O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XIX/2 [S# 28]
OCTOBER 16-17, 1862.--Reconnaissance from Harper's Ferry to Charlestown, W. Va, and skirmish en route.
No. 1.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Army Corps.
CHARLESTOWN, October [17], 1862.
I have it from reliable authority, I think, that the enemy are in force at Winchester and Bunker Hill. My informant, a good Union man, certified to by Colonel Miles, a Northern man, says they are sending their wagons here every day and taking all the flour and wheat they can find in the country. They are destroying the railroad between here and Winchester. They were expected here to.day for the same purpose. He says there are from 800 to 1,000 cavalry about here and five guns. They have an encampment of cavalry of several regiments 3 miles from here, on the Berryville road. This gentleman says there is a very large force between Bunker Hill and Winchester, although he says he thinks they are "packing up," preparatory to a move. This gentleman says he is certain that the enemy were at Winchester yesterday.
Your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Major WALKER.
P. S.--This gentleman is Mr. Riddle, brother-in-law to Colonel Strother (Porte Crayon).
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XIX/2 [S# 28]
OCTOBER 16-17, 1862.--Reconnaissance from Harper's Ferry to Charlestown, W. Va, and skirmish en route.
No. 1.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS HANCOCK'S DIVISION,
Harper's Ferry, Va., October 22, 1862.
MAJOR: On the 16th instant in obedience to instructions, I marched toward Charlestown, Va., with my division and 1,500 men of other divisions, under command of Col. W. R. Lee, Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers, and a force of cavalry, with a battery of four guns (horse artillery), Colonel Devin being in command thereof. The advance, under Maj. C. J. Whiting, Second Regiment Cavalry, consisting of portions of the First, Second, Fifth, and Sixth Regular Cavalry, with the horse artillery battery of four guns, under command of Lieut. George Dickenson, Fourth Regiment of Artillery, started at daylight, and was immediately followed by the command.
[excerpt]
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Maj. FRANCIS A. WALKER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Corps d' Armee.
Potential relative
-------------------------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIX/2 [S# 49]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating Specially To Operations In North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, And Pennsylvania, From August 4 To December 31, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#17
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 18.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Clarksburg, W. Va., November 3, 1863.
The following officers are announced as assigned to staff duty at these headquarters:
Capt. Thayer Melvin, assistant adjutant-general.
Col. D. H. Strother, Third [West.] Virginia Cavalry, acting assistant inspector-general.
Lieut. Col. J. B. Frothingham, additional aide-de-camp, U.S. Army, commissary of musters.
Capt. Robert Adams, jr., Twenty-third Illinois Infantry, acting judge-advocate.
Capt. A. V. Barringer, chief quartermaster.
Capt. William H. Hosack, chief commissary of subsistence.
First Lieut. J. R. Meigs, U.S. Army, chief engineer.
Lieut. Col. William H. Mussey, surgeon, medical inspector.
Maj. J. V. Z. Blaney, surgeon, medical director.
Capt. William J. Matthews, Thirteenth [West] Virginia Infantry, First Lieut. W. B. Kelley, First [West] Virginia Infantry, and First Lieut. C. A. Freeman, First [West] Virginia Infantry, aides-de-camp.
By order of Brigadier-General Kelley:
THAYER MELVIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIII [S# 60]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1 TO APRIL 30, 1864.--#27
GENERAL ORDERS No. 19.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Cumberland, Md., April 24, 1864.
* * * * * * * * * *
II. The following changes and assignments of staff officers are announced:
Col. A. B. Jones, additional aide-de-camp, will perform the duties of assistant inspector-general of this department, his appointment to date from April 12, 1864.
Col. D. H. Strother, Third Virginia Cavalry, relieved by Colonel Jones as acting assistant inspector-general, is named as aide-de-camp, and will be assigned to special duty at these headquarters.
Maj. Franz Kappner, additional aide-de-camp, is assigned to special duty in the engineer department, under such instructions as he may at times receive from the general commanding; this to date from March 21, 1864.
Capt. J. B. Salisbury, commissary of subsistence, is appointed chief commissary of subsistence of this department, relieving Capt. W. H. Hosack, commissary of subsistence.
The general commanding the department tenders his sincere thanks to Captain Hosack for the efficient services rendered to the Government as chief commissary of the department.
