Thoughtfully curated historical journalism
The announcement that the Federal army had occupied Fredericksburg was premature. The Confederate still held possession of the place yesterday with a force to dispute the passage of the river. It is believed that it is not the intention of the Federal commanders to cross the river immediately. General Burnside arrived at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg on Wednesday, and established his headquarters there.
Very little news of interest has been received this week. The occupation of Fredericksburg, on the south side of the Rappahannock by the enemy, is about the only event of note that has occurred in Virginia. Jackson’s whereabouts is not definitely known. Gen. Lee is said to be endeavoring to draw Burnsides, (who now commands the Yankee army,) as far as possible from his base of supply, so that in the event of a battle and victory the enemy would have a long retreat through a barren country. On the other hand if we should be defeated, the troops could easily fall back by railroad and otherwise towards Richmond and be reinforced abundantly and rapidly in the same manner.
The following is the official dispatch of Brigadier General Kelly, relative to the stolen cattle in Hardy county, Virginia
CUMBERLAND, Md Oct. 29.
Brigadier General H. B. MARCY, Chief of Staff: I ordered Lieutenant Colonel Quick, of the 23d Illinois, to take the Ringgold cavalry and two guns of Rourk’s battery, and pursue the party that took the cattle in Hardy county. He left New Creek last night at dark, and by a rapid march all night he overtook the enemy at daylight this morning, attacked him, and recaptured 170 head of cattle, and took 10 prisoners and 20 horses.
Having been put in possession of the following official report of Maj. Andrews, giving an interesting account of a recent scout of a portion of this regiment, we publish it, as well for the gratification of the friends of the regiment, as to place the gallantry of its men in a proper light, which has been at times unjustifiably assailed
Headquarters 19th Regiment N. C. T.,
Warrenton, Va., Oct 20th, 1862.
To His Excellency Gov. Vance :
Sir—I have the honor to report to you the success of the 2d N. C. Cavalry in a recent scout through the enemy’s lines about Centreville, Va.
With six companies of the regiment, I was ordered to make the scout Soon after sun up on Saturday morning, (having ridden for 18 hours without rest,) I advanced to the Centreville pike, and there saw evident signs of a force having passed. I learned from citizens that a force of cavalry and artillery had passed early in the night, and that it was followed by a guarded train of Yankee wagons. I got the forces all right and commenced the chase.
Alexandria, November 3.—Most of the accounts relative to the attack upon the train at Manassas have been exaggerated. The following is the true version:—
It was about three o’clock on Friday afternoon when the train passed over Bull Run bridge. It proceeded about a mile beyond, when it was thrown from the track. No obstruction was apparent, and the manner in which the Confederates accomplished the fiendish trick was by cutting off the heads of the spikes which confined the rails in position, and undermining the track.
New York. Nov. 1—A special to the Times from Harper’s Ferry 30th, says: Yesterday Richardson’s division passed Snicker’a Gap to Paris, a small town on the road leading from Leesburg and running through Ashby’s Gap. The forces under Gens. French and Sedgewick left here this morning, crossing the Shenandoah bridges. Sumner’s corps also moved into Virginia yesterday, through the Blue mountain and Short hills, where he will form a junction with Burnside, who ia now at Purcelsville.—nearly all the troops have moved off from London and Maryland Heights. For the present Gen. Geary’s command is to remain on Bolivar Heights. Maryland Heights are also well protected. Gen. Slocum’s command to garrison the Ferry.
Harper’s Ferry, Oct. 3.—The railroad bridge was completed yesterday, and trains of cars passed over it into Harper’s Ferry to-day, with troops and munitions of war and army stores. The Winchester road is being put in order, and trains will run at once to and beyond Bolivar Heights.
There is much uncertainty here as to the movements of the army. A strong advance will undoubtedly be made into Virginia, but whether it will be by way of Harper’s Ferry or over the Williamsport Ford, no one has the slightest idea. So long as the Confederates lies in his present position it is said no hurry will be evinced on our part to disturb him.—A large body of the Confederates are still at Failing Waters, and at Bunker’s Hill in the rear of Martinsburg, whilst a few regiments are at Charlestown, their pickets meeting those of Genera! Sumner about three miles this side of that place.