Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-12
OFFICIAL REPORT or GEN. srUARrs CIRCUIT
-.a-. OF THE ENEMY. r-rI
ED QRs. Cav. BRIeADl, D N. "

| GM-lr compliance with your written iuetrucuons,
undertook on expedition to the vicinity Of the snsmys
nes on the PAmuaksy with about twelve h1ndred
airy and section OF the Stuart horse artillery. The
O,yAry was composed Of portions Of the LIST, An, ard
9h Va Cavalry; the second named having no nfd ON
Ger PIT sent Tor the time being divided between The
dIst and last mentioned. commanded respectively by
| Col. Fits Lee and Col w. ,E,xhush lee sso two
faaadrons of the JEFF Davis Legion commanded BY L.
Col ". 7. Martin the section OF artillery being com
rsnded by Is. Lieut. james Breahed. -.
Although the expedition was prosecuted farther than
ves contemplated in your instructions, feel assured
that the considerations which scuated will convince
YOU did not depart from their spirit and that the
holdnees developed in tie subsequent direction Of the
march the quntessence Of prudsnts
The destination Of the expedition was kept profound
secret 20 essential to success, and known 70 my
| commALd only as the actual march developed II.
Toe force was quietly concentrated beyond the Uhiek
ahominy near Khoys station the T., y. and r knl-
road and moved thence parole to- and to tae LETT oil
that road Scouts kept lar to the right 10 sscer
tain the enemys Whereabouts, and advanced guard BANK
ers and rear guard to secure column agan9 tur'
PRISE purposely directed my fist days march tofArds
Louisa 30 ss favor the idea OF reinforcing Jakson
and eamped jUsi opposite Hanover Coar. Heu'e,
near Southanns bride H., T. and 7. Rdlroad), twenty
two miles from Ri;bmond. 0lr nciseless bsousc was
br ken early next m,rning, and without z buge
sound resumed our march, lone but one k1eH
ahither. J. however, Immediately took cecAsioG-io
nsks knoEn my instIucuols aud pans condsentGSy te
he regmental commanders, 30 as TO secure ali nsei'
sent action aud cooperation in whatever might occur
Scouts had returned indicating obstacles
my maIth from that to Old Church, direC y in OF
and on the overland OF conmu licalon 10 New
| Bridge aud vicinity.
| proceeded, therefore, via Hanover Court House,
upon The route 10 Old Church. Upon reaching the VI
entity Of Hanover court House. found is in poss sson
OF the enemy but very M could be sscertsiued about
she slreL 9Th and nature Of his orce. therefore,
Uol EI Lees regiment, Is: Vrginii Cavalry, 20 make
detopr the hight and reach the enemy bshi
him. ASCERTAIN his force here, and crush it il possible
but the enemy proving aprW ards TO be hundred
fifty cavalry, did not tarry long, but le--ny column
| f,loSing sosly down, expecting every moment TO
nurl him upon Lee tut OWL 70 bad march, Cel Lee
did reach the Intersection OF roads n time and The
cavalry DO regular I!b passed in the direction Uf
Nsenauicsyiile. Tois deyiaipg too much from
cur cirtcaoD, aier the capture Of sergeant they
A!lvEed 70 proceed on their way.
Oar march led thence by TaiaferIo's Mil, and Econ
Church HsNs Shop; here VIC encountered the hrrt
pcket surprised and caught several vdettee and push
ed boldly forward keeping advanced guard well TO the
front The regiment 10 front was the . h Virginia Cav
Ary (Co W. u. +. Leel whose adyan-e guard entrust
cd 10 the command Of Adj Lieut. ,bns, did admirable
seIvce-Lisu. handing 1t in the mos. sk,l!ui mat
ueT managing clear tie way for the march with ttle
delay ana lniusing by gu iden dash at picket such
~hoesome ror that il never paused 70 take second
look
B.tween Have chop and Old Church, the sdyarced
guard Cposted the enemys cavalry 10 force iu front l.
proved 10 be the oh Regular Cavalry formerly the J.
commanded by yourstli) the leading q I'D or
iered forward a brisk & ut the main body following
closely, ana gave c. ase 10 the enemy tor nile or tSo
oui did not up TO him We crossed the Tolopoto
| moy, strong position Of defence which tho enemy
failed to bold conessus weakness 10 such plac hal.
tQu ldFou vas deployed afoct skirmishers al the
| pom. Of danger was passed.
o., or dashed R5bns here skirtirg field there leap
ing fence or ditch add cleaning the woods beyond,
s6eu not far from Old Church, the enemy made stand
| lRvirg been re irfoIced
OILY mode Of attack being in column Of fours aoi
The road still preferred to oppose the enemy with one
,uadron 60 time remembering that he who brings or
ne held the las; cavalry reserve wins the day.
os next iqusrdoa therefore moved 10 the 'front.' IN
der the lauented Capt. lat.ne, mixing most brilliant
ud sGcetssu. e1Arge with drawn sabres Upon the ektt
cround snG after a holly contested hand 10 hahd
{; pat him 70 ght but till the gallant captain had
.ea'ec bi devotion to his native coil with bis b'ood-
the ensDys Two GqiAdrons by one OF ours, was
cCmpete hey dispersed in terror and confusion lely
ilg many dead the field ard blood In quantities in
| IL ir tracks Their commaIdr T, Capt Royal, was re
oor,ed mortal wounded. Several tfh;srs and
b,r of urgses were ,sk2u in this conf c. ard number
Of hosses and 10 hPments together with i've gui
| icns.
r., woods auo fs5s we're full Of the scattered and
d-organzsd iCC etrsggng 10 and fro snd but for the
deIy aud the greg EcGmhranee which they -ould have
| o-el 70 march, mans more could and would have
\ 6eeu cEp.nsed.
co. ii Lee banning with impotence to cross sabrCs
~t h old regiueUL C0oped 10 the trout at this point
4cd reg 10 b. allowed 10 participate with his regiment
fees y Usysry) il tue discontinue of his old
sldt; neat .es5iy granted, and his leading squad
soo T.. he'd gallant down the road {" Cd Church, but
tie irsgn-E'u O. Sovshs command could not be rlied
gain aat c.. Le,t issdirg .quadron charged without
,sgG:cy -, tbt sreIays camp I've companie) AMI
| ,).L D, fesh.. g UUrbsr If horses, qlfnaty 81
raJ s.G ..lss G! every kind, and several officers lad
o. y.cel -tss.CrJE vel 90 'be enis in which every
.h!rs D, oosr e speedily burned and the march
-ssaos5- ,-hHher y
hes u.s he tuning roint Of the expedition. TEo
-,-'ss srs tacIe m, the TO return by Hanover
| Govt 'uzr, fhS other TO pass Rround through New
, t-L.-E ,e cbsnCss Of having 90 swim the Clicko
so,tuv as make bold FORT TO cut the enemy rca
r. ,~,---.ri.s Jon. Tic CtiekRhom.ny believed by
~ .u'ss to m lordybie noss Forge Bridge | rss
ion D. a. MI hom Hanover Court HouJe, which sou
has 10 Pc u yeturre the enemy bad much short
cf Dr. - '" pss- q" l"r'o7P i"e Is-- hN,idea tn
| In Anre rysr va imQ9gsitl', which sill fgIt e.
oarrrEei he chance q escape in tia direction the
| nv too. vcr'd uGUrsly expec. M TO t.ke tNR
| ,rus. Tn-sa c.rc1nsE0cps led ne 70 Look With me
favor TO nv fSvcrc scheme, disclosed you tclCre
starting 81 psstigg around. L oI u niuc miles
Turssif- station on The York RvJr RliIrosd; ard tfa
ro,7t once passed. ft Is appreserso.; beyond the
route was Of all others which felt the emy
would never expect me 70 take. On that side Of the
Uhck,lOniny Infantry could no. reach bfor,
lnF, anu t'' ev'' W VIZ" eHy S"ai' 'oiCe IN " ceuii
% brought against me. &c On the ChMl City side
knew you Would when asaFe OF my position il necc
sary order diversion r ny favor on the Ulares Civ
road to prevent move 10 intercept from the drec
ton Of Willie Oak Swamp. eidSs this ,he hope OF
striking q serious blow At boAsliu AMI soent fee
which would make him ,remble in his shoes, made
| agreeable The slerrs i've chose.
| IL a brief and frank Interview with OF my ofi
ce,s dssos d my views, but while accorded iul
assent all sssurod nc hearty Vupport in whatever did
Wi AL abiding trust in God, and with suoh lulsAu.
tees OF the two ss AID Marin, and hif de-
voted this enterprise regarded pr
ring. Taking care, therefore, more particularly altar
is resolve 10 inquire Of the citizens tn, distance AMI
The route to Hanover Court House, kept my horses
bad steadily towards Tnnstai's Sat on.
There was something Of the sublime ia the implicit
CT leDce and urquestoning trust Of the rank AMI e