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Surgeon J. D. Fontaine, Fourth Virginia cavalry, (the enemy giving him little to do in his profession,) was bold and indefatigable in reconnoissance, and was particularly active in his efforts to complete the brigade.
Captain Heros Von Borcke, a Prussian cavalry officer, who lately ran the blockade, assigned me by the
Honorable Sceretary of War, joined in the charge of the first squadron in gallant style, and subsequently by his energy, skill, and activity, won the praise and admiration of all.
To my staff present my thanks are especially due for the diligent performance of the duties assigned them.
They were as follows:
First Lieut. John Esten Cook, Ordnance Officer, (my principal staff-officer for the occasion,)
First Lieut. C. Dabney, A. D.C.,
Rev. Mr. Landstreet,
Capts. Farley,
Towles,
Fitzhugh, and
Mosby rendered conspicuous and gallant service during the whole expedition.
My escort, under
Corporal Hagan, are entitled individually to my thanks for their zeal and devotion to duty, particularly
privates Carson, of the
Jeff Davis Legion, and
Pierson, of the Fourth Virginia cavalry.
Herewith are submitted the reports of subordinate commanders, marked A, B, and C, and a map, D, showing my route, and papers, E, containing recommendations for promotion, and F, containing congratulatory orders published to the command upon its return.
I have the honor to be, General, your obedient servant,
headquarters Dept. Of Northern Virginia, June 23, 1862.
General orders no. 74.
The General Commanding announces with great satisfaction to the army the brilliant exploit of
Brig.-Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, with part of the troops under his command.
This gallant officer, with portions of the First, Fourth, and Ninth Virginia cavalry, a part of the
Jeff Davis Legion, with whom were the
Boykin Rangers and a section of the Stuart horse artillery, on the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of June, made a reconnaissance between the
Pamunkey and
Chickahominy Rivers, and succeeded in passing around the rear of the whole of the
Union army, routing the enemy in a series of skirmishes, taking a number of prisoners, and destroying and capturing stores to a large amount.
Having most successfully accomplished its object, the expedition re-crossed the
Chickahominy almost in the presence of the enemy, with the same coolness and address that marked every step of its progress, and with the loss of but one man, the lamented
Capt. Latane, of the Ninth Virginia cavalry, who fell bravely leading a successful charge against a superior force of the enemy.
In announcing the signal success to the army, the
General Commanding takes great pleasure in expressing his admiration of the courage and skill so conspicuously exhibited throughout by the
General and the officers and the men under his command.
In addition to the officers honorably mentioned in the report of the expedition, the conduct of the following privates has received the special commendation of their respective commanders:
Private Thomas D. Clapp, Co. D, First Virginia cavalry, and
J. S. Mosby, serving in the same regiment;
privates Ashton,
Brent,
R. Herring,
F. Herring, and
F. Coleman, Co. E, Ninth Virginia cavalry.
Richmond Dispatch account.
It being determined upon to penetrate the enemy's lines, and make a full and thorough reconnoissance of their position and strength,
Gen. J. E. B. Stuart ordered the First, (
Col. Fitz-Hugh Lee,) Ninth, (
Col. F. H. Fitz-Hugh Lee,) and Fourth Virginia cavalry, (
Lieut. Gardiner commanding,) to hold themselves in readiness.
these regiments however, did not turn out more than half their usual strength, the Fourth not having more than four companies in the field.
The
Jeff Davis troop were also incorporated in the detail, as also two pieces of
Stuart's flying artillery--a twelve-pound howitzer and a six-pound English rifle piece — the whole force not numbering more than one thousand four hundred men, if even the total reached that number.
On Thursday, at dawn, this column proceeded down the Charlottesville (Brook Church) turnpike, and had gone some distance without molestation, when the vanguard overtook, some eight or ten adventurous negroes journeying rapidly towards the
Federal lines.
These runaways were secured and sent to the rear, and as night was drawing near, pickets and videttes were placed, and the column camped for the night near
Ashland, it being considered imprudent to progress further.
Towards the morning signal-rockets were fired, and answered by our troops at the lines far to the rear, and as soon as day broke the column proceeded on its march.
Carefully and cautiously journeying, the
Federal lines were penetrated, when horse-pickets discovering our videttes advancing, the videttes hastily retired, according to orders, upon the main body concealed by woods in a turn in the road.
Being near Hanover Court-House, the
Federals were wont to proceed thither daily for forage, as a captured picket informed the men, but on this occasion had orders to proceed as far as possible toward
Richmond.
It being thought possible to capture the whole detachment, dispositions were accordingly made, but upon the appearance of the second squadron of the Ninth, (composed of the Caroline dragoons,
Capt. Swan, and
Lee's light horse,
Lieut. Hungerford commanding,) under command of
Capt. Swan, the enemy's outpost hastily galloped back, and their main body took to flight,
Capt. Swan's squadron dashing after them down the road, making a splendid race of two miles at a killing pace.
Having proceeded thus far, and near the
