt was relieved by Robinson's division, which succeeded after a sharp contest in driving the enemy from the road, but at this hour Warren's advance was still several miles from the Court House. At 8:30 a. m. Robinson came out of the woods into the open fields of the Alsop farm, about half way between Todd's tavern and Spottsylvania. Here the Brock road forked, the two branches coming together again about a mile farther on. Robinson took the left hand road, Denison's brigade on the right, Lyle's on the left and Coulter's (formerly Baxter's) on the left rear. Griffin's division moved on the right fork with Bartlett's brigade in line of battle in advance, the brigades of Ayres and Sweitzer following the road. Robinson reached the junction of the roads before Griffin, formed his command in column of regiments and threw out a strong skirmish line in front. Near the intersection of the Brock road and the old Court House road the former entered a piece of timber. When Robinson's advance was about 300 yards from this timber the enemy opened a heavy fire of artillery and musketry upon the front and right from a line of intrenchments just inside the wood. Robinson was seriously wounded at the first fire and the national troops were forced back, closely pressed by the enemy, who tried to turn Lyle's left, but was prevented from doing so by the prompt action of Denison, who placed his brigade in the edge of the wood where he checked the further advance of the Confederates and finally compelled them to retire to their works. Soon after Robinson's division became engaged, Bartlett's line of battle came under the enemy's fire when about half-way across the open fields of the Alsop farm. At first Bartlett's men gave way, but fortunately just at that time Ayres' brigade occupied a sunken part of the road and under cover of this position the line was reformed. Griffin then advanced his whole division, Crawford came up with his division and drove the enemy from the woods on Griffin's left . The Confederate force with which Robinson and Griffin had been engaged up to this time was Henagan's and Humphreys' brigades of Kershaw's division, which had formed Anderson's advance on the Shady Grove road. When Kershaw reached the Block House bridge about daylight he heard the sound of the firing over on the Brock road where Fitzhugh Lee was engaged with Merritt and Robinson. Turning sharply to the left with the two brigades he reached the woods just as Lee was falling back, threw up temporary breastworks and awaited the Federal advance. He was followed a little later by Field's division, which came up on Griffin's right about the time that Crawford was driving the enemy from the woods. Cutler's division, the last of Warren's corps to arrive, came up in time to prevent Page 831 Field from turning Griffin's flank and drove him from the woods, after which the entire corps was pushed forward as far as possible and intrenched, the 6th corps coming up and intrenching on Warren's left, Hancock, who was expected to move with the 2nd corps at 10 p. m. on the 7th, was so delayed by other troops blocking the road that he did not begin his march until daylight the next morning. At 9 a. m. the head of his column arrived at Todd's tavern, where Gregg's cavalry was found skirmishing with that of the enemy. Hancock threw forward a skirmish line to relieve Gregg and then posted his division with Mott covering the Brock road to the right, Barlow on Mott's left, Gibbon covering the Catharpin road and Birney in reserve. About 11 a. m. Miles' brigade of Barlow's division, one brigade of Gregg's and a battery was sent on a reconnaissance toward Corbin's bridge. When about half a mile from the bridge this force was opened upon by the Confederate batteries on the hills south of the river. Miles ordered his artillery to reply and formed his infantry in line of battle along a ridge in the wood, which position he held until about 5 p. m., when he was ordered to return to the tavern. On the way back he was attacked by Mahone's brigade of Hill's corps, which was then on the way to Spottsylvania. Miles repulsed two spirited attacks, holding his ground until after dark, when he rejoined the division. Gibbon's division was sent to the support of Warren and Sedgwick in the afternoon, but the remainder of the 2nd corps did not move toward Spottsylvania until about noon on the 9th. Then Birney and Barlow moved down the road about a mile, where they took a road leading to the right and joined Gibbon's division on the high ground overlooking the Po, the three divisions going into line of battle facing the river. Mott's division was moved from Todd's tavern to the left of the 6th corps at Alsop's. During the . day Burnside moved with the 9th corps from his position near Chancellorsville down the Fredericksburg pike toward Spottsylvania. On the march Willcox's division encountered and repulsed a small force at the bridge over the Ny river, after which the command, Christ's brigade in advance, pushed on .and went into position about a mile east of the Court House, where several assaults were repulsed during the afternoon, and where the division finally intrenched. The presence of the enemy on the Fredericksburg road led Burnside to report to Grant that Lee was moving toward Fredericksburg and Hancock was directed to force a passage of the Po for the purpose of making a reconnaissance on Lee's left . Although the stream was difficult to ford and the opposite bank was held by the enemy, each of his three divisions succeeded in crossing and occupied the Shady Grove road from Waite's shop, at the cross-roads between the Po and Glady run, toward the Block House bridge, which Hancock endeavored to seize, but darkness came on before the movement could be executed. That night Hancock threw over three pontoon bridges for the passage of his artillery early the next morning. Lee became alarmed by Hancock's presence on his left and on the evening of the 9th sent Mahone's division to hold the Shady Grove road. Later Mahone was reinforced by Heth's division. As soon as it was light enough to see on the morning of the 10th, Hancock made a reconnaissance toward the Block House bridge with the intention of forcing a passage across it, but found the enemy strongly intrenched on the east bank. Concerning his movements in trying to gain possession of the bridge he says in his report: "After a careful survey had been made, I concluded not to attempt to carry the bridge, but sent Brooke's brigade, of Barlow's division down the river to ascertain what could be effected there. General Birney was directed to send three or four regiments out on the Andrews' tavern road to cover Brooke's Page 832 movement. Colonel Brooke succeeded in crossing the river about half way between the bridge and the mouth of Glady run. * * * About this time I was informed by the major-general commanding, that an assault was to be made on the enemy's works on Laurel Hill, in front of General Warren's position near Alsop's house. I was directed to move two of my divisions to the left to participate in it, and to assume command of the forces to be engaged in the attack." Pursuant to this order Gibbon was at once sent to the north bank of the Po and formed his command on Warren's right. Birney followed, leaving Barlow to hold the ground on the south side of the river. As soon as the enemy discovered that the Federals were recrossing the Po, he advanced in force against Barlow, who was instructed to fall back across the pontoons. The brigades of Brooke and Brown took up a position along a wooded crest about 100 yards in the rear of the works Barlow had constructed, while Miles and Smyth were ordered to fall back w1th their brigades to the bank of the river. Mistaking the movement of Miles and Smyth for a forced retreat, the Confederates advanced in line of battle supported by heavy columns and attacked Brooke and Brown, but the assault was repulsed. A second attack was made soon after and the combat became close and bloody, but again the enemy was forced back. In the meantime the woods on the right and rear of the Union line had caught fire and the flames now came so near that it was impossible for Brooke and Brown longer to maintain their position. Taking advantage of the lull that followed the second repulse of the enemy the two brigades were withdrawn. This affair is known as the battle of Waite's Shop. Miles' brigade was the last to cross and as he was near the river Heth attempted to cross the open ground toward the pontoons, but was driven back by the tire of Miles men and the batteries on the north bank. All through the forenoon of the loth there were sharp skirmishing and artillery firing preparatory to the general attack which had been ordered for the afternoon. General Sedgwick had been killed on the 9th and the 6th corps was now under command of Brigadier-General H. G. Wright . At 3:45 p. m. he was ordered to attack the works in his front with his whole command and Mott's division of the 2nd corps. Warren was also ordered to assault the works near the Alsop house with the divisions of Crawford and Cutler and the brigades of Webb and Carroll of Gibbon's division. Carroll charged through a belt of burning woods, the right of his line gaining the enemy's works and the whole brigade pressing up to the abatis, only to be forced back by "such a concentrated and murderous fire from two lines as to make the position untenable." Warren was also repulsed with heavy loss, General Rice, commanding one of Cutler's brigades being among the killed. Colonel Emory Upton, with twelve regiments of the 6th corps, gained the parapet and engaged in some desperate hand-to-hand fighting, capturing several pieces of artillery and about 1,000 prisoners. His assault was to have been supported by Mott's division, but when Mott reached the open field he was met by an enfilading fire from the enemy's batteries, which threw his line into confusion and forced him to retire. The advantage gained by Upton was therefore of little moment, for the Confederates fairly swarmed against him, compelling him to abandon the captured cannon and fall back, though he succeeded in bringing in the most of his prisoners. Altogether the attack was a failure. Lee's line extended from the Block House bridge northeast across the Brock road to the watershed between the Po and Ny rivers, nearly north of the Court House, where it turned sharply to the south, the right being near Snell's bridge. From his right center the works were thrown Page 833 forward in a horseshoe salient around the crest of a spur between two small tributaries of the Ny river. Ewell's corps occupied the salient, Anderson's extended the line to the right and Hill's to the left . Directly north of the salient, and about three-fourths of a mile distant, was the Brown house, while inside the enemy's works on the spur within the angle stood the McCool house. Very little fighting was done on the 11th, the day being spent in preparations for an assault on the salient at daylight the next morning. Mott made an attempt to drive in the enemy's skirmishers in order to develop the weak place in the Confederate works, but the effort was only partially successful. Wright was instructed to extend his left and concentrate on that wing. Hancock moved his entire corps after dark to the vicinity of the Brown house, and was to lead the assault. Warren was to hold the position vacated by the 2nd corps, and when Hancock began his attack Warren on the right and Burnside on the left were to engage the enemy in their fronts to prevent reinforcements from being sent to the salient . Hancock was to advance on a line drawn from the Brown House to the McCool house. The night of the 11th was dark and stormy, but the troops of the 2nd corps took their positions quietly and promptly, fully aware of the desperate character of the work awaiting them. Barlow's division in two massed lines was placed on the cleared ground which extended up to the enemy's line; Birney's was formed in two deployed lines on Barlow's right; Mott's division was in the rear of Birney, and Gibbon's was in reserve. The assault was to have been made at 4 o'clock, but owing to a dense fog it was 35 minutes later before Hancock gave the order to advance. With even pace the troops moved forward in column and when about half way up the slope broke into a cheer, dashed forward on the double-quick through the abatis and over the works. Hancock describes the action here as follows: "Barlow's and Birney's divisions entered almost at the same moment, striking the enemy's line at a sharp salient immediately in front of the Landrum house. A fierce and bloody fight ensued in the works with bayonets and clubbed muskets. It was short, however, and resulted in the capture of nearly 4,000 prisoners of Johnson's division, of Ewell's corps, 20 pieces of artillery, with horses, caissons and material complete, several thousand stand of small arms, and upward of 30 colors. Among the prisoners were Major-General Edward Johnson and Brigadier-General George H. Steuart, of the Confederate service. The enemy fled in great disorder." So far the assault had been a success. Elated by their victory, the Union troops pursued the flying Confederates toward Spottsylvania until they encountered a second line, the presence of which was unknown to Hancock or any of his officers. This line was held by Gordon, who checked the rush of the Federals and gave Lee an opportunity to push reinforcements into the angle. Lee was further aided at this critical moment by the necessity of reforming the Union lines, as in the impetuous charge and pursuit practically all semblance of a regular formation had been lost . The divisions of Mahone and Wilcox came up from the right and advanced against the 2nd corps before the disorder of its success could be overcome, driving Hancock's men back to the first line of works, where they were reinforced by Wright, with Russell's and Wheaton's divisions of the 6th corps ( which came up on the right and vigorously assaulted the west angle of the salient. Again there was some stubborn hand-to-hand fighting in which Wright was wounded, though he remained with his men, cheering them on, and through the heroic efforts of Upton's brigade the line was held against the repeated and determined attempts of the Confederates to regain it. Hancock Page 834 ordered his artillery to the high ground near the Landrum house and throughout the day charges of canister were fired over the heads of the Union troops into the enemy's line of battle. On Hancock's left Burnside assaulted the Confederate works at 4:30 a. m. and in half an hour had carried two lines of rifle-pits. Stevenson's and Potter's divisions then moved against the main line of works, a portion of which was carried by Potter, who captured a number of prisoners and a battery of 2 guns, but was unable to hold his advantage and was finally forced to retire with heavy loss. Several subsequent attacks were made by the two divisions, and also by Willcox's on the extreme left, but none succeeded in driving the enemy from his position. The persistent hammering of Burnside, however, prevented the enemy from withdrawing troops in his front to hurl against Hancock and Wright. About 9 o'clock Warren was directed to attack the enemy on his front, but upon attempting to advance his line was subjected to a heavy enfilading fire and he was forced back. Cutler's division was then sent to Wright and later the whole corps was withdrawn from its position and thrown to the left, where it became engaged against the west angle, but failed to carry the works. The firing was so heavy and constant that several oak trees inside the salient, some of them nearly 2 feet in diameter, were literally gnawed off by the bullets. Late in the day Lee gave up the idea of trying to recapture the outer line of works and retired to Gordon's line, half a mile to the rear, where he strengthened his position during the night . The losses on both sides were so heavy during the action that the salient has passed into history as the "Bloody Angle." The attack on the 12th was the last of the hard fighting about Spottsylvania. Hancock was ordered to hold his corps in readiness to renew the assault at 4 o'clock the next morning, but owing to a dark and rainy night the other commands were not in position at the appointed hour to support him and the attack was abandoned. Artillery firing was kept up from the 13th to the 18th, chiefly to cover the movement of the army to a position covering the Fredericksburg road on Lee's right, and there was a slight skirmish near Piney Branch Church on the 15th. In his report Grant says: "Deeming it impracticable to make any further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania Court House, orders were issued on the 18th with a view to a movement to the North Anna, to commence at 12 o'clock on the night of the 19th." This movement was interfered with by Ewell coming out of his works late on the afternoon of the 19th and attacking the Federal right near the Harris farm on the Fredericksburg road north of the Ny river. The attack was promptly repulsed, but it delayed the movement to the North Anna until the night of the 21st . The Union loss at Spottsylvania, during the ten days fighting, was 2,725 killed, 13,416 wounded and 2,258 missing. The Confederate losses were not officially reported and various estimates have been made, some of which place the total in killed, wounded and missing as high as 15,000. Major Jed Hotchkiss, who was topographer for Lee's army and author of the Virginia volume of the Confederate Military History, places the total loss at 8,000 and significantly adds: "but these were 18 per cent of the army." Spriggs Ford, Virginia, February 28, 1864. Detachment of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Lieut. Edward O'Shea while reconnoitering with 50 men came upon 2 men, supposed to be bushwhackers, emerging from what was supposed to be a deserted house. They fired one round from their revolvers and fled, and the Federals pursued but failed to come up with them. One Union man was wounded in the arm, and it was thought one of the outlaws was wounded.


