The New York herald., 1864-12-14
n BRIsK sKIRMIs HI.
etrsHg Rebel Works On Beth Sides Of
the Meherrin River.
ENTERTAINING DnrAr1s.
ClgUALTFES IN THE CAVALRY.
Asss Re-, &es
THE CAVALRY.

HE OAvALRYs
~-~~~~>~>>~~~>>>~>ooooo
Hr. .. II. Bulklsy's Despatch.
RrxpcUARrERs, GREGo's CAVALRY DIVISION, I
IN THS FlgLD Dec IL, 1864 I
saxno's CAVALRY OPERATIONS LATE MOVE.
- expedition which recently started out under The
ss@nand OF General Warren for the destruction OF the
fSsersburg and Weldon Railroad, having fully accom-
Dashsd the object have returned in safety.
II was ascertaned BY the recent reconnaissance OF
esssra Greggs cavalry that the enemy were
- build branch railroad from Stony Creek station 10
As South Side road, which, accomplished, would ren
asr the occupation Of the position held by the Fifth
saps vaueless and besides materially asss, the enemy
n holding Petersburg and Richmond
To prevent this necessary 10 destroy the road
ssAh Of Stony creek, which has been most efec
sAiy for distance Of over twenty miles, rendering is
eoost impossible TO rebuc the road this winter and
ssA IOss 10 US Of less than one hundred men.
consequence Of the extreme severity Of the weather
- the past few days. and long aud rapid marches ueces
my 70 be made the troops are naturally quite worn ou,
sad ,adsd but few days Of res. In camp win brps
0en sn right again.
FoRCn KNeAeAD.
~ torees engaged 10 the expedition consisted Of the
vh corps together With the Third division OF the Sec
snd corps, under General Xott aAd the Second division
= cavalry, oommanded by Major General Gregg. The
This made force Of something over twenty thuussne
nss and twenty-five pecss OF artillery.
MOVEMENT.
ns infantry LEFT their camp Tuesday, the 9th inst
aod moved out in readiness 10 early
10 Oa W.. nesday, At four A. NJ the cavalry took the
sAvanoe and marched the Jerusalem pank road
30 NoMoway river, which s about twenty
Dps dhtart from Petersburg. Here We Grss
oss tho easmy, bu, 10 such small numbers
asOu. sixty feet wde Tue bridge formerly
- was dc troyed early last summer, and rebuilt
M cavalry found difficulty iording tho stream
wAch some three feet Deep and Lieutenant Denulson
vish some difficulty, even got his battery across, but
wss found mpractcabe for the remainder Of the column
- sross without the pontoon bridges with which
yssyded. The cavalry at advanced Sussex Cours
1o0es Eve miles distant from the river encanped
seuera Cra-sn.d'" 1.-'-"n sf t-e Fnth corps, also
---.,ea during the nget. A. three .-.,oct the nav,
ncning the arcs Was resumed, genera Davies brigade
- cavalry hsyng the advance.
We moved IN southwxsterly direction pnssiug
orough small village called "Comers Well,
and expecting TO strike the railroad j&r
Ssu statioa. Great vigilance now required
- watching he eBeny, az he discovered hovsriug
= front and nk. The duty dsyoved upon lne caysry
whc not only lrched in front occupied ali she side
soAds until the wIoe column had passed small rsrus.
- the enemy were oousiautly being waiting Tor 30
sppoT;unty u pouoce upon staggers who are a ways
aaneroas upon march Of this kind, notwahslsn5ras
40 utmost onors OF the clcers keep them IN line
Unfortunately OF this class succeeding finding
csar,ity OF tpplo brandy at 81 the
Ahey visited Win which they not only drank Their al
es the time being, out hued thoir csnteens for she
&aDeHs In the ranks effect was 80 Do
visible, and cavalry ia all stages Of ioloxicaloo
we're c1ns'anty dropping By tue road side. An ioges
saion Inspection csnteeus was ordered aud arge
sHanii!es oi apple JACK ascoyered and thrown away.
FIGHT.
no oghug OF consequence occurred us, AFTER ID,
cf tn cavalry column bad passed on to the Halifax
road, hs enemy succeeded IN getting between ur
and tho infantry. General Gregg at once halted the
eoiuuo aud sent Major Corre, OF the Eighth Pennsyiya
sh, vAth squadron 10 open communication with Gene.
~ Warren Major Corre charged through, killing and
sapturng number OF Iebsls and came upon br,ssd,
the Fatn corps, drawn up line OF battle with such
saeetuofy draw their re but fortunately wilhoui
so5g say darnsgs.
AT rHR rAnPoAp.
few niles further brought the head Of column .t
10 aroid al point where the road crosses the Motto
river The Third brigade OF cavalry uBoer Briga
ar General 4 Y Smith 'gns here detached III o-ders
isks the bridge and turn II II possible was sup
yssd the enemy would defend this position 10 the fu
szsens Of his ability, bit IL was found upcn reach.
tAs Tho point tnst he had wItbdraw1 the garrison and
eess MN Cred the bridge without opposition. We
Asro mhcned on sonie nse miles further 10 JArrstps
MOI where batw made and orders Issued 70 destroy
&e nd. Tho ltnth New YORK, under comnapd OF
lieutenant C1one Avery detailed for This purpose
srd nsd succeeded IN thoroughly destroying porton Of
ns track when General Gregg scoeyei orders 10 moye
"a, sard bp column 70 allow Infantry 10 work at tts
soad.
DESTRUCTION
Tht destruction nov commeuCed IN eamef. A, fact q
re road up tho ties pIed up and red ana
so rails psced tor % order 70 ben1 them repds
thsm unft Tor rtnre use. Not single ts or rail- We,
AT. Notwithstanding the night was bitter coli aad
s'ory, tho men seemed 70 enjoy TIE sport and 70 va
18th esol other ia doing the work Thoroughly.
~ Ivoye O'CLOCK al rst. ove miles of rosd haa
oeen thus 'osfoyei, &c 'ding the depot water tank
q ~ 1Mft1H ttaton u tie morning the cavalry again
aNsaced 70 allow The iriontry 10 conure ths dcstrrc.
teA si the rood which accomplished "a far rs ol.
Geo making tho whole distance Of road destroyed nearly
asa'y m"es' Wheu 'ho cavalry reached "Throe.reeE,
sriii s're % some ibres OF four mes from gouaea
hs hrft serious resistance va encountered.
rnn rvENY toMK YoRct.
Rtre tue enemy fOunf 10 eonsdcrafi. ,sro. A,
~ss sposed 10 dispute further Irosss Tho stream
abonst " considerable depth nno te tridgs
crossing i wss Cred upou our approach Two plseca ~
srnefy opened up0u advancing coicrnn ana u va,
and necessary 70 have section Of rtshlsour batiety
20 reply - ibom. Gud 70 cover alukng party of tle
fsntb hss YORK sen out The e 10 ford the stream
pFiysN nacR
rkaa uF fsGu ee.