The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-05-24

in their rear for this purpose, it was
found they had retreated, and this
plan was, therefore, abandoned. So
weary, but jolly, his men returned to
the bivouac on Rowanty Creek. That
night, and for many day afterwards,
there were plenty Of sardines, aud
other canned foods, pickles, and many
things esteemed luxuries by poor tel,
/ lows, who had eaten nothing but bacon
and flour, and too little. Of them, fo1
months past. These were picked up
by the men in the burned camps, the
regularly captured property being
turned over to the proper authorities.
| They mad marched one hundred miles
in three days. The prisoners captured
amounted to 304, and Hampton S
losses to 10 killed, 81 wounded and 4
missing.
In writing to Gen. Grant after the
affair is over and the beeves irrevo-
cably lost, Meade is evidently still
very much disconnected. He has dis
covered by that time, that it was only
cattle raid, and not part Of general
attack, and gives the best excuse ne
can think of for the loss, with tears
in his voice. He attributes Hamptons 8
success and safe withdrawal to his
force, being 5000 men, and he says
his own troops were only 5000 cavalry
and 5000 infantry available, but in
fact, to arrive at this estimate of 5000
for the Confederates he has used the
multiple two. The estimates greatly
and drolly varied, from Kautz $4,000
ID according to Major Van Renselaar
5000; Humphreys says three brigades
Of cavalry; Sharpe the whole cavalry
corps, and so on. Grant in a dispatch
to Meade calls the captures "a rich
haul, and SO they were. Those 2, ,468
beeves were a Godsend to the army.
champions steaks, as they were
termed, and thrifty used, lasted for
many week. They were fne large
oxen.
It is amusing to discover now, from
the tell-tale dispatches preserved, how
nervous during the rest Of the cam
paign the troops were who guarded
the lines near City Point, especially
in the vicinity Of Sycamore Church,
where Hampton had broken through.
They were always hearing strange
noises at night, suggested by former
unpleasant experiences. Sometimes
it would be phantom bridge builders
spanning the Blackwater; at others
the tramp in the dark Of ghostly horses
and the clatter Of sabres. Altogether
they had very trying time OF 1t, like
children in bed in the dark, and their
officers were greatly disgusted by some
prompt retreats Of their men from
imaginary onslaughts, and were thus
betrayed into using naughty words.
On Gen. Hampton's return to his
quarters he received note from Gen.
Lee, in which he writes:
s'I have received your report of the
result Of your operations, and beg to
express my high appreciation of the
skill and boldness you have displayed
and my qualification at your handsome
and valuable success. You will please
convey to the officers and men Of your
command my thank for the courage
and energy with which they have exc
.cuted your orders, by which they have
added another to the list of important
services rendered by the cavalry dur
ing the present campaign.
The information about the herd OF
beeves, upon which the expedition for
it's capture was arranged, was OBJ
tained from Sergt. Shadbourne, Of
the JEFF Davis Legion, scout. He
accompanied Rosser's leading regi-
ment as guide, and was foremost in
the attack. Sergt. Hogan, in charge
of Buffers scouts, was also with the
expedition, and did excellent service.
One scout was killed and three wound
ed in the fighting. The scouts OF the
army did not constitute distinct or
ganization, but suitable men, volun-
teering for this duty, were detailed
from the different commands. Ahe
position required not only GOODNESS,
courage, zeal and intelligence, but