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FROM THE RAPPAHANNOCK: The Late Brilliant Affair at Kelly’s Ford; The First Real Cavalry Fight of the War (3/20/1863)
New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/20/1863

Posted on 03/20/2023 4:49:11 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson

WASHINGTON, Thursday, March 19.

The TIMES correspondent on the Rappahannock sends this bureau the following:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Wednesday, March 18.

The first real cavalry battle of the war has been fought, resulting in a decisive victory on the part of the national forces.

The telegraph has informed you of the departure of a large cavalry force in the direction of Culpepper, to reconnoiter, and, if possible, to intercept a body of rebels known to be in the neighborhood of Warrenton. The expedition returned to-night, the men being much exhausted after their severe labors, but elated and flushed with the excitement which accompanies victory.

Learning that both STUART and LEE had left the main body of the rebel army near Fredericksburgh, for the purpose of enforcing the draft in Fauquier and the adjoining counties, Gen. HOOKER determined to send out a large body of cavalry to cut them off, and at the same time to ascertain the position of the rebel forces on the other side of the Rappahannock. The regiments chosen for this important enterprise were the First and Fifth Regulars, commanded by Capt. RENO; the Thirty-fourth and Sixteenth Pennsylvania, Col. MCINTOSH; the First Rhode Island, Fourth New-York, and Sixth Ohio, Col. DUFFIER; and the Sixth New-York Flying Battery, of six guns -- all under command of Gen. AVERILL.

The expedition marched on Monday afternoon. Notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads, the men made good progress, and, passing through our outer pickets, encamped for the night near Kelly's Ford, not far back from the Rappahannock. On riding down to the ford the next morning at daylight, to cross over, the enemy were found to be in strong force on the opposite side, having posted numerous pickets, and constructed a formidable abattis along the bank.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: civilwar
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4139261/posts

1 posted on 03/20/2023 4:49:11 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
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2 posted on 03/20/2023 4:50:17 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation gets the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: chajin; henkster; CougarGA7; BroJoeK; central_va; Larry Lucido; wagglebee; Colonel_Flagg; Amagi; ...

From the Rappahannock: The Late Brilliant Affair at Kelly’s Ford – 2
The Battle of Fredericksburgh: An Authentic Statement of the Part Taken by Gen. Franklin in that Battle – 2-4
The Fight on the Blackwater; Attack on Rebel Breastworks – 4
Important from North Carolina: The Demonstration of the Rebels Against Newbern – 4-5
The Port Hudson Affair: Full Account from the Richmond Papers – 5
Important Rebel News: A Battle Imminent at Tullahoma, Tennessee – 5-6
Important from the Mississippi: Intelligence from the Yazoo Pass Expedition – 6
Affairs in the West: Soldiers Destroying a “Copperhead” Organ – 6
The War in Tennessee: Operations of the Guerrillas – 6
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 6-7
The Spring Fashions: Opening Day in New-York – 7
Gen. Franklin and the Battle of Fredericksburgh – 7
Our Cavalry – 7
Editorial: Provost-Marshal-General – The Conscription Act – 7-8
Another Duplicated Battle – 8
Editorial: Another Union Demonstration – 8
Amusements – 8


3 posted on 03/20/2023 4:50:57 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation gets the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: Homer_J_Simpson

It is so exciting to read about this activity on roads I drive upon each day. Today I am in Culpeper; tomorrow I will pass Kelly’s Ford and cross the Rappahannock on my way to Warrenton. Brandy Station, Chancellorsville, and Wilderness and Fredericksburg are a few minutes away. It’s magical.

Wait. I mean, it’s magical for the moment, until they get done building tract houses on the sacred ground. But until then I rejoice.


4 posted on 03/20/2023 9:43:44 AM PDT by ottbmare (the OTTB mare)
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