Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-03

tho way Of Cashtown, guarded by Gen. Imboden. In
passing through the mountains in advance Of tho col
umn the great length Of the trains exposed them to at
tack by the enemys cavalry which captured number
of wagons and ambuances; but they succoeded in
reaching Williamsport,witbOu serious loss.
They vere attackcdpt that place the III by the
enen1ts eavslry, which salauty repulsed by Ger
Imboden. Toe attacking force subsequently en-
counered and driven off by Gen. Stuart, and plrsJ
for several miles In the direction of Boonsboro. The
army after an arduous march, rendered mora difficult
by the rains reached HsgerstoWn on the afternoon Of
the b and morning Of the 7th July -.tt i
Tue Potomac Eas found TO be 30 much swollen by the
rains that had fallen almost necessarily since our en-
trance into MARYLAND as TO be unfordable Our com
municaions with the south side thus interrupted
and It was difficult procure either ammunition or sub
sistence thu latter cuty be ng enbancedb by the high
waters impeding the working of neghborrg mills The
trims with the wounded and prisoners were compelled
10 await at Wlamsport the subsding Of the river and
the construction of boats the pontoon bridge left at
Falling Waters had been partially destroyed The enc
my had not yet made his appearance; but az he was in
condition to obtain large achievements, and our stu
alton for the reasons above mentioned, was becoming
daily embarrassing il was deemed advisable to re-
cross To river. Part OF the pontoon bridge was re
cove ed and new boats built so that by the 18th a
goSd bridge was thrown over tao river at Falling
Waters. ~
The enemy In force reached our front the 18th
position had been previously selected TO cover the
Potomac from Willsmsport - Falling Waters, aud an
attack awaited during that and the succeeding d W.
This did not take place. though the two armies were IN
close proximity the enemy being occupied in fortyipg
his own lines Oar preparations being completed and
the river though still deep, being pronounced fordable
the army commenced 10 withdraw TO the south side on
the night of the 18th. tr..
Ewes corps forded the river at Williamsport those
Of Longsreet and Hill crossed upon the bridge. Owing
10 the condition Of the road, the troops NOT reach
the bridge until after daylight the lPh, and the
crossing was complete until p M when the bridge
was removed The enemy offered no serious Interrupt
ton, aud the movement was attended With no loss OF
material except few dis lbed wagons and two pieces
of artillery, which the horses we're unable to move
through the deep mud Before fresh horses could he
sent back for them the of the column had passed
During the slow aud tedious march to the bridge, in
the midst Of violent storm Of rain, some OF tho men
lay down by the way to res'. Officers sent back for
them sled to fud many in the obscurity Ct the night.
and these, with straggrs fell into the hands Of
the enemy.
Big Gen. PettgreN was MORALLY wounded in at
tack made by small body of cavalry, which was I'M
fortunately mistaken for our OWn and permit ed TO en-
ter our lines. He brought 20 Bunker Hill, where
he expired in few DAYS afterahrd. He brave and
accomplished officer and gentleman, aud his loss will be
deeply felt by the country and the army
The foil owing day the army marched TO Bunker Hill
n the vicinity Of which it encamped for several days
Inc uaY 81 eE It's ARRIVAL large rec Nl tne
cavalry which had crossed the Potomac at Harpet Fer
ry advanced yards Hartinsburg. 1t attacked bt
Gen. Etz Lee, near Kearneysvile, and defeated With
heavy loss leaving its dead and many Of its wounded
on the fed.
Owing 10 the swollen condition OF the Shenandoah
river the plan OF operations which had be IN OOnemT
plated when recrossed the Potomac could not be put
in execution aud before the waters had subsded the
m of the enemy induced me 10 cross the Blue
Ridge and take position south Of The RAPplhADnock
which WAS accordingly done.
As 80 as the reports of the commanding officers
shall be received det Tiled OF these rpe
RATING will be Ven and occasion will then he taken 70
speak more particularly Of the conspicuous gillantry
aud good conduct OF both officers and men.
Il il not ye: in my power to give corr o. statement
of our casualties, which severe, including many
brave men, and unusual proportion Of disting ushed
aud valuable officers. Among item, regret 10 mention
the following general officers: Major Generals bod
Fender aud T.imble severely, and Major General Hetn
slightly wounded.
Gem Pend.r has aince died. This lamented officer
has borne dtstngushCd part in every engagement of
this army andwas wounded on several OCCASIONS while
Leading his command with conspicuous gsllantry and
ability The confidence and admiration inspired by Is
courage and capacity a. al officer HeA OILY eqt Had
by the esteem aud respect entertained by all with whom
Lv was Cd for TIA noble quail es OF his modest
and unassuming character Brig. Gems DArksd'le and
Garnett wore kiled, and Brig Gen Srmmes MORALLY
wounded while leading their troops w41 the cour 60
that always distinguished them These brave officers
aud pa roc gentlemen tell in the faithful discharge oil
duty, leaving the army their loss and emulate
their noble examples.
Big Gems ,Kcmper, Armistead, Scales, g. T. Ander-
son, Hampton, J. H. Jones aud Jenkins were also
wounded. Brig. Gen. Archer taken prisoner
GEN Pettigre~, though wounded at Gettysburg, con-
tuued in command until lac MORALLY wounded near
Falling Waters.
Tue loss of the enemy il unknOTn, but from obser-
walton on the field and his Subsequent movements it's
supposed that he suffered severely.
.r Respectfully submitted,
(Sigaed) X. +. LKE, GelSl.