Cedar Creek After Action Report, Commander, 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 8th Corps (OR, 43, 410-11)

HDQRS, SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND INFANTRY DIVISION,

ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA,

Cedar Creek, Va., October 24, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Second Brigade, Second Infantry Division, Army of West Virginia, in the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864.

The Ninth Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Captain Carroll, having been at work on the fortifications on the left of the line of works, and about one mile and a half from camp, on the previous day, had remained in that locality over night for the purpose of finishing their works in the morning. The Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, except about forty men, were on picket, with Lieutenant-Colonel Furney, commandant of that regiment; on duty as division officer of the day. The Ninety-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Major Cadot commanding, were on duty guarding cattle near Middletown, Va., leaving only one regiment, the Fourteenth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, Major Moore commanding, and the forty men of the Thirty-fourth Ohio in camp. About 4.30 a. m. a messenger from Captain Carroll informed me that brisk skirmishing was going on in his front. I immediately had the camp aroused and the troops of my command under arms. About this time I received orders from Colonel Hayes, commanding Second Division, to form my brigade on the crest of the hill in camp and on the right of the First Brigade, fronting toward the Shenandoah River. Before this was accomplished the enemy had broken the lines of the First Division in our front and were pressing them bay, and were already firing into our line of battle. The enemy soon made their appearance in overpowering numbers on our right and front, and our slender line was compelled to fill back in confusion a distance of three miles, when they were collected together and moved to the support of a battery on the left of the Winchester pike, from whence they were marched in good order back to the ground on which they had camped the previous night, and went into camp.

The conduct of Captain Carroll, commanding Ninth Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, is worthy of especial commendation, he having kept his regiment together under the most unfavorable circumstances (being at the time of the attack separated from the brigade). Lieutenant-Colonel Furney, Thirty-fourth Ohio, being officer of the day, was not seen after visiting the picket-line in the morning. The reports of regimental commanders are herewith transmitted.

The casualties of the brigade were as follows: Killed, 3 enlisted men; wounded, 6 commissioned officers and 46 enlisted men; missing, 2 commissioned officers and 29 men.

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

B. F. COATES,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. 2d Brig., 2d Infty. Div., Army of W. Va.

Lieut. C. B. HAYSLIP,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Army of W. Va.