ports Harriet A. Weed and Sentinel, Colonel Montgomery left Beaufort on the evening of the first instant, and at half-past two on the following morning anchored his little fleet in the Combahee River, thirty miles distant from the point of his departure, twenty miles from Charleston, and fifteen from the village of Ashepoo, on the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. The Sentinel unfortunately got aground at the mouth of the Coosaw River, and was of no service to the expedition; the troops on board of her were transferred to the John Adams and the Harriet A. Weed. The village of Ashepoo is approached from the Combahee by three different roads, one from Field's Point, where the rebels had constructed a battery, but had deserted it-one from Tar Bluff, two miles above Field's Point, and one from Combahee Ferry, six miles further up the river. In accordance with the plan fully determined upon before his departure, Colonel Montgomery, almost at the same instant, took possession of the three approaches to Ashepoo, placing Captain T. N. Thompson, with one company in the earth works at Field's Point; Captain Carver with company E in the rifle-pits at Tar Bluff, and then with the balance of his force proceeded to Combahee Ferry, and with the guns of the John Adams and two howitzers, under command of Captain Brayton, completely covered the road and the approaches to the bridge. These points were all occupied without opposition. To deceive the enemy, and lead him to suppose that his force was much larger than it really was, he instructed the officer in command at this difficult point to retain but a few men in reserve and throw out nearly their entire strength as skirmishers. A. Weed tied up opposite a large plantation, own. ed by Nicholas & Kirkland. Major Corwin, in command of companies B and C, soon effected a landing, without opposition. The white inhabitants, terrified at the sight of negro soldiers with loaded muskets in their hands, ran in every direction, while the slave population rushed to the boats with every demonstration of joy and gratitude. Three rice-houses, well filled with rice, a large amount in ricks in the yard, and four large mills of different kinds, were destroyed. Mansions, negro-quarters, and every thing inflammable, were consigned to the flames. Sluices were opened, plantations flooded, and broad ponds and lakes made where, but a few hours before, luxuriant crops of rice and corn were putting forth their leaves. Captain Carver, with company C, landed at Tar Bluff. After a skilful disposition of his pickets, the enemy's cavalry appeared in sight, and threatened to overwhelm his little party, but upon throwing out his whole force he succeeded in repulsing every charge, and finally drove them entirely out of sight. Upon this road several large steam rice-mills, three cotton-gins, and a fine saw-mill were destroyed, together with an immense amount of other property. Captain Hoyt, company A, landed at Combahee Ferry, at half-past seven A.M.-encountered cavalry pickets the moment he began to advance, but after a short engagement drove them back in disorder. The fine bridge across the Combahee River was then destroyed, together with all the adjacent property. Captain Brayton, of the Third Rhode Island artillery, who was present with a section of his battery, took part in this engagement from the John Adams. Having brought within his lines nearly eight At Ashepoo the rebels had three regiments of hundred valuable slaves; having destroyed proinfantry, one battalion of cavalry, and a full bat-perty to the amount of two millions, most of tery of artillery. As Captain Thompson advanced up the road leading from Field's Point, cavalry came in sight, but a few well-directed volleys soon sent them galloping back in confusion to their stronghold at Ashepoo. In At half-past three P.M., a battery of six pieces arrived and opened a brisk fire. Not a man flinched, but, from such hiding-places as they could find, poured volley after volley upon the gunners, killing and wounding a number. the midst of this little engagement, the Harriet A. Weed came up, and a well directed shell from her guns, under the direction of Captain Holden, caused a retreat of the rebel artillery. The raid upon this road then commenced in earnest. The soldiers scattered in every direction, and burned and destroyed every thing of value they came across. Thirty-four large mansions known to belong to notorious rebels, with all their rich furniture and rare works of art, were burned to the ground. Nothing but smouldering ruins and parched and crisped skeletons of once magnificent old oak and palmetto groves now remain of these delightful country-seats. After scattering the rebel artillery, the Harriet! which belonged to notorious leaders in this rebellion; having demonstrated that negro soldiers will follow and fight wherever a brave and bold man dares to lead them, and that the slave population of South-Carolina are eager to embrace the opportunity to escape, Colonel Montgomery returned to Beaufort early on the morning of the third instant, without the loss of a man. Doc. 56. THE MATTAPONY EXPEDITION. THE following is a communication from Admiral Lee to the Navy Department, dated June fifth, inclosing report of Lieutenant Commanding Gillis, giving the details of a joint expedition of the army and navy forces up the Mattapony River, Va. The main object of this expedition was to destroy a foundery at a point on the Mattapony River, some ten miles above Walkerton, where it was said