The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-11-12

We take pleasure in laying before our
readers the official report Of Gen. R. E
Lee, Of the recent operations in Northern
, Virgins, accompanied by reports from Maj
Gen. Stuart and Brig Gen. lmboden:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA
! Oct. %, 1868.
General s. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector
General:
GENERAL-In advance of detailed re.
!, port, l have the honor to submit, for the
, information of the Department, the follow
ing outline of the recent operations of this
army: -ta t---.-.I-
With the design of bringing on an en-
gagement with the Federal army, which
was encamped around Culpepper Court
House, extending thence to The Rapidan,
this army crossed that river on the 9Th in
slant, and advanced by way Of Madison
Court House. Our progress was necessari-
ly slow, as the march was by circuitous and
concealed roads, in order to avoid the OBJ
servation of the enemy. .
General Fitz Lee, with his cavalry diVi-
sion and detachment ofinfantry, remained
to hold our lines south Of the Rapidan ;
General Stuart with Hampton's division,
moved on the right of the column. With a
portion of his command he attacked the ad-
vance of the enemy near James City, on the
| 10th aud drove them back toward Culpep-
er. Our main body arrived near that place
on the l1th instant, and discovered that the
enemy had retreated toward the Rappahan-
mock, burning Or destroying his stores
We were compelled to halt during the rest
OF the day to provision the troops but the
cavalry, under General Stuart continued to
press the enemy's rear guard toward the
Rappahannock. A large force of Federal
cavalry in the meantime had crossed the
Rapidau, after our movements begun, but
was repulsed by Gen. Fitz Lee, and pur-
sued toward Brandy Station.
Near that place the commands of Stuart
and Lee united on the afternoon OF the l7th
and after a severe engagement, drove the
ensmy'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 Orange and Alexandria rail
road, north of the river, and interrup the
retreat of the enemy
After a skirmish with some of the Federal
cavalry at Jefferson, we reached the Kappa
hammock at Warrenton Springs, in the after
noon, where the passage Of the river was
disputed by cavalry and artillery. The en-
emy was quickly driven fby detachment
of our cavalry, aided by small force of in
fantry and battery. Early next morning,
18th, the march was resumed, and the two
columns reunited at Warrenton, in the at
ternoon, when another halt was made to
supply the troops with provisions. The
enemy fell back rapidly along the line OF
the railroad, and early on the l4th the pur-
suit was continued, a portion Of the army
moving by way of New Baltimore, toward
Bristoe Station, and the rest, accompanied
by the main body of the cavalry, proceed
ing to the same point by Auburn Migs,
and Greenwich. Near the former place
skirmish took place between General
Ewelrs advance and the rear guard of the
enemy, which was forced back and rapidly
| pursued
The retreat OF the enemy was conducted
by several direct parallel roads, while our
troops were compelled to march by difficult
and circuitous routes. We We're consequent
ly unable to intercept him. General Hill
arrived first st Bristoe Station, where his
advance, consisting of two brigades, became
engaged with a force largely superior in
numbers, posted behind the railroad en-
bankmcnt. The particulars Of the action
have not been officially reported, but the
brigades were repulsed with some loss, and
! FIVE pieces of artillery, with a number OF
prisoners captured. Before the rest of the
troops could be brought up, and the posi-
ton of the enemy ascertained, he retreated
across Breas Run and the next morning he
was reported to be fortifying beyond Bull
Run, extending his line toward the little
River turnpike.
The vicinity Of the intrenchments around
Washington and Alexandria, rendered it
useless to turn his new position, as it was
apparent that he could readily retire to
them, and would decline an engagement
unless attacked in his fortifications. A fur.
ther advance was therefore deemed neces-
sary and after destroying the railroad from
Cub Run southwardly to the Rappahan-
mock, the army returned, on the loth 10 the
line of that river, leaving the cavalry IN the
enemy's front.
The cavalry oil the latter advanced on lue
following day, and some skirmishing took
| place at auckland General Stuart with
Hampton's Division, retired SLOWLY toward
Warreuton, in order to draw the enemy in
, that direction thus exposing his haal and
; rear to Gen. Lee, who moved from Auburn.
: and attacked him near Buckland. As soon
as Stuart heard Lees guns he turned ulou
{ the enemy, who, after a stubborn resistance
b, fed in confusion, pursuedoy Stuart to Hay
2 market, and by Gen. Lee to Gainsville.-
0 When the movement of the army from the
4 Rspidan commenced, Gen. lmbOden wa'
s instructed TO advance down the valley anC
d guard the gaps Of the mountains on our left
o This duty was well performed by that off
z cef, and ON the 18th he marched on Char
e lestowD, and succeeded, by well concerted
IF plan in surrounding the place and captur
is ing nearly the whole force stationed there
ir with their stores and transportation; only