Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-06-08
FIGHT AT FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE.

rue Ne0etS CuptuTeo-fUo CHueu OfuteS
Dragons Missing and 1tco Wounded.
WASHINGTON, June IAN engagement
certainly occurred in the vicinity OF Fairfax
Court House, 10 which four of the United
States troops we're killed. and twenty'seven
of the rebels killed aud wounded, according
to the official report.
OFFICIAL REroRT OF FIGHr AT FAIRFAX CoURT
House.
The following is the official report of Gen.
eral Mcdowell to Gen. Scott, of the fight at
Fairfax Court House. Lieutenant Tompkins,
who commanded the company, was severely
wounded, so much go that be was unable to
make his report -
Head Quarters, Department Eastern Va, I
ARLINGTON, June l, 1861.
Colonel r. D. Townsend. Assistant Adjutant
General, Head quarters of the Army,
Washington -
SIR The following facts have just been
reported to me by the Orderly Sergeant of
Company B, of the Second Cavalry, CON-
manded by Lieutenant Tompkins, the COM
manding officer being too unwell TO report
in person.
1t appears that company Of the Secon d
Cavalry, commanded Lieutenant Tomp-
kins, aggregate number seventy five, left
their camp at half.past ten o'clock last night,
on scouting expedition. They reached
Fairfax Court House at three in the morn
ing. where they found several hundred men
stationed, Captain Ewel, late of the United
States Dragoous, said to be in command
A skirmish then took place, 10 which mum.
ber of the enemy were killed how many the
Sergeant does not know. Many bodies were
ha io1
ia to the Court House, and seen there Sy one
Of our Cavalry, who was prisoner in the
Court House for short time, but afterwards
made his escape.
The following is the report By the Ser.
geant of our loss -
Private Saintclar ]
Wounded.
Corporal Max, ball through the hip - i
Corporal Turner, ball in the ankle ]
Private Lynch, ball in the hand
Private Baggs, ball 10 the foot
Missing.
Private Sullivan l
Total casualties 6
Five prisoners were captured by our
troops.
THE CAVALRY AND THEIR TROPHIES.
The cavalry company that made the at.
tack consisted of Dragons lately returned
from Texas. They have seen years of hard
Indian 6ghting on the frontier, and are head.
ed by LieutensIts Tompkins and Gordon
The Federal loss was caused by the firing
from the windows of tavern and the Court
House. The troopers rode up to the win.
dows, and discharged their Sharps rifles and
revolvers at their assaants. The Federal
cavalry being hailed, just before entering the
village, Lieut.. Tompkns rode up to the reb.
els and replied, Cavalry" to the challenge.
The sentinel then asking "Whst Cavalry 7"
the Lieutenant sang out, UNITED States
Cavalry" simultaneously bringing the rebel
tothe ground by shot from his revolver.
The trophies won by the troopers we're
seven prisoners, two rifles and five revolvers.
Two OF the prisoners, made previous to the
charge on the rebels, attempted to escape. but
were fred at and killed. One of the rifles
bad flint lock, showing that the rebels are
not we'll armed.
THE SHERIFF OF FAIRFAx KILLED..
Mrs. Taylor, of this city, has received intel.
ligehce that her brother, the sheriff of the
county OF Fairfax, was one OF the rebels kill
ed at the battle of the Fairfax Court House.
ANOTHER DARING FEAT.
WAsHINeToN, May "A gentleman, direct
from the neighborhobd of Fairfax Court
House, states that during last night word was
received at the camp hj the New York Twen-
ty.eighth Regiment that the two dragons
missing from Company b, which made the
rally on Fairfax Court House. on Saturday
morning, we're captured by the rebels, and
were to be hung this morning. Company b
was Immediately summoned from their quar-.
ters, and, mounting, rode up to the Court
House, and having By some means ascertain
ed the precise locality Of their imprisoned
comrades, made dash through the village
and released the two men, whom they bro't
back in triumph to the camp at daybreak.
The five rebel prisoners brought away from
the Court House. are in this city. One of
them, son of the late Maj Washington, Of
the Army, said that he did not want to fight
against the United States. and mads amends
by taking the oath OF allegiance. The other
four refused to subscribe to it, and were de.