Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-03-17

sd all about the command. and picket skir-
mishing was almost constantly going on
in different directions. Wednesday morn
ing. about 9 o'clock, a large force of cav
airy came npon the rear of the column
General Fitzpatrick was not unprepared
for this. and decided to give them battle.
The 1st Vermont. under Lieutenant Colo
mel Preston, ably assisted by Captains
Grant and Cummings. and the lst Maine,
bore the brunt of this fight, which lasted
something over an hour; while the 9th
Michigan and other regiments of General
Davies brigade were in position to render
whatever assistance might be necessary
Only one charge was made. and that was
by Company A. 1st Maine, led on by Cap
tain Ester. A. A. G., and Captain Cole.
when FIVE of the enemy were captured
The enemy, satisfied, no doubt, that they
could not scare the command away, sui
lenly retired. but when the command NOV
ed forward haiassed the rear and tanks
Several times an offer was made. but they
refused to accept the offer of battle On
this day wednesday, several refugees
from Richmond came into camp. and re-
ported the presence of Captain Wilson of
the Il Ohio, who had escaped from the
Richmond Bastile, near at hand. For
some reason, however. best known to him
self. be did not join the command. We'd
nesday. also, Lieutenant Whitaker was
sent to destroy Tunstall's Station, on the
White House Railroad, but upon arriving
there. much TO bis astonishment, he found
the place in flames. From negroes in the
vicinity he aseertained that column of
Union cavalry from Gen. Buffers depart
ment had just left there. This was the
first intimation of assistance being so near
at hand. Thursday morning. General
Fitzpatrick moved toward New Kent Court
House, and on the way met Colonel Spear,
in command of cavalry force, looking af-
ter General Kilpatrick's command. The
meeting was gratifying one on both sides
Near New Kent Court House, the COM
mand came across the first negro troops
they had ever seen. Here was full brig
ade which had been marched mp; and, as
the cavalry passed by. cheer after cheer
was given by both commands. No brig
ade ever made better appearance or bet
ter impression upon those who, for the
first time. saw colored troops. A mount
ain OF prejudice was removed in an instant.
Between New Kent to Williamsburg, the
column was more or less annoyed by bush
whackers: ten Of these rascals were cap
tured. OF our men, one was killed, seve-
ral were wounded, and one or two horses
were killed.
COL. DAHLGREN's EXPEDITION.
Col. Dahlgren With picked command,
after leaving the main column, went to
Frederick Hall. on the Virginia Central
Railroad, destroyed that road and the tele-
graph line, and captured twelve officers
who were there or court.martial duty.
The James River Canal was then struck
eight miles east of G oochland Court house,
and between there and Wertham Creek an
immense amount Of property was destroy
ed. Six grist-mills, six canal boats load
ed with grain, several locks of the canal
works at the coalpits at Manikin's Bend.
and the barn OF Secretary Seddon, were
all destroyed. 1t was at this point that
Col. Dahlgren discovered that his guide
had deceived him, so as to thwart the prin-
cipal object of the expedition, and he was
Immediately hanged to the nearest tree
The command then struck the Plank road
and moved on to Richmond from a wester.
ly direction, and when within three miles
of that city, had a lively skirmish with
some rebel infantry. This was late Tues.
day afternoon, and about the time General
Fitzpatrick retired from the Brook turn
pike.
Could the command have been there
three hours earlier the result of the expedi
tion might have been still more satisfacto-
ry than now. Finding the force too large
to operate against with any prospect ol
success, and not knowing the whereabouts
Or fate of the main column, Col. ID. deci
ked to fall back. and If possible reach that
column. destroying property on the way
Col. Dahlgren and Major Cook, with about
100 men, went different route from the
main portion of the column, commanded
by Capt. Mitchell. The latter came in OF
Wednesday. as stated above. but of the
other command nothing is certainly known
A prisoner. however. states that Colo
mel with one foot had been captured. The
loss of the whole command by struggling
and in every other way will not probably
exceed 150 men, and after three days rest
the horses and men will be ready for duty
again wherever their services may be need
ed. aH ftM Eila go - ae'ht
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