Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-23


CAMP BULLOCK, n. c., May 16, 1862.
We made, yesterday, reconnaissance in
force toward the enemy at Trenton. On the
afternoon Of the l4th we had orders to he
ready to move Immediately with one days ra-
tons. in light marching order. Very soon
after, very severe thunder shower came up,
the rain falling in torrents. The grand guard
were drawn in, and on account of the severity
of the storm, the order to march was counter
manded and all hands retired to rest, after
receiving and reading a large mail of letters |
from home. Those letters of encouragement |
and love came at the right time, and if our
friends at home only knew how much they |
cheered the soldiers heart, and encouraged |
him to duty, more of them would be written.
on THE MARCH.
On the morning of the 18th, at o'clock,
the marching order came, and in a few mo-
ments the men were awakened from their
sound sleep ard had formed in line; and in a
| few moments more, were on the road. We
marched three miles to the Trent road, where
we were joined by seven companies OF the Sd
| New York. cavalry, the Massachusetts 18th
regiment, and two pieces of the Sd Rhode
Island battery-all being under Col. Amory,
commanding the first brigade. The night was
dark, and never were roads in worse condi-
ton The mud was deep and sticky. The
creeks and branches had been much raised by
the heavy rain, which still fell at intervals as
we marched. We were obliged to ford all the
Al.
roads, excepting upon rivers which cannot be
forded. The water was over the tops of our
boots; but there was no complaining. Some
seven miles further came to a fine look
ing mansion two stories high, and painted
white, surrounded by corn barns, negro
houses, and other out-houses. 1t was very
pretty place. set among shade trees, was the
property Of noted rebel named Merritt, and
j had been general rendezvous for the rebel
" cavalry As we arrived, we saw the smoke
curling up from one of the chimneys of the
, house; and Col. Amory, with few other of
fcers, entered. They applied the torch, and
. very soon the house and all the buildings on
y, the place were burned to the ground. 1t was
u melting out well-deseryed justice to its rebel
owner. 1t is understood that the place was
destroyed by order of Gen. Burnside.
SHARP CAVALRY sKIRMIsH.
We moved on. and coming to a position
some two miles northeast of Trenton, halted
in wood. The 18th Massachusetts Skin
mished without meeting the enemy, and the
10Th was held in reserve. An advanced
guard of thirty cavalry moved forward They
soon met one hundred and fifty rebel cavalry.
and fight ensued. At one time our cavalry
were completely surrounded but most gal
lantly cut themselves loose, making bold
dash through the rebel lines. Another caval-
~ force was sent forward, and when they an
peared the rebels turned and ran with all nos
siblc speed. One of our majors of cavalry
was twice taken prisoner, but each time man
aged to escape He was disarmed the first
time he was taken, when rebel officer drove
up to him and said, eve won't be troubled to
take you along" and drew his pistol, aiming
it at the majors head; but he struck it IN.
the charge passed over him, and he escaped
Another rebel drove up, and was about tc
shoot him, when the major said, II surrender
to you" Very soon another force of Union
, cavalry charged upon them, and in the ex-
: element the major escaped again, bring
ing two sabres with him. The result O.
the fight was, nine rebels killed, and one NOR.
tally wounded, who died last night in one O
c our ambulanccs and two rebels taken prison
d ers. How many we wounded cannot BIZ
l. known. We had two men wounded, one o
y them losing his left hand by a sabre cut
Is was sharp little fight, in which our cavalr,
> displayed great courage and energy. Tn,
al rebels occupied large meeting house in
IN clearing, which was burned down by us afte
ID they rctreated.