New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-03
FROM GEN. sIGEL's ARMY CORPS.
Gen, stnl,el's RecOunoissance and brilliant
Engagement with the Rebel Cavalry
FuII Details Of the Affair.
Frcp Our Special Correspondent
HNApQuARrERs GKv. SIGsps Corps.
T.tp Va Dec. l. itt2

Fall Details Of the Affair.
Fren Our Special Correspondent
HsApouARrKRs GKr SIGsps Corps. }
FAikrAI Court HOUSE, Va. Dec. !, ls62
When the reports of scouts as to the southwark
march of Jacksons column reached these headquar-
ters Gen. Sigel determined upon ascertainng DELI
nitely the nature and direction of the movement.
As the General believes in worrying an enemy, he
decided upon sending force sufficient to harrass the
rear guard Of the Rebels, which it WAS believed
would be found at Salem OF in that vicinity.
In pursuance of this plan, Gen. Stahel left camp
on Friday morning at o'clock with brigade of in
fantry under COL elisa, two brigades of caval-
~ under Cos. Wyndham and l.. p. di Cesnola, and
four pieces of artillery The two brigades of caval-
~ made but little more than battalion, numbering
about $50 men.
Reaching Aide the infantry under Col. Won elisa
were there stationed, with picksts and videtes
thrown ont to protect the line of retreat, anf if
necessary, aid the cavalry. With his cavalry and
artillery Gen. Stahel then marchedt to Rectofs Cross
Roads where the artillery was strongly posted, and
every disposition made TO hold the position. Hav-
ing dispatched Capt. DahlgTen of Gen. Sgels stall
and again volunteer, with 30 men, from Aldie,
with instructions 10 scout the country to the lett
about Salem and White Plains, another party under
Major Knox of the 9Th New York Cavalry was sent
forward 10 |, perylle and Ashbys Gap. AT Upper
vile the Rebel pckets were encountered and few
shots exchanged, when they retreated In front OF
Ashby's Gap about 100 Of Whites Cavalry were
found and driven through the Gap. Tins party
then retired to Middeburg. Meanwhile Capt Dahl
gren with his party had pushed down TO White
Plains and Salem by the road back OF the Bull Run
Mountains and returned by way of Recortown TO
Mddleburg. Only "A few Rebels were seen, who
speedily fled. The correct report OF Jackson's move
meHt was ascertaned 10 be that bis column had
marched upon the further side of the Blue Ridges
sending sufficient cavalry Though the Gaps 10 pro-
tect and conceal bis movement HIS main force was
reported at Newmarket on Wednesday last.
Reaching Midleburg, these facts were reported 10
Gen. Stahel. Here The expedition camped for the
night Camp fires had been built along the road
from Upperyille with the intention OF decevng The
enemy ~ 70 he real poiut OF attack 1t was after
ward ascertained that they had the desired elect
BODY of cavalry was pushed through Ashby's Gap
and reGnforcemeats sent 20 the Gap. Artillery WAS
also seut ont from Winchester to "a point where it
could be made available at either Gap. A. an indi-
cation OF the character OF the inhabitants LETT IN Nir-
ejnia prisoners aeTward captured coDiessed ~ hav
ing lefI Midieburg after the cavalry had passed on
its way TO Uppsryille, aud, Fastening through
Smokers Gap, Joined Whites fcrces, with the IN
tention Of participating in the Fight which It was
expected would occur at Ashby's Gap.
