that he was within either sixty miles or one prompt obedience to orders, cheerful endurance day's march of Shreveport, with fifteen thousand of privations, will alone insure our independence. men. Admiral Porter, with two monitors and his flag-ship, went up the river from Grand Ecore a week since, it is presumed to operate against the rebel seat of government in Louisiana. his army: REBEL ADDRESSES AND ORDERS. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WESTERN LOUISIANA, } R. TAYLOR, HEADQUARTERS GENERAL ORDERS, NO. SOLDIERS: A chief has fallen. A warrior of instant fell Thomas Green. The following is General Taylor's address to warriors has gone to his home. On the twelfth After braving death a thousand times, the destroyer found him, where he was wont to be, in the front line of battle. His spirit has flown to the happy home of heroes, where the kindred spirit of Alfred Mouton awaited it. Throughout broad Texas, throughout desolated Louisiana, mourning will sadden every hearth. Great is the loss to family and friends; much greater is the loss to this army and to me. GENERAL ORDERS, No. Soldiers of the Army of Western Louisiana: At last have your patience and devotion been rewarded. Condemned for many days to retreat before an overwhelming force, as soon as your reenforcements reached you, you turned upon the foe. No language but that of simple narrative For many weary months these two have served me. Amidst the storm of battle, by should recount your deeds. On the eighth of April you fought the battle of Mansfield. Never heart has learned to love them. Their families the lonely camp-fire, at the solitary outpost, my in war was a more complete victory won. Attacking the enemy with the utmost alacrity when have been their beloved friend and trusted comshall be as mine; their friends my friends. To the order was given, the result was not for a mo-mander is the highest earthly honor I can ever ment doubtful. attain. all The enemy was driven from every position, Soldiers! the fall of these heroes shall not be his artillery captured, his men routed. In vain were fresh troops brought up. Your magnificent will achieve great things. Moistened by the in vain. Inspired by their examples, this army line, like a resistless wave, swept every thing be-blood of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Blair's fore it. Night alone stopped your advance. Twenty-one pieces of artillery, two thousand five Landing, the tree of national independence will hundred prisoners, many stands of colors, two grow apace, and soon overshadow the land, so that hundred and fifty wagons, attest your success The memory of our glorious dead is a rich legacy may repose in peace under its grateful shade. over the Thirteenth and Nineteenth army corps. to future generations, and their names will be On the ninth instant you took up the pursuit remembered as the chosen heroes of the chivalric and pressed it with vigor. For twelve miles, prisoners, scattered arms, burning wagons, proved how well the previous day's work had been done by the soldiers of Texas and Louisiana. The gallant divisions from Missouri and Arkansas, unfortunately absent on the eighth instant, marched forty-five miles in two days, to share the glories of Pleasant Hill. This was em phatically the soldier's victory. In spite of the COLONEL GALLUP'S EXPEDITION INTO strength of the enemy's position, held by fresh troops of the Sixteenth corps, your valor and devotion triumphed over all. Darkness closed one of the hottest fights of the war. The morning of the tenth instant dawned upon a flying foe, with our cavalry in pursuit, capturing prisoners at every step. These glorious victories were most dearly won. A list of the heroic dead would sadden the sternest heart. A visit to the hospitals would move the sympathy of the most unfeeling. The memory of our dead will live as long as noble deeds are cherished on earth. The consciousness of duty well performed will alleviate the sufferings of the wounded. Soldiers from a thousand homes, thanks will ascend to the God of battles for your victories. Tender wives and fond mothers will repose in safety behind the breastworks of your valor. No fears will be felt that the hated foe will desecrate their homes by his presence. This is your reward; but much remains to be done. Strict discipline, WESTERN VIRGINIA. CAMP LOUISA, LAWRENCE Co., KY., Feb. 20, 1864. On the twelfth instant our District Commander, Colonel Gallup, with his usual sympathy for suffering Unionists, sent a scout over into Western Virginia to rid the citizens of the unscrupulous Colonel Ferguson, who, with his plundering band, had pillaged the country until even the women and children were brought to starvation. This impudent rebel, knowing