Summary:
Union General Phil Sheridan reports to Army of the Potomac Chief of Staff Andrew
Humphreys on June, 1864, cavalry action in the central Virginia. Sheridan
mentions Union General David Hunter's operations in the Staunton area, including
destruction of the railroad.
Maj.-Gen. HUMPHREYS,
Chief of Staff, Army of the
Potomac.
Camp near Guiney's Bridge, Va.,
June 16, 1864
GEN.:
I have the honor to report to you the arrival of my command at this point, and also to report it operations since leaving New Ferry:
I crossed the Pamunkey River on the 7th instant, marching via Aylett's, and encamped on Herring Creek. On the morning of the 8th resumed the march via Pole Cat Station, and encamped 3 miles west of the station. On the 9th marched trough Chilesburg and New Market, encamping on East Northeast Creek, near Young's Bridge. On the 10th marched via Andrews' Tavern and Twyman's Store, crossing both branches of the North Anna, and encamped at Buck Childs', but 3 miles northeast of Trevilian Station. My intention was to break the railroad at this station, march through Mechanicsville, cut the Gordonsville and Charlottesville Railroad near Lyndsay's house, and then to march on Charlottesville, but on arrival at Buck Child's house I found the enemy's cavalry in my immediate front. On the morning of the 11th, Gen. Torbert with his division, and Col. Gregg's brigade, of Gen. Gregg's division, attacked the enemy. After an obstinate contest, drove him from successive lines of breast-works, through an almost impenetrable forest, back on Trevilian Station. In the mean time Gen. Custer was ordered with his brigade to proceed by a country road so as to reach the station in rear of the enemy's cavalry. On his arrival at this point the enemy broke into a complete rout, leaving his dead and nearly all of his wounded in our hands; also 20 officers, 500 men, and 300 horses.
These operations occupied the whole of the day. At night I encamped at Trevilian Station, and on the morning of the 12th commenced destroying the railroad from this point to Louisa Court-House. This was thoroughly done-ties burned and rails rendered unserviceable. The destruction of the railroad occupied until 3 o'clock of this day.
I directed Gen. Torbert to advance with his division and Gen. Davies' brigade, of Gen. Gregg's division, in the direction of Gordonsville, and attack the enemy, who had concentrated and been re-enforced by infantry during the night, and had also constructed rifle-pits at a point about 5 miles from Gordonsville. The advance was made, but as the enemy's position was found too strong to assault, no general attack was made. On the extreme right of our lines a portion of the Reserve Brigade carried the enemy's works twice, and was twice driven therefrom by infantry. Night closed the contest. I found on examination of the command that there was not a sufficiency of ammunition left to continue the engagement. The next day trains of cars also came down to where we were engaged with the enemy. The reports of prisoners and citizens were that Pickett's old division, or a portion of it, was coming to prevent the taking of Gordonsville. I, therefore, during the night and next morning, withdrew my command over the North Anna, via Carpenters' Ford, near Minor's Bridge. In addition, the animals were, for the two entire days in which we were engaged, without forage, the surrounding country affording nothing but grazing of a very inferior quality, and generally at such points as were inaccessible to us. Up to this time I could get no definite information as to the position of Gen. Hunter. Report placed him and his command at Staunton, destroying the railroad. I had, therefore, the choice of attempting to join him there, via Orange Court-House and Stanardsville, or retiring, and I resolved on the latter. I had at that time only one day's rations for my men, but very little forage for my animals, and not sufficient ammunition on hand to risk a severe engagement. Living off the country was a failure; very little forage could be obtained or the animals, and to attempt under such circumstances to join Gen. Hunter would have jeopardized my command. I regret my inability to carry out your instructions.
The cavalry engagement of the 12th was by far the most brilliant one of the present campaign. The enemy's loss was very heavy. They lost the following-named officers in killed and wounded: Col. McAllister, commanding regiment, killed; Brig.-Gen. Rosser, commanding brigade, wounded; Col. Aiken, commanding regiment, wounded; Col. Custer (?), commanding regiment, wounded. My loss in killed and wounded will be about 575. Of this number 490 were wounded. I brought off in my ambulances 377, all that could be transported. The remainder were (with a number of rebel wounded that fell into my hands) left behind. Surgeons and attendants were detailed and remained in charge of them. I captured and have now with me 370 prisoners of war, including 20 commissioned officers. My loss in captured will not exceed 160. These were principally in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. This regiment gallantly charged down the Gordonsville road, capturing 1,500 horses, and about 800 men, but was finally surrounded, and had to give them up. When the enemy broke they hurried between Gen. Custer's command and Col. Gregg's brigade, capturing 5 caissons of Pennington's battery, 3 of which were afterward recaptured,leaving in their hands 2 caissons. A more detailed report will be made hereafter. I have sent staff officers forward to send to me as far as Dunkirk subsistence and forage. It is very essential that it should reach me at that point.
I will march down the north bank of the Mattapony in the expectation that I may be able to obtain some supplies through the country in that vicinity. None can be obtained south of the Mattapony, between this point and the White House.
The following troops were sent from Lee's army and Richmond to re-enforce Jones' command in the valley: Breckinridge's corps, 4,000; 2,000 dismounted cavalry to Gordonsville; the rebel cavalry under Hampton and Fitz. Lee, and Pickett's old division, or a part of it. Pickett's troops went either by the canal to Columbia, or by railroad via Lynchburg to Charlottesville.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 36, Serial No. 67, Pages 784-786, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
