Micro Table Battles - Part Two

From Major H. Gilmor (1st Maryland Cavalry CSA)
To Brigadier General J. Archer

June 4th, 1863. Southern entrance of Crooked Valley

Sir,

My regiment along with the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, under the command of Colonel T. Munford, entered the southern entrance to the valley at daybreak this morning. We soon came across a forward defensive post occupied by the enemy, which consisted of 6th New York Battery under the command of Captain J. Martin US Army and 7th Michigan Cavalry under the command of Colonel W. Mann US Army.

After a brief discussion Colonel Munford and myself agreed to attack immediately, we could see only a few skirmishers defending the camp, the rest of the occupants still asleep in their tents.

Colonel Munford charged with his regiment at the sentries to the east of the road, I charged the enemy located in front of a small wood, to the west of the road.

The enemy managed to get off only a few shots as my men advanced.

It was exactly the same for Colonel Munford and his men, the enemy had been taken totally by surprise.

Our boys were soon in among the enemy, and with pistols, killed and wounded a number of them.

Colonel Munford had similar success, and the enemy quickly threw down their arms, though it is believed three or four of them hightailed it down a narrow track heading north through the thick scrub in this location.

By this time, partly clothed troopers and artillerymen of the enemy, awoken by the noise of battle, were streaming from their tents and attempting to form up. We did not let this happen and maintained the initiative.

Colonel Munford charged the artillery battery from the flank, I quickly dismounted my men and moved quickly into the wood beside the enemy camp.

The enemy cannon never got off a shot, and quickly surrendered to the Colonel's men.

My boys caught the still confused Union troopers with a salvo, felling a number of them.

It was at this point that Colonel Mann (US Army) ordered his men to lay down their weapons and surrender.

We have captured in excess of 450 of the enemy, supplies of food and ammunition, over 300 cavalry mounts, a battery of three cannon with limbers and horse teams as well as supply wagons and their teams.

I was ordered to guard the prisoners by Colonel Munford, who has continued north up the valley with his regiment.

I await your instructions sir.

H. Gilmor (Major CS Army)

I thought I would do the report in the form of a despatch, sent south to the headquarters of Brigadier General Archer. He of course will not receive colour photographs.

So Major Gilmor and the troopers of the 1st Maryland Cavalry will guard the prisoners, whilst Colonel Munford and the 2nd Virginia Cavalry continue to scout north, up the valley.

To find out if he runs into more of the enemy, and what Confederate forces will now enter the valley, join me in Part Three.