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the field when we retired.
By dark our forces were all over the river, and the wounded of Buford's division all loaded in the cars and on the way to Washington.
The loss in his division is about one hundred and eighty, and in Gregg's about the same.
The rebel prisoners report their loss as heavier than ever before, and express admiration of the gallantry of our cavalry.
The total number of prisoners taken is about two hundred and twenty-five, and we lost about fifty.
Though our force was not large enough to thoroughly defeat the rebels, yet they received a sound thrashing, and it will result in postponing their “grand raids” into the North for some time, if not indefinitely; for, beside chastising them, we have gained full information of their strength, character and designs.
Witness the following letter captured on the battle-field, which I have copied from the original verbatim
I leave the name blank for the sake of the writer. This confirms all the information we previously had. Fitz-Hugh Lee, W. F. Lee, G. W. Jones, Robertson of North-Carolina, and Field of Virginia, commanded the brigades. In the latter's brigade is all the mounted infantry they had-reported at eight hundred men. An order was found from General Stuart, dated June sixth, ordering the commands to be held in readiness to move at fifteen minutes notice. A captain, who was taken prisoner, said they were under orders to move on Wednesday morning at daylight. They moved a day sooner, and backward at that. The prompt manner in which these plans of the enemy have been baffled will elicit the admiration of every one. A day longer, and it would have been too late. Their plans are now known, and we can prepare accordingly. Pennsylvania and Maryland will awake to the importance of the occasion, and make all needful preparations to receive this horde of raiders. They will probably only defer, not abandon, their designs, and such a body of cavalry once loose in a defenceless State, they can take the whole of i<*> But General Hooker has unmasked them, and given time for preparation. Shortly he will be fully ready himself to take them thoroughly in hand.
camp near Brandreth Station, Culpeper Court-House, June 8, 1863.
dear brother: We have made another change of base.
We left Dayton one week ago to-day, and after five days of marching we encamped at this place.
We have had two grand reviews of five brigades of cavalry, about twelve thousand in number, under General Stuart.
The first took place on Saturday, when we were inspected by Stuart; and I have just now returned from the second, when we were inspected by Lieutenant-General Robert E. Lee in person.
He was a fine-looking man, but very gray-haired.
We are now in a battery numbering about sixteen pieces, under the command of Major Beckham.
Longstreet's division passed us on Saturday.
The Wise artillery was along.
You can look out for some small fighting before a week.
We are now about two miles from the Rappahannock, at Beverly Ford.
I expect, from the preparations that is being made, that we are going to make a grand raid toward the Potomac as soon as the valley is cleared. . . .
You must excuse the shortness of this letter, as I have just returned from the review, and I feel tired from riding so much.
Direct your letter to Chero's battery, Jones's cavalry brigade.
Please write immediately, as we may leave in a couple of days.
Your affectionate brother, J. M. D.
I leave the name blank for the sake of the writer. This confirms all the information we previously had. Fitz-Hugh Lee, W. F. Lee, G. W. Jones, Robertson of North-Carolina, and Field of Virginia, commanded the brigades. In the latter's brigade is all the mounted infantry they had-reported at eight hundred men. An order was found from General Stuart, dated June sixth, ordering the commands to be held in readiness to move at fifteen minutes notice. A captain, who was taken prisoner, said they were under orders to move on Wednesday morning at daylight. They moved a day sooner, and backward at that. The prompt manner in which these plans of the enemy have been baffled will elicit the admiration of every one. A day longer, and it would have been too late. Their plans are now known, and we can prepare accordingly. Pennsylvania and Maryland will awake to the importance of the occasion, and make all needful preparations to receive this horde of raiders. They will probably only defer, not abandon, their designs, and such a body of cavalry once loose in a defenceless State, they can take the whole of i<*> But General Hooker has unmasked them, and given time for preparation. Shortly he will be fully ready himself to take them thoroughly in hand.
Official report of Colonel Wyndham.
headquarters Second brigade, Third division cavalry corps.
Captain H. C. Weir, Assistant Adjutant-General Third Division Cavalry Corps:
Captain: I have the honor to make the following report of the part my command took in the action of yesterday.
After crossing the river and coming up with Colonel Duffie, I turned to the right, and, in obedience to orders from the general commanding, pushed on rapidly to Brandy Station.
On arriving at that place I found the enemy strongly posted in the rear and on the right of the station, with batteries planted on the heights near the Barber House.
I immediately formed my command into line of battle, and had the section of artillery attached to it placed in position, and opened on their battery in front of the Barber House.
Observing the enemy breaking away on the left, I ordered a portion of the First Maryland cavalry, led by Major Russell, to charge on the station, which they did in fine style, capturing a number of the enemy, and bringing away an ambulance and four horses, captured by our advance-guard.
I next ordered the section of artillery to advance, as they had completely silenced the battery they had been firing upon, and at the same time ordered the First New-Jersey to charge on a battery stationed in the rear of the Barber House, and the First Pennsylvania reserve corps and the balance of the First Maryland to charge the heights on which the house stands.
The whole command moved gallantly forward and no bly accomplished the work assigned them.
The First Maryland, which consisted of little more than a squadron, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Deems, charged first, but were met by fully a regiment of the enemy, posted behind the buildings and drawn up in the garden and orchard, and, after a spirited fight, were compelled to fall back.
The First Pennsylvania, coming up, charged next.
Col. Taylor, leading part of the regiment, struck the enemy in front, while Lieut.-Colonel Gardiner, with the balance, dashed on his flank next to the house, forcing him back at both points, cutting him off from the house, and gaining his rear, drove him from his cover into the open plain below, where he was again met by the First Maryland cavalry, which had rallied.
Thus assailed on both sides, his force was completely scattered, a large number being killed, wounded or captured.
The Captain H. C. Weir, Assistant Adjutant-General Third Division Cavalry Corps:
