The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-05-29
Friday Morning, May %. 1863.
Cavalry Raid in Western Virginia.

correspondence W tHe PaHddetphfd Enquirer:
WINCHESTER, Va, Nav Is. 1868.
do think that bold and as brave a mat
ter was put through a few days since by a de-
tail from the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Caval-
ry as has taken place since this war began,
and reflects credit on all concerned. The par
ty consisted of eighty men, detailed indiscrim-
inately from the regiment, and were under
the command of Captains Samuel Speese, of
Co. F, Daniel B. Meaney, of Co. b, and lst
Lieut.. Jonn w. Berks, of Co. G. They left
camp, near this place, on Friday last, at about
2o'clock p. NJ, and marched eighteen miles
toward Front Royal, and one mile from the
Shenandoah river, where they camped for the
night. Next morning started at O'Clock,
crossed the river, and entered Front ROYAL at
O o'clock; captured man, Miller by name,
engaged in gathering up conscripts for the
Southern army; fed their horses, and left for
the back country at 8 O'Clock A. NJ. within
three miles of the town captured two rebels
belonging to Major Whites command, con-
tinued ON. through, up, over, and almost under
the hiiliest country this side of Switzerland
on the worst road ever dreamed Of for about
fifteen miles, when information was brought
that body of the enemy, about one hundred
and fifty in number, having with them fifty
seven Union soldiers belonging to the Second
Maryland Cavalry, captured by them the day
previous near "Charlestown," was but about
eiiiCS hiiiCo ahCaus anu tiidl diulltT party con-
sisting of about 400, were upon our right, on
ly about five miles off, Notwithstanding the
menacing position of the last body it was de-
ternined TO push on to the rescue of our
friends. Word was passed down the line to
that effect, and as the commands forward"
"trot," march, "gallop,' "march,, were Civ
en-, every man pressed forward with what
speed his horse was capable; the road was
more like by-path, and for three miles was
df,xr fhn had Of hrna b,.ft ell, h..r Al
it not At the order '.close up" they pushed
forward, running and racing, apparently to
be first and in at the death. Thus they con-
tinued until, about five miles being passed
over, we reached the rebs, unperceived by
them. The road narrowed down to a ravine;
once through 1t, it spread ont on fiat seven
hundred yards square, with broad creek, and
the Manassas railroad running through il East
and West. On our right was also deeper
creek, then a piece of bottom land, then sew
eral good steep hills. Leaving about thirty
men on the road, we made fright turn
through the creek on TO the bottom, formed
into line as quick as flash, thinking that,
with their superior number they had discov-
cred and would attack us. A moment showed
that they knew not of US: we on the bottom
made a right wheel up the hills when "charge"
was given, and, with a yell that might awak-
en- the dead, down we went, through morass
at the foot of the hills, over the railroad into
the creek, and pitched into their right flank,
while the party of thirty we left in the road
attacked them in the rear.
Taken entirely by surprise they scarcely
knew which way to turn; we routed them, we
secuted them; in word, we were into them
in the most admirable manner, and they made
Off in all directions. We followed them up.
bagging one here and there, until, on recall be-
ing sounded, and coming together, we found