Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-03-20
THE EVENING STAR.
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
The Engagement with Fitzhugh Lees

=
The Ensagensnt with Fiszhugb Lees
Brigade. -
We gave yesterday An account Of a. hight bel
tween eody OF General Averiirs Federal
cavalry and the Confederates, near Kelley's
Ford, five miles atoye Falmouth, Va, On
Tuesday. A correspondent Of the New York
Tribune furnished the following additional
particulars: -.....
Arriving At the Ford .hsrtly after DAYLIGHT.
Tie advance Federal guard found it Well de.
teESed by dismounfed cavalry stlarp. shooter.
concealed in houses and behind tree. and
fences. The approaches to tie ford on both
sides were rendered inpassable by strong
2bAits, while the water was over four feet
deep. After several attempts TO cross under a
hot IRE, platoon from the LIST Rhode Island
Cavalry. led BY Lieut.. Brown. dashed II )the
stream, followed by the Ak men, who soon re-
moved the aeatiis. The gallant fellows were
met by volleys Of bullets, but so sudden and
surprising vas The movement that twenty fl We
OF The rebels were cap:ored before they could
get away.
The force Immediately followed, and the
artillery was taken over, with the ammunition
in the feed bags or the horses, carried by cayal-
~, and repacked on the other side. After
halting and resting q short time Gen. Ayerill
ordered the column forward, aud had pro-
seeded but a mile or two when Fitzhugh Lees
whole brig de had been discovered advancing
in vigorous style.
Our mep were immediately brought into
rcenion, supporting the battery, which opened
~ once, while the main body were formed for
= charge. Our men had the edge of one strip
OF woods, wkiie tsss .nemy had like position
IN their trenches opposite, with q wide and
clear field between the two.
Advancing out of this, and both forces ap-
peared IN open ground, the enemy advancing
rapidly on our right, with the intention OF turn
ing hat flank, and on our left with he pur-
pose 10 charge 1t. Both movements were an
ucipated- On our right they were speedily
repul-ed by the artillery, and on tine left by a
gallant charge under Duilie, who led that por-
ton OF the column. The rebels stood only a
moment, then turned and fled back into the
woods in disorder, leaving their killed and
wounded on the field
After reforming, General Ayerill again ad.
yanced and took up position a mile or more be.
yCnd, believing the enemy would again attack
If opportunity offered. THIS proved true and
the rebels soon advanced again, this time with
their artillery. Their cavalry came up on the
plaudits nom our men but they were met by
= terrific onsla INT from the Fifth Regulars and
Third Pennsylvania, which turned them back
IN confusion, they reireating down our line by
The flank, which enabled us to pour in tremen-
dous yolleys from our carbines, emptying
hundreds ef saddles, and completely repulsinS
the whole charging force. They did not modest
rs again, save with artillery, to which we did
not reply, being out Of AMIN uniton. General
AyeIill held his position until sundown and
then retired to the north side of the river with.
ont the loss of man.
The enemy's loss is severe reaching no
doubt 2C0, as their wounded were found every
where. Our own loss will not exceed fifty in
killed and wounded. It was a square, stand
up cavalry fight of over four hours duration,
and the result proves that our cavalry when
well handled, is equal, if not superior 10 the
enemy. In every instance they fled before the
impetucus charge of our men
The following officers were killed ard wound.
ed: Lieut. Cook, LIST Rhode Island, killed +:
Lieutenant Dorffssgo, Attn New York, MORALLY
wounded; Maj. Chamberlain, chief of General
Ayerills staff, seriously, in the face; Lieut.
Bcwditch, LIST Massachusetts, severely, in the
abdomen; Major Harrington, LIST Rhode Island,
slightly, In the neck; Capt Weichei, Sd Penn
sylyania, In the leg; Lieut. Wolf, 9th Ohio sa-
ore cut IN the head, Capt. Mcbride, 4th Penn
syiyania, not dangerously; Lieut. Thompson,
Isl Rhode Island, not seriously