ordnance matter was manufactured for the enemy. With this object in view, four hundred infan try, on the morning of June fourth, arrived at Yorktown, on board the United States steamer Commodore Morris, Lieutenant Commanding Gillis; United States steamer Commodore Jones, Lieutenant Commanding Mitchell; the army gunboat Smith Briggs, and the transport Winnissimmet. The expedition proceeded to Walkerton, about twenty miles above West-Point, on the Mattapony River, where it arrived at two A.M. of the fifth. Here the troops were landed and marched to Aylett's, where the objects of the expedition were successfully accomplished, and the foundery, with all its machinery, together with mills, grain, etc., destroyed. The land forces also destroyed grain at other places, and captured horses, mules, and cattle, YORKTOWN, VA., June 6, 1863. We have just returned from one of those interesting little expeditions through King William whole affair was a perfect success. County, Va., that are now termed raids. The It was carried and at half-past five P.M. reembarked. The vigilant dispositions of Lieutenant Com-out in a soldierly way, and one of the most satismanding Gillis kept the river below clear, and factory features of the affair was the absence of the rebels attempting demonstrations at several plundering and pilfering, which on too many points on the banks were dispersed by the gun- extent. former occasions have been permitted to a fearful boats. The navy had no casualties. Admiral Lee thinks the entire success of the expedition owing in a great measure to our evacuation of West-Point only five days before, thus precluding the probability of any movement in that direction, and throwing the enemy off his guard. The following is LIEUT. COM. GILLIS'S REPORT. U. S. GUNBOAT COMMODORE Morris, OFF YORKTOWN, VA., June 6, 1868. At eight P.M [on the fourth] we started up the York River, passing WestPoint at forty-five minutes past ten, without noticing any thing that would indicate the presence While our forces were at West-Point, MajorGeneral Keyes proposed the expedition, and the coast being clear for operations, an expedition was gotten up and put in execution during the past few days. The following orders were issued to guido those in command: HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS, A combined expedition of land and naval forces will leave this place at six o'clock this P.M., for the purpose of destroying a foundery at a point on the Mattapony River, some ten miles above Walkerstown. The land forces will consist of four hundred infantry one hundred each from the Fourth Delaware, One Hundred and Sixtyeighth New-York, and One Hundred and Sixtyninth and One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Pennall expedition, and reached their destination (Aylett's) at eight A.M. At that place they found boats and a transport under Lieutenant Comassisted by three gunsylvania drafted militiathe information they had previously received was correct in every particular, and the work of demanding Gillis. The main purpose of the expestruction was soon accomplished. of the enemy. We arrived at Walker ton at two A.M. The troops were landed with dition is to destroy the foundery, where it is said that shot and shell and other instruments of rebellion are manufactured. In addition to that, all collections of supplies for the rebel army will be captured or destroyed. Horses and mules fit for the saddle and for draught, also sheep, cattle, and swine fit for slaughter, will be captured as far as practicable. An immense amount of machinery of all kinds, and also a very large quantity of flour and grain, which was in a large flouring mill belonging to the rebel government, was soon rendered useless. Colonel Levis then started on his way back, stopping at different places to destroy grain, capture horses, mules, and cattle. Having received information that the rebels were making preparations to obstruct the river at Mantapoke, in the field. I sent the Smith Briggs down at two P.M. to keep the river clear, and to remain at that place until my arrival. Captain Lee, of that vessel, reports that when he came in sight of Mantapoke there were about sixty or seventy rebels collected on the bluff at Indiantown, but a few shell dispersed them. .. I am happy to state that so far as the naval portion of the expedition was concerned, every thing passed off in the most admirable manner, and without a single casualty. thing or to destroy any thing not useful to troops It is strictly forbidden, however, to take any within the enemy's lines, the infantry are exAs the expedition is intended to penetrate far pected to set out with a determination to achieve success at any cost. Volunteers will be called for to move at thirty minutes' notice, and the commanding officer will be designated at the moment of departure. coats, canteens and cartridge-boxes, with at least E. D. KEYES, Lieutenant-Colonel C. Carroll Tevis is the com- transportation for them, to the exclusion of mander of the infantry, and will be obeyed ac- horses and cattle, that are really needed for the cordingly. E. D. KEYES, service. Major-General. General Picket's rebel division of eight thouThe troops were all embarked according to or- sand men was at Newton, ten miles from Ay. ders, on the Gemsbok and transport, and start-lette. He had also a strong outpost within three ed up the York River at seven o'clock on the miles of that place; but the panic was so great evening of Thursday, the fourth of June. The in the country through which