Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-06-13
ARMY OFTIHE POTOMAC.
4 DESPERATE HAND TO HAND EN-
COUNTER.
TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER OF THE REBELS.
A REBEL RAID FRUSTRATED.

WASHINGTON, June 10.
The fight between General Peasonton and
General Stuart, yesterday was very bril-
liant affair. Our men crossed the Kappa
hammock and made an attack, driving the
rebels from their entertainments, with Il
large number of killed and wounded. We
took a large number of prisoners, but the
number is unknown.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
WASHINGTON, June 10.-From an Officer
who participated in the fight yesterday
morning, we learn that two hrgades of
PleasantOn'S cavalry, under command of
Gen. Bulord, made Il reconnaissance to Cul-
pepper and had one of the most obstinate
cavalry fights that has occurred during the
war
The force was composed of Gen. Buford's
brigade and another cavalry brigade under
Col. Davis, supported by two batteries and
two regiments Of infantry.
At half past l2 o'clock on Monday night
the cavalry bivouacked near Beverly Ford.
on the banks of the river At the next
morning the men were called, and they
crossed the river. Beyond the ford was u
scmi-circlc belt of woods with Il range Of
ritle-pits near the edge of the Gmbcrs. and
II line of pckcts guarded the ford and the
southern bank of the river.
The Sth New York cavalry crossed first,
and drove the pickcts back to the rifle pits.
The cavalry then charged directly through
the rifle pits, and after desperate combat
cleared the woods, the enemy falling back
on their artillery and maintaining their posi-
ton until twelve O'clock when our artillery
came up, and they were driven back six
miles in the direction of Culpcppcr when
~, H.,
Nearly all the fighting was done 10y the
cavalry, and it was of the bloodicst character
mostly hand to hand with sabre and pis-
tol.
In the woods the heavy timber was not
very dense, so that the horses could advance
through it. but the undcfgf0wth was thick
and when Il trooper dropped he was entirely
concealed.
Our loss was considerable, and the slaugh
ter of the rebels was fearful The mum! crs
of casualties on both sides are not yet re-
ported.
BY this sudden and brilliant dash of our
cavalry into the enemy's lines their plans
haye been frustrated, and the intended raid
by Stuarts cavalry prevented,
STILL LATER.
NEW YoRK, June 10.
The Times Of tins city received the follow
ing special:
BEvERLys FoRD, June 0.-Gcn. Plcasan-
ton at daylight this morning crossed the
river in two columns, his right at Beverly
Ford and left at Kelly's Ford, six miles
below. The tords were captured without
loss.
This ford was taken by a spirited dash of
the Sth Illinois cavalry and Sth Illinois and
Sth New York infantry, and we were on the
south side Of the stream before the enemy
were aware of our movement.
Gen. Gregg took Kelly Ford after slight
skirmish.
The right column under Gen. Btifdrd had
proceeded only Il mile from the river, when
1t came upon Gen. Jones whole rebel bri-
gade, who had just shaken themselves out
of a sleep i'll time to receive us.
fight commenced which continued from
3 A. NJ. until r. NJ, by which time the
entire force of Gen. Stuart, consisting, ac-
cording to papers found in camp, of $4,000
cavalry and lG pieces of artillery, had been
engaged and driven back three miles on the
right and five miles on the left with heavy
loss.
Our forces formed junction near Beverly
Station at . o'clock. The fighting of both
columns, under Buford and Gregg. was very
gallant, not single instance of misbehavior
occurring.
The grandest charge was made by the
sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, supported by
the Sixth regulars, when they dashed on Il
whole brigade of the enemy and were taken
in the flank by another brigade. Though
thoroughly overpowercd, they gallantly cut
their way out
We captured two hundred prisoners and
stand of colors. The enemy had five large
brigades under command of Gen. FitLhugh
Lee and Others, with sixteen pieces OF ar
tillery under Maj, Beakham. They had
been reviewed previously by General Lee,
and were under orders for a grand raid into
Pennsylvania TO morrow "wednesday morn
ing,
Important papers were captured IN the
camp OF Jones brigade, showing the strength
of the whole force and its intentions. Oar
forces returned almost unmolcstcd 10 this
side of the river. During the afternoon We
LOST several valuable officers.
The loss Of the enemy In killed aud wound
ed and prisoners far exceeds our own. We
got two or three OF their brigades under the
hre Of our artillery with shell Of short fuses
and tore them ANnllN