PREFACE.

The history of the war of the Great Rebellion is remarkably rich in adventures of the most daring and romantic character. The term "Raid," a word imported from Scotland, signifying a hostile or predatory incursion has been very appropriately applied to expeditions composed principally of cavalry, sent from both the union and rebel armies beyond the enemy's lines; the main object of which is to cut off railroad and telegraph communications, and burn bridges, and generally to distress the enemy as much as possible by destroying his property.

These raids have been numerous on both sides, and several of them deservedly famous, not only for the success that has attended, them,but for the bold and dashing manner of their execution. The rebels, from their superiority at first in cavalry, inaugurated "raids," but the Union armies quickly learned the art, and Yankee-like, "improved" upon the example set them by the enemy. Stuart, the noted cavalry leader of the rebel army of Virginia, made the first grand raid. When Gen. McClellan occupied the line of the Chicahominy, Stuart, starting from Richmond on the left, made the complete detour of McClellan's rear, attacking a railroad train at White House, and destroying considerable Government property. He found his way back t/o the rebel right in safety, grossing the James river in some manner which has