Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-11-03
h,a,h inst md advanced


crossed that siiysr on she9s.h inst, and advanced
by way of madison Court Houae. Our pro-
gress was necessarily slow, as the marcn was
by circuitous and concealed roads, IN order "
avoid the observation Of the enemy.
General Fitz Lee, With his cavalry division
md q detachment Of infantry, remained TO
hold our lines Sou b of the Rapidan; General
| Stuart, with Hampton's Divisions, moved on
the right of the column. With a portion OF
his command he attacked the advance OF the
enemy near James City, ON the loth' and
drove them back towards Culpcpcr: Oar
main body arrived near that place on the Luz
instant, and discovered that the enemy had
retreated towards the Rapnahannock' running
or destroying his stores. We were c"h'psliea
to halt during the rrst Of the day 10 provision
the troops, but the cavalry, under Ter. Stuart
continued to press the enemy's rear guard to,
wards the Rappahanno:k. a large force OF
Federal cavalry, in the meantime, had crossed
the Rupidan, after our movement hegan, bu!
was repulsed by Gen Fi.z Lee, and pursued
towards Brandy Station.
Noar that place the commands of Stuart
| and Lee united, on tho afternoon t the lltil,
md after a severe eng; cement, drove the en-
emY's cavalry across the Rappahannock, with
heavy loss.
On the morning of the 18th, the army
marched in two columns, with the design OF
reaching the Orauge and Alexandria railroad,
north Of the river, and intcrr"ptihg the &c
treatof. the enemy.
Alter q skirmish with some Of the Federal
cavalry at Jeffersonton, we reached the Rap
- IU,rrant,p SprinyS in rho afror-
] aeon, where the passage uf the river was dis
puted hy cavalry and artillery. The enemy
was quickly driven off by q detachment of cur
cavalry, aided by a small force OF infantry and
= battery Early next morning, 18th, the
march was resumed, and the two columns re
| united at Warrenton, inthe afternoon, wien
another halt was made 10 supply the troops
| with provisions. The enemy ellback rapidly
! the 18th the pursuit was continued. a portion
of the army nov ne by way Of New Balti
more, towards Bristuw Station, and the rest,
accompanied by the main body Of the cavalry,
proceeding to the same point by Auburn Mill
md Greenwich. Near the former pace Il
>krrmish tonk place between General Ewcllis
advance and the rear guard of the enemy.
which was forced lack and rapidly pursued.
Liz ICIICut vi Vic "t4S So''' ' ~
several direct parallel reads, while our troops
xcro compelled to march by difficult and cir
ruitous routes. We We're consequently una-
nle to intercept him. General Hill arrived
first at Bristnw Station, where his advance.
consisting of two b~rigades. became engaged
rith a force largely superior in numbers, post,
ed behind the railroad embaukment. The
particulars Of the action have not been off
:. IL ..al l.4 ~, l,x, a., ,o.,l,,3
with some loss, and FIVE pieces Of artillery.
With n number of prisoners captured. Before
the rest of the troops could be brought up,
md the position of the enemy ascertained, be
retreated across Broad Run. The next mere
ing he was reported to be fortifying beyond
Bull Run, extending his line towards the Lit
10 River Turnpike.
The vicinity Of the entertainments around
Washington and Alexandria. rendered it use
less to turn his new position. as it was appa-
rent that ne could readily retire to them, and
would decline an engagement unless alta ked
in his Notifications. 4 further advance was
therefore deemed unnecessary. and after de
ssroying the railroad from Cub Run south.
wardly to the Rappahannock, the army re-
turned, on the 18th, to tho line or that river.
leaving the cavairy'in the enemy's front.
The cavalry Of the latter advanced on the
following dav, and some skirnishing occurred
at Buckiaad. General Stuart, with llamp.
TOMS division, retired slowly towards Warren
ton, in order to draw the enemy in that direc-
ton, thus exposing his flank and rear to Gen.
Lee, who moved from Auburn and attacked
rim near Bucklaul. As soon as General
Stuart heard the sound of LEES guns, he
turned upon the enemy. who, after a stubborn
resistance, broke and fed in confusion, par
sued by General Stuart nearly to ~lIaynsrket,
and by General Lee to Gainesville. Here
the Federal infantry was encountered, and,
after capturing a number of them during the
night, the cavalry slowly retired before their
advance on the following day. When the
movement Of the army from the Rapidan COM
menced, General Imboden was instructed to
advance down the Valley, and guard the gaps
of the mountains on our left This duty was
well performed by that officer. and on the
18th instant he marched upon Charlestown,
and succeeded, BY a we'll concerted plan, in
surrounding the place and capturing nearly
the whole force stationed there, with all their
stores and transportation only q few escaped
to Harper's Ferry. The enemy advanced from
that place in superior numbers to nttack Gen.
lmb,den, who retired, br nging oft hiS prison.
ers and captured properly, his command
suffering very little loss, and infict-
ing some damag" upon the pursuing
column. In the course of these operations
two thousand four hundred and thirtv.six
e. 1867 prisoners were captured. including
forty-one commissioned officers. Of the ahnva
number, four hundred and thirty,four (434)
were taken by General Imboden.
4 more complete account, with n statement
of our loss in killed, wounded and prisoners.
will be forwarded "a som "a the necessary Of
fetal reports have been received.
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
R. z. LEE. General.
Official: JOHN W1TuERs,
A. A. General.