New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-06
Brilliant Cavalry Charge in south-Eastern
Virginia.
,cisl Correspondent.

From Special Correspondent.
IL ruE FIEID OF ALBERT JOHNSON. I
Two miles from CArsyls, Va, Dec. 2. issz.
Yesterday afternoon, a force OF 1000, including
one section Of Towards Battery, two sections OF
the 9TH Massachusetts, Battery, the llth Pennsyvs.
MIA Cavalry, and five regiments Of infantry-the
Ohio ed, Illinois 39th, Pennsylvania 1904, New.
York l3Oth, aud Massachusetts 6th-sll under COM
mand of Col. Spear llth Pennsylvania Cavalry, left
Suffolk, with two days rations for little business
excursion toward Franklin. Indications Of Rebel
forces were seen during the day on our side Of the
Blackwater, and their pickets were chased by the
scouts Of the llth. Soon after sunrise this morning,
the whole force reached Beaver Dam Church, two
miles beyond Csrsville, and three miles short OF
Franklin when the videttes brought il the exciting
news that q squad OF our pickets, some dozen III
number, had boldly charged on large Rebel force
of cavalry and battery, at point mile or 60 be-
yond toward Franklin. These tidings raised the
srdor of the llth and under the lead OF COL Spear,
its commander and MAJOR Stratton who headed the
charge, the force, consisting OF Companies A, b. U,
and |. made most dashing and brilliant charge on
the Rebel corps which proved 10 be four companies
of the I'd Georgia Regiment Of Cavalry and Two
pieces of the far-iamed Rocket Battery, presented
70 Gen. Mcclellan in Europe, and captured from MN
by the Rebels. As soon as our force MADE It's APP
commenced Il mile from Franklin, and was followed
by the dash and abandon that have made spears
Cavalry" the crack corps OF Pecks division, untl
the force reached the floating bridge at Franklin,
and the retreat was covered by the batteries across
the Blackwater The boys returned from their
charge with 20 Rebel prisoners from the Rocket
Battery, and the I'd Georgia Cavalry, Col joel 10
Griffin 81 guns horses, quantity OF eccouter.
ments and equipments, and, best achievement OF
all. two of twelve pieces OF the Rocket battery:
This arm with ito noisy prolectlle, iull oil SOUND ana
fury is regarded most formidable by the cavalry,
ma il introduces great CONSERVATION among horses
We cspturei csissOns, two guns and quantity
of rockets, four large horses, aud all the men VINO
worked the gucs. Nearly all the captured PRISONERS
were wounded, mostly by saber-cuts, some Oh WHICH
were severe, but none fatal.
The prisoners were sorry set, most OF whom
expressed Joy at beng captured, and at te promise
of food ana exemption from forced military ser.
vice " ButteInut," and the c0arsest gray constl'
tuted their clothing. and they received food, espe'
ciallv coffee, with rHyenous appetites, assuring ne
that only 4" hardtack' ten cracs ers day-fornled
their regular atons and that they were the victims
If "A CONSUMPTION from which they were glad 10
.srape by the oath Of allegiance.
Conversations with the prlsoners inform US that
there are about 1900 troops III and near Franklin,
and that they are strongly fortified with ID pieces Of
artillery two pieces OF which, at least, are very
arge siege guns procured since the recent eetto We
had with them, Of which lately advised you. These
forces are all under command OF Gen. Robinson and
Gen. French. Ii those we have captured are speci-
mems Of the rest, the artillery Constitutes all the
formidable force tue enemy has. The cav
airy were mounted on but toerable horses, WITH
niles and fowling-pieces that can only be loaded
when the men are dismounted, without saoer or
pistol One regiment OF our boys would DC good Tor
three such. =,
Col. Spear, with Characteristic courage, asked
leave 20 follow M hs advantage, feeling sure mat
he could wine out Franklin with the force unGer 10
command but Tor reasons thar are doubtless sum.
Gent n dispatch from headquariers-niteen miles
d,stan-orders us 70 return at sunrise IN the morn
lug and accordingly we are biyouac kei III this place
Tor the night, having accomplished tnis really Vril-
Iiant success without the slightest loss or injury,
Win the exception of one or TWO slight bruises,
received by the falling OF horses. IL Is resliy one
of tbe neatest lutte affairs OF the season. and our
entire force award all the praise 10 the Pe
IIth: the only regret of tie rest Of Us beng that we
were not able To participate in tie achievement any
further than to be at hand to support, III case our
services were needed.
am confident that we only need to follow the
measures that Col. Spear would institute 10 drive
the Rebel force from the Backwatos incontinently.