The siege of Petersburg began June 15. Gen. Grant's first move was to cut the railroad communications with the South. He directed Gen. James H. Wilson, commander of the 3d Division of Cavalry to undertake to destroy the “High Bridge,” near Sailor's Creek on the South Side railroad, and the Roanoke Bridge on the Danville and Richmond railroad. He had two brigades from his own division (Capt. Blough) and four regiments (Capt. Skelly) from Gen. A. V. Kautz's division, in all about 5,500 men and 16 guns. Capt. Blough's company from Johnstown and Capt. Skelly's from Wilmore were in this expedition, namely:
| Captain. |
Co. |
Regiment. |
Brigade. |
Division. |
Army. |
| James A. Skelly |
G |
11th Pa. Cav.
Geo. Stetzel |
Second.
S. P. Spear |
Cavalry.
A. V. Kautz |
B. F. Butler |
| Henry J. Blough |
K |
18th Pa. Cav.
John W. Phillips |
First.
G. B. McIntosh |
Third.
Jas. H. Wilson |
P. H. Sheridan. |
The raiders started at 3 a. m., June 22, from the Mount Sinai church on the Blackwater river, for Burkesville, the point of intersection of these railroads. They crossed the Weldon railroad at Ream's Station, destroying the station and road at that point, and reached the Lynchburg road near Ford's station, 14 miles from Petersburg, destroying it as far south as Burkesville, a distance of 30 miles. They then turned and moved along the Danville road, destroying it to Staunton river, a distance of 30 miles. The object having been attained they began their return.
Wilson's division moved eastward 80 miles, passing through Christiansburg and Greensboro, crossing the Meherrin river at Safford's bridge, and reaching the Double bridges of the Nottoway on June 28. When near Dinwiddie Court House, Wilson was attacked by Gen. Wade Hampton's cavalry and the contest kept up until 10 p. m. The battle was continued on the 29th, when Wilson's command (Capt. Blough) became scattered. He reached Ream's Station at 9 a. m. and found Gen. Kautz (Capt. Skelly) there. Gen. Wilson expected to find the Army of the Potomac in possession of Ream's Station, but on the contrary he was nearly surrounded by the enemy. His ammunition was exhausted and he could make no defense. He destroyed his wagons and caissons. On June 29, at noon, he moved back by the Boydton plank road, intending to go around the enemy, but Fitzhugh Lee with two brigades of Mahone's infantry, attacked him in flank and rear. Gen. Kautz (Capt.
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