The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-03-26
A brilliant Federal Cavalry Raid.

March ia most brilliant cavalry fight
occurred on the Rappahannock. yesterday, be-
yond Kelly's Ford. A reconnaissance, under
the command of Gen. Averill, forced a passage
over the river in the face of a determined re-
~sistance by a considerable body of rebel sharp
shooters, who were covered by houses and III
file pits, and a dry mill race with an abattis
i'll front.
The ford admitted but a single horseman
at a time, and the stream which was swollen
was very rapid.
Arriving at the South side of the river, our
cavalry charged the rebels in their entrench-
ments, killing or capturing nearly the entire
force, besides securing a large number Of
horses picketed near by.
A short distance from the shore, General
.AVerilfs command encountered the rebel cav
airy under Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee, who had
FASTENED from Culpepper to prevent our pas
sage. They made some dashing charges on
our troops, who repulsed, and in turn charged
them with fatal effect, using sdbres only in
the conflict.
Whenever the enemy made a stand they
were Immediately charged upon and routed
from their positions with great loss. The bat
tie lasted five hours, and was a series of charges
and hand to hand conflicts resulting in the
falling back Of the enemy. The forces were
about 200 on each side.
The enemy at last took refuge behind an
cntrcnched battery four miles from the ford,
fanked By rifle pits and abattis. General
Averill having accomplished his object and
secured his prisoners, the wounded on both
sides, and a large number of horses, recrossed
the river without attack or demonstration on
the part of the rebels, who were SO badly
whipped that they could not follow or annoy
him.
Among the prisoners is Major Breckenridge,
a cousin of the traitor John G. Breckenridge.
TheSprisoners characterize the affair on our side
as one of the ablest and most gallant fought
raids of the war, and admit that their own
troops were totally dcmoralized by the gal
liant sabre charge Of our cavalry. About eigh-
ty prisoners have been brought in,
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC,
March II, 1868,
There is no news of Importance. The ell
envy are massed upon orr right. All is quiet
along the river.
NEW YORK, March 19.-The Wor{ds spe-
cial dated .'Stoneman's Station, March 18th, -
says;
A important cavalry movement is about
to be made near this Lplace,-the object Of
the attack being a force Of the enemy located
at a vitality strategic position. The result Of
the movement, if this proves to be as now
anticipated, Will be of the greatest moment
1t will transpire within a few days"
Prom the Pittsburgh Gazette, 17th.
John Atwell, esq, of Allegheny, has just
returned from a visit of observation to the ar.
my of the Potomac, and speaks in the high
est terms of the health, condition and spirits
of the soldiers. He visited nearly all the camps,
'and the region round about" and having
mixed freely with the men, is prepared to
give an intelligent and reliable opinion. What.
ever may have been the condition of the ar
my in times past, it certainly does not now
exhibit the slightest degree decentralization.
The men are in excellent spirits-weII cloth
ed, well fed, and under complete discipline
There are, to be sure, dissatisfied individuals
to be found in every camp, but the great mass
of the army is in first rate fighting trim-al
the stories about decentralization notwith-
standing. The men are not only not demon
allied, but they are awaiting anxiously fol
the mud to dry up, knowing that, with the
disappearance of that impeachment, they will
be at once led against the enemy. They have
every confidence in their commander, and are
willing at all times to go wherever eight
ing Joe Hooker may lead them.