Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-02

Lieutenant Colonel. ~ a.
which he informs General Stuart Of
the movements Of Ewell, and which was
also inconsistent with his other letters
to Stuart, written about the same time
IL would be very strange, and the in
ference is irresistible that General Lees
letter of June 23d is the one to which
General Stuart refers in his report
and that he construed that letter to
mean what he there states.
That construction, however, Is not
justified by the letter itself.
General Stuarts report then proceeds
as follows: Accordingly, three days ra-
tons were prepared. and on the night or
the oath the following brigades, Hamp-
TONS FItZ Lees, and w. II. +. Lees.
rendezvoused secretly near Salem Depot.
We had no wagons or vehicles, except
six pieces Of artillery, caissons. and ambu
lances. Robertson's and Joness brigades,
under command OF the former. were left
In observation of the enemy on the usual
front, with full instructions as TO follow
ing up the enemy In case OF withdrawal,
and rojoining our main army. Brigadier-
General Fitz Lees Brigade had 10 march
from north Of Smokers Gap to the place
of rendezvous. At l o'clock at night the
brigades, with noiseless march. moved out.
This precaution was pecessary on account
OF the enemy's having possession or the
Rull-Run mountains, which In the day.
time commanded view OF every move
ment In consequence in that location.
Hancock's Corps occupied Thoroughfare
Can. Moving 70 the right, we passed
through GiasscocIs Gap without serious
difficulty, and marched for Haymarket
/ had previously sent Major Mosby. with
some picked men, through to gain the
vicinity of Dranesville, and bring In
Gnm SnTlnK.
day." You will bear in mind that Hay
market is in Prince William county east
OF the Bull-Run mountains, and that was
the first point to which General Stuart
directed his march, using Glasscock's Gap
in the mountains Glasscock's Gap being
further to the south than Hopewel) AS
we neared Haymarket We found tnat Han
cocks Corps was en- route through hay
market for Gum Springs. his infantry Wen
distributed through his trains.
Az Hancock had the right of way on my
road. I sent Fitz Lees Brigade to Gaines
Vile to reconnoitre, and devoted the re-
mainder of the day to grazing our horses,
the only forage procurable In the couh-
try The best OF our information repre-
scented the enemy still al CentreNlhe,
Union Mills, and Wolf Run shoals.
sent a dispatch 10 General Lee con-
corning Hancock's movement and moved
back to Buckland to deceive the enemy
If rained heavily that night. To carry
out my original design OF passing west
of Centreville would have involved SO
much detention on account OF the pres
ence of the enemy that j determined 10
cross Bull Run further down and pass
through Fairfax for the Potomac the
next day. The sequel shows this to have
heen she only practical course. We
marched through Brentsville. TO the VI
clnity Of Wolf Run Shoals. and had to
halt again TO Craze our horses, when
hard marching, without grain, was fast
breaking down. We met no enemy to-day |
Che 18th. On the following morning
27th), having ascertained that on the |
night previous the enemy had disappear
ed entirely from Wolf Run Shoals, a !
strongly fortified position on the Deco
quan, marched TO that point. and thence |
directly for Fairfax Station. sending !
General Fitz Lee to the right 20 cross
by Burke Station and effect a junction |
at Fairfax Courthouse. or further oil, ac- |
cording to circumstances. Reaching |
Fairfax Courthouse communication !
was received from Brigadler-General |
FItz. Lee from Anondale. at these two |
points there were evidences OF very fe- |
cent occupation. but the evidence was |
conclusive that the enemy had left this /
point entirely, the moDIlized army having /
the day previous moved over towards /
Leesburg. while the locals had retired TO /
the Notifications near Washington. l had /
not heard vet from Major Mosby. but 1
the indications favored my successful |
passage In the rear OF the enemys army.
After a halt OF few hours TO rest and |
refresh the command. which RECALLED it.
self on stores left by the enemy in the 1
place. the march was resumed at Drane5-
vile late in the afternoon. The camp
fires OF sedgwick's (Sixrh) Corps. Just
west OF the town. were still burning. II
having left that morning General
Hampton's Brigade was still In the adj
vance. and was ordered TO move directly
for Rowser's Ford on the Potomac,
Chambiiss's Brigade being nold at
Dranesvilie until Brigadier-General Fitz.
Lee could close UP. As General Hsmp- !