to surrender. He refused, ard the "chivalry" fired several volleys at him, and at the same time fired into the rear of the train, which had attached two passenger-cars and about fifty passengers in it. The whole train was in an instant surrounded, and all who dared to come out were surrounded and taken prisoners. As the rebels dismounted, the engineer drew the valve and some one separated the train, leaving two car-loads of sick from Warrenton. Just as the train started about thirty men of company B, Purnell Legion, of Baltimore, advanced to the rear of the train and poured a volley into the rebel cavalry who had it surrounded. The rebels fell back, but in a few minutes rallied, and charged most vigorously and took all the men prisoners.

The hospital at Catlett's Station was "sacked," and all the sick taken out South. The rebels then had their own way, and pillaged and plundered to their hearts' content. Two sutler wagons were plundered of such articles as the scamps wanted, and then burnt. The rebels remained near the station nearly five hours, doing as they pleased. A fearful thunder-storm raged during the whole time of the attack. The lightning was almost blinding, and the thunder was most appallingly fearful. The rain fell in drenching torrents.

Painter, division quartermaster, Capt. Frederick Gerker, brigade quartermaster, and Capt. D. B. Jones, commissary, ran out, mounted their horses, cheered the men, urging them to stand firm, and were taken prisoners. An hour before daylight a squadron of the brave Col. Allen's First Maine cavalry charged up the railroad, and the rebels at once departed thence for Warrenton. In the commencement of this "break" one of the correspondents of the Inquirer was taken prisoner, but subsequently escaped.

All Saturday morning we heard one incessant roar of artillery down on the Rappahannock. We can learn no particulars. Up to last night there had been no fight, though it is believed the rebels were trying to throw a column of eighty thousand across the Rappahannock, above the railroad, to get in our rear.

Our whole loss is about three hundred prisoners, seven wagons, and a hundred horses, a few killed and wounded. All our wounded and their own were taken off with them.

Doc. 189.

ATTACK ON FORT RIDGELY, MINN.
LIEUTENANT SHEEHAN'S REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS FORT RIDGELY, MINNESOTA,
August 26, 1862.

}

While one of the rebel regiments was at work immediately at the station, another dashed upon Gen. Pope's wagon-train, half a mile further up the road. The train was guarded by about two To General Halleck, Commander-in-Chief: hundred of the Pennsylvania Bucktails, under I HAVE the honor to report that this post was Colonel Kane, who had reached here the pre-assaulted by a large force of Sioux Indians on the vious day, since being wounded at Cross Keys. The men rushed out and fired a volley in the darkness, the rebels fell back, but advanced again, and, surrounding the whole party, had Col. Kane and some one hundred and forty-nine of his men prisoners. But, Providence favoring, Col. Kane, encouraging his men, sent them out one by one to the rear in the storm, and when all were out followed himself, and, while the rebels were absorbed by the storm, escaped.

The rebels then popped over to Pope's wagons, took all his fancy horses, papers, etc., and burned his two wagons. They also robbed and burned two sutlers' wagons, and three of the supplywagons, with all the equipage of Gen. Pope and others which they did not want. Gen. McDowell's guard lay but a short distance off, and kept up a continuous fire, aided by a few "Bucktails" who had escaped previous to the surrounding. But the rebel fire and charge was too severe, and the men fell back. The rebels took some half-dozen horses from McDowell's train and all his private stores, completely rumaging his mess-chests and wagon.

twentieth instant. The small remnant of company B, Fifth regiment Minnesota volunteers, and the Renville Rangers, a company just organized for one of the regiments of this State, were the only troops I had under my command for its defence, and nobly did they do their duty. The engagement lasted until dark, when the Indians, finding that they could not effect a lodgment, which was prevented in a great measure by the superior fire of the artillery, under the immediate charge of Ordnance Sergeant J. Jones, United States army, which compelled them to evacuate the ravines by which this post is surrounded, they withdrew their forces, and the gallant little garrison rested on their arms ready for any attack.

During the night several people, the remnants of once thriving families, arrived at the post in a most miserable condition. Some were wounded and severely burned, having made their escape from their dwellings, which had been fired by the Indians.