that Virginia was not in this district, and therefore not under the protection of our gallant Colonel, sent him word that he would quarter there until March, but would not molest our troops provided we would let him alone. Colonel Gallup treated the message with that silent contempt it deserved. His silence was taken for acquiescence by the other party. So the wily old fox was allowed to play around until he met with an unpleasant surprise in the capture of himself and command. This hap pened in the following manner: At dark on the a larger number were killed and captured here evening of the twelfth, a portion of these troops than in that engagement-this work gratuitously left camp under the lead of the District Com-done by the generous and efficient Colonel Gallup. mander, and marched all night in an easterly His command has captured over one thousand course. At dawn next morning the force was prisoners in this valley, and he is still pushing divided into two detachments. Colonel Gallup, the work vigorously along. at the head of one, pursued a trail which led Lieutenant Preston, of the Thirtieth, who was toward Wayne Court-House, ordering his senior sent up Sandy on a scout a short time since, reCaptain, J. C. Collins, with the other, to scout turned on the twenty-second with eleven prisonthrough the hills in the opposite direction, anders. Reuben Patrick, a contract scout, brought follow any track which he supposed would bring in a rebel captain and ten privates the same day. him in collision with the enemy. This enter- Lieutenant Brown, of company G, Fourteenth, prising young officer, whose quickness of percep- with twenty-five men, left on the eighteenth for tion is equalled by his celerity of action, is as Cat's Fork, to break up a thieving band which sharp-scented on a rebel trail as the hound in had been disturbing that quarter. He returned chase of a hare. He was attended by Captain the following day, having killed one and captured William Bartrum, who is as quiet and unas-two of the marauders. Čaptain Charles A. Wood, suming as he is faithful and resolute, and the of Louisville, of the Fourteenth, is having fine trusty Lieutenant Osborne. These officers at the success in recruiting veterans in this brigade. head of companies B, G, and H, soon succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, of Frankfort, is now in discovering among the dead leaves signs of in command of the Fourteenth. In camp he is marching cavalry, which led some eight miles jolly, genial, and generous, and his military further into the uninhabited hills, to a famous qualities are best estimated by those who have rebel rendezvous known as the Rock House. seen his commanding coolness in the excitement This is a concealed recess, sheltered by an or- of battle, and his unshrinking intrepidity when chard and overhanging rock in the side of a steep exposed to a heavy fire. The regiment is proud cliff which bounds it on the west. On the northern of him, and may well be of such a "noble Roand eastern sides the surface slopes to the edge man." Major Yates, Medical Director of this of the cave, where there is an almost perpendicu- district, informed the writer to-day that he had lar offset of some fifteen or twenty feet. In this seen a deserter from the rebels whom he knew place, and in the ravine a few steps below, the to be reliable. This man brings news that John rebels were busy chopping wood, cooking rations, Morgan is collecting a force of twenty thousand and guarding prisoners. When our forces reach- cavalry at Abingdon, Virginia, preparatory to a ed the summit of the hill, Captain Collins ordered raid into this State. the strictest silence, deployed his men in skirmishing line, directing them, when they had silently surrounded the cave, to give a shout as the signal of attack. As soon as the signal was given, Captain Bartrum stepped to the edge of the precipice and demanded an unconditional surrender. The astonished rebels instantly sprang toward their guns, whereupon our boys opened on their ranks a scathing fire, which soon brought them to terms. The fight lasted about four minutes, with mortal effect, twelve men being killed, and four others wounded-three of them mortally. Not one of the attacking party was harmed. The only sad feature in the affair was the killing In my despatch of Monday I mentioned the of three Union prisoners who were in the hands fact that the expedition, which consisted of deof the rebels-Captain Pinckard, Assistant Quar- tachments from the First, Second, and Fifth Unittermaster, of General Scammon's staff, from Al-ed States, Sixth Ohio, Sixth Pennsylvania, First ton, Illinois; Lieutenant Griswold, of the Thirteenth Virginia; and a private whose name has escaped