The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-09-20

50 sudden and rapid the assault, that the YAM
KEGS rushed from their tents dshabiiie and were
enabled to make comparatively but feeble re- ist-
ance. General Dearing took thirty-lye prisoners
five or six teauis AMI the euemys camp Demoral-
ICED and panic ken, the balance of the enemy
fed IN great disorder to Sycamore church, where,
finding General Rosser i'll possession Of their works
they Immediately surrendered
On their left, at Sycamore church, the enemy was
much mo,e strongly fortified He held position on
IA hill with formidable barbados in his front aeu-
eral kosser demanded surrender; but the Yankee
commandant, seemingly CONSCIOUS Of his ability to
hold his position, returned positive refusal with
the additiondff remark that he Intended to fieht to
the last General Rosser determined to give him a
chance, and ordered his men to charge They
obeyed the command with great cheerfulness ami
gallantry. They reached the baTlicades pulled
them TO pieces leaped over and through them. and
reached the eneny's work i'll face Of a heavy fire
which, fortunately, did little execution. A number
Of prisoners were taken, including Major Baker of
the First District Of Columbia cavalry, command
ing. As soon as General Rosser reached their posi-
ton, the Yankees scattered IN all directions, and
fled from the place in the most prcciptate manner
1t was here that the men who sied before General
bearing were made to surrender. General Roseer
took about two hundred and fifty prisoners and sew
erai valuable teams. in addition to the enemy's
camp.
The prisoners captured by Generals Rosser and
bearing belonged to the First District of Columbia
cavalry, commanded at the time by Major Baker
They were armed with sixteen-shooters, many of
which weapons fell into the han1s Of the captors
and were safely brought oH The camps were pro-
life Of deliCacles and provisions Oranges lemons
cigars, crackers, and good things and useful, were
found in great profusion, and not few of them
were secured. Everything not brought off was
destroyed, and We Learn much more destroyed
than secured Oh account Of lack ef transportation
The following note to Grants chief coinmissary
was found in Major Bakers tent:
81 have the honor to report the arrival of
two thousand four hundred and cighty-six head of
cattle here. have this day moved them from Cog
rIpfS PbllIt = IS yRlInI tv ia No
finest in the country / only fear it will not hold
out long enough. The cattle are in splendid order
-. s. BAKER,
" Commanding First District Columbia cavalry"
The cattle being secured and the object of the ex-
petition being accomplished, forces started on
their return home. Generals EosSer and Dearing
were in the advance of the captures and General
Lee brought up the rear. The cattle stretched out
for distance Of four or five miles, but moved
and guarded Ill the most systenatical manner. The
captured wagons were loaded with seed oats and
other stores captured from the Yankees. Every
thing progressed fvorably until the arrival OF the
head of tho column at Belschcs's mll on the Jeru-
salem plankroad, eighteen miles from town. where
the Yankee General Gregg, commanding two divi-
siOns of cavalry, confronted it.
General Gregg was drawn up i'll battle array i'm
mediateiy across Hampton's road, and it was found
necessary to give him battle. Eosser and Dcaring
were ordered to attack at once, which they did i'll
the most determined style, forcing the Yankees
back i'll the direction of Petersburg mile and
halt. They retreattd across creek at this point,
burning u bridge to prevent pursuit. Here they
planted battery and opened fire upon our troops,
while the main body Of their forces took road to
the left i'll order to flank us. They were met ty
General Lee, who, after Il sharp light ot an hour,
completely routed them. Graham's and MCGregoE's
batteries We're i'll the meantime brought up and
placed III front of the Yankee battery, and such
was the precision OF their fire that they sllenced
Ii, and prlled its removal Lees conflict with
the Yankee cavalry OF the most decisive of
the war. He not only defeated, but routed them,
and caused them to retreat in the most shameful
confusion. Cheercd by their b1illantsucces5 III the
capture Of cattle prisoners and stores, and deter
mined to bring them safely into our lines at all
hazards, his went into battle with will which
made them irresistible. The Yankees charged time
and again, but We're 4epulsed all around with con-
siderable loss. Thy were compelled to retire at
last aud allow our column 10 pursue Tie even tenor
Of its way.
After the disastrous and ignoiIiEivus defeat al
Gregg, Hampton continued his course towards our
lines aud arrived III camp without further Interrupt
ton at six O'clock Saturday morning. He brought
everything safely with him. losing only some twenty
or thirty cattle from fatigHe. These cattle were
brought through town yesterday afternoon, and
have been placed III ii position SECURE from Yankee
raiders.
During the return Of the expedition from Prince
George, General kautz followed III Lees rear with
fifteen hundred and four pieces OF cannon, but
one time General Lee halted, and fed and watered
his ANIMALS. Kautz also halted. But We under-
stand from good authority that after the battle at
Bclsches, kautZ turned his troops loose upon the
citizens OF Prince George and robbed and piliaged
them generally i'll reyease for oar success. This Is
poor revenge for Il brave man TO take.
In the fight at Sycamore church and Eox's mill
three hundred fine Yankee horses were captured
which will be put TO useful service III the Contede-
latc army