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of examining above, I left at two o'clock, and, proceeding up the river with the Vixen, not liking to trust the Pawnee in so narrow a channel, came on the Seneca, which had started at nine o'clock to explore, fast on a mud bank. We remained by her until nine o'clock, but found it impossible to pull her off, owing to the night tide not being as high as the morning one. While lying here, however, I sent the boats and burnt a sloop which had been run ashore some distance beyond, while attempting to escape from the Seneca, and which could not be got afloat.

The Vixen afterward returned for the night to the neighborhood of the Pawnee, but went back at daylight of the following morning with a party of men and boats from this vessel to lighten the Seneca, which vessel was got off at high tide.

While the Vixen was running up the river she came on a small sloop laden with cotton, from which two white men were taken, whom I now have on board as prisoners. As in the mean time nearly a hundred and fifty negroes, all in a great state of alarm, had collected on board the different vessels, I determined to land them on the point, (and called in the United States steamer Penguin, which was cruising off the port,) and to leave Lieut. Commanding Budd in charge of the river, after my departure, until he could hear from you. Capt. Boutelle was

kind enough to go out in the Vixen and pilot the Penguin into her anchorage off the fort,

where she now is.

As the weather was too threatening to permit of my making a careful examination of the Stoco, as I intended, I determined now to return at once to this place and report to you the state of affairs at the North Edisto. This I have done, reaching my anchorage here at three o'clock to-day.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. DRAYTON,

Flag-officer S. F. DUPONT,

Commanding. Commanding South Atlantic Squadron.

A SECESSION ACCOUNT.

The following appeared in the Charleston Courier:

GARDNER'S CORNER, S. C., December 19, 1861. About half-past one o'clock yesterday afternoon one of the enemy's gunboats passed by Port Royal ferry. Our batteries opened fire upon her, striking her three times. Upon meeting with this rather hot reception she steamed rapidly past, and ran aground about three miles troops became aware of the fix into which the the other side of the ferry. As soon as our Yankees had got themselves, Lieut. McElhenny, of Capt. Moore's field battery, (from Wilming ton, N. C.,) was despatched, with a section of the battery, to a point just opposite to the shoal on which the gunboat was aground. In the mean time three flats, crowded with the enemy's under a sharp fire from one of their batteries troops, had moved from the opposite shore, directed against our troops on the main. At that point our force consisted of Captain West's company of Jones' regiment.

Lieut. McElhenny's battery arrived just as the flats had come out about midway in the stream. He immediately opened fire upon them with tremendous effect. One of the flats was soon sunk, and our fire created terrible havoc among the soldiers on the other two flats, which hastily put back. Night came on and ended

On the morning of the 19th I ran down to the South Edisto, and, leaving the Pawnee and Seneca at the bar, went in with the Vixen. I found the fortifications which are on Edisto Island entirely deserted and partially destroyed. They consisted of two redoubts, which mounted, so far as I could judge, four guns each, but the guns had been removed. The Dale being in sight across Otter Island, in the Ashepoo, I made signal, and Lieut.-Commanding Truxton pulled over with four boats. He reported that every thing was quiet in the neigh- men on the flats must have been very heavy. borhood of his anchorage, and that the fort on Otter Island was rapidly being placed in a state of defence. Up to the present time, although they had been in sight of the South Edisto forts, where we were lying, they had not yet

landed there.

Having finished my examination of the South Edisto, I returned to the Pawnee and stood north, with the intention of lying off Stoco for the night; but, as the weather looked threatening, and the Vixen was almost out of coal, I went into the North Edisto again for the night, in order to have an opportunity of supplying her with some. Lieut.-Commanding Budd reported every thing as when I left, but on the following morning negroes came and stated that the troops who had left the encampment at Rockville, being largely reinforced, showed a disposition to reoccupy that place.

in

the cannonade. The steamer moved off with the flood tide. The enemy's loss among the

Col. Jones' regiment was moved up promptly to the support of McElhenny's battery; but the enemy seem to have abandoned the attempt to cross, if such was ever their intention. Lieut. McElhenny's battery was exposed to an incessant fire from the guns of the steamer during the whole engagement.

