pickets only appearing, which we were able to discover ourselves.

regiment was extended into the woods, and close in the rear of the battery, which position they held until a retreat was ordered.

Additional reënforcements of the enemy were coming up on our right, having abandoned their position on the left, and I ordered the Eightyfourth and One Hundred and Tenth down to the right, but before they reached the position assigned them the enemy was in full retreat before our brave men, and I at once ordered them across into the wood again. Under cover of the engage

We returned to camp, and a few moments after your order of June eighth, quarter-past seven P.M., from Columbia Bridge, reached me, and while writing a reply I was informed that the enemy were advancing upon us, or rather into the woods opposite their position, evidently with a view of outflanking us upon the left. Captains Clark and Robinson opened their batteries upon them with effect, and Capt. Huntington's guns were soon doing the same good work. Two comment on our right the enemy had thrown anpanies of skirmishers and two regiments of in- other force into the woods, and pressed them fantry were ordered into the woods to counteract down upon our batteries on the left. So rapid this movement of the enemy. The fire of our was this movement that they passed the line on skirmishers was soon heard, and I ordered two which the Eighty-fourth and One Hundred and more regiments to their support. Tenth were ordered unobserved-making a dash upon the battery so sudden and unexpected as to compel the cannoneers to abandon their pieces.

A sharp fire was kept up in the woods, for a few moments only, when the enemy retired and was soon seen coming out of the woods, crossing to join a column moving upon our right. In the mean time a section of two guns had opened upon our battery on the left, and another section was taking a position on our right. The Seventh Indiana infantry, Col. Gavin, was sent to the extreme right and was met by two rebel regiments, under cover of the river-bank. A section of Capt. Clark's battery took a position well to the right. The fire of the enemy, from their masked position, compelled Col. Gavin to retire a short distance, which he did in admirable order.

Col. Candy met the enemy with his regiment with great coolness, his men fighting with commendable bravery. The Seventh and Fifth Ohio were soon supporting him, driving the enemy from their position and retaking the battery. The artillery officers made a strong effort, and used great exertions to remove their guns, but, the horses having been killed or disabled, found it impossible. The enemy had given way along the whole line, but I saw heavy reënforcements crossing from the town, that would have been impossible for us successfully to resist. After consulting General Carroll, I ordered the troops to fall back under his direction, with a view of retreating until we should meet the reënforcements of Generals Kimball and Ferry.

The Twenty-ninth Ohio was sent to support him, moving forward in splendid style on doublequick. The Seventh Ohio was next sent forward to support Capt. Clark's guns; the Fifth Ohio next, to support a section of Capt. Huntington's battery. These two last-named regiments moved forward and engaged the enemy in a style that commanded the admiration of every beholder. Regiment after regiment of the ene-as orderly as the advance. my moved upon our right, and the engagement became very warm. The First Virginia, Colonel Thoburne, who had been ordered into the woods on the left, was now ordered down to the right, entering the open field with a loud shout. My entire force was now in position. On our right was the Seventh Indiana, Col. Gavin, Twentyninth Ohio, Col. Buckley, Seventh Ohio, Lieut.Col. Creighton, Fifth Ohio, Col. Dunning, First Virginia, Col. Thoburne, with sections of Captains Clark's and Huntington's batteries.

Gen. Carroll took command of the covering of the retreat, which was made in perfect order; and save the stampede of those who ran before the fight was fairly opened, the retreat was quite

On our left, the key of the position, was a company of the Fifth and one of the Sixty-sixth Ohio infantry, deployed through the woods as skirmishers. The Eighty-fourth and One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania regiments were also well up in the woods. The Sixty-sixth Ohio, Col. Candy, was directly in the rear of the battery, composed of three guns of Capt. Clark's battery, three guns of Capt. Huntington's, and one of Capt. Robinson's battery, under Lieut.Col. Hayward, and upon him and his gallant band depended everything at this critical moment, and the duty was well and gallantly executed. Had they given way, the command must have been lost. The left wing of Col. Candy's

The force engaged under my command could not have exceeded three thousand men. Of the enemy's force (my information comes from the prisoners taken by us) none of them estimated it at less than eight thousand men actually in the engagement.

The loss of our artillery we feel almost as keenly as we should to have lost our colors, yet it was impossible to save them without animals to drag them through the deep mud; the men could not do it. While we deeply feel this loss, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have one of theirs, captured by the Fifth Ohio, and driven off in full view of their whole force, sixtyseven prisoners following it to this post.

