JUNE 23-28, 1863.--Expedition from Yorktown to the South Anna Bridge, Va,
and skirmish.
No. 2.--Report of Col. Samuel P. Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry,
commanding expedition.

WHITE HOUSE, VA.,
June 28, 1863.
SIR: In obedience to Special Orders, No. 1, headquarters Department of
Virginia, Seventh Army Corps, June 23, 1863, I have the honor to
render the following report of a reconnaissance, &c., made under my command
with the following force, viz: Eleven companies Eleventh Pennsylvania
Cavalry, 800 men; detachment of Illinois and Massachusetts cavalry
(Lieutenant-Colonel Davis), 250 men; total, 1,050 men.
With the above force, I proceeded direct from the White House to Tunstall's
Station, where I found a picket of 12 men (cavalry), captured 1, cut the
telegraph wires, burned the sutler's store and other Confederate buildings;
continued on south side of the Pamunkey to Hanover Court-House, at which
point I found a large quartermaster's depot; captured a train of 35 wagons,
6 mules to each team, covers, bows, &c., complete, and ready for the road.
I also captured about 100 good mules belonging to the Confederate States.
I burned about 35 wagons, 300 sets of harness, complete; stables,
blacksmith's and wheelwright's shops, office, books, and papers, and
everything pertaining to the depot at this point. I used every means to
open a large (Confederate States) safe, but failed (too strong).
This done, I proceeded to the South Anna crossing of the Central Railroad,
where I found a force of 125 men, under command of Lieut. Col. T. L.
Hargrove, of the Forty-fourth North Carolina Infantry.
I at once commenced the attack. He held the bridge manfully for over an
hour, when, by stratagem, he found me in his rear, and his entire force
captured. Nine were killed, and really so badly wounded I paroled them on
the spot, by advice of my surgeon. I completely destroyed the bridge, and
burned it till it fell into the river. It was fired above and below, and
nothing is left. Lieutenant-Colonel Har-grove had sent to Hanover Junction
for re-enforcements, and when they arrived, too late to support this
attack, they at once went to the other crossing, Richmond and
Fredericksburg Railroad, which rendered it impossible, with the loss of
ammunition, and my fatigued command, to attempt to carry this bridge with
prudence or safety.
Information (reliable as any in the country) told me a strong force of
infantry and artillery would oppose me there, arriving on Colonel
Hargrove's requisition.
This done, I countermarched, and found on arriving at Hanover Ferry (now a
bridge) that General Wise would intercept me if I returned the same route,
on the south side of the river. I crossed, took up the planks, and
returned, via Newcastle, King William CourtHouse, &c., to White House,
north side, where I reported in person to the major-general commanding.
I have the honor to report the capture of Brig. Gen. William H. F. Lee;
Lieut. Col. T. L. Hargrove, Forty-fourth North Carolina Infantry; Acting
Master Lewis Hudgins, Confederate Navy; Capt. Robert Bingham, Company G,
Forty-fourth North Carolina; Capt. R. L. Rice, Company A, Forty-fourth
North Carolina; Lieuts. S. H. Workman, G. S. Coble, F. N. Dick, G. R. [?]
Rice, and Anable [?], Forty-fourth North Carolina Infantry, and 94 enlisted
men; 35 wagons, complete; 500 mules (about); 200 horses (about); small
wagons, carts, harness, &c., and a large quantity of grain, hay, &c., burned.
My warmest thanks are due to Lieutenant-Colonel [Hasbrouck] Davis, his
officers and men, for his hearty co-operation; and to the
officers and men of my regiment I can only say they performed their duty in
their usual manner, with promptness and good faith.
With a day or two of rest, I shall be ready with men and animals for duty.
I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,
S. P. SPEAR,
Colonel Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Commanding.
Co1. D. T. VAN BUREN,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Seventh Army Corps.
P. S.--En route I met and captured a Government agent of the Confederate
States, and took from him about $15,000, Confederate bonds. He was making
payment for purchased stores.