Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-05-12
General StOneman's Operations.
Ff0m Tue r chmond EraminsI

rom tue hcnlnunu hAamlu5r
The Confederacy has never received an insult
so notifying aud provoking as that which 1t
suffered yesterday and the day before. The
Federal army had reached and taken possession
OF spolsylvania Court House. From that point
they have not only attempted and executed the
mnn@uvre suggested as probable in our last is
sue, hut great deal more. Leaving the body
of the army stretching in line from that point 10
the Rapidan, their cavalry, under Gen. Stone.
man, has pressed on tn the Central Railroad aud
cut il at Trevilian'si then penetrated TO the
roads between Fredericksburg and Richiaond
and cut that too at or near Ashland, and at the
moment we write is believed to be careenng nm
harmed in the open country ten miles from Ren.
mond, in the rear OF Lees army, having passed
his communications with the city and shut of
for the moment bis source Of supply.
That this audacious raid will have any serious
effect on the great battle or battles now fighting
or fought in Spotsyvauia is not possible The
trifng damage which these cavalry have done TO
the railroads can he repaired sooner than it was
effected. But tue event throws an unpleasant
hint on the improVidence of those who control
the military powers Of the country. Hs success
shows that pe are bi'nd 10 tie character of tie man
nov in command Of he Feier0i forces lie is no
longer an able, prudent obetr making tpar accord
ing 10 the established Tnes ofths science but rsck.
less gambler rho has nothiag 10 lose and is rea9y
10 tdke any chance, h9,oerer desperate. Such i'd
ventures as these are precisely what might have
heen reasonably expected Of him But further,
in the investigating committee of the Federal
Congress, General Hooker, while stating what lie
thought should have been dlue by Burnside, laid
down in so many words this identical cavalry
campaign as part Of his programme. The South
ern Government and General was forewarned !,
yet would not be forearmed.
The lines Of telegraph between Richmond and
Fredericksburg being Of course severed, we IRE
unable to give any authentic intelligence from
the scene Of real ACTION.
THE NEAREST APPROACH OF THE ENEMY TO THE
CITY
The nearest approach to this city ever made
by the hostile Yankees was accomplished on yes
tsrday morning. When Mcclellan beleagured
the capital Of the Cuniedaracy, twelve months
ago. and con to Richmond" was the watchword
OF his numberless legious, five miles was the
least distance between him and the object of his
hopes and ambition But GU yesterday morning,
at O'Clock, three hundred Yankee cavalry,
visited the farm Of Mr.. John b. Young, on the
Brooke Turnpike, two miles from the corporate
limits Their stay, it is true, WAS brief, but
they enjoyed ole Of the finest views Of the spires
and housetops Of Il city, and were rewarded by
The acquisition of three fine horses, which they
stole from MIR. Young. One Of the horses they
took from buggy standing before the door.
I he first intimation Mr.. Young had of the
proximity Of an enemy, three blue coats gallopsl
up to his house, from the rear, and begsn 10 put
a halter to his buggy horse. He stepped out of