The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-06
oyNrnAL cusrKR's xovrxsyrs.

While these movements were being made q force OF
cavalry under Gen. Custer pushed forward BY way OF
Madison Court House. nhs direction Of Charlottesville
important junction which connects the railroad
ming north from Lynchburg with the Orange and Asxau
dra Railroad. The capture Of this place and The destruo
ton Of the tracks running SOUTH west and east With the
cutting Of the telegraph would have severed the
munication bet Gen. Ices army and the rebel capt.
ta by this route and this movement, With the desruc.
tion Of railroad property easctedby General Fitzpatrick,
would have entirely isolated that army from les be Of
supplies.
GENERAL KrLPATRrck's START.
About the same time THAI General Custer moved Gen.
srM fitzpatrick, at the bead OF force OF cavalry aud
horse artillery numbering somewhere near eight thou.
sand men, left Cupepper Court House for ssevensbnrg
thence TO the Rapdan river which he crossed
mama Ford pursuing the road TO Roberson's Tavern.
He CROSSES THE RAPIDAN AND MOVES ONWARD.
On Saturday night February 81, General Kilpatrcks
command encamped at Old verdersville on the Fred.
ericksburg and Orange Court House plank road eight
miles south OF the Rapdau. On Sunday morning the
forco demonstrated In front o, the eaemys works upon
Mine run, depoyed infantry, in order 10 the
enemy to in that locality to resist attack 10 this
capacity they acted all day aud at night rested In
tired and safe position between verdesvs and Robert.
sons Tavern.
AZ three o'clock on Monday morning General Fitzpatrick
Court House, route for the junction Of the Virginia
Central and the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroads
The command arrived at Spottsylvania Court House at
about dark.
COLONEL DAHLGRES's COMMAND DETACHED.
From this point Colonel Dahgren, with selected do.
tachment from the cavalry, despatched TO rrsde.
rickshal midway between the junction OF the above
named roads and Gordonsvie, whore had been parked
the whole OF the rebel reserve artillery Colonel Dahl
rco, having struck the railroad at this place. com.
menced tearing up the tracks, dcmoshing the bridges
and otherwise destroying the line OF travel along this
road ~ far a. Hanover Junction.
General Fitzpatrick made his way 10 the Richmond and
Fredericksburg Railroad the Mattapony bridge and
there began his work OF destruction which be continued
along the limo Of the road as far the Pamunkey river
TIE RAILROADS DESTROYED.
These two operations destroyed over forty miles or
railroad, and entirely severed the Communication bo
tween tho rebel army and Richmond The great value OF
these railroads TO the rebels consisted their power
OF transporting supplies TO Lees army. Al Hanover
Junction the two roads ntersect, both leading TO and
from Richmond. These roads destroyed for such dis.
lance prevents supplies being sent from Richmond direct
BY rail, and the turnpike roads are At this time In
no condition for tho OF wagon traius There
but one railroad open for rebel and that leaves
Richmond on the SOUTH aud connects at Lynohburg with
the road from Charlottesville II the intention that
'ns force under General Custer should have destroyed
TINS road but his engagements with General Jeb stuarts
rebel cavalry prevented him from carrying out his part
the expedition. As 10 win require two hundred
ana SIX miles 70 be travelled over 10 reach Gordonsvle
from Richmond whereas by the destroyed road the jour-
ney Was only seventysix miles, little over one third
the Distance. IL konpsreet in Richmond, as has been
stated, he csnnot join Lee except BY ths route The
distance from Gordonsvle 70 Culpepper 10 twenty sIx
piIea