Spring Creek, Georgia, September 18, 1863. Detachment of 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps. The report of Brigadier-General Walter C. Whitaker of the operations of the 1st brigade in the Chickamauga campaign contains the following: "At 4 p. m. I took up the line of march, and had progressed about 3 miles, when, crossing Spring creek, or Little Chickamauga, the advance was fired upon by the enemy. The skirmishers of the 96th Illinois and one section of Aleshire's (18th Ohio) battery engaged the enemy and drove him before them with some loss, losing 1 killed and 3 wounded. Night terminated the skirmish."


Spring Creek, Tennessee, December 18-19, 1862. Brigadier-General N. B. Forrest (Confederate) reported that while on his expedition into West Tennessee the rear-guard, under Colonel Russell, was attacked on the evening of the 18th by some 3,000 Union infantry, two batteries and several hundred cavalry. Russell skirmished with them for some time that evening and the next morning at daylight charged with his regiment, threw the Federals into a panic and drove them across Spring creek. Union reports do not mention the affair.


Springdale Bridge, Mississippi, December 3, 1862. (See Water Valley.)


Springfield, Georgia, December 10, 1864. 8th Indiana Cavalry. The pickets of the regiment were attacked near Springfield, but Capts. Crowell and Stanley promptly charged with their companies, routing the enemy with a loss of 3 men and 2 horses killed and 5 horses captured. Springfield, Kentucky, October 6, 1862. (See Beach Fork, same date.)


Springfield, Kentucky, December 30, 1862. Detachment of the 6th Kentucky Cavalry. During Morgan's second Kentucky raid Major W. H. Fidler was sent out with his battalion to reconnoiter in the direction of Barber's mill, with instructions that, if Morgan had not passed that point, to take the Springfield road and reconnoiter in the rear of the enemy. He entered the town of Springfield and captured one of the Confederate pickets without creating alarm, after which he and his men advanced to within a short distance of a battery planted in the streets, fired a volley into the midst of the Confederates, killing 2 of them, then wheeled and retreated to camp, bringing the captured picket as a prisoner.


Springfield, Missouri, August 10, 1861. (See Wilson's Creek.)


Springfield, Missouri, October 25, 1861. Detachments of General Fremont's Body-Guard and the 23d Illinois Infantry, and White's Prairie Scouts. Major Charles Zagonyi, with 150 of the body-guard, Captain Naughton's Irish dragoons of the 23d Illinois, and about 180 of Major White's men, charged the camp of some 600 Confederates near Springfield, and although the enemy outnumbered the Union force, he was driven from the camp and back through the town. Zagonyi reported the loss of the bodyguard as 15 killed, 27 wounded and 10 missing, but did not give the casualties in the other commands. The total loss in the Prairie Scouts was 33—according to unofficial accounts, and the loss of the Irish dragoons was not ascertained, but it is known that Naughton was severely wounded. The Confederate loss was 106 killed, a number wounded and 27 captured, together with 60 stands of arms and over $4,000 in gold. Springfield, Missouri, February 12, 1862. Brigadier-General Samuel R. Curtis, commanding the Southwestern District of Missouri, reported on the 13th as follows: "The flag of the Union floats over the court-house of Springfield. The enemy attacked us with small parties at 10:30 o'clock 12 miles out, and my front guards had a running fire with them most of the afternoon. At dusk a regiment of the Confederate cavalry attacked the outer picket, but did not move it. A few shots from a howitzer killed 2 and wounded several. The regiment retreated to this place, and the enemy immediately commenced the evacuation of the city. I entered the city at 10 a. m. My cavalry is in full pursuit. They say the Page 836 enemy is making a stand at Wilson's creek. Forage, flour, and other stores in large quantities taken." Springfield, Missouri, January 8, 1863. Detachments of 18th Iowa Infantry, Missouri Militia, Convalescents and Citizens. While the Confederate General Marmaduke was conducting his expedition into Missouri he approached Springfield and at 10 a. m. opened fire upon the town and Fort No. 4. The main attack was at first on the Federal left and did not grow strong until about 2 p. m., when the Confederates advanced against Fort No. 4 and the cavalry outside the works. The enemy was repelled at the fort, but succeeded in capturing a piece of artillery in charge of a detachment of the 18th la.. After being repulsed on the left the Confederates combined their attack on the right, and slowly forced it back some 300 yards, when the men rallied and with the assistance of some of the Iowa troops charged and compelled the enemy to withdraw. The Federal loss was 14 killed, 146 wounded and 5 captured or missing, out of a garrison of 2,100. Marmaduke says he had 20 killed and 80 wounded. Springfield, West Virginia, February 3, 1864. Cavalry commanded by Lieut. Colonel Thompson. Springfield, West Virginia, June 26, 1864. Detachment of the 6th West Virginia Cavalry. A picket of 100 men, commanded by Captain Law and stationed at Springfield and the wire bridge near there, was surprised by the Confederate force under McNeill and about 60 of the number, with 100 horses and equipments captured. No report of Confederate losses.


Springfield Landing, Louisiana, July 2, 1863. Troops of Department of the Gulf. The cavalry of the Confederates, after surprising the picket of the 162nd New York stationed on the old Springfield Landing road, approached to within 30 yards of a squad of armed negroes guarding some quarter-master's stores. On seeing the enemy the negroes fled, and the stores were destroyed. The Confederates then divided into three parties and began ransacking the post, but the 162nd New York was called to arms and drove the enemy away. The Federal loss was 5 wounded, 12 captured and 3 missing. The enemy acknowledged a loss of 4 killed and 10 wounded. The affair was an incident of the siege of Port Hudson.


Springfield Road, Louisiana, May 23, 1863. This affair was a skirmish which occurred during the operations of General Banks' army in its investment of Port Hudson. The only official mention of it is contained in a Confederate report, which gives no casualties. Springfield Station, Virginia, October 3, 1861. Detachment of Newton's Brigade. Brigadier-General W. B. Franklin reported that 800 men, under Colonel Pratt, went out with a train for wood, etc., drove in the Confederate pickets at Springfield Station without loss, and brought off 32 car loads of wood and sleepers.


Spring Hill, Georgia, April 20, 1865. 2nd Cavalry Division, Military Division of the Mississippi. During Wilson's raid the advance of Minty's division struck a Confederate force estimated at 400 at Spring Hill, 20 miles from Macon. A charge by the 17th Indiana drove the enemy from about a dozen well-built rail barricades. Near Montpelier Springs the enemy was again encountered and routed and the brigade pushed forward to Mimms' mills on Tobesofkee creek where still another force of 300 was encountered. The 17th Indiana cavalry charged upon the bridge mounted, but the plank being torn up the men were compelled to dismount and rush across on foot. After a sharp fight of a few minutes the Confederates were driven in confusion and the bridge saved. Shortly afterward a flag of truce came out from the Confederate lines announcing the armistice between Sherman and Johnston, but Minty, thinking Page 837 the Confederates were attempting to delay the column while the bridge over Rocky creek was being destroyed, pushed forward his advance and saved the structure after a skirmish. Minty's advance regiment, the 17th Indiana lost 1 man killed and 2 wounded during the day.


Spring Hill, Missouri, October 27, 1861. One Company of 7th Missouri Cavalry.


Spring Hill, Tennessee, March 4-5, 1863. (See Thompson's Station.)


Spring Hill, Tennessee, March 19, 1863. Detachment of 9th Pennsylvania, 2nd Michigan and 4th and 7th Kentucky Cavalry. This detachment, under Colonel Thomas J. Jordan, while operating in the vicinity of Franklin, encountered Confederate skirmishers immediately after passing through the town of Spring Hill and the main body was soon discovered in position on a hill to the right of the road, when a galling fire was opened upon the 9th Pennsylvania The Federals dismounted and advanced carefully until after a sharp conflict the enemy withdrew. Reinforcements arriving, Jordan drove the enemy over Rutherford creek. The Federal loss in this affair was one man killed and another seriously wounded.


Spring Hill, Tennessee, November 29, 1864. 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps. As Schofield was falling back from Columbia to Franklin he sent his trains to Spring Hill, Wagner's division (2nd) acting as an advance guard and Kimball's (1st) guarding the trains in the rear. As the head of the column approached Spring Hill Wagner learned from citizens leaving the place that the enemy was threatening the town. Opdyke's brigade was hurried forward and upon arriving at the village found a line of the enemy's skirmishers drawn up about a half a mile to the east, supported by the enemy in force. Opdyke's men advanced at the double-quick, threw out a strong line of skirmishers, and in a short time were engaged. Lane's brigade, as soon as it reached the field, was formed on the right of Opdyke's and the skirmish line extended in that direction. The enemy's cavalry charged Lane's skirmishers, but the charge was repulsed with considerable loss to the assailants. Some of the Confederate cavalry now took up a position on a ridge, where they could observe all that was going on in the town, and Wagner ordered Lane to drive them away. Lane advanced his whole brigade, drove the enemy about a mile and then occupied the ridge. Bradley's brigade came up about this time and was stationed in a point of woods to the right of Lane's position, where it could cover the movement of the trains on the pike in his rear. A desperate assault was soon made on Bradley, but it was promptly repulsed. About sunset the enemy again tried to drive Bradley with infantry, when Wagner placed a section of battery on Bradley’s right and also threw forward the 36th Illinois to protect his flank. Notwithstanding these precautions the enemy succeeded in extending his line until Bradley's right was enveloped and forced to fall back. His left was turned immediately afterward, and while he was personally directing the movements of his men on this part of the line he was severely wounded and the command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Conrad. Lane moved to the support of Conrad which enabled him to withdraw his men without additional loss. By this time it was too dark for further maneuvers, and at 4 a. m. on the 30th the command resumed its march toward Franklin. The losses in Lane's and Opdyke's brigades were comparatively light. Bradley lost about 150 in killed, wounded and missing. A Confederate surgeon who was on the field during the action afterward stated that the enemy’s loss was 500.


Spring Hill, Tennessee, December 18, 1864. Cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi. In the pursuit of the Confederate army from Nashville Wilson's cavalry came up with the rear-guard about 2 miles beyond Page 838 Spring Hill. Coon's brigade, which was in advance, immediately attacked and soon drove the enemy across Rutherford creek. No casualties reported.


Spring Place, Georgia, April 1-4, 1865. Detachments of 147th Illinois Infantry and 6th Tennessee Cavalry. As an incident of an expedition from Dalton to Spring Place and the Coosawattee river, a detachment of cavalry was sent into the town to reconnoiter on the night of the 1st -and was fired upon by the enemy's pickets. After passing through the town next day the advance of the column was attacked, but the Confederates were quickly dispersed. On reaching the Coosawattee river some difficulty was found in crossing, because of the lack of a boat, and the constant firing of the enemy from the opposite bank. Near McLoath's ford the rear-guard was charged several times, but each time the enemy was repulsed. At Tilton ford on the Connesauga river the passage was disputed for a time, but no casualties resulted. The Federal loss for the expedition was 3 men wounded.


Spring River, Arkansas, March 13, 1862. Detachments of the 6th Missouri and 3d Iowa Cavalry. Lieut.-Colonel Samuel N. Wood commanded an expedition, composed of 250 men from cavalry regiments noted, which started from Houston, Missouri, for Spring River mill, where portions of three Confederate regiments were encamped, with a view to consolidation into one organization. Several Confederate pickets were either killed or wounded en route and the pursuit was kept up from the first deserted camp to the second. After traversing a distance of about 55 miles, partly in Missouri and party in Arkansas, Wood's advance guard came into conflict with the entire force of the enemy, estimated at from 600 to 1,000 men, located in a strong position in a swamp. Wood's battalion and the 3d Iowa, under Major W. C. Drake, came into position facing the enemy and Wood's report gives the following account of the action which followed: "Our sudden appearance seemed to paralyze the enemy for a moment and, knowing that everything depended upon immediate action, I ordered the howitzer into position to shell the swamp. I also ordered the men of my battalion to dismount, every fourth man to take the horses to the rear. I also ordered Major Drake to the right of the swamp. This order was obeyed in an instant, and the men advanced upon the enemy." From this the conflict was most spirited, and the enemy finally attempted to retreat, but were driven back into the swamp, with a loss of 20 prisoners and a large number of killed and wounded. Several Federals were wounded, 2 or more mortally. The battle lasted over an hour. Not being able to pursue the enemy into the swamp, Wood withdrew to an open space a short distance from the swamp. His ammunition was inadequate, as were also the arms of a large number of the men, but in a second and brilliant charge the enemy, who had been reinforced by about 250 men from Salem, Arkansas, were again driven back into the swamp. The total Union loss was 3 killed and 12 wounded, 1 mortally. The enemy's loss was far greater.


Spring River, Arkansas, April 13, 1864. 11th Missouri Cavalry. A scouting party under command of Major Lewis C. Pace encountered 40 Confederates about 8 miles west of Smithville, on Spring river, charged and routed them, with a loss of 5 killed and 7 wounded. No casualties occurred on the Union side.


Spring River, Missouri, February 19, 1863. One Company of the 9th Kansas Infantry.


Spring Valley, Missouri, April 23, 1865. Detachment of 13th Missouri Cavalry. While in pursuit of a band of guerrillas the detachment, under Captain F. W. Becker, had a running fight with them in Spring Valley, 30 miles south of Licking. Eight of the outlaws were killed.


Squirrel Creek Crossing, Colorado, April 11, 1863. Detachment of 3d Colorado Cavalry. Lieut.-Colonel George L. Shoup with his company surprised and attacked a guerrilla camp, killing 1 of the desperadoes and capturing 2 others without casualty. Stanard's Mill, Virginia, May 21, 1864. The action at Stanard's mill was one of the minor skirmishes that occurred while the Army of the Potomac was operating about Spottsylvania Court House. No detailed report of the affair can be found in the official records of the war.


Stanardsville, Virginia, March 1, 1864. (See Albemarle County, Custer's Expedition.) Stanford, Kentucky, Oct . 14, 1862. 6th Division, Army of the Ohio. The only official mention of this action is in the report of Major-General Buell, which says: "General Wood's division marched at 12 o'clock that night, (13th) and engaged the enemy's cavalry and artillery at Stanford at daylight the next morning." The affair was an incident of the pursuit of the Confederates from Perryville. Stanford, Kentucky, July 31, 1863. (See Lancaster.)


Star House, Missouri, May 4, 1865. Detachment of 43d Missouri Infantry. Captain William Arnold with an escort of 10 men while proceeding from Warrensburg to Lexington was attacked near the Star house, not far from Lexington, by a band of 20 or 30 bushwhackers, but managed to get through to Lexington, with only 1 man wounded in the skirmish. Statesboro, Georgia, December 4, 1864. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps. A foraging party sent out from Hazen's division was attacked near Statesboro by a brigade of Confederate cavalry on its way to join Wheeler at Waynesboro. The foragers fell back to where the 70th Ohio infantry was guarding the pioneers constructing roads, and one volley from the Ohio regiment caused the enemy to retreat. The Union loss was 8 men wounded and 27 captured. The known loss of the enemy was 8 killed and 3 wounded, but the number of wounded was probably greater.


Statesburg, South Carolina, April 15, 1865. 1st Brigade, Provisional Division. The affair at Statesburg on this date was-an incident of the expedition sent out from Georgetown under command of Brigadier-General E. E. Potter, to destroy the railroad between Camden and Sumterville. On the 15th the 25th Ohio infantry was sent forward to Statesburg, where it was to wait for further orders. Before the town was reached the enemy was encountered behind a breastwork. A charge drove the Confederates from their position, with a loss to the Union regiment of 1 man killed and 7 wounded. A short distance farther on another line of works was discovered, and the regiment halted until the rest of the brigade could come up. When it arrived Colonel Brown ordered the 107th Ohio to the left and the 157th New York to the right, to flank the enemy's position, the 25th Ohio was deployed as skirmishers, supported by the remainder of the command, ready to press any advantage gained by the flanking regiments. In a short time the cheers on the left told that the 107th Ohio had broken the enemy's lines. The whole brigade then moved forward and drove the Confederates through Statesburg. The only loss reported was that of 2 men wounded, both belonging to the 107th Ohio. Station Four, Florida, February 13, 1865. 2nd Florida Cavalry and 2nd U. S. Colored Infantry. Major Edmund C. Weeks with 386 men had returned to Station Four after a successful foraging expedition, when at 7 a. m. of the 13th his command was attacked by about 250 or 300 Confederates and driven across the bridge. Most of the Federal force was thrown into confusion and disorder, but 40 men under Captain Pease charged across the bridge again and drove the Confederates from the Page 840 Union camp which they were sacking. The fight lasted from 7 a. m. until noon and Weeks had 5 killed, 18 wounded and 3 captured. Confederate reports state that the enemy's loss was 5 wounded.


Station No. 5, Georgia, December 4, 1864. 29th Missouri Mounted Infantry and 1st Alabama Cavalry. In the advance on Savannah the Missouri regiment, commanded by Colonel Gage, was attacked and almost surrounded by the enemy at Station No. 5, on the Georgia Central railroad. As Gage was retreating Colonel Kirby arrived on the scene with the 1st Alabama and drove the Confederates back, pursuing them to the Ogeechee river, where he found a force estimated at 5,000 men strongly intrenched and gave up the chase. The 1st Alabama lost 1 man mortally wounded, which was the only casualty reported. Several horses and equipments were captured by the Union troops.


Staunton River Bridge, Virginia, June 25, 1864. (See Wilson's Raid, Petersburg, Virginia)


Steele's Bayou, Mississippi, October 25, 1864. Expeditionary Forces. During the operations of the expedition, commanded by Colonel E. D. Osband, in Issaquena and Washington counties, a slight skirmish occurred on Steele's bayou, in which the enemy lost 2 killed and 1 mortally wounded. Osband's loss, none. He reported the capture of about 70 bales of cotton, 100 horses and mules, 300 sheep, 50 head of cattle, 50,000 feet of lumber and 20,000 brick.


Steele's Expedition to Camden, Arkansas, March 23-May 3, 1864. (See Camden, Expedition to.)


Steelville, Missouri, August 31, 1864. Missouri Militia. At daylight the town was robbed by a gang of guerrillas under one Lennox, and a citizen was mortally wounded. As the Confederates retired they met 5 militiamen on the way to join their command and killed all of them.


Steminine's Ford, Alabama, April 17, 1863. (See Courtland Expedition.)


Stephenson's Depot, Virginia, September 5, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of West Virginia. On this date the brigade, commanded by Colonel Henry Capehart, moved from Darkesville toward Stephenson's depot, where it was attacked by Rodes' division of Breckenridge's corps and after a sharp fight, in which the casualties were slight on both sides, fell back to Darkesville. Stevensburg, Virginia, April 29, 1863. Cavalry Reserve, Stoneman's Raid. In the raid upon the railroads leading into Richmond the cavalry reserve was commanded by Brigadier-General John Buford. While his command was halted at the forks of the road near Stevensburg on the 29th, his pickets upon all the roads were fired upon about the same time, and for a little while it looked as though an attack in force was contemplated by the Confederates. If so their intention was soon changed by the heroic stand of the pickets, who repulsed all the attacks without calling for support or reinforcements. No reports of casualties.


Stevensburg, Virginia, June 9, 1863. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. In the operations along the Rappahannock river, Colonel Alfred N. Duffie, commanding the division, sent a battalion of the 6th Ohio, under Major Stanhope, to occupy Stevensburg. At 8:30 a. m. on the 9th Duffie received word from Stanhope that the enemy was approaching the town in force. The division was ordered under arms and proceeded without delay toward Stevensburg, orders being sent to Stanhope to hold the place at all hazards, and, in case he was pushed too hard to retreat slowly. About a mile and a half from the town Duffie met the battalion falling back, the skirmishers being closely engaged with the enemy, who was in hot pursuit. Skirmishers from the 6th Ohio, 1st Massachusetts and 1st. Rhode Island were thrown forward and soon were engaged with a force of the enemy concealed in the woods. A steady Page 841 advance drove him from the timber and into the open fields, where the 1st Rhode Island charged on the right, the 1st Massachusetts on the left, and a portion of the 6th Ohio on the road to cut off his retreat. This movement cut into the 4th Virginia Confederate cavalry and about one-half of the regiment was captured. No Union casualties were reported. After the repulse of the enemy at Stevensburg, Duffie moved toward Brandy Station to join General Bragg's division. (See Brandy Station, same date.)


Stevensburg, Virginia, September 13, 1863. 1st Michigan Cavalry. In the advance of the Army of the Potomac to the Rapidan river, the Confederate pickets were driven in by Davies' brigade and the 1st Michigan, Lieut.-Colonel Peter Stagg commanding, was ordered to advance and occupy Stevensburg, if possible. About a mile from the town Stagg found a brigade of the enemy's cavalry drawn up in line of battle, with a battery of artillery commanding the road. The Union skirmishers advanced to within easy pistol range of the battery before the Confederates opened fire. Then both artillery and musketry commenced and the skirmishers were forced to retire, with a loss of 1 man wounded. The regiment then fell back slowly to a position that could be easily defended, and here Stagg resisted all efforts of the enemy to dislodge him until he was ordered to withdraw and rejoin the brigade at Culpeper. No reports of casualties.


Stevensburg, Virginia, October 11, 1863. (See Brandy Station, same date.)


Stevensburg, Virginia, November 8, 1863. 3d Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. Stevens' Farm, Georgia, August 18, 1864. (See Lovejoy's Station, Kilpatrick's Raid.) Stevens' Furnace, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1863. See Caledonia Iron Works.)


Stevens' Gap, Georgia, September 18, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. The itinerary for the brigade for September, 1863, contains the following entry for the 18th: "When about 6 miles from Stevens' gap the wagon train was attacked by six regiments of the enemy's cavalry, with two small howitzers. The 2nd Indiana cavalry, acting as rear-guard, held the enemy in check until reenforced by the 1st Wisconsin and 4th Indiana, when the enemy fell back across the Chickamauga creek, and the train was brought to Crawfish Springs." Stevenson, Alabama, August 31, 1862. A report of Major-General Sam Jones of the Confederate army contains mention of a fight at Stevenson, in which a Federal force of 1,000 infantry, a squadron of cavalry and 5 pieces of artillery were driven from the town and the place occupied by the Confederates. No casualties are mentioned.


Stevenson's Gap, Alabama, March 15-18, 1865. (See Boyd's Station, same date.)


Stewartsboro, Tennessee, April 12, 1863. Detachment of 5th Iowa Cavalry. Captain D. A. Waters with a company of the 5th la., while out seizing horses, had a successful skirmish with a party of Confederates near Stewartsboro. The enemy had a number killed and wounded, and 17 captured, besides 25 horses and several stands of arms. No casualties were reported on the Union side.


Stewart's Creek, Tennessee, December 27, 1862. The actions on Stewart's creek on this date occurred at the bridges on the Jefferson and Murfreesboro pikes, as the Union forces were advancing upon Murfreesboro. (For full accounts see Jefferson and Murfreesboro pikes.)


Stewart's Creek, Tennessee, January 1, 1863. 10th Ohio Infantry. During the military operations of the Stone's river campaign the 10th Ohio was stationed at Stewart's creek in charge of the headquarters train. On January 1 the post was twice threatened during the day, but Colonel Burke put up a bold front and each time the enemy was repulsed. No casualties reported. Page 842 Stewart's Plantation, Arkansas, June 27, 1862. Detachments of the 3d Iowa and 9th Illinois Cavalry. Lieut. Griswold, with 30 men of the 3d la., was escorting a forage train to the Union camp. Near Stewart's place they were fired on from ambush, with the result that 4 men were killed and 4 wounded. The Iowans returned the fire with such vigor that the enemy was repulsed and the train brought safely to camp. Griswold was one of the men killed. Colonel Brackett, of the 9th Illinois, started with the 2nd battalion to reinforce the escort, and upon arriving at Stewart's tried to charge the enemy, but the thick undergrowth prevented the movement from being a success. Seeing that the enemy greatly outnumbered his own force, and being unable to draw him from the woods, Brackett ordered the detachment to retire. He reported his loss as 1 killed, and 31 wounded. The enemy's loss was not learned, but it was known that 5 were left dead on the field.


Stickleyville, Virginia, December 13, 1863. (See Powell's River, same date.)


Stilesboro, Georgia, May 23, 1864. 4th Indiana Cavalry. After crossing the Etowah river, in the Atlanta campaign, Colonel Lamson's cavalry came up with the Confederate pickets near Stilesboro. Severe skirmishing was kept up the greater part of the day, artillery being brought into use late in the afternoon. No decided advantage was gained by either side. The Union loss was 1 killed and 4 missing.


Stilesboro, Georgia, June 9, 1864. Cavalry Detachment. Colonel W. W. Lowe, commanding the 3d cavalry division, reported from Kingston on the 10th: "Yesterday a party of 25 men, under a lieutenant, was ambuscaded near Stilesboro by a large party of rebel cavalry. The lieutenant and 9 men have come in. He reports 5 rebels killed."


Stirling's Plantation, Louisiana, September 29, 1863. Detachment of the 2nd Division, 13th Army Corps. In the operations about Morganza and along the Bayou Fordoche, this detachment was stationed at Stirling's plantation, on the road to the Atchafalaya river, some 7 miles in advance of the main body. It consisted of parts of the 19th la. and 26th Indiana infantry; 6th Missouri, 2nd and 36th Illinois cavalry; a section of Battery E, 1st Missouri light artillery, 794 men in all, and was under command of Lieut.-Colonel J. B. Leake of the 20th la. infantry. During the afternoon and night of the 28th Brigadier-General Green (Confederate) crossed the Atchafalaya at Morganza ferry with about 3,200 infantry, 400 cavalry and several pieces of artillery, moved by different roads, and by 1 p. m. on the 29th had Leake's command practically surrounded. The attack was made simultaneously on all sides, and though Leake's men put up a gallant resistance they were finally overpowered by superior numbers and compelled to surrender. Major Montgomery, commanding the cavalry, succeeded in cutting his way through the enemy's lines, with the loss of 9 men, and rejoined the division near Morganza. The total Union loss was 16 killed, 45 wounded and 454 captured or missing. Green reported his losses as 26 killed, 85 wounded and 10 missing.


Stockbridge, Georgia, November 15, 1864. 15th Army Corps. In concentrating the army for the advance on Savannah the several divisions of the 15th corps, commanded by Major-General P. J. Osterhaus, joined each other near Rough and Ready, where the Confederate pickets were driven in. Near Stockbridge the Confederate General Lewis, with about 1,000 men and a section of artillery, was found posted in a position to dispute Osterhaus' further advance, but Woods' division, which was in the advance, moved steadily against Lewis, who soon withdrew his entire force and the corps went into camp near Stockbridge.


Stock Creek, Tennessee, November 15, 1863. Major-General Joseph Wheeler's report of the operations against Knoxville mentions a slight skirmish which his cavalry had with a Federal detachment in the vicinity of Stock Page 843 creek. It does not state what Union soldiers were engaged, nor mention the casualties.


Stockton, Alabama, April 7, 1865. Detachment of 2nd Brigade, Lucas' Cavalry Division. During the siege of Fort Blakely Lieut.-Colonel A. B. Spurling with 30 men left the Union lines for a scout toward Stockton. Ten miles from camp a Confederate force was encountered drawn up in line at a cross-roads. It was immediately charged and routed, with a loss of 1 killed and 2 severely wounded, and after a pursuit of several miles 9 Confederates were captured.


Stockton, Missouri, August 8, 1862. Detachment of Missouri Militia. The report of Brigadier-General Lewis Merrill from Hannibal, Missouri, on August 9, contains the following: "McNeil's column overtook Porter again near Stockton yesterday afternoon and whipped him again. The fight ended at dark. During the storm Porter managed to slip away. Nothing definite of the loss on either side. Report says McNeil's loss 8 wounded, 1 mortally; Porter's loss 50 killed and wounded and some prisoners. McNeil found among his prisoners 26 who had taken the oath and given bonds. They were executed yesterday."


