Gen. Stahel was relieved of his cavalry command on June 28th, 1863.
Heqrs. Stahel's Cav. Div., Dept. of Washington,
Fairfax Court House, April 11, 1863.
General:—I have the honor to report with regard to the reconnoissance under command of Brig.-Gen. J. F. Copeland, which left this place on the 3d day of April, and returned here early on the morning of the 6th instant, that it proceeded as far as Middleburg, and searched diligently through that whole section of country without meeting any enemy in force or ascertaining definitely the whereabouts of Mosby. Small detachments of rebels, however, were occasionally seen, but scattered on the approach of our troops.
On the 4th instant, early in the morning, in front of Middleburg, a collision occurred between one of his pickets and some of the enemy's, resulting in the death of one and the wounding of another on each side. During the expedition there were captured and arrested sixty-one prisoners, citizens and soldiers, fifty-three horses, two mules, a quantity of wheat, three wagons, saddles, bridles, guns, sabres, &c., all of which were turned over to the provost-marshal of this place, and by him to Colonel Baker Washington, a copy of whose receipt is inclosed within … &c.
JUL. STAHEL,
Major-General.
Maj.-Gen. S. P. Heintzelman,
Commanding, &c.
There is no report on file of Major-General Stahel's expedition about two weeks after this in search of Mosby.
CHAPTER X.
"Our acts our angels are—or good or ill,
Our fatal shadows that walk by us still."