The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-10
Correspondence Of the Western Democrat
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIR-
GINA
CULPEPER COUNTY, Va, Oct. SO. 1868.

CULPEPER COUNTY, VA, Oct. 80. 1868.
Mr.. EDITOR: On the 9th instant. Gen. Lee adj
vanced against the army of Gen. Meade. The lat
ter retreated; pursuit was made, but without sue
cess, until the Yankee forces reached the fortified
tons around Centrevile. 1t did not suit the pur-
poses or policy of Gen Lee to attack that strong
position. why the Yankee General thus al
I lowed to escape is not certainly known. The bet
ter opinion Isl that Lee did not design to bring on
a general engagement. He knew that the Yankee
army was in condition for fighting. and that a
moral victory more to be desired than one
achieved the battle field, at the sacrifice of life
and blood. In this he was not mistaken. The de-
moralization of Meade's army very great; and
but for the unfortunate attack at Bristow Station,
he would have returned to Washington ruined and
disgraced. have exerted myself to get the par
ticulars of that affair." but have been unable to as
certain to whom the blame attaches. 1t is only
known that we lost five pieces of artillery and sew
eral hundred in killed, wounded and captured, in
Guiding Gems Cook and Kirkland both wounded.
This the only serious infantry fight during the
retreat. The engagement near Auburn with Rodes'
Division was very brief and complete success on
our part.
turn now to the operations of the cavalry, by far
the most brilliant and successful Stuart has yet had.
| must necessarily be brief, and confne myself
chiefly to the commands in which your readers are
more especially interested.
On the morning of the 10th the ball opened by
Hampton's Division, commanded by Stuart in per-
son. driving in the enemy's pickets on the left.
They soon came upon the infantry supports of the
Yankee cavalry. Detachments from each COM
mand dismeunted skrmshers. They
charged the Yankees, killed and wounded many 'and
captured $50 prisoners with the loss OF only one
killed on Our side, private in the Cobb Legion.
This done chiefly by Gordon's Brigade,
sisting of the 1st, I'd, 4th and 9th n. G. Cavalry.
Companies and of the lst, from Mecklenburg
and Cabarrus, commanded by Lieuts. Morrow and
Foard' acted very gallantly and secured many of
! the prisoners We continued to drive the enemy
with great rapidty in the Direction of Culpeper c..
H. During the retreat the I'd N. G. charged the
enemy's cavalry on the pike leading to the G. H.
but owing to some false alarm about an ambuscade
failed to break them, when the 4th n. G.. was or
dered up and the enemy driven off. Here it was
that Col. Ferrebe of the 18th severely wounded
in the foot, and his command devoved upon Capt
Mitchell Here, too, fell Lieut.. Benton of the 4th,
Lieut.. Baker of the I'd, and Lieut.. Morehead of the
5th, the last MORALLY wounded.
In the meantime Fitz Lees Division had driven
the enemy on the ri ght, and all tonverged on the old
battle ground of Brandy Station, when another
fight ensued, in which whipped, capturing
400 prisoners. This mongre fight in which
parts of all commands engaged. but the Wiz
ginans bore the brunt of it, and lost heavily espe-
cially in officers.
Stuart, having thus got the enemy in full retreat
bore to the left and front with his whole command,
having only Gen. Young's Brigade IS. G.. and Ga }
to watch the rear. Near Jefferson Jones' Brigade
surprised Yankee reg ment of cavalry and cap
tured $50 prisoners At WarrentOn. GOrdon's
Brigade and two Virginia regiments under the COM
maud of Col. Funston marched to the right by Au-
burn with the purpose, it is said of making night
attack upon the enemy's trains, Catletts Sta
ton. After we had passed Auburn and were quiet
ly feeding our borses Catetts, all at
heard firing in and discovered, too late for
escape, that Meade had divided his column near
WarrentOn Ju Junction and was marching very heavy
force Of infantry, artillery and cavalry via Auburn
to intersect his main column again at Brs-
tow. They had dris en- off the Virginia Brigade of
Gen Lomax left to guard the road in our rear, and
were passing rapidly around US. Here were,
the n G.. Brigade and two Virginia Regiments,
numbering all told not thousand effective men,
completely surrounded by the whole Yankee army,
its TANKS protected by not less than II or $4,000
cavalry! Gen. Stuart admitted himself "caught'
His first idea tc make forced march and head
the enemy's converging column But he had with
him seven splendid guns and ordnance train. and
with those he could not hope to escape, and he
would consent to abandon such trophies.
Gen. Gordon proposed, with the lst n. G. to cut
the enemys column; but still the artillery would
run the risk of capture In this dilemma Stuart
bethought himself that possibly the enemy did not
know our,''fx or mstook strength. Night,
too. was beginning to spread its dark shadows over
us. He concluded to play mum. - If the Yankees
will let aione, said he II shall certainly not dis
turb them to night" He mounted his guns
high emnence to our front, commanding the road
the enemy marching The all
dismounted and led their horses into deep ravne
Immediately behind the artillery. A long line of
skirmishers thrown to the front. every road
watched and every possible approach effeetu-
ally guarded The order was, every to his
post; fires and no sleep Tonight Soon it was
whispered round that Stuart said, ''a is WE'LL" He
had captured a Yankee dispatch from the upper to
the lower column, saying 1--WE have driven Lomax
from Auburn-the way is clear. Jeb Stuart has
gone to parts unknown."C) In the meantime Gen.
S. had sent three couriers by different routes to Gen
Lee. to make their way throug as best they could
General Lee refused to believe the first. MEADE
would never dare to divide his column, nor could
Gen. Stuart be thus caught" The second dspeed
all his doubts In this situation. hungry. cold,
ous and exhausted, spent that never to be for
gotten night listening to the ceaseless Of the
artillery wagons, the tramp of cavalry, the
mands of officers and the and oaths of teams
tiers and Others At last dawn, white with frost,
broke upon but with it relief. The enemy's
column had not yet ell passed, and learned
front. Our guns moved from the crest of the
from Gen. Lee. long and anxious hour passed.
At last with the rise of the sun, the of
cannon the enemys flank. In instant
guns run back to their position, every
in his saddle; the skirmishers were ordered to
advance and open fire. The Yankees, quick as
selves, replied and in minute the whole heavens
seemed to fall with the of and artillery
But scattered skirmishers soon driven back
before the advancing lines of the enemy's infantry.
The very fields darkeneG with them and they
fast gaining the rear OF our battery and our
only road of retreat. Just then General Gordon
called for the 1st n c., and took US at the gallop to
the top of little hill, and pointing to the field be-