The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-06-20
\ Rebel Account Of the Rebel Cavalry Raid.

TIE Richmond DispArcH, June 10th, gives
the following detailed account of the cavalry
raid inside General McCLELLAN's lines on Fri
day last. A cause needing such abominable
illscAoods TO encourage its followers, must in
deed be on it's last legs
II being determined upon 20 penetrate the enc
my's lines, and make ~ full and thorough recon-
noissance Of their position and strength, General
j. T. II, Stuart ordered the First Colonel FitzlIugh
Leo, Ninth tCo. i. ii. FitzlIugh Leg, and Fourth
Virginia Cavalry tLicut. Gardiner commanding), to
hold themselves in readiness. Jefr. Davis Troop
also incorporated in the detail, also two
pieces of stu,rt's Flying Artillery-a l2-pound
howitzer and G'pound English rifle piece-the
whole free not numbering more than 400
men, II even the total reached that number. On
Thursday ut dawn this column proceeded down the
Charlottesville tBrook Churchl turnpike, sad a.
night WAS drawing near pickets and videttes
p!aced-and the column camped for the night near
Ashland, II being considered iInprdent TO progress
further. Towards morning signal rockets were
fred and answered by our troops at the lines far
to the rear, aud ~ soon as day broke the cavalry
column proceeded on ita march, Carefully and eau
tously journeying, the federal lines were penetra
ted, when horse pickets discovering our vide,t,s
advancing. the videttes hastily retired, according
to orders, upon the main body concealed by woods
and a turn In the rood.
Having proceeded thus far, and near the Court
House, the enemy seemed 10 have been reinforced,
and made a stand ON the road, and in fields to the
right and leu Of II. Thinking TO flank them, and
capture tho whole force Col Lee, OF the First pro-
ceeded round their position e. cut of retreat but
the movement occupying longer time than desired,
the second squadron Of the Ninth prepared TO
charge. Aud AZ they trot,ed toward the enemy the
Federal leader could bo plainly seen and heard
harangiing his troops, urging and begging them "
oct like men, aud stand. Ills oloquence was Of no
avail, and as the second squadron Of the Ninth In
creased their pace and came near to them with
flashing sabers the Federal officer gaoped toward
them, thinking his men would follow. Not So,
however, and as hs wheeled his horse back
again, our men were upon him he fell shot
in the head; his men gave feeble vollcy with
pistols, aud scampered OF the field in
| ludicrous style, leaving killed and wounded
behind, and many prisoners. Capturing outposts
| and pickets In great number, and overtakng wea-
ried horsemen, It was sscertained that the force
engaged were squadrons Of the Ffth u. 8. regulars
who had seen hard service In Texas and the Indian
Countries, and had never refused charge before
| ceeding thlther everything was destroyed and put
~ the torch. From several captured in and about
these camps II was ascertained that several rogi
ments were waiting for our advance up tie road
and ~ their pickots were stronger and more nu
| nerous than usual, IL was deemed advisable TO halt
Appearing In considerable force, the enemy al
vanced In admirable order, but suddenly facing Il
the right about, were quickly retreating, when tn
dismounted men poured calling volley into them
emptying many saddles and causing much confu
| sion. Reforming, they were a second time rein
forced, and on to the charge up the rise II
gallant style.
The front Of either column were endorsed, ans
} the night became instantly hot and bloody. Capt
Lstane singled out the Federal commander, aut
cut on 'he ocers hat close to his head, but the Fe
deral dodgns the cut, rode past, and ~ he did &c
discharged two revolver loads at Lataue, kii.in
him instantly, The enemy rapidly giving WY, on
| men shouted In triumph, aud cut right and lef|
pistoing the foe with frghtfu accuracy and hayoC
/ and seeing the Feieral commander In pursuit
! Adiutant RobinA twho was himself in pursuit {
an enemy,) private dashed sfter him aud clov
) his skull In twain The battle between these riv,
squadrons, though Of short DURATION wss Aerce ~
uang,nary In the extreme. Scattered " I'll direS
TONS and apparently psrslyxod by ~ rslsntls'
! fury Of this corps The sasmy ded " evs1 dase