Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-21
Another Cavalry Epedition

WsHINGTON, May H.-The.follewing repDr
was yesterday received at the Headquarters O.
| the army:
HEADQUARTERS 18th ILL CAvALRY,l
GLOUCESTER PoINT, Va, May l6.
Brig Gen. Raus King, Commanding at York.
tOioR:
GENERAL: In compliance with your reuueAt
| have the honor to submit the following report
OF the operations OF the 18th Illinois cavalry
aince leaving the main body of the cavalry
corps on the South Anna on the morning of Sun.
day last. My orders we're to penetrate 20 the
fredericksburg railroad, and, if possible, Ia
the Virginia Central. was also to make for
Williamsburg, said TO be in possession of our
forces u" marched befors daybreak, passing
down the bank OF the South Auna through a
region never before occupied by our forces.-
We burned one bridge and dispersed body OF
mounted guerrilias who made poor attempt 10
oppose ue. We struck the fret railway line Al
Ashland Lieut.. Mitchell with about dozen
men was sent ahead to occupy the place He
dashed into the village and took 1t without loss.
There were but few of the enemy there and they
escaped ia. We captured their arms, however,
and destroyed them. Words cannot describe the
aatcnishment of the Inhabitants ss our appear
ance. l assured them no harm would be done
their persons or property, and we soon beclme
better acquainted. We cut the telegraph
wire and took up half dozen rails, and piling
a quantity OF boaris on some trestle work south
of the town, made an immense fire, which soon
consumed the entire structure. While Mt this
work train OF cara, approaching the town, vas
captured and brought in for inspection. Il prov
ed to he an ambulance train from Fredericks-
h,r Of G1Ial n
fifty sick aad wounded officers and soldiers, with
Aguasd. Among them was an Aid of Gov. Letch.
or, and general officers Of considerable rank. -
We received their veFsion of the late fight and
psr0led them and let them 60, leaving the cars
for the benefit of the poor fellows who were
seriously injured. The engine and tender of
tho train, together with another found ia town,
were rendered completely useless by a mechanic
from the ranks. Wo found here q stable filled
with rebel horses aud mules. Some OF the
mules we took with us, but we're obliged TO
leave the moat of them. We destroyed twenty
wagons, with harness, etc,
We left Ashland at 6 P NJ, lev miles
from town word was brought in that train Of
eighteen wagons was camped In the woods near
by. sent Captain Croker, with companies B
and g, 20 destroy them, which he did
We struck, the Central railroad at Hanover
Station about 8P. M. Although weatied and
exhausted by our days labor, thought it best
to complete the duty assigned us. and break all
the enemy's communication before resting -
Not an enemy opposed us. We captured and
paroled about thirty officers and men at the
station. They made no resistance. Captain
Shesrs was ordered to destroy the trestle work {,
which reached about ten rods 20 the south OF
the Depot. The work was effectualy done by
the same process as at Ashland. and by its blaze
we could clearly discern the Confederate guard
passively standing at the other end. We also
burnd culvert and cut the telegraph wires and
burned the depot buildings. storehouses, stables