The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-16


into Loudon. On the 18th his cavalry
encountered two brigades of ours, under
General Stuart, near Aldie, and was driv-
en- back with loss, The next day the en-
gagement was renewed, the Federal cav
airy being strongly supported by infantry,
and General Stuart was, in turn, compelled
to retire
The enemy advanced as far as Upper
vile, and then fell back. In these en-
gagements General Stuart took about
four hundred prisoners and considerable
number of horses and arms.
In the meantime, part Of Gen. Ewell 5
corps had entered Maryland, and the rest
was about to follow. Gen. Jenkins, with
his cavalry, who accompanied Gen. Ewell,
penetrated Pennsylvania as far as Cham
bersburg. AS these demonstrations did
not have the effect of causing the Federal
army to leave Virginia, and as it did not
seem disposed to advance upon the posi-.
ton held by Longstreet, the latter was
withdrawn to the west side of the Shenan-
doah, Gen. Hill having already reached
the Valley.
Gen. Stuart was left to guard the passes
of the mountains and observe the move
ments of the enemy, whom he was in
structed to harass and impede as much as
possible, should he attempt to cross the
Potomac. In that event Gen. Stuart was
directed to move into Maryland, crossing
the Potomac castor west of the Blue Ridge,
as in his judgment should be best, and
take position on the right of our column
as it advanced.
By the oath the progress of Ewell rem
dered it necessary that the rest of the ar
my should be in supporting distance, and
Longstreet and Hill marched to the Poto-
mac. The former crossed at Williams
port, and the latter at Shepardstown. The
columns reunited at Hagerstown, and ad-
vanced thence into Pennsylvania, encamp-
ing near Chambersburg on the 9th.
No report has been received that the
Federal army has crossed the Potomac,
and the absence of the cavalry rendered it
impossible to obtain accurate information.
In order, however, to retain it on the east
side of the mountains after it should enter
Maryland, and thus leave open our COM
municatiOn with the Potomac, through
Hagerstown and Williamsport, Gen. Ewell
had been instructed to send a division
eastward from Chambersburg to cross the
South Mountains. Ewells division was
detached for this purpose, and proceeded
as far east as York, while the remainder
of the corps proceeded to Carlisle.
Gen. Imboden, in pursuance of the in
structions previously referred to, had been
actively engaged on the left of Gen. Ewell
during the progress of the latterinto Mary
land. He had driven off the forces guard
ing the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, de-
strOying all the important bridges on that
route from Cumberland to Martinsburg,
and seriously damaged the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal
He subsequently took position at Han
cock, and after the arrival of Hill and
Longstreet at Chambersburg was directed
to march by way Of McConnellsburg te
that place.
Preparations were now made to advance
| upon Harrisburg; but on the night of the
Goth information was received from scout
that the Federal army, having crossed the
| Potomac, was advancing northward, an(
that the head Of the column had reached
the South Mountain. As our communica
ton with the Potomac was thus menaced
it was resolved to prevent his further pro
gress in that direction by concentrating
our army On the east side Of the noun
tains. Accordingly, Longstreet and Hi
were directed to proceed from Chan bers
burg TO Gettysburg, to which point Gen
Ewell was also instructed to march from
Carlisle.
Gen. Stuart continued to follow tn
movements of the Federal army south O
the Potomac after our own had entered
Maryland, and, in his efforts II impede III
progress, advanced AS tar eastward as Fair
fax Court House. Finding himself unabl
to delay the enemy materially, he crosses
the river at Seneca and marched through
Westminster to Carlisle, where he arrives
after Gen. Ewell had left for Gettysburg
By the route he pursued the Federal arm,
was interposed between his command an
our main body, preventing any conmuni
cation with him until his arrival OF Carlisle
The march toward Gettysburg was con
Quoted more slowly than it would hav
been had the movements of the FEEDERS
army been known.
The leading divisions of Hill met In
enemy in advance of Gettysburgh on tn
morning of the first of July. Drivin;
back these troops to within short dis
lance Of the town, he there encountered
large force, with which two of his division
became engaged. Ewell, coming up wit
two of his divisions by the Heidlersbur
road, joined in the engagement. Tn
enemy was driven through Gettysbur
with heavy loss, including about 500
prisoners and several pieces of artillery.
} He retreated to a high range of hill
south and east of the town. The attac
, was not pressed that afternoon, the enc
my's force being unknown, and it bein
considered advisable to await the arriv
: OF the rest of our troops. Orders wei
sent back to hasten their march; and,
the mean time, every effort was made
r ascertain the numbers and position of I'll
: enemy, and find the most favorable poll
of attack. 1t had not been intended
s fight general battle at such distan
. from our base, unless attacked by the en-
F. my; but, finding ourselves unexpected
r confronted by the Federal army, it BEGAN
i matter of difficulty to withdraw throus
. the mountains with our large train
At the same time the country was uni
4 vorable for collecting supplies while in Il
.o,oroo of tho onomvss ,oc;o l. J,x no