The people in the immediate vicinity fled to this post, and were organized and armed as far as practicable, to aid in its defence.

Another party had crossed the railroad and gone down to Generals Ricketts's and King's supply On the twenty-second instant, the Indians retrains and headquarter wagons. They gave a tre- turned with a much larger force, and attacked us mendous shout and charged down into the ravine, on all sides; but the most determined attacks where King's wagoners were, upon the outside were on the east and west corners of the fort, guarded by some Wisconsin troops, who drew up which are in the immediate vicinity of ravines. and fired into the rebel cavalry, killing two and The west corner was also covered by stables and taking two prisoners during a skirmish of nearly log buildings, which afforded the Indians great an hour. When the fire opened Major William protection, and in order to protect the garrison, I

ordered them to be destroyed. Some were fired tacked the enemy on Big Hill, in Rockcastle by artillery, and the balance by the Renville County. Col. Metcalfe led the attack with much Rangers, under the command of First Lieutenant gallantry, but had the mortification to find that J. Gorman, to whom and the men under his com- not more than one hundred of his regiment folmand great credit is due for their gallant conduct.lowed him; the remainder, at the first cannonThe balls fell thick all over and through the shot, turned tail and fled like a pack of cowards, wooden buildings erected for officers' quarters. and are now dispersed over a half-dozen counties, Still the men maintained their ground. The In- some fleeing as far as Paris. dians then prepared to carry the post by storm, but the gallant conduct of the men at the guns paralyzed them and compelled them to withdraw, after one of the most determined attacks made by Indians on a military post.

slight one on my hand, from a shell which ex-nell, G, Capt. Moody, H, Capt. Le Blond, of the ploded within a few feet, enveloping me completely Seventy-first Ohio volunteer infantry, holding the in smoke and dust.

Fifty men will cover our loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners-ten men being killed. We killed twenty-five of the rebels.

I have been holding the enemy in check for four days, though their forces are greatly superior to mine, and are posted on both sides of me, less than fourteen miles distant, and may each attack me at any hour. I had determined, however, to fight before giving up the advanced position I then held, hoping that reënforcements, forage, and provisions would arrive. During the four days my horses had been fed with corn but twice. The country south of Big Hill is entirely destitute, and subsistence for cavalry must be sent from Lexington. To supply one cavalry regiment at the Gap one hundred wagons will be required.

post at Fort Donelson, were attacked by a guerrilla force under command of Colonel Woodward, numbering four hundred and fifty infantry and three hundred and twenty-five cavalry, so stated by him- Woodward to Captain McConnell. The rebels played sharp on our pickets. They sent citizens, with revolvers concealed, who approached the pickets and asked permission to come within our lines, as citizens had been doing some days previous. It may be observed that our pickets were posted on the different approaches to town, at distances ranging from a half to three fourths of a mile from our camp. As soon as these citizens were near enough to our pickets they drew their revolvers and demanded their surrender. By this means they captured eight. They then marched through the space that had been covered by our now captured pickets; and the first warning we had of their approach was their appearance in force not to exceed a halfmile from our camp. The "long roll" soon sounded, and the men were in line in a few moments. A flag of truce was sent in by the rebels, and a surrender demanded. Major J. H. Hart, commanding our forces, said that they should have a reply in thirty minutes. The commissioned officers were then called into headquar ters, and the question put: Shall we surrender? The unanimous and firm reply was: "No!" "We will fight." This reply was made known to Lieut. Col. Martin, the bearer of the flag of truce, who returned to the rebel lines. In less than ten minutes another flag was sent in accompanied by Col. Woodward, who again demanded They also took some prisoners, who say that the surrender of the fort, offering the most hontheir command consisted of two regiments of cav-orable (?) terms, and protesting his reluctance to alry, having one battery of three pieces of cannon. They were reported to number about one thousand two hundred men.

