North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-08

Inc lplOWlnS graphic account OF q OaVairy
fight in which some Of our Wyoming boys
participated, was sent US by Irving W. Bill
ings who belongs to the 10th. Pa, Cavalry.
BATTLE OT IlELLEY's FORD.
On the afternoon of March 18th, our Reg
ordered to report at Brigade Quarters, A.
NJ. of the 18th. Each man to be provided
with four days rations, one days forage, and
| forty rounds of ammunition. On account OF
previous details for picket: We had only two
| squadrons consisting ofabout two hundred
men which reported at the time and place
| above mentioned. The squadrons were un-
der command Of Capt. Kennedy and Aexan-
der, assisted by Lieut. Snyder and Yourg-
| Owing to Col. McIntosh's illness, our Col.
was put in command of the 2nd Brigade, con-
sistng of the 3rd, 4th and 10th Penna. Cav
airy, and in consequence, Maj. Fry, COM
manded the 10th. Under such auspices we
started, and made our first halt at HARDWOOD
Church, (near Potomac creek bridge,) about
awaited the arrival of the lst Brigade, con-
sistIng of the following Regis, to wit: (ilh)
N. Y, QsD r. L., list and 5th) U. s. Regu
lar Cavalry. We had now about 1000 men,
well armed and equipped. The flower Of
| AveriH's Division. 1t was noon. The col
umn was again put in motion, and reached
| MoorisvIlle, miles distant from keley's
Ford, at 4, NJ. There @e encamped for
the night Early IN the morning Col. Mcln-
tosh arrived aud relieved Col Gregg, who
was again at the head OF the 10th, alone.-
battery Of artillery also joined Us, and at
" Il. NJ. the Whole torce except small de-
tachnent unier Lieut. Col. Curtis, which
was sent toward VI arrentown TO recpnnoltre,
moved rapidly to the ford. We reached the
bank oi the river at daylight. IL was soon
discovered the enemy were going to dispute
our crossing. a small force was therefore
| dismounted and sent forward as sharp shoot
ers to wake up the foe, who had taken shell
ter behind fences, IN houses and rifle pitts
A brisk fire ensued, with little effect upon
either side. The order to advance was CIV
Ell, and the lst K Island which was at the
head OF the column entered the river A
shower of bullets greeted them. Maj. Cham
berlalu, aid TO Gen, AVerlii, was Shot in the
lace just as he was entering the water, and
was compelled TO fall back. Bat the column
! moved rapidly OH in spite of the balls that
fell around them. The other bank was
reached and now came the exciting scene.-
From every protecting shelter the enemy
ran in utter confusion. The brave Rhode
| islanders dashed after them, over field and
fence, till nearly every visible foe was killed,
wounded or prisoner. The latter numb ering
70 to 40. The whole OF our force was then
advanced together, with two pieces Of artil-
| lery, the remaining tour having been put posi-
tion on this side, to protect our retreat in
case oil necessity The water was breast
deep on the horses, the current swift, and
the bottom not very smooth, SO that the
crossing was slow but was accomplished
without loss. Once over we advanced along
the bank OF the rive oodt Ola mile above
tue lo'u anu 'ooA '"r Posltloh III an open
nelu' sN'ftea On tue lett oy woods with our
right resting on the k'ppahannock. Sklr-
m'shers were Immediately thrown forward
10 "atch Inc approach of the enemy whom
we appeared 10 expect, and 10 light on their
ground, as we hau crossed ne river Tor that
purpose Inc loth were ON the right.
being Ordered 10 ADVANCE as sk'rln'shers,
we iAo'eo iorwaru aoou' 4oo yards from the
lha'n oouy' anu occupied ROAD which ran