The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-11
THE PERns OF CORRESPONDENTS
Mr.. >. Cadwaiiader's Despatch.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1864.

Mr.. 3. Cadwaiiader's Despatch.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1864.
FIELD.
At three O'Clock Saturday afternoon left the head
quarters OF the army in the eld near tho old Wilderness
Tavern and for Washington, with full reports Of
the battle, and complete list OF casualties that
General Lee had just turned right flank the road
TO Germanna ford and cavalry dashng into the
lines In great disorder, reporting the advance Of rebel
Infantry in great strength. To avoid these, Mr..
Fitzpatrick and myself took the road TO Ely's
ford, intending TO proceed from there TO Rap
pahannock Station, and thence to Washington by rail-
II understood at that time that large number OF
slightly wounded and sick were to be sent back to the
Washington hospitals. under Q strong cavalry escort
When Ely's we overtaken by Mr.. Cropsey,
correspondent OF the Philadelphia inquirer He had
heard way OF having started for Washington
and determined overtake and accompany AT Eys
ford learned that trains in readiness and de-
termned 10 push alone. The distance to Rappahan-
Station was about twenty-five miles by road
designed TO travel.
OUR MARcH-uSroN TROOPS MET.
This supposed could easily by midnight,
and likely to leave early the day
could ride to Washington horseback by Sunday
ing We had less hesitation in undertaking the midnight
ride from knowing that about three hundred OF
vary had ford half hour BEFORE going
in the same direction But "the best laid schemes OF
mice and aft gang aglee," and this proved
ception.
Night found US a few miles from Eiy's, the road 10
Keiley's ford. There moonlight, and the road
gloomy and forbiddng Thoughts OF rebs, robbers
Libby prison suggested by everything animate
and ipanimate. A. turn 10 the road we discovered
squad Of infantry approaching from the opposite direc
ton The order to shalt and advance singly"
obeyed, and they proved to be Union soldiers, in
a.
rejoin It, We certainly brcathed freer learning who
they were, and sincerely hope they did the They
had rebels the road, and believed were
In she vicinity.
GrERnIAs-oUR CAPTURE
Yet, before had advanced fifty yards from that 20.
ston and while dusky forms OF the infantry could
be dimy the distance five mounted men plunged
into the from the thicket that skirted it,
front and rear the click OF revovers
instantaneous 'Surrender give up your arms, speak
and you dep the gentle but persuasive admoni-
tions OF ncwfound friends and admirers We were
surprised surrounded, unsrmed, defenceless Compi.
ance with their modest demands became "military
necessity" One Of the bold riders spurrod TO the side
OF each, satisfied himself that indeed unarmed
and taking our horses by the reins followed the captain
W the party hasty through open space OF ground
some timber In the distance, where compelled
to dsmount and submit TO still further interrogatories
and examinations Our story briefly truly told
We we're newspaper and could case
be cons sidered part OF the army. Our being unarmed
at such place and at such time proved us beger
ents. | stated that had been captured before
never detained to exceed hour, and expected
10 he promptly dismissed again. For this reason |
urged them 10 take us to some suitable place
examine our credentials papers TO satisfy themselves
that we represented occupation truly and then allow
US TO proceed unmoested way to Washington
the proposition found small favor " their eyes. We
mounted taken through dark forests deep ravnes, de-
serted iarms blind paths and family house yards t tho
roar OF falling proclaimed the presence OF mill
dam The Rappahannock.
OUR HoPEs-ouR RoosrNG rrAcE.
The skyhght died out with the prospect OK escape
we rode silence through the dismal waters and forests
and the suned pines every hand seemed the specoa
OF departed hopes.
on was you never captured,
And feel tho bitter pain
That heavy sinking Of the heart
You ne'er shall feel AGAIN.
We finally forded the RappabanDock, at an obscure
out OF the way place from house road and late
the night struck the road leading down 10 Fredercks
burg capors stopped at one or two lonely houses
and, after short whispered consultations Win the
inmates at the door proceeded In silence as before
We were finally dismounted at the house of
Mr.. Strngfellow, near Cold Spring, our horses
unsaddIed and ted and papers examined when we all
retired TO an upper room, containing three wide fash
oned feather beds, and allowed TO sleep rdayght
Our capsors stood guard all night and we're as
lynx eyed and vigsnt prevent our escape @ tnough
we were modern Aliases with the entire weight OF the
bogus confcdcracy on our shoulders.
We were ordered ont Two OF party and myself rode
70 the house OF Mr Sears for breakfast and the
balance Of the party hooored Mr. srpefeow by accepting
similar hospitality OF breakfast lit'r IN prase
be said mad the redeenipv feat ~ n seing
UAeiousy presented, ,Ths hdv reGelre,s ~ whss