ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: The Cavalry Reconnoissance on Sunday; Brisk Artillery Firing All Along the Lines (11/18/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 11/18/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Mr. PAUL writes under date of November 16: "The Third Cavalry division under Brig.-Gen. CUSTER -- commanding during the absence of Col. KILPATRICK at Washington on a court-martial -- moved to the Rapidan yesterday morning to feel the enemy.

The Second brigade, under Col. TOWN, of the First Michigan Cavalry, approached the river near Raccoon and Morton's Fords soon after daylight, and drove the enemy from their front line of rifle-pits on the opposite bank back to their entrenchments. A brisk skirmish with artillery was kept up at intervals for several hours without much loss on either side, when the object of the movement having been accomplished, the brigade fell back to its former position, and fire was opened all alone the line from Germania to Summerville Fords. The enemy showed some infantry and opened a heavy artillery fire. Gen. CUSTER, at Morton's Ford, fired two guns with his own hands at some men who occupied a riffle-pit in a position so as to annoy our advanced pickets. There were ten rebels in the rifle-pits. CUSTER's first shot struck the centre of the pit, killing or wounding all but four of the men, who ran back to another pit. His next shot fell directly among them, and persuaded them into a second flight out of sight.

Although the enemy exposed some infantry, it is believed that there is now only a strong picket line on the Rapidan, and that LEE's army has fallen back to some other position. But few camp fires can be seen at the side of the river and some of their infantry brought to the front yesterday had their knapsacks on, and were otherwise equipped as if ready for a march.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Army of the Potomac: The Cavalry Reconnoissance on Sunday – 2
Highly Important: Good News from Chattanooga – 2
The Heroic Dead at Gettysburgh: Proclamation by Gov. Curtin – 2-3
From Nashville: The Lawrenceburgh Fight – 3
Later from Charleston Harbor: Progress of the Bombardment of Fort Sumter – 3
Naval Movements – 3
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 3
Women’s Labor – 4
The Rebel Privateers and Our Commerce – 4
Bounties for Volunteers – 4
The Rebel Privateers and American Commerce: An Appeal to the Secretary of the Navy – 4
The Intended Serenade to Senator Sprague – 4-5
Hard Up – 5
Recognition of the Franco-Mexican Government – 5
The Rebel Prisoners on Johnson’s Island (Letter to the editor) – 5