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 fell
lows, who had eaten nothing but bacon
and -four, and too little Of them, for
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 had 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 th,' time, that it was only
g cattle raid, and not part of general
attack, aud gives the best excuse he
can think of for the loss, with tears
in his voice. He attributes Hampton
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 II, 600
ID according to Major Van Renselaar
5000; Humphreys says three brigades
Of cavalry; Sharpe the whole cavalry
corps, and so on. Grant in dispatch
to Meade calls the captures Ga rich
haul, and so they were. Those 2, ,468
beeves were Godsend to the army.
"Hampton's steaks as they were
termed, and thrifty used, lasted for
many week. They were fine 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 it, like
children in bed in the dark, aud 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 return to his
quarters he received note from Gen.
Lee, in which he writes:
II 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
/ apd 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
tanned 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. The
position required not only coolness,
courage, zeal and intelligence, but
special faculties born in some few
| eyyr. =, =. Of