The cavalry Frights
[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Near Middlesboro, June 23, 1863.
The last week — from June 17th to yesterday inclusive — has been characterized by incessant conflicts between the cavalry under Gen. Stuart and the enemy's. Heavy damage has been inflicted upon the latter, and he has received a lesson by which he seems disposed to profit.
Nearly a week ago our cavalry drove back the enemy's near Middleburg, too a great number of prisoners, and captured two members of Hooker's staff.
Engagements have occurred every day since, but that which took place on June 21st was the most never and one of the hottest of the war. The enemy under Gens. Pleasanton, Stahl, and Barnes, advanced early in the morning with nearly of quite 20,000 cavalry, fifteen regiments of infantry, and four or five batteries, and attacked Gen. Stuart on the Little River Turnpike between Middleburg and Rector's Creas Roads, at the same time moving on his left and endeavoring to cut him off from the mountains.
The main body of the enemy, in front on the turnpike, consisting of 10,000 cavalry, three batteries, and two brigades of infantry, advanced with spirit, and deploying their infantry as sharpshooters, made it necessary for our cavalry to fall back.
The batteries of both sides were, during this time, hotly engaged, and one piece on our side being struck by a round shot, the horses killed, and the carriage disabled, was abandoned.
The enemy's cavalry was very little engaged, comparatively, the infantry and artillery being their chief reliance.
Gen. Stuart continued to fall back before this column, withdrawing his forces on the left at the same time, and thus drew them on nearly to Ashby's Gap, the day winding up with a brief but hot charge at Upperville, in which they were driven back and badly hurt.
Yesterday Gen. Stuart advanced in his turn and the enemy continued to retreat before his cavalry and artillery until night.
At that time he established his pickets near Aldie, and returned to his former position before the enemy's advance.
The appearance of the roads indicates the severe character of the engagements.
It is strewed with dead horses and many fresh graves are seen.
The loss of the enemy was heavy.
It was reported by citizens of Middleburg that the body of Gen. Kilpatrick, one of their most accomplished officers, passed through that night.
Many of their field officers were killed, and they undoubtedly suffered heavily.
Our own loss was considerable — among others, Lt. Col. Lewis, 9th Va., and Maj Eells, 5th Va., who were killed while gallantly charging near Mountsville.
This and the fight near Brandy Station have been as hard as any during the war. In both the enemy had heavy infantry supports — we none.
The result in all the recent engagements has been, on our part, entire success. 