Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-04-27
WASHINGTON. N. O.. Anril 10

A'3IEdt OF TeH' ii. H. Ndgtee ma SaH.-
Their Brilliant Dash upon the Eaemy.-
The Adr@ace Of the Army for the Relief Of
Washington, Sc.
At halt-past eight o'clock this morning HE
horse covered with foam and mud, and oiiord-
ing other signs Of hard and rapid service,
Brig. Gen. Henry M. Nagee arrived at head
quarters in this place. He vino, at our latest
previous report, was lying upon his back very
sick in the St. Nicholas hotel New York now
appeared among us full of life and vigor, full
OF spirit and energy, every inch soldier.
The greeting he met with from Gen. Potter
and all the other officers who had assembled
at headquarters was of the most hearty and
sincere description. 1t was the report from
small howtzer with his escort that had
awakened us from our slumbers a few hours
before. 1t was fired upon the rear of the re-
treating rebels, as was supposed, at the cross
roads. The rebels were speeding on their
way to Greenfield, and fleeing from a cavalry
force less than one-third their number 1t
was the hOwitzer that astonshed them, per-
haps, and admonished them to ''get out of
the way" and scatter before the advancing
hosts consisting at this time of Gen Naglee
and not more than forty dashing horsemen.
Gen. Naglee rode to Gen. Potter's head
Quarters with his adjutant general, Capt. Geo
Ii. Johnston Of South Boston, Capt. Garland
Of New York, acting on his staff, Capt. Cochen
OF the ambulance corps, Lieut. G. w. Mat
thews of Philadelphia, and one or two others
of his aids. The first three had been engaged
with the general in the dash that succeeded in
capturing five armed rebels, and starting from
their temper and proprie:y two or three hun
dred more.
The following is briefly succint account
of the advance of Gen. Naglee through the
enemy's country from Newbern to Washing
tom the enemy's force being reported to be
from 10000 to 10000, and no authentic ac-
count received of the siege of Washington
having been raised.
GEN. NAGLEE'S EXPLOIT AT CHoCowINITY, ETC.
Gen. Naglee, with his staff, left Ncwbern
at Ii o'clock on Saturday, the 9Th inst, in ad-
vance of the expedition for the relief of Wash
lngton. Gen. Nagiee passed the rebel works
at BlountS creek, at A. NJ. The works were
found OF formidable character, but had been
deserted probably some twelve hours, Judging
from the smoke Of the camp fires. He learned
that the rear guard of the enemy was some
ten miles in advance. Our infantry, consist
ing of Heckmans, Amorys and Lees brig
AIDES, encamped here, and the general with
his staff pushed on, after waiting some time
Tor tils cavalry escort to come up Signs
OF the enemy were seen in the shape of de-
serted camps. The small party reached
Chocowinty creek about P. NJ, and found
the main bridge destroyed, and made detour
of about mile up the river, where passage
was made by means of a small bridge near
mill. Before crossing Gen. Naglee was told
by negro that rebel picket of five men,
were posted on the other side of the creek
Lieut.. Matthews was now despatched to hasten
on the cavalry, supposed to be some distance
in the rear. This cavalry force consisted of
detachment of company A, Lieut. Beecher
4, q
E, Lieut.. Gibbs commanding. with noun
tain howitzer of Ellis battery, under Lieut.
Burke, belonging to the Third New Y ork cav
airy. The danger of capture being imminent,
Gen. Naglee concluded not to await the ar
rival OF his escort, but to make a sudden dash
upon the enemy, and, if possible, capture or
dispense them. His force then consisted of
himself, captain Johnston, captain Garland
and captain Cochen. With this force he
charged at full speed, with the cry of ''Charge,
cavalry! infantry, deploy!" creating great
CONSERVATION among the rebels. The first
snapped his musket within tel feet of one of
the party, crying out Damn that lieutenant:
| told him this gun was wet" Two others
threw their muskets into the river. The first
surrendered at the time his musket snapped
The others surrendered at command, while
pistols were placed at their heads. The reb-
els were disarmed, and ON questioning them
it was ascertained that the enemy's cavalry,
to the number OF two hundred strong, under
Maj Kennedy, of the Second Georgia cavalry,
We're about quarter of mile off. Gen. Naglee
and party, with their prisoners, then returned
to house on by-road, where they awaited the
arrival OF the escort. 1t was doubtful which
would arrive first, the enemy's or our own
cavalry. 1t was now dark, and the situation
of the general was certainly dangerous. But
about o'clock Lieut. Matthews arrived with
70 men, under Lieut.. Beecher. The road was
Immediately picketed to the bridge, where the
enemy's cavalry were met advancing, and
shots exchanged. The enemy's advance was
checked, and both parties bivouacked within
nifty yards OF each other, the howitZer being
placed In position to command the passage of
the bridge, and the enemy protected by earth
works. AT four o'clock the following morn
ing Sunday, the passage of the bridge was
forced In most brilliant manner. The rebels
were driven from their entertainments, one of
their number killed, one wounded, captain
(Jolln A. Richardson of the I'd Georgia cav
airy captured, and a regimental color taken.
The howitzer was brought into play, and the
enemy pursued, with occasional firing, up to
the junction of the Greenville and Washing
ton roads. The enemy made short stand at
tins point; but few well-drected shells, and
handsome dash of our cavalry, sent them
No"-- WY luIl, tdhlLS VIC IOdu IOWdIu
Greenvllle. Gen. Naglee then took the road
to Washington, being received with cheer
upon cheer as he advanced through the Union
lines. He reached Gen. Potter's headuuar-
tiers IN Washington about IL Am.
After passing the Blount creek batteries,
Lieut.. Charles w. Matthews, A. u. C. of
Gen. Naglee, was dispatched to bring up two
companies of the third New York cavalry.
Brig Gen. Hickman placed detachments Of
Co. A (Lieut. Beecher), Co. E (Lieut Gibbs).
and one mountain howitzer (Lieut. Burke1.
IN ali seyenty-fve men-part of whom we're
subsequently as pickets, guards, &c,-under
his command, with which he proceeded at full
speed after General Naglee, some ten miles.
coming up with him thirty minutes after the
prisoners were taken. Meeting the enemy at
the destroyed bridge, some one half mile be-
yond, exchanged shots. The enemy fell back
and the patty biyouacked for the night.
From the above it will be seen that General
Naglee commanded the advance, consisting of
Gen. Heckman's brigade and the third New
York cavalry, with mounted howitzer and
overlook the rear guard Of the enemy on the
road leading west from the mouth of Blount's
creek AT the Chocowinity, small stream,
there was shown some determination to make
a stand but in ADVANCE of his cavalry, Gen.
Maggie, with his staff, dashed upon and drove
the enemy precipitately from behind some