Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-03-12
THE WAR nv VIRGINIA.
FfGHTING IN THE SUBURBS OF THI

the following;
The much. h.talkcd-of raid by General Kill
patrick has ended with failure as to the
main result intended to be accomplished,
but with success in cutting the railroads be-
tween Lees army and Richmond, the de-
struction of much property, stores, &C., and
the actual sbelling of Richmond.
Starting on Sunday, ut8 A. NJ, from camp
with five Thousand cavalry, picked from his
own and Generals Merritt's and Gregg's di-
visions, he proceeded to the Rapdan, cross
ing at Ely's Ford. From thence the column
marched to Spottsylvunia Court House,
which place he reached without encounter
ing any of the enemy.
From Spottsylvania Court House to the
end Of his daring journey he was more or
less harassed by the rebels, and frequently
found that his lines had fallen in very un-
pleasant places. At the place last named
the command was divided into different
parties, who were to scour the country, as
they proceeded toward common centre,
Richmond.
Every road was to be carefully secuted,
that no concealed foes, even in small num-
bers, should be left behind, SO as to concen-
trate and worry him.
The expedition was warlike tour, where
corn, oats. hay, horses, mules, negroes, gray
backs, whether made of flesh or paper, that
could be had, were obtained They carried
with them but two or three feeds each for
their horses, and about as many days ra-
tons for the men, the General being deter
mined that for once the celebrated order,
"subsist on the cnemy's country" should be
faithfully executed.
On Monday they reached the Virginia
! Central Railroad, and tore up the track in
four places, destroying property would rem
der the road useful.
At Frederick's Hall, on the Central Rail
road, they came upon court martial peace
fully holding its sessions, and captured u
| colonel, five captains, and two licutenants.
Gen. Lee had passed over the railroad, on
his army, but about an hour before our men
reached it.
As they passed though the country in the
most good-natured way, questioning as to
whether any Yanks had been seen there
lately, the inhabitants could not believe that
it was Lincoln's cavalry who were paying
them visit The negroes generally were
delighted, and many, in the presence of
their owners, asked to be allowed to go
along. a large number were thus gathered
together who cheerfully trudged along with
the cavalry, delighted at gaining their free
dom.
Occasionally Union families were encoun-
tered, who gave valuable information, and
freely offered what they had to eat and drink.
Leaving Frcderick's Hall ON Monday, they
pushed on to Richmond detachment of
five hundred, under Colonel Dahlgren, keep
ing well to the right in the direction of
Louisa Court House, while General Kilpa-
tr;o ,,-t.1 tlo
Ashland, both parties securing the country
thoroughly, and doing all possible damage.
AS the forces ncared Richmond the two
main parties began concentrating. Col.
Dahlgren was to move down to the right of
Richmond, destroying as much of the James
River Canal as possible; then, taking the
river road, was to cross opposite and enter
the city from the south side, and attempt
the dcliverance of the prisoners on Belle
Isle. General Fitzpatrick, with the main
body, was to attack the city by the Brooke
| turnpike simultaneously, if possible, with
the movement.
1t was hoped to reach the city on Monday
night or early on the following morning,
when partial if not total surprise could be
effected. Two of those fatalities which
more than once during this war have snatch
ed success from the very grasp Of those who,
by their valor and daring, have richly de-
served the victor's crown, interposed to pre-
vent the consummation of .he best-conceived
and most brilliant plans of the whole war.
Colonel Dahlgren had taken a negro to
pilot him to Richmond. The detachment
had rapidly moved across the country, de-
stroying barns, forage, and everything which
could possibly be of service to the enemy.
Pushing on, so as to reach Richmond as
soon as possible, Col. Dahlgren discovered
that his negro guide had betrayed him, and
led him towards Goochland instead of to
Richmond, and on Tuesday morning he
found himself miles in just the opposite di-
rectlon from that which he wished to take.
The negro was promptly hung for his
baseness. Exasperated by the treachery,
the men burned the barns and out-buildings
of John A. Sedan, rebel Secretary of War,
and it is, perhaps, fortunate that the gentle
man himself was not present.
Retracing his steps, Colonel Dahlgren
marched down the river road, destroying
the Dover Flour Mills, and several private
Touring establishments and saw mills. His
force also did considerable injury to the
James river canal, burning canalboats, and
seriously damaging one or two locks. They
did not reach the immediate vicinity of
tlll utcIuoOu, WHICH
was on the alert, Fitzpatrick having already
made his attack.
Colonel Dahlgrep's detachment was divi
ded into several parties, for the accomplish
ment of different objects, keeping together,
however. One party attempted to cross the
river, but were repulsed. A very sharp fight
ensued, and, finding the enemy in superior
numbers, and confronting them on every
road, the force was compelled to fall back
In attempting to cut their way out, Major
Cook, of the I'd New York, with about one
hundred and fifty men, got separated from
the rest
The other detachments succeeded in re-
joining General Fitzpatrick, but nothing has
been heard of this one, The people on the
road and some of the prisoners aver that
colonel, who had hut one leg, was captured
by the rebels. If so, it is feared he must
have been wounded. Strong hopes are en-
tertained that, with his usual determination,
he has cut his way through with at least part
of his hundred aud fifty men.
Meanwhile, General Fitzpatrick had ad-
yanced down the Brooke turnpike from
Ashland, having torn up the rails ut that
point, destroying the telegraph as he march
eel. At one station, however, an operator
succeeded in sending despatch 10 Rich
mond, announcing that the Yankees were
coming. lie Yas prisoner in less than iii-
teen minutes, but that short time put Rich
mond on the qui rire, and it has since been
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