Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-21
General Stoneman's Raid.

aud successful chapters Of the war A detail.
ed history of the movement has not yet ap-
pered in any of the public prints, and that
which we print below is not only grapic in
description, but is correct in all its particu-
lars
On the Is ultimo, General Stoneman, With
a portion of his cavalry command, moved up
the left bank Of the Rappahannock, with the
intention of piercing the enemy's lines at the
most favorable opportunity, then, if possible,
cut bis line of communication, and destroy
public property wherever found. Ga the l4th,
the first of a series of rain storms commenced,
causing the river to become so swollen as to
render crossing imprac:icabe until the 28th
nit, and even then pOntOon bridge was used.
Thus the weather detained the expedition for
fifteen days la the meantime the fords at
different points were tested, foraging parties
were sent across the river, and several skIr-
misheS took place without any important re-
suits. On Wednesday, the 29th ult, the
whole force was again put in motion and cross
ed the river at KelIy's ford without opposition.
General Averi Immediately moved his diViS
ion to the Orange and AleXandra Railroad,
where two regiments Of the enemy were met,
aud "a >kirmish took place, terminating by the
enemy retiring towards GOrd0nsvie. In this
encounter ouly two OF our men were wound
ed
General Soneman moved the main body of
his command across Fleshman's river, aod en-
campad for the night in an open field, during
Il heavy rain storm. at this point the enemy
made a dash ul,on oEr pCketS, but did BOT
alarm the camp. Thursday morning early
General Buford crossed the Rapidan, two
5, i I r,,fS npHA
and advancing up the opposite bank, caused
a force OF sixteen hundred rebel infantry, with
o"e piece Of artillery, to leave in great haste
rom Racoon ford, where soon alter General
Gregg crossed with his division. Here lieu
tenant aud thirteen prIvateS OF a rebel artlle-
ry company were captured. Near this point
an army-bcet contractor was overland, ana
S28 600 in Confederate bonds taken from
hlu.
A rebel engineer. with a wagon load of ma
teTal, was also captured on the road. The
whole force eucampcd at night one mile from
the river. Friday morning heard cannonad-
ing on the right which proved 10 be General
Averill's command having little fight with
the enemy at H1pidan Station, on the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad. This was the last
General Stoncman heard of General Averlii.
Next day, got close upon the heels OF large
rebel force at Orange Springs, who, to escape,
abandoned wagons, provisions, &r.; captured
a lieutenant OF Jackson'S staff, returning from
leave of absence At night camped at Green
wood, lust outside OF Louisa Court House
The town was surrounded, and Col. klIpat-
rick took possession OF the place at o'clock
| A. NJ, May %, without opposition, captur-
! ing a few rebel soldiers, The citizens were
astounded TO fnd the place in possession OF
! the Yankees, and ove'joyed when they be-
came convinced that the Yankees were really
ciyalized human being, and that they had
not come to murder men, women, and children
! in cold blood, as was firmly believed, and sup
/ piled the troops freely with vctualS and drink
! The track Of the Virginia Railroad, connect
! ing Gordousvil!e and Rlchmond, was destroy
| ed at different poiust for ten miles, two trans
of cars Jurnt, telegraph wires cut a0d destroy
/ ed, aud some cOmmlSSaGy stores were also APP
/ propriated Daring the nigh,,a detachment OF
the l>t Main Cavalry, doing picket duty 1--WE
! miles up the G0rdOneVile road, was attacked,
! and had two men killed. The enemy diSap.
pear, d the moment brigade advanced, atier
| firing a few shots On the afternoon OF the
! 2i the command moved on through 1ancevIIle
! to Tdompson'S -Four Corners. From this point
detacameuts were sent out in different dtrec
tions O1e party destroyed portion OF the
railroad between Gordonsvie and Charlotts
| vile; another, consisting Of four hundred
men, under Colonel Wyudham, proceeded to
! Columbia, on the James river where the Lynch
burg aud Richmond canal crosses the river =
An unsuccessful attempt was made to destroy
! the aqueduct.
Five locks were destroyed, the banks of the
canal dug away at different points ; three ca
nal boats, loaded with materials for the rebel
army, ,,aud five bridges, were burned. A large
quantity of commlssary stores, medicines, &c,
were also destroyed and several hundred hor-
ses were captured. A party. under Captain
Drummond, of the 5th cavalry reached the
river between Columbia and Richmond, aud
destroyed locks, levels, .and set fire to bridge
across the James river. General Gregg pro-
ceeded to the Fredericksburg and Richmond
Railroad, and destroyed, at Ashland the de-
pot buildings, railroad track, train OF cars,
provisions, and telegraph. He sent detach-
ment to burn the railroad briuge over the
South Anna, but it was strongly guarded by
Infantry, and the party sent out fell back
General Gregg returned to Thompson'S -Four
COurners but portion of his command, un-
der Col Xii patrick, moved eastward to the
Central road, destroyed the bridges on that
road over the South Anna, captured and de-
stroyed train of cars, culverts, and the rail-
road track for miles, and then passed down to
the Peninsula.
Another portion of General Gregg's COM
mand, under Col Davis, 12th Illinois, crossed
both roads nearer Richmond, destroying rail
roads, telegraph, bridge over Brook river, and
railway trains. A detachment of Gen. Gregg's
command also burned all the turnpike bridges
over the South Anua to prevent the enemy
making faux movement, and catching Gen
Stoneman in trap. Monday morning, the
4;h, Hampton and D. H. Lee, with two brig
ades attacked about sixty of the 5th Cayalre