Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-03-12

That this was difficult to do became up
parent On every road the cnemy's pickets
confronted them, and a series of manuuvres
took place in which the enemy were found
to be on the alert at every point Night
coming on, Fitzpatrick, with his accustomed
audacity, halted and made preparations to
camp. He had chosen place, however, too
near rebel camp, and Of this act he was
reminded by being shelled out of his posi-
ton; 30 the command groped its way on in
the darkness and gloom, fighting when
pressed too hard, and with the tell tale
whistle of the locomotive now warning them
that troops were being hurried back to Bot
tom Bridge in the hope of cutting off their
retreat
On Monday General Butler received orders
! 20 send over force to meet Gen. kilpat-
rick, sand assist him, if necessary. This
movement was part of General Fitzpatrick g
plan as proposed. Had he known of or
expected force at New Kent Court House
or at Bottom Bridge. he would not have
turned awuy from Richmond, but would
have entreated General Buffers forces to
fight for the same place.
Two thousand infantry, under Colonel
Dunkin, 4th United States Colored Regi-
ment, eight hundred cavalry under Colonel
Spear, 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Rel
gers 1st Battery, the whole under command
of Colonel West, were ordered to New Kent
Court House, there to be governed by cir
cumstarccs as to further movements. The
infantry and colorcd troops left Yorktown
on Monday afternoon, and reached New
Kent Court House about noon the next day,
having made an extraordinary march thro
rain and mud.
The cavalry left Williamsburg OF Monday
night, and arrived on Tuesday morning
about eight o'clock. On Tuesday afternoon
Colonel Spear took portion of his cavalry
force and proceeded to Tunstalls Station
where he destroyed new steam saw-mil
and its machinery, burned freight Car and
twenty thousand feet of lumber. Tuesday
night portion of Kilpatrick's force was
discovered, bat not knowing whether they
were rebels or not, preparations were mad,
to give them warm reception. On We'd
nesday morning the question was solved
and rs the two columns of cavalry came in
on both sides of the colored brigade, drawn
up to receive them, the mutual cheers were
deafening.
This incident is marked from the fact that
heretofore the Army of the Potomac, and
particularly the cavalry have entertained q
marked dislike to colored troops. After
resting while, they resumed their march
down the Peninsula. General Davis, who
led, had several men shot by guerillas, and
General Fitzpatrick and his attendants chased
a bodyof them, capturing lieutenant and
two men. The force picked mp on their way
one of the escaped prisoners, u Colonel Wat
son, or Watkins, of an Ohio regiment.
The troops went into camp a few miles
from Fort Magruder, on Thursday night
and yesterday were to move to Williams
burg, for the purpose of procuring forage
and rations, and resting the command, This
raid has been one of the most daring of tho
war, and but for the two fatalities mention
ed, would have proved complete success
The men and horses have borne the hard
marching remarkably well, the saddles not
being removed during the trip, and but
little sleep given to the men.
Over five hundred prisoners were taken
but from the nature of the expedition it was
impossible to bring them in. The casual
ties have not yet been ascertained. Colonel
Dahlgrcn, Major Cook, and Lieutenant Col
onel Litchfield, with about one hundred and
fifty men, are missing. The latter is known
to have been wounded. Too much prais,
cannot be awarded Col. Dahlgren, nor too
much regret felt at his supposed capture.
Not fully recovered from the loss of his
leg in the charge upon Hagcrstown, he vol
untecred his services to General Fitzpatrick
and was assigned to the most important
command in the expedition. The greatest
CONSERVATION prevailed in Richmond during
the fighting, as well it might. The mer
who have been batled of their prey-tht
rebel capitalized that they would have
been gloriously successful if the authorities
at Washington had permitted General But
Ter to cooperate with them. and keep pic
kets of infantry deployed down the PENN.
sula.