Stockton, Missouri, August 12, 1862. Detachment of Missouri Militia. The detachment following a portion of Coffee's Confederate command caught up with it near Stockton at daylight. The enemy was attacked and driven, though 1 Union man was wounded in the charge. Five Confederates were killed and a number wounded.


Stockton, Missouri, July 11, 1863. Detachment of Enrolled Missouri State Militia. The guerrilla leader Livingston, with 100 men, attacked the militia at Stockton shortly after noon. The fight was of short duration and resulted in the repulse of the enemy with the loss of Livingston and 3 others killed and 15 wounded. The militia had 4 mortally and 2 slightly wounded.


Stockton, Missouri, October 5, 1863. (See Greenfield, same date.)


Stone Chapel, Virginia, August 10, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Shenandoah Valley Campaign. On this date the cavalry left Harper's Ferry, the 1st division, commanded by General Merritt, in advance. From Berryville the division was sent on a reconnaissance toward Winchester, and when near Stone Chapel encountered the enemy in considerable force. Merritt immediately disposed his men and brought on an engagement in which the Confederates were driven from the field, after which the division went into camp near the chapel. Losses not reported.


Stone Church, Georgia, February 27, 1864. Detachment of 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. A part of the 4th Michigan cavalry, sent to replace a picket taken from the right of the Federal line of march, met the enemy advancing and after a sharp skirmish was compelled to fall back, when a few shells drove the Confederates from sight. The skirmish was an incident of the demonstration on Dalton.


Stone Church, Georgia, May 2, 1864. Kilpatrick's Cavalry. This was one of the movements preparatory to the beginning of the Atlanta campaign. Kilpatrick moved with his division from the camp at Ringgold at 4 a. m., passed through Hooker's gap and about a mile from Stone Church encountered a considerable force of the enemy. A series of skirmishes ensued in which the Confederates fell back upon the main body at Tunnel Hill and Kilpatrick retired to his camp. He reported his losses for the day as 2 killed and 3 wounded.


Stone County, Missouri, May 9, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Provisional Missouri Militia. Nine men of this regiment came upon some 50 bushwhackers going south with stolen stock and after a sharp skirmish in which 2 of the enemy were killed, 3 wounded and 4 captured the cattle were recovered.


Stoneman's Raid to Macon, Georgia, July 27-August 6, 1864. Cavalry, Army of the Ohio, and 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. An expedition, commanded by Major-General George Stoneman and consisting of Stoneman's own command and Garrard's division, numbering about 5,000 men, left camp 4 miles north of Decatur at 4 a. m. on the 27th, with instructions to move east of Atlanta to Lovejoy's Station or McDonough, where a junction was to be effected with a similar expedition under Brigadier-General E. M. McCook, after which the two were to work in concert, for a thorough destruction of the railroads south of Atlanta. After this was accomplished Garrard was to return to his position on the left of the army and Stoneman, with his own cavalry, was to proceed to Andersonville and liberate the Union prisoners there confined. Although General Sherman had explained everything in detail to the commanders of the two expeditions, Stoneman, instead of moving directly to McDonough, sent Garrard to Flatrock bridge over the South river to cover the movements of the main body, which moved eastward to Covington. From that point Stoneman turned south on the east side of the Ocmulgee river and proceeded as far as Clinton. As he went along he sent detachments to the east, which did considerable damage to the railroads, burning the bridges over Walnut creek and the Oconee river and destroying a large number of cars and locomotives. A detachment from Capron's brigade was sent to the Ulcofauhachee river and burned two bridges, a large flour mill and a cotton factory. Near Clinton on the 29th Major Davidson, of the 14th Illinois, was sent with 125 picked men to Gordon to destroy the public property and do all the damage he could to the railroads, using his discretion for the safety of his detachment. At daybreak on the 30th the whole command moved on Macon, Adams' brigade on the right hand road, Biddle's on the left, and Capron's still farther to the left to strike the railroad. Capron reached the railroad, tore up about 5 miles of track, burned 2 bridges and about 300 feet of trestle work, 2 passenger trains, 1 stock train loaded with hogs and horses, a large machine shop used for the manufacture of gun carriages, and destroyed 3 locomotives. The enemy was driven back at all points and Stoneman's forces approached the city of Macon to find it guarded by a strong force protected by intrenchments and the guns of Fort Hawkins. The light field batteries of the Federals made no visible impression on the Confederate works, and after throwing a few shells into the city the order was given at 3 p. m. to withdraw and move in the direction of Milledgeville. Adams' brigade, which was in advance, soon discovered the approach of a large body of Confederate cavalry from the south, and Stoneman, fearing that this force would intercept him at the ferry where he intended to cross the Ocmulgee, ordered the whole force to return to Clinton. This order threw Capron's brigade in advance. In the meantime the enemy had been concentrating on all sides, and when Capron came within a mile of Clinton he encountered the Confederate pickets, drove them through the town, liberated 33 Union prisoners there and burned the jail in which they were confined. Three miles north of Clinton on the Hillsboro road the enemy was found in force, posted behind barricades. The 8th Michigan made a gallant charge and drove them from their position, but near Hillsboro a larger force attacked Capron both in front and on the left flank. Skirmishing was kept up all night and at daylight on the 31st Stoneman ordered Capron to charge and again drive them from their position. The Confederates retired for over a mile, when a strong line of battle was discovered in front, and as soon as Capron's advance appeared the enemy opened with artillery. Stoneman now formed his whole command in line of battle with Adams and the Page 845 8th Michigan on the left, the rest of Capron's brigade on the right, and Biddle in reserve. About 9 a. m. the whole line moved forward and -engaged the enemy, who was found to be vastly superior in strength. The Confederates were forced back, but with each retreat new troops joined them until by noon Stoneman was almost surrounded, but at 1 p. m. he ordered another advance, holding one regiment of Adams' brigade as a reserve. In executing this movement Capron was cut off and a large part of his brigade captured. About 4 o'clock Stoneman made an effort to cut his way through the lines, but before he could do so the enemy opened fire with batteries on both flanks, followed by a general -charge. Adams succeeded in getting through the lines with the greater part of his brigade, while Stoneman and the remainder of his force, about 700 men, were surrendered as prisoners of war. The 2 pieces of light artillery also fell into the hands of the enemy. The place where this surrender was made was not far from Hillsboro and is sometimes referred to as the battle of Sunshine Church. Adams, after cutting his way out, moved by way of Eatonton and halted that night about 35 miles from the scene of the battle. The next day he was joined by a part of the 8th Michigan under Major Buck, and by a remnant of Biddle's brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel Matson, of the 6th Indiana, who had passed through Madison about 2 p. m. and destroyed there a large quantity of commissary stores, including some coffee and about 50,000 pounds of bacon. Later in the day Capron came in with what was left of his brigade and the whole force moved to the Oconee river near Watkinsville, in the hope of being able to cross the river and destroy the armory and other government works at Athens. But upon approaching the bridge the enemy opened fire with a rifled battery and the command started on up the river toward Athens with the intention of crossing at that place. Adams moved in advance and was to make a demonstration on the town, with the understanding that if he could not force a crossing he would send a guide to Capron, who was to join him at a ford about 3 miles above. This guide made a mistake in the road and led Capron too far to the west. After trying in vain to communicate with Adams, and learning that a strong detachment of the enemy was approaching from the right, Capron marched 18 miles to Jug Tavern, where he halted to rest his men and horses. Here he was surprised just before daylight on August 3 by a large body of Confederate cavalry. Partial lines were formed, but in the darkness it was impossible to make an adequate defense and a stampede followed, some of the men rushing for the woods and the remainder running down the road to a bridge over Mulberry creek. In the rush over the bridge it broke down and some of the men were drowned. Finding it impossible to rally his men in the face of the vigorous charges of the enemy, Capron and some of his command made their escape through the wood and reached the army on the morning of the 7th. For several days after this disastrous event -the men came in, singly and in groups, until a considerable portion of the brigade was back in line, but many of them were never heard from and their fate in unknown. As they were pursued by both Confederate soldiers and citizens, it is probable that many of them were murdered, even after they surrendered. When Adams heard of the attack on Capron he hurried to the scene, but arrived too late to be of service. Learning the direction the attacking party had gone he pursued and overtook the rear of the column less than a mile from Jug Tavern. A charge was ordered and about 40 of the enemy were killed, the rest fleeing in all directions. Owing to a lack of ammunition he deemed it inexpedient to continue the pursuit and reached the lines in front of Atlanta without further adventure. Page 846 While these events were transpiring Garrard became engaged with the enemy at Flatrock bridge (also called Flat shoals). On the night of July 27 his pickets were attacked by Allen's cavalry and driven back upon the main body. The 4th Michigan moved out, dismounted, erected barricades and lay in line of battle until morning. At daybreak the enemy was discovered on all sides and Garrard was practically surrounded by three divisions of Confederate cavalry. Garrard knew how to fight, however, better than he knew how to surrender. Skirmishing was kept up until about 10 a. m., when Wilder's brigade, supported on either flank by a battalion of the 4th regulars, charged the enemy's line on the Lithonia road and drove it in disorder. The whole command then moved through the gap thus formed and that night the whole division went into camp near Lithonia. Hearing nothing from Stoneman Garrard deemed it unwise to keep his division in an exposed position and returned to his old place on the left of the army. Thus ended in disaster an expedition from which great results were expected. In his report Sherman says: "These two well-appointed bodies were to move in concert, the former by the left around Atlanta to McDonough, and the latter by the right on Fayetteville, and on a certain night, viz., July 28, they were to meet on the Macon road near Lovejoy's and destroy it in the most effectual manner. I estimated this joint cavalry could whip all of Wheeler's, cavalry, and could otherwise accomplish its task, and I think so still. I had the officers in command to meet me, and explained the movement perfectly, and they entertained not a doubt of perfect success. * * * I have as yet no report from General Stoneman, who is a prisoner of war at Macon, but I know he despatched General Garrard's cavalry to Flatrock for the purpose of covering his own movement to McDonough, but for some reason unknown to me he went off toward Covington and did not again communicate with General Garrard at Flatrock. * * * His mistake was in not making the first concentration with Generals McCook and Garrard near Lovejoy's, according to orders, which is yet unexplained."


Stoner Bridge, Kentucky, February 24, 1862. Part of Runkle's Brigade. In the campaign to drive the Confederates under Colonel Cluke from the State of Kentucky, the latter posted about 200 men at the bridge, intending to ambush Runkle's command. They were discovered and fired upon by the 10th Kentucky cavalry, which was in advance, the enemy promptly returning the fire, but in the darkness but little damage was done to either side. The Confederates then advanced to attack, but the 10th Kentucky held them in check until the arrival of the 44th Ohio infantry, when they broke and fled. One man of the 10th Kentucky was severely wounded. The enemy's loss was not fully ascertained, but 1 dead man and 1 wounded were left on the field.


Stone's Farm, Arkansas, April 5, 1864. Detachment of 26 men, 6th Kansas Cavalry, 11 of whom were captured and killed by guerrillas.


