Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-13
NEWS IRON WASHINGTON.
.
An ESrtRE DIVISION OF THE Army ON ToRAGlSG E1PEDI


wAsHNGroS, JSo. Z, 1862.
An ESrtRE DIVISION OF THE ARMY A FoRAGISG E1PEDI
IIcS.
The following full and interesting report Of foragirg
eXpsdOa that went to-day from General Smiths d.
y.oo Is furnished by the special reporter OF the Herald
Who accompanied the expedition, Ia expectation OF Wit
nessng smother brilliant defeat OF the enemy, Ike he
DrAosvils Nfaif;
Tai has be an active and excing day for the troops
attached 20 General Smiths diss0n. Al o'clock
ths horning iorsging expedition set out IN the dTec
too OF Peacock Hill The expedition consisted Of the
Frst bdgade Gen. Hancock the Second brigade, Gen.
Brooks; the Third brigade, Gen. BrsNnan; Capt kots
battery, Que tWeve-pounder hoWitIsr and Ave ten
oludsr PAroI guns Captain Ayres battery, four tell
plunder Parrot guns aud two tHslvepounder Napoleon
guns; The Fret Pennsylvania artillery, tSeiye-
poupdsr hoWitzcr and three poundsr hoWitzsrs Lieut.
Osxick commanding, and nine companies Of cavalry,
Col Friedman.
Peacock hill IA located near the junction Of difficult creek
and pc Leesburg and Aezaadra turnpike five miles be-
yond Lesinsvle and only four miles RON the scene o.
the late DrGnesve battle. There we're over two hundred
and ity forRzng wagons. Most OF these we're sent,
last evening from Washington. Altogether il was the
largest oragng expedition that has ye. gone out rom
the army OF the PO.omae Shoaid the enemy show them
sslves e was determined TO DO ready to give them
warm reception.
At three o'clock in the morning some signal rockets
we're seen By pckets in the direction OF Hawkhurst
Mil followed quickly by others to the southwest, tow.
ards Centrevie. This demonstration induced belief
that the enemy BY means, bad obtained Informs
ton Of the intended movement Of cur oTagng forces,
and our troops Ia high spirits at the propsc. OF
brush with the rebels, genuine fight being what they
have long been wanting and impaenty waiting for. An
mated by the hope and expectation Of lively coates,
with the minions Of JEFF Davis the enthusiasm Of our
M at starting Was uubouDded
The starting presented eDlivening scene, the air
resembling With the stirring music Of regimenal bands,
staff aud field officers dashiog 70 ard fro on hghmet-
ted steed the even and odery tread OF the perfect
" disciplined troops, bright CLEANS OF blyonets II the
FISHING sunlight the rambling jar Of the ponderous
artillery wagons, and the tramp Of cavalry. The
thought that danger formed any part Of heir mission
did not to all apparent ebse yatous, enter the head OF
iuge soldier.
General sai,h, though only few Gays of sick bed,
led the expedition. Generals Hancock aud Brooks
headed their brgIdss, while Colonel Bdweli command
ed General BrAunans brigade, the latter having few
DAYS since repqusbed his command TO 60 10 Key West.
General Smith ard each brigade comtna der was ac-
comp Mid BY their full s,sf The expedition sb
sen, ten hours Although disappointed IN engaging the
eaemy fault did not lie wiki our men, Tor evey side
we've thrown OUT the most deDOnslratve temptations to
induce fght.
Arriving a. NpGarittys Hill jos, beyond LqNnsvills,
Canaan Mot slacsd section OF artillery, TIE whole
beng uuder bis command, on the bill, the faAe oeiOg
supported by the Third brigade as reserve to support
any portion of tie division needing assistance 10 case Of
an engagement To Peacooks Bill srd Walters Mil
General Brooks brigade proceeded, accompanied by six
pieces Of artillery uRder command Of usuenRnt harte
General Hancock advaHced With his command 10 Free
dom Hill overlooking Yeana and Fairfax Cour. House.
He seat on a company Of the Six Maine regiment 10
feel the enemy. They moved 10 within about i've hun
ded yards Of large body of infantry aud cavalry ofthe
enemy encam ped near Hawkhurst's Mil
General Hancock anIously awaited some aggressive
exhibition and With the utmost difficulty the men
IN biz command could be restrained from pressing for
ward although il understood that there encap,
ed IN that vicinity foil twenty rebel regiment under
command Of Generals onyst and Van Dorm.
Meantime, Geo. Reynolds brigade Of Gen heOalls
division on tho right near the UDion schoohouse g
support and on the ea, IN the direction Of FalPs
Church, brigade frem Gen. Por.srs division. AZ he