Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-03-12

ty as o corps OF observation. Learning
that the enemy was moving down thenorth
bank of the Matiponi by the river road,
with the evident Intention of reaching
Gloucester Point Capt. Magruder deter
mined to anticipate him, and with this
view left his camp with about one hundred
OF his command, and Lieut.. Pollard and
seventeen men of the 9th Virginia cavalry,
making for point on the river between
Mantua Ferry and King and Queen Court
House, which he succeeded in reaching In
advance of the enemy. n
Posting his command at an eligible point
along the road in ambush, he had not long
to wait before the enemy made his appear,
ance, headed by Dahlgren himself, slowly
and cautiously approaching, as If appre-
hensive of their impending fate. AS the
head OF the column peared the point of con-
cealment, Dahlgren's attention was attract
ed by slight rustling in the bushes occa-
slont doubtless by the movement of some
OF our party. Drawing his pistol he called
out, surrender, you damned rebel, or I'll
shoot you." In an instant Private McCloy
sPrang into the road and, leyeling his piece,
shot the miscreant dead. 80. -, n
A general vollcy was then poured into
the enemy's ranks, which had the effect of
emptying their saddles and killing as many
horses and throwing the rest into inextri-
cable confusion. Then ensued a scene of the
= widest panic, which was heightened by. the
intense darkness of the night. Each man
looking to his own personal safety, all sought
refuge IN flight, and spurring their jaded
horses over the bodies of their wounded and
each other, the whole body broke pell-mell
over ditch and waiting fence, which the
most adventurous fox-hunter would hardly
have essayed in the heat of the chase, into a
small field. Capt. M. Immediately disposed
his force around the field so as to prevent
egress, and quietly awaited the approach of
daylight, when the whole party surrendered
without resistance. tsN@ rEa
Much praise is due Capt. Magruder for
his GOODNESS and judgment in this affair." II
he had ordered charge upon the discomfit-
ed enemy in the road, the probability is
that some of our own men would have fallen
by the hands of their comrades in an indis-
criminate fight in the dark; while the op-
portunity of escape by the enemy would
have been increased. As it was, the prudent
course adopted secured most effectually the
result desired without single casually on
our side. This account strips the valorous
Dahgren's name of the little eclat which
might have attached to it If he had fallen,
as was at first stated, while boldly leading
a charge in an effort to cut his way through
our lines. He was shot down, as he de-
served to be, like ''thief in the night"
with his stolen plunder around him, while
seeking, under cover of darkness. to elude
the punishment he so richly merited.
DAHLGREN's BODY.
The body of Col. Uric Dahlgren, killed
in theswamps of King and Queen, by the 9th
Va. Cavalry, was brought to the city Sum
day night and laid at The York river depot
during the greater part of the day yester-
day, where large numbers of persons went
to see it. 1t was in pine box. clothed in
Confederate shirt and pants, and shrouded
in Confederate blanket. The wooden leg
had been removed by one of the soldiers
1t was also noticeable that the little finger
of the efthand had been cutoff. Dahlgren
was small man, thin, pale, and with red
hair and goatee of the same color. His
face wore an expression of agony.
About 2 L. M, the corpse was removed
from the depot and buried-no one knows,
or is to know, where.
lFrom the Richmond whis, Marchsl
THE FUTURE CHARACTER OF THE WAR.
The band of robbers, incendiaries, and
murderers who lately came against this
city to sack and burn it, and massacre the
principal personages who reside here, were
Gen. Meade, and sent under chosen officers
of that army. Meade himself has lately
returned from Washington, and it was no.
ticed that Immediately on his arrival move
ments were commenced, which have now
had their culmination,in the fiendish foray
OF last week. There is no doubt the expe-
dition was planned and Its Internal charac-.
ter given to it at Washington. flrl
Lincoln and his advisers were parties to-
it-perhaps instigators of it. Meade was
particeps, because If he did not, as is proba-
BILE, write the orders that were found on
Dahlgren's person, he necessarily knew of
them, and handled his army so as to facili-I
tate their execution. Those orders were for
war under the black flag. On the line of
their desolating march, everything that
can be used by the rebels' was to be sIde-
stroyed," and when they had reached Rich
hateful city, and not allow the rebel leader
Davis and his traitorous crew to escape:n
they must be skilled" This is mode of
warfare recognized by no code nor creed
of civilization. 1t is war under the black
flag.
It was well understood to be so by those
engaged in it; for Dahlgren, after Offering
to his men the privilege of Withdrawing II
they had no stomach for the business,
warned them that if they permitted them
selves to be taken prisoners, they would
meet an s.ignominious DEATH" 1t may be
very shocking to the sensibilitics of our au-
thorities to entertain the idea that this is to
be the future character Of the war, but we
respectfully suggest that they have no OPP
tion about it. This is a matter about which
it does not take two to make q bargain. The
enemy have decided and their decision is
controlling.
We would have kept out of the war al
together if the enemy had allowed us, but
they would not. When forced into it, we
would have conducted it in accordance with
the usages and principles of civilized ma
tions, but they will not haye it so. We are
passive and powerless in the matter, and
are simply Obliged to accept the conditions
forced upon lis. AS war can only be met |
by war, SO war under the Black Flag can
only be met by war under the Black Flag. |
If the President cannot recognize this fact, |
the army can recognize none other. 1t is |
very plain and very inevitable.
-zu.------
Photographic Correspondence Cincinnati Com'cl.l |
A scrimmnge Between veterans--
Rather Loud Talk by a Ken-
tucixy Colonel. 10
LEXINGTON, March 10.
The 9Th Kentucky cavalry left for the |
front this morning. Last night an affray |
occurred between a portion of them and |
the l1th Michigan cavalry. A number of
"a ~ q. n 4 -