The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-05-31
GEN. STUARTS FIRST RAID.
How He Inspired His SOIdIers-Tts
Effect ON ahe North.
From the Compile de Paris History of the
Civil War1

yealed TO Gen. Lee the weak points OF his adj
versary. On the morning of the 18th OF
June, brigade of cavalry, numbering
/ 200 strong, and accompanied 10y a few
pieces of artillery, left Richmond under
command of General Stuart. It's destina-
ton was profound secret Following the
road to Louisa Court House, ~ if on his
way to re-enforce Jackson, Stuart encamped
in the evening at the railway bridge of
Aqua Creek, on the South Anna. Before
daylight on the l4tli he turned suddenly TO
the right in the direction of
HANOVER COURT HOUSE,
where two 50 uadrons of the 9th Regular Cav
airy were performing picket duty. The first
squadron, surprised by the appearance of
the Confederates, was quickly dispersed.
The second, taking advantage of the mar
rowness of the road, which compelled the
enemy's troopers to march by fours, charged
| them vigorously without concern as 10 their
numerical superiority. Being closely packed
within this narrow defle, the two detach-
ments were mingled, and fought with sal
| bers The Federal commander Captain
Royal, killed the commander of the first
squadron of the enemy with his own hand,
and was himself severely wounded a mo-
ment after. The weight of the Confederate
column soon swept before il the handful OF
regulars who had attempted TO check its
progress. The 9th regiment of Cavalry,
which before the war wis numbered the
second, had long been commanded 10y Gen
eral Lee, and his nephew, Colonel Lee, who
led one of the Virginia regiments under
Stuart had also served i'm it. lie thus found
himself called upon, rs a sad result OF the
civil war, to draw his sword against officers
who had been his comrades the preceding
year-perhaps even against some of the
soldiers whom he had commanded IN the
gaFrisons of the Far West, Far from feeling
any secret remorse in their presence, and
carried away by the passion which inspired
him for the cause of the South he solicited
of his chief the privilege OF measuring
swords with his late companions in arms.
But there were no longer any enemies &
fight; the two squadrons which alone had
guarded the flank of the Federal army on
that side were dispersed; and proceeding
down the Pnmunky, Stuart led his brigade
as far as Old Church, at an unbrOken trot.
The task assigned to him by his chief Wa
accomplished; he had turned tho right wing
of the Federals he had made a survey, be-
fore reaching Old CHURCH, of the course of
swampy stream called the Tolopatamoi, a
tributary of the Pamunky, Which could
easily have been covered with defensive
works, and thus marked out the route, which
JACKSON WAS TO FOLLOW
a few days after with his army. 1t seemed
natural he would Immediately retrace his
steps and go back to Richmond but Stuart,
who possessed all the instincts e a light
cavalry general, determipad 70 carry out
plan much more hazardous in appearance,
but less dangeroua in Teality-to make a
complete circuit ofthe Federal Army, so as
to enter RichmonJ on tho south, which he
had left BY the Rorth, BY this movement
he e&peoted TO throw the rear of the enemy
into great confusion, SO that amid the con-
Trajectory rumors, he would have a good
chance to battle the pursuits of his adverse
ries. None of the officers to whoa ho com
municated his plan dasa( approve of it; but
he knew thas ali would obey him with
courage and intelligence. After giving his
brigade moment ofrest, and making care
full inquiries regarding the Hanover lourt
House road, which he nretGAded to wish 70
follow, Stuart GEGered the bugles to sound
aRooTs AND SADDLES"
silently placed himself at the head Of the
column, and directed his horse toward New
Kent Court H9Nae. The soldiers followed
with ,atonishAent, but without hesitation,
a chief who inspired them with blind conf
dence. Yet every step they took seemed To
interpose an additional barrier against all
chances of return. On the right lay the
whole army of the Potomac 0A the loft the
immense depot of White Itouse In front Of
them the railway aud the turnpike, along
Nhlch the enemy's troops were necessarily
passing to and fro The small band drew
closer together, for there was danger Oh
every side this danger, howeVeS was con
siderably lessepea sAFough the c0nnivancc
Of az she inhabitants. At each house Stuart
received the minutest information concern
ing the Federal corps TO be avoided and
the magazines which might be destroyed.
Two boats on the lamunky we're burned,
but SEAaIE aid not 90 as far rs the White
House, notwithstanding the temptation
which so rich a prize offered him. lie
struck the railroad at Tunstalps Station, and
after putting small Federal outpost 10
fight, he went into ambuscade in ofder to
capture the first train which might happen
to pasa lY. An instant after train OF
SaIA, loaded with sick and wounded, bound
fOr the White House. arrived at full speed
but instead of stopping to water, usual,
continued right on, while the pieces Of tim
Der placed across the track for the purpose
of throwing off the cara were scattered right
and left bY the locomotive. r.
axe sURFRIzED CoYFEDERATEs
merely fired a volley into the train, which
wounded many of the sick and frightened
the passengers, some of whom jumped out of
the cars; the danger, however, WAS a short
duration, and the train, disabp1ating among
line, Stuart, thus disappointed, had not
even time to destroy the railway track, for
he learned that McCalPs Division, on its
way to Join Mcclellan, was encamped in
the neighborhood that it was under argas
and would soon make it, appearance, lie
drew Off, still pursuing hia onward course,
after having nNfHed few cars loaded with
I.rOviaions and several camps, and after feed
ing his soldiers at the expense Of the fright
ened suffers whom he had stopped on the
road. But night had come and iues
kindlcd by his hand fashiLg above the for
ests, were so u,any signals which drew the
EGdeIais upon his track. Fortunately for
Stuart, his soldiers were well acquainted
with the faintest path in tho yOGntry
through which they wege passing they were
at home o.zogpently, they reached the
kaIaleE of TaIleysvilie without difficulty,
where the column was allowed q foW h0urs'
rest and time to rally, Tnen, turning 70 the
right, it proceeded rapidly toward the Chick
a,ls4uiny.
At daybreak, the Confederate cavalry
reached the boIdegs OF this river, considera-
bly, bs.aw bottoms Bridge, at place called
Forge, or Jones Bridge. But the ford on
which they had depended was not passable ::
the bridge had been destroyed, and the Fed
eral cavalry, which, under Ayerill, had been
sent by McClennau "a Intercept these passes,
was only sew miles distant from the place.
Two hours more of delay and Stuart would
have lost his only chance VI retreat, 1t was
critical moment Efforts were made to
repair the old bridge, and every man set to
work 10 cut down trees for that purpose. A
foot bridge was soon constructed, which the
men crossed on foot, swimming their horses
alongside. Once on the other side qf the
river, the Codfederates proceeded " enlarge
the dimensions of the Aging bridge, and by
dint Of Istuor, succeeded in getting their ar
tillery over this fragile structure. Stuart
had thus baffled all pursuit, and re-an,ed
his march on the RichmoRd road having
lost but one mag allied and one caiszoR stuck