me. Fifty prisoners were taken, sixteen Union prisoners released, eighty stand of arms captured, with all their ammunition, horses, and subsistance. Colonel Ferguson was captured apart from the command by Stephen Wheeler, a private of company G. In the battle of Rock House such accurate and fatal shooting was done, that of sixteen wounded men, only two are now living, and one must die; the counties of Wayne and Logan are cleared by it of the plundering guerrillas who had been infesting them. The results of this success are more important than that of Middle Creek, inasmuch as Doc. 133. GENERAL CUSTER'S EXPEDITION TO- CULPEPER COURT-HOUSE, VA., Wednesday Morning, March 2, 1864. GENERAL CUSTER'S reconnoitring expedition returned to camp last night after having completed, when the time employed and the numerical force engaged is considered, one of the most daring raids of the war. New-York, and First New-Jersey cavalry, in all, one thousand five hundred men, passed through Madison Court-House early that morning. One section of Captain French's battery, commanded by Lieutenant Porter, accompanied the cavalry. The troops were in light marching order, and moved rapidly toward Stannardsville, distant south-west from Madison twelve miles, crossing the Rapidan at Banks's Mills Ford. At Stannardsville the enemy's pickets were discovered, who retired precipitately before our advance. Meeting with no opposition, General Custer pushed forward to the Rivanna River, crossing at Berner's Bridge, a long wooden structure spanning the river at a point distant three or four miles from Charlottesville, which place he had received orders to reach if possible. The rebel pickets on the opposite bank withdrew over the hills as our force crossed, and soon after the enemy opened with artillery, without, however, doing any injury to our men, who were sheltered by the hills on the other side of the river. Owing to the peculiar topography of the country, which was wooded and hilly, the exact location of the enemy was not at first discovered, and a squadron of the First regulars was deployed up the river on our right to reconnoitre the enemy's position, while a squadron of the Fifth regulars, under command of Captain Ash, was sent down the river on our left for a similar purpose. Discovering an artillery camp some distance down the river, Captain Ash, with his squadron, consisting of only sixty men, immediately charged it, destroying the huts, blowing up six caissons, and burning two battery-forges, together with a quantity of harness belonging to the battery. Captain Ash's gallantry, and the bravery of his men in accomplishing this feat in the face of a rebel cavalry brigade (Wickham's) drawn up in the woods not over three hundred yards distant, are universally mentioned in terms of the highest commendation. The enemy seemed entirely at fault as to our strength, and for some time made no direct advance. Flanking columns of infantry were afterward seen, however, moving on our right and left, and General Custer, having ascertained to his satisfaction that Wickham's brigade of cavalry, together with a considerable force of infantry, were in his immediate front, seeing the hopelessness of advancing further in that direction, determined to recross the river. While on the other side of the river, five trains of cars were distinctly heard at Charlottesville, undoubtedly bringing up reënforcements. On crossing to the north bank of the river, the bridge, together with a large flouring-mill, was burned by order of General Custer. The utter impracticability of reaching Charlottesville with his insignificant force being apparent, General Custer retired his column up the Stannardsville road, halting soon after dusk to feed the horses, jaded by their march of over forty miles. Several faint charges were made on our rear-guard by a small pursuing party, but no casualties were sustained by our men. vanced beyond the main column, they were unable to intercept him. By this, General Custer was left with only one thousand men, nearly twenty miles from any infantry support, and in extreme danger of being intercepted and cut off by a vastly superior force of the enemy. Understanding the peril of this isolated condition, General Custer was prepared for any emergency which might arise. Should he be intercepted and find himself unable to retire by the road he went out, he was prepared to strike to the northward into the Luray Valley, returning through one of the gaps of the Blue Ridge. The skilful manner in which he subsequently completely outgeneraled the enemy, rendered this route unnecessary. Early yesterday morning the column began its march toward Madison Court-House, being but slightly harassed by the enemy, who seemed to be