Civil War fact of the day. On this day in 1864, Lee forwarded Earlys report about happenings in the Valley to the Secretary of War. However, the report of the cavalry clashes seems to be at odds with the report that Henry Halleck received from Sheridan on this day as well. PETERSBURG, November 13, 1864. Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR: General Early reports that he moved down the Valley on the 10th to ascertain the position of the enemy, who was found entrenched between Newtown and Kernstown. Merritts and Custers divisions of cavalry attacked General Rosser, on General Earlys left, but were repulsed and driven several miles, losing 200 prisoners and a number of horses. Rossers command behaved very handsomely, particularly Lomaxs brigade, under Colonel Payne, and Wickhams, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morgan. About same time Powells cavalry division attacked McCauslands brigade at Cedarville, on the Front Royal road, and drove it across the river. Particulars not yet received. R. E. LEE. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major-General HALLECK. KERNSTOWN, November 12, 1864 - 10 p.m. (Received 7 p. m. 13th.) Yesterday evening the enemys cavalry made a demonstration on my front south of Newtown, and my scouts reported a large infantry force having moved down the pike to Middletown with the intention of attacking. This morning I had everything ready, but no attack was made. About 1 p. m. I moved Custers division of cavalry up the Back road and the Middle road. Renningtons brigade met two brigades of Rossers cavalry on the Back road, charged them, and drove them at a run four or five miles and across Cedar Creek, capturing some prisoners. While this was going on General Powell moved on the Front Royal pike and thence across toward Middletown. At Nineveh he met Lomaxs cavalry, increased by what is called John Morgans cavalry, charged it, capturing all of Lomaxs artillery (two pieces), with caissons, horses, artillerymen, &c., and his ammunition train, and ran his cavalry up the Luray Valley for a distance of eight or nine miles. One brigade of Merritts division moved up the pike late this evening, but nothing important occurred. Colonel Dudleys brigade, of the Nineteenth Corps, moved out to demonstrate in this cavalry movement; also some sharpshooters of the Sixth Corps. Our losses are very slight. I have to regret the loss of Colonel Hull, of Penningtons brigade, who was killed while gallantly leading a charge. Powell captured 14 commissioned officers, and brought in 35 wounded. As yet I have seen no infantry, and think the report of the scouts untruthful. P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 14:28:37 +0000
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