It will not be expected that I can mention the many gallant actions of the different officers upon that hard-fought field. Yet I cannot do justice to my own feelings without remarking that, in my opinion, braver, more determined and willing men never entered a battle-field. Gen. Carroll distinguished himself by his coolness and dashing bravery. Upon him I relied, and was not disappointed. For heroic gallantry I will place Col. Gavin, Col. Buckley, Lieut.-Col. Creighton, Col. Dunning, Col. Thoburne, Col. Candy, and

Lieut.-Col. Hayward beside the bravest men of the United States army. The line officers of the different regiments discharged their duty nobly, and deserve special mention by their Colonels. Capts. Clark, Robinson, and Huntington served their guns with great credit, and deserve particular notice.

that we conceived the idea of taking the battery. I gave the orders to take it, when the old Fifth moved forward and drove them from the gun. John Gray mounted the horse and brought that piece off. We were then ordered to support the Sixty-sixth on the left. When I arrived there I discovered the enemy were slaying them from some log-houses immediately in front of them. I found that to remain there was folly; and I ordered the old Fifth forward, by the right flank,

To the members of your staff, Lieut.-Col. Shriber, Capt. Keiley and Capt. Keogh, I am under many, very many obligations, for the prompt, efficient, and officer-like manner in which advancing rapidly. We again started them on a they discharged the duties assigned them. The two latter were in the field through the hottest of the engagement, exposed to the enemy's fire from first to last. Capt. Keiley received a severe wound in the face, while urging forward the men, and was carried off the field.

full run and occupied the houses ourselves. At this time, to my astonishment, I received an order to cover their retreat, when I retired, firing. Before I had rallied my men on the colors, the whole of our force was retiring, if you choose to call it so. Then Col. Daum came to me and asked me to cover his men while he drew off his

For a list of the casualties of the engagement, I respectfully refer you to the reports of the sev-pieces, which I agreed to do. He drew off two eral regiments, accompanying this paper.

The loss of the enemy must have been very heavy. The grape and canister from our batteries and the fire of our musketry mowed them down like grass before a well-served scythe, and the fact of their heavy force retiring before us is an evidence that they suffered severely.

Aid-de-Camp Eaton was the only officer of my own staff present. Capt. Quay being too ill to take the field, Chaplain D. Č. Wright, of the Seventh Ohio, volunteered to serve me. The duties these gentlemen were called upon to perform were arduous, and led them almost constantly under the fire of the enemy. Yet they executed their duties with commendable coolness and energy, meriting my warmest thanks. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,

E. B. TYLER,
Brigadier-General.

LETTER FROM COLONEL DUNNING.

CAMP NEAR LURAY, June 11.

The Fourth brigade, under the command of Col. Carroll of the Eighth Ohio regiment, was repulsed on Sunday, the eighth, when the Third brigade, under Gen. Tyler, was ordered to support him. We met some of the men of the

guns and started, leaving the balance behind and me to defend them. When I asked him why he did not draw off his pieces, he said he had not the horses to do it with.

By this time the enemy's battery commenced on me with canister, grape and shell, and their infantry, within two hundred yards of me, when I ordered my men to take to the mountain, where I led them, as far as my horse could go, and told the men to go over the mountain, and bear to the right. I am in hopes that they all got in the roads, but it is doubtful. I was at the head of the column, and could distinctly hear the rebel cavalry call on my men to surrender. I counted the guns in the stacks last night, and found I had only one hundred and eighty-five left, but the boys are getting in. To-day I have two hundred and fifteen, and those that have got in, state that there are more on the road. the colors, presented by the city, we carried them through the fight, and if they are captured, they have taken the bearer with them. I send you a list of our killed and wounded, as far as I can ascertain at present.

Your friend,

As to

S. H. DUNNING, Colonel Fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteers.

THE PART BORNE BY COLONEL CARROLL. The first reports of battles are often incorrect. The confusion incident to an engagement of itself precludes the possibility of a fair estimate of affairs at the first, and it is only after the smoke of battle has passed away that a clear view can be had.

Fourth brigade five miles from the battle-field, straggling along the road. We reached the battle-field about five o'clock on the afternoon of the eighth, and lay on our arms till morning, when we were opened upon from the rebel battery. We were soon placed in line of battle, but none too soon, for the enemy's infantry was moving on The battle of Port Republic forms no exception us. The Seventh Indiana regiment was on the to this general experience. Appreciating, as everyright of our lines, the Fifth on the left of the body could, after the disaster there had occurred, Seventh, about two hundred yards to the rear, that it might have been avoided by the destructhe Seventh Ohio on our left, about two hundred tion of the bridge across the Shenandoah at that yards to our rear, the Sixty-sixth Ohio on the place, it was taken for granted that it should have left, the Seventh Ohio on a line with the Fifth. been burnt, and that orders had been given to We had a battery on our right and left. The that effect. Upon that assumption, Col. Carroll, enemy's battery was in front of the Seventh In- who had command of the advance, has been louddiana regiment. We were ordered to support ly censured, and the failure of the expedition, and the Seventh Indiana, when we moved on the rebels, and soon succeeded in routing the rebels from their position. Our advance was so rapid

the terrible destruction of life consequent upon it, have been visited upon his head. Without reflecting in any way upon others, it is the purpose

of this communication to show that Col. Carroll acted strictly according to imperative orders, and that he carried himself in that execution like a true and gallant soldier.

