RAID ON STUART'S CAMPS!
THE GREAT CAVALRY CHARGE!
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Camp near Falmouth, Virginia- Information of a positive nature was received at headquarters concerning the massing of a large force of the enemy's cavalry in the vicinity of Culpeper. The Cavalry Corps commanded by General Alfred Pleasonton, forced the river crossings along the Rappahannock and attacked rebel horsemen at Brandy Station, driving them back upon their camps and headquarters. The battle ended ay nightfall when our forces fell back across the river and took up positions overlooking the rebel camps.
LEE'S ARMY ON THE MOVE
REBEL ARMY WEST OF FREDERICKSBURG
IS MARYLAND REBEL TARGET?
 Rebel Gen. Lee |
Near Culpeper, Virginia- The recent battle near Brandy Station revealed the presence of not only a large force of Confederate cavalry, but also several large camps of rebel infantry near Culpeper and in the hills west of the small Virginia town. Scouts from army headquarters reported clouds of dust rising above the hills to the west indicating that columns of rebels are indeed on the move toward the Shenandoah Valley. General Milroy's troops at Winchester have been notified of this activity and headquarters announced that General Pleasonton will use his cavalry to screen the rebel movements. Officials in the War Department have not released any further information regarding General Hooker's plans to renew his drive on Richmond, though many speculate that the Army of the Potomac will be ordered to reinforce our troops at Winchester and Harper's Ferry.
DETAILS OF BATTLE
Brandy Station- Early on the morning of June 9, a strong force of our cavalry forded the Rappahannock River and invaded the picket line of rebel troops north of Culpeper Court House near Brandy Station.
Many of the rebel troops were unaware of the crossing until our troopers rode up to the edge of their camps. A heavy skirmish fire was kept up throughout the morning and rebel artillery firing from Fleetwood Hill thwarted the attempts of Gen. John Buford's troops to break through the southern line. A Confederate saber charge late in the day decided the issue, and General Pleasonton ordered a withdrawal across the Rappahannock River before nightfall. Satisfied with the day's accomplishments, General Pleasonton stated several times how pleased he was with the performance of his troopers and commanders. A number of prisoners were taken during the engagement, including several who were wounded and treated by army surgeons. One captured youth from Virginia told a reporter, "Ah received better care from Yankee surgeons than our own."
PRES. LINCOLN CONFIDENT
GIVES HIGH PRAISE TO OUR CAVALRY
Washington- President Lincoln spoke to war department officials about the current military situation in Virginia, giving high praise to General Pleasonton and his cavalry commanders for the skill displayed at the battle near Brandy Station on Wednesday. The president was delighted with the news of a victory occuring one month after teh disiasterous Battle of Chancellorsville. The president has come under great criticism lately because of the defeat of the army at Chancellorsville and the apparent lack of direction being taken by General Hooker in not engaging the Confederate forces at Fredericksburg. The events at Brandy Station have proven that the Army of the Potomac, or at least the Cavalry Corps, is still full of enthusiasm for the fight. Though our force was not large enough to thoroughly defeat the rebels, they received a sound thrashing and it will no doubt postpone their "grand raids" into the North for some time, if not indefinitely.
President Lincoln has been widely criticized recently by Democratic members of congress over what they see as a subjugation of the Constitution and the president's recent call for a national draft. "This does not speak well for the current administration," remarked one Democratic Party congressman. "The current events in Virginia do not warrant a continuation of the policy of defeat of the south at any cost. Our army's manpower must not be further wasted in such manners as what occurred at Chancellorsville!"
SIEGE AT VICKSBURG
AFFAIRS PROGRESSING FAVORABLY
OUR TOTAL LOSS NOT OVER SEVEN THOUSAND
from a New York Times correspondent - "The Southern Summer with its sweltering heat, dried-up streams, dust, and discomfort is upon us. Our army under Grant is making some progress toward the capture of Vicksburg although operations are so complex that it puzzles one to keep track of it all. The day before yesterday, a combined attack upon the river defenses of Vicksburg was made by gunboats from below the city and the USS Cincinnati from above. The result was the sinking of the Cincinnati and the loss of 31 sailors killed and wounded. The cannonade did not last long and resulted in the conclusion that ironclads alone cannot take the city or stand up against a concentrated fire from river defenses, including the devilish mines. While troops move to take key points north and south of the city, our army still digs around Vicksburg."
FROM GEN. HOOKER'S HEADQUARTERS
OUR ARMY STILL BEFORE FREDERICKSBURG
BRIEF CANNONADE BUT NO DAMAGE
Washington- The latest news from the Rappahannock follows: Yesterday afternoon the enemy opened several of their batteries upon our ranks and the forces on the plain west of the river and south of Fredericksburg. They also threw several shells on this side of the river. Our batteries replied to them. There was no loss on our side. The cannonading lasted only a few minutes. This was the first time the enemy have opened their guns on our new position. The respective lines remain the same as yesterday morning. It is said the enemy has but one corps opposed to our front below the town, but scouts have not been able to confirm that information.
No further commentary was made on Lee's purported movement west of Fredericksburg.
"NO HORSES OR SADDLES!"
near Kelly's Ford, VA - Private John Follmer of the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry has reported troubling news. His regiment was kept out of the Battle of Brandy Station because many of the men in the 16th had no horses or saddles. Apparently, a government inspector condemned many of the regiment's horses as unfit for duty and also condemned the addles that the men had as being of inferior quality. This affair has necessarily kept these brave Pennsylvania boys from the fight where they were most need. Private Follmer reports:
"June 8 - Tramped all day and am tired out tonight. No horses have been furnished since ours have been condemned, so we must walk. It may be a military necessity, but it's none the less fatiguing. A number of tired men lay down tonight at Morrisonville. June 9 - Began marching at 4 a.m. and about noon camped at Kelly's Ford. Fighting by the cavalry at Brandy Station. At the time, our horses were condemned, all the saddles of the regiment were also condemned. Since then the men have been riding bareback. Having no saddles today kept the regiment out of battle. The health of our men is undoubtedly in better condition tonight than it would have been, had all possessed good saddles. Bareback riding is tiresome, and is frequently painful if kept up too long. June 10 - Visited the field hospitals. Among the wounded were some Confederates, some of them badly hurt, but none of them lack pluck."
The Pennsylvania inspector general had not heard of this sad condition and vowed this morning to have a proper stock of military saddles and horses shipped immediately to the army for distribution to the 16th.
LETTERS FROM THE ARMY
More letters have arrived at the YANKEE GAZETTE and are printed here for your information:
A letter recently received by Mrs. Barbara Muenzenber, from her husband currently serving with the 26th Wisconsin Infantry in the Army of the Potomac:
Camp near Brooks Station
June 7th, 1863
Precious, dearly beloved Barbara,
I received your dear letter of May 31st on the afternoon of June 6th. It pleases me much that you, beloved, and the children are still healthy and happy and I trust that you will still be the same when this letter arrives. I greet your and our dear ones by kissing your picture many, many times. . . .
I can't complain about my duties since I do nothing but orderly's tasks. I was appointed orderly by the commanding lieutenant- Young of Milwaukee, and so I have to be in camp all the time. I think that if it pleases fate I will be appointed sergeant. Up to now I have had nothing but light duties. If I get the appointment I will receive $20 a month instead of $13. I hope this happens soon. Therefore, dearest, be consoled regarding your husband. I lean upon God and I hope that with his help and with the help of our blessed Virgin we will be happily reunited. . . .
Your loving husband,
Adam Muenzenber