Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-10-21
Col. Jso. d. Imboden's Operations.

The prisoners captured by Col. Imboden have
beer taken to Richmoud. We publish below the
official dispatch of General Lee In reference t6
the operations Of Colonel Imboden I. will bt
| observed that it corresponds with the account
we published last week. General Lee comp!i-
ments Col. Imboden for the sshandsome manner
in which he conducted his operations. and the
iudicions arrangements by which he encountered
no loss of life on the part of his command
The following is General Lees communication
to the Secretary of War:
HEADo'Rs DEpARrM'r NORTHERN Va,
October 6, 1862.
The Hon. Geo ". Randolph. Secretary of War
Sal have the honor to report that on the I'd
instant a scouting party of Col. Imboden's com
mand encountered company of the enemy's
cavalry near Hanging Rock Hampshire county
and captured Capt. Battersley, Company B, Isl
New York cavalry, five of his men. and fourteen
horses, with arms, equipments &c.
On the morning OF the 4th, about day break, ht
surprised an entrenched camp of the enemy al
the mouth of the Little Cacapon. A dense fee
enabled one of his companies 10 gain the trenches
before he was discovered. ln attem' ting to es-
cane two OF the enemy were killed and six wound
ID. and Capt. Newhard, Lieut.. Wagner, and 55
men, Company X oath pennsylvania volunteers,
were captured. The railroad bridge over Little
Cacapon was burned, with the company's build
ings, &c.
About 8 o'clock the same morning Colonel
Imboden sent his cavalry across the Potomac to
prevent the escape of the company stationed at
Pawpaw Tunnel, and by leading his infantry
across precip,teus mountain surrounded the
-ce, captured Captain Hite, Lieuts Cole and
,,a. nd ninety me-. OF company b, a4sn fenn-
Daer, a. heais% ahout 000
'yiVania Voi@ o'leAehtS, ana :. wis
'onhds oi water ploo. &C., ne was oblige
'ary stores, camp equipage, 4aiion.
% destroy for want of transport. e .so ).
While thus engaged, about 200 c. :, w eiio eheih .
avairy, from Romney, made desce :" .pon ,i.s
,amp. near Capon Bridge and put to ANsbs m nis
yuard and about 100 unarmed men, whom ue 'iao
eft under charge of Lieut.. Stone They b,ufn'
me of his wagons loaded with commissary sto. q
md attempted to carry off five others, but deser-
ed them on the road, carrying away the teams. !
They also bu MT the carriages OF two OF his three
FOUNDER mountain guns. and carried off the guas
n the wagons. They destroyed his m dlcai
,hest, and captured 8 or 10 of his men lie /
subsequently, recovered his wagons, with the
and several Of his horses, and re- |
ports that his loss will tur out tc be small
take pleasure in commencing to Your notice !
he handsome manner in which Col. lmboden has !
his operation and By his jud!eious
rrau gementS encountered no loss OF lite on the
art of his c. mmand.
He had to abandon the destruction ofthe bridge
,ver the South Branch OF the Potomac. Its
,reat rcngth defed the effects of fire and could
,nly be effected by mining.
Just bef., leaving Pawpaw his scouts reported !
he arrival east of the Tunne of two large trains,
aden with troops, sent from Hancock to coop |
rate with the cavalry in cutting off his retreat.
L have the honor to be very res, ectfully.
Your obedient servant,
r. e. LEE, General.