approached they were busily engaged shoeing horses. To-day the command of Colonel Duffie passed through Thoroughfare Gap, after a brief fight, and to-night occupies Middleburgh, five miles from Aldie, and in the rear of Stuart's army. Stuart will have to fight to-morrow at a disadvantage, or, what is more probable, sneak off tonight. Captain Allen, of the Fourth New-York cavalry, came through the rebel lines with this news. During the engagement to-day General Gregg managed affairs in a manner reflecting the highest credit upon his profession. He was fortunate not only in having an efficient staff, but able commanders under him to execute all orders received. COLONEL DUFFIE'S REPORT. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the seventeenth instant I received from the headquarters of the Second brigade, Second cavalry division the following order. Colonel A. N. Duffie, First Rhode Island Cavalry: You will proceed with your regiment from Manassas Junction, by way of Thoroughfare Gap, to Middleburgh, there you will camp for the night and communicate with the headquarters of the Second cavalry brigade. From Middleburgh you will proceed to Union, thence to Snickersville; from Snickersville to Percyville, thence to Wheatland, and passing through Waterford to Nolan's Ferry, where you will join your brigade. In accordance with this order I left camp on the morning of the seventeenth instant with my regiment, two hundred and eighty strong, and proceeded to Thoroughfare Gap. At this place the enemy was met in force, and being much stronger than my command, I was obliged, in order to pass my regiment on to the Middleburgh road unseen, to make a demonstration on my left flank. This manoeuvre was successful; the enemy retired and I was enabled to gain the Middleburgh road. Nevertheless, they followed in my rear, but at a considerable distance, causing me no uneasiness. It was then half-past nine o'clock A. M. At eleven o'clock, their skirmishers disappeared, and I proceeded unmolested until four o'clock P.M., when, approaching Middleburgh, my skirmishers again met and engaged the enemy, capturing his first picket in the road. I ordered Captain Allen, commanding the advanced squadron, to charge through the town. By this move ment the rear-guard of General Stuart was cut off, and then a brisk cavalry fight ensued between his rear and my advance-guard. This engagement lasted half an hour, when the enemy was completely routed, and forced to retreat in the greatest disorder and confusion, scattering in every direction. Learning that Stuart with two thousand cavalry and four pieces of artillery had left town but half an hour before my arrival, and proceeded toward Aldie, I ordered that the different roads leading into the town be barricaded and strongly picketed, and instructed the officer commanding the outposts to hold the place at all hazards, hoping that after effecting communication with the brigade, which I supposed to be at Aldie, I should receive reënforcements. Captain Allen was selected to carry a despatch to General Kilpatrick, and directed to avoid as much as possible all main roads. The town was held by my command from halfpast four to seven o'clock P.M., during which time the skirmishers had been constantly engaged. At seven, I learned that the enemy was approaching in force from Union, Aldie, and Upperville. Determined to hold the place, if possible, I dismounted one half of the regiment, placing them behind stone walls and the barricades. The enemy surrounded the town and stormed the barriwith great slaughter. They did not desist, but, cades, but were gallantly repulsed by my men confident of success, again advanced to the attack, and made three successive charges. I was compelled to retire on the road by which I came, that being the only one open to retreat, and with all that was left of my command I crossed Little River, north-east of Middleburgh, and bivouacked for the night, establishing strong pickets on the river. At ten P.M., having heard nothing from the despatch sent to General Kilpatrick at Aldie, I sent twenty men under an officer to carry a second despatch. I have since learned that Captain Allen succeeded in making his way through the enemy's lines to Aldie. The party bearing the second despatch was probably captured. At half-past three o'clock the next morning, eighteenth instant, I was informed by scouts, whom I had previously sent out, that the roads in every direction were full of the enemy's cavalry, and that the road to Aldie was held by a brigade with four pieces of artillery. Under these circumstances I abandoned the project of going to Union, but made up my mind not to surrender in