Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
Camp near Jacinto, Aug. 6, 1862.
Ed. Sentinel:—As we are about to pull up stakes and move to a different locality, I thought a few lines from the 22d would not be uninteresting.
Three regiments of our brigade, including the 22d, three sections of our battery, a squadron of cavalry, are now out. This is the third day since they left. They are now at Iuka, twenty miles south-east of this on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, whither we follow with our camp equipage, and, as I understand, will remain at that point for some time. Our brigade. the 1st, under Gen. Robert B. Mitchell, is to hold that point, while the 2d and 3d remain here. The headquarters of Gen. Davis, commanding the Division (4th) remains as before at Jacinto.
Culpeper, Monday, August 11.—The brigade of cavalry, under command of Gen. Buford, made a descent on Madison Court House on Tuesday, the 5th inst. He found the Confederates had been there, but had left. He made a reconnoissance In every direction, and met Confederate pickets on every road. On the 7th inst., the pickets on the road to Stannardsville had a skirmish, losing one killed and three wounded. On the 8th, the 1st Maryland had another skirmish on the Orange Court House road, in which they lost, and about a dozen taken prisoners. Being reinforced by the 1st Michigan, the Confederates were driven to the Rapidan. A strong reconnoissance was made the same evening to the Rapidan, on the Orange road, and a skirmish was going on without loss, when orders came from General Buford to return to Madison Court House.—The party got back at 9 a. m. on the 9th, and found everything ready for a retreat towards Sperryville. as the Confederates were approaching from every direction. The party reached Woodville in safety, and there encamped.—They reached Culpeper Monday next.
From the Richmond Enquirer, July 20.
An officer of Bragg’s army stated to us when he heard of Pope’s transfer to Virginia to command the Yankee forces in the Piedmont and Potomac regions, that he was a very bold and audacious commander, and would surprise us by unexpected enterprises, unless we were very vigilant. But he also said that his plans were not well conceived or judicious, and that he would expose himself to heavy chastisement and disaster if our opposing General should be on the alert.