GDG- More on the Retreat

[Tom Ryan]

Here is another report about the pursuit of Lee.  It seems the reporters are
well informaed:

July 10, 1863
The New York Herald

THE SITUATION.


A sharp fight took place on Wednesday morning at five
o, near Boonsboro, between the Union cavalry, under
Generals Buford and Kilpatrick, and the rebel infantry and
cavalry in large force, under Generals Stuart, Hampton and
Jones. Artillery was used on both sides. Our troops fought
gallantly, but were forced to retire to Boonsboro inch by inch,
which they held to a late hour, and then drove the enemy back
three miles. It was reported that General Kilpatrickforce
was surrounded and compelled to cut its way out; also that
General Kilpatrick was killed. Later despatches last night,
however, contradicted this rumor, although the General was
confined to bed yesterday from sickness. The fight was not
renewed yesterday morning. The rebels were reported to have
their pickets thrown out nearly to Boonsboro, enclosing
within their lines the Antietam battle field and
Shepherdstown crossing. The main force, however, is
considerably west of this point, and covers the three roads
that meet at Williamsport.


It was though that the attack of Wednesday was a
reconnoissance of the enemy to feel our position. Our loss
was quite insignificant. The loss of General Lee in the
three days'battles must be nearly thirty thousand, all told.


The skirmishing on Wednesday did not cease until eight
oin the evening. There was no fighting yesterday; but
last night General Buford moved out with his division, and is
pushing the enemy towards Hagerstown, which the enemy
occupied, with his front extending from Bakersville to
Funkstown, and thence around at a distance of from three to
five miles. None of their forces are in the neighborhood of
Sharpsburg or Shepherdstown. The rope ferry at the latter
place has been destroyed, and the only means of crossing in
the possession of the enemy are at Williamsport. It appears
that the rebels found a large amount of lumber at the latter
place, with which they built flatboats. They are ferried
across by means of ropes stretched across from shore to
shore. It is reported that the enemy has a pontoon bridge
near Williamsport; but it is doubted whether it is available
at the present stage of the water