New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-09
THE SKIRNISH ON TIE BLiCRWATER
One Of the Host Brilliant Affairs of
the War.
THE REBELS. CAUGHT IN a TRAP
PURSUIT OF A GEORGIA REGIMENT
A Savage Saber Attack on the Rebels
THEY ARE DRIVEN UP TO THEIR FORTiFlCATl0NS
OF The n. Y. Tribune.

Gene spondenee OF The n Y. Tribune.
NORFOLK, Va, Dec. o, 1862.
TIE TRIBUNE Of the 4th, received here yesterday,
contains n dispatch from Gen. Dix to Gen. Halleck,
with reference to skirInish which took place near
Franklin, on the Blackwater, on the I'd inst, bat
which CONVEYS no correct idea either Of the affair
iiself or Of its results have conyersed with several
Of the participants in the engagement upon our SIDE
as well as with the prisoners captured, and have
acquainted myself with all the particulars. state
without hesitation that the history Of the can
hardly furnish an instance where, considering num-
bers engaged spirit brilliancy was displayed,
and you will therefore pardon If should become
little too minute in detail.
| On Monday last n reconnaissance in force started
| from here for the Blackwater, under command OF
Col. Spear Of the llth Pa. Cavalry. 1t consisted Of
the latter regiment, four regiments OF infantry and
battery Of artillery. lproceeded toa poin, within
two or three miles of the river where several roads
intersect, and where stands a wooden structure
known as Beaver Dam Church Beyond this build
Ing the rcconnoterers lad orders not to pas, and
from here ,dettes were sent out in different. dreo-
tons.
body Of Rebel cavalry, comprising portions Of
four companies Of the % Georgia, and accompanied
by Part Of the celebrated Rocket battery taken
from Mcclellan ut Gainess Mills, amounting all
told to about one hundred aud fifty men. While
out on a .oragiug expedition, eni unaware Of ;he
presence of our iorcer, came suddenly upon tquGd
OF the yidettes. A brisk firing ensued ard the
pickets finding themselves likely 70 lie surrounded
by the enemy, who wero throwing out hanken,
A.. .. e..
Inenis.
Three companies Of tie lth Pennsylvania were
Immediately ordered forward on gillol," under
Maj. stnit0n. No sooner had the Rebes caught 3
gmpso Of the latter than In considering means for
their own safety, they forgot that they were just
ready to capture handful Of piokets, that thoy
bad not yet obtained their foragc-their officer IN
charge-Lieu,. Col Towne Of tie "a Georgia, gave
the command: L" Right about" gallon and hey
iuconlnepiiy fed. simultaneously with THE, Lieut..
Butte commanding Company Of the llth Penn
sylvania, which Was in the advance, ordered Il
charge, and at it the pennsylvaniGns went with Il
hurrah. Now took place the interesting, the in
tensely exciting part Of the afair-a chase after
sksdaddng Rebels-which repaid our boys for
many long weeks Of tedious camp and patrol
CulN. lNcJ OfflNyVh lN' ht'i ~ ltibtA, uu
dlshing in among them, gave the right and
len cuts" to perfection, the Rebs" rolling of at
almost every stroke Of the fabers, and their hortes
rushing Practically forward. Lieut. Roper Of Co. /,
exhibited reckless bravery in bis efforts TO take
Col Towne prisoner. Riding feet aud powerful
animal. he had at one time passed nearly all entire
company Of the enemy, when, finding stIll flying
mnss Of men and horses between himself aud the OBJ
feet Of his pursuit, he drew bis revolver, and tried
is ak loads only TO lind it 10 fail him for the first
time. Tho Rebel officer escaped. Thus, amid
wells. cursings clsshngs Of aabers, and musket dir
charges. the chase continued for two miles, when
the frightened Georgians found protection, under
tho guns Of the fortihcaIions at Franklin, aud the
pursuit ended.
As the results of this dash, Col. Spear brought
back to Suffolk twenty-five prisoners, two pieces OF
the rocket battery, with one casfon forty musketa.
and ten horses. Only two prisoners cut Of tie
whole escaped saber cuts, and SIX of them were 70
much injured that they were taken 10 a hospital.
They report that one Of their eutensnis had horse
killed by shot from Of pickets, and that be
himself was 70 badly wounded that while the re-
nforcements were coming up, he crnwled away
into tbe.woods in dying condition. Not man
upon our side received "a scratch Els SoLDAr.