any event. I directed the head of my column on the road to Aldie, when an engagement commenced at once, the enemy opening on both flanks with heavy volleys, yelling to us to surrender. I at once directed Captain Bixby, the officer commanding the advance-guard, to charge any force in his front, and follow the Aldie road to that point where it connects with the road to White Plains. This order was executed most admirably. Captain Bixby's horse was shot and he himself. wounded. We were then in an extremely hazardous position, the enemy being in front, rear and on both flanks, and were intermixed with us for more than an hour, till we reached the road leading to Hopeville Gap. I must freely praise the gallant conduct of the brave officers and men who were fighting side by side with overwhelming numbers of the enemy with the most determined valor, preferring rather to die than to surrender. I returned here exhausted at half-past one P.M., to-day with the gallant debris of my much-loved regiment-four officers and twenty-seven men. My colors did not fall into the hands of the enemy, but were destroyed when they could not be saved, the color-bearer being captured. I can praise no one more than another, but I desire to call your attention to the gallant conduct of all the officers and men of the First Rhode Island cavalry. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient ser- vant, Colonel Cavalry Regiment. CAPTAIN ALLEN'S REPORT. ing of the approach of Kilpatrick, posted themselves in commanding positions, and with their mounted sharp-shooters placed behind stone walls ready to pour a murderous fire upon our advanc ing column. Kilpatrick charged upon the rebel advance, and drove them furiously through the town, the rebels making a stand on the other side, where was posted a rebel battery of four guns on the road to Ashby's Gap; and the rebel cavalry posted themselves along the wooded hills and stone walls toward Snicker's Gap. up to the contest, and by a desperate charge against the rebel battery of four guns and a regiment of mounted Mississippi infantry, the tide was turned in our favor, and the rebels were routed with loss-the horses galloping over the field riderless, and all of the foe that had not been killed being captured. Here desperate charges were made by our own and the rebel cavalry alternately, and after a fight of over three hours, and with varying success, the rebel force seened to be gaining some adColonel A. N. Duffie: vantage, when the First Maine regiment, Colonel SIR: I have the honor to report that about C. S. Douty, which had been detached from Colfive o'clock P.M., on the evening of the seven-onel J. J. Gregg's brigade for that purpose, came teenth instant, I was sent from Middleburgh, where the regiment was then engaged with the enemy, to carry a despatch to General Kilpatrick at Aldie, accompanied by two men. I first attempted to proceed by the main road, but was halted and fired upon by a body of the enemy, who said they were the Fourth Virginia cavalry. I then returned toward Middleburgh, and leaving the road, attempted to make my way across the the country. I found the fields and woods in every direction full of bodies of the enemy; by exercising the greatest care I succeeded in making my way through them to Little River; here I encountered five of the enemy, and forced them to give me passage. Following the river down, I struck the main road about one mile from Aldie, and by inquiry, I learned that our pickets were on that road. I reached Aldie and delivered my despatch to General Kilpatrick at nine P.M. General Kilpatrick informed me that his brinade was so worn out that he could not send any reenforcements to Middleburgh, but that he would report the situation of our regiment to General Gregg. Returning, he said that General Gregg had gone to state the facts to General Pleasanton, and directed me to remain at Aldie until he heard from General Pleasanton. I remained, but received no further orders. Respectfully submitted. FRANK ALLEN, A NATIONAL ACCOUNT. The fight at Aldie, on Wednesday, which was noticed briefly yesterday, was far more desperate than was at first supposed here. The cavalry engaged on our side were the Second New-York, Sixth Ohio, First Massachusetts, and Fourth New-York, under command of Colonel Kilpatrick, and the First Maine, of Colonel J. J. Gregg's brigade; and a portion of General Fitz-Hugh Lee's brigade, under command of Colonel Rousseau, on the part of the confederates. Colonel Kilpatrick's command was leading the advance of our cavalry corps, moving from Fairfax Court-House to Aldie. The rebel force (cavalry and mounted infantry) had come from the direction