[JULY 17, 1861.]
SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at the intersection of the old Braddock road by that leading from Fairfax Court-House to Fairfax Station at 1.30 o’clock p. m. to-day, having been unable to accomplish the march by the time specified in your general order of yesterday, in consequence of the route being obstructed. En route we had some three or four skirmishes, the last one being within three miles of our present camp.
In this, so far as is ascertained, one officer and one private were slightly and one private seriously wounded. I will report more particularly as to this when the official returns reach me.
The obstructions on my route consisted of barricades, some of them quite extensive, caused by felling trees across the road. Within a mile of my present position we came upon quite an extensive earthwork, badly constructed, but capable of considerable defense. The parapet was about six feet thick, revetted with poles, with a command of several feet. The line was four hundred or five hundred yards in length. We found this work deserted. At the location of our present camp I found the camp of the Fifth Regiment Alabama troops, which had just been deserted.
I would report that Maj. J. G. Barnard, Engineers, is with my division. He desires me to inform you that he will remain with it to-morrow unless you otherwise direct.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. S. MILES,
Colonel Second Infantry, commanding Fifth Division.
Capt. JAMES B. FRY,
Assistant Adjutant General, Hdqrs. Dep’t N. E. Va.
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 