from Beverly's Ford. General Gregg, taking his own and Colonel Dufie's command, moved to the left from the Junction, and encamped for the night in close proximity to Kelly's Ford, where Gen. Russell had already arrived. No fires were allowed, and a vigilant watch was kept to prevent disturbances or any thing which might give any indication of our presence. The orders were to arouse the commands at three A.M., and to make the passage of the river as soon as it was daylight. vance. the rear of the woods and just beyond their camp, nearly two miles from the river. Major Whiting's command now came up to the support of the Illinois and Indiana troops. Gen. Ames also brought his infantry over, and deployed them on the left of the road as skirmishers, and then pushed them out in line of battle to the edge of the woods, in front of which the enemy was drawn up by squadrons, with artillery at the intervals, which omitted no opportunity to shell every thing in sight that had motion to it. Thus At dawn Gen. Buford's command was in mo- far the enemy evidently had but one brigade at tion. Col. Davis's brigade, led by two squadrons hand, and a few prisoners taken said they beof the Eighth New-York, and supported by the longed to the Sixth, Seventh, and Twelfth VirEighth Illinois and Third Indiana, had the ad-ginia cavalry, of General Jones's brigade. When The morning was cool and pleasant, a asked if he was "Jones, the guerrilla," they inthick mist hung over the river, and objects on dignantly denied the imputation; nevertheless, the other side were rather indistinct. Our caval- he was. Gen. Pleasanton now directed General ry soon reached the river, dashed in, dashed up Buford to make preparations to charge this force the bank, and were well on the opposite side be- in the flank, while the infantry and artillery enfore the rebels in their fortifications were aware gaged it in front. It was desirable to do this as of their presence. The suddenness of the move- soon as possible, as the enemy might be getting ment completely surprised them, and they at reenforcements at any moment. General Buford once broke for the first friendly timber, which having driven the enemy's pickets and skirmishwas about one fourth of a mile in their rear. Our ers in the open fields on the right of the road, cavalry followed rapidly, and in these woods the sent in the Sixth Pennsylvania, supported by the first severe skirmish occurred, in which we speed- Fifth and Sixth regulars, to charge this line on ily lost one of the most valued officers of the com- the flank. The Pennsylvanians came up to their mand, Col. B. F. Davis, of the Eighth New-York work in splendid style. This is the regiment cavalry, and Captain in the First regular cavalry, formerly known as the "Lancers," and they had and the same gallant officer who led the gallant a matter of pride to settle in this charge. Steadcharge out of Harper's Ferry last fall, and cap-ily and gallantly, they advanced out of the woods tured Longstreet's ammunition-train. When the in excellent order, and then dashed across the rebels, who were dismounted, reached the woods, they began to skirmish, and detained our force there long enough to give the alarm to Jones's brigade, they being encamped just beyond in the outer edge of the woods. Though their horses were grazing in the fields, yet they speedily fell in, and in a very short time two or three squadrons came charging down the road and through the timber. Hurling their force upon the Eighth New-York, they broke it and forced it back, and killed and wounded quite a number. Col. Davis, who was gallantly leading the advance, turned to rally them, and waving his sword to the Eighth Illinois, shouted, "Come on, boys," when a rebel rode out in front of him, and fired three shots from his pistol at him, the last one taking effect in his forehead, and inflicting a mortal wound. Quick as thought Lieut. Parsons, acting Assistant Adjutant-General to Col. Davis, was at the side of the rebel, and rising in his stirrups, with one well-directed blow of his sabre, he laid his head open midway between eyes and chin, and the wretch fell dead in the dust at his horse's feet. Parsons is but a youth; his adversary was a strong, athletic man, yet the former, though young in years and slight in stature, nobly avenged his commander's fall. By this time the gallant Eighth Illinois, though meeting with a hot reception, in which Captain Clark and Captain Forsyth were both wounded, had charged upon the rebels, and driven them back upon the main body of the enemy, who were now engaged in deploying and forming in open field in an oblique direction toward the enemy's guns. They went up almost to their very muzzles, through a storm of canister and shell, and would have taken them, when suddenly there dashed out of the woods on their right flank, in almost