Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-03-08

f the command was written on Sheet OF paper
aving in printed letters, on the upper corner
HEADQUARTERS Third Division, Cavalry Corps,
-, 1852:
"Oftcers and Men:
ssYou have been selected from brigades ana re-
giments as picked command to attempsa ues-
oarate undertaking an undertaking which, II
successful, will write your names on the hearts
Of your countrymen il letters that can never Do
erased. ard which will cause the prayers OF our
fellow soldiers now confined IN loathsome piisonS
to follow you and yours wherever you may 60;
eve nope to release the prisoners from Dciie
island first, and having seen them fairly started,
we will cross the James river into hichnaonu,
destroying the bridges after us, and exhorling
the released prisoners to destroy ana DuFn lhe
hateful city, and 60 not allow the reDel ieauef
Davis and his traitoroas crew to escape nc
prisoners must render great assistance, as you
cannot leave yonr ranks too far or become 100
much scattered, or you will be lost
edo not allow any personal gain to lead you
off. which would only bring you to an lgnomln-
ious death at the hands of citizens Keep Wen
together and obey orders strictly, ana al VIII
be we'll, but on no account scatter too I2s, lor
in union there is strength.
ssWitl strict obedience to orders, ana feafiess-
ness IN the execution, you will DC sure to sue
coed.
esWe will Join the main force on the other
side Of the city, or perhaps meet them INSIDE.
stMany of you may fall but If there Is any
man here not willing to sacrifice his life IN such
great ami glorious Undertaking, or who does
not feel capable OF meeting the enemy in such
desperate fight as will follow, let him step out,
and he may go hence to the arms of his sweet
heart and read of the braves who swept through
tho city of Richmond.
ssWe want no man who cannot feel sure Oh
success in such holy cause.
eSJU. Vri1l have n deg STAND
to it when it does come and all Will be well.
ssAsk the blessing of the Almighty land do not
| fear the enemy.
gu. DAHLGREEN,
Colonel Commanding"
| SPECIAL ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS.
The following special orders were written on a
similar sheet of paper, and on detached silps'
the whole disclosing the diabolical plans OF the
leader of the expedition:
sst2uides-Pioners with oakum, turpentine
and torpedoes)-Sigual Officer Quartermasfer-
Commissary:
ssScouts and pickets-men in rebel uniform;
esThese will remain on the north bank ana
move dnwn with the force on the south bauk, not
getting ahead Of them, and if the communities
ton can be kept up without giving an alarm, Ii
must be done but everything depends upon a
surprise, and one must be allowed to pass a.
head of the column. Information must be gain
that should we be repulsed on the south side, we
will know where to re-cross at the nearest point.
All MILLS must be BURNED, and the CANAL DES-
TRoyED; and also everything which can De used
| by the rebels must be destroyed, lncludlng the
boats on tho river. Should terry-boat De SELF
ed. and can be worked, have it moved down.
Keep the force on he south side posted OF any
| important movement OF the enemy and IN case
| of danger some of the scouts must swim the rlv-
err and bring Us information. AS VIC approach
| the city, the party must take great care that
| they do not get ahead Of the other party On the
south side, and mnst conceal themselves and
watch our movements. We will try and secure
the bridge to the city cone milo below Belle
Ise,) aud release the prisoners at the same time
/ If We GO not succeed, they must then dash down,
and we will try and carry the bridge from each
| side. When necessary, the men must be flied
/ through the woods and along the river bank
/ The bridges once secured, aud the prisoners
| loose and over the river, the bridges will be
secured and the city destroyed. The men must
| keep together and we'll in hand, and once in the
city. it must be destroyed, and JERF. DAVIS AMI
| CABINET KILLED.
| ssPioneers will go along with combustible ma
teTial. The officer must use his discretion about
the time Of assisting US. Horses and cattle (which
We do not need Immediately, must be shot rather
than left. Everything on the Canal and elsewhere,
of service to the rebels, must be destroyed. AS
! General Custer may follow me, be careful not to
give q false alarm.
/ s'Tbe Signal officer must be prepared to COM
municate at night by rockets, and in other things
pertaining 10 his department.
ssThe Qnartermasters and commissaries must
! be on the lookout for their departments, and gee
! that there are no delays on their account.
ssThe engineer officer will follow to survey the
road as we pass over it, &c.
fsIhe pioneers must be prepared to construct
a bridge or destroy one. They must have plen-
| ty Of oalIUD and turpentine tor burning, which
will DO rolled in soaked balls, and given TO the
men to burn when we get to the city. Torpe-
does will only be used by the pioneers for de-
stroying the main bridges, &c. They must be
prepared to destroy railroads. Men will branch
eff to the right with few pioneers, and destroy
the bridges and railroads south of Richmond,
and then Join us at the city. They must be we'll
prepared with torpedoes, &c. Tho line OF Fall
ing Greek is probably the best to work along, or
as they approach the city, Goodies Creek; so
that no achievements can come up on any cars.
No one must be allowed to pass ahead for fear
OF communicating news. Rejoin the command
With all haste, and, it cut off, cross the river
above Richmond and reJoin US. Men will stop
at Bellona Arsenal and totally destroy if, and
anything else but hospitals, then follow on and
rejoin the command at Richmond with all haste,
and, if cut of, cross the river and rejoin us. AS
General Custer will follow mo, be careful and not
give false alarm.
PROGRAMME OF THE ROUTE AND WORK.
Inc following IS an exact copy ofa paper writ
ten in lead pencil, which appears to have been a
private memorandum of the programme which
DAHLGREEN had made to enable him to keep his
work clearly in mind
eSsturday-Leave camp at dark, rs, P. ny
Cross Ely's Ford at 10, z. NJ.
tsTwenty miies-Cross North, Ann at f. A.
H., Sunday-feed and water-one hour.
ssThree miles-Frederick's Hall station. g. A .
M-destrOy arts, 8. A. M.
''Twenty miles-Near James river, 2, p ii. ;,
Sunday-feed and water one hour and half.
s'Thirty miles TO Richmond-March towards
Fitzpatrick for one hour. and then as soon as
dark cross the river, reaching Richmond early
in the morning. (Monday)
''One squadron remains on north side, and one
squadron to cut the Railroad bridge at Falling
Greek land join at Richmond-eighty three miles
F'General Kilpatrlck-Cross at l, A. NJ, SUM-
day-ten miles.
'sPass river s, A. NJ, (resistance.)
Childsburg-fourteen miles--8, a. M.
fResistance at North Anna, three miles.
ssRailrosd bridges at South Anna, twenty -six
miles, 2, z. III. Destroy bridges. Pass the
South Anna and feed until after dark, then signal
each other. After dark move down to Richmond,
and be in front the city at daybreak.