Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-07-21
FROM GEN. LEES ARMY.

FROM GEN. LEES ARMY
As Gen. Lee had forbidden any tele-
grams to be sent during the past week,
there has been but little news from that
army. 1t is now known, however, that
his army has re.crossed the Potomac,
and is now again upon the sacred soil
of Virginia. Whilst Meade was ex-
pecting Lee to be upon him every day,
Lee very leisurely withdrew his forces
to this side of the River. Meade tele-
graphed to Halleck that he had captur-
ed about 1900 of our rear guard, but as
we have learned what estimate to place
upon the kilograms of Yankee Generals,
who seem TO lie by rule, we do not at
tach much Importance to it. In refer
ence to this matter, the Lynchburg Re-
publican says:
The Yankee commander, with the
usual disregard Of truth, claims to have
captured 1000 prisoners during the fall
ing back of our army from Hagerstown.
We have the best authority for stating
that our entire loss in the brilliant
movement did not exceed three humid
red in kill, wounded and missing, while
the enemy suffered to an equal if not
greater extent We took two hundred
and fifty prisoners, and killed and woun-
ded at least one hundred.
1t seems to be believed in Winchester
that Meade crossed the main body of his
army over at Harper's Ferry, whilst
Lee was crossing his at Williamsport,
and that there is prospect that a great
battle will be fought not far from that
place.
In this connection we give the account
of Imboden's fight at Williamsport, as
furnished by member of his staff to
the Richmond Enquirer. That staff of
fcer says:
ssOur command was not in the battle
of Gettysburg. We left our camp near
Gettysburg on the 4th, rs an escort to a
wagon train of 1920 wagons, (nearly
twenty miles long,) and travelled night
and day until we reached Williamsport
We were attacked several times, and
lost few wagons-though we repulsed
the Yankees. Arriving at Williamsport
we found the river not tordable, and i'm
mediately prepared for an expected at
tack. We had quite number of stray
glers.. along. Two days after we reached
there the Yankees advanced on us will
three brigades of cavalry, under Gene
rails Buford and Fitzpatrick, one brigade
of which was Regular Cavalry-the 1st
I'd, 9Th and 9th United States Regulars
and three batteries Of artillery, one {
Regular battery their force little ex
ceeding eight thousand men.
We armed all the men we could gath
er together-wagoners and stragglers
making, with our command, about 2, 1O(
men and % pieces Of artillery. The
General had the artillery all planted.
The enemy advanced on three roads
and then commenced the most amusing
fight of the war; They tried very hare
to flank US. Our line of battle was near
ly three miles long, and the General had
to double-quick the infantry backwards
and forwards so as to always offer op
position. The battle commenced a lit
tie before 3 o'clock, in the afternoon
and by o'clock we drove the whole
force from the field.
Inc nrlng was beautiful and very rap
id. l never saw such destructive can
nonading; one piece on our side los
thirteen men killed and wounded
They dismounted two regiments, but ou
wagoners were too much for them
They carried away nearly all of theil
dead and wounded, though the grounl
was strewn with dead ho1ses. Our los
was abont 125 men. Several officers
were killed. Capt. Pegram, Co. F
Richmond, was with his company in the
action-poor fellow he was killed.
We saved the immense wagon train O
our army, and too much credit canno
be given to Gen. Imboden He organ
lied force ont OF mob, and whipped
the enemy, outnumbering him nearly
five to one. He is splendid man, anc
on the field goes everywhere, no matter
how great the danger. One of the stat
had his horse killed under him. Iwon
dered exceedingly that some of us were
not wounded, as the firing surpassed any
l have ever seen; it was one of the hot
test little fights, too. Our command il
separated now@ Gen. Lee sent the Gen
eral and our infantry across the river
with the prisoners our cavalry
and artillery with the army. Our mer
will take the Yankees to Richmond.