Expedition to Charles City- II

The capture of Robinson's cavalry on the Peninsula — Excursion into North Carolina.

The following dispatches from Fortress Monroe are published in the New York papers under the heading "Victory on the Peninsula — Charles City and the Entire Garrison Captured. " They contain the particulars of the capture of the 82 highly valuable Confederate cavalry men at Charles City C. H. last week:

Fortress Monroe, Va., Dec.14, 1863.

The Secretary of War.:

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 the achievement is that it has been accomplished during a terrible storm.

B. F. Butler, Major Gen.
Details of the Captures.

Yorktown, Va., Dec.14, 1863.

Major General Butler:

"I have the satisfaction to announce the complete success of the expedition sent out under Colonel West, all worked in successful combination. Our cavalry carried the enemy's camp at Charles City Court-House 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 equipments, arms, and ammunition and provisions all thoroughly destroyed.

"Our loss is Captain Gregory, severely wounded, one Sergeant and one Corporal killed, and four men wounded.

"The New York Mounted Rifles in fourteen hours marched seventy-six miles. The 13th New York Infantry in fifty-four hours marched sixty-four 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; Colonel West, especially, for his precise execution of a difficult combination, which alone could have accomplished my object. J. J. Wistar Brigadier General."

General Butler has also sent out another "important" expedition undertaken by Brigadier-Gen. Wild, commanding the negro brigade in the Eighteenth army corps. Starting out from the vicinity of Portsmouth, Va., on Saturday, the 5th instant, and marching in two columns by different routes, the brigade united at Hintonsville, North Carolina, whence an advance was made on Elizabeth City, which was occupied on the 10th without opposition, the "rebels" being taken by surprise. Artillery and cavalry, as well as considerable naval force have left to cooperate with General Wild, and Elizabeth City is likely to be made the base of "important" operations.


-The Richmond Daily Dispatch: December 21, 1863.