Doc.
48.-expedition into Virginia.
The expedition embarked from
Point Lookout on the morning of the twelfth of January, 1864, under command of
Brigadier-General Marston, accompanied by
Adjutant-General Lawrence and other members of his staff.
It consisted of three hundred infantry and one hundred and thirty men of the Second and Fifth United States cavalry, under command of
Lieutenants John Mix and
Clark.
A landing was effected at
Kinsale, Virginia, on the Yeomico River, at an early hour, and thirty of the cavalry were detached to accompany the infantry.
The remainder of the cavalry, numbering about one hundred, proceeded direct to Warshaw Court-House,
Richmond County, where they found a large quantity of rebel government stores, consisting of pork and bacon, which they took possession of and destroyed.
A quantity of grain was also destroyed, and a rebel major and several other prisoners, who were in command of the post, were taken prisoners, the appearance of our troops being so sudden and unexpected, that they were unable to make their escape.
After destroying all the government property at Warshaw, they proceeded direct to the
Union wharf on the
Rappahannock River, and communicated with the gunboats stationed there.
From thence they went down the river, crossed Farnham's Creek, where they met a small party of
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rebel cavalry, with whom some slight skirmishing took place, but they were driven off, and an extensive bridge over the creek burned.
At four A. M., on the morning of the thirteenth, they encamped on the lower side of Farnham's Creek, having travelled about sixty-two miles in the space of little over twelve hours.
After five hours of rest and refreshment for both man and horse, they were again in their saddles, and at nine A. M. started for Little Waltham, where they had some more skirmishing with a small force of rebel cavalry, whom they routed, and destroyed several hundred bushels of grain and some vegetables in the possession of the military authorities.
From Little Waltham the command proceeded to Lancaster Court-House, where the main body halted, and
Lieutenant Dickinson, of the Fifth cavalry, was sent to Kilmarnock, a place about ten miles distant, whilst another detachment was sent out to destroy an extensive tannery, where they gave to the torch a large stock of leather, hides, machinery, oil, etc.
Lieutenant Dickinson encountered a party of rebel cavalry, with whom he skirmished for some time, severely wounding and capturing a private of the Ninth Virginia cavalry.
He returned the same morning.
On the afternoon of the thirteenth, it was deemed prudent to bivouac for the night, in order to rest their horses, and pickets were sent out to guard against surprise.
At ten o'clock at night, however, they were roused by distant firing, when they were soon in their saddles again, and proceeded to a point on the
Wicomico River, where they anticipated forming a junction with the infantry command.
They communicated with the fleet, and found all quiet.
On the morning of the fourteenth, the expedition moved up the
Wicomico River to Rubetts, where a wharf, sixty-six feet long, was built, and at half past 10 o'clock the same night, the whole command reembarked, taking with them twenty-five prisoners, sixty horses, twenty mules, sixty-five head of cattle, and one hundred and six sheep.
They lost one man killed, and returned to
Point Lookout on the morning of the fifteenth, all highly delighted with their three days so-journ in Dixie.
The infantry rendered efficient service in constructing the wharf for their reembarkation, and the whole expedition was carried out according to the original plans of
General Marston without any misunderstandings.
Lieutenants Dickinson and
Denney, of the Fifth cavalry, and
William Everett, a citizen volunteer, who accompanied them, are highly complimented for their bravery and valuable services.
Commodore F. A. Parker, of the
Potomac flotilla, and
Lieutenant Provo, commanding the
Anacostia, and now commanding the flotilla in the vicinity of
Point Lookout, heartily cooperated with
General Marston, and rendered most valuable aid in effecting the embarkation and reembarkation.
