1864/05/22 Report of Col. S.Ross

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the troops under my command to take possession of and hold the trail known as Boyd's Trail, between Buzzard Roost and Dug Gap, on the morning of the 10th instant, in pursuance to instructions from Major-General Hooker to Major-General Butterfield, dated May 9, 1864, 11.30 p.m., and through Colonel Coburn, communicated to me at 1.15 a.m., May 10, 1864, "the commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi being under the impression that the enemy will try to break into the valley :"

My command was composed of the Twentieth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham commanding, and the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, Colonel Gilbert commanding; in all about 950 men. Marching silently and cautiously in the dark about four miles, the command reached Boyd's Trail about 4 a.m. I immediately organized a double line of skirmishers, under the command of Major Griffin, of the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, composed of details from both regiments and advanced upon the enemy's picket-line and reserve. From citizens I learned that the trail was held by two rebel Virginia regiments, without artillery. Capt. Ezra D. Dickerman had charge of the skirmishers of the Twentieth Connecticut Infantry and Lieut. Charles W. Fonda, those from the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry. The advance was so rapid and vigorous that the enemy's picket reserve barely escaped capture. By 8 a.m. the enemy were driven from the trail to the top of the mountain, and we held full control of the trail. I then established a picket-line in a circular form, from the rocky face of the mountain on one side of the trail, around and across it to the same on the other side. I next established the main body on a hog-back hill, commanding the main road where the trail connects with it and much of the trail, and fortified my position so as to hold it against large numbers. I remained in this position undisturbed by the enemy, save occasional shots from sharpshooters from the top of Rocky Face, until noon on the 11th instant, when I was relieved by the Thirty-third New Jersey Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Fourat, from General Geary's division. From thence my command marched to Snake Creek Gap, where it joined the brigade. Only one serious casualty occurred, Sergt. John E. Bunbury, Company F, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, who was severely wounded while gallantly advancing on the enemy. Much credit is due to Major Griffin, commanding the skirmish line in its advance, and to Captain Dickerman and Lieutenant Fonda, commanding the right and left wings of the same. I desire to thank and commend the officers and men under my command for their uniform promptness and bravery. Not an officer or man faltered.