Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-03-11
T.ltgraph Aews;
FROM THE DAILIEs

Rdid-7he Oatcr Line Of Works q
Richmond Tdten-He Shells the Rcbe
Cdpitat--Nc@s from Ne,e OrLcans- Fla
rdgat Bombardtng The Forts at MoJil
Fort PoeceN Is Nearly Reduced.
New YORK, 5th.
The Tribane's Washington despatch
says-Iour correspondent who arrived n
Fortress Monroe from Richmond sends T.
this bureau the following
The much talked of raid by Gen. Xii
patrick has ended with a failure, as to tn
main result intended to be acconlplshc
but with success in cutting the Railroa,
between Lees army and Richmond an,
the destruction of much property. stores
&C., and the actual shelling Of Richmond
Starting on Sunday Mt 3 \. VI from CAM
with 5000 cavalry, picked from his owl
AMI Gems. Merritt's and Grcgg's divisions
he proceeded to the Rapdan, crossing a
Ellis Ford. From thence the column
marched to Spottsylvania Coart House
which place WAS reached without encoun-
tcring any enemy. From that place tt
the end of the daring journey, lie was more
ar less harrassed by rebels. and frequently
found that his lines had fallen into 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
coward common centre, Richmond every
road was to be carefully secured that nc
concealed foes, even in small numbers,
should be left behind so as to concentrate
.or worry him.
The expedition was q wariikc tour where
all the chickens, turkeys, geese. hogs, corn,
hacks, whether made of flesh or paper,
that could he had were had. They carried
with thcn but two or three days feed for
their horses and about as many days ra-
tons for the men, it being determined for
once that tho common order, ''subsist on
the cncniy's country" should he iittingly
cxccntcd.
On Monday they reached the Virginia
Railroad and tore up the track in four
places, destroying whatever property would
render the road useless.
At Frclericksvile. on the Central Rail
road they came upon Il court martial peace
fully holding its session, and captured n
colonel and five captains. Gen. Lee had
passed by there on his way to the army but
one hour before our men reached it.
As they passed through the country i'll
rho most good natured way, questioning
many as to whether any Yankees had been
seen there lately, the inhabitants could not
{believe that it was Lincoln's cavalry who
were paving them a visit.
The negroes generally were delighted,
and many in the presence of their masters
asked to be allowed to 20 along. A large
number were thus gathered together. who
,trudscd chccrfully along with the cavalry.
Delighted at gaining their freedom.
Occasionally Union families were en-
-eountered, who gave valuable information
and freely offered what they had to cat and
drink.
Leaving Frederick willie on Monday they
pushed on for Richmond A detachment
of 500 men under Col. Dahlgren kept well
to the right, in thc direction of Louisa
Court House. while Gen. Fitzpatrick, with
the main body, moved upon Ashland, both
parties securing the country thoroughly,
and doing all possible damage.
As the forces neared Richmond, the main
parties began to concentrate. Colonel
pahlgren was to move down to the right
Of Richmond, destroying "a much OF the
James River canal Is possible, then taking
The river read. was to cross If possible, eli
ter the city on the south side, and attempt
a deliyeraaec of the prisoners ON Belle
Isle.
Gen. Fitzpatrick with the remainder of
the cavalry was ta attack the city by
Brooks Turnpike. simultaneously with the
other movement. 1t was hoped to reach
she city on Monday night or early the fol-
lowing morning. when the partial ii not
total surprise could be effected. Two of
those fatalities, which more than once dur
ing the war have saatched success from
the very grasp Of those who hy their valor
and daring have richly deserved the victor's
crown interposed to prevent the eensum-
nation of one of the best conceived and
most brilliant plans of the whole war.
Col. Dahlgren had taken a negro to pi-
lot him to Richmond. His detachment had
rapidly moved across the country, destroy
;ls barns, forage, and everything which
could possibly be of service to the rel,els.
Pushiag on So as to reach Richmond as
soon lis possible. Cod. Dakl-ren found that
his negro guide had betrayed him AVID led
him toward Goochland instead of Richmenl
and Tuesday night found him miles in just
the opposite direction he wished TO take.
The negro was promptly hung FOR his base
ness. Exasperated by the treachery, the
lncn burned tue DdrEs ana outuuiiuHiSs VI
John A. Siddons, the rebel Secretary Of
War, and it is perhaps fertnuste that the
gentleman himself was not pseseDt.
Retracing his steps Col. Dahlgren
snarched down the river road, destroying
che Dover Touring establishments and saw
mills. His force also did considerable in
jury to the James river canal boats, and
seriously damaging one or two locks.
They did not reach the immediate vicin
Iity of Richmond until the forenoon, when
everybody was on the alert, Fitzpatrick
ALREADY having made his attack.
Col. Dahlgren's detachment was divided
into several parties for the accomplishment
of different objects. Keeping together
however, one party attempted to cross the
river, but were repuised. 4 very sharp
fight ensucd, and finding the enemy i'll SUI
,pcrior numbers. and confronting them on
every road, the force Was compelled to fall
back,
In attempting to cut their way oat, Col.
Dahlgren and Maj. Cook of the I'd y. y.
cavalry, with about $50 men. were separ-
.a,cd from the rest. The others succeeded
in reieiniag Gen. Fitzpatrick, but nothing
has been heard OF Dahlgren's party. The
people on the road and some of the prison
ers aver that Colonel who had but one
leg was captured by the rebels. II so It IL
feared he mast have been wounded, but
strong hopes are entertained that with his
l.. l.