The Unknown Battles

[VA Redleg]

Here is a challenge for you; let's try and get a list of all the "other", or "little battles" that don't seem to get their deserved press.
I'll start with the Battle of Brown's Mill, also called the battle of Newnan, though it happened a bit south of that Georgia city. It was primarily a cavalry affair and a Confederate victory during the Atlanta Campaign.
Next . . .

[gary]

Battle of Pocotaligo, South Carolina (Oct. 22, 1862)

On Oct. 21, Union Brigadier General J. M. Brannan led a expedition from Hilton Head up the Broad River to prevent the rebels for rapidly transporting their troops from one point to another... [it was necessary] to interrupt the railroad communications between Charleston and Savannah. One of the objective points selected was Pocotaligo, near the bridge crossing by that name. They didn't destroy the bridge as the retreating Confederates did that for them.

[bankerpapaw]

How about Jenkin's Ferry on the Saline River between
Leola and Sheridan?

[bankerpapaw]

Oops!!! I didn't mention that Jenkins Ferry was in Arkansas.

[bankerpapaw]

Originally Posted by VA Redleg

Here is a challenge for you; let's try and get a list of all the "other", or "little battles" that don't seem to get their deserved press.
I'll start with the Battle of Brown's Mill, also called the battle of Newnan, though it happened a bit south of that Georgia city. It was primarily a cavalry affair and a Confederate victory during the Atlanta Campaign.
Next . . .

Excellant post. The "little" battles seem to stand in the shadows when compared to the "big" battles. I'm sure the family of the Yank or Reb killed in a small skirmish mourned just as much for the man killed at Gettysburg.

[M E Wolf]

Dear VA_Redleg,

Thank you for the challenge:
UPTON'S HILL, VA.,
September 4, 1862 - 6.45 p. m.
A. V. COLBURN,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
The firing upon General Pleasonton's command was from, possibly, three pieces of light artillery. The small-arm fighting was confirmed to the head of the enemy's column, deployed as skirmishers, with some dismounted men or infantry, it is not certain which. The pickets of Pleasonton's command, Eighth Illinois and Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, skirmished with them. We lost 2 men shot. The force of the enemy did not come beyond the edge of the woods, 1 1/2 or 2 miles above Falls Church, and no large numbers were actually seen. The reports sent by General Pleasonton were necessarily those brought in by his men. A regiment of cavalry, with two light pieces, rapidly handled, would account for all the demonstration I could see with my glass, but there may have been more. General Pleasonton's cavalry being ordered away, we shall not have cavalry to scout the country till General Buford's arrive. Scouts report all quiet toward Fairfax and Little River pike.
J. D. COX,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
---------
FALLS CHURCH, VA.,
September 4, 1862 - 1.30 p. m.
Brigadier-General MARCY, Chief of Staff:
The squadron on the Vienna road reports the enemy to be approaching from that direction in some force. Had 1 man badly wounded in skirmish. There is also a force of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under the lieutenant-colonel, on same road. My own opinion is, the enemy is only making a show of force to conceal his movements on the Upper Potomac. Please let me have the horse batteries promised as soon as they can be spared.
A. PLEASONTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
---------------
UNION MILLS, VA., May 30, 1863.
Brigadier General GEORGE J. STANNARD,
Metropolitan Hotel, Washington, D. C.:
The first train down this morning was thrown from the track at 10 o'clock, near Catlett's, by a loosened rail. The train was the n fired on by artillery masked in the bushes, the engine boiler burst by a ball, and the train of ten cars burned. The guard and all hands escaped into the woods. Rebel force represented at about 100. Our cavalry went at once in pursuit, with what result we have not learned.
G. G. BENEDICT,
Aide-de-camp.
-----------------
FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, May 30, 1863.
Captain C. H. POTTER,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
A raid was made on Catlett's Station, but, as I stated in my former dispatch, my forces pursued the rebels and whipped them badly, and took from them the same pieces of artillery with which they destroyed the train. The result shows that we are on the alert, and that proper arrangements were made.
Respectfully,
JUL. STAHEL,
Major-General.
-----------

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Fort Buffalo, Va., August 24, 1864-9 a.m.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that a dispatch has just been received from the officer commanding at Annadale. He stores that Mosby attacked and drove in the pickets on the Faifax Court-House road this morning about 5 o'clock. Afterward attacked the stockade, shelled it awhile, ordered it three times to surrender, and finding it would not, withdrew and gave up the attack, probably with an intention to threaten some other part of our picket-line. On learning of the attack every available man was sent out from here to give relief. Mosby had with him two pieces of artillery and with a force variously estimated at from less than 200 to 300, and even 500, men. No damage, was done by him, except the wounding of one horse. The firing lasted about three-quarters of an hour, and the cannon were placed not over 300 or 400 yards from the stockade. The morning was exceedingly foggy and what execution was done by our men is not known.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. LAZELLE,
Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade.

