No. 234. Report of Colonel Otto Harhaus, Second New York Cavalry, of operations July 27.1
PICKET RESERVE, Near Temple’s House, July 27, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that a patrol consisting of one officer and twenty-four men were sent out at 7 a.m. to Lee’s Mill. When the advanced guard (one sergeant and six men) had passed the forks of the Lee’s Mill and old Norfolk roads they were surprised by a party of rebel cavalry. The advanced guard were all taken with the
exception of two men, who made their escape. The loss consists of 1 man killed, 2 wounded, and 2 captured; also 2 horses killed, 1 captured and 2 wounded horses brought in. The rebel party has been variously estimated at from forty to sixty men by the two wounded men who were saved from the enemy. The party who went out under command of Major Grinton, of the Second New York, immediately afterward, brought off the body of the killed man, and received information that the enemy had been lying in wait for our patrol since before daylight.
Very respectfully, yours, &c.
OTTO HARHAUS,
Colonel Second New York Cavalry, Commanding Picket-Post.
Captain C. H. MILLER,
Asst. Ajdt. General, First Brigadier, Third Div., Cavalry Corps.
Source:
- The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), pages 640-641 ↩