O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIII/1 [S# 90]
AUGUST 7-NOVEMBER 28, 1864.--The Shenandoah Valley Campaign.
No. 183.--Reports of Col. David G. Cowand, Thirty-second North Carolina Infantry, commanding Grimes' brigade, of operations June 13-December 31.
HEADQUARTERS GRIMES' BRIGADE,
Camp near Sutherland's Depot, Va., March 4, 1865.
MAJOR: In obedience to instructions from division headquarters I have the honor of making the following report of the operations of this command from the 13th of June, 1864, to the 1st of January, 1865:
[excerpt]
Next day we moved in the direction of Staunton, passing through Lexington and several small villages. At Lexington the brigade passed by the grave of that noble old hero Lieutenant-General Jackson at reverse arms and heads uncovered. Stopped near Staunton a few days and then moved down the pike in the direction of Winchester, and passed on through very rapidly. Reached Harper's Ferry early on the morning of the 4th of July, and was met by only a small body of sharpshooters, which were soon driven in, the sharpshooters only being engaged, and they soon took Bolivar Heights. Next morning the Forty-third North Carolina Regiment was sent in the village of Harper's Ferry to relieve one of Battle's regiments, then on picket duty. After getting in the village it was quite dangerous relieving the troops then on duty. This regiment lost several men while relieving Battle's by the fire of the sharpshooters in the Maryland Heights. About night the Thirty-second North Carolina Regiment was ordered in the town to assist in doing garrison duty and to help load the wagons with the quartermaster's and commissary supplies that we captured, balance of the brigade being near the Bolivar Heights in reserve. Next morning the brigade was relieved by Lewis' brigade and moved in direction of Shepherdstown. Crossed the Potomac, leaving Shepherdstown to our left, and camped near Sharpsburg, Md. Next morning moved down Pleasant Valley and had some little skirmishing for a day or two, and then moved in the direction of Frederick City without meeting with any opposition. The brigade, except the sharpshooters, was not engaged in the Monocacy fight, being held in reserve. Next day we took up line of march toward Washington City, and arrived at Silver Springs on the 11th. This brigade being the front infantry brigade in the army, sharpshooters were thrown out immediately and the brigade formed line of battle, left extending on the road known as Seventh Street road. After remaining there about two hours were ordered to the front to support the sharpshooters.
[end of excerpt]
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O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME I [S# 127]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES, DECEMBER 20, 1860-JUNE 30, 1862.(*)--#16
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Richmond, June 23, 1861.
Hon. Messrs. GRAHAM and RUFFIN,
Commissioners from North Carolina:
GENTLEMEN: I herewith transmit you the acts passed by the Provisional Congress at its first and second sessions, and in relation to the conversation between us had on yesterday deem it proper to say that by reference to the act "to provide for the public defense," and the emendations to that act, you will find the law regulating and controlling the organization and service of the provisional forces of the Confederate States. It will be seen that volunteers have the same organization and the same pay and allowances provided for the Regular Army, and are received and mustered into service by "companies, squadrons, battalions, and regiments" only.
[extensive excerpt]
It is understood here that North Carolina has organized ten regiments for the war, to be passed under Confederate authorities, and it gives me pleasure to say that these regiments will be mustered into the service and received into the pay of this Department at the earliest moment after notification from Governor Ellis of their actual organic formation. But concerning the fact mentioned by you, that a number of volunteers in addition to the ten regiments reported for the war are being raised in North Carolina, it is proper for me to state that the President, under the laws of Congress authorizing him to make requisitions upon the States, will call for these troops from time to time as the public exigencies may demand. He now more especially desires to embody in the different States a reserved army corps, to be placed in camps of instruction and thoroughly prepared as regulars to meet the casualties of the battle-field and a possible reverse of arms. To this end these forces will be enrolled for the war, will be received by companies, and as thus mustered into service will be paid and subsisted by this Department. The numbers necessary to the entire corps will be determined upon and the quota of North Carolina made known to Governor Ellis in the course of a few days.
[end of excerpt] --NOTE: "IF, the "Reverse of Arms" means Truce, it may read differently.
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M. E. Wolf