Year: 1863

favorable Tor sucn charge, as II wouio nav
i to be made up hill, and it was not immed
ately done. Meantime everything was 60
in readiness, and the brass band of the di


vision struck up stirring charge. In


rebels in front having apparently consider


ed their position, began to apprehend tina


between Buford and Fitzpatrick there nigh


be danger of their being cut off themselves


and retired as soon as q demonstration wa


made against them. Custer then charged


the force in the woods, on the right, driving


them gallantly before him, aud the way be


ing now clear junction was formed between


the two divisions of cavalry which took posi-


ton along the crest of the ridge this side o


Brandy, Buford having the left and Kilpat


rick the right. Here sharp fight wa:
| kept up for some time. saw Buford's di
vision form in line upon the left (wheri
the ground is fat), and charge upon the
| enemy, who received them with rapid and
CALLING fire from piece of woods IN front
Ammunition was nearly run out, and the
charge was made with drawn sabres. The
line went up in splendid style, and those
who saw the charge when they came upon
the enemy describe it as magnifcents sight
Meantime Capt. Willston's battery, which
was planted on an elevated point near
where the road from Culpepper to Kappa
hammock Station crosses the ridge above
mentioned, was doing excellent work, and
that of Captain Pennington, which was
some distance further in advance, is also
said 10 have done fine execution. After
ward Pennington's battery was moved fur
ther back, and took position short dis
tance to the right of Williston's. Including
the artillery of both divisions, We must
have had about twenty guns at work from
the Top Of the ridge at the same time
There are doubtless many details OF the
fight tn 1t | have not yet learned, but the
result WAS all that could be expected or de-
sired. The ,,nemy was repulsed, and we were
enabled get everything across the river in
safety. and with'o molestation. Had the
cavalry failed to stand their ground there,
the rear of our I'M antry might have been
put to considerable trouble in getting over
the bridges. Our loss daring the day mus
have been considerable, but that OF the
rebels was probably fully eqral; ueheral
Custer led every charge Of his brigade In





but came out unscathed himself. C0Nonei
Crocker, inspector general, on Gene'rai
Pleasanton's staff, was shot through the
thigh. but the wound was not considered
serious. DR.. Fairwood and Lieutenant
Chaffee, of the Sixth Regiment cavalry al
so on Gen. Pleasanton's staff, were wound
ed, the former through the shou lder blade
and the latter through the ankle. Captain
Crocker, of the Sixth New York cavalry,
was captured. Captain Pearce, of the 9TH
New York, was killed Sergeant Ellsworth,
of the Fifth New York, was killed. These
are all the names that have been able to
get asy yet, but will try to get list in the



1t is stated that in the charge made by
the rebels near Stevensburg, the colonel of
the Fourth Virginia Cavalry was killed,
and many more saddles emptied at the same
time. A number of prisoners were also
taken. Owing to the ambulance train of
Buford's division having been taken back
without the Generals knowledge, many OIL
the wounded were obliged to be left behind.
Only those who were able to ride on horses
could be brought away. The leaving OF
Buford beyond the Rapidaa to so late
moment was accidental. He had been or
dered across yesterday, aud at the same
time similar orders had been given to con-
force of infantry. The orders of
the latter were countermanded before being
put in execution but Buford had already
crossed before orders to the contrary could
reach him.


Two orderlies were sent after him with
directions to fall back, but neither of them
reached him, and as they have not yet
made their appearance, the probability is
that they have been captured.


1t would seem that the movement across
the river was ordered on discovering that
the rebels had withdrawn most of their
troops from behind the Notifications, and
was probably intended either as recenDoi-
sance, or as the advance of a general move
mept, as circums tance might determine.


Such movement was probably the one
intended at the time Of my first despatch
yesterday, and the change of programme
was consequent on the discovery that q
rebel force was moving upon our right. \
deserter from the Seventh Virginia Cavalry
who came into Kilpatrick's lines, near
James City, gave information that A. P.
Hills corps had been encamped at Madison
Courthouse on F.'iday, and were then Con
Sunday ID owing up toward Sperryville.-
Also, that Ewell's corps was being with
drawn from before Raccoon Ford


At this time the import of the enemy's
flank move ment is not quite understood -
1t is thought by some that they have 10
serious design Of bringing on an engageme nj
or trying another experiment of INVASION
but simply to compel US 10 fall back by
threatening our rear and that in fact the
force advancing on our right is not at al
formidable. Prisoners taken by Buiord
say that Ewslrs corps was withdrawn from
its position as early as Wednesday last. nc
the views above spoken Of are based on tn,
opinion that this corps has been withdra WI
from Lees army, and sent to some othe
point.


The way in which the funds and euer
e IL fN1--1 i