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our town was visited by a band of Moccasin Rangers, and the town completely taken possession of. They numbered about twenty-five, all well armed. A gentleman of the name of Dr. O. G. Chase came here some eighteen or twenty days ago, for the purpose of forming or raising a company. He brought some fifty stand of arms, ammunition, clothing, &c., without any protection whatever. I think he had got his company made up to twenty or upward. He took all the arms from the citizens, rendering them entirely defenceless, and on yesterday morning Mr. Chase locked his arms up in the jail, and his clothing, &c., in a room in H. Progler's upper house, gathered up his men and went off to Cottageville, saying that he would hold the citizens of Ripley responsible if the arms, &c., were taken out or molested, when at the same time he had rendered the citizens entirely defenceless. Mr. Chase did not even stop (as I understand) at Cottageville, but left his men there and went on himself to Mason County.

The Moccasins took all the arms, clothing, &c., rifled the post-office, robbed my store of considerable, and then put off, with their booty. It has caused great excitement. They did not injure the person of any one. They got about ten muskets, five rifles, twenty suits of clothing, shoes, &c.

ty, and all Union men will have to leave. The
Rangers have all been driven in here from
Calhoun, Gilmer, Wirt, and Roane, on to the
head of the right-hand fork of Sandy Big Run
and the left-hand fork of Mill Creek. When
they came into town Dr. Chase took his men
and went to Cottageville, and the arms he left
he locked up in the jail. They took an axe
and picked the lock and took them. Chase had
gathered up all the arms in the country of dif-
ferent persons. There was but one or two guns
in the place, and one of them I had with me.
We are in a bad way here.
Yours, respectfully,

Doc. 234.

JOHN H. WETZEL.

ENGAGEMENT AT DRANESVILLE, Va.

INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL ORD.

HEAD-QUARTERS MCCALL'S DIVISION, CAMP PIERPONT, VA., Dec. 19, 1861. GENERAL: You will please move in command of your brigade, at six A. M. to-morrow, on the Leesburg pike, in the direction of Dranesville. The First Rifles, Pennsylvania reserve, Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, have been ordered to form, right in front, on the pike near Commodore Jones's house, and await your arrival, when the The people condemn the action of Mr. Chase, commanding officer will report to you for furand in fact there is something very mysterious ther orders. Captain Easton's battery has been about the matter. Chase had old John Stal-directed to form on the left of the Rifles. The maker arrested a few days ago, who is known captain will report to you for orders. to be one of the hardest cases in Brown Coun

ty. He took him along with him yesterday, saying that he would send him on to Wheeling; but instead of so doing he took him as far as Cottageville and there released him, which is by no means approved by the citizens.

Can there be no arrangement made by which we can get say two hundred troops stationed here during the winter? Provisions can be obtained here as cheap as at any other point. We will either have to have a sufficient force here to protect the place, or else have no force at all. I think the action of Mr. Chase should be examined into. Yours, in haste,