I had a narrow escape. Shortly after the above encounter, while with Col. Oden, some distance behind our men, a hundred rebels dashed down the road after us. Fortunately I had placed about two hundred Tennessee infantry in the bushes on the roadside, who fired on the enemy as they were seizing us. Several of them were killed and wounded, the rest driven back, and we saved. At the time the Tennesseeans fired there was not a man of my regiment in sight. In company with my deliverers I hastened to the camp, where I found about two hundred men, and tried to rally them. The enemy appeared again in five or ten minutes, when my force ran pell mell at the first fire. The Tennesseeans, however, showed good courage, and checked the rebel approach, killing several by their well-directed fire.

hurt us. On being asked by Major Hart if we might have the privilege of verifying his statements as to the strength of his forces, he very promptly and politely answered, "Yes." Captain McConnell was accordingly deputed to pass along his lines, and ascertain the facts and report: twenty minutes being given to make the "reconnoissance." The Captain, after as thorough examination as time would permit, reported that the enemy, in his opinion, did not number over four hundred or possibly five hundred, and one small cannon, (which was captured from our boys at Clarksville,) and that we could whip them. Col. Woodward, however, informed him that he had part of his forces posted south of our camp; but that the twenty minutes were nearly up; hence no time was left to ascertain the fact. The rebel

The odds were fearful-twelve to one--but I was determined to have a fight, and would not leave my position unless driven from it. I think we did exceedingly well under the circumstances. The enemy pursued us to this place, where we arrived about ten o'clock. Shortly after they sent in a flag of truce, demanding an unconditional surrender of myself and the town. I replied that I would not surrender, and would fight it out. I sent their flag-bearer out of town, and immediately despatched runners out on the Lexington road to hasten Col. Link, who was approaching from that direction. He arrived about twelve o'clock with reënforcements, and the enemy concluded to postpone their attack, and to-day re-regimental flag was partially concealed from our treated. LEONIDAS METCALFE.

Doc. 191.

FIGHTS AT FORT DONELSON, TENN.

view, and as we supposed it would be employed as a signal by them, we sent a flag of truce demanding that their colors be placed where they could be plainly seen by us. They complied and planted them in full view. We tied our flag-staff to the forward wheels of a howitzer, resolved not to strike it without a desperate struggle. At FORT DONNELSON, August 26, 1862. about three o'clock P.M. the rebel cavalry raised EDS. COM. Yesterday at half-past one o'clock the yell and charged in fine style down the hill, P.M., companies A, Capt. Carlin, B, Capt. McCon-lying east of our intrenchments, into the ravine.

CHAPLAIN MCKINNEY'S ACCOUNT.

*

At that moment our boys let slip a well-aimed the forces, behaved with coolness and gallantry. shot of canister from our six-pounder, which Capt. McConnell handled his men excellently, broke their column, killing eight of their men, so and behaved himself with marked bravery. Capts. they reported to our patrol, who were taken pri- Carlin and Le Blond were at their posts and bore soners. But, notwithstanding this check, they themselves like true soldiers as they are. Sergt.dashed across the ravine and up the hill, and a Major McConnell, acting Adjutant, seized a musportion of them up Main street, north of our ket and fought nobly. The sutler, George Steele, position, which brought them in range of our fired nine rounds. Mr. Pelton, his clerk, was in musketry, when a terrible fire was opened on manfully. W. G. Nichols, Quartermaster's Serthem by our boys, unhorsing a number, killing geant, and William S. Wilson, Quartermaster's and wounding a number of horses and men. It Clerk, with Enfield rifles in hand, did excellent was during this heavy musketry that Col. Wood-service. And so did Geo. B. Frye, regimental ward's horse fell dead under him, struck by three post-master, and Ben. Hamilton, Adjutant's bullets. The chivalrous Colonel did some fine crawling for about twenty feet to escape the shots directed toward him. A bullet broke the skin slightly on the side of his head. Notwithstand ing their leader was down, on dashed those of the charging column yet in their saddles till they reached Spring street, when they wheeled to the left at right angles, still coming at a furious speed and receiving our fire at every opening between the houses till they reached College street, down which they essayed to make a charge directly upon our earthworks, but the second platoon of company B, Capt. McConnell's, poured into them such a galling fire that they were again repulsed and scattered in the wildest confusion. I saw more than a score of riderless horses careering over the hills and through the ravines.

