November 18, 1864 ,Sgt. Pearce writes home from the 2nd Maine Cavalry camp in Barrancas, Florida. The Sargent has just returned from a three day raid in which the 2nd Maine combined forces with the 1st Florida Cavalry all under the command of the 2nd Cav’s Col. Spurling who understands how to catch Rebels Pearce advises. We had a few from each company that had on Rebel uniforms. They were commanded by a Lieutenant belonging to the Florida Regiment. He was once a Lieutenant in the Rebel service.*** Pearce writes that the bogus Confederates took the lead and that on the second morning of the march the sham Rebels forward on the rest of the cavalry column came upon Confederate pickets. Our own Rebels captured the pickets without firing a shot, Frank writes. The Rebels did not mistrust but what it was their own men until they were ordered to lay down their arms and surrender. The 2nd Maine Cavalry Sargent advises that there were three groups of Confederate pickets all captured in the same manner before 9 AM which was the traditional time for relief by fresh pickets. The relieving Confederates were all successfully captured in the same fashion and without a shot fired. With all pickets quietly dispatched it was now time for the band of Union cavalry to move on the main Confederate camp which lay on the opposite side of a stream. Wide and deep enough to require a bridge, the mock Confederates were now forced to deal with Confederate guards posted at the little bridge. Our Rebs commenced going across, dismounting and leading their horses one at a time as the bridge was very poor, writes Pearce. Before successful crossing by all the disguised Union Cavalrymen they were found out and fired upon by Rebel guards. At this signal we were ordered to dismount and charge over the bridge which we did chasing them in every direction. We did not find so many of them as we expected. Six companies had left the day before leaving 60 men to do picket duty. We accomplished our object, advises Pierce. Took 38 of them and one 1st Lieutenant who commanded the camp. Got all of their arms, horses and burnt their camp and bridge and returned to our homes in Barrancas. All this was done without losing a man. It should be noted here that Col. Sperling’s report of this activity varies considerably from our Sargent’s private account to the folks at home. The most glaring differences are that the Colonel neglects to note that a portion of his command were outfitted in Confederate uniform. In his official account to superiors, Lt. Col Spurling does recognize the good work of Lt. Joseph Sanders, 1st Florida Cavalry and singles out Sgt. Frank Butler (see his forage cap further on) as one of two 2nd Maine Cavalry Sargents in the advance who were at all times brave, active and zealous in preforming their duties. Unorthodox to be sure but the Pierce account leaves little doubt that Lt. Sanders and his sham Confederates left little for Col. Spurling to accomplish.