the very spot from which they themselves had issued, two whole regiments of the enemy, on the full charge. Retreat was almost cut off, but the regiments, now subjected to a fire in front and on both flanks, charged back, cutting their way out with considerable loss. The Sixth regu lars came to the rescue, but the fire was so severe that even these veterans could not stand it, and they fell back with some loss. In this charge we lost about the only prisoners captured by the enemy during the day. Major Morris, of the Sixth Pennsylvania, was seen to fall from his horse, and is probably wounded and a prisoner. Captain Davis, of the same regiment, was killed. Capt. Lieper was wounded, and Major Hazeltine had his horse shot under him. Capt. Dahlgren, of General Hooker's staff, a model of cool and dauntless bravery, charged with the regiments, and his horse was shot in two places. He describes the charge as one of the finest of the war. The enemy was now being reenforced very rapidly, and in a short time Gen. Pleasanton found that Buford's small division was opposed by three strong brigades of rebels, with artillery to match. After the repulse of the Sixth Pennsylvania, the rebels made two rapid attempts to gain our rear and the approaches to the ford, both on our right and on our left, but particularly on the right. But they were handsomely foiled by Bu- fell back rapidly. They were in a bad predicaford, and for two hours there was very sharp ment for Gregg was almost directly in their skirmishing, rapid shelling, and admirable manoeuvring by both sides, in the open and undulating fields on our extreme right. A brigade of the enemy's cavalry came down the road which branches off to the right from Beverly's, and made a dash for the ford, but they were too late. A couple of squadrons and a section of artillery interposed. They never got nearer than a mile to the point, and during the two hours that they remained in position they suffered severely from our shells and skirmishers. At this stage of the engagement, General Pleasanton plainly saw that the division under Gen. Buford was far outnumbered, and much anxiety was expressed to hear from General Gregg, whose column was considerably stronger than Buford's. Word had been received from him at eight o'clock, saying that he had crossed with scarce any opposition, and that he was driving the enemy before him, but his guns had not yet been heard. Matters thus remained in statu quo until twelve o'clock, nothing being done save some artillery practice, which was pretty accurate on both sides. We dismounted one gun of a section that the enemy had on, the extreme right, and compelled the enemy to move the other. During this interim the skirmishers of each party would frequently become very annoying. General Ames formed his skirmish line, and they picked off the rebel officers without mercy. Although our infantry were masked by the timber, yet the enemy seemed to know what we had, and always refused to meet them, save by dismounted cavalry as skirmishers against skirmishers. They were very profuse of their shells and canister, however, and opened whenever any of our cavalry approached near enough. Many of our men were wounded by canister-shot, a thing almost heretofore unknown in cavalry fighting. At one time, on the left of General Ames's brigade, the rebel cavalry skirmishers had advanced and concealed themselves in some bushes, where they were annoying a body of the Ninth NewYork. Major Martin, of that regiment, was finally ordered to take a squadron and drive them out. This he most gallantly did, though it was right in the teeth of the enemy's artillery, and he was met by a perfect storm of canister. He captured fifty prisoners, but owing to the severity of the enemy's fire, could bring but a portion of them away. The gallant Major was himself wounded in the shoulder. About one o'clock Buford again began to press the enemy, and this time he showed evident signs of uneasiness, and soon withdrew his force from our right flank as though he had a fire in the rear. About the same time we heard Gregg's guns, and some prisoners taken from Robinson's North-Carolina brigade just then reported General Russell's infantryadvancing through the woods on their right flank and rear. General Gregg, from the sound of the firing, was evidently in the vicinity of Brandy Station. Pleasanton now pushed forward, but the rebels soon gave way, and rear, Russell was on their right flank, and Buford on their front. They therefore made a hasty retreat, abandoning their old camp entirely, part of which we had already occupied, and two regiments were very near being cut off, as Kilpatrick moved off toward the right, to make connection with Buford. They had but a narrow strip of land, not covered by our force, through which to escape. General Pleasanton's headquarters were