JUNE 23-AUGUST 8, 1864.--Operations in the Shenandoah Valley, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
No. 72.--Report of Brig. Gen. Alfred N. Duffié U.S. Army, commanding First Cavalry Division, of operations July 14-27.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the First Cavalry Division, Department of West Virginia, under my command from July 14, 1864, until July 27, 1864:

I arrived at Martinsburg, Va., with my command at 11 a.m. of July 14, 1864, having come by cars from Parkersburg, W. Va. At 5 p.m. of same date I proceeded under orders from Major-General Hunter, commanding department, to Harper's Ferry, Va., which place I reached at 1 a.m. of July 15. At this place I received orders from Major-General Hunter to proceed with my command to Hillsborough, Va., and report to Brigadier-General Sullivan for orders. My men being entirely without rations and ammunition, I was obliged to delay at Sandy Hook to supply them. Arriving at the ford near Knoxville I met the artillery and wagon train of General Sullivan's command, turned back, the crossing being deemed too rough to undertake. However, I determined to cross my artillery and wagons, which I succeeded in accomplishing with some little labor and delay. I then pushed forward with my command on the Hillsborough road. The First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, in the advance, had a slight skirmish with a small force of the enemy, two or three miles from Hillsborough, killing and wounding a few, and capturing 12 of the enemy. I reached Hillsborough and reported with my command to General Sullivan at 10 p.m.

On the morning of the 16th I sent out the Fifteenth New York Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Root, to make a reconnaissance toward Waterford. They skirmished with the enemy for several hours, driving his skirmish line back until the main body was discovered moving on the Leesburg pike toward Snicker's Gap. Colonel Root also reported a wagon train in sight, which was supposed to be a detachment of the main train of the rebel army. Upon the receipt of this information at 10 a.m., General Crook having arrived, <ar70_320> relieving Brigadier-General Sullivan, I reported the facts to him, and was ordered by him to send a brigade of cavalry to attack this train on the Leesburg pike. Col. William B. Tibbits, of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry, commanding the First Brigade, was ordered to proceed with the two remaining regiments of his brigade, the Fifteenth New York Cavalry being already out, on the Purcellville road toward the pike, and to attack the rebel train. He also took two pieces of Battery B, First Virginia Light Artillery. He reached the rebel wagon train at the junction of the Purcellville road with the Leesburg pike. Dividing his forces into several detachments so as to embrace as large a portion of the train as practicable, he succeeded in capturing from the rebel train about 200 wagons and about 150 prisoners. The enemy bringing against him a superior force (from the rear of their train) consisting of a division of infantry and some cavalry and artillery, he was obliged to relinquish all but 54 of his prisoners and 80 of the wagons. Of these 80 wagons he brought off some 37 and burned the remainder, which were disabled on the road. He also captured about 100 horses and some 50 mules. The wagons captured were filled with various kinds of plunder, which had been stolen in Maryland. This property and most of the wagons, together with the prisoners, were sent under charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Vernon, of the Second Maryland [First Potomac Home Brigade] Cavalry, commanding the dismounted men of that regiment, to Harper's Ferry, Va. I regret to report that in the engagement one piece of my artillery, the carriage having been broken and one caisson broken, were obliged to be abandoned and left in the woods, the enemy pressing too hard to admit of their being brought away.

The loss in Colonel Tibbits' command was as follows: Killed, enlisted men, 3. Wounded, commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 5. Missing, commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 10. Aggregate, commissioned officers, 2; enlisted men, 18.

Colonel Tibbits is entitled to much credit for the gallant manner in which he conducted this enterprise in the face of the whole rebel army. His force was very small, numbering only about 300 enlisted men.

At 6 p.m. of this day, under orders from General Crook, I started with my command for Purcellville, via Wood Grove. At about 9 p.m. my advance encountered a picket force of the enemy, some 300 strong, at Wood Grove. They engaged them in the dark, and drove them out without loss to my command. The enemy's loss was not ascertained. I encamped at Purcellville on the pike at midnight. The rebel army and train had passed over the road some two hours before in great confusion.

