Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-07-16
Correspondence of the New York Herald
sEss from Gen. Meade's Headquarters.

/
July 9, 1868
Yesterday engagement was had at Boonsboro be
tween CUR cavalry, under Generals Buford and Ill
tiricii, and the commands OF Generals Stuart, Hamp
ton AID Jones, together with division of infantry.
General hUpatrick's division encamped in the
mediate vicinity Of the town GeGeral Buford, who
~as posted about two miles in advance was attacked
lr the enemy, about eleven O'Clock in the morning.
- neral Fitzpatrick Immediately moved out to the front
relieving the bgigades Of Merritt and Devin engaged
.a rebels.
Oar horse artillery was planted upon every COM
.4udiUg position, and was served with great tfec-
g6uess.
The enemys infantry pressed our lines so closely that
- were compelled to fa back, though the retrograde
a.vlment made very slowly disputing the ground
&, by inch. Our cavalry repeatedly charged the enc
breaking his line and routing bis cavalry but the
l infantry press so hard that it at length de-
mined 10 tall back upon BoonsboFo'.
About night the Third division of the Eleventh
WE'D when our cavalry dashed impetuously upon the
..omy driving him three miles.
our loss Is tTitiing Lieut.. Michel0mski's battery
H. First United States artillery, had four pieces dis
slei and scveraI men wounded. There were no other
Isualties Of Importance.
The movement on the part Of the enemy seems to
lave been reconnaissance in force for the purpose OF
.eeing our position. a large group of oficers-sup-
posed to be composed Of General Lee and staf-was
posted upon a hi from which point they were watch
x movements with field glasses.
The skrmshing did not cease until O'Clock, and in
sew OF the amount of ammunition expended and the
2aated charges of cavalry, it is remarkable that
'le casualties are so Insignificant.
TO day Gen. Fitzpatrick was confined TO his bed by
ere indspOstiOn, but it is believed that his illness
~ Il uot long detaiE him from bis command
itn. BuOrd moved out tO-nig ht with bis division,
I'D Is pushing the enemy toward HagerstoWn. The
usmy occupies HagerstOWD with his front extending
tom Bakersvile to Fuukstown and thence around Ha-
g-rstOwn at distance of from three to five miles
None OF their forces in the neghborhood Of Sharps
aFg or SAepherdStOWn. The rope ferry at the latter
race has been destroyed and the only means of
in the possession of the enemy at Williamsport
rlortunatcy, tie rebels found large amount of lum
at the latter PjaCe with which they built fat boats
they are ttTried by means of ropes stretched
shore 10 shore. 1t is reported that the enemy has
yontOoU bridge near Wiliiamsport but from all that
be learned it is believed that this structure has beer
dared unavailable by high water.
Lee Is sending to the Virginia shore his wound
and his supply trains, but troops have yet cross
80 Ammunition is being hurried over to the Mary
I'D shore and there is every Indication that Lee in
,.ld5 10 give Us battle at HGTerstOWn His position
excellent one, and affords better opportunities fol
e.eusi.e operations than that occupied by us at Get
tsburg.
Oar army is rapidly recovering from the fatigue o
battles at Gettysburg, aud Is eager to renew TIT
Engagement. New shoes nave been distributed, fresl
horses for the artillery have arrived and every one
the best OF spirits.
To-day fifty additional surgeons arrived from Wash
agton to supply the vacancies Occasoned by the Quite
ny regimental surgeons in the Gettysburg hospi
lis.
i severe battle is expected to take place this week
The river Is still high that Lee cannot cross wit
army and It's destruction daily certain
i are confident Of success.
General Humphreys has been appointed Chief c
Staf at these quarters. The appointment meets Wit
Universal approval.
Capt. j. Is. Howard, Assistant Quartermaster a
e&dquarters, has been appointed Chief Quartermaste
# the Third Corps. Capt. Howard has served upo
lie staff OF Generals Mcclellan, Burnside ard Hooker
nd owes his present position solely to the energy
-lelity with which he discharged his duties.
An idea may be formed Of the severe character OF t.
y4lry engagements from the fact that since Gen XII
patrick assumed command Of the division, ten day
nce his casualties have been sixtysix commissions
ocers and one thousand and se7entyeight men killed
wounded and missing