The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-09-27
BRILLIANT RAID OF HAMPTON'S
CAVALRY.

From the Petersburg Express we learn the de-
tails Of Bampton's gallant dash Oh Grants rear
The expedition consisted of Barrlngers \. q. brl-
gade. Chambliss brigade and Rosser's and Dear
inr's brigades of cavalry and Graham's and Nc
Gregors batteries of artillery. They lett their en-
campmcnt near Petersburg Wednesday morn
ING the 18th inst; and cncampcd that night III the
vicinity of Dayaps Mill, Sussex county, eighteen
miles from town. On Thursday the march was re-
sumed, the column passing within about three
miles Of Stony Greek, thence crossing the Jerusa-
lem plank road around to the Norfolk aud Peters
/ burg railroad, and at 3 p. NJ, encamped i've miles
north Of Waverly.
At II o'clock at night the column was again in
motion and marched in the direction of Sycamore
! Church. Prince George, fifteen miles from town,
where the enemy's force was known to be encamp-
ed A halt for two hours was made within one
and half miles of this place and preparations
made for the attack.
All necessary disposition of the troops having
been made, Gen W. II. T. Lees division (inclu
! ding Barringer's N. c. brigade) guarding every
channel of approach to prevent relnfoTcemens
! coming from a distance, attack was ordered
upon the enemy Just before daylight, Friday morn
ING. His left near Sycamore Church, rested upon
hill, we'll fortified and protected by abat'is. His
right. some two miles distant, at Cox's Mill, was
protccte d by series of breastworks and rifle pits
| Cen Rosser assaulted the left and Gen. bearing
the rlTHt, simultaneously, Win ilho
The attack was surprise TO the enemy, and their
position was carried with rush. The charge OF
our men at both points, is represented to have
been fautless Ga the enemys right Bearings
men swept like an avalanche over their works
meeting with a rapid but irregular and momentary
fire Of musketry, which only served to increase
their ardor and enthusiasm. So sudden and rapid
was the assault, that the Yankees rushed from
their tents en- disha6Hle, and were enabled to make
bDka .fooh1n Dear
ing took thirty five prisoners, five or six teams,
and the enemy's camp DemoraliZed and panic
stricken the balance OK the enemy fled in great dis
order to Sycamore Church, where, fndlng Gen
Rosser in possession Of their works, they imme-
diately surrendered.
On their left at Sycamore church the enemy was
much more strongly fortified He held position on
a hill with formidable barbados in his front Gen.
Rosscr demanded surrender but the Yankee
commandant seemingly conscious of his ability to
hold his position, returned positive REFUSAL with
additional remark that he intended to tight to the
last Gen Rossor determined TO give him
chance, and ordered his men to charge They
obeyed the command with great cheerfulness and
gallantry. They reached the barbados, pulled
them to pieces, eapcd and through them and
reached the cnemy's works 10 the face Of heavy
fire, which fortunately, did little execution.
number Of prisoners taken including Major
Baker, Of the lst District of Columbia cavalry,
commanding. As soon as Gen. Rosscr reached
their position, the Yankees scattered in all dircc
tions, and fed from the place in the most precipl-
tate manner. 1t was here that the men who fled
before Gen. bearing, were made to surrender.
Gen r. took about two hundred and fifty prisoners
and several valuable teams, in addition to the enc
mys camp.
The Prisoners and their Cnmps-The prison.
ers captured by Gems. Rosser and bearing, belong
cd to the lst District Of Columbia Cavalry, coGl
manded at the time by Major Baker. They were
armed with sixteen shooters, many Of which wea
pons fell into the hands of the eaptors and were
safely brought off. The camps prolific Of
delicacies and provisions. Oranges, lemons, CT
CARS, crackers and good things and useful were
found in great pro!usion, aud not few of them
we've secured. Everything not brought off,
destroyed, and We learn much more destroyed
than secured, On account Of lack of transporta-
ton.
Ccpfure Of tie CotRe-The enemy having
been completely routed and demorazcd it was de-
tcrnned to push ahead at once after the cattle,
supposed to be at Cogein's Point. Away in the
distance, By the faint light Of the breaking day.
vast heard Of animals. General Ros-
ser took them to be dsmounted cavalry, and at
once prepared to attack them. Before he moved
off, however, note captured in Major Bakers tent,
was brought to him, which explained the presence
of this great host. 1t was addressed to Gen Grants
chief connissary and read substantially as follows:
81 have the honor to report the arrival Of q,
416 head Of cattle here. [ have this day moved
them from Coggins Point, the grazing in this
vicinity is The finest in the country [ OILY fear it
will not hold out long enough. The cattle are in
splendid order. j. S. BAKER,
Com'dg 1st d. G. Cavalry"
There was no difficulty in securing the cattle,
for such the great drove Of animals grazing in the
distant fields proved to be, and our gallant horse
men pushed forward to gather them in. 1t
great and glorious sight, and one that did the soul
good, to witness them they came up, hundred
after hundred. They are all Northern beeves,
raised especially for tina, market, in splendid con-
dition, and all young steers. Our troops greeted
them with joyful cheers, and no doubt smiled in
anticipation of many juicy sirloin.
A Dash at Spccr'S Ncn.-While Rosser and
bearing were fighting the enemy, detachment of
Gen. Lees command dashed into an encampment
of Speers troops, capturing some prisoners and
>horses, and putting the balance to flight. Speer's
headquarters at Mount Sinai Church, aud had
time permitted, he would also have been routed or
captured.
The Return The Object of the expedition
being accomplished, force started on their re-
turn home. Generals Rosser and bearing were ia
the advance Of the captures, and Gen. Lee brought
up the rear The cattle stretched out for dis
lance of four five miles, but were moved aud
guarded in the most systematical manner. The
captured wagons were loaded with seed oats and
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