The national Republican., 1862-07-07
From the Shenandoah Valley.
rrespoEdenoe CT the Associated Prcss.

NEAR FRONT ROYAL, July a, 1862.
The stirring events near the rebel capital, fol
the past week, have totally eclipsed those Of
minor Importance in the army Of Virginia
which have been, In fact, confined TO scouting
rccooni,reing, aud changes 10 the command
The only event Of any importance, In the field
was strong ......
RECoNNOIsANCE OF LuRAY.
| On Sunday morning, r]rigader General
Crawford, Of General Williamss division, wa,
ordered 10 reconnoitre Luray In force. Thi.
town, the capital Of Warren county, village
formerly Of about 700 inhabitants, twenty
I'VE miles south Of Front Royal, near the wes
slope Of the Blue Ridge, had for the past ter
days, been strictly guarded by pickets, who
refused every person ingress or egresa at point,
five miles from town consequently, It was un
known what force, II any, was concentrated
there. Several efii,rts were made by Generals
/ Williams and Crawford, to gain view Of the
valley near Luray, but the vigilance and activ
ity OF the rebel cavalry prevented approach
nearer than Milford on the north, and Sperry.
| vile on the other aide Of the ridge, on the
sast. A regiment Of infantry aod squadron Of
cavalry took possession OF Chester Gap, south.
est CT Front Royal, to prevent any flank
movement on our left, while the south branch
of the Shenandoah protected our right
One regiment Of infantry and squadron OF
cavalry advanced on the stone pike ia The val.
ley, VIII IL the main body, composed Of cavalry,
artillery and infantry. proceeded along The loot
Of the ridge. through what Is termed by the in
habitants GoonGy's Manor, by Il cirouitous road
almost inaccessible to anything but cavalry
The scenery along this route wss wildly pic
turesque, aud elected admiration from all In
the ranks. The soldiers almost forgot their
fatigue while gazing upon the mountains. and
~ II to add a greater eublimity to the occasion
. thunder storm burst upon us, with It's thon.
sand echoes from pinnacle, crag, and hill. II
was ona continuous roar, until the storm passed
over u.s. r.
| Wepassed several hamlets on the ronte, where
the few Inhabitants were almost al wild and I'm
tutored by civilization "a the scanery around
them; and nothing Of the least Importance
could be elcited from them. Finding the road
ni0re impracticable rs the command progressed
II took a road, Tor rather pati.) turning due
west, along the fnot Of spur OF the Blu.
Ridge. and, after journey Of six miles, striking
the pike near Milford. At this place reside.
the family Of Mr.. John F. Haines, who was bar
barously taken TO Lursy by the rebels, and
SHOT in cold blood, abou, month ago, for be-
ing Union man. The circumstances of thi,
ruthless act are thus detailed by hia bersavsd
family:
O1 The accession Of Mr.. Lincoln to the prpsi
dental chair, Mr. Hsines went to Washington
to witness the inauguration. While there ht
was warned by bis family NOT to return. as hi,
lite had been repeatedly threatened in his ab-
senca. lie remained in Washington sixteer
months, returning IN Gen Shields went up tn,
valley TO attack Jsck.on's rstrsatinx column
He remained at homs only four days. when
party Of the rebels hanging upon the rear q
Shields returning columl, seizsd and took hin
to Luray. Ills arrest was accomplished by aI
officer named Cox. OF Louisiana regiment
who hos sincs been captured with the loss o
one of bis ears by u bullet Before leaving
Luray, the enemy took Mr.. lIainrs It TO woot
and shot him In cold blood, together with au-
other man. leaving the unburied bodies exposed
At the place oil the murder two days and nights
Mr.. Haines left wife (who has been danger
onsly sick since the murder of her hush ind)
two sons and daughter. all possessed of NOR,
than ordinary Intelligence, 10 this secluded
part OF the State. Their means OF support ar.
believed to be limited.
The sntire command, beirg now consolidated
moved forwared several miles, and bivouacks I'D
Tor the night, under steady rain. Gen. Cr,w
l
blocked up all known rontrs Of cu,nmurica.
tim with Luray, and established distant but
posts and Iioes Of patrols. ,
At daylight Monday morning the column wa,
again In motion Tor I.uray. then nine miles dis
tant When about tive mile from town, o,il
videttes CAME upon the enemy's pickets, cap
uring one. while two others male their epcant
AL mounted. The prisoner was armed with
pair Of old cavalry flint lock pistols and q
home made sword. nearly as elastic as STRAP
iron. Here the Infantry aud artillery were
halted. while the cavelry alone procesri.d
Knowing that the refugee pickets would inform
tue enemy Of our approach, the column was
pushed forward as fast as prudence would per
init. On reaching the apex of hills north OF
the town, the ebemy's cavalry were seen de-
ding into the New Market road westward
Viieites and advance guard entered the tOwu
| with unslung carbines and great caution, fear
Ing the enemys rear guard might be there In
force. Every house wasscrutiniz, ID to prevent
II necessary, n repetition OF the uuiriendly re
cspuoa 10 Winchester. The cnsmy's rear
guard were finally discovered on hill IN The
edge Of tlis Town. The curbnrers gave them
a low scattering shots uud then charged, sword
lu hand Over the crest oi tLis hin The enemy
at Least 100 suooe, wern drawn up 10 rec,iy,
ns. and gave our advaucs a vollry, checking
for moment the charge.
Their volicy was resp ,ndcd to, and the enc
my commenced TO retreat, followed by ou
cavalry, who made two captures. GA thu ap
pcarancs OF two ii.lking companies, ordered
up by Col. Tompkins ot Fairfax Courtht,,,,
renuwn, now Of the First Vermont cavalry, III,
enemy retreated In haste and disorder. On,
Of the Vermont boys was shot through the head
and died an hour afterwards. Another WIN
slightly wounded, and two horses were shot
one OF which was ub'eqlently killed. 1'h
re- ut on the cnemys side is unknown, bu
trails Of tlood indicated the direction VI thei
retreat
The object Of the Reconnaissance having beo,
accomplished, and valuable information oh
taiued, pursuit was stopped, and the comman,
returned last night to camp, the greater portion
Of which had performed march Of sixty mile
in two days, through In fountain passep, and owe
muddy roads.
The accidental discharge Of pis oil, on tn
return, slightly wounded Lieutenant C0lone
Fillehrown tenth Maine Infantry In the leg
First sergeant Of Go. X. same regiment wa
shot dead, on the route, by the accidental dis
charge Of a musket. IL, was highly esteeue
as u man and soldier, and died pending up
pointmrnt to u lieutenancy.
A portion VI Gen. Gearys command, by re
connOis-ance, are said to have discovered
| hoJy r. rnhol ortillary onI In ntry in III