Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-11-10
OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE LATE
OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY OF NOR
THEN VIRGINIA.
HEADo'Rs ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
OCTOBER %, 1868.

Gen. s. Cooper, Il. d. l. General:
GENERAL-In advance OF detailed report,
have the honor to submit, for the information of
the department, the following outline of the re-
cent operations of this army:
] With tie design of bringing on an engagement
with the Federal army, which was encamped "a
round Cupeper Court House, and extending
thence to Rapldan, this army crossed that river
on the 9th instant and advanced by way OF Mad
ison Court House. Our progress was necessarily
slow, as the march was hy c,rcnitous and CON
csaied roads, in order to avoid the observation
Of the enemy.
General Fitz Lee, with his cavalry division and
detachment of Infantry, remained 9 hold our
Ines South of the Rapidan; Gen. Stuart, with
Hampton's division, moved on the right of the
column. With portion of his command he at
tackled the advance of the enemy near James City
on the 10th and drove them back towards Gull
peper. Our main body arrived near that place
or the 18th instant aud discovered that the en-
envy fad retreated towards the Rappahannock, re-
moving or destroying his stores We were com.
PEELED 10 halt during the rest of the day to pro-
vision the troops, but the cavalry, under General
Stuart, continued to press the enemy's rear guard
towards the Rappahannock. large force OF
Federal cavalry, In the meantime, had crossed
the Rapidan, after our movement begun, but
was repused by Gen. Fitz. Lee, and pursued
towards Brandy Station.
Lee united, on the afternoon Of the IIth, and, in
severe engagement, drove the enemy's cavalry
across the Rappahannock, with heavy loss.
On the morning of the 18th the army marched
in two columns. with the design OF reaching the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, north of the
river, and interrupting the retreat of the ene-
my.
After a skirmish with some of the federal Caval-
ry at JeffersontOn, we reached the RAP pshannock
at Warrenton Springs, in the afternoon, where
the passage OF the river was disputed by cavalry
and artillery. The enemy was quickly driven off
by our cavalry, aided by a small force of infan-
try and battery. Early next morning, 9th, the
march was resumed, and the tW columns united
at Warrenton in the afternoon, when another
halt was maze to supply the troops
with provisions. The enemy fell back rapidly
along the line of the railroad, and early on the
l4th the pursuit was continued, portion of the
army moving by way OF New Baltimore towards
Brlstoe Station, and the rest, accompanied by the
main body OF cavalry, proceeded to the same
point by Auburn Mills and Greenwic. Near the
former place skirmish took place between Gen
eral Ewell and the rearguard, OF the enemy,
which was forced back and rapidly pursued.
The retreat OF the enemy was conducted by
several direct roads, while our troops were COM
PEELED to march by difficult and circuitous rout-
es. We were consequently unable to nterce ~
him. Gen. Hill arrived first at Brlstoe S. alton,
where his ad9ancs consisting of two brigades be-
can.e engaged with force largely superior in
numbers. posted behind the railroa embank-
ment ne psrticulaIs OF the action have not
been officially reported, but the brigades were
repulsed with some loss, and five pieces Of art.i.
iery, with number of prisoners, captured. -,
Before the rest OF the troops could be brought
W., and the position of the enemy being asc r.
tanned, he retreated across Broad Run. The
next morning he was reported to be fortifyng be-
| You'd Bull Run, extending his line towards the
Little River Turnpike.
| The vicinity OF the entertainments around
Washington and Alexandra rendered it useless
to turn his new position, as it was apparent that
| he could readily retire to ehem, and would de-
cline an eng agement unless attacked iii his toIti-
hcatlons. A further advance was therefore aeeua
Ell unnecessary, and after destroying the rail
road from Cub RIM southwardiy to the Kappa
hammock the army returned on the 18Th to the
line OF that river, leaving the cavalry in the en-
emys' front.
| TIE eavalay of the latter advanced on the fol.
| lowing day, and some skirm shiag occprred at
Eacki nd. Gen Stuart, with HaGptoH's divis-
ION. retired slowly towards Warsenton, IN order
TO draw the enemy IN tia direetIou, thus exl Os-
ing his flank and rear to Gen. Lee, who moved
from Auburn and attacked him near auckland.
a. soon as Gen Stuart heard the sound OF Lee Is
| guns, he turned upon he enemy. who, after a
stubborn resistance broke, and fed in confusion,
aad b. Gan. Lee to Gainesville. Here, the Fed
erst infantry was encountered, and after captar-
ing number of them during the night, the cav
airy slowly retired before their advance on the
following day, WI hen the movement Of the ar
my ;ron, the Rapidan commenced, Gen. Imboden
was instructed to advance down the Valley and
guard the gaps of the mountains on our left.--
THIS duty was we'll performed by that Off ,er,
| and The 18th inst, he marched upon Charles
town, and succeeded, by we'll concerted plow
u surrounding the place and capturing nearly
the Whole terce stationed there, with all their
| stores and transportation only few escaping
to Harper's Ferry. The enemy advanced from
| that place in superior numbers to attack Gen.
| Imboden, who retired bringing off his prisoners
and captured property, his command suffering
very little loss, and infiicting some damage upon
the pursuing column. In the course of these
operations 3 ,446, prisoners were captured, in
Guiding forty one commissioned officers; Of the
above number (434) were taken by Gen. limbo
den.
more..complete account, with statement of
our loss in killed wounded and prisoners, will
be forwarded as soon as the necessary official re-
ports have been received.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
r. E. LEE, General.