On the fourth inst., while at Conrad's Store, Col. Carroll received orders to go forward at once, with cavalry and guns, to save the bridge at Port Republic. At that time it was impossible for him to move. The heavy rains which had prevailed for some days days had so swollen the streams that Col. Carroll was entirely separated from his command, having with him only his staff, fifteen cavalry, and two pieces of artillery. His infantry was five miles in his rear, and compelled to remain there, by the impassable creeks, between two and three days.

On Saturday, the seventh, Col. Carroll received orders to move forward to Waynesboro', distant some thirty-five or thirty-seven miles, by the way of Port Republic, for the purpose of destroying the railroad depot, track, bridge, etc., at that place, and to seize Jackson's train and throw his force upon Jackson's flank. Col. Carroll marched, in obedience to these orders, on Saturday afternoon. His infantry, cavalry and artillery had in the mean time come up, and he started from Conrad's Store with less than a thousand of the former, with one hundred and fifty cavalry, and with a single battery of six guns.

Halting, in the night, six miles before reaching Port Republic, Col. Carroll sent forward a party of scouts, who returned with the information that

of the night. In this he was overruled, and the battle of Monday occurred on the ground to which he had retired from Sunday's repulse.

It is not the intention to apologize for Colonel Carroll, but to show simply that he obeyed orders. How he carried himself through the hot contest of Monday his superior on the field can testify to more properly and with better knowledge than any one else. In this report of the engagement, as published in the papers, General Tyler says, among other like compliments: "Col. Carroll distinguished himself by his coolness and dashing bravery. Upon him I relied, and was not disappointed."

It is confidently stated that whatever blame may hereafter be attached to any officer on ac count of the disastrous battle of Port Republic, none can be fairly laid to the charge of Col. Carroll, but that the more the facts connected with it are investigated, the greater will be the praise accorded to him for his gallant and soldierly conduct on his advance and in the fight.-National Intelligencer.

Doc. 20.

THE REBEL CONSCRIPTION ACT.*

AN ACT to amend an act, entitled, "An Act to
provide further for the public defence."
The Congress of the Confederate States of
America do enact, That the President be and he
is hereby authorized to call out and place in the
military service of the confederate States, for
three years, unless the war shall have been
sooner ended, all white men who are residents
of the confederate States, between the ages of
thirty-five and forty-five years, at the time the
call or calls may be made, and who are not at
such time or times legally exempted from mili-

Jackson's train was parked near Port Republic with a drove of beef cattle herded near by, and the whole guarded by about two or three hundred cavalry. On learning this, Col. Carroll pushed forward with the design of capturing the train and cattle, as his orders directed. He halted some two miles from the town, made a reconnoissance, and received further information confirming the report of his scouts, and then dashed into town with his cavalry and two pieces, driving the ene-tary service; or such parts thereof as in his judgmy's cavalry out, and taking possession of the bridge. He halted there for his infantry to come up, and disposed his pieces and little force to prevent a repulse from the train-guard, when, before he occupied the village twenty minutes he was attacked by three regiments of the enemy's infantry, by eighteen of their guns, and by a cavalry force superior to his own. In the face of this he was forced to retire, and the project of proceeding twenty odd miles further up to Waynesboro' had to be abandoned. As stated above, Col. Carroll did not hold the place twenty minutes; and there was no instant of time, after his arrival, in which he could have destroyed the bridge in the presence of such an enemy, even had he been

ment, may be necessary to the public defence, such call or calls to be made under the provisions this is an amendment; and such authority shall and according to the terms of the act to which exist in the President, during the present war, as to all persons who now are, or may hereafter become, eighteen years of age; and, when once enrolled, all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years shall serve their full time; provided, that if the President, in calling out troops into the service of the confederate States, shall first call for only a part of the persons, between the ages hereinbefore stated, he shall call for those between the age of thirty-five, and any other age less than forty-five; provided that nothing herein contained shall be understood as reRetiring from Port Republic, Colonel Carroll pealing or modifying any part of the act to which brought his force to a stand at the first defensible this is emendatory, except as herein expressly position, some two and a half miles distant from stated; and provided further, that those called the town. Here he was reenforced by Gen. Ty-out under this act, and the act to which this is ler's brigade, numbering about two thousand. Col. Carroll, appreciating the superior position of the enemy, as well as his vastly superior force, advised a retreat upon Conrad's Store under cover VOL. V.-Doc. 8

ordered so to do.

an amendment, shall be first and immediately ordered to fill to their maximum number the companies, battalions, squadrons and regiments from

* See page 442 Docs., Vol. IV.

the respective States at the time the act to further provide for the public defence, approved sixteenth April, 1862, was passed; and the surplus, if any, shall be assigned to organizations formed from each State since the passage of that act, or placed in new organizations, to be officered by the State having such residue, according to the laws thereof, or disposed of as now provided by law; provided that the President is authorized to suspend the execution of this, or the act to which this is an amendment, in any locality where he may find it impracticable to execute the same; and that in such localities, and during such suspension, the President is authorized to receive troops into the confederate service under any of the acts passed by the confederate Congress prior to the passage of the act to further provide for the public defence. Approved sixteenth April, 1862.

