The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-08
INTERESTING FROM HooKER'S ARMY.
Expedition Of Colonel Phelps to Norlhnmbtf-
land County, Virginia.
SUCCESSFUL RECONNAISSANCE
Captures Of Rebel Prisoners, Mails,
Horses, Cattle and Corn.
AFFAIRS m THE ARMY o. TIE POTOMAC,
Ge. &C., Ia

HrADer .RsxRs, AaxY o. THE PoIoxAc, March 7, 1865
Tho expedition under Colonel Phelps. TO Ncrhumtsr
land County, Va, returned this afternoon, after
ncntly successful trip.
The force lef Belle Plain last Tuesday In steamers and
was composed Of picked from tho Fourteenth New
York State Militia, Twenty second, Twenty fourth and
mirtieth New York Volunteers. and Captain vrrsns
company Of tho First Maine cavalry. Tho iinAlp COR
respondent accompanied tho expedition
owing to the ignorance OF the pilot concern ing tho
channel and the bign wind the landing a, the head ~
Coon effected until Wednesday noon wheu
the whole command dcbarkcd, and Colonel Phelps with
his stat, at the head Of tho cavalry, dashed IN INTO
Heahsyle the county scat Of Northumberland, captnr
ing rebel soldier and taking tho town by snrIe
The Post Once searched, but nothing fo4nd
few dusty papers and old letters The Office not
having been reopcncd the raid or Colonel faIchd
several weeks since.
The jail was next examined but the cells empty
Al night the command bvouacked a few<nilcs outside
the place and day oragng parties We're out
various directions the cavalry despatched
ing expedition into Lancaster county
Tho foraging parties seized thousand bushels ~
corn, hfty horses and mules large number q fine beef
cattle and quite % medical Two pot
offices and several stores visited and DcrtaIt
rebel mails captured.
The cavalry also seized large number q harses
mules and their way overland 10 freder,ols
burg
Among tho prisoners taken Colonel clay broos "
the rebel army. Ito IN command Belle Plain and
Aqua creek last summer during tho occupation q toa
places by tho enemy aad burned number o. barres
loaded with hay, &c, that Ind been blown
ashore In tho gale at the time 81 General rurns des
last movement. lilo has also been very aatt.
IN enforcing tho conscription and tho Il rnan
people and hs capture has occasonci not little
rcocings the part Of his nelghborr. lis family
exceedingly violent when troops visited his house,
one Or them drawing revolver upon Tho officers.
smaggler who had shipped tho Potomac over
hundred thousand dollars worth of conabaDd Foods,
ALTO captured together with two Influential ctxsrn
engaged In tho same ,rahc, and who have oppresasi
loyal citizens.
Two clerks In tho rebel departments at Richmond vefe
overloaded on their way to Mary land and large
poriant mail found in their possession. Among let
tiers recommendations 20 citizens ~ baltimore and
official correspondence 10 parties in London addressed
tho II Barring Brothers.
The country " quite barron and by the visits u both
armies has been stripped OF nearly everything mo Ia
habanis destitute, and great suffering preva. Tho
roads dry and dusty, Ike summer and tho few fs.
mcrs remaining busiiy engaged poushng and ire
pairing Tor the spring crop.
NJ rebel troops upon the neck save few cavalry,
tsabaid goods from Potomac.
several dcpos for amugylers established along tho
Potomac bu, lack q ratons and proper transportation
prevented Colonel Phelps from visiting them.
Very little Union sentiment found though a fee
welcomed US heartily, and offered their ssrSoes -
pilots md conducted the expedition faithfully through
tho tortnous channel u Coon river fe~ coirabands
N but owing 10 tho o. steamer tho
horacs, mules and could only DO removed nd
beef cattle were left At the landing
Upon tho return u the expedition tho high wind CON
pacd tho heavily loaded lilo anthor ys,i.r
day 10 s. Msrysturg, on tho Mary iand thare While
there smal boats shore FOR water add
numbor n oonuaoands % the steamer bit 20
loasl fhelps sen, them back. having right 70 bar.
bor slaves from loyal Before Ms~
return, however, their made a complaint ~
gunboay lying above and a. the srpediion ~
Officer ssni aboard, with instrvcious detssa
command and tho commanding oc.rs INTO eos
,ody. a sal issotory explanation ~as given, Asd No
party al length allowed 70 proceed.
Captain wsdsvorth ana Lieutenant wilcsx a General
Reybods san, accompanied the erpedIon and rencsrsd
great service.
Much credit |. due 70 Captain rnsin, poxt ouar,srms.
ser II Bals Plain, for energy and tact In hating o.,
tho expedition. Transportation very
and Of inferior quality jet. bot~ithsiAnang
tbcss dinseai,Iss, the troops admirably
provided tor and obstacles ih.s would s-v~ -
fsctaaiy defeated tho Object u The ncvsncri sras
nni been placed the hands u lees sosrgsss o6a~s
Yesterday tbs steamer rredsrict Grsfs vas rus uto
and sunk ~ wndmn Point. All on hoard sscspsd
Affairs In tn army rssanssoy quiet, and the
stc,,ons apon the exchange bs~spsrers have sre,u
ally excluded al ness from the south.
simultaneously Sih u Cokoes Itsiss enc
dtsa. small fores IRON u the ye.sy sriy.ss-
starred upsn similar rad 10 GlGsreni part a Dss
has no, yet returo~d.