moved forward to where the rebel commander's had been, and the lines of the two columns were soon connected. General Gregg reported that his two brigades, under Kilpatrick and Wyndham, had been hotly engaged all the morning, but had driven the enemy uniformly from the river back to Brandy Station. Our troops, especially the First NewJersey, First Maine, and Tenth New-York, fought most gallantly, and repulsed the enemy in repeated charges, though losing heavily themselves. The artillery with General Gregg also suffered considerably, and the Sixth New-York battery was almost totally disabled. It did excellent service, however. In the charges by General Gregg's column, a stand of colors and over one hundred and fifty prisoners were taken. Colonel Wyndham's brigade captured the heights commanding Brandy Station, and there discovered rebel infantry being brought up by the cars. portion of it drew up and fired a volley at our cavalry. Another correspondent will give you further particulars about the gallant fighting of this column. Col. Wyndham was shot through the calf of the leg by a bushwhacker, but his wound is not serious, and he still keeps the saddle. A While a junction was being effected with Gregg's column on the left, Buford and Amnes were pushing out on the right, and, with Vincent's battery, Buford had by two o'clock carried all the crests occupied by the enemy during the forenoon, and had forced him back over three miles from the river. In these exploits the regulars, especially the Second and Fifth regiments, distinguished themselves by their intrepidity. The Third Wisconsin skirmishers also won praise by the accuracy of their fire, which was fatal to many a rebel. The fact that the enemy were now falling back upon strong infantry supports, and we being already numerically inferior to them, induced Gen. Pleasanton to consult with his subordinates, and it having been left discretionary with the former to advance or return, it was finally deemed prudent to return, and at four o'clock our forces began falling back. The enemy was not inclined to "pick a fight" on the return, and, save some slight skirmishing, we were not molested. Buford's division fell back to Beverly Ford, and Gregg's division to Rappahannock Ford, a mile and a half below. We brought off all our dead and wounded, and also some of the enemy's, while many of the latter were still remaining on the field when we retired. By dark our forces CAMP NEAR BRANDRETH STATION, CULPEPER ration of every one. A day longer, and it would have been too late. Their plans are now known, and we can prepare accordingly. Pennsylvania and Maryland will awake to the importance of the occasion, and make all needful preparations to receive this horde of raiders. They will probably only defer, not abandon, their designs, and such a body of cavalry once loose in a defenceless State, they can take the whole of it. But General Hooker has unmasked them, and given time for preparation. Shortly he will be fully ready himself to take them thoroughly in hand. L. L. CROUNSE. OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL WYNDHAM. Captain H. C. Weir, Assistant Adjutant-General CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part my command took in the coming up with Colonel Duffie, I turned to the action of yesterday. After crossing the river and right, and, in obedience to orders from the general commanding, pushed on rapidly to Brandy Station. On arriving at that place I found the enemy strongly posted in the rear and on the right of the station, with batteries planted on the heights near the Barber House. I immediately formed my command into line of battle, and had the section of artillery attached to it placed in position, and opened on their bat tery in front of the Barber House. DEAR BROTHER: We have made another change of base. We left Dayton one week ago to-day, and after five days of marching we encamped at this place. We have had two grand reviews of five brigades of cavalry, about twelve thousand in number, under General Stuart. The first took place on Saturday, when we were inspected by Stuart; and I have just now returned from the second, when we were inspected by LieutenantGeneral Robert E. Lee in person. He was a finelooking man, but very gray-haired. We are now in a battery numbering about sixteen pieces, under the command of Major Beckham. Long- left, I ordered a portion of the First Maryland Observing the enemy breaking away on the street's division passed us on Saturday. The Wise artillery was along. You can look out for cavalry, led by Major Russell, to charge on the station, which they did in fine style, capturing a some small fighting before a week. We are now about two miles from the Rappahannock, at Bev-bulance and four horses, captured by our advancenumber of the enemy, and bringing away an amerly Ford. I