ourth New York Cavalry.--
Incidents.--Victory.--Advance to Ashby's Gap.--Pleasonton's Official
Report.--Rebel Movements on Free Soil.--Difficulties in the North.--
The Cavalry Corps Crosses the Potomac at Edward's Ferry.--General
Meade succeeds Hooker.--Orders.--Changes in the Cavalry.--Movements.
--Kilpatrick's Fight with Stuart at Hanover Junction.--Solemn and
laughable Scenes.--Buford's Division Opens the Fight at Gettysburg.
--Death of General Reynolds.--First Bay's Repulse.--Second Bay.--
Rebel Advantages.--Third Bay.--Last Grand Effort.--Death of General
Farnsworth.--The Republic just Saved.

For nearly two days we were prepared to march, and awaiting orders, when
at last they came. At about six o'clock on the morning of the sixteenth
we took up our line of march, which was mostly along the railroad in the
direction of Manassas. Having arrived at these celebrated plains, we
struck off a little to the left towards Centreville, where we arrived at
ten o'clock, weary with the long journey. Here we ascertained that
General Hooker's headquarters are at Fairfax Court House, or in the
vicinity, and that his army covers the approaches to Washington.

_June 17._--After a refreshing night's rest, we were up early in the
morning, and resumed our march at six o'clock, taking the Warrenton
Turnpike. Kilpatrick has the advance of the corps. We soon crossed the
memorable fields of the two Bull Run battles, passed the famous field of
Groveton, and there deflecting to the right, and pushing forward
rapidly, we arrived by noon in sight of the hills which partially
surround the village of Aldie, on the north side of the Bull Run
Mountains. Kilpatrick had been directed to move through Aldie, and
thence to and through Ashby's Gap, in the Blue Ridge, learn all he could
of the enemy's movements, and, then returning, to rejoin the corps at
Nolan's Ferry on the Potomac. Colonel Duffie, with his regiment, the
First Rhode Island, was ordered to move through Thoroughfare Gap, and to
join Kilpatrick in Pleasant Valley beyond. These plans were laid with
the presumption that no very heavy force of Rebels remained north of the
Blue Ridge, and none at all north of the Bull Run Mountains. But this
was a great mistake.

BLOODY BATTLE OF ALDIE.

James Moore, M. D., Surgeon of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, thus
describes what occurred to Kilpatrick and his command at this place:

"Scarcely had his advanc