Cedar Creek Report, Commander, Grimes' Brigade, Rodes' Division (OR, 43, 607)

HEADQUARTERS, GRIMES' BRIGADE,

October 30, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to report the part taken by this brigade in the late engagement of 19th at Cedar Creek, Va.:

It with the other brigades of the division, moved on the evening and night of the 18th to the right and below the town of Strasburg, Va., until it reached the road leading to Front Royal, and thence down this road until it had turned the left flank of the enemy on the opposite side of the river; there halted and waited until daylight, when it crossed the river, and with the other troops attacked and drove the enemy from their camps and beyond Middletown. When near this point three of the regiments were thrown out as skirmishers-Thirty-second North Carolina troops on the right, Forty-fifth and Forty-third on the left and to the front. The enemy had made a stand on a high and strongly-protected hill. The brigade was ordered to charge and drive the enemy from this position. In this charge the Fifty-third and Second North Carolina Battalion, with a few men from Forty-fifth and Forty-third, drove the enemy up and nearly off the hill, but having no support on their right (other troops failing to come up in time) they were temporarily checked and had to fall back. The brigadier soon reformed them and they moved forward again, but found the enemy had evacuated the posit-ion. After this the brigade moved forward,

under a slight shelling from the enemy, and formed a new line. Here the army rested for several hours, when the enemy formed and charged this part of the line. This brigade was ordered to make a countercharge and meet the enemy, which it did very handsomely, with a yell and two volleys. The enemy broke and ran back, leaving one color and many men lying in our front. We- remained here for some time, when we were ordered back to a line in rear. This was soon formed, and here remained until the left of the army gave way, when we were ordered to fall back, which we did, and retired with the army to Fisher's Hill.

The brigade lost 11 killed and 108 wounded and a few prisoners. All the missing, with a few exceptions, have returned.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. G. COWAND

Colonel, Commanding Brigade

Maj. G. PEYTON,

Assistant Adjutant- General.