J. L. ARMSTRONG.

In

Two squadrons of cavalry will also be placed under your command. The senior officer will report to you this evening for orders. Sherman, the guide, will likewise report to you for duty. The object of this expedition is twofold. the first place, to drive back the enemy's pickets, which have recently advanced within four or five miles of our lines, (leaving a force of about seventy cavalry at Henderson's,) and carried off two good Union men and threatened others; and secondly, to procure a supply of forage. It has to-day been reported to me that there is a force of about one hundred cavalry lying between Dranesville and the river. This force might be captured or routed by sending a regiment of infantry up the pike beyond their position, to strike their rear by a flank movement to the right, while your disposable cavalry (after picketing the cross-roads near Dickey's) might move near the river and attack them in front on the left. Should you not arrive at Dickey's SIR: On the night of the 19th the Moccasin in time to make this movement and leave the Rangers came into Ripley and took all the ground on your return before nightfall, it must United States arms and ammunition that Dr. not be undertaken, as I do not wish any part Chase had here recruiting for the Tenth regi- of your command to remain out overnight. ment, (J. Boheve's,) robbed the post-office of The forage will be procured at Gunnell's, or at all its contents and all my clothing but what I some other rank secessionist's in the neighborhad on my back, and a box of clothing for the hood of Dickey's. Direct your quartermaster soldiers, and took from J. L. Armstrong's store to confine the selection of forage to corn and a considerable amount. I wish you would see hay. Captain Hall will have charge of the if we could have a force to protect us here; if wagon train. The regiment intended to move we can't we will have to let all go in this coun-forward from Dickey's (if you think proper,

In corroboration of the above is the following from the postmaster of Ripley.

JACKSON C. H., VA., December 21, 1861.

Colonel D. Frost:

Jackson's) might ride in the wagons as far as
Dickey's, and there be fresh for the forward
movement.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. A. McCALL,
Brigadier-General, commanding Division.
Brigadier-General O. C. ORD,
Commanding Third Brigade.

GENERAL ORD'S REPORT.

CAMP PIERPONT, VA., December 21, 1861. SIR: I have to report that, in obedience to the enclosed order I, at six A. M. yesterday, started toward Dickey's and Henderson's, about three miles this side of Dranesville, on the Leesburg pike, with my brigade, the First Rifles, Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, Easton's battery, and two squadrons of cavalry. I likewise heard that it was probable there was a respectable picket of cavalry in Dranesville, and that the pickets supposed by you to be near the river, behind Dickey's, had left. I then determined to send three companies of the Tenth and twenty cavalry with the foraging party to Gunnell's, between the pike and the river, and with the remainder of the force proceed to Dranesville, satisfied that, though I might be exceeding the letter of my instructions, should I find the enemy and pick up a few, you would not object. This I did, though Colonel McCalmont, hearing that there was a large force on our left, remained with his part of a regiment, and that detained the two regiments behind him, (I had sent for them;) but was obliged to enter Dranesville with my artillery and cavalry, and a small advanced guard only on the road, the First Rifles and Colonel Jackson's regiment flanking this column in the woods on the right and left. The cavalry picket in town fled, scattered, and remained in small squads, watching.

woods, left in front, and if the enemy showed himself on that side, to bring his regiment forward into line. Colonel Jackson's regiment, of which and its gallant colonel I cannot speak in too high terms, I ordered to flank the road in the same way on the right of the road in the woods, and do the same if the enemy showed on that side. Between these flanking regiments I ordered the Kane Rifles to meet the enemy (behind us) in the road, the cavalry to follow, and the artillery I took with me to post them and answer the enemy's artillery, which had opened fire on our (their) right, (the south,) directing the rear guard to cover the column of the Sixth and Twelfth regiments infantry in the road from cavalry. The artillery went at a run past the station I selected for them, capsizing one of their pieces. I brought them back, told the captain where to post his guns, and then went to remove the cavalry, then exposed in the road swept by the enemy, (whose attack was from a thickly wooded hill on our right flank, the south.) Their force, I saw, was a very bold one, very well posted, and the artillery was only about five hundred yards off, with a large force of infantry on both its flanks and in front, covered and surrounded by woods and thickets. Moving east with the cavalry, which was of no use here, I came to a place in the road, covered toward the enemy by a high bluff and dense thickets, which thickets I intended to occupy with infantry. Here I left the cavalry surrounded by dense forests, wherein they could neither fight nor be hurt. The accompanying sketch will show the ground.

