page 861-863

During the night of the 6th of March my command crossed the Pedee, and on the 7th occupied Rockingham, driving Butler's cavalry division, of Hampton's cavalry, from the town after a considerable skirmish, in which the rebel General Aiken was killed. On the 8th crossed Lumber River and after the most difficult march over the most horrible roads, swamps, and swollen streams, I struck the rear of Lieutenant-General Hardee's column at Solomon's [Solemn] Grove, on the Charlotte and Fayetteville road, capturing a number of poisoners. Lieutenant-General Hardee was found to be rapidly moving for Fayetteville, and from prisoners we learned that Lieutenant-General Hampton's cavalry was some miles in the rear, but rapidly marching for the same point. I determined at once to intercept him. By scouts I learned that Hampton was marching upon two roads, the Morgantown road and a road three miles farther to the north and parallel to it just south and east of Solomon's [Solemn] Grove. I posted upon each a brigade of cavalry, and learning that there was a road still farther north upon which some of the enemy's troops might move I made a rapid night's march with Colonel Spencer's Little brigade of three regiments and 400 dismounted men and one section of Artillery, and took post at the point where the road last mentioned intersects with the Morgantown road. During the fore part of the evening I left General Atkins and joined Colonel Spencer with my staff and actually rode through one of General Hampton's divisions of cavalry, which by 11 o'clock had flanked General Atkins and was encamped within three miles of Colonel Spencer. My escort of 15 men and 1 officer was captured, but I escaped with my staff. General Atkins and Colonel Jordan discovered about 9 o'clock that while the enemy was amusing them in front he was passing with his main force on a road to his right. These officers at once pulled out and made every effort to join me before daylight but failed to do so, owing to the bad roads and almost incessant skirmishing with the enemy, who was marching parallel to him, and at some points not a mile distant.

Hampton had marched all day and rested his men about three miles from Colonel Jordan's position at two o'clock in the morning, and just before daylight charged my position with three divisions of cavalry, Humes', Allen's and Butler's. Hampton led the center division (Butler's) and in less than a minute had driven back my people and taken possession of my headquarters, captured the Artillery, and the whole command was flying before the most formidable cavalry charge I ever have witnessed. Colonel Spencer and a large portion of my slly taken prisoners. On foot I succeeded in gaining the cavalry camp a few hundred yards in the rear, and found the men fighting with the rebels for their camp and animals and we were finally forced back some 500 yards farther to a swamp impassable to friend or foe. The enemy, eager for plunder, failed to promptly follow us up. We rallied and at once advanced upon him. We retook the cavalry camp, and, encouraged by our success, charged the enemy, who was endeavoring to harness up the battery horses and plundering my headquarters. We retook the Artillery, turned it upon the enemy about our headquarters, not twenty steps distant, and finally forced him out of the camp with great slaughter. We re-established our line and for an hour and a half foiled every attempt of the enemy to retake it. At about 8 o'clock General Mitchell with a brigade of infantry came within supporting distance, having rapidly marched to my assistance across the country from the plank road. He at once moved up in position and remained with me until 1. 30 o'clock, rendering every assistance possible. The enemy, however, did not make it necessary for the infantry to fire a single shot. General Mitchell has my thanks and deserves great credit for the rapid march over a broken country, the soldierly feeling displayed, and anxiety to assist me. We lost 4 officers killed and 7 wounded, 15 men killed and 61 severely and several slightly wounded, and 103 officers and men taken prisoners.

The enemy left in our camp upward of 80 killed, including many officers and a large number of men wounded. We captured 30 prisoners and 150 horses with their equipments.

This battle speaks for itself and needs no comment from me. I will simply add that less than one-third of my entire command was unexpectedly attacked before daylight by the entire rebel cavalry force led by Hampton in person, the pet and pride of the Southern chivalry, and no matter what the facts may be regarding the conduct of my people under the first terrible onset of the foe, they can proudly boast that without assistance they regained their camp, animals, Artillery, and transportation, and drove the enemy in confusion from the ground he had taken by surprise and force of numbers alone.

On the following day my command moved to Fayetteville, and on the morning of the 15th crossed Cape Fear River and moved out upon the road toward Raleigh, encountering the enemy in force six miles from Averasborough. Re-enforced by a brigade of infantry, my command remained in camp during the night within easy rifle-range of the enemy's pickets. At daylight the following morning I moved out in line of battle, the infantry having the center. The enemy's pickets were driven in and his skirmish line forced back to his main line of battle. After thoroughly reconnoitering the enemy's entire position I decided it was not prudent to attack, and sent back for infantry re-enforcements. In the meantime the enemy moved out of his works and furiously attacked the cavalry under Colonel Jones upon the right. This officer gallantly held his position until re-enforced by the brigades of Colonel Jordan and General Atkins, and after repulsing three determined attacks, charged in turn, driving the enemy back again behind his works. The Twentieth and Fourteenth Army Corps having come up and gone into position, in accordance with instructions from the general-in-chief, my cavalry operated upon the right throughout the day and, mounted and dismounted fought side by side with the infantry, and I am certain to their entire satisfaction. The following morning we crossed Black Creek and moved out upon the Smithville [Smithfield] road to the left and front of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Army Corps.

This was the last operation of the cavalry during the campaign worthy of notice. We were on the field ready and willing to participate in the battle of Bentonville, but the opportunity did not offer. After the enemy had been defeated and driven beyond Mill Creek, and the main army had moved to Goldsborough, my command moved to Mount Olive, on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, and there went into camp, and now remains resting from the long and arduous campaign through which it has so recently passed.

I look back over the past campaign, so glorious to this Army, with feelings of pride and satisfaction. My entire command, animated by the same spirit, with full confidence in their chiefs, have with skill and energy overcome every obstacle, and have willingly dared every danger that a perfect success might crown our efforts.

I take great pleasure in bringing to your favorable notice the names of the following officers of my command whose great services throughout the campaign entitle them to promotion; Brevet Brigadier-General Atkins, Commanding brigade; Colonel Thomas J. Jordan, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanding brigade; Colonel George E. Spencer, First Alabama Cavalry, commanding brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Way, commanding dismounted cavalry; Lieutenant Colonel F. A. Jones, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, and Captain L. G. Estes my assistant adjutant-general. I do not deem it necessary to mention the individual cases in which these officers have particularly distinguished themselves. A careful perusal of this report alone will show that they fully deserve the promotion I ask for them.

Accompanying this report will be found special recommendations of meritorious officers, which I consider just and proper; also accompanying this report will be found a nominal list of killed, wounded, and missing, prisoners taken, property captured and destroyed, throughout this campaign.

Respectfully submitted.

J. KILPATRICK,

Brevet Major-General, Commanding.

Major E. B. BEAUMONT,

Asst. Adjt. General, Cavalry Corps, Military Div. of the Miss.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

In the field, Goldsborough, N. C., April 7, 1865.

This report is concise and clear. The cavalry on this march was handled with spirit and skill. Almost always confronted by a superior force of the enemy, led by rebel generals of high repute-Wade Hampton, Butler, and Wheeler-General Kilpatrick was always willing to attack, but I restrained him as it was important to retain our cavalry strong to cover the flanks of our long wagon trains. In all actions our cavalry fought well.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.