Staunton Spectator

This distinguished and gallant cavalry officer has again astonished and electrified the public by another dashing "circumbendibus" entirely around the enormous army of Gen'l. McClellan Now take the map and trace the route of his glorious and triumphant gallopade around the large and boastful army of the enemy. He crossed near Williamsport and, going North, first passed thro' Mercersburg, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, then going North-East he went to Chambersburg, the county seat of Franklin county, then going South-East he went to Emmettsburg, near the Northern boundary of Frederick county, Maryland, then continuing in the same direction he went to Liberty in the same county, then South to New Market, also in Frederick, then in the same direction to Hyattstown in Montgomery co., Maryland, then bearing South-West to Barnesville in the same county, near which place he re-crossed the Potomac and returned to Winchester without the loss of a single man. The following is General Lee's brief despatch to the Secretary of War:

Winchester, Va.,
October 14, 1862.

Hon. G. W. Randolph:

The cavalry expedition to Pennsylvania has returned safe. They passed through Mercersburg, Chambersburg, Emmitsburg, Liberty, New Market, Hyattstown, and Barnesville. The expedition crossed the Potomac above Williamsport, and recrossed at White's Ford, making the entire circuit, cutting the enemy's communications, destroying arms, &c., and obtaining many recruits.

R. E. Lee, General.

General Stuart passed through a portion of the wealthiest part of Pennsylvania. The towns in Pennsylvania through which he passed--Mercersburg and Chambersburg--as before stated, are situated in Franklin, a county which contains a population of more than 40,000. From the Richmond "Whig" we learn that most of the country is a rich lime-stone valley, well watered. The productions in 1850 were 837,000 bushels of wheat (the greatest quantity produced by any county of the State, except Lancaster,) 539,976 of Indian corn, 393,447 of oats, 33,591 tons of hay, 67,546 lbs butter, and 44,192 of wool. The number of horses and mules in the county in 1850, [in round numbers] was 9,000, neat cattle 22,000, sheep, 14,000, swine 35,000.

Chambersburg the county seat has a population of about 5,000. It is situated 45 miles south west of Harrisburg, and is a thriving place. The houses are mostly of brick or stone, and the general appearance of the town is neat and comfortable. There are manufactories of cotton, wood, flour, paper, and iron in and near the town.

Mercersburg is fifteen miles south west of Chambersburg. The population is about 1,400. It is the seat of Marshall College, which was founded in 1836, under the direction of the German Reformed Church.

The object of this exploit we could not tell if we would, and we would not if we could. It is sufficient for us to know that it was done for a purpose.--What that purpose was will be developed at the proper time. In his route General Stuart cut the enemy's communication, destroyed many arms and a large amount of stores, and brought away 2,000 horses, without losing a man.

At Chambersburg General Stuart destroyed public property to the amount of $200,000, in which were 700,000 cartridges, 700 muskets, a quantity of shells, powder, &c. He found one car loaded with revolvers, which were appropriated by his men. Private property was not taken nor destroyed.

Besides doing these things, General Stuart captured a number of prisoners, fifty-one of whom arrived here on Sunday evening last, on their way to Richmond.