we passed that gunboat Commodore Jones, Lieutenant Com- there was no serious attack on our forces. It mander J. G. Mitchell, led the way, followed by was not credited that two hundred men would the Commodore Morris and the Smith Briggs, have ventured so far into the enemy's lines withCaptain Lee. The latter is an army boat, mount-out any support. ing four guns - -the boat that proved so service- Our own loss during the skirmishing was one able in running the blockade on the Nansemond River. The flotilla reached West-Point about ten o'clock in the evening, and then proceeded to Walkerstown, via the Mattapony River, reaching the latter place about three o'clock in the morning. About half-past four, the troops were put in motion for Aylett's warehouse, about ten miles from the point of landing, and forty-five miles from the mouth of the river. The shoal water prevented the boats from going further up the river. The Fourth Delaware and the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth New-York led the way. As the White House was but ten miles distant, and knowing there was a large force of rebels there, the three points of intersection of the Dunkirk and King William Court-House roads were left in charge of detachments of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth New-York, in order to prevent the main body from being cut off. killed and three wounded, one of the latter by the accidental discharge of his own piece, fracturing his left arm, which it may be necessary to amputate. His name is W. H. Dickerson, of the Fourth Delaware. I could not ascertain the name of the unfortunate killed. The two other wounded will get along very well, they having escaped very serious injury. Our men derived some satisfaction when they saw the effect their fire was producing. I allude to the number of secesh saddles that were emptied. The negroes served as faithful guides, and furnished us with all the particulars we required of the male population. I omitted to mention that Captain L. H. Howard, of General Keyes's staff, accompanied us, and while ashore learned that an attempt was being made to blockade the river at a very narrow point, by felling trees about ten miles below where we were lying. The Smith Briggs immediately went down, but the report appears to have been unfounded. Small skirmishing parties of rebel infantry and cavalry attacked our men in front and in the During our return, we shelled the woods thorrear, but were repulsed, with some loss in wound-oughly. Certain portions of the banks were ed and prisoners. A large number sought shelter in the swamps and dense woods, whither it was of no special benefit for us to pursue them, for time was valuable, and the expedition rested mainly in accomplishing the destruction of certain property before the enemy could bring his larger forces against us. lined with sharp-shooters, but their spiteful, whistling shot fell harmlessly against the plating of our boats. The spattering caused more than ordinary amusement. One lone Boston Abolitionist appeared to be uneasy; but I believe scariness is a marked trait in the animal. A prisoner in our hands, formerly of the FortyAt Aylett's the iron foundery, machine-shops, second Virginia infantry, boasted that Stuart cotton-mills, lumber-yard, and four government would be in Maryland and Pennsylvania before warehouses, containing large quantities of corn we had any idea, and that he would lay every and grain, were burned; also a large mill, owned thing waste. He was going prepared to fight by Colonel Aylett, of the rebel army, with six and destroy-in fact, would spare nothing. He thousand bushels of grain. The Colonel made is very anxious to destroy the counties of Maryhis escape, although in the vicinity. The sur- land bordering to the northward, which he geon of the Fourth Delaware, I understand, cap- is pleased to call "abolition-holes." tured his horse, which was nicely saddled and bridled. A great number of barns, containing stores for the rebels, such as grain, corn, whisky, cotton goods, etc., were destroyed. The amount of loss to the enemy in this way, if estimated by dollars, cannot fall short of one hundred or one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. A large number of horned cattle and about one hundred and fifty horses and mules, collected for the Richmond market, were brought down to the boats, but our limited space prevented us from taking them all. Only a portion of the horses were brought away. The contrabands, women and children, proved an immense nuisance. They followed the column, and we had to find Doc. 57. GUERRILLAS IN VIRGINIA. BERRYVILLE, VA., June 9, 1863. THIS county is still infested with bushwhackers. Formerly residents here, they, as a matter of course, belong to the soi disant chivalry. Among their daring deeds, I have to record the cold-blooded assassination of a corporal of company C, First New York cavalry. On Friday, June fifth, Corporal Lewis, attended by a comrade, passing on a by-road, about two miles and a half from town, was fired upon and killed by six butternut-colored bushwhackers. was killed in a running fight with a rebel. Ho His comrade was taken prisoner. The demons belonged to the "advance-guard," and, in the purrifled the body of the dead man of watch, pocket-suit of the guerrilla, left his comrades far behind book, etc., and left him lying where he had fallen. by the uncommon speed of his horse. When the On the way to their crossing-place on the She-"advance" reached the scene of the skirmish they nandoah