| Capture of Col Noble Union Commander of St. Augustine |
Captain BURGER,
Jacksonville, Fla.,
December 27, 1864.
Assistant Adjutant- General, Department Headquarters:
CAPTAIN:
I regret to inform you that on the 24th instant Colonel Noble, Seventeenth
Connecticut, Captain Young, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio, and Lieutenant
Rice, Thirty-fifth U.S. Colored Troops, were captured by three of the enemyâ
€™s scouts while in route from this place to Saint Augustine. Colonel Noble was
here as a witness before a general court-martial, and was to have returned
before Monday 9 a. m. When I gave Colonel Noble permission to go to Saint
Augustine I cautioned him especially in reference to the necessity of being
always armed, of not traveling without escort, & c. As far as I can learn neither of
the parties captured had arms with them. Captain Young was permitted to go at
large on the ground of ill-health and retirement from service about to be
consummated. Every practicable effort is being made to rescue these officers,
but I have very little expectation, notwithstanding the hopes held out by scouts,
& c., that they will be successful. I trust that the cavalry force destined for this
district may be sent as soon as practicable, and that the infantry, temporarily
withdrawn, may be also returned.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, & c.,
E. P. SCAMMON, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
Jacksonville, Fla.,
December 27, 1864.
Assistant Adjutant- General, Department Headquarters:
CAPTAIN:
I regret to inform you that on the 24th instant Colonel Noble, Seventeenth
Connecticut, Captain Young, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio, and Lieutenant
Rice, Thirty-fifth U.S. Colored Troops, were captured by three of the enemyâ
€™s scouts while in route from this place to Saint Augustine. Colonel Noble was
here as a witness before a general court-martial, and was to have returned
before Monday 9 a. m. When I gave Colonel Noble permission to go to Saint
Augustine I cautioned him especially in reference to the necessity of being
always armed, of not traveling without escort, & c. As far as I can learn neither of
the parties captured had arms with them. Captain Young was permitted to go at
large on the ground of ill-health and retirement from service about to be
consummated. Every practicable effort is being made to rescue these officers,
but I have very little expectation, notwithstanding the hopes held out by scouts,
& c., that they will be successful. I trust that the cavalry force destined for this
district may be sent as soon as practicable, and that the infantry, temporarily
withdrawn, may be also returned.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, & c.,
E. P. SCAMMON, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
| Col. William H. Noble 17th Connecticut Commander of St. Augustine |