Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-09-23
Raid on the Rspidan-Grsst Dsstruetiop
Of Ensmy,s Properly.

A detachment OF three hundred men Of the
18th New York, and ffty men Of the 18th New
York cavalry, under command Of Col. II. NJ.
Lazelle, commanding cavalry brigade, left
camp at Falls church, at a. m. on the nth,
for the Rapidan, for the purpose OF destroying
q new and valuable bridge lately constructed
over that river by the rebels, and which was OF
immense value to them, as this line was the
only route by which communication was kept
up between Richmond and Culpeper, and il
was on this road that the harvest and plunder
collected by Early In the Valley were dis
patched to the rebel capital.
The command moved through Fairfax coun-
ty, and crossed Wolf Run shoals the same
night, aud after severe march, bivouacked
near Elk Run. At 3 O'Clock next morning
took up the line Of march; crossed the Rappa-
hammock at Kelly's Ford, capturing the enemy's
vidctte. Pushing forwards through Stephens
burg, the command reached and crossed the
Rapidan at Raccoon Ford, and following the
course of the river, reached and recrossed IL at
Rapidan Station, where q charge through the
village was made, capturing six prisoners, fully
equipped.
Here, as per information received, horses and
mules belonging TO the confederate States gov
eminent, to the number of two hundred, were
found grazing. These were quietly got to-
gether, and soon after the work Of destroying
the new and beautiful bridge commenced,
under the supervision of Colonel LaZelle him
self. In the meantime, the mill, with Eve
| thousand barrels Of flour, the telegraph office,
the railroad depot, and other public buildings
were consumed. A large train was moving in
our direction, but seeing the smoke from the
bridge, Sc., did not approach rear enough to
| be captured. The work OF destruction COM
plete, the command moved with the captured
property to Culpeper, where It was met by the
advance of Early's corps, consisting of four
thousand men, six pieces Of artillery, and two
hundred cavalry.
During the march from the Rapidan to Gull
pepper, the enemy gradually gathered in our
rear and harassed our rear guard considerably.
hcCloud's division, at Culpeper, opened with
great fury on our flank, with canister grape,
shell, and musketry. Colonel LaEelle marched
his command In three parallel lines, and struck
the foot Of Piney Mountain, where two regi-
ments Of infantry had been sent 10 cut of our
retreat. The advance was allowed to pass, and
| on the approach Of the column terrific fire
was opened by the rebel infantry on our line
Here Captain Lawrence sealy, acting major,
| and Captain Brown, OF the 18th, with their
commands, charged on the rebel infantry with
great impetuosity; the charge, however, was
| repulsed. Owing to the position the rebels
had taken, 1t was impossible to cross a swamp
In their front. Captain sealy again rallied b Q
command and held the "key Of the mountain"
under tremendous fire, and repulsed two cav
airy charges, until the whole command had
safely crossed and were out OF danger.
The column, after crossing the ford at the
Raprahannock, kept leisurely on It's way
toward camp. During the night we bivouscked
| near the ford. At four In the morning the com
mand moved, and It's rear guard, under Lieut..
DDberty, commanding company M, when near
Elk Run, was charged upon with great fury by
" hite's battalion. Five minutes eharp fght-
ing and a counter charge from the rear guard
put the enemy to the right about. Although
severely punished, he again and again returned
10 the attack. The sore disappointment OF not
being able to capture the whole command at
Culpeper induced them to make the most des-
perate exertion 10 inhict every injury on the
daring little party who had come over one hur-
dred miles into the very heart Of the enemy's
| country, charged into the very midst Of q
brigade, and fonght their way through, doing
them much damage. This march and the dam
age that has been done the enemy reflect great
credit upon the officers and men Of the gallant
10Th New York cavalry. MS.