Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-03
6rglcIIt REPORTS OF fiiE LATE OPERATIONS
M Tgs ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
HEApo'Rs ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
October 20, 1893.

October 20, 1893.
Gen. s. Cooper, a. l. General;
csvxp1t--In advance of a detailed report, have
TO submit for the information Of the depart
meut the following outline OF the recent operations oil
this army: 81,
With The design of bringing on an engagement with
the Federal army which encamped around CupepeT
Court House aud extending thence TO the Rapdan this
army that river on the 9th ms ant and adVanc
ed by way Of Madison Court House. Our progress was
necessarily slow, the march was by circut'us AND
concealed roads, in order oavod the observation OIL the
enemy. ,
General III Lee with his cavalry division and de-
taohne,t of infantry remained TO mold our lines South
of the R,pdan; Gen Stuart, with H4mptohs division,
moved on the right of the column. with portion oil
his command be attacked the advance OF the enemy
near James City, the l0sh and drove them back To-
wards Cupeper Our main body arrived near n4I place
on the th Instant and discovered that the enemy bad
retreaed towards the Rlppahannock, removing or de-
stroying his stores We compelled TO halt daring
the rest of the day to provision the troop but the cav
airy under General Stuart continued to press the enc
my's rear guard towards the Rappahannock. large
force of Federal cavalry in the meantime had crossed
the Rapidan after movement begun, but was re-
pulsed by Gen. hz Lee, and pursued towards Brandy
Station.
Near that place the commands Of Stuart and Lee
united on the afternoon oil the lllh and after Sc
we're engagement drove the enemy cavalry across the
Rappahannock with heavy lose.
On the morning Of the 18th, the army marched in
two columns win the design Of reach Dg the Orang
and Alexandria Railroad north OF the river aud inter-
rupting the retreat OF the enemy.
Alter a Airmish with some of the Federal cavalry
at Jeff rsonton we reached the Rappah lnnock War
Tenton Spring. in the afternoon, where the pass &c OF
the river disputed by cavalry and artillery The
enemy was quickly driven off by detachment OF cur
cavalry, aided by small force of infantry aud bate
ry Early next morning, 18th, the march was resumed
and the two columns united at Warrenton in tho alter
noon when smother halt made TO supply the troops
With provisions The enemy fell back rapidly along
the line Of the railroad and early the l4th the pur-
suit was continued portion Of the army moving by
way of New Biltimore towards Brsoe station, and the
rest accompanied by the main body OF the cavalry,
| proceeded to the same point by Auburn Mills and
Gree nWch. Near the former place a skirmish took
place between General sells advance and the rear
guard OF the enemy, which was forced back and rap
| idlg pursued.
The retreat Of the enemy was conducted by several
direct parallel roads, while troops compelled 10
march by difficult and circutous routes We con.
sequenty unable TO intercept him. Gen. Hill arrived FIRST
at Brstoe Station where his advance, consisting Of
brsades became engaged with force largely superior
in numbers posted behind the railroad enbankment.
The particulars Of the action have not been officially
reported but the brgAdes were repulsed With some
loss and FIVE pieces OF artillery, with number Of pris.
oners captured Before the rest of the troops could
be brought up and the position of The enemy ascer
tained o. retreated Broad Run. The next morn
iDg he reported to be terrifying beyond Ball Run,
extending his line towards the Little River Turke.
The vicinity of the entertainments around Washing.
Ton and Alexandra rendered it useless turn his
position il apparent that be could readily retire
10 them, and would decline engagement unless at
tackled in his Notifications further advance was
| therefore deemed unnecessary end alter Destroying
the railroad from Cub Run southWardy TO the Kappa
hammock the army returned the 18Th TO the line OF
wing tho cavalry in the pnemvia
The cavalry Of the later advanced the following
day, aud some skrmishipg occurred at Blckand Gen
er1l Stuart, with Hamptons division, retired slon ally
towards Warrenon, in order to draw the enemy IN that
direction thus exposing his Hs aud to Ger eral
Lee, who moved from Auburn and attacked him lear
auckland A sool a, General Stuart heard the SQUAD
OF Lees guns he turned upon the emy who, after
Stubborn a1ce, broke aud fled in fusion pur-
sued by General uart neady tU Haym trket, ard By
General Lee To Cal esyie. Here tie Federal infantry
was encountered alter capturing number of them
during the ngdt the cavalry slowly ret red before their
advance on the following day. When tie movement Of
the army from the R.pidad commenced, General Dbo.
den as instructed TO advance down the Valsy aud
guard The gaps OF the moulaias Lift. TINS dIty
well per Ormed by that officer and the 18Th iusr.
he marched upon Chafestowu, and succeeded by well
concerted plan in surrOuGdi tie place AID capturing
early the Whole force static led there with all their
stores aud transportation ly few escaped to HIr-
Ies Ferry. The enemy advanced from that place in
superior numbers attack General ImhodsD, who retired
bri g1g eff his prisoners aptufed properly his
m4nd suffering very little loss, aud cii Ia age
uLon the pursuing column 10 the OF the
tons two ussud four hundred ald thrtyx prisoners
captured e 436) including fory-oae comm ssoled
officers Of the above NUMBER four hundred and tairty
four $50 were taken by Gen. Imboden.
A more complete account with statement of our
loss in killed. wounded and prisoners will be forwarded
soon as the necessary official reports have been
ceved.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
K. L. Ike, General