The New York herald., 1865-02-19
SHENANDOAH.
Cavalry Expedition Up the
Valley. III.
THE CAROLINA IRON WORKS DESTROYED.
~~~>~~~~~~~~~~~>~-~~~-~-
hot Skirmishing with the Rebel
Cavalry,
Re-, Ae., As.

Mr. Charles H. Farrclls Dispatches.
WRCHEsrER, Va, Feb. IL, 1866.
General Sheridan recently obtained information that
The rebel military authorities industrously work.
ing iron furnace in the upper valley, conveying tho
iron after worked TO 6tauntou, from thence per
railroad TO Richmond where the iron was fabricated into
sh0s and shall for ths rebei army. The iron
veyed In sleghs from the furnacs 70 Stanton General
Sheridan placed the matter in the hands Of Major Gene
raj Merritt, temporary commander Of the cavalry corps
who devised expedition TO destroy the rebel
Iron works
For this duty . detachment OF three hundred picked
men OF the First and Sixth regiments Of Michigan cav
airy, under the command OF Lieutenant Colonel Max
well, OF the first named regiment, detailed. The
command left camp ths town at dusk the even
Ing OF the 18th inst, proceeding up the main valley
pike over roads covered with sEow, so that with
difficulty the correct route could be pursued. The
mand passed through Kernsown Hog run, through
Newtown and Middetown passing the battle Gcld Of the
10th Of October crossed Cedar creek passed through
StEasburg Fishers Hill and Round Top, over Toms
Bank Pew's creek and through Woodstock, all without
moestation, until they reached point within thrco
miles Of Ednburg.
The troops marched all night Flankers, and advance
and guards thrown out and everything kept
well in hand preyc surprise sudden attack Tho
point above named reached at three o'clock, A. NJ,
when the advance guard 10 the Shenandoah river
and fired upon by rebel picket stationed tho
opposite side the bridge Our troops discov-
cred that the panks had been taken from the bridge
The river high and not fordabe that panks
speedily procured the bridge repaired and our troops
crossed the cnemy's pckcts, which had gathered in
considerable numbers, dsputing the passage by con-
stant fusilade.
On reaching the south side OF the river obstacle
presented ise the shape Of strong iron wire fence
thrown across The road and obscure that Il
H.
removal OF these obstacles uped but short time
the troops moved with aacrty and good will The com
mand then pushed on hoping 10 surprise the
main body Of the rebels, which were supposed TO be
within half mile Of tho river Our troops push d on
rapid trot proceeded three miles beyond the river
but the main body OF the rebels did not discover them
selves Three OF our men were wounded, one OF them
MORALLY while repairing the bridge.
Our troops remained Mt Edinburg until eleven A. N.
on the 18TH gathering such information might con-
ducc 10 the success Of the expedition.
The command then divided one half returning
down the Valley pike and the other half proceeding
through Fort Gap, between Three Top Mountain and
Peaked Ridge, 20 point on Water LICK creek TO tho
Carolina Furnace-the objective point Of the eSpe
don Tho a. mace N full blast aud hundreds or
tons OF iron and smeltcd iron were found tho
ground The hands at work at the furnace gcd at
the approach OF our troops. The buildings
and machinery for Carrying on the hey works were r,
troops returned home by the way OF big Fort
valley on the route rebel gucrlas and detachments OF
regular troops were seen and engaged by our troops.
number Of the rebels were unsaddlcd and several cap
turcd The command made a junction with the other
detachment that evening" near Cedar creek on the Nacy
road.
The detachment that returned by the valley pike, nc.
companying which Captain Martindalc, OF General
Torbert stan and Lieutenant Baker, OF General her
rts sta were fortunate. After they let Edn-
burg they pursued by squadron OF one hundred
rebel cavalry soldiers Al times they attacked our
rear guard vigorously when would stand to
rcpel the attack the rebels would hesitate a IRE Al
time they charged between our main body and our
rear guard Of fourteen men, among whom was Captain
Martndale Our men, seeing their safety was In their
discrimination charged the rebels and roined the main
force
Passing through woodstock--which was donc after
dark-our troops captured quite n number OF horses
Our troops reached their camp after dark las night
The result OF the expedition may be summed up as fol-
lows The destruction Of valuable iron furnace, from
which the rebels getting out from sixty 70 one
hundred tons Of iron per day for military purpnsesi
capturing Bfeen rebel soldiers killing and wo"hu'hs
several others ,, -,
Our loss WINS trfing. Captain hartindaies oruery
was captured Our wounded were brought INTO camp
Our troops behaved with gallanty, anu y ~rs o.ng
TO this fact that the expedition wss suoeesua ane
occupied In accomplishing the work w@ ntuc ovsr
twenty four hours and the distance uaVeneo nearly
seventy miles 49,. -. ,..
thc ,ebel troops in the valley at Staunton Many
~ ~. rcs are absent furosgh, with orders 10 re-
nor, 10 their commands by March l.
Nine eurrlas captured last night near the Win
chester aud Narnsburg pike, north OF Stcvenson's do
no, Their horses and equipments were also captured
The credit OF this aas belongs " the regular cavalry
= !, Is showing in this section Of tho valley.