The New York herald., 1862-07-16
MiMs FRcsa GENERAL popE's ARMY.


FRONT ROYAL, Jaly l, 1861
mo stirring events near the rebel capital for tho past
week have sssaliy ecipssi those Of Importance IN
tho Army cs Virginia, which, in fact has been confined
10 scoutrs rcconnoitering and changes in the COM
mand.
The only event Of importance In tho field strong
nee OF Luray. On Sunday morning General
Crawford ordered by General iams to reconnotre
Larsy In ocs. he town OF Luray Is twenty five miles
south Of Front Royal and is tho west slope Of tho
Blue Rids Il has about TOO inhabitants. For the past
days II has been strictly guarded by rebei pickes,
vho fsased ovey person ngcs sgress q: points ve
miIesfrom he town. Consequently IL unknown what
forces, any, concentrated tlore. Several eilc IS
were made by Generals Williams aad Crawford gam
visw Of the valley near Luray; but the vigilance and
activity OF tho rebel cavalry prevenesd approach
than Milford the north, and Sporryvfle
shc east. regiment Of infantry toek possession Of
Chester Cap southeast OF Front Royal to prevent any
movement left, while tho scath branch Of the
shenandoah protected our right.
One regiment Of init antry and squadrouSr cavalry
advanced tho stonepke in the valley, whiie tho main
body composed Of cavalry, artillery and insantry pro-
ceeded along foot OF the ridge, throuh what is
termed by tho inhabitants Gotuey's Manor, almost
naccessib ibe ything cavalry. The scenery along
the route wildly picturesque and eisced adnlra-
TIL from all In the ranks The soldiers almost forgot
their fatigue while gazing upon the mountains and, as
II TO add greater sSbmity to the occasion, thunder
storm burst upGn US, with its Thousand echoes from
pinnacle crag aud hill II continuous roar until
the storm passed over We passed several hamets
tho route where the few Inhabitants were almost
wild and untatored by civilization as the scenery
around them Nothing Of che least Importance could be
elected from them.
Finding road more iaspracticabie as the command
progressed 1t took road rather path turning due
west along the foot Of aspur Of the Blue Rdgs, and,
after journey OF six mies, striking the pike Mil
ford.
At thas place resides the family of Mr.. John
Haines, who barbarousIy taken to Luray by the
rebels and shot in cold blood for being Union man.
The entire command consolidated and moved for
ward several miles, and bivouacksd for the night under
q steady fGli OF rain.
General Crawford, with the tact Of Q veteran COM
mander blocked up all known Of communication
with Lursy and established distant eutposs and lines Of
patrols.
AT daylight Monday morning the colamn was again in
motion for Lsray, then nine miles distant
When about Two miles from tho town our vidottes
came upon the cnsmys pickets, capturing ono, while
two others made their escape. all mounted.
The prisoner armed with pair old cavalry nint
lock pistols and homemade sword, nearly elastic
strap iron.
Here the infantry and artillery halted, while the
cavalry alone proceeded. Knowing that the refugee
pckets would inform the enemy Of our approach, VIC
pushed forward IS fast as prudence would permit.
On reaching III. apex the hills north Of tho the
cavalry Of the enemy dsnlins ja.o the New
market road westward.
Our vidstss and advance guard entered tbs town with
unsung carbnes and great caution fearing Ghe enemys
rear guard might BE- there In force.
Every house scruiniaed, to prevent, II necessary
repetition Of the unfrendy reception in Winchester
The guard OF the enemy finally discovered on
. hill in the edge of the town.
Our earbinisrs gave them fsR scattering shots and
thsn charged, sword in hand.
Over the of this hill the enemy at least hun
drsd strong, drawn up receive us and gave
advance voley, checking for moment the charge.
Their voiley responded to, when the enemy
msnced 10 retreat followed by our cavalry, who made
two captures On the appearance Of two fanking
pauics ordered up by Colonel Tompkns Fairfax Court
House renown, or the First Vermont cavalry, The
enemy retreated in haste and disorder.
one Of the Vermont boys shot through the head,
and died an hour Afterwards. Another was slightly
wounded, and two horses shot, OF which va
subsequently killed.
The result on The side or the enemy is unknown; bu
trails OF blood indicated the direction their retreat
The object Of tho reconnaissance having beeu
plissd and valuable information obtained pursuit
stopped and tbs command returned last ngkt TO camp
the greater portion Of which had performed march Of
sixty miles in two days through mountain passes ana
muddy rosis.
The accidental discharge Of pistol ths Es,arn
,lshily wounded Lieutenant Colonel Fiebrown Of the
Tenth Maine Infantry in the leg Tbs hrst sergeant OF
Company K OF ne same rcnt, wss shot dead on tbe
route by the accidental discharss or musket He
gh.y esteeue1 r. man aud soldier, and died pond
ing his appointment 20 hcutenancy.
portion Of General Gsarvs cc,nmsad, by the recon
Doissancs said % have discovered body OF reb9
artillery and infantry in Big Fort valley south Of tho
North Fork and within few miles OF Middletown
report last nigh, tina, General Mcclellan had entered
Richmond clussd great jubilstion among the army
The citizens are In agony TO learn the details Of Stone
wall Jacks sons victory, ss they term X, Rich
m0ad Hundreds u his msn aud officers from this
region.