Supplemental Report
Report of Captain James Harley Waters, Fifth Virginia Volunteers
SUPPLEMENT TO THE O.R. – VOL.1: REPORTS ADDENDUM TO SERIES I, VOL. 2, p. 191
Dear Sir: I have to report to you that neither my company nor myself was at Stone Bridge on the evening of July 21 as, unser your order, I had taken my whole company near the house on the hill above the battery with instructions to search for the dead and wounded and carry them off the field.
I had with me at the battery more than two-thirds of my company, which went into the battle eighty strong and but for those sent back with the wounded and killed during the fight, I think I might have counted at the battery all but three or four. I do not know of any that left the field without my leave.
J. H. Waters,
Captain, [West Augusta Guards] Company L,
Fifth Regiment Virginia Volunteers
Colonel Harper
[Indorsement]
Captain Waters had my consent to look after his killed and wounded as stated. The order to march in pursuit was received after my consent was given and I could not delay to collect his company.
[John W. Daniel Papers (#158), Manuscripts Division, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library]
Harry Smeltzer
Bull Runnings 
Interesting sidenote to this… Waters was originally born in Sharptown, N.J. in 1828, and educated in Philadelphia. A carriage painter by profession, he moved to Staunton in 1848. He was promoted to the commisary for the Stonewall Brigade in June 1862. Also served as commissary for Early’s and Gordon’s divisions, 1864-65. He was among those paroled at Appomattox. After the war, he served as the Staunton Chief of Police (1876-1900) and was a member of the Stonewall Jackson Camp, No. 25, UCV. He died May 13, 1913 and was buried in Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton.
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Thanks for the background, Robert. I’m starting to despair of ever getting all this biographical info into posts. I’ll just keep plugging away.
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I should have also mentioned, Waters’ company was supposed to be an artillery unit, but became one of several that never got their guns. They were front and center at the Falling Waters fight a few weeks before BR, but as infantry.
Don’t despair over the biog. info. It will all fall into place. I just like pushing Valley stuff your way when I get a chance.
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