The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-19

and tell back rapidly, They were in a
bad predicament-tor Gregg was almost
directly in their rear, Russell was on their
right flank and Buford or their front.
They therefore made q nusty retreat,
abandoning their old camp Entirely, part
of which we had already occupied, and
two regiments were very near being cut
off, as Fitzpatrick moved off toward the
right, to make connection with Buford
They had but & narrow STRIP q land not
covered by cur force, through which to
escape.
General Pleasantons headquarters were
moved forward where the reoel command
er's had been, ana the lines of the two col
umns were soon connected.
General Gregg reported that his two
brigades, under Fitzpatrick and Wyndham,
had been hotly engaged all the morning,
but had driven the enemy uniformly from
the river back to B.andy Station. Our
troops, especially t First New Jersey.
First Maine and ii'anth New York fought
most gallantly, and repulsed the enemy in
repeated charges, though losing heavily
themselves. The artillery with General
Gregg also suffered considerably, and the
Sixth New York battery was almost total
ly disabled. 1t did excellent service, how
ever. In the charge by General Gregg's
column stand OF colors and over one
hundred and fifty prisoners were taken.
Colonel Wyndham's brigade captured the
heights commanding Brandy Station, and
there discovered rebel infantry brought up
by the cars. 4 portion of it drew up and
fired volley at our cavalry. Another
correspondent will give you further par
ticulars about the gallant fighting of this
column. Colonel Wyndham was shot
through the calf Of the leg by a BUSH
whacker, but his wound is not serious, and
he still keeps the saddle.
The fact that the enemy were now fall
ing back upon strong infantry supports,
and we being already numerically inferior
to them, induced Gen. PleasantOn to con-
suit with his subordinates, and it having
been left discretionary with the former
to advance or return, it was finally deemed
prudent to return, and at six O'Clock our
forces began to tall back. The enemy
WAS not inclired q - k Z FIGHT - on ;he
return, and, save some slight skirlnishing,
we were not mOleSted.
BY dark our forces were all over the
river, and the wounded of ButOrd's divis-
ion all loaded in the cars and on the way
to Washington. The loss in his division is
about one hundred and eighty, and in
Gregg's about the same. The rebel pris-
Oners report their loss as heavier than ever
before, and express admiration of the gal
lantry of our cavalry. The total number
of prisoners taken is about two hundred
and twenty-five, and we lost about fifty.
AN INTERCEPTED LETTER.
Though our force was not large enough
to thoroughly defeat the rebels, yet they
received a sound thrashing, and it will re-
suit in postponing their "grand raids 4"
into the North for some time, if not indef-
ini.ely for, besides chastising them, we
have gained full information of their
strength, character and designs. Witness
the following letter captured on the battle |
field, which have copied from the orisi- |
nal rerbotim:
CAMP NEAR BRANDETH STATION, !
CULPE.PER COURT lIoUSE, JuneS 8, '63J
DEAR Brother: We have made another
change of base. We left Dayton one week ago
to-day, and after five days Of marching we en-
reviews of five brigadcs ofcavalry, about twelve
thousand in number, under General Stuart
The first took place Oh Saturday, when we
were inspected by Stuart; and have just now
returned from the second, when we were in
>pectcd by Leltenat- General Robert Z. Lee in
person. He was a fine-loOking man, but very
gray haired. We are now in Il battery number
ing about sixteen pieces, under the command
Of Ma Or Beckham. LOngstrcets division pass
ed lis on Saturday The Wise artillery was
along You can look out for some small fight
ing before week. We are row about two
miles from the Rappahannock, at Beverly's
Ford l expect, from the preparations that is
being made, that we are going to make grand
raid toward the Potomac, as soon rs the valley
is cleared.
You must excuse the shOrtness of this letter,
Is have just returned from the review, and |
feel tired from riding much. Direct your
letter to CherOs battery, Jones cavalry brig
,de.
Please write Immediately, rs we may leave in
/ couple of days.
Your atfectOnatc brother. }. VI. ID.