No. 18.
Report of Lieut. Col. Hector Tyndale, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, of reconnaissance to Thoroughfare Mountain.
Headquarters Twenty-Eighth Regt. Pa. Vols.,
Near Culpeper, Va., August 11, 1862.
Colonel: On the 9th instant, being ordered by General Geary, I took this regiment on to Thoroughfare mountain, 10 miles distant from this road, to retake possession and re-establish the signal station, driven thence by the enemy’s cavalry in the morning of that day. I found no signs of the rebels on the route, except some half a dozen scouts, who evaded the detail of 15 cavalry, under Lieutenant Lydy, of Captain Kerr’s company, First West Virginia Regiment, who accompanied me, which scouts ran across the country to the southward. En route I learned that the enemy was in large force at a point say 3 miles southeast from Thoroughfare Mountain and about 2 miles from my road. I found Colonel Cluseret, with brigade, at James City. On yesterday morning my command returned, by order of Major-General Banks, and I reported to you in person in the afternoon.
The casualties of the road were as follows: One of the cavalry slightly shot in the hand by a concealed guerrilla, and 2 men of same corps missing, supposed to be captured while carrying a message for me. Of the men of this regiment left behind on guard of brigade ammunition train 1 was killed and 1 slightly wounded. Another, reported killed, who, being unwell, fell behind the regiment, returned to this road and entered the fight in another regiment.
The total number of this regiment present yesterday after the march was 1,034, or one less than the number beginning the march, as already stated.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
HECTOR TYNDALE,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-eighth Regt. Pa. Vols.
Colonel Candy,
Comdg. First Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps.