Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-29
The Recsnt c.. VARY Fighting ia CH1pepsr.

| the Nse.nt Cavalry Fighting ~ CHlpspsr.
lie Lynchburg Vngtnium publishes the following
extract from letter winch gives The first Intelligent &C
count OF the recent cavalry fighting in Cupeler that
We have
Last night, While We were the only brigade OF
corps LETT on the line of the Rapdsn, ar Raccoon
Ford the enemy suppose to the retreat OF his
army, attempted and succeeded iii tfoctlng, the cross
ing of large cavalry and artillery force at the ford
below Small as force was, it had to he DIVIDED
and part TO aid the cavalry at the lower
ford while the res: re Lnned at Raccoon ford. The
portion at the lower ford Mortons ord) engaged the
Yankees OF an early hour this morning, keeping them
at bay No made at the upper ford,
where was stationed. The enemy's flank was th's
exposed to US. Gen Fitz Lee determined to take ad
vantage of this and about 10 O'clock crossed at
Raccoon ford with brigade of cavalry and our force
Of intanTy-about two regiments. A hne charge made
upon flank relieved force engaged below, and
they commenc ID retrogradng. They did not however.
fiji Cter stubborn resistance, AID more than once
our cavalry showed signs OF giving way. Oar infantry
brought up, and upon the I anks getting view OF
tbem they allowed their disc elton to their valor
and yielded to the necessity OF the case Our forces
pressed sne advantage thus gained and the Yankees
not having succeeded in uniting their whole force
tIued to retreat. After this kept up for while,
they ssul in getting their whole o'ce
together and in the vicinity Of Stevepsourg, small
village, THY drew up their lines IN commanding
position and offered battle. 1t grand sight
STE their numerous lines drawn up in battle array Oh
| the wide extended plain.
We were in an open field, as level as Eoor they oc-
cupyipy the only eminence in the vicinity. Orders
soon came from Gen. Lee (Fitz) for advance and
charge them. There thanking, shelter, no
protection whatever 10 men, but the manner in
which our lines advanced drew eneomius from every
beboder. The charge made with cheer. They
delivered terrible voeys OF musketry rlds and
the. artillery poughed through the lines; but there
40 halt-no wavering Above the din OF battle their
yell heard. On and went the ine--voiey after
voley poured against them; but resistance oy the
Yankees useless They begin to wavsr, and, in
minute nore, away go their lines to the in one
fused mass. 1t a grand sight. Our cavalry con-
tinued the pursuit. brigade not being holly engaged
again The pursuit was continued until We reached
Brandy Station, where We now are.
desperate fight occurred at this point between the
opposing cavalry forces. For while the issue wus
doubtful, and oace l feared panic in cavalry.
| They rallied to till the Yankees were
driven beyond the Rappahannock, at kellys lord. A
decided victory has been gained by our troops The
moral ELECT gained by the movement Ut our Command
ing General, Lee cannot be- overestimated
La conclusion, it gives great pleasure to bear est
mony the valor aud fighting qaa.ss of cavalry.
In The past LEY may have acted badly, but not so IT,
day Their conduct in this engagement has been be-
You'd reproach. 1t galant-worthy of the mcst
chlvAIrous age.
Our less hos ev7re-not 50 heavy tat OF the
entmy. We lave captured many prisoners, with their
horses and tquipmens; and what the pur-
pose of our hungry ncn, good many boxes OF crack
ers, &c.
The T-tr<at Menir-Eiis Army IL IL SAT. Posi-
a dispatch from Washington, the 18th, TO the New
York Ilmes says
There little no htng yesterday in the front.
1t is rumored here this morning that Lee has sent
portion of hs army up The Shenandoah alley, 70! what
purpose Certain it Is his army
crossed The Rappahanuock Wednesday. A. Z. Hills
corps The advance 1t il still doubled that Long.
streets corps returned from the Southwest. 1t
thought however, Lee has reinforced by troops
Withdrawn from the vicinity or RlchmOnd and from
North Carolina.
Gen Meade is in position at Centreve ready to |
meet any attack by Lee, General Me4de's headquar-
ers last night at Centreve All safe.
ia asceraned Lee Las only five days PROVISIONS with
him.
The canuonading yesterday occasioned by an at.
tempt OF Tie rebels Bull Run at Union Mills
at Mltchell's and Backburn's Fords They kept
up continuous cannonade 10 cover their crossing.
heir IRE, however, bad little effect troops
The rebels nude repeated attempts to Cross massing
their infantry il solid columns. Our infantry and
tilierY, however, repulsed them each time Firing
I'd shutdown, the rebels retiring AT dark portion
Butcrds cav<ry had brisk hgh with StuarL's cay
airy 1t BrtnsvI!e We succeeded in routing the re-
bells.
Everything is quiet at the front to-day.
Col. iiaSdenburg, Goth New York, reached here in
charge OF 500 retel prisoners, mostly North CARROLL
mans 200 expected tonight. Suffers OF the
Army Of the Potomac have been ordered back to Alex
andrIa with instructions 10 return until further
orders.
Last night at about o'clock, according to the re-
ports OF Passengers from the army information TO
Aeades headquarters that corps of the rebel army,
supposed to b: A. P. Hills corps had moved from our
front IN the direction Of Leesbufg.
| be NGr says heavy reconnaissance was im1ne6ia-
aely started the direction Adie-the reconnoer
ing party moving light without knapsacks and the
enemy will make little by their motion should they be
Undertaking any surprise game in that direction There
Was more or less diminishing between the pickets
either side, and several casualties are reported
Yesterday there was diminishing all along the lines
Of our army, and some firing also the old Bull Run
battlefield; but there is no general engagement.
Our army last night in line OF battle. The
whole baggage and transportation train was sent to
the rear and the suffers ordered to Alexandria.
The skirmishing yesterday principally for posi-.
ton, and the report that in every instance General
Meade has succeeded in getting ths advantage.
The hundred and ninetwo prisoners of war, captur.
ed on "Wednesday last near Brstow Station reached
this city last night and wsre committed to the Old
Capitol.
From information received from the army of the Po
tomac tonight, it appears that body of the enemy
were seen passing southwark, opposite Blackburn's
Ford last night, and our batteries sheled them 1hey
replied for half hour and then disappeared They
made no other demonstration yesterday. ie
1t was rumored thatone corps of the en:my was up.
preaching Fairfax yesterday by the Cnany reao' ana
oar heavy batteries were sent out IN that
They have returned, and report all quiet
Our army is in perfectly safe position and prepar
ed to repel any attack
The following is Meade's "congratulstory order to
bis troops: IL