The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-05-27
A Dashing Cavalry Raid.

WASHINGTON, may lts--A 4 uc ioiiOHhhS
report was yesterday received at the Head
quarters Of the army, .s..-,--.I -.
HEADQUARTERS 18TH Ill CAVALRY, I
GLoUcHEsTER POINT, Va May IL
Brig Gen. Rufus King, Commanding at York
to,en: "t Isl
GENERAL: In compliance with your re.
quest have the honor to submit the lollow-
ne report OF the operations Of the 18th Ill.
cavalry since leaving the main body OF the !
cavalry corps on the South Anna on the !
morning OF Sunday last My orders were to |
penetrate to the Fredericksburg railroad, and
il possible, to the Virginia Central. l was
also to make for Williamsburg, said to be in
possession OF our forces. We marched be-
lore daybreak, passing down the bank Of the
South Apna through region never be ore
occupied by our forces. We burned Que
bridge and dispersed body Of mounted
pose us. We struck the first railway line at
Ashland. Lieut.. Mitchell with about doz
en- men was sent ahead to occupy the place.
He dashed into the village and took it with
out loss. There were but few Of the enc
my there and they escaped us. We captured
their arms, however and destroyed them
Words cannot describe the as,onishment of
the inhabitants at our appearance. | assured
them that no harm woulo be done their per
sons or property, and we soon became better
acquainted. We cut the telegraph wire and
took up half dozen rails, and piling guam
tity Of boards on some trussel work south
of The town, made an immense fire, which
soon consumed the entire constructure.--
While at this work train of cars approach
ing the town, was captured and brought in
/ for inspection. 1t proved to be an ambulance
train from fredericksburg of seven cars, fill
ed with two hundred and fifty sick and
wounded officers and soldiers, with guard,
among them was an Aid OF Gov. Letcher
and general officers Of considerable rank
We received their version of the late fight
and parolled them and let them go. leaving
the cars for the benefit OF the poor fellows
who were seriously injured. The engine and
tender OF the train, together with another
found in town, were rendered useless by a
mechanic from the ranks. We found here
stable filled with rebel horses and mules,
Some OF the mules we took with US, but
were obliged to leave most OF them. We
destroyed twenty wagons, with harness, ect.
We left Ashland at six P. NJ. A few miles
from town word was brought in that train
Of eighteen wagons was camped in the woods
near by. sen, Capt. Crooker. with compan
les B and G, TO destroy them, which he did.
We struck the Central railroad at Hanover
Station about P. M. Although wsaried
and exhausted by our days labor, l thought
il best to complete the duty assigned US, and
break all the enemy's communication before
resting. Not an enemy opposed US. We
captured and parolled about thirty officers
and men at the station. They made no re-
sistance. Capt. Shears was ordered to de,
stroy the tre4tle work, which reached about
ten rods to the south Of; the depot. The
work was efectually done by the same pro
+ cess as at Ashland, and by its blaze we could
J clearly discern the Confederate guard pass
lively standing at the other end. We alst
, burned q culvert and cut the telegraph wirei
and burned the depot buildings, storehouse
stables, and train Of cars--all belonging Il
, the Confederate Government and filled will
property. 1t would be impossible to give q
E precise statement OF the damage here intiic
ted upon the enemy. 1t must have beer
, great. There were more than one hundred
;, wagons and one thousand sacks Of flour ant
corn. and large quantity OF clo'hing ane
horse equipments. The buildings and car
> were full Of property collec ed for the use o
the Southern army All private property VI
q respected, and believe that none whatave
9 was damaged. ,.t 4.F.r.y zb.
: Ry the light of The burning buildings VI
n left the station AMI marched for the Conr
I House, which had been previously occupie'
!. by Captain Fisher with companies A and 6
!; who had placed pickets there and taken
q ain and four men prisoners. We pass
4 ed through the Court House and niarche
down to within seven miles OF Richmond
where we bivouacked until 8 A. M. the mex
b morning, when we marched for Williams
S burg. ...gs3]I .fi.G. -.
Is At Tuastall Station, near the Whit
q House, and the Richmond and Yorktown
: railroad, train Of cars, filled with in antr
, oppose US. thought it best TO make an Q
e tort to break through before the men coul
a be got out OF the cars or the battery in pc
q sition. therefore brought up my two lore
= most sqnadrons and ordered charge, whic
, was executed by them. Captain Reamel
h with companies d and F, taking the leat
d and followed by Captain Shears with CON
!. panies Fl andI The charge was mad
Il most calamity. The infsntry filled the en-
. bankments Of the railway, and poured upo
,e us severe fire. Ny men dashed up to th
! embapkments iu splendid styls, and wit
?. carbnes and pistols responded 10 the fir
il with equal effect. It was, however, imposs
1t BILE to break through. There were forinida
Al BILE refe-pits to the left Of the road, and tn
10 enemy soon filled them. and we were force
, to retire, with the loss of two killed and se'
a eral wounded. Among the latter is Lie,
: tenant Marsh, who was among the foremos
IF in the charge, and who received so severe
n wound in bis right arm that we were oblil
d ed to leave hiGc in one of the neighborln
|. houses. as.,.s
Of Failing to penrtrate the enemy's line 4
ID this point, determined to cross the Pan
Of unky and Mattaponey rivers and make f
as Gloucester Point. In this movement ha
ID nothing to guide me but 3 common map
the State OF Virginia, and was in in,i
= ignorance OF the position Of the eneay's torc
81 except that the line before me was closed
4 Nv information was OF that poor sort der Il
cd from contrabands, and selected Plu
., ketcs Ferry, over the pamunly, and occup
u. ed it after driving away picket on the otl
l- er side with whom we exchanged shots.
CO We crossed in o boat holding fifteen or eig
!. teen men and horses, which was polled oy
ac 1.-THE river. g Our passage was not disputed !
Of In the same manner we crossed the Matt
I pony at Wolkerton, after driving away
lit picket, two Of whom We captured. I Is
be Between there two ferries portion Of u
command under Major Bronson bscame d
tached and did not join us until the 7th IN
~ They captured fifteen rebels and destroyed
,it quantity Of saddles as King and Qassr
=, Court House.
rs From Wolkerton we marched to Clio
sn cester Point. having travelled . distance
Q over two hundred miles, much Of y throw