Our guard withdrew to-day, and we walked to W., a privilege
we had not enjoyed for many days. We received a Richmond Dispatch by underground
railroad. General Stuart's raid was like a story in the “Arabian Nights'
Entertainments.” He passed down from Hanover Court-House, behind the whole of
McClellan's army, in many places so near as to hear the pickets, capturing and
burning every thing which they could not take with them. They then crossed the
Lower Chickahominy, and got back to camp before the enemy had recovered from
their surprise; losing but one man, Captain Latane, whom we had the honour of
burying. The man who shot him, a Federal officer, was immediately killed by a
private in his (Captain L's) company. The raiders burned two transports at the
White House, destroyed any number of wagons, mules, stores, etc., and carried
back 200 prisoners. The Yankees have been making vast preparations for
surrounding them as they returned; but they were too wise to be caught in that
trap. Their masked batteries will be of no avail this time. At New Kent
Court-House our men refreshed themselves with all manner of good things, at the
expense of the enemy, providing themselves with clothing, boots, etc., and
taking the sleek proprietor of the establishment prisoner.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 145-6
No comments:
Post a Comment