Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-15
The Expedition Against Esich mond
Gen Cutters scheme.
Correspondence Of the New York World
WASHINGTON, February 9

Correspondence Of the New York World
WASHINGTON, February 9
IL will he remembered that in The month OF
December Gen Butler visited Washington, had
a consultation with The President and Secretary of
War. returned to Fortress Monroe and immedi-
atey thereafter all the rebel prisoners were
placed under his control He had a scheme of
great magnitude, rs understand the initial Dor
ton of which to make plea OF fair dealing
with tie rebel Commissioned of Exchange, Offer
just equivalent for all prisoners held bv the
rebel authorities and 80 settle the grand difficulty
which had arisen out of differences between Gen
Meredith. his predecessor, and NJ Ould He
released 5u2 prisoners, as an earnest ot his
good intentions and Mr. Onld responded with an
equivalent, but immediately thereafter notified
Gen Butler that, Is he was under the tan of out
lawry. proclaimed 10y jeff DAVIS. further com
munication could be held With him Gen Butler
returned 4 charac eristic answer. and stated that
7 unless he was recognized he would discontinue
all communication by dag OF truce. Since then
the nag has not been used for communication be-
tween Gen Buffers department AMI the rebels
ANY one who understands Gin Buffers char
acter knows that he i very sensitive - asirOnts
H. no sooner received the rebuff from Mr. Ould
thlu he proceeded 10 arrange means by which lie
might accomplish his cherished ohiect-the re-
lease OF she prisoners at Richmond-and possibly
make ca ital for himself by "A ioray upon the
rebel seat of government As soon n he had
conceived this idea and communicated il 10 the
( Government, he set about putting il into execu
ton A. the development OF his plans would
not uncover Washington. nor materially withdra W
troops beyond calling distance therelrom in case
of a panic, he was pei mitted to put it in execu
ton.
Bu, Gen Butler alone was powerleSs He had
\ but few troops under his comm md. and could not
hope for assistance from the Army of the POtO
mac in the ct troops. His department III
cuded )rsh Carolina aud he drew a few troops
+ from that quarter 10 Fortress Monroe. lie then
persuaded the Government that Gen Gilmore
forces could readily be spared for few weeks
aS-while Admiral Dihleren was inactivc-it
would he useless to attempt any military demon
stration upon Charleston. The bureau at Wash
ington consented. and portion OF Gen Gil
more'S command was Withdrawn from Morris
Island ard joined to that Of Gen Butler.
When all WAS ready Gen Butler organized his
forces and rang the bell for the curtain 10 rise
with TIE army Of Gen Meade The pieces we're
all array ed upon the cheSS-bOsri: the veterans OF
( the Potomac army were ready; Gen. Butler was
prepared with has reinforcements aud hid chosen
a portion of Gen McCiellans hard earned terri
ritory IS the theatre of his advance
The scheme compreheuded no less than
SUNRISE OF the Richmond garrison and re-
lease of our prisoners of held in vile durance
there.
Gen. Halleck Vas distrustiul of success; Mr.
Stanton was willing 10 make the dash II only fOI
the glory of the thing: and the President. &C
cupied As he i With his scheme for recOnstruc-
lion. merely gave an asserting nod and, thus
fortified
On Saturday morning-the precise time for the
movement OF the Army OF the Poiomac-the al
vance began Gen. Wistar marched from York
town to Bottoms Bridge. and crossed the Chick
ahominy He did not surprise the rebel garrison
there. nor did he march into Richmond. because
the enemy we're informed of his movement. il ].
said by the papers OF that CITY through Yanke,
deserter. and were prepared for him he found
the roads INSTRUCTED, and failure met him upon
the outset.
\ The return was accomplished in comparative
/ safety, partly because the rebels did not choose
10 follow ard mainly because there was but liltl,
force in Richmond To pursue the retr0grade
movement 4 portion Of the enemy, more ven
/ tnresome than their comrades. made an assault