No. 358. Reports of Lieutenant Colonel William E. Doster, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY,
September 3, 1863.

SIR:

I have the honor to report that, on the morning of June 21, I received orders from Colonel Gregg to mount my regiment, which was encamped in the woods about 1 mile from Middleburg, on the Upperville road, and to move out in column of squadrons on the left of the Tenth New York and one battalion of the First Maine, on the right of the road leading to Upperville, which I accordingly did, moving at intervals from the protection of one knoll to another until we had advanced perhaps 1 mile, when my pioneer corps took possession of a small rifled gun which had been abandoned by the enemy in his flight. After proceeding about 1 mile farther, I was ordered to cross the road and proceed parallel to it. This I did, at the same time deploying one company, dismounted, as skirmishers on my front, and afterward adding one squadron on my left. In this manner we reached a point within one-half mile of the town, occasional shots being exchanged between our skirmishers and those of the enemy. Here I was ordered to form my regiment as a support to and on the left of, I think, some regular regiments. Before the order to advance was given, I was ordered to the support of Tidball’s battery, then on the rising ground on the right of the road, in full view of the town and of the enemy. After remaining here a short time, I was ordered forward to the support of the battalion of the First Maine, which had been ordered to charge and drive the enemy from and beyond the town. I immediately ordered my regiment forward at a gallop, and, after passing through and beyond the town some hundreds of yards, came up with the First Maine, which the was formed on the road, apparently awaiting a charge by the enemy. In a few minutes the enemy came dashing down the road, when I ordered my first two squadrons to advance carbines, to be ready to receive them. The First Maine, after firing a few shots, scattered to the right and left. The fire of my regiment being too hot for him, the enemy wheeled, and I ordered a charge, which was obeyed most promptly and gallantly by both officers and men. The enemy were driven from the field, leaving a number killed, many wounded, and several prisoners in our hands. I then deployed two squadrons in the field on the right of the road as skirmishers, falling back some distance in the field which the principal part of my command. The enemy again charged, my men at the same time wheeling, so as to throw a flank fire into him as he passed along the road. About 20 of my men then dashed into the road in his rear, and, after a desperate hand-to-hand conflict utterly routed and discomfited him, thus preventing his escape, and causing the capture of the entire party, variously estimated at from 20 to 50 men. The division coming up at this time, it was impossible to give the exact number. I now received orders to rally my men and fall back beyond Upperville, where I encamped for the night. During the actions of the day the regiment sustained a loss of 1 killed, 3 severally wounded, 1 slightly wounded, and 2 taken prisoners.

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

W. E. DOSTER,
Lieutenant-Colonel Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

SULPHUR SPRINGS, VA.,
August 13, 1863.

SIR:

I have the honor to report that, immediately after the battle of Gettysburg and the pursuit of Lee as far as Marion (described in my last report*)., this regiment accompanied the brigade to Middletown and Boonsborough, Md., without any event of note occurring until July 14, when the regiment recrossed the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry, and encamped on Bolivar Heights. On the 15th, we marched with the brigade as far as Shepherdstown. About 4 p. m. was ordered by Colonel Gregg to advance 4 miles out the Winchester road to Wolper’s Cross-Roads, and report my arrival. About 1 mile from Shepherdstown my advance guard encountered and drove before them a party of 10 rebels, which was increase to about 40 by the time I reached the cross-roads. They fled into the woods beyond the cross-roads and renewed the attack, but were again dispersed. I learned from a prisoner whom we captured that about 500 rebel cavalry, belonging to [A. G.] Jenkins, was encamped at Leetown, in front; that a rebel cavalry force was on my left near Charlestown, and that a portion of Ewell’s corps, whose drums were heard distinctly, was near Martinsburg and about 3 miles to my right, and sent the information to the colonel commanding brigade. I threw out pickets on all the roads, and held them without further molestation until 11 p. m., when I was ordered back with three squadrons to Shepherdstown, the balance being relieved next morning. At about 1 p. m. of the 16th, I was ordered to move my regiment on the right of the Winchester road and Randol’s battery and instructed to support the battery while watching and holding the enemy in check on the right of the line. I successively advanced three squadrons-Captain Peale and Duncan and Lieutenant Andrews to the right of the line, which became warmly engaged about 5 p. m and so remained until the close of the day. Meanwhile two squadrons, Captain Peale’s and Dart’s had been sent under Major Young to the support of the First Maine, and held their ground on the right of the road until orders were given to retire. Captain Robinson reminded as support of the battery. For gallant and meritorious conduct, First Serg. John Harper, Company B, deserves special mention. In this action 7 were wounded and 6 missing. I fell back with the brigade to Harper’s Ferry the same evening, and thence moved to Bristoe Station and Warrenton without meeting with anything unusual, excepting rest, rations, and forage.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. E. Doster,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

*Not found.
from Official Records, Series 1, Volume 27, Part 1, Pages 983-984