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[373] and watching for fresh developments of the enemy's plans.

Meantime, our cavalry, under Pleasanton, was constantly confronted by that of Lee, under Stuart; and nearly every day witnessed a fight or a skirmish, as our troopers crowded up to the passes of the Blue Ridge, and attempted to scan what was going on beyond them, or the enemy dashed down into the valleys this side, incited by a like laudable thirst for knowledge. At length, a pretty general cavalry fight occurred,1 nearly westward of Washington, on tie line of the great highway from Alexandria to Winchester, down which Stuart had pushed so far as Upperville; whence he was repelled by a charge of Kilpatrick's brigade, and forced back into Ashby's Gap, after a spirited brush, with determined charges on either side. Kilpatrick was once taken prisoner, but rescued by a countercharge directly. Buford and Gregg were active this day; as was W. H. F. Lee on the side of the Rebels, who lost 2 guns, and perhaps 150 men in all, including Col. M. Lewis, 9th Virginia, killed. Our loss did not exceed 100.

Meantime, Gen. Jenkins and his brigade of Rebel cavalry had raided across the Potomac and Maryland up to Chambersburg, Pa., which they entered, unopposed, at 11 P. M.2 They took horses, cattle, &c., destroyed the railroad, and swept off into Slavery some 50 negroes — all they could catch — but did no wanton injury. Jenkins paid liberally for drugs — in Confederate scrip — and, some of his horses having vanished, threatened to burn the town if they were not returned or their value made up. The borough authorities paid the amount demanded (only $900) in Confederate scrip, which had suddenly become abundant there; and it was pocketed without remark, but without obvious relish.

Gen. Ewell, with his corps, had crossed into Maryland at Williams-port,3 on the heels of Milroy's fugitives, pushing on unmolested to Chambersburg — our force at Harper's Ferry retiring across the river to Maryland Heights, where it was not molested. Early's division of Ewell's corps was impelled eastward from Chambersburg to York; while Johnson's moved northward to Carlisle; Imboden, with his brigade, moving westward up the Potomac, destroying railroad bridges, &c., so far as Cumberland. Lee seems to have meditated a dash on Washington; but, Hooker's army remaining in its front, instead of rushing over into Maryland, no opportunity was presented; so the whole Rebel army forded4 the Potomac; A. P. Hill's corps at Shepherdstown, and Lee, with Longstreet's, at Williams-port; both, uniting at Hagerstown, advanced, unopposed, on the track of Ewell, to Chambersburg.5 Ewell had taken quiet possession of Carlisle, pushing forward his advance to Kingston, within 13 miles of Harrisburg. Meanwhile, such militia as had been mustered in or sent from Eastern States to the aid of Pennsylvania were collected, under Gen. Couch, at Harrisburg; while Gen. Brooks, powerfully aided by the volunteer efforts of the citizens, hastily threw up a line of defenses intended to cover Pittsburg.

All doubt as to the enemy's purposes being now dispelled, Gen.

1 June 21.

2 June 15.

3 June 16.

4 June 24-25.

5 June 27.

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