The National tribune., 1883-11-29
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
The .nalr OF charles Gas cross. Roads.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
notice in your Chronological table of the
war under date of November is, 1868, mention
of the "Skirnish at Charles City Crossroads,
Va by cavalry expedition, commanded by
Colonel West" and, at the risk of inducing
IN the minds of your army of readers the be-
lief that the tongues of the LIST New YORK
mounted rifles are longer than their Sabers, and
that their pens now work rs industriously as
their Spencer carbnes did twenty years ago,
] venture to say that the skirmish alluded to
was quite a brisk affair, resulting in the COM
plete surprise and capture of the AID battalion
of Virginia cavalry. VIII some of the boys
who participated write an account of the fight;
relate who knocked Colonel West and his horse
into the ditch, and who battered down the
door Of the hotel where the 42d was quartered?
The 18Th New York volunteers, Colonel Rob
erts commanding are also fully entitled TO the
praise bestowed upon them in the following
oongratulatory order, the original of which,
signed By Colonel West himself is in my pos
session. Please notice the dates:
HEADo'Rs, FoRT RiAGRuDER. Va.
December IS, 1853.
General Orders. No. So
The commanding officer takes great pleasure in
communicating to his comrades n-arEns the follow
ing telegralas he has received, referring to their
recent glorious achievement:
To Col. WEST. commanding at Fort MagTuder:
You will publish TO your command, at the first
and unfiinchins endurance Of the past few days.
and also the following telegram just received from
Maor-GencTal Butter. have requested gratult-
Gus issue 81 - oes 10 those men Of the 18TH New
York infantry who, you say. marched themselves
bsTefooted Oh that splendid march.
(Signed.) ). J. MIsTAB, Brighten. Cora'd'g.
FoRTIifSs MaN..<S-s Dec 18th 1868
To Brigadier-Cieneral MIsTAR:
Your telegram announcing the complete sue
of the expedition 10 Charles City Cours House
is received Gave your troops the best thanks OF the
commanding general for endurance under fatigue
and their lIFomptness Of action and their bravery
in the charge. Thank Colonel West personally for
me- this action bringing him zap 10 the standard OF
HE reputation i viii announce my appreciation
In general order.
(signed.) lENJ. F. BUTLER. Iaj.-Gen. Com'd'g.
The faithful perseverance Of the troops whilst
performing lheiT weary march during the drencil-
ing storm ssnd dark night which preceded the
surprise cf The enemy, the daas5tles vaor OF the
mounted rlieinen IN their charge over that road,
made frglui by the recent rain, straight into the
midst of the enemy camp, and their patient
durance, under severe hardships IN guarding the
captures sS-eiy home. are sufgec's 10 which the
colonel commanding VIII never cease 70 refer with
other than feelings Of grateful pride and JOY.
Individual Gases OF Bravery VIII he faithfully re-
ported TO the commanding general oil tie depart
lnent when tze reports come IN.
The commanding officer feels personally indebted
10 Colonel oHderdonk and the men comprising his
column for their prolnptness iR attacking and cap
turing the camp OF the enemy north OF tie creek
where nearly sil the fighting was done: to Major
NsIeeian AID the troops Of is column for the dash
and Vim they exhibited IN capturing the enemy s
pickets al tie river and tie alacrIty with which
they pouncszi upon the enemy in has camp and
made them surrender almost without the privilege
OF firing si.ot; 10 the gentlemen who acted on
ms staff Tor the occasion, and TO whom j due all
the harmony which attended the operations Of the
expedition. Aud lastly, but not least 10 Colonel
Roberts and s brave officers and men OF the I39th
New fori, volunteers, for their faith in entering
upon 3 long and peFilous march through country
unknown to themselves; their promptDess, not
wItlstaDdug the storm. IN arriving at the rendez-
vons at the appointed hour. and thcir unwaveriug
fidelity ia guarding the prisoners home through
the memorable night aud day which followed the
surprise assd capture of the 42d battalion Of Viz
gIla cavalry iy part Of the list New York mount
ed nfleInen the 18th day OF December. 1853
tSigucdj RoBI NJ NEST, Col. Com'dg
No flies on that's T. g. HASTINGS.
Troop NJ, 1st \. Y Mounted Rifles
NEW HAVEN, CoNS.