By order of Major-General Sigel:
THAYER MELVIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/1 [S# 70]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, MAY 1 TO JUNE 30, 1864.(*)--#7
GENERAL ORDERS No. 31.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
In the Field, near Cedar Creek, May 24, 1864.
I. Col. D. H. Strother, Third West Virginia Cavalry, is hereby announced as chief of staff; Capt. H. A. Du Pont, Fifth U.S. Artillery, as chief of artillery; and Lieut. H. N. Harrison, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, as aide-de-camp, with the rank of captain, on the staff of the major-general commanding department. These officers will be respected and obeyed accordingly.
II. Maj. Henry Roessle, Fifteenth New York Cavalry, having grossly neglected his duty while in command of pickets, resulting in the capture of 11 men and 45 horses, is hereby dishonorably dismissed the service of the United States from this date, subject to the approval of His Excellency the President.(*)
III. It has been reported to the commanding general that Capt. Michael Auer, Company A. Fifteenth New York Cavalry, dismissed yesterday for the same offense, behaved bravely when aroused, and exerted himself to rally his surprised pickets. Personal bravery is indispensable in a good soldier, but cannot be urged as an excuse for gross neglect of a vital duty, thus endangering the lives of thousands of our follow-soldiers and the welfare of the country. Picket and outpost duty must be attended to with the greatest strictness. Careless and inefficient officers must give way to trustworthy privates.
By command of Major-General Hunter:
CHAS. G. HALPINE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/1 [S# 70]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, MAY 1 TO JUNE 30, 1864.(*)--#11
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Lexington, Va., June 12, 1864.
Brigadier-General AVERELL:
GENERAL: You will move your command to-morrow morning at 2 a.m. on the direct road to Buchanan, and, moving as rapidly as possible, you will endeavor to get possession of the bridge over the James River at that place, so as to hold it and prevent its destruction by the enemy. You will at the same time obtain all the information that can be had in regard to the roads and fords on the river. On your march you will send back couriers from time to time with information to the commanding general, who will follow on the same road with the main body of the army.
By order of Major-General Hunter:
D. H. STROTHER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
-----
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Lexington, June 12, 1864.
Brigadier-General AVERELL:
GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you send a party to destroy Buena vista Furnace, some five miles distant, on the White's Gap road. This should be done this afternoon, using such force to accomplish it as you may think necessary.
Very respectfully, yours,
D. H. STROTHER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
-----
M. E. Wolf
Post Script: Ms. Walker, let me know more about "Mr. Riddle" if you may. There are several.
Indiana connection would be this "Riddle."
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIV/2 [S# 37]
MAY 16, 1863.--Battle of Champion's Hill, or Baker's Creek, Miss.
No. 3.--Report of Col. James Keigwin, Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, First Brigade, including engagement at Big Black River Bridge.
IN THE FIELD, May 18, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the part taken by the Forty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the engagements with the enemy on the 16th instant at Champion's Hill and at Big Black Bridge on the 17th instant:
[excerpt]
My men during the day fought bravely, and I cannot speak in too high terms of the gallant bearing of both officers and men. I only had seven companies engaged in the fight, and they were small, numbering only 260 men. The other three were detailed in the morning to support one section of Captain Lanphere's battery. Major Hawhe and Adjutant Riddle deserve great credit for their cool and efficient aid rendered me during the day. And my line officers were ever in their places, urging their men to do their duty.
[excerpt]
JAMES KEIGWIN,
Colonel, Commanding.
W. A. JORDAN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
--------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIV/2 [S# 37]
MAY 19-JULY 4, 1863.--The Siege of Vicksburg, Miss.
No. 2.--Return of Casualties in the Union forces engaged at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.
OFFICERS DIED OF WOUNDS.
ILLINOIS.
Capt. John S. Riddle, 127th Infantry.
------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVI/1 [S# 41]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In West Florida, South Alabama, South Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, And New Mexico, From May 14 To December 31, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#10
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM P. BENTON.
Third Brigade.
Col. THOMAS W. BENNETT.
118th Illinois, Capt. Arthur W. Marsh.
49th Indiana, Lieut. George W. Riddle.
69th Indiana, Capt. Robert K. Collins.
7th Kentucky, Col. Reuben May.
120th Ohio, Maj. Willard Slocum.
7th Michigan Battery, Capt. Charles H. Lanphere.
