authority or even knowledge. As it appears to have had no unfortunate sequence so far as I have learned I shall not censure him, but in future no operations will be projected without my sanction; otherwise my command may be dishonored before I know it. The operator informs me that the wires are in good working condition. The balloon made several ascensions to-day, but so far removed from the enemy's works as to be of little or no service to us. It will be transferred to a point near Budd's Ferry to-morrow, and then probably to a locality still farther south. The rebels in considerable force appeared to be busily at work during the day nearly across from Sandy Point in the establishment of new batteries. On board of what is called the ice-boat of the flotilla is a rifled gun of the largest class, perhaps a 60-pounder. Its weight is five tons, and is of no use, I learn, where she is, the steamer being unserviceable. I think it might be dumped overboard and hauled ashore at some suitable landing, and thence, by the truck used for that purpose, delivered at the work which Captain Williamson is constructing. I am informed that it is a good weapon. Its range is enormous, but for some cause up to this time its shells have not exploded. If guns are to be mounted in the work Captain Williamson is engaged on, in my opinion this should be one of them. The houses burned by Colonel Graham had been made use of by the rebels for military purposes. Prisoner Dent requires especial attention. Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, JOSEPH HOOKER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Division. Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS EXCELSIOR BRIGADE, Second Brigade, Hooker's Division, November 12, 1861. CAPTAIN: Herewith I have the honor to inclose Col. Charles K. Graham's report of a reconnaissance of Mathias Point and the peninsula of which it is the terminus [No. 3]. Colonel Graham was effectively assisted by Lieut. Commander Samuel Magaw, of the U. S. steamer Freeborn; Acting Master Arnold Harris, of the U. S. steamer Island Belle, and Acting Master W. T. Street, of the U. S. cutter Dana. The party, which consisted of 400 men of the Fifth Regiment, under the command of Colonel Graham, embarked on Sunday evening last at Chapel Point, in Port Tobacco Creek, on board the Island Belle and Dana, and proceeded, the Dana towed by the Island Belle to Mathias Point. The embarkation and the landing were effected in admirable order, under the immediate direction of Acting Master Harris, who was the first to land. One of the enemy's pickets, while about to fire upon Master Harris, was killed by that officer. Several others were wounded. The pickets were mounted, which enabled them to retreat rapidly and escape. Colonel Graham suffered no loss. The enemy was reported to be in some force, with three pieces of artillery, at Hampstead, 9 miles from the place of landing, inland, but it was not consistent with Colonel Graham's instructions to advance so far, or to seek an encounter with any force which he had reason to believe superior in numbers to his own detachment. It is satisfactorily ascertained from this examination of Mathias Point and the contiguous territory for some 4 miles inland, that no guns are in position there, although it seems, in corroboration of previous accounts, that the enemy has made preparations to mask a battery on the point. A few rifle-pits were also noticed. Between 30 and 40 negroes, some of whom returned with the troops and others making their way over in boats obtained on the Virginia shore, are now in Colonel Graham's camp. I will thank you to favor me with instructions as to the disposition to be made of these persons. I presume much reliable information may be gathered from them. This expedition, and the examination recently made of the Occoquan River by a party from the Fourth Regiment [Seventy-third New York Infantry], confirm the opinion heretofore expressed of the facility with which enterprises may be executed on the Virginia shore at almost any point which may be indicated. If I am honored with particular instructions as to any place on the shore to be visited, either in small parties or in force, the duty will be promptly, and I believe successfully, performed; or, if left to the exercise of my own judgment as to the place of landing and the force to be employed, there is little doubt that, with the able and enthusiastic co-operation we are sure to receive, if permitted, from the gallant officers of the flotilla, some useful results may be confidently promised. It is reported to me that in one of the creeks below the point about 30 boats are now collected. These can be cut out and captured or destroyed. I learn from a report verbally made to me by Captain Morey (Fifth Regiment) that, from information since obtained, Colonel Graham's detachment was within 2 miles and in the rear of the battery recently disclosed some 5 miles above Mathias Point, which on Monday fired upon the Freeborn and arrested her farther progress up the Potomac. There is little doubt that if the existence of this battery had been known to Colonel Graham he could have taken it without difficulty, as it is said to be feebly supported by infantry.