The "Bristoe Campaign" occurred around Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe, and Catlett's Station, VA, on October 12-16, 1863. The regiment took heavy casualties, loosing 53 men, 28 listed as MIA, 3 killed, and 22 wounded. Many of the MIA could have ended up as prisoners. The following is from the official report of Major M. Henry Avery, 10th NY Cav., and covers this period. (Red color added to dates by web author.) A description of the Battle of Bristoe Station, from AMHI, follows at the end of this report.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY,
Near Fayetteville, Va., October 23, 1863.SIR: I have the honor to submit to you the following report respecting the movements and operations of this regiment from the 9th instant:
[Oct. 9] At this date the regiment was encamped 1 mile west of Liberty, and picketing the river from Freeman's ford to Sulphur Springs, and the roads toward Warrenton. On the evening of the 9th instant, I received orders to report immediately with my command to brigade headquarters, but owing to unexpected delay in drawing in my pickets I was not prepared to move until [Oct. 10] daylight the following morning. I proceeded to Bealeton, when I found the brigade had marched, taking the road toward Culpeper. I followed on and joined it near Culpeper, where I arrived at 4 p.m., and went into camp for the night. According to directions my command was prepared to march [Oct. 11] early the following morning, and at 10 o'clock the division moved out with the Second Brigade in the rear. The route of the division on this day was toward Sulphur Springs, proceeding slowly without molestation and covering the left flank and rear of Meade's columns. Arrived at Sulphur Springs about 9 p.m., the Second Brigade bivouacking upon nearly its old camping grounds near Jefferson.
[Oct. 12] The next morning the brigade moved across the river and encamped along the Warrenton pike about a mile from the ford. Before the arrangements for camp were completed I received orders to be ready to move at brief notice. Thirty minutes after I moved out in advance of the battery, going down till near the ford, then countermarched at short distance, and, after a short halt in the piece of woods at the right of the road, marched down and was placed in close column at the right and rear of the battery posted on the crest of hill commanding the crossing and the opposite side of the river. Soon after taking this position the Forth Pennsylvania, which had been left on picket at Jefferson in the morning and been attacked, was pressed back to within view by the enemy, who was advancing determinedly with a strong force of infantry and cavalry.
The Thirteenth Pennsylvania, which had crossed over and was upon the right, had become engaged sharply, and was being forced into a dangerous position and would require assistance to retire safely. This command was sent to their support and soon gained a position on the slope of the hill in the center, and I immediately deployed one squadron as skirmishers. This engaged the attention of the enemy and allowed the regiments upon my right and left to retire toward the ford. The fire of the enemy then became principally concentrated upon this regiment, and after remaining a short-time returning his fire as much as possible, I was ordered to fall back across the river. I was now in the rear, and the enemy's numerous skirmishers, with heavy supports pressing upon both flanks and rear, compelled me to fall back hastily, suffering severe loss in men and horses. After crossing the river a larger share of my carbineers were dismounted and posted along the bank of the river about the crossing, and with the remainder of the regiment, numbering about 50 mounted men, I was directed to move up the river about three-fourths of a mile and hold a crossing at this point.
Shortly after arriving here the enemy's heavy battery opened, which drove our forces from their position at the ford and allowed the enemy's forces to cross. I perceived that they were advancing up the Warrenton pike and driving back our skirmishers. Under these circumstances I thought it advisable to endeavor to gain the road in advance of him, lest I should be cut off from the rest of the command. On reaching the pike I found the advance of the First Brigade moving down to check the enemy's skirmishers, who were advancing rapidly. I formed my men upon the right in the edge of the woods, while the First New Jersey advanced down the road and drove them back nearly to the ford. Heavy skirmishing continued from this time until after dark, the enemy making but little progress. The First New Jersey was principally engaged. The few men I had were maneuvered as far as possible for its support. I lost a few men here in wounded. Soon after dark the firing ceased, and with the First Brigade I fell back to Fayetteville, where the Second Brigade had halted, and here remained till morning. I then collected the available force of my regiment, which had been considerably reduced by the engagement on the previous day.