Doc. 21.

TAKING OF PASS CHRISTIAN, MISS.

A REBEL ACCOUNT.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MISS., April 6, 1862. THE inhabitants of the Pass were aroused from their slumbers on Friday morning, April fourth, at an early hour, by the report of cannon in the direction of Ship Island. As soon as daylight appeared it was discovered that the confederate gunboats Pamlico, Oregon and Carondelet were hotly engaged with four of the Federal fleet, and were slowly retiring towards the Pass, under a heavy fire of the enemy. On the arrival here of our gallant little fleet it was ascertained that the Oregon had been struck by a shell in the pilothouse, and that the Carondelet had been hit in

the wheelhouse.

their heads, hurrying onward in perfect amaze-
ment; and infirm and aged women, leaning upon
broken staffs, were wandering about, they scarce-
ly knew whither. Many females were seen upon
their knees, and with uplifted hands were most
earnestly supplicating God to protect them in
their fearful hour of danger and distress. It was
a sight to move the stoutest heart. The enemy
disclaimed the intention of doing harm to any
one but the confederate soldiery, if they could
find them, or of desiring to shell the town.
When remonstrated with not having sent a
flag of truce ashore, said they had done so at
Biloxi, and it was treated with contempt, and
that they were informed it would be disregarded
by the citizens of the Pass, and that they would
not have fired upon the town if the attempt to
burn the wharf had not been made. But when
I tell you that several dwellings were struck, that
a cottage belonging to Mr. Heirn, situated four
doors from the hotel, was completely riddled, and
a shell passing through an oyster-shop adjoining
the market-house, crossed the street, and enter-
ing the upper story of Judge Brill's dwelling,
(formerly Masonic Hall, situated over the store
of Mr. Brocas, at the corner of Market street,)
burst in the entry-way, shattering the rooms in
a fearful manner, and forcing its way through
the floor, entered the store below, you will be-
lieve their declarations.

in the direction of the market-house, all the while the officers disclaiming any intention of harming the citizens, and commanding their men not to enter the dwellings or molest any person. These orders, as far as we can learn, were generally observed.

Most probably Judge Brill's family had but just left their dwelling when it was hit, or in all human probability some of them would have fallen victims to the inhuman and merciless fire of the enemy. The firing having ceased, the enemy commenced landing their troops in small boats, but the steamer Lewis soon coming alongside the wharf, they were then put on shore by hundreds, and proceeded company by company up the Neither boat, however, being seriously dam-wharf, forming at once into line along the street aged, they proceeded at once on their way to New-Orleans, the enemy at the same time advancing slowly with the iron gunboats New-London, Jackson and Hatteras, and the steamer Lewis, the latter having on board large numbers of Lincolnite troops. When within a short distance of the wharf the boats took their positions, the Lewis in front, followed by the Hatteras, Jackson and New-London, all being within a short distance of each other, and directly opposite the town. The Jackson opened fire in the direction of the wharf, at which time a considerable volume of smoke was seen to arise from some bales of hay which were piled up beside the warehouse, and which, it appears, had been set on fire by order of some of the officers of the confederate troops.

After discharging several shots in the direction of the wharf, the enemy commenced shelling the town, producing the most intense excitement amongst the defenceless inhabitants, who, when the shells came whizzing over and about their dwellings, fled in the greatest consternation towards the pine forests. Mothers, with infants in their arms; little children, in terrified groups, clinging to each other; slaves, with bundles upon

The Post-Office was entered, but nothing was found therein that could afford aid or comfort to the enemy, the worthy Deputy Postmaster, Mr. Sutler, having removed everything therefrom as soon as the intentions of the Lincolnites were discovered. Search was made for army stores, but of them none were found, all having been previously secured by the citizens. The warehouse at the foot of the wharf was robbed by the enemy of a considerable quantity of corn and other articles belonging to private individuals. The hay upon the wharf belonged to the Confederacy, and was flung overboard and now lies floating about in the water. Pickets were stationed by the enemy in all directions, extending up and down the Pass the distance of three or four miles, and also on the back streets.

At three o'clock the orders were given to march, and the long line of soldiery, numbering, I am informed by a lady who counted them as