Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-09-29

va tne enengs right Dearlngs man swept IKE an ava
anche their works, meeting with rapid but irreg
uar and momnetaty fire of musketry which only served
to increase their ardor and enthusiasm SO sudden and
rapid the assault, that the Yankees rushed fom
their tents dishab'lle and were enabled to make
comparatively but feeble resistance. Gen. Dearing
took thirty five prisoners, Eve or six teams, and the
eny's camp. Demorazed aud panic stricken the bal.
Of the enemy fed in great disorder to Sycamore
Church, whsre finding Gen. Rosser in possession Of
their works, they Immediately surrendered
| On their left at Sycamore church, the enemy was
much more strongly fortified He held position On
hill with formidable barbados in his 'front.' Gen. Rosser
demanded surrender, but the Yankee commandment
seemingly conscious Of bis ability to hold his position
returned positive refusal with the additional remark
that be intended to fight to the last Cen Roseer de
te'mued to give him chance and ordered bis men to
charge. 1hey obeyed the command with great cheer
fulness and gaantry. They reached the baTricades,
pulled them to pieces, leaped over and through item
and reached the enemys work in the face of heavy
fire, which fortunately, did little execution. number
of prisoners takenincludng Major Baker of the
| lst District Of Columbia cavalry, Commanding. As
soon Geo. Rosser reached their position the an
KEGS Scattered in all directions and fled from the place
in the most precpltate manner 1t was here thet the
men who fed before Gen: Dsaring, were made to sur
render. Gen. r. took about two hundred and fifty
prisoners and several valuable teams in addition to the
enemys camp.
PR1.oNERs THEIR CAMPS
The prisoners captured by Gems. Rosser and Dear
ing, belonged to the lst District of Columbia Cavalry,
armed with sixteen shooters, many of which weapons
fell into the hands of the capors, and were safely
brought Cf The camps prolific of delicacles and
provisions Oranges hmons CIGARS crackers and good
things and useful, we're foGad in great protuson and
not few of them secured. Every thing not
brought off, was destroyed, and we learn much more
was destroyed than secured; On account of lack OF
transportation
CAPTURE OF THE CATTLE.
The enemy having been completely routed and de-
moralzod it determined to push ahead at at
ter the cattle, supposed to be at Coggin's Point
Away in the distance by the faint light of the breaking
day. vast herd of animals. Gene al Rossar
took them to be dsmounted cavalry, and at pie
pared to attack them Before he moved of, however,
note captured in Major Bakers tent brought To
him, which explained The presence of this great hest
1t addressed to Gen. Grants chief c0mmissary,
read substantially as follows:
have the honor TO report the arrival of 1876 head
of cattle here. have this day moved them from Cog
gins Point the grazing in this vicinity is the finest
IN the country. I only tear it will not hold out long
enough The cattle are IN splendid order.
j. s. BAKER,
Oom'dg lst d. q. Cavalry.
| There was now GO difficulty in securing tdo cattle
for such the great drove of animals grazing n the dis
tant fields proved to be- and our gallant bnrsemen push
ed forward to gather them in Ii great and go-
rious sight, and that did tie soul good to witness
them they up hundred after hundred. They
all northern beeves, raised especially tor that mar
ket, in splendid condition. and ali young Steers Our
troops greeted them with joyful cheers and no douot
| smiled IN anticipation OF many juicy slrllon
A DASH At sPEERs MEN.
While Rosser and Dearing were fighting the enemy
q detachment of Gen. Lees command dashed into
encampment of Speers troops, capturing prisoc-
ers and horses, and putting the balance to tight
Speers headquarters gere at Mount Sina Church. and
had time permitted, he would also have been routed or
captured.
THE RETURN.
The object of the expedition being accomplished, our
| fo~a ALosu Lnpoa
ard Dearing in the advance of the captures and
Gen. Lee brought up the rear The cattle stretched cut
for distance OF four five miles, but moved ard
guarded in the most systemaca manner The captured
wagons loaded with seed oats and other stores cap
tured from the Yankees Everything progressed favor
able until the arrival of the head OF the column at
Belsches Mill, the Jerusalem Plank )ad, eighteen
miles from town. wheie the Yankee General Gregg, COM
mandDg two divisions of cavalry, confronted it.
| BATTLE AT BELsCHEs MILL.
Ger. Gregg was drawn up III battle array immedl.
ately Hamptons road and it was found necessa
ry to give him battle Rosser and Dearing were Or
Gered attack at once which they did in the most de-
ternined syle forcing the Yankees back in the direc
tion of Petersburg, mile and half They retreat
ed creek at this point, burning the bridge to
prevent pursuit. Here they planted battery and
opened fire upon troops while the main body OF their
forcss took road to the left in order to flank u.s.
They met by Gen. Lee, who after sharp fight OF
an hour, completely routed them. Graham's and
McGrt gors batteries were in the meantime brought up
placed IN IrCnL OF aQRe6 DaGlory, a0d 6ucn
the precision Of their fire, that they seuceo
il, and compelled its removal. Lees col CT with the
Yankee cavalry was one OF the most decisive OF the
He only defeated but routed them scd caused them
| 10 retreat in the most shameful confusion
Cheered by their brilliant in the capture OF
CATTLE prisoners and stores, and determined to bring
them safely into lines at all hazards, bis meu went
into battle with will which made them irresistible,
lie Yankees charged time and again. but repulsed
all around with considerable loss They compelled
n ratiro ar last allo tn q
even tenor of its way.
W1ere all acted well, it would be iIvidious 10 pa.
ticaiar z yet must be permitted to say THAI tie
general testimony OF Ccers and point to the action
of the artillery engaged in battle at Besches Mill
unsurpassed and terribly destructive the enemy
1t was largely instrumental In gaining the victory.
SAFE ARRIVAL.
After the disastrous and gnomnous defeats of Gregg
hampton continued his towards our lines and
arrived in camp without further interruption O'Clock
on Saturday morning. He brought every thing safely
with him. losing only 20 80 cattle from fatigue
hese cattle brought through town yesterday af
ternoon and have been placed in position from
Yankee raiders.
| POOR KAUTz,
During the return of the expedition from Prince
George, Gen. Kau,z followed in Lees with fifteen
hundred men and four pieces OF cannon, tut he at
time within shooting distance At one time G en-
Lee halted and ted and watered his animals. Kauz al
SO halted But We understand fro m good authority
that after the battle at Beschs Kauz turned bis troops
loose upon tha citizens of Prince George and robbed
aud piliaged them generally in revenge for
| This 10 poor revenge for brave man to take.
| HORSES CAPTURED.
| In the fight at Sycamore Caurch and Cox's Mill
three hundred foe Yankee horses were captured which
will be put to useful service in the Confederate army