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Numbers 225 Report of Major Sanford Tramel, First Alabama Cavalry of operations January 28-March 24.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ALABAMA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,Faison's Depot, N. C., March 28, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders received from your headquarters, my regiment under command of Major F. L. Cramer, numbering 28 officers and 292 men for duty, broke camp near Savannah Ga., on the 28th day of January, 1865, and moved with the brigade on the Springfield road leading to Sister's Ferry on the Savannah River. We arrived at Sister's Ferry on the evening of the 29th, and camped two miles from the river, where we remained until the 3rd day of February, when we crossed the river and commenced our march in south Carolina in the direction of Lawtonville.

On the 4th Captain J. J. Hinds, commanding Second Battalion, was ordered back to Sister's Ferry to report to Major-General Slocum, in obedience to orders from the colonel commanding brigade. this left only one battalion of 170 men in the regiment. On the 6th we had some skirmishing with Crews' brigade, of Wheeler's command, capturing some prisoners. On the 7th assisted in destroying Charleston and Augusta Railroad. On the 8th we moved from Blackville on the road to Williston, my regiment in advance. I, with two squadrons, was ordered in the advance, and came to the rebel pickets just before reaching the village. We routed and drove them through the town, and established a picket-post half a mile west of the village, awaiting the arrival of the command. The regiment soon arrived, and as we were about to establish camp the picket-post was attacked. Captain Latty, in command of two squadrons, was immediately ordered forward with instructions to ascertain, if possible the force the enemy had in the vicinity. As he advanced the firing became rapid, and I, with the remaining three squadrons, was ordered to Captain Latty's assistance. We drove them one mile and a half, where we found they had established a strong line. Major Cramer was soon on the ground and took command of the main body in the center, while I, with twenty men, and Captain Latty with the same number, move on each flank of the enemy, Major Cramer advancing with the center. This movement routed them. We drove them half a mile, where they had another line. This we broke also, and halted for a short time, when Colonel Spencer, Commanding brigade, re-enforced us with the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry. We were then ordered to resume the chase, and on advancing found the enemy in a strong position in the woods near White Pond. On being ordered we charged them, when followed the most complete rout I ever witnessed. Guns, sabers, canteens, haversacks, saddle-bags, hats, and everything which would impede the flight of the affrighted and flying enemy were abandoned and completely strewn over the ground. We continued the pursuit over five miles, capturing quite a number of prisoners, with five stand of colors. We were then ordered to abandon the pursuit, and returned to camp at Williston. We ascertained we had been contending against a greatly superior force of the enemy.

The conduct of the officers and men of my regiment on this occasion was praiseworthy in the highest degree. The loss of the regiment was four men wounded, one mortally, who afterward died.

On the 10th of February Captain Hinds joined us with his battalion, and the regiment was present at the fight near Aiken, but took no active part, except to build a barricade and hold a position on the right. On the 11th we again resumed our march with the brigade, and participated in all the different scenes through which it passed, crossing the Edisto, Saluda, Broad, Wateree, and Great Pedee Rivers, via Lexington, Alston, Black Stocks, Lancaster, and Sneedsborough nothing of special importance occurring. After crossing the Great Pedee River and going into camp at 9 o'clock on the evening of March 6, I was ordered to take fifty men and proceed to Rockingham, N. C., about twelve miles distant, and, if possible, take the place and secure the mail. I advanced to within three miles of the place without meeting any opposition. I there found the road strongly picketed by the enemy, and immediately ordered my men to charge, which they did in a gallant manner, driving the enemy from post to post until we reached the edge of the village, where we found a line too strong for us to break with the small force at my command; consequently I ordered the men to fall back slowly, which they did in good order. I then returned to camp, arriving there at 4 a. m. on the 7th. We again moved with the brigade on the 7th, via Rockingham, and Solemn Grove, and on the evening of the 9th camped at Monroe's Cross-Roads, having marched during the day in close proximity with the enemy. At the sounding of reveille on the morning of the 10th instant, we were aroused from sleep by the whistling of bullets and the friendship yelling of the enemy, who were charging into our camp. Then followed a most bloody hand-to-hand conflict, our men forming behind trees and stumps and the enemy endeavoring to charge us (mounted) with the saber.

While gallantly cheering his men Major F. L. Cramer was wounded and taken prisoner.

The fighting was most desperate for an hour, when we succeeded in connection with the Fifth Kentucky and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in driving the enemy away from our camps.

During the fight I was captured by the enemy and held as prisoner until the 14th instant, when I succeeded in making my escape, and after three days lying in the swamps and traveling nights, I succeeded in rejoining my command.

After my capture Captain J. J. Hinds took command of the regiment and retained dit until my return, and I am indebted to him for the gallant manner in which he handled the command during the remainder of that severe and terrible fight.

Captain Peek deserves special mention for his gallant daring and coolness during this struggle. The loss of the regiment in the affair was 4 men killed, 27 wounded, and 41 missing.

My regiment moved with the brigade, and was present when the cavalry encountered the enemy on the evening of the 15th, also in the fight of the 16th instant, but sustained no loss as it held a position on the left. We next encountered the enemy in strong force on the 18th, but evaded him by taking a road leading more to the right, while a portion of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry attracted his attention at a certain point. We encountered the enemy again same day, but he was easily repulsed and driven away. My regiment continued with the brigade; was present and assisted in guarding the left flank of the army during the hard battles of the 19th, 20th, and 21st instant. The enemy then being routed and the campaign ended, my regiment moved with the brigade to Faison's Depot, where we arrived on the 24th instant and have remained in camp since that time.

During the campaign my regiment has captured something over 100 prisoners and over 200 horses.

The regiment has lost during the campaign; Major F. L. Cramer, severely wounded and a prisoner; afterward paroled on account of wounds. Captain John Latty, Company C; First Lieutenant George W. Emerick, Company A; First Lieutenant Joseph H. Hornback, Company K, Second Lieutenant George C. Jenkins, Company M, wounded severely; Surge. J. G. C. Swaving and First Lieutenant John P. Moore, Company E, captured. Moore afterward escaped. Four enlisted men killed, 28 wounded (2 or 3 mortally, who afterward died), 46 captured; 215 horses-some by being captured, others by being worn out and abandoned.

I have the honor to be, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. TRAMEL.

Major First Alabama Volunteer Cavalry, Commanding Regiment.

Lieutenant J. N. LUKINS,

A. A. A. G., 3rd Brigadier, 3rd Cav. Div., Mil. Div. of the Miss.