As I had at first thought the enemy would attack on both sides of the road, and moved my infantry to meet such an attack, and as their attack was confined to the right, it became necessary to change my front. As neither McWhile waiting in Dranesville for the regi- Calmont nor Jackson had had time to come into ments in the rear to come up, I posted my ar- line under first orders, when I discovered this, tillery and cavalry and Jackson's regiment of and was moving by the flank, and as, before I infantry and a couple of companies of the First placed the artillery and cavalry, I had seen the Rifles, so as to cover the approaches, and sent rifles closely engaging the enemy by a flank for Colonel Kane's regiment to occupy the road movement, covering themselves by some houses in our then rear, my front being toward Cen- and fences, my right in meeting the attack thus treville. This I did because, from the occasional became the village of Dranesville, my left the appearance of a few mounted men on a slope gorge and woods occupied by my cavalry on behind some woods in a hollow to my left and the Leesburg pike. After securing the cavalry, front, and a broad mass of smoke in that neigh-I found, by carefully observing the enemy's fire borhood, I felt pretty sure that there was a force there preparing some mischief. As soon as Colonel McCalmont came up with his regiment, the Tenth, followed by Lieutenant-Colonel Penrose, the Sixth, and Colonel Taggart with the Twelfth, and while preparing to resist any attack and to cover my foraging party, I learned that the enemy, in force, had approached on the south side of the Leesburg pike, with fieldpieces and infantry, and had driven in my pickets, wounding two men. Thinking they would attack on both sides of the turnpike as I returned eastward, I ordered (to meet this expected attack) Colonel McCalmont's regiment on the left or river side of the road in the

and battery, that their guns were in a road which could be enfiladed. I ordered Captain Easton to right the capsized gun and bring it to the spot from which this road could be raked; removed two other guns to this spot, gave the gunners the distance and elevation, observed the result, and finding, after a round or two, that the enemy's fire slackened and the gunners were raking the road beautifully, without being discomposed by the enemy's fire, I told them

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'to keep at that," and determined to push the infantry forward. I found them (except the Kane Rifles, the Ninth, Jackson's, and the Tenth, the McCalmont regiment, which were as above stated) in the ditches, under fences, and cover

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ing themselves as best they might. I started | McCall, I was informed, arrived on the field. them forward, Kane at the head of his regiment As I was very busy urging the men forward, leading. His and Jackson's regiments required and they required all my attention to keep them no urging. McCalmont's regiment was kept in to their work, I did not at once report; but excellent order by its colonel, (than whom a when we reached the ground occupied by the better officer is not found in my brigade,) and enemy's battery, I reported to him. He was so acted as a reserve. I put them in the woods-kind as to direct me to continue the pursuit in pushed and exhorted them up the hill, having the same order, and to continue my dispositions, directed the battery to cease firing, and pro- which I did. The enemy were pursued fully ceeding with my infantry with the bayonet. half a mile further, but they had left the neighAbout this time, between three and four o'clock, (the action began at half-past two,) General

*This plan was prepared by T. C. MCGREGOR, a participant in the battle of Dranesville.

borhood in great haste, leaving their arms, a portion of their dead and wounded, clothing, ten horses, and a quantity of artillery equipments, with two caissons and a limber, scattered along the road towards Centreville, and in the woods on both sides. I beg to mention the coolness and courage of my aids: Captain Painslee, assistant quartermaster; First Lieutenant S. B. Smith, Tenth Regiment Pennsylvania reserve corps; First Lieutenant S. S. Seward, New York Artillery, and Second Lieutenant A. B. Sharpe. They not only carried orders promptly, but in instances requiring it, exacted obedience. They deserve a more exalted rank than they now hold. The medical officers, especially the brigade surgeon, Dr. Lowman, were prompt and cool, leaving none unattended.