manoeuvring not for the specific purpose of fighting, but with the intention of surrounding and capturing General Custer's whole party. A short distance below Banks's Mills, the point at which General Custer intended to recross the Rapidan, is Burton's Ford, from which is a road running north-west, and striking the Stannardsville road two miles from the river. At the junction of these roads, on an eminence, a large force of rebel cavalry was discovered posted. They were immediately charged and driven back in confusion on the Burton's Ford road, while our artillery, which was soon placed in position on the hill formerly occupied by them, poured in a well-directed fire upon them, the first shell killing three of the enemy. In the first charge, thirty rebel prisoners were taken, who stated that the whole of Wickham's brigade, commanded by Stuart in person, was in our front, the major portion being at Banks's Mills Ford awaiting Custer's approach. Without a moment's hesitation, General Custer conceived and executed a plan for his extrication from his perilous situation. Ordering another charge upon the enemy on the Burton's Ford road, and leading it in person, as he is wont to do, he again drove back the rebels still further toward the Ford, until their allies at Banks's Mills, comprehending the danger of their friends' position, and believing Custer determined to cross at Burton's Ford, came down the river to their support. It was then that Custer's tactics became apparent to the astonished enemy. Owing to the hilly nature of the country and the bad condition of the roads, it was found Facing his battle-lines by the flank, his whole necessary to halt for the night eight miles south force was almost instantly moving down the road of Stannardsville, in order to recuperate the ex-with the speed of the wind toward the Stannardshausted artillery-horses. Lieutenant-Colonel Stedman, of the Sixth Ohio, commanding the detachment of five hundred men from General Gregg's division, being in advance of the main body and ignorant of the fact that the column had halted, continued the march toward Madison Court-House, arriving there some time during the night. Orderlies were despatched by General Custer to Colonel Stedman, directing him to return, but owing to the darkness of the night and the distance Colonel Stedman had ad ville road, which striking, he wheeled to the left, and reaching Banks's Mills Ford, recrossed the river, thus completely eluding the mass of the enemy, who seemed confident of "gobbling" his whole command. The tactical ability displayed by General Custer, is spoken of in the most complimentary terms. There can now be no impropriety in disclosing the object of the late movement. It is doubtless generally known that the reconnoissance by Custer, supported by infantry, was a simple diver sion in favor of Kilpatrick, who has not yet returned from his raid in the direction of Richmond. That the attention of the enemy has, to a considerable degree, been drawn to the left wing of Lee's army by Custer's demonstration, is confirmed by rebel prisoners, who report their officers to have been in a great state of trepidation, believing a monster raid in progress on their left. Confirmation is also had in the fact that a large number of troops were concentrated around Charlottesville to resist our advance. Among our captures are sixty prisoners and a number of valuable horses. Three flouring-mills, six caissons, two forges, a complete set of artillery harness, and eight wagons loaded with commissary stores, were destroyed during the raid. Captain Paine, of the Topographical Engineers, accompanied the expedition for the purpose of making observations, and gained very important and valuable information appertaining to his department. We lost none in killed, and but ten or twelve wounded. We lost none in prisoners. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND RHODE-ISLAND VOLUNTEERS, BRANDY STATION, March 3, 1864. winter saw. On Friday evening, the twenty-sixth ultimo, our entire corps, the Sixth, together with the Third division of the Third, received orders to be prepared to move early on Saturday morning with five days' rations and forty rounds of ammunition. All baggage, stores and tents were to be left, and the weak and sick were to remain as camp-guards. Already our pickets had been relieved by the First division of the Third corps, and the extra rations issued. We at once concluded that this was no false alarm. Saturday morning came, as bright and beautiful as ever The roads were in splendid condition, the men in good trim, and all was propitious. Off we started at the appointed time, moving by way of Culpeper in the direction of Madison. James City, a point ten miles west of