General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector Gen eral: cept several stables in the immediate neighbor- port, and recrossed at White's Ford, making the hood of the dépôt and warehouses. After these entire circuit, cutting the enemy's communicabuildings were enveloped in flames, our rebel tion, destroying arms, etc., and obtaining many R. E. LEE, visitors departed in the direction of Gettysburgh. recruits. There was not a farmer within miles of their course that they did not visit, robbing every farmer of all his horses. The horses they took from our county, the property they destroyed, and buildings they burned, we think can reasonably be estimated at two hundred and fifty thousand. We conversed with two or three of them upon the street, and they candidly acknowledged that Lincoln's last proclamation was more to be dreaded by them than any other steps yet taken by our Government. Several of them are men of education, and converse freely upon the great issue involved in the war. We have now forces enough to give them an unpleasant reception. Should they retreat this way we think none could escape to tell the tale. E. S. W. QUARTERMASTER ASHMEAD'S LETTER. CHAMBERSBURGH, October 14. To the Editor of the Philadelphia Press: From the time I got word that the rebels were Acting Assistant-Quartermaster. REBEL REPORTS AND NARRATIVES GENERAL LEE'S DESPATCHES AND ORDERS. GENERAL: In forwarding the report of MajorGen. Stuart of his expedition into Pennsylvania, I take occasion to express to the Department my sense of the boldness, judgment, and prudence he displayed in its execution, and cordially join with him in his commendations of the conduct and endurance of the brave men he commanded. To his skill and their fortitude, under the guidance of an overruling providence, is their success due. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, GENERAL: An expedition into Maryland with Any other damage that you can inflict upon the enemy or his means of transportation you will also execute. You are desired to gain all information of the position, force, and probable intention of the enemy which you can; and in your progress into Pennsylvania you will take measures to inform yourself of the various routes that you may take on your return to Virginia. To keep your movement secret, it will be necessary for you to arrest all citizens that may give information to the enemy, and should you meet with citizens of Pennsylvania holding State or Government offices, it will be desirable, if convenient, to bring them with you, that they may be used as hostages, or the means of exchanges for our own citizens that have been carried off by the enemy. Such persons will, of course, be treated with all the respect and consideration that circumstances will admit. Should it be in your power to supply yourself with horses, or other necessary articles on the Hon. G. W. Randolph : list of legal captured, you are authorized to do so. The cavalry expedition to Pennsylvania has Having accomplished your errand, you will rereturned safe. They passed through Mercers join the army as soon as practicable. Reliance burgh, Chambersburgh, Emmitsburgh, Liberty, is placed upon your skill and judgment in the New-Market, Hyattstown, and Barnesville. The successful execution of this plan, and it is not expedition crossed the Potomac above Williams-intended or desired that you should jeopardize the safety of your command, or go farther than your good judgment or prudence may dictate. Col. Imboden has been desired to attract the attention of the enemy toward Cumberland, so that the river between that point and where you may recross may be less guarded. You will, of course, keep out your scouts, to give you information, and take every other precaution to secure the success and safety of the expedition. Should you be led so far east as to make it better, in your opinion, to continue around to the Potomac, you will have to cross the river in the vicinity of Leesburgh. man linking so as to lead three horses, the led horses being habitually in the centre of the brigade, and the remaining two thirds will keep, at all times, prepared for action. The attack, when made, must be vigorous and overwhelming, giving the enemy no time to reconnoitre or consider any thing, except his best means of flight. All persons found in transit must be detained, subject to the orders of division provost-marshal, to prevent information reaching the enemy. As a measure of justice to our many good citizens, who, without crime, have been taken from their homes and kept by the enemy in prisI am, with great respect, your obedient servant, on, all public functionaries, such as magistrates, R. E. LEE, postmasters, sheriffs, etc., will be seized as prisGeneral. oners. They will be kindly treated, and kept as hostages for our own. No straggling from the route of march or bivouac for the purpose of obtaining provisions, etc., will be permitted in any case, the commissaries and quartermasters being required to obtain and furnish all such supplies in bulk as may be necessary. Official-R. H. CHILTON, " A. A. General. October 9, 1862. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, } SOLDIERS: You are about to engage in an enterprise which, to insure success, imperatively demands at your hands, coolness, decision, and bravery implicit obedience to orders, without question or cavil, and the strictest order and sobriety on the march and in bivouac. The destination and extent of this expedition had better be kept to myself than known to you. Suffice it to say, that with the hearty coöperation of officers and men, I have not a doubt of its success a success which will reflect credit in the highest degree upon your arms. The orders which are herewith published for your government are absolutely necessary, and must be rigidly enforced. ORDERS NO. 13: J. E. B. STUART, October 9, 1862. During the expedition into the enemy's country, on which this command is about to engage, brigade commanders will make arrangements for seizing horses, the property of citizens of the United States, and all other property subject to legal capture, provided that in no case will any species of property be taken except by authority given in person or in writing of the commander of brigade, regiment, or captain of a company in the absence of his superior officers. In all cases, a simple receipt will be given to the effect that the article is seized for the use of the confederate States, giving place, date, and name of owners, in order to enable the individual to have recourse upon his Government for damages. Individual plunder for private use is positively forbidden, and every instance must be punished in the severest manner, for an army of plunderers consummates its own destruction. The capture of any thing will not give the captor any individual claim, and all horses and equipments will be kept to be apportioned upon the return of the expedition, through the entire division. Brigade commanders will arrange to have one third of their respective commands engaged in leading horses, provided enough can be procured, each So much of this order as authorizes seizures of persons and property, will not take effect until the command crosses the Pennsylvania line. The utmost activity is enjoined upon the detachments procuring horses, and unceasing vigilance upon the entire command. Major J. P. W. Hairston is hereby appointed R. CHANNING PRICE, J. E. B. STUART. First Lieutenant and A. D. C. Col. R. H. Chilton, A. A. General Army North- COLONEL I have the honor to report that on the ninth instant, in compliance with instructions from the commanding general army Northern Virginia, I proceeded on an expedition into Pennsylvania, with a cavalry force of one thousand eight hundred men and four pieces of horse-artillery, under command of Brig.-Gen. Hampton and Colonels W. H. F. Lee and Jones. This force rendezvoused at Darksville at twelve M., and marched thence to the vicinity of Hedgesville, where it camped for the night. At daylight next morning (October tenth) I crossed the Potomac at McCoy's (between Williamsport and Hancock) with some little opposition, capturing some two or three horses of the enemy's pickets. We were told here by citizens that a large force had been camped the night before at Clearspring, and were supposed to be en route to Cumberland. We proceeded northward until we bad reached the turnpike leading from Hagerstown to Hancock, (known as the National Road.) Here a signal station on the mountain, and most of the party, with their flags and apparatus, were surprised and captured, and also eight or ten prisoners of war, from whom, as well as from citizens, I found that the large force alluded to had crossed but an hour ahead of me toward Cumberland, and con sisted of six regiments of Ohio troops and two batteries, under Gen. Cox, and were en route via Cumberland for the Kanawha. I sent back this intelligence at once to the Commanding General. Striking directly across the National road, I proceeded in the direction of Mercersburgh, Pennsylvania, which point was reached about twelve M. I was extremely anxious to reach Hagerstown, where large supplies were stored; but was satis-at daylight Hyattstown, on McClellan's line of fied from reliable information that the notice the enemy had of my approach and the proximity of his forces, would enable him to prevent my capturing it. I therefore turned toward Chambersburgh. I did not reach this point till after dark, in a rain. I did not deem it safe to defer the attack till morning, nor was it proper to attack a place full of women and children without summoning it first to surrender. cers) to the commander of the scout, which satisfied me that our whereabouts was still a problem to the enemy. Before reaching Frederick I crossed the Monocacy, continued the march through the night, via Liberty, New-Market, Monrovia, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where we cut the telegraphwires and obstructed the railroad. We reached wagon communication with Washington, but we found only a few wagons to capture, and we pushed on to Barnsville, which we found just vacated by a company of the enemy's cavalry. We had here corroborated what we had heard before, that Stoneman had between four and five thousand troops about Poolesville and guarding the river fords. I started directly for Poolesville, but instead of marching upon that point avoided it by a march through the woods, leaving it two or three miles to my left, and getting into the road from Poolesville to the mouth of the Monocacy. Guarding well my flanks and rear, I pushed boldly forward, meeting the head of the enemy's column going toward Poolesville. I accordingly sent in a flag of truce, and found no military or civil authority in the place; but some prominent citizens who met the officer were notified that the place would be occupied, and if any resistance were made the place would be shelled in three minutes. Brig.