----------------
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Fort Buffalo, Va., August 24, 1864
Brigadier-General DE RUSSY,
Comdg. Defenses South of the Potomac, Fort Corcoran, Va.:
GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that the attack at Annandale has ceased and the rebels withdrew, perhaps with the intention of attacking some other part of my picket-line. The attacking party is said to have consisted of from less than 200 to 300, even 500 men, with two pieces artillery, all under Mosby. No damage was done.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. LAZELLE,
Colonel Sixteenth New York Cavalry, Commanding Brigade.
-----------------------
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Fort Buffallo, Va., August 25, 1864.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the party under Colonel Gansevoort returned early this morning. Colonel Gansevoort obtained positive information that there is no force at either Warrenton or Culpeper; that the Orange and Alexandria Railroad is used only as far as Culpeper; that squads of 50 and 100 men frequently come up on the railroad and pass through Culpeper on their way to join the main command in the Valley, and that a large force, consisting of over 10,000 infantry and cavalry, passed through Warrenton about a week since. This is probably the force of which you have already been informed. The usual small parties of guerrillas were met with. The party captured and brought in five prisoners (two soldiers and three citizens), forty horses, one mule,horse equipments, and harness leather. A number of rebel uniforms were found in a house near Warrenton and burned. A picket-post, consisting of a corporal and three men (near this camp), of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, was attacked at 2 a.m. to-day by a party of mounted rebels; four horses and two men were taken; one man badly wounded, and the corporal escaped. Augustus Klock, a citizen living near Falls Church, was arrested by Mosby yesterday near Vienna, and was released this morning. He states that Mosby on releasing him told him to inform me that he (Mosby) had sent Major W. H. Forbes and Captain Mauning, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, to the penitentiary, in retaliation for the confinement of Jack Barness and Phil. Trammell, two of Mosby's men. Both were tried by a court-martial in Washington and sentenced to the Albany penitentiary. Barnes, I believe, was tried for violation of the oath of allegiance and stealing horses; Trammell, for being a guerrilla. It has been ascertained quite positively that the person alluded to by you in your communication of August 24 as in the habit of visiting a female in the vicinity of Vienna is not an officer, but a non-commissioned officer of the Second Massachusetts Cavalry, who was yesterday relieved and ordered to rejoin his regiment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. LAZELLE,
Colonel Sixteenth New York Vol. Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade.
-----------
Near Fort Buffalo, Va., September 19, 1864.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that nothing has occurred in this vicinity for the past twenty-four hours worthy of mention. Information considered very reliable has reached here to-day that in the skirmish with the Thirteenth New York Cavalry on the last scout of that regiment Colonel Mosby was seriously wounded, a pistol-bullet striking the handle of the pistol in his belt and glancing off in his groin. He was able, however, to ride off, but soon failed, and was carried in a wagon to a place of safety. Heavy artillery firing was heard this morning in the direction of Ashby's Gap.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. S. GANSEVOORT,
Colonel Thirteenth New York Cavalry, Commanding.
--------
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, &C.,
September 19, 1864.
Brigadier-General WILSON:
MY DEAR WILSON: I wish I could have had you with me to-day, but general Sheridan tells me your division did magnificently. I hear you have lost heavily. I am, too, sorry about Mcintosh and Chapman. The First Division captured 761 men and 64 officers, 9 battle-flags (infantry) and 1 gun, 2 caissons. McQuesten was killed. Rodenbourgh lost an arm. Killed and wounded about 150.
Yours,
TORBERT.
-------------
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Near Fort Buffalo, Va., October 17, 1864.
Lieutenant Colonel J. H. TAYLOR,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that an alarm, to the effect that a large force of Mosby's cavalry, reported by Captain Schneider, commanding stockade at Annandale, as about 400, and that they are now at Annandale, exists at the time of present writing, 8 p.m. I have sent forty men from here to that point, all that can be spared. This will leave the effective strength here about 150 men, and make it at Annandale 115 men. I have sent General De Russy word of these dispositions. This place can be held against all that Mosby has with our present force and information.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. LAZELLE,
Colonel Sixteenth New York Vol. Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Brigade.
-------------------
AUGUST 27 - 28, 1861.- Skirmishes near Bailey's Cross- Roads, Va.
Report of Brigadier General James Longstreet, C. S . Army.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, FIRST CORPS,
August 28, 1861.
COLONEL: I send herewith the report of Colonel J. E. B. Stuart of the affairs of yesterday, and send a list of killed and wounded.* The prisoners (eight) were forwarded under guard about two hours ago. The left of our position at Munson's and Upton's is not properly guarded, nor have I the means of watching it properly. my cavalry force after taking couriers for the headquarters, and supplying General Jones with his twenty men, gives me from fourteen to twenty; just enough for an escort for the field officer of the day. General Bonham writes me that he has three or four vedettes at Vienna. I think that he has no more out in any important direction. If he could establish a picket at Lewisville it would make the watch from all points perfect and relieve my force at Falls Church of a great deal of anxiety. This would be entirely safe from anything like a surprise. Some commanding point south of that, where the troops could retreat upon Falls Church, would answer the same purpose, if he has not force enough to keep up the lookout at Lewisville. If it is established, the party in position should be particularly cautioned to give notice at Falls Church of any advance against us. I find some inconvenience in getting our supplies of rations. We can only get fo
ur or five days' rations at a time. This keeps me constantly on the watch and is
exceedingly annoying. My staff officers are all fresh, and I am obliged to look to every little item.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
Colonel T. JORDAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
--------------
Report of Colonel J. E. B. Stuart, C. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS,
Munson's Hill, August 28, 1861.
GENERAL: I inclose a list of killed and wounded. * I have no time for a detailed report of the affair of yesterday, but I acquainted Rev. D. Ball, chaplain, to my regiment, as well as Major Skinner, with all the particulars, and requested them to inform you last night, which I hope will answer for the present. As soon as it was fair light this morning I had a piece of rifled cannon, Washington Battery [Artillery,], brought clandestinely in position to bear on Bailey's Cross- Roads and fired four shots, distance being by the shots 1,350 yards. THE shots took effect admirably, dispersing the entire force at that point, and developed what it was my object to ascertain- that they had no artillery there. Munson's Hill. The a fire of artillery dispersed also a long line of skirmishers, who ran precipitately without being in the slightest danger from its shots. The First Regiment is at Falls Church, and I have directed its commander to hold himself in readiness to move up to my support, or act to the left, as circumstances indicate. Two companies of that regiment are ordered to occupy the ridge along Upton's. I sent back Beckham's section of artillery, as the men were pretty well used up from fatigue and hunger, and I ma now going to send back to Falls Church. I believe this a fine line of defense; I mean the line passing through this and Mason's Hill. Every inch of the road is visible from here to Bailey's Cross- Roads. The force now here and at Falls Church I consider sufficient for the present, and the best school of practice possible for our troops. I consider the enemy's design not to meet us outside their trenches enforce pretty well developed. please send this to General Johnson for me.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. B. STUART,
Colonel. Commanding.
[J. LONGSTREET,
Brigadier-General.]
P. S.- The scattered fragments of the force at Bailey's Cross- Roads reassembled, and I have the piece in position to stir them up again whenever they group in sufficient force to warrant the expenditure of our ammunition.
J. E. B. S.
[indorsement.]
The list of prisoners forwarded about two hours ago should be added to this report.
J. LONGSTREET,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
[5.]
---------------
*Shows 1 killed and 6 wounded.
----------------
So, there was action around Annandale, Bailey's Cross Roads, Ft. Buffalo (Seven Corners where the old Landsburg store was), Munson Hill (Rt. 7 approaching Bailey's X road from Ft. Buffalo).



Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[larry_cockerham]

On the morning of December 26, 1864 near the Peach and Appleton communities, the rear guard of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Edward Walthall set an ambush along Sugar Creek for James Harrison Wilson's 4th US Cavalry. The battle ensued in dense fog resulting in about 450 Union deaths (and several Confederates). The purpose was to buy time for the retreating Army of Tennessee who were on their way to Bainbridge, Alabama to cross the river into relative safety after the Battle of Nashville. This was the last American Civil War battle in Tennessee.

[johan_steele]

A battle so insignificant that it is in no way mentioned in the OR or in Generals reports. Those that participated and who came upon the scene after would never forget what they saw. The horror of it sent at least two women, in a carriage, who came upon the scene reeling. They would be forever scarred by the experiance.

On a lovely spring saturday in 1864 a blockhouse along the Tennessee River stood careful watch over a crossing. Saturday was wash day and the Norwegian garrison, perhaps fifty men with a Sergeant in command of the post. The Norwegians of the US Army had garnered a well earned reputation as tough and hardy soldiers standing bravely on numerous occasions. This particular morning the sun rose and it promised to be a warm day with a light breeze.

It was the perfect day for laundry. And these boy desperately needed to launder their uniforms as some had accused them of smelling as bad as their precious Lutefisk. So early in the morning the command stepped out of the blockhouse and headed the fifty or so yards to the river stacked arms. They eagerly began the process of polluting the river with their wash and taking full advantage of the situation to bathe as well. Their Sergeant in full diligence positioned himself at the lip of the bank and watched his post.

