Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-12-17
The Stuart Cavalry.

The following General order of Gen. ]. E. B.
Stuart gives some idea of the ser vices rendered
by his cavalry during the mon.hof November:
HEADQ'Rs CAVALRY BR1GADE,(
Camp "Qui Vive," Dec. 8, 1861.
General Orders No 5.
The General of Cavalry takes pleasure in an
nouncing to the Brigade n orders, the signal sue
CESS obtained by the cavalry OF this srIny over
the enemy in recent engagements. Isl N
On the-ult., Col. w. E. Jones, 1st Virginia
Cavalry, with q detachment of his regiment,
made descent upon the enemy, near Falls
Church, capturing seven, with their arms and
equipments, and sustaining no loss.
On the 18th ult, Major W. T. Martin, COM
manding JEFF Davis Legion, with detachment
OF his command, completely surprised a greater
force of infantry than his own about DOolin's
house and orchard, and charging upon them over
fences aud marshes, killed several and captured
one Captain, one Lieutenant, and twenty eight
non- commissioned officers and privates, without
receiving q scratch to man or horse.
On the 18th ult. 1t. Col. Fitzhugh Lee, 1st
Virginia Cavalry, with detachment of the reg
iment, while scouting near Falls Church, fell in
with party of the enemy's chosen infantry, and
sharp encounter ensued. The enemy occupy
ing q sheltered position, behaved with unusual
spirit, obligfng 1t. Col. Lee, whose horse was
killed under him early in the action, to disnOunt
portion of his command to disodge him. This
was done under fire with GOODNESS, and resulted
in the enemy's total rout--seven being killed on
the spot, and ten captured, including Lieut..
and 1st Sergt., three of whom were wounded
Col. Lees loss was killed, fprivate Tucker, 90.
AZ and two wounded, one of the latter the Ia
mented Chichester, having since died. This af-
fair occurred in sight of the enemy's encamp-
ments, and caused alarm throughout their line.
On the 26th ult, Ool. r. Ransom, Jr., 1st
North Carolina cavalry, with portion of bis
regiment, came upon q column OF the enemy g
cavalry near Vienna; and although be- bad the
disadvantage in numbers, charged him with SO
much spirit and skill as to put to gnominious
fight the entire column-the officers leading
The difficulties of the road were, however, SO
great, that he captured only 26, together with
their arms, equipments. and, for the most part,
their horses, besides killing and wounding a
number, and sustained himself no loss at sll.-
This last is the first engagement with the ene-
my's cavalry-the result shows that he has not
vet found the element of redemption from his
manifest destiny.
On the 2nd inst, Col. @. W. Field, 9th Va.
Cavalry with detachment of his regiment made
bold and successsul dash iuto the enemy's in
tantry pickets stationed in the village OF Anan-
dale, killing 4, carrying off Is captured, with
their arms and equipments, sustaining loss OF
two missing.
To mention especially the conspicuous gallant
ry displayed on these various occasions woald
transcend the limits Of this order. Suffice it
to say, the officers and men engaged here be-
haved in manner mighty credit.ble and are
or titled to the thanks of their countrymen.
The other regiments OF the Brigade while per-
forming no less Important snd arduous services
have not, within the period embraced in the
foregoing, been so fortunate as to effect meet
ing with the enemy,
Comrades-lf you continue to unite skill with
courage, and temper boldness with prudence,
success will be yours on every field, and before
tins war ends, the world will have abundant
proofs that the best blood of '76 flows in your
veins By command of Gen'l Stuart
9 (Signed) L. Herman Brien, A. A. G. :