of Snicker's Gap, arriving at Aldie some two hours before our force reached that point; and the rebels getting warn But the victory was dearly bought by the loss of the gallant Colonel Douty, who fell mortally wounded. The fight lasted four hours, and some officers who participated and who have been in other fights say it was most desperate, such cutting and slashing with sabres not having occurred before in our encounters with rebel cavalry. As soon as the rebels wavered they were driven in the direction of Ashby's Gap, and as they were going toward the latter, the First Rhode Island cavalry, Colonel Duffie, which had advanced through Thoroughfare Gap, intercepted the retreating rebels at Middleburgh, five miles from Aldie, and made a charge upon their rear, compelling the rebels to move yet faster toward Ashby's Gap, the Rhode Island boys following them up. Colonel Kilpatrick heard from the latter that they were still fighting at seven o'clock P.M., but no subsequent information as to the result of the contest at that point has yet been received. The force thus engaged was the advance of the rebel General Stuart's cavalry, who, it is alleged by prisoners, was advancing thus through Aldie with the expectation of making a new raid. Our loss is estimated at two hundred in killed, wounded, and missing. We captured over one hundred prisoners and a battle-flag belonging to the Fifth Virginia cavalry. Among the killed, besides Colonel Douty, were Captain G. J. Summatt, of the First Maine, and Lieutenants D. Whittaker and Martinson, of the Second New-York. The remains of the above were brought to this city in charge of Lieutenant E. W. Whittaker, (brother of Lieutenant W., killed,) aid to Colonel Kilpatrick, and Adjutant A. P. Russell, of the First Maine. The bodies will be embalmed by Drs. Brown and Alexander, preparatory to being conveyed to their late homes in Maine and Connecticut. The fact that the fight was so desperate is ex plained by the importance of the position to be gained, that is, the commanding Gap at Aldie in the Bull Run and Catoctin ridge. General Pleasanton was pushing on at last accounts in the direction of Snicker's Gap. The names of the prisoners we captured are as follows: Captain R. P. Boston, Fifth Virginia cavalry; Major Carrington, Third Virginia; Captain F. R. Winser, after a desperate resistance; Captain L. B. White, Fifth Virginia, wounded; Captain Jones, Third Virginia; Lieutenant Boston, Fifth Virginia; Lieutenant Turnell, Fifth Virginia; Lieutenant Douglass, Fifth Virginia, and seventy-seven privates, principally from the Third and Fifth Virginia cavalry. Lieutenant Howard and Lieutenant Bagsdale, of the Fifth Virginia, were left on the field, supposed to be mortally wounded. A number of the privates of the rebels are known to be killed and wounded. Doc. 75. RE-ADMISSION OF LOUISIANA. LETTER FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 19, 1863. ernment should not give the committee the authority you seek, to act under the existing State Constitution. I may add, that while I do not perceive how such a committal could facilitate our military operations in Louisiana, I really apprehend it might be so used as to embarrass them. As to an election to be held next November, there is abundant time without any order or proclamation from me just now. The people of Louisiana shall not lack an opportunity for a fair election for both Federal and State officers by want of any thing within my power to give them. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. Doc. 76. GOVERNOR BRADFORD'S APPEAL. BALTIMORE, MD., June 21, 1863. To the People of the State and City: THE proclamation which I issued on the seventeenth instant, calling upon you to furnish six months' volunteers for the quota of militia required of us by the Government has not met with that prompt and practical response which I Messrs. E. E. Mathiot, Bradish Johnston, and thought I had the right to expect. Whilst some, Thomas Cottman: GENTLEMEN: Your letter, which follows, has been received and considered: To his Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States: with a cheerful alacrity worthy of all praise, have offered themselves for the service, the number, I regret to say, has fallen far short of what is required. Some, assuming to be ready for any emergenThe undersigned, a committee appointed by the hesitate to enlist in Government service lest they cy which the defence of the State may require, planters of the State of Louisiana, respectfully may be ordered elsewhere; but the very procla represent that they have been delegated to seek mation of the President which makes this call of the General Government a