was suddenly opened from a thick woods on our left, the enemy evidently lying in large force in ambuscade, while their artillery was posted on the Centreville road, leading through the wood and coming into the Alexandria turnpike between Thornton's and Coleman's houses. My guns were immediately put into battery and opened fire. Having nothing to indicate the position of the enemy but the smoke of their guns, I opened a brisk discharge of shells into the woods occupied by the enemy, which was kept up until your order to cease firing. The examination of the ground afterward showed the successful and destructive effects of our artillery fire. The rebel battery, in my opinion, was unmanned by our third fire. They succeeded in drawing off their guns, but I captured one caisson and one limber, and one other was exploded and the horses fatally injured. The woods in which the enemy were concealed were found thickly strewn with dead and wounded. The mangled bodies of the dead showed the terrible execution of our fire. Besides the ordnance captured, a large quantity of clothing, blankets, knapsacks, haversacks, &c., was found, which the enemy had cast off in their hasty and thorough rout.

I have the satisfaction to state that, although the injury and loss of the enemy was so severe, in my battery there was not a man or horse lost and no injury done my guns. Our only casualty was the slight wounding of one of my men [Charles Osborn], who was struck in the knee by a spent ball, which slightly lamed him.

I have only to add that I was firmly supported by a detachment of the Tenth Regiment [Colonel McCalmont's], and that my whole company, officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, acted with skill and energy and courage worthy the highest praise.

Respectfully submitted.

H. EASTON,

Captain, Commanding Battery A, First Reg't Pa. Art.

Brigadier General E. O. C. ORD,

Third Brigade, P. R. C.

No. 10. Return of casualties in the Union forces in the engagement at Dranesville, Va., December 10, 1861.*

Killed Wounded

Command Officers Enlisted men Officers

First Pennsylvania - 3 2

Reserve Rifles

Sixth - 2 1

Pennsylvania

Reserve Infantry

Ninth Pennsylvania - 2 2

Reserve Infantry

Tenth Pennsylvania - - -

Infantry

Twelfth - - -

Pennsylvania

Reserve Infantry

First Pennsylvania - - -

Reserve Artillery,

Battery A.

First Pennsylvania - - -

Reserve Cavalry

Total - 7 5

Wounded Missing

Command Enlist Offi Enlist Aggre Remarks

ed men cers ed men gate

First Pennsylvania 24 - - 29

Reserve Rifles

Sixth 12 - - 15

Pennsylvania

Reserve Infantry

Ninth Pennsylvania 18 - - 22

Reserve Infantry

Tenth Pennsylvania - - - - No

Infantry casualties

Twelfth 1 - - 1

Pennsylvania

Reserve Infantry

First Pennsylvania 1 - - 1

Reserve Artillery,

Battery A.

First Pennsylvania - - - - No

Reserve Cavalry casualties

Total 56 - - 68

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*Compiled from records in the Adjutant-General's Office.

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