Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-21

the air, much after the style of the same
month at home. Fortunate are we in having
arrived at our comfortable camp last evening,
after five days march and bivouac without
tent or shelter in the open air. We left camp
on the 9th inst, at daylight, and at the camp
of our pickets, seven miles distant, were join
ed by the four companies doing duty there.
and thence we marched up the Trent road
seven hundred strong. The expedition,
though intended to cooperate with another
and more formidable one under Gen. Prince,
on the other side of the river, was an indie
pendent movement, participated in only by
the 25th regiment and companies A and L of
the Sd New York cavalry. The whole were
under the command of Col. Pickett, our high
ly esteemed and popular commander. The
boys were in the best of health and spirits, and
felt proud at having been selected as a veter-
an regiment to perform critical service, re-
quiring at once greaydspatch, address, and
courage. At distance of ten miles from
town we passed the deep Gully" which is at
present our most advanced post on this road.
Tended by breastwDrk. few miles further
on the enemy have feled trees, large and
small, in great numbers, across the road for
distance of three miles through a swamp,
making it impossible even to cavalry in any
considerable force. But circutous path
had been discovered by the cavalry by which
this impregnable blockade could be circum-
vented, and on we went, over streams and
through swamps, across plantations and
open woods, making bridges and patch
es of corduroy" whenever necessary
until at o'clock P. NJ, we halted inst
beyond Jumping Rum" in the vicinity of
the fork. of the Kinston and Trenton roads,
the late residence of the famous rebel Nethi-
colt. Nothing but the chimneys of his house
are now standing, remark that may be made
of most of the dwellings that formerly stood
along this road. Seven times already has our
regiment marched over it, marking their
course each time with fresh desolations. We
were ordered to hold the fork of the roads Sc
curely, and also push a force up the Kinston
road for the purpose of surprising and destroy
ing camp of the enemy located some eight
miles in that direction. Without lighting {
candle or kindling a fire, that might revea
our locati on, every man sought q few hours
rest upon the ground in order to be ready fo
the work to be done after midnight. Thu
~ ~-N''t1J - fI'l,e toll straiUh
pines stood as friendly sentinels about us
The bats were fitting around, the frogs max
;rr tho raaol ,r,,y '%s peeplns, and remember
blossom during the day, it was hard to ident
fly the season as being cold and stormy March
Captain Denny was entrusted with the com
mand of the midnight movement, and being
permitted to choose the companies he wished
selected companies A, G and X. Soon after
II o'clock they left our bivouac with the cav
airy companies of Capt. Jacobs and Capt
Chamberlain Proceeding at a quick step
the cavalry in the advance, to the upper Kin
ston and Trenton forks, five miles distant the
column was halted for few minutes to rest.
While we were at a halt, our cavalry advance
guard were challenged and fired upon by rebel
pickets, and the cavalry Immediately started
upon Charge, which they made most gallant
ly for over mile, the infantry following at
double quick. Their videttes, as we
approached them, all fired their pieces
and took to the woods. Being ignorant
of the precise location of their camp,
and our movements now requiring more
caution lest we should be ambushed or cut
of, the column of cavalry and infantry halted
again at the house of Mr.. Jones. While halt
ing here two cavalry scouts of the enemy
came up from their front to ascertain the
cause of the firing, and were ut once made
prisoners by Capt. Jacobs, in efiecting which
two OF his men were wounded, one of them Sc
riously. Knowing now that the enemy's
camp was alarmed, Capt. Denny placed the
infantry in front, Lieut.. Daley with Co. G
leading the advance, supported by Lieut.
Bessey with Co. a, Co. X under 1t. Forbes
being in the reserve. Lieut.. lew was detail
ed to go with Co. q in the advance. Will,
thus moving they were several times fred upol
from different quarters, but kept steadily on
When at distance of less than mile from
the rebel camp Co. G were ordered to deploy
as skirmisherS on both sides of the road one
section of Co. A, under command of sergeant
Putnam, assisting them on the left. About
three O'Clock they came upon the main force
OF the enemy, and the firing became general
but our line advanced without wayering. in
most gallant style. Near the house of MIR.
Green they encountered a barricade of trees
across the fields, but instantly forced their
way through it. Here a rebel soldier irving to
make his escape was captured and taken
back to Capt. Denny. On being asked to tell
the precise location of the camp he pointe Il
In the opposite direction. As we knew very
nearly its position from deserter who came
In recently, Capt. Denny drew his revolver,
cooked 1t, and, placing at his breast, said to
him, "Sir, it is no time to tamper with me, or
10 lie to me. My time is precious. l will ask
you the question once more, and if you don't
tel me the truth I'll put a ball through your
heart'" He Immediately turned and pointed
ou' us exact location. Meantime the advance
IN moving up had come in sight of
Die@st"ork of fallen trees, which
Pi0'eo'eu the camp ard its approach-
es from the road and open field wben
within six rods of this hroo..,.-.,
RNlv~L