The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-11-04
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. STUART
Headquarters Cavalry Division,
October l4th 1862

hcaud quarters NaEalFy DlVlSlOn,
October 14th, 1862.
Col. R. II. Chiffon, 4. A. Gen. Army Northe,
I Virginia.:
Colonel-I have the honor to report that OF
the 9th inst, in compliance with instruction
from the Commanding General Army Northern
Virginia, proceeded on expedition into Penn
sylvania with a cavalry force of 1900 and fou
pieces of horse artillery, under command of Brig
Gen. Hampton and Col. W. FL. F. Lee and Jones
This force rendezvoused at Darksville at II Nj.
| and marched thence to the vicinity of Hedges
vile, where it camped for the night At daylight
next morning, October 1Oth) / crossed the
Potomac at McCoys' (between Williamsport and
Hancock) with some little opposition, capturing
two or three horses of enemys pickets. We were
| told here by citizens that a large force had
eamped the night before at Clear Spring, and
were supposed to be en- route to Cumberland. We
proceeded northward until we had reached the
turnpike leading from Hagerstown to Hancock,
| (known as the National Road. Here signal
station on the mountain, and most of the party,
with their flags and apparatus were surprised and
captured and also eight or ten prisoners of war,
from whom, as we'll as from citizens, found
that the large force alluded to had crossed but an
hour ahead of towards Cumberland, and con-
| sisted Of six regiment Of Ohio troops and two
batteries, under Gen. Cox, and were en- route via
| /
| intelligence at once to the Commanding General.
Striking directly across the National Road pro-
ceeded in the direction of Mercersburg, Penn,
which point was reached about y NJ. | was ex-
| tremey anxious to reach Hagerstown, where large
supplies were stored; but satisfied from re-
liable information, that the notice the enemy had
of my approach and the proximity of his forces
would enable him to prevent my capturing it. /,
therefore, turned towards Chambersburg. | did
not reach this point till after dark in a rain.
did not deem it safe to defer the attack till morn
ing, it proper to attack place full Of wo-
men and children without summoning it first TO
surrender. accordingly sent in flag of truce,
and found military or civil authority in the
place; but some prominent citizens who met the
officer were notified that the place would be oc-
cupied, and if any resistance were made the place
would be sheed in three minutes. Brig Gen.
Wade Hampton's command being in advance, took
possession of the place, and l appointed him Mill
tary Governor of the city. No incident occurred
during the night, during which it rained continu-
ously The officials all fed the town on our ap-
proach, and no one could be found who would ad-
nit that he held Office in the place. About 275
sick and wounded in hospital were paroled Dur
ing the day large number of horses of citizens
were seized and brought along The wires were
cut and railroads we're obstructed. Next morning
it was ascertained that large number of small
arms and munitions Of war were stored about the
railroad buildings, all of which that could not be
easily brought away were destroyed consisting of
about 5000 new muskets, pistols, sabres, ammu-
milton, also a large assortment of army clothing
The extensive machine shops and depot buildings
of the railroad and several trains of loaded cars
were entirely destroyed. From Chambersburg
decided, after mature consideration, to strike for
the vicinity of Leesburg as the best route of re-
turn, particularly as Coxs command would have
rendered the direction of Cumberland full OF
mountain gorges, particularly hazardous. The
route was through open country. Of course |
left nothing undone to prevent the inhabitants
from detecting my real route and object. / start
ed directly towards Gettysburg, but having passed
the Blue Ridge, turned back towards Hagerstown
70. six or eight miles, aud then crossed to Mary
land by Emmettsburg, where, passed, we
were hailed by the inhabitants with the most
thusiastic demonstrations ofjoy. scouting par
ty of $50 lancers had just passed towards Gettys-
burg, and I regret exceedingly that my march did
not admit Of the delay necessary to catch them.
Taking the road towards Frederick we intercept
ed dispatches from Col. Rush IIancers) to the
commander of the scout, which satisfied me that
our whereabouts was still problem to the enemy
Before reaching Frederick, 1 crossed the Mono
cacy continued the march through the night, via
Liberty New Market, Monrovia on the Baltimore
and ONO Railroad, Where we cut the telegraph
wires and obstructed the Railroad. We reached
at daylight, Hayattstown, on McCellan's line of
wagon communication with Washington, but we
found only few wagons to capture, and pushed
on to Barnsville, which we found just vacated by
a company of the enemy's cavalry. We had here
corroboraed what we had heard before, that
Stoneman had between and 5000 troops about
Poolesville and guarding the river fords. start
ed directly for Poolesville, but instead OF march
ing upon that point, avoided it by march
through the woods, leaving it two or three miles
to my left and getting into the road from Poolcs-
vile to the mouth of the Monocacy. Guarding
we'll my fanks and rear, pushed boldly forward,
meeting the head of the enemy's column going to-
wards Poolesyille. ordered the charge, which
was responded to in handsome style by the ad-
,s,ce SQUADRON Irying's) of Lees Brigade. which