Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14

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they had been costly sleeping. Indeed, so
rapid and sudden had we fallen on the
unsuspecting sleepers that some OF them
were assisted by US In waking, by having
their blankets pulled OF them by our
own hands.
PRISONERS RELEASED.
In this store, at the time Of our en-
trance. were two Confederate prisoners,
members OF the Fifteenth Virginia Caval-
ry who had been captured the previ-
Gus day, and also a citizen (and his
goods, caught running the blockade.
The 10y OF these men az their unexpected
release was 50 great that 10 was need
ful 60 suppress its denomination, lest
the enemy near by should hear it.
Having placed the prisoners and their
horses under guard, Major Walkers next
aim was to surround and capture the
main body Of the enemy, who occupied
the residence Of DIT. Thomas Taylor the
assistant surgeon OF the Ninth virginia
REGIMENT, a quarter of a mile distant.
The march towards this building was
made as noiselessly as possible When
vet distant q hundred yards or more
bright fire was seen fl the yard, and
sentinel pacing to and fro on his beat
In front Of IT, IL seemed as we drew
nearer that he would not detect our ap-
proach IN time TO give an alarm. when,
suddenly, "Bangp went the report of the
gun Of one OF our men, whose excite
mont had quite overcome his discretion.
Instantly, the Federal sentinel returned
the shot and rushed for the main build
ing.
No time was now lost by Major Wal
Ter in surrounding the dwelling and
smaller houses. The demand 20 sur
4 NJ
windows by small volleys, which fred in
the dark, did no harm. With the aid
of a gun-barrel and q few rails the
doors Of the main building were forced
open, when a general surrender at once
followed.
Captain Samuel Wilson, soldier Of
fine appearance and splendid physique,
commanded the Federal squadron. and 1t
looked for a moment as if he had de-
termined TO die, rather than yield. When
he at length yielded up his weapon, and
was made a prisoner, his face wore an
air of resolute defiance, mingled with
mortified pride.
When the prisoners had been gotten
together it was found that forty-nine
had been here captured, with their
horses. saddles, brides, arms, and ac-
coutrements.
The problem now was how to get the
prisoners and horses across the river.
which was nearly a mile in width. a
large lighter, capable of carrying 100
men, or more, was found near the
waters edge at Leedstown, and this
was quickly launched. The prisoners
were put into IL. with a suitable guard
OF men, and the boat was speedily poled
over (as the watermen say, TO the Es-
sex shore.
nh
pect of q gunboats appearances made
the passage Of the captured horses a
hazardous undertaking. 1t was decided
TO take the horses two miles higher up
the river, where the stream was narrow
er and the banks higher, where bet
ter security was offered against gum
boats. and better opportunity could be
found for swimming over the horses.
The two boats were rowed up TO the lat-
ter point where, after the arrival of
the men with the horses, the saddles,
blankets, and arms were put in the
boats, and the horses were all dashed to-
gether by their halter-reins. In this
way, strung together in a long line, they
were forced after the large boat into tho
river, and were made to swim across.
A. COLD SWIM.
The water was a fun flalf-mie IN
width, and had on II skim of ice near
the shore. The prolonged bath must
have been very severe to the horsesi but
they stood it well. All were safely land
ed, save one. which, being lean, was
benumbed by the cold water. and when
it's feet touched the mud on the Essex
side 1t would make no further effort,
and was left 10 perish.
BY sunrise the expedition had been
FgTr al nd
the men, having mounted their horses.
and leading the captured ones, were on
the march TO the camp. at Lloyds.
The colonel of the regiment, to soothe.
in part, his disappointment in not being
permitted TO cross the river himself, had
taken position advantageously on tno
bank. with a section of artillery under
command OF Lieutenant Belts, intending
to arrest the progress OF any gunboat
that might chance to appear. and en-
danger the expedition. From his sta
ton he listened through the still hours,
anxiously and not in vain, for the
sounds of vollies and yells that would
tell of the successful assault Of his men.
Only one casualty occurred among the
enemy and that the painful wounding Of
a man under the eye.
The holiness and success of the en-
terprise were recognized and commended
in general orders, issued from the head
quarters Of the army; and the disaster
TO the Federal regiment is mentioned
in the official history OF the Pennsylvania
regiments, published by that State.
Major II. b. Mcclellan, In 1.-The Life
and Campaigns of General ]. L. Il. Stu
art" briefly refers TO the affair In
a sentence in which the Boston printer
gives the name OF our major, enormously,
as Weller.
or the participants in this nocturnal
raid, 1 can now recall but few among
the living. Among these is Major r.
Bird Lewis, the president Of the Con-
federate Veteran Association OF Wash
ington. d. c.. who was sergeant at the
time. and the only man on our side who
was wounded. DIR. Gordon f. Bowie,
Of Richmond county, was one Of the
men who took an icy bath IN showing
the batteau over the sand-bar William
r. Rust, OF Colonial Beach, was active
in forcing open a door of the house,
where the chief danger was met Law
renee Washington, Of Oak Grove. rem
dered valuable service In surprising and
capturing the most important OF the
pickets, and TO him the Union captain
surrendered his pistol in the last en-
counter. Jones and Johnson, the scouts
who were sent over the river In ADVANCE,
and who served as guides on the night
OF the expedition. have long since found
their graves. not far from the scene Of
the exploit.
Brave Colonel Thomas Waller, as he
was afterwards known. has gone. now,
also. 10 join the "silent majority" Ldke
most Of his old comrades, he early last
year ended his useful and worthy life,
and. Ike them. crossed the dark and
lonely river that is never stirred by a
returning oar, and across whose silent
.l..1ral L. "a al IN