On the morning of the 17th I was ordered to proceed with my division and Colonel Mulligan's brigade of infantry to Snicker's Gap. I reached the gap at about 12 m., meeting with no opposition from the enemy until arriving at the ford beyond the gap, where I found the enemy posted in considerable force on the western bank of the Shenandoah. I engaged them with artillery, infantry, and dismounted cavalry until night. I was, however, unable to force their position, their artillery and infantry completely commanding the ford. My losses this day were as follows: Killed, enlisted men, 7; wounded, enlisted men, 3; missing, commissioned officers, 2; enlisted men, 5; total killed, wounded, and missing, commissioned officers, 2; enlisted men, 15 <ar70_321>

At dark I withdrew my cavalry from the gap, in order to find water and grass for my horses, which were very much jaded. I left a strong picket in the gap, and encamped my command near Snickersville.

On the 18th I was relieved by an infantry force and ordered to proceed to Ashby's Gap, for which place I started at about 1 p.m. I regret to report that while on the march this day the limber chest of one piece of Keeper's battery exploded, killing 1 man instantly and seriously wounding 5 others; also wounding 2 horses. The piece was disabled, but was taken along. This day we encountered some of Mosby's guerrillas. I encamped my command for the night near Upperville, Va., having marched fifteen miles.

On the 19th of July I reached Ashby's Gap, at about 10 a.m., my advance encountering and driving out a small force of the enemy. Pushing on to the ford, I crossed a part of my command, when they were met by a heavy fire from the enemy, who were posted in a wood and behind a stone fence. At the same time the enemy opened with two pieces of artillery. Under this fire I was unable to cross the remainder of my command, the Second Brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Middleton, giving way in considerable confusion, and falling back until beyond the range of the rebel artillery. Major Anderson, who had crossed the river with a portion of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, being overpowered by superior numbers, was obliged to recross the river some distance below the ford. A force of riflemen from the enemy, posted behind a stone fence, completely commanded the ford and the river-bank with their long-range rifles. Colonel Tibbits, commanding the First Brigade, held his command steady under this fire in admirable order. I caused one regiment of his brigade to be dismounted and deployed along the river-bank as skirmishers. The remainder of this brigade was held in reserve. At the same time I caused Captain Keeper's battery to be placed in position, and shelled the rebels vigorously, compelling them to move their artillery frequently and to change the position of their forces on the field. During the day my skirmishers engaged the enemy vigorously on the river-bank. The rebels did not display a force to exceed 1,000, with two pieces of artillery. About 5 p.m. I again attempted the crossing of the river. The Twenty-first New York Cavalry, of Colonel Tibbits' (First) brigade, was ordered to charge across the ford and attack the enemy's position, and, if possible, to dislodge them. This movement was superintended by one of my staff in person. The regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz Simmons, charged gallantly across the ford and up to the very mouths of the enemy's cannon. They were met by a very destructive fire from the rebel riflemen and artillery, and compelled again to recross the river. This charge, though a desperate one, was splendidly executed. One-fifth of the men of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry engaged, and about one-half of the officers, including Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz Simmons, were either killed or wounded in the charge. The enemy now displayed several regiments of infantry, six pieces of artillery, and a regiment of cavalry. He did not, however, attempt to follow across the ford. The available force of my command being only about 2,000, I did not again attempt the passage of the ford. My artillery did excellent execution. The next day I ascertained from citizens who crossed into my lines that the enemy lost 100 in killed and wounded. This night, leaving the ford strongly guarded, I «21 R R--VOL XXXVII, PT I» <ar70_322> posted the main body of my command in the gap. My men were out of carbine ammunition, and my artillery left with but seven rounds to the piece. I regret to report that through the shameful mismanagement and neglect of the officer in command--Captain Montgomery, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry--one squadron, which was picketing the rear of the gap, and within one mile of my command, was captured by Mosby's guerrillas, with all their horses, arms, and equipments. The loss by the capture was 2 commissioned officers, 50 enlisted men, and about 55 horses. I have recommended the officer commanding this squadron for dismissal.

The losses in my command this day were as follows:

First Brigade, Col. W. B. Tibbits, commanding: Killed--enlisted men, 10; wounded, commissioned officers, 7; enlisted men, 27; missing, 6.

Second Brigade, Lieut. Col. G. Middleton, commanding: Killed--enlisted men, 2; wounded--enlisted men, 10; missing--commissioned officers, 2; enlisted men, 60.

Total: Killed--enlisted men, 12; wounded--commissioned officers, 7; enlisted men, 37; missing--commissioned officers, 2; enlisted men, 66. Aggregate, 124.