-General Wade Hampton's command being in advance, took pos- I ordered the charge, which was responded to session of the place, and I appointed him military in handsome style by the advance squadron (Irygovernor of the city. No incidents occurred dur- | ing's) of Lee's brigade, which drove back the eneing the night, during which it rained continuously. my's cavalry upon the column of infantry advancThe officials all fled the town on our approach, ing to occupy the crest from which the cavalry and no one could be found who would admit that were driven. Quick as thought Lee's sharp-shoothe held office in the place. About two hundred ers sprang to the ground, and, engaging the inand seventy-five sick and wounded in hospital fantry skirmishers, held them in check till the arwere paroled. During the day a large number of tillery in advance came up, which, under the galhorses of citizens were seized and brought along.lant Pelham, drove back the enemy's force to his The wires were cut, and railroads were obstructed. batteries beyond the Monocacy, between which Next morning it was ascertained that a large num- and our solitary gun quite a spirited fire continued ber of small arms and munitions of war were for some time. This answered, in connection with stored about the railroad buildings, all of which the high crest occupied by our piece, to screen that could not be easily brought away were de- entirely my real movement quickly to the left, stroyed-consisting of about five thousand new making a bold and rapid strike for White's Ford, muskets, pistols, sabres, ammunition, also a large to make my way across before the enemy at Poolesassortment of army clothing. The extensive ma-ville and Monocacy could be aware of my design. chine-shops and dépôt buildings of the railroad Although delayed somewhat by about two hunand several trains of loaded cars were entirely dred infantry, strongly posted in the cliffs over destroyed. the ford, yet they yielded to the moral effect of a few shells before engaging our sharp-shooters, and the crossing of the canal (now dry) and river was effected with all the precision of passing a defile on drill. From Chambersbugh I decided, after mature consideration, to strike for the vicinity of Leesburgh as the best route of return, particularly as Cox's command would have rendered the direction of Cumberland, full of mountain gorges, particu- A section of artillery being sent with the adlarly hazardous. The route selected was through vance and placed in position on the Loudon side, an open country. Of course I left nothing undone another piece on the Maryland height, while Pelto prevent the inhabitants from detecting my real ham continued to occupy the attention of the eneroute and object. I started directly towards Get- my with the other, withdrawing from position to tysburgh, but having passed the Blue Ridge, position until his piece was ordered to cross. The turned back towards Hagerstown for six or eight enemy was marching from Poolesville in the mean miles, and then crossed to Maryland by Emmetts-time, but came up in line of battle on the Maryburgh, when, as we passed, we were hailed by land bank only to receive a thundering salutation, the inhabitants with the most enthusiastic demon- with evident effect from our guns on this side. strations of joy. A scouting-party of one hun-I lost not a man killed on the expedition, and dred and fifty lancers had just passed toward only a few slight wounds. The enemy's loss is Gettysburgh, and I regret exceedingly that my march did not admit of the delay necessary to catch them. Taking the road toward Frederick, we intercepted despatches from Col. Rush (Lan not known, but Pelham's one gun compelled the enemy's battery to change its position three times. The remainder of the march was destitute of interest. The conduct of the command and their behavior toward the inhabitants is worthy of the highest praise; a few individual cases only were exceptions in this particular. Brig. Gen. Hampton and Colonels Lee, Jones, Wickham, and Butler, and the officers and men under their command, are entitled to my lasting gratitude for their coolness in danger and cheerful obedience to orders. Unoffending persons were treated with civility, and the inhabitants were generous in proffers of provisions on the march. We seized and brought over a large number of horses, the property of citizens of the United States. The valuable information obtained in this reconnoissance as to the distribution of the enemy's