, 1863-03-24
Ublfa9o Qribnne.
TUESDAY, MARCH n, 1868.
FROM The RAPpAKAkM0cK.
TIE LATE BRILLIANT AFFAIR 1T kELLY:S
FIGHT OF THE W4R--IHE REB-
ELS DRIVEN SIX NILES BE-
fond TIE RIVER,
Gallant Charges and Haud-to.
Hand Conflicts.
A Large Number Of Rebels Killed and
wounded, and Sixty Taken
Prisoners.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToxAc.}
Wednesday, Natch Is.
The first real cavalry battle Of tho war has
been fought, resulting in decisive victory on
The part Of the national forces.
The expedition marched on Monday after
noon. Notwithstanding the bad condition Of
the roads, the mtn made good progress, and,
passing through our outer pickets, encamped
for the night near kelly's Ford, not far back
from the Rappahcunock. On riding down to
over, the enemy were found to be in strong
force OIL the opposite side, having posted nu-
nel Gus lickets, and constructed Formidable
abattis along the bank A detachment Of the
41h New York charged down into the stream,
and attempted to force q passage, but were
met and repnlsed BY strong furcc Of the en-
and again were repulsed. A third attempt
proved no more successful. At this juncture
Lieut.. Brown, followed by squadron of the
LIST KLoele Island, plunged boldly in, cut their
way through the abattis, and, charging up the
aecliyity, routed thu enemy.
The whole force then crossed oyer and
formed in line Of battle thus: Col. Mc1ntosl's
command, consisting Of the Sd, 4th and 10th
Pennsylvania on the right; Reno's 1st and 5th
regulars, centre and reserve, aud Col. DUFF
fer. 1st Rhode Island, 9TH New York and
9Th Ohio on the left. This was about half
past O'Clock in the morning. Twenty four
Igl1puCIb HcIE ClptuEtQ III Inc E0ru.
As be men moved forward up the activity,
the rebels, who in the meantime had rallied,
charged upon us, when the 1st Rhode Island
met them With counter charge and put them
to flight. The eccond time. tie rebels once
more attempting to rally, the 5th regulars
seized the opportunity, dashed at them, and
they again broke and ran wildly. The I'd
Penn ylyania cavalry, posted to The right,
likewise charged upon the force opposed to
them most successfully. The 1Gth Pennsyl-
vauia, still further to tie right, did splendid
execution, many Of the rebels being dismount-
ed. Our artillery, in the meantime, kept
playing on the le.ing rebels and quickening
their speed.
We had now advanced through an open
Fpacc about q mile aud half from the river
as VIC moved, forming, charging to the right
and left, and taking numerous prisoners, until
the outskirts Of a wood we're reached.
Gen. Ayerill here again arranged the regi
mcnls In line Of battle, tho First Regulars be
ing posted as rcecryes. Our men moved
as they went. Another open space was reach
ed, and found to be full Of skirmishers. Tht
firing now became very brisk, the enemy tol
the first time opening on us with artillery, o1
which they had twelve pieces. Their solid
shot and shell fell thick and fast among ou1
cess already Won, and led forward By their Of
fccTs.
49, so 10y ~ Iut ano R'ot1aptS !. ~ =;
~ our 3'tt, tns ;eoeis thoua @ ~ meu
,4 .S!n S1 ~ ~ ttut i.ue ~, 1nent ~
6a..,e1n"t,; uu ~ ns1 sae oo
h1'la ss,sa?, ~. "usen oiohe .hcm ln
st1ltty. tTy. tiotn tnt tiulc u eiosslns Tue [ASe'
% ~ nu", tnslS s nua ussn Aahy F'eIsonal En-
t,. ;.1 el, nuIseinSn aa:s ~ FAY
ing with their sabres until one or tile othel
was disabled. The wounds received By bott
h.e,1 1riena ana toS IN lhc1e slnglc comoats wert
1T1ght1ul-such, as ! trust, never to SCI
We continued 10 dFl7c the Iepels before us
they rctrcated. Our boys lad now been fight
selves, pursued their mission Of keeping th'
rebels travelling, and did it efectual1y.
When VIC bad chased them six miles from
the river, Gen. Ayerill decided to return, a.
our artillery ammunition was nearly exhaust
| Ejtion. with rillc-pits and eutrcnchmcnts
front Of the battery in such 4 manner as II
prevent its Withdrawal being seen, and til
whole force commenced its return march
Can't. Reno, with a portion Of his command
covered the rear.
As soon as the rebels discovered DIR retro
grade movement, they opened heavy fire q
arl'!ery ana lollo"sa N pussnr, paI az r. r.
specful distance, and without desire to tr
more Charges. lne morale anu etpru OF On
men was excellent, and it was with difficult
thai that many o. them could 1c persuaded TO r
lnln. 1nGy nao Iuu ~ [epels SIX mues' "u