STONEMAN’S RAID IN THE CJIANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN. ,J

''llHE original instructions to General George

-L Stoneman for the cooperation of the cavalryin the Chancellorsville campaign directed him tocross the Rappahannock on the 13th of April, atsome point west of the Orange and Alexandriarailroad, and throw his whole force, excepting onebrigade, between Lee ’s position on the Rappahan-nock and his base at Richmond . The object wasthe isolation of the enemy “from his supplies,checking his retreat, and inflicting on him everypossible injury which will tend to his discomfitureand defeat.” This movement was delayed by heavyrains, and on the 28th of April the instructionswere modified. The new plan was to cross the Rap-pahannock at the fords immediately north-westof Fredericksburg on the evening of the 28th, orthe morning of the 29th, and move in two columns,operating on the lines of the Orange and Alexan-dria and the Richmond and Fredericksburg rail-roads toward Richmond . The movements of thecorps are given in detail in the report of GeneralStoneman:

“On April 27th, I, then being at Warrenton Junction,with the corps encamped along the Orange and Alexan-dria railroad, received a telegram directing mo with mycommanders to meet some persons from headquartersArmy of the Potomac at Morrisville on the followingday [the 28th] at 2 p. m. Arriving there with my com-manders, I found the commanding general and Ids staff,and learned that a portion of the army was about tocross the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford that day. . . .From Morrisvillo to where the cavalry corps lay wasthirteen miles; from there to where some of the extremepickets wore was thirteen more, so that it was quitelate at night before the command was all assembledand ready to start, and owing to the state of the roads,the result of the recent heavy rains, and the darknessof the night, rendered doubly obscure by a dense fog,the corps did not reach the river until nearly 8 A. m. ofthe 29th. Arriving at the river, we found but one fordwithin the limits prescribed in our instructions whichcould be passed over, and that not bypacked mules orartillery. By dint of great exertion we succeeded ingetting all over the river by 5 p. m. I assembled thedivision and brigade commanders, spread our maps, andhad a thorough understanding of what we were todo. . . . Instructions were given to have all theimeked mules and led horses sent in the direction ofGermanna Mills, and to follow in the rear of the armyand remain with it until we formed a junction there-with, which we expected would be in the vicinity ofRichmond , and for each officer and man to take withhim no more than lie could carry on liis horse, myselfand staff setting the example.”

Averell, with three brigades, was to advance onCulpeper Court House, while Stoneman, with threebrigades numbering about 3500, under I). McM.Gregg, was totake the shorter route via Stevensburg,a hamlet 7 miles east of Culpeper Court House.The operations the first day, the 29th, after cross-ing, consisted in driving in the outposts which wereencountered on both roads. The report continues:

“About 9 A. M., April 30th, a staff-officer of GeneralAverell overtook me, . . . He also lumded me a notepicked up by some one, and sent me by General Averell.and to the following effect:

‘“[Important.] 11 KAnqi'A uteks, cavalky Division, nearbrandy Station, Vn., April 29th, 1803. colonel Chambliss.

13th Virginia Cavalry. Colonel: The major-general com-manding directs me to say that lie wishes you to get a manposted so as to have a view of the road leading down on theother side to Kelly’s Ford, and find out what kind of troopsmarched down behind the wagons. The enemy have madea demonstration toward .Stevensburg, but so far it amountsto nothing. The general is very anxious to know where tolook for Stoneman, as we have hcardnothing from him. Mostrespectfully, your obedient servant, It. (’manning PKICSiAssistant Adjutant-General.’

“ Feeling satisfied that wo should find Raccoon Fordguarded, and that its passage would bo disputed, Istruck the Rapidan River about six miles below; crossedover the port ion of the command under General Buford,who sent a party under Captain Peter Penn Gasltell, of hi sstaff, who, at a dash, cleared the ford above, capturingan officer, Lieutenant Bourier [James Boulware] of the9th Virginia Cavalry, and six privates of the 9tli and 10 th

AJAJOlt-GKNKKAL GKOltGK STONEMAN.THOM A PHOTOGltAl’H.

’ ■ "T?r*N

Virginia Cavalry. The rest of the cavalry and the artjklory made their escape. The main body immediatelycrossed at the Raccoon Ford, the rear getting over aboU ‘10 v. m. No fires built to-night, as we were in plain vie'from (’lark’s Mountain , a few miles to the south of theford, and on the top of which the enemy have a sigh*!station. We learned here that Stuart, with FitzhughLee ’s brigade, had that morning crossed at HomerviH®Ford, five miles above Raccoon Ford, and bad S oVtoward Fredericksburg , and we thought it more th«hprobable tlmt we should find him on the Plank road ftVerdiorvillo, where we had to strike it on our way south*Orders were issued to be. in the saddle at 2 o’clock in ^hmorning, and we lay down on the wet ground to g^ **couple of hours’ sleep. Two o’clock came, hut the fogso thick that it was impossible to move, more parti 011larly as we bad no guide to show uh the road. Dayfi? 11came, and we pushed on ; struck the turnpike; found 11enemy, but saw by his trail that he had gone towa 1 ’Fredericksburg . From here I pushed Gregg’s divisionon to Louisa Court House, on the Virginia . Central R* 11road, where it arrived about 2 A. M., May 2d, and i« lin .diatcly commenced fearing uptho track of the railroft* ’destroying the telegraph, etc. Buford’s brigade 011camped that night on the south bank of the North Auun*About 10 a. m., May 2d, T lmd the whole force united ftLouisa Court House. From here I pushed a squadr°

J See map, p. 155 of this volume, and also p, 164 of Volume II,— Editors.

152