charged a party consisting of a colonel, 2 captains, 1 lieutenant, and 2 privates, who were about 60 yards in front of 25 cavalry. He whipped them, breaking the colonel's arm (citizens since report him dead); wounded both captains and 1 private. This took place between two encampments only 100 yards apart. He made no captures, but bore off the colonel's hat.

On the evening of December 24, Corporal Reed, Fourth Virginia Cavalry, and a few men attacked and captured 2 wagons and their escort, consisting of a lieutenant and 5 men, near their camp in Fauquier. They belonged to the Fifth Army Corps. The wagons were secured, and bid fair at last accounts to reach these headquarters.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. B. STUART,

Major-General.

Colonel R. H. Chilton,

Chief of Staff, Army of Northern Virginia.

[Indorsement]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

January 5, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded, in commendation of the conduct of these men.

I have had occasion previously to commend the conduct of Private F. Stringfellow.

R. E. LEE,
General.

_____________________

DECEMBER 16, 1863 - SKIRMISH NEAR FREE BRIDGE, N. C.

REPORTS

Numbers 1 - Major Floyd Clarkson, Twelfth New York Cavalry

Numbers 2 - Brigadier General Seth M. Barton, C. S. Army.

Numbers 1

Report of Major Floyd Clarkson, Twelfth New York Cavalry.

Camp At Rocky Run,

December 18, 1863.

ADJUTANT: In compliance with orders from the colonel commanding outpost, I sent Captain Roche, Troop A, with such portions of Troops A, B, and E as were not on duty, and one howitzer under the command of Lieutenant J. M. Fish, with also 2 army wagons, to report to Lieutenant Wells, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, now acting as aide-de-camp to Colonel Claassen, commanding outpost at the Pine Tree on the morning of the 16th instant, the object of the expedition being to bring in the families of some deserters from the rebel army who had enlisted in the Second North Carolina Volunteers.

Captain Roche, upon arriving at Nethercutt's Forks, sent Actg. Lieutenant W. S. Turner, Troop B, with 23 men and 2 wagons, to Trenton, with directions, should he find the river fordable, to cross into