The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-27
= HI E r. L ID - ~ {!
The Great Cavalry Expedition
through the Rebel Lines.
Destruction of Locomotives, Cars,
Bridges, Culverts, Tracks,
and Supplies.
CAPTURE OF MEN AND GUNS FROM
THE REBELS.
Correspondence of the New York Herald.

Correspondence of the New York Herald.
OUR START FOR THE GREAT ExPEDIT1oN-rHE
REBELS ON OUR FLANKS AND REAR.
We moved at daylight, marching in the di-
rection of Fredericksburg until we had arrived
within four miles of the city, when we struck
off to the left of Spotsylvania Court House to
Hamilton's crossing, and took the telegraph
road to Richmond.
We had not advanced many miles before we
began to be annoyed on the flank and rear by
rebel sharpshooters. The First division had
the advance, the Second the rear and the Third
the centre. We paid very little attention to
the firing, supposing 1t to be only party of
scouts watching our movements. We had
fiankers thrown out each side of the road,
while the Sixth Ohio regiment Col. William
Stedman commanding, were the rear guard.
REBEL CHARGE ON OUR REAR GUARD BY FITz
HUGH LEE
About the middle of the afternoon the First
North Carolina cavalry made furious charge
upon our rear guard. breaking clear through
pared for such vigorous movement; used
both pistol and sabre to good advantage, and
captured quite q number of prisoners.
Quite an amusing incident occurred in con-
nection with this charge. A section of the
Sixth New York Independent battery was in
Ohio. i rebel captain cut his way through to
the rear piece, and putting his hand upon it
cried out This is my piece" Not by a
damned sight" replied n cannonier, and at the
same time gave him blow under the eye Ia
Heelan, knocked him from his horse and took
him prisoner. Considerable commotion was
created in the column for a few minutes when
it was ascertained that Fitz Hugh Lee with
two brigades was in the rear of US. The First
New Jersey, Lieut.. Col. Kester commanding,
was at once ordered to assist the Sixth Ohio,
and from that time till dark both small arms
and artillery were in constant use. Captain
Walter X. Robbins was at one time completely
cut off from the balance of the command; but
placing himself at the head of his squadron he
gallantly cut his way through, bringing in sew
eral prisoners.
GEN. CUSTER IN TIE ADVANCE-THE AFFAIR AT
BEAVER DAM.
While these exciting events were transpiring
in the rear, our advance. composed of General
Clusters brigade of the First division was do
ing glorious work in the front. They forded.
the North Anna River, charged into Beaver
Dam station, recaptured 378 Union prisoners,
including colonies, majors, captains and lieu
tenants, belonging to the Fifth corps, aud TAX
en- prisoners while charging the rebel breast
works at Todd's Tavern. Their joy when they
preaching, knew no bounds. They set up
deafening cheer, while the rebel guard, COM
posed of Il lieutenant and twenty-five men.
skedaddled into the woods. They had no ink
ling of our approach, and the transition from
state of despondency to hope and joy was so
sudden they could hardly realize it.
Reaching the station, Gen. Custer found
three long trains loaded with commissary
stores with two splendid engines, which he at
once destroyed, together with a large ware
house filled with an immense quantity of flour,
bacon and whisky. 1t is said that not less than
O1e million and half of rations were destroy
cd at this point. They also thoroughly Destroy
ed the railroad for miles, burning the ties and
bridges, bending the rails and damaging it in
every conceivable manner. The road which
passes here is the Virginia Central running
from Richmond to Gordonsville.
THE BIvOUAC-OUR CAMP sHELLED.
The First division blvouacked on the south
side of the North Anna river, while the Second
and Third were on the north side. A strong
picket guard was thrown out in the rear, and
skirmishing was kept up all night. At day.
light in the morning the enemy succeeded in
getting one piece OF artillery in position COM
handing our camp, and opened q vigorous fire.
The first shell passed directly over an ammu-
milton wagon. under which your correspond
ent was sleeping. Our regiment was at once
ordered into line, and a crossing of the river
was effected under q heavy fire.
ON AGAIN-THE REBELS IN FRONT OF OUR LINES
We moved south, in the direction of The
South Anna river, the First division in ad.
vance. The rebels during the night had sue
C6SQcu SOItiuS - iOiCC III HOuL VI US, ana
were annoying our column. The First Maine
charged t1em, and Lieut.. Col. Boothby receiy
ed severe wound in the shoulder, shattering
the bone. 1t was first thought that the wound
was fatal; but Dr. w. w. L. Phillips, Surgeon
in-Chief of the Second division, performed a
skilful operation, cutting out the fragments of
the shattered bone, and strong hopes are now
entertained of his recovery.
THE SOUTH ANNA CROssED-THE AFFAIR AT
ASHLAND.
At four p. ~ we crossed the South Anna,
and after marching two miles, bivouacked for
the night. At three o'clock on the morning
of the 11th. the first brigade second division,
was sent under Brigadier General H. e. Davies
on special expedition to Ashland, distance
OF seven miles, for the purpose of destroying
Inc railroad and supplies. Great caution and
haste were essential, as i: was known that Gen.
stuart, with his rebel cavalry were rapidly
making for that point. Our forces arrived In
Ha stgnt OF tne town at daylight and formed In
hne OF battle. The First Massachusetts caval-
~, MAJOR Sergeant commanding, was selected
10 cnarge through the town, which the men
dio IN gallant style, driving regiment of Vir.
ginians, under Colonel Mumford of Fitx Hugh
Lees division, before them. They then dis.
mounted, set fire to the railroad denot de-
stroying railroad stock. stores and SUPPLIES. in
great Quantities, also tearing up miles of the
track Of the Fredericksburg and Richmond
railroad.