Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-03-24
KiIpatrick,s Raid-.Do'ngs OF me
Vermont Cavalrymen under coi'
Dahlgren. u...+r.

"a"
p,youAc OF 1sr VT. CAVALRY,
III Town, VA, March 9Th, 81,
El;fo,. Rutldad Herald To-day we are
taking little rest, having made our
visit TO the rebels nearly as we predicted
some time ago,
On the twen. v eighth day of February
our division prepared for five days
march, and just before dark kiipatricks
Cavalry was on the move towards the
Rapidan river. A detail from different
regiments to the number of Ave hundred
men was made for special purpose,
and the men so detailed were placed UNI
der command of Col. Dahlgren. Nearly
one hundred were from our regiment, =
sixty-fiye were from Co. G., and twenty
eight from Co. X. Col. Dahlgren left
Gen. Kilpatrick's Headquarters in ad-
vance of the main column, crossed the
Rapidan at Ely's Ford, where we cap
tured the rebel picket post of fifteen men,
then pushed on at . lively pace through
the woods until we struck the Plank
Road. After following down the road
towards Fredericksburg short distance
we turned to the right, and did not stop
until the next morning, and then for
only thirty minutes. During the night
we passed close by rebel camps; but as
the rebels did not disturb us the Colonel
let them alone.
About noon we had made our way as
far as Frederick Hall Station. Gen. Lees
reserve artillery was then at that place
besides one brigade of infantry. After
skirmishing awhile, and capturing a few
prisoners, we retired by passing around
to the left, and tearing up the railroad
track, cutting the telegraph wire &c.
The rebels were holding court martial
at a private residence some three miles
from Frederick Hall, and when the
members to the number of twelve came
down to the road to see the rebel caval-
ry as they supposed, we invited them to
Journey with us a few miles.
The next morning we halted long
enough TO make coffee, and got one
hours sleep which we much needed;
but our dreams were not very pleasant,
because of the rain that was falling in
our faces, and the frost that was troub-
ling our feet.
About 8 O'Clock Tuesday morning we
struck the James River, twenty one
miles above Richmond at Mason's farm,
halted long enough to feed our horses,
and do sundry damages. We captured
twenty horses here, burnt Touring
mill, one factory, a steam mill, a num-
Der of canal boats, barns, etc. Gen. Wise
had just arrived from Charleston, and
was visiting at friends house near by.
When he saw our boys ride up he
mounted his fastest horse and skedad-
died, just in time to escape; but he came
very near getting the 'tspecs put on his
eyes, that time Col. Dahlgren intended
to have crossed the river at this place,
and was told he could do so by one Of his
guides. After travelling some six miles
he found that the guide had left, and
that there was no ford. The Colonel
sent for the fellow who had lied to him,
and when he was brought to the head
of the column, he served him as he said
he would, if he lied, so the wretch was
hung by the neck until he was dead. Z
About two o'clock we arrived within
one mile of the first line of Notifications
before Richmond, where we halted four
hours, waiting suppose to hear from
Gen. Fitzpatrick. Just before dark, we
passed the line of Notifications, and met
the enemy one mile beyond. BY this
time it was quite dark but Col. Dahl
gren was man that knew not fear, and
Immediately he ordered charge. The
rebels stood mp brayely; but our boys
drove them back some distance, the fire
from the revolvers and carbines makingit
light enough to see the retreating rebels.
We made three charges and drove them
back over two miles to within two miles
of-the city, taking ahSiitt one hundred
DTiSOACfS VIII SCChhCN Sidu tACy NSAC
captured.
When we fell back Col. Dahlgren and
Cook with few men were separated
from the column they taking road to
the lett, the way we came in. That night
after marching and countermarching
the men, now under command Of Capt.
Mitchell, halted in a swamp not far from
Richmond. We were not allowed to
build a flre-although it was showing
not even to speak louder than in whis-
per; for the rebels were passing in force
just a few rods from us.
"Wednesday morning at daylight found
us on the move trying to pick our way
to join Fitzpatrick; but it was no easy
matter, for by this time some of Stuart's
cavalry had made their appearance in
the neighborhood. We did not care
much for the rebel infantry, because we
could easily avoid them. At one time
we saw at cross roads where two thou
sand rebel cavalry had just finished their