Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-11
FROM THE ARMYoF THE POTOMAC

n special displtch TO the w aehtng tOnChron-
icle from Culpepper, 2sd, says;
"Gen. Custar, with 1900 picked men in
light marching order, left Culpepper Court
House about two o'clock Sunday afternoon.
The 9th and 3rd corps marched from their
winter quarters earlier in the day. The for
mer halted at Madison Court House and
threw out a strong Gordon Of pickets while
the latter bivouacked in the neighborhood of
James City and held the line Of the Robert
son road. About a.. m. the raiders left their
resting place nesr James City and took the
road for Charlottesville. The men had been
picked from Morritt's and Gregg's divisions
and we're we'll mounted. When they mount
ed mp the steep banks Of the RAvenna river
their coming was unknown and altogether un-
expected. Before them was large cavalry
camp, the huts arranged with Mathematical
precision and soldiefly regularity, with horses,
artillery, &c. The 5th regular regiment Of
Gen. Merritt's old brigade led th..sNn. Capt.
Ash, with one squadron. dashed along the
comfortable looking huts, and scattered the
occupants in all directions. He ordered the
men to destroy all they could, and they obey
ed to the very letter. Neither axes nor rat
tailed files could be found in his command,
and it jVas impossible to spike the guns or
chop the gun carriages to pieces, 80 they con-
tented themselves with blowing up the ca.s-
sons and destroying the camp. In the mean
time the enemy rallied with rapidity, and
brought their artillery to bear, but the main
body Of Custsr's command arriving, they we're
driven short distance TO give us a foothold
on the crest Of the same hill with themselves.
Between our troops and the town the enc
my we're gathered in great force, and every
thing warned us to get away as soon as pos
sible, in order to prevent our being surround
ed. They had telegraphed from Charlottes-
vile to Orange c. II. for assistance, and tow
ard evening five car loads of infantry arrived
to their aid. There was nothing left for our
troops but a speedy retreat. The Ravenna
was recrossed, the bridge burned and the
mills in the neighborhood were destroyed.
In returning the advance was given to
Col. Siedman, who commanded the brigade
Of 500 men from Gen. Gregg's division. The
night was very dark and rainy. Gen Gus
tar, who followed with 1000 men, composing
the remnant Of his command, got lost in the
gloom. For some time they attempted to
get through deep and muddy ruvine into
which they had strayed, but when they
thought Of two pieces Of artillery, all hope
VI ktkhihk NuiOuku WIN kuc'h Whh BANSh uH
Stedman with his men continued on their
way, and on Tuesday morning reached our
infantry pickets outside of Madison Court
House.
Gen. Custar, finding it impossible to pro-
ceed further, bivouacked that night in the
woods. While he posted his horses and re-
freshed his men, Gen. Stuart, with 1000
cavalry. was marching towards his rear
Next morning Gen. Custar, having found the
right road, marched upon it short distance,
when he discovered that Stuart with his cav
airy was in his rear. AS they neared Stan
nardsylle, fifteen miles from Madison, the
rebel cavalry were seen drawing in line across
the road.
The officers OF our little command we're at
loss what to do; the object of their raid
was to draw the rebel cavalry away from the
central road to Richmond. but they had no
intention Of drawing them 81 far to our rear.
1t was at FIST proposed to throw two guns
that impeded our progress into the nearest
and deepest ditch, but Gen. Custer frally
ordered a charge, which was led 10y him in
person. The rebels stood their ground man
fully, but two guns now opened on them and
they fed hastily, our men pursuing them hot
ly until they reached another road, which Of
fered a chance for egress. Three rebels were
killed in this charge and a considerable num-
Der wounded. Many prisoners fell into our
hands, some of whom succeeded in making
their escape.
Col. Stedman, hearing the FIRE in the di-
rection of Stannardsville, started back with
his wearied men to the relief OF Gen. Custar's
forces. They proceeded until the enemy was
met and Custar discovered to be safe, when
they returned without damage.
HEADoUARTERs ARMY OF PoToNAo,
March2.
General Custar started with force Of cav
airy on Sunday to make reconnaissance to.
wards Gordonsyille The 9th corps under
General Sedgwick, following in support. He
passed through Madison Court House on
Monday morning, reaching Wolfton, a few
miles beyond, encountered a rebel picket,
which he captured, passing across the Rapi-
dan and Rapanns rivers, in the usi sction of
Charlotsville. he met the enemy within three
miles Of the latter place, where he charged
body of cavalry under Gen. Stuart, driving
them considerable distance. Capt. Ash Of
the 5th U. S. Cavalry, regulars, charged on
rebel camp near this place with 60 men. drove
the enemy, burned their tents, six caissons
and barges, and retieated without the loss
of man. This is one of the bodest fights
our cavalry has made during the war.
Finding his small force opposed by infant
ry, Stuart's cavalry, and several batteries,
and that number Of trains had arrived with
troops to oppose his advance, he determined
to return. After crossing the RAvanna river
he burned the bridge, destroyed three flour
ing mills filed with grain, and fell back to-
wards the Rapidan, but his battery horses
giving out he had to halt for the night On
nearing the Rapidan the next morning he met
a large body of rebel cavalry on the road and
skirmished with them for time. He found
the rebels had concentrated their forces at
this point when he suddenly wheeled, and
taking the road to Banks Ford, crossed with
out opposition. The enemy followed some
distance, but failed to inAict any damage
Gen. Custar and his force returned to camp
Wednesday. Loss only four men wounded
slightly and one rather badly. He captured
and brought in about go prisoners, a large
number Of negroes, some 800 horses and be-
sides destroyed large quantity Of valuable
stores at Stannardsvllle. number of reb.
els were wounded in the skirmish near the
Rapidan,
A special dispatch to :he Herald. dated
Head Quarters Army of the Potamac the
Goth, says Gen. Fitzpatrick at the head of a
large force Of cavalry, left this place on Sat
I 1.s -