The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-05-18
THE RAID OF THE 18TH ILLINOIS
CAVALRY.
Destruction of 100000 Worth of Rebel
Property.
A Most Daring and Gallant Feat.
WASHINGTON. Nav

WASHINGTON. May II.
The following report was received yesterday
at the headquarters Of the army:
Headquarters l2M Illinois CaUdlry, Glou-
cester Point, "a, 16th.-Brig Gen. Rufus
King, commanding at Yorktown :-General-
In compliance with your request | have the
honor to submit the following report of the
operations of the 18th Illinois cavalry since
leaving the main body of the cavalry corps ON
the South Anna on morning of Sunday last
My orders were to penetrate to the Freder
icksburg Railroad, and, il possible, to the Vir-
ginia Central. l was also to make for Will
liamsburg. said to be in possession of our
forces. We marched before daylight, passing
down the bank of the South Anua, through a
region never before occupied by our forces.
We burned one bridge, and dispersed body
of mounted guerrilas, who made "A poor at
tempt to oppose us. We struck the first rail
way line at Ashland, and Lieut.. Mitchell with
about a dozen men was sent ahead to occupy
the place. He dashed into the village and
took it without loss. There were but few of
the enemy there, and they escaped. We cap
tured their arms, however, and destroyed
them. Words cannot describe the astonish-
ment of the inhabitants at our appearance. |
assured them no harm would be done to their
persons or property, and we soon became bet
ter acquainted We cut the telegraph wire
and took up half dozen rails and piling
quantity of boards on some tressle- work south
OF the town, and made an immense fire, which
soon consumed the entire structure. While at
this work train of cars approaching the town
was captured. The engine and tender of the
train, together with another found in the town
were rendered completely useless. We found
here stable filed with rebel horses and mules
and destroyed twenty wagons, harnesses, &c.
We left Ashland at q p. NJ, and when y few
miles from town word was brought in that
train of eighteen wagons was camped in the
woods near by. l sent Capt. Croker with
companies Il and to destroy them, which he
did. We struck the Central Railroad at Han
over station at p. NJ. Not an enemy opposed
us. We captured and paroled about thirty
officers and men at the station. Capt. Shears
was ordered to destroy the trestle work, which
was efectually done. We also cut the tele-
graph wires and burned the depot buildings.
storehouses. stables and train of cars, all be-
longing to the Confederate Government, and
filled with property. The damage to the enc
my must have been great, as there were more
than 100 wagons, 1000 sacks of -four and corn,
large quantity Of clothing and horse equip
ments. BY the light of the burning buildings
we left the station and marched for the Court
House. We passed through Court House and
marched down TO within seven miles of Rich
mond, where we bivouacked until A. NJ. the
next morning, when we marched for Williams
puiSs nv Cidlloil. near w uite house
and the Richmond d Yorktown Railroad,
train OF cars filed with infantry and battery
of three guns was run out to oppose us. |
brought up my two foremost squadrons and
ordered a charge, which was executed by
them most calamity: 1t was, however, i'm
possible to-break through. There were for
midable rifle pits to the left of the road, and
the enemy soon filed them and we were forced
TO retire with the loss of two killed and sever
al wounded. Failing to penetrate the enemy's
line at this point, l determined to cross the
Pamunky and Mattapony rivers and make for
Gloucester Point. l selected Plunketts ferry
over the Pamunky and occupied it. We
crossed in boat holding fifteen or eighteen
men and horses, which was poled over the
river In the same manner we crossed the
Matfapony at Walkerton. From Walkerton
we marched to Gloucester Point having trav-
elled a distance of over twenty miles. The
amount OF property destroyed is estimated at
over one million dollars.
(Signed) II. DAVIS,
Lieut. Col Commanding.