Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-06-21
The Battle at Port Republic, Va,
O1icial Report Of BRIG. Gen. Tyler.

HEAD QUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE
Near Luray, Va, June IL, 1867 Gen.
James Shields, Commanding Division
Sir In compliance with your order to
proceed to Waynesboro,' left Columbia
Br' gade on the 9TH inst, reaching Naked
Creek the same day, going into camp
under orders to march at four o'clock, A.
NJ, next, that we might reach Port Re.
public at the time you indicated to me.
When within about six miles of the town,
I learned Acting Brig. General Carroll,
with the fourth Brigade, had engaged the
enemy at or near the town. Immediately |
halted my train, clearing the road for the
troops and artillery, and pressed forward
to his supportas rapidly possible, reaching
the position occupied by him some two miles
north of the town, at two o'clock p. NJ,
Sth inst.
The position was selected by Colonel
Daum, understood, as the only tenable
one in that vicinity. From that officer I
learned the enemy had eighteen pieces of
artillery planted so as to completely COM
mand all the approaches to the town, and
from the engagement with General Car.
roll that morning, had obtained the range
of the different points. Immediately on
the arrival of my command, Colonel Daum
urged an attack with the combined force
of infantry and artillery, to which I so far
consented as to order the infantry into pos.
ition under cover of a thick wood which
skirted the road, and commenced observing
the enemy's position myself, which ap-
peared to me one to defy an army of City
thousand men.
I at once sent for Col Carroll Lieut.
Colonel Shriber, Captains Clark and
Robson, who had been over the ground,
they all agreeing in the opinion that an
attack would result in the destruction of
our little force. About this time your
order to "Commandant of Post at Port
Republic" was handed me; upon it and
the opinion of these officers, I ordered
the infantry back to bivouac for the night
A heavy picket was kept we'll to the front
to observe any movement of the enemy,
and at A. NJ General Carroll and my.
self went to the outer videtts, who reported
that there had been no movement of the
enemy across the bridge during the night,
their pickets only appearing, which we
were abel to discover ourselves.
We returned to camp and few moments
after your order of June sth, u P. NJ,
from Columbia Bridge, reached me, and
while writing reply was informed that
the enemy were advancing upon us, or
rather into the woods opposite their posi-
ton, evidently with view of outfankine
US upon the left. Captains Clark and
Robson opened their batteries upon them
with effect, and Captain Huntington gun:
were soon doing the same good work
Two companies of skirmishers and two
regiments of infantry were ordered into
the woods to conteract this movement of the
enemy. The fire of our skrmishers wa.
soon heard and l ordered two more regi
ments to their support.
A sharp fire was kept up in the woods
for few moments only, when the enemy
retired and was soon seen coming out Of
the woods, crossing to join column
moving upon our right In the meant inc
a section of two guns had opened upon
our battery on the left, and another seclior
was taking position on our right The
Seventh Indiana Infantry, Colonel Gavin
was sent to the extreme right and was me
by two Rebel regiments, under cover o.
the river bank. A section of Clarks battery
took position well to the right. The
fire of the enemy, from their masked po
sition, compelled Col. Gavin to retire q
short distance, which he did in admirable
order,
The Goth Ohio was sent to support him
moving forward in splendid style on
double quick. The 7th Ohio was next
sent forward to support Captain Cark's
guns; the 5th Ohio next, to support sec
ton of Captain Huntington's battefy.
These two last named regiments moved
forward and engaged the enemy in a
style that commanded the admiration Of
every beholder Regiment aftei regiment
OF the enemy moved upon our right and
the engagement became very warm. The
LIST Virginia, Col. Thoborne, who had
been ordered into the wood on the left
was now ordered down to the right, enter.
ing the open field with loud shout. NV
entire force was now in position. On our
right was the 7th Indiana, Col. Gavin