Cedar Creek Report, Commander, 1st Connecticut Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 3d Cavalry Division (OR, 43, 535-6)

 

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CONNECTICUT CAVALRY,

December 9, 1864.

CAPTAIN. In obedience to orders from the colonel commanding the brigade, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the First Connecticut Cavalry since the 1Sth of October, 1864:

At that time the regiment was under the command of Capt A. W. French, camped near Cedar Creek. Early on the morning of the 19th it broke camp, moved across the pike, then to the extreme right of the line, and at 4 p. m. moved forward in advance of the whole division. It charged a portion of the enemy under Rosser, drove them across the creek and held them until after dark, when Captain French was ordered to picket the creek at Cupps Mill. On the next day he was directed to march in the direction of Front Loyal in search of guns said to have been abandoned by the enemy. Finding none he returned and camped near Middletown. The next day he moved to the old camp near Cedar Creek on the battle-ground of the 19th. On the 24th Instant the regiment was on picket; was relieved next day and remained in camp till the 27th, when it went on a reconnaissance to Tom's Brook, returning the same day. For the next eight days it remained quietly in camps and on the 5th of November, Capt. J. B. Rogers commanding the. regiment, was ordered to make a reconnaissance to Tom's Brook, which he did, finding no enemy. Excepting an occasional tour of picket duty and change of camp, the regiment experienced nothing of interest till the 12th instant, when Captain Rogers was ordered to make a reconnaissance toward Cedar Creek. During this an attempt was made by the enemy to surround him, and he was compelled to fall back, but being reinforced by portions of the brigade the enemy was in turn forced to retire. During the action Captain Rogers was severely Wounded in the foot, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Capt. J. B. Storehouse.

On the 13th the regiment went with the division on a reconnaissance toward Cedar Creek, returned the same day, and continued in camp till the 17th, when Captain Morehouse was ordered to make a reconnaissance to Middletown. Finding no enemy he returned to camp and remained till the 21st instant. He then started for Remount Camp Pleasant Valley, Md., having in his charge the unserviceable horses of t e brigade. E[e camped near Martineburg that night and reached the camp on the 22d instant. Here Major Whitaker assumed command of the regiment, and worked diligently for the next three days in providing the men with such articles as they required. On the 25th instant I arrived at the camp and took command of the regiment. Horses, were issued to me on the 28th, and I started for the front, but was ordered back on account of a threatened movement by Mosby. Late in the afternoon of the 29th I received orders from Major Otis, special inspector cavalry, to proceed to Martineburg and guard to the front a drove of cattle. I camped that night at Duffield's, reached Martins burg the day following, and on the 1st of December took the cattle to Stephenson' s Depot, where I received orders to guard them till relieved ate in the afternoon of the Id instant I was relieved by Colonel Peck of the One hundred and seventy-third New York Infantry, and at 8 a. m. on the 3d I started for the headquarters of Major-General Torbert, which I reached at 12 m., and was ordered to report to Colonel Pennington, commanding First Brigade, Third Division.

In conclusion, I beg leave to call your attention to the fact that this report is necessarily meager, owing to the absence of both Captain Rogers and Captain French.

Very truly, your obedient servant,

BRAYTON IVES,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Capt A. H. MILLER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.