The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1864-05-24
From the Richmond Dispatch, May l
The Battle at Swift Creek.

> S~seAS 49, eWAkI SACCh'
A fight occurred at Swift Creek, three
miles from Petersburg, Monday. 1t lasted
with more or less vigor for some two or
three hours at this point, and skirmshing
more or less sharp went on upon tho
north side Of the creek nearly TO Fort
Clifton. Our troops at the close Of the
day occupied the position they held be.
fore the fight began, and we are glad to
believe that our loss WAS not comparable
to that Of the enemy.
THE CAVALRY RAID.
The cavalry raid, numbering 1000
men, under Gems. Custar and Merritt,
which was first heard from At Beaver
Dam, arrived at Ashland yesterday
morning, where fight occurred, the re
suit Of which is given in the following
telegram from Gen. Stuart:
About 0 o'clock Gen. Stuart arrived in
the enemy's rear on the Brook road, and
Gen. Gorden in their rear on the Noun.
tain road. The two roads join in the
Brook turnpike at the Yellow Tavern,
about six miles from Richmond, and the
intention Of the enemy was to come down
the turnpike, cross the Brook Bridge, 90
around to the Meadow Bridge road, and
then down the Peninsula. This plan was
frustrated by the burning Of the Meadow
bridge by our troops. This fact being
discovered, the only mode Of retreat left
WAS to beat Gen. Stuart at Yellow Tavern
and 60 up the Brook or Mountain roads,
or to attack the battery at the Broe K
turnpike and cut their way through.
The former mode was tried, and about
4 o'clock yesterday afternoon they attack
Gen. Stuart, who, with LS.ax's and
Wickham's brigsdes, repuIsed them
The fight was avery hot .one, lasting
over an hour. Among our casualties
were Lieut.. Col. Ii. c. Pate and five
Captains killed.
On their route from Ashland, Gen.
Gordon. who was in their rear, attacke ed
them three times, using them up badly
every time.
There had been no more fighting up
to a la,e hour last night. nor had the
encmy made another effort to break ou,
at Yellow Tavern.
All damage done by the raiders or
the Central road has been repaired, and
the road will probably be in running or
der to day.
1t was reported that body Of the en-
emy on reaching Ashland had turned of
on the Dover Nil. road, but Of this W.
have no reliable information.
rHE FIGHT AT FORT cLITToS-oUxBoA7
A fight occurred at Fort Clifton or
Monday last, a point few miles above
City Point, on the Appoma.tox river
The following letter, from the officer ia
Command, gives the particulars of the af
fair:
FoRr CLIFTON, May 9th, 1864.
cant refrain from writing you line
as - goes in to tell you how God has
tissi us this day. My heart is gushing
in gratitude TOR His kindness and pro,ec
ton, and for the signal victory lie gave
us over our enemy.
was attacked this morning on the left
by battery Of six rified guns. Finding
that my pieces on this side could not
reach them, put my men under cover,
and they soon got tired Of sheIling u.s.
After things had qu;eted down l had Just
got to my left, three quarters Of . mile
of, when fleet Of gunboats appeared in
the river engaged them for FIVE or
six hours. crippling one, which got away,
and driving back all the rsst, save one.
which | disabled. / started with twenty
men TO board her. when she took Gre
from one Of my shell, was abandoned by
the enemy, and burnt to the waters
edge. The river here is now quite clear,
,ut ! am hard at work, &c.