full recognition of upon us assumes as the true reason for it the all the rights of the State as they existed previous threatened invasion of our State, and would to the passage of an act of secession, upon the seem to be an implied assurance that such force principle of the existence of the State Constitu- is only required within the borders. But suption unimpaired, and no legal act having transpir-pose it were otherwise, and that it could be made ed that could in any way deprive them of the advantages conferred by the Constitution. Under this Constitution the State wishes to return to its full allegiance, in the enjoyment of all rights and privileges exercised by the other States under the Federal Constitution. With the view of accomplishing the desired object, we further request that your Excellency will, as Commander-in-Chief of the army of the United States, direct the Military Governor of Louisiana to order an election, in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the State, on the first Monday of November next, for all State and Federal officers. With high consideration and respect, we have the honor to subscribe ourselves your obedient servants, E. E. MATHIOT, BRADISH JOHNSTON, THOMAS COTTMAN. Since receiving the letter reliable information has reached me that a respectable portion of the Louisiana people desire to amend their State Constitution, and contemplate holding a Convention for that object. This fact alone, as it seems to me, is a sufficient reason why the general Gov available elsewhere, are we willing so to qualify as to say that it shall be rendered within the conand cramp the service that may be asked of us fines of our State, but nowhere else? It may well be that the very best stand-points for State defences are to be found on the other side of the Potomac. ready to meet the approaching foe? They come Who are the men here in our midst to-day from the North, and the East, and the West. Volunteers representing six States now man the works upon Maryland Heights, and the citizens of the State, sheltered as they are under the the Union to hesitate over any service of a navery shadow of the capital, should be the last in tional character that may be required of them. The Commanding General authorizes me to say that whilst he has accepted for special duty in the neighborhood of the barricades the proffered service of some of our patriotic citizens, such service will be no obstacle to the enlistment of those who would volunteer for six months, and who, while in discharge of this special duty, will be still accepted and mustered into the six months' service. Some, as I am told, decline to volunteer, pre-ficers, beside a wounded colonel, and a large ferring a draft, because, as they say, only the number of wounded rebels left in the town of loyal will volunteer, while the draft compels the Upperville. rebel sympathizer to discharge his just share of the public duty. The duty to which we are now summoned is emphatically a patriotic one-one which we should be unwilling to share with any whose whole heart is not devoted to his country. Do you expect a heart service of this kind from secessionists? Are you willing to leave the metropolis of the State undefended because they may fold their arms and offer no assistance? God forbid. They left their dead and wounded upon the field. Of the former I saw upward of twenty. We also took a large number of carbines, pistols, and sabres. In fact, it was a most disastrous day to the rebel cavalry. The patriots of the Revolution recognized no such reasoning. No whig failed to respond in those days because the tories stood aloof; but, when struggling for the liberties which it is now your duty defend, they mustered to a man, and sought no aid from the traitors in their midst, and left the very name of tory a term of contumely and scorn for all time to come. Let me, then, once more appeal to you, my fellow-citizens, and remind you that the foot of the invader is once more upon the soil of Maryland. In other days her citizens did not require to be twice told of such an event. And you, I trust, will show the world that the blood of the old defenders still courses through your veins. Come, then, at once. Come with a will, and come in crowds; and, as our fathers did fifty years ago, meet the invader before his tread shall desecrate the threshold of our homes. The General commanding this department informs me that, beside the work upon the intrenchments now being done by a force of colored laborers impressed for the purpose, he will have occasion to-morrow (Monday) morning for one or two thousand patriotic citizens to be employed in different fortifications at other points. To wield a pick or a spade for such a purpose is fully as honorable, and just now quite as essential, as to shoulder a musket or unsheathe a sword. All citizens who will volunteer for this work are invited to present themselves at Monument Square, in front of the General's headquarters, at nine o'clock Monday morning. Doc. 77 A. W. BRADFord. CAVALRY FIGHT NEAR ALDIE, VA. GENERAL PLEASANTON'S DESPATCH. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, CAMP NEAR UPPERVILLE, 5.80 P.M., June 21, 1863. Brigadier-General S. Williams : GENERAL: I moved with my command this morning to Middleburgh and attacked the cavalry force of the rebels under Stuart, and steadily drove him all day, inflicting a heavy loss at every step. We took two pieces of artillery, one being a Blakely gun, together with three caissons, beside blowing one up. We also captured upward of sixty prisoners, and more are coming in, including a lieutenant-colonel, major, and five other of Our loss has been very small both in men and horses. I never saw the troops behave better, or under more difficult circumstances. Very heavy charges were made, and the sabre was used freely, but always with great advantage to us. A. PLEASANTON, Brigadier-General. E. A. PAUL'S NARRATIVE. UPPERVILLE, VA., Sunday, June 21-5 P.M. This has been truly a glorious day for that portion of the army commanded by General Pleasanton. On Saturday but little advance was made, our forces in front bivouacking at night in a piece of woods but a short distance west of Middleburgh. At eight o'clock this morning active hostilities were resumed, and there has been a running fight up to several miles west of this town. The contest, as well as the result, must be particularly gratifying to the commanding general, for he has met the famous General Stuart in pitched combat, half a dozen times, and in all cases defeated him, and caused his forces to fall back precipitately. Stuart, all along the road between Paris and Middleburgh, told the inhabitants that he would certainly drive our forces back to Manassas, and there whip them. Per contra, he has himself been driven back to the Blue Ridge, and from the stone where I am seated penning these lines, I can see the smoke of his guns fired in the defence of Ashby's Gap. So hard pressed was he, and so fearful that his defeat might result in an entire rout, that at Common or Hatch's Run, three miles west of Middleburgh, he sent an express messenger, ordering up a brigade of infantry to meet him at Rector's Cross-Roads. The wished-for assistance came, but it availed him little. Our men nerved themselves to the task, and drove every thing before them-the enemy, in their haste, throwing away their accoutrements, provisions, clothing, wagons, cannon, and camp equipage. Three cannon have been captured, a number of horses, and more than one hundred prisoners, representing nearly every State in the Confederacy. Moving out of Middleburgh this morning, the troops under General Buford took a road to the right, leading to Unionville, while General Gregg moved up the main road direct toward Ashby's Gap, passing through Rector's Cross-Roads. Colonel Vincent, with the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, Sixteenth Michigan, Forty-fourth NewYork, and Twentieth Maine infantry, also moved up this road in advance, two companies in advance of each regiment deployed as skirmishers, while other companies acted as supports. Ful ler's regular battery was placed in the first almost a rout. The enemy turned at bay near favorable position west of the town, and fired Upperville. The Fourth New-York charged, several shots before receiving any response. The with General Kilpatrick at their head, and, enemy finally opened fire with two guns, and a breaking, retired, leaving General Kilpatrick a brisk cannonading was kept up for half an hour, prisoner. The Fourth, however, promply ralwhen the caisson of one of the enemy's guns was lied, charged again, and the General was resexploded by a shell thrown from a section of cued. The troops, with the single exception Fuller's battery, commanded by Lieutenant noted, all behaved well, as did most of the offiKelly, and another shell broke the limber of another piece. Both guns were captured by the cavalry. The rebels at another point abandoned a brass howitzer and caisson. They fell back from one position to another until they reached their present one on the mountain. The strongest resistance was made at Comell's River, Goose Creek, and just above the Upperville bridge, over Goose Creek. The enemy had made every arrangement to destroy the bridge, but General Kilpatrick, whose brigade was in the advance-in fact, it