The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-03-11

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from Pickett,s Brigade, At Bottotn& Etidgs
and vicinity. be reluctantly gave the orsss %
move towards Mschanissvilla.
That this was dificult to do became spps-
rent. On every road chs ensmyss piakets
confronted them, sad q ssrisslof uaqeugrss.
took place ia whiSh the enemy were foand 70
90 on the alert at erery point. Night eOn-,
ing on. fitzpatrick. with his socussomsd Hu-
dsolsg. halted and made preparations "a camp.
He hsd chosen plaoes however, too near q
rebsl camp. and Of tAis ast he wss reminded
By ssiag shielded Get Of ahis pasitlon; % ths
command grspsd its way on ia the darknesa
and gloom. sklsiae whea pressed too hard.
and with the teilssle whistIs of the 1soomo.
tive now warning them that troeps were boz
ing hurried back 70 Bottom Btiagsfa the
hope Of cutting offitheir retress
On Monday General Butler rscaiyed orders
20 send over force to meet Gen. Kilpatrick's
plan as proposed. Had he known of or eK-
pected force at New Kent Court House or
at Bottom Bridge, he would not have turned
away from Richmond, but would have en-
treated General Buffers forces 70 eight for
the same place.
Two thousand infantry, under Colonel Dun
kin. 4th United States Colored. eight hum
dred cavalry under Col. Spear, llth Psnnsyl-
vania Cavalry. and Reger's Lat Battery, the
whole under command of Colonel West, were
ordered TO New Kent Court House, there 20
be governed by circumstances as to further
movements. The infantry and colored troops
left Yorktown on Monday afternoon, and
reached New Kent Court House about noon
the next day, have made an extraordinary
march through rain and mud.
The cavalry left williamsburg on Monday
night, and arrived on Tuesday morning about
eight oclock. On Tuesday afternoon, Colonel
Spear took portion of his cavalry force and
proceeded to Tunstalps Station, where he de-
stroyed new steam saw-mill and its ma
ehinery, burned freight car and twenty
thousand feet of lumber. Tuesday night
portion of Kilpatrick's force was discovered,
but not knowing whether they were rebels or
not, preparations were made to give them q
warm reception. On Wednesday morning
the question was solved, and as the two col
umns of cavalry came in on both sides of the
colored brigade, drawn up to receive them,
the mutual cheers were deafening.
This incident is marked from the fact that
heretofore the Army of the Potomac, and par
tcularly the cavalry, have entertained a,
marked dislike to colored troops. After rest
ing while, they resumed their march down
the, Peninsula. General Davis, who led, had
several men shot by guerillas. and General
Fitzpatrick and his attendants chased a body
ofthem, capturing Lieutenant and two men.
The force picked up on their way one of the
escaped prisoner, a Colonel Watson, or Wat
kins, of an Ohio regiment.
The troops went into camp few miles
from Fort Magruder, on Thursday night,
and yesterday were to move to Williamsburg,
for the purpose Of procuring forage and ra-
tons, and resting the command. This raid
has been one of the most daring of the war,
and but for the two fatalities mentioned,
| would have proved s complate success.
The men and horses have borne the hard
marching remarkably well, the saddles not
being removed during the trip, and but little
sleep given to the men.
Over five hundred prisoners were taken, but
from, the nature Of the expedition it was i'm
possible to bring them in. The casualties
have not yet been ascertained. Colonel Dahl
gren, Major Cook, and Lieutenant Colonel
Litchheld, with about one hundred and fifty
men, are missing. The latter is known to
have been wounded. Too much praise can
net be awarded Colonel Dahlgren, nor too
much regret felt at his supposed capture.
Not fully recovered from the loss of his leg
in the charge upon Hagerstown, he volun-
teered his services to General Fitzpatrick, and
was assigned to the most important command
in the expedition. The greatest consterna-
ton prevailed in Richmond during the fight
ing. as well it might. The men who have
been bafied of their prey-the rebel capital
feel that they would have been gloriously
successful if the authorities at Washington
had permitted General Butler to cooperate
with them, and keep piekets of infantry de-
ployed down the Peninsula.