[Oct.13] The division started at noon and marched to Auburn via Germantown. Arrived at the former place late in the evening and this regiment sent to picket the road toward Warrenton. I established my headquarters about a mile from Auburn, throwing out my pickets to the distance of three-fourths of a mile beyond. Everything remained quiet during [Oct. 14] the night, but as soon as daybreak the next morning the enemy advanced a heavy force of infantry, before which my picket force, consisting of one squadron, in command of Captain Vanderbilt, was obliged to fall back, hotly skirmishing the while. By the time I could form my men in the field the skirmishers were within 300 yards, and I immediately sent a squadron to support them. The enemy was then driven back some distance, but advancing again with increased numbers, Captain Vanderbilt retired again, after a stout resistance, holding the enemy in check for some time. I then withdrew my reserve about 100 yards farther down the road and ordered the Fifth Squadron, under Lieutenant Johnson, to charge with the saber. This was gallantly done, and further checked the enemy's advance. I regret to record here the loss of one of my bravest officers, Lieutenant Johnson, who fell while leading this charge, and was unavoidably left in the hands of the enemy, supposed to have been instantly killed. After this I fell back slowly till under cover of our guns planted upon the brow of the hill with heavy support. One of my squadrons (Captain Bliss') was kept on the skirmish line until I retired with the brigade toward Catlett's Station. My loss during the morning was not serious.
This regiment took but little part in the skirmishing which continued during the day while the division was moving along the railroad toward Bristoe. The enemy, having gained possession of the railroad near this point, attacked us from an ambush with a heavy fire of musketry and compelled the column to retire in the direction of Brentsville. The division halted here for the night and [Oct. 15] started early the next morning and marched to a point 3 miles from Fairfax Station and encamped. I remained here till the evening of the 17th, [Oct.17] keeping two squadrons picketing on Bull Run. I then moved my command, according to instructions, to Union Mills, having orders to picket from that point to the ford on Bull Run, 5 miles below.
[Oct.19] On the evening of the 19th, I received orders to join the brigade at [Oct.20] Centreville, and started early the following morning, joining the brigade at noon the same day near Bull Run, on the Gainesville road; [Oct.21] bivouacked here for the night, and the next day (21st) marched with division to Warrenton and camped 1 mile south of the town. Marched with [Oct.22] brigade next day to Fayetteville, and fell back 1 mile in the evening and encamped in the woods.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. HENRY AVERY,
Major, Comdg. Tenth New York Cavalry,
Per G. W. KENNEDY,
Adjutant.
The Battle of Bristoe Station:
Other Names: None
Location: Prince William County
Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October-November 1863)
Date(s): October 14, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 1,980 total
Description: On October 14, 1863, A.P. Hill’s corps stumbled upon two corps of the retreating Union army at Bristoe Station and attacked without proper reconnaissance. Union soldiers of the II Corps, posted behind the Orange & Alexandria Railroad embankment, mauled two brigades of Henry Heth’s division and captured a battery of artillery. Hill reinforced his line but could make little headway against the determined defenders. After this victory, the Federals continued their withdrawal to Centreville unmolested. Lee’s Bristoe offensive sputtered to a premature halt. After minor skirmishing near Manassas and Centreville, the Confederates retired slowly to Rappahannock River destroying the Orange & Alexandria Railroad as they went. At Bristoe Station, Hill lost standing in the eyes of Lee, who angrily ordered him to bury his dead and say no more about it.
Result(s): Union victory
CWSAC Reference #: VA040
Preservation Priority: I.3 (Class B)
USNPSThe battle of Bristoe Station was part of the "Bristoe Campaign", more details on which may be obtained by clicking here. Justus writes home about some of his experiences, including his horse becoming a battlefield casualty.
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