--------------
M. E. Wolf
OCTOBER 16-17, 1862.--Reconnaissance from Harper's Ferry to Charlestown, W. Va, and skirmish en route.
No. 1.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Army Corps.
CHARLESTOWN, October [17], 1862.
I have it from reliable authority, I think, that the enemy are in force at Winchester and Bunker Hill. My informant, a good Union man, certified to by Colonel Miles, a Northern man, says they are sending their wagons here every day and taking all the flour and wheat they can find in the country. They are destroying the railroad between here and Winchester. They were expected here to.day for the same purpose. He says there are from 800 to 1,000 cavalry about here and five guns. They have an encampment of cavalry of several regiments 3 miles from here, on the Berryville road. This gentleman says there is a very large force between Bunker Hill and Winchester, although he says he thinks they are "packing up," preparatory to a move. This gentleman says he is certain that the enemy were at Winchester yesterday.
Your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Major WALKER.
P. S.--This gentleman is Mr. Riddle, brother-in-law to Colonel Strother (Porte Crayon).
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XIX/2 [S# 28]
OCTOBER 16-17, 1862.--Reconnaissance from Harper's Ferry to Charlestown, W. Va, and skirmish en route.
No. 1.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, Second Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS HANCOCK'S DIVISION,
Harper's Ferry, Va., October 22, 1862.
MAJOR: On the 16th instant in obedience to instructions, I marched toward Charlestown, Va., with my division and 1,500 men of other divisions, under command of Col. W. R. Lee, Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers, and a force of cavalry, with a battery of four guns (horse artillery), Colonel Devin being in command thereof. The advance, under Maj. C. J. Whiting, Second Regiment Cavalry, consisting of portions of the First, Second, Fifth, and Sixth Regular Cavalry, with the horse artillery battery of four guns, under command of Lieut. George Dickenson, Fourth Regiment of Artillery, started at daylight, and was immediately followed by the command.
[excerpt]
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WINF'D S. HANCOCK,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Maj. FRANCIS A. WALKER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Corps d' Armee.
Potential relative
-------------------------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIX/2 [S# 49]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating Specially To Operations In North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, And Pennsylvania, From August 4 To December 31, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#17
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 18.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Clarksburg, W. Va., November 3, 1863.
The following officers are announced as assigned to staff duty at these headquarters:
Capt. Thayer Melvin, assistant adjutant-general.
Col. D. H. Strother, Third [West.] Virginia Cavalry, acting assistant inspector-general.
Lieut. Col. J. B. Frothingham, additional aide-de-camp, U.S. Army, commissary of musters.
Capt. Robert Adams, jr., Twenty-third Illinois Infantry, acting judge-advocate.
Capt. A. V. Barringer, chief quartermaster.
Capt. William H. Hosack, chief commissary of subsistence.
First Lieut. J. R. Meigs, U.S. Army, chief engineer.
Lieut. Col. William H. Mussey, surgeon, medical inspector.
Maj. J. V. Z. Blaney, surgeon, medical director.
Capt. William J. Matthews, Thirteenth [West] Virginia Infantry, First Lieut. W. B. Kelley, First [West] Virginia Infantry, and First Lieut. C. A. Freeman, First [West] Virginia Infantry, aides-de-camp.
By order of Brigadier-General Kelley:
THAYER MELVIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIII [S# 60]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1 TO APRIL 30, 1864.--#27
GENERAL ORDERS No. 19.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Cumberland, Md., April 24, 1864.
* * * * * * * * * *
II. The following changes and assignments of staff officers are announced:
Col. A. B. Jones, additional aide-de-camp, will perform the duties of assistant inspector-general of this department, his appointment to date from April 12, 1864.
Col. D. H. Strother, Third Virginia Cavalry, relieved by Colonel Jones as acting assistant inspector-general, is named as aide-de-camp, and will be assigned to special duty at these headquarters.
Maj. Franz Kappner, additional aide-de-camp, is assigned to special duty in the engineer department, under such instructions as he may at times receive from the general commanding; this to date from March 21, 1864.
Capt. J. B. Salisbury, commissary of subsistence, is appointed chief commissary of subsistence of this department, relieving Capt. W. H. Hosack, commissary of subsistence.
The general commanding the department tenders his sincere thanks to Captain Hosack for the efficient services rendered to the Government as chief commissary of the department.