Stone's River, Tennessee, December 31, 1862-January 3, 1863. Army of the Cumberland. After the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the Confederate forces under General Braxton Bragg retreated into Tennessee and General Buell, commanding the Union army, turned his attention to repairing the Louisville & Nashville railroad, with a view to reoccupying the ground in Tennessee and Alabama from which his army had been withdrawn some weeks before. By an order of the war department, under date of October 24, 1862, Buell was relieved of the command of the Army of the Ohio, the Department of the Cumberland was created, and Major-General William S. Rosecrans assigned to the command of the new department, which embraced all that part of the State of Tennessee lying east of the Tennessee river and such portions of Alabama and Georgia as might be occupied by the Federals. Page 847 Rosecrans assumed command on October 30, and November 7 announced the reorganization of his army into the right and left wings and the center. Major-General A. McD. McCook was assigned to the command of the right wing, composed of the divisions of Sheridan, Sill and Woodruff. (Sill was soon afterward succeeded by General R. W. Johnson and Woodruff by General Jefferson C. Davis.) Major-General T. L. Crittenden was placed in command of the left wing, embracing the divisions of Wood, Smith and Vancleve. The center, consisting of the divisions of Rousseau, Negley, Dumont, Palmer and Fry, was placed under the command of Major-General George H. Thomas, who was ordered to send two divisions to Gallatin, Tennessee, and then push the repairs of the railroad. On November 17 the advance of the army reached Nashville and a few days later Rosecrans established his headquarters in that city. About the same time Bragg commenced the concentration of his troops at Murfreesboro, 30 miles southeast of Nashville on the east side of Stone's river. (This stream was so called after an early settler.) Toward the middle of December Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, visited the armies in Tennessee and Mississippi and ordered Bragg to send 10,000 men under General Stevenson to reinforce General Pemberton. The withdrawal of these troops and the absence of the Confederate cavalry under Morgan and Wheeler, the former being on a raid in Kentucky and the latter in western Tennessee, influenced Rosecrans to make an early movement against Bragg at Murfreesboro. Orders were accordingly issued on the evening of December 26 for the army to march early the next morning. Bragg's position was well known to Rosecrans, the center of his army, under Polk and Kirby Smith, being at Murfreesboro, the right, under McCown, at Readyville, and the left, commanded by Hardee, in the neighborhood of Eagleville and Triune. Rosecrans' plan was for the right wing to move by the Nolensville pike and attack Hardee; the left wing was to take the direct road to Murfreesboro, while Thomas was to proceed on the Franklin and Wilson turnpikes to threaten Hardee's left, then cross over to Nolensville, where he would be in a position to support McCook in case Bragg reinforced Hardee, or to join Crittenden in the event Hardee retreated or the enemy attacked the left wing in force. Skirmishing occurred at various points along the lines of march, but by the evening of the 29th the enemy had been forced into his intrenchments at Murfreesboro. Palmer sent word to Rosecrans that the enemy was retreating, and Crittenden was ordered to send a division across the river to occupy the town. Harker crossed his brigade at a ford on his left, but found himself confronted by Breckenridge's division. He held his position until dark, when he was ordered to withdraw, which he did without loss. The 30th was spent in making preparations for the battle, and at 9 o'clock that evening the corps commanders met at Rosecrans' headquarters in a thicket of cedars near the Murfreesboro pike to receive their final instructions. Rosecrans' plan was to make a feint on his right, while the main attack was to be made on the left by the divisions of Van Cleve and Wood. He knew that Bragg had weakened his right to support his left and hoped that the two divisions would be able to carry everything before them into Murfreesboro. Thomas in the center was instructed to throw forward a strong skirmish line to keep Bragg's center engaged, and as soon as Wood and Van Cleve had driven in the Confederate right he was to advance his whole line, thus giving Crittenden an opportunity to take Murfreesboro and gain the enemy's rear. The success of the plan depended in a great measure on McCook's ability to hold his position until the attack on the left should be successful. He was therefore ordered to occupy the most advantageous position, refuse his right as much as practicable to receive the enemy's attack, and if that Page 848 did not come he was to attack with sufficient vigor to hold the enemy in his front and prevent Bragg from reinforcing his right. Bragg had expected an attack on the 30th, but none being made, he determined to assume the offensive on the morning of the 31st . His plan was for Hardee on the left to advance with the divisions of Cleburne and McCown against the Union right, and after McCook should be forced back at this point Polk was to press forward with Withers' and Cheatham's divisions and assault the Federal center, drive it back on the left wing and seize the line of communications to Nashville. The battle on the morning of the 31st was begun by both armies almost simultaneously. Van Cleve, supported by Wood, crossed the river at the lower fords and moved against Breckinridge. A little before 7 o'clock the Confederates advanced in heavy columns against McCook. Kirk's and Willich's brigades of Johnson's division were the first to feel the force of the attack. Their line was thin and light, and although the men fought like veterans, they were soon driven back by the superior strength of the assailants, leaving several pieces of artillery in the hands of the enemy. McCown's and Cleburne's troops then charged with the "rebel yell" against Post's and Baldwin's brigades of Davis' division, while the fresh troops of Withers' division assaulted the brigades of Carlin, Woodruff and Sill, the last named forming the right of Sheridan's line. Post repulsed the attack on his brigade and Carlin and Woodruff checked the rush against them, but Baldwin was flanked on the right and compelled to withdraw. A second attack was now made on Carlin and Woodruff, but again the enemy was repulsed with heavy slaughter, Sill making a countercharge that drove the Confederates into their trenches, though he lost his life while leading his men into action. In the formation of the line of battle Carlin's and Woodruff's brigades were almost at right angles to Sheridan's line. Polk saw that by carrying this angle he could enfilade both lines and bent all his energies to that end. Vaughn's and Maney's brigades were brought up to Withers' support and a third time the Confederates advanced to the assault, but again they met with a complete and crushing repulse. Unfortunately for the Federal arms Hardee at the same time fell again on Post's brigade, and by massing his two divisions succeeded in turning both of Post's flanks, which forced him to fall back to the Nashville pike. This left Carlin's right exposed and Hardee, swinging round on his right, swept down on Davis' division in overwhelming numbers, massing his troops as he advanced. Carlin put up a stubborn fight, but the odds were against him and he was finally compelled to withdraw across an open field to the edge of the woods, where Hotchkiss' battery had been planted, behind which Davis hoped to form a new line. As Carlin's broken regiments reached the woods they were ordered to form in the rear of and support the battery. Woodruff, too, soon retired to the woods, but Davis saw he was in danger from the overlapping lines of the enemy, and ordered his command back to the Wilkinson pike, where it was joined by part of Johnson's division. In the meantime Thomas had been ordered to send Rousseau's division, which had been placed in reserve, into the cedars to the right and rear of Sheridan. Van Cleve was recalled and ordered to the right of Rousseau. Wood was directed to suspend his preparations for crossing the river and to send Harker's brigade down the Murfreesboro pike with orders to attack the enemy on the right of Van Cleve. Sill's and Roberts' brigades of Sheridan's division had exhausted their ammunition and fell back through the woods to replenish the cartridge boxes. The enemy, taking this for a retreat, pressed forward in an impetuous pursuit. The crisis of the battle had now been reached. Three of the five divisions of the Union army in the battle Page 849 front had been driven from their positions. The withdrawal of Sheridan's brigades left a gap between the divisions of Rousseau and Negley, and into this the Confederates fairly swarmed, threatening to 'turn Rousseau's left and Negley's right. If these two divisions gave way the Confederate victory would be complete. In this emergency Thomas ordered Rousseau and Negley to fall back to a depression in the field back of the cedars and hold that position until a new line could be established near the Nashville pike. Batteries were hurried into position on the ridge back of the depression and Rousseau withdrew his command under a heavy fire, but gained the low ground without serious loss. Negley was less fortunate. The enemy that had assaulted Sheridan had gained his rear and his right was also threatened. He accordingly ordered his men to cut their way through the Confederate lines, and by this means was able to join Rousseau on the temporary line. In this movement he was aided materially by the action of Colonel Scribner, who quickly formed the 38th Indiana and 10th Wisconsin to meet the enemy that was pressing Negley's rear, and then covered the formation of the new line. The exultant Confederates now emerged from the woods and advanced on Thomas. Loomis', Stokes', and Guenther's batteries met the attack with a fierce fire, and as soon as the first line came within range Rousseau's men, together with Shepherd's, Scribner's and Beatty's brigades, opened a musketry fire that drove the enemy in confusion to the shelter of the woods, where they were rallied, new troops added and another advance was made. Again the line recoiled before that terrific fire of infantry and artillery. Two more attempts were made to break Thomas' line' but it held fast and each time the enemy was repulsed with heavy loss. It was now 11 a. m. and the heavy fighting was transferred to the Union left. When Negley withdrew to join Rousseau, Cruft's brigade was left without support on the right and fell back to the woods, closely pressed by the enemy. Seeing that the Confederates were about to gain his rear, Palmer ordered Grose to change front with his brigade to repel any attack from that quarter and then drew back his left so as to bring the enemy under direct fire, which resulted in forcing the advancing columns to withdraw beyond range of the guns. Hazen's brigade was next withdrawn from its advanced position and moved to a wooded knoll between the pike and the railroad. This knoll, known as the "Round Forest," was regarded by the enemy as the key to the Federal position, and he resolved to carry it at all hazards. As soon as the possibilities of an attack in the rear had been averted Palmer sent Grose to cooperate with Hazen. Against these two brigades Donelson advanced, but the assault was met by a fire that caused a loss to Donelson of fully half his men in killed and wounded, one regiment alone losing 306 out of 425 that started into the fight. Polk now called on Bragg to send Breckenridge's command, or at least four brigades of it, to assist in carrying the hill. About 2 p. m. two of these brigades arrived and a second assault was made. It met with no better success than the first, and Polk waited for the other two brigades, which came up about 4 o'clock, when another effort was made to dislodge Hazen and Grose. Again the Confederates were hurled back with severe losses and the Union troops remained masters of the situation. Rosecrans' new line was then formed, extending from Hazen's position in a northwesterly direction to the Nashville pike, the cavalry being beyond the little stream known as Overall s creek. The line was scarcely established when the Confederates debouched from the cedars and with wild yells began forming for a charge. A destructive fire was at once opened by the batteries on the hill near the railroad, and this, supplemented by the well directed volleys from the infantry, inflicted a heavier loss on Polk's column than Page 850 at any time previous during the day, unless it was in Donelson's brigade in the first attack on Hazen. This ended the battle for the day, but the troops of both armies slept on their arms that night, expecting to be called on to renew the fight the next morning. But little was done on New Year's day, as Rosecrans and his generals decided to hold their position and await the enemy's attack, while Bragg was expecting Rosecrans to retreat. Negley was moved to the right to support McCook in case another attempt was made to turn that flank. Bragg made several demonstrations against the right and center, but each was repulsed without serious consequences to either side. Van Cleve had been wounded on the 31st, and his division, commanded by Colonel Samuel Beatty, crossed the river in the afternoon, formed in line of battle in front of Breckenridge, and held that position until about 3 p. m. on the 3d, when a double line of skirmishers, supported by heavy columns of infantry and three batteries, emerged from the woods to the southeast and steadily advanced to within 100 yards of line. The only Federal battery on that side of the river kept up a rapid fire on the Confederates as they pressed forward, but was unable to check their progress. After a short but sharp contest Beatty's men gave way and retired in confusion across the river, closely followed by the enemy. Crittenden immediately planted his batteries on the hill west of the river and opened on the Confederates as they crossed the stream, while two of Negley's brigades and the pioneer brigade were thrown into position to meet the attack. The fire from the Union batteries, under the direction of Major Mendenhall, carried such havoc into the ranks of the enemy that they retreated much more rapidly than they had advanced. The Confederate loss here was about 2,000 men in less than 40 minutes. Davis crossed with his division at a ford below to attack the enemy on the flank, but before he could get his troops into position they were in full retreat, hotly pursued by the two brigades of Negley's division and Hazen's brigade of Palmer's. The chase was continued for some distance across the fields, a few prisoners being taken, as well as 4 pieces of artillery and a stand of colors. It was now dark and Crittenden's entire command crossed the river and intrenched a position on the hills. The two armies now maintained their relative positions until Sunday, January 4, when Bragg evacuated Murfreesboro. The rear-guard was pursued by Thomas for several miles in the direction of Manchester, but owing to the condition of the roads and the heavy loss of artillery horses the pursuit was not pressed farther. The Union losses in the battle of Stone's river amounted to 1,730 killed, 7,802 wounded and 3,717 missing. Bragg reported his losses at 1,294 killed, 7,945 wounded and 1,027 captured or missing. This did not include the losses in Pegram's brigade of cavalry.


Stone's River Bridge, Tennessee, October 5, 1863. Detachment of the 19th Michigan Infantry. Fifty men of Company D, under command of Lieut . F. D. Baldwin, occupied a stockade at the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad bridge over Stone's river, 3 miles from Murfreesboro. At 9 a. m. on the 5th some of Wheeler's cavalry appeared in front of the post and a demand for an unconditional surrender was made in the name of Wheeler. This was refused and 10 minutes later the Confederates opened with artillery, first with 1 gun and later with 12, the shelling continuing until nearly 11 o'clock, when Baldwin capitulated, having lost 2 men wounded. The enemy's loss was 2 killed and 8 wounded. Baldwin and his men were held as prisoners until about sunset, when they were released unconditionally, after having been robbed of their overcoats, blankets and personal valuables.


Stono River, South Carolina, December 25, 1863. (For attack on the U. S. gunboats Marblehead and Pawnee see Legareville.) Stony Creek Station, Virginia, May 7, 1864. (See Kautz's Raids.)


Stony Creek Station, Virginia, June 28-29, 1864. (See Wilson's Raid, Petersburg, Virginia)


Stony Creek Station, Virginia, October 11, 1864 . 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. About 6 p. m. the regiment, Major G. F. McCabe commanding, left camp on the Petersburg lines and moved out on the Jerusalem plank road on a reconnaissance. Near Rowanty creek, a short distance from Stony Creek Station, McCabe found a force of Confederate infantry intrenched. A few shots were exchanged—just sufficient to develop the enemy's strength—and McCabe returned. During the movement 13 prisoners were taken; 2 wagons loaded with wool were captured, together with 8 horses, 4 mules and a lot of saddles and harness. The wagons were burned. No casualties reported.


Stony Creek Station, Virginia, December 1, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. In a despatch to General Grant, dated 3:45 p. m. of the 1st, Brigadier-General David McM. Gregg, commanding the cavalry division, says: "I have captured Stony Creek Station. The place was defended by infantry and cavalry, with artillery, in strong works. I have 190 prisoners, 8 wagons and 30 mules; burnt the depot, about 3,000 sacks of corn, 500 bales of hay, a train of cars, large quantity of bacon, government clothing, ammunition and other stores. Captured 2 pieces of artillery, burnt all shops and public buildings. * * * My loss is very small."


Stony Lake, Dakota, July 28, 1863. The Sioux Expedition. The expedition under Brigadier-General Henry H. Sibley was climbing up a long hill near Stony lake when some 2,000 or 2,500 mounted Indians were discovered approaching. Line of battle was at once formed and several attempts of the Indians to break it were frustrated. The casualties were not reported.


Strasburg, Virginia, March 19, 1862. Portion of Brigadier-General Banks' Army.


Strasburg, Virginia, June 2, 1862. Bayard's Cavalry Brigade. While Jackson's Confederate command was retiring down the Shenandoah valley, General Bayard learned that Strasburg had been evacuated during the night of the 1st and 2nd. He immediately sent his cavalry in pursuit on the Staunton road and about 6 miles out, near Woodstock, the enemy made a stand. After some delay a Federal battery was brought into position, and under cover of its fire the cavalry charged dismounted and drove the Confederates from their position. One Union soldier was killed and 5 were wounded. The enemy's loss was not reported.


Strasburg, Virginia, May 24-25, 1862. (See Winchester.) Strasburg, Virginia, December 21, 1862. In a report from Petersburg Brigadier General R. H. Milroy, stated that the Confederates under General Cluseret, after a slight skirmish, in which they lost 20 men captured, entered Strasburg. A Federal force at Woodstock then advanced on Cluseret, compelling him to evacuate the town and fall back to Wardensville. (q. v.)


Strasburg, Virginia, April 20, 1863. (See Wardensville.)


Strasburg, Virginia, September 19, 1863. Detachment of the 1st New York Cavalry. Captain E. H. Bailey, with 150 men, made a sudden descent upon a detachment of Confederate cavalry at Strasburg, captured 11 prisoners, fully mounted and equipped; 2 wagons, and a large Confederate mail containing important letters. The only casualty on the Union side was 1 man accidentally killed. 1


Strasburg, Virginia, December 13, 1863. Detachment of 1st Division, Department of West Virginia. While Averell with his cavalry division was raiding on the Virginia & Tennessee railroad Colonel George D. Wells with a column moved up the Shenandoah valley to hold Imboden there and divert him from Averell's movement. Wells first encountered the enemy at Strasburg and after some sharp skirmishing drove him back, with a loss to the Confederates of 30 prisoners. No Federal casualties were reported.


Strasburg, Virginia, May 12, 1864. 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. A report of Colonel R. S. Rodgers, of the 2nd Maryland infantry, dated at Martinsburg May 13, says: "The train going out was attacked at Strasburg yesterday by 25 or 30 of Mosby's men. Two of the guards, 13th Pennsylvania cavalry, were killed and 4 taken prisoners. The train lost a few horses."


Strasburg, Virginia, August 12-15, 1864. Army of West Virginia and 6th Army Corps. On the 12th the Army of West Virginia, commanded by Major-General George Crook, moved from Winchester toward Strasburg. Near Cedar creek the Confederate pickets were encountered and forced back to the south side of the stream, when Major-General H. G. Wright came up with the 6th corps and skirmishers of the two commands were pushed forward across the creek, the firing being kept up until about 8 p. m. At daylight of the 13th it was discovered that the enemy had withdrawn to Fisher's hill, south of Strasburg, but the next morning it was found that he again occupied his old position. After a slight skirmish, during which the 1st, 2nd, 3d and reserve cavalry brigades were held in the rear of the skirmish line as supports, the Confederates were again forced back. On the 15th the enemy advanced a brigade and tried to drive in the Federal skirmishers, but the assault was repulsed by Crook's 2nd division, under the command of Colonel Isaac H. Duval, after which the Confederates retired from the contest. The Union loss during the several brushes was 6 killed and 30 wounded. The enemy's loss was not learned.


Strasburg, Virginia, September 20-21, 1864. (See Fisher's Hill.)


Strasburg, Virginia, October 14, 1864. (See Hupp's Hill.)


Strasburg Road, Virginia, February 26, 1863. Detachments of the 1st New York and 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. About 4 a. m. some 100 Confederate cavalry approached the Union pickets at the junction of the Strasburg and Cedar Creek roads and captured 6 men. General Milroy, commanding the division, ordered a squadron of the 1st New York, under Lieut. Passegger, and two battalions of the 13th Pennsylvania, under Majors Kerwin and Byrne, to pursue, under orders to go no further than Strawberry hill, two and a half miles beyond Strasburg. About 3 miles from Strasburg Passegger came up with the enemy, who tried to surround him, but he cut his way through the lines, bringing with him the 6 men who had been captured, and by a circuitous route returned to camp with a loss of 11 men missing. In spite of the order to stop at Strawberry hill the Pennsylvania troops continued the pursuit nearly to Woodstock, and while the officers were discussing the propriety of making a dash into the town the detachment was attacked by about 400 Confederate cavalry. The Federal troopers became confused and commenced a disorderly retreat toward Winchester, the enemy following as far as Middletown. The loss in this regiment was 9 wounded and 188 missing. The enemy's casualties were not learned.


Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, June 20, 1863. U. S. Forces under Colonel W. P. Sanders. After leaving Knoxville Sanders, in his raid in East Tennessee, started for Strawberry Plains, destroying bridges and telegraph lines on the way. Three miles below the town Sanders left the railroad, crossed the Holston river and approached the town on the Page 853 same side on which the Confederates were guarding it . Artillery was opened on the Federals as soon as they came in sight, but Sanders dismounted and deployed his mounted infantry and after an hour's skirmishing succeeded in driving the enemy off. Five guns, 139 prisoners and a vast amount of stores of all kinds were captured. The losses in killed and wounded were not reported.


Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, January 10, 1864. Cavalry Detachment.


Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, January 21, 1864. 1st and 2nd Divisions, 9th Army Corps. The army was marching upon Knoxville, the 9th corps in the rear. On the morning of the 21st the corps was at Strawberry Plains, the 1st division guarding the blockhouse and the road to Blain's cross-roads, and the 2nd charged with the destruction of the bridge. The bridge was dismantled and fired, the pickets crossing the river in a flat-boat to join the main body, when the enemy appeared on the bank of the river and opened fire with his artillery. Lieut. Gittings, with Batteries L and M, 3d U. S. artillery, placed his guns on the ridge back of the blockhouse and soon silenced the Confederate batteries. The corps remained at the town all day, being occasionally annoyed by the enemy's sharpshooters, but no more attacks were made. Late in the evening the corps received orders to move on to Knoxville, but it was 3 o'clock the next morning before the last of the column left Strawberry Plains, the men dragging 2 cannon, after the caissons had been destroyed.


Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, November 16-17, 1864. During Breckenridge's advance into East Tennessee his force arrived opposite the garrison of Strawberry Plains. Some heavy artillery firing was done on the 16th which was continued into the 17th, when Vaughn's Confederate cavalry crossed the Holston above the town and proceeded to Flat creek, where the guard was driven away and the bridge burned. The Confederates withdrew during the night of the 13th. The casualties, if any, were not reported.


Streight's Raid, April 26 to May 3, 1863. The expedition known as Streight's raid was planned by General Rosecrans, the object being to cut the railroad south of Dalton, Georgia, to prevent reinforcements and supplies from being sent to General Bragg. The command of the expedition fell on Colonel A. D. Streight of the 51st Indiana infantry, his forces consisting of his own regiment, the 73d Indiana, the 80th Illinois, the 3d Ohio, and two companies of the 1st Middle Tennessee cavalry, a total of 1,700 men, with 2 pieces of artillery. Streight left Nashville on April 11, moved down the river to Palmyra, thence via Eastport, Mississippi, to Tuscumbia, Alabama, where he arrived on the afternoon of the 24th, having in the meantime been joined by General Dodge's command, which was to accompany the expedition part of the way. Some delay was experienced in obtaining horses and mules to mount the men and transport supplies. At Tuscumbia Streight sent back all who were unfit for arduous service, reducing his force to about 1,500 men. He left Tuscumbia a little while before midnight, on Sunday, April 26, moving in the direction of Moulton via Russellville, with part of his command still unmounted. On the evening of the 29th he bivouacked at Day's gap. During that day he had several brushes with small parties of the enemy, destroying considerable property and securing enough horses and mules to mount all his men. The next morning the little army left Day's gap before daylight, but had not proceeded more than 2 miles when the rear-guard was attacked by a considerable force. Streight dismounted his men and formed in line of battle on a ridge, his right resting on a ravine and his left protected by a marsh. Captain Smith, with the Tennessee cavalry, was instructed Page 854 to hold his position in advance until compelled to retire, then to fall back rapidly and, if possible, draw the Confederates after him within the lines. The two howitzers were masked near the road in the center and the dismounted men were concealed in the shrubbery along the ridge. The enemy soon charged Smith, who, pursuant to his instructions, beat a hasty retreat . As soon as he had passed the Union lines the entire body rose up and poured a deadly volley into the pursuers at close range, which drove them back in confusion. They were soon reinforced, however, and now advanced steadily, opening on the Federals with a battery of artillery. An attempt was made to carry the lines, but it was repulsed with heavy loss. A detachment of the two Indiana regiments was thrown out on the left to charge the enemy, and at the same time the 3d Ohio and 80th Illinois were pushed rapidly forward directly in front. This movement was successful. The enemy after a short resistance broke and fled, leaving in the hands of the victorious Unionists 2 cannon, 2 caissons, 40 prisoners, and 30 dead on the field. This was the battle of Day's gap. It was now nearly noon and Streight had learned that Forrest was massing a force to attack in the rear, so he hurriedly resumed his march to avoid being surrounded. Some 6 miles further on the enemy again appeared, this time on the left. Again Streight was fortunate in the selection of a strong position on a ridge called Hog mountain, about a mile south of Crooked creek, where the whole force skirmished until dark. About 10 p. m. the enemy was driven from the front and Streight at once resumed his march. In this engagement the ammunition of the captured guns was exhausted and the guns were spiked and abandoned. The Confederates soon discovered that Streight was on the move and at once started in pursuit. Colonel Hathaway, with the 73d Indiana, was halted in a thicket, not more than 20 paces from the road, where his men lay down until the head of the enemy's column had passed, when they opened a destructive fire that caused a complete stampede in the Confederate ranks. This gave Streight an opportunity to resume his march, and he pushed on to Blountsville, where he halted to rest his men and feed his horses. Ammunition and rations were here distributed, and after a two hours' rest the expedition moved on toward Gadsden. The enemy was in close pursuit, however, and at Black Warrior river pressed the rear so close that Streight was compelled to turn and give battle before he could effect a crossing. Under cover of a strong skirmish line part of the troops crossed and formed on the other side. The skirmishers were then withdrawn, under cover of the artillery, and crossed the stream. It was now 5 p. m., May 1, and Streight was still some distance from the railroad he wanted to destroy. At 9 o'clock the next morning he reached Black creek, near Gadsden, when his rearguard was again attacked, but the enemy was repulsed after a sharp skirmish, in which the loss was trifling on each side. Learning that a large force of the enemy was moving on his left, parallel with his line of march, apparently with the intention of getting in his front, Streight marched all night, halting at Gadsden only long enough to destroy some quartermaster and commissary stores there, his purpose being to reach Rome far enough in advance of Forrest to cross the river and destroy the bridge, which would check the pursuit, for a time at least. About 4 p. m. Blount's plantation was reached. This place offered good opportunities for forage and Streight halted long enough to feed his animals. A detail was made for that purpose and the rest of the command formed in line of battle on a ridge south of the plantation. The rear-guard, which had been skirmishing with the enemy for some time was now driven in, and Forrest attacked the main Page 855 line. The assault was repulsed by the two Indiana regiments, assisted by Major Vananda with the two howitzers. An effort was then made to turn the right, but this movement was met by the 80th Illinois and part of the Ohio troops. Streight then withdrew his men in good order to a thicket about half a mile in the rear, intending to ambush 'the enemy, but a well executed flank movement prevented the success of his plan. The flanking party was checked, and Streight made all haste to reach Rome. During this engagement Colonel Hathaway, of the 73d Indiana was killed. Near Center the scouts brought information that a detachment of the enemy was posted in ambush in front. Skirmishers were thrown forward with instructions to proceed until fired on, then engage the enemy and hold him in check until the main body could pass. The plan worked well, for while the skirmishers held the attention of the Confederates the main column made a detour and struck the road some 3 miles beyond the enemy's position. The skirmishers then withdrew and joined the main body without further trouble. On arriving at the Chattooga river the ferryboat was found missing, and this necessitated a march to Gaylesville, some 7 or 8 miles above, where there was a bridge. At daylight on the morning of the 3d Cedar bluff was reached. Here it was decided to halt long enough to feed and allow the men to eat. The constant marching and fighting had so exhausted the men that many of them fell asleep in spite of their efforts to keep awake long enough to eat breakfast. While here Streight learned that the enemy had found a shorter road and was then nearer Rome than his own command. For five days he had been pursued by Forrest, whose men seemed to sleep in their saddles and never stop to eat. Besides the engagements mentioned slight skirmishes had occurred at Driver's gap and Sand mountain. Much of Streight's ammunition was worthless, having got wet in crossing some of the streams. Many of his mules, never very good, had given entirely out, and his men were tired and discouraged. The situation was canvassed with his officers, who decided that it was best to negotiate terms with Forrest and surrender as prisoners of war. This was accordingly done about noon on May 3. The men were soon exchanged, but Streight and his officers were sent to Richmond and confined in Libby prison until the following February, when he and four others managed to make their escape. It was not until August 22, 1864, that he made his report of the expedition. Forrest and his men received a vote of thanks from the Confederate Congress for the successful pursuit and capture of this expedition.


Stroud's Mill, South Carolina, February 26, 1865. Detachment of the 104th Illinois Infantry. The detachment, under command of Captain W. C. Ross, was engaged in foraging, when it was attacked near Stroud's mill by some Confederate cavalry, and in the skirmish that ensued Ross and 8 of his men were captured and 1 man slightly wounded. Stroud's Store, Arkansas, December 23, 1863. 1st Arkansas Cavalry. While on a scout from Fayetteville the advance of the regiment was fired upon by some 300 Confederates near Stroud’s store early on the morning of the 23d. Captain John I. Worthington dismounted 75 men and made a vigorous charge, routing the enemy and pursuing him for 5 miles. No casualties reported.


Stuart's Raid, Virginia, June 13-15. 1862. Detachments of the Army of the Potomac. While General McLellan’s army was encamped about Fair Oaks and along the Chickahominy river, General J. E. B. Stuart was ordered to move with a force of Confederate cavalry around the Federal right flank to the vicinity of the Pamunkey river. Stuart assembled his Page 856 men on the 12th at Kilby Station, moved toward Louisa and bivouacked that night near Hanover Court House. About 11 a. m. on the 13th, between Haw's shop and Old Church, his advance guard encountered a company of the 5th U. S. cavalry, commanded by Lieut. E. H. Lieb, who had been sent out on a reconnaissance. Seeing that the enemy was too strong to attack, Lieb retired slowly and sent word to that effect to Captain W. B. Royall, commanding two squadrons of the regiment stationed at Old Church. This message was not received by Royall until about 2 p. m., when Lieut. McLean was hurried forward with Company H to Lieb's support. The whole detachment was then ordered to advance and after proceeding about three-fourths of a mile came up with Lieb and McLean, who were engaged in skirmishing with the enemy's advance guard, which was charged and driven back on the main body. Royall now saw that his force was greatly outnumbered and gave the order to fall back to the church. Twice on his retreat he was compelled to wheel his command to repulse attacks on his rear and some hand-to-hand fighting occurred in each instance. The Union loss was reported as 4 killed and 10 or 12 wounded. Among the latter was Royall himself, who received several saber cuts. McLean was wounded and captured and the command was turned over to Lieb, with instructions to remain at the church unless attacked by the enemy, in which case he was to retire by the Cold Harbor road. This order was carried out about 4 o'clock. The enemy's loss was not definitely learned, but several saddles were known to have been emptied in the close combats that occurred during Royall's retreat. At Garlick's landing Stuart captured a few prisoners, 4 wagons and 53 mules, burned 14 wagons and 3 schooners loaded with stores, after which he proceeded to Tunstall's station, where about 175 of his men had fired on a trainload of soldiers on the way to White House landing and killed 5 or 6 men. As soon as news of Stuart's movement reached the camp of the 5th corps at New bridge, General Porter sent detachments to intercept him. General Emory, with four squadrons of the 6th Pennsylvania Lancers, was despatched to Tunstall's station, but did not arrive there until after Stuart had passed. At daybreak Emory was reinforced by Reynolds' brigade of infantry and the whole force started in pursuit. It was thought that Stuart's objective point was White House landing, where McClellan had a depot of supplies, but if so he abandoned his project upon learning of the pursuit and turned his course toward Richmond. On the 14th he crossed the Chickahominy at Sycamore ford, a short distance above Forge bridge, and the next morning arrived at Richmond, having ridden around the entire Union army. Stuart reported the capture of 165 prisoners, 260 horses and mules, several sets of harness and a quantity of small arms.