* I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. WILLIAM H. LAWRENCE, Aide-de-Camp, and Acting Assistant Adjutant General. No. 3. Report of Col. Charles K. Graham, Seventy-fourth New York Infantry. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REGIMENT EXCELSIOR BRIGADE, Camp Fenton, near Port Tobacco, Md., November 11, 1861. GENERAL: Shortly after my arrival at this point Captain Wilkinson, of Company I of this regiment, by my orders seized several small boats and manned them with crews of sailors picked from his company. * Some matters of detail omitted. They were employed in reconnoitering the Potomac shore and neighboring creeks and in keeping a general surveillance over the movements and actions of the secession sympathizers on this shore. In the numer ous expeditions he made, Captain Wilkinson was frequently materially assisted by Lieut. Commander Samuel Magaw, of the U. S. steamer Freeborn, and Acting Master Arnold Harris, of the U. S. steamer Island Belle. I was on board these steamers in several of their reconnais sances, and from information gleaned from reliable sources I became convinced that there were no batteries at Mathias Point sufficient to oppose the landing of troops. The commanders of the gunboats above named agreed with me in this opinion, and also as to the desirability of a thorough inspection of this point. They very kindly placed their vessels at my disposal for such a purpose. Sunday evening was the time agreed upon for this service, but Lieu. tenant Magaw was unfortunately prevented, by orders from his superior officer, from carrying out his intentions in this particular, but Acting Master Wm. T. Street, of the U. S. cutter Dana, volunteered the service of himself and vessel. The Island Belle, with the Dana in tow, ran up Port Tobacco Creek to Chapel Point, and on them I embarked about 400 picked men of my regiment. The embarkation was conducted silently and in good order. Arrived at Mathias Point, the force was landed under the admirable direction of Masters Harris and Street, and made a thorough reconnaissance of the point for several miles around. Master Harris, of the Island Belle, was the first to land, and, accompanied by a squad of skirmishers, pushed forward and took possession of Grimes' house. About a quarter of a mile from shore he came suddenly upon 3 of the enemy's pickets, 1 of whom raised his musket and was about to fire, when Master Harris shot him dead in his tracks with his revolver. The other 2 pickets took to their heels. We secured a musket of 1 and the horses of all. The main body of the command, under my own guidance, then made a thorough inspection of the point for some 4 miles inland. We met 2 of the enemy's pickets, and endeav ored to capture them, but they escaped; 1 of them, however, wounded by a musket-ball. We discovered a few rifle-pits and a battery partially masked, but upon which no guns had been mounted. Several rebel houses and barns were burned. Beyond this there were no batteries or troops to be found, except a party of perhaps 20 cavalry, who retreated as we advanced. We were informed that there was a rebel camp at Hampstead, consisting in part of three pieces of artillery. Captain Street offered his howitzer and crew, but I decided not to expose my command to too great risk, and concluded not to attack the enemy in his camp, some 9 miles from the landing. A large amount of forage and grain was burned and several horses belonging to the enemy were captured. I was also fortunate enough to secure Mr. George Dent and son, and brought them as prisoners to this camp. We found them armed, and under circumstances which leave no doubt of their complicity with treason. I shall transmit them to you, with the papers found in their possession, as soon as possible. Several attempts were made to burn the woods on the Point, but owing to their non-inflammable nature at this season, with but qualified success. By this means, however, the only earthworks on the Point were unmasked. After having completed my reconnaissance the force was withdrawn in good order to the beach and re-embarked on the gunboats, and reached camp about 1 p. m. without injury of any kind. A large number of negroes followed, some on board the gunboats, but a majority in a large launch, which by some means they had obtained. I cannot close this report without again referring to the valuable and important services rendered by Master Harris, of the Island Belle, and Master Street, of the Dana. Both gentlemen exerted themselves to the utmost to render the expedition a complete success, and all that their vessels afforded, whether in men or arms, was cheerfully placed at my disposal. The bravery of Master Harris in boldly advancing as he did upon the rebel pickets cannot be too highly spoken of. Master Street personally supervised the embarkation and landing, and the orderly manner in which it was accomplished is chiefly due to him. Of the officers and men of my regiment concerned I cannot speak in too high terms. Not the slightest trepidation was evinced by any, and all vied with each other in striving for the posts of danger. Had we met the enemy in force, the coolness and bravery of the little force with me would, I doubt not, have been still more manifest. I need not