The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-03
command were killed or captured, and only one or two

command were Killed or captured, ana only ono Ut tWo
slightly wounded
By this time the enemy rallied and opened with shells
upon ASH and followed troops as they fell back to-
ward the Ravenna river.
AT this point held the bridge and crossed all our
troops, after had burned three mills and saddle fac
tory, with much other government property
General Custer having learned from his prisoners
that Stewart was in command there with nearly all his
cavalry and batteries four Eve TO his one,
WINGED that II would be mere madness to pursue his
original intention and attempt to destroy the railway
bridge and military stores near Charlottesville and there
fore destroyed the bridge and ordered his command to
fall back toward Madison Court House, by the same route
they had come.
Steadmans brigade had the advance, Captain Robbins
OF the First New Jersey cavalry, leading the way.
II now began to rain and freeze and the night was
fearfuly dark To keep the road was the most difficult
matter.
The advance reached Madison shortly after daylight
Tuesday morning, supposng that the remainder OF the
command was directly IN the rear. General Custer,
howeve had difficulty with crossing streams with
hsTuns in the extreme darkness and concluded 10 wait
for daylight. The rebel General Stewart meanwhile, by
cross cut intercepted him as he turned bond in the
ROAD near s.anrardsvills and oununbered him TO
General Custer charged him most dcrcciy with hs
thousand gallant Fellows and broke his column, which
fed 10 confusion TO the woods. General Custer now
brought up his two guns and pitched eight or ten shells
into them, spreading dismay In their ranks. They had
artillery with which TO reply and General Custer, by
rapid counter movement, fell back 10 byroad. by
which he crcumvenod the enemy and again led him on
the main road 70 Madison Court House.
The rebels followed HIM; but wbcnever they came 10
sight few shells and charge from the guard sent
them flying backward again.
Meanwhile, whom the guns were beard, steadmans
ttraA
they wero, and met OF the enemy at the Rapidan
whom they charged and drove back across the river.
The whole party arrived at Madison Court House just
before dusk last evening" bringing with them about Owe
hundred captured horses and ny prisoners During the
raid they marched over one hundred miles, destroyed
large quantity Of valuable property and made the above
captures, without losing single We had only few
slightly wounded all OF them being able 10 ride home
horseback. They killed three rebels that they Of
and probably msny more.
On tuesday tho raiu fell In torrents all day and the
streams 10 that rough, mountainous country rising
rapidly Al dark fell 10 large lakes sufficient 20
vhitea the whole country making tho roads almost i'm
passabc for horses at any pace beyond walk We rode
twenty miles into cureppcr, whore we arrivod'M mid
night, wet, tired hungry and sleepy.
This considered OF the boldest and most sue,
full cavalry raids OF the General Custers command
made up OF deachmcnts OF troops who were nearly
all strangers TO him. and yet he declares that
behaved CALAMITY In the world To them no awards
all praise.
The infantry under General sedgwick deserve the Ut
most credit for the vgilant In which they held
the country this side the Rapdan. For Thorn there
deal Of hard work 10 do exposed they were 10
and cold with no chance for fight They win return to
their winter quarters to-day, and muddy tramp they
will have OF u.
May General Fitzpatrick meet with The same, or
greater, measure Of success a. General Custer.