The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-11-12
THE Raid AT FREDERICKSBURG.

gy extra from the Herald office We are placed
IN possession of full particulars of the Yankee raid
INTO Fredericksburg on Sunday last. This account
stsiss hat about o'clock force Of Federal cav.
sly crossed the river just above the bridge at Fall
mouth and quietly proceeded down the road for
tsif mile TO Fredericksburg, taking the Main
street. snd keeping up the most nOnehalant sir Of
security.
On reaching the cross street uesr the railroad
they turned towards the tobacco factory, the head
quarters Of the Confederate cavalry here. Lieut. =
Col Critcher, the commandant Of this post, was
approaching headquarters, some two hundred
yards off, at the time, foot, and seeing the
United States force drawn up supposed 1t to
be a company Of Confederate cavalry, Captain
Simpson,, that had arrived the night before,
msny Of whom were dressed In trophies taken
from the Yankees before Richmond, In the way Of
coats, overeoats. &c. This deiusion wss quickly
dispeled by the rush towards him Ct his own cav
airy, that had been at headquarters. Col Critsher
al once ordered his men 10 FORM AID called on his
officers to assist but whilst some ten expressed
ths, readiness, the other portion, consisting Of no.
Dors thsn thirty, could not be induced to sta nd
and the whole fell back about q mile from town.
where the line wss formed In the meantime the
Federal cavalry dispersed in squads, under their
respective Lieutenauts, and these squads made
captures CT over twenty Of our men, consisting Ct
esvslrymen and soldiers here cn the sick List
Whilst this was going on, portion Of Capt.
simpsons cavalry formed in front Of Ciuzen's Hall
and dashed at a Federal force. A lively 6ght h
in The vicinity Of WeHords machine shop in which
Walter B Thompson, Of Princess Anne county.
Va, was shot. He was picked up mniedtatsty
aud spoke but few words, saying he was an only
son, and taking leave Of those around him
About fifty yards from the spot whore Joung
Thompson fell, Federal oavairyman was riding
with the Stars Gnd Bars he had captured at head
quar,ers Confederate near by called upon him
twice TO surrender, which WAS not eded, and ar
he was in the act of riding of the soldier fred and
killed him instantly. From letters or his PERSON
de body proved to be that of Robert Gaphin. Of
Terre Hante, Ind. He was youth of probably l6
or l9 years.
Capt Simpsons company followed the Federals
tn charge all the way up Main street, AZ far as
the Woolen Factory, where they ceased the pur-
suit At this point one Federal was cut down and
brought back, TWO taken prisoners, and two Con-
federstes released In the meantime another party
Of Federals who had taken q circuit around the
Fsir Ground retu,red; but Capt. Simpsons com
pany missed them, and returned, we believe to
their camp, half q mile from town.
Lieut. Col Critcher having succeeded in forming
h5 men-there being less than forty present-pro-
eeeded in person TO the upper Ferry, where he
learned the Federals had all recrossed to Falmouth
having sent for his men, they crossed to Falmouth
IN pursuit; but the Federals had all left save two
men who claim to have been LEFT with q flag Of
uuce TO look after the killed and wounded Both
were brought over to town. The Federats captured
about 200 yards wooden cloth, that had been hastily
:aken from Kelly. Tacket. Il Co. g woolen mill for
the purpose CT securing IL They also captured and
Baroied some 20 or 80 Of our meu. In front of the
Virginia Bank number Of shots were exchanged,
sI bullets going through the doors and the counter
nside
Federal, with revolver in his hand was
taking two Confederstes up Main street very
qnietiy, when one Of our brave young ladies dashed
INTO tue street. pistol in hand, and was restrained
rom firing al him with difficulty. Directly there
siler two of Capt Simpsons men came up She
called on them to follow and rescue the Confeder-
ates which they proceeded to do at once. The
FEDERAL hearing them approaching, turned on bis
hone and took six deliberate shots at them but
nsl'her took feet. The firing t. ok place in the
square on which we live and some Of Il iInme Gi-
st-ly in front of our residence. The Confederates
were released, and soon thereafter the Federal
eSpturei
Prom the prisoners learn the Federal force
Consisted of parts of two Indiana companies, (55
men, under Capts Shsrra snd Matheny. and pick ed
men from the 9th Ohio go men) under Major. The
whole forcs was therefore only 1876 men. Captain
DshiRren, of Gen Sigers staff was, in command L.
only about onehslf OF bis force crossed the river
and came to fredericksburg. Citizens of Fsl-
p'osih say the whole fores reached 2lC but our In
formation Ia from Federal prisoners. The epirit
~ capt simpsons company IL highly extolled. -
tney had arrived only the night before, and were
style
Oiil.-ns were not interfsred with nor theirprop-