Culpeper, and sixteen miles from camp, was reached by half-past four P.M., and here we bivouacked for the night. The grassy plains and groves of pine around were fired, and the bands played their liveliest airs. The Sabbath dawned with promise, and the sun smiled propitiously as we moved forward to Robertson's River, which was reached by the advance at eleven A. M. Here the cavalry pickets of the enemy were met, but hastily betook themselves to the sunny side of the Rapid Ann. The Jersey brigade was pushed forward to Madison Court-House, two miles beyond the river, and our brigade thrown across to occupy the heights. The Second Rhode Island was put on picket. As upon the previous night, and all that day, large fires were built over extended tracts of country, and the bands, both at Madison and on the river, entertained the rebels resident thereabouts with national and other patriotic airs, played with full chorus and evident intention to be heard. That night at twelve, General Custer, with two brigades of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, started for Charlottesville by way of Barboursville. Charlottesville is thirty-three miles south-west of Madison. On the way a detached encampment of infantry and artillery was surprised, the camp was destroyed and seven caissons blown up. At a point about four miles north of Charlottesville a superior rebel force, consisting of one entire division of infantry, Stuart's and Fitz-Hugh Lee's cavalry, and twenty pieces of artillery was met, which permanently stopped further progress southward. After a brief engagement General Custer retreated on the Stannardsville road. Finding himself cut off at Stannardsville by a cavalry force sent out by the enemy for that purpose, only one means of escape offered, which was to cut his way out. This was immediately resolved upon and speedily and brilliantly executed, with the loss of five wounded. About twenty prisoners were here captured, and were brought in, the entire command reaching the infantry lines at Madison about four P.M. on Tuesday. The infantry were all immediately withdrawn to the north side of Robertson's River, and the south side left to the possession of the rebel cavalry who followed closely in small numbers without attempting to molest our rear. We started home again Wednesday morning, reaching our old camp at half-past four P.M. Hundreds of contrabands returned along with us, men, women and children, on horseback, in all conceivable sorts of vehicles, drawn by oxen, horses, or mules, as could be obtained for the purpose, or on foot where no conveyance offered. These were goin norf by de grace of God," having "been in de souf long enough now.' The ostensible purpose of the expedition was the destruction of military stores, of which Charlottesville is an extensive dépôt and the cutting of the railroads concentrating at that point. It succeeded only in destroying the camp and caissons, of which we spoke above, one large turnpike bridge, several flouring-mills with several hundred barrels of flour, and a few other manufactories of various kinds. But while this was the ostensible purpose, the whole character and manner of the move indicates that it was but a feint to draw attention and forces in this direction while other and more important movements are made elsewhere. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. WASHINGTON, March 2, 1864. General Custer, with one thousand five hundred picked men, in light marching order, left Culpeper Court-House about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon. The Sixth and Third corps marched from their winter quarters earlier in the day. The former halted at Madison Court-House, and threw out a strong cordon of pickets, while the latter bivouacked in the neighborhood of James City, and held the line of Robertson's road. About two A.M., on Monday, the raiders left their resting place near James City, and took the road for Charlottesville. The men had been picked from Merritt's and Gregg's divisions, and were well mounted. When they marched up the steep banks of the Rivanna River their coming was unknown, and altogether unexpected. Before us, the correspondent says, was a large cavalry camp, the huts arranged with mathematical precision and soldierly regularity. On one side the horses were quietly standing; on the other six pieces of artillery were parked, with all the appurtenances neatly arranged, and in close proximity to the caissons. The Fifth regular regiment of General Merritt's old brigade led the van. Captain Ash, with one squadron, dashed among the comfortable-looking huts with reckless precipitancy, and scattered the inmates in all directions. General Stuart, with two thousand cavalrymen of Wickham's and