The enemy left twenty-one of their most desperately wounded on the field, who were taken up, carried to houses, and their wounds dressed by our surgeons, but they will nearly all die. Their dead left on the field is variously estimated from fifty to seventy-five. Our artillery did terrible havoc, exploding one ammunition wagon, and some of their men whom we brought in say the slaughter was terrible. Several dead lay around the exploded caisson, three of whose blackened corpses were headless. The prisoners further state that Colonel Taylor was doubtless killed; two of their officers were left on the ground, and how many were carried off it is difficult to say. After the affair, we built our bivouac fires in Dranesville. Thus, sir, we, on returning to camp, had marched twenty-four miles, beaten the enemy, loaded our wagons with forage, bringing in twelve mules, our killed, (seven.) and wounded, (sixty,) among whom are four captains. Some of our wounded had to be brought the whole distance on stretchers, while I am informed the Pennsylvania ambulances for this division are lying empty at Washington. Lists of killed and wounded, and

reports of regimental commanders, are herewith enclosed. It is impossible to remember all who were conspicuous, especially as the fighting occurred in thickets, and was scattered over so much ground. Captain Easton was very efficient, and his battery well served. The wounded officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, and Capt. Niles, of the Kane Rifles; Captain Bradbury, of the Sixth, and Captains Dick and Galway, of the Ninth Pennsylvania reserve volunteer corps, were conspicuous, leading their men when wounded. Others there were, as you can well imagine, equally brave, but it would be invidious to attempt to select them.

The prisoners report that the brigade engaged against us was composed of the Kentucky Rifles, an Alabama, a South Carolina, and a Virginia regiment, with a six-gun battery, all under the command of General Stuart.

I must not forget the prompt manner in which General Reynolds came up from Difficult Creek, some four miles off, as soon as he heard the cannonading. He arrived too late, it is true, to

take part in the affair, but the certainty that he would come with his brigade, insured a victory, and stimulated our men to earn it. With respect, sir, your obedient servant, E. O. C. ORD,

Col. H. J. BIDdle,

Brigadier General Volunteers.

Assistant Adjutant General, McCall's Division.

COL. JACKSON'S REPORT. HEAD-QUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT P. R. C. date, to make out an official report of the conSIR: In accordance with your order of this duct of my command in the engagement at Dranesville, I would respectfully state that, in obedience to orders, I marched my regiment and advanced as directed, with difficulty reinto the wood or copse, formed in line of battle, straining the men from "double quick." As friend or foe, I advanced until we saw and heard there was nothing to indicate the position of the movement of troops in advance of the within sixty or seventy paces of the left of the right of our line. I halted, and found my right troops referred to; my men showed a great anxiety to fire. At this time, an officer of my regiment reported that the troops opposite were into the fatal error of killing our own men, I the "Bucktails;" determined to avoid falling at once used all my energy to prevent firing, nor did we fire until after we had received a volley from the enemy, as they proved to be. We received their first fire as Captain Galway was in the act of reporting that he had obtained a view of them, and assured me in the most to fire was then given and promptly obeyed; emphatic manner they were rebels. The order but I found there still existed a doubt on the part of the men as to the true character of the troops wo were engaged with, which caused considerable confusion in the ranks, which was overcome, to a great extent, with some difficulty. I feel perfectly convinced, had the men been assured at the onset that the troops before us were rebels, we might have driven them from their position before they could have fired on us, as we could hear then distinctly load their pieces.

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the "Bucktails" were forming in front was I afterwards learned that the impression that of the enemy called out, don't fire on us;" strengthened by the following occurrence: One one of our men imprudently asked, "are you 'Bucktails'?"-the answer was, "yes, we are the 'Bucktails;' don't fire."

I enclose surgeon's report of killed and Wounded.

Your obedient servant,

C. FEGER JACKSON, Colonel Commanding Ninth Regir nt P. R. C. General E. O. C. ORD.

COL. KANE'S REPORT.

HEAD-QUARTERS KANE'S RIFLE REGIMENT, 1ST P. R. C.,

CAMP PIERPONT, December 21, 1861. GENERAL: Acknowledging the honor of your orders of December 21, I think I may limit my

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