Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-05-22
NUMBER 12I.
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
OFFICIAL.
Hr.poOAsrrHs. 20 DrI.'os cv Rrsu1.n,.

| q
The general in chief the operations Of INV div,., ~ -
'a's against the enemy on the l7th install,
Al laeng this report will hat arrived At Pi.r
oei MO on the llth instant The advanced Ru,rd az Dr.,
go2ns under Cod Harvey having driven from The nsa
oOuy OF the enemy's lsncers, then eneampsd INV dv.o
,S,o, GUT intending ihs following day li2bl TO cover
o'Ougn reeonnoiranee OF his position and A pr,ctieab.
70 make an effective attack all his works D,smns :,
Paeueaoe TO advance, with advantage beyond an, nc
snon which had gained during The On H.
- toeine some three and half miles from watsrl
"hfdfew my main force TO my old Camp k.ening ~, .
uohg PICKET to retain tho ground had passed over in
To make the attack with effect
gaces OF volunteers, under the command Of Brig
On ~ 5 ow and Shields respectively. arrived my camp
u 'e i<h INST MAJOR General Patterson United s,,,..
so'unn ers, having reported sick assumed eomm,nd -
e whole: The volunteers wishing to participate in IN,
nsht and being much broken down from ,he re.an,
OF Gents Pillow and Shields to defer the .u.ck on ~
having DONE and having msiured my plan Of attack and
sgneo 70 each division s duty, oyert,ken bv an Or
der OF Major Cen Patterson after night ON the iah .
suspend all further offensive operations un,I ~. -
OF the eeHerain-chef until ordered by himself &C..
raerson) ARreeably this arrangement on the evsnin
OF the To- verbal orders from the 10 pro
eeed on my line OF operations the right Of the national
road AT III O'Clock, IN. got in position the rich, Of
my column being about 700 yards from the .non,,'
work Lieut. Gardner's company 9Th inf,n,rv wa. r.
deaehed TO observe the enemy from the first COMMANDING
helght on my lett In short time stron, reconno,ns,
or skHmshing party observed appro,ehi.g ov -.
hm havirg IN reserve large force in eli ,hon,
TWO thousand Lieut. Gardner held his position under a
heavy lire until relieved by Col Harvey with the ma e
ment and LIST artillery With this force Col ,rnev cssd
the two hills front Of the enemys main wors nd 49,
ue P1Shon intended for our heavy battery, witch was
curing the night under the direction of Capt,in
Lee, OF the engineer corps. During this evening Bg cen
Shields Joined me with his brigade OF volunteers composed
OF two loinois regiments Colonies Be ker and Fo,.
man, and one New York regiment commanded nv Col
Burnett. ~ N'''
On the morning of the 18Th. when our Leavy guns Op,r
ed COL Harvey having been reinforced by the Sd and b
infantry, pushed forward his skifmishing narres ~,
coming all obstacles presented by the nature of the gonnd
and under most calling and destructive fire. this command
advanced win sieadineSs and regularity and finally sur
ceeded IN diving from the strong position of the enemy M
his forces, and in putting them complete rout
In speaking OF the individual efforts OF the officer. II,
command OF regiments and companles am unable 10 40
ample justice Each and evey seemed TO be endeav
ing TO exec IN all that required gallant officers They
an 70 the encouraging voice OF their gallant
leader ana conducted their 10 victory and glory
The % BRIGADE uncet Col. Riley, advanced under hs,
Wy IRE TO gam position the Jaapa road in lear Of IN,
enemy with view OF cutting off retreat Alter cross
ing the valley the fout the Cero Codo hs IRE Of ,h
enemy became so annoying that companies Of The d
infantry were ordered out skrmi-hers occupy en-
The remainder Of the %, conducted BY Cant Lee EMO
neers, proceeded this Perceiyng that the enc
my were extending 10 their left ordered Gen She Dc TO
cross me Ta'ne on our right and keep the left hank on
the part previously jnnorCd by Capt Lee In the u
theT progress OF this portion of Col Reys brgade he vs..
obliged 10 his whole column 10 the left 20 op,o. b
enemy direct movement down the spur. Capt Lee con-
unued his supported by Lieut. Bepanin compaoy
4h erhlcy On coming out IN the plain Of the { or
70 GOTdo, and in full Of tie Jaapa road batt,rv az
supported Oy BODY OF Lancers
General Sheldss brigade discovered by this portion
OF the The battery opened with grape on him and
on Lit benIamins company. The gallant general with
shout IRON his pushed boldly the Dad on he ne
mys lett Who seeing their position completely turned a.
well as driven from the hill abandoned themselves To fight
Gen. Shields here severely wounded the command of
the brigade deyeving upon COL Baker who conducted II
with ability The pursuit continued far rs Encsr.
ro when was overlaken by Major General Paterso Uni
ted States volunteers who then assumed command OF the
advance and ordered a halt
cannot speak high The ccpdnc, nfC ,I
Harney who, united with his indomabe courage Dos.
sessed the cool Judgment which enabled him know Just
how lar TO advance TO obtain the desired object That
sterling soldier and accomplished Cicer Major Sumner
I'd Dragons, who command OF the regiment Of
Mounted rihsmen, exhibited all the skill and ability re-
CURED oil permanent commander of a regiment. He
severely wounded in the head by escopette ball and
obliged to leave the field, the command OF the regiment
devolving upon MAJOR Lorng.
Capt Magruder let artillery by his wary and good man.
agsment IN the face Of the enemy succeeded an arriving
very near the enemy's works, driving before him the
ues Immediately IN front HIS gallant conduct deserves
especial notice Brevet lst Lieut. Gardner 7h nfan'ry
whose company fret the h:l by susiaining
himself against vastly superior force displayed that abi
as commander OF company which, former OCCASION
acquired tor him the distinction has as breyet first
Lieutenant
am sorry that advantages gained over the enemy the
srst day attended with loss on our side Be-
sides MAJ SUMNER second dragons, and Lieut. Mau
reg men who were severely wounded and Lieut. George
Gordon ride regimeni, serving in MAJ Taeous battery
mountain howitzeTs, and Lieut. Gibbs mounted rhemen
slightly hy CASUALTIES occurred principally in tho
hrst artillery and rife regiments.
OF the conduct Of the volunteer force under the brave
Gen Shields, cannot speak in high terms. Alter he
was wounded, portions Of the three regiments with
when arrived hrt the Jsspa road, and before
them the enemys cannoners from their loaded guns
Their conduct and names shall be the subject OF special
report also that OF the several officers IT the regular
my. who distinguished on the occasion.
Accompanied with this transmit the several reports from
brigade and regmenia headquarters. In all the recommeu
datons tor praise and promotion entirely concur.
Although whatever may say, may add little the good
reputation OF Capt Lee, Of the engineer corps,
indulge IN the pleasure OF speaking OF the invaluable
vices which he rendered me from the time left the ms In
road until be conducted Col Reys brigade to is position
IN the OF the enemy's strong work Jaaps road
consulted him with confidence, and adopted his suggss-
lions with entire Ills Ralantry and good
duct both days deserve the highest praise again IRE
TO the favorable consideration Of the cOmmandern-
ehie aud the President the names Of my personal saf
First Lieut. W I ii Brooks third infantry A A A C, and
/ First Lieut. w Mcdonald second dragons A u c.
Capt A Allen A Y NJ, rendered me invaluable services
only IN communicating orders when he the field
but IN keeping hand, under oil Disadvantages the
supplies for division For his thu, and
on former occasions. most earnestly recommend him Tor
promotion. To LieuE Mason, Bsaurcgard, and Tower
Of the engineers and Lieut. Sikes. third infantry s
to tho DIVISION am indebted fof valuable services
Whst on recommending duty the 9b. Lost the vslua-
bic services Of Lieut. Cot Johnston who duty with
chief typographical engineer and was very severe
" wounded under the enemys works the left Of he
road.
In conclusion, have the pleasure Of rendering my thanks
TO the commanders Of regiments sud batteries whose
duet tended 80 much 90 the attainment Of glorious vic
| tory The lst brigade, under Colonel Hamcy was com
posed Of the LIST artillery, commanded by Colonel Chds
/ the rifle regiment tafei Mbiot summer wounded1
commanded BY MAJOR Lorng and the 7ih infantry, com
| manded BY Colonel Plympion.
The % brigade, under Colonel Riley. was composed OF
no 9Th aruefy, commanded By Msior Gardner The ~ va
ianiry commanded BY Captain Morris and the ID infantry
| commanded by Captain Alexander.
The volunteer force under my orders composed OF
the 70 Illinois imen commanded b. Colonel Baker tho
ih Illinois 70 msnt, commanded By Colonel Foreman and
q - kv nfnunl
The field battery commanded BY Captain Taylor. and
| the howiiz.r battery By Mslor Tscou
have The honor 10 be- very respectful ~ your ossdisnt
seuant, ID r.. TWtGGs,
Bfgadiet General u. s. A
Cspt II. l.. seorr. Act. Asst AJIt Gent.
HFaDQUtarEEa2 % DivIstov oT RroULsas
Jalapa. April a. 1877
sn IinadvsrenlY nrnt.d No n,rns r,nf sieninn 49,