Stumptown, Missouri, August 2, 1863. Detachment of 1st Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Major Alexander W. Mullins with 100 men, while on a scout in the vicinity of Germantown, encountered a squad of bushwhackers at Stumptown and in the skirmish which ensued the latter were routed with a loss of 2 or 3 wounded. One man of the militia was killed.


Sturgeon, Missouri, September 22, 1862. Major Hunt's command.


Sturgeon, Missouri, February 27, 1865. Detachment of the 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. The detachment, under command of Lieut. L. T. Hayman, came upon Jackson's guerrilla band just before dark and a brisk skirmish ensued, in which some of the bushwhackers and 2 of Hayman's men were wounded.


Suffolk, Virginia, December 28, 1862. Reconnoitering Party under Colonel Alfred Gibbs. A report sent to Major-General Dix by Brigadier-General Orris S. Ferry Page 857 contains the following: "Colonel Gibbs, sent out by me at 3 o'clock p. m. yesterday toward Carrsville to occupy the enemy while Spinola's column was moving out, came in contact with the enemy's scouting parties a short distance beyond our pickets. He drove them back, capturing 9 of them, and bivouacked about 10 miles from here."


Suffolk, Virginia, Siege of, April 11—May 4, 1863. Federal Troops commanded by Major-General John J. Peck. On Sept . 22, 1862, General Peck was ordered to Suffolk with 9,000 men to check the advance of the Confederates under Pettigrew and French, who were moving from the Blackwater river toward Norfolk. At that time there were no artificial defenses there, but as the town was located at the head of navigation on the Nansemond river and was the junction of several railroads it was regarded as the key to all the approaches south of the James river, and Peck was directed to fortify and hold it. Fort Dix was begun on September 25, and from that time until the following spring work was pushed on defenses covering the railroads and the James and Nansemond rivers. These preparations alarmed the Confederate authorities, who believed that the Federal government was aiming to establish a base for a movement upon Richmond, and in February, 1863, General Longstreet, with some 30,000 men, was detached from Lee's army and charged with the reduction of Suffolk. In March. Peck was reinforced and his intrenchments were put in the best possible state to withstand Longstreet's assault. According to an abstract from a return of the Department of Virginia for April 30, 1863, the Union troops then at Suffolk numbered 23,975 men, organized as follows: 1st division of the 7th corps, commanded by Brigadier-General Michael Corcoran and consisting of the brigades commanded by Brigadier-General Henry D. Terry, Colonel Robert S. Foster and Colonel Mathew Murphy; the 3d division of the 9th corps, under Brigadier-General George W. Getty and composed of the brigades commanded by Colonel Rush C. Hawkins, Brigadier-General Edward Harland and Colonel Arthur H. Dutton; Colonel William Gurney's division, including the brigades of Colonel Burr Porter and Colonel Robert S. Hughston; the reserve brigade under Colonel David W. Wardrop; the 11th Pennsylvania cavalry; the 1st New York mounted rifles; eight light batteries and two battalions of heavy artillery. On April 10 a Confederate mail was captured, from which it was learned that Longstreet, with from 40,000 to 60,000 men, was moving against Suffolk, and that General Hill would cooperate with Longstreet. The next day Hood's division drove in Peck's cavalry on the South Quay road and about 4 p. m. captured the cavalry outposts without a shot being fired. On the 12th Pickett's division advanced on the Somerton road, Jenkins on the Edenton road, and a large column on the Providence Church road along the river. Considerable skirmishing occurred on all these roads, the Union troops gradually falling back, and the enemy was not checked until he came within range of the artillery. On the 13th Foster's brigade handled the enemy somewhat roughly on the Somerton road, driving him back and reestablishing the Federal picket line. The batteries along the river and the gunboats also rendered effective service on this day, holding the Confederates at bay. On the 14th the Confederates opened fire on the gunboats from a 10-gun battery near the Norfleet house, on the west branch of the Nansemond. Lieut. Lamson, with the gunboats Mount Washington, West End, Stepping Stones and Alert, engaged the battery for several hours, but the vessels were finally compelled to drop down the river out of range of the enemy's guns, the Mount Washington being badly damaged. This boat and the West End both grounded, but were towed off by the Stepping Stones, the Alert having become unmanageable Page 858 through a broken rudder. A night attack was made on the gunboat Smith Briggs, lying near Peck's headquarters, but it was repulsed by Captain Lee, commander of the vessel, and the guns at the draw-bridge. About noon on the 15th the Federal batteries near the mouth of Jericho creek, under the direction of Getty, opened on the enemy's battery at the Norfleet house, dismounting 4 of the 20-pounders and silencing the others. During the afternoon a reconnaissance sent out on the Edenton road captured a Confederate regiment, but did not press their advantage for fear of an ambush. Terry's brigade, which had been much annoyed by Confederate sharpshooters, had a spirited engagement with the enemy in its front on the 17th, in which the Confederates were severely punished and their sharpshooters compelled to withdraw. From that time until the 25th Longstreet was busy in throwing up batteries and rifle-pits along the river. During this period the only incident worthy of note was the capture of Battery Huger on the 19th. (See Battery Huger.) On the 27th the Confederates opened fire from a new battery below the one destroyed on the 15th, and that night they reoccupied the battery at Hill's point. Nothing further of importance occurred until May 1, when the enemy, largely reinforced, made an attack on Terry's brigade about 5 p. m., but it was repulsed by Terry's men and the guns of the Nansemond, South Quay and Rosecrans. At 4 a. m. on the 3d, Major Crosby, with the 21st Connecticut and a section of the 4th Wisconsin battery, crossed the Nansemond and occupied Chuckatuck, driving out 300 Confederate cavalry. He then skirmished all the way to Reed's ferry, his movement being covered by the fire of the gunboats. At 9 o'clock that morning, Getty, with Harland's brigade and some other troops of his division, made a reconnaissance in force on the enemy's left flank. He crossed at the draw-bridge, under the fire of Battery Mansfield and the gunboats Smith Briggs and Onondaga, and seized the plateau near the Pruden house, holding it in spite of all attempts to dislodge him. At 9 p. m. on the 4th the enemy commenced falling back toward the Blackwater river. Generals Corcoran and Foster were prompt in pursuit, the former on the Edenton road and the latter on the Somerton road. Near Leesville, at 6 a. m. on the 5th, Foster came up with the rearguard of a strong column and halted until Corcoran could come up, hut before his arrival the enemy withdrew and reached the Blackwater, where his position was too strong to attack. Colonels Spear and Onderdonk, with their cavalry, harassed the enemy on the various roads, securing valuable information and capturing a number of prisoners. These prisoners represented over forty regiments, which will give some idea of the strength of Longstreet's army. The Federal casualties during the siege were 41 killed, 223 wounded and 2 missing. No official returns of Confederate losses were made, but they were estimated at 1,500 in killed, wounded and captured. Five guns of the famous Fauquier artillery were captured by Peck's men, besides a number of rifles and a lot of camp equipage, etc. Peck's success at Suffolk, coming as it did simultaneously with Hooker's defeat at Chancellorsville, was not given the notice that it justly deserved. It was one of the victories of 1863 that did so much to dishearten the Confederates and at the same time to increase the prestige and strengthen the morale of the Union armies.


Suffolk, Virginia, June 11, 1863. Detachment of the 11th Pennsylvan1a Cavalry. Lieut. Blake was sent out with a party to capture or destroy some small detachments of Confederate infantry that had been annoying the pickets. He came upon a party of some 15 or 20, who took positions behind trees, prepared to fight in true Indian style, but Blake Page 859 charged, killed 2, wounded several and routed the rest, scattering them in the dense thickets where pursuit was out of the question. Suffolk, Virginia, November 11, 1863. According to Confederate reports Captain Phillips, with 40 men, made a raid on Suffolk and captured 7 Union soldiers, a wagon and 8 horses. Federal reports contain no mention of the occurrence.


Suffolk, Virginia, March 9, 1864. 2nd U. S. Colored Cavalry. The regiment, Colonel George W. Cole commanding, while reconnoitering the different roads beyond Suffolk, was attacked by a greatly superior force of the enemy. The colored troops were obliged to retire after fighting desperately for a time, and cutting their way through the enemy's lines which almost surrounded them. The Union loss was 7 killed, 2 missing and 6 wounded.


Creek, Arkansas, February 16-17, 1862. Cavalry of General Curtis' Army. While Curtis was in pursuit of the Confederates under General Price, a detachment of the enemy was encountered drawn up on either side of the road at Potts' hill, on Sugar creek, on the 16th. A charge was made by Major McConnell's battalion of the 3d Illinois cavalry on the left and Wright's Missouri battalion on the right . The charge was well supported by the 1st Missouri cavalry and Bowen's battery, and the enemy was routed. The only casualties reported were 1 killed and 3 wounded in Wright's battalion. That night the enemy was reinforced by McCulloch and on the morning of the 17th opened on the Federals with artillery. Curtis' batteries replied, but after a few rounds a cavalry charge was ordered, which drove the enemy from his position, with heavy losses in killed and wounded. The Union loss on the 17th was 13 killed and 15 or 20 wounded.


Sugar Creek, Missouri, July 9, 1862. Detachment of 1st Iowa Cavalry. Ninety men of the 1st la., under Lieut. R. M. Reynolds, was sent to attack Quantrill's camp on Sugar creek near Wadesburg. The advance gallantly charged the place at 6 a. m., but being unsupported by the remainder of the detachment was compelled to fall back. Reynolds then charged with his whole command, but the ground being unfavorable and the Confederate position stronger than he anticipated, he withdrew after losing 1 man killed and 2 wounded. Quantrill lost 1 killed and several wounded.


Sugar Creek, Tennessee, October 9, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. The brigade, leading the column in the pursuit of Wheeler and Roddey, came up with the enemy's skirmishers about 10 a. m. and soon found the enemy in some force behind a temporary barricade on the west side of Sugar creek. The 5th la. made a dashing saber charge in which 13 of the enemy were killed, 85 captured, a number wounded and the remainder scattered. The Iowans had 1 man wounded.


Sugar Creek, Tennessee, December 25, 1864. 1st Brigade, 7th Division, Army of the Cumberland. After the action at King's hill the Confederate rear-guard fell back to Sugar creek,' where the main body of Hood's army was encountered. General J. H. Hammond, commanding the cavalry brigade, ordered the 2nd Term., supported by the 4th Tennessee, to charge. The movement was gallantly executed, forcing the enemy to retire into his works. The Confederates then charged in turn, driving Hammond's line back some 300 yards, where he held his position until the 14th Ohio battery came up and shelled the enemy from his barricade, when the pursuit was continued.


Sugar Creek Hills, Missouri, December 23-31, 1862. Detachment of 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Major Edward B. Eno with 80 men made a scout through the Sugar creek hills and succeeded in surprising three Page 860 different camps of from 30 to 50 guerrillas each. The net results were the capture of 10 men, 12 horses with saddles, bridles, etc., 2 wagons, and other equipage, and the breaking up the bands. No casualties were reported on the Union side. Sugar Loaf, North Carolina, February 11, 1865. 3d Division, 10th Army Corps. In his report Brigadier-General Charles J. Paine, commanding the division, says: "The division broke camp on Federal Point, where it had remained after the capture of Fort Fisher, and moved toward the enemy's line at Sugar Loaf, the 2nd brigade, Colonel J. W. Ames commanding, having the advance. After a brisk skirmish, in which the division suffered a loss of 2 commissioned officers and 14 men killed, and 7 commissioned officers and 69 men wounded, Lieut.-Colonel Rogers, commanding 4th U. S. colored troops, with his regiment deployed as skirmishers, drove the enemy very handsomely from his intrenched picket line into his main works. The division constructed a line of works at this point and occupied them until the morning of the 19th, when the enemy retiring from his line in our front, the division moved into the rebel works."


Sugar Loaf Mountain, Maryland, September 10-11, 1862. Detachment of Cavalry Corps, and 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac. Brigadier-General Alfred Pleasonton, commanding the cavalry corps, states in a report that the 6th U. S. cavalry was sent on the 10th to dislodge the enemy at the base of Sugar Loaf mountain. The Confederates were too strongly posted to be easily moved, however, and Franklin's corps (6th) was sent to the aid of the cavalry. Next day Hancock's infantry brigade and Farnsworth's cavalry brigade attacked and compelled the enemy to retire. The affair was an incident of Lee's invasion of Maryland. The casualties, if any, were not reported.


Sugar Loaf Prairie, Arkansas, January 12, 1865. Detachment of 73d Enrolled Missouri Infantry. A scout of 25 men, under Lieut. Willis Kissel, came upon the outlaw Cook and 13 of his band in a cave near Sugar Loaf prairie. Kissel demanded a surrender, giving the guerrillas 4 hours within which to accede to the proposition. At the end of that time 9 gave themselves up and the remainder of the gang were killed.


Sugar Valley, Georgia, May 13, 1864. (See Resaca.)


Sulphur Branch Trestle, Alabama, September 25, 1864. Detachments of mth U. S. Colored Infantry, 9th Indiana and 3d Tennessee Cavalry. During Forrest's raid into Alabama and Tennessee he approached the bridge over Sulphur branch on the morning of the 25th. The garrison there had been reinforced, and on the appearance of the enemy it was all called into the blockhouse. After several hours of desperate resistance the Federals were overpowered and compelled to surrender to a greatly superior number. While the casualties for the whole Union command were not definitely reported they amounted in the detachments of the mth U. S. Colored infantry and 9th Indiana cavalry to 47 killed, 6 wounded and 379 captured. No Confederate losses were reported.


Sulphur Springs, Virginia, November 15, 1862. (See Warrenton Springs, same date.)


Sulphur Springs, Virginia, October 12, 1863. 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. While the Army of the Potomac was retiring before Lee's advance in the Bristoe campaign General D. McM. Gregg's cavalry division was ordered to Sulphur or Warrenton Springs to guard the upper fords of the Rappahannock river. The enemy's advancing infantry and artillery proved too strong for the cavalry and it was compelled to withdraw across the Hedgeman fork of the Rappahannock. No casualties were reported.


Sulphur Springs Road, Alabama, April 11, 1864. (See Kelley's Plantation. )


Summerfield, Alabama, April 2, 1865. (See Selma, same date.) Summerville, Mississippi, November 26. 1862. 7th Illinois Cavalry.


Summerville, West Virginia, August 26, 1861. (See Cross Lanes.)


Summerville, West Virginia, July 25, 1862. Detachment of the 9th Virginia Infantry. Companies A. and F, under Lieut.-Col . Starr, were stationed at Summerville. About 4 a. m. on the 25th the pickets were rapidly driven in and in a short time the streets were filled with Confederate cavalry. The surprise was complete. Starr and most of his men were captured, their stores destroyed, after which the enemy set fire to the town. Over 50 of the Union soldiers managed to escape and reached the camp of the 11th Ohio infantry at Gauley. They estimated the enemy's strength at 200 men.


Summit Point, West Virginia, October 7, 1863. (See Charlestown, same date.)


Summit Point, West Virginia, August 21, 1864. Reserve Cavalry Brigade. While this brigade was proceeding down the Charlestown pike it was attacked at the intersection of the Summit Point road and skirmished with the enemy until Rippon was reached. The casualties were not reported. The affair occurred during the Shenandoah Valley campaign.


Sumter, C. S. S., Capture of, March 13, 1864. Colonel W. R. Barton, of the 48th New York infantry, reported from Palatka on the 15th: "The steamer Sumter was captured on the 13th inst. in Big Lake George, 75 miles distant from this place, by the U. S. gunboat Columbine." A Confederate transport of the same name was sunk by the Union batteries on Sullivan's island, South Carolina (See Naval Volume for operations about Charleston Harbor.)


Sumterville, South Carolina, April 9, 1865. (See Dingle's Mill, same date.)


Sutherland's Station, Virginia, April 2, 1865. 1st Division, 2nd Army Corps. At 9 a. m. the division, Bvt. Major-General N. A. Miles commanding, drove the Confederates from the White Oak road and pursued to Sutherland's station on the South Side railroad, 8 miles from Petersburg, where a larger force was found intrenched, with artillery. Miles ordered Nugent's and Madill's brigades to charge, which was gallantly done, but the position proved too strong to be carried by a direct assault over the uneven ground in front. Madill was severely wounded in the charge and Brigadier-General MacDougall took command of the brigade. About noon the artillery of the division came up and began a vigorous shelling of the works, under cover of which MacDougall made another charge, but it was also repulsed. Miles then pushed forward a strong skirmish line against the enemy's right to engage his attention, while Ramsey's brigade was moved rapidly through the woods and down a ravine on the Confederate left. At 2:45 Ramsey advanced on the double-quick, struck the enemy in flank, and then swept down inside the works, capturing a large number and scattering the remainder. Those who escaped were driven toward the Appomattox river, where they were picked up in the woods that afternoon and the next morning. Miles captured 600 prisoners, 1 battle flag and 2 pieces of artillery. His loss for the day was 33 killed, 236 wounded and 97 missing.


Sutton, Virginia, September 23, 1862. 10th West Virginia Infantry.


Suttonville, West Virginia, December 29, 1861. U. S. Troops of Department of Western Virginia. The following is an extract from the "Record of Events," of the Department of Western Virginia, for the month of December, 1861: "On the 29th, Suttonville. garrisoned by one company (Rowand's) 1st Virginia cavalry, was attacked by 135 rebel guerrillas. The company retreated to Weston, and the guerrillas burned the town and what commissary stores were there. Colonel Crook, with four companies went in search of the same gang from Summersville, encountered the flying rascals in Clay and Braxton, killed 6, and chased and scattered them into the mountain toward the Glades."


Suwano Gap, North Carolina, April 23, 1865. Gillem's Cavalry. Swallow Bluffs, Tennessee, September 30, 1863. Detachments of 7th Illinois Mounted Infantry and 7th Kansas Cavalry. Colonel Richard Rowett with five squadrons of the two regiments made an expedition from Corinth into West Tennessee. At Swallow bluffs the Confederates were engaged just as they were about to cross the river. At the same time a company of the dismounted infantry moved down the stream and captured a major and 20 men. Three of the Confederates were killed or wounded, while Rowett had 1 man killed and 2 wounded.


Swan Lake, Arkansas, April 23, 1864. (See Camden, Arkansas, Expedition to.)


Swan Quarter, North Carolina, March 18, 1863. Detachments 1st North Carolina Infantry and 3d New York Cavalry. Captain Colin Richardson, with Company F, 3d New York, Company G, 1st North Carolina, and a howitzer, embarked on the steamer Escort at New Berne, at 5 p. m. on the 1st, and proceeded to Rose Bay bridge, where part of the command was detailed to destroy the bridge and the remainder proceeded some distance up the north side of the lake and encamped. At daybreak on the 2nd the enemy's pickets were driven in, and when within 3 miles of Fairfield another detachment of Confederates was encountered and driven back through the town which was found to be almost deserted. A boat was captured and manned with a small detail of the infantry, with instructions to row around to Lake Landing and save the bridge if possible, while the main body proceeded to the same point by land. On the morning of the 4th, while on the march, the column was fired into by some of the enemy stationed in and about some houses on the right of the road. The cavalry was deployed as skirmishers in front and rear and the infantry, with the howitzer, advanced against the enemy, who scattered in all directions. The enemy's headquarters were burned, and Richardson continued to Lake Landing, where the bridge was found destroyed, but it was rebuilt and the command moved on toward Swan Quarter. When within a mile and a half of that place the column was attacked from the swamp on the right of the road, by about 80 guerrillas, who fired one shot as Richardson's vedettes were passing, when Lieut. Benson charged with the first platoon of cavalry, and received a volley, by which 3 men were killed and several wounded, including Benson. Richardson then ordered the infantry to deploy into the woods as skirmishers, and the howitzer was brought into action, supported by the second platoon of cavalry. The enemy were dispersed with heavy loss, the captain being among the killed. After the Confederates had tied and Richardson had cared for his dead and wounded he moved on to Swan Quarter, where he learned that a body of about 300 guerrillas was lying in ambush about 3 miles distant. Deeming it inexpedient to encounter this force, he embarked his command and returned to New Berne. The Federal casualties were 3 killed and 15 wounded. The enemy's loss was not learned.


Swansboro, North Carolina, April 29-30, 1864. Detachment of the 9th Vermont Infantry. Captain Kelley, with a small expedition, left Newport on the evening of the 29th. to capture or break up a small Confederate detachment at Swansboro. He returned the next day with 15 prisoners, having captured 3 or 4 boats, and destroyed about 225 barrels of salted fish, without casualty.


Sweeden's Cove, Tennessee, June 4, 1862. U. S. Troops under Brigadier General James S. Negley. By making a forced march of 20 miles over a bad road Negley succeeded in surprising and capturing the Confederate pickets and attacked the camp of General Adams' command at Sweeden's cove, near Jasper. The enemy formed in line and fired, but artillery was opened upon him and he soon fled, closely pursued by the Page 863 5th Kentucky and a battalion of the 7th Pennsylvania cavalry. The Federal loss was 2 killed and 7 wounded, and the Confederates acknowledged having sustained casualties to the extent of 100 killed and missing.


Sweet Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, June 23, 1864. Supply Train of the Army of West Virginia. Major-General David Hunter, in reporting the operations of the army while retiring from before Lynchburg, states that when he arrived at the springs he learned that "the supply train and convoy under Colonel Putnam had been attacked by guerrillas, led by one Thurmond, and that it had turned aside from the Lewisburg route." This is the only official mention of the affair.


Sweetwater, Tennessee, September 6, 1863. 45th Ohio Mounted Infantry. On the 5th the regiment, Lieut.-Col George E. Ross commanding, was sent to Sweetwater to take possession of the arms and stores left there by the enemy. Early on the morning of the 6th the pickets on the Athens road were attacked, but the Confederates were repulsed and hotly pursued for about 4 miles, many of them throwing away their arms, etc., in their flight. The enemy lost 1 killed and 1 badly wounded, while the Union troops suffered no casualty whatever.


Sweetwater, Tennessee, February 16, 1865. (See Athens, same date.) Sweet Water Creek, Georgia, October 2-3, 1864. (See Powder Springs, same date.)


Swift Creek, South Carolina, April 18, 1865. (See Boykin's Mill, same date.)


Swift Creek, Virginia, May 9, 1864. 10th and 18th Army Corps. On the evening of the 8th Major-General Benjamin F. Butler, commanding the Army of the James, issued orders to Major-Generals Q. A. Gillmore and William F. Smith, commanding the 10th and 18th corps, to advance with their commands early the next morning and destroy the Richmond & Petersburg railroad. The railroad was struck near Chester Station and from this point the two corps moved south toward Petersburg, Smith on the left and Gillmore on the right. Near Arrowfield church on the north side of Swift creek, about a mile and a half north of Petersburg, the enemy was encountered in considerable force. Weitzel's and Brooks' divisions of the 18th corps were sent forward and drove the Confederates back across the creek. The bridges were found to be guarded by the enemy's artillery and infantry and the stream was impassable for any kind of troops. Brooks sent forward Hunt's battery, supported by Burnham's brigade, to shell the enemy at the bridge, but without effect. Gillmore and Smith then sent a communication to Butler suggesting that the troops be withdrawn and sent over on a pontoon bridge to the south side of the Appomattox for the purpose of cutting the roads leading to Petersburg from the south. Both generals believed that Petersburg could be captured "without involving us in heavy losses," but Butler refused to sanction their proposal. Had they been permitted to carry out their plan the city might have been taken, as it was then guarded by a very small force. Four days later Beauregard had about 30,000 men in the Petersburg intrenchments and it was then too late to make the attempt. On the morning of the 10th the two corps were withdrawn to the Bermuda Hundred lines.


Switzler's Mill, Missouri, August 10-13, 1862 (See Grand River.)


Switzler's Mill, Missouri, July 12, 1863. Detachment of 9th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Sergt. Zimmerman and 20 men captured one Watson on the 11th and were taking him to the Federal camp when he escaped. Zimmerman bivouacked at Watson's house, where the next morning his men were attacked by about 100 Confederates and after a 20 minutes' fight succeeded in driving them off. Five Union men were wounded.


Switzler's Mill, Missouri, February 24, 1865. A report from Colonel E. A. Kutzner of the 39th Missouri contains the following: "Jackson, with 7 men, killed a man by the name of Poe at Switzler's mill and hung 2 negroes, besides Page 864 robbing another citizen. I have sent plenty of men to scour the country."


Switzler's Mill, Missouri, May 27, 1865. (See Chariton County, same date.)


Sycamore Church, Virginia, August 3, 1862. Averell's Cavalry. While the Army of the Potomac was encamped on the north side of the James river, after the Seven Days' battles, General McClellan sent Colonel W. W. Averell, with about 300 of his cavalry, to make a reconnaissance on the south side of the river and try to capture some of the enemy's cavalry in the neighborhood of Sycamore Church. Near the church he found some 500 Confederate cavalry, attacked the advance guards and drove them back to the camp, where a sharp fight occurred in which the enemy were driven off in disorder. Averell then burned the camp, destroyed the stores and recrossed the river, bringing 2 prisoners. The Union casualties were 2 men slightly wounded. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was not learned.


Sycamore Church, Virginia, August 9, 1864. 1st District of Columbia Cavalry. A little before 8 a. m. the quartermaster of the regiment with 2 teams and wagons was captured by a band of Confederate soldiers and citizens on the stage road near one of the outposts. Major J. S. Baker ordered out the regiment and followed in the direction of Sycamore church, picketing the roads as he went to cut off the return of the captors. The pursuit was continued until 10 o'clock that night and 8 of the gang were captured. The rest, with their booty, made their escape.


Sycamore Church, Virginia, September 16, 1864. 1st District of Columbia and 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Sylamore, Arkansas, May 29, 1862. (See Kickapoo Bottom, same date.)


Sylamore, Arkansas, January 24-27, 1864. 1st Nebraska and 6th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Colonel William Baumer, with about 300 men of the two regiments, left Batesville on the 23d to break up some camps of the enemy's. On the afternoon of the 24th his advance guard charged into the town of Sylamore and drove out some Confederates, who took position on some steep hills overlooking the town and continued to fire on the Union troops. Three companies were dismounted and advanced as skirmishers, driving the enemy from his position with a loss of several in killed and wounded. The Federal loss was 1 man wounded. On the 27th Baumer attacked Freeman's camp on Middle Sylamore creek, but the Confederates slipped out on a by-road and made their escape. Captain Ribble, with his company, was sent in pursuit, followed by the entire command. Freeman's train was overtaken, and in the skirmish 8 of the enemy were killed and 7 captured, together with 12 mules, a number of horses and all the wagons. The wagons and their contents were burned. No Federal casualties reported in this action.


Sylvan Grove, Georgia, November 27, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division, March to the Sea. The brigade, commanded by Colonel Eli H. Murray, went into camp near the little village of Sylvan Grove on the evening of the 26th. As the rear-guard had been skirmishing all day with the enemy, Murray ordered his command to construct barricades in anticipation of a night attack. About 2 a. m. on the 27th Wheeler's entire force made a desperate assault on the 8th Indiana and 2nd Kentucky, but it was promptly repulsed. Two more charges were made, but with no better success on the part of the Confederates. Desultory firing continued until daylight, when the two regiments were withdrawn under a heavy fire and the march was resumed. No report of losses obtainable.


Syracuse, Missouri, October 5, 1863. Detachment of 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Thirty men under Captain Richard M. Box trailed about 60 of Jackman's guerrillas into the brush near Syracuse and vigorously Page 865 attacked. Twelve of the outlaws were killed and 4 wounded. No casualties were sustained by the Federals.


Syracuse, Missouri, October 10, 1863. After Confederate 'General Shelby in his raid into Arkansas and Missouri had entered Tipton he sent a scouting party to Syracuse. The blockhouse there was stormed and the garrison captured. The only mention of the affair is Shelby's report, so there is no way of ascertaining what Union troops participated.