Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14
POUNCING ON POCKETS
BOLD DASH or A DETACHMENT OF
THE NINTH VIRGINIA CAVALRY.
RORIY-EIEE YANKEES CAPTURED,
A Weu-PknRed and NeatIy-Exe-
cuted Nocturnal Raid Interesting
Iy Related ny one of the Pnrticl-
pants-PeriIous Return Journey.



TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
In the latter part of the month OF No
vember 1862. the Ninth Virginia Cavalry
Regiment, commanded by Colonel r. l..
t. Beale, held position on the extreme
right OF General Lees army on the Rap
pahannock. and we're encamped in tie
vicinity of Lloyds. in Essex county.
The duties OF the regiment were TO guard
the river shore with an extended line OF
pickets. These pickets were frequently
aroused and entertained by the passage
up the river of Federal gunboats and
transports. communicating with Burn
sides army at Fredericksburg. Quite
frequently. also. an exchange of rife
shots was made with the Federal pickets
on the Northern Neck shore OF the river.
Many men Of this regiment had their
homes and families on that side of the
river, and the sight Of the Union horse
men riding unchecked over the roads and
fields so familiar TO them aroused
IN many breasts an intense desire TO cross
the river and strike the enemy
a blow. Into this feeling none entered
more heartily than the Colonel himself.
Accordingly. scouts were dispatched TO
ascertain the enemy's exact position,
strength. disposition Of sentinels, and
also TO search for boats sufficient to
carry over several hundred troops. An
application was at the same time for
warded to headquarters for permission
to cross the river with 800 men.
The scouts returned promptly. having
ascertained that one cavalry regiment
the Eighth Pennsylvania-was on out
post duty. encamped at Greenlaws, in
King George. and plcketing the river as
far down as Layton's Ferry. One squad
ron, quartered at Leedstown, held
the extreme left OF their line. The scouts
carefully noted the houses in which the
men OF this squadron slept, where their
horses were picketed. and how their
sentinelS were posted at night. Only
two boats-a large batteau and a skin-
could be secured, and these were duly
provided with oars and concealed ia a
marshy creek, a mile or two above
Leedstown. in readiness for use.
These preliminaries having been ar
ranged, the necessary permit from Gene
raj Lee was awaited impatiently. 1t
came on the LIST of December. but forbade
t&4dl lltoA IMAM AVV Lleu SuoulQ De
allowed on the expedition, or an officer
holding rank above that Of major. In
consequence, the purpose OF attacking
doned. and plan arranged for capturing
the squadron at Leedstown.
ENTRUSTED TO MAJOR WALLER.
The execution of this plan was en-
trusted to Major Thomas Waller, as
4.44r In.
stars on his collar. To the call for
volunteers more than hundred respond
ed from the regiment. As the
point OF attack was in Westmoreland,
from which county Company hailed,
the men OF this company offered to go
almost in a body.
On reaching the shore Of the little
creek in which the boats were concealed,
about dark, December l, 1862, 1t was
found that their capacity was much less
than had been supposed. Thirty-six men
seemed as many as the larger boat would
carry, and only fourteen could be &C
commodated in the skin. Major Waller
commanded the batteau and Lieutenant
O. w. Beale the skiff. The night was
cold and dark, and 1t was necessary TO
maintain the strictest silence. The boats
were Eowed noiselessiy out into the river,
the officers in charge having a precon-
cerfed plan 90 rendezvous at given
point on the other shore In the event Of
becoming separated In the dark This
proved a wise precaution, for the boats
became quickly lost TO each other. The
skiff being light and easily managed,
shot straight across and quickly reached
the opposite shore. The larger boat
drifted down with the tide. and grounded
on a sand-bar far out in the river. 1t
was necessary for a number OF the men
20 get out into the jcy-water. waist deep,
ana push the craft over the bar by main
force. A landing was made by Major
walters party halt mile lower down the
river than had been contemplated.
Leaving two men as guards TO the bat
teau, he Joined the party under Lieu
tenant Beale at a straw stack. the place
of redezvous that had been agreed upon.
Here a number Of details Of scouts
were made TO proceed. as quietly and
stealthlly as possible, for the purpose of
capturing the enemyS picket-guards.
There were six Of these, at as many
different points; and it needed much
adroitness and holiness OF action 70 Sc
cure them all without an alarm being
made. The plan was for two men 10
get IN rear OF each picket, and two 10
advance upon them quietly IN the dark.
Il one Bet AdtiNu " DdB AiS bcAtr. II Nda
thought the other would. And so it
proved. The pickets were captured with
out breaking the stiffness Of the night
with the faintest alarm.
Having secured the outer guards, II
was next necessary 10 capture the re-
serve guards. Who were fifteen In num-
ber and occupied a vacant store in
Leedstown. where they slept on their
arms. having their horses saddled and
bridled, close at hand The writer OF
this account led the party advancing 90
abe capture OF this reserve, having at his
side pete" Stewart, an old Mexican
soldier. and q tried and trusty scout.
From the shadow or an adjacent house
as we drew near 10 the store the form
OF the sentinel was deserted under the
porch. The noon was lust rising. throw
Inc a CLEAN on the river the sound OF
whose flowing only disturbed the perfect
stiffness OF the night. Our pause was
but for a moment when dash was made
for the steps leading up 10 the door OF
The store. The startled sentinel ran FOR
the steps. TOO. without pausing TO fire his
caroline. lie had nearly reached the
uppefmost step. when Pete" Stewart
eraeplng him by his coat-taii. pulled him
back. The Union horsefnen In the store
were made prisoners by the time they had
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