New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-09
FROM THE ARMY or The POTOMAC.
EXPEDITION TO NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
THOROUGHLY SUCCESSFUL Reconnaissance
Capture Of Rebels, Horses, Cattle and Grain
An Important Rebel Mail Secured.
Condition Of the Country Passed Through.
Singular Arrest Of tho Party by cur GunbOatS
THOROUGHLY SUCCESSFUL Reconnaissance
Capture Of Rebels, Horses, Cattle and Grain
An Important Rebel Mail Secured.
Condition Of the Country Passed Through.
Singular Arrest Of tho Party by cur GunboatS
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF Ink Poroxac. !

Saturday. Mar,h7. 1863
The expedition under Col. Phelps to Northumber-
land County, Va, returned this afternoon after An
eminently successful trip.
The force left Belle Plain last Tuesday, in stesr1-
ers. aud was composed Of picked men from the nth
New.York State Militia, 22d, oath and Both New
York Volunteers, and Capt. Vrgen's company Of tho
Ist Maine Cavalry.
Owing to the ignorance of tue pilot concerning the
channel, and the high wind the landing at the head
of Coon River was not effected until Wednesday
noon, when the whole command de5arked, end
COL Phelps, with bis staff, at tee head of the cav.
airy dashed on into Heathsvlle the county seat OF
Northumberland, capturing Rebel soldier ahd
taking the entire town by surprise.
| The Post.Ofice WAS searched but nothing was
found save few dusty papers and old letters, 10
Office not having been reopened since the raid CT
Col. Fairchid, several weeks since.
The Jail was next examined, but the cells were
empty.
At night the command bivouacked few miles
outside the place, and next day foraging parties
were sent ont in varous directions, and the cavalry
dispatched ON q scouting expedition into Lancaster
! County.
The foraging parties seized one thousand bushels
Of corn, fifty horses and mules, large number OF
fine beef cat,e and quite 81 amount OF medicinal
stores. Two po.t-offices and several stores were
visited aud two important rebel mails captured.
! The cavalry also seized a large number OF horses
and mules, and are now on their way overland 70
Fredericksburg.
! Among the prisoners taken was COL Claybrook,
of the Rebel army. He WAS in command NJ Belle
Plain aud Acquia Creek Last snmmer, during the oc'
cupation of those places By the enemy, and burpeds
number of barges loaded with hay, &C., that had
been blown ashore in the gale at ths time OF Gen.
Burnside's last movement. He has also been very
active in enforcing the consumption and the arrest Of
Union people, and his capture has occasi1nec not .
little secret rejoicings the part Of his neshoors
His family were exceedingly violent when our
troops visited his house, one Of them drawing re-
volyer upon the officers.
A smugger, who had shipped across over tie Pc.
to,nac over one hundred thousand dollars worth Of
contraband goods, was also captured together With
two influential citizens engaged in tie same traihe,
and who have oppressed loyai citizens
Two clerks in the Rebel departments at Richmond
were overhauled on their way 70 Maryland, aud
large AID important mail tound in their possession.
Among the letters were recommendations 70 ctizeDs
OF Baltimore and official correspondents to parties
in London, addressed the OF Barring Brothers.
The country is quite barren, and by .hs visits OF
both armies has been stripped Of nearly everything
The Inhabitants are destitute, and grea: suffering
prevails. Tie roads are dry aud dusty, like sum.
mer and Tho few farmers remaining are bu.il On.
gagged in blowing emo preparing for the Spring CROP
No Rebel troops are lPjf ve heck save a few
cavalry, engaged in enforcing he eonscnp,ion and
eseorting contraband goods from the Potomac.
Several depots for smuggeys are established along
tho Potomac; but lack Of ration. and proper trans
poraton prevented Col. Phelis from wishing 'hem.
| Very little Union sentiment Was found, though
few welcomed us heartily, aud offered their services
as pilots, and conducted the expedition faithfully
through the toruOus channel OF Coon River. A Few
contrabands came off, but, owing the small size Of
the steamers the horses, mules and corn cond only
be removed, and the beef cattle were left 1t the
landing.
Upon the return OF the expedition, tho high wind
compelled the heavily loaded steamers TO lay at al
Choir Yesterday in St. Marysburg, on the Maryland
ehors. Whe there anal boats were sent on shors
for water and a number OF contrabands came OH u
tie steaners but Col. Phelps sent them back, hsv-
ing no right to harbor slaves from loyal Stste Be-
fore their return, however, their owner made com.
plant to one OF gunboate ypS above, and ~ tho
expedition came up officer was sent aboard Win
instructions to detain the command ind take tnc
commanding officers into custody. A satisfactory
explanation was given, and the party was at length
allowed to proceed.
Capt. Wadsworth aud Lieut.. Wilcox, OF Gen.
Reynoldss staff, accompanied the expedition, aud
rendered great service.
Much credit 10 due TO Capt. Pitkin, post Quarter.
master at Belle Plain, for energy and tact IN fitting
out the expedition. Transportation YVES very
scarce, and of an inferior quality yet, notwhstand.
ing tbese difficulties the troops were admirably pro-
vided for, and obstacles overcome that would savs
efectually defeated the Obec. Of the movement II
affairs had been placed in the hands Of sss ensr.
getic officer.
Yesterday tho steamer Frederick Graf was run
into and sunk Of Windmill Poinr. All on Losrd
escaped.
Affairs in the army are remarkably quiet, and tho
restrictions upon tho exchange Of D,wspapers have
stie ,tually excluded all news from the South.
simultaneously with tho outset Of Co. Phelps's
expedition, small force from one Of the Jersey
brigadeS started upon 9 similar raid 10 daerens
part of Dixie. 1t has not yet returned.