C. R. Lowell, J. R to Second Massachusetts Cav, June 25, 1864

CoLoNEL Major Forbes has just returned from Centreville, and I am able to send a clearer account of Lieutenant Tuck’s affair. It seems that Mosby came down on Thursday evening to near Union Mills with about 200 men and an iron gun drawn by six horses. Thursday p. m. a small squad of Kincheloe’s men took two of Colonel Lazelle’s patrol, as reported last night. When’Mosby with a few men came down to spy out the land, he learned this, and concluded that there would be too much stir for him to carry out his plan, whatever it was. He returned, therefore, to Union Mills Friday morning and marched his column back through Centreville about 10.30 a.m. Half an hour previously Lieutenant Tuck with his forty men had passed through Centreville going toward Little River pike, and had stopped about one and a half miles north ina field of newly cut hay, to feed. Citizens report that the horses were unbitted, some of the mem in cherry trees on the other side of the road, some asleep ; there was one man on picket sitting on the fence, but in a very pene chosen position. Mosby, learning about Mr. Tuck in Centreville, sent part of his men rapidly on, who dashed into the field, shooting the man on post and making such a panic that no resistance was attempted. It is said that a couple of men who had gone to a neighboring house for breakfast and saw Mosby’s men going past did the only firing that was done on our part. Three wounded men (two. dangerously) were brought in by Major Forbes and five men are reported to have returned to camp on foot. All the horses and the rest of the men and arms are believed to have been captured. Mosby lost no time, but went right across to the Little River pike and up. toward Aldie. He was on the pike near the double toll-gate at noon.

The strength of Mosby’s column was estimated by Dr. Hart and Mr. Mellen (good Union men), both of whom saw it pass; and another citizen says Lieut. Frank Fox told him as he passed they had about 200.

Major Nicholson with his 150 men returned with Major Forbes, and reached Centreville yesterday p.m. Gotthe impression that Mosby was from 400 to 900 strong and remained there, sending party to camp: to report what he had learned.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,