Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-03-07


The correspondent OF the PhiladeIphia In
quirer. writing from Fortress Monroe under
date OF March 5th, gives the folio wing account
of Kilpatrick's raid, the object Of which, he
says, was to release our prisoners In Rich
mond. This correspondent proceeds thus:
81 furnish you with an outline of the exploits
OF the expedition, which will serve to convey
al idea OF its importance, as testing the quail
ties OF the Union cavalry, and showing that
but for a treacherous act on the part of guide,
similar to the conduct of one who accom- panied
Gen. Butler recent demonstration against the
same city. the object of the expedition would
have been crowned with complete success the
Libby Prison and Belle Island prisoners libe.
Union arms.
After considerable delay had taken place
from the time the expedition was first project
ed, and which gave time to Longstrests Corps
20 enter Richmond (Which 1t is believed they
did prior t. Kilpatricks investment of the
city,) fitzpatrick with $500 picked men, the
hover OF his command, started from Culpep-
per, and proceeded east to Steyensburg. He
left the latter place, after some necessary delay,
and proceeded In the direction OF Spotsylvaria,
where he met rowing bands of Rebel cavalry
eral fight.
Some time after lea wing the latter plaea tho
command was divided into two columns, one
under Col. Dahlgren, proceeded east and then
south and the other approaching Richmond in
a southeasterly direction.
As Fitzpatrick advanced, he burned all brid-
ges and destroyed all roads in his course that
might be in the least beneficial to General Lee,
Is means of a communication with Rich.
mond. Some time was employed ia destroying
u large portion of the Virginia Central Ra,i-
road. which feat was accomplished with little
difficulty.
At many of the more thickly settled points on
the route OF the expedition the greatest con ster-
nation prevailed among the people, at fthe ap-
proach OF the daring Yankee cavalrymen, but
no insult was offered TO, or damage Sustained
by, any of the private citizens Of the country
through " hich the expedition passed.
0H h kk,A
within sight OF the outer Notifications of the
, city of Richmond. Dahlgren's column an.
preached by way of Brooks road, little
northeast OF the city, and the main column
under Fitzpatrick, by way OF road Running
towards the city in Q southeast direction
After the necessary preparation had been
outer lines OF the defences of the city, and car.
ried them with little opposition. The next
line was attacked, and after smart fight with
the Rebel troops within them were also taken.
This brought the Federal forces acithin tDo
n,les q The eity Of Richmond, and here the sstug
OF war ensued. The inner works were well
ate attack, which, If successful, would have
given MS Richmond, Fitzpatrick was forced 10
retre, owing TO the fact that he was not (tnrough
gren. -
Dahlgrens force was directed by Kilpatrick
70 make diversion towards the james River,
put owing TO being put on the wrong scent by
the guide employed by him, he was unable 70
render any assistance.
The trick was soon discovered, aud the false
pioneer OF the Union troops was Immediately
6aHa TO tree cttin saght of the city of Richuaoni
lad not incident just alluded to taken place,
Fitzpatrick would have entered Richmond
The cOntrctemps was the cause of KilDatrick,s
retirem ent from the face OF the defenses nearest
Richmond, and preparations were made for a
Well.ordered retreat towards Gen. Buffers
lines.
As soon as the rebels discovered the status OF
things they organised for the purpose of pre-.
venting said retreat, or harrassing the same.
IN man fnrW "a In, coli h,l. 4
rook up their line of march for Yorktown,
where they were ordered, in case Of the failure
OF the expedition, TO report. Vigorous attacks
were made on them by the closely pursuing
rebels, no haTrassed them ON three sides at
once, but they were all successfully rspuised
ano the gallant s, body OF men proceeded on their
May 70 Yorktown, where they arrived on
The entire loss OF the expedition amounts to
about is5 men, many OF whom are believed to
be captured. The defenses around Richmond
are represented to be of = very strong charac-
ely.
Another account is furnished by the CORES.
pendent OF the N. Y. Tribune, under the same
-date, ana ne gives the following additional
particulars: II
On Monday they reached the Virginia ten.
tral Railroad, and tore mp the track In four
places, destroying Whatever properly would
IN the Central Railroad, they came uuan n
.court-martial peacefully holding its sessions.
sud captured colonel, hye captains and two
l.sntenants. Gen. Lee had passed over the
railroad, on his way to his army, but about an
heir before orr men reached IL.
As they passed through the country In the
most good catured way, Questioning - to
whether any Yauks had bean there lately, tho
Inhabitants could not believe that u was Lin
coins cavalry who were paying them . visit
many, IN the presence of their owners. asked
to b. allowed 10 90 along. A large number
were thus gathered together, who cheerfslly
trudged along with tho cavalry, delighted ct
Raiuing their freedom. -
Occasionally Union families were sncoun-
tered, who gave valuable information, and
freely cdered what they had TO eat and drink
After the negro guide, referred to above, had
been hung for his treschery. C0l. Dahlgren re.
traced his steps and moved down the river
rnad. deefroyed the Dover fionr mills, several
private flouripg estabiis hments and saw mills.
His force also did considerably injury to the