expect, from the preparations that is being made, that we are going to make a grand guard. I next ordered the section of artillery to raid toward the Potomac as soon as the valley is advance, as they had completely silenced the battery they had been firing upon, and at the same time ordered the First New-Jersey to charge on a battery stationed in the rear of the Barber and the balance of the First Maryland to charge House, and the First Pennsylvania reserve corps the heights on which the house stands. The whole command moved gallantly forward and nobly accomplished the work assigned them. cleared. You must excuse the shortness of this letter, as I have just returned from the review, and I feel tired from riding so much. Direct your letter to Chero's battery, Jones's cavalry brigade. Please write immediately, as we may leave in a couple of days. Your affectionate brother, J. M. D. I leave the name blank for the sake of the writer. This confirms all the information we previously had. Fitz-Hugh Lee, W. F. Lee, G. W. Jones, Robertson of North-Carolina, and Field of Virginia, commanded the brigades. In the latter's brigade is all the mounted infantry they had-reported at eight hundred men. An order was found from General Stuart, dated June sixth, ordering the commands to be held in readiness to move at fifteen minutes' notice. A captain, who was taken prisoner, said they were under orders to move on Wednesday morning at daylight. They moved a day sooner, and backward at that. The prompt manner in which these plans of the enemy have been baffled will elicit the admi The First Maryland, which consisted of little more than a squadron, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Deems, charged first, but were met by fully a regiment of the enemy, posted behind the buildings and drawn up in the garden and orchard, and, after a spirited fight, were compelled to fall back. The First Pennsylvania, coming up, charged next. Col. Taylor, leading part of the regiment, struck the enemy in front, while Lieut.-Colonel Gardiner, with the balance, dashed on his flank next to the house, forcing him back at both points, cutting him off from the house, and gaining his rear, drove him from his cover into the open plain below, where he was again met by the First Maryland cavalry, which had rallied. Thus assailed on both sides, his force was completely scattered, a large number being killed, wounded or captured. The CASUALTIES IN THE FIRST NEW-JERSEY CAVALRY. The following is a complete list of the casualties in the First New-Jersey cavalry, near Brandy Station, Va., June ninth, 1863: charge of the First New-Jersey on the battery in the rear of the house I led in person, aided by Lieut.Colonel Broderick. At the first onset the enemy were driven from their guns. The support com ing up was met, and in a few minutes also driven back. Reenforced, it returned, and was again re-tenant-Colonel V. Brodrick, wounded and misspulsed. Colonel Sir Percy Wyndham, wounded; Lieu ing; Major J. H. Shelmire, wounded and missMy command being now much scattered by the ing; Captain Henry Sawyer, wounded; Lieutencharges it had made, Colonel Duffie not coming ant Hyde Crocker, wounded and missing; John up to my support, as I expected, and seeing the Black, company A, missing; E. Crossdale, comenemy strongly reënforced, advancing from seve-pany A, missing, Charles E. Wilson, company ral points, I was compelled to withdraw. This was done by the greatest part of the command forming on the Brandy Station road, while I collected the balance at the station, and forming them into a rear-guard, remained till the field was cleared. The enemy here charged upon my line twice, but were repulsed each time by my carbi-ny C, missing; Josiah Buchain, company D, neers with heavy loss. Having checked the enemy's advance on my retreating column, I then took across the field to join the head of my command, when a squad of the enemy's cavalry concealed in the woods fired, wounding me through the leg. I still retained command until five o'clock P.M., when orders were given to retreat, when, becoming very much exhausted from loss of blood, I turned over the command to Colonel Taylor, of the First Pennsylvania reserve cavalry, and left the field. He reports that shortly afterward he received orders to report to General Buford, and assisted in covering the withdrawal of his command across the river. A, missing; Henry Clark, company A, missing; Joseph Howard, company B, killed; Aaron Rake, company B, wounded; Sergeant S. P. Crossman, company B, missing; John Tynon, company B, John Casler, company B, missing; Thos. Boyle, company C, missing; Willlam McCune, compawounded; Joseph Crane, company D, missing; Octave Antonio, company D, missing; Sergeant George W. Stewart, company E, wounded and missing; Sergeant James H. Palmater, company E, missing; Corporal