they came upon a scouting-party of in- found Kellogg mortally wounded-the Rebel had fantry from Winchester, but escaped by taking skedaddled! to a thicket on the Opequan Creek. Here the At Piedmont Captain Boyd received informaprisoner escaped and returned to camp. He states tion, through the agency of his valuable guides, that one of the bushwhackers said he had regis- indicating the whereabouts of a party of White's tered an awful oath in the morning to kill a Yan-men-all lawless bushwhackers. An intricate bykee before the sun went down. What noble fel-road through underbrush and over hills brought lows the chivalry are! us to the rendezvous. The game had gone. farmer had warned them of the coming of our cavalry-the deep woods affording them every facility to successfully "vamoose the ranche," and continue to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and it is assuredly happiness for them to be able to shoot pickets, assassin-like, at midnight, or plunder farmers in a style worthy the palmiest days of Dick Turpin. A On Saturday afternoon, June sixth, a party of rebel horsemen, estimated to number one hundred men, dashed upon a small wagon train on its way to this place with supplies from Winchester. The infantry guard of the train, composed, if I mistake not, of a detail from the Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania regiment, fought bravely against tremendous odds, and not until one of their number had been killed and several wounded, did they We reached Salem about eight o'clock in the surrender. A teamster, with his revolver, blew evening, picked up two or three of Moseby's men, the brains out of a rebel who stopped his team, and learned that Moseby had taken quarters in and escaped on foot. An infantry man, standing the neighborhood. This was decidedly refreshin a wagon, ran a horseman through the body ing news. The next question under discussion with his bayonet before the rebel could reach him with his sword. As the guerrillas carried off their killed and wounded, we are unable to estimate their loss. Our loss of government property amounts to only eighteen horses-all the horses from five wagons, except two killed in the skirmish. To the honor of the intrepid boys guarding the train, be it said, their resolute and determined resistance in defence of it saved all but the five government wagons and horses, as stated above. With these the confederate thieves hurriedly decamped, abandoning the wagons when some distance from the turnpike, and mounting the prisoners upon the captured horses. They effected their escape with their prisoners and plunder, although closely pursued by detachments of the First New-York cavalry, from this place, and of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania from Winchester. They crossed the Shenandoah near Front Royal. The attack upon the train was made near the Opequan, about three miles from Berryville. Citizens, residents of the neighborhood visited by the rebels, say they belonged to Colonel Harmon's regiment, of General Jones's command. Moseby, according to the statements of men of his since captured by us, had nothing to do with this affair. At the time of its occurrence he was in Warren County with his command. Sunday, at ten o'clock P.M., Captains Boyd, of C, and Bailey, of K, with one hundred men of the First New-York cavalry, started on an expedition into Loudon and Fauquier counties. Crossing the Shenandoah opposite Schley's Gap, the detachment moved in the direction of Piedmont, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, en route to Piedmont Station. On what is known as the Crooked Creek road a number of prisoners were taken belonging to Moseby's command. In this locality private Kellogg, of company K, was how to find him. Captain Boyd in this succeeded admirably. He learned that Moseby's rendezvous and principal headquarters had been for a long time at the residence of Colonel Hathaway, about five miles from Salem and twenty from Front Royal. It was an out-of-the-way place. We followed by-roads, travelled through woods, leaped ditches, and waded creeks, arriving at last at the imposing mansion wherein we hoped we might find the leader of Loudon guerrillas. In an instant we had surrounded the dwelling. An entrance being effected, every nook from basement to attic was explored; but Moseby had left a few minutes before we reached the place. His sergeant had seen us at Salem, and managed to warn him in sufficient time to make good his exit. We found Mrs. Moseby here with her two children-in no pleasant humor, because the slumbers of herself and husband had been broken by Yankee cavalry. Mrs. Moseby is decidedly handsome, and converses with more than ordinary intelligence. She is a sociable and good-natured woman naturally, but is very unkindly disposed toward Northerners." She could not compre end by what chance we had discovered her husband's whereabouts. As Moseby's departure had been somewhat hurried, he left three valuable horses behind. Besides those left by Moseby, we brought away with us several "U. S." horses found upon Hathaway's place. Colonel Hathaway, or, more properly, BrigadierGeneral Hathaway, (he commanded the rebel militia,) accompanied Captain Boyd into headquar ters as a prisoner. Dressed in citizen's clothing, he rode one of his own horses, and in the best possible humor reached Berryville. He admires Moseby. In his opinion, Moseby is the soul of honor, a model man, a high-toned, whole-souled gentleman, incapable of encouraging bushwhack ing, etc. "A