The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-07
BY TELEGRAPH
ToTHE
Portland Daily Press.

NEW YORK, March 5.

Monroe from Richmond, sends to this Bureau
the following: The much talked of raid by
Gen. Fitzpatrick has ended with failure as to
the main result intended to be accomplished,
but with success in cutting the railroad be-
tween Lees army and Richmond, and the des
tructon of much property, stores, &C.. and the
actual shelling of Richmond.
Starting Sunday at 3 A. NJ. from camp with
5000 cavalry, picked from his own and Gems.
Merritt and Gregg's divisions, he proceeded
to the Rapidan, crossing at Ellis Ford. From
thence the column marched to Spottsylvania
Court House, which place was reached with
out encountering any of the enemy. From
this place to the end of the daring journey, he
was more or less harrassed by the rebels, and
frequently found that his lines had fallen in
very unpleasant places. AT the place last
named the command was divided into differ
ent parties, who were to scour the country as
they proceeded toward common centre
(Richmondl. Every road was to be carefully
secuted that no concealed foes even in small
numbers should be left behind SO as to con-
centrate or worry him. The expedition was
awarlike tour, where all the chickens, tur-
keys, geese, hogs, corn, oats, hay, horses,
mules, negroes and "greybacks,' whether
made of flesh or paper, that could be had were
had.
They carried with them but two or three
feeds each for their horses, and about as many
days rations for the men, it being determin-
ed for once that the celebrated order subsist
on the enemy's country should be fttingly
executed. On Monday they reached the Vir-
gina Railroad, and tore up the track in four
places, destroying whatever property would
render the road useless. At Fredericks Hill,
on the Central Railroad, they came upon
court martial peacefully holding its session,
and captured colonel, five captains and two
lieutenants. Gen. Lee had passed over the
railroad on his way to the army but one hour
before our men reached it. As they pressed
through the country in the most good natured
way, questioning many as TO whether any
Yankees had been seen there lately, the inhab-
itants could not believe that it was Lincoln's
cavalry who were paying them visit. The
negroes generally were delighted, and many
in the presence of their masters asked to be
allowed to GO along A large number were
thus gathered together, who trudged cheer
fully along with the cavalry, delighted at
gaining their freedom. Occasionally Union
families were encountered who gave valuable
information, and freely offered what they had
to eat and drink.
Leaving Frederick's Hall on Monday they
pushed ON for Richmond. A detachment OF
500 men, under Col. Dahlgren keeping well
TO the right in the direction of Louisa Court
House, while Gen. Fitzpatrick, with the main
body, moved upon Ashland, with parties scour-
ing the country thoroughly aud doing all pos
sible damage. As the forces neared Rich
mond the two main parties began concentrat-
ing. Col. Dahlgren was TO move down to
the right of Richmond, destroying as much of
the Jane River Canal as possible; then taking
the River road was to cross, If possible, and
enter the City on the South side and attempt
deliyerance of the prisoners on Belle Isle.
Gen. Fitzpatrick, with the remainder of the
cavalry, was to attack the city by Brooks turn
pike simultaneously with the other movement.
1t was hoped TO reach the city on Monday
night, or carly the following morning, when a
partial, if not total, surprise could be effected.
Two of those fatalities which more than once
during the war have snatched success from
the very grasp of those who, by their valor
and daring, have richly deserved the victor's
crown, interferred TO prevent the consuma-
ton of one of the best contrived and most bril-
liant plans of the whole war. Col. Dahlgren
had taken negro TO pilot him to Richmond
His detachment had rapidly moved across the
country. destroying barns, forage, and every
thing which could possibly be of service to
the rebels. Pushing on so as to reach Rich
mond as soon as possible, Col. Dahlgren found
that his negro guide had betrayed him and
led him toward Goochland instead of Rich
mond, and Tuesday night found himself miles
in Just the opposite direction from that he
wished to take. The negro was promptly
hanged for his baseness. Exasperated by this
treachery the men burned the barns and out
buildings of John A. Seddons, the rebel Sec
rotary of War, and it is fortunate perhaps, that
the gentleman himself was not present.
Retracing his steps, Col. Dahlgren marched
down the river road, destroying the Dover
towering Mills, several private Touring mills
and saw mills. His force also did considera-
Bile damage to the james River Canal, burning
the Canal boats and seriously damaging one
or two locks. They did not reach the imme-
date vicinity of Richmond until the after
noon, when everybody was on the alert, Kill
patrick already having made his attack. Col.
Dahlgren's detachment was divided into sew
eral parties for the accomplishment Of differ
ent objects, keeping together however. One
party attempted to cross the river, but were
repulsed. A very sharp fight ensued and find
ing the enemy in superior numbers and con-
fronting them on every road, the force was
compelled 10 fall back. In attempting to cut
their way out, Col. Dahlgreen and Maj. Cook
of the I'd n. Y. cavalry, with about $50 men,
got separated from the rest; the others sue
ceeded in rejolnng Gen. Fitzpatrick, but moth
ing has been heard of Dahlgren's party. The
people on the road and some of the prisoners,
aver that Colonel, who had but one leg was
captured by the rebels. If SO it is feared he
must have been wounded, but. strong hopes
are entertained that with his usual determine
ton, he has cut his way through with at least
part of his $50 men. In the meanwhile, Gen.
Fitzpatrick had advanced down the Brooks
turnpike from Ashland, having torn up the
rails along that point and destroying the
| telegraph line as he went along. At one
| of the stations, however, the operator sue
! ceeded in sending a dispatch to Richmond,
| announcing that the Yankees were coming I;
| he was prisoner in less than 10 minutes, but
| that short time put Richmond on the qui rire
and it has since been ascertained that about a
dozen field pieces were put in position and
new intrenehments thrown up.
Our troops reached the outer Notifications
on Tuesday forenoon and as the spires and
houses came in view, cheer upon cheer went
up from our men. The outer line of the
works was entered and rebels therein surren-
dered. Many Of them threw down their arms
and surrendering and others taking to their
heels. A fight ensued for the next line, but
the battery was too much for them. There is
no doubt but the men would have rushed on
and over everything that stood in their way,
so enthusiastic had they become, but Gen. Kill
| patrick acted the wiser part, and as the shrll
whistle told of the bringing up of reinforce
| mente from Picketts Bridge, and vicinity, he
| reluctantly gave the order to move towards
Mechanicsville. That this was difficult TO do,
soon became apparent. On every road the
rebel pickets confronted them and series of
mannuyers took place In which the enemy
were found to be on the alert at every point.
! Night coming on, Gen. Fitzpatrick, with his ac-
customed audacity, halted and made prepare
| tions to camp. he had chosen a place near
! rebel camp and of this fact he was remind
! ed by being sheled out of his position. The
| command prOuDcd its Way on i'm the darlkne