By order of Major-General Sigel:
THAYER MELVIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/1 [S# 70]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, MAY 1 TO JUNE 30, 1864.(*)--#7
GENERAL ORDERS No. 31.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
In the Field, near Cedar Creek, May 24, 1864.
I. Col. D. H. Strother, Third West Virginia Cavalry, is hereby announced as chief of staff; Capt. H. A. Du Pont, Fifth U.S. Artillery, as chief of artillery; and Lieut. H. N. Harrison, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, as aide-de-camp, with the rank of captain, on the staff of the major-general commanding department. These officers will be respected and obeyed accordingly.
II. Maj. Henry Roessle, Fifteenth New York Cavalry, having grossly neglected his duty while in command of pickets, resulting in the capture of 11 men and 45 horses, is hereby dishonorably dismissed the service of the United States from this date, subject to the approval of His Excellency the President.(*)
III. It has been reported to the commanding general that Capt. Michael Auer, Company A. Fifteenth New York Cavalry, dismissed yesterday for the same offense, behaved bravely when aroused, and exerted himself to rally his surprised pickets. Personal bravery is indispensable in a good soldier, but cannot be urged as an excuse for gross neglect of a vital duty, thus endangering the lives of thousands of our follow-soldiers and the welfare of the country. Picket and outpost duty must be attended to with the greatest strictness. Careless and inefficient officers must give way to trustworthy privates.
By command of Major-General Hunter:
CHAS. G. HALPINE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/1 [S# 70]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, MAY 1 TO JUNE 30, 1864.(*)--#11
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Lexington, Va., June 12, 1864.
Brigadier-General AVERELL:
GENERAL: You will move your command to-morrow morning at 2 a.m. on the direct road to Buchanan, and, moving as rapidly as possible, you will endeavor to get possession of the bridge over the James River at that place, so as to hold it and prevent its destruction by the enemy. You will at the same time obtain all the information that can be had in regard to the roads and fords on the river. On your march you will send back couriers from time to time with information to the commanding general, who will follow on the same road with the main body of the army.
By order of Major-General Hunter:
D. H. STROTHER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
-----
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Lexington, June 12, 1864.
Brigadier-General AVERELL:
GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you send a party to destroy Buena vista Furnace, some five miles distant, on the White's Gap road. This should be done this afternoon, using such force to accomplish it as you may think necessary.
Very respectfully, yours,
D. H. STROTHER,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
-----
M. E. Wolf
Post Script: Ms. Walker, let me know more about "Mr. Riddle" if you may. There are several.
Indiana connection would be this "Riddle."
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIV/2 [S# 37]
MAY 16, 1863.--Battle of Champion's Hill, or Baker's Creek, Miss.
No. 3.--Report of Col. James Keigwin, Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, First Brigade, including engagement at Big Black River Bridge.
IN THE FIELD, May 18, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the part taken by the Forty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the engagements with the enemy on the 16th instant at Champion's Hill and at Big Black Bridge on the 17th instant:
[excerpt]
My men during the day fought bravely, and I cannot speak in too high terms of the gallant bearing of both officers and men. I only had seven companies engaged in the fight, and they were small, numbering only 260 men. The other three were detailed in the morning to support one section of Captain Lanphere's battery. Major Hawhe and Adjutant Riddle deserve great credit for their cool and efficient aid rendered me during the day. And my line officers were ever in their places, urging their men to do their duty.
[excerpt]
JAMES KEIGWIN,
Colonel, Commanding.
W. A. JORDAN,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
--------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIV/2 [S# 37]
MAY 19-JULY 4, 1863.--The Siege of Vicksburg, Miss.
No. 2.--Return of Casualties in the Union forces engaged at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863.
OFFICERS DIED OF WOUNDS.
ILLINOIS.
Capt. John S. Riddle, 127th Infantry.
------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVI/1 [S# 41]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In West Florida, South Alabama, South Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, And New Mexico, From May 14 To December 31, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#10
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM P. BENTON.
Third Brigade.
Col. THOMAS W. BENNETT.
118th Illinois, Capt. Arthur W. Marsh.
49th Indiana, Lieut. George W. Riddle.
69th Indiana, Capt. Robert K. Collins.
7th Kentucky, Col. Reuben May.
120th Ohio, Maj. Willard Slocum.
7th Michigan Battery, Capt. Charles H. Lanphere.
--------------
M. E. Wolf