Robert Williams, missing; T. L. Clement, missing; Daniel McCormick, missing; George Polston, company E, killed; Sergeant Samuel Rainear, company F, killed; Corporal Amos Poinsett, company F, wounded; Charles Cadot, company F, wounded; Nathan Moore, company F, missing; John C. Danty, company F, missing; Daniel Oliver, company F, missing; Sergeant Joseph Thibesdeau, company F, missing; Corporal R. S. Asay, company In closing my report it affords me no small de- F, missing; R. Darnstad, company G, killed; A. gree of pleasure to be able to say that all of my A. Ringlop, company G, killed; Sergeant J. P. command that followed me on the field behaved no- Brower, company G, wounded and missing; Serbly, standing unmoved under the enemy's artillery geant B. G. Joline, company G, wounded and fire, and when ordered to charge dashing forward missing; W. P. Brown, company G, missing; with a spirit and determination that swept all before John Finnigan, company G, missing; F. Craus, them. I cannot speak too highly of the manner company G. missing; J. H. Stubbs, company in which the field officers of my command acted, G, wounded and missing; M. Summers, company without exception gallantly and efficiently per- G, wounded and missing; Corporal John Scaffer, forming every duty assigned them; and of the company H. missing; W. H. H. Jackson, comline officers I can say the same. I lament to pany H, missing; Douglass Grey, company H, say that Lieutenant-Colonel Broderick and Major missing; Timothy Mahoney, company H, woundShelmire, of the First New-Jersey cavalry, were ed; Sergeant Chas. Earley, company I, wounded wounded and captured, and Major W. T. McEwen, and missing; Sergeant F. Schall, company I, First Pennsylvania cavalry, wounded; Captain wounded; Philip Ham, company I, missing; SerCreager, of First Maryland, killed; Captain Saw-geant Robert Tuthill, company K, wounded and yer, of First New-Jersey, missing, and seven other officers wounded or missing, whose names are reported in the list of casualties. Two hundred and seven enlisted men are reported killed, wounded, and missing. missing; Sergeant Richard Decker, company K, wounded; Jno. Hendershot, company K, wounded; John Hanley, company K, missing; James Linley, company M, missing; Horace Van Orden, company M, missing. Total-officers, five; men fifty-two-fifty-seven. Carried into action, twenty-two officers and two hundred and eighty-one men. E. A. PAUL'S ACCOUNT. RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, Wednesday, June 10, 1863. Major January, who was doing duty as field officer of the day, and Captain H. S. Thomas, Acting Quartermaster-General; Lieutenant W. P. Lloyd, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General; Lieutenant Gremlee and Lieutenant Parry, Acting Aid-de-camp of my staff, all rendered invaluable service by the prompt and efficient manner In justice to the gallant men who have fallen, in which they had every order executed, and the to those who are still suffering from injuries reassistance they afforded in rallying and re-form-ceived, as well as to the brave men who passed ing the different portions of the command. Re- through the terrible ordeal of yesterday unscathspectfully submitted, ed, and to-day stand ready at a moment's notice PERCY WYNDHAM, to meet the enemies of their country in deadly Commanding Brigade. | strife again, I shall endeavor to give a more de tailed account than you have yet received, of the movements and conduct of Gen. Gregg's command, with such scenes and incidents occurring in the whole of Gen. Pleasanton's command as came under my own observation, and as I have obtained from sources which I deem reliable. The ground between Kelly's Ford and Brandy Station is rolling, interspersed with clumps of trees, and not the most desirable for cavalry ope rations; nevertheless the men of the different regiments succeeded in keeping in excellent order. The division moved toward Brandy Station. The Gen. Gregg moved from Warrenton Junction first indication of the enemy in force was the on Monday, the eighth, encamping that night discovery of a signal station on a hill to the right near Kelly's Ford, a fording place on the Rappa- by Capt. J. W. Kester, Aid to Gen. Gregg. Just hannock River, six miles below the Orange and previous to this, and one mile from the station, Alexandria Railroad bridge. His command con- a picket of two men was captured. Gen. Gregg, sisted of the Second and Third divisions of cav- upon being satisfied by the working of the signalalry, a section of artillery attached to each, and flag that a force of the enemy was near by, or a force of one thousand five hundred foot-soldiers, dered Col. Wyndham to advance with his brigade, the latter under the command of Gen. Russell. The find the enemy, and attack him. Col. Wyndham movement across the river was commenced on moved