Just as the attack was made a number of buildings were fired to prevent the rebels from sheltering themselves in them and behind them. In the height of the engagement thick volumes of smoke were ascending from the houses and the red tongues of flame were leaping from the windows and darting through the roofs. The sharp crack of rifled muskets, the heavy booming of our nine-inch howitzer and six-pounder, the wild shouts of the combatants, and the roar of the consuming flames, made a scene of terrific sublimity. Seventeen houses were burned, and among them the court-house. Every commissioned officer did his whole duty truly and nobly. I ask leave to mention their names: Company A, Capt. Carlin and Lieuts. Williams and Simmons; company B, Capt. McConnell and Lieuts. Toms and Branden; company G, Capt. Moody and Lieut. Nichols; company H, Captain Le Blond, (Lieut. Gable, being very sick at the time, was not in the engagement.) What I have said of the commissioned officers is equally true of all the non-commissioned officers, and all the privates except four. Captain Moody, Lieuts. Toms, Branden, and Nichols, took guns and fought like soldiers in the ranks. Major Hart, commanding

The six-pounder we used in the fight was left by the rebels at the surrender of Fort Donelson in March last. Its trunnions were broken off, and it was supposed to be useless. But our boys had it and the howitzer, which had also been demolished, hauled fully a mile and a half. They hollowed a log, put the six-pounder into it, fastened it there, mounted it on trucks and placed it in position; the howitzer they remounted on its own wheels, and manufactured ammunition for both out of musket cartridges, except a few canister shots, minus the powder for the small gun, which the boys picked up. And this was our artillery. The men who worked the guns managed admirably for

inexperienced hands.

A. L. M.

Clerk, using their Enfields with steadiness and accuracy. I name these gentlemen because they are regarded in the army as non-combatants, and yet in the hour of need were not found wanting. Our entire number in ranks during the engagement was one hundred and fifty-five, against seven hundred and eighty-five, according to Col. Woodward's own statement. From the time the enemy made the attack till he was repulsed and entirely driven off, was about one hour, though the sharp firing did not continue more than thirty minutes. The rebel loss, from all that we can gather, as information is constantly coming in, will not fall short of thirty killed and wounded We took no prisoners, as it was imprudent for any of our troops to leave the earth-works, as our force was too small. Not a man among us was hurt. This is accounted for in the security of our intrenchment. The rebel bullets at one time fell uncomfortably thick in our camp, some of them grazing the top of our breast-works, and others striking very close to some of the officers. As soon as the rebels were known to be in force in our immediate vicinity, a telegram was sent to Col. W. W. Lowe, commanding the post at Fort Henry and Hindman, and to whose command we are temporarily attached, informing him of the danger, and asking reenforcements. He promptly responded to our call by immediately marching at the head of six companies of cavalry and one field-piece. They arrived here at about half-past six o'clock P.M. The enemy had been routed and were retreating up the river. At daylight next morning (twenty-sixth) Col. Lowe, at the head of four companies-being less than one hundred and thirty men-of Fifth Iowa cavalry, started in pursuit of the enemy, overtaking them at Cumberland Iron Works, about seven miles from here. A sharp engagement followed. The rebels, about five hundred or six hundred strong, were posted in a deep ravine bordering on the road, along a cornfield-fence and behind houses. Their position was one of great natural strength. The enemy's battery became annoying, and Col. Lowe ordered Lieut. Summers, with his company (B) to charge it. The order was obeyed in gallant style. He, at the head of his company, charged through a terrible fire of the concealed foe, scattering the rebel cavalry, upsetting and breaking the cannon, so as to render it useless. The charge of the cavalry was most daring and heroic. At least a score of horses went down with it. From fifteen to twenty of our men were killed

and wounded; among them was the gallant Lieut. Summers, who was mortally wounded. The loss of the enemy is not known. Col. Lowe's forces, both men and horses, being jaded and suffering for food, returned to this post, after having waited more than an hour for the enemy to make an attack. The bearing of Col. Lowe's cavalry was without fault-brave. Col. Lowe commanded in person, and was cool and firm; and so was Lieut.Col. Patrick.

give him a check on that side of the river. Lieut. Huey, of Traverse des Sioux, volunteering to perform the service, I detailed seventy-five men with him, and they crossed at the ferry opposite the town, at about nine o'clock A.M. Very shortly after their departure, the Indians were discovered issuing from the woods above the town in large numbers, and assembling upon the prairie.

