The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-11-08
stuarrs Raid into Pennsylvania.


| October IA, 1862.
Colonel r. II. Chiffon, A. A. General Army o
| Northern Virginia.
COLONEL have the honor to report that OF
the 9Th inst, in compliance with instruction
from the Commanding General of the Army o
Northern Virginia, proceeded on an expedition
into Pennsylvanis with cavalry force Of ,SOl
and four pieces of horse artillery, under com.
mand of Brigsdier General Hampton and CoP
W. r. F. Lee and Jones. This force render
voused at Drakesville at IL n, and marched
thence to the vicinity of Hedgeville, where il
camped for the night At daylight next morn,
ing October 10y crossed the Potomac at Nc
Coy's, between Williamsport and Hancock, with
some little opposition, capturing two or three
pickets. We we're here told by citizens that q
large force had camped the night before at Clea,
Spring, and were supposed to be en- route to Cum,
berland. We proceeded northward until We
reached the turnpike leading from Hagerstown
to Hancock, known as the National road. Here
was signal on the mountain, and most of the
party, With their flags and apparatus, we're sur.
prised and captured, and also eight or ten pris-
oners of war, from whom, as we'll as from citi-
| zens, found that the large force alluded to had
crossed but an hour ahead of me, towards Cum
berland, and consisted of six regiments of Ohio
troops and two batteries, under Gen. Cox, and
were en- route, via Cumberland, for the Kanawha.
sent back this intelligence at once to the CONS
handing general. Striking directly across the
national road, proceeded in the direction of
Mercersburg, Pa, which point was reached about
noon was extremely anxious to reach Hagers-
town, where large supplies were stored, but was
satisfied. from reliable information that the no.
tice the enemy had of my approach, and the
proximity of his forces, would enable him to pres
wards Chambersburg. I did not reach this point
to defer the attack till morning, nor was it pro-
per to attack place full of women and children
without summoning it first to surrender. &C.
cordingly sent in flag of truce, and found no
military or civil authority in the place; but some
prominent citizens who met the officer were no.
tilted that the place would be occupied, and if
any resistance were made the place would be
shelled in three minutes. sa
Brigadier General Wade Hampton's command
being in advance, took possession of the place,
and appointed him military Governor Of the
city No incidents occurred during the night,
during which it rained continuously. The ofic-
ials all fed the town on our approach, and no
one could be found who would admit that he held
Office in the place. About 275 sick and wound.
ed in hospitals we're paroled. During the day
q
ed and brought along. The wires we're cut, and
railroads were 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 we're destroyed, consist
ing of about 5000 new muskets, pistols, sabres,
ammunition; also large assortment of army
clothing. The extensive machine shops and de-
pot building of the railroad, and several trains
of loaded cars we're entirely destroyed. From
Chambersburg decided, after mature considera-
ton, to strike for the vicinity of Leesburg, as
the best route of return, particularly as Cox's
command would have rendered the direction of
Cumberland, full Of mountain gorges, particular.
~ hazardous The route selected was through
an open country. Of course, left nothing un
done to prevent the inhabitants from detecting
my real route and object. started directly to
wards Gettysburg, but having passed the Blue
Ridge, turned back towards Hagerstown for six
or eight miles, and then crossed to Maryland by
Emmettsburg, where, as we passed, We were hail
ed by the inhabitants, with the most enthusiast
tic demonstrations Of joy. A scouting party Of
100 lancers had just passed towards Gettysburg,
andr regret exceedingly that my march did not
admit of the delay necessary to catch them
Taking the road towards Frederick, We inter-
cepted dispatches from Col. Rush (ancers) t.
the commander of the scout, which satisfied me
that GU. whereabouts was still problem to the
enemy. -.
Before reaching Frederick crossed the Mon.
ocacy, continued the march through the night
via Liberty, New Market, Monravia on the Balti.
more and Ohio Railroad, where We cut the teie.
graph wires and INSTRUCTED the railroad We
reached at daylight Hayaststown, on McCiellan's
line of wagon communication with Washington,
but We found only few wagons to capture, and
pushed on to Barnesville, which found just
vacsted by company of the enemy's cavalry.
We had here corroborated what we had heard
before Stoneman had between 1000 and 5000
troops about Poolesville and guarding the river
lords. started directly for Poolesvie but in
stead of marching upon that point, avoided it
BY marching through the woods, leaving it two
or three miles to my left, and getting into the
road from Poolesvil!e to the mouth OF the Mon
ocacy. Guarding well my ranks and rear,
pushed boldly forward, meeting the head of the
enemy's column going towards Poolesville
ordered the charge which was responded to in
handsome style by the advance squadron Or
ving's) of Lees brigade, which drove back the
enemy's cavalry upon the column Of infantry ad
vancing to occupy the crest from which the
cavalry were driven. Quick as thought Lees
sharpshooter's sprang to the ground, and en-
geSinS the lnlantfy skEmlsher6, neio tnem IN
check till the artillery in advance came up,
which, under the gallant Pelham, drove back
the enemy's force to his batteries beyond the
Monocacy, between which and our solitary gun
quite spirited fire continued for some time
This answered, in connection with the high crest
occupied by our piece to screen entirely my real
movement quickly to the left, making a bold
and rapid stride for Whites Ford, to make my
way across before the enemy at Poolesville and
Monocacy could be aware of my design
Although delayed somewhat by about 200 in
fantry, strongly posted in the cliffs over the
ford, yet they yielded to the moral effect of a
few shells before engaging our sharpshooters,
and the crossing of the canal (now dry and riv-
er was effected with all the precision of passing
defile on drill. A section of artillery being
sent with the advance and placed in position
on the London side, another placed on the Ma
ryland Height, while Pelham continued to oc-
cupy the attention Of the enemy with the other
Withdrawing from position to position until his