New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-29
FROM THE ARMY OF TIKI
The Cavalry Expedition a 40. stsaasAas

PoIorAc, Wsrrenton Junction, April 81. 1863 }
1t was proposed during the past Winter to collect
the cavalry force of the Army OF the Potomac from
the different divisions to which they were detailed
and concentrate them under one leader. den'
Hooker, with the Napoleonis knowledge Of men
which he has shown in the selection Of subordins!es,
nominated Gen. Stonemsp for the position An officer
who, from natural aptitude ard long experience 10
the Western Territories 10 acknowledged 10 possess
no superior in the army. The design was spsediiy
carried ont. Pleasanton, Averill, Gregg, Bnioru,
with their forces, were ranged under bis command
corps generals who had aired their dignity with long
trans of body gusrds, were reduced TO ttump-taed
| potentates Of twenty; division generals were rec
morselessly curtaied to six; and brigadiers, poor
iellows were vonchsaed but three 10 act os order
| lies and run their errands.
| A review by the President was held early during
the present month of this splendid body of men, and
on the 18th inst. large portion Of them startei,
with two batteries Of artillery under Major Robert
| son, upon u secret expedition, beaming with hope,
and proud Of the magnificent organization to winch
they were attached To the regulars, Gen. Stone
man urged that they should prove the superior disc
pine :hey claimed over volunteers. To the latter,
be conceded the unsurpassed efficiency which seve-
ral OF them had attained and hoped much from their
emulation The press has properly long been silent
upon this undertaking, but Philadelphia paper
having Impatiently divuged certain of its move
meats retcence is no longer necessary. Its denite
.ubieet 10 the modification Of circumstances and OF
| information received. No wagons were used beyond
few ambulances. Pack mules carried the sup
| Plies, aud mud was no obstacle. On Thursday
Gen. Stoneman arrived at Beverley Ford, ac-
conpsnled by AyeTills Divisions; Gregg lay
behind him; Buford, with the regulars. and
Kush's Lancers WAS lower down, at Rsppahannock
Bridge, while Col Davis, with brigade, was Or
nered on Tuesday evening 10 cross at Freeman's
| Ford the following morning al daylight drive the
| THAR rire-ults. down and do tho
same from Beverley Ford, thus clearing the way
| for Averiil Gregg, and the Commanding General
Buiord was ready, at given lime, 10 effect hh own
| crossing Col. Davis commenced his march al III
p. m, brit darkness and furious raio retarded his
| object until a. III. on Wednesday. Passing Free
| mans Ford without interruption, he proceeded on
| TO Hazel River captured eight men at Milford MILLS
| Ford and then, to reach Beverley Ford made Il
flank movement OF two and half miles, with two
squadrons from the 9Th New-York sad 81 Indiana
under Major Pope, covering hs night Hank. The
latter squadron beng subsequently directed TO move
on the Ford and capture the enemy 10 their rihe-
pIts found they had escaped, and were then pushed
as administers into the woods IN the rear Inc
Rsppahaunock swelling rapidly, an order came
from Gen. Stoneman TO recfoss. Within an nour
after doing 30 the river became unfordable. by tne
uiscarriase Of an orderly, the diminishing squad
ron of the 81 Indiana retired too late, aud Lost
a Lieutenant, with 10 men, a. prisoners. During
a lull of the subsequent series OF storms, Col Da'
vie moved his brigade TO Liberty, thence 20 Wafer
loo and secuted the country 10 Hazel River LiItle
Washington, Orleans and SALEM killing OF tue
enemy, woundiDg 8, capturing u, with an officer
and so horses and losing himrelf but ole Iisnten-
Il ant. slightly worrCed Previous 10 bis march on
! tuesday, he had detached two squadrons Of the
18Th Illinois, uEdes Capt. Farnswortb, TO Warenton
and White Sulphur Springs. They drove com
psny Of the 4th Virginia from the former place,
killing. wounding and capturing III. The Let Rhode
fslsud rendered gallant aud effective service with
the other regiments under Col. Davis, and the con-
duct Of the whole brigade received high commenda-
ton. ANY crossing OF the Raj pahannock has sinco
be EN- utterly OUT Of the question
| Even the email creeks throughout the neghbor-
hood have been nj tunes too swollen for passage,
and communication could only be Kept open by
,winminR After waiting at various points for an
Abatement Of tho waters, we arrived here, By way
of Warrsnton on the 22d inst, for supplies. which,
through the timely disposition OF the General and
hi, Qnartermaster and Commissary, Lieut.-Cos.
ssvtelle and Austin, met Us at the moment Of ar
rival Such puncIuality has been hitherto almost I'M
heard Of but constant practice has rendered every
department Of the army now comparatively perfect
IN its details.
We shall doubtless move at the earliest practicable
moment, but probably with new plans. TIE enemy
have become aware Of our proximity, have changed
their positions and prepared q reception. lnforma-
ton received here is naturally more to DO trusted
than that gained at Falmouth. IL is 20 be hoped,
therefore, that Gen. Stoneman VIII be allowed 10
nee his own Judgment, and not be fetlered with
orders Dasely solely upon adyices received in that
peiphborhOOd. Those acquainted with the manage
ment of large armies are aware that Generals often
receive orders based upon supposltons contrary Ia
their positive know ledge, ana much dsasler ensues
We have already verified the detective information
sometimes obtained at Falmouth Fitzhuyh Leo
was supposed there TO have been at Culpepper
Court II ouse. On the contrary, We iud he was far
TO the north in Loudon County. Had we known
this, timely dispositions would have been made 20
catch him. He quickly crossed the RaprahAunock
at point far above aud ID now to the south Of us
/ "reliable gentleman, Of great intelligence aud
respectability, has lately arrived within our lnes
lie estimates the Confederate army, with it's new
conscriptiOns, at 100000 men, and considers the
force near Fredericksburg still very formidable
| confirming the balloon reconnOssanoes VI thirty
miles OF camps along the railroad between that
| place and Richmond. D..