Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1863-02-12
T,F,ITER FROM THE ARMY.
CORRESPONDENCE Phila. Inquirer

L
1863.-The cavalry in the late expedition, com
prising about two hundred from the third
PENNSYLVANIA, Col Mcintosh; two hundred
from the Fifth Regulars, Capt Harrison; and
from the First Rhode Island, Lieutenant-Col.
THOMPSON, First Massachusetts, Col Sergeant,
and Fourth Pennsylvania, Col. Kerr, pushed
through the town Of lGorgansburg to Bealton,
and from thence followed the line of the rail
road to the Rappahannock river. Here they
ar once set to work to destroy the railroad
bridge which spans the river near what Isl known
as the Rappahannock Station.
Soon after emerging from the woods border
;no the stream, they came in full view of the
Confederate guards. Sixty men were first de-
tai1ed and taken equally from each regiment OF
the cavalry as axemen, and after being provid-
I'd with the proper Implements were marched
70 the centre Of the bridge, and at once COM
menced chopping.
10 to this time not gun had been fired by
either side. AS soon, however, as the sound
of the axe was heard, the Confederates doing
guard duty opened fire from their side Of the
Stream upon US, directing their aim at those
unon the BRIDGE But two or three of their
missiles, howe fell among our men, che
rest going over their heads.
The enemy thus 'opening the ball, !" the main
body Of our troops Disappointed and promptly
returned their fire, and for nearly six hours
kept up a continuous discharge Of small arms,
willie. during all this time the 'Axemen' were
busy 5i;y with Their chopping The bridge in CUES
tionwas once before Destroyed BY Federal troops,
when Gen Pope and his command were in oc-
cupation Of that part Of Virginia. 1t was some
three hundred feet long, and from twenty-five
"a thirty feet high and had been rebuilt in an
unusually substantial manner. " hen the de-
etroving party had SO far weakened 1t as to per-
NIT it almost TO fail by It's own weight, turpen-
fine was scattered about the entire woodwork
aud in the centre set on ire, - the names spread
inc towards each end. So nicely had those who
h.l been busy with the axes calculated how
far to 20 with their chopplng that the BRIDGE
IN five minutes after the tire was started, broke
in the centre, and, with terrific crash, sank to
the bottom Of the stream, each end still resting
on the abutments upon elthcr hank. Inc en-
tire structure being soon in flames was wholly
consumed by the time the troops left the ground.
While engagaged with the enemy the Fifth
Regulars, Capt. Harrison, lost one killed and
seven wounded.
" hiIe the fighting was going on some por-
tions Of this cavalry force was scouting up and
down and back from the river picking up much
information Of considerable value: and succeed
ed in capturing some thirty civilians.
The object in destroying the above named
property was simply that, for the last two
1nontEl3 the Confederates have been using the
railroad as prominent means Of supply, run
ming sometimes as far as up to and beyond
Warrenton Junction; and it has also been or
service TO the enemy IN aiding such OF the caVal-
ry force as has been operating in our rear IN the
neighborhood Of CatIett's Station, Dumtrles
and Quantico.
in addition to the small force stationed to
guard the bridge now destroyed, back from the
had some Ave thousand troops, made up OF a