The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-03

OF the latter place, where no charged body OF cavar
under General Stewart driving them considerable dis
lance Captain Ash, Of the Fifth United States cava'r
(regulars) charged rebel camp this place will
sixty men, drove the enemy and burned their tents, Biz
cassons barges and retreaed without the loss
OF q man.
This was one OF the bodest fights cavalry has made
during the war.
Finding his small force opposed by infantry, Stewart
cavalry and several batteries which opened upon him
and that number Of trains had just arrived with troops
10 oppose his advance, he determined 20 return.
After crossing the Ravenna he burned the bridge
destroyed three Touring mills filed with gran and Eel
back towards the Rapdsn but his battery horses gvni
out, be had to halt for tho night.
On nearing the Rapidan the next morning he met
large body Of rebel cavalry the road to Burtons Ford
and skirmished with them for a time. He found the
rebels had concentrated their force at this point when be
suddenly wheeled and taking the road to Banks Ford
crossed without opposition. The enemy followed some
distance, but failed to innict any damage
General Custer and his force returned TO camp to-
day, with only -four men wounded slightly, and one
rather badly. He captured and brought In about fifty
prisoners large number Of negroes three hundred
horses and besides, destroyed large quantity Of vau-
able stores at stannardsvie. number OF the rebels
were wounded in the skirmish near the Rapidsn.
WASHINGTON, March 2, 1854.
special despatch from Culpeppsr to-day says:-Ge-
neral Custer with fifteen hundred picked men In light
marching order, left Cupeppsr Court House about two
o'clock on Sunday afternoon.
The sixth and Third corps marched from their winter
quarters earlier 10 the day. The former halted at Msd
son Court Houseand threw out strong Gordon Of pick
cts while the latter bvouacked in the neghborhood OF
Jsmes City, and held the line Of tho Robertson road
About tive A. n. the raiders left their resting place
near James City, and took the road for Charlottesville
The men hsd been picked from herrtt's and Gregg g
divisions, and well mounted. When they marched
up steep banks Of the Ravenna river their coming
was unknown and altogether unexpected. Before Us
che correspondent says) was . large cavalry camp
The huts arranged with mathematical precision
and soldierly rsgula tions. On side the horses
we're quietly standing. On the oihor side pieces
OF artillery were parked, with all the appurtenances
neatly arranged, and In close proximity 10 the caissona
The Fifth regular regiment. Of General Merritps old
brigade, led the van. Captain Ash, with squadron,
dashed among the comfortable looking huts with reckless
preepancy, and scattered the occupants In all direo.
tons. He ordered tho TO deploy oil they could and
they obeyed their instructions 70 the very letter.
Neither rattacd nles could be- found In his
mand II was impossible 10 spike the guns chop tho
gun carriages TO pieces they contened themselves
with blowing up the casscns and destroying the camp
In the meantime the enemy were ranyipg with the
pdty ana real Of Gael a. the call OF their chief Sew.
srs pieces OF artillery bclchng forth their dcstruc
tive notes at the sudaccus invaders and the main body
OF General Cusers command coming up the enemy we're
driven short distance 10 give us foothold the
Of the same hill with themselves Between troops
and the town, the enemy we're gathering great force
Everything warned rs TO get away as pessbfc
lest might be lot TO get surrounded. they had ele
gaphed from Charlottesville 70 Orange Court House tina.
unlimited visitors were there, and aid was needed to
exps them from tho neehborhood The answer 10 these
dispatches came towards evening in the shape Of i've
car Of infantry There was nothing left US now bu,
speedy retreat Horses wheeled about aud towards
sunset the Ravenna recrossed and the bridge burned
All the mills that could be found 10 tho relshborhood
were destroyed
In returning, the advance given 70 Colonel sied
man, who commanded tho brigade Of Ave hundred men,
chosen from General Greeg's division. The night was
very dark and the rain that continued to fall was min.
god with sleet
General Custer, who followed With one thousand men.