promptly forward, and when arrived nearly Tuesday morning, at about six o'clock, the Second opposite, and to the south of the signal station, a division, commanded by Col. Duffie, taking the two-gun battery was opened upon the command advance, closely followed by Gen. Gregg's own di- at short-range. The two guns attached to the vision, the Third, and the infantry. By nine brigade were soon in position and at work, and o'clock the whole force was safely on the right two or three squadrons were sent forward to sebank of the river, no opposition to the crossing cure the railroad-a train loaded with infantry having been met except such as could be given was coming up from Culpeper. Our men turned by a rebel picket of twenty badly scared men, a switch, and the train was run off the track; anwho ran away at the very sight of a blue coat. other train soon followed, but the enemy then Here the command was divided into three col- had possession of the railroad, having forced the umns. Col. Duffie, with the Second division and troops occupying the ground to retire. Captain a section of Tidball's old battery, commanded by Martin's two guns, with the First brigade, were Lieut. occupied the extreme left, and at ordered forward, and took a position south-east once moved forward to Stevensburgh, where a of Telegraph Hill. The rebels were soon forced regiment of the enemy was discovered, supporting to withdraw their battery, and they moved it a section of artillery stationed to oppose the ad- across the railroad track to the vicinity of a house, vance of our troops. A brief but sanguinary in which it was subsequently ascertained were struggle took place, resulting in the capturing of the rebel Gens. Stuart, Hampton, and Jones, the one hundred and fifty prisoners, and dispersing latter having just arrived from Winchester (the the balance of the force in front. Gen. Gregg, rebel prisoners say) to make arrangements to join though sending frequently for this command, did the proposed expedition into Pennsylvania and not see it again until the movement to join Gen. Maryland. Upon this point it appears two rebel Buford, who, as stated in a previous letter, had colums were approaching. The advance, Colonel crossed the river at Beverly Ford, and was en- Wyndham had attacked and driven back. Folgaged with a superior force of the enemy. The lowing up the advantage thus gained, the First Third division occupied the centre, and took a Maryland was ordered to charge, which they did road leading to Brandy Station, and the infantry in the most gallant manner, surrounding the occupying the right, moved along near the river-house in which the notorious rebel chieftains were the object being to unite the two wings of Gen. plotting. The enemy fought desperately at this Pleasanton's command, on either side of the rail-point, and several hand-to-hand conflicts took road. This was not effected, however, owing to the stubborn resistance of the enemy, they being present in large force, until after the fight at Brandy Station, some account of which will be given in the proper place. The Third division occupied the centre, and as it participated in some of the severest cavalry fighting of the war, I shall endeavor to give its movements somewhat in detail. The First brigade of this division, commanded by Col. Kilpatrick, was composed of his own regiment, the Second New-York cavalry, (Harris's Light,) First Maine cavalry, Col. Doufy, and Tenth New-York cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Irvine. The Second brigade was commanded by Colonel Wyndham, and consisted of his own regiment, the First New-Jersey cavalry, First Maryland cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Deems, and First Pennsylvania cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Taylor. Each brigade was formed in three columns by squadrons, the First brigade on the right, and the Second on the left. place. Our men were gaining the advantage, when a large rebel force advanced, and they were forced to retire. As soon as the First Maryland had got a little scattered in the mêlée, the First New-Jersey, Lieut.-Col. Broderick at their head, charged, and was followed in turn by the First Pennsylvania, led by Lieut.-Col. Taylor. At first, as each regiment came charging into the fight, the enemy were forced back, and though their force was much larger than ours, they continued to fall back until largely reënforced. On a rise just at the rear of the house before referred to, Colonel Wyndham's brigade captured two guns. When forced back to near Brandy Station, the guns were dragged along and placed with a section of our own artillery. The enemy dashed upon this battery, commanded by Capt. Martin, with great fury, and killed and wounded nine of the men at the guns with their sabres. By the order of Gen. Gregg, Capt. Kester placed a two |