Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-06-25

Washington, June 70.

The rebel cavalry consisred of por
ton of Fitz Hugh Lees brigade, COM
manded by Colonel Rousseau.
The rebel force, cavalry and mounted
infantry, had come from the direction of
Smokers Gap and arrived OF Aide two
hours before our forces reached that point
The rebels getting warning Of Kilpat-
rick's approach, posted themselves IN com
manding positions, with their mounted
sharp shooters placed behind stone walls,
ready to pour a murderous fire upon our
advancing column.
Fitzpatrick charged upon the rebel adj
vance and drove them turiously through
the town. The rebels making stand on
either side where was posted rebel bat
terry of four guns, on the road to Ashby's
Gap, and rebel cavalry posted them
selves along wooded hills and stonewalls
towards Smokers Gap. Here desperate
charges were made by our own and the
rebel cavalry, alternately. and after a
fight of over three hours with varying sue
cess, the rebel force seemed to be gaining !
some advantage, when the regiment OF !
Col. Doty, which had been detached from
the division for that purpose, came up to |
the contest, and by a desperate charge |
against the rebel battery of four guns and
a regiment of mounted Mississippi infant
nv, the tide was turned in our favor and
the rebels were routed with loss, the hors
es galloping over the field riderless, and
all of the foe who had not been killed be-
ing captured.
But the victory was dearly bought by
the loss of the gallant Col Doty, who fell
MORALLY wounded.
The fight lasted four hours, and some
of the officers who participated, and who
have been in other fights, say it, was most
desperate, such cutting and slashrng with
sabres not having occurred before IN our
encounters with the rebel cavalry.
The force engaged was the advance OF
the rebel Gen Stuart's cavalry, who, it is
alleged by prisoners, was then advancing
through Aide, with the expectation OF
making new raid.
We captured over 100 rebel prisoners,
and battle flag belonging to the 9Th Va.
cavalry.
Among the killed, besides Col Doty,
were Capt G j Lammotte Of the LIST Me.
and Lieuts De Whitaker and Martlnson
of the Cd N. Y.
The fact that the fight was so desperate
is explained by the Importance of the po-
siton to be gained, i. e., the commanding
gap at Aide, in the Bull Run and Kat
tockan Ridge.
From the statement of Col Dufie it ap-
pears on Wednesday m, when General
Gregg had carried the Stonewall near AL
dies, and driven the rebel cavalry towards
Snikersville, he-Duffie-was ordered to
proceed to Middleburg, and hold that
point.
His regiment went into the eng agement
with 1856 men and "a officers, and, arrlv-
ing at Middleburg he was informed by
ladies that a torcesof rebel cavalry greatly
outnumbering his were encamped around
the town.
This was evinced by the fact that he
had dispersed brigade who opposed his
entrance, and were then making demon
STATIONS upon him from another point.
Ae was also told that the waole of Stu
arts force was in the vicinity, but that
Stuart himself had just left by another
, route to reinforce Lee, who was then fall
ing back from Aide.
. Determined to carry out his instruc-
tons, he sent back messengers to Aide
: asking for reinforcements.
. In the meantime the rebels in force at
), tackled Col Dufie at several different
e points.
= Finding himself overpowered by supe
rior numbers, and surrounded on every
Is side, Col D. attempted to cut his way bach
= towards Aide.
eel Failing in effectlng this, he turned to
= wards Thoroaghfare Gap, and proceeded
Al several miles, when he ascertained tina
Z. the gap was held by Ewell's corps, com
handing the grand centre of Lees army
and that Lee was Whereabouts in person.
70 Col Dufiie then dehled to the left, ant
Is crossed the mountain at Hope Gap, an
ID by a tortuous route succeeded in reachin
es our outposts.
.. Among the missing officers Of his CON
es mand are Lieut. Col Thompson, Maj Fan
(, rington, Captains Shortliff, Bliss, Rogers
" Allen, Chase, Gould and Wyman, Adjr
or tant Parker, Surgeon Mann, Lieutenant
lg Shprtletf, Chaddell, Paterson, Brow
he Prentiss, Parker and Ellis.
en- 1t is possible that many of the miss;n
til may have escaped and found their way
,st Gen Gregg's command by ether routes.
re, By this reconnaissance our cavalI
solved the mystery about the present loo
cation of Lee and Ewell. From til
mt source it was also ascertaiaed that Lon
is street on Wednesday, at Union, Loud'
ny county, in Bull Run Valley.
ms Advices from below say A. ?. Hi
he anvance guard, consisting of Hampton
ids Legion advanced toward Dumtries a
nd that one regiment made its appearance
we Stafford Court House.
IN Combining these facts. intelligent ofict
a draw the conclusion that Lee is advanci
! on the army of the Potomac in three c