force was communicated orally to the Commanding General, and need not here be repeated. A number of public functionaries and prominent citizens were taken captives and brought over as hostages for our own unoffending citizens whom the enemy has torn from their homes and confined in dungeons in the North. One or two of my men lost their way, and are probably in the hands of the enemy. The results of this expedition in a moral and political point of view can hardly be estimated, and the consternation among property-holders in Pennsylvania beggars description. I am especially indebted to Capt. B. S. White, South-Carolina cavalry, and to Mr. and Mr. whose skilful guidance was of immense service to me. My staff are entitled to my thanks for untiring energy in the discharge of their duties. I enclose a map of the expedition, drawn by Captain W. W. Blackford, to accompany this report. Also, a copy of orders enforced during the march. Believing that the hand of God was clearly manifested in the signal deliverance of my command from danger, and the crowning success at tending it, I ascribe to Him the praise, the honor, and the glory. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, J. E. B. STUART, Major-General Commanding Cavalry. Upon this line the main body of the army with all its trains was moved, Heintzelman's corps crossing the Chickahominy at Jones's Bridge, and covering by its march the movement of the main column. The passage of the Lower Chickahominy was effected by means of a batteau bridge two thousand feet in length. The transfer of the army to Yorktown was completed by the nineteenth of August. The embarkation of the troops and material at Yorktown and Fortress Monroe was at once commenced, and as rapidly as the means of transportation admitted, every thing was sent forward to Acquia Creek and Alexandria. No mere sketch of an undertaking of such magnitude and yet so delicate a military character will suffice to do justice. I must now, however, content myself with a simple notice of it, deferring a full description for my official report of the campaign before Richmond-a labor which I propose to undertake as soon as events will afford me the necessary time. Justice to the achievements of the Army of the Potomac, and the brave men who composed it, requires that the official record of that campaign should be prepared with more care than circumstances have hitherto permitted me to bestow upon it. The delay will not have been felt as injurious to the public interest, inasmuch as by frequent reports from time to time I have kept the Department advised of events as they occurred. I reached Acquia Creek with my staff on the twenty-fourth of August, reported my arrival, and asked for orders. On the twenty-seventh of August I received from the General in-Chief permission to proceed to Alexandria, where I at once fixed my headquarters. The troops composing the army of the Potomac were meanwhile ordered forward to reenforce the army under Gen. Pope. So completely was this order carried out, that on the thirtieth of August I had remaining under my command only a camp-guard of about one hundred men. Every thing else had been sent to reenforce Gen. Pope. In addition, I exhausted all the means at my disposal to forward supplies to that officer, my own headquarter teams even being used for that purpose. Upon the unfortunate issue of that campaign, I received an intimation from the General-inChief that my services were desired for the purpose of arranging for the defence of the capital. They were at once cheerfully given, although, while awaiting definite instructions at Alexandria, I had endeavored, as just seen, to promote a favorable result in the operations then pending, and had thus contributed, though indirectly, yet as far as I could, to the defence of Washington. On the second of September the formal order of the War Department placed me in command of the fortifications of Washington, "and of all the troops for the defence of the capital." On the first of September I had been instructed that I had nothing to do with the troops engaged in active operations under Gen. Pope, but that my command was limited to the immediate garrison of Washington. On the next day, however, I was verbally instructed by the President and General-in-Chief to assume command of General Pope's troops, (including my own army of the Potomac,) as soon as they approached the vicinity of Washington, to go out and meet them and to post them as I deemed best to repulse the enemy and insure the safety of the city. At this time the task imposed upon me was limited to the dispositions necessary to resist a direct attack of the enemy upon the capital. Such, indeed, was the danger naturally indicated by the defeat of our forces in front. The various garrisons were at once strengthened and put in order, and the troops were disposed to cover all the approaches to the city, and so as to be readily thrown upon threatened points. New defences were thrown up where deemed necessary. A few days only had elapsed before comparative security was felt with regard to our ability to resist any attack upon the city. The disappearance of the enemy