More on the 1st New York Mounted Rifles, also known as the 4th Provisional Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry.
Onderdonk and his men had just returned from raiding north-eastern North Carolina earlier in the month. Here's an account of there activities from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Civil War: A History of Battle and Occupation by Alex Christopher Meekins
"The empty houses of refugees suffered indiscriminate scavenging, but occupied houses received a civil yet thorough scouring under the watchful eye of an officer. Supposedly former slaves attempted to keep the damage to unoccupied homes at a minimum, but nonetheless the several hundred Federal soldiers managed to find souvenirs and plunder in these buildings. The soldiers were also reported to have broken crockery and glass in all the unoccupied homes. Barns, storehouses and smokehouses were reportedly raided as well." |
We can probably assume that the unit's behavior was no different on the Pamunkey than it had been on the Chowan.
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