j.eaving the camp fires burning, Gen. Siahel left
Middebnrg early Saturday morning, sending the IN
fantrv and artillery back 90 camp. Information
HAVING, been received that Whites cavalry were
csmued near Berryviile the horses heads were
turned in tie direction vi Smoker Gap, Col ynd-
Lam having the advance, and Col Cesnola's brigade
forming TIE rear. fankers and partisans were
thrown ont 20 prevent any surprise, and another
sconing expedition Of forty men, unGer Capt Dnhl-
gteu. was sent 10 Mt. Gilead and IA the direction
Of Leesburgh. AT the former place a company OF
cavalry were reported. Gen. Stahel, with the main
expedition pushed on 10 Snlckery.lle. Leaving
deac hment that lace he PASSED through Snick-
er Gap and advanced 10 the Shenandoah hver,
reaching the stream at Smokers Ferry. On the
march from Middeburg enemy were seen, but
traces OF scouts camps, evidently used the might
preyiols were occasionally found small party
were cent forward TO the 1veT, and tie rebel pcAet5
we're found upon the opposite eide 10 the number OF
fifteen or twenty. cCnversesiOn eDsued between
the two parties, during which Cen Stahel rode mp
with the whole force. Ordering few men 10 dis
mount and creep the edge Of the stream and open
fire the moment when the rebels were thrown into
confusion was seized, and Col Nyndham with fifty
men war ordered to charge across the river. his
was gaanly done, Gen. Stahel going with the
Marty Cant Heintz one Of his Aides was first
over Directing Col Wyndham to bring the balance
Of his command over, Gen. Stahe dashed on after
the fying pickets and into White = encampment,
which was located about two miles this eide Of Ber-
ryville. The surprise was complete, and entirely
oyerhrown by the shock, fear seized the wretcher,
some of whom actually rolled themselves up in their
blankets and hid IA any place they could fnd. The
Rebel Major essayed to play Babes In the Wood,
but as no kind hearted robin red breast was at
hand. only succeeded imperfectly in covering HIM
elf with leaves. lie exceeded the tale, hoWSyer,
innsmnch as he shouted Justify our men approached
10 disentOnb aud capture him, bidding them " Go
AWAY I've got the small pox !! The men were
wiling TO catch the for the sake of the other,
and the coward was made a prisoner. Quite num-
Der Of prisoners were here taken, and quantity OF
arms csptured; also the standards, among them the
WIIle'E Breaking
camr scattering the occupants like 80 many sheep,
the tary pushed after the fugiiives I'LL near Berry
Vile when Gen. Stahel halted Tor Col. Wyndham
IN come IN, Meanwhile Col. Cesn0la had brought
bis forward anxious 10 participate IN the hghi
Col. Wyndham also arriving, and AZ his force had
tins far done all the lighting, he was directed TO
IA e posiiOn outside the town. covering the advance
20 be made Ordering Col. Cesnola TO charge through
he town he did with the 9Th New YORK, con-
manded by Mai. Knox. Gen. Stahel, saber III hand
rode at the head OF the charging column, by the eide
of inc gallant Cegnoa aud the MAJOR commanding
A. thew entered the town, "a sharp IRE whs opened
from almost every house on the street, even women
firing from the windows. The most biter feeling
,gas manifested and one fend spufned with bis loot
8, soldier whore horse had fallen on him, breaking
~. loo sbriekiug al him. Lie there ana die, you
damned Yankee" Gen. Stalel was made "a target
ou account of wearing black cloak with red collar
and hIS escape IL almost miraculous lhfee persons
were shot Qt his SIDE and the bats new neA arould
him, but he escaped unhnIt. iho hepeis VINO Ldu
oatbered together IN the town broke and ran as Col
99,esnola snd his men dashed upon tIem uslng only
tbeir sabers. Col. Z. had directed his men NOT to
use their carbiues without orders, believing the
saher TO be The weapon Tor cavalry. The scattering
Rebels took refuge the cross Streets ana III Tue
roads on the ouiskirs OF The town. as tho .H"Elne
,ertv emerped, an attack was made upon their rear
t,y holy Oh Rebels who had formed III tie woods
and whose numbers were augmented Dy the reiu-
eeee These were joined by the sIraggleis from The
EOS streets and matters looked as though Tho heb
ella were going 70 make serious night. hAiliIg ms
oIp Il l.annln NNIIn iLIlII