from the front of Washington and their passage into Maryland enlarged the sphere of operations, and made an active campaign necessary to cover Baltimore, prevent the invasion of Pennsylvania, and drive them out of Maryland. Being honored with the charge of this campaign, I entered at once upon the additional duties imposed upon me with cheerfulness and trust, yet not without feeling the weight of the responsibilities thus assumed, and being deeply impressed with the magnitude of the issues involved. if necessary. On the twelfth, a portion of the right wing entered Frederick after a brisk skirmish at the outskirts of the city and in its streets. On the thirteenth, the main bodies of the right wing and centre passed through Frederick. In this city the manifestations of Union feeling were abundant and gratifying. The troops received the most enthusiastic welcome at the hands of the inhabitants. On the thirteenth, the advance, consisting of Pleasanton's cavalry and horse artillery, after some skirmishing, cleared the main passage over the Catoctin Hills, leaving no serious obstruction to the movement of the main body until the base of the South-Mountain range was reached. While at Frederick, on the thirteenth, I obtained reliable information of the movements and intentions of the enemy, which made it clear that it was necessary to force the passage of the SouthMountain range and gain possession of Boonsboro and Rohrersville before any relief could be afforded to Harper's Ferry. On the morning of the thirteenth I received a verbal message from Col. Miles, commanding at Harper's Ferry, informing me that on the preceding afternoon the Maryland Heights had been abandoned, after repelling an attack by the rebels, and that the whole force was concentrated at Harper's Ferry, the Maryland, Loudon and Bolivar Heights being all in possession of the enemy. The messenger stated that there was no Having made the necessary arrangements for apparent reason for the abandonment of the Mathe defence of the city in the new condition of ryland Heights, and that, though Col. Miles askthings, I pushed forward the First and Ninth ed for assistance, he said he could hold out cercorps, under Generals Reno and Hooker, forming tainly two days. I directed him to make his the right wing under General Burnside, to Lees-way back, if possible, with the information that burgh, on the fifth instant; thence, the First I was rapidly approaching, and would undoubtcorps, by Brooksville, Cooksville, and Ridgeville, edly relieve the place. By three other couriers to Frederick, and the Ninth corps, by Damascus, I sent the same message, with the order to hold on New-Market and Frederick. The Second and out to the last. I do not learn that any of these Eleventh corps, under Generals Sumner and Wil-messengers succeeded in reaching Harper's Ferliams, on the sixth were moved from Tenallytown ry. I should here state that on the twelfth I to Rockville, thence by Middlebury and Urbana was directed to assume command of the garrison on Frederick, the Eleventh corps moving by a lateral road between Urbana and New-Market, thus maintaining the communication between the centre and right wing, as well as covering the direct route from Frederick to Washington. The Sixth corps, under Gen. Franklin, was moved to Darnestown on the sixth instant, thence by Dawsonville and Barnsville on Buckeystown, covering the road from the mouth of the Monocacy to Rockville, and being in position to connect with and support the centre should it have been necessary (as was supposed) to force the line of the Monocacy. Couch's division was thrown forward to Offut's Cross-Roads and Poolesville by the river road, thus covering that approach, watching the fords of the Potomac, and ulti- I directed artillery to be frequently fired by our mately following and supporting the Sixth corps. advanced guards as a signal to the garrison that The object of these movements was to feel the relief was at hand. This was done, and I learn enemy-to compel him to develop his intentions that our firing was distinctly heard at Harper's at the same time that the troops were in posi- Ferry, and that they were thus made aware that tion readily to cover Baltimore or Washington, we were approaching rapidly. It was confidentto attack him should he hold the line of the ly expected that this place could hold out until Monocacy, or to follow him into Pennsylvania we had carried the mountains, and were in a po at Harper's Ferry, but this order reached me after all communication with the garrison was cut off. Before I left Washington, and while it was yet time, I recommended to the proper authorities that the garrison of Harper's Ferry should be withdrawn via Hagerstown, to aid in covering the Cumberland Valley, or that, taking up the pontoon bridge and obstructing the railroad bridge, it should fall back to the Maryland Heights, and there hold its own to the last. In this position it could have maintained itself for weeks. It was not deemed proper to adopt either of these suggestions, and when the subject was left to my discretion it was too late to do any thing except to try to relieve the garrison. |