Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-31


states the expedition of Gen. Amory had just
returned, the infantry regiments having tray
elled 90 miles through mud and rain the day
previous. There is at present no full account
of the doings and adventures OF the infantry
portion of the expedition; but somebody who
went with the New York cavalry gives an ac-
count of the marches and proceedings of this
regiment. We find his letter in the New
York Herald:
NEwBERN, n. c., Jan. 24.-The Sd New
York cavalry, Col. Simon II. Mix, returned
to this point last night, after having accom-
plished a successful five days raid into Ons-
low, Trent and Jones counties. They left
here last Saturday morning. The command
consisted OF eight companies. They took five
days rations in the wagons, with the usual
ambulances and other necessary equipage.
On reaching Pollocksville, II miles distant
from here, they found the bridge across Mil!
creek, tributary of the Trent, destroyed
The bridge was forty feet long, and was de-
stroyed by the rebels last summer.
After reaching Pollocksvlle, to continue
the route Of the regiment it was necessary to
rebuild the bridge destroyed near this town.
For this purpose the regiment was accompa
MED by detachment OF contraband negroes,
who were styled 'natiye pioneers The work
was at once commenced, and after six hours
hard labor, was accomplished.
The regiment then proceeded through Pol
louisville. On reaching a point about one
mile distant from the bridge, on the road to
Trenton. the main body were tiredupon by
small body OF the enemy in ambush. Thecul-
ulnn was halted Small parties of observation
reported the road blockaded with felied tim
| Der as far as they could observe. Col. Mix
ordered his auxiliary corps Of contrabandS to
| proceed in the advance, and clear the road OF
| distractions BY the time the Instructions
were removed it was deemed unadvisable to
move farther during this day, and the regi-
ment encamped to remain through the night
SECOND DAY.
At daylight the troops were in saddle. Mid
| way between Pullocksvie ard Trenton, on
| approaching a gorge in the wood, timber OBJ
structions were found along the way The
contraband auxiliaries were again brought to
the front At times the working party was
fired upon, but no damage was done. The
v"s''ou ''.o,'e '''i'''U S'y'e, al 'HNt u
| dor and enthusiasm. At eleven o'clock A. NJ,
| the village of Trenton was reached the in
habitantS, with Il few exceptions, fleeing.
Trenton is village OF eight hundred inhabi-
tantS, with about seventy houses. 1t is the
county seat OF Jones county. The natives
that were left when our troops entered, said
their confreres had ''gone up country" The
registrar of the county, a fellow of corpulent
dimensions and jolly red nose, received our
troops, acknowledged himself a .'secesh, -
deprecated the war, and Swore like a trooper
The rebels burnt the bridge across the
Trent river to impede our advance. This
bridge was about one hundred feet long.
! ,r1.r 81
pioneers to the front, planted his howtzers SO
as to command their operations, and the re-
building of the bridge was commenced. The
bridge completed, the troops crossed and fol-
lowed the road leading to Whitehall, distant
| from Trenton about seven miles. The route
| was through dense wood, at times fanked by
swHmps. They came to another bridge which
| the rebel runaways had Just commenced to
destroy. The last rebel, while attempting to
move one of the planls of the bridge, was
shot dead by one of our carbneers The at
tempted destruction of the bridge by the re-
bells was failure; it was Il success when our
troops fired it. This being completed. our
| troops pursued their route to a point within
| seventeen miles Of Renansville, on the Wash
ingt5n and Godsboro railroad, but learning
that the enemy were in force at that town,
changed our course to more southellv or
Evansville was heavily blockaded with felled
timber. The regiment was then counter
marched and returned to Trenton.
THIRD DAY.
The command left Trenton at daylight, pro-
ceeding 20 within four miles of Pollocksville
| From this point they made a detour to an
| other road, marched eight miles, and again
reached Young's Cross Roads, seventeen
miles from Trenton. The country in this vi
cinity was well secured, farm houses ard barns
searched, but nothing in the shape of armed
| rebels were found. Tee houses were nearly
| all deserted, and here and there was observed
| the ruins of houses destroyed by rebel hands,
A bridge, laid down in the military map as
crossing creek was sought, but nothing but
ruins were discovered. At Young's Cross
Roads, the bridge crossing the stream to Ons-
low Court House, or Jacksonville, was found
destroyed. 1t was forty feet long, overs deep,
rapid stream. On the opposite side the river
| bank was heavily stockaded and pierced for
rifles. On this point the howitzer battery was
| brought into use, and for five minutes brisk
| interchange of shots was had; but the grape
! from the battery Of the third regiment soon
| drove the rebels. AT this point the rebel off
Ger in command was shot dead at the first dis
chrrge. His body was pierced in three places.
During the night the bridge across this stream
was partially rebuilt, and was continued until
eleven o'clock A. NJ. the next day, when it
was completed.
FOURTH DAY.
AT eleven o'clock in the forenoon the regi-
ment crossed the bridge, and started in the di-
rection of Onslow Court House. twenty -fve
miles distant from Youngs. They had pro-
ceeded but FIVE miles when they came upon a
rebel cavalry camp. 1t was in plain sight be-
fore the rebels were aware of our approach.
Major Cole OF the third battalion was in ad-
vance, and at once ordered charge on the
rebels which he did with his squadron, the
troops moving at gallop. The rebels were
on the alert and scrambled to their saddles.
The charge was amusing. From the first
time they saw our troops to the time when we
reached the rebel camp the rebels commenced
throwing away their arms, equipments, guns,
sabres, haversacks, coats, hats, &c. 1t was a
regular John Gilpn chase, the rebels being
the feetest Of foot. In the chase the rebels
were fired upon whenever the nature Of the
ground would permit, at times emptying sad
uieS' When our troops reached point about
SIX miles from the place where the chase
commenced, numerous rebel wagons, loaded |
win forage and army stores. were overtaken
anu their contents caOturod Tho robols of }