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[Crampton's Gap/South Mountain]
HEADQUARTERS LIGHT ARTILLERY, SMITH'S DIVISION,
September 30, 1862.
Major CHARLES MUNDEE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Smith's Division.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that the artillery of the division was employed on the 14th instant at Crampton's Pass, as follows:
The enemy having placed two guns in the road about half-way down the mountain side, my battery was posted in the plain below, on the left of the road, and opened upon them. Slocum's division advancing on the right of the road, the firing was continued till, the attack progressing, the enemy withdrew his pieces. Later in the afternoon, Brooks' brigade advancing on the left of the road, I proceeded with Cowan's battery along the road and up the mountain side. I notified General Brooks of my presence there with a battery, and so continued up the mountain a little in rear of the general line.
Passing the crest and down into the valley, I selected a position in conjunction with General Brooks, and posted the battery in the fork of two roads leading from the valley up the pass, Brooks' brigade on its left and troops of Slocum's division on its right. The battery was thus posted for the night. Being the only one over the mountain, its presence and position were valuable. After passing the crest of the mountain, the enemy were driven down the side rapidly, leaving a brass 12-pounder howitzer, horsed, and harness in their flight. This was taken and brought forward by my command (turned in to the chief of artillery of this army about the 28th instant).
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. B. AYRES,
Captain Fifth Artillery, Commanding.
[Antietam]
HEADQUARTERS LIGHT ARTILLERY, SMITH'S DIVISION,
Camp near Williamsport, Md., September 23, 1862.
Major CHARLES MUNDEE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Smith's Division.
MAJOR: I have the honor to transmit the reports of the operations of Snow's and Cowan's batteries during the battle of the 17th instant. Stuart's battery was detached for the time, serving with Couch's division. My own battery was brought upon the line under a heavy fire at about 11.30 o'clock a. m. The position was favorable and important. I ordered fire opened by it at once upon the enemy's batteries. From this time it was mostly under the immediate command of First Lieutenant L. Martin, my duties calling me to other points on the field. The fire from the battery was continued, with intervals, throughout the day. The enemy's batteries during those intervals are supposed to have been replaced, owing to damage received. Several batteries played upon them from our line at once, and a subsequent examination of the ground showed that they had suffered severely. The position of my battery being very important, it was retained in it until the enemy were found to have retreated.
The officers and men performed their duties with entire composure. First Lieutenant Harn, of Frank's battery, en route to join it, served with mine for several days and during the battle, doing his duty with zeal and credit.
Second Lieutenant James A. Sayles, Fifth Vermont Volunteers, adjutant of my command, performed his duties under fire with gallantry and judgment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. B. AYRES,
Captain Fifth Artillery, Commanding.
Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 19, Part 1 (Antietam - Serial 27) , Page 403 - 404