Evening star., 1864-12-13
lCorrespondence Associated Press !

tCCTreSpOHQenCe Associated Pr6SS
HKADQUARTERs ARMY POTOMAC, Dec IL
Movements in this department, which have
been in course OF execution the past few days,
have finally been developed, and now the OBJ
jects intended to be accomplished may be gi ven
to the public, as we'll as the results attained.
1t was known that the enemy were pro.
curing large supplies for their troops by way
OF the Weldon railroad to Stony Creek, whence
they were wagoned to Petersburg. The cav
airy force sent thitber two days ago not being
able 10 effectually stop their operations, the 5th
corps, with Greggs cavalry and the Sd divi.
sion OF the I'd corps, were detailed to effectualy
put stop to it by destroying the railroad as
far south as Hicksford, and, il possible, that
station also.
At daylight On Wednesday morning the col.
umn started south on the Jerusalem road the
cavalry taking the advance. On arriving at
point nineteen miles from Petersburg, they di-
verged from the road about mile to the right
where they reached the Motto way river, and
tue command at once commenced crossing; and
ten bivouacked on the south side for the
night
AT half-past7 O'Clock Thursday morning the
pcntoons were taken up, and the column
started, leaving q cavalry detachment 10 pick
up stragglers and return with them
On reaching pointtw miles hey ond Sus-
eek Court House some cavalry Were encoua-
tered, and were driven back to where the
About noon small force OF the enemy made
dash between our cavalry and the advance
OF the infantry, but were soon routed, with
slight loss on both sides.
There q cavalrym man was found, who had
evidently keen murdered and stripped of ey.
erything. even TO his boots.
The advance then commenced the destruc-
tlon OF the railroad, by burning the bridge
across the Nottoway river, ano continued
70 JarIetts station, bivouackint at that place
on Thursday night.
Friday morning an early start was made and
in the afternoon the advance reached a point
rear Hicksford, where the enemy were found
70 be In some force, and having battery i'll
position with strong works on both sides of the
BE heTTin river
After the position had been examined, an at
tack was deemed impracticable, on account of
the works, and the difficulty of approaching
them, particularly with artillery. Therefore,
1t was determined TO carry the line of works
on this side and destroy the depot, which was
successfully done. During this charge Colonel
&or MAORI Sergeant, OF the lst Mass, is said to
have been killed.
Troops were seen moving into position at
this point, as though they had Just arrived,
and the fire from the batteries soon after showed
that they had been reinforced. 1t was now
dark and be gan raining, snowing and freezing.
The troops eDcamped in the vicinity for the
night, and in the morning started on their re-
turn, reaching Sussex Court. House, and halt
ing there Saturday light.
The enemy's cavalry and a small force OF
infantry followed, but each time were driven
back with loss.
reached, and the entire command crossed IN
safety, where they found q part of the 9th
corps, who had started TO their aid in case Of
ETo- morrow they will be all back to their old
positions in front of Petersburg, ready for the
next move against the enemy in whatever di-
rection the commander in-chief may deem
most eiectual
The move may be considered one of the mos.
successful OF the campaign, and reflects honor
not only on the originator but on those to whom
Its execution was entrusted.
most effective blow has been dealt the en-
emy by the destruction Of some fifteen miles Of
railroad, which they were using extensively,
some 100 cars passing over it daily, loaded
with supplies. The track was torn up, the
lies piled in heaps. with dry wood from ada.
cent fences, and set on fire, with the rails on
top, the heat bending and twisting them in
every shape.
Ali the depots along the route were destroyed,
as we'll as numerous mills, barns and dWeI.
lpgs, from hich the occupants had fled. or
from the cover OF which guerrillas had fired on
our troops.
One was caught with a gun near where a
shot had just been fired, and 1t is said the troops
nung him neaf the MOTTO way river
Our loss in the entire trip will not exceed
forty or fifty killed and woun ded, besides a
few suaRglers " no were captured.
The severity of the weather was the princi.
pal difficulty the men had to encounter, but as
there was much wood on the line of march,
and plenty Of work for them to do, they man
aged to keep themselves from suffering severely
on this account.
Nothing has transpired in front OF Peters,
burg to. dH v Of in terest.
The.weather 10 night has changed, and &
ccld WING storm prevails.
Two men, named Edward Rowe and Daniel
y. Smith, members OF the i79ih N. Y. vols I'd
oivision, 9Th corps, were executed yesterday,
Tor the crime of desertion. They were hard
ened criminals, not seeming to care for them
selves or any one else. One OF them mounted
the scanoid smoking cigar, and taking hold
OF the rope gave II a pull, to see II it was
strorg enough 10 hold him.
Such lesson, 1t is hoped. will have it's proper
effect On that class of men W no enlist for the
mere purpose Of getting the bounty with the
ioea that they can desert 10 the enemy with
imPunity. W.D. McGRReoR.