I at once posted all my available force upon the open prairie, outside the town, about a half a mile at some points, and at a greater distance toward the point at which I conceived the attack would be made, determining to give them battle in the open field, where, I conceived, would be to our greatest advantage.

I have been somewhat lengthy in my account of the engagement of Monday last at this post, yet I hope you will publish it entire. You are fully aware of the odium that has been attached -we think unjustly-to the Seventy-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, in consequence of At nearly ten A.M. the body began to move to its reported conduct at the battle of Shiloh. I ward us, first slowly, and then with considerable thank God that this detachment, at least, has rapidity. The men were encouraged by their of flung that foul disgrace from its shoulders-wash-ficers to stand firm and meet the attack, and all ed the stain of imputed cowardice from its skirts in the blood of the enemy.

I cannot close this letter without mentioning the name of J. L. Davis, of company B. The enemy claimed to have cut the telegraph-wire between this and Fort Henry, and he feared they had intercepted our telegram for help. The question was: "Who will run the gauntlet of the enemy's lines," (as they had us quite surrounded,) "and carry a despatch to Colonel Lowe?" Mr. Davis, though unable to walk without a crutch, from a sprained ankle, promptly volunteered, and mounted and was off. It was heroic. He met Colonel Lowe's forces about three miles on their way.

We captured a number of guns, and among
them some of those the rebels took from our boys
at Clarksville.
Respectfully yours,

A. L. MCKINNEY,
Chaplain Seventy-first Regiment O.V.I.

Doc. 192.

promised well. We had in all, about two hundred and fifty guns, while the Indians were variously estimated at from four hundred to five hundred. I fixed the number at not over three hundred and fifty.

Their advance upon the sloping prairie, in the bright sunlight, was a very fine spectacle, and to such inexperienced soldiers as we all were, intensely exciting. When within about one mile and a half of us, the mass began to expand like a fan, and increase in the velocity of its approach, and continued this movement until within about double rifle-shot, when it had covered our entire front. Then the savages uttered a terrific yell, and came down upon us like the wind. I had stationed myself at a point in the rear, where communication could be had with me easily, and awaited the first discharge with great anxiety, as it seemed to me that to yield was certain destruction, as the enemy would rush into the town and drive all before them. The yell unsettled the men a little; and just before the rifles began to crack, they fell back along the whole line, and committed the error of passing the outer houses without taking possession of them—a mistake which the Indians immediately took advantage of, by themselves occupying them in squads of two, three, and up to ten. They poured into us a sharp and rapid fire, as we fell back, and opened from the houses in every direction. Several of us rode up the hill, endeavoring to rally the men, and with good effect, as they gave three cheers, and sallied out of various houses they had retreated to, and checked the advance effectually. The firing from both sides then became general, sharp, and rapid, and it got to be a regu During the morning, we discovered a succes-lar Indian skirmish, in which every man did his sion of fires on the Nicollet county side of the river, very near the bluffs, approaching us from the direction of Fort Ridgely. Our supposition was, that the Fort had fallen, and the Indians were moving down upon the town, on that side of the river, to unite with another party on the side we were occupying.

BATTLE OF NEW-ULM, MINN.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPTAIN FLANDRAU.
ST. PETER, Aug. 27, 1862.

His Excellency, Gov. Alexander Ramsey:
SIR: Events have transpired so rapidly, and
my time has been so taken up since my last com-
munication, that I cannot with certainty recall
the condition of things existing at its date, but
believe I wrote you almost immediately preced-
ing the second attack upon New-Ulm, which oc-
curred on Saturday last.

As they increased in numbers very rapidly, I thought it best to send a detachment over, to ascertain the design of the enemy, and if possible, VOL. V.-Doc. 38

own work after his own fashion.

The Indians had spread out until they had got into our rear, and on all sides, having the very decided advantage of the houses on the bluff, which commanded the interior of the town, with the exception of the wind-mill, which was occu pied by about twenty of the Le Sueur Tigers, and held them at long-range. The wind was from the lower part of the town, and this fact directed the larger part of the enemy to that point, where