Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-08-27
ANOTHER IMPUDEhT EXPLOIT OF LEES
CAVALRY.
A SUCCESSFUL RAID UPON MANASSAS
JUNCTION AND BRISTOW STATION.
THE RAILROAD GUARD ovERPo wERED
AND ARTILLERY SEIZED AND
TURNED UPON OUR MEN.
FOUR TRAINS OF EMPTY CARS DE.
STROYED.


A rebel raid, similar to that made on Friday
night last at Catletts Station, was success sfully
accomplished last night, not only at Bristow,
but also at Manassas Station! The attacking
force, variously estimated at from 500 to 2,CO0
cavalry, 10 supposed to have been portion OF
Col. Fitzhugh Lees force that made the raid on
Friday night, referred to above.
From all we can learn of the facts land most
Of the Information on the subject that had reached
Washington up to noon to-day, comes through
"skedaddling" Federal soldier, who, running on
the nrst alarm, were brought up all standing near
Centerville by Federal pickets.) the drst assault
was made upon cars on the railroad at Bristow,
hred into there, with what resulting damage we
know not.
The Federal guard at Manassas is said to have
consisted Of the 18th Pennsylvania cavalry, (very
green troops,) two companies Of infantry, and a
battery Of artillery.
The skedaddling men bringing the news 10
Centreville and Fairfax were Of the cavalry, and
represent that most Of the infantry and artillery
were captured, and the latter turned Immediately
against us In the skirmish or affair. Ii appears
that the Federal wagon trains there at the time
had SUFFICIENT warning to enable them to move
back to Centerville, without loss. Four trains OF
empty cars on the sideling at Manassas are under.
stood to have fallen into the hands Of this ma.
rauding party.
The Bull Run bridge Represented an hour ago
to have been Burned also) 10 safe-we know posi-
lively.
AS soon a. Information Of this affair reached
here last night from Fairfax Station, a consider
able force was dispatched by rail, under General
Sturgis, to punish the daring marauders.
We take IL for granted that the rebels DESTROYED
much Of the railroad and telea ph at Manassas
a. possible, though they could not do more such
damage there, we apprehend, than can be recti-
fed by our construction corps at hand in perhaps
twenty-four hours. The interruption Of tele.
graphic communication Of course prevents up TO
this hour better knowledge here Of the details
Of this most disgraceful affair.
From all we know Of IL 20 far, we feel sure
that instead Of recrossing the Rappahannock on
Saturday, Col. Fitzhugh Lees force hurried into
the mountains back Of Warrenton, from whence
he lad but to dash down twenty or twenty. FIVE
miles upon Bristow and Manassas We take It
for granted that he did not remain at Manassas
until Sturgs arrived there, but again made or
for the Businesses In his rear. By this time a
sufficient force Of cavalry has doubtless been sent
at er him by Gen. Pope. They will hardly catch
him, however, II he chooses to 20 over the ridge
at Front Royal, and there disperse his force, to
come together again somewhere In the valley. II
10 undenably true that the success Of these rebel
raids grow out Of the gross incompeteney and
inattention to their duties Of our ofacen In charge
Of our railroad, and other similar guards. 1t 10
high time that examples, by shooting on the sen
tence Of drum head courts martial, had been
made Of some Of those responsible for these &C
currences, SO well calculated to make our armies
justly the derision Of the world. The country
will no longer stand neglect on the part Of our
military authorities to force attention on the part
Of their subordinates to the plainest rules Of MILL
tary duty and discipline-rules which II longer
neglected will insure our ultimate defeat In this
war, we care not how many men we put in the
field, nor how much money we spend for war
purposes.