The Monitor., 1891-04-17

II
led to Hancock's bridge, but that which
the Rangers were now in possession Of a
bank, on which there was a foo. way, led
from Hancock's to Quinton's bridge.
Hanc0ck's house was large brick house;
there were many storehouses round it, and
some few cottages. Captain Saunders W as
detached to mbuscade the dyke that led
to Qainton's bridge, about half mile
from the quarters, and to take up small
bridge which vas upon it, as the enemy
would probably fly that way, and if not
pursued too closely, would be more easily
defeated. Captain Dunlop was detached
to the rear of Hancock's house, in which
it was presumed the rebel officers quar-
tered directed TO force il. occupy and bar
ricade it. as it commanded the passage Of
the bridge. Different detachments were
allotted TO the houses supposed to be the
enemy's quarters, which having mastered,
they were ordered to assemble at Han.
cock s; party was appropriated to relay
the bridge. On approaching the place,
two sentries were discovered; two men of
the light infantry followed them, and, as
they turned about, layoneted them; tie
companies rushed in, and each. with
proper guides, forced the quarters allotted
TO it. No resistance being made, the
L.
ed Hancock's house by the road, and
forced the front door, at the same time
that Captain Dunlop, by more difficult
way, entered the back door; as it was very
dark, these companies had nearly attacked
each other. The surprise was complete.
and would have been SO, had the whole of
the enemy's force been present. but, for
tunately for them, they had quilted it the
evening before, leaving detachment of
twenty or thirty men, all of whom were
killed. Some very unfortunate circuu-
stances happened here. Among the killed
was friend OF government, then a prisoner
with the rebels, old Hancock, the owner
of the house, and his brother. Major
Simcoe had made particular INQUIRY. and
was informed that he did not live at home.
since the rebels had occupied the bridge.
tie information was partly true; he was
not there in the daytime, but unfortu-
nately returned home at night. Events
like these are the real miseries OF war. The
roads which lead to the country were i'm
mediately ambuscaded; and Lieutenant
Whitlock was del ached to surprises patrole
of seven men who had been sent down the
creek; this he effected completely. On
their refusal to surrender, he e red on them.
Only one escaped. This firing gave the
TO the eth regiment; it'll so much silence
it had hitherto been conducted. The
bridge was now laid; and Major Smcoe
communicated to Colonel Mitchell that
the enemy were at @ iiuton's bridge: that
ne had good guiues to conduct them
thithe. by private road, and that the
possession of Hancock's house secured a
retreat. Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell said
that his regiment was much fatigued bv
the cold, and that he would return Ia
Salem as soon as the troops joined. The
ambassadors were of course Withdrawn.
and the Queens Rangers were forming to
pass the bridge, when rebel patrole
passed where an ambuscade had been and
discovering the troops, galloped back.
Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell, finding his
men in high spirits, had returned, purpos.
ing to march to Quinton's bridge; but be-
ing informed of the enemy's patrole. il
was thought best to return. Colonel
Mawhood, in public orders, 'retuIned his
best thanks to Major Simcoe and his CORPS,
for thei spirited aud good conduct in the
surprise of the rebel posts" Two days
after, the Queens Rangers patrolled 10
Thompson's bridge; the enemy, who had
been posted there, were alarmed at the an
proach Of a COW the night before, fred at
abandoned Quinton's bridge, and retired
to creek, sixteen miles from AIoes creek.
Major Simeoe, making patroe with the
Huzzars, took circuit towards the rear
OF one OF the parties sent out to protect
the foragers; party of the enemy had
been watching them the whole day. aud
unluckily, the forage being completed, the
detachment had just left its ground and
was moving off; the enemy doing the like.
met the patrole; were pursued, aud escaped
by the passage which the foragers had lust
left open. One only was taken, being
pursued into bog, which the Huzzars
tempted in vain to cross, and were much |
mortified to see above a dozen of the enc. |
emy, who had passed round 1t in safety.
within few yards; they consisted Of ali |
the field officers and committeeman of the |
district. The prisoner was their adiutant. |
The enemy, who were assembled at Co. |
hansey, might easily have been snrprised |
but Colonel Manhood judged. that having
completed his forage with such success. |
his business was to return, which he ef |
iected. The troops embarked without |
any accident, and sailed for Philadelphia.
TO BE CONTISrFD