Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-03-10
Gen. kilpatrick'S Movements in
Detail.
Why he didn't take Richmond

Correspondents, who accompanied Kill
patrick, give the following account of
the recent movements towards Rich
mond
The much talked of raid by Gen. Kill
patrick has ended with failure as to the
main result intended to be accomplished
but with success in cutting the railroad
connections between Lees army and
Richmond and the destruction of much
property, stores, &C., and the actual shell
ling OF Richmond. Starting on Sunday
at 3 a. m from camp, with five thousand
cavalry picked from his own and Gener-
ais Merritt's and Gregg's divisions, he
proceeded to the Rapidan, crossing at
Ely's Ford From thence the column
marched to Spottsylvania Court House,
which place was reached without en-
countering any of the enemy From
that place to the end of this daring jour-
ney he was more or less harrassed by
rebels, and frequently found that his
lines had fallen in very unpleasant
places.
At Spottsylvania his command was
divided into different parties, who were
to scour the country as they proceeded
toward the common center, Richmond
Every road was to be carefully secuted,
that no concealed foes even in small
numbers should be left behind SO as to
concentrate and worry him. The expe-
dition was warlike tour when all the
few chickens, turkeys, geese, hogs, corn,
4 oats, hay, horses, mules, negroes and
| graybacks, whether made of flesh or
paper, that could be had, were taken
possession Of They carried with them
| only two or three feeds each for their
horses, and about as many days rations
for the men, the General being deter
mined that for once the celebrated or
der, "subsist on the ene..Hy's country''
should be faithfully executed, On Mon
aay they reached the Virginia Railroad
and tore up the track in four places, de-
stroying whatever property would rem
der the road useless. At Frederick's
Hall on the Central Railroad, they came
upon court martial peacefully holding
its session, and captured a Colonel and
| Captain and two Lieutenants. General
Lee had passed over the railroad on his
! way to his army but an hour before oul
men reached it. As they passed through
the country in a most good-natured
way, questioning many as to whether
any "Yanks" had been seen there lately
the inhabitants could not believe it was
Lincoln's cavalry who were paying them
a visit. The negroes generally were de.
lighted and many, in the presence O
their owners. asked to be allowed TO &c
along. A large number were thus ga
thered together, who trudged cheerfully
along with the cavalry, delighted at
gaining their freedom. Occasionally
Union families were encountered who
gave valuable information and freely of.
fered what they had to eat and drink.
Leaving Frederick's Hall on Monday
they pushed on for Richmond a detach-
ment of 500 men under Col. Dahlgren
keeping well to the right in the direc-
tion of Louisa Court House, while Gen.
| Fitzpatrick with the main body moved
upon Ashland, both parties securing the
country thoroughly and doing all posi-
BILE damage.
As the forces neared Richmond the two
parties began concentrating. Col. Dahl
gren was to move down to the right OF
Richmond, destroying as much Of the
James river canal as possible, and then
taking the river road. was to cross II
possible and enter the city from the
south side, and attempt the deliverance
of prisoners on Belle Isle. Gen. Kilpat-
rick with the main body was to attack
the city By Brooks turnpike, simulta-
neously if possible with the other move
ment. 1t was hoped to reach the city