Fitz-Hugh Lee's brigades, was marching toward his rear. The next morning about nine o'clock General Custer marched toward the right road, and having found it and marched upon it a short distance, discovered that Stuart, with his ragged but indefatigable followers, had succeeded in getting into his rear. As they neared Stannardsville, about fifteen miles from the picturesque little village of Madison, the rebel cavalry were seen drawn in line across the road. This meant hostility, and for some time the officers of our little command were at a loss what to do. The object of their wearisome and dangerous raid was to draw the rebel cavalry He ordered the men to destroy all they could, away from the Central road to Richmond, and and they obeyed the instructions to the very let-they had no intention of drawing him so far to ter. As neither axes nor rat-tailed files could be found in his command, it was impossible to spike the guns or chop the gun-carriages to pieces, so they contented themselves with blowing up the caissons and destroying the camp. In the mean time the enemy were rallying with the rapidity and zeal of Gauls, at the call of their chief. Several pieces of artillery were belching forth their destructive notes at the audacious invaders, and the main body of Custer's command coming up, the enemy were driven a short distance, to give us a foothold on the crest of the same hill with themselves. Between our troops and the town the enemy were gathering in great force. Every thing warned us to get away as speedily as possible, lest it might be our lot to get sur rounded. They had telegraphed from Charlottesville to Orange Court-House that uninvited visitors were there, and aid was needed to expel them from the neighborhood. The answer to these despatches came toward evening, in the shape of five car-loads of infantry. There was nothing left us now but speedy retreat. Our horses were wheeled about, and toward sunset the Rivanna was crossed, the bridge burned, and all the mills that could be found in the neighborhood destroyed. In returning, the advance was given to Colonel Stedman, who commands a battalion of five hundred men chosen from General Gregg's division. The night was dark and the rain, that continued to fall, was mingled with sleet. Custer, who followed with a thousand men, composing the remnant of his command, got lost in thick gloom. For some time they endeavored to blunder through a deep and muddy ravine, into which they had strayed, but when they thought of two pieces of artillery, all hope of getting through with them was given up. Stedman with his five hundred men continued on their course, which, luckily for them, was correct, and about four o'clock on Tuesday morning they reached our infantry pickets, inside of Madison Court-House. Custer finding it impossible to proceed further, bivouacked that night in the woods, while he baited his horses and refreshed his men. their rear. All that bothered our troops was the section of Ransom's battery, and that slightly impeded their progress. In general council it was proposed to throw these two Parrott guns into the nearest and deepest ditch; but Custer protesting, declared he would fight his way through. Indeed a charge was led by himself in person. The rebels stood their ground manfully, but our two guns now opened on them, and completed their discomfiture, that was fast causing their lines to waver. They fled hastily, and our men pursued them hotly till they reached another road, which afforded no means of egress. Three rebels were killed in this charge, and a considerable number wounded. Many prisoners fell into our hands, some of whom succeeded in making their escape. Colonel Stedman hearing the firing in the direction of Stannardsville, and knowing it must arise from an engagement between Custer and the enemy, started back with his wearied men to the relief of the beleaguered party. They proceeded till the enemy was met and Custer discovered to be safe, when they also returned without damage. This expedition was highly successful. The diversion created in favor of Kilpatrick could not have been greater. The Third and Sixth corps remained on the open field, exposed to all the inclemency of the weather. At one time General Sedgwick was at a loss how to proceed. No intelligence had been received from Custer. His troops had consumed their scanty store of supplies, while the clouds assumed a more gloomy aspect. At last every thing was discovered to be progressing favorably, and the infantry are by this time on the homeward march. Doc. 134. GENERAL KILPATRICK'S EXPEDITION. NEW-YORK "TIMES" NARRATIVE. WILLIAMSBURGH, Friday, March 4. THAT Brigadier-General Kilpatrick had started on an expedition to the vicinity of Richmond |