particularize the officers when all did so well. It might, however, be stated that to Capt. A. Wilkinson, Company I, much of the credit of arranging the general plans of the expedition is due. Quartermaster O'Kell and Lieut. Charles W. Squier accompanied me as aides, also Mr. John McMillan, master's mate of the Island Belle. The successful expedition by so small a force, and upon so important a point, cannot fail to have inspired the enemy with fear for the large portion of unprotected coast along the Potomac, and will not fail, I think, to cause them to scatter their forces along the exposed points, and thus prevent them concentrating a large force at any one position. I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant, CHARLES K. GRAHAM, Colonel. Brig. Gen. DANIEL E. SICKLES, Headquarters Excelsior Brigade. NOVEMBER 10, 1861.-Affair at Guyandotte, W. Va. Report of Adjt. J. C. Wheeler, Ninth Virginia Infantry, U. S. Army. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, Adjutant-General's Office, Wheeling, November 13, 1861. The undersigned, adjutant of the Ninth Virginia Regiment, a new regiment just forming at Guyandotte, Va., would beg leave respectfully to report that on Sunday evening, the 10th instant, just after 7 o'clock, the said regiment, consisting of only 150 men yet in camp, was com pletely surprised by 700 cavalry, under command of Jenkins, [Clarkson], the guerrilla chief, and cut to pieces and captured, with the loss also of about 30 horses, a small stock of Government stores, and 200 Enfield rifles. The dead and wounded on either side could not be clearly ascertained, but supposed to be 10 or 12 killed and 20 or 30 wounded. The enemy captured 70 prisoners and their loss in killed and wounded was equal to if not greater than ours. They left one of their captains dead on the street. His name was Hubbell, or a name similar in sound. Three other dead bodies were found in the street, and they were seen to throw several from the Suspension Bridge into the Guyandotte River, killed by our men while they were crossing the bridge; besides, a wagon load was hauled off in the night. Three of our dead were found. One was known to have been shot 1 mile above town, on the bank of the Ohio River, and 4 in crossing. Several others are missing and supposed to be killed. Among the number is Capt. G. B. Bailey, of Portsmouth, Ohio, who commanded a company under Colonel McCook at Vienna and Bull Run, and was to have been the lieutenant-colonel of this regiment. I have since learned that his body was found in the river near the mouth of the Guyandotte. Among those taken prisoner are the Hon. K. V. Whaley, member of Congress, who was in command of the post; T. J. Hayslys, esq., quartermaster-sergeant; Capt. Uriah Payne, of Ohio, who was one of the first three to plant the American flag on the walls of Monterey, in Mexico, and Captain Ross, of Ironton, an intelligent Scotchman. Captain Thomas, of Higginsport, Ohio, is supposed to be taken, and also Dr. Morris, of Ironton, the first surgeon. At The enemy also arrested and carried off the following Union citizens, after having first taken and destroyed their property: William Dowthit, merchant, and his son; Dr. Rouse, druggist, who was also a commissioner of the Federal court; Albert White, and perhaps others. Barboursville, the county seat of the same county, they captured John W. Alford, a candidate for the legislature; Matthew Thompson, a merchant, whom they stripped of all his goods; old Mr. Kyle, a gunsmith, and Mr. Morey, a tanner. The attack was so sudden and unexpected that not more than 40 of our men got into line to resist them. Others, however, fought them singly, and all who got into the fight at all exhibited commendable courage and contended against the overwhelming force with which we were surrounded for more than one hour, and those only escaped who were satisfied at the beginning of the overwhelming number of the enemy and fled immediately, except in a few instances, where they hid under houses and log piles, and were not discovered. Some 50 or 60 are known to have got away, and perhaps others will yet come in. The rebels held the place until about 8 o'clock the next morning, when the steamboat Boston came up with about 200 of the Fifth Virginia Regiment, under Colonel Zeigler. They were joined by a number of the Home Guards of Lawrence County, Ohio, who had assembled at Proctorsville, opposite, to prevent the rebels from landing in Ohio, which they had threatened to do. On the arrival of the Boston some shots were fired from a small cannon aboard, sending a ball through a rebel's brick house. The rebels immediately left on double-quick time, and the hypocritical secession citizens, who had been instrumental in getting up the attack, came on the bank of the Ohio with a great number of white flags, which they waived with great apparent earnestness. Our troops passed over, fired a few shots at the retreating rebels, whose rear was still in sight, and the armed citizens from Ohio set fire to the town, and a large portion of it in value was burned up. All our papers, books, rolls, &c., were captured. Respectfully submitted. J. C. WHEELER, Adjutant Ninth Virginia Regiment of Vols., U. S. Ármy. General W. S. ROSECRANS. |