On to Washington

It appears that Gen. Stuart with 700 cavalry actually went within 12 miles of Washington city on Friday last, the day before the great battle was fought. He produced a terrible panic and great stampede, as the following dispatch from Alexandria shows:

ALEXANDRIA, Aug. 29—This morning, Stuart’s rebel cavalry made a dash through Fairfax C. H., on their way to Vienna, which is about thirteen miles from Washington. The Union people of that section have all fled to the latter city.

Citizens of Vienna were escaping, 700 cavalry having made a descent upon that place. But one Union man is left in Vienna, which is only twelve miles from Washington.

A private letter from Baltimore says:

The Potomac is now fordable at every point—much excitement prevails in Western Maryland in consequence of the recent incursion by the rebels.

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]