ction, blasted the hopes of the enemy,
destroyed the fruits of fifty days labour, and diminished his
effective force 1,000 men at least. I am at a loss how to express
my satisfaction at the gallant conduct of the officers and (p. 213)
men of this division, whose valour has shown superior to
every trial. General Porter, in his official report herein
enclosed, has very properly noticed those patriotic citizens who
have done so much honour to themselves, by freely and voluntarily
tendering their services at a dangerous and critical period.

As the scene of action was in a wood, in advance of the position
I had chosen for directing the movements of the whole, the
several reports of commandants of corps, must guide me in
noticing individuals.

General Miller mentions Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall,
Lieutenant-Colonel Beedle, Major Trimble, Captain Hull, Captain
Ingersoll, Lieutenant Crawford, Lieutenant Lee, and particularly
Ensign O'Fling, as entitled to distinction.

Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, upon whom the command of the rifle
corps devolved, upon the fall of the brave and generous Gibson,
names Adjutant Shortridge, of the 1st, and Ballard of the 4th
regiments, as deserving the highest applause for their promptness
and gallantry in communicating orders. Of the other officers of
the corps, he reports generally, that the bravery and good
conduct of all was so conspicuous as to render it impossible to
discriminate.

Major Brooke, to whom much credit is due for the distinguished
manner in which he executed the orders he received, speaks in
high terms of Lieutenants Goodell, Ingersoll, Livingston, and
ensigns Brant and O'Fling, of the 23d, particularly of the
latter. Also of Captain Simms, Lieutenants Bissel, Shore, and
Brinot, of the 1st infantry, and Lieutenant Watts, of the
dragoons.

Lieutenant-Colonel Upham, who took the command of the reserve
after General Ripley was disabled, bestows great praise upon
Major Chambers, of the 4th regiment of riflemen, attached to the
21st infantry, as also upon Captain Bradford and Lieutenant
Holding of that regiment.

My staff, Colonel Snelling, Colonel Gardner, Major Jones, and my
aids-de-camp, Major Austin and Lieutenant Armstrong, were, as
usual, zealous, intelligent, and active; th