Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-04-02
Letter from the California Cavalry Bat
ta1liOn.
VIENNA, VA, Feb. %, 1864.

/ tallIon.
VIENNA, Va, Feb. %, 1864.
| EDITOR JOURNAL Last week, just after the
receipt of your paper, which is clear and bright
in type and edifying in contents, forced myself
to write letter, which, I think only a
grumble about dull times. only expressed the
general feeling in camp, which became so OPP
pressiYe to the officers, well to the privates,
that they concluded to look for excitement out
side Numerous reports had come in up to Sat-
urday last to the effect that the bushwhackers
and guerrillas, emboldened by inactivity,
had commenced to run around again. On the
goth attachments, from each Regiment Of
the Brigade, were ordered out on reconnosances
in the vicinity of Shenandoah Valley and sur
rounding country. That from the 10th New
York Cavalry found no enemy the one from the
18th New York had chase and captured several
Ours, consisting of the effective men of Compa-
mics and NJ, from California, and from Mass
achusetts, all of I'd Massachusetts, Cavalry, found
small bodies of the enemy and drove them all
day Sunday On Monday, returning they dis
covered no opposition, and were cheerful and
happy, confident in a safe return to camp. Dis
cpline was somewhat relaxed precautions I'M
needed, and the column so often successful in
numerous raids and scouts fell into ugly trap.
Of course the officers should have looked out
carefully for ambushes. Still Death has fallen
so violently on us that we can not now stop to
enquire into that. Doubt Col. Lowell will
find out to whom the blame attaches for having
lost over one hundred fighting men from his
Regiment. But shall not anticipate.
The wandering band attached to Mosebys
command of rebels were reinforced by body of
infantry, and of citizens, who are, at proper
times, neutrals or bushwhackers. They selected
a fine position for ambuscade, about two miles
from Drainsville, and awaited the coming of our
detachment, consisting of about $50 men. The
enemy forces amounted to 800 cavalry and
footmcn. Strengthened by their position and
concealment, they were equal to twice their own
number The road through them narrow,
bounded on one side by bluff surmounted by
high fence. and On the other by Il pine forest,
thiekly undergrown with brush. They permit
ted the advance to penetrate the ambush so far
that the whole column was encircIed and COM
pletely surrounded. Then commenced charge
by cavalry on the front and rear, with regular
and oft-repeated volleys from the sides of the
road The column could not form platoons, nor
could it make safe charge as column they
sought to get into an open field where there were
opportunities to win the fight, but they were 80
hemmed in that this was impossible.
Manfully and desperately they cut themselves
out, but suffered awfully in the deed. Never
once wavering, they answered every rolley and
hcwed and cut until shot down or overpowered.
Company L came out of the affray with ii men
missing and 2 wounded Company NJ, % men
missing, killed, wounled-Capt. Manning
captured McCammon, Terrier and Dexter are
the names of killed. Company B, Al men miss
ing No full list yet made. Acting Maj. j.
Sewell Reed, late Captain Company A. Califor
MIA One Hundred found dead, stripped of
everything but shirt and drawers. 1t is gener-
ally supposed he was butchered after being
thrown from his horse, having surrendered,
as his wounds are on the head. An infantry
man could not have reached him on his horse,
and his skull shows marks of having been
crushed in by the butt of musket. The men
of Company NJ were killed, two by gun shots in
the head and the other by sabre thrust over
the right eve. In fact all the killed were
wounded so precisely alike that one is warranted
in believing them shot when on the ground, and
after surrender AS we have proof positive of
these fellows having treated our men similarly
in other skirmishes, we can reasonably believe
it probable now. Loss of enemy unknown
Their killed and wounded must have amounted
to as much as ours, but they carried theirs off
with them In all, our Regiment lost eight men
killed besides Maj. Reed. Possibly more will
yet be found, as our men fought the enemy in
retreat clear to the Potomac. We are hoping
that more of the missing will find their way in
vet and that our casualties will be much less
than the rolls show.
Union army movements since my last are be-
coming more pointed and active. Sherman's
advance has met no check yet. Pope and Banks
progress as favoraby Desertions are increas-
ing in the rebel ranks two came in last night
to us from Moseby.
Our men are yet sorrowful over their late
fatalities, but eager AS ever to meet the foe.
This Regiment has been recruited lately and is
in fine condition, the heavy bounties having in
duced the re-enlstment of veterans.
In haste, E.