, 1862-07-10

NEAR FORT hoYAI, Wednesday, July =.
l7ttuEncd to this point from recouuois-
sance n n foree to Luray, at 8. NJ of Tnesdsy
last. TIE force was under command of Gen.
Cra"toTo, I'D brigade, Gen. Bau6s' corps d
aimee, al Il consisted of Capt. Hampton1s bat
terry, four companies OF the 1st Vermont cav
slry, the Same OF the 1st Michigan and of the
1T Maine; the 5th Connecticut iufautry, 10Th
Maine infantry, and doth Pennsylvania Infant-
r.: The object Of the reconnaissance WAS to
satisfy the general Of the whereabouts OF jack
sons force. The general opiaion vas that he
would not at that time trouble himself with the
poW largely augmented force on the line, but
That he was giving. attention to the state Of
affairs at Or near Richmond. The general, rs
l have said, desired to falIy satisfy himself
Of the correctness Of the general opinion
+ hence the reconnaissance. We commenced
the march from this point (which is about
three miles from Front Royal at daybreak on
Sunday morning. When the force reached a
point about three miles from Luray, the in
tantry vas brought to halt, and the cavalry,
followed bY portion Of Hampton's battery,
under command Of Col Tompkins, Of the Ist
Vermont, sent forward to the town in search
Of an enemy. When the advance came with
in sight Of the town, four companies OF rebel
caEa}ry we're discovered within its Limits, and
train WIS seen 1etlripg rapidly. The cavalry
was immediately ordered to the gallop
march, and, as soon as within charging die-
tance, to charge The charge was led by Capt.
preston G1 EQutG&4J ~ Lev C4 UUAt 4GEutt
was spirited, and WAS returned Eith spirit.
! Again the rebels were charged, and again they
! returned it, doubtless more with the inteu-
| ton to delay our advance until their train
| should escape, than from any hope Of finally
;; driving back cur superior force. On the next
| from ours, they skedaddled and were driven
4! from the town. After further reconnaissance
! had been made, sufficient to satisfy the gen
| ersl that the force seen was the only force
within miles, our men returned to the halted
| force, and soon afterward the column was on
| Its return to the rear Of Front Royal, where it
] arrived ut the time named. The loss On our
| side WIS one killed and one SO badly wounded
| that it Is doubtful whether he will recover
| We lost two men taken prisoners, and took
two Of thei1e. The reconnaissance vas consid-
] cred entirely satisfactory.
| We have reports Of the defeat of Gen. Nc
Cle1lan at Richmond, aud later rumors Of the
! capture Of that Interesting position bY our
| forces-au Of which hare increased the eX-
pectarcy and desire OF the presence Of the en-
| emy somewhere In this vicinity. Should
| Jaekson's forces or any other rebel generals
! forces make descent upon ns now, they will
find much more imposing force to attend to
than they did whtn Jackson's force came
| down upon Gen. Banks before. Our troops
I are ENJOYING excellent health and anxious for
| a6gh5. I think you will hear OF important
! movements here in q very few days, probably
| before you receive this. Ihs strength Of our
| forces combined Is sufficient to important
| duties, and from present movements, Judge
Il at it is anticipated that Its strength aud ac-
tiyity Will soon be required
i