Daily national Republican., 1863-07-30
THE LATE BATTLE At MANASSAS GAP.
Gallant Conduct Of the Troops
under Gen. Prince.
BRAVERY OF GEN'L- SPiNoLA
AND HIS BRIGADE.

The engagement at Manassas Gap, on the
ahh inst, was one of the most gallant of the
war. The secoud division of the Third corps
was most conspicuous in the fight, and It's new
commander, Brig. Gen. Henry Prince, won at
once the confidence Of his men by his conduct
in this affair. The enemy appeared in large
force on tho hills In the neighborhood OF the
Gap and the order was given to dislodge them.
The First division, Gen. Ward, was ordefud to
occupy the crest Of one hill, while Gen. Prince,
with his division, was to drive them from
another. Gen. Ward performed his part with
outmolestation. was forths Second division,
under Gen Prince, to drive the enemy, and he
made his dispositions accordingly. Tie ordered
| the Excelsior brigade, under command Of Gen.
Spinola to move through ravine, and there TO
take the bill by storm. The brlgadcs undor
command Of Gen, Carr and Col. Burling were
so disposed In column by division closed en-
masse, SO as to make . storning column, in
case Gen. spinola did not succeed, while at the
same time 1t diverted the attention of tho cne-
my from the roal attack. rrT'
Tho artillery opened upon the columns as
they formed without much effect. Gen. spinola
having his troops at the required place under
the personal direction Of the division COM
mander, deployed them and gave the order to
charge bayonets, and the Excelsior brigade, so
often in the thickest Of the fight, rushed On
with yell, charged up the hill amidst the fire
of artillery and musketry, with Spinola at Its
head.
| Gen Soinola nj TIM commencement of tho
charge, was wounded twice, once In the side
and in the heel. The Excelsiors wavered not,
and carried the hill, driving the enemy before
them. ..
The operations of Princes division were seer
by the general-in-chief and a large part of the
army, who were In position on the neighborine
hills. The spectacle was exceedingly dramatic
the Second division, Third corps, being ths
principal actop, and the rest Of the army, or
the surrounding hills, being the spectators.
Gen. Meade was highly pleased at the con
duet of the troops and the dispositions mad,
by the general In charge for the attack, and thu
handsome execution Of II by the brigade com
mandcrs. The Excelsior brigade, reduced IL
numbers as 1t is by many a hard fight, neve,
did better. .a
The engagement was entirely nm infautr,
fight on our part, while the enemy had artil
lery In position which opened upon our troops
with effect. Our loss in killed and wounded
was about two hundred.
The troops slept on their arms In the posi-
tion they had taken, and the next day moved
forward in pursuit of the enemy to Front Royal
but they had retired during the night, and oul
troops came back. ,.., ,....-
The following order was issued to the troops
HEApQ'Bs SECOND DIV, THIHD Army ConPs,
WARREsToE, Va, July 26, 1863. :
General Order No, 81. -
The commanding officer Of the I'd division
Sd Amy corps, congratulates the division oil
the conspicuous part which fell to 1t in tht
operations In Manassas Gap, day before yester
day and the evening previous, and desires then
to notice that this part was only secured b..
hard marching
The soldier-llke manner In which It drov,
the eneany before II, sud at the SAND time main
tained Its formation, shows that the old division
reduced to Its framework by continual service
ueeds yet to be closed up, able to act togethe
to inspire dread of the encounter. ....
The charge of the Cd (Excelsior) brigade wa
gallantly led aud manfally executed.
By command of
sr} Brigadler General hsSRY PRINCE.
ALBERT ORDwAY, lst Lieut.. A. D. c.