Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-29
FROM THE FRONT.

Whereabouts of the Rebel Army-Hill and
EongStreet at Culpeper-Ewelrs Corps
Still in the Shenan d oah y alley-Recon.
noissances and Sklrmishes by cur Cav.
airy. So
dispatches to New York TimesI
HEADQUARTERS AEMY OF THE POTOMAC,
25th July-6 p. m.-The positions of the rebel
army are as follows: On Friday morning at
O'Clock the advance of Hill's and Longstreet's
corps reached Culpeper. The columns were
well closed up, and their entire corps must be
concentrated there before this time. or this
Tetrograde movement there can be no question.
For two days had a favorable opportunity to
take birdseye views of both Hills and Long,
streets commands, and on one occasion was
quite as near as was prudent for a non COM
blatant to be. Ewell's corps. it is understood
here, still occupies the Shenandoah Valley,
doah and the rear of the rebel army. This fact
is supposed to explain the recent alarm about
the alleged movements indicating that Lee was
not retrea ting, and was indeed preparing to
return to Maryland.
Another dispatch dated Amissvilie, July
25th, gives the particulars of reconnaissance
by three regiments of the Michigan cavalry
brigade, and one section of Pennington bat
terry, and an engagement with the rear of A.
p. Hills corps, within half mile of Newbys
Cross Roads. The enemy were driven before
our troops until the crest of a hill was reached
near the cross roads, when the enemy opened
brisk fire with artillery, firing shells, gra pc
and canister, and our advance was checked.
This position was held Tor at least an hour,
when, much to the establishment of all, regi-
ment of the enemy's infantry appeared in the
rear of the First Michigan, while supporting
the artillery above referred to. F.
Gen. Custer, when made aware of this flank
movement, at once ordered a charge to be
made. Practicable under ordinary circum-
stances, but just at this point an impractical
biity, which he very speedily discovered
Major Brewer fortunately hesitated when or
dered to charge, and the result was change
OF orders. The section of artillery exposed
rapidly moved to the right, W lille the lst Mich
1gan remained in position un til the enemy had
fired one volley, then wheeling to the right
into the road, rapid retrograde movement
brought them to the rear, and in a place of
comparative safety.
While this movement was beng executed on
the left OF the road, the enemy advanced two
pieces to the crest of hill in front previously
occupied by our skirmshers, and opened a
CALLING fire upon our troops with grape and
canister, at the same time advancing q column
OF infantry in the same direction. A portion
OF our right was forced still further to the
right, and the left was forced back into the
road where the extreme lett had preceded it,
The enemy after this We're held in check ut
every point, while the command, having felt
the position, fell back to Amlssyille
On the 25th our cavalry moved up to Gaines
Cross Roads, where the enemy's pickets were
encountered and driven in, but the main COM
mand was beyond reach. As Gen. Clusters
orders were solely to ASCERTAIN the position of
the enemy, in obedience to orders he fell back
to Amissyllle. Our loss during the two days'
reconnaissance will probably not exceed six
killed and thirty wounded. Lieut.. Sabin, of
Gen. Clusters staff, was severely wounded in
the side by shell, and was left on the field
The enemy saw fit neither TO parole nor take
him away, and this morning he was brought in
During the most exciting time Of yesterday
horse in front of Col. Gray was killed Col
Gray's horse fell over the disabled animal and
before the Colonel could regain his feet he was
run over by whole squadron of led horses
belonging to the skrmisners. His escape from
fatal injury is attributed to the fact that many
of the horses were barefooted