1862 October 12 1:30 P.M. Hd.Qs. Cavalry Division

[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasanton]

1862 October 12  Hd.Qs. Cavalry Division
           Camp near Mouth of Monocacy
                  October 12  1.30 P.M.
To General R. B. Marcy
        Chief of Staff
                    This morning after
my dispatch of 8.30 my advance
guard met Stuarts disguised
in our uniforms & before they
were recognized a fire was opened-
& very soon after their guns
began to play upon us--
In consequence of the weakness
of the battery horses they having marched
seventy eight miles in the last
twenty-four hours--they
could not move the pieces &
I had only two pieces that
I could bring to bear on the
enemy--this continued for
upwards of an hour when
I succeeded in getting up
my six guns & soon silenced

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their battery--They retreated
hastily & crossed the ford
three miles below with their
guns on this side & some guns
that were placed in position
for them on the other--I sent
a regiment of cavalry & some
infantry down the tow-path
to intercept the crossing, & used
every exertion to get my guns
to follow them but the horses
could not pull up the hills & I was
obliged to use men this took
time enough for the rebels to escape--
   there was no artillery at
this point & with the exception
of a few infantry companies
I had no assistance--I held
Stuart in check for two hours gut
for the reason I have assigned it
was necessary to have timely assistance
to capture his party--My men
have behaved admirably--
       Very respectfully
           A. Pleasonton
               Brig. Gen  &c

MSS 495