The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-03
STUART'S FAMOUS FIRST RAID.
RICHMOND AUTHORS REMINIs-
CENCE OF THE RIDE AROUND
MCCLELLAN.
The Father Of Raids, After a Lapse of
Tweny-one Years-The Death OF Cap
tain Latanc-The Fights on the
Wayside and the Successful
Return to Richmond.

In the last number OF the Philadelphi.
Weekly Times, Captain II. +. Frayser, for
merly captain on General Stuart's staff ant
Chief Signal Officer OF The Cavalry Corps
OF the Army OF Northern Virginia, tells o.
the memorable ride OF General Stuar
around McClellan's army. an event whicl
inaugurated the system OF raids in the wal
between the States. The following art
some OF the good things told by Captain
Frayser. He says
Near dawn on Thursday the 18th day oI
June. 1862, General j. 4. b. Stuart, with
portions of the First Virginia cavalry, Col
onel Fitz. Lee: JED. Davis Legion, Col
onel W. T. Martin; Ninth Virginia caval
ry, Colonel w. L. H. Log, and two pieces
OF Stuart's Horse Artillery, started from
camp near Richmond with the intention OF
making q reconnaissance In rear OF the Fed
era army, lying at that time on both sides
OF the Chickahominy river and menacine
the Confederate capital. The White House
situated Immediately on the banks Of the
Pamunkey river, was in possession OF the
United States forces, and was held and
used as their base OF operations. This poin!
Of the Pamunkey is admirably adapted
for the purpose for which it was used
BY an examination Of a map Of the PENN
sula the reader will perceive that the dis.
tance from the White House to where the
strength OF McClellan's army lay on the
Chickahominy Is about twelve miles. IL
will also give the reader better idea as 10
the great peril in which Stuart placed him.
self after he began to penetrate the Federal
lines, almost surrounded by navigablc
rivers and IN alert enemy. The Richmond
and York River railroad passed at that
time. a. it does now, through the barrow
strip Of land lying between the Pamunkey
and Chickahominy, which afforded the
Federals all necessary transportation, but
it was not properly guarded.
AN ENCOURAGING START.
Stuart was not only brave, but full OF
sagacity and vigilance. Before leaving
camp he obtained some valuable informa-
ton from scouts regarding the position
and movements OF the enemy and with re-
spect TO the condition Of roads and fords.
Little occurred of interest on the first day
OF the march, which was bright and sunny
with the foliage OF the forest in full leaf,
and everything apparently propitious for
the expedition. The command moved on
the Brook-Church turnpike in the direc-
tion of the Rappqhannock river. Reaching
Winston's farm, near Taylorsville, the
command biyouacked for the night. Near
morning the firing Of signal rockets an
nounced the summons TO horse, and
every man was quickly in the saddle.
1t was coniectured that Stuart was en-
route to unite his forces with General Jack
son in the Valley. But this notion was
very soon dissipated by an attack on the
enemy. Friday, the second day of the
raid. opened with cloudless sky, the air
soft and balmy. and all nature lovely. I'm
approaching Hanover Courthouse it was
ascertained that il was in possession Of the
Federal cavalry. The pickets were driven
in, and without stopping to make any re-
sistance the whole force retreated on the
road leading to IIawes's shop. That daring
leader Colonel Fitz. Lee, by flank move
ment, made an effort to capture this COM
mand, but failed.
The FIRST BRUSH.
The enemy halted near Hawes's shop and
formed in line OF battle. But FitZ. Lee
very soon repulscd and scattered the Fed
erals, who fled through forest and fields
without much loss. Ii was there that l..
Heros Won Borcke, formerly in the Bran
denburgischen Dragons, Prussian army,
who had very recently arrived and was
serving as volunteer aid on General Stuarts
staff, first attracted attention by his gallant
bearing as an officer. And soon thereafter
he won the esteem OF all who witnessed his
soldierly conduct. Drawing an immense
sabre he dashed forward in the midst OF
the charge upon the enemy. Some prison
ers were captured in the skirmish, and the
Confederates FASTENED on in pursuit OF the
retreating Federals, who never halted until
after crossing the Tottapotomoi, a small
stream spanned by a bridge and within q
short distance OF Old Chuch.
SOME HARD FIGHTENG.,
Passing through a deep ravine where the
country road is narrow, with high and
precipitous banks on either side and
fringed with laurel and pine, Stuart found
massed upon the summit OF the hill
the whole OF the Federal cavalry; ii
was here lie met most determined resist
ance. \ piece OF artillery was placed in
position and the road was shelled, but this
failed in dislodging the enemy. Stuart,
desirous OF carrying this point, speedily
ordered w. III. +. Lee forward with the
Ninth. The third squadron Of this regi-
ment was composed OF the Essex Light
Dragons, Captain Latane, and the "Mer-
Ger County Cavalry," l.. Walker COM
manding. Captain Latane charged Mt the
head OF the squadron and met the advanc-
ing FederllS. As the two bodies clashed
the Federal commander shouted "Cut
and thrust" and the gallant Latane yelled
A. m 10
States Regulars fought splenGidly, but they
could not long resist the Ninth, that struck
them like thunderbot.
THE FEDERALs FORCED BACK.
In this fight the brave and deeply
lamented Captain Latane was killed while
charging fifteen PAGES in advance of his
squadron. The writer saw him after he
fell and while in the throes OF death. A
more daring and fearless spirit never drew
sabre. Captain Royal, a gallant officer on
the Federal side, was severely wounded.
The edefeatandro rout Of the enemy at this point
placed Stuart in possession OF an immense
camp. abundantly supplied with commits
sary and quarternaster stores, many OF
which were carried oil by the Confederates.
The rest. together with large number OF
superb new tents pitched in the field near
the roadside. were consumed by fire. Old
Church had now been reachedand the Fed
eral cavalry had retreated in the direction
of the Chickahominy, and Stuart had pene-
trated far into the lines Of the enemy,
where he had cause to expect most ter
rifc attack at any moment. But he was
cool and defiant.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL. RUsE.
Calling Captain Richard Z. Frayser,
General Stuart ordered him to take some
men and 90 in advance OF the column and
report any movements OF the Federals.
Retween Old Church and Tunstalps (the
latter place is situated on the York-Riyer
railroad some army wagons, loaded with
stores. were captured; also, teamsters,
horses, and mules belonging to them. As the