The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-06-18

va, JUNE Is. 1863.
the RApPaHAnAoCx CAvlLAY FIGHT.
CuIPrPIR G. H., June II, 1863.
To tie Editor Of tie Dsspatck
The accounts IN the Richmond papers of the
severe cavalry fight on the 9th inst, are srro.
neous In 20 many particulars that they demand
some notice. These accounts allegs that the
cavalry were surprised" Gen. Stuart out.
generated, bis headquarters fred into before
the enemy's presence was suspected, etc. All
these ktatemsnts are Oholly unfounded. Hav.
ing been present during the whole engage
msns, l have it in my power TO- state correctly
all that occurred. The actual events OF tho
day were a. follows:
About in the morning the enemy in heavy
force-mors than 10000 in number-com.
menced crossing the river at Bsveriey's, Rap
pahannock, Kelly's, and the intermediate
fords, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, with ive
days' rations, for an extensive raid, az was
subsequently aacertained upon the eommuni-
cations Of tie enemy. Brig. Gen. Jones, whose
pickets guarded Beverly's ford, moved down
70 their support, and the Stuart Horse Artil-
le<y, sommanded by Msj Bsckham, was
brought early into action, the enemy's ad.
vance being checked at st. James's Church
Subsequently, Brig Gen. w. 81. +. Lee, whose
command guarded the river bank above, moved
down with his command On the enemy's right
dank and rear, and had spirited engagement
near Cunnipgham's house, while Gen. Hamp-
toms brigade moved to the right of Jonss's IN
the extensive plain in front Of Fleetwood
heights. The enemy brought their artillery
into action in Jones's front, but it was speedi-
ly driven from tho field by rapid fire con.
centrated upon 1t by the guns Of the Horse
Artillery.
The conflict continued along this line, and
around the Hazel river, during the greater part
Of the forenoon. The enemy had posted their
infantry In the woods, and this alone prevent
ed us from completely routing their cavalry.
The latter were repeatedly driven back by
Hampton, Jones and Lee, and were compelled
to retire at all points behind their infantry
supports.
Intelligence having reached Gen. Stuart, who
commanded In person in front of Beverley 8
ford, that the enemy were crossing with infant
~ and cavalry at Kelly's ford, some miles be-
low, Brig. Gen. Robertson, whose pickets
guarded that ford, was sent with his brigade
In that direction. The enemy occupied his at
tention with considerable force in front, and
t4klOX 6UVAut3&0 Vi kAAt OAiOuu0t0uO0 A4nu0
flank movement by CarricO's mill, In the di-
recion Of fStephensbufg, moving the main body,
however, directly upon Brandy Station. This
movement was forsssen by Gen. Stuart and
provided against, by sending Buffers and
Wickham's regiments to Ssephensburg-t
movement being thus in no sense surprise,
as some Of the newspaper accounts state. A
pei this flank attack. 1t was necessary to keep
the main body Of the csvalry-threatened and
attacked at 90 many points-ia compact mass,
to be hurled upon the enemy with 0verwhelm.
ing effect, instead of frittering it away in de-
tachments to guard all the roads and passes,
upon any one of which the enemy could con.
cantrate and overwhelm 1t. The main body
was kept together under the command of Gen.
Stuart-the enemy's movement from the direc.
ton of Ssephensburg was watched, and every
precaution was taken to defeat 1t. In antici.
patton of the threatened attack all the trains
were moved back from Brandy Station ard
Fleetwood heights, where Gen. Stuart's head
q aaarters ad been on the day before no pro.
terty of any description was left, aud dis
mounted battalion was directed to move out
from Brandy Station to repel the enemy then
approaching. The failure OF the battalion to
get into position promptly alone prevented
successful rspulse at this point at the mo-
ment
When the enemy's movement in that dirsc-
lion was fully developed, first Jones's and
then Hampton's brigsdes were moved directly
toward Brandy. The advance Of the enemy's
cavalry had succeeded in reaching the heights
of Fleetwood before ours; but our cavalry
charged gallantly up the hill, and, after q Sc
we're conflict, lasting for some time, drove them
from its top and occupied this commanding po-
sition. In this hot encounter our artillery
played handsome part. Three pieces ef the
enenny's artillery tcere captu' ed and held, and
turned upon the enemy; Not one piece af our
artillery so0s captured-though At times the
eannoneers fought the cavalry which charged
them, with sword and pistol, in their defence.
In this conflict Jones's brigade occupied the
centre, moving directly upon the hill-Hamp
toms brigade, with Robertson advancing to
his support, moved more upon the ensmy's
righ flank and rear. The two former suffered
The enemy were repufsed, fed In every difec.
ton, and only escaped capture and annihila-
ton by taking to the woods and sheltering
himself behind his infantry aud artillery,
which moved quickly to HIS support One
regiment of Jones's brigade charged their
flying columns Tor some distance down the
road leading to Carrioo's Mills.
While this was going on on the right Gen.
w. H. + Lees brigade, whose position it be-
came necessary to change by this new comLi-
nation, became hotly engaged on the extreme
left with Buford's regulars This conflict tor
minated giori0usly for us. The enemy's line
was broken, and Gen Fitz Lees brigade CON-
ing in upon their flank at this fortunate mo-
msnt, the enemy were driven through the open
space by DIR. Green's entirely back to Bevsr-
ley's ford Portions Of Jones's aud Hamp-
tons brigades were moved to the support Of
Gen. w. II. F. Lees brigade during this con.
test on the Left, but did not bee ,me engaged
At Stephensburg Coils. Butler and Wickham
also had hard fighting, In which both rsyi-
msnts wers very hard pressed; but by nigh.
the entire force Of the enemy had been driven
across the river.
This battle was undoubtedly the largest end
most desperate cavalry fight OF the war. We
took in the battle pieces of rihed artillery,
with the horses stands of colors, about 600
email arms, over $50 prisoners, Including IL
otficers,l and inflicted loss In killed and
wounded upon the enemy probably about three
killed, wounded, and missing-was about $50
certainly under 400. The loss Of officers upon
both eidss was heavy, and showed the aninaus
with which the battle was fought
On the Federal side, Col. Davis, formerly of
Mississippi, and acting Brigadier- General, was
killed-one Of the best cavalry officers In the
Federal service Col Percy Wyndham re-
ported by his own men wounded, and several
fsld officers were left dead upon the field. A
Iarue number of their killed and wounded
were carried off. Among the officers whose
death we have to mourn, are Col. Sol Viii.
Nams, 2nd N. e. cavalry Lieut.. Col Frank
Hampton, 2nd 8. c., and Capt. Jones, let 8
c. Col. Batlsr, 2ad s. C., was 80 severely
foot; and Brig. Gen. w. H. #. Lee received
flesh wound In the leg, al the close OF his glo-
rious success. Col Harman, 18th Va, Capt.
White acting IN Gen Stuart'a etafY and manv