The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-19

and fell back rapidly. They were in a
bad predicament--tor Gregg was almost
directly in their rear, Russell was on their
right flank and Buford or their front.
They therefore made nasty retreat,
abandoning their old camp entirely, part
of which we had already occupied, and
two regiments were very near being cut
off, as Fitzpatrick moved off toward the
right, to make connection with Buford.
They had but narrow strip Of land not
covered by Cur force, through which to
escape.
General Pleasanton's headquarters were
moved forward where the rebel command
er's had been, and the lines of the two col
umns were soon connected.
General Gregg reported that his two
brigades, under Fitzpatrick and Wyndham,
had been hotly engaged all the morning,
but had driven the enemy uniformly from
the river back to Brandy Station. Our
troops, especially tie First New Jersey.
First Maine and Tenth New York fought
most gallantly, and repulsed the enemy in
repeated charges, though losing heavily
themselves. The artillery with General
Gregg also suffered considerably, and the
Sixth New York battery was almost total
ly disabled. 1t did excellent service, how
ever. In the charge by General Greggs
column stand of colors and over one
hundred and fifty prisoners were taken.
Colonel Wyndham's brigade captured the
heights commanding Brandy Station, and
there discovered rebel infantry brought up
by the cars. A portion of it drew up and
fired volley at our cavalry. Another
correspondent will give you further par
ticulars about the gallant fighting of this
column. Colonel Wyndham was shot
through the calf of the leg by BUSH
whacEer, but his wound is not serious, and
he still keeps the saddle.
The fact that the enemy were now fall
ing back upon strong infantry supports,
and we being already numerically inferior
to them, induced Gen. Pleasanton to con-
suit with his subordinates, and it having
been left discretionary with the former
to advance or return, it was finally deemed
prudent to return, and at six O'Clock our
forces began to fall back. The enemy
was not inclined 20" pix Il fight on the
return, and, save some slight skirmishing,
we were not molested.
BY dark our forces were all over the
river, and the wounded of Buford's divis-
ion all loaded in the cars and on the way
to Washington The loss in his division is
about one hundred and eighty, and in
Gregg's about the same. The rebel pris-
oners report their loss as heavier than ever
before, and express admiration of the gal
lantry of our cavalry. The total number
of prisoners taken is about two hundred
and twenty-five, and we lost about fifty.
AN INTERCEPTED LETTER.
Though our force was not large enough
to thoroughly defeat the rebels, yet they
received sound thrashing, and it will re-
suit in postponing their "grand raids y
into the North for some time, if not indef-
initely; for, besides chastising them, we
have gained full information of their
strength, character and designs. Witness
the following letter captured on the battle
field, which have copied from the origi-
nal cerbutina:
CAMP NEAR BRANDETH STATION,
CULPE epER Court House, June g. '63.
DEAR BROTHER: We have made another
change of base. We left Dayton one week ago
to-day, and after five days or marching we en-
camped at this place. We have lad two grand
reviews of five brigades of cavalry about twelve
thousand in number, under General Stuart.
The first took place on Saturday, when we
were inspected by Stuart; and have just now
returned from the second, when we were in
spected by Acknowledgement Robert E. Lee in
person. He was a fine-loOking man, but very
gray haired. We are now in battery number
ing about sixteen pieces, under the command
of Major Beckham. Longstreets division pass
ed us on Saturday. The Wise artillery was
along. You can look out for some small fight
ing before week. We are now about two
miles from the Rappahannock, at Beverly's
Ford expect, from the preparations that is
being made, that we are going to make grand
raid toward the Potomac, as soon as the valley
is cleared.
You must excuse the shOrtnesS of this letter,
as have just returned from the review, and
feel tired from riding SO much. Direct your
letter to Chero's battery, Jones cavalry brig
ade.
Please write Immediately, rs we may leave in
couple of days.
Your affectiOnate brother. j. VI. ID.