it shred, "That a cop, of these res dat ons, si a of grs of the regin. 11.

tra ismitted to Mis. i.

cods, to whom we dier our surr, endote, s He who tumper th de wal to the shan lani, `

stain her and toy the Posse

thought that

1

gun-boats! We all laughed at the order, sending cavalry after such craft, but I am happy to say, that the object of the expedition was accomplished. We left camp at two o'clock A. M., marched all day and all night, till three o'clock next morning, when we made a furious charge upon Rebel infantry. They ran so fast as to disarrange the general's plan of attack. The morning was so dark we could not see one rod in advance. We captured twelve or fourteen prisoners, and Gen. Kilpatrick gave orders in their hearing to have the whole command fall back, stating that the gun-boats would be alarmed and the expedition be a failure. The general took particular pains to allow half the prisoners to escape and get across the Rappahannock. After falling back two miles, we were counter-marched toward the river, near which we were formed in line of battle. We sat there on our horses waiting for daylight. Then the flying artillery of ten guns, supported by the old Fifth New York and First Michigan, dashed at a full run down to the river bank, wheeled into position and gave the Rebels a small cargo of hissing cast iron, which waked them. up more effectually than their ordinary morning call. They soon came to their senses, and for half an hour sent over to us what I should think to be, by the noise they made, teakettles, cooking stoves, large cast iron hats, &c. But our smaller and more active guns soon silenced theirs and drove their gunners away, when we turned our attention to the boring of holes in their boats with conical pieces of iron, vulgarly called solid shot. I assure you I can recommend them as first class augers, for they sank the boats in time

1 See page 74.