NEAR JEFFERSON, VA.,
August 13, 1863.SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the operations of the Third Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, subsequent to the battle of Gettysburg and up to the arrival of the same at Warrenton, Va.:
On the morning of July 5, I left bivouac, about 1½ miles east of Gettysburg, passing through the village on the Chambersburg pike. The Tenth New York on that day having the right of the brigade, nearly the whole of the regiment was disposed as flankers, for the purpose of thoroughly scouring the country and arresting the numerous stragglers of the enemy, who, singly and in squads, were <ar43_982> endeavoring to make their way into the mountains. Owing to the wholesale capture of prisoners, and the necessity of the column following as rapidly as possible the rear of the enemy, I am unable to make any accurate estimate of the number taken. Each detachment under my command, on accumulating as large a number as could be safely guarded, proceeded to Gettysburg, and turned them over to the provost-marshal. Encamped that night at Graefenburg Springs.
Next day marched, via New Franklin, to Chambersburg; encamped at that point.
July 7, commenced march for Middletown, passing through Quincy, Fayetteville, and Waynesborough, arriving there July 10.
July 11, marched to Boonsborough, rejoining the division at that point.
July 13, marched to Harper's Ferry.
July 15, the Second Cavalry Division marched on a reconnaissance to Shepherdstown, the Third Brigade having the advance. A few pickets and a small supporting force of the enemy were encountered at this point, and easily captured or dispersed by our advance. This regiment on that day, being the third in column, took no part in the engagement. Encamped that night at Shepherdstown.
Next morning two squadrons, consisting of Companies H and L, under command of Captains Peck and Vanderbilt, and Companies C and G, under command of Lieutenants Sceva and McKevitt, the battalion being under command of Maj. A.D. Waters, were placed on picket on the Winchester pike, one squadron, under Captain Peirce, on the Dam No. 4 road, and the remaining three squadrons, under my command, were ordered to picket the Martinsburg road.
No force of the enemy was visible until about 2 p.m., when the vedettes from the battalion on the Winchester road were rapidly driven in by the advance guard of a heavy force, since ascertained to be under the command of General Stuart. Major Waters at this time, feeling seriously indisposed, retired, leaving Captain Peck in command. Lieutenant Sceva's squadron, being at the outer post, succeeded in momentarily checking the charge of the enemy, and then retired on the reserve without losing a prisoner, although the attack had been fierce, impetuous, and by an overwhelming force. At this reserve, Captain Peck succeeded in temporarily repulsing their advance, with a loss of 7 men missing and wounded, 3 of which latter have since died in hospital, and Lieut. John T. McKevitt, of Company G, a brave and gallant officer, severely wounded through the lung.
The enemy having brought forward a strong re-enforcement, Captain Peck was compelled to retire until re-enforced by the First Maine, when the enemy was held in check until the remainder of the brigade came up. Soon after, Captain Peck was withdrawn and sent to strengthen the line picketed by my command, and which, by the nature of the attack, had become a line of skirmishers, covering the extreme right of the division.
During the remainder of the engagement this regiment remained comparatively idle and without any loss on our part, annoying the opposing skirmishers of the enemy and driving back any force which appeared. On the cessation of the firing, my line remained the same as at the commencement of the attack, and was held as a line of pickets until midnight, when we were withdrawn, and marched for Harper's Ferry, arriving there soon after daylight.
July 19, marched for Warrenton, via Leesburg, encamping, respectively, <ar43_983> at Goose Creek, Manassas, Broad Run, Warrenton Junction, and Bealeton, until July 29. During the period from the 22d ultimo to that date we were engaged in picketing the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
July 29, marched for Amissville, encamping that night about 2 miles from Warrenton.
Annexed please find a report of the casualties in this regiment during the period covered by this report.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
M. Henry Avery
Major, commandingy
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