distinguished themselves on other fields, for a detailed statement of whom, and for instances of individual merit, I refer to the reports of the brigade commander.
Our loss in the engagement was ninety-three killed, and eight hundred and forty-one wounded—a large proportion very slightly. In the opening of the engagement the cavalry under command of Colonel Smith, skirmished with the enemy in spirit, and retired to the flanks in obedience to their orders.
On the 22d instant, having repaired the railroad so as to secure my supplies, I advanced the command to Sanderson, pushing the cavalry rapidly in the direction of the enemy, and from Sanderson to Barber's, and thence to Baldwin, and to this place, twelve miles from Jacksonville, where my further progress was arrested by orders from Brigadier-General Gardner, who had been directed to assume command, by whom I was here, for the first time, officially notified, that the command had been transferred.
My efforts, and those of my officers, for the organization and concentration of a force adequate to meet the enemy's superior numbers, and to check them in their rapid advance, were incessant and arduous. I have the gratification of reporting to the commanding general, that while I continued in command they were successful. I transfer the army to my successor, well supplied with forage and subsistence, well organized and armed, and deficient only in ordnance stores, for which timely requisitions were made, and which are now on their way.
Very respectfully,
(Signed)Joseph Finnegan,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
REPORT OF GENERAL COLQUITT.
Baldwin, Florida, February 26, 1864.
Captain,—I have the honor to submit the following account of the engagement of the 20th instant, near Ocean Pond:
Intelligence having been received of the approach of the enemy, I was instructed to take three regiments of my own bridge, with a section of Gamble's artillery, and proceed to the front, and assume command of all the forces which had preceded me, consisting of two regiments of cavalry, under command of Colonel Smith, the Sixty-fourth Georgia regiment, and two companies of the Thirty-second Georgia regiment.