Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-15
The War News of the Week.

The War News Of the Week.
The successful cavalry raids do not
seem to be confined entirely to the rebels.
1t is with pleasure that we announce one
or two daring affairs OF the kind in this
paper, in which the laurels of Stewart,
Ashby and Mostly, are won by better
men in nobler cause. On the 28th of
April Gen. Stoneman crossed the Rap
pahannock at Kelley's Ford, and a por-
ton Of his command under Gen. Averil
moved TO the Orange and Alexandria
railroad, met two rebel regiments, who af-
ter skirmish retired towards Gordons-
vile. Only two of our men were woun-
died. Another force under Gen. Buford
crossed the Rapidan at Morton's Ford,
Thursday, causing 1000 rebel infantry to
hurredly vacate Racoon Fo.d, when
Gen. Gregg soou after crossed and made
few captures. The next day our for
ces got so close on the heels Of the rebels
at Orange Springs, that they were
obliged in order to escape to abandon
their wagons and provisions. A rebel
lieutenant of Jackson's staff was captured
at this point.
On May I'd Louisa Court House was
occupied without opposition by Col. Kill
patrick, and a few rebel soldiers were
captured. The railroad track leading to
Gordonsvile was destroyed ten miles, two
trains of cars burnt and the telegraph
wire destroyed. During the night de-
tachment Of the 1st Maine cavalry, on
picket duty, were attacked by the rebels
and two killed. In the afternoon a de-
tachment moved and destroyed a portion
of the road between Gordonsville and
Charlottesville, and another command
under COL Wyndham moved to Columbia
on James river and destroyed five locks
of the canal, burned three canal boats,
five bridges and a quantity of commissa-
ny stores. Several hundred horses were
taken.
A party under Capt. Drummond reach.
ed the river between Columbia and Rich
mond, destroying locks and levels and
setting fire TO the bridge across James
river. Gen. Gregg destroyed at Ash
land on the Fredericksburg road, the de-
pot buildings and stock, train Of cars,
provisions and the telegraph. Col. Kill
patrick moved eastward to the Central
road, destroyed a bridge on that road
over the South Anna, destroyed train
of cars, culverts and railroad track for
miles, and then passed down to the pc
ninsula. Another party under Col. Da-
Wis of the l2th Illinois, crossed the roads
nearer Richmond, destroying railroads,
and bridge over Brook river,
and the railway trains,
On the night Of the Alb Gen. Gregg
moved to near Yanceyvile and was fol-
owed the next day by Gen. Stoneman
with Gen. -Bulord's command. Seven.
cen rebel army wagons were captured
lere.
A retrograde movement was commen-
ed on the 9Th, and the whole party ar
lived at Kelly's Ford, the place they /,
tarted from, on the 9Th. Our loss was
'ut two killed and some fifty wounded or ;
AIKEN prisoners. The negroes are said
D have joined our column in crowds and +.
ntreated the union boys to take them .
long with them. They gave us va!ua- 9
lie information everywhere and at all ;,
ines, acted as guides, and many times :,
FINISHED with liberal hands all the pro. =;
islons our soldiers needed. Taking all 7,
lings into the account, with the excep.
on of the daring exploit of Col. Grier-
IN in Mississippi, and mentioned in an. =
her column, this is one of the most i'm.
ortant affairs of the war, and it has had
ich damaging effect upon the rebels p
rat it will take them weeks to repair it W
We have an official report from admi- a
Il Porter, dated at Grand Gulf, AIissis- e'
ppi, May Sd, giving an account Of the I
ght at that place April 29tb, and its &C, W
ipation the next day by the forces under =
i'm. Our forces landed on the 3Olh and
owed to attack the enemy's works again,
At they found them abandoned. The al y
lemy had left before we reached their 10
rtihcations, blowing up their ammuni- gu