Original Document

This rebel raid—during which some 2000 cavalry completely "circumnavigated" the whole of the army of the Potomac, crossing the river above our right, passing through Chambersburg, making a complete circuit behind McClellan, and finally returning into Virginia below our left, without losing a dozen men in the operation—is one of the most surprising feats of the war. The rebels bagged a large quantity of clothing, boots, and arms; they likewise carried off some 500 horses. Some authorities estimate the property destroyed and seized by them at $800,000. The following account of the marauders is published in the Washington Star:
 
A man who arrived here this morning from near Conrad's Ferry states that he was in the presence of General Stuart a few minutes before he crossed the river with his marauding force in retreat from Pennsylvania. Stuart informed him, in a sarcastic manner, he had fooled the whole party, but regretted he had not accomplished what was intended when he started, as he was expected to reach Frederick, Maryland, destroying the Government stores at that point, then destroying the bridge over the Monocacy river; but that all things taken into consideration, he had carried out his programme with much success. Stuart's men and horses looked extremely exhausted, but the former were in high glee, and from the looks of the clothing on their horses, and that which they had on their persons, and that which they had tied on their extra stolen horses, which numbered about 1000, a change would be very acceptable, especially shoes and boots, of which they had a large quantity. General Stuart sent his compliments to a number of United States officers with whom he was acquainted in old times.
 
The Herald correspondent at Frederick thus speaks of their escape:
 
The termination of the rebel cavalry raid did not result in their capture, or any considerable portion of them, as had been hoped.
 
The cavalry force under General Pleasanton, which passed through this city at daylight on Sunday morning, reached the vicinity of Poolesville a short time before the main body of the rebels. Both men and horses had had a very hard jaunt, the men having been in the saddle and on the road almost constantly from the time the fact of the rebels having crossed the river became known, consequently neither of them were in condition to render as efficient service as they otherwise might.
 
The rebels soon made their appearance, and posted one gun on a hill, so placed as to cover their passage. Our battery was placed in position, and an attempt made to silence this gun. The firing was kept up at intervals for about three hours, without, as far as is known, doing any damage to either side.
 
It is said that no attempt was made to fire upon the cavalry while they were crossing the river, which might easily have been done, neither was there any attempt made to charge upon them by our cavalry and repulse them. This can only be accounted for upon the supposition that the horses were too much exhausted to warrant such an attempt. Upon any other hypothesis the conduct of our cavalry would seem to have been most disgraceful to themselves and the service.
 
Persons who were present and saw the affair, state that the rebel gun was supported only by about twenty cavalry men.
 
The crossing occupied some three or four hours, and from first to last met with no serious opposition. The rebels went on their way with their plunder, no doubt surprised as well as rejoicing at having escaped so easily. There was, in fact, nothing which could be called even a skirmish, and but for the artillery practice obtained our troops might as well have been at Harper's Ferry.

Credit: Harper's Weekly, (November, 1862), 698.