, 1863-09-26
EKOEI THE ARMY OF TEE
POTOMAC.
A Splendid Cavalry Actton-TIe IkeiI-
els Badly Beatens

army o1 1Ae fOlo1uacs 5epl. II, says: UP TO
go, Gen. Fitzpatrick had occupied Madison
Court House, after having driven the advanced
pickets Of the enemy three miles, capturing
nine and killing one. Alter having driven
the enemy from every road leading from Mad
ison Court House In the direction Of the Rap
idan, for two miles, Fitzpatrick posted bis
guards and rested his command. During the
night, Gen. Buford, who had commanded the
reconnaissance, came with his division, and
a1so posted his command L: and around the
viflage.
From prisoners taken day before yesterday,
1t is ascertained that two brigadea Of rebel
cavalry were on this side Of the Rapfdan,
u]eng the main road leading ftom Madison
Court House to GoIdonsyille. From Madison
Court House three roads leave fer the Rapi-
6an. Buford dispatched his forces so as to
surround the enemy and capture him without
severe engagement. To accomplish tais
object, he sent Fitzpatrick to the right Of the
GordonsVil1e road; Gen. DeVfns, command
i5g the I'd brigade Of his own division, to the
left, and the 1st brigade, Col. Chapman, down
the GoTdonBgille road, to make IN attack in
the front and centre. Fitzpatrick reached the
river without meeting the enemy, but, In or
der to find him, aent one squadron across,
but few Of whom have returned, and proba-
bly, will not, until exchanged Us prisoners Of
war. With the maln portion Of his division
he moved down the north bank Of the Rapi-
dan, till, hearing rapid firing On the Gordons-
vile road, he gal1oped to the aid Of Col. Chap
MAD, who neemed to be holly engaged.
Col. Chapman, whoae command consisted
Of the Sth Illinois, Sd Indiana, and ssh New
York, moved down the Gordonsvi1le road,
and when within four miles Of the Rapidan,
suddenly came in cont.ct with tie old brig
sdes Of Gems. Jones and Hampton. Colonel
Chapman determined to risk cn engagement,
trusting to Gen. Bnfoyd TO coma to his aid. A
teries Of brilliant charges were then made,
which lasted from q O'Clock until sunset.
Chapman whipped these old rebel brfgades,
killed between forty and fifty, captured sew
.nty-tlye prisoners, among them several OIL
ce1s-one Lieut.. Col, one Major, and several
Coptains-a1d sent the rest lying at their
highest speed to the south bank of the Rapi-
dan. Gen. Kilrat1ick, who came up In the
rear Of this flying force, Is said to have cap
tnred fifty men before they reached cover.
On the left, Gen. Dengins mas entirely suc.
ceesfu1.
The object for which the reconnaissance
Was made having been successfully accom-
rliahed, Gen. Buford returned. He met the
old brigade Of Gen. Lee, fought them for two
hours. killed and wounded between thirty
and forty, and brought AMY sixty prisoners.
In nil these Eeyere fights our loss WAS COM
pa1atlyely small.
TIE CAVALRY Fight OF SUNDAY.
Correspondence Philadelphia Press.7
Few hare any idea Of the brflllancy Of Sun
day g cavalry fight. Their batteries were i'd
vantageously posted on high hills, amid
dente thicketa. How our cavalry managed
to drive them 60 hastily aud steadily, Is
doubt they were utterly unprepared for such
az impetuous onset. Two Or three charges
| they nade were miserable failures, and their
| officers we're heard cUrsing them sound!y for
not falling quickly Into line. About two
| lai1es on the other side Of to~n Is Largo
sLarpFhooters we're concealed and aanoyed
orr 1nen exceedingly. Buford soon had o
battery unlinbersd, and pointed a. the housa,
| which was 5ool pierced BY round Rhot aud
stel. In the cellar, vi hich 1as only two or
three teet under ground, a nelghborlng faml-
1 T.
| through the building, knocked q brick On the
mans head, which Killed him Instantly; bis
son was Killed by piece Of the same shell,
| which almoat broke his mothers skull. !
saw the wounded lady this evening, who
walks around as unconcerned as If her head
wa1m blood Of husband aad Fan spirited In
| her tace. These are same Of vars horrors.
| Along the route pursued BY our army almost
every house is vacant. Walk into the hall Of
| every large mansion you see near the roadside,
aud you will be alarmed Of the CHASTITY sounds
Of your own tread: "The Yankees arc COM
inG," the people soy, stand We must be 60.
irg.n An infrm but pious contraband said
in my hearing: " Bref de Lor, how our folks
did git up and cut stick when the Yanks
come" Yes, we drove them-and continued
to drive them till they sought shelter amid
he friendly heights on the other side Of the
The handful Of men We had On this side
held them in check till reinforced. Every
p1ccaution was taken to prevent their d,scoV.
or Tsa9sss sad no Fsf T., %sEg %ba tssa
were busy entrenchIng THEMSELVES, and drop
ing shell among the handfa1 Of men who
had 50 discomtt:ed them They were at a
loss to know the meaning Of this move, SO
opposite from what they expected Thsn taasy asyy
winter while they remained IN Calpeper. On
the Rapidan there are three fords, which both
armies watch with . jealous eye: Near Rae;
econ Ford we have thrown up rlde-plts aud
have cannon planted. Abont noon Yesterday
the rebels crossed in force. determined to
learn our strength, and see If our whole army
was after them. The $50 men we had In the
riae-pits were driven back mile; then two
regiments Of dlsmounted cavalry, with re-
peating rifles, started for them on the double
quick. They turned and fed, every man
irving to save himself. While recrossing the
river they suffered fearful1y from the fire ol