The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-22
0ener~i ssememan,s Operations.


IFrsm the Richmond Examiner, May
The Confederacy has never received an
insuk SO Notifying and provoking as
that which it suffered yesterday and the
day before. The Federal army had reach
cd and taken possession OF Spotsylvania
Court House. From that point they
have not only attempted and executed the
manoeuvre suggested as probable in our
last issue, but great deal more. Leav-
ing the body of the army stretching IN
line from that point to the Rapidan, their
cavalry, under Gen SLOVENIAN, has press
ed on TO the Central Railroad and cut 1t
at Trevillian's; then penetrated 10 the
roads between fredericksburg and Rich
mond, and cut that too ut or near Ash
land. and Mt the moment we write is be-
| lieyed to be careerBg unframed In the
open country ten miles from Richmond,
in the rear Of Lees army, having passed
his communications with the city and shut
off for the moment his source of supply.
That this audacious raid will have any
serious effect on the great battle or bat
ties aow sighting, or tonight 10 Spotsylva.
mia is not possible The triting damage
these cavalry have done to the railroads
can be repaired sooner than it was effect
ed But the event throws an unpleasant
hint on the improvidenco of those WHO
control the military powers of the eoah-
try. It's success shows that we are blind
to the character of the man now in COM
mand of the Federal forces. He lie no
longer nm able, prudent officer, making
war according to the established rules OF
the science. but reckless gambler, who
has nothing to lose. and is ready to take
any chance, however desperate. Such
adventures as these are precisely what
might have been reasonably expected of
him. But further, in the investigating
committee of the Federal Congress, Gen.
Hooker while stating what he though,
should have been done by Burnside, laid
down in 90 many words this identical cav
airy campaign as part Of his programme.
The Southern Government and General
was forewarned, yet would not be FORE
armed, "
The lines Of telegraph between Rich
mond and Fredericksburg being OF course
severed, we are unable to give any au-
thentic intelligence from the scene OF real
action.
EHE NEAREST APPROACH OF THE ENEMY
ToTHE Cry.
The nearest approach to shis city ever
made by hostile Yankees was accomplish
ed yesterday morning When Mcclellan
beleagured the capital Of the Confeden.
cy, twelve months ago, aud ''On to Rich
mond' was the watehword of his mum
berless legions, Ave miles was the least
distance ever between him and the object
of his hopes and ambition. But on yes
terday morning, at 3 o'clock, three hun
dred Yankee cavalry visited the farm OF
n John b. Young, on the Brooke Turn
pike. two miles from the corporate limits.
Their stay, it is true, was brief, but they
enjoyed one OF The finest views Of the
spires and housetops OF the city, and we're
rewarded by the acquisition of three fine
horses. which they stole from Mr.. Young
One of the horses they took from bug
gy standing before the door.
The FIRST intimation Mr.. Young had of
the proximity of an enemy, three blue
coats galloped up to his house, from the
rear, and began to put halter to his bug
gy horse. He stepped out of the house
and asked the man what he was doing
The fellow replied that he Was about to
take that horse by ''orders from headquar-
tiers" Then the truth that the individn-
al before him was live Yankee, for the
first time flashed across his mind. He at
once concluded that Gen. Lee must have
been defeated, and that Hooker was
marching on to Richmond. Having secur-
ed the horses the Yankees rejoined the
main body, who we're drawn up in line on
the pike in from, of the house. The,
Yankees were in much terror, evidently
expecting every moment to be pounced
upon BY the rebel forces. The first expla-
nStion MIR. Young received Of this sud
den appArition Of Yankees upon his peace
full premises, was from regiment Of our
troops sent in pursuit of the enemy.
A Coon SUaGxsnoH.--A vri,cr In the
Cleveland Herald NJ akas The fcIloviny