The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-18
THE CAVALRY.
MIR. e. ID. westfall's Despatch.

FAYETTEVILLE, N. G., March IL, 1865.
On the 2sth day Of January, from the banks OF the
Little oseeches river, Fitzpatrick moved to the main sa-
vannah and Louisville road, going into camp after o
march Of twelve miles On the morning OF the goth he
moved on the Springfield and Sisters Ferry road, going
into camp about four miles from tho ferry, and remained
camp this point until the Sd Of February when the
pontoon bridge which had been very difficult to lay,
completed Nothing Of the enemy until the
cavalry struck the Little Hatchie river, Barnwell
The stream being very swampy, small force Of the
my held them In check about threeq Of hour
That night the 9th inst, they reached Barnwc Court
House.
The next morning Fitzpatrick moved for Blackwell, on
the line OF the Augusta and Charleston Railroad and
small force OF the enemy's cavalry but found no
difficulty in driving them through and beyond the town.
HsSe the command destroyed about two miles Of the
railroad.
In tho meantime infantry had struck the rail-
road toward Charleston and while engaged destroying
tho same the cavalry moved towards Augusta for tho
purpose OF creating diversion In favor Of infantry
and hold at that point Whatever force the enemy might
have. BY this they were, desired, completely
deceived las the intentions Of General Sherman and
. concentration OF their army prevented.
From the best Information derived from persons and
scouts General Fitzpatrick learned that General
Wheeler, with his corps Of cavalry, and
Cheatham, with . corps H infantry, were cut
Off from the main rebel army at Branehvile,
having been deceived by movements toward Augusta
He continued to march up the railroad through Willis
ton and Windsor Johnstons station Colonel Spencer
with the Third brigade having thesadvance met force
OF the enemy, composed o. regiments which he at
tackled and completely routed capturing three battle
flags The rebels were under command Of General
Hagan Tho road for miles with guns sabrc.
blankets &C., abandoned BY tho enemy in their fight
The pursuit continued for about nine miles, but only
few men were captured and few wounded. Four
found dead on tho field. Altogether IL vas very bril-
liant affair and reflects great credit upon Colonel Spencer
AIKEN.
On tho morning Of tho 18th instant The Second brigade
under General Atkins moved out OF camp towards Aiken
for the purpose OF developing what force OF The onony
his 'front.' II being supposed that thu enemy had
discovered real intentions and was moving toward
the South Edisto, with the intention OF crcssing.
Arriving before Aiken, General Atkins found a
small force OF the enomy's cavalry picket,
which gave but slight resistance Feeling how.
over, that IL might be movemena the
part Of the enemy draw us into snare two regiments
were deployed-the Ninety second Illinois mounted
infantry the right and Ninth Michigan cavalry the
left-while tho Scouts, under Captain Nor,hrop and
Lieutenant Grimm, moved down me road, followed W
the General and staff We had Ary reached the
Of the town. diminishing quito h<isky giving occasion
ally few shots from section OF artillery Of Beebss bat
terry Crcn,h wisconsin,, when tho enemy charged II
force. Thsy we're met with stubborn resistance by III
Ninety second Illinois, bu, owing 70 their FAR supero
numbers, they nsay compelled to etam Al ebou
the same time they charged again gong entirely throus
the Ninety second and dashed on toward the second lin
u defence At this point they were repuscd and bel
in check until the rcmrndcr u the command draw
in, preparatory TO iaIllag back il being cvldcn. tn
Wheelers entire con. mand was opposed 70 US
T'c brigade e.sred 10 good order 10 ychnstous "