was during the whole day, pursuing the retreating forces ordering a charge to be made as he reached the bridge, completely frustrated the design. Captain Coons, of the Harris Light cavalry, led this charge, while the Fourth New-York advanced as dismounted carbineers, enfilading the bridge. Arriving at Upperville, two squadrons of the First Maine were ordered to charge through the town, which they did in the most gallant manner. The rest of the First Maine and the Fourth New-York acted as supports. Just beyond the town considerable force of the enemy was massed. The First Maine, Sixth Ohio, Tenth NewYork, Second New-York, and Fourth Pennsylvania charged upon them furiously. The resist ance was greater here than at any other point. Two of our regiments were in the road, and one on each side. They charged and were repulsed; the enemy charged and were likewise repulsed. Several charges were made with like results, untill the two forces became jammed in together, and a regular hand-to-hand conflict took place, lasting more than twenty minutes. In the first charge the enemy placed sharp-shooters along the stone walls at the side of the road, and our troops suffered from their fire. General Kilpatrick also arranged a similar reception for the enemy, and thus the two forces swayed to and fro under a galling cross-fire. The officers and men on both sides fought like fiends, and in the excitement many of the enemy were killed who might have been taken prisoners. General Kilpatrick nearly lost his own life in attempting to save the life of the colonel of a North-Carolina regiment. Finally the enemy yielded, and fell back, hotly pursued by General Kilpatrick's bloody brigade, until the concentrated fire from a battery warned General Gregg that it was time to withdraw his men. The brigade of regulars which had been sent up as a support, much to the amusement of all about, wheeled and hurried out of range. The Harris Light and First Maine marched out of range as slowly and deliberately as if going upon parade. No troops in the world ever stood such a terrible fire more unflinchingly. From Rector's Cross-Roads to Upperville was cers. General Kilpatrick, commanding the centre, was always in the right place, and inspiring the men under him by his dashing example. He led several charges in person, the most dashing of all being the onset west of Upperville. Colonel Gregg, commanding the left, discharged his duties promptly and like a brave man. General Gregg, commanding this division, and General Pleasanton, were near the front all day, carefully watching every movement. The former had a horse killed under him by a round shot. The conduct of Colonel Vincent, commanding the infantry, is everywhere spoken of in the highest terms. Captain Armstrong and Lieutenant Estes, of General Kilpatrick's staff, on two occasions, after delivering an order, led a column against the enemy under a most terrific fire, and excited the admiration of all for their gallant conduct and excellent example. While the centre and left were engaged with General Stuart in person, General Buford, with varying success, was fighting "Alphabet" Lee on the right. At this hour he has the enemy in front forced back to the mountains. The rebels along the line of march are completely chopfallen at the ill success of their favorite General Stuart, and they predict that he will yet pay us off. Strange as it may appear, while our loss is comparatively trifling, that of the enemy is very heavy. We have already as many dead rebels in our possession as our entire loss in killed. Besides, it is known that they carried off several ambulances loaded with their own dead. Our loss is about ten killed and one hundred wounded. Among the enemy's killed is Colonel Wilcox, of the Ninth Virginia cavalry. The colonel of a South-Carolina regiment is a prisoner, and the colonel of the Fifty-ninth North-Carolina is seriously wounded and a prisoner. E. A. PAUL. INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL ACCOUNT. ALDIE, June 28, 1863. EDITOR JOURNAL: Pleasanton's cavalry has won new laurels, additional lustre attaches to our name, and we are far removed from that derisive contempt in which our arm of the service has been held for many months. On the morning of the twenty-first, we attacked Stuart's force at Middleburgh, and, after an hour's stubborn resistance, they were in motion toward Ashby's Gap, no doubt impressed with the idea that there was more safety than gallantry in such a movement. General Buford, commanding the First division, followed up closely on the right, and Gregg, with his Second division, was close at their heels on the left. It was a running fight, and |