Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-06-10
THE BATTlE0F BEvERL y'SF0RD.
The Greatest Cavalry Battle Of the
War!
STARTS Proposed Raid Cut Short !!
Fourteen Hours Hand-to-hand
Fighting!
Loss on both sides very large!
Gen. PleasantOn brings OF 200
'. Prisoners!
Loss on both sides very large {!

Yesterday we briefly stated the fact that
severe cavalry engagement was in progress on
the Upper Rappahannock as our paper was
going to press. We have been able to ascertain
the following additional particulars Of the
battle:
1t was known at Hooker's headquarters that
Gen. Lee had assembled his cavalry, supported
by artillery and infantry, between Culpeper
Court. House and Beverly's Ford, designing
soon to send them upon a raid in this direction,
and Gen. Pleasanton was sent with portions
Gems. Buford and Gregg respectively; to spoil
their sport.
The force under Buford (portions of the lst
I'd, 5th and 9th regular cavalry, and the 9th
Pennsylvania cavalry reached Beverly's
Ford early on Monday evening, and crossed
the river unopposed shortly after midnight
The force under Gen. Gregg (portions of the
sth and 9th New York, sth Illinois, and 3D. In
diana cavalry reached the ford at midnight,
and commenced to cross at a. m. Buford's
force, which was on the right, first met the
enemy's pickets halt a mile south of the ford;
when severe engagement Immediately COM
menced, the rebels being in heavy force and
resisting the advance of our troops with con-
tiAuous hand hand fighting. When Gregg
brought his force up to the fight and became
engaged, the enemy gradually gave way, dis
putting every inch OF the ground desperately,
however.
In this way our men made more than dozen
charges into the midst of the rebel ranks, re-
lying almost entirely upon the sabre, which
they used with terrible effect The enemy, on
the other hand, repeatedly charged also, rely
ing on their revolyers for the most part, how
ever. Both sides were repeatedly driven back
in the course OF the battle; though we succeeded
in driving the .ebels-Fitzhugh Lees and
Wade Hampton's divisions Of cavalry, with
artillery, all commanded by Major General J.
+. g. Stuart-back to'a point about i've miles
southwest of where their pickets We're first en-.
conntered, where Pleasanton found the enemy
sc heavily reinforced with infantry and artil-
lery as to make it prudent to return to this
side OF the river
Thistle return-was commenced at about
four p. M, General Pleasanton bringing of
about 200 prisoners his own wounded, and the
bodies OF his officers who had been killed in the
engs cement.
The 9th Pennsylvania cavalry, which was
in the advance, under Buford, lost heavily.
including six officers killed, wounded or miss
ing. Indeed, Buford's whole force was much
cut up. OF the 9th Pennsylvania cavalry, we
hear Of Captain Davis, killed by shell; Major
Robert Morris, missing; Lieut.. Lennig, missing;
Lieut. r. Ellis, revolver shot through his leg;
and Captain Lieper, cut with a saber
The sth New York had the advance under
Gregg, and (under the command Of Col Davis,
who was killed on the field) after slightly
wavering, acquitted themselves with much
gallantry. We hear that among the casualties
of that regiment were Capt Foote, Co. E, and
Lieut. Cutler, Co. A, killed, and Lieut. Reeves,
Co. q, and Lieut. Epler, Co. I, mortalIy
wounded.
On the return to this side Of the river the
enemy skirmished frequently with our rear
guard, doing us NO damage to speak or how
ever.
As yet our loss has not been definitely ascer-
tanned
The number OF wounded could not have
been more than 200 or 800, we apprehend, as
they were sent down here last night on eleven
cars, together with the bodies of our officers
killed.
The proportion of horses killed on both sides
in this almost unexampled hand-to hand cav
airy battle, was very large.
The field, from where Buford and Gregg
first became engaged, throughout the whole
distance Of five miles over which the enemy
were driven before getting back to their rein.
forcements, was strewn with dead and wound.
I'd rebels.