The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-25
KILPATRICK'S EXPEDITION.
REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR,
Colonel Dahlgren's Operations and
Death.
WHAT HAS BECOME OF HIS BODY
FIERCE RETALIATION RECON-
mENDED.

FIERCE RETALIATION RECON-
mENDED.
Colonel Dahlgren's Operations and
Death.
From the Richmond Examiner, March,.
THE RAIDERs-INTEREsTING STATEMENT OF
DAHLGRKN's EXCURSION AND DEATH.
The column of Yankees under Dahlgren
took on their route two prisoners, Capt.
Dement, and Mr.. Mountcastle, who accom-
panied the force from GOochland to the
debut at Walkerton. From these gentle
men and other sources of information we
gather some interesting accounts of Dahl
gren's excursion.
Dahlgren came down the Westham plank
road, with eight hundred or thousand
men. The Armory battalion was on the
enemy's flank, and appears to have been
completely surprised. But when the enc
my came in contact with Henley's battal-
ion, the cavalry broke at the first fire.
The first volley of musketry seems to have
done all the disaster that occurred. There
were eleven Yankees killed, and some
thirty or forty wounded.
After the affair Dahlgren seemed to be
anxious for his retreat, and divided his
forces so as to increase the chances Of
escape. The force under his immediate
command moved down the south bank of
the Pamunkey, and crossed tue river at
Dabney's Ferry.
Their exact number was not at first
easily ascertained, and, as usual, the most
exaggerated accounts were soon circulated
throughout the country, increasing as they
spread, until the miserable fugitives from
the Richmond defences were magnifed
into full brigade. From the ferry they
proceeded by the most direct route to Ay-
let's, on the Mattapony, watched closely
at every step by scouts detached from
Lieut.. James Pollardis company of Lees
Rangers, now on picket duty and recruit
ing service in King William, the residence
of most of it's members The ferry boat
having been previously removed, and Lieut..
Pollard's arrangements for disputlng their
passage when they reached the King and
Queen side of the river being suspected,
they dashed across the river as precipi-
lately as possible, under the fire of small
SQUAD of rangers left on the south bank for
that purpose While passing through King
William they captured one prisoner, Mr.
William Edwards, and several horses. and
MORALLY wounded man attached to the
signal corps, whose name we could not
learn. Subsequently Col. Dahlgrep, in
command of the party, ordered the release
of Mr.. Edwards and the restoration OF his
horse and of some valuables which were
forcibly taken from his person when cap
tured.
| The Yankees had no sooner reached
King and Queen county than they were
harrassed, both front and rear, by the
Rangers, showing fight as they advanced,
until Lieut.. POLAND was reinforced by
Magruder's and Blake's companies of the
42d Virginia battalion, now on picket duty
in King and Queen, and Fox's company
of Fifth Virninia cavalry, on furlOugt, in
the same county. Here the fight became
general. resulting in the death OF Colonel
Dahlgren, and the capture of the greater
number of the party, the rest having fled
in disorder and panic to the nearest woods
| 1t is believed that few, if any, will reach
/, Gloucester Point alive, as the Home Guard
of King and Queen, whose bravery was
CONSPICUOUS during the whole affair, are
securing the country and cutting Off es-
cape.
A large body of this raiding party was
pushing towards the peninsula at last ac-
/ counts, preferring that route to the rather
hazardous attempt to reach Gloucester
Point through King William and King and
| Queen. We regret this very much, as, IN
both counties, adequate preparations were
made to prevent the soil of either county
from being converted into highway, as
in the earlier period of the war, for Yam
kee robbers, whose track is marked wher .
ever they are permitted to obtain foot
hold, with desOlation and blood.
COL. DAHLGREN-IIIs DEATH.
The publication of Dahlgrens pro-
rramme for the sack of Richmond was
the occasion of constant excitement Sat-
urday, and curiosity to know what course
the authorities would pursue towards the
three or four hundred land pirates put in
durance at Libby. To Dahlgren's budget
of villainy and cowardice there are to be
added some incidents which show, in the
most striking. colors, the character of this
commander.
When the Yankees appeared at Fred
erick's Hall, they captured there Captain
Dement,; and this prisoner was taken in
company with Dahlgren over the whole
of his route. Captain Dement, reports
that he witnessed the execution of the me-
gro guide, and that Dahlgren furnished a
rein from his own bride with which the
unhappy victim was hung.
Captain Dement, effected his escape in
the fight near Walkerton. When Dahl
gren found the small body of Confederate
cavalry in his front, he insis ed upon Capt
Dement, riding by his side, as he advanced
to demand their surrender. The reply OF
one of cur officers to the demand of sur
render, was Give them hell, boys.
Dahlgren fell at the first fire, and the
horse of Captain Demert was shot under
him. the rider fortunately escaping with
ont injury Dal,lgren received two bullet
in the head, two in the body, and one il
the hand lie died instantly.
Captain Dement, escaped to skirt G
,,,oo1s and hearing some of the Yankee