CHAP. XXVIII.] AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865. 



451 





which proved that Stuart's cavalry, though excellent in 

 raiding and reconnoitring, and in irregular fighting, were 

 still accustomed to charge boldly in the open field. A 

 large body of the Federal cavalry were covering the 

 retreat of their broken inftintry, when General Stuart, 

 with Robertson's brigade, moved upon them. The 2nd 

 Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel Munford, was in advance 

 of the other two regiments, and at once charged vehe- 

 mently upon the enemy. Their impetuous charge broke 

 the first line, and drove it back upon the second line, 

 which, charging in turn upon Munford's horsemen while 

 disordered by the pursuit, drove them back in confused 

 flight, snooting and sabring many of the men. At this 

 crisis the two remaining regiments of the Confederate 

 brigade came up under General Stuart, and at once 

 charged furiously on the hostile lines. This attack, by 

 fresh reserves, again turned the scale, the Federals were 

 driven back in utter rout, with the loss of many killed 

 and wounded, and several hundred prisoners and horses.' 



On the 9th October, 1862, General Stuart made his 

 greatest " raid," that through Pennsylvania around the 

 Northern army. He set out with a force of 1,800 cavtdry 

 and four pieces of horse artillery, and on the 1 0th crossed 

 the Potomac river and moved rapidly towards Mercers- 

 burg, which was reached at noon, and then Chambersl mrg, 

 which was occupied at dark. The telegraph lines were 

 cut in every direction, the railways obstructed, and large 

 numbers of horses captured. All the public stores and 

 buildings were destroyed. At Chambersburg General 

 Stuart's position was very critical. He was directly in 

 rear of the whole Federal army, in a hostile country, and 

 some ninety miles from his own lines. He considered it 

 too dangerous to attempt to return by the route he had 

 come, and decided to make a wide sweep to the east 

 and cross the Potomac some distance below the Federal 

 army in the neighbourhood of Leesburg. 



Every precaution was taken to deceive the enemy. 

 Stuart first marched towards Gettysburg, then turned 

 south towards Hagerstown, and then turned east again 



Colonel Von Borcke's Memoirs, 



G G 2 