That same morning a group of Rebel partisans were given a valuable piece of intelligence; a solitary blockhouse had been abandoned just that morning. Alocal child had seen them early in the morning form up and march away. Now was a chance to strike at the hated invaders. They would destroy the blockhouse thus preventing its re-occupation in the future. So off they went, destiny and easy glory for the cause waited. Thus a set ot truly tragic events began a story that would grow with each telling.

Those partisans quickly gathered and mounted their horses, moving with all speed the advanced upon the abandoned blockhouse with arson upon their minds. And upon arrival they were pleased to discover that their intelligence was indeed correct. The post had been hurridly abandoned, cook pots and blankes were still in evidence but the garrison was gone. The gallant partisans began the preperations to fire the place.

The Sergeant watched a large group of the enemy swoolp down upon his post. Fear and anger welled up inside of him as he gathered his men to retake their post. There was no time for preperations, they would have to retake the post by thye bayonet. he gave his orders and his small command grimly nodded their understanding and agreement. There was no way they would allow their post to be taken cheaply, to do so would tarnish the honor of the Regiment; that could not be tolerated.

So the small command stood to at the lip of the river bank, grimly fixed bayonets and prepared themselves. With a quiet nod the Sergeant rose from their position with his command and they moved upon the enemy cavalry with a roar and an impetuous charge.

Out of the mist came a deep throated roar and the Rebel partisans saw a scene as though from hell itself. Ut was a trap! A Company, nay an entire Regiment was charging them steel bayonets glistening. But that was not the truly terrifying sight, it was their uniforms... or rather lack of them that caught the men so off guard. For you see only the man leading the charge wore a uniform; the men that followed him wore only drawers and what the good Lord had gifted them with. That was just too much, the partisans broke and ran. An unexpected bayonet assault is not a thing many men are willing to stand and accept and these men were no regulars in the Army of Tennessee but partisans.

The small garison reached the safety of their blockhouse and praised the good Lord for their fortune, not a shot had been fired at them and the enemy had been so suprised by their audacious charge that they had run. But they would regroup and come for them. There could be no doubt of that. So the small garrison ook their posts and waited the inevitable attack... for the most part naked or near to it.

The partisans were humiliated, driven from their prize by men who lacked even uniforms. There must be a redemtion! So when one of the scouts reported a small column of infantry approaching it was decided to capture them. The enemy were deployed in column on a road, oblivious to the presence of this mounted force. Shock was decided to be the most effective weapon, they would conduct an old fashioned cavalry charge. The enemy could not resist a mounted charge. So they waited in the treeline for the hated foe to enetr the kill zone; they would redeem themsleves!

A company of men, proud members of the 15th Corps moved along the road at their traditional pace eating step. Easy garrison duty was ahead of them. A few days on the river away from the camp. Easy duty for men who deserved a break. These were the same men that had faced Cleburne on the slopes beside Mission Ridge, they had been given a bloody nose by that foe but the rest of the army had swept Bragg's army off the ridge like so much chaff. Every man in the column was a veteran of places like Shiloh, Iuka, Champions Hill and the siege of Vicksburg. And cavalry did not firghten them, especially the ragtag force that emrged from the woods a hundred yards distant. A simply right face and a volley into their face shattered the charge. The skirmishers in front and behind the column added their fire shattering the charge and felling more than a dozen horses and men. The surviors pulled up, turned and ran.

They gathered a few prisoners, collected a couple wounded men and rapidly buried those that had begun their journey to be read in the book. The short distraction lasted less than an hour. On the marched to their posts. To their amusement the garrison emerged from their post to meet them and change the guard so to speak.

Oh what a sight it must have been as that carriage full of ladies crested the hill and saw such a site. Fifty men drawn up in ranks preparing to transfer the post to their relief; with but one man wearing a uniform. It was said the men heard the screams of shock and panic from a distance of more than four hundred yards. Oddly the carriage swung away from the blockhouse so quickly it nearly spilled its lovely cargo upon the soil. At breakneck speed the carriage left the vacinity of those terrifying naked Norsemen... though not half so shamed as them men who had broken and ran before the charge of those same Naked Norseman. But in fairness to those genteel ladies and brave partisans not many would willingly submit to an attack by a Naked Norwegian... the humainty of it!

[ole]

But in fairness to those genteel ladies and brave partisans not many would willingly submit to an attack by a Naked Norwegian... the humainty of it!

I resemble that remark! Take it back or I'll mail you some lutefisk.

ole

[M E Wolf]

Dear Johan_Steele,

I love it, when the 'naked' truth comes out!

Where in Tennessee was this to have taken place, more specificly? -- If you know?

Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf