DOCUMENTS.

of cattle, and as many horses, (beside those im-
pressed by the soldiers,) one ambulance filled
with chickens, and a four-horse wagon, loaded
with tents and camp equipage, were captured by
The stand-
Col. Wyndham and sent to the rear.
ing tents and all other property not carried away
were destroyed.

While Col. Wyndham was engaged at White's camp, Col. Cesnola, of the Fourth New-York cavalry, advanced with his command, consisting mainly of the Ninth New-York cavalry, under the immediate command of Major Knox, to Berryville, accompanied, as the previous advance had been, by Gen. Stahel, and followed closely by Col. Wyndham, with a small portion of his command not otherwise engaged, as a reserve force. The town was found to be occupied by a part of White's command, the Fourth, Seventh, Twelfth, and part of the Seventeenth Virginia cavalry.

rifle-range of a squad of Union troops, and each
supposed that the other belonged to the same
army, until a member of the First Virginia cav-
alry, (Union,) named Reid, rode up to the other
squad, when, after a few words, they ordered
him to surrender. This he refused to do, and
wheeled his horse to escape. A volley was fired
at him, but he escaped uninjured. As soon as
the volley had been fired, he raised himself from
the leaning posture he had assumed alongside of
the horse to avoid the shots, made several ges-
tures of contempt toward the rebels, and joined
his comrades. The horse was badly wounded,
but was brought back.

A sergeant of company F, Ninth New-York
cavalry, at about this time, through the agency
of an intelligent negro, discovered where Major
White, of the rebel battalion, had been an hour
before. He got together half a dozen men and
He was about thirty minutes too
proceeded to the place indicated-the house of a
Mr. Shepherd.
late-the bird had flown. The house and prem-
ises were thoroughly searched, and nearly an
hour's time was consumed in the performance of
this task. All this time a rebel squad of twenty-
five men was within two hundred rods of the
house, but for some reason, best known to them-
selves, they did not attempt to cross three stone
walls and a ditch that intervened.

By direction of Gen. Stahel, Major Knox, at the head of two hundred men, charged through the principal street of the town, driving a superior force before him. In this affair, Gen. Stahel and Col. Cesnola participated, and were in the advance with Major Knox. Arriving at the westerly outskirt of the town, Col. Cesnola, with a portion of the Ninth New-York, pushed forward in pursuit of the Seventh Virginia cavalry, which had opposed his entrance into town, and drove Toward night Gen. Stahel, having accomplished them, pell-mell, to a point within four and a half miles of Winchester. As there was a respectable the special object of the reconnoissance, ordered force, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry- his command to fall back, which was done in at Winchester, Col. Cesnola concluded that the good order-the rebel scouts following closely the country beyond might be unhealthy for his men, rear-guard. As the expediency of returning to and, with several prisoners captured, fell back to Chantilly by the way of Aldie-the infantry, unthe main body. While this movement was being der Col. Von Gilsa, left at that point, having gone executed, another portion of our men were brisk- back to Chantilly, and the place being convenient ly engaged in Berryville. Soon after Col. Ces- for a rebel force from the Valley to concentrateEncamping at nola advanced, the rear of Major Knox's command Gen. Stahel decided to move in a north-easterly was attacked by the Thirteenth Virginia cavalry, direction as far as Leesburgh. coming down a road leading into the village from Mount Gilead Saturday night, on Sunday morna northerly direction. Gen. Stahel directed Major ing early he moved on to Leesburgh, and crossJust beKnox to wheel to the right and charge upon the ing Goose Creek, after a long and fatiguing march, rear of the Thirteenth, which movement was ex- arrived in Chantilly the same night. At the same fore Gen. Stahel crossed the Shenandoah, Captain ecuted promptly and successfully. time, the rear company faced about and resisted Dahlgren, of Gen. Sigel's staff, with twenty-five the attack in that direction with their sabres, car- men, was sent off to the right from Middleburgh. bines, and pistols. Just at the opportune mo- He went to Mount Gilead, Circleville, Goose ment, Capt. Heintz, of Gen. Stahel's staff, appears Creek Church, and the Leesburgh pike, and arupon the scene of action again. He saw the haz-rived at Snicker's Ford at about three o'clock P.M., ardous position in which the detachments in the village were placed, and with twenty-five or thirty scattered men he had collected, charged upon the Thirteenth regiment at about the same time Major Knox executed his second movement upon its rear. The men under Captain Heintz put their horses upon the full gallop, and went into the The rebels were so situated as fight with a yell. not to be able to see the exact force coming upon them-a panic seized them, and they fled out of town and scattered in every direction. While this was transpiring in town, squads of rebel cavalry made their appearance in the rear and on the northerly side of the road leading to Snicker's Ferry. Most of them wore blue overcoats, and for nearly an hour one squad was within long

bringing three of White's scouts and two other men. Hearing that there were scattered squads of rebels hanging upon the flanks and rear of the force in front, he got together all the men who could be spared from the command, guarding the river at the ford, and crossed over in pursuit. While thus engaged he met the returning column and fell back with it.

As compared with the number of shots fired, Only one Union soldier and the important results attained, the losses of the day were trifling. A number of men are missing, but it was killed, and, so far as is known, fifteen were wounded. is supposed they were taken prisoners. Four of the enemy-one an officer-are known to have been killed, and not less than thirty were wound

ed in the different skirmishes. The names of the main street. His horse was shot almost at the killed and wounded, so far as ascertained, the same instant, and both fell together. are as follows:

Private George Bradley, Co. G, Ninth New-York cavalry, killed; Lieut. John T. Rutherford, Co. L, Ninth New-York cavalry, wounded in left shoulder; private John Phillips, Co. A, Ninth New-York cavalry, left arm, slightly; private John L. Brewster, Co. C, Ninth New-York cavalry, slightly; Lieut. Marvin, First Michigan cavalry, slightly; Lieut. N. Herrick, Co. A, Ninth New-York cavalry, was wounded, and is supposed to be a prisoner.

Gen. Stahel evinced throughout the entire reconnoissance, great prudence in the disposition of his forces, and in every fight that took place, he was at the most exposed point, giving direc tions. He was one of the first to cross the river at Snicker's Ford, and was with the advance in several charges. A number of shots were evidently directed to him individually, but he escaped uninjured.

Many of the prisoners captured, did not hesitate to express their satisfaction at the change in Corporal S. A. Pitcher, First Michigan cavalry; their prospects, as they were tired of the war, Sergt.-Major Smith, of Ninth New-York; Corp. and wanted to get home. "Once at home, you Batten, of the Second Pennsylvania cavalry; pri- don't catch me out here again, fighting for nothvate Gatten, Ninth New-York cavalry, and sever-ing," was the frank acknowledgment of at least al others, were captured, but succeeded in making one prisoner. their escape. When Corporal Pitcher was captured, his horse and every thing, of course, were taken away from him. When he returned to his company he had a better horse and accoutrements than before.

Sergeant-Major Smith was captured in Berryville. He was in the charge made by Major Knox, to the north of the main street, upon the rear of the Seventh Virginia cavalry. While his horse was at a full gallop through a burying-ground, he found that he would have to run against a grave. stone or jump his horse over it. He attempted to do the latter, when the animal got caught upon the stone, and horse and rider fell over together. Sergeant Smith regained his feet, and being between two lines of cavalry, he was rolled first one way and then the other by the horses rubbing against him on either side, until he was badly bruised, and fell to the ground again. After our cavalry had passed, he got upon his feet, and was immediately surrounded by a portion of White's cavalry, to whom he surrendered, and remained with them during the rest of the fight in the town. He escaped with a rebel's horse, all accoutrements, and subsequently his own horse was recaptured. Sergeant Smith says that White's cavalry is mainly composed of boys, many of them not more than fourteen or fifteen years old. While a prisoner, one of these boys came up to him in a blustering manner and said, with an oath, "I suppose you are a Yankee, and I will finish you;" and, as if to carry his threat into execution, he drew a revolver, but just at this moment an officer interfered, and thereby probably saved the life of Sergeant Smith.

Another man escaped by killing a soldier who had him in charge.

Among the prisoners captured was Lieutenant Barret, Dr. Wottem, Lieutenant Stevens, private Stephenson, and "Bob" White, a native of Washington, D. C., and who was clerk in one of the departments under Buchanan.

At the fight at Berryville, women, it is believed, fired from several houses. It is quite certain that Lieut. Rutherford was wounded by a shot fired from a window. His wound is quite severe, but he refused to retire until the rebels had been dispersed. The rebel lieutenant was killed on

It is very generally believed that many of the Southern troops taken do not respect their paroles. The prisoner Stevens, named above, has been captured at least four times, almost within as many months, and the last time previous to this, was only a few days ago, and by the same men who took him on this occasion.

At Rector's Cross-Roads, and at various points, the people fairly begged for Uncle Sam's "greenbacks," and offered to give any thing in return they had. These people were well supplied with confederate money, and at some places it passes at par between neighbors; but for the purpose of clothing, groceries, boots, shoes, etc., it is not worth the original cost of the paper. The storekeepers who have any thing to sell now refuse to receive confederate notes in payment for goods. Virginia money they take at from forty to fifty per cent discount, and Uncle Sam's money at par generally. Some of the sharpers, who know full well the value and necessities of the people, charge a small discount upon Union money, because they know their customers cannot do otherwise than submit to the shave. As there is but little good paper-money afloat, all the people purchase in these parts is paid for in promises, in grain, or something raised upon their farms. Promises to pay are by far the most commonly used, and I have conversed with many men who have disposed of whole stocks of goods, receiving in pay this commodity.

The distress to which the people of this region have been reduced by the rebellion is, in some instances, heartrending to behold. First they were robbed by those who professed to be their friends-the rebel soldiers; and next the Union troops appropriate whatever their necessities require at the moment. This has been repeated over and over again, in hundreds of places, until at last commanders, in selecting a route to march, find it positively necessary that some attention be paid to the chances for obtaining forage and provisions. The distress is not alone the cause of the want of provisions. The people have to resort to every means to cover their nakedness I have seen young ladies who were brought up in opulence, and with every thing at their command the heart could wish or a cultivated taste desire,

DOCUMENTS.

before the war, but who now are experiencing all
the pangs incident to a state of poverty. The
skins of animals, cast-away grain-sacks, and other
articles heretofore never used for such purposes,
I have seen worn by both men and women, made
The suffering is not
into articles of clothing.
alone confined to the poor, ("white trash,") but,
to a greater or less extent, is shared by all. The
effect of all this is, that, while the people talk as
secessionists, they at the same time express them-
selves as being sorely tired of the war, and heap
curses upon those who inaugurated it.

When this expedition started, a company of
the Second Pennsylvania cavalry was sent to
Leesburgh for the purpose of looking after any
stray rebels that might be hovering upon our
right flank. No sooner had the company entered
the town than the people attempted to inform a
rebel force, within reach, of their hated presence.
The commanding officer quietly informed the
people, that if attacked, he should destroy the
town, and by this means doubtless saved his
whole command from capture. Leesburgh is
one of the most hostile towns in the whole State
of Virginia. Our soldiers have frequently been
shot at from houses while passing through the
streets, and it is with the greatest difficulty the
men can be restrained within the inhospitable
place.

Since writing the above, I learn from a prison-
er that Major White was wounded twice-but
not dangerously-at Perryville. He was before
suffering from two wounds received in skirmishes.
The moral effect of this reconnoissance will work
to a good purpose in two ways. It was a com-
plete success from beginning to end, and while it
will have a tendency to elevate the character of
our cavalry as soldiers, it has also taught the
rebels that their cavalry is no match for ours.
He was shown at several points where the con-
test might have been an equal one, had the rebels
stood their ground.

The object of the expedition was to ascertain
the whereabouts of any of the large rebel force
reported to be near at hand by different scouts,
and particularly the whereabouts of Jackson. It
was ascertained, upon authority deemed reliable,
that Jackson, with both Hills, passed through
New-Market last Sunday in a southerly direction.
The report that there is any considerable force
at Winchester is doubted by those in authority.
Major-Gen. Burnside, upon learning the result
of the expedition, at once sent an order by tele-
graph, thanking the Commanding General, and,
through him, the officers and men under his com-
mand, for the public service rendered.

Doc. 51.

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.-A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, On the twenty-second day of Sep-
tember, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was

issued by the President of the United States con-
"That on the first day of January, in the year
taining among other things the following, to wit:
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six-
ty-three, all persons held as slaves within any
State, or designated part of a State, the people
whereof shall then be in rebellion against the
United States, shall be then, thenceforth and for-
ever free, and the Executive Government of the
United States, including the military and naval
the freedom of such persons, and will do no act
authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain
or acts to repress such persons, or any of them,
in any efforts they may make for their actual
freedom.

"That the Executive will, on the first day of
January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the
States and parts of States, if any, in which the
people therein respectively shall then be in rebel-
lion against the United States, and the fact that
any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day
be in good faith represented in the Congress of
the United States by members chosen thereto, at
elections wherein a majority of the qualified vot-
ers of such States shall have participated, shall,
in the absence of strong countervailing testimony,
be deemed conclusive evidence that such State
against the United States."
and the people thereof are not then in rebellion

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and Government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred order, and designate, as the States and parts of days from the day of the first above-mentioned States wherein the people thereof respectively are this day in rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, except the parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New-Orleans. Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South-Carolina, North-Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties designated as West-Virginia, and also the counties of Berkeley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and which City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including excepted parts are, for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.

And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the Military and Naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I fereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence, and I recommend to them, that in all cases, when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.

And I further declare and make known that such persons of suitable condition will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

[L. S.]

Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eightyseventh.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President-WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Doc. 52.

Secretary of State.

MORGAN'S REBEL RAID.

capable of using them, as also to the teamsters whom I placed under competent commanders. I ordered an increase of our picket-guards and a thorough inspection of arms, ammunition, etc. Knowing that a force of some ten or eleven regiments were at Danville, I then telegraphed to Brig.-General Baird for reenforcements of infantry and a battery of artillery. In reply he notified me on the twenty-sixth December that he had ordered to my support a battery of Napoleon guns and (2) two regiments of infantry. From And upon this, sincerely believed to be an act my observation I know of no place so vulnerable of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon as Lebanon, lying as it were in a basin surroundmilitary necessity, I invoke the considerate judged by commanding positions, as also with apment of mankind and the gracious favor of Al-proaches from almost every direction, and I was mighty God. therefore satisfied that a fight with equal numIn witness whereof, I have hereunto set my bers could not be successfully made within or hand and caused the seal of the United States to very near the town, and I accordingly determinbe affixed. ed, should he move upon the place, to meet him from one to two miles from the dépôt. On the twenty-eighth I was notified by despatch from General Boyle that reënforcements from Danville, which I knew were within four or five miles of me, were recalled. During the day, cannonading was distinctly audible in the direction of Elizabethtown or the tunnel. I again urged upon Gen. Baird the necessity of sending forward reenforcements, and was by him notified that (2) two strong regiments of infantry had been ordered under command of Col. Henderson to join me, and would be at Lebanon on the third. I then despatched Gen. Boyle, in anticipation of such reenforcements, suggesting the propriety of halting the Thirty-fourth brigade, which had been ordered to Lebanon, at Muldrow's Hill. Receiving no answer to this despatch, in consequence, I presume, of an interruption in telegraphic communication between this place and Louisville, the brigade joined me on the morning of the twentyninth. On that morning I sent out a scouting. party of twenty-five men under command of Lieut. Porter, of the Ninth Kentucky cavalry, with orders to proceed in the direction of NewHaven and Bardstown until he could learn something definite of Morgan's force and movements. I had also sent out a single and reliable citizen scout with similar instructions. On the morning of the third the citizen returned to camp with intelligence that he had that morning breakfasted with fifteen of Morgan's men at Fredericksburgh, distant from us nineteen miles. About three o'clock of the same day Lieutenant Porter also returned, confirming the report of the first scout, and stating that the cannonading heard by us was at Rolling Fork, and that at the point from which he had returned he could distinctly hear musketry. Morgan's force was variously esti mated at from seven thousand to eleven thou sand. I had been notified by General Boyle that Colonel Harlan, with a brigade of infantry, a battery of artillery, and two regiments of cavalry, was pressing upon his rear from the direction of Elizabethtown. So soon as the above information was received by scouts, I ordered strong detachments from the Sixth and Ninth Kentucky cavalry, under command of Colonel Halisy and

COLONEL HOSKINS'S REPORT.

HEADQUARTERS POST LEBANON, KY.,
January 6, 1863.

Brigadier-General C. C. Gilbert, Commanding
Tenth Division Army of the Cumberland.
GENERAL I have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing report of operations before Lebanon, com-
mencing on the twenty-sixth of December, 1862,
at which time I was notified by Brig.-Gen. Boyle
by telegram that the rebel Morgan was again in
our State, and ending on the second of January,
1863, at which time the pursuit of him was aban-
doned by order of Brig.-Gen. Speed S. Fry three
miles beyond Columbia. At the time I received
notice of Morgan's invasion of the State and
movements in the direction of Bardstown or Le-
banon, I had under my command the Seventh
Tennessee, consisting of two hundred and fifty-
eight men; Twelfth Kentucky infantry, consist-
ing of four hundred and twenty-five men; and
Sixteenth Kentucky infantry, six hundred and
fifty. I was informed by the Post-Quartermaster
that he had at this post near three thousand head
of loose stock, mules and horses, about three
hundred wagons and stock for same, some two
hundred thousand rations, a quantity of ammuni-
tion, and one thousand six hundred stand of
small arms.
I did not know how soon Morgan
would be upon us, and having no fortifications,
as an only means of defence I ordered all the
wagons to be placed in corral. I also ordered
guns to be distributed to all the convalescents

On arriving at Barber's Mills, and learning that the enemy had not passed up in that direction, he pursued the Springfield road until he came upon one of the enemy's pickets in the streets of that town, whom he captured without attracting notice. He and his men then advanced to within a few yards of a battery planted in the streets, fired a volley into the midst of the enemy, killing two of their number, and then retreated to camp with their prisoner. I have omitted to state in the proper order that, after the return of Colonels Halisy and Boyle, and following immediately on their heels, the rebels came up and captured one of our vidette pickets only a short distance from his post.

Lieutenant-Colonel Boyle to make a reconnois- either Gen. Baird or myself, the inference drawn sance with a view of ascertaining whether Mor- by me was that Morgan had sufficient force to gan would pass out by Raywick and to our right, repulse Col. Harlan, or he would have followed or whether he was yet upon the Springfield and up any advantage that might have been gained direct road to us. About nightfall this party re- by him. Believing that Morgan's command was turned and reported that the enemy had been suffering for rest, at three o'clock on the morning found encamped on the Springfield road, distant of the thirty-first December, I ordered out anfrom us seven miles. Shortly afterwards I re- other reconnoitring party under command of ceived information that Morgan had divided his Major Gratz, of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry, force and sent two thousand in the direction of with instructions to press upon the enemy, cut Haysville. To ascertain the truth of this state-off and capture his pickets, if possible, fire into ment I ordered out detachments from the Sixth his camp, and retire, after ascertaining whether and Ninth Kentucky cavalry, under command he had changed position. This order was exeof Majors Fidler and Farris, to reconnoitre in the cuted, and Major Gratz returned with the report direction of Barber's Mills, with instructions, that that the enemy had advanced two miles in our if the enemy had not passed that point, to take direction. I have omitted to state that my chosen the Springfield road and reconnoitre in their rear. position for action was on the Springfield road, In the execution of this order, Major Fidler per- and I had, on the evening of the thirtieth Deformed a feat of daring which is worthy of the cember, selected a position for one section of the highest praise, and which, as well as his subse- battery, which was placed and masked, supported quent conduct, has proven him one of the most by company A, Sixteenth Kentucky. The pofearless and energetic officers in the service. sition chosen was in the angle formed by the Springfield road and Cartwright's Creek. This position commanded the Springfield road for a mile and a half, and was strengthened by a precipitous bluff on the right flank. At this point, I felt we must meet the enemy; for if they were permitted to pass it, and gain possession of a copse of timber and the commanding position on the hill, they could shell us in the town, while their riflemen could advance under cover of the timber until they would be in range of any line of battle formed north of town, and which would of necessity leave us fully exposed, as the ground was entirely open. These arrangements having been made after the report of Major Gratz, I ordered Colonel Halisy to make another reconnoisAfter receiving information that Morgan had sance upon the Springfield road, to ascertain divided his forces, knowing that Colonel Hender- whether the enemy was really advancing with a son with his command, consisting of two strong view of attacking us. Colonel Halisy left camp regiments, was within two miles of the intersec- about seven o'clock A.M. on the thirty-first Detion of the road leading from Springfield to Hays-cember, and at eleven o'clock A.M. sent back a ville, I sent by courier an order to halt his command near Bethel Church, ambuscade, and await the arrival of the enemy, when he should engage him. After learning through Majors Fidler and Farris that the enemy had sent no force upon that road, I despatched to Colonel Henderson to join me with all possible speed, having the evening previous sent up fifty wagons to aid in transporting his command. Judge of my surprise, when the courier returned and reported that Colonel Henderson had fallen back in the direction of Danville, taking with him my wagons. All my plans were now disconcerted. With the force at my command, I did not think that I would be justifiable in attacking Morgan in his chosen position, and more particularly when I had no definite idea of his real strength, which was variously estimated at from three to eleven thousand, and I was induced to act even more cautiously than I would otherwise have done, from the fact, that I could hear nothing of Col. Harlan's command. As I knew that he had engaged Morgan at Rolling Fork, and as he did not follow up the pursuit and press him down upon VOL. VI.-Doc. 14

courier with the information that he had proceeded as far as their camp of the night previous, which they had abandoned. Colonel Halisy was then directed that, in the event they should have moved with a view of passing either to the right or left of us, to pursue, hang upon their rear, and, if possible, harass them to a stand. Finding they had left, he pressed on to Springfield and in the direction of Muldrow's Hill. About noon citizens came rushing into town with the most extravagant reports regarding Morgan's force, and assuring us that he was advancing on the place, with his right column moving from the direction of St. Mary's Church, on the Lebanon Branch Railroad. To ascertain the truth of this statement, I ordered another reconnoissance to be made in that direction by Lieut.-Col. Boyle, of the Ninth Kentucky cavalry, who set out to execute the order in command of a detachment of three hundred men from his regiment.

In anticipation of pursuing Morgan in case he should give us the go-by, I had also ordered the commanders of different regiments to draw five days' rations, and be in readiness to move with