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Numbers 226. Report of Major Christopher T. Cheek, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, of operations January 28-March 24.

HDQRS. FIFTH KENTUCKY CAV., 3rd Brigadier, 3rd CAV. DIV.,MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Faison's Depot, N. C., March 28, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that my regiment, numbering 200 effective men and 11 commissioned officers, broke camp near Savannah Ga., on the 28th day of January, 1865, in compliance with orders received from your headquarters and marched with the brigade until the 6th of February, during which time nothing occurred of interest.

The brigade arrived at Barnwell on the evening of the 6th, and went into camp for the night. On the morning of the 8th instant the regiment accompanied the brigade to Williston, S. C., on the Charleston and Augusta Railroad. The First Alabama Cavalry U. S. Volunteers, being in advance of the brigade, had a slight skirmish with the enemy's cavalry at this point, but easily succeeded in driving the enemy from the place. I was directed to put my regiment in position preparatory to going into camp for the night, but about this time the pickets of the First Alabama Cavalry, on the Augusta road were attacked by a considerable force of the enemy. Major Cramer, commanding the First Alabama Cavalry, was ordered to re-enforce the pickets and drive the rebels back. I was therefore directed not to unsaddle until Major Cramer returned or was heard from. In some half hour I received an order from the colonel commanding to proceed rapidly with my regiment to the support of Major Cramer, who had encountered a force of rebels, which they found too strong for them to drive. I had gone two miles at a rapid rate when I came up with the First Alabama and my regiment following them up. After having marched half a mile we again found the enemy consisting of six regiments posted in a thick woods and a very advantageous [position] in our front. My regiment was immediately ordered into position by the colonel commanding. We moved forward some distance, skirmishing sharply with the enemy, when Colonel Spencer ordered a charge which resulted in driving the enemy in utter confusion from the battle-field. In their hasty flight they abandoned guns, haversacks, and everything which could impede their precipitate flight. A portion of the First Alabama Cavalry and one battalion of my regiment pursued the enemy for five miles. My regiment captured the brigade flag of Colonel Hagan's (Alabama) brigade, and the regimental colors of the Fourth and Ninth Alabama Cavalry, together with 8 or 10 prisoners, and many Enfield rifles, which were destroyed.

The conduct of my officers and men on this occasion was splendid.

Nothing transpired worthy of note until the 10th of March.

The regiment having marched till 9 o'clock the night previous, went into camp at Monroe's Cross-Roads in rear of the First Alabama Cavalry. The enemy during the night, under Wade Hampton, commanding the rebel cavalry, taking advantage of the darkness of the night and the inclemency of the weather, it being quite rainy, moved heavy columns of cavalry through the open pine wood to the vicinity of our camp preparatory to attacking the camp at daylight on the following morning. At early dawn on the morning of the 10th instant, we were awakened from our slumbers by the deadly missiles and fiendish shouts of the rebel cavalry charging into out camp in three different places, rear and both flanks. To the right of our camp we could see the dismounted brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Way, Ninth Michigan Cavalry who had encamped in our rear, flying in every direction the rebel cavalry in hot pursuit. Having gained the swamp near by, they were formed and completely checked the onslaught of the rebels. In the meantime Colonel Spencer's brigade was fighting most desperately with the rebels, who outnumbered us ten to one, disputing as to who should hold the camp of the cavalry. Finally, after a most bloody conflict of one hour and a half, a few of my men, with Lieutenant Stetson, Tenth Wisconsin Battery charged and retook two pieces of Artillery which had been in possession of the rebels some half an hour. Lieutenant Stetson quickly fired a round of grape and canister into the rebel ranks, which greatly encouraged my men, and demoralized and discouraged the rebels to an equal extent. The men were easily rallied to the support of the Artillery, and the rebels were driven from the camp and the battle-field in the utmost confusion.

My men and officers on this occasion acted with the most determined gallantry, having in many instances desperate hand-to-hand conflicts with the enemy.

Thirty-three dead rebels were counted within the limits of my camp after the fight was over, including many officers.

It was individual bravery that saved the day upon this occasion; men fighting, not in organized bodies, but behind trees, stumps, and anything which could afford protection. Many of the men fought almost in a state of nudity, not having had time to dress themselves before the rebels were upon them.

I cannot speak too highly of the indomitable courage of my officers and men in this engagement. When all acted so nobly it would seem invidious to mention any by name; but I cannot forbear calling particular attention of the colonel commanding to the conspicuous gallantry displayed by Captain J. A. P. Glore, commanding First Battalion, of my regiment, on this occasion. He rendered very great service to me in assisting to command the regiment throughout the campaign. Lieutenant W. D. Mitchell, adjutant of the regiment, was killed while bravely fighting the enemy. He was a gallant officer, beloved and respected by all who knew him.

On the morning of the 16th of March I was directed to follow the Fifth Ohio Cavalry and to support that regiment if necessary they being on the left flank of the infantry. My regiment was frequently under fire during the day but not engaged. On the morning of the 18th instant I was directed by the colonel commanding to take the advance of the brigade, on the road to Goldsborough. After having marched four miles on this road Captain Northrop, commanding scouts, struck the enemy's cavalry picket and skirmishing with them for sometime, ascertained that the enemy was in considerable force. I was here directed by Colonel Spencer to send Captain Glore with six companies of my regiment to divert he enemy's attention while the division passed on a road to the right of the one on which the enemy was found. We had traveled this road some two miles when the advance, consisting ofdismounted men, again struck the enemy's picket-post at a swamp but drove them back very readily. After having gone some half a mile farther the rebels made an impetuous charge upon Lieutenant Stetson's Artillery at a time when the swamp was between the commands and the Artillery. Therefore the rebels succeeded in getting into close proximity to the pieces, and poured in such a withering fire upon the defenseless cannoneers as caused them to abandon their horses. My regiment was quickly thrown into line under fire, and returned the fire of the rebels with so much effect as caused them to retreat in confusion. I with the Second Battalion of my regiment, pursued them half a mile, when I returned in compliance with Colonel Spencer's orders and joined the command. During the campaign the regiment has lost Lieutenant W. D. Mitchell, adjutant of the regiment, and Lieutenant Amos Griffin, Company L, killed; Lieutenant John W. Baker, commanding Company E, and Lieutenant Wiley S. Holland, commanding Company H, wounded; Captain John D. Smith, commanding Company C, and Lieutenant John Right, commanding Company B, captured; 6 enlisted men killed; 40 enlisted men captured; aggregate, 72; making the loss one-third of the effective force on the campaign. The regiment captured during the campaign 75 prisoners.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. T. CHEEK,

Major Fifth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry, Commanding.

Lieutenant J. N. LUKINS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Cavalry Brigade.