Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1863-03-25
From the RappaIlannock.

HEADoUARrERs ARMY or THE Poro-
MAC. Wednesday March IS.-The first
real cavalry battle OF the war has been
fought. resulting in u decisive victory on
the part OF the National forces
The telegraph has informed you of the
departure Of a large cavalry force in the
direction of CuIpepper, 10 recJnnoitre, and,
If possible, 10 intercept body OF rebels
known to be IN the neighborhood of VI az
rentOn. The expedition returned tonight,
the men being much exhausted after their
severe labors, but clated and flushed with
the excitement which accUmPanieS victory
Learning that both Stuart and Lee had
left the main body OF the rebel army near
fredericksburg Tor the purpose OF en!orc-
ing the draft in Eauquier and tie alloin
ing counties, Gen Hooker determined 10
send out a large body OF cavairy TO cui
them of, and II the same time 10 aScer-
tain the position of tie rebel forces on ihe
/ other side OF the Rappahannock.
I The regiments chosen for this impor-
+ tant enterprise were the Eirs. and Fifth
/ Regulars, commanded by Capt. Reno !;
I the Thirtv-fourth and Sixteenth Pennsyl-
vania, Col. Mcintosh the FI-st RhOIs
Island, Fourth New York, and S:z.h
Ohio, Col. Duiiier and the sixth New
/ York Flying Battery, OF six gEus-all
under command OF Gen- Averi.L
/ The expedition marched OF Monday
! afternoon. Notwithstanding the bad
condition OF the roads, the men T..le
/ good progress, and, passing, through UGT
outer picke.s, encanped to- the night near
kellys Ford, not iar from tie liapp,stan-
neck. On riding down 10 the ford Use
next morning al daylight, 10 cross oyeE,
the enemy Nere found 10 be IN strong
force on the opposite side, ha:ing posted
numerous pickets, and Constructed a :os-
midable aba;tis along the bank
y detachment OF the Fourth New York
charged down into the stream, ami AZ
tempted 70 fU-ec 4 p3ssaEu, but yvere IDe.
and rPJiSei hy a strong force Ut .as
enemy isa.'ymg, ihey dashed inio iLe
river. and were .gslin rapulsed- \ tlnrl
attempt proved no more successful A.
this jEncrure Lieutenant Brown, followed
by a squadron of the Eir>, Bl,ie I-i..ui,
plunged bodily IN, cut their NAY iirlugl
the aba;tis, and, charging up iiss d,c.l,ily
routed the enemy.
The whole force thla crossed over #ui
forulyI IN line OF battle thus: Col. 1IcIn-
to>h's command. consisting ot tie Third
Fourth anl SiXteenth Iennsy ly..nia "
the right Beno's First and Filth I3egu-
lars, centre AM reserve. AMI Col. Dui.igr'
First Rhode Island. Fourth New IOrl
and Sixth Ohio on the llti- This W..
about : J O'Clock In the morning Tween
ty-iour prisoners were captured ii ih.
Ford.
As the men moved forward up lie &C
cIiyitv, the rebels, who in the meantim,
had rallied, charged upon rs, when th'
First Rhode Island met them with (;
counter charge and put them TO flight
The second time, the rcbcls once more III
r tempted TO rally, the Fifth Regulars seize,
the opportunity, dashed at them, and ihe'
again broke and ran wildly.
The Third Pennsylvania cavalry poste,
to the right, likewise charged upon fhs
force opposed Ia them most successfully
The Sixteenth Pennsylvania, still further
to the right, did splendid execution, man,
of the rebels being dismounied. Our ar
tillery, in tine meantime, kept playing o:
the fleeing rebels and quickening tIei
, speed.
I We had now advanced through al
: open space about mile and a half iron
the river-as we moved. forming, charg
ling to the right and left, and taking nu
merous prisoners, until the outskirts Of ;
L wood were reached.
Gen. Averin here again arranged ih
} regiments in line of battle, the Firs: Regu
D lars being posted as reserves. Our me-
IN we'd through the woods steadily an
rapidly, firing as they went. Anoihe
4 open space was reached, and found TO b
full of skirmishers- The firing now be
came very brisk, the enemy for the firs
5 time opening on us with artillery, of whic
they had twelve pieces Their solid she
and shell fell thick and fast among on
e men, but they pressed On inspired by tn
success already won, and led forward b
r their officers
4 After 50 many brilliant and proiiabl
dashes on our part, the rebels thought
well to attempt again something in tha
L line themselves, and charged. They n
;, against the Third Pennsyl, ania cavalry
which broke them instantly. From til
h time of crossing the river till now ther
!, had been many personal encounter
single horsemen dashing at each othS
u with full speed, and cutting and slashin
r with their sabrcs until ono or other wa
disabled The wounds received hy bot