New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-04
Wilson's Great Raid-Full History Of the
AGair-Grcnt Destruction OF Railroads
Heavy acknowledgements Efforts Of
the Rebels TO Capture or Destroy our

Special Dispatch to The n. Y. Tribune.
| WASHINGTON, July g. 1864.
| The special correspondent Of The Philadelphia
Inquirer has Just arrived with the following account Of
the recent cavalry raid:
| HEAL QUARTERS Army OF THE POTOMAC. I
| NEAR PETERSBURG. Saturday, July "a. n.
The force composing the expedition consisted Of Gen.
Wilson's own division, and that Of Gen. Kautz from
Buffers department the whole under command of the
former and numbered from 5000 to 6.0o0 men. There
aso with the expedition three batteries OF four
guns each half rfed ordnance and half light twelve
Founders and battery Of small mounted howitaers
With this force Gen. Wilson set out at o'clock a. M
on the o2d nit, starting from the vicinity Of Prince
George Courthouse. He crossed the Petersburg and
Weldon Railroad at Reims Station. at which point Col
Chapman with the Cd brigade of Wilson's own division
had skirmish with small force Of the enemy, who
however, were easily driven Thence the expedition
moved by way Of Dinwiddie CourtHouse. toward Pc
tersburg and Lynchburg the south side of the rail-
road, which they struck of Ford's Mills near Suther
lands Station. They then moved down the road Gen.
Kapts IN advance as far Pords Station, destroying
the road as they moved.
At Fords Station they cspturedtvo trains, compris
ing l6 cars with the locomotives. They were laden
With refugees leaving Petersburg After destroying
the depot and the captured trains the command
biyouacked at Fords Station for the night.
Early on the morning the 23d they resumed their
march Gen. Kautz stiIl in advance. Near Nottoway
force of Rebel cavalry. comprising two brigades ap
peared on the right flank Of column, while moving
distance along the south side Of the railroad Col
Chapman Of the % Brigade formed in line, and engaged
the enemy This was about p. r and the reDcounter
continued till nearly night when the enemy was forced
back.
Gen. Kautz who had passed on before the enemy up
peared proceeded the same afternoon 10 Burfesyne,
junction Of the Petersburg with the Richmond and
Danyilo Railroad. Here he destroyed all the depots,
railroad switches and appurtensnces and tore up the
road far possible in every direction from the June
ton, after which he rested there for the night
Gen Whom with the remainder Of his force, had
biyouokcd at Kottoway Court House and ON the after.
noon oS tho oath advanced tho country TO Med
ber's Station, on the Dsnvle Railroad to meet Gen.
Kautz. who was 10 n lin at that place destroying 10
be adyaneedt After forming junction at that station
tho entire force marched 10 GTeenyiEe. and there
bivpuacked.
| The work OF destruction was resumed early on the
25th and by q m. had reached the vicinity Of
stanton Bridge on the Stanton River having com.
pletey destroyed every foot Of railroad up to tina,
point.
The distance from Burkesville measured on the map
Is about thirty five miles and adding 70 this portions Of
he South Side Road which destroyed the asgre'
gate would not bo lees than fly miles, and probably
more than that distance.
| The Danyile Road was constructed 10 fashion
Known to- some extent in the extreme West but now
little used Instead Of using I rail, sold beams Of
wood technically called sringers placed upon the
ties and along their inner edges are fastened long
strips Of ron known strap rails. The stFingers were
Of yellow pine and being perfectly dry. II was only
necessary here and there to pile on few rails from al
adjoining fence and ignite them 70 set the entire struct
ure in blaze Mes.of railroad might have been seen
at time in fanss and at night the whole canopy OF
heaven was glare Of light. by day these confagra
lions adding 10 the already intu1eable temperature Of
the atmosphere rendered the beat almost intoersbe
and many people living IN the vicinity Of the railroad
were obliged 10 leave their houses and settle in cooler
localities.
The rear of our column in moving past the fires
kinded by the advance was often compelled TO leave
the road and move at respectful distance the right
Or left until after little experience. the plan was
adopted Of leaving the depots and other buildings 10 be
fred by thoseiD the rear.
The mode in which this work Of destruction was ar
complished was 70 dismount portion Of the command
and march them parallel with the railroad, then face
u
advance and ignite the section Of the road In their front
and then resume their march II but the work Of
few minutes for each regiment to perform is part and
the whole was accomplished nearly fast as the column
could move.
1t is only necessary remind tho public Of what is al
ready known viz: the fact that this railroad was nov
the only one on which the enemy could depend for com.
muncation wiz, the South Southeast and South west
the only routsby which he could bring mp troops sup
plies 10 Richmond or Peersburg and this being remem-
bered IL is easy 20 appreciate the importance OF the
destruction Of so large section OF It Even with the
best facilities for repairing 1t would require SVer
week, 10 ace Il in running orderweeks OF exceeding
" ureeious time to the enemy and, considering the
diAi entities which embarrass them, including army
wants want OF materials and constant liability toin-
errupon II Is doubtful whether they VIII succeed in
reonstruong this railroad before the present campaign
lbs decided.
The Weldon Road although but small portion OF II
is torn up equally unavailable end practically tho
Rebel army under Lee and the Rebel Government are
isolated BY an interval Of many miles from al railroad
communication with the interior Of Rebeldom.
| po r,turn 30 our narrative Of the raid The force
arrived IN the vicinity Of Stanton Bridge In the aer
noon Of the 9th was Of course desirable TO destroy
this bridge, which was very important one and gu
effort wac made TO effect this object, Cen kautz who
was stil IN advance. being assigned to make the at
>erhpt IA was found that the enemy were fully pre-
pared 10 defend IL Our approach had been herelded In
advance and militia called hastily together nom eight
.d,on,ng ount. had been concentrated OF this point
Troops from, panyile had also been brought up and 1t
wa. remarked tM Extra Billy Smith had been sent
-. p,.N-, a. t.ka command. This foroo