The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-05-21
StOneman'S Great Cavalry EX.
petition.

SlO1xC ~Ecsel
petition.
The following account of Gen. Stone
mans remarkable expedition comes from
one who accompanied 1t:
Gen Stoneman, with 300 picked men
and light battery of SIX pieces, composed
Of section selected from three batteries
with special reference to procuring the
best horses and men, started on the raid
which has now become famous.
On the 18th of April, owing to heavy
rains and various other circumstances, he
did not cross the Rappahaunock until ten
days or a fortnight afterward. At the
time of his crossing, General Averill
started with column along the end of
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
with the intention of driving Lee and
Hampton, who were in that vicinity, to
Culpepper and Gordonsville, thus clear
ing the way for Gen. Stoneman's body of
cavalry, who were to accomplish the real
objects of the expedition.
General Stoneman crossed the Kappa
hammock at two places below where Gen
Averill crossed, and advanced on the
Shepherdsburg read. Sending out par
ty to reconnoiter toward Shepherdsburg,
they came upon the rear pickets of the
enemy, who were in force between Ste
vensburg and the railroad, with Gen
Averiil IN front. The nature Cf Gcn. Stone
mans expedition did not allow of his
remaining there 10 fight, as to seek a
battle would prevent the accomplishment
of his designs he therefore moved on to
Raccoon Ford upon the advance. Reach
ing this place they found it defended
by infantry and artillery. a detachment
was therefore sent to cross the Rappahan-
mock, at point some distance below
Raccoon Ford, and then to attack the
enemy in the flank and rear. This was
successfully accomplished, and the main
body crossed safely at Raccoon Ford. The
command then proceeded down the direct
road to Louisa Court House, sending out
parties, along every intersecting road TO
destroy bridges and telegraph wires, aud
to obtain forage and provisions.
The bridges over unfordablc streams,
on the direct road, were left TO be guarded
by dctachmepts, in case they were
required as line of retreat. Reaching
Louisa Court House, OH the line of the
Virginia Central Railroad, expeditions
were sent out along the road in either
direction to destroy the road, telegraphs.
burn the water tanks, depots, and railroad
tires. The expedition toward Gordons
Vile encountered u force of the enemy,
who, bv this time, had been driven from
Culpepper and GordonsviIe by Averill,
who did not, however, effect junction
with Stoneman as directed. The enemy
+l
were sent out and the Rebels were driven
back to Gordonsvil.e.
The destruction of the road was COM
pletee, and party proceeded TO tear up
the railroad between Gorlonsville and
Charlottesville. Parties were also sent
out from Louisa Court House 70 destroy
the bridges over tie North Anna River.
The command then proceeded through
Sauceyvillc, and rcndezvoused at Thomp-
sons Crossroads.
From there three expeditions were sent
out-one along the South Anna River, to
destroy the bridges across this uEfordable
stream; another to destroy the Freder-
icksburg and Richmond Railroad from
Ashland down also the railroad from
Richmond to Hanover Court House, to
get as near Richmond as possible, and if
practicable, to cross over to Pamunky
River, destroying such bridges as it was
practicable TO destroy, and then to proceed
down tie Peninsula to West Point; the
third expedition was to strike the James
River at Columbia, break the locks of the
canal, and destroy the bridges as Tar down
the river as might be. This expedition
was to cross small force over the james,
at Cartervillc, and pass down and destroy
the railroad bridge ON the Richmond
and Lynchburg Road, over the Appatu-
attox River.
This expedition was not 50 successful
as the others. Too much time being
expended in an attempt to destroy stone
bridge over which the acqueducts passed.
The other expeditions were perfectly sue
ccssful. tearing up the track for thirty
miles, destroying bridges on the Malta
pony aud Pamunky rivers, and. have since
reached West Point
Gathering the balance of his force
together at Thompson's Gross Roads, Cen
Stoneman prepared to return. BY this
time Stuart, Lee, and Hampton We're in
pursuit of the adaucious party. The
forces of the latter two were driven in
the direction of harlot;esyille, and
Stuart was drawn off iu the direction OF