Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-19

demanded, our troopers roared with laughter told the
proprietor who they WERE and much to his surprise
and Indignation pronounced them all prisoners of war
As the other troops arrived it found that mag
nidcent Federal ambulsnce bad been captured on the
route containing very valuable medical stores The
vehicle and contents we're burned where overtaken
the driver, good looking well dressed doctor and com.
panons. being accommodated with mule each, and
were at the moment to be found among nearly two
hundred other soldiers teamsters
negroes suffers, &c. &C., in the motley cavacade at
the rear. Helping themselves literally to all the store
Afforded our troops remained at the suffers until near
midnight, Friday when being comparatively refresh
ed and all present. the head of the column was turued
towards the Chickahominy and home Champagne
we are told, howed freely while any renianed-wines,
liquors, aud cigars ell consumed. Yankee pro-
Ducts OF every description were appropriated without
much ado, and with light hearts all quietly journeyed
by lonely road, to the main body of the enemy
and little before dawn of Saturday were On Ohicka-
hominy's bank, ready to cross
Being far below all the bridges, and where deep
water fsws they knew not how or where to cross !
Here awful situation for eur gallant band Di-
reced to Blind Ford it was fifteen feet deep The enc
my had blocked up all the main roads, and had thou
sands securing the country eager to entrap slaughter
them but two miles from McCelan's quarters, with
IN sound OF their horse pickets-and without to
cross Quietly taking precautions against all surprise
strict silence being eponed upon the prisoners first one
horseman plunged into the food, and then another at
different ponts-a too deep; ford discOverabie no
bridge! The horses it was thought, would follow each
other, aud swim the stream-it tried and the horses
carried away by the current Breaking into small par
ties the caValrymen and re-swam tie river with
their horses, and when fifty more had been land
ed, strange but friendly voice whispered in the dark
-" The old bridge is few yards higher up-it can be
mended " Twas found, and mended it could he =
Qaiety working, tree after tree ieed earth and
twgs and branches, carried and piled up on the
main prOps,-old logs were rolled and pitched
across the stream, yet after long and weary
labor tie bridge was built, and the long ard
silent procession Of cavalry, artillery, prisoners and
spoils, safely and quietly passed this trail impTomptu
bridge scarcely any sounds being heard but the rush of
waters beneath. Once and IN the swamp, al
Industry and expedition. Artillery axes sank low in
the mreteD Yankee horses htched to each piece
and the first rays of morning crmsoned the tree tops
the long line rapidly sought the shade of woods away
from the Fedora! lines Yet troops had not Pho,
ceeded far when the advance were halted Who comes
there % cried the Federal horseman in the swamp
" Who goes there?" calls another, and quicker than
thought our advance guard (by order dash away into
the open grouUd the Federals fire bali dozen shots
and rush ia pursuit. Into the thcket half dozen
Federal horsemen dart after men, and quicker than
| lightning are surrounded and prisoners
Once more within our lines all went merry mar
rage bell Quickly the dirty weary, gallant band sped
along the Charles City road dawn revealed them to
pckes, and they entered camps faint and furnished
but the noblest baud of heroes that besrode Z
charger or drew batle-blade tor their brthrlght as
| treemen
What then was the general result ?" asked we of a
weare1, DUSTY trooper watering his aded aud faithful
animal by a roadside spring. The result" answered
! he proudly, but much exhausted, " the resut? We
| have been 10 the saddle from bursday morcrg Until
Saturday noon, never breaking rein breaking fast
we has whipped the enemy wherever he dared to appear
never opposing than equal forces have burned
200 wagons laden with valuable stores, sunk OR fired
three large transports, captured 300 horses and mules
lots of sidearms &C. brought in 10 prisoners four Of
fcers, and many negroes killed and wounded scores of
the enemy-pleased Stuart, aud had one man killed
poor Capt Latane! This is the result, and So 600
cann3 cover the Federal loss in goods alone. As tt
myself" said be, mounting ard tcottGg away, 81
wouldn't have missed the trip for $l000hstory car
not show such another exploit this of Stuart's p!
He spoke the truth honestly and roughly, true sol
der serving under incompatible leader. More words
are not now needeG-tue whoe country is astonisbeC
and lauds-McCellan is disgraced-Stuart and Ii;
troopers are now forever in history.