fellow feeling makes us wondrous corps that he was about to attack the enemy's kind." I look upon Moseby and Hathaway as position between Hazel Run and Fredericksburgh, "par nobile fratrum” and “birds of a feather." and wished me to assist. I immediately formed Near this place Captain Boyd also captured a three storming columns, the first column commiddle-aged man, who would now be in the rebel manded by General Neill, composed of the army were it not for a constitutional fear of "vil- Seventh Maine, Lieutenant-Colonel Conner, the lainous gunpowder." Possessing no desire to Seventy-seventh New-York, Lieutenant-Colonel snuff the smoke of battle, he remained at home, French, the Thirty-third New-York, Colonel Tayand, out of pure patriotism for the "C. S. A.," lor, and a portion of the Twenty-first New-Jersey, engages in the sanctified and Christian-like voca- Lieutenant-Colonel Mettler. The second column, tion of raising a company of bushwhackers. He under the command of Colonel Grant, Acting had labored with zeal. His heart was in the busi-Brigadier-General, was composed of the Second ness. It was a labor of love. Alas! that now, Vermont, Colonel Woolbridge, the Sixth Verin Captain Boyd's grasp, his delightful "occupa- mont, Colonel Barney, and the Twenty-fifth Newtion's gone." Unfortunate fellow! Jersey, Colonel Morrison. The third column was composed of the Third Vermont, Colonel Seaver, the Fourth Vermont, Colonel Stoughton, and a portion of the Twenty-first New-Jersey, Colonel Van Hauten, led by Colonel Seaver, of the Third Vermont. We left Hathaway's residence at six o'clock A.M. on Monday, passing through Middleburgh on the road campward. On the road leading to the latter place we took several mounted men. They belonged to Moseby's gang. Upon every road small squads might be seen getting out of the way with wonderful alacrity. A sergeant and five men, mistaking us for their own cavalry, rode into our presence in a friendly way, and were captured without difficulty. I also placed the division artillery in favorable range, and where they could have an effective fire upon the enemy's works, at the same time allowing the most practicable lines of advance for our assaulting columns, so that they would not interfere with the line of artillery fire. We reached camp Monday afternoon via Snicker's Ferry, with fourteen prisoners and sixteen As soon as the fire was heard on my right I captured horses. Captain Boyd, commanding the opened my artillery fire with full force, and addetachment, is entitled to all credit due a success-vanced the two columns under Neill and Grant ful enterprise. With one hundred men he penetrated Moseby's chosen haunts and has broken up his favorite rendezvous. Not many weeks ago Captain Boyd marched to Fairfax Court-House with one hundred men. Moseby, with a choice battalion, watched his return, but had not the courage to assail him. However, he boasted of his intention to capture that detachment of the First New-York at that time. What will Moseby say now that he has lost another excellent opportunity? J. H. H. Doc. 58. BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE, VA. BRIGADIER-GENERAL HOWE'S REPORT.* HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, Lieutenant-Colonel McMahon, Assistant Adju- SIR: I have the honor to report the operations of the Second division, Sixth corps, from the time it crossed the Rappahannock on the evening of the second of May, until it recrossed on the night of the fourth and fifth of May. The division crossed the river early in the evening of the second, and about twelve that night I received notice to march in rear of General Newton's division to Fredericksburgh. About three A.M., the rear of General Newton's division marched, and the head of my column reached Hazel Run some time after daylight, uninterrupted except by the troops in front. About eleven o'clock A. M. on the third, I received notice from the commanding officer of the Sixth See Volume VI. REBELLION RECORD. This point with the bayonet on Cemetery Hill. columns. From this point Neill's and Grant's columns were moved to assault, on our right, the main work on Marye Hill. I at once brought all the division artillery to bear upon the works on those heights, and advanced the column led by Colonel Seaver to make an assault, on our left, of the same work. Neill's column charged and successfully carried the strong covered way leading from the first work on Marye Heights to Hazel Run, and ther threw itself to the right and rear of the work. Grant's point of assault was on our right and front, while Seaver's was on our left. The enemy kept up his artillery and infantry fire upon our columns, doing some execution, but Each of our columns gallantly dashed on and carried wholly failing to check any one of them. with the bayonet the first work and then successfully the three other works on the Heights, taking two stands of arins, all of the armament of the works, except one section of a field battery, some two hundred prisoners, and all the enemy's camp equipage. Much credit is due to Captain Martin, commanding regular battery, and Captain Cowen, commanding the New-York battery, for the skill and efficiency with which they worked their batteries. The severe and well-directed fire which they poured upon the enemy's works very materially impaired the force of the enemy's fire upon our storming columns. I desire specially to mention General Neill, Colonel Grant, and Colonel Seaver for the gallant and intrepid manner in which they led the storm |