The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-10-13
HEADQ's ARMY NORTHERN Va,
July 81, 1868.

HEADQS ARMY NORTHERN ' A,
July 81, 1868. {
Gen. s. Cooper, Ad't Genl., Richmond, Va
GENERAL-I have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing outline of the recent operations of this
my for the information of the Departments
The position occupied by the.enemy opposite
Fredericksburg being one in which he could not
be attacked to advantage, it was determined to
draw him from it, The execution of this purpose
embraced the relief of the Shenandoah Valley
from he troops that bad occupied the lower part
of it during the winter and spring, and, if pract
cable the transfer of the of hostiltes North
of the Potomac.
1t was thought that the corresponding move
ments on the part of the enemy, to which those
contemplated by us would probably give rise,
might offer fair opportunity to strike blow at
the army therein, commanded by Gen. Hooker,
and, that in any event, that army would be com
PEELED to leave Virginia, and possibly to draw to
its support troops designed to operate against other
parts of the country. In this way it was supposed
that the encmy's plan of campaign for the summer
would be broken up, and part of the season of ac-
tive operations be consumed In the formations OF
new combinations, and the preparations that they
would require.
In addition to these advantages it was hoped
that other valuable results mi ght be attained by
military success.
rations that may hereafter be presented, the move
ment began on the &c June. McLaWs' division
of Longstreet's corps left Fredericksburg for Cul
pepper G. H., and Hoods division, which was en-
camped on the Rapidan, marched to the same
place.
They were followed on the 4th and 5th by Ew-
ellis corps, leaving that of A. ?. Hill to occupy
our lines at Fredericksburg.
The march of these troops having been discov-
~. ~ khoH and
the following day he crossed nee, amounting to
about one army corps, to the south side of Kappa
hammock on pontoon bridge laid down near the
mouth of Deep Run. Gen Hill disposed of his
command to resist their advance; but as they
seemed intended for the purpose of. observation
rather than attack, the movements in progress were
not arrested.
The forces of LoBgstreet and Ewell reached
Culpeper Court House by the Sth, at which point
the cavalry, under Gen, Stuart, was also concen-
traed.
On the 9th large force of Federal cavalry,
strongly supported by infantry, crossed the Rap
pahannock at Beverly IS and Keys Fords, and at
tackled Gen. Stuart. A severe engagement ensu
ed, continuing from early in the morning until
late in the afternoon, when the enemy forced
to recross the river with heavy loss, leaving four
hundred prisoners, three pieces of artillery and
several colors in our hands.
Gen. jenkins, with MS cavalry Hau
been ordered to advance towards Winchester to
cooperate with the infantry in the proposed expe-
diton into the lower valley, and at the same time
Gen hnboden was directed with his command, to
make demonstration in the direction Of Romney,
in order to cover the movement against Wlnches-
ter, and prevent the enemy at that place from be-
ing reinforced by the troops on the line of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Both OF these OFF,
GERS were in position when Gen. Ewell left Cul-
~ cat kl.
Shenandoah near Front Royal, he detached Rodes'
division to Berryvile, with instructions after dis
lodging the force stationed there, to cut off the
communication between Winchester and the Poto-
mac. With the divisions of Early and johnson,
Gen. Ewell advanced directly upon Winchester,
driving the enemy into his works around the town
on the 18th. On the same day, the troops at Ber-
ryvile fell back before Gen. Rodes, retreating to
Winchester. On the 18th Gen. Early stormed
the works at The latter place, and the whole army
of Gen. Milroy captured or dispersed. Most
of those who attempted to escape were intercepted
and made prisoners by Gen. johnson. Their lead
er fled to Harper's Ferry with small party of fu-
gitives.
General Rodes marched fros1 Berryville to Mar
tinsburg, entering the fatter place on the 14th,
where he took Seven hundred prisoners, five pieces
of artillery and considerable quantity of stores.
These operations cIeread the valley of the enemy,
those at HarperS Ferry withdrawing TO Marylahu
Heights. More than four thousand prisoners,
twenty nine pieces of artillefs, two hundred and
seventy wagons and ambulances, with four hum
dred horses, were captured, besides large amount
of military stores. Our loss small. On the
night that Ewell appeared at Winchester, the Fed
eral troops in front of A P Hill, at Frederlcks-
burg, recrossed the Rappahannock, and the next
day disappeared behind the hills of Stafford.
The whole army of General Hooker withdrew
from the line of the Rappabannock, pursuing the
roads near the Potomac, and no favorable opportu-
nifty was offered for attack. It seemed to be the
purpose Of Gen. Hooker to take position which
would enable him to cover the approaches TO
Washington City-with view to draw him fur
ther from bis base, and at the same time, to cover
the march of a. p. Hill, who, in accordance with
instructions, left Fredericksburg for the Valley as
soon as the enemy withdrew from his 'front.'
Longstreet moved from Culpeper Court House on
the 10TH and advancing along the east side OF the
Blue Ridge, occupied Ashbys and Shickers Gaps
His force had been augmented while at Culpeper
by General Pickett with three brigades OF his di-
vision.
The cavalry, under General Stuart, was thrown
out in front of Longstreet to watch the enemy no"
reported to be moving into Loudon. On the l'th,
his cavalry encountered two brigades of ours un-
der General Stuart near Aldie,, and was driven
back with loss The next day the engagement
was renewed the Federal caEalry being strongly