# Dahlgren Papers

From Frank Moore, The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events (New York: G. P. Putnam, 1864), pp. 586-588.
Lieut. Pollard, commanding Co. H of the 9th Va. Regiment, aided by some home guards and a few men from Lieut. Col. Robins’ command, succeeded in penning Colonel Dahlgren, on Wednesday night, about eleven o’clock. Dahlgren made a determined effort to force his way out, and was killed, leading the charge. Thursday morning, the remaining officers having escaped, the party surrendered – 90 Yankees and 35 negroes.
Several papers were found in the pockets of Dahlgren, copies of which are subjoined:
ADDRESS TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN.
The following address to the officers and men of the command was written on a sheet of paper having in printed letters on the upper corner “Headquarters, Third Division, Cavalry Corps, ___, 1864:
Officers and Men:
You have been selected from brigades and regiments as a picked command to attempt a desperate undertaking--an undertaking which, if successful, will write your names on the hearts of your countrymen in letters that can never be erased, and which will cause the prayers of our fellow-soldiers now confined in loathsome prisons to follow you and yours wherever you may go.
We hope to release the prisoners from Belle Island first, and having seen them fairly started, we will cross the James River into Richmond, destroying the bridges after us and exhorting the released prisoners to destroy and burn the hateful city; and do not allow the rebel leader Davis and his traitorous crew to escape. The prisoners must render great assistance, as you cannot leave your ranks too far or become too much scattered, or you will be lost.
Do not allow any personal gain to lead you off, which would only bring you to an ignominious death at the hands of citizens. Keep well together and obey orders strictly and all will be well; but on no account scatter too far, for in union there is strength.
With strict obedience to orders and fearlessness in the execution you will be sure to succeed.
We will join the main force on the other side of the city, or perhaps meet them inside.
Many of you may fall; but if there is any man here not willing to sacrifice his life in such a great and glorious undertaking, or who does not feel capable of meeting the enemy in such a desperate fight as will follow, let him step out, and he may go hence to the arms of his sweetheart and read of the braves who swept through the city of Richmond.
We want no man who cannot feel sure of success in such a holy cause.
We will have a desperate fight, but stand up to it when it does come and all will be well.
Ask the blessing of the Almighty and do not fear the enemy.
U. DAHLGREN, Col. Com'dg.
SPECIAL ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS.
The following special orders were written on a similar sheet of paper, and on detached slips, the whole disclosing the diabolical plans of the leaders of the expedition:
Guides, pioneers (with oakum, turpentine, and torpedoes), signal officer, quartermaster, commissary:
Scouts, and pickets - Men in rebel uniform:
These will remain on the north bank and move down with the force on south bank, not getting ahead of them, and if the communication can be kept up without giving an alarm it must be done; but everything depends upon a surprise, and no one must be allowed to pass ahead of the column. Information must be gathered in regard to the crossings of the river, so that should we be repulsed on the south side we will know where to recross at the nearest point. All mills must be burned and the canal destroyed; and also everything which can be used by the rebels must be destroyed, including the boats on the river. Should a ferry-boat be seized and can be worked, have it moved down. Keep the force on the south side posted of any important movement of the enemy, and in case of danger some of the scouts must swim the river and bring us information. As we approach the city the party must take great care that they do not get ahead of the other party on the south side, and must conceal themselves and watch our movements.
We will try and secure the bridge to the city, (one mile below Belle Isle,) and release the prisoners at the same time. If we do not succeed they must then dash down, and we will try and carry the bridge from each side. When necessary, the men must be filed through the woods and along the river bank. The bridges once secured, and the prisoners loose and over the river, the bridges will be secured and the city destroyed. The men must keep together and well in hand, and once in the city it must be destroyed and Jeff. Davis and Cabinet killed.
Pioneers will go along with combustible material. The officer must use his discretion about the time of assisting us. Horses and cattle which we do not need immediately must be shot rather than left. Everything on the canal and elsewhere of service to the rebels must be destroyed. As General Custer may follow me, be careful not to give a false alarm. [ed. note: the following paragraphs do not appear in the photographic copies that General Lee sent to General Meade.]
The signal officer must be prepared to communicate at night by rockets, and in other things pertaining to his department.
The quartermasters and commissaries must be on the lookout for their departments, and see that there are no delays on their account.
The engineer officer will follow to survey the road as we pass over it, &c.
The pioneers must be prepared to construct a bridge or destroy one. They must have plenty of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be rolled in soaked balls and given to the men to burn when we get in the city. Torpedoes will only be used by the pioneers for destroying the main bridges, &c. They must be prepared to destroy railroads. Men will branch off to the right with a few pioneers and destroy the bridges and railroads south of Richmond, and then join us at the city. They must be well prepared with torpedoes, &c. The line of Falling Creek is probably the best to work along, or as they approach the city Goode's Creek, so that no re-enforcements can come up on any cars. No one must be allowed to pass ahead for fear of communicating news. Rejoin the command with all haste, and if cut off cross the river above Richmond and rejoin us. Men will stop at Bellona Arsenal and totally destroy it, and anything else but hospitals: then follow on and rejoin the command at Richmond with all haste, and if cut off cross the river and rejoin us. As General Custer may follow me, be careful not to give a false alarm.
PROGRAMME OF THE ROUTE AND WORK.
The following is an exact copy of a paper written in lead-pencil, which appears to have been a private memorandum of the programme which Dahlgren had made to enable him to keep his work clearly in mind:
Saturday--Leave camp at dark (6 p.m.). Cross Ely's Ford at 10 p.m.
20 miles--Cross North Anna at 4 a.m. Sunday - feed and water - one hour.
3 miles--Frederick Hall Station 6 a.m. - destroy arty, 8 a.m.
20 miles--Near James River 2 p.m. Sunday – Feed and water 1½ hours.
30 miles to Richmond--March toward Kilpatrick for one hour, and then as soon as dark cross the river, reaching Richmond early in the morning (Monday).
One squadron remains on north side and one squadron to cut the railroad bridge at Falling Creek, and join at Richmond; 83 miles.
General Kilpatrick--Cross at 1 a.m. Sunday; 10 miles.
Pass river 5 a.m. (resistance).
Childsburg – 14 miles; 8 a.m.
Resistance at North Anna - 3 miles.
Railroad bridges at South Anna – 26 miles - 2 p.m. Destroy bridges, pass the South Anna, and feed until after dark - then signal each other. After dark move down to Richmond and be in front of the city at daybreak.
RETURN - In Richmond during the day - feed and water men outside.
Be over the Pamunkey at daybreak. Feed and water and then cross the Rappahannock at night (Tuesday night), when they must be on the lookout.
Spies should be sent on Friday morning early, and be ready to cut.
A GUIDE FURNISHED.
The following paper was inclosed in an envelope directed to “Col, U. Dahlgren,” &c., at General Kilpatrick's headquarters, and marked "confidential." The letter is not dated:
Colonel Dahlgren, &c,:
DEAR COL.: At the last moment I have found the man you want; well acquainted with the James River from Richmond up. I send him to you mounted on my own private horse. You will have to furnish him a horse. Question him five minutes, and you will find him the very man you want.
Respectfully and truly, yours,
JOHN C. BABCOCK.
On the margin of this letter is written:
“He crossed at Rapidan last night, and has late information.”
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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