Summary:
Union cavalry colonel Charles Lowell Jr. reports on September, 1864, actions in
the Valley, including an advance on Staunton that resulted in the capture of
prisoners, cattle, and stores.
Capt. A. E. DANA,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen., First
Cavalry Division.
September 8, 1864, the Reserve Brigade was reorganized under Special Orders, No. 103, September 8, 1864, headquarters First Cavalry Division. The First New York Dragoons were replaced by the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry was ordered to Pleasant Valley for muster-out. Col. Lowell, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, assumed command. September 8-12, the brigade lay in camp near Summit Point, picketing on the left of the cavalry line and in front of the Sixth Corps. September 13, made demonstration at Locke's Ford, on the Opequon, in conjunction with First Brigade; took one lieutenant and ten privates of Breckinridge's corps; returned to former camp at night-fall. September 14-18, picketing as before. September 19, marched at 2 a.m.; reached the Opequon at Seivers' Ford before daybreak. The enemy's picket-line was driven in by Second U. S. Cavalry and Second Massachusetts Cavalry, about forty prisoners being taken, and the opposite bank of the creek occupied in a line of about three miles, the right connecting with the First Brigade. A very gallant charge was made by Second U. S. Cavalry on one of Breckinridge's batteries, but was repulsed, the infantry supports being well placed behind rails breast high, a simultaneous charge by the First Brigade being also repulsed. Soon after noon the whole line was advanced to the Martinsburg pike; the brigade was necessarily much scattered. Two squadrons of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry joined the charge of the Second Brigade on the enemy's infantry; the rest of that regiment got mixed up with the skirmish line of Averell's division. The First, Second, and Fifth U. S. Cavalry advanced toward Winchester, on the left of the pike; charged a battery supported by infantry and cavalry; captured two guns, with their caissons and most of the horses and drivers. What part of these regiments could be rallied assisted in the subsequent charge of the First Brigade upon a brigade of the enemy's infantry. After dark the brigade was moved through Winchester and camped two miles out on the Valley pike. September 20, marched to Strasburg and camped on the road to Capon Springs. September 21, marched to Front Royal and camped on the Shenandoah. September 22, marched to Millford in support of the Third Division; relieved one of its brigades on the right of the line, but no attack on the enemy's position was ordered; fell back to McCoy's Ford and camped. Capt. Emmons, assistant adjutant-general, wounded. September 23, marched to near Cedarville, dispersing en route a detachment of Mosby, under Capt. Mountjoy, killing thirteen. From Cedarville returned by forced march to Millford, finding that position just evacuated by the enemy. September 24, marched up valley to Luray, supporting First Brigade in a rapid and brilliant affair with one of Wickham's brigades, two squadrons of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry charging and capturing battle-flag of Sixth Virginia Cavalry and twenty prisoners; camped west of Shenandoah. September 25, crossed ridge to New Market; marched in the afternoon to Harrisonburg camped. September 26, the brigade was temporarily detached, acting with Third Division under order of chief of cavalry; marched in the advance to Staunton, capturing prisoners, cattle, and stores; camped east of the town. September 27, destroying; at 4 p.m. marched to Waynesborough. September 28, the brigade on picket at Rock fish Gap and toward New Hope. At 5 p.m. were attacked at both points by cavalry, artillery, and infantry, and fell back to position above Waynesborough. After dark returned with Third Division through Staunton and by forced march to Spring Hill, the brigade having both the advance and rear guards. September 29, moved to Bridgewater and anon to Mount Crawford, camping on the left of the infantry and picketing to Cross Keys and Rockland Mills. September 30, rejoined the brigade, camping and picketing as before. October 1-3, encamped north of Mount Crawford, picketing upon the pike. October 3, made a reconnaissance in afternoon upon pike. October 4, in camp; picketing as before.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. R. LOWELL, JR.,
Col. Second Massachusetts Cavalry, Cmdg.
Brigade.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 43, Serial No. 90, Pages 490-491, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
