Having been put in possession of the following official report of Maj. Andrews, giving an interesting account of a recent scout of a portion of this regiment, we publish it, as well for the gratification of the friends of the regiment, as to place the gallantry of its men in a proper light, which has been at times unjustifiably assailed
Headquarters 19th Regiment N. C. T.,
Warrenton, Va., Oct 20th, 1862.
To His Excellency Gov. Vance :
Sir—I have the honor to report to you the success of the 2d N. C. Cavalry in a recent scout through the enemy’s lines about Centreville, Va.
With six companies of the regiment, I was ordered to make the scout Soon after sun up on Saturday morning, (having ridden for 18 hours without rest,) I advanced to the Centreville pike, and there saw evident signs of a force having passed. I learned from citizens that a force of cavalry and artillery had passed early in the night, and that it was followed by a guarded train of Yankee wagons. I got the forces all right and commenced the chase.
After going about one mile we ran up with their videtts. They (as we afterwards learned) supposed us to be their rear force, and halted my advanced guard. I withheld the charge by the guard, and ordered forward the first squadron, commanded by Capt. Randolph. At the command, off we dashed, and, after a chase of about two miles, we got every man (but one) and all the teams and wagons.
Result—1 Lieutenant, 27 men, 24 mules, 82 horses, 7 wagons, loaded with sugar, coffee, pork, crackers and oats. All saved, and not a man hurt on our side.
The prize, worth over $20,000, was pushed in advance of my force (driven by miserable Yankees) before either their advanced force or their force in the rear, consisting of 1,500 troopers and four pieces of artillery, could catch us. We had not been in Warrenton more than thirty minutes, till a courier came dashing in, with news that “the enemy, in strong force, was coming to Warrenton.” I had two pieces of artillery attached to our regiment and with it and the regiment. we made a stand. The enemy did not come, and we put after them, as they were in the road three miles off, but they skedaddled double quick. We have coffee, and sweetening too, every day now.”
Weekly Standard, Raleigh, NC