The Yankee Gazette

RAID ON STUART'S CAMPS!

GREAT CHARGE AT BRANDY STATION

Camp near Falmouth, Virginia- This has truly been an exciting day. About the middle of last week, information of a positive character was received at headquarters concerning the massing of a large force of the enemy's cavalry in the vicinity of Culpeper.

LEE'S ARMY ON THE MOVE

MANY OF LEE'S TROOPS SPOTTED WEST OF FREDERICKSBURG

MARYLAND MAY BE NEXT TARGET

Rebel Gen. Lee

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 camped there were unaware of the crossing until our troopers rode up to the edge of their camps. A heavy skirmish fire was kept up through 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 forced the issue of staying south of the river, and General Pleasonton ordered a retreat.

Despite losing the field to the southerners, the general was pleased at the performance of his horsemen.

PRES. LINCOLN CONFIDENT

GIVES HIGH PRAISE TO OUR CAVALRY

Washington- President Lincoln spoke to war department officials about the current military situation in Virginia and gave high praise to General Pleasonton and his cavalry commanders for the skill in which they fought the battle near Brandy Station on Wednesday. Yet he has been widely criticized by several Democratic members of congress over what they assume to be a subjugation of the Constitution and the 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."

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.

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, discomfort and death is upon us. We are making some progress toward the capture of Vicksburg although operations are so complex that that it puzzles one to keep track of it all. The day before yesterday, gunboats from below the city and the USS Cincinnati from above, made a combined attack upon the river defenses of Vicksburg. The result was the sinking of the Cincinnati and the loss of 31 men killed and wounded. The fight did not last long and resulted in adding strength to the conclusion that ironclads are inferior to stout river defenses. 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 FORCE STILL ACROSS THE RIVER BELOW 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.

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:

LETTERS FROM THE ARMY

More letters have arrived at the YANKEE GAZETTE and are printed here for your information:

Your loving husband,
Adam Muenzenber