During the 20th my command was held in line of battle. The enemy although keeping up a desultory fire upon my skirmishers on the river-bank did not attempt the passage of the river. My men were entirely destitute of rations, having been able to obtain but one day's supply on leaving Snicker's Gap. My horses were without forage, save what hay could be obtained by the men in foraging parties without the gap. These foraging parties were much annoyed by detachments of Mosby's guerrillas. On the evening of the 20th I received a train of rations, also some ambulances for the transportation of my wounded, together with orders to move to Snicker's Gap with my command, and to follow the army. In accordance with these orders I proceeded with my command on the morning of the 21st of July to Snicker's Ford, crossed, and camped near that place. During this day's march we succeeded in capturing 6 of Mosby's men, and breaking up their den at what is called "The Trap" between Upperville and Snickersville; also in capturing about 50 horses which had been run back into that country for safety. Mosby's gang is now considerably increased in numbers by men detailed from various regiments. His force now numbers about 300 men. Thence on the 22d, having reported to Major-General Crook with my command, I moved with the army to Winchester, Va. Having camped this night at Milltown, two miles south of Winchester, I sent one brigade, under Colonel Higgins, to picket and hold in check the enemy at Kernstown, who had driven in one brigade of General Averell's division. This brigade held the position during the night.

On the 23d of July, at 7 a.m., I received notice from Colonel Higgins that the enemy were advancing and driving back his skirmish line. I immediately communicated this information to General Crook, under whose orders I proceeded with my command to Kernstown. At this point I engaged the enemy with my cavalry and Keeper's battery of artillery until about 3 p.m. One brigade, under Colonel Tibbits, was deployed in line of battle on the right, while the Second Brigade occupied the left, with a line of mounted skirmishers along the whole front. One regiment was sent on a side road to the right in order to prevent a flank movement. At 1 p.m., <ar70_323> having discovered the position of a regiment of the enemy's cavalry, I determined to charge them. For this purpose I ordered one squadron from Colonel Tibbits brigade to charge in front for the purpose of drawing out a charging party from the enemy, which being effected, another squadron from Colonel Tibbits was to charge in the rear of the rebel charging party, while a squadron from Colonel Higgins, on the left, was to charge in support of Colonel Tibbits squadron. By this disposition of my forces I hoped to capture a party of the rebels. The party charging in front were successful in drawing out about two squadrons of the rebel cavalry.

Colonel Tibbits' squadron charged from the right in the rebel rear, and Colonel Higgins' squadron from the left. But the whole plan was unfortunately frustrated by Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, of the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, who had rallied a portion of his skirmish line which had given away before the rebel charging party. Mistaking the squadron of Colonel Tibbits' brigade for the rebels, he charged upon them without orders, and coming upon them unexpectedly, diverted them from the pursuit of the rebels, thus allowing the rebel party to escape. I must here remark that the stupidity of this officer has been repeatedly manifested whilst under my command. He is, in my opinion, by no means worthy the position he occupies. My cavalry remained on the field until night, when the enemy having retired, all the forces were withdrawn, leaving Colonel Tibbits' brigade to picket the front.

