GEN. BUTLER’S DEPARTMENT: A Dash in the Direction of Richmond; The Rebel Force at Charles City Court-House Captured (12/16/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 12/16/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The following dispatch was received here today: FORTRESS MONROE, Va., Dec. 14.

Gen. WISTAR, with my approbation, sent out an expedition to Charles City Court-house on the James' River, to capture the enemy's force stationed there and I have the pleasure to forward his report of its complete success. What adds to the brilliancy of its achievement is that it has been accomplished during a terrible storm.

B.F. BUTLER, Major-General.

YORKTOWN, Va., Dec. 14, 1863.

Maj.-Gen. Butler:

I have the satisfaction to announce the complete success of the expedition sent out under Col. WEST. All worked in successful combination. Our cavalry carried the enemy's camp at Charles City Courthouse, after sharp fighting -- the enemy firing from their houses. We captured eight officers and eighty two enlisted men, being the whole command of three companies, fifty-five horses and three mules, besides many shot, &c., left on the ground. The enemy's camp, with its equipments, arms, ammunition and provisions, were all thoroughly destroyed.

Our loss is Capt. GREGORY, severely wounded; one Sergeant and one Corporal killed, and four men wounded. The New-York Mounted Rifles, in forty-four hours, marched seventy-six miles; the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth New-York infantry, in fifty-four hours, marched sixty-one miles, mostly in a severe storm, moving day and night, and walking their shoes off, which should be made good by the Government. All are entitled to high commendation for gallantry and unflinching endurance, Col. WEST especially, for his precise execution of a difficult combination, by which alone he could have accomplished my object. J.J. WISTAR, Brig.-Gen.

[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]

Gen. Butler’s Department: A Dash in the Direction of Richmond – 2
The Army of the Potomac: Visit of Russian Officers to Headquarters – 2
From East Tennessee: Gen. Foster in Command-—Gen. Burnside Gone to Cincinnati – 2-3
Army of the Cumberland: Graphic Description of the Storming of Lookout Mountain – 3
From Washington: The President’s Message Before Congress – 3-5
Gen. Banks’ Department: The Union Men in Texas Rallying to His Support – 5
The Chesapeake: Contradictory Reports of her Whereabouts – 5
The Prisoners at Richmond: No Official Notification Received of the Refusal to Forward Supplies – 5
Affairs in the Southwest: Rebels Anxious to Avail Themselves of the Proclamation, &c. – 5
Our Washington Dispatches: Special Dispatches to the N.Y. Times – 5-6
Editorial: The Lesson of the Weehawken – 6
Amusements – 6