HDQRS. ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS,
Camp near Martinsburg, July 3, 1861.
SIR: I have the honor to report to you the part taken by my command in the engagement of yesterday morning. The regiment being formed in the woods to the right of the turnpike, I detached Companies A, B, and C as skirmishers, with a view of outflanking the enemy, whose cavalry were making a demonstration in that direction, and moved forward, maintaining a fire against the enemy, who retired as I advanced until I reached the point where I rejoined the left of the regiment. The loss in this part of the command was one wounded.
At the same time the remainder of the regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter, was advanced by him in line (Companies D and E being extended upon the right as skirmishers), with a view of turning the enemy’s guns upon the road. In this manner he moved forward upon the open ground for about one mile, keeping up a very brisk fire with the enemy until the woods to the right of their guns were reached, from which, however, their guns had by that time been removed. The loss in this part of the command was one killed and eight wounded. Then, closing in my line, I reunited the regiment, and there being no occasion for further operations in that direction, rejoined the remainder of the brigade upon the road.
The officers and men behaved well, and it affords me pleasure to say that each one performed his duty to my entire satisfaction. I am also happy to state that Lieutenant-Colonel Counter and Major Earnest deserve much credit for the able manner in which they brought their command into action.
Respectfully, submitted.
P. JARRETT,
Colonel, Commanding Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Colonel J. J. ABERCROMBIE,
Commanding Sixth Brigade Volunteers.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. II. With additions and corrections. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1902.
Spirit of '61 