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>mmon object, propelled by the comprehensive mind of its com- manding general, who had and was following out a definite plan of operations, evolved as early as June 28th, when he first received information that the Union army had crossed the Potomac and was advancing, and were not set in motion by a temporary impulse grow- ing out of a trivial raid for shoes at Gettysburg on the morning of luly i st. That was merely an incident in the concerted movement

of a great army.

LESLIE J. PERRY. Washington, December /, 1895.

FIRST MANASSAS.

The Closing Scenes of the Battle Cavalry Pursuit.

[Because of graphic details embodied, this article and the reply thereto are given. ED.]

To the Editor of the Dispatch :

The subjoined letter, which I request you to publish in your widespread and metropolitan journal, is from the pen of Captain William Fitzhugh Randolph, of Greenville, Miss. Captain Ran- dolph, himself a gallant Confederate officer, is brother to Bishop Randolph, of Virginia, and of the military stock of the distinguished Captain Buckner Magill Randolph, of the Confederate infantry, as well as kinsman to the courageous and accomplished Colonel Robert Randolph, of the cavalry corps attached to the Army of Northern Virginia.

Yours,

JOHN SCOTT, of Fauquier, Colonel of Cavalry, Confederate States Army. Warrenton, Va.

GREENVILLE, August, 1895. Colonel John Scott :

MY DEAR COLONEL, I hope you will excuse the delay which has occurred in my answer to your letter, received some weeks ago, which has been occasioned, first, by my absence from home, and then by a spell of fever, from which I have only recovered in the past few days.