, 1863-06-05
TWE EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAV
Airy.


The Most Successful Raid OF tho War.
Correspondence Of the New York Trfbune.l
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CoErs,
AMY OF TIE Poroxac, May q, 1869.
The Sth Illinois Cavalry has just returned
frum the most successful raid yet nude by
any one regiment, having been foraging pro-
,nlscuously In the enemy's country for the
eleven days Just past. The regiment lett
told, and four days rations, for the purpose
Of visiting that section Of debatab1e ground
lying between the Rappahannock mud Poto-
mac rivers below Fredericksburg. This re-
gton has been the refuge Of gueril1as and
smugglers during the past winter-the former
having caused our cavalry pickets no little
annoyance in one way and another. 1t was
for the purpose Of latictlDg summary punish
mcnt upon these citizen marauders TINT the
sth Illinois paid them a visit, and there is lit
tie doubt hut what they made q most lasting
impression.
Col. Clendcnin divided his command into
three columns, each taking public turnpike
road, and marching the entire length Of "thc
Neck" until they arrived ut the junction Of
the two rivers, capturing and destroying rebel
property without limit. Every nook along
the banks Of the two rivers was explored for
smugglers' boats and goods. which, when
yawls, ferry boats, &C., were burned with all
their contents, consisting of salt, oil, whisky,
leather, stationery, woof-cards. percussion
caps, boots, shoes, clothing, and many other
articles Of especial value to the rebels. About
&c, eco pounds Of bacon and q large quantity
1t WAS ascertained that the ferry boat used for
smuggling purposes was on the Southern
bark Of thu Rappahannock, and 1t was espe-
chilly desirable Tint 1t ehonld be destroyed.
Accordingly few Of the Illinois men were
dressed in rebel uniform, and, escortfng few
Of their companions Us Union prisoners, suc-
ceedcd in enticing the boatacross, whereupan
the boat. On returning, the negroes belong
ing on the plantations along the liue Of march
Joined the cmancipating column, coming in
in equads Of from five to twenty, until there
were finally accumulated $40 men, women and
children OF the contraband percussion. They
horses, mules, carts, clothing, &c, and,
doubtless, some which did not 1egitimately
belong to them, but which they hAd con1s-
Gated ffu1m rebel masters under the 'sseques-
tration uct." 1t was found that there are still
many good and loyal citizens in this section
of the country, who rendered most valuable
assistance to our troops.
Not the 1east important result of this expe-
dition was the accumulation Of five hundred
horses and mules, SO n,nch needed in our
seIFlcc. 4utst uHl!tt:l!s atts WITH lew c1ccp-
tions. far superior to those purchased ~ e1r
Government for cavalry service. After a few
days. rest, the Sth Illinois will be the best
mounted regiment In the service. It may bo
mentioned here that the most serviceable
horses the cavalry have had during the past
year have been those captured from the enc
my. One company that know Of has, out
Of flfty horses, thi1ty-flye which were former
~ in the Confederate service; and this COM
papy has not Ind horse condemned in six
months. The reason for this Is, the rebels
press into their service the best horses to be
found within their lines, while our Govern
ment buys the poorest horses to be had for q
| tage in favor Of our enemies, our cavalry have
| thus far had vim and pluck enough to capture
two Of their caTalrymen to every one lost.
What VIC could do, If properly mounted, 1t is
impossible to imagine.
| The 6th Illinois reoched their camp last night
and more 1udlcrous procession was never
formed than this cavalcade Of cavalry negroes,
captured horses, mules, carts, wagons, oxen,
rebel eoldiers, trotting su1kies, top carriages
DC. There we're about 100 prisoners, some
| of them guerillas, for whose crimes the pun.
ishme1t is death, three officers, and few
money was secured, besides some government
securities. OF the negroes, 800 were stout
healthy field hands, who have been assigned
to duty as laborers in the Quarterlnaster's de-
paItment, where they will earn for themselve:
the fur wages Of SO per month and ratfons
| The remainder wcre old men, and the wives
children, or mothers, OF the first lot. To fecd
| this large family and his command n6 we'll
| Col. Clendenin made heavy levies upon the
granarIes Of eecesh, took possession Of theil
grist.mll6, turned hfs soldiers into mll1ers and
| succeeded in securing abundant supplies oI
| meal and flour. It was found that some Of the
| wealthiest citizens on " the Neckn were en-,
gaged in the smuggling business, or contrib
nting In some way to the support OF the re-
bc}lion, and these gentlemen were made te
pay dearly for their secession sympathtes. Al
their negroes had left them, it was thought
but just that the soldiers should take thei,
rations. So these Illinois emaucipators Jared
eumptuously during their trip. The officia]
reports Of the raid show that upward Of ST.
000, 900 worth Of rebel nronerty was de-
stroyed, aside from what was brought into
camp, while the blow struck at the smuggling
trade was the eezerest one yet dealt: This i
BY no means the first mid in which the 8th
Illinois has distinguished itself, while as .
fighting regiment it is excelled by none. Gen.
Pleasanton's division, to which it has been
attached heretofore, has always had the hard
est work and the most fighting to do of any
cavalry command In the army, but has hat
less publicity given to its movements. That
| division, as indeed all the cavalry, only need
the proper authority to make their raids and
fights more frequent, and II permitted to do
SO, would do more by dealing sturdy blows to
| effect peace than all the a aCopperhead5" OF
| ,,,,no anil II, tho country