The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-03-12

ard it is, perhaps, fortunate that that gen.
! tleman was not present
! Retracing his steps Col. Dahlgren march,
ed down the river road destroying the Do
/ yer Flour Mills, and several private -four
ing establishments and saw. mills. His
force also did considerable injury to the
James river canal, Burning canal boats, and
seriously damaging one or two locks. They
did not reach the immediate vicinity. OF
Richmond till afternoon, when everybody
was on the alert Fitzpatrick having already
made his attack.
Colonel Dahlgren's detachment was diyi-
ded into several parties, for the accomplish
ment of different objects, keeping together,
/ however. One party attempted to cross the
river, but were repulsed. a very sharp fight
ensued and, finding the enemy in superior
numbers, and confronting them on every
road, the force WAS compelled to fall back
In attempting to cut their way out, Major
| Cook, of the I'd New York, with about one
hundred and fifty men, got separated from
the rest.
Meanwhile, General Fitzpatrick had ad
vanced down the Brooke turnpike from
Ashland. having torn up the rails at that
point, destroying the telegraph as he march
ed. At one station however, am operator
succeeded in sending a dispatch to Rich
mond, announcing that the Yankees were
coming. He was prisoner in less than
fifteen minutes, but that short time put
Richmond ON the q,ti cire, and it has since
been ascertuined that about dozen pieces
were put in battery, and new entrench nents
thrown up while awaiting his arrival
The troops reached the outer Notifications
early on Tuesday morning, and as the spires
and houses of the city came in view, cheer
upon cheer went up from our men.
Riding rapidly forward, the outer line of
works was entered The rebels, then surrounded
threw down their arms, many OF them sll4I..dci-
ing, and others taking TO their heels. A fight
then ensued for The next line, but the batteries,
were too much for them, and 50, with his battery
General Fitzpatrick olend upon the city.
Ihele is no doubt that the men would have
dashed upon and over any thing that stood in
tI.eir way enthusiastrs had they become;
but General Fitzpatrick aclel the wiser part ,
and so shc sHlI whistle OF the lUcunutltc told
ofthe briugingup acknowledgements from Pickctt's
Bigace, at bottoms Bridge and vicinity, lie
reluctantly gave the order to move toward.
Me"ianc>y!..c.
That this was difficult to do became appar-
emit On every road the cuemvs picllcts
confronted them, and series of manoc,iyrc,
took place i'll which The enemy were found to
be ON the alert III every point. Night coming
ON, kilpatick, with his accustomed audacily
naked and made plepara.ianS to camp. He had
chosen place, however, too near IL rebel camp
and of this act he was reminded rs being shlcd
ont OF his pusitun 80 Tho command gropcd its
way on in the darkness and gloom, fighting
when pressed too hard, and with The tel tale
"h'ti" OF the locomotive now warning them
that uoops were being huniedback to Bottom,
Bridge in the rope OF cutting of lhcir retreat.
On-MUnduy General Butler received orders to
send over Il force TO meet Ccaclal Fitzpatrick
and assist him if necessary This nluyemrn.
WIS part ofGcncral Fitzpatrick planas proposed.
ii"t Ist NhNNn Oh OF expected Il lp!Ge at New
Kent Court House or Bo,tm Bridge. he would
n"t have tuned away from Richmond, but
would have eullta.cd Conceal Bullcv's forces to
fight for the same place
The cavalry left Williamsburg on Monday
night and arrived on Tuesday morning abou,
c,gh o'cIoCh. On Tuesday Afternoon, Colonel
Spear took Il portion Of III, caya.ry force and
proceeded to Tunstails Station, W here lie deS-
truicd Il new s!oai saw-ni!l and its mae lincry
Jt.iAcd trigni car and twenty thousand feet
otiunber Tuesday uporlion o. KiIlatricks
forces wa, discovered, but not knowing whether
they Wele rebels OF not, preparations were made
to give thema WARM reception. On " elncsday
moining the question was solved, and as tie .Wo
columns OF ca.aay came i'll on both sides Of
the c"lclrd brigade, dawn up to receive them,
lie mutual cheers were dealeuinG.
Alter resting Il lie they lcsulHed lheir mach
down olenil.suIu