The National tribune., 1885-07-16
THE WILSON RAID.
Trip Which Destroyed Great Deal Of Rebel
PrOperty.

Property.
To THE EDITOR: Will you please print this
account of Gen. John II. Wilson's raid on the
railroads below Petersburg, June, 1864? We
left camp June %, 1864, at 3 a. m. The COM
mand was composed Of the Third Division of
Cavalry, with Gen. Kautzss Brigade, IA pieces
of flying artillery and two mountain howitzers.
Station, destroyed the depot and about one
mile of track This iwork quickly done, we
marched to Dinwiddie Court house, from which
place we marched to the Southside Railroad,
where the work of destruction began in earnest.
Destroying the railroad and bridges, we con-
tinued along the railroad as far as Fords, where
we halted about II b. m, and captured two
trains of cars Zone passenger and one freight),
which we destroyed. Early the next morning
the work of destruction commenced again on
the railroad; telegraph poles were cut down
and the wire destroyed. We marched through
Blacks and Whites, crossed the Little Motto
way Creek, and met the enemy in strong force
near Nottoway Courthouse, where the battle
continued until about IL p. m. The night pre-
vious Gen. Kautz's Brigade had made sue
sessful march to Burkesville Station, destroy
ing the station and railroads there. The next
morning We struck out through the country
by Hungrytown, and reached the Danville
Railroad at Meherin Station about p. m.
Here Gen. Kautz's Brigade rejoined u.s. the
WOTk Vi ucSUTuCClOu again COmmcUCGu, alU Uu6
entire railroad was destroyed from Meherin to
Keesville, where we arrived about II p. m.
The next morning the Keesville depot was de-
strOyed. The weather was very warm and dry,
and both men and horses suffered. In the after
noon we reached the Staunton River, and a
desperate attempt was made to destroy the
bridge, but the enemy's force was too strong
for us and we were compelled to fall back. We
bivouacked that night near Roanoke Station,
which we destroyed.
Up to this time we had destroyed 10 important
stations and several smaller ones, also many
miles OfrailrOad track, including several bridges
and culverts. The next morning June 26) we
started to make our way back to camp. We halted
about IL p m. near Buckhorn's Creek. Next
morning we started on early, and at 10 a. m.
crossed the Meherin River at Stafford Bridge.
Halted that night near Sturgeonville, and next
morning were early in the saddle. About IL nj. we
crossed the Nottoway at Double Bridge. Late
in the afternoon we met heavy force of the
enemys infantry at Stony Creek Station on the
Weldon Railroad, and the fighting was kept up
all might On the morning of June 90 we moved
Second Brigade in the rear. The enemy charged
them and captured quite a number of prisoners.
About 10 a. m. we were near Reaves's Station,
where we expected to meet re-enforcements,
but they failed to come. Here the enemy ap-
peared in strong force. Their object was to
capture our entire command. We fought them
until noon, when we had to retreat, abandoning
all our wagons and artillery. We had gen.
eral retreat to Stony Creek, about six miles.
The creek was deep, with high banks; the
bridge narrow, and great many were crowded
off and drowned. The enemy was soon upon US
with cavalry and artillery. The 5th N. Y. and
LIST VT Cav, under the command of Col. Ham,
mond, of the 5th, held them in check until most
of the men got across. Gen. Wilson was blamed
by the men for this last catastrophe, though he
had done quite we'll up to this time. We now
had continuous march, day and night, until we
reached our lines-the last three days without
anything to eat. Our Toss was about 1000 men
and horses. with all our artillery and wagons ;
and the whole command was as near played out
as possible. Shortly after this Gen. Wilson was
removed and Gen. Custer given the command
Toms, Co. K, 5th N. Y. Cav, Stamford, Ct.