On the morning of the 24th, at 7.30 o'clock, I received word from Colonel Tibbits that the enemy were advancing, apparently in force, and that his skirmishers were warmly engaged just beyond Kernstown. Having communicated this information to General Crook, I was ordered to proceed with my whole command immediately to the front. Accordingly, I proceeded to Kernstown and there ascertained that the enemy was advancing in force. I disposed my forces with Colonel Tibbits' brigade on the right and Colonel Higgins' on the left. My position was held until the infantry forces came up and took position, when I was ordered to occupy the left and right flanks of the infantry. After an hour of brisk fighting, I discovered that the rebels had turned our left flank. At that time Colonel Hayes' brigade of infantry was far in the advance, on the left of the infantry. In order to give him full time to extricate himself from his position, I caused a charge to be made upon the enemy's right by two squadrons of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was done, and succeeded in throwing the enemy into temporary confusion. The enemy having again rallied, and displaying a heavy force, with an evident determination to turn our left, I charged them with the whole of my Second Brigade, which, however, numbered but 700 men. This charge checked the rebel column for about half an hour. Having recalled this brigade, I was ordered by General Crook to fall back. This I did, withdrawing my whole command slowly, and contesting the ground until reaching the town. Having reached Winchester, I received orders to send one brigade with the wagon train, and accordingly sent Colonel Higgins with the Second Brigade. Colonel Tibbits, with the First Brigade, was ordered to fall back on the right of the road. With two squadrons of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry, I remained on the left of the road. Having passed the town, the forces of General Averell rushed in on the left of the road in great confusion, having been charged by the rebel cavalry. I immediately drew up the detachment <ar70_324> of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry, which was with me, and charged the rebels as they came in view of the column, some 200 or 300 yards in front of us on our line of retreat. With this squadron I succeeded in striking the flank of the rebel column, checking and turning them back temporarily, but owing to the jaded condition of the horses, which had been all day on duty, it was impossible to follow up the advantage. Colonel Hayes, with his infantry brigade, changed front on his right wing, and gave the enemy a very destructive volley. At the same time Colonel Tibbits charged the enemy on the right of the road, and succeeded in checking them. Subsequently, just after dark, Major Jennings, with the two squadrons of the Twenty-first New York Cavalry, on the left of the road, again charged the enemy with the endeavor to capture some prisoners, but was unsuccessful, the enemy's horses Being much better than his. I regret to report that Colonel Higgins, commanding the Second Brigade, which went with the wagon train, by his shameful mismanagement and by orders given to the teamsters to take the trot, together with the circulating of a rumor from the rear to the effect that our artillery had been charged in the rear and a part of it captured, caused a disgraceful stampede amongst the wagons, resulting in the abandonment and burning of some twenty wagons. That night my command lay in line of battle near Bunker Hill.

On the 25th I arrived in Martinsburg in the rear of the army. My division was engaged with the enemy most of the day. With the Second Brigade I charged and drove the enemy from the town. Colonel Tibbits with his brigade charged the enemy beyond the town and drove him back. The casualties in my command were slight this day. Upon the retreat of the army this night to Williamsport my command covered the rear, arriving in camp at 1 a.m. of the 26th.

On the 26th of July, at 7 a.m., under orders from General Crook, I proceeded with my command to Sharpsburg, Md., to picket the fords on the Potomac from Downsville to Harper's Ferry. I placed one brigade on picket.

On the 27th of July I received orders from General Crook to proceed with my command to Harper's Ferry, Va. I reached here (Harper's Ferry) and camped the same day at Pleasant Valley, near Sandy Hook, leaving, however, my pickets at a]l the fords on the Potomac which I had been ordered to picket.

Permit me to state that during this campaign of twelve days, which has been a very arduous one, I have been unable to secure forage of grain for my horses, and, during a part of the time, not even hay. The horses of my command were unshod when started from Martinsburg on the 14th of July, many of them having just been drawn, while the remainder had marched from Charleston to Parkersburg, W. Va. My command had just returned from Lynchburg, Va., and were completely worn down. Indeed, I may say they have been on the march continually since the last of April, a period of three months.

A tabular statement of the losses in my command during the period covered in this report is appended.

My command is now almost utterly worn down. The horses are thin in flesh, and without shoes. The men are without necessary clothing. A little time for rest and reorganization is very greatly needed. An entire remount is required. All the regiments are <ar70_325> badly scattered, dismounted detachments of my cavalry being stationed at various points within and without the department. I earnestly beg the assistance of the commanding general in collecting my troops together, that I may be able to make them efficient and well disciplined.

I am thankful to the officers and men for the gallantry and fortitude displayed under all circumstances. I would especially mention Col. William B. Tibbits, Twenty-first New York Cavalry, commanding the First Brigade, already alluded to in this report, as a gallant and meritorious officer, and one in every way deserving promotion.

The following members of my staff were present with me, and discharged their duties in a highly commendable manner: Capt. E. W. Clark, jr., assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Robert E. Hedden, division commissary of subsistence: Lieut. Benjamin J. Ricker, jr., aide-de-camp; Lieut. W. B. Laishe, aide-de-camp; Capt. C. W. Boyd, division ordnance officer; Capt. S. J. Steves, division provost-marshal; Surg. Frederick Elliott, acting medical director.

A part of the above-named officers were sent with the train, and succeeded in checking the disgraceful stampede which was occa-sioned by Colonel Higgins.

Captain McCue, Twenty-first New York Cavalry, is deserving of mention for gallantly in the charge which that regiment made at Ashby's Gap. Such officers as have failed to perform their duties properly, or have shown cowardice in action, have already been recommended by me for dismissal.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.