W. M. W. Averell to Ool. Jos. Dickinson, December 25, 1862

Just received the following telegram from Brigadier-General Kelley, at Cumberland :

Lieutenant Vermilyea, First New York Cavalry, with 40 men, went from Martinsburg to-day on a reconnaissance to Charlestown, in Jefferson County, and found there about 60 men of the Fwelfth Virginia Cavalry (rebel), Captain Boyle’s company. Our men charged them at once and drove them out of town; captured 2 prisoners, horses, arms, &c. One of the prisoners is a son of the Hon. Andrew Hunter.

JOHN B. WOOL, : Major-General.

General-in-Chief, Washington, D. O.

DECEMBER 25, 1862.—Skirmish near Warrenton, Va.

Report of Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, U. 8. Army, commanding Cavalry Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, December 26, 1862.

COLONEL: [ have the honor to report that a scout was sent by me day before yesterday to go through the woods below Deep River to the Rappahannock River, to discover if there was any place fordable or unguarded, so that I might cross with sufficient force to fall upon the picket at Ellis’ Ford, or Kelly’s, and surprise them. He has returned and reports that after making his way with great difficulty, mounted and on foot, to the river, he discovered that there is a complete line of pickets on the other side, extending from United States Ford to Kelly’s.

The enemy are at United States Ford, Ellis’, and Kelly’s. At Ellis’ day before yesterday, the picket was strengthened and three pieces of artillery added to it. The current, except at the regular fords, is strong and the bed of the river filled with ledges of rock. It is difficult to ap. proach any of the fords unobserved by the enemy. _ Scouts are sent over by the enemy every few hours, who approach our lines and return. Five came over whilst my scout was hidden in the vicinity of Ellis’ Ford. On the 23d instant, a party of three started to go to Warrenton, but returned shortly after, reporting that 7 of. the enemy’s scouts got after them and followed them so closely as to render it unsafe to proceed. A non-commissioned officer and 10 men were then sent out on the 24th, who arrived at Warrenton Junction about dark, and remained all night. The next morning they set out for Warrenton. On the road they met a citizen, who produced a copy of an oath of allegiance which he had taken, and who informed them that there were no troops at Warrenton, excepting two companies of Randolph’s Black Horse Cavalry, now commanded by a Lieutenant Smith.

My party proceeded to within 4 miles of Warrenton, where the pickets of the enemy were discovered and chased for a mile. The party then returned by way of Elk River, near which place a picket was seen and pursued for about 2 miles, when the party suddenly found themselves in the presence of about 60 of the enemy. They attempted to break through them, but their horses being jaded and worn they had great difficulty in doing so. Five of the party have not yet reported, and I fear that they have been captured.

The enemy on the other side of the Rappahannock seemed to have quite a holiday yesterday, riding races, whooping and yelling, firing cannon, &e.

Some 8 miles south of Kelly’s Ford there were several reports of cannon during the day.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,