The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-10-11
a Reconnaissance n far ~ shavpsburg.
Correspondence Of the New York Tribune.
SHARPsBURa, Nd, Oct. 2, 1856.

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I Correspondence Of the New York Tribune.
- SHARPsBURa, Nd, Oct. 2, 1852.
The OK swallowed by the great anaconda" on
the 18th Of September has been 1igested, and
the serpent begins to move and to show signs of
life and activity. New prey is looked for, and
strong folds are being gradually drawn around
the position of the victim. The figure aside, our
army having rested from it's herculean labors in
the Maryland campaign, is not only preparing
tor, but is already entering upon new Virginia
campaign. ,.,s.. 30 ..--.. ....... 1891.
I A reconnaissance on Tuesday across the river
and down the Harper's Ferry road from Shep-
erdstown, found the pickets of the enemy two
miles from the ford. A few shots were fred
without effect on either side. The enemy was
not found in force within six miles of the river
A foraging party from Gen. Porters corps went
out toward Martinsburg and procured several
wagon loads of hay and returned without being
disturbed by the enemy.
! Yesterday the Second Brigade of Cavalry IN
der Gen. Pleasonton, consisting of the sth Penn.
sylvanis, the 9Th Illinois and the Sd Indiana Cav.
airy Regiments, accompanied by TidbalPs bat
terry of regular artillery, crossed the Potomac
at Blackford's Ford, above Sheperdstown, with
the determination of learning the position of the
enemy.
A mile beyond sheperdstown the enemy's
pickets we're discovered and halt mile beyond,
toward Martinsburg, body of cavalry, with ar
tillery, gave battle. Gen. Pleasanton's forces
made dash on the enemy, when his forces broke
and ran. A brisk skirmish ensued for several
miles, in which three troopers of the 9th Illinois
were slightly wounded. The enemy lost one
killed and several wounded. A rebel lieutenant
and FIVE privates were made prisoners.
/ The accommodating party reached Martinsburg
at about IL o'clock. Many of the citizens were
quite jubiant over their supposed deiverance.
Several National banners were displayed, and
lusty cheers went up for the Union and our gal
liant troopers When it was found, however,
that the National forces had not "come to stay"
deep sadness filled the hearts and marked the
countenances of those loyal citizens, and they
we're sorry because of their ill-timed manifesto
tions Of loyalty to the National Government
Our troops remained little more than an hour
at Martinsburg, and when they retraced their
march, some twenty Union men accompanied
them, believing it to be more safe to remain
back, because Of their display of love for the
Union.
A camp of the enemy is at Bunker HILL and
bis entire army lately driven from Mary Wand, is
reported to be lying between Bunker Hill and
Winchester The citizens of Martinsburg repre-.
will be fought this side of Winchester" This
would indicate a present determination to make
q stand at that point.
Only one gun and two companies of cavalry
went into Martinsburg. The main force was
concealed beyond the hill. The little force
guarding single piece of light artillery, de-
family parsded the streets of the town, in order
to draw out the enemy's cavalry. The scheme
was entirely successful, and when the squadron
withdrew and started towards Shepherdstown, q
body Of Stuart's Cavalry was seen coming to-
ward Martinsburg.
Before Pleasanton's Brigade had gained the
top of the hill, two miles this side of Martins.
burg, the enemy's cavalry, with artillery, came
galloping through the town in hot pursuit. Pre-.
parations were made to give them becoming
reception. The cavalry was divided into squads
to support the battery, which was stationed in
sections on rising ground, the second and third
sections some distance apart and to the rear
of the first, with the cavalry in fields, behind
stone fences.
On came the enemy at furious rate, needless,
and perhaps ignorant, Of the number and ma.
neuver of our forces. As soon as he came in
range, Capt. Tidball sent him q reminder, with
commenced Smelling our forces with six pieces
of artillery. In the meantime an additional
cavalry force arrived, and the enemy attempted
q flank movement.
The first section of our battery and the SUP.
porting battalion beat hasty retreat, and fell
in the rear of the third section. The movement
was well conducted, and had the desired effect.
The attempt at fanking was turned into charge.
and the enemy came laundering after what be
supposed to be our disorganzed retreat. The
retiring squad fell to one side, and at range
fearfully short-the second section Of the bat
terry opened with shower of grape and canister
that sent the charging troops Keeling, confused
with astonishment to the rear of their artillery.
The cavalry at the same time opened severe
enfading fire from behind the fence, which told
fearfully on the enemy.
Gen. Pleasahton then rapidly withdrew his
forces to more advantageous position, and
again tricked the enemy into raking fire OF
grape and canister, and destructive carbine fire
and saber charge, which made terrible havoc
among his troops.
AT Rocky Marsh, three miles beyond Shep-
herdstown, our whole force was drawn up to
make final charge upon the enemy, in order to
insure the safe crossing at the ford. The rebel
force, however, failed to come up, having sufi. |
cienty tested the metal of the accommodating |
party party to know it could both fight and run |
The dasbinp rebel troopers returned, no doubt, |
10 report another 'great victory over the Yam
kees"
It's. of course, impossible to learn the extent |
Of the Rebel loss in killed and wounded In the