Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-14

HEAIOO
Army OF NosrH WKsr CAMP At GEkENBSlEs HlyER,
October iih, 1861.
To Gen. H. r. JAcEsoS,
Commanding Monterey Line;
GKs.HAL-Ih,v the honor, in obedience to your Or
dr. TO make report Of the operations OF the troops
under nv immediate command, In the action between
you- forces aud the enemy yesterday:
Absorbing 10 your instructions, my command CONSIST
Ing OF the % and 44sh regiments, and oatAon 0 'u
25,h Virginia regiment supported by Shumakers ana
Re hight batteries occup ed the centre OF your line OF
defence As soon became manifest that the enemy
we're approaching in force ordered the infantry 70 oe-
eupy toe line OF trenches defending the approach
aud the sriery 10 be placed IN position 70 eolnnanu
The turnpike and meadow the left and front OF our po-
sition.
After gallant resistance By our picket guard, REIN
forced by detsc lment headed by Col. Johnson, who
maintained an extraordinary struggle with antVrNntla-
INC Torca of the enemy th,r troops IN great numbers
80 ssen 10 debouch from the turnpike and FROM across
the river fat whilst heavy column vas seen TO occupy
DE hills on the right OF the road Very soon after TINS
ther batteries we're established IN the meadow aha on
the road and opened upon our position ana pea,e'
'hNut pte.psiau a storm oil shot anu shth ior i0ui
hours and quarter upon IT.
oar b.,.ers replica With remarkable spirit and deter
iuatiou and with telling effect as soon as the enemy aP
roached wittin range Of our pieces Ihe infantry OF
the enemy fell back lsi out o. range and made an tnor'
n turn our left nk but could soon DC seen rcero-sing
-, ;y- aud concentrating upou the left OF their lines.
Leaving a supporting force with their artillery, they
formed on the slope OF the bills overlooking the ioao
and evidently made DISPOSITIONS and preparations ether
for attacking centre, oy seeking tue shelter OF the
wooded hills uut they could approach our 'front.' az the
nearest ont of range when they would cross the
- and attack our 'front.' otherwise nuing along the
r ght bank a;tenpi to turn our right h'ok
A6yapcing 70 poin. opposite the centre OF my posi-
ton their column halted being menaced oy the troops
right wing and marched down toe hillside to the
s.so Tor the purpose OF attempting the assault upon
works Here they opened, preparatory TO an a '1i
nee upon ia with their long rat &c mussets OUT cur ar
tery being directed upon them with terrible ell c. at TINS
nomsat they thrown into confusion, and notSi'n
sf.ndnR the Efforts OF their h,ers-Wboee words Of
command aud entreaties could be distinctly hDrd-they
could not be reformed ana after some time being spent
IN the effort 20 bring them TO the charge, they ie 0acK
N the bia and under such cover ~ they offered from
our artillery which played upon them the Shoie nm re
aped the turnpike withdrew their batteries aud retrec
rne loss 70 the enemy have been very great as
their force so far could estimate exceeded i've thou
and which Whenever ventuIed within range, received
1, storm OF IN ssiles from our batteries -.
The loss sustained by my command was very sm4L-
eanno, speak 10 too grsa praise Of the Conduct oil tue
:, FeerS and men Of ny command. All evinced, under
tue heavy 70 which they were subjected e1traorci'
n,ry GOODNESS aud galan,ry. The artillery, which was
u tpr, e:ted by splulments, behaved with uLninchng
bravery. 81,
u,pI. Rice, commanding one Of the batteries, distn'
ui.bed BY his intrepdy had his leg carried away by
round shot Whilst nobly encouraging his men 10 their
duty and the conduct Of private Brooks OF his battery
deserves especial notice. .
Canaan Shumaker and Lieut.. WoodiDg distinguished
,hsRselves by their XII and alIntIy, and Sergeant
3ue. who commanded the piece the right OF my line,
deserves the highest praise.
Cot Scott commanding 44lh, Lieutenant Colonel 4.
g. Ia iaferro oum4uding % and Capt. Higginbohen,
commanding 25,h Rsgm snts, exhibited great eoones,,
determination and anIiay TO DC engaged action, whic1
"a, shared BY their ofhceTs and men,
take occasion to notice The admirable conduct oi
sr-zelu Dlly of the Esd Regiment Who amid the heav.
lest ire administered relief the wounded, aud Tue good
CONDUCT OF Lieutenant Pende:oo, A. A, a. e.
CAPT AndersOns Ba terry part Of my Brigade, was as
sgusd 20 duty With the command the left, when Capt
sSunIkers was Temporarily transferred 10 my comma d.
Tee report of the former will be made by the officer who
manded 90 the Lf whilst the elsusles in Capt Shu-
mixers command will be communicated 6y the officer
commanding the Brigade to which he is attached.
[ apoend Is. Of the killed and wounded o!
nr brigade, amounting TO two kill ard six wound
ed. .
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully, your obed
cot servant
W. B. TGLIAFERRo,
Col 2Sd Regt, Commanding 5h Brigade