New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-11

conntry terminated to-day. L refer TO Tue fecehs
raid of our cavalry in the rear OF tue Rebel army
and within its lines. .-.---.-...-.
On the 18Th ult., Gen. Stoneman, with portion
Of his csvslry command, moved up the left bank OF
the Rsppahannock, with the intention OF piercing
the epemys lines at the most favorable opportunity
then If possible TO cut his line Of communication
and destroy pnblic property wherever found. VA
the 18th the first Of series Of rain storms COM
menced, causing the river to become 30 twolen az
to render crossing impracticsbls until the 9th, and
even then pontoon bridge was used. Thus the
weather detained the expedition fifteen days. In
the meantime tho fords at different points were
tested fOragng parties were seGt across the river,
and several skirmishes took place, without any I'M
portant results.
On Wednesday, the Doth, the whole force was
again put in notion and crossed the river Ct keys
Ford without opposition. Gen. Averill immediately
moved his division to the Orange and AlexandIl La
Railroad, where two regiments Of the enemy were
met and a skirmish took place, terminating by tie
enemy retiring toward Gordonsville. In this rem
confer only two OF our men were wounded. Zen;
Stoneman moved the main body OF bis command
across Fleshmans River, and encamped for the night
In an open field during heavy rain-storm. AT THIS
point the enemy made dash upon our pcke,s, out
did not alarm the camp.
On Thursday morning early, Gen. Buford crossed
the Rapidsn, two miles below Raccoon Ford-Mor-
ton Ford-and advancing up the opposite bank
caused a force of 900 Rebel infantry, with one
piece of artillery to leave in great haste from Rae
coon Ford where, soon afterward, Gen. Gregg
crossed with his division. Here Lieutenant ana
thirteen privates Of Rebel artillery company were
captured. Near this point an army beef contractor
was oyerhaued, and $4,000 In Confederate bonds
taken from him. A Rebel engineer, with a wagon
load of material, was also captured on the road
The whole force encamped at night one mile from
the river.
On Friday morning we beard cannonadpg on the
right, which proved to be Cen Averiil command
having " little fight 4" with the enemy at Rspidan
Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
This was the Last Gen. Stoneman heard Of Gen.
Ayerill. To-day we got clOte upon the heels OF n
large Rebel force at Orange Springs, who, to escape
abandoned wagons provisiobs, &c. We captured
Lieutenant on Jackson's staff, returning from a
leave OF absence. AT night We camped at Green
wood, Just outside Louisa Court-House. The town
was surrounded, and Col HI patrick took possession
of the place ut o'clock H., May z, without oppo
stion, capturing few Rebel soldiers
The citizens were astounded 10 find the place in
possession Of the Yankees" and oyerjoyed when
they became convinced that the Yankees were really
civilized human beings, aud that they had not
" murder men, women and children In cold blood,
AS was firmly believed. They supplied the troops
freely with victuals aud drink.
The track Of the Virginia Central Railroad, con-
Meeting with GordoDsyille and Richmond, was de-
sroyed at different pohts for ten miles. Two trains
stroyed, and some commIssary stores were also ap-
propnated.
Cavalry, dong picket duty five miles up the Cor
louisville road, was attacked, and had two men
killed The enemy disappeared tie moment brig
ad, advanced after firing few shots.
On the afternoon Of the %, command moved
through Yanceyyille to Thompsons -Four Corners
From tins point detachments were sent out in deI-
ent direciioDs One party destyoyed y portion oil
the railroad between GOrdonsviile and CbarOttee-
vile. Another, consisting OF 4DO men under Col
w yndham proceeded To Columbia, on the imes
River, where the Lynchburg and Richmond Canal
crosses the River.
All unsuccessful attempt was made to destroy the
aqaeiuct. Five locks were destroyed, and the
banks Of the canal dug away ut different points.
Three canal boats, loaded with materials for the
Rebel army, and five bridges were burned. large
quantity OF commissary stores, medicine, &c.. were
slso destroyed, ana several hundred horses were
captured A party under Capt. Drummobd oil the
| 5th cavalry, reached the river between Columbia
and Richmond, and destroyed the locke aud levels,
and Get fire to the bridge across the james River
| Gen. Gregg proceeded 10 the fredericksburg and
Richmond Railroad, and destroyed at Ashland the
dspot buildings aud railroad stock, train OF cars,
nrovl,ion. ana the telegraph lie sent detachment
| TO burn the railroad bridge over the South Anna,
| but il was strongly guarded by infantry, and tile
party sent out fell back. Gen. Gregg returned to
| Thompson's Four Corners, but portion OF his COM
mhud, under tOl. hllphtTlCk, Mossu castWaiu
The Central Road destroyed the bridge that road
over the South Anna; captured aud destroyed u
train OF cars cuverts and the railroad track for
niles and then passed down TO the Peninsula.
| Another portion Of Gen. Gregg's command under
Col. Davis, Of the Twelfth Illinois, crossed both
roads nearer Richmond, destroying the railroads the
telegraph, the bridge over Brook River, aud the
railway trains.
A detachment Of Gen. Greggs command also
burned Nil the turnpike bridges the South Anna,
10 prevent the enemy making flank movement and
catching Gen. Stoneman IN trap.
On Monday morning, the 4th, Hampton aud ID. III.
Leo with two brgades, attacked about sixty VI tho
5th cavalry, on pickle; duty, near Shannon Hill.
The charge Of tue Rebels was met by u oounter
charge The Rebel advance was temporarily re-
pulsed, but rallyiug. they captured IL Of tie 9Th
cavalry. Our force captured Is OF the enemy. Gen.
Buiord advanced upon the enemy with his CONF
mand, but they fled.
On the night OF the 4th Gen. Gregg moved to near
Yanoevilie aud followed TO that point next day
by Gen. Stoneman, with Con. Bufords COMMAND
Here d man, u native of North Carolina came into
camp, who had been concealed Tor year 10 avoid
serving jeff. Davis. Near VAUDEVILLE venteen
\ Confederate States army wagons, with mules, were
| overtaken and captured.
On the 9th the retrogrsde movement commenced,
and crossing Raccoou Ford, the whole party arrived
at Kelly's Ford on Friday -noruing, the Sth.
Thus the command Of Gen. SoueDan renamed
nearly nine days within the euemy's lines, visited
nine different counties destroyed all tue lines Of
communication between the Rebel Capital and the
Army OH the RappahAnnock, 30 that they cannot DO
used again Tor weeks to CONE; destroyed the Lynch
burgh Canal, on whose waters are transported all
the provisions raised III tie rich valley o te James,
aud from which source alone the Rebel army Vir-
GINA receives than half Of ltd supplies; cap
tured several hundred horses aud destroy ed large
quantity Of public propcrty-al with only tho los-
~ w o men killed aud not over fifty wounded ana
takeu prisoners. But greater triumph shan all
this has been gained.
The people